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ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


3  1833  01125  9469 


GENEALOGY 

974.701 

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I'Z'ZS     #°* 


HISTORY 


OF 


SI  D  PT  n*  B  D  rn  :i!  ib^ 


AND 


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COUNTIES.  N.Y.. 

WITH  ILLUSTRATIONS  DESCRIPTIVE  OE  SCENERY, 

C^  |J  r  i  T  n  i  e  H  ^  s  i  d  e  n  c  e  s »,  -^^P^ 
Public  Buildings,  Fins  Blocks,  and  Important  Manufactoriss, 

FROM  ORIGINAL  SKETCHES  BY  ARTISTS  OF  THE  HIGHEST  ABILITY; 

fOBTBAiTS  07  OLD  ?IOTJEETlS  AUI  f1?0]ff)TJETJT  BESIISTJTS. 


NEW    YORK; 


F.  W.    BEERS  &  CO. 


36    VESEY    STREET. 


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Gf-o.   MiCNAMARi,  Primer,  jft  W-suy  Street,   New  York. 


1704858 


INTRODUCTORY. 


To  one  whose  own  neighborhood  has  been  the  theatre  of 
events  prominent  in  the  nation's  annals,  the  history  of  th(jse 
events  is  the  most  interesting  of  all  history.  To  the  intrinsic 
fascination  of  stirring  incidents  is  added  the  charm  of  their 
having  occurred  on  familiar  ground.  The  river  is  more  than  a 
volume  of  water  irrigating  its  banks  and  turning  millwheels — 
more  than  a  blue  ribbon  woven  into  the  green  vesture  of  the 
earth — to  one  who  knows  how  it  has  dictated  the  course  of 
events  along  its  valley  for  centuries,  detemiining  the  location, 
tirst  of  the  Indian's  castle  and  then  of  the  white  man's  village  ; 
the  line,  firet  of  the  red  warrior's  trail  and  finally  of  the  four- 
tracked  railway  ;  at  one  time  the  site  of  the  farmer's  clearing 
and  again  that  of  the  frontier  fortress  ;  now  the  route  of  an 
army's  march  and  anon  that  of  a  nation's  domestic  commerce. 
The  road  that  has  been  traveled  unthinkingly  for  years  is 
invested  with  a  new  interest  if  found  to  have  folUjwed  an  Indian 
trail.  The  held  v.herc  one  has  harvested  but  giriia  or  fniit  for 
many  a  season  brings  forth  a  crop  of  associations  and  ideas 
when  it  is  understood  that  it  was  the  scene  of  one  of  those  san- 
guinary conflicts  in  which  the  land  was  redeemed  from  savagery, 
the  character  of  its  civilization  determined  and  its  independ- 
ence secvired.  The  people  will  look  with  a  heightened  and 
more  intelligent  interest  upon  ancient  buildings  in  their  midst, 
already  venerated  by  them  they  haidly  know  why,  when  they 
read  the  authentic  record  of  events  with  which  these  monuments 
of  the  jiast  are  associated.  The  annals  of  a  region  so  famous 
in  legend  and  record  as  that  of  which  these  ])ages  treat  give  it 
a  new  and  pnwerful  element  id  interest  for  its  inhabitants,  and 
strengthen  that  niiniatitie  but  admirable  patriotiMu  which  con- 
sists in  tlie  hive  of  one's  own  locality. 

Where  such  a  series  df  evt'nt>  as  we  havp  hintiMl  at  has  un- 
folded itself  Hithin  the  biiuudarifs  ,,f  a  c.unty.  tlic  liist(jry  of 
that  county  !■-  in  some  sense  an  epitome  ni  liistnry  in  general. 
In  this  view,  the  tHrritory  whose  annals  are  jiresented  in  this 
volume,  is  very  notabli\  Within  it.  in  tlie  course  of  time,  the 
beginning  and  succHssivf  stages  of  civilization  have  been  illus- 
trated with  singular  completeness.  Here  the  aboriginal  race 
has  jieopled  the  jirimeval  forest  and  has  disapjieared  before  the 
Teuton,  anil  the  Celt  after  a  contlict,  marked  by  every  tragir 
inrideut.  The  forest  itself  has  given  way  before  the  advance 
of  civili/.ed  life,  and  a  race  with  traditions  of  law,  learning  and 
religion  has  here  endiodied  theiri  in  forms  of  its  likini:.  The 
people  of  this  region  with  their  fellow  colonists,  having  settled 


the  tirst  problems  of  their  novel  situation,  had  in  time  to  reform 
the  government  of  a  continent ;  and  in  the  great  struggle  for 
independence  a  disproportionate  share  of  stirring  events  occur- 
ring within  the  limits  of  Montgomery  and  Fulton  counties  made 
them  forever  historic  ground.  Under  the  beneficent  auspices  of 
freedom,  the  great  resources  of  this  region  have  been  developed, 
and  clearings  have  become  populous  towns,  and  settlements 
thriving  vill.iges.  By  the  ordinance  of  Xature  the  most  practi- 
cable pathway  between  East  and  West  leads  through  the  valley 
of  the  Mohawk,  and  side  by  side  with  that  storied  stream,  in 
its  passes  through  the  Montgomery  hills,  run  the  greatest 
canal  and  the  greatest  railway  of  the  continent,  separated  only 
by  the  rich  meadows  throufi-h  which  the  river  winds. 

Under  the  sway  of  cause  and  effect  liistoric  events  cannot 
stand  alone,  they  form  an  unbroken  chain.  The  history  of  so 
limited  a  territory  as  a  county  in  Xew  York  has  its  roots  not 
only  in  remote  times,  but  in  distant  lands,  and  cannot  be  jiiatly 
written  without  going  far  beyond  the  eoiinty  limits  for  some  of 
its  most  essential  facts.  >'or  can  such  a  county  history  be  un 
deistood  in  its  due  relation  and  signiticance  without  ahistnrical 
review  of  at  lea.st  the  State  in  which  the  county  is  a  part  ; 
hence  we  feel  that  in  giving  such  an  outline  we  have  been  more 
faithful  to  the  main  purpose  of  the  work,  wliile  we  have  added 
an  element  of  independent  interest  and  value. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  volume  the  standard  works  em- 
bracing the  history  of  the  Mohawk  valley  ha\e  been  consulted, 
beside  nuiny  original  sources  uf  information.  Anumg  those 
who  have  furuishedthe  publishers  with  valuable  material,  they 
would  acknowledge  special  obligations  to  Mr.  J.  R.  Simnis.  of 
Fort  Plain:  Col.  Simeon  Sammons;  David  Cady.  of  Amsterdaui: 
W.  II.  Shaw,  of  Mayrteld;  Rev.  \Vm.  B.  Van  Beuschoten,  of 
Ephratah:  Hon.  Isaac  R.  Rosa,  of  Broadalbin  ;  Hon.  .loliii 
Bowdish.  .fudge  Daniel  Spraker  and  F.  P.  Moulton,  of  the 
town  of  Root.  Montgomery  county  ;  Pythagoras  Wetmore.  of 
Canajoharie  ;  ,\bram  Van  llorne.  of  Mill  Point:  Rev.  Wm. 
N.  Irish.  D.  I>..  of  .Vmsterilam  :  and  Rev.  C.  C.  Kdmiui.ls. 
of  .lohnstowu  :  the  last  two  of  whom  furnished  the  histoiies 
of  the  Episcopal  cliurches  of  whieh  they  are  reetoj-s.  Several 
liersons  who  have  been  earnestly  applied  to  have  withheld  or 
neglected  to  furnish  information  which  they  could  best  impart, 
and  perhaps  they  only,  and  which  would  have  contributed 
to  the  perfection  of  this  woik. 


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TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 


HI  S  T  O  K  I  C -A.  L      -A.  3Sr  X)      ID  E  S  C  H  I  1=  T  I  "V  E 


STATE  HISTORY. 

CHAPTER  I. 
The  AbfRgices  of   Amenca— EJirlieat    Explorations    and 

Diwwerirt  in  the  New  World, ".9 

CHAPTER  II. 
BivftI  ClmaBB  of  the  Enpli-h  and  Dutch  to  the  Territory  of 

New  York. ft-10 

CHAPTER  ni. 
French  ud  Indian  Wat^— DisvenBioDS  in  the  Colonial  Gov- 

enunot -Capture  and  Execution  of  Lrtsler.  -       -        -      10,  11 
CHAPTER  n'. 
Count  Frentenac's  Compui-jiu— Pievalenc*  of  Piracy- Mia- 
goTeaaneat  of  New  York- French  Trading  and  MiUtary 

CHAPTER  XI. 
St.  Leger'*  Siege  of  Fort  fichuvler  and  the  Battle  of  Ons- 

kany— RMter  of  the  Ijitt«r, 48-31 

CHAPTER  XII. 
A  FruitlcM  Council  with  the  Iro-^uoia  at  Johnstown- In- 

dian  HostiUtiea— Sir  John  Johnson's  First  Raid,    -        -      51-53 
CHAPTER  XIII. 
Sutferingsof  tbeMobawk  Vnlley  I'atnot^-Branfs  Decent 

on  Canajoharie— The  Second  Raid  of  Sir  John  Juhnrton,       33-55 
CHAPTER  SIV 
Doxtader's  R«id  on  Currytown,  and  the  coose-iueot  Fiffbt- 
ing— The  Foray  of  Rosa  and  Butler— Death  of  the  Lat- 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Peace  on  the  Mohnwk-Resulo  of  the  War-The  naming 

and  tuecfssive  Boundaries  of  Mouigomery  County,       -      57.  58 
CHAPTER  XVI. 
Immigration    from    New    England -Pioneer    Life  -  New 
Boada  and   Bndges— Staging  on   the   ilohawk  Turn- 

The  Town  of  Johufltown. 50ft-Sl« 

The  Town  of  lUeecker. 21J.213 

The  Town  of  BmaiUlbin, 2U--21* 

The  Town  of  1  '.iroi-'ft. 220 

The  Town  of  Kphnitiih, S21-221 

The  Town  of  M.iylield, 225-229 

The  Town  cf  N'.rthampton, 232-233 

TheTownof  Oppenheim,      ..-.-.      237.238 

The  Town  of  Perth. 239, 2» 

The  Town  of  Stratford, HI 

BIOGRAPHIES. 

Avery,  Anson  J  ,  M.D., 234 

Baird,  Jacob  U.,            lu« 

Barker.  William  F., -        ...        236 

B.mey.  Z.  H,  M.  D.. Hi 

BUuchard,  John. 231 

Blake.  John  F.  M.  D, 236 

Botteford.  Aino.-  3., 203 

Bowduh,  Hon.  John, 167 

CHAPTER  V. 
The  AUe«Bl  Plot  to  Bum  N^w  York-French  and  English 

HortibJiea-The  Contest  for  the  Ohio  Valley,        -        -      12.  13 
CHAPTER  VI. 
The   EesalU  of   Four    tngii-b    Expeditions    apuoat    the 

Freot*— Moatcalm's  aucrt-vifiil  Ctunpaigna,   -                -      13-15 
CHAPTER  VII. 
The  Exta»rtioD  of  French  Power  in  Amenca-The  New 

York  Jadinary — International    L'ontentiona,        -        -      15.  16 
CHAPrER  VIII. 
Th*  AppTOMh  of  the   Rerolmion— Piitnotic   Attitude  of 

NfcwTork-Tho  First  B.itrle  Fought  in  ITTO,        -        -      16-19 
CH-^l-TERIX. 
The  BofltOD  Tea  Party  -M-i-enn^of  ttie  Continental  Coo- 

gTt««— The  Battle  of  Lexington — Canada  Invaded,        ■      IB.  19 
CHAITER    X. 
Ho«tiliti«  Traosfenvtl  to  New  York— The  Battle  of  Loo? 

CHAPTER  XVIL 
The  Mohawk  Ri?er— lu  Improvement  as  a  Highway  by  the 

Inland  Lock  Naiigation  Campioy. 30,  61 

CHAPTER  XVllI. 
Montgomery  County  in  the  War  of  lS12-The  Mibtia  Sys- 
tem—How  the  Eleventh  Brigade  went  to  War,       -        -      61-63 
CHAPTER  XIX. 
TheConatmclion  and  Enlanrt^ment  of  the  Erie  Canal— .An 

Incident  of  Lafayette's  Tour, M,  W 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Early  Railtoading  10  the  Mohawk  Valley— The  Utica  and 

Scheneoudy  and  New  Yoik  Central  Linea,      •        -        -      GS,  66 
CHAPTER  XXJ. 
Agriculture  in  Sir  William  John:«jn*  Time-History  of  the 

Montgomery  County  Agricultural  Society,      -        -              66-67 
CHAPTER   XSII. 
The  Removal  of  the  <ourt-House- Montgomery's  Repre- 
sentative* in  Congress  and  Legislature— Codaty  Insti- 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
Original  Land  Oranta  in  Montgomery  County— Diaaension* 

Arising  from  them— The  Clarke  Entale,  -        --      •        -      70-74 
CHAPTER  XXIV. 
Features  of  tlie  Geology  und  Physical! Geography  of  Mont- 
gomery and  Fulton  Counties.     74,-5 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
Montgomery  County  in  the  Civil  War-Uiatory  of  the  IlStb 

New  York  Volunteer  Infan'.ry.         .....      75-84 

TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES  OF  MONTGOMERY  CUUNTY- 

The  Town  of  Amsterdam, 85—87 

The  Vjilap.of  AmM.rJ.im. ^^—94 

ThnTownof  Canajoh-iii^, 95-98 

The  Vill.tg^of  Can«johnne, 99-102 

TheT-wnuf  iharleKlon. 103-107 

The  Town  of  Florida,      ....                ...      108-1I6 

TheTownof  iilen. 117-121 

F.iitonviUe. 122.123 

ThnTownof  Mmden, 12t»-lCl 

F..rtri..in. 132-134 

TheTownof  M..h..wk. 135-140 

F-nd... ...      141-143 

The  Town  of  Palatine, 149-151 

The  Town  ot  lioot. 163-166 

TheT..wnoI  .«!- Jr.l,nt.vtlle. 171 

The  Vilh.Keof  ^!    Johnsville. 178 

FULTON  COUNTY. 

'■HArTKH  I. 
C.u«.,  Ui.l.n,  tn  llif  1  rcaiion  of  ,)„■  r.„.„ir-The  Surcc- 

•  lonot  Uftcjrs-Sun.lrr  louniy  In-muI,on..        -         ■  lT3-i:3 
l.'HM'TEK   II. 
On. in.  Oro.lt.  .>0<lMeth.,l.  of  the  Glove  >0.iMiI[eii  Manu- 
facture of  Fullon  L'o'inry I7.1~i7» 

rHAFTEB  III. 
Fulton  County-.  Reroril  in  li.e  \V„r  for  the  Ucion-H..I.:rr 

of  the  IM.i  New  Vurk  Volunteer., 1;8-IM 

CKAI'TER  IV. 
The  Re<:ord  of  Severnl  romp-.tiie-t  ir.  which  Fulton  County 

Men  Fo,.irhlf..tthe.v.ii..n,      .        .        .        .        j        .  1m-1«; 

TOWNS  ASCI  VILLAGES  OF  FLLTOV  COUNTY. 

Bowdish,  Nathaniel, 196 

Bowdu.h,  D  J.,              l« 

Bowlet.  William  H., 213 

Boyee,  Linn  L  .               236 

Brown,  Col  John, 154 

Brower.  WiUiom  H.. 136 

lirockway,  Tiilany. facing    213 

Buchanan,  John  M. 231 

Bnrdick.  John  E.,  M.  D., 22) 

Bubby,  E.Jwin,                 231 

Bnshnell.  John            238 

Butler.  James?.. 106 

Butler,  <:ol.  John, 13: 

C^ii.aon.  D,.niel, 200 

Cady,  David.               lit 

The  Battlfof  Beniiinclon- St  Le^er'it  Fjilure  at  On^'kany 

and  Fort  flehayler- Pnr.-jyoe'a  Defeii.t  and  Surrender,      21-23 
THAPTEB  XII. 
Sir  Henry  Ointon's  Hud-suu  P.ner  Campan-Ti  — France  Re- 

cogaiaa  the  t'nited  Stares— Wars  w.th  the  Indians,     -       23-24 
CH.\.PTER  XIII 
Amold'iTTeuKon— Close  of  the  Hevolulion- Adopt  Ion  of  the 

Conjtilotion— Internal  Improvements,     ....      24-26 
CHAPTER  XIV. 
Caiuea  of  the  Lmrt  War  with  Oreat  Unr.iin-Eipeditiona 

Affaiu«tC«nsdii  — HoHtrlidea  .\lauK  the  Border,       -         -       CU-28 
CHAPTKR  XV. 

Cady,  Jay.                    Hi 

(^ri3tie.  Edwiipl. 231 

Close,  Abniham  B., 230 

Cozzens,  William, 229 

Cramer,  Solomon, .        238 

Davie,  William  H., 158 

Davis,  Hopea,              106 

Decker,  Nicholas  H., lO) 

Dievendonf.  Jacob, 169 

Dievendortf,  Williom  B., 1C9 

Dixon.  Baltus  W., 231 

Dom.  MtT.  Jeremiah, 210 

Dcming,  Hiram,         ..-...-.-        213 

UpriBM?— The  .stare  Admmi-itration- New  York  in  the 

Civil  V«r. 28-30 

Dennia,  Eli.                 224 

MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 

CHAPTER  I. 
The  Fire  NaiioDs- Their  Tr,>ditionaof  their  Ongin— Iro- 

Dunn,  Andrew, 134 

Diinkel.  Harvey, 102 

Durfte,  Abram. 224 

Failintr.  John  A.. lir 

Fen.'u5on.  Sylvester. 231 

CHAITER  II. 
The  Mohnwk!«and  tht^ir  Wai^.  w^th  ihe  French-FinJ  Coun- 
cil in  their  Coii'itry—The:r'iintl.^          ....      .32-34 
CHAPTER  HI. 
K:itxrum»tanre«  of  the  pHlalinc  ImmifTTHtion-The  German 

F^lthmentflun  the  Hud»<iii  and  the  Slohawk,                   •      .34.35 
CHAPTER  IV. 
Til-  ronMmct.oTi  of  Fort  n..n'.r-Fin.t  Settlemen:i-Sir 

Willi^mJohiiK'n'-.  Carter    The  Burnet-flcid  Miu-sacre,      3-5-3; 

Fonda,  Jelles.                 13T 

Foote,  Daniel,             231 

Fn-y  Family.                  ISI 

Frank.  Ahrnm, 250 

Georve,  Isa.ic,                 230 

Gttman.  David. 230 

Hanson,  Hon.  John  J  , 2«> 

n..iieniao.  -Mi.al,, 230 

Hiil,  Key.  Ni.:hola., nj 

The  Mnhitwk  Valley  ia  ITS:— Growth  of  FopuliitK-n-CiTil- 

izmp  the  9a»««ei'—Cre>itii>o  of  Trjon  County,                 .      i:-.rj 
CH.\ITER  Vr. 
Ti^-.n  Tounty  on  the  hv^nf  tie  Revnluti.-n-Tke  .loln-onn 

-PatrwIicGathenn(n.ni.d  Itler..n.-«.     ....      39.10 
CHAPrER  VK. 

Cniinty  Committee   to  Guy  Johi.*on-U«    Ku.picious 

Howland,  H  .rri..m, 231' 

Hnbh..  Hon   ihirles, 1R6 

H'l.;.  J,  Hiiehen. 231 

Jark...n.S.inoel. u, 

J..hn<in.  .'iir  William. jfui 

J„.l,„.  Mr.M.ry, „, 

Keone-ly.  Davi.l.              j.v 

Knapi.-raniu  n.. .,„ 

Lan.in«.  Ahtam.            231 

I.»ii.ii.j.  G..rTet  I., i« 

CHAPTKR  VIll. 

wm-HoitileAttitudpof  S.r.IoboJohn.u,n,     .        .         ,       43.44 
CHAPTER  IX. 
Bchuyler'ii  Exp*tl:Iion  lo  Johti«town  and  Disarmament  of 

the  Tonc-The  Flight  of  .^.r  John  J..hn*in.  -        -        -      44-4« 
CHAPTER  X. 
The  Militii«(.'rBBoi7.ilIon— AUnn  on  the  ApproMih  of  Bur- 

Ki.jne  (iimI  Ml.  Leirer-Fort  echuykT  Lixesled,        ■         -      4C-48 

Lew...  M  .rvin. 23S 

LoMell.  Nalh.n  B., 23« 

McKliil.iy.  John j-j, 

llcKn.irhi.J..hn.            ;jj 

Jloore,  D;.r.u..            ;k 

U.i.,lt,>n.  H.in.  F    IV ^ 

Mup«in.  En,            2.51 

U.1"M,  Collin.,                  229 

0^"  6 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


OrtuD,  Dan 
OrertMuifh,  NpVm, 
P»fre.  Robert  ft  . 
Pi4ru,  Hud.  It^kr 
PftTMiDi  Family, 
P«lU?r»on.  Jolin. 
Prt^rwo,  Hdrvej 

Pott-r.  Eon    I'Ut 
RwldU,  Joseph, 

anb*rt»-ji>,  James 
Eooney.  Tbolimi 
BoHM,  laojxc  R  , 
EoM,  Jnin-^  P..  J 
Rrm.  Elder  Joho 


Shull  Family. 


Smith,  WiJirtCD  A., 
Smith,  Geonre,    - 
Snow,  jJjmeoD.  M.D. 
Spier.  JcMeph  F.. 


dprtiktir  Ftimily,     • 
Spruker.  iMniel.Jr- 
buno,  John  a..    ■ 
Sweet,  loaiah.      - 
Thomas,  Henry  C, 


Vandenturgh.  Pt'i.jf 
V«n  Djke.  CjileaC  , 


.  Hon.  WeUter. 


ix.L-crsTii-A-a?iO]srs- 


Arkell,  Jiunes,  Canajoharie,  E'-sideace. 
Arodt,  Alfred,  Mimlen,  Re«<lence, 

Buk,  Muh.Lwk  Etrer.  Foadii 

BoTOea,    Levi  G., '  anajuliurie.  R'riidenoe, 
Bat«^  Edur  J,  i^t.  Johnsville,  Residence,      . 
BAuder.  B.,  Mindeu,  Residence,        .... 
Bftniler,  J.  G  ,  MinJen,  Re^iiuenct;  ind  Grounds, 
Beach  k  Corr.  PiU.itine  BnJie,  Cider  Manufac^orj-, 
Beoze.  H.  C,  Canjjotmrie.  Store.  ... 

Bierbiiuer,  L.,  Cannjoharie,  Brrwerj, 
Bluke,  Dr.  J.  F..  Northville,  Re^j.lenc*-. 
BUnchard.  John,  M^iyrteM,  Residence.     . 
BowJish,  Hon.  John.  Ruml  Gro^e.Ke^idence  and  Stoi 
Btockway,  Tifl^nj-,  BnjiuJalbin.  Rwidence. 
Bruwer.  U.  T.  E  ,  Muh.iwk,  Rrt/dence.     . 
Brown  &  B«  ich.  Pdliitine  Bridge.  He$iden<.'«, 
Brx>wn,  J,  F.,  For  I.u-k*ou.  Lumber  un.l  Coa!  Y.trd, 
Cadv.  DaTid.  Am-tet-Jum.  Residence. 
Carr.  A.,  Fort  PUio.  Residence  and  Grounds,     , 
Church.  EvanKclican  Luthena,  Palaiine,  EJiflce, 
Churrh,  U.  Fr^byterian,  Perth  Cantre,  Edifice, 
aoeo.  A.  B  ,  MiijtiPld.  Eesiilcnoe,     .... 
Cook,  J.  C  PiUatme,  Residenix'.  .        .        .        . 

tJonntr>m'i".  ^^m  .  Resuleno:,  .... 

Court  House.  Fonda,  E.liflce 

Conrt  HiiiK-€,  Joh.l^lown,  b:.litice,     .  ... 

Crooae.  Wra..  Fort  Plain,  Residence  nod  Grounds, 
Crouse,  S.,  ilindenvillf,  RMi.ienre, 

Davi^  I.  M..  Fond  I,  Kt^-*id,nce 

Davu.  John  I..  Mih.iwk,  R.-*iJenee. 

Dari^i.  W.  H-  PnUtiiie  Bridi.'*.  Residence. 

Decker,  X.  H  .  Joimstown,  Rt«.  nnd  Grounds.     . 

DcOmff,  Alfred.  Moh.iwk.  Rc-i-ienee.       .        .        .      ; 

De<irair.  J.  T..  An-ttr-lnm.  Krsilente, 

Denaia.  Mrt.  M.  X.,  RoctwoKl.  R<-:sidcnce,     . 

Dievendurfl,  C  .  Cmrytown,  EwiJenre, 

Dievendorph.  J..  Ciirrrtown.  Re^^idence  and  Ccm.. 

thileobock,  A.  A..  PnUtine,  Reiidence. 

Doni.  E.  J..  JohnsTown.  Ho-i.!er.rv,       .         .         .         . 

Dom,  N.,  Jolin»town.  Ke-id.  i!'e 

Dunckl**,  Mn.  X  ,  Min.|.-ii.  II. -u^  and  Grouodc. 
Dunii.  Arvlrtw,  F-rt  Pl-.m.  R.-iieuce.      . 
Dunk,  John.Jr..J-.tmHlo«ii.  M..Ti.iracrory, 
iirker,  D.  W..  .\iu--tcniaiti.  Hwjdence,      . 
Edwards,  J.  V.  S.  i  Sons,  iilen.  Residence  ind  Slort;. 
Erereat,  I.  M.G.iro.'a,  lle-i'ience  and  i.rist-mill, 
FaiUngr.  .T.  A.,  Fal.irine  llrlive.  Reaid-nce.      . 


Failmg,  J. 


,  Palatl 


,  Ho  I 


Failinf,  R  ,  Mmden,  Re»i 
Fitiehout,  A  ,  ranaiohiini 
Flnkel.  J.  J.,  R«>"t.  R'-Md. 
Fiah,  F.,  Fulionville.  R-v 
Floyd.  Jr.hn.  PM.tine,  R. 
Fort  PU.n  Scminirr.  For 
Fonda  Hot*-l.  Fond..       ...... 

Pr^nk,  David,  Frank's  ''ornery  R'^id.-Dce. 
Prwl-nck,  A  .  John»r>.wn,  Ke*ilence. 
Fnwman,  C.  B.,  Fulionville.  K^-.dence. 
Firoman,  i'    W.  i  '•..  Folt.mvdk-,  Stoam  Mills. 
FnU^r,  C.  W..  Pil.tme.  R.-i  lenoe, 
Oetman,  B..  Ephntah.  R.-idenoe, 
Hall.  Robert,  Miuicn,  Hou-e  and  Grounds, 
Hall,  Wm-  For.di,  R.-iden'-e, 
Hanson.  H.u..  J.  J  . '.tovcr^vdlp.  Store, 
He<«,  A..  Pftlfttin.'  Hndre.  R-."»idenc«, 
Hfvemao.  M.,  5U.  field,  n.^.d-ore. 
Hole*  i  St^itlonl.  i;..i.i.j..h  .ri..  Store. 
Hottmer,  .1.  S.,  J.djii-.i'iwn.  fU-idence,      . 
Uo>wk.  Jrtcob.  rinrila.  H.Md^noe. 
Howlaod.  U^rrv-.n.  M,.yti-M.  Kt^idence. 
Jotan«on.J.  U..  G.ij\pr-«iilio.  l:-.'i  iim-e, 
Ka«on.  A.  J.,  i.Uv^r^vdlc,  i:.s.  lonre. 
Keck.  Ju*eph,  S--k4<  Vm.  r.  R-.-idPure  ^nd  Bm 
Kellotru:.  J-  Annt.pUm   H-.l-n*  and  Grounds 
KrIloBir  *  MiUcr.  \mau  rljin.  I.ins.?ed  Od  Wyi 
Koapp,  J.  U  . 


Lm.  I 


,  Ma 


kid.  Upsi 


,  U', 


Lighthall,  B- 

Lipe.  J  .  Mmden.  H«-.id.n. 

Lipe.  J.  £..  Mtnlen,  Reaid. 


Lotridcre.  C.  i  W.  T.,  Mohawk,  Reaid 
McClumjiba,  J.,  Amsterdam.  Reaiden 
Mclntyre.  M.,  P^nh  Centr*'.  Residenc 
McVean,  Ed..  Johnstown,  Residf^nce, 


Ma; 


'L-ll.  J  . 


isteniam.  Mill  a 


1  Reaid 


(ollowing  2 
following 


Maylendcr.  M.  Johnstown,  Residenoe,       .  .  following  2 

Miller,  J  imes  A.,  Amsterdam,  Residence  and  Grounda,followine 

Motrell.  T>  S.,  Palatine   Residence following  I 

Moyer.        vr  B.,  Frey^  Bujh.  Residence  .        -  following  1 

Nellia,  Abnim,  Xellistown,  Rea'dence  and  Grounds,  following  I 

N'eUis.  J-  D  i  R..  St.  Johnsville,  Residence,    "       .  folLtwing  1 

Xellis,  H.,  J.  H.  i  A.  C,  Canajoharie,         .        .        .  following 

Xellis  A.  &  Co.,  Canajoharie.  Hotel,  following 

Sorthrup  i  Co.,  W.  3.  &  M.  S.,  .lohnstown.  Faitory,  prece-liog  2 

f>strom.  Col.  Stephen,  Glen.  Residence.  .        .  following  1 

Parsons,  Hon.  Levi.  Kinir*boro,  Residence,    .        .  precediBir  -J 

Phillipfl,  A.  C.  Florida.  Residence following  1 

Pickanl,  M.  A.,  Minden,  Residence,         .        .        .  foUowins  2 

Prind'.e  E.  W.  i  C.  Johnstown.  Re'idence,  .  following  1 

Putmai..  John.  Ulen,  Residence precedinij  i 

Fntman  &  Talmadge,  Glen,  Residence  und  Mills,      .  lollowing  1 

Putman,  V.  .\-.  .\!Jric^vil!e,  Residence  and  Store  pr-c^diai  1 

Reese.  \   i  H..  Florida.  Farm  RMidence,  .  foUowinir  I 

Resseg'uie.  H-  J  .  Nonhvillc.  R-^ideoce,    .        .        .  following  2 

Roberts,  J..  Uayrteld,  Residence preceding  1 

Robison,  C.  H.,  Cana)oLarie,  Hotel,  .  .  following  I 

Ro..t  J..  Mui.len,  Residence preceding  I 

Ros.a,  I,  .\,  Fonda.  Hotel. precedinu  1 

Eow.  S.  S.,  .(olin-tnwn.  Residence,  .        .  lollowing  I 

Ross  EUler  J  .  f^  harleston  4  Corners.  Residence.     -.  followinij  1 
Summons.  Cd.  s .  Mohn-vk.  Rpt^idence           .  facing  I 

S.immons.  Mr-.  H..  Snmmon.-ville.  Residence,  .  following  2 

Srhenck,  Benjamin,  Palatine,  Homestead, 


nyler 


,  Resi 


Schuylor.  .1.  D..  Olcn,  Residence. 
Schiiyter,  Thomo.-.  Moliawk.  Residence, 
S<_-ott,  Jame:*  D  ,  Juiinstown,  Hotel. 
Sl.anahan.  James,  Tribes  Hill.  Residence, 
Shaw,  Capt.  W.  H..  Maytield,  Residence. 
Sliulcr.  D.  W.,  Ainaterilam.  Residence, 
«hull.  A.  \V  .  Palatine.  Residence.  .  . 


cad. 


'len,  R'sid 


Sitterly.  J..  Paatine,  Residence, 
Smith,  A.  A:  Son.  St.  Johnsrille.  Residenct 
Sintlh,  Ell.  S..  Aniiterdara,  Store. 
Smith.  John,  Minden.  Re<iJenec  and  Grou 
Smith.  M.-n/o.  St-JohnsviUe.  Re-.dence. 
Smith.  M.-s-s.  Minden,  Residence  and  Gro 
SnHl.  J  .  P.alitine,  Rc-idence. 


following  1 
following  I 
following  1 
following  2 

followinff  1 
f.illuwmiT  3 
following 


precHing  I 
fiUowing 


aker.  Jai 


;  Bndir. 


•«iden< 


facii 


Spraker,  H-n.  Jn-eph.  Palatine.  Residence.     . 

Stafford.  John.  Palatine  Bndtre,  Residi-nce,  .     followii 

Stnnn,  A..  Fulionville,  R<^.dence.             .         .  .        foll.iwin 

StAnii.JaoubH..  FultoHTille,  RcMdence,   .  .    follow, n 

Stann,  John  n..  Glen.  P.eHidence.                       .  prc'-eilii 
star.n.  J.  U.,  F.iLlonviUe.  St.xk  Fann  and  Residence,  followin 

Slewirt,  J.  a:  .\    McI..  J..hn-f..wn.  Re-id.nce,  fullowiri 
Stewart,  .Mr-..  M.  J,.  Am-li-rdam,  R^Mdence.      . 

Siewart.  W.  S  .  ojipenheira.  Re«iden.-e,           .  .        preoe-lin 

StirhtK  >hul*rr.i:.naiohane.  Store.           .         .  .     followir 

St.iller.  J    R..  Mohawk.  Rcanlin.  e.                      .  .        foUnwii 

Swohe.  J.  II  .  W.St  I'.rth.  B-M  Icnce.           .         .  .     folluwlr 
TalJmadiie  &  H-ibb*.  <Vlen,  H..(-l  m.l  Blacksmith  shop,  f.illowir 

Thi.mcrt-'n.  I.    R.  P  .  Fonda,  R.--i  len<-e.       .  .     f.dlnwir 

Thomt>«in»  t  Richanli..  Pap«r  Mid.  Fonda,     .  f-dlowir 

Tiinernian.  C  Amitenlam.  Residence.        .        .  .    followit 
rndiTWOo.1.  I 


I..  KphraUh.  Residence. 

pr>'c«lint' 

rp.  1'   6l  Son.  Ful;<in»ille, 

.     fidlowin^ 

1.  U.  A.  i-  \y.  A..  Sprout  Brook. Resid en 

CO.  followinc 

,,..  Fiili.mville,  R-^idence, 

.     following 

J.  P..  R.H>t.  Rtt-idence,   ... 

foMuwinK 

Prt^r,  Glen.  Re-idencv.      .        . 

.    preceding 

A.-  Glon.  Rc-ideocG,        . 

prccwiing 

S  .<ilco,  U.-iilenre.             .         . 

.     frdlowmtf 

Walts,  Reii»^n.  Minden,  House  and  Oro 
Wemple.  B..  .Vohawk.  Reaidence,    . 
Werap  e,  E.,  Sammoiwville.  Reaidenco  ai 
Wiles,  Jacob,  Slinden.  Residence  and  Groanda, 
Winne.  P..,  Glen.  Residence, 
Wionine,  John.  Fort  Plain.  Tannery, 
Wood,  G.  L,  G;over8^^11e,  Marble  Works. 
»\'oodworth.  W.  D.,  Slaytield.  Residence, 
Yost.  Hon.  Geor^je.  Fort  Plain,  Eteaideoce, 
Young.  N'..  Minden,  ... 

Zimmerman,  W.,  Minden,  Residence. 
Zoller,  J.  I.,  Mi.iden.  Residence. 
Zollcr.  J.  A..  Fort  Plain.  Residence. 


1      Zoller  Hous€ 
I      Zoller,  S..  M 


t  Plai 


.Hoi 


preceding  1C9 
following  204 
following  ;<>-i 
followiui;  130 
following  191 
following  l'>4 
preceding  IJi 
following  120 
preceding  133 

following  131 
preceding  IJ7 
following  IK 
foUowms  126 
followin^r  132 
preceding  13> 
preceding  127 


PORTRAITS. 
Bowdieh,  Hon.  John,  Rural  Grove,     . 
Brockway,  T.,  Broadalbin. 
WK.K.  U.  I.,Paiatine, 
Davis,  J.  I.,  Fonda, 
Davis.  I.  M.,  Fonda.     . 
Davis,  W.  H.,  Palatine,    . 
Davis,  Mrs.  W.  H..  Palatine, 
Decker.  X.  H.,  Johastoivn. 
Decker,  Mrs.  X.  H..  John-owu, 
D---Graif.  A..  Mohawk, 
DcGraff,  Howard. 

D.;Gratf,  J.  D 

Dt-Uralf.  Mr«.  J.  D.,     . 
Dievendortf,  H.  J.,  Root.  . 
DievLndortT.  J.,  Root. 

Diovcndorff.  W.  B 

Dom.S..  Johiisiown, 
Dom,  Mrs-,  Johnstown. 
Dunkel.  H..  Canaiohane. 
Dunn,  A.,  Fort  Plain. 
Failinix.  J.  A.,  Palatine  llridire, 
Frederuk.  A..  Kirk's  rent,  r, 
Fr-.tman.  C.  B.,  FuUonville, 

Han-on.J.  J 

Uowland,  F.  P..  Maytield,      . 


ean,E..  John>towi 
wed,  J.,  Ain-tcPlai 


SitiLTly.  J-.  Palatine  Bndj.'e, 
Smith.  John.  Uall-ville. 
Snow,  Simeon,  M.D.. 
Spraker,  Ilaniel,  Fonda.     . 


Sprake 

.  Hon.  Jo~ph.  Pftlati 

Sprake 

.  Mrs.  Joseph,  PalaU 

Bprnke 

,  Joat. 

epmke 

,  Mm.  Joat,        . 

Zoller,  Mrs.  John 


a- E  isr  E  i^  ^^  L 

OUTLINE    HISTORY 

OF   THE 

ST^^TE     OIF     IsTE^^TsT     ^STOZR^I. 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE     VMERICAX 


LBORIGINES DISCOVERIES  BY 

OPENING  OF  COLONIZATION 


ECROPEAN    EXPLORER* 
AND  TRADE. 


The  American  Continent,  in  its  natural  features,  presents  a  striking  and 
diversified  display  of  resources  and  grandeurs.  With  the  .Atlantic  on  the 
east,  the  Pacific  on  the  west  ;  its  coasts  indented  with  numerous  gulfs  and 
bays  ;  intersected  and  drained  by  large  rivers,  of  which  the  Mississippi  and 
the  .\ma20n  exceed  any  other  on  the  globe  in  length;  and  the  St.  Law- 
rence, leading  into  lakes,  equal  in  ;.xtent  to  seas,  it  affords  every  facility  for 
commerce;  while  its  fertile  valleys  and  extensive  plains  are  admirably 
adapted  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  its  interior  is  stored  with  minerals  of 
inestimable  value.  The  magnificence  of  mountain  scenery,  the  dashing 
flood  and  deafening  roar  of  Niagara,  the  subterranean  labyrinths  of  Mam- 
moth Cave,  are  fenniresof  nature  which  fill  the  hehnlder  with  wonder  and 
amazement.  To  what  people  were  these  resources  offered  and  these  grand- 
eurs presented  in  the  dim  ages  of  the  past?  With  only  the  shadow-y  and 
uncertain  light  of  tradition,  little  else  than  speculation  can  furnish  anything 
like  a  beginning  to  the  history  of  the  aborigines  of  ,\merica.  The  ruins  of 
cities  and  pyramids  in  Mexico  and  Central  .\merica,  the  numerous  mounds 
so  common  in  the  valley  of  the  .Mississippi  and  scattered  through  the  State 
of  Ohio  and  Western  New  York,  are  monuments  which  point  to  a  i)eople 
more  skilled  in  arts  and  farther  advanced  in  civilization  than  the  Indian 
found  in  occupancy  when  the  first  Europeans  landed.  Some  of  these 
mounds  appear  to  have  been  erected  for  burial  places,  and  others  for 
defence.  The  remains  of  fortifications  present  evidence  of  mechanical 
skill,  and  no  little  display  of  the  knowledge  of  engineering.  Metallic  im- 
plements of  ingenious  design  and  superior  finish  and  finely  wrought  potter\-, 
glazed  and  colored,  equal  to  the  best  specimens  of  modem  manufacture, 
h.-ive  been  found,  showing  a  higher  degree  of  mechanical  skill  than  the  In- 
dian has  ever  been  know-n  to  possess.  Some  of  these  remains ha\e  been 
found  twenty  feet  or  more  below  the  surface,  showing  that  they  must  have 
lain  there  many  centuries.  .■Ml  the  investigations  of  the  antiquarian  to  dis- 
cover by  what  people  these  mounds  were  erected,  have  ended  in  uncertainty. 
If  these  are  the  relics  of  a  lost  people,  as  many  believe  they  are,  it  seems 
most  probable  that  they  were  from  Egypt.  Their  pyramids  and  skill  in  the 
arts,  together  with  the  fact  that  hum.an  bodies  have  been  found  preserved 
somewhat  similiar  to  Egyptian  mummies,  support  this  theory.  At  an  early 
age  the  Eg)-ptians,  who  were  noted  for  their  skill  in  navigation,  sailed  around 
.\frica,  and  made  many  other  voyages,  in  some  of  which  they  mav  have 
reached  .\mcrica,  .\ristotle,  Plato  and  other  ancient  WTlters  appear  to  have 
l>een  aware  of  an  extensive  body  of  land  in  the  West,  speaking  of  it  as  an 
inland  greater  than  Europe  or  Africa.  It  is  also  supposed  that  the  Egyp- 
tians may  have  re.irhed  .\merica  through  ,\sia.  It  is  related  that  an  .Asiatic 
K'ople  emigrated  to  Egypt  and  conipiered  the  Mizraimites,  who  were  then 
in  |K)ssession:  and  that  they  became  distinguished  for  their  arts,  built  cities 
and  erected  gigantic  pyramids,  which  still  remain  as  evidence  of  their  skill 
and  power.  The  Mizraimites,  smarting  under  their  tyranny,  rose  against 
Jhini,  and  after  a  long  struggle  succeeded  in  driving  them  out  of  the  land. 
I  hey  r.'tre.ited  to  the  northeast,  leaving  mounds  and  walls  .is  far  as  Siberia, 
■1'  tra.  e>  of  their  passage,  and,  it  is  thought,  crossed  liehring's  strait,  and 
'•'entually  settled  in  the  .Mississippi  valley  and  Mexico. 

'civing  lonjecturc,  in  regard  to  the  early  inhabitants  of  this  continent, 
■'  "IS  found  when  first  visited  by  the  whites,  th.it  the  Indians  had  long  been 


in  possession.  Their  personal  appearance,  language  and  customs  plainly 
indicated  a  distinct  race.  There  were  many  points  of  difference  among  the 
various  tribes,  but  in  many  respects  they  bore  a  resemblance  to  each  other. 
The  Aztecs  of  Mexico  were  found  with  a  large  and  populous  city,  in  which 
were  temples  and  palaces,  and  well  cultivated  grounds;  while  in  the  more 
northern  regions  a  village  of  rude  huts  and  a  small  field  of  com  were  about 
the  only  marks  of  occupancy.  The  traditions  of  the  Indians  are  so  dim 
and  conflicting  as  to  shed  little  light  on  their  origin.  They  obtained  a  sub- 
sistence chiefiy  by  hunting  and  fishing,  and  were  continually  engaged  in 
bloody  wars  with  each  other.  They  had  no  written  language;  no  letters 
with  which  their  words  could  be  represented;  but  to  some  extent  they 
communicated  their  thoughts  to  one  another  by  hieroglyphics;  certain  sym- 
bols denoted  certain  ideas,  and  these  were  either  drawn  or  painted  on  skins 
or  birch  bark,  or  chiselled  on  rocks.  By  comparing  their  languages  they 
were  grouped  into  great  families,  some  of  which  contained  many  tnbes. 
Of  these  families  the  .Algonquin  was  the  largest,  occupying  ,-ibout  half  of 
that  portion  of  the  United  States  east  of  the  Mississippi  nver,  together  with 
a  part  of  Canada.  The  Huron-Iroquois  was  the  next  in  importance,  occu- 
pying the  greater  part  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  the  Canadian  penin- 
sula, formed  by  lakes  Ontario,  Erie  and  Huron.  They  have  rapidly  dimin- 
ished in  numbers  from  pestilence  and  wars  with  the  advancing  whites,  until 
only  fragments  remain,  and  their  aversion  to  civilization,  and  strong  attach- 
ment to  a  wild  mode  of  life  make  their  fate — extinction — inevitable.  The 
pioneer  still  advances;  railroads  are  connecting  ocean  w-ith  ocean,  and  the 
war  whoop  is  silenced  by  the  screech  of  the  locomotive  as  it  sounds  the 
death  knell  of  the  once  proud  lords  of  a  continent. 

The  discovery  of  America  was  the  most  important  event  of  modem  times. 
For  the  honor  of  this  discovery  several  claims  ha^-e  been  jiresentcd.  Welsh 
historians  have  awarded  it  to  Modoc,  a  prince  of  Wales,  who  went  to  sea  in 
the  twelfth  century  and  discovered  land  far  to  the  west,  to  which  he  made 
several  voyages,  but  who  with  all  his  crew  was  finally  lost.  This  claim  is 
founded  on  tradition,  however,  and  unsubstantiated.  The  Norwegians  claim 
discovery  and  settlement  on  stronger  e\idence:  Eric  emigrated  from  Ice- 
land to  Greenland  in  9S6,  and  formed  a  settlement.  Leif,  a  son  of  Eric, 
embarked  with  a  crew  of  men  in  the  year  1000  on  a  voyage  of  discovery. 
He  sailed  to  the  southwest  and  discovered  land,  and  sailing  along  the  coast 
he  finally  entered  a  bay,  where  he  remained  through  the  winter,  calling  it 
Vineland.  In  1007  Thorfinn  sailed  from  Greenland  to  Vincland.  \n 
account  of  his  voyage  and  history  of  the  country  is  still  extant.  Other 
voyages  were  made,  and  the  .Antiquarian  Society,  after  a  careful  examina- 
tion of  all  the  evidence,  including  the  geographv  of  the  country  described 
in  these  voyages,  do  not  hesitate  to  locate  this  Vineland  at  the  head  of  Nar- 
ragansett  bay  in  Rhode  Island.  These  discoveries,  hov.cver,  were  so  inef- 
fectual, that  nothing  was  known  in  Europe  of  land  beyond  the  re  ccn,  until 
1492,  when  Christopher  Columbus,  believing  that  India  might  1  e  reached 
by  sailing  westward,  was  at  his  urgent  solicitation  despatched  f  11  i^  voyage 
of  discovery  by  Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  king  and  queen  of  Spain.  He 
sailed  from  Palos,  and  after  stopping  ,-.t  the  Canaries,  struck  out  ii]  en  ihe 
hitherto  unknown  ocean,  discoicring  first  one  of  the  Bahcma  islanc's;  then 
proceeding  towards  the  south  he  discovered  Cuba  and  Hayti  and  rtturnid 
to  Spain,  thus  opening  a  highwav  o\cr  the  Irccklcfs  Ail.intic.  He  mate 
other  voyages,'and  in  149S  divovc.  d  Ihe  1  rntintnt  nerr  the  n'.nr.ih  <if  the 
Orinoco  river.  The  discovery  of  land  in  the  west  ].romis<.il  l.-.rte  profits 
and  excited  maritime  enterprise  through. lut  Eunqie.  Henry  VII  con-.nus- 
sioned   John  Caliot,  a  Venetian,  in    1497,  to  sail  on  a  voyage  cf  discovery, 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YOKK.. 


and  take  possession  of  new  lands  in  the  name  of  Enrbnd.  Sailing  west- 
ward, in  company  with  his  son  Sebastian,  he  di-.(  overed  Newfoundland,  and 
while  off  the  coast  of  Labrador  saw  the  mam-lnnd  of  North  America.  The 
next  year  Sebastian  set  sail  to  discover  a  nonhuest  passage  to  China.  Tht- 
frozen  regions  at  the  north  compelled  hmi  to  change  hi-,  course,  and  sailing 
towards  the  south,  he  visited  various  points  along  the  coast  as  far  as  Albe- 
Biarle  sound,  taking  possession  of  the  whole  region  for  the  Crown  of 
England.  John  Verazzani,  a  Florentine  in  the  service  of  Francis  I.  of 
France,  arrived  on  the  coast  of  North  Carolina  in  15^4,  and  sailed  south 
as  far  as  Georg:ia.  Turning  north,  he  explored  the  coast  to  about  41''  north 
latitude,  and  entered  a  harbor,  which  from  his  description,  is  believed 
to  have  been  New  York  Bay,  where  he  remained  about  fifteen  davs,  and  it 
is  supposed  that  his  crew  were  the  first  Kuropeans  that  landed  on  the  soil  of 
T.cw  York.  He  proceeded  north  as  far  as  Labrador,  giving  the  name  of 
New  France  to  the  whole  country,  which  was  aftenvard  confined  to  Canada. 

Henry  Hudson,  an  English  navigator,  having  tailed  in  two  expeditions  to 
£scover  a  passage  to  the  East  Indies,  for  a  company  of  London  merch- 
ants, by  sailing  westward,  offered  his  ser^■ices  in  1609  to  the  Dutch  Ea^t  India 
Company  of  Holland,  which  was  formed  the  preceding  year  for  traffic  and  col- 
onization. He  left  Amsterdam  on  the  4th  of  April  with  a  small  ship  and  a  crew 
of  about  twenty  English  and  Dutch  sailors,  and  arrived  on  the  American  coast 
near  Portland  in  Maine,  whence  he  proceeded  south  along  the  shore  to  the 
entrance  of  Chesapeake  Bay.  P'rom  this  point  he  returned  northward,  dis- 
covered and  entered  Delaware  Bay,  and  on  the  3d  of  September  anchored 
at  Sandy  Hook.  From  here  he  proceeded  up  New  York  Bay.  sending  his 
boats  to  the  Jersey  shore  and  receiving  on  board  the  natives,  who  came  in 
great  numbers  to  traffic.  On  the  12th  he  entered  the  river  which  bears  his 
name,  and  ascended  it  to  a  point  a  little  above  where  the  ciiv  of  Hudson 
DOW  stands,  having  been  frequently  visited  on  the  way  by  the  Indians,  who 
came  to  traffic,  bringing  maize,  tobacco  and  other  products  native  to  the 
country.  To  them  he  impaned  a  knowledge  of  the  r'ffects  of  rum.  to  the 
drinking  of  which  in  later  years  they  became  greatly  addicted.  Not  con 
sidering  it  safe  to  proceed  farther  with  his  ship,  he  sent  a  boat  with  a  part 
of  his  crew  to  explore  the  river  higher  up.  It  is  supposed  that  they  went  a  little 
above  Albany.  On  the  23d  he  commenced  to  descend  the  river,  and 
when  a  little  below  the  Highlands,  the  Indians  made  several  attempts  to 
attack  his  crew,  who,  in  repulsing  their  attacks,  shot  ten  or  twelve  of  their 
number.  Descending  into  the  bay  he  immediately  sailed  for  Europe.  The 
following  year  he  made  a  voyage  for  the  discovery  cf  a  northwest  passage 
to  India,  and  discovered  and  entered  the  bay  which  bears  his  name.  Con- 
tinuing his  search  too  long,  he  was  compelled  to  remain  through  the  winter. 
In  the  spring,  part  of  his  crew  mutinied,  and  put  him  in  a  boat,  together 
with  his  son  and  seven  others,  and  left  them  to  perish.  In  1607,  Samuel 
Champlain,  a  French  navigator,  ascended  the  St.  Lawrence  river,  exploring 
its  tributaries;  and  on  the  4th  of  July  discovered  the  lake  which  bears  his 
name.  Hence  the  three  nations,  Holland.  France  and  England,  founding 
their  titles  upon  discover)-,  claimed  ownership  in  a  region,  a  part  of  which 
Kes  within  the  limits  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

The  accounts  given  by  Hudson  of  his  discoveries  stimulated  the  Dutch 
to  avail  themselves  of  the  advantages  that  might  be  gained  bv  trading  with 
the  Indians,  and  accordingly  in  the  following  year  another  vessel  was  sent 
out  to  engage  in  the  fur  trade  on  the  banks  of  the  river  he  had  discovered. 

In  1612  two  more  vessels  were  fitted  out  by  Hendrick  Christiansen  and 
Adrian  Block,  which  were  soon  followed  by  others.  The  fur  trade  proving 
successful.  Christiansen  was  ap[)ointed  agent  of  the  traffic,  and  Manhattan 
Island  made  the  chief  depot.  He  erected  a  small  fort  and  a  few  rude 
buildings  at  the  southern  extremity  nf  the  island,  calling  the  place  New 
Amsterdam.  The  island  was  covered  with  giant  forest  trees  and  dense 
thickets,  which  ser\ed  as  hiding  places  for  reptiles  and  wild  beasts.  In 
1614  the  States  Cieneral  granted  a  charter  10  the  merchants  engaged  in 
these  expeditions,  conferring  the  exclusive  right  of  trade  in  this  new  terri- 
tory between  the  40th  and  45th  parallels  of  north  laritude  for  four  years, 
and  guing  the  name  of  New  Netherlanrls  to  the  whole  region.  The  trade 
flourished,  and  had  become  so  [.rnlitable.  that  at  the  expiration  of  the 
charter  the  States  Cieneral  refused  to  renew  ir.  guing  insiend  a  spc(  i.^l 
hcense  for  its  temporary  continuance. 

In  the  meantime  the  surrounding  »  onntrv  was  being  explored,  .\dri.in 
Block  had  jiassed  up  the  East  river.  Long  NLind  sound  and  Conne<ii.  nt 
river,  and  into  the  bays  and  ahing  the  islands  e.istward  to  Cape  Cod.  C.>r- 
nelissen  Jacobscn  Mav  had  explored  the  southern  t  ..am  r.f  I  ..ng  Isl.nnd  an.! 
southwar.l  to   Delaware   Bav.  while   Hendri.  k   Christiansen  h.id   ascended 


the  Hudson  river  to  Castle  Island,  a  few  miles  below  ,\lbany,  where  he  ha(f 
established  a  trading  post  and  erected  a  small  fort.  This  fort  was  so  much 
damaged  by  a  flood,  that  it  was  removed  to  the  Normans-kill,  a  little  beluw. 
Here  a  council  was  held  between  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Five 
Nations  and  the  representatives  of  the  New  Netherlands,  and  a  treatv  of 
alliance  and  peace  w.as  formed. 

In  1620  James  I.  granted  to  Ferdinando  Gorges  and  his  commercial  as- 
sociates all  the  land  between  the  fortieth  and  forty-eighth  degrees  of  north 
latitude,  and  extending  from  ocean  to  ocean.  Cajjtain  Dermer,  in  the 
service  of  Gorges,  appeared  at  Manhattan,  and  laid  claim  to  all  the  territory 
occupied  by  the  Dutch.  The  English  embassador  at  the  Dutch  capitol 
had  been  instructed  to  remonstrate  against  Dutch  intrusion,  but,  n 
seems,  without  effect;  for  in  162 1  the  States  General  granted  a  new  charter 
to  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  an  armed  mercantile  association,  giving 
them  exclusive  jurisdiction  over  the  province  of  New  Netherlands  for  twenty 
years,  with  power  to  appoint  governors,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
States;  to  colonize  the  territory  and  administer  justice.  The  executivL- 
management  was  intrusted  to  a  board  of  directors,  distributed  through 
five  separate  chambers  in  the  cities  of  Holland.  The  charge  of  the  pro\- 
ince  had  been  assigned  to  the  Amsterdam  Chamber,  which  sent  out  a  vessel 
in  1623,  under  the  direction  of  Captain  May  and  .-Vdrien  Joris^ien  Tienpont. 
with  thirty  families  for  colonization.  A  portion  of  these  settled  on  the 
Connecticut  river,  and  others  as  far  up  :he  Hudson  as  the  present  city  of 
Albany,  where  they  built  Fort  Orange.  A  fort  was  also  erected  on  the 
Delaware  river,  near  Gloucester,  and  called  Fort  Nassau.  Their  number 
was  shortly  after  augmented  by  other  accessions,  and  colonization  fairly 
commenced.  In  May,  1626,  Peter  Minuit  arrived  at  New  Netherlands  as 
Director-General  or  Governor  of  the  province.  He  purchased  the  whole  of 
Manhattan  Island  of  the  Indians  for  trinkets  of  the  value  of  §24.  Friendly 
courtesies  were  interchanged  with  the  Plymouth  colony,  and  a  brisk  and 
profitable  trade  in  furs  was  carried  on. 


CHAPTER  IL 


THE    DUTCH 


ktGlME     IN     NEW     YORK  —  RIVAL    CL.\1MS 
THE    LATTER    PREVAIL. 


To  encourage  immigration,  in  1629  an  ordinance  was  adopted,  granting 
to  any  member  of  the  company,  who  within  four  years  should  plant  a 
colony  of  fifty  persons,  upwards  of  fifteen  years  old,  the  privilege  of 
selecting  a  tract  of  land  sixteen  miles  in  length,  on  any  navigable  stream, 
and  inland  as  far  as  he  should  choose,  with  the  title  of  Patroon,  denoting 
something  lordly  in  rank  and  means.  The  Patroons  on  their  part  were  u* 
buy  of  the  Indians  the  right  to  the  lands  selected,  maintain  a  minister 
and  school  master,  and  pay  duty  on  tr.ade  carried  on  by  them,  but 
the  company  resen'ed  the  exclusive  right  to  the  fur  trade,  which  wa> 
becoming  extensive,  and  attracting  dealers  from  the  banks  of  the  St. 
Lawrence.  Several  availed  themselves  of  this  privilege,  among  whom  were 
Michael  Pauw  and  Killian  Van  Rensselaer,  the  former  securing  Stalcn 
Island  and  a  large  tract  on  the  Jersey  shore,  and  tiie  latter  a  large  tract  on 
the  Hudson  river,  now  the  counties  of  Albany  ami  Rensselaer.  .Although 
the  Patroons  were  excluded  in  their  c  barter  by  the  company  from  partn  i- 
pating  in  the  fur  trade,  their  interference  brought  on  a  controversv.  and 
Minuit,  who  it  was  thought  favored  their  pretensions,  was  re(  ailed.  The 
vessel  in  which  he  sailed  was  detained  by  the  English  authorities  at  Flv- 
mouth,  on  the  charge  that  he  had  traded  and  obtained  her  cargo  in  territorv 
subject  to  England,  and  thus  the  re-i'ctue  cl.iuus  of  the  Ijiglish  an.! 
Dutch  to  the  title  cf  New  Netherlands  were  aizain  i.illed  in  .[uesiion.  TIil 
Dutch  relied  on  the  discoveries  made  bv  HudM.n.  :ind  their  immediate  o. 
cupation  ratified  by  charter  :  and  the  EuL-lish  on  the  prior  dl^.  nverv  b\ 
Cabot  and  the  grant  of  James  I.  <  overing  the  territory.  No  imal  settle- 
ment being  obtained,  the  question  was  deferred  :  and  in  April.  1633.  \Vou- 
ter  Van  Twiller  arrived  at  New  Amsterdam  as  the  new  Director-General, 
bringmg  with  him  Everardus  Bogardus.  a  .  lergynian.  Adam  Roela^d^en. 
the  first  schoolmaster  to  the  colony,  and  a  small  military  force,  with  whit  l> 
he  subsc'iuently  made  considerable  display.  Soon  after  assuir-ng"  the 
government,  he  directed  Jai  ob  Van  Corlaer  to  purchase  a  trar:  of  lantl 
of  the  Indians  on  the  Connecticut  river,  near  the  present  city  of  Hartford 
The  English  colonies  earnestly  remonstrated  against  this  invasion  of  then^ 
territory,  but  without  effect.  The  Plymouth  colony  secured  a  tract  of  the 
Indians  at    Wm.lsor,  and   sent    Lieutenant  William  Holmes  with  a  force  i>. 


THE  CLAIMS  OF  THE  ENGLISH  TO  NEW  YORK  CONCEDED  BY  THE  DUTCH. 


take  possession  and  lommcnie  a  !>ettlfmcnt.  Van  (orlacr  Ijcing  unable  to 
oppose  them  with  any  effect.  Van  Twiller  sent  a  fun  e  of  soldiers  to  dis- 
perse them.  The  courage  of  the  Dutch  commander  forsook  him  on  pcr- 
ceivmg  that  they  were  prc|iared  to  meet  him.  and  he  refrained  from 
tn-ing  to  di-lodge  them,  Dcttcr  success,  however,  attended  him  in  an  e\- 
IKrdition  against  the  Virguiia  i  olonists.  A  hand  of  these,  under  the  lead  of 
George  Holmes  had  taken  possession  of  Kort  Nassau  on  the  Delaware 
river.  Van  Twilier  immediately  sent  a  force  there,  which  captured  and 
brought  them  as  [irisoners  to  Fort  .Amsterdam.  During  his  administration, 
Jacoh  Eelkins,  who  had  formerly  liecn  an  agent  for  the  company  at  I-'ort 
Orange,  arrived  at  .Manhattan  as  sujiercargo  of  an  English  vessel  engaged 
in  the  fur  trade.  Van  'I'willcr  refused  to  let  him  proceed  without  a  license 
from  the  company,  which  Eelkins  declined  to  ])rcsent ;  but  claiming  a 
right  to  trade  with  the  Indians  as  an  Englishman,  to  whom  the  territory 
belonged,  he  proceeilcd  up  the  river  to  Kort  Orange,  in  defiance  of  the 
(lovemor,  and  commenced  trading  with  them.  Van  Twilier,  in  great  in- 
dignation, dispatched  a  force  after  him,  which  took  possession  of  his  wares. 
and  bringing  his  vessel  back,  sent  it  out  to  sea.  He  was  so  mindful  of  hi> 
own  interests,  that  he  became  the  wealthiest  land-holder  in  the  province. 
Vehemently  passionate,  he  became  involved  in  a  bitter  (piarrel  with  Ho- 
gardus  the  clergyman,  and  with  Van  Dincklagcn,  a  member  of  his  council. 
The  latter  had  very  justly  complained  of  his  ra|iacity,  for  which  he  sent 
him  a  prisoner  to  Holland,  on  a  charge  of  contumacy.  His  corruption  and 
incompetency  to  govern  becoming  apparent,  he  was  recalleil,  and  William 
Kieft,  in  l6,^S,  succeeded  him,  in  the  government  of  the  colony. 

The  company  in  the  following  year  obtained  a  new  charter,  liiuitmg  the 
Patroons  to  four  miles  on  the  rivers  .ind  eight  inland.  Other  efforts  were 
made  to  encourage  immigration.  Settlements  were  extending  in  all  direc- 
tions, and  the  jirovincc  was  rapidly  tilling  with  inhabitants.  The  C.overnor. 
however,  instead  of  proving  useful  in  promoting  the  pros|)crity  of  the  colony 
with  the  0|)portunities  presented,  became  in\obed  in  difficulties  %vith  the 
English  settlements  and  the  neighboring  Indian  tribes,  which  finally  brought 
the  colony  to  the  verge  of  extirpation.  Ky  injudicious  management  and 
cruelty  to  the  Indians,  they  were  incited  to  revenge  and  relentless  war  on 
the  whites.  .\  robbery  having  been  committed,  a  tribe  of  Indians,  though 
innocent,  were  suspected:  and  Kieft  sent  an  armed  force  against  them,  kil- 
ling several  of  their  number  and  destroying  their  property.  The  Indians 
retaliated  for  this  unprovoked  attack  by  murdering  some  settlers  and  burn- 
ing their  buildings.  The  chiefs  refusetl  to  give  satisfaction  for  these  out 
rages,  and  Kieft  resolved  on  a  war  against  them.  An  Indian,  whose  uncle 
had  been  killed  by  the  whites  a  number  of  years  before,  vow  ed  revenge,  and 
killed  a  Dutchman  at  Manhattan.  Kieft  sent  a  force  against  his  tribe,  with 
orders  to  exterminate  them.  Seein:;  their  danger,  they  sued  for  peace. 
Before  the  terms  of  a  treaty  had  been  agreed  upon,  a  warrior,  w  ho  had  been 
made  drunk  and  then  robbed  by  the  whites,  upon  reiovering  his  senses, 
killed  two  of  the  Dutch.  Just  at  this  lime  the  River  Indians,  in  a  conflict 
with  the  Moh.-.w';.s,  were  compelled  to  t.ike  refuge  on  ihe  Hudson  opposite 
Manhattan,  and  solicit  protc  tion  from  thtir  enemies,  but  instead  of 
its  being  granted,  a  party  under  the  s.m.  turn  of  Kieft.  and  .against  the 
rcmonstrani  e  of  the  best  cui/ens,  \,  cnt  o\er  to  massacre  thcni.  This 
wicked  and  inhuman  outrage  w.is  |,crpctratcd  at  miilnigh;,  and  nearly  a 
hundred  of  these  helpless  and  unsuspecting  fugitives  were  murdered  or 
driven  into  the  river  to  perish.  .\  desperate  and  bloody  war  was  the  result. 
The  neighboring  tribes  joinetl  to  avenge  this  outrage.  The  dwellings  of 
the  settlers  were  burned,  their  tlclds  desolated,  and  themselves  shot  by  their 
lurking  foes.  Their  settlements  were  attacked  in  every  direction,  and  ter- 
ror, despair  and  death  [ircvailed.  C  iptain  John  L'nderhill,  who  had  gained 
some  notoriety  in  Infli.Tn  warfare,  wis  ajipiinreii  to  coinmn  1  ihei."  tones. 
aid  finally  succeeded  in  bringing  the  Indians  i,.  suliiui^sun,  nnl  vi  1645  ,1 
treaty  of  peace  was  concluded.  .\n  c.irnjsr  a;. peal  was  m  i,le  for  I'u-  rec.dl 
of  Kieft.  who  had  been  the  cause  of  this  cal.imit  ms  war.  "iiii  h  w.is  f.nor. 
ably  receive.l.  and  I'eler  Stuyiesan',  who  was  appo.nted  10  -  1.  .ed  him. 
took  possession  of  the  governm.-nt  May  nth,  1647.  He  hul  li.ui  in  the 
.service  of  th  ■  compiny  a.  Dire  tor-(  Icner.'.l  of  C-ura.  oa.  I  h.-  .  ..niroversy 
b.-twecn  the  Dutch  .mil  Kt^I  si,  sc  ilemjnts  stdl  continuing.  ,irl.i;r,i  ors  wvrc 
appoinled  to  .'di  1st  liicir  i  1, 1,111s.  Ilic  eastern  p.irt  ol  Lev:  M.ind  was 
assig.i.d  to  .he  Kn.-'ish,  .\  |,-e  u.is  s|vi  iiicd  for  the  l.oundarv  between 
Ihefonne.  ti.ul  and  N\w  .Scili  rl:nd  .  olonic-.  but  it  »..s  i.n  ...tisia.icrv  10 
the  Dut.  h.  In  165;  a  munu  ip.il  ;.overnment  was  established  for  Manhat- 
t  in.  consisting  of  a  revenue  agen,  to  be  appointed  b\  the  1  oiii|i,iny,  and 
two  burgomasters  and  live  inferior  magistrates  to  be  eletted  by  the  people, 


and  to  have  jurisdiction,  except  in  capital  cases.  The  Swedes  sim  e  the 
early  part  of  Kieft's  adminstration  had  been  encroaching  upon  the  Duti  h 
territory  on  the  Delaware;  and  Stuyvesant,  by  order  of  the  conijiany,  went 
against  them  with  an  armed  force,  recaptured  the  forts,  and  again  resumed 
possession  of  the  territory.  While  on  this  expedition,  one  of  the  Indians 
having  been  shot  by  a  settler,  the  savages  a|)pcared  at  .Manhattan  in  canoes, 
killed  the  offender,  and  crossing  to  the  Jersey  shore  and  Statcn  Island,  be- 
gan killing  other  settlers  and  destroying  their  property.  Stuyvesant 
returned,  and  by  conciliatory  measures  restored  peace. 

In  1664  Charles  II.  of  England,  regardless  of  the  claims  of  the  Dutch  to 
New  NethcHands,  granted  to  his  brother,  Duke  of  York  and  .Albany,  after- 
wards lames  II..  the  whole  country  from  the  Connecticut  to  the  Delaware, 
including  the  entire  Dutch  possessions.  .A  fleet  was  sent  out  by  the  Duke 
under  Colonel  Richard  Nichols,  to  enforce  his  claim  and  take  possession  of 
the  Dutch  settlements.  .Arriving  in  the  bay  he  demanded  a  surrender,  wlii<h 
Stuyvesant  at  first  indignantly  refused,  but  because  of  the  unwillingness  of 
the  colonists  to  fight  in  his  defense  and  of  their  insisting  upon  capitulation, 
together  with  the  favorable  nature  of  the  terms  offered,  he  was  induced  to 
yield,  and  on  the  3d  of  September,  1664,  the  province  was  surrendered, 
and  the  government  of  the  colony  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  English, 
The  names  of  New  Netherlands  and  New  .Amsterdam  were  changed  to 
New  York,  and  Kort  Orange  to  .Albany.  It  is  supposed  that  at  this  time 
the  province  contained  about  six  thousand  inhabitants.  Soon  after  the  sur- 
render, the  Duke  conveyed  to  Lord  Berkley  and  Sir  Oeorgc  l.'artcret 
what  now  constitutes  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  over  which  a  separate  |in>- 
prietary  government  was  established.  In  1682  William  Henn  purchased  the 
settlements  on  the  Delaware,  which  were  annexed  to  Fennsylvama. 
Nichols,  who  became  (Jovcrnor,  devoted  much  time  to  confirming  grants 
under  the  Dutch  government  by  issuing  new  ones,  and  thus  making  a  heavy 
expense  to  the  land  owners.  He  changed  the  form  of  the  municipal  gov- 
ernment June  12th,  1666,  by  granting  them  a  city  charter,  and  placing  the 
executive  power  in  the  hands  ot  a  mayor,  aldermen  and  sherilt,  all  to  be 
appointed  bv  the  (lovernor.  .An  invasion  from  Holland  had  been  feared,  and 
preparations  for  defence  had  incurred  an  increase  of  taxation,  of  w  hich  the 
colony  greatlv  complained,  in  conseipience  of  which,  he  resigned  his  ofti.  e 
in  t668.  and  Colonel  Krancis  Lovelace  was  appointed  to  suneed  him, 
Holland  being  involved  in  a  war  with  England,  an  opportunity  was  |ire- 
sented  for  the  Dutch  to  regain  their  lost  possessions  in  .America,  and  for 
that  purjjose  they  sent  out  a  si|uadron  which  anchored  at  Staten  Isl.ind 
luly  .^oth.  1673.  The  fort  was  in  charge  of  Captain  John  .Manning,  who 
treacherousb  surrendered  without  making  any  effort  to  resist.  The  1  it\ 
was  again  in  possession  of  the  Dutch,  and  Captain  .Anthony  Ckne  in  com- 
mand of  the  jirovince.  Manning  was  afterward  tried  and  con\  u  tei!  b\ 
I  luirt-martial  for  cowardice  and  treachery,  and  adjudged  to  ha\e  his  sword 
broken  over  his  head  in  front  of  the  City  Hall,  and  to  be  inca|iacitated 
from  holding  any  office.  Under  Clove,  the  Dutch  claims  to  the  pn;- 
vinie  were  reasserted,  and  preparations  made  for  a  vigorous  defence, 
in  case  of  an  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  English  for  its  recapture;  but 
bv  the  provisions  of  a  peace  concluded  Kebruary  9th,  1674,  the  provini  e 
reverted  to  the  English.  To  silence  all  controversy  respecting  his  claims, 
tlie  Duke  obtained  a  new  |iatent  from  the  King  to  confirm  the  one 
gr. luted  in  1664,  and  commissioned  Major  Edmund  .Andros  as  (;overuor. 
His  arbitrary  loiirse  made  his  administration  very  unpopular  He 
endeavored  to  extend  his  jurisdiction  to  the  Connecticut  river,  but 
his  claims  were  stoutly  resisted  by  the  ]icople  of  that  [irovince,  and  he 
finally  coniluded  to  abandon  the  design.  He  quarreled  with  and  disputed 
the  right  of  Philip  Carteret,  who  administered  the  government  ol  K.isl 
lersey,  arresting  and  bringing  him  prisoner  to  New  York.  Kor  this  ad  the 
propriettirs  of  the  New  lersey  government  preferred  charges  against  hiin. 
nhuh  he  was  siimmined  to  England  to  answer.  He  returned,  to  continue 
his  o'lprcssions.  bit  th,'  resistance  of  th-  [ijople  against  him  was  so  stninu- 
that  he  was  rccallel.  and  Thomas  Dongan  appointed  as  his  siii  cessor.  «ho 
arrived  .August  2-;i'.\.  168,5.  Through  the  influence  of  William  I'enn.  he 
was  instrui  ted  to  organize  a  popular  assemble,  and  accordingly,  soon 
after  his  arrival,  issued  orders  for  the  choosing  of  representatives.  Ihis. 
the  first  Colonial  .\sscmbly  ol  New  York,  was  convened  October  171I1. 
i'>S^.  anil  ionsi>!c<!  of  a  coiim  il  of  ten.  and  sevehteen  representatives.  A 
charter  of  liberties  was  framed,  vesting  the  supreme  legislative  power  in 
the  (buern.T  and  n.uiuil.  a.id  the  people  in  general  assembly,  conferring 
the  right  nf  sullr.ige  on  tile  freeholders  without  restraint  ;  providing  th.ii 
no  freeman  should   suffer   but   by  judgment  of  his  peers,  and  that  all  trials 


10 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


should  be  by  a  jury  of  twelve  men.  Tlic  imposition  of  any  tax  without  the 
consent  of  the  a^semMy  was  i>rohibited.  Martial  law  was  not  to  exist,  and 
neither  soldiers  nor  seamen  were  to  be  «iuartered  on  the  inhabitants  aj^ainst 
their  »-ill.  The  province  was  divided  into  counties,  and  the  representatives 
were  apportioned  according;  to  the  population. 

CH.^n'KK  111. 

FRENCH      AXU     INDIAN     WARS DISSENSIONS     IN     THE     COLONIAL     CUVERN- 

MENT CAPTLRE    AND    EXtXLTloN    OE    LLIsLEK. 

.At  the  time  Champlain  ascended  the  St.  Lawrence,  he  found  the  .Mgon- 
<|uins  at  war  with  the  Iroquois,  .and  by  an  alliance  of  his  forces  with  the 
former,  he  enabled  them  by  the  use  of  fire-arms,  to  them  hitherto  un- 
known, to  gain  a  victory  over  their  enemies.  In  consequence  of  this 
alliance  a  bitter  hostility  was  created  on  the  part  of  the  Iro(|uois  towards 
the  French.  The  French,  however,  were  successful  in  gaining  the  confi- 
dence and  friendship  of  the  other  tribes  with  whom  they  came  in  contact. 
Through  the  influence  of  their  missionaries,  the  tr.adcrs  were  enabled  to 
establish  their  posts  among  them  at  pleasure,  and  navigate  the  lakes  and 
rivers.  Although  the  artful  Jesuit  missionaries  had  persistently  endeavored 
to  win  back  the  friendship  of  the  Iroquois,  they  effected  but  little,  till  after 
New  York  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English.  Since  their  trade  and  inti- 
macy with  the  Outch,  they  had  availed  themselves  of  fire-arms  and  a 
knowledge  of  their  use,  and  had  renewed  their  warfare  with  success  upon 
the  .-Mgonijuins.  repelled  the  invasions  of  the  French,  and,  in  turn  attack- 
ing them,  swept  over  their  settlements  with  fire  and  tomahawk,  carrying 
consternation  in  their  path  even  to  the  gates  of  Quebec.  In  i666,  the 
French  and  .Adirondacks  successfully  invaded  the  country  of  the  Mohawks, 
but  the  year  following  a  peace  was  concluded,  chielly  through  the  agency  of 
the  English  colonial  government  acting  in  obedience  to  the  instructions  of  the 
Duke  of  York,  to  whom  the  colony  had  been  granted,  and  who,  in  his  big- 
otry and  blind  attachment  to  the  Church  of  Rome,  was  desirous  of  securing 
.1  peace  between  the  French  and  Irnqunis,  in  view  of  handing  the  latter 
over  as  converts  to  that  church. 

Trade,  after  this  peace,  was  ]irofitably  prosecuted  by  both  the  French 
and  English  ;  but  the  French,  through  their  artful  Catholic  missionaries, 
were  gaining  a  decided  advantage.  Through  the  instigation  of  these  wily 
priests,  hostilities  had  been  committed  on  the  frontier  settlements  of  Mar\- 
land  and  Virginia  by  the  Five  Nations.  To  adjust  this  difficulty,  a  council 
of  the  chiefs  met  the  Governors  of  Virginia  and  New  York,  at  .Mbany,  in 
1684.  At  this  council,  the  difficulties  with  Virginia  were  amicably  settled, 
and  Governor  I>ongan  succeeded  in  completely  gaining  the  friendship  of 
the  Five  Nations.  While  these  conferences  were  in  progress,  a  messenger 
arrived  from  De  la  Barre,  Governor  of  Canada,  comjilaining  of  the  Sene- 
cas,  for  their  hostilities  against  the  Miamis  and  other  western  tribes,  with 
whom  the  French  were  allied,  whereby  their  trade  was  interrupted.  This 
message  was  communicated  to  the  Indian  chiefs,  and  served  to  confirm 
their  resolutions  of  friendship  for  the  F^nglish,  and  revive  their  slumbering 
hatred  of  the  I-"rencli.  Immediately  on  the  return  of  the  messenger,  De  la 
Barre,  meditating  the  destruction  of  ilie  live  N.iiums,  proceeded  with  an 
army  of  French  and  Indians  to  lake  Oniario.  The  French  Catholics  h.ad 
procured  a  letter  from  the  Duke  of  \'ork  to  Go\ernor  Dong.in,  instriu  ting 
him  to  lay  no  obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  invaders  :  but  Dongan,  reg.irdless 
of  this  command,  apprised  the  Indians  of  their  designs  and  also  promised 
to  assist  them.  Owing  to  sickness  in  his  army,  De  la  Harre  was  unalile  to 
encounter  his  foes,  and  found  it  neiessiry  to  c  nm  hide  his  campaign  In- 
offering  terms  of  jieace,  which  were  haiigluilv  ac  .  c|ited,  and  he  was  allowed 
to  depart.  He  was  succeeded  in  the  following  ye.ir  by  the  .Mar.piis  De- 
nonville,  who,  with  a  reinforcement  of  troops,  was  sent  over  to  repair  the 
disgr.nce  of  De  la  liarre.  He  attempted  to  erect  a  fort  at  Niag.ira,  s.i  is 
to  e\clu.'.e  the  English  from  the  lakes,  i  oiimi.ind  the  fur  tr.ide  ami  suIhIul- 
the  Five  Nations;  but  was  resisted  by  C.overnor  Dongan,  who  claimed 
the  territory  south  of  the  great  lakes  for  I'.ngl.ind.  In  10.S7.  to  prcicnt  llie 
interruption  of  trade  with  the  Mi.iniis.  the  1  oiinlry  of  the  .scnci  as  was  in- 
vaded. The  French  through  the  agcn.  >  ot  llicir  iiiissH.nar>  to  the  llnon- 
dag.Ls,  enticed  the  Iroquois  chiefs  into  ihcir  power,  under  [irctcln  e  of 
making  a  treaty,  and  llicn  sci/cd  and  sent  Ihcm,  «ilh  oihcrs  thc\  had  taken 
prisoners,  to  France,  where  they  were  consigned  to  the  galievs.  The  .'Sen- 
eca country  was  overrun  without  serious  rcsislani  c,  ami  a  fort  crei  tc.l  ,11 
Niagara.     .-\  pence  was  finally  proposed  through   the  interposition  of  (lov- 


ernor  Dongan,  who  was  for  comjielling  the  French  to  apply  to  him  in  the 
affairs  of  the  F'ive  Nations,  but  its  conditions  were  rejected  by  the  French. 
The  Five  Nations,  maddened  by  this  refusal  and  by  the  outrages  com- 
mitted upon  them,  riew  to  arms,  and  with  twelve  hundred  warriors  de- 
scended upon  the  French  settlements  with  such  terrible  vengeance,  that  the 
terms  that  had  been  offered  for  peace  were  accepted,  and  the  whole  region 
south  of  the  great  lakes  abandoned  by  the  French.  The  Duke  of  \'ork,  on 
his  accession  to  the  throne  of  England  in  1685,  under  the  title  of  James  II., 
directed  Governor  Dongan  to  encourage  the  Catholic  priests  who  came  to 
reside  with  the  Five  Nations,  ostensibly  f6r  advancing  the  Popish  cause, 
but  really  to  gain  them  over  to  the  French  interests.  Ciovernor  Dongan, 
although  a  Catholic,  was  apprehensive  of  the  insidious  designs  of  the 
French,  and  effectually  resisted  this  policy,  thereby  disjile.asing  his  bigoted 
master.  He  also  instructed  Governor  Dongan  to  allow  no  printing  jiress 
to  be  established  in  the  colony,  and  discouraged  representative  government. 
Catholics  were  a[)pointed  to  fill  all  the  offices,  and  Dongan,  who,  in  his 
endeavors  to  protect  the  true  interest  of  the  province  by  opposing  the 
Catholic  missionaries,  became  obnoxious  to  the  King,  was  recalled,  and 
Francis  Nicholson,  the  deputy  of  Sir  Edmund  -\ndros,  who  had  been  com- 
missioned Governor  of  both  New  England  and  New  York,  assumed  tem- 
porary charge  of  the  government  in  .\ugust  168S.  The  revolution  in 
England,  resulting  in  the  abdication  of  James  II.,  and  the  accession  of 
William  and  -Mary,  caused  the  authority  of  Nicholson  under  the  dethroned 
King  to  be  questioned.  On  one  side  it  was  claimed  that  the  government 
in  England  did  not  affect  affairs  in  the  province,  and  that  Nicholson's 
authority  was  unimpaired  till  the  will  of  the  new  monarch  was  known;  on 
the  other  side,  that  the  government  extending  to  the  colonies  was  overthrown, 
and  as  no  one  was  invested  with  authority  in  the  provinces,  it  reverted  to 
the  people,  who  might  ap])oint  a  person  to  exercise  control  until  one  had  been 
commissioned  by  the  ruling  power.  The  advocates  of  the  former  of  these 
views  were  mostly  the  wealthy  and  aristocratic,  while  the  mass  of  the  peo- 
ple favored  the  latter.  The  government  was  vested  in  a  committee  of 
safety,  who  took  possession  of  the  fort,  and  entrusted  the  exercise  of 
authority  Lo  Jacob  Lclsler,  the  popular  leader,  Niciioison  in  the  meantime 
having  returned  to  England.  Leisler  sent  a  statement  of  what  had  been 
done  to  King  William,  and  dispatched  Milborne  his  son-in-law  to  .Albany, 
with  an  armed  force  to  secure  the  recognition  of  his  authority,  sanction  to 
which  had  been  refused.  .\  letter  from  the  English  ministry  arrived, 
directed  to  Francis  Nicholson,  or  in  his  absence  to  such  person  as  for  the 
time  being  might  be  in  charge  of  the  government,  directing  him  to  take 
chief  command  of  the  province,  and  to  call  to  his  aid  such  as  he  should 
deem  proper,  and  Leisler,  considering  it  addressed  to  himself,  assumed 
command,  and  appointed  a  touncii  of  advisors.  The  revolution  in  ICng- 
land  which  placed  William  and  Mary  upon  the  throne  was  followed  bv  a 
war  between  F^ngland  and  France,  and  the  colonies  were  of  course  involved 
in  the  confiict.  Count  Frontenac,  who  had  succeeded  Denonville  as 
Governor  of  Can.ada,  made  an  effort  to  dct.ich  the  Five  N.ations  from  the 
English  interest.  He  sent  a  secret  expedition  against  Schenectadv,  which 
attacked  that  city,  near  midnight,  on  the  Sth  of  February,  t6yo,  and  a 
frightful  massacre  of  the  inhabitants  ensued.  The  peril  of  .-Mhany,  from 
such  deadly  attai  ks,  induced  its  inhabitants  lo  submit  to  the  authority  of 
Leisler.  Expeditions  were  fitted  out  against  the  French  and  Indians,  and 
a  fleet  sent  out  for  the  reduction  of  Quebec,  but  all  proved  unsuci  cssiul. 
In  Mart:h,  1691,  Henry  Sloughter  arrived  as  Go\ernor,  having  been  i  0111- 
missioned  by  the  King  in  1O89.  His  commg  was  heralded  by  Ri.  Ii.ird 
Ingoldsby,  who  without  proper  credentials  demanded  the  surrender  ol  the 
fort.  This.  Leisler  very  properly  refused,  but  .  onscnted  to  defer  to  .sioiiL,h- 
ter  when  he  should  arrive.    Sloughter  on  his  arrival  sent  Ingoldsbv  witln  eriul 


directions  for  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  but  l.i 

.■isler  still  refused,  and  aski 

for  an   interview  with  the  Governor.     The  nt 

■\t  dav  he  complied,  but  tli 

imprudent  hesitation  was  sei/ed  upon  bv  his  ei 

leinies  who  arrested  hiiii  .■■: 

his  son-in-law  on  the  charge  of  treason.      Thev 

werelriedbvaspc,  i.il.on 

inittee  and  .  ondemned   to  suffer  death.     Cm 

ernor  Sloughter  hesu.iu.l  1 

execute  this   senlem  e,  but   their  enemies,  an\i 

Mils  f,,r  iheir  eve.  iiU.in.  an 

failing  in  all  alleiiiiits   to  procure  his   sign.inin 

.-.   ax.i.lcd    themsci^es   ,,1    h 

known  intemperate  habits,  invited  him  lo  a  lui 

iquet,  persuaded  him  10  SI, 

the  death  warrant  while  intoxicated,  and  belo: 

re  he  reujvercd  from  his  ,!i 

bam  h,  the  prisoners  were  executed. 

During  the  agitations  attending  this  foul  judicial  murder,  the  Indian 
om  neglei  t,  be.  ame  disalfei  ted  toward  the  ICnglish,  insomuch  th.it  tlu 
:nt  an  embassy  of  pe.u  e  to  Count   Frontenac;  and  to  cpunteract  this, 


FRENCH  AND  INDIAN  WARS— PIRACY— CAPT.  KIDD'S  CAREER. 


council  with  the  Five  Nations  was  held  at  Albany,  and  the  covenant  chain 
renewed.  In  order  to  maintain  this  advantage.  Major  Schuyler,  in  whom 
ihe  Five  Nations  had  great  confidence,  led  them  in  an  invasion  of  Canada, 
and  signally  defeated  the  French.  The  intemperate  habits  of  Sloughter 
brought  on  a  severe  illness,  from  which  he  died  on  the  23d  of  July,  1691, 
ihus  ending  a  weak  and  turbulent  administration.  Upon  the  death  of 
Sloughter,  the  cluef  command  was  committed  to  Richard  Ingoldsby,  to  the 
exclusion  of  Joseph  Dudley,  who,  but  for  his  absence,  would  have  had  the 
right  to  preside,  and  upon  whom  the  government  devolved  ;  and  as  Dudley, 
en  his  return,  did  not  contest  the  authority  of  Jngoldsby,  the  latter  governed 
till  the  arrival  of  Benjamin  Fletcher,  with  a  commission  as  Governor,  in 
August,  1692.  He  was  a  man  of  small  ability  and  violent  temper,  active  and 
avaricious,  but  prudently  look  Major  Schuyler  into  his  council,  and 
was  guided  by  his  opinions  in  Indian  affairs.  His  administration  was  so 
successful  the  first  year  that  he  received  large  supplies  from  the  assembly. 
The  unamiable  traits  of  his  character  were  soon  exhibited,  however,  and 
during  most  of  his  administration  he  was  engaged  in  controversies  with  the 
assembly,  principally  in  regard  to  appropriations  for  his  expenses,  for  which 
he  made  extravagant  demands.  He  was  bigotedly  attached  to  the  Epis- 
copal form  of  church  government,  and  encouraged  English  churches  and 
schools  in  place  of  the  Dutch.  He  procured  an  act  from  the  assembly  the 
provisions  of  which,  though  admitting  of  a  more  liberal  construction,  he 
interpreted  as  a  recognition  of  the  Episcopal,  instead  of  the  Dutch  church, 
and  under  this  act  Trinity  church  was  organized.  A  printing  press  was 
established  in  New  York  city  in  1693.  by  William  Bradford,  who  was  em- 
ployed by  the  city  to  print  the  corporation  laws. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

LOUNT    FRONTENAC'S     CAMPAIGN'S — PREVALENCE    OF     PIRACY — MISGOVERN- 
MENT    OF    NEW    YORK, FRENCH    TKAUINO    A.SL<    MILITARY    POaTi 

In  1693,  Count  Frontenac  set  out  from  Montreal,  with  an  army  of  French 
and  Indians,  and  invaded  the  Mohawk  country,  capturing  their  castles, 
killing  some  of  the  tribe,  and  taking  about  three  hundred  prisoners. 
Schuyler,  with  the  militia  of  Albany,  hastened  to  the  assistance  of  the  Mo- 
hawks, and  pursued  the  enemy  in  their  retreat,  retaking  about  50  prisoners. 
In  1696,  Count  Frontenac  made  another  effort  for  the  subjugation  of  the 
Five  Nations.  With  an  army  of  regular  troops  and  Indians  under  his  com- 
mand, he  ascended  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Cadara([ui ;  then  crossing  to 
Oswego,  made  a  descent  upon  the  Onondagas,  who,  apprised  of  his  coming, 
set  fire  to  and  deserted  their  princijial  towns.  On  retracing  his  march  he 
found  his  progress  obstructed  by  the  Onondagas,  and  incursions  into  Can- 
ada bv  the  Five  Nations  were  again  renewed.  In  the  following  year  the 
war  between  France  and  England  was  terminated  by  the  jjeace  of  Rys- 
wick,  and  these  barbarous  hostilities  ceased. 

During  the  late  war,  piracy  had  prevailed,  and  was  believed  to  be  en- 
couraged by  the  governments,  for  the  annoyance  of  the  commerce  of  their 
respective  enemies.  Merchant  vessels  were  destroyed  within  sight  of  the 
harbor  of  New  York,  the  commercial  depot  of  the  pirates,  .some  of  whom 
had  sailed  from  there,  having  a  good  understanding  with  Fletcher  and 
other  officers.  The  extinction  of  piracy  was  loudly  demanded,  and  the 
English  government  found  it  necessary  to  resort  to  vigorous  measures  for 
this  end:  and  conse(]uenlly  in  1695,  Fletcher  was  recalled,  and  Richard, 
Earl  of  Bclbmont,  appointed  in  his  place,  with  instructions  for  the  sup- 
pression of  this  evil.  The  Earl  of  Bellamont,  whose  commission  included 
the  governments  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  as  well  as  New 
York,  did  not  arrive  until  May,  169S.  Before  leaving;  England,  an  armed 
vessel  was  fitted  nut  by  Bellamont  and  others,  and  placed  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  William  Kidd,  who 'tailed  from  England  in  1696,  and  after 
crui>ing  for  a  while,  turned  pirate  himself,  and  became  the  most  bold  and 
daring  of  the  ocean  m  irauders.  He  returned  to  New  York  with  his 
booty  and  concealed  portions  of  it  on  Long  Island.  He  was  subseijuently 
arrested  in  Boston,  by  oriers  of  the  Governor  on  a  charge  of  piracy,  sent  to 
England  for  trial,  and  there  convicted  and  executed.  Bellamont  fa\oreil 
the  Democr.itic  or  Leisljrian  party,  and  the  new  assembly  in  1699,  being 
also  Democratic,  an  act  was  passed  by  which  the  families  of  Leisler  and 
Milbome  were  reinstated  in  their  possessions.  Bellamont  died  in  1701, 
and  John  Nanf.in.  the  l.ieuten.int-<  lovernor.  u]ion  whdin  the  gcnernment 
devolved,  sue.  ceded  him  until  the  arrival  in  1702.  of  Lord  Cornbury,  who 
was  appointed  by  King  William  as  a  reward  for   his  desertion  of  James  IL, 


in  whose  army  he  had  been  an  officer.  His  administration  was  chieflv  dis- 
tinguished for  its  intolerance,  and  he  received  the  unenviable  distinction  of 
being  the  worst  (lovernor  under  the  English  regime.  With  savage  bigotry 
he  sought  to  establish  the  Church  of  England  by  imprisoning  dissenting 
clerg)'men.  and  prohibiting  them  from  exercising  their  functions  without 
his  special  license,  and  he  even  robbed  one  clergyman  of  his  house  and 
glebe.  With  insatiable  rapacity  he  plundered  the  public  treasury  and  op- 
posed every  measure  of  the  people  for  the  security  of  their  rights.  Destitute 
of  gratitude,  licentious  and  base,  he  completed  the  universal  contempt  in 
which  he  was  held  by  appearing  in  public,  dressed  in  women's  clothes.  .\s 
he  had  become  an  object  of  abhorrence,  the  Queen,  through  the  pressure 
of  popular  sentiment,  felt  compelled  to  revoke  his  commission.  As  soon 
as  he  was  deposed  he  was  thrown  into  prison  by  his  creditors,  where  he 
remained  until  the  death  of  his  father,  when  he  became  Earl  of  Clarendon. 
Upon  the  death  of  King  William,  his  commission  was  renewed  by 
the  Queen,  who  at  the  same  time  gave  him  the  chief  command  of  New 
Jersey,  the  government  of  which  the  proprietors  had  surrendered  into  her 
hands.  He  was  succeeded  December  iSth,  170S.  by  Lord  Lovelace,  who 
died  on  the  5th  of  May  following,  leaving  the  government  in  the  hands  of 
Lieutenant-Governor  Ingoldsby,  whose  administration  is  only  remarkable 
for  an  unsuccessful  expedition  under  Colonel  Nicholson,  for  the  reduction 
of  Canada.  This  failure  was  chiefly  through  the  mismanagement  ut  In- 
goldsby, who  was  consequently  removed  April  loth,  17 10,  and  Gerardus 
Beekman,  the  oldest  member  of  the  council,  exercised  the  authority  of 
Governor  till  June  14th,  when  Robert  Hunter  arrived  with  a  commission 
as  Governor.  This  year  Colonel  Schuyler  went  to  England  to  urge  the 
importance  of  subduing  Canada,  taking  with  him  the  chiefs  of  the  Five 
Nations,  who  were  highly  gratified  with  their  voyage  and  reception. 

The  ensuing  year  another  e.xpedition  for  the  reduction  of  Canada  was 
undertaken.  Four  thousand  troops  were  raised  in  the  colonies  under  Col- 
onel Nicholson,  to  join  an  English  fleet  and  land  force  before  Quebec. 
Arriving  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  many  of  the  ships  were  wrecked  and  about  a 
thousand  soldiers  lost,  which  put  an  end  to  the  campaign.  Nicholson, 
who  had  proceeded  as  far  as  Lake  George,  on  hearing  this  news  returned, 
and  the  expedition  proved  an  entire  failure.  It  had  entailed  a  heavy  debt 
upon  the  province,  in  consequence  of  which  the  Governor's  influence 
was  somewhat  impaired,  he  having  entered  into  it  with  much  zeal.  His 
request  for  a  permanent  appropriation  for  the  government  was  refused  by 
the  assembly,  which  brought  him  into  several  unhappy  contests  with  that 
body.  In  March,  17 13,  the  war  between  England  and  France  terminated 
by  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  in  which  the  English  supremacy  over  the  Five  Na- 
tions was  conceded  by  the  French,  and  an  end  put  to  the  infliction  of 
Indian  hostilities.  The  Five  Nations  being  relieved  from  hostilities  with 
the  French,  engaged  in  conflict  with  the  Indians  at  the  south.  The  Tiis- 
caroras.  a  tribe  kindred  to  the  Five  Nations,  residing  in  North  C'arolina, 
having  been  greatly  reduced  by  a  war  with  the  whites,  and  unable  to 
resist  their  encroachments,  removed  to  the  north  and  joined  the  confeder- 
acy. They  Settled  near  Lake  Oneida,  among  the  Five  Nations,  and  the 
confederates  were  thenceforward  called  the  Six  Nations.  Hunter  remain- 
ed at  the  head  of  the  government  till  1719,  when,  his  health  failing,  he 
returned  to  England.  His  intercourse  with  the  assembly  was  agree- 
able during  the  latter  part  of  his  administration,  and  his  attachment  to 
the   interests   of  the  colony  made  his  departure  regretted. 

The  government  devolved  upon  Peter  Schuyler,  the  oldest  member  of 
the  council,  who  successfully  administered  affairs  until  the  arrival  of  Wil- 
liam Burnet,  on  September  17th,  1720.  A  trading  post  was  comnien<  id 
at  Oswego,  in  1722,  by  Governor  Burnet,  in  order  to  engross  the  trade  "f 
the  Six  Nations,  and  with  the  farther  design  of  following  it  up  on  the  l.ikes 
to  the  westward,  to  obtain  the  trade  of  the  more  remote  tribes.  .\  i  nn- 
gress  of  several  colonies  was  held  at  .\lbany  to  meet  the  Six  N-Uhuis. 
whereby  the  chain  of  friendship  was  strengthened,  and  trade  with  the  re- 
moter tribes  pro.mtcd.  The  establishment  of  this  post  at  ( )sw'.u">  "■i> 
highly  displeasing  to  th:;  French,  and  in  order  to  intercept  the  tnule  lnt?n 
the  upper  lakes,  they  obtained  consent  of  the  Onondagas,  through  the  m- 
fluence  of  the  Jesuits,  to  rebuild  their  trading-house  and  fort  at  Ni.iL:.ir.i. 
and  also  decided  to  erect  a  chain  of  military  po-.ts  to  the  Ohio  river.  ■><>  .1- 
to'cut  off  and  confine  the  English  trade.  Though  not  without  ()|.]H).itinn. 
they  succeeded  in  erecting  their  fort  at  Niagara.  AlthouL^h  the  oilier 
members  of  the  Six  Nations  were  opposed  to  this  invasion  by  the  Freu'  li- 
it  succeeded  through  the  disaffection  of  a  ])arly  of  merchants  and  oiIuts 
interested  in   the    French   trading  policy,  who,  since  the  peace  of  I  trecht. 


12 


OUTLINE  HISTOUY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


had  carried  on  a  good  trade  with  MontR-al,  through  the  aid  of  Indian 
c.imers,  and  were  oiijtoscd  to  the  Governor's  [joiicy.  The  assembly  was 
aKo  «rongly  tintlured  nith  this  s|>irit  of  opposition,  and  refused  a  renewal 
of  supplies  except  for  short  jjeriods.  This  body  was  dissolved  in  17-7, 
but  tic  next  was  .piite  as  stu'.liurn,  and  it  was  likewise  dissolved,  and  the 
(•oicmor  rorild  cnly  crcrt  a  small  milita.y  defence  for  the  post  at  Oswego, 
tthiti,  to  his  credit  and  the  colony's  shame,  was  at  his  own  expense.  On 
the  accession  of  Geori;e  II.,  through  the  efforts  of  his  enemies,  Kumet  was 
transferred  to  the  go\cmment  of  Massachusetts,  and  John  .Montgomery 
apiiointed  to  succeed  him.  He  entered  upon  his  duties  .April  15th,  172S. 
His  short  administration  is  not  distinguished  for  any  iiiiportaiil  event. 
In  17^9.  the  King,  against  the  wishes  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  colony,  re- 
pealed the  acts  prohibiting  the  tratle  in  Indian  rooils  between  .Vil-any  .ind 
MonueaL  .\  line  was  surveyed  and  agreed  upon  between  Connecticut  and 
New  York  in  t73i.  The  establishment  of  this  partition  gave  to  New  York 
a  tract  of  land  formerlv  on  the  Connecticut  side,  called  from  its  figure  the 
"Oblong,"  as  an  ei]uivalcnt  for  lands  near  the  Sound,  surrendered  to  Con- 
necticuL 

Montgomery  died  July  ist,  1731,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rip  Van  Dam, 
whose  administration  was  unfortimately  signalized  by  the  erection  of  a  fort 
at  Crown  Point  bv  the  Frencli,  without  resistai.ce  f.-om  tire  acting  Gover- 
nor. The  arrival  of  Colonel  \Villi,-.m  Cosby,  .\ugu.it  ist,  1732,  finished  liis 
administration,  and  began  one  rendered  m.'morable  for  its  arbitrary  pro- 
ceedings and  tumult,  rather  than  for  striking  or  impo:  tant  events,  .\mong 
tile  first  of  Cosby's  acts  was  a  demand  that  Rip  Van  Dam,  liis  predecessor, 
>..uiuld  divide  equally  with  him  the  emoluments  of  the  ofTice  before  his 
.-..-ivaL  Van  Dam  assented,  on  the  condition  that  Cosby  should  recipro- 
t ..  e  \yv  an  equal  division  of  the  percjuisites  received  by  him  from  the  col- 
I'-  .^  -ince  his  appointment  and  before  coming  to  this  country.  This  de- 
li'.  .;  .>n  the  part  of  Van  Dam  was  sustained  by  the  people  generally,  but 
Cci.,oy.  des|x)tic  and  avaricious,  refused,  and  commenced  a  suit  against 
Van  Itam  for  half  of  his  salary.  .\s  the  Governor  by  virtue  of  his  office 
was  chancellor,  and  two  of  the  judges  his  personal  friends,  the  counsel  for 
defence  took  exceptions  against  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court.  The  excep- 
tions ttereoverniledby  the  judges  in  the  interest  of  Cosby,  even  against  the 
opinion  of  Chief  Justice  Morris,  who  was  immediately  removed  from  his 
oflSce  and  Colonel  Cosby's  claim  ordered  paid.  The  indignation  of 
the  public  at  such  arbitrary  proceedings,  found  vent  in  squibs  and  ballads, 
aimed  at  the  aristocracy,  and  placing  some  of  the  members  of  the  legislature 
in  a  ludicrous  position.  The  Xew  York  Weekly  Journal,  edited  by  John  1*. 
i^enger,  in  defending  Van  Dam,  published  some  severe  criticisms  on  the 
goxemment,  arraigning  the  officials  for  assuming  arbitrary  power,  and  per- 
verting their  official  stations  to  purposes  of  private  emolument.  These 
pajterswere  ordered  tt>  be  burnt  by  the  common  hangman,  and  Zenger  was 
arretted  anil  i.nprisone.I  on  a  criminal  charge  for  publishing  a  seditious 
libel  a;;ainsi  the  governntent.  When  the  trial  came  on,  the  puiilication  was 
admitted,  and  proof  offered  for  its  justification,  which  w.is  objected  to  by 
the  .\t:omcy-Ciener.il,  on  the  ground  that  in  a  criminal  proceeding  for  the 
publiiarion  of  libellous  matter,  the  truth  of  the  facts  alleged  was  not  proper 
to  be  admitted  in  evidence,  and  he  was  sustained  by  the  court.  .And.-ew 
Hamilton,  the  counsel  for  the  defence,  resisted  this  decision  of  the  court, 
and  insisted  that  the  j.iry  were  the  jutlges  of  both  tlie  facts  and  the  law, 
and  it  was  for  them  to  interpose  between  arbitrary  violations  of  law 
and  justice,  and  their  intended  victim.  The  jury  after  a  short  deliberation, 
unaniinouslv  gave  a  verdii  t  of  acquittal.  Cosby,  although  repulsed  by  this 
xerdict,  persistently  continued  to  make  him-.elf  odious  to  the  people  by 
other  arbitrary  measures.  .\  few  days  before  hi-  ilc.ith  he  ci]n\Ln';d  his 
.luincil  in  his  bed-Miamber  and  suspended  V.Tn  D.mi.  the  -.cninr  nuni'cr 
thereof,  np-m  whom  the  government  woul  I  h.ne  devolved  upon  his  ,h,  e,i-e. 
lie  did  March  loth.  1736.  Theioun.il  ...nxcncd  immediately  cfter  !iis 
d.  alh,  and  George  Clarke,  next  senior  coi-p.sellnr,  was  dei  lared  I'residvnl, 
uid  assumed  the  authority  of  Governor.  The  suspension  of  Van  Dam 
w.i-  ilo-lared  illegal  by  a  [mwerfid  party  in  his  fa\or,  and  a  struggle  ensueil 
'..twecD  him  aniU'l.iike  for  the  oftii  e,  bi'tj  e\cn  ising  authority  until  (  N  tu- 
ber 30th,  when  IMarke  received  a  1  r.nimi  — mn  Ironi  l.n-lan.l  lu  ac  t  as  I.ieu- 
Ttn.ant-Govemor.  He  sought  to  lonrdi.tli  those  hostile  t<i  him,  and  to 
in  fa\or  with  the  aristoiratii  p.irtv  at  the  same  rime.  He  ili-solved 
.-.emblv,  that  had  .  onlmued  m  existence  for  manv  vcars.  an.l  a  new 
..  T-.-L-ited,  whi,  h.  t..  his  Oi.igrin  ami  regret,  was  in  symp.ithy  with 
,.iii.ir  party,  anrl  .:t  its  session  loiihl  not  be  prevailed  ii|«in  lo  grant  a 
.  c  for  a  longer  [leriod  than  one  \c,ir.  establishing  a  pre.  cdcut  lh.it 
sui>-..  i.tent  assemblies  diti  not  depart  from. 


CH.\PTF,R  V. 


ALLEGED    PLOT 
TILITIES- 


IR     IHE    OHIO 


XNt)     ESCr.lSH    HO 
4LI.EV. 


eral  fires  having  01  curred  in  New  \'ork,  suspicions  were  av.; 
consjjiracy  had  been   formed  for  the  destruction  of  the  ci 


In  1741 
ened  that 

It  was  not  long  before  it  was  charged  upon  the  negro  slaves,  who  at  that 
time  constituted  about  one-fifth  of  the  population.  Universal  consterna- 
tion seized  upon  the  inhabitants  and  a  general  panic  ensued,  in  which 
reason  and  common  sense  were  scarcely  entertained.  Rewards  were  offered 
for  the  arrest  and  conviction  of  the  offenders,  and  a  full  pardon  tendered 
to  anv  of  tlieir  number  who  would  reveal  their  knowledge  of  the  conspiracy. 
A  weak  negro  servant  girl,  in  a  low  boarding  house,  named  Mary  Burton, 
after  much  importunitv  and  full  promise  of  jiardon,  implicated  several 
negroes,  by  confessing  to  have  heard  them  talking  privately  about  burning 
the  city.  They  were  arrested  and  executed  on  this  slender  testimony. 
Others,  among  them  several  whites,  were  im|)licated  by  her,  and  suffered 
the  same  fate.  Other  informers  appeared,  arrests  became  numerous,  and 
the  ]>o;)ular  fury  and  delusion  did  not  subside  tintil  Mary  Burton,  the  chief 
informer,  after  frequent  examinations,  began  to  touch  characters  above 
suspicion  and  known  to  be  innocent.  Then,  as  reason  began  to  return, 
the  delusion  passed  away,  but  not  until  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  negroes 
and  twenty-four  whites  had  been  committed  to  prison,  and  nearly  forty 
of  these  unfortunates  executed.  In  the  commencement  of  his  administra- 
tion, Clarke  had  succeeded  in  conciliating  both  parties,  to  a  considerable 
extent,  but  managed  before  its  close  to  lose  the  confidence  of  both,  inso- 
much that  his  retirement,  on  the  arrival  of  his  successor,  .Admiral  George 
Clinton,  September  23d,  1743,  was  but  little  regretted.  Favorable  accounts 
of  Clinton's  talents  and  liberality  had  been  proclaimed,  and  he  was  received 
with  demonstrations  of  universal  satisfaction.  The  election  of  a  new  as- 
sembly was  ordered,  and  a  spirit  of  harmony  so  far  prevailed  that  he  con- 
curred in  all  its  measures. 

In  March,  1744,  war  was  declared  between  England  and  France,  and 
measures  were  again  taken  for  the  conquest  of  Canada.  The  colonies  of 
New  York  and  New  England  united  in  an  expedition,  to  co-operate  with  a 
fleet  under  Commodore  Warren,  for  an  attack  on  the  French  fortress  at 
Louisburg,  on  Cape  Breton  Island,  which  capitulated  in  June,  1745.  The 
country  north  of  .Albany  was  seriously  molested  by  attacks  from  the 
Indians  and  French.  The  fort  at  Crown  Point  was  garrisoned  with  a  force 
sufficient  to  enable  its  commander  10  send  out  detachments  to  destroy  the 
English  settlements.  The  settlement  at  Saratoga  was  burned,  .and  nearly 
all  the  inhabitants  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners.  This  was  followed  by 
an  attack  on  the  village  of  Hoosick.  The  fort  at  that  place  was  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Hawks,  who  was  compelled  to  surrender,  thus  leaving 
the  settlements,  all  the  way  to  .Albany,  open  to  the  enemy;  but  measures 
were  speedily  adopted  for  putting  the  frontier  in  a  state  of  defence.  In 
1746  an  expedition  against  Canada  was  resolved  tqion  by  the  English 
government.  The  colonics,  with  the  promise  of  assistance  from  England, 
entered  upon  the  design  with  much  zeal.  New  York  raised  sixteen  hun- 
dred men  for  the  forces  directed  upon  Crown  Point  and  .Montreal.  Eng- 
land failed  to  furnish  the  promised  assistance  and  the  expedition  proved 
unsuccessful.  Peace  was  concluded  at  .Aix  la  Chapelle  in  1748.  Hostili- 
ties ceased,  and  the  colony  enjoyed  a  short  period  of  tranipiility,  The 
h.irm-iny  between  the  assembly  and  the  Governor  did  not  long  con- 
tinue, for,  in  174;,  an  open  disagreement  occurred,  and  almost  constant 
bickerings  followe.i.  In  174S  Clinton  sent  a  m.ssagc  to  the  .assembly,  de- 
man  bag  an  appropriatio.l  for  tiie  support  of  the  go\urnment,  for  five  years. 
Tile  .i--.-ni!.b,  iii~dy  re.t-r  lin  ;  it  j.  a  direct  attempt  to  render  the  crown 
ii  l.p.-i  I.-nt   of  liie  p-ool.-.  in.li;in',l.    rOiisel;  ..nd   after  a   l"ew   weeks' 

tioas  prj  cntcd  it  from  sitting  for  nearly  tw.i  years,  until  the  affairs  of  the 
I  olonv  w.-re  in  at  alarncag  1  ondition  for  want  of  funds.  His  reiterated 
ilem.mds  for  a  p'.T'iiaaent  rev.nue  met  with  persistent  relusal.  Oppo.sed 
and  emiiarrass-d  b.  pohti.  il  factions,  he  tendered  his  resignation,  after  an 
aliiiinistrilion  of  t.-ii  ye.irs,  an  1  w.is  siu  reeded  (  ictober  loth,  1753.  by  .Sir 
Danxers  Osborne,  The  new  Gioernor  iiiimedi.itely  informed  the  coiiniil 
that  Ills  iustriu  lioas  were  lo  inainl.iin  the  royal  |irero g.itive  and  demanil  a 
pur.n.ricnt  siioport  for  tile  government.  He  w.is  told  by  the  members 
present  that  the  assembly  would  ncxcrsuliniit  to  the  dem.md,  and  appe.ircd 
grcati)  depressed,  the  loss  of   his  w  lie  a  short   time   before   having  already 


RIVAL  CLAIMS  TO  THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  OHIO  RIVER. 


throvn  him  into  a  melancholy  state  of  mind  bordering  on  insanity.  Know- 
ing the  difficulties  that  his  predecessor  had  experienced,  and  being  charged 
with  instructions  still  more  stringent,  he  saw  in  the  tempest  before  him  a 
prospect  which  so  worked  upon  his  morbid  mind,  that  the  next  morning  he 
was  found  dead,  having  hung  himself  at  his  lodgings.  On  his  death.  James 
De  l-ancey,  by  virtue  of  his  commission  as  Lieutenant-Ciovernor.  assumed 
the  administration  of  the  government.  He  had  formerly  been  a  leader  in 
the  aristocratic  party,  but  recently  had  opposed  the  demands  of  the  crown, 
and  conseiiuently  h.ad  become  highly  [Jopular.  Striving  to  retain  his  popu- 
larity by  favoring  the  representatives  in  measures  advantageous  to  the 
colony,  while  holding  his  office  at  the  will  of  the  English  government,  and 
being  com(>elled  by  the  instructions  of  his  predecessor  to  convince  the 
ministry  that  he  ivas  zealous  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  crown,  his 
task  was  peculiarly  difficult;  but  it  was  performed  with  a  shrewdness  and 
skill  creditable  to  his  ability  as  a  statesman. 

By  the  treaty  of  .\ix  la  Chapelle,  the  boundary  between  the  French  and 
English  colonies  was  left  as  indefinite  as  before,  and  consequently  those 
lands  which  both  claimed  the  right  to  jjossess  were  still  in  dispute.  l"he 
French  had  established  their  trading  posts,  missionary  stations  and  fortifi- 
cations, from  Canada  to  the  gulf  of  Mexico,  and  were  vigorously  pursuing 
their  designs  for  the  extension  of  their  power  and  dominions.  The  Eng- 
lish Ohio  Company,  formed  for  settlement  and  trade  with  the  Indians, 
obtained,  in  1749,  a  grant  from  the  British  government  of  an  extensive  tract 
of  land  on  the  Ohio  river.  Christopher  Gist  was  sent  out  in  1751  to  ex- 
plore this  region,  and  found  that  it  had  already  been  visited  by  the  French 
traders,  who  had  so  influenced  the  Indians  that  they  were  very  suspicious 
of  the  designs  of  the  English.  The  claim  of  the  French  to  the  ownership 
of  this  region  was  priority  of  discovery  and  occupancy.  The  English  had 
from  the  first  claimed  from  the  .\tlanticto  the  Pacific  by  right  of  discovery; 
but  they  now  based  their  claims  on  the  ground  that  the  country  belonged 
to  the  Six  Nations,  who  had  placed  all  their  lands  under  the  protection  of 
England.  Commissioners  were  sent  to  treat  with  the  Ohio  Indians  and 
win  them  over  to  the  English  interest.  They  succeeded  in  obtaining  a 
deed  of  the  lands  in  [[uestion  from  the  Indians,  and  a  guaranty  that  their 
settlements  should  not  be  molested  by  them.  The  Governor  of  Canada, 
perceiving  the  design  of  the  English  to  occupy  the  Ohio  valley,  informed 
the  Governors  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  of  the  encroachments  of 
the  English  traders  upon  what  he  claimed  as  his  territory,  and  of  his  inten- 
tion to  seize  them  whenever  found.  .\ccordingIy,  in  1752  some  English 
traders  were  seized  and  confined  in  a  fort  at  Presfjue  Isle,  on  Lake  Erie. 
From  this  [)oint  the  French  were  engaged  in  establishing  a  chain  of  posts 
to  the  .\llcgheny,  opening  communication  to  the  Ohio,  and  keeping  it  clear 
by  means  of  troojjs  stationed  at  convenient  points  along  the  way.  The 
Ohio  Company,  seeing  this  intrusion  upon  their  lands,  compl.iined  to  the 
Governor  of  \"irginia, of  which  colony  their  territory  was  a  part,  under  the 
grant  of  the  crown.  He  resolved  to  send  a  trusty  messenger  to  the  French 
commander  to  remonstrate  against  these  encroachments,  and  George 
Washington  was  entrusted  witli  this  delicate  mission.  On  reaching  the 
post  at  Venango,  he  could  obtain  no  satisfaction,  tlie  officer  in  coinniand 
boldly  declaring  that  the  French  iatended  to  seize  on  the  wiiole  valley  of 
the  Ohio.  He  proceeded  to  Waterford,  the  headi|uarters  of  the  French 
commandant.  St.  Pierre  received  him  with  courtesy,  but  did  not  disguise 
the  intentions  of  the  French.  His  answer  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia 
wa.s,  that  he  had  taken  pos;e-^sion  of  the  Ohio  valley  under  the  authority 
of  the  Governor  of  Canada,  and  by  his  orders  should  destroy  all  English 
posts  therein.  It  was  now  obvious  t!iat  the  Ohio  would  not  be  relini|uishcd 
without  a  struggle.  The  Ohio  Co  npany  commenced  to  construct  a  fort  at 
the  confluence  of  the  .Allegheny  and  Monon;.;aiiela.  01  the  pre^e.it  site  of 
Pittsburgh.  The  Governor  of  Virginia  dispatclied  a  sm  ill  f,5rre  to  protect 
the  I.-^borers  and  aid  in  constructing  the  fort,  and  wrote  to  inform  the 
Boar.l  of  Trade,  of  the  design  of  the  French  to  occupy  the  Ohio  valley. 
He  likewise  sent  to  the  Governors  of  New  York  and  Pennsyhania  for  aid 
to  resist  their  aggression  .. 

When  the  assembly  met  in  the  spring  of   1754,  Governor  He  l.ancey,  in 
his  message  to  that   In 
ments  of  the  Frcm  h. 


dy,  called  their  attention  to 
ind   Id  tiie   request   by    Virg 


t  encroach- 
ul   from   the 


ninnv  of  New  Ynrk. 


riie 


i.tcd 


aid.  and  to  bear  u>  share  in  crc(  tng  forts  .'l.in  ;  t 
Early  in  the  spring   of   1754.  W  .ishingLm.  with 
from  Virginia,  set  out  for  the  disputed   territory, 
in  course  of  construction  at  the  junction  of  the 


.\ilh  supplies   for  the  fort 
Allegheny  and  Mononga- 


hela.  When  near  Will's  creek,  he  was  met  by  the  ensign  of  Cajitain  Trent's 
company,  which  had  been  sent  out  to  protect  and  help  build  the  fon. 
From  him  he  received  the  mournful  intelligence,  that  while  they  were  at 
work  on  the  fort,  the  French  troops  from  Venango  came  down  the  ri\er 
with  their  artillery,  and  resistance  being  useless,  they  were  obliged  to  sur- 
render it  to  them.  The  French  completed  it  and  named  it  fort  Duquesne, 
after  the  Governor  of  Canada.  On  hearing  this  news,  Washington  reported 
to  the  Governors  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  the  situation  of  affairs,  and 
urged  them  to  hasten  forward  reinforcements.  Moving  forward,  he  soon 
learned  that  the  French  were  on  their  way  to  intercept  his  progress,  and 
not  knowing  their  strength,  he  fell  back  to  Great  Meadows,  and  began  to 
throw  up  an  intrenchment,  which  he  called  Fort  Necessity.  While  here,  he 
received  a  courier  from  Half  King,  who,  with  a  party  of  Indian  warriors, 
was  a  few  miles  distant,  informing  him  that  a  body  of  French  were  in  his 
vicinity.  He  immediately  set  out  with  a  part  of  his  men  for  the  camp  of 
Half  King.  An  attack  on  the  enemy,  whose  position  had  been  discovered, 
was  at  once  agreed  u])on,  and  successfully  executed.  Receiving  additional 
troops,  Washington  proceeded  towards  Fort  Uuquesne,  but  had  not  gone- 
far  before  he  heard  of  the  advance  of  a  large  body  of  French  and  Indians, 
and  returned  to  Fort  Necessity.  Here  he  was  soon  after  attacked  bv  a 
superior  force,  and  after  an  obstinate  resistance,  accepted  the  terms  of  capit- 
ulation offered,  which  gave  him  permission  to  retire  unmolested  to 
Virginia. 

Thus  were  the  French  left  in  undisputed  possession  of  the  entire  region 
west  of  the  .Alleghanies.  The  necessity  of  concerted  action  on  the  part  I'f 
the  English  colonies  to  resist  their  aggressions  had  now  become  ob\ioii ., 
but  unworthy  sectional  feelings  often  prevented  harmony  of  action  for  a 
general  defence.  The  Six  Nations  were  also  becoming  alienated  from  i  ,  ■ 
English  by  the  influence  of  French  emissaries.  The  English  miii.. 
aware  of  this  critical  state  of  affairs,  had  advised  a  convention  of  ikle.  ■  , 
from  all  the  colonial  assemblies,  to  secure  the  continued  friendsiiip  .imi 
alliance  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  to  unite  their  efforts  in  the  common  de- 
fence. In  accordance  with  this  recommendation,  a  convention  of  delegates 
from  the  colonies  of  New  York,  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  Connec- 
ticut, Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  was  held  at  Albany,  in  June,  17^4. 
The  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  were  in  attendance,  and  the  proceedings 
were  opened  by  a  speech  to  the  Indians  from  Governor  De  Lancey,  who 
had  been  chosen  president  of  the  convention.  A  treaty  with  the  Six 
Nations  was  renewed,  and  they  departed,  apparently  satisfied.  While  this 
treaty  was  in  progress,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Massachusetts  delegates,  a 
plan  for  the  union  of  the  colonies  was  taken  into  consideration.  The  su-- 
gestion  was  favorably  received,  and  a  committee,  consisting  of  one  member 
from  each  colony,  was  appointed  to  draft  (dans  for  this  jnirpose.  The  fer- 
tile mind  of  Benjamin  F'ranklin  had  conceived  the  necessity  of  union,  and 
before  leaving  home,  he  had  prepared  a  plan  which  was  adopted.  This 
plan  was  similar  in  many  of  its  features  to  our  Federal  Constitution,  framed 
many  years  afterward.  The  provincial  .assemblies,  considering  it  too  much 
of  an  encroachment  on  their  liberties,  rejected  it,  and  it  was  rejei.ted  by 
the  English  government,  because  it  gave  too  much  power  to  the  people. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

the   results  of  four    encilish    f.xpeditioss  against  thf.    frli.nch — 
Montcalm's  successful  campaigns. 

Though  England  and  France  were  no'ninally  at  peace,  the  frontier  was 
desolated  by  sav.age  hordes  let  loose    upon    the   settlements  by  the  Freni  h. 
While  the  pinglish  ministry  were  hesitating,  the    Duke  of  Cumbcrlanrl,  who 
at  that  time  was  Capt.im-(  ieneral  of  the  ariiiics  of  (Ireat  Britain,  sent  uM-r, 
early     in     1755,     Gener.il     liraddock,     with      a     detachment      from      the 
army    in     Ireland.      Uraddcck,  soon    after    his   arrival,    met  the  coIoumI 
(iovcmors  in  a  conference  at  .Mexandria,   to  devise  measures  for  repelliiu 
the  encroachments  of  the   French.      Four  separate  expeditions  were  tlu re 
resolved  upon  :  The  first  against  Nova  Scotia  ;  the  second,  under  liraddc"  k 
himself,  for  the  recovery  of  the  Ohio   valley  ;  the  third  against  Fort  Nii. 
ara,  and  the  fourth  aemiist    Crown  Point,  on    Lake   Champlain,      The    1-:  " 
resuhid  ill  the  1  nmplcte  rcdu.  lion   of  Nova  Srolia.     The  second  ,111. 1  i;,' 
impnri  lilt,  under    l:r,ul,l,»  k,  fr.iui    uhi.h    mm  ii    had    been    e\|.r,u-,l    ■ 
through  the  fi.ll\  of  that  officer,  dis.islrmis    in    the    extreme.      U.isii.n 
had  repeatedly  urgeil  the  necessity  of  seniling  scouts  in  advance,  b:il  i 
dock,  obstinate  and  imperious,  would  listen  to  no  warnings  of  ilan^^.i'    :     ■» 


14 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Indian  ambusiadcs.  When  within  a  few  miles  of  Fort  l)iii|iiesne,  the  annv 
wai  surpri?.eii  by  the  hirking  foe,  and  only  saved  from  total  destruction  l>v 
the  bravery  of  Washington,  who,  upon  the  fall  of  Braddock,  assumed  com- 
mand, and  conducted  a  retreat,  but  not  till  more  than  half  the  force  had 
been  sacrificed.  The  expedition  against  Fort  Ni;:gnra,  under  (ien.  Shirley, 
(Governor  of  Massachusetts,  was  also  unsuccessful.  His  troops  hearing  ot 
Braddoi  k's  defeat,  soon  after  leaving  .Albany,  were  so  disheartened  that 
many  of  them  deserted.  .\t  Oswego,  he  vvas  detained  by  having  to 
wait  for  the  coni[)letion  of  boats.  When  these  were  coiii]ileted,  he  was 
further  detained  by  heavy  storms  and  other  casualties,  until  the  lateness  of 
the  season  rendered  it  imjirudent  to  proceed.  Leaving  a  garrison  at  Oswego 
under  Colonel  Mercer,  he  led  back  the  residue  of  his  anny  to  .Albany, 
and  returned  to  Massnchiisetts.  The  expedition  .Tgainst  Crown  Point  was 
entrusted  to  (ieneral  Johnson.  The  greater  part  of  the  troops  were  sent 
forward  under  (ieneral  I.yman,  of  Connecticut,  to  the  head  of  boat  navi- 
gation on  the  Hudson,  which  being  the  nearest  point  on  that  ri\er  to  Lake 
Champlain,  was  called  the  carrying  place,  where  they  erected  a  fortification. 
which  was  aftenvard  named  Fort  Edward.  Here  they  were  joined  late  in 
.August  by  Johnson,  who  advancing  with  the  main  body  of  the  army  to  the 
head  of  Lake  George,  established  a  camp,  and  began  to  make  some 
arrangements  for  an  att.ick  on  Crown  Point,  but  apparently  was  in  no  hurry- 
to  prosecute  the  enterprise.  Meanwhile  Diesk.iu.  the  French  rommander, 
was  approaching  by  way  of  Lake  Champlain,  with  the  intentic  of  surpris- 
ing Fort  Edward,  cutting  off  Johnson's  retreat,  and  capturing  his  army  ; 
but  l>eing  mi.sled  by  his  guides,  he  found  himself  on  the  way  to  Johnson's 
camp  on  Lake  (ieorge.  Abandoning  his  first  intention  of  attacking  Fort 
Edward,  he  continued  his  advance  on  Lake  George.  Johnson,  learning 
that  the  French- were  advancing  to  the  Hudson,  sent  out  Colonel  Williams 
with  a  thousand  troops,  and  Sachem  Hendrik,  with  two  hundred  Indians, 
to  intercept  them  and  aid  Fort  Edward.  They  h.id  only  advanced  a  few 
miles  when  they  fell  into  an  ambuscade,  in  which  both  Williams  and  Hend- 
rik were  slain,  and  the  force  hurriedly  retreated,  closely  pursued  by  the 
enemy  until  they  reached  the  camp,  when  the  Canadian  militia  and  Indians, 
who  were  in  the  advance,  perceiving  the  artillery  they  would  have  to  con- 
front, skulked  into  the  surrounding  woods,  and  left  the  regulars  to  begin 
the  att.ick.  thereby  gi\  ing  the  English  time  to  recover  from  the  confusion 
into  which  they  had  been  throw-n.  and  undoubtediv  saving  them  from 
defeat.  .A  severe  struggle  ensued,  in  which  the  French  at  length  began  to 
give  way,  upon  observing  w-hich  the  English  leaped  over  their  breastworks 
and  dispersed  them  in  .all  directions.  The  French  leader,  Dieskau,  was 
severely  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  Johnson  was  wounded  in  the  com- 
mencement of  the  action  and  retired  from  the  tield.  and  the  whole  battle 
»-as  directed  by  General  Lyman,  who  proposed  and  urged  a  vigorous  con- 
tinuation of  elTorts  by  following  up  the  routed  enemy,  preventing  their 
escape  down  Lake  Champl.Tm,  and  attacking  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 
Point  ;  but  Johnson,  through  fear  or  some  other  cause  not  easilv  explained, 
withheld  his  consent,  and  allowed  the  French  to  intrench  themsebes  at 
Ticonderoga,  while  he  spent  the  residue  of  the  autumn  erecting  Fort  Wil- 
liam Henry-,  on  the  site  of  his  camp.  On  the  approach  of  winter  he  garri- 
soned it,  disbanded  the  remainder  of  his  army  and  returned  to  .Albany. 

On  the  3d  of  September,  1755,  Sir  Charles  Hardy  arrived  in  New-  Vork 
as  Governor.  He  was  an  admiral,  and  unacquainted  with  civil  affairs. 
lieing  conscious  of  his  deficiencies  in  executive  ability,  he  soon 
surrendered  all  but  nominal  duties  into  the  hands  of  De  Lanccy,  and 
in  1757,  resigned  the  government  and  returned  to  his  former  profession, 
.ind  I)c  Lancey  again  became  (lovernor.  .At  a  meeting  of  the  provincial 
Governors,  held  at  .Albany  in  December,  the  plan  discussed  for  the  cam- 
]i.iign  of  1756  consisted  of  movements  against  Fort  Niagara  with  six  thou- 
sand men.  Fort  Duiplesne  with  three  thousand.  Crown  Point  with  ten 
thous.-ind,  and  two  thousand  were  to  advance  on  the  Fren<  h  settlements 
(in  the  Chaudiere,  and  on»-ard  to  Quebec.  At  this  time,  1756.  the  |iopu- 
Lition  of  the  province  of  New  Vork  was  96,775.  In  Man  h.  De  I.e%y,  with 
three  hundred  French  troops  from  Montreal,  penetrated  the  forests  to  the 
Onci-li  portage,  took  and  destroyed  the  fort,  and  returned  to  Canada  with 
the  garrison  .is  prisoners.  Although  active  hostilities  had  been  carried  on 
lor  two  years  in  the  lolonies,  the  English  ministry  ilid  not  arouse  from 
iheir  imbe.  ilit\  enough  to  issue  a  furmal  dci  laration  of  w.ir  against  Fr.ince 
till  the  17th  of  May,  175O.  Lord  Loudoun  was  appuintcl  ,  ..mm.in<lcr-in- 
chief  and  Goiernor  of  \'irginia,  and  Gencr.il  Ab.  r.  mmbic  was  pl.i,  cd 
.second  in  command,  (ieneral  Winslow.  who  had  been  cnlrnstcd  willi  the 
expedition  ag.imst  Crcuvn  Point,  finding  that  he  h.id  n..t  siifti,  cut  fone  for 


the  undertaking,  waited  for  reinforcements  from  England.  Late  in  June, 
Abercrombie  arrived  with  troops,  but  at  the  same  time  blighted  any  hopes 
that  might  have  arisen  regarding  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war,  by 
showing  his  contempt  for  the  Provincials  in  announcing  that  the  regular 
officers  were  to  be  over  those  of  the  same  rank  in  the  Provincial  ser- 
vice. On  this  announcement  all  harmony  for  a  united  effort  was  dispelled. 
The  men  began  to  desert,  and  some  of  the  officers  declared  they  should 
throw-  up  their  commissions  if  the  obnoxious  rule  was  enforced.  This 
difficulty  was  finally  adjusted  by  an  agreement  that  the  regulars  should 
remain  to  do  garrison  duty,  while  the  Provincials  should  advance  under 
their  own  officers,  against  the  enemy.  Then,  instead  of  making  any  effort 
for  the  relief  of  Oswego,  which  was  in  danger,  .Abercrombie  ordered  his 
troops  to  be  cpiartered  on  the  citizens  of  .Albany.  De  Villiers  had 
encamped  with  eight  hundred  Frenchmen,  at  the  mouth  of  Sandy 
Creek,  on  Lake  Ontario,  whence  he  could  send  out  detachments  to  infest 
the  water  passes  leading  to  the  Oswego  fort  and  intercept  supplies  or 
reinforcements  on  the  way  thither.  Colonel  Bradstreet  had  succeded  in 
throwing  some  provisions  into  the  fort,  and  on  his  return  fell  in  with  a 
party  of  De  Villiers'  men  in  ambush,  and  gained  a  decisive  victory  over 
them.  Hearing  that  a  large  force  w-a.s  already  on  its  w-av  to  attack  Osw-ego, 
he  hastened  to  Albany,  and  informed  .Abercrombie  of  the  contemplated 
attack  and  the  necessity  of  immediate  reinforcements.  But  it  was  all  in 
vain,  as  he  could  not  be  induced  to  move  before  the  arrival  of  Lord  Lou- 
doun. It  was  nearly  .August  before  Loudoun  m.ide  his  appearance,  and 
affairs  were  not  improved  by  this  event.  Instead  of  making  an  immediate 
effort  to  avert  the  threatened  blow  at  Osw-ego,  he  began  slow-ly  to  make 
preparations  for  a  descent  on  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point.  Reinforce- 
ments were  sent  to  Forts  Edw-ard  and  William  Henrv.  This  procrastina- 
tion proved  fatal,  for  the  opportunity  of  relieving  Oswego  was  now  lost. 
The  -Maniuis  de  Montcalm,  successor  of  Dieskau,  had  cut  off  communica- 
tion with  .Albany,  and  on  the  12th  of  .August  opened  his  artillery  on  Fort 
Ontario,  nearly  apposite  Oswego.  The  fire  was  returned  by  the  garrison 
till  their  ammunition  was  exhausted,  w-hen,  spiking  their  guns,  thev  re- 
treated across  the  river  to  Fort  Oswego.  Montcalm  immediately  occupied 
the  deserted  fort  and  turned  such  guns  as  were  yet  serviceable  against  Fort 
Oswego.  Colonel  Mercer  was  killed,  and  a  formidable  breach  effected  in 
the  walls.  Montcalm  was  making  preparations  for  storming  the  intrench- 
ments,  when,  seeing  that  the  defence  was  no  longer  practicable,  the  garrison 
surrendered  themselves  prisoners  of  war.  By  this  atfair  sixteen  hundred 
men,  one  hundred  cannon,  a  large  quantity  of  provisions  and  store.s,  and 
the  vessels  in  the  harbor,  all  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  victors,  and  were 
safely  conveyed  to  Montreal.  Montcalm  demolished  the  forts,  much  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  Six  Nations,  who  afterw-ards  sent  a  delegation  from  each 
castle  to  make  peace  with  the  Governor  of  Canada.  The  F'rench  sent  their 
emis.saries  among  them,  who  now  succeeded  in  seducing  them  from  the 
English  interests. 

The  fall  of  Oswego  did  not  awaken  the  energies  of  Lord  Loudoun— if 
it  can  be  said  that  he  possessed  any — but  on  the  contrary  he  abandoned 
all  offensive  operations  that  had  been  contemplated,  and  contented  himself 
with  doing  nothing.  Having  w-asted  the  season  in  shameful  idleness,  he, 
on  his  arrival  in  the  city  of  New  Vork,  billeted  a  part  of  his  force  for  free 
winter  <|uarters  on  the  citizens,  regardless  of  the  remonstrance  of  the 
authorities  against  this  invasion  of  their  rights.  Overawed  by  his  profane 
threats,  the  colonists  found  themselves  obliged  to  support  the  British 
soldiers,  w-ho  had  done  nothing  in  their  behalf  In  June  of  the  following 
year  he  made  an  ineffectual  effort  to  capture  Louisburg,  Before  leaving 
New  Vork,  he  rendered  himself  still  more  detestable  to  the  colonists,  by 
laying  an  embargo  u|)on  the  seaports  from  Massachusetts  to  Virginia,  and 
impressing  four  hundred  men  from  the  city  of  New  Vork  alone.  He  went 
to  Halifax,  where  he  was  largely  reinforced,  but  instead  of  making  any 
advance  on  Louisburg,  contented  himself  by  drilling  his  troops  in  mock 
battles,  till  the  complaints  of  his  inactivity  became  so  numerous,  that  he 
finally  gave  orders  to  embark  for  that  place.  .Almost  as  soon  as  the  orders 
were  given,  receiving  intelligence  that  Louisburg  had  been  reinforced,  and 
that  the  French  fleet  contained  one  more  ves.sel  than  his,  he  countermanded 
his  orders  and  came  back  to  New  Vork,  having  accomplished  nothing. 
While  he  was  thus  trifling.  .Montcalm, watchful  of  his  movements,  proceeded 
With  a  Lirgc  f..r.  e  of  French  and  Indians  ag.ainst  Fort  William  Henry,  then 
in  I  ..mill  in, 1  ..i  t'oLmcl  .Monroe,  with  about  twenty-two  hundred  men. 
liencr.il  Webb,  the  English  commander  in  that  ipiarter,  was  at  Fort  Ed 
ward    with    f.,ur    thousand    men.       Montcalm    landed    with    his  men   and 


EXPEDITIONS  AGAINST  LOUISBURG.  TICONDEROGA,  DUQUENSE  AND  QUEBEC. 


1-5 


artillery  at  a'point  about  two  miles  from  Fort  William  Henry,  where  he  was 
entirely  sheltered  from  its  guns  ;  beleagured  its  garrison,  and  sent  a  sum- 
mons to  Monroe  to  surrender,  which  he  defiantly  disregarded,  confident  of 
being  relieved  by  Webb.  The  French  then  opened  fire  on  the  fort,  which 
was  spiritedly  returned  by  the  garrison.  Exi)re  ses  were  sent  to  Webb 
imploring  aid  ;  but  that  coward  remained  inactive,  terrified  at  the  distant 
roar  of  artillery.  Finally,  after  repeated  solicitations,  he  allowed  Generals 
Johnson  .and  Putnam  with  his  rangers,  to  march  to  the  aid  of  Monroe;  but 
they  had  proceeded  only  a  few  miles  when  he  recalled  them,  and  sent  a 
letter  to  Monroe,  advising  him  to  surrender  This  letter  was  intercepted 
by  Montcalm,  who  forwarded  it  lo  Monroe,  recjuesting  him  to  follow 
Webb's  advice,  and  save  further  loss  of  life.  Still  the  intrepid  colonel 
held  out  until  his  ammunition  was  nearly  e.vhausted,  part  of  his  guns  dis- 
abled, and  all  hopes  of  assistance  abandoned,  and  under  these  discourag- 
ing circumstances,  he  was  forced  to  capitulate  on  the  9th  of  August,  and 
the  sixth  day  of  the  siege.  By  the  terms  of  surrender,  the  garrison  were 
allowed  to  leave  the  fort  with  all  the  honors  of  war,  and  furnished  with  an 
escort  to  Fort  Edward.  On  the  next  morning,  when  they  began  their 
march,  the  Indians,  who  had  spent  the  night  in  debauch,  began  an  indis- 
criminate massacre  and  robbery  of  the  English  troops.  Despite  the 
efforts  of  Montcalm,  many  of  the  disarmed  and  defenceless  soldiers  were 
slain,  and  only  a  thousand  reached  Fort  Edward.  Fort  William  Henry 
was  demolished.  General  Webb,  paralyzed  with  terror,  prepared  to  retreat, 
although  reinforced  until  his  army  was  more  than  double  that  of  the 
enemy. 

CH.\PTER    VII. 

THE  EXTINCTION  OF  THE  FRENCH  POWER  IN  AMERICA THE  NEW  YORK 

JUDICIARY INTERNATIONAL  CONTENTIONS.  ' 

Ey  these  repeated  failures  the  spirit  of  the  English  ministry  in  meeting 
the  exigencies  of  the  occasion  was  aroused,  and  ^Villiam  Pitt,  a  very  able 
statesman,  was  entrusted  with  the  management  of  affairs.  His  accession 
gave  a  new  impulse  to  the  national  energies,  and  the  campaign  for  1758 
opened  under  more  favorable  auspices.  Three  formidable  expeditions 
were  projected  for  this  year  against  Louisburg,  Ticonderoga,  and  Fort 
Uuquesne  respectively.  .Admiral  Boscawen,  with  twenty  ships  of  the  line 
and  fifteen  frigates,  together  with  twelve  thousand  men  under  General 
Amherst,  arrived  before  Louisburg  on  the  2d  day  of  June,  and  entered 
vigorously  upon  the  siege  of  that  fortress,  and  on  the  26th  of  July  the 
French  commander,  finding  farther  opposition  useless,  surrendered  at  dis- 
cretion. The  army  destined  for  the  reduction  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 
Point  under  (ieneral  .Abercrombie,  consisting  of  nine  thousand  provincials 
and  seven  thousand  regulars  with  a  fine  train  of  artillery,  assembled  at  the 
head  of  Lake  George,  from  whence  they  embarked  on  the  5th  of  Julv  for 
the  fortress  at  Ticonderoga,  which  was  held  by  .Montcalm  with  about  four 
thousand  men.  They  landed  the  next  day  and  began  their  march,  neces- 
sarily leaving  their  artillery  behind  until  the  bridges  wliich  had  been 
destroyed  by  the  enemy  could  be  rebuilt.  It  was  the  pur|)ose  of  .Aber- 
crombie  to  hasten  forward  and  carry  Ticonderoga  by  storm  before  rc-in- 
forcements  which  were  expected  could  arrive.  The  advance  [larty  fell  in 
with  a  body  of  the  enemy  and  Lord  Howe,  the  second  in  command  .ind 
the  soul  of  the  expedition,  was  killed.  The  loss  of  Howe  was  severely  felt 
and  the  incom[>etcnt  .^bercrombic,  uncertain  what  course  to  pursue,  fell 
back  to  the  landing  place.  Colonel  Bradstreet  advanced,  rebuilt  tlie 
bridges  and  took  possession  of  some  saw  mills  destroyed  by  the  enemy 
about  two  miles  from  Ticonderoga.  to  which  place  .Abercrombie  advan<  cd 
with  his  army,  and  sent  forward  an  engineer  with  a  party  of  rangers  to  re- 
connoitre. They  reported  that  the  works  could  be  easily  taken.  Stark,  who 
led  the  rangers,  thought  differently,  and  so  advised  .\bcrcrombie,  but  he 
rejected  his  advice  and  ordered  an  attack  without  artillery  which,  after  a 
desperate  struggle,  was  repulsed  with  the  loss  of  nearly  two  thousand  men. 
With  the  great  force  still  at  his  command  .Abercrombie,  instead  of  bring- 
ing up  his  artillery  to  bombard  the  French  works,  .sounded  a  retreat,  and 
unpursued  by  the  enemy,  returned  to  the  head  of  Lake  George  anil  sent 
his  artillery  and  stores  to  Albany.  Colonel  Bradstreet,  anxious  to  do 
something  to  retrieve  the  disgrace  of  this  shameful  retreat,  asked  to  lend 
an  expedition  against  l-'ort  Frontenac  whiihhad  been,  with  the  entire  fleet 
on  Lake  Ontario,  surrendered  on  the  ;6lh  of  August.  The  i  i.minand  of 
the  expedition  against  Fort  Duiiutsne  was  given  to  General  I'orbes.     Con- 


trary to  the  advice  of  Washington,  Forbes  insisted  on  having  a  new  road 
cut  to  the  fort.  \Vith  this  and  other  delays,  on  the  5th  of  November  the 
English  forces  were  still  forty  miles  from  their  destination,  when  it  was  re- 
solved to  go  into  winter  ijuarters.  Washington,  satisfied  of  the  inability  of 
the  garrison  to  resist  an  attack,  asked  and  obtained  permission  to  push 
forward  with  his  Virginians,  and,  on  his  approach,  the  French  set  fire  to 
the  fort  and  fied.  On  the  25th,  Washington  took  possession  of  the  ruins 
and  changed  the  name  from  Duquesne  to  Pittsburg. 

Although  Louisburg  and  Fort  Duquesne  had  been  retaken,  still  there 
could  be  no  security  for  the  frontier  so  long  as  Fort  Niagara  and  the  posts 
on  Lake  Champlain  were  held  by  the  French,  nor  even  while  Canada  re- 
mained unsubjugated.  Accordingly,  adequate  preparations  were  made  for 
the  campaign  of  1759.  .\bercrombie  was  superseded  in  the  command  of 
the  expedition  against  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  by  General  .\mherst. 
General  Wolfe  w.is  directed  to  ascend  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Quebec,  and 
General  Prideaux  was  to  take  Fort  Niagara  and  proceed  to  Montreal.  He 
was  joined  by  General  Johnson  at  Oswego,  from  which  point  he  sailed  for 
Fort  Niagara,  leaving  Haldimand  with  a  force  at  Oswego.  The  latter  was 
soon  afterwards  attacked  by  a  body  of  French  and  Indians,  but  succeeded 
in  repulsing  them.  On  the  17th  of  July,  Prideaux  appeared  before  Ni- 
agara, but  soon  after  the  siege  began  he  was  killed  by  the  bursting  of  a 
shell,  carelessly  discharged  by  one  of  his  gunners.  Johnson  succeeded  to 
the  command  and  the  siege  continued  without  cessation.  In  the  mean- 
time, DWubrey,  aware  of  the  danger  of  this  important  post,  collected  a 
force  of  nearly  three  thousand  French  and  Indian  troops  and  made  an 
effort  to  raise  the  siege,  .\ppri5ed  of  their  approach,  Johnson,  leaving  a 
force  to  prevent  the  garrison  from  co-operating  with  D'.'\ubrey,  marched 
against  the  advancing  enemy.  .^  sharp  conflict  ensued  in  which  D'Au- 
brey's  forces  were  defeated  and  himself  taken  prisoner,  and  the  next  day 
the  garrison  surrendered.  General  .Amherst,  with  a  force  of  nearly  twelve 
thousand  men  arrived  at  Ticonderoga  on  the  22d  of  July,  and  in  four 
days  thereafter  the  garrison  abandoned  the  post  and  withdrew  to  Crown 
Point,  which  also  was  abandoned  on  the  approach  of  .\mherst. 

The  strength  of  Quebec  was  well  known,  and  General  Wolfe  left  Louis- 
burg under  convoy  of  a  large  fleet  and  eight  thousand  regulars  to  capture 
it.  It  was  intended  that  Amherst  should  sweep  Lake  Ch.amplain,  capture 
.Montreal,  and  form  a  junction  with  Wolfe  before  Quebec,  but  he  failed  to 
accomplish  his  part,  and  Wolfe  alone  had  the  glory  of  taking  that  strong 
fortress.  On  the  27th  of  June  he  landed  on  the  Isle  of  Orleans,  a  few 
miles  below  the  city.  Montcalm  occupied  the  place  with  thirteen  thousand 
men,  and  a  strongly  entrenched  camp  extended  below  the  city  from  the 
river  St.  Charles  to  the  Montmorenci.  General  Monckton  took  a  position 
at  Point  Levi,  o|>posite  Quebec,  with  but  little  opposition,  and  erected  bat- 
teries from  which  the  lower  town  was  considerably  d.amaged,  but  no  im- 
pression could  be  made  on  the  walls  of  the  city.  General  Wolfe  crossed 
the  St.  Lawrence  and  encamped  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Montmorenci 
within  cannon  shot  of  the  enemy  on  the  opposite  side,  and  resolved  to 
storm  their  strong  camp.  Monckton  crossed  the  St.  Lawrence  a  little 
above  the  Montmorenci,  and  at  tiie  same  time  the  forces  on  the  opposite 
side  forded  that  stream  and  joined  his  division.  The  grenadiers,  impatient 
of  restraint,  rushed  up  the  bank  before  the  troops  that  were  to  support 
them  could  be  made  available,  and  were  conseijuently  repulsed  with  fear- 
ful loss,  when  they  took  shelter  behind  a  redoubt  which  had  been  aban- 
doned by  the  enemy  in  the  commencement  of  the  action.  ,\t  this  time  a 
tempestuous  thunder-storm  broke  over  the  belligerents,  and  before  it 
abated,  night  came  on,  and  the  English  were  obliged  to  recross  the  river. 
Weeks  passed,  and  the  capture  of  Quebec  seemed  as  far  off  ,is  ever  The 
arrival  of  Amherst  was  looked  for  in  vain,  and  Wolfe  and  his  officers, 
weary  and  impatient  of  delay,  concerted  a  plan  for  scaling  the  Heights  of 
.\braham,  back  of  Quebec,  and  thus  forcing  the  French  into  an  engige- 
ment.  The  camp  at  Montmorenci  was  broken  up  and  the  troops  conveyed 
to  Point  Levi,  .\dmiral  Holni-'S  ascended  the  river  with  apart  of  ih.e 
troops  and  artillery.  -Vl  nig'it  thj  remiind.T  proceeded  up  the  river,  and 
Montcalm,  thinking  they  were  about  to  raise  the  siege,  remained  in  his 
camp,  while  Bourg.iinville  marched  up  the  river  to  prevent  their  laniling. 
Before  daylight,  tile  British  returning  silently  down  the  river,  unpercened 
liy  tlie  French,  landed  and  as.  ended  the  jirecipice.  The  Frenc  h  guard 
was  dispersed,  and  by  daylight  five  thousand  regulars  were  drawn  up  in 
b.ittle  array  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham.  When  this  intelligen,  e  re.i.  lied 
.Monte 
army 


aim   h. 


till 


of  hi 


cross  the  St.  Charles  to  attack  the  English.     .\  fierce  battle  followed 


16 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK 


in  which  Loth  Wolfe  and  Mont.alm  were  slain  and  the  Krenrh  arnn  ilc- 
featCTt  and  on  the  iSth  of  Sci>tenil>er,  five  days  after.  (Jucl)et  was  sur- 
rendrtc<i  to  the  Fnj;Iish. 

In  !hc  following  Sprini;.  He  l.cvi.  the  mki  essor  of  Monti  aim.  attempted 
the  rei;ai)tiirc  of  Queliee.  which  had  liccn  left  in  i  h,;ri;e  of  Ccneral  Murray 
with  -even  thousand  men.  I)c  Levi  adianc  cd  upon  the  liiv  with  an  army 
of  ten  thousand,  and  .Murray,  man  hing  out  to  aiuu  k  him.  was  defeated 
.and  lorecd  to  retreat  to  the  nty.  De  Levi  followed  up  his  success,  but  on 
the  arrival  of  the  Knglish  tleet  in  the  St.  Lawrence  he  retired  in  great 
alarm  to  Montreal,  (leneral  .\mherst  apjieared  before  that  city  on  the  6th 
of  SejKemlier.  1760.  Murray  ajiproached  from  Quebec  on  the  same  day. 
and  00  the  d.iy  following  Colonel  Haviland  arrived  with  his  division  from 
C'rowB  Point.  I)e  Vaudreuil.  the  governor-general,  despairing  <jf  a  suc- 
cessful defence,  capitulated  on  the  Sth.  .\s  the  result  of  this  campaign. 
C]anaj£a.  with  all  her  dependencies,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  and 
hostifities  between  the  colonies  of  the  two  nationalities  ceased.  Heace. 
howerer,  was  not  concluded  between  England  and  Kr.ancc  until  February 
10th,  1763,  when  France  ceded  to  England  all  her  |)ossessions  in  Canada. 

Oa  the  30th  of  July,  1760,  Ciovernor  De  I.ancey  suddenly  died,  and 
Cadiollader  Colden  took  charge  of  the  government,  being  president  of  the 
council.  In  .August,  1761,  he  received  his  commission  as  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor. The  death  of  De  I-.incey  left  the  seat  of  chief-justice  vacant,  and 
the  remaining  judges,  having  doubted  their  ability  to  issue  ]irocesscs  since 
the  dtath  of  King  George  IF,  under  whom  they  had  held  their  old  com- 
missico;?,  urged  Colden  to  appoint  a  successor.  Colden  rec|ucstcd  the 
Colonial  Secretary  of  State  to  nominate  a  chief-justice,  and  he  not  only 
nomtoated  but  appointed  iJenjamin  Pratt,  a  lawyer  from  Boston,  to  hold 
the  pooition  at  the  pleasure  of  the  king  instead  of  during  good  behavior,  as 
formerly.  'I'he  people  regarding  this  as  an  encroachment  on  their  rights 
and  liberties,  vigorously  protested,  and  the  remaining  judges  even  refused 
to  act  longer  unless  they  could  hokl  their  commissions  during  good  be- 
havior. When  the  assembly  met.  Colden  recpiested  that  the  salary  of  the 
chief-justice  should  be  increased,  but  that  body  not  only  refused  to 
increase  it,  but  refused  to  provide  for  it  unless  the  judges'  commissions  se- 
cured them  their  seats  during  good  behavior.  The  chief-justice  having 
served  some  time  without  a  salar\".  the  income  of  the  royal  (piit-rents  of 
the  province  was  a]>propriatcd  to  his  compensation. 

Cieneral  Robert  Mnnckton  was  ap|iointcd  (Jovernor  of  New  York,  and 
assumed  the  reins  of  government  in  October.  1761.  but  left  on  the  13th  of 
the  following  month  to  command  an  expedition  against  Martinique,  leaving 
the  administration  of  affairs  again  in  the  hands  of  Colden.  In  176.^  the 
boundary  line  between  New  York  and  New  Hampshire  became  a  subject  of 
much  controversy.  I'hc  di-puted  territory  was  the  tract  of  land  between 
the  Connecticut  River  and  Fake  Champlain,  comprising  what  is  now 
known  as  the  State  of  Vermont.  The  patent  granted  to  the  Duke  of  York 
in  1664  included  all  the  land  west  of  the  Connecticut  River  to  the  cast  side 
of  OeUware  Hay.  Controversies  had  arisen  growing  out  of  the  mdehnite 
character  of  their  respective  <:harters  between  the  jtrovinces  of  New  \'ork 
and  those  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  relative  to  their  boundaries, 
which  h.ad  been  adjusted  by  negotiation  and  compromise.  The  line  agreed 
upon  las  to  extend  north  and  south  twenty  miles  east  of  the  Hudson 
River.  New  Hampshire,  regardless  of  justice  or  title,  insisted  upon  lia\ - 
ing  the  same  western  boundary,  .\gainst  this  claim  New  York  vigorously 
protested,  but  the  protests  were  unheeded,  and  the  (iovernor  of  New 
Hamiishire  continued  to  issue  grants  until,  in  1763,  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
eight  townships  had  been  granteil.  .•Manned  at  this  encroachment,  and 
in  order  to  stop  these  proceedings.  (lovcrnor  Colden.  in  December,  1763. 
issued  a  proclamation  claiming  jurisdiction  to  the  Connci  tii  ut  Ki\er  under 
the  patent  granted  to  the  Duke  of  York,  and  commanded  the  sheriff  of 
\lbany  county  to  return  the  names  of  all  persons  who.  by  virtue  "f  the 
New  Hamiishire  grants,  had  taken  possession  of  Finds  west  of  tlu-  (  on- 
necticiit  River.  'Ihis  was  followed  by  a  1  oiuiter  pnir  l.iin  itu.n  fn.m  the 
(lovemor  of  New  Hampshire,  dec  Faring  tliat  llie  gr.int  to  the  Diikc  of 
York  was  obsolete,  and  that  his  grantees  should  be  pni-ci  led  in  the  pos- 
session of  their  lands.  Fhrnugh  the  HoanI  of  I'rade  the  disputed  .piesiion 
was  referred  to  the  crown,  and  in  1764  a  decision  was  obtained  pronounc- 
ing the  Connecticut  River  the  boundary  between  the  pnninces  of  New- 
York  and  New  Hampshire.  Upon  this  ilei  ision  the  government  of  New 
York  dci  Fired  the  grants  from  the  Ciovernor  of  New  Hampshire  illeg.Tl,  and 
insisted  that  the  grantees  should  surn-nder  or  re-piin  base  the  binds  upon 
which  Ihcy  had  settled.     To  this  unjust  demand  tlie  gre.iter  pan   relused 


to  aci  ede,  and  the  (lovernor  of  New  York  thereupon  granted  their  lands  to 
others,  who  brought  ejectment  suits  against  the  former  occupants,  and  ob- 
tained judgment  at  the  1  oiirts  of  .\lbany.  .All  attempts,  however,  of  the 
executive  officers  to  enforce  these  judgments  met  with  a  spirited  resistant  e, 
and  led  to  continual  hostilities  between  the  settlers  and  the  government  of 


CH.\PIER   VlIF 

IHK.      .APPKilACH      ol-       IHK     KKVI  IllTIO.V I'VlKlnllc     .AlllTlDK      OK      .\tw 

VclKK — IHK    KIKsl     DA  I  II. K    KOUC.HI     l.V     I77O. 

The  reprcsentatiie  .issemblies  of  the  provinces  had  occ:isionally  remon- 
strated against  the  \anous  aus  of  Parliament  which  tended  to  abridge 
their  liberties,  and  the  regulation  of  the  Moards  of  Trade  by  which  their 
manufactures  and  commerce  were  injuriously  affected  :  yet  their  attadi- 
ment  to  the  mother  country,  and  regard  for  her  institutions,  had  not  to  anv 
considerable  extent  been  weakened.  Hut  now  the  borders  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary struggle  were  reached,  and  the  time  had  arrived  when  unipiestioncd 
submission  to  the  exactions  of  arbitrary  power  had  ceased  to  be  considered 
a  virtue,  and  knowing  the  value  of  their  liberties,  the  colonics  firmlv 
asserted  their  rights.  They  were  heavily  burdened  by  the  expenses  of  the 
late  war.  for  which  they  had  liberally  contributed,  materially  aiding  in  jiro- 
curing  for  the  English  government  a  vast  and  valuable  accession  of  tern- 
tor)-  :  yet  their  generous  sujiport  of  the  pow-er  and  dignity  of  the  realm, 
the  British  ministry  regartled  as  only  -the  exercise  of  a  duty,  and  before  the 
smoke  had  fairl\-  drifted  away  from  the  battle  grounds,  began  to  devise 
plans  for  taxing  ihem  to  raise  a  revenue  without  their  consent.  'I'he  first 
measure  w-huh  aroused  the  colonists  to  a  lively  sense  of  their  danger,  was 
the  issuing  of  writs  of  assistance,  which  the  English  ministry  had  deter- 
minetl  to  fort:e  upon  them.  These  w-ere,  in  effect,  search  warrants,  w-hereb\- 
custom  house  officers  were  enabled  the  better  to  collect  revenues  by 
breaking  open  houses  or  stores  that  were  susjwcted  of  containing  concealed 
contraband  goods.  This  exercise  of  arbitrary  pow-er'created  indignation 
and  alarm,  and  the  lolonisis  resolved  to  resist  it.  Public  meetings  were 
held,  and  remonstrances  sent  to  Parliament,  but  without  effect.  The  min- 
istry were  determintti  to  deri\e  a  re\cnue  from  the  colonies,  either  by  im- 
port duties  or  direc  taxes.  \  igorously  levied  and  collected,  and  the  writs 
were  granted  ;  but  the  feelings  of  the  people  were  such  that  the  custom 
house  officers  never  attem|)ied  to  carry  their  new-  powers  into  exec-ution. 

In  1764  (ieorge  (Ircnville.  then  at  the  head  of  the  English  ministry,  sub- 
mitted to  the  House  of  Commons  a  pro[iosition  for  raising  a  revenue  by  the 
sale  of  stam|is  to  the  (olonists.  at  the  same  time  assuring  the  colonial 
agents  that  he  wmild  not  press  its  iiiimidiate  adoption,  but  leave  the  |ilan 
open  for  i  onsidcration.  W  hen  intelligeni  e  re.iclied  the  colonists  that  sii,  h 
.in  act  was  medil.ited  bv  tlic  ministr\.  dis,  onlent  u.is  everywhere  visiblc- 
The  proMnci.il  assemblies  -i.iniiocsly  refuse.!  to  recognize  the  right  of 
Parliament  to  li:\  them  without  llieir  eonsent.  anti  asserted  the  sole  right 
to  tax  themselves.  Ihey  p.;ssed  resolutions  of  remonslrancc;  and  clearly 
demonstrated  lli.it  lavatiou  without  reprcseiu.itiim  in  Parliament  was  unjust 
and  t>ranni(..l;  but.  m  1  (ir.tLmi.liiuiis  disre-nnl  of  all  respectful  remon- 
stranies  and  petitions,  the  St.imp  A,  t  u;is  p,i,sed  in  Manh.  1765.  liy  its 
pr.ivisionsno  leg.il  ..r  ,  omuu-r,  i.il    d.  .niiKnls  were  \.llid    unless  written    or 

nature  of  the  instniment,  p.u.ible  ,0  otti.  ers  .ippoiiited  by  the  Crown,  The 
passage  of  this  act  created  feelings  of  reseniment  lluoiighoiit  the  1  olonics, 
a.-rompaniecl  l.v  ,1  deterinin.ilmn  lo  resist  or  ev.ick-  its  enfonemeiit.  I  he 
people  of  New  N  ,,rk  cicie  .iiiion^  the  innst  bitter  in  their  opposition  to  the 
measure.  .\n  .is,o,  i.ition,  subng  r.sell  the  >"ns  of  Liberty,  held  meetings 
to  lbs,  iiss  pl.ins  tor  rL-isMiu  e  I  lie  ..l.nMM.ms  .„  t  w.is  reprinlcd  .mil 
p,i-,idcd  about  the  slieels  ..I  Ne-.v  \..rk  .iM.  b.-,inii,4  the  ms,  riplion.  "  I  he 
fulK  of  Lni;l,iii.l.  .md  ruin  of  Allien,  .i."  A  .oiu.nillee  w.is  appointed  b> 
the  New    ^.,rk  AsseinbK.  111  I  1.  lolu-r.   1  71.  |.  lo  ,  orresponil    with    the  sewr.ll 


the 


Ihe  holdii 


V   siig.,esl,,i  to  llu-  several  c 

islrale  .ig.iinst  the  Molalion  of  their  liberties.  Ibis  sug- 
iK    responded    to,    and    delegates   were   appointed,    who 

in  of  New  ^■..^k  on  Ihe  71I1  of  ( ).  lobcr.  1705.  I  liisbodv 
i-outiniied  m  s -„ion  two  weeks,  .uvl  a.lople.l  ,1  de.  lar.uion  of  rights.  .1 
petition  to  the  Km-.;.  ,in.l  ,1  ineiii. .ri.il  to  I'.irh.imeut.  in  wh..  h  the  prin.  iples 
bv  whi,  h  tlu-  ..,!. lilies  were  -.iverile.l  llir..iiL;li    the    Kev.jliition  were   .  IcirK 


ene.l 


EXCITEMENT  OVER  THE  STAMP  ACT— ITS  REPEAL,  AND  OTHER  TAXES  LEVIED. 


The  Stamp  Act  was  to  take  effect  on  the  first  day  of  November.  As 
the  appointed  time  drew  near,  the  excitement  increased,  and  when  the  dav 
had  finally  arrived,  fiags  floated  at  half  mast,  bells  were  tolled  as  on  funeral 
occasions,  and  many  other  manifestations  of  public  sorrow  and  discontent 
were  made.  The  stamped  pajter,  which  had  [ireviously  arrived,  had  been 
deposited  in  the  Fort  for  safe  keeping,  under  the  direction  of  Governor 
Colden.  who  had  taken  the  oath  to  execute  the  Stamp  .\ct,  but  McEvers, 
who  had  been  appointed  by  the  Crown  to  manage  its  distribution  and  sale, 
seeing  the  manifestations  of  popular  indignation,  resigned.  In  the  evening 
the  Sons  of  Liberty  appeared  before  the  l''ort,  and  demanded  the  stamped 
paper.  On  being  refused,  they  repaired  to  the  Commons,  where  they  hung 
(fovernor  Colden  in  effigy,  and  returned  to  the  Fort  with  his  image.  Not 
being  admitted  at  the  gate,  they  broke  into  Colden's  stable,  and  brought 
out  his  carriage,  placed  the  eifigy  in  it,  paraded  the  streets,  and  returned  to 
the  Fort,  where  it  was  again  hung.  They  then  made  a  bonfire,  and  burned 
the  carnage  and  its  accomiuniments.  .\  [jarty  jiroceeded  to  the  house  of 
Major  James,  an  artillery  officer  who  had  rendered  himself  particularlv 
obnoxious,  destrojed  the  furniture,  and  carried  off  the  colors  of  the  Roval 
.\rtillery  regiment.  The  next  day  Colden  announced  that  he  should  not 
issue  any  of  the  stamped  paper  while  he  remamed  in  office,  but  lea\e  it 
to  his  successor,  vvho  was  already  on  his  way  from  England.  But  the  Sons 
of  Liberty,  not  satisfied  with  this  assurance,  insisted  that  the  stamped  pajier 
should  be  delivered  into  their  hands,  and  threatened  to  take  it  by  force  if 
it  was  not.  The  Common  Council,  alarmed  at  their  ungovernable  fury, 
requested  that  the  paper  might  be  deposited  in  the  City  Hall,  which  was 
done,  and  a  guaranty  given  for  its  safe  kee]>ing.  In  the  meantime,  at  a 
meeting  called  by  the  citizens,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  correspond 
with  the  merchants  of  the  several  colonies,  inviting  them  to  enter  into  an 
agreement  not  to  import  certain  goods  from  England,  which  suggestion  was 
promptly  acted  upon,  and  the  trade  with  England  almost  ceased. 

\V'hen  the  new  governor.  Sir  Henry  Moore,  arrived,  he  was  disposed  to 
carry  the  Stamp  Act  into  execution,  but  the  unanimous  advice  of  his 
council,  together  with  the  unmistakable  character  of  public  sentiment,  soon 
convinced  him  of  the  folly  of  such  an  attempt.  The  Sons  of  Liberty  seized 
ten  boxes  of  stamped  paper,  on  the  arrival  of  a  vessel  containing  it,  con- 
veyed it  to  the  ship-yards,  and  it  was  consumed  in  a  bonfire.  The  Stamp 
.\ct  was  so  odious  to  the  colonies,  and  their  opposition  to  it  was  so  effec- 
tive, that  it  was  repealed  on  the  iSth  of  March,  1766,  but  immediately  on 
its  repeal  a  bill  was  passed  declaring  the  absolute  right  of  Parliament  "  to 
tax  the  colonies  in  ail  cases  whatsoever."  The  repeal,  however,  was  not 
owing  to  any  appeals  from  the  colonists,  for  Parliament  would  not  receive 
the  petitions  of  the  Colonial  Congress,  because  that  body  had  not  been 
summoned  to  meet  by  it  ;  but  it  was  because  of  the  influence  of  London 
merchants,  whose  trade  was  seriously  affected  by  the  non-importation 
agreement.  Notwithstanding  the  declaratory  act  that  accompanied  the  re- 
peal, the  news  was  hailed  with  a  delirium  of  delight,  and  the  city  was  in  a 
bia/e  of  illumination  in  honor  of  the  event.  On  the  King's  birthday, 
which  occurred  soon  afterwards,  the  New  Yorkers  assembled,  and  with 
enthusiastic  manifestations  of  loyalty  erected  a  liberty-pole,  inscribed  to 
the  King,  Pitt,  and  Liberty.  The  Assembly  met  in  June,  and  the  Gover- 
nor reipiested  its  compli.ince  with  the  demands  of  the  ministry  in  relation 
to  furnishing  supplies  for  the  troops  stationed  in  New  York  city.  Some 
controversy  ensued  upon  the  subject,  and  only  a  partial  comjjliance  could 
be  obtained  from  the  .Assembly. 

The  sounds  of  rejoicing  which  followed  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  .\ct  had 
h.irdly  passed  away  before  the  ministry,  by  its  unjust  acts,  again  awakened 
the  murmurs  of  discontent,  and  the  declaratory  act  began  to  loom  up  and 
'l.nnpen  all  the  hopes  of  the  colonists.  The  ]>artial  provision  of  the  .\s- 
vniMy  for  supporting  the  troops  was  distasteful  to  the  Sons  of  Liberty. 
«ho  well  knew  the  soldiers  were  sent  to  enforce  the  abridgement  of 
^•"■■rican  lilierties,  and  on  their  arrival  did  not  disguise  their  feelings. 
\iimosities  arose  between  them,  and  the  soldiers  believing  that  it  was 
""ing  to  the  .Sons  of  Liberty  that  the  ,\ssembly  had  not  been  more  liberal 
"  furnishing  them  with  sup|)lies,  retaliated  by  cutting  down  the  citizens' 
il  ■-.i.ilf.  The  next  day,  while  the  citizens  were  replacing  it,  they  were 
'-■oili,.,|  l,v  the  troops,  ,ind  several  01  ihcni  wnun.lcd.  The  offi,  ers  were 
i"'I;ll,  nnl  lo  this  conduct  of  their  nun.  .mil  ollur  onlr.ig.s  were  com- 
'"■"'■!  Ihc  Assembly  met  ag.iin  in  Noi  ember,  u  hen  tlie  ( ioi  ernor  placed 
'■•'"ri-  It  111,,  instructions  of  the  ministry,  recpiestmg  that  immediate  pro- 
"•lon  for  Ihc  troops  should  be  made  ;  but  their  outrageous  conduct  had 
"'  d'^gnsied  the  legislators  that  they  rcfu.sed  to  comply,  and  were  severely 


censured  by  the  Crown.  Parliament  declared  the  legislative  powers  of  the 
Assembly  annulled,  and  forbade  the  fiovernor  and  Council  to  give  their 
assent  to  any  act  passed  by  that  body  until  unt|ualified  compliance  with 
the  demands  of  the  Government  had  been  obtained. 

In  June,  1767,  a  bill  was  passed  by  Parliament  imposing  a  duty  on  tea, 
glass,  lead,  paper,  and  printers'  colors  imported  into  the  colonies.  This 
act  was  shortly  followed  by  another,  re-organizing  the  colonial  custom- 
house system,  and  establishing  a  board  of  revenue  commissioners.  When 
intelligence  of  these  acts  reached  the  colonies  the  excitement  was  renewed, 
and  the  non-importation  agreement  revived.  The  colonists  saw  that  Par- 
liament intended  to  tax  them  in  some  way,  and  declared  that  taxes  on  trade 
for  a  revenue  were  as  much  a  violation  of  their  rights  as  any  other  taxes. 
In  176S  the  .Assembly  of  Massachusetts  addressed  a  circular  letter  to  the 
other  colonies  referring  to  the  acts  of  Parliament,  and  soliciting  their  co- 
operation in  maintaining  the  common  liberties.  This  so  offended  the 
ministry  that  a  letter  was  sent  from  the  Secretary  of  State  to  the  several 
colonial  governors,  forbidding  their  .Assemblies  to  correspond  with  that  of 
Massachusetts.  When  the  .Assembly  of  New  York  was  convened  the 
Governor  placed  the  document  before  it,  and  requested  their  obedience  to 
its  mandates.  The  .Assembly  unhesitatingly  refused  ;  declared  its  right  to 
correspond  with  any  other  of  the  legislatures  ;  denounced  the  infringe- 
ments upon  its  rights  by  Parliament  ;  and  was  dissolved  by  the  Governor. 
The  people  sustained  their  representatives,  and  when  a  new  .Assembly  con- 


vened in  .April,  1769,  it  m 
effected  by  the  election. 

The  death  of  Sir  He 
1769.  His  mild  and  pi 
possible,  had  endeared  hii 
Bv  that   e\ent    the  govei 


found   that   but  very  little  change  had   been 


iry  Moore  occurred  on  the  nth  of  September, 
ident  course,  in  avoiding  controversy  as  far  as 
I  to  the  colony,  and  his  death  was  much  lamented, 
inient  again  devolved  upon  Cadwallader  Colden. 
The  English  merchants,  suffering  from  the  non-importation  agreement,  had 
joined  their  petitions  with  those  of  the  colonists  for  the  repeal  of  the  ob- 
noxious custom-house  act,  and  a  circular-letter  assured  the  people  of  the 
colonies  that  at  the  next  session  of  Parliament  a  proposition  would  be  made 
to  abolish  the  duties  on  all  articles,  except  tea.  This  attempt  at  concilia- 
tion was  far  from  satisfactory  ;  for  the  right  of  taxation  was  not  relinquished, 
and  the  principle  was  the  same,  whether  applied  to  one  article  or  many. 
A  bill  was  introduced  in  the  New  York  .Assembly,  in  November,  for  issuing 
colonial  bills  of  credit  to  the  amount  of  jTi 20,000,  to  loan  out  as  a  means 
of  revenue.  The  project  at  first  met  with  f,avor  from  the  popular  party, 
but  when  it  was  followed  by  an  appropriation  to  support  the  British  troops 
in  the  colony,  to  be  taken  out  of  the  interest  arising  from  the  loan,  a  revul- 
sion of  feeling  at  once  took  place.  Shortly  after,  handbills  were  circulated, 
charging  the  Assembly  with  betraying  the  inhabitants  of  the  colonv,  and 
advising  the  people  to  meet  on  a  certain  day,  and  express  their  sentiments 
upon  the  subject.  .Accordingly,  a  large  concourse  of  people  gathered,  .and 
emphatically  denounced  the  action  of  the  Assembly.  That  body  passed 
resolutions  declaring  the  handbills  libelous,  and  offering  a  reward  for  the 
detection  of  their  authors.  John  Lamb,  who  had  presided  over  the  popular 
meeting,  was  arrested  and  brought  before  the  House,  but  was  soon  after 
discharged. 

.Animosities  continued  between  the  Sons  of  Liberty  and  the  soldiers. 
Now  that  their  supplies  were  granted,  the  latter  no  longer  held  themselves 
in  check  from  motives  of  policy,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  13th  of  January, 
1769,  renewed  their  attack  upon  the  flagpole  of  the  citizens.  The  citizens 
hastily  g.nhered  for  its  defence,  whereu|ion  they  desisted.  Their  failure  in 
this  attempt,  together  with  the  derisive  jeers  of  the  citizens,  so  enraged  them 
that  they  charged  upon  a  group  of  people  in  front  of  a  tavern,  which  was  a 
favorite  resort  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  drove  them  in,  and  destroyed  llie 
windows  and  furniture.  On  the  evening  of  the  i6th  they  cut  down  the  ll.ig- 
staff,  sawed  it  in  pieces,  and  juled  the  fragments  before  the  battered  hotel. 
On  the  following  morning  several  thousands  of  the  citizens  assembled  at 
the  scene  of  the  outrage,  and  passed  resolutions  censuring  the  riotous  jiro- 
ceedings  of  the  soldiers,  and  recommending  that  whenever  found  in  the 
street  after  roll-call  they  sh,,uld  be  de.ilt  with  as  enemies  to  the  [.eace  of 
the  city.  The  next  day  pl.i.  .inls  were  found  j.osted  up,  ridii  uling  the 
resolutions,  and  daring  tlie  <  itizens  to  eveciite  them.  During  the  day  the 
Sons  of  Liberty  caught  two  or  three  soldiers  in  the  act  of  putting  up  these 
bills,  and  arrested  them.  While  conducting  them  to  the  Mayor's  office 
the  citizens  were  att.ii  ked  by  a  party  of  twenty  of  their  comrades,  armed 
with  cutlasses,  and  a  skirmish  ensued— the  citizens  defending  themselves 
with  clubs.     The  soldiers  were  forced  back  to  Golden  Hill,  as  John  street, 


18 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


between  Oiff  street  and  Burling  Slip,  was  then  called.  Here  they  were  re- 
enforced,  and  made  a  furious  charge  on  the  citizens,  most  of  whom  were 
entirely  unarmed.  The  latter  stoutly  resisted  until  a  party  of  officers  ap- 
peared on  the  scene,  and  ordered  the  troojis  back  to  their  barracks. 
Several  of  the  citizens  were  severely  wounded,  some  of  whom  had  not 
participated  in  the  skirmish.  Several  affrays  occurred  on  the  following 
day,  in  which  the  soldiers  were  generally  worsted.  The  Mayor  issued  a 
proclamation  forbidding  them  to  leave  the  barracks,  unless  accompanied 
by  a  non-commissioned  officer  ;  and  order  was  restored. 

Thus  terminated  the  first  conflict  in  which  blood  was  shed  in  the  cause 
of  American  Revolution.  It  is  usually  asserted  that  at  Lexington  was  the 
first  battle  fought;  but  the  actual  beginning  of  the  combat,  so  doubtful  in 
its  progress,  and  so  glorious  in  its  results,  was  the  battle  of  Golden  Hill,  on 
the  i8th  of  January,  1770,  at  least  five  years  earlier.  The  Sons  of  Liberty 
purchased  grounds  and  erected  another  pole,  which  stood  until  the  occu- 
pation of  the  city  by  the  British  forces,  in  1776. 

CHAPTER    I.X. 

THE  BOSTON  TEA  P.\RTY MEETING  OF  THE  CONTINENT.'VL   CONGRESS THE 

BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON CAN.4D.\    INVADED. 

In  October,  Lord  Dunmore  arrived  in  New  York  and  superseded  Col- 
den  in  the  government  of  the  province.  .Meanwhile  the  duties  had  been 
removed  from  all  articles  e.xcept  tea,  and  the  non-importation  agreement 
was  restricted  to  that  article.  The  new  governor  brought  the  news  of  the 
royal  approval  of  the  act  authorizing  the  emission  of  colonial  bills  of 
credit.  This  strengthened  the  spirit  of  loyalty,  .and  affairs  went  on  more 
smoothly.  On  the  8th  of  July,  1771,  William  Tryon  was  commissioned 
as  governor  in  place  of  Lord  Dunmore.  who  was  transferred  to  the  govern- 
ment of  Virginia.  By  a  recent  order  of  the  Crown  the  governor's  salary 
was  to  be  paid  from  the  revenue,  thus  rendering  the  executive  independent 
of  the  people.  The  East  India  Company  were  suffering  severely  from  the 
non-imimrtation  agreement  in  regard  to  tea,  and  in  1773,  urgently  peti- 
tioned the  British  government  to  abolish  the  duty  levied  u]ion  that  article 
in  the  colonies,  offering  to  submit  to  double  that  duty  as  an  exportation 
tariff.  This  would  increase  the  amount  of  revenue  two-fold,  but  the 
party  in  power,  deluded  by  false  views  of  national  honor,  would  not  in  the 
least  relinquish  its  declared  right  to  tax  the  colonies.  It  preferred  to 
favor  the  East  India  Company  by  a  special  act  allowing  them  to  ship  their 
tea  to  the  colonies  free  of  export  duty,  which  would  enable  them  to  sell 
it  at  a  lower  rate  than  in  England.  By  this  act  the  ministers  imagined 
that  they  had  outwitted  the  colonists  and  that  this  appeal  to  their  pockets 
would  end  their  resistance.  Ships  were  laden  with  tea  and  consignees 
appointed  in  the  colonies  to  receive  it,  with  the  expectation  that  this  new 
act  would  secure  its  ready  sale.  When  information  of  this  arrangement 
reached  the  colonies  their  indignation  was  dee]ily  aroused.  The  Sons  of 
Liberty  rallied  and  re-soKed  that  the  obnoxious  article  should  not  be 
landed  under  any  pretence.  The  tea  conin-.i>sioners  aiipointed  for  .\ew 
York  resigned  in  view  of  such  decided  demonsirations  of  resistance. 

Expecting  a  consignment  of  tea  would  soon  reach  the  city  the  citizens 
held  a  mass  meeting,  and  regardless  of  the  efforts  of  Governor  Trvon 
to  secure  its  reception,  emphatically  resolved  that  it  should  not  be  landed. 
The  expected  vessel  was  delayed  and  did  not  make  its  appearance  until 
April.  1774.  When  it  arrived  off  Sandy  Hook  the  pilot,  acting  under  the 
instructions  of  the  vigilance  committee,  refused  to  bring  the  ship  any 
nearer  the  city.  Captain  I.ockyer,  the  commander,  under  escort  of  the 
committee,  was  allowed  to  come  up  and  consult  with  the  consignee,  but 
the  latter  refused  to  receive  the  carL;o.  and  adiised  the  captain  to  return 
to  England  immediately.  Meanwhile  CipMin  Chambers,  of  New  \'..rk, 
professing  to  be  a  patriot,  arrived  in  the  harbi.r.  Hi-  vessel  was  boarded 
by  the  committee,  and  upon  being  <piestioned  he  denied  having  any  ((m- 
traband  goods  ;  but  on  being  informed  by  the  committee  that  wiih  the 
evidence  they  had  to  the  contrary  they  should  search  his  ship,  he  ad- 
mitted that  there  was  tea  on  board  which  he  had  brought  out  on  a  [irivate 
venture.  The  hatches  were  forced  open  and  the  chests  brought  on  deck 
and  given  air  and  water.  The  next  morning  Captain  I.ockyer  was  con- 
ducted by  the  committee  to  his  ship,  together  with  Cliamlicrs.  his  rom- 
paiiinn  in  the  tea  trade,  and  they  were  sent  on  an  oiit«ard  bound  vova-e. 
The  New  Hampshire  grants  continued  a  suun  e  of  serious  conicniion. 
The  civil  officers  were  opposed   by    for.  e   in   their  cflorts   to  enforce   ihe 


judgments  obtained  in  the  ejectment  suits,  and  the  New  York  Assembly 
passed  an  act  declaring  resistance  to  be  felony.  A  proclamation  was 
issued  by  governor  Tryon,  offering  a  reward  for  the  apprehension  of  Ethan 
.\llen  and  other  conspicuous  offenders.  This  was  followed  by  a  burlcsijue 
proclamation  from  the  proscribed,  affirming  their  iletermination  to  resist 
and  offering  a  reward  for  the  governor  of  New  York.  In  the  spring  of 
'775.  ^'  'I'l^  'itne  appointed  for  the  session  of  court  in  the  disputed  terri- 
tory, the  settlers  took  possession  of  the  Court  House  and  prevented  the 
New  York  officers  from  entering.  The  officers  thereupon  colle.  ted  a 
force  and  being  again  refused  admittance  fired  into  the  house,  killing  one 
of  the  occupants  and  wounding  several  others.  Some  of  the  officers  were 
arrested  by  the  enraged  inhabitants  and  lodged  in  jail,  and  maiters 
appeared  to  be  approaching  a  crisis;  but  the  battle  of  Lexington  occurring 
at  this  juncture,  active  hostilities  between  Great  Britain  and  the  colonies 
began  and  caused  a  cessation  of  these  difficulties. 

A  cargo  of  tea  had  arrived  in  Boston  Harbor  considerably  earlier  than 
that   in   New  York,  and   the   Bostonians   resolved   that  it  should  not  be 
landed.     The  vessels  containing  the  obnoxious  article  were  boarded  and 
the  chests  emptied  into  the  water.     The  ministry,  enraged  at  this  spirited 
resistance,  determined  to  subjugate  the  colonies.     Various  measures  were 
determined  upon    which    were  ruinous  to  the  liberties  of  the  American 
people;  among  them  was  the  celebrated  "  Boston   Port  Bill,"  closing  the 
harbor  and  destroying  the  trade  of  the  city  to  punish  the  citizens  for  havin" 
destroyed  the  tea.     The    people    everywhere    were  awakened  to  a  lively 
sympathy  with  Boston,  seeing  by  its  treatment  what  was  in  store  for  them. 
A  brisk  correspondence  was  carried  on  between  Boston  and  New  York 
through   the  agency  of  committees  appointed    for  that  purpose.     Public 
meetings  were  held  for  the  consideration  of  their  common  grievances,  and 
among  the  measures  devised   and   recommended   were  the  restoration  of 
the  non-importation  agreement  and  the  convening  of  a  Colonial  Congress. 
On  the  5th  of  September,  1774,  this   Congress  met   at   Philadelphia  and 
j      adopted  a  declaration  of  rights,  setting  forth   wherein   those   rights  had 
I      been  violated;  agreed  on  a  petition  to  the  Ring  for  the  removal  of  their 
1     grievances  and  also  on   an   appeal   to   the  people  of   Great   Britain   and 
I      Canada;  and  then  adjourned  to  meet  again  in  May  of  the  following  year 
j      The  assembly  of  New  York  was  the  only  colonial  assembly  that  withheld 
;      its  approval  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Congress.     It,  however,  addressed 
a  remonstrance  to  Parliament,  which,  however,  was  treated  as  all   others 
I      had  been,  with  disdain.     The  assembly  adjourned  on  the  jd  of  .\pril,  1775, 
and  was  never  again  convened.     Its   refusal   to  appoint  delegates   to  the 
j      Continental  Congress  gave  great  dissatisfaction,  and  a  provincial  conventioi 
of  county  representatives  was  called   by  the  people  to  perform  that  duty. 
.\t  midnight  on    the  iSth  of  .April,  1775,  Cleneral  Gage  sent  a  detach- 
ment of  British  regulars  from  Boston   to    destroy   the   military  stores  col- 
lected by  the  .Americans  at  Concord,  .Massachusetts.      The  expedition  was 
conducted  with   great   secrecy,  but   the   troops  were  discovered  and  the 
people  warned  of  their  coming.     On   reaching   Lexington    the  following 
morning  they  found  the  militia  assembled  on   the  green.     The  latter,  dis- 
regariling  a  command   to  disperse,  were  fired   upon  and  several  of   them 
were  killed.     The  British  troops  proceeded  to  Concord,  but  the  inhabitants 
having  been  ap]irised  of  their  design  had  concealed  the  greater  part  of 
their  stores,  and  the  British  troops  on  their  return  were  severely  harrassed 
by  the  militia  who  had  gathered  from  the  neighboring  towns. 

When  intelligence  of  this  event  reached  New  York  the  excitement  was 
intense.  The  affair  was  in  fact  the  signal  for  a  general  rush  to  arms 
throughout  the  colonics.  The  Sons  of  Liberty  took  possession  of  the 
arms  at  ihc  arsenal  in  New  ^'.irk  1  uv  and  di-trihuted  them  among  the 
people.  .\t  the  suggestion  0/  the  Committee  oi  C  ibservation  a  provincial 
government  for  the  city  was  formcil.  consisting  of  one  hundred  of  the 
principal  citizens,  who  were  to  control  affairs  until  Congress  shoulil  other- 
wise order.  The  British  troops  at  New  York  having  been  ordered  10 
Boston,  the  pro\isional  government  allowed  them  to  de|iart  on  condition 
that  they  should  take  nothing  but  their  own  amis  whh  thein.  Regardless 
of  this  stipulation  they  attempted  to  carry  off  some  military  stores  belong- 
ing to  the  city  but  were  defeated  in  their  designs  by  Colonel  .Marinus 
Willett  with  a  party  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  who  confronted  them  and  sui  - 
ceeded  in  retaking  the  property  and  replacing  it  in  the  fort. 

While  the  patriots  were  lUicking  toward  Boston  the  Connecticut  assem- 
bly was  in  session,  and  several  of  its  members  agreed  upon  a  plan  lo  seize 
the  cannon  and  military  stores  at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  for  llie 
use  of  the  patriot  army.      I'liey  appointed  a  tommittee  to  repair  to   itie 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  IN  COMMAND--EXPEDITION  INTO  CANADA,  AND  ITS  RESULTS 


19 


frontier  and  raise  an  expedition,  under  Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  to  surprise 
and  capture  the  posts  named.  A  force  of  two  hundred  and  seventy  men 
was  soon  collected  and  marched  by  night  under  Colonels  Allen  and  Benedict 
Arnold,  to  a  point  on  Lake  Champlam,  ojiposite  Ticonderoga  They  had 
but  few  boats,  and  when  day  began  to  dawn  only  the  officers  and  eighty- 
three  men  had  crossed.  Fearful  that  delay  would  be  hazardous,  .\llen 
resolved  to  make  an  attack  before  the  rear  division  had  crossed,  and 
marched  at  the  head  of  his  men  directly  to  the  sally  port.  The  sentinel 
snapped  his  musket  at  him  and  retreated  to  the  parade  with  the  patriots 
close  at  his  heels.  The  garrison  were  aroused  and  taken  prisoners.  Col- 
onel .\llen  went  directly  to  the  appartmcnts  of  the  commander  and 
demanded  and  obtained  a  surrender  of  the  fort  "  in  the  name  of  the  (".re.it 
Jehovah,  and  the  Continental  Congress."  Crown  Point  was  taken  wiiiiout 
resistance  two  days  afterwards,  and  the  command  of  Lake  Cham|)lain  was 
thus  secured. 

The  Continent.al  Congress  reassembled  and  organized  on  the  loth  of 
May,  the  same  day  that  Colonel  .\llen  cajitured  Ticonderoga,  and  pro- 
ceeded at  once  to  raise  and  equip  an  army  for  the  defence  of  the  colonics. 
New  York  was  ordered  to  raise  three  thousand  men  as  her  proportion. 
The  population  of  the  province  during  the  preceding  year  had  increased 
to  182,251.  George  W.ashington  was  commissioned  as  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  .\merican  forces.  A  provincial  Congress  of  New  York,  con- 
vened on  the  22d  of  May,  authorized  the  raising  of  troops,  encouraged 
the  manufacture  of  gunpowder  and  muskets  in  the  province  and  projected 
fortifications  at  King's  Bridge  and  the  Hudson  passes  in  the  Highlands. 
Captain  Lamb  was  ordered  to  remove  the  cannon  from  the  battery  at  the 
footof  the  city,  to  a  place  of  greater  security.  On  the  evening  of  .\ugust  23d, 
he  proceeded  to  the  execution  of  the  order.  The  Captain  of  the  British 
war-ship  .\sia,  being  informed  of  the  intended  movement,  sent  a  barge 
filled  with  men  to  watch  it.  ,\  shot  was  fired  from  the  barge  into  the 
.American  force,  which  was  immediately  answered  by  a  volley,  killing  one 
of  the  crew  and  wounding  se\'eral  others.  The  .Asia  then  opened  a  can- 
nonade upon  the  city,  doing  consider.able  damage  to  the  buildings  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  batten',  but  the  patriots  were  undismayed,  and  in  the  face 
of  the  cannonade,  deliberately  removed  every  gun.  Governor  "Tryon 
returned  from  England  in  June  and  strenuously  exerted  himself  to  promote 
the  royal  cause.  Finding  that  his  position  was  growing  more  and  more 
unsatisfactory,  and  having  fears  for  his  personal  safety,  he  abandoned  the 
city  and  took  refuge  on  a  British  sloop  of  war. 

The  Continental  Congress  directed  General  Schuyler  to  collect  an 
armament  at  Ticonderoga,  and  put  that  post  in  a  state  of  defence,  pre- 
paratory to  an  expedition  against  Canada.  The  forces  under  Generals 
Schuyler  and  Montgomery  appeared  before  Saint  John's  in  Se[ilember. 
General  Schuyler  was  compelled  by  ill  health  to  relinquish  the  command 
to  General  Montgomery  and  return  to  Ticonderoga.  The  fort  at  Cliam- 
bly,  twelve  miles  below,  was  captured  on  the  19th  of  October,  by  a 
det.ichment  of  the  American  force,  aided  by  friendly  Canadians.  I'liey 
passed  the  fort  at  Saint  John's  during  a  dark  night  in  boats  with  their 
artillery  and  appeared  before  Chambly.  which  was  feebly  garrisoned,  and 
soon  surrendered.  The  s[)oils  taken  at  Chambly  materially  aided  in  carry- 
ing on  with  vigor  the  -.iege  of  St.  John's,  which  after  several  unsuccess- 
ful assaults  and  numerous  mishaps  was  on  the  3d  of  Nosember  compelled 
to  surrender.  While  this  siege  was  in  progress.  Colonel  Ethan  .\llen. 
acting  without  authority  from  the  Commantler-in-chief.  in  a  rash  attempt 
to  t.ake  Montreal  with  a  small  advance  force,  was  taken  prisoner  and  sent 
to  England.  General  Carlton,  when  informed  of  the  capture  of  Cli.iml.ly, 
made  an  attempt  to  re-inforce  the  garrison  at  St.  John's,  l.iu  l>cin^  de- 
feated by  Colonel  Seth  Warner,  only  hastened  its  fall.  Gcner.il  Mont- 
gomery moved  forward  to  Montreal,  wliii  h  was  taken   without  resist. ime. 

In  September  Colonel  Benedi.  t  .Vrn.il.l  was  .lisjiat.  heel  by  Washington 
with  a  force  of  eleven  hundred  men  a^.iiiist  Canaila.  by  way  of  the  Ken- 
nebec river,  to  aid  Montgomery,  who  w.is  iiu.ulini;  that  prf>\ini  c  In'  \\.i\  of 
L.ike  Ch.implain.  .After  surmounling  in.  rcililile  obstacles  .in. I  suUcring 
terrible  privations  and  hardships.  .\rn. .1.1  at  last  arrne.lat  I'omt  Levi. 
o]iposite  the  city  of  Quebec.  He  was  l.ir  se\eral  days  preiente.l  from 
crossing  the  St.  Lawrence  by  tempestuous  win.ls.  On  the  night  .if  the 
13th  of  November  he  crossed  the  river  and  scaled  the  heights  to  the 
I'lains  of  .\hraham.  Failing  to  draw  out  the  garrison  he  deman.led  a 
surrender,  whi.  h  was  ,  ontemiituiuisly  refused.  Finding  all  of  his  atlciupts 
useless  he  retreated  up  the  fiver  ali.uil  twenty  miles  an. I  awaitc.l  the 
arrival  of  Montgomery,  who  joined  hiin  .m    the    istof   Dec  enil.cr,  an.l  the 


combined  forces  then  moved  toward  Quebec.  A  bombardment  of  the 
city  proved  unavailing  and  it  was  resolved  to  storm  the  town,  although  the 
whole  assailing  force  was  considerably  less  than  the  garrison.  The  lower 
town  was  to  be  attacked  by  Montgomery  and  .\rnold,  and  at  the  same 
time  feigned  attacks  were  to  be  made  ujjon  the  upper  town.  Montgomery 
descended  from  the  Plains  of  .\braham  to  Wolfe's  Cove,  and  marched 
through  the  drifting  snow  toward  the  lower  town,  while  -Arnold  with 
another  division  moved  around  to  the  north  on  the  St.  Charles,  in  order 
to  form  a  junction  with  Montgomery  and  storm  Prescott  (iate.  Mont- 
gomerv  in  his  ad\ance  encountered  a  block-house  defended  by  a  battery. 
Pushing  forward  in  a  charge  at  the  head  of  his  men  he  was  instantly  killed, 
together  with  his  aids,  by  a  discharge  of  grape-shot  from  the  battery. 
.\ppalled  at  this  disaster,  his  division  fell  back  in  confusion  and  made  no 
further  attempt  to  force  a  junction  with  Arnold.  Meanwhile  the  latter 
had  pressed  on  through  the  snow-drifts,  and  like  Montgomery  charged  at 
the  head  of  his  men  upon  a  battery,  and  received  a  wound  which  com- 
pelled him  to  leave  the  field.  Captain  Morgan  took  the  command,  carried 
the  first  battery  and  rushed  on  to  a  second,  which  was  also  carried,  after  a 
se\ere  contest  of  three  hours'  duration.  Carlton  sent  a  detachment  from 
the  garrison  to  attack  them  in  the  rear,  and  while  Morgan  was  pressing  on 
into  the  town  he  heard  of  the  death  of  Montgomery,  and  finding  himself 
unsupported  and  surrounded,  was  compelled  to  surrender.  The  rest  of 
the  division  in  the  rear  retreated.  Colonel  Arnold  took  command  of  the 
remainder  of  the  army,  consisting  of  about  eight  hundred  men,  and  in- 
trenched himself  a  few  miles  from  the  city,  where  he  remained  until 
reinforced  by  General  Wooster.  in  .April,  who  took  command  and  renewed 
the  siege.  Large  reinforcements  having  arrived  at  Quebec,  the  .American 
force  was  obliged  to  retreat,  and  by  the  superior  forces  of  the  enemy  was 
soon  after  driven  out  of  Canada 


CHAPTER  X. 


I.ITIES  TR.ANSFERRED  TO  NEW 
BURGOVNE'S  I.N 


YORK THE   B.\TTLE  OF  LONG  ISLA 


In  March,  W^ashington  having  compelled  General  Howe  to  evacuate 
Boston,  and  apprehensive  that  New  York  would  be  the  next  point  of  at- 
tack, made  immediate  preparations  for  putting  that  city  in  a  posture  of  de- 
fence. General  Lee,  with  twelve  hundred  men,  was  ordered  forward  from 
Connecticut.  The  captain  of  the  British  man  of  war  Asia  had  threatened 
to  cannonade  the  city  if  "  rebel  troops  "  were  permitted  to  enter  it.  It  was 
the  stronghold  of  loyalty  to  the  crown  and  disaffection  to  the  patriot 
cause,  and  the  committee  of  safety  in  their  timidity  protested  against  Lee's 
entrance,  but  threats  and  protests  were  unavailing.  Lee  came,  and  the 
Tories  either  fled  or  ceased  to  oppose  the  cause  of  the  patriots.  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  who  had  been  sent  over  on  a  secret  expedition,  appeared  off 
Sandv  Hook  at  nearly  the  same  time  that  General  Lee  entered 
the  city,  but  finding  it  in  possession  of  the  .American  troops,  proceeded 
south  to  attac  k  Chariest. m.  Washington  hastened  forward  from  Boston, 
and  on  the  14th  of  .April  arrived  at  New  York  and  established  his  head- 
.piarters  in  the  city.  Gener.il  Howe  went  to  Halifax,  on  leaving  Kostoh,"- 
biit  about  the  first  of  July  appeared  off  Sandy  Hook,  and  shortly  after 
landed  on  Staten  Island.  He  was  soon  after  joined  by  his  brother  Ad- 
miral Howe,  with  a  force  of  British  regulars  and  Hessian  hirelings,  and 
also  bv  Clinton  and  Parker  on  their  return  from  an  unsuccessful  attack  on 
Charleston,  making  altogether  a  combined  force  of  nearly  thirtv  thousand 
men.  Howe  was  here  visited  by  Governor  'J'ryon.  who  had  contrived  a 
plot  to  capture  \\'ashington,  blow  up  the  magazine,  and  secure  the  passes 
to  the  c  ity.  The  mayor  also  was  in  the  conspiracy,  and  was  receiving 
money  from  Tryon  to  bribe  the  .Americans.  Two  of  Washington's  guards 
vieldcd  to  the  temptations  of  the  enemy,  but  the  third,  who  could  not  be 
l.rilie.l.  exp.isecl  the  j.lot.  The  Provincial  Congress  of  .New  York,  seeing 
the  hostile  demonstrations  toward  the  city,  adjourned  to  White  Plains, 
where  it  convened  on  the  9th  of  July,  and  passed  resolutions  heartily  en- 
dorsing the  action  of  the  Colonial  Congress  and  approving  of  the  Declar- 
ation of  Independence. 

The  plan  of  the  .  ampaign  on  the  jiart  of  the  British  army  near  New 
York  w.is.  to  t.ike  possession  of  the  cily  and  the  islands  in  its  vicinity,  and 
t.i  as.  end  the  lliiclson,  «hile  Carllon  should  move  down  from  Canada  and 
thus  scpar.ile  the  Kaslcrn  from  the  oilier  Stales.  Two  ships  succeeded  in 
oassin"  the   batteries  and   as,  ended  the  Hudson   to  furnish  the  Tories  of 


^0 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YOKK. 


Westchester  with  arms,  but  all  their  attempts  to  land  were  frustrated  and 
they  returned.  On  the  22d  of  August  a  British  force  of  ten  thousand 
men,  with  forty  pieces  of  cannon,  landed  on  the  south  side  of  Long  Island, 
in  the  vicinity  of  New  Utrecht,  and  ad\anced  in  three  divisions  upon  the 
Americans  stationed  in  and  jbout  Drooklyn.  The  Hessians,  under 
De  Heister,  formed  the  centre.  The  left,  along  N'cw  York  Bay,  was  com- 
manded by  General  (Irant.  and  the  right,  which  led  in  the  action,  was 
commanded  l>y  Clinton  and  Cornwallis.  While  Grant  and  De  Heister 
were  diverting  the  .Americans  on  the  left  and  centre,  the  division  on  the 
right  was  to  make  a  circuitous  march  and  fall  upon  the  Americans  in  the 
rear.  This  division  left  the  Flatlands  on  the  night  of  the  26th,  and  guided 
by  a  Tory,  gained  possession  of  the  Bedford  and  Jamaica  passes  before 
General  SuMivan,  who  commanded  in  that  t^uarter,  was  aware  of  the  move- 
ment. While  this  advantage  was  being  gained  Grant  was  making  a 
movement  toward  Brooklyn,  and  early  in  the  morning  came  into  collision 
with  the  Americans  under  Lord  Stirling  on  the  present  site  of  Greenwood 
Cemetery,  when  an  engagement  took  place  without  material  advantage  to 
either  side.  De  Heister  advanced  and  kept  up  a  r.  '.nonade  on  the  works 
at  the  Flatbush  pass.  In  the  meantime,  Clinton  liad  gained  a  position  in 
the  rear  of  the  Continental  army  and  commenced  to  attack  them. 
De  Heister  then  pressed  forward,  and  Sullivan,  perceiving  the  peril  of  his 
army,  attempted  to  retreat,  but  it  was  too  late.  They  were  met  by 
Clinton's  forces  and  driven  back  upon  the  Hessians.  Some  forced  their 
way  through  the  ranks  and  reached  the  fortifications,  but  after  a  desperate 
struggle  and  great  loss  of  life,  Sullnan  himself  and  the  greater  part  of  the 
left  wing  of  the  .American  army  were  taken  prisoners.  Cornwallis  hastened 
to  cut  off  the  division  under  Stirling,  who  was  not  yet  aware  of  the  situa- 
tion. A  part  of  his  force  succeeded  in  crossing  Gowanus  Creek  in  safety, 
but  many  were  drowned  or  taken  prisoners.  Sterling  himself  was  captured 
and  a  decisive  victory  gained  by  the  British.  About  five  thousand  were 
engaged  on  the  side  of  the  .Americans,  of  whom  five  hundred  were  killed 
or  wounded  and  eleven  hundred  taken  prisoners.  These  were  confined  in 
loathsome  prison-ships  on  the  East  Ri\er.  where  they  suffered  indescrib- 
able privations  and  hardships.  Fortunately  for  the  .Americans.  Howe  did 
not  dare  to  attempt  an  assault  upon  their  fortifications  in  Brooklyn,  but 
encamped  about  a  third  of  a  mile  distant,  and  waited  for  the  support  of 
the  fleet. 

On  the  2Sth,  the  day  after  the  battle,  the  British  began  to  cannonade 
the  intrenchments.  .At  night  a  heavy  fog  settled  over  the  battle-field  and 
remained  all  of  the  following  day.  When  night  had  added  its  darkness  to 
the  mist  which  had  obstructed  the  vision  of  the  hostile  parties  through- 
out the  day,  Washington,  with  the  remainder  of  thetroojjs  on  Long  Island, 
silently  crossed  the  East  river  in  safety  to  New  York.  The  British  forces 
took  possession  of  the  .Ameriean  works  and  prepared  to  attack  New  York. 
Washington  knew  that  with  his  dispirited  and  undisc  iplined  army  he  could 
not  successfully  oj.pose  them,  and  decided  to  evacuate  the  city.  On  the 
15th  of  September  Howe  landed  with  about  four  thousand  men  under 
cover  of  his  fleet  at  Kipp's  Hay,  on  the  east  side  of  .Manhattan  Island,  near 
the  foot  of  what  is  now  Thirty-fourth  street.  Two  brigades  uf  militia,  sta- 
tioned for  defence  in  that  ipiartcr,  were  panic-stricken  and  retreated  dis- 
gracefully despite  all  the  efforts  of  their  officers  to  rallv  them.  Putnam, 
who  had  charge  of  one  column  of  the  army,  was  compelled  to  leave  in 
great  haste,  and  narrowly  escaped  being  captured  'Ihc  .Americans  re- 
treated to  Harlem,  and  the  British  took  possession  of  New  York  and  held 
it  until  the  1  lose  of  the  war. 

The  next  <lay  an  advance  party  of  the  Rriiisli  were  attacked,  and  after  a 
severe  skirmish,  driven  back  with  considerable  bt^s.  Howe,  perceivin" 
that  the  American,  were  strongly  intrenc  Iv d  upon  H.irlcm  Heights.  ,|e- 
teruiined  to  gain  their  rear,  cut  off  their  1  Minnuini<  .iiiiiii  wiih  the  nt>rth 
and  east,  and  hem  them  in.  He  sent  a  part  ol  his  iket  uji  tlie  Hudson. 
and  transferred  the  main  body  oi  his  annv  in  l">.its  to  W  estchester  coiiniv, 
landing  them  at  Throck's  Net  k.  When  Washington  saw  this  movement, 
he  sent  a  detachment  to  opjiose  their  landing.  .Ml  the  passes  were  «  ell 
guarded,  and  a  detachment  was  intrenched  at  White  Plains.  The  main 
army  advanced  in  that  direction  and  intrenched  upon  the  hills  from 
Fordham  to  White  Plains.  On  the  aSth  of  Oaober  the  enemy  came  up 
and  attacked  (ieneral  McDougal,  on  Chatterti.ns  Hill  Mc  I  )oiii;al,  after 
an  obstinate  resistance,  was  fori  ed  to  fall  ba.  k  to  intrciu  hnienls  above 
White  Plains.  While  Howe  was  jireparing  to  storm  their  encampment  al 
this  place,  \\'ashington  withdrew,  unobserved  by  the  enenn-,  to  North 
Castle,    where    strong   breastworks    had    been  erei  ted,    and    awaited  an 


j  attack;  but  Howe,  not  deeming  it  prudent  to  assail  him  in  so  strong  a  posi- 
:  tion,  retreated  toward  New  York,  preparatory  to  the  contemplated  reduc- 
tion of  Fort  Washington,  which  was  soon  environed  by  the  British  forces. 
It  was  gallantly  defended  by  Colonel  Magaw  until  he  was  overjiowered  bv 
a  superior  force  and  compelled  to  surrender.  Fort  Lee,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  Hudson,  was  abandoned  on  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  and 
Washington,  who  had  crossed  the  Hudson,  retreated  through  New  Jersey 
to  the  opposite  side  of  the  Delaware  river,  closely  pursued  by  the  enemy. 
On  the  night  of  the  25th  of  December,  he  recrossed  the  river  and  gained 
an  important  victory  at  Trenton,  and,  shortly  afterwards,  another  at 
Princeton,  and  then  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Morristown. 

General  Gates,  who  had  been  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  North- 
ern forces,  apprehensive  that  General  Carlton  would  follow  up  his  success 
in  Canada  and  attempt  to  capture  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga,  aban- 
doned the  former,  and  concentrated  his  forces  at  the  latter.  A  small 
squadron  was  formed  and  placed  upon  Lake  Champlain,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Arnold,  in  August.  Carlton  constructed  a  fleet  at  St.  Johns. 
Arnold  sailed  down  the  lake,  but,  being  ignorant  of  the  strength  of  the 
armament  preparing  against  him,  fell  back  to  Valcour's  Island.  On  the 
nth  of  October,  the  British  fleet  passed  around  the  east  side  of  the 
island  and  took  up  a  position  south  of  the  .American  squadron.  An 
action  began  about  noon  and  continued  until  night.  One  of  the  schoon- 
ers in  Arnold's  fleet  was  disabled,  and  burned  to  prevent  it  from  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The  British  force  was  greatly  superior,  and 
as  another  engagement  would  have  been  extremely  hazardous,  it  was 
deemed  advisable  to  return  to  Crown  Point.  The  night  was  exceedingly 
dark,  and  the  .Americans  succeeded  in  sailing  through  the  British  fleet  un- 
observed, although  the  latter  had  been  stationed  in  a  line  across  the  lake 
in  anticipation  of  such  a  movement.  On  reaching  Schuyle'r's  Island,  ten 
miles  distant  from  the  British  fleet,  they  stopped  to  make  some  repairs, 
and,  on  being  discovered  at  daylight,  were  pursued  by  the  enemv.  On  the 
13th,  the  British  ships,  three  in  number,  came  up  with  and  attacked  the 
"  Washington,"  which,  after  a  heroic  defence  for  some  time,  was  com- 
pelled to  surrender,  and  her  commander,  with  all  of  his  men,  were  taken 
prisoners.  The  whole  force  was  now  concentrated  in  an  attack  upon  the 
"Congress,"  which  maintained  the  uneiiual  contest  with  unflinching  reso- 
lution for  four  or  five  hours,  till  it  was  reduced  to  a  complete  wreck.  Ar- 
nold then  ran  the  craft  into  a  creek  and  burned  it,  together  with  the  rest 
of  his  boats,  and,  marching  to  Crown  Point,  where  the  remainder  of  the 
fleet  was  stationed,  sailed  for  Ticonderoga.  (Ieneral  Carlton  took  pos- 
session of  Crown  Point  .and  threatened  Ticonderoga,  but,  abandoning  his 
design,  he  prudently  withdrew  to  Canada. 

The  Provincial  Congress,  which  had  assembled  at  White  Plains  on  the 
9th  of  July,  and  approved  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  appointed  a 
committee  to  draw  up  and  report  a  Constitution.  The  occupation  of  New 
York  city,  and  part  of  Westchester  county  by  the  British  greatly  disturbed 
the  labors  of  the  convention,  and  finally,  in  February,  they  repaired  to 
Kingston,  where  the  draft  of  a  Constitution  was  prepared  by  John  lav, 
and  adopted  on  the  21st  of  .April,  1777.  George  Clinton  was  elected  Gov- 
ernor under  the  new  Constitution,  and  took  the  oath  of  oftice  on  the  jist 
of  July,  following. 

The  principal  object  of  the  British  in  the  campaign  of  1777  was  to  carry 
out  their  cherished  cL-sign  of  separating  the  Hastern  from  the  Southern 
colonies,  by  controlling  the  Hudson  river  and  Lake  Champlain.  The  most 
prominent  feature  of  the  plan  was  the  advance  of  an  a-my  from  Canada, 
under  l.ieutcnant-tJeneral  Burgoyne,  who  h.ul  superseded  (;encral  Carll..n. 
It  was  intended  that  Burgoyne  should  force  his  way  down  the  Hiids.m  as 
far  as  Albany,  while  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  t,.  pnn  ccd  ii|i  the  river  and 
join  him,  and  thus  a  free  cniuuini,  ati.ui  l.ctuccn  New  Ynrk  and  Canada 
would  be  established,  and  the  .  ..l.mics  separated.  In  order  to  distract  the 
attention  of  the  .Americans,  and  the  mure  compittelv  subdue  the  Western 
border.  Colonel  St.  Lcger  was  to  ascend  the  St  l.awreni  e  with  a  detachment 
of  regulars,  accompanied  by  Sir  John  Johnson,  with  a  regiment  of  loyalists 
and  a  large  body  of  Indians.  From  Oswego  the  expedition  was  to  pene- 
trate the  country  to  Fort  Schuyler,  on  the  present  site  of  Rome,  and  after 
its  I  apture  swee].  the  Mnhawk  valley  and  join  Burgoyne  at  Albanv.  Bur- 
goyne arrived  in  Can.ula  early  in  Marih.  Cn.ivoidable  difficulties  having 
greatly  emlMrr.isscd  his  lirst  movcuunts,  it  was  past  the  middle  of  June 
before  his  army  was  assembled  at  Cuniberlanil  Point,  on  Lake  Champlain. 
The  main  army,  of  more  than  seven  thousand  men,  appeared  before  Crown 
Point,  and  occupied  that  post  on  the  30th  of  June.     Having  issued  a  pro- 


MOVEMENTS  OF  BL'RGOYNE— BATTLES  OF  BENNINGTON  AND  ORISKANY. 


21 


clamation,  intended  to  terrify  the  inhabitants  into  submission,  Burgoyne 
prepared  to  invest  Ticondcroga,  then  in  command  of  General  St.  Clair. 
On  the  east  shore  of  Lake  Champlain,  on  Mount  Independence,  there  was 
a  star-fort,  so  connected  with  Ticonderoga,  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake,  by  a 
floating  bridge,  as  to  obstruct  the  passage  of  vessels  up  the  lake.  For  want 
of  a  sufficient  force  to  man  all  its  defences  the  outworks  toward  Lake 
George  were  abandoned  on  the  approach  of  Burgoyne.  A  detachment  of 
the  enemy,  under  General  Fraser,  took  Mount  Hope,  and  thereby  cut  off 
St.  Clair's  communication  with  Lake  George  ;  and  at  the  same  time  the 
abandoned  works  of  the  .\mericans,  more  to  the  right,  were  occupied  by 
General  Phillips.  On  the  south  side  of  the  outlet  of  Lake  George,  and  op- 
posite Mount  Indei)cndence,  is  a  lofty  eminence,  then  known  as  Sugar-loaf 
Hill,  which  was  found  to  completely  command  the  works  both  at  Ticon- 
deroga and  Fort  Independence.  A  battery  was  planted  on  its  summit  by 
the  British  during  the  night,  and  St.  Clair,  on  perceiving  his  critical  situa- 
tion, at  once  called  a  council  of  war,  by  which  it  was  unanimously  decided 
that  immediate  evacuation  of  Fort  Ticonderoga  was  the  only  chance  of 
saving  the  army.  During  the  ensuing  night  such  military  stores  and  provi- 
sions as  could  be  removed,  together  with  the  sick  and  disabled  troops, 
were  embarked  on  batteaux,  and  sent  up  the  lake  to  Skencsborough,  as 
WTlitehall  was  then  called,  under  convoy  of  five  armed  galleys  and  a  de- 
tachment of  six  hundred  men,  under  Colonel  Long,  while  the  main  body 
of  the  army  was  to  cross  the  lake  and  proceed  to  the  same  point  by  land. 
The  garrison  passed  over  the  floating  bridge  to  Mount  Independence 
about  two  hours  before  daylight,  and  would  probably  have  made  their  re- 
treat undiscovered  had  not  the  house  of  the  commander  at  Fort  Indepen- 
dence been  set  on  fire  just  at  this  time.  This  unfortunate  occurrence 
threw  the  Americans  into  disorder,  for  the  light  of  the  conflagration  re- 
vealed their  movements  to  the  British,  w  ho  made  immediate  preparations 
for  pursuit.  St.  Clair's  force  made  a  disorderly  retreat  to  Hubbardton.  On 
the  following  morning  General  Fraser  came  up  with  his  brigade,  and  com- 
menced an  attack.  The  conflict  was  for  some  time  fierce  and  bloody.  The 
Americans  had  almost  surrounded  the  left  "  ing  of  the  British  when  General 
Riedesel  came  up  with  reinforcements,  and  St.  Clair  made  a  precipitate 
retreat.  The  boats  which  conveyed  the  military  stores  and  the  detachment 
of  Colonel  Long  reached  Skencsborough  safely.  But  Burgoyne  In  a  few- 
hours  broke  through  the  boom  and  bridge  at  Ticonderoga,  in  which  the 
Americans  had  placed  much  reliance,  and  with  his  fleet  rapidly  pursued 
them  ;  and  while  they  were  landing  at  Skenesborough  three  regiments  dis- 
embarked at  South  Bay  with  the  intention  of  gaining  the  road  to  Fort  Ed- 
ward, and  cutting  off  their  retreat.  On  the  approach  of  the  British  gun- 
boats Colonel  Long's  men  destroyed  three  of  their  galleys  and  several 
buildings,  and  escaped  capture  by  a  rapid  flight  to  Fort  Anne.  Two  days 
after  the  battle  at  Hubbardton,  St.  Clair  retreated  to  Fort  Edward.  Bur- 
goyne was  joined  at  Skenesborough  by  the  detachments  of  Fraser  and 
Riedesel,  and  prepared  to  push  forward  to  the  Hudson.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Hill  was  sent  forward  to  Fort  Anne  to  intercept  such  as  might 
retreat  to  that  post,  and  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  .Americans.  This 
post  was  guarded  by  Colonel  Long,  with  about  five  hundred  men,  mostly 
convalescents.  Hill's  force  exceeded  this  number.  Colonel  Long  did  not 
wait  for  an  attack,  but  marched  out  to  give  battle,  and  gained  a  decided 
advantage;  but  their  ammunition  giving  out,  they  were  obliged  to  give  way; 
and  aware  of  their  inability  to  hold  the  Fort  against  General  I'hillips,  who 
was  approaching  with  reinforcements,  set  fire  to  it,  and  fell  b.ack  on  Fort 
Edward. 


CHAPTER  XL 


THE    B.\TTI.F    OF     I!K.VMN(rn>N ST.    I-Ec.KKS     FATMkF.    AT    iiRI'.KANV    AND 

FORT    hCHlVIKR — IURIJDVXf's    IIKH  ATS    AMI    SlRKtMII-R. 


Burgoyne  remained  at  Ske 
mcnls  were  building  bridges 
delay  greatly  diminished  hi' 
sent  a  detachment  under  Col 


le.sborough  nearly  three  weeks  while  detai  h- 
ind  repairing  the  road  to  I-'ort  .Vnne.  This 
supplies,  and  on  arriving  at  Fort  .\nne  he 
mcl  Baiim  to  surprise  and  capture  a  i^uantity 


of  stores  which  he  had  heard  was  collected  at  Bennington,  and  with  the 
expectation  of  receiving  material  aid  from  the  loyalists  m  that  .piarter. 
flencral  Schuyler  had  not  sufficient  force  to  defend  Fort  Edward,  and 
throwing  all  the  obstructions  possilile  in  Burgoyne's  wav  from  there  to 
Fort  Anne,  retreated  down  the  valley  of  the  Huds.m.  Colonel  liaum  on 
his   march   to   Bennington,   reached   Cambridge   on    the    ijth    of   August. 


The  American  General  Stark  in  the  meantime  had  repaired  to  Benning- 
ton, and  was  collecting  the  militia  to  join  his  brigade  in  opposing  any 
invasion  in  that  direction.  Hearing  that  a  party  of  Indians  were  at  Cam- 
I  bridge,  he  detached  Colonel  Gregg  to  attack  them;  and  shortly  after, 
I  learning  that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  were  in  their  rear  marching  on 
Bennington,  he  moved  immediately  to  the  support  of  Gregg.  After  going 
about  five  miles  lie  met  him  retreating,  and  Colonel  Baum  not  more  than 
a  mile  in  the  rear.  Stark  at  once  disposed  his  army  for  battle,  and  Baum 
perceiving  its  strength  began  to  intrench,  and  sent  to  Burgoyne  for  rein- 
forcements. The  next  day  some  skirmishing  took  place,  and  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  August  i6th.  Stark  arranged  his  army  for  an  attack.  Two  de- 
tachments were  sent  to  flank  the  enemy,  while  another  was  attracting 
their  attention  in  front.  .As  soon  as  the  attack  on  the  enemv's  flank  began 
the  main  body  pressed  forward,  and  after  two  hours  fierce  conflict,  gained 
a  decisive  victory.  The  remnant  of  Colonel  Baum's  force  in  its  flight  was 
met  by  Colonel  Breyman  with  reinforcements,  who  pressed  forward  with  the 
combined  force  to  regain  the  abandoned  intrenchments.  Stark  was  also 
reinforced,  and  the  conflict  was  renewed  with  vigor.  The  enemy  at  length 
giving  way  were  pursued  until  darkness  came  to  their  rescue  and  enabled 
them  with  their  thinned  and  broken  ranks  to  escape  to  the  main  army. 
Colonel  Baum  was  mortally  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  The  total  loss 
of  the  enemy  was,  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners,  nine  hundred  and 
thirty-four,  and  all  their  artillery  and  military  stores.  Up  to  this  time  all 
had  gone  well  with  the  boastful  Briton,  and  his  path  had  been  illuminated 
with  victory,  but  with  the  failure  of  this  expedition  his  glory  began  to  wane 
and  his  sky  to  grow  dark  and  threatening,  where  hitherto  it  had  been 
bright  and  serene. 

While  these  events  had  been  taking  place  with  the  main  division,  the 
expedition  under  Colonel  St.  Leger  had  invested  Fort  Schuyler,  earlier 
and  even  now  more  commonly  called  Fort  Stanwix  on  the  site  of  Rome. 
A  movement  of  the  Mohawk  valley  militia  to  its  relief,  was  arrested  by 
the  bloody  battle  of  Oriskany,  but  while  most  of  the  beseigers  were 
engaged  in  this  coiiflict.  their  camp  was  sacked  by  the  garrison  ;  and 
learning  that  a  more  formidable  provincial  force  was  on  its  way  to  raise  the 
selge  of  the  fort,  which  had  held  out  tenaciously,  St.  Leger  abandoned  his 
undertaking  and  returned  to  Canada. 

Schuyler,  with  his  army,  marched  down  the  Hudson  to  Stillwater,  and 
finally  to  the  mouth  of  the  .Mohawk, still  keeping  his  headquarters  at  Stillwater 
and  exerting  all  his  energies  for  the  augmentation  of  his  force,  preparatory 
to  3  conflict  with  Burgoyne.  On  the  19th  of  August,  at  the  instigation  of 
his  enemies  he  was  very  unjustly  superseded  by  General  Gates.  On  the 
Sth  of  September,  the  .Vmerican  army  advanced  to  Bemis's  Heights,  above 
Stillwater,  which  had  been  fortified  under  the  superintendence  of  Kosci- 
usko. The  British  detachment  sent  to  Bennington,  instead  of  bringing 
b.ick  any  plunder  had  lost  largely  of  what  they  already  had,  as  well  as 
most  of  the  force,  and  Burgoyne  had  hardly  recovered  from  this  unex|)ected 
shock  when  the  news  was  brought  him  of  the  defeat  of  St.  Leger  at  F'ort 
Schuyler.  These  disasters  had  a  very  depressing  effect  upon  his  army 
and  the  Indians  and  loyalists  began  to  desert,  while  the  .Americans  were 
greatly  inspirited.  In  view  of  these  difficulties  the  British  commander 
deemed  it  expedient  to  halt  at  F'ort  Edward.  Stores  having  been  brought 
forward  from  the  posts  on  Lake  Champlain,  he  proceeded  down  the  Hml- 
son,  and  on  the  iSth  of  September  encamped  at  Wilbur's  Basin,  two 
miles  from  the  .American  position,  and  prepared  for  battle,  and  the 
next  day  advanced  to  the  att.ack  in  three  divisions.  Cieneral  Riedesel 
commanded  the  left  column,  which  with  the  heavy  artillery  moved  down 
a  road  along  the  margin  if  the  river.  The  centre  was  commanded  by 
Burgoyne  in  person,  and  the  left  by  General  Fraser.  The  front  and 
flanks  of  both  the  centre  and  right,  were  covered  by  Indians,  Tones 
and  Canadians.  The  .American  right,  which  was  the  main  body  of  their 
army,  was  commanded  by  (iates,  and  the  left  by  (jeneral  .Arnold.  Col- 
onel Morgan  was  detached  from  Arnold's  division  and  encountered  the 
Canadians  and  Indians  in  the  advance  and  drove  them  back;  but  they 
being  reinforced  the  contest  resulted  in  both  parties  finally  falling  within 
their  respective  lines.  The  action  soon  became  general  and  the  com- 
bined force  of  Burgoyne  and  Eraser  was  engaged  with  .Vrnold's  divis- 
ion. .Vrnold  called  upon  Gates  for  reinforcements  but  they  were  re- 
fused, and  he,  resolving  to  do  what  he  could  with  the  forte  at  his  com- 
mand, continued  the  contest  with  the  most  obstinate  antl  determined 
resolution,  both  armies  alternately  advancing  and  retreating  without  a 
decisive  victory  for  either.     The  conflict  did  not  cease  until  the  shades 


22 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


of  night  ffll  upon  the  rombatants.  The  Americans  thun  retired  to 
their  encampment  unpursued  by  the  enemy.  The  British  forces  bivou- 
acked on  the  field  of  battle.  The  total  loss  of  the  former  was  three 
hundred  and  nineteen,  and  that  of  the  latter,  more  than  fi\'e  hundred. 
Few  actions  have  l>een  more  remarkable  for  determined  bravery  on  both 
sides  than  this.  The  number  of  the  British  in  the  engagement  was 
about  three  thousand,  and  that  of  the  Americans  five  hundred  less. 
Both  parties  claimed  the  victor)-.  The  object  of  the  British  was  to  ad- 
vance and  gain  groimd,  which  they  failed  to  do  ;  while  it  was  not  the 
intention  of  the  An^ericans  to  advance,  but  to  maintain  their  jiosition, 
which  they  accomjiiished,  and  it  is  therefore  not  difficult  to  determine 
on  which  side  the  advantage  lav.  Though  the  British  remained  in  pos- 
session of  the  battlefield  through  the  night,  they  retired  to  their  camp 
in  the  morning  without  adxancing  to  renew  the  conflict.  GeneraUiates, 
in  his  report  of  the  battle,  said  notliing  of  Arnold  or  his  di\ision, 
to  whom  all  the  honor  was  due.  He  was  jealous  of  the  reputation 
that  officer  had  earned,  and  of  his  growing  po[)ularity  with  the  army,  and 
carried  his  meanness  so  far  as  to  take  from  him  the  command  of  his 
division.  Both  parties  strengthened  their  positions  after  the  battle, 
but  no  general  engagement  to<jk  place  for  upwards  of  three  weeks. 

Burgoyne   saw    with    painful    an.xiety   that    the  American    forces    were 
rapidly  increasint^,  v.-hile   his   own  were  daily  diminishing  by  the  desertion 
of  his  Indian  allies.      His  provisions  began  to  fail,  and  the  vigilance  of  the 
Americans  not  only  prevented  any  supplies  reaching  him,  but  deprived  him 
of  all  communication  with  Sir  Henry  Clinton  for  assistance.     At  length  he 
was  obliged  to  put  his  troops  on  short  allowance,  and  hearing  nothing  from 
Clinton,  who  was   to  make    a   diversion    in    his  favor,   became  seriously 
alarmed.     .\mid  the  thickening  perils,  he  found  himself  reduced  to  the 
alternative  of  fighting  or  retreating.      The  latter  was  not   only  inglorious 
but  difficult,  and  he  resolved  to  make  a  reconnaissance  in  force,  for  the 
twofold  puq)0se  of  xscertaining  definitely  the  position  of  the  enemy,  and 
of  collecting  forage  to  su]>ply  his  camp,  of  which  it  was  in  pressing  need. 
On  the  7th  of  October  he,  at  the  head  of  fifteen  hvmdred  men,  and  accom- 
panied by  Generals  Riedesel,  Phillips,  and  Fraser,  advanced  toward  the  left 
wing  of  the  American  position.     The  movement  was  seasonably  perceived     i 
by  the  .\mericans,  and  the  enemy  were  repulsed  and  driven  back  to  their     | 
lines  by  Morgan,  who,  at  his  own  suggestion,  was  dispatched  by  a  circuit-     i 
ous  route  to  gain  the  nght  of  the  British,  and  fall  ujton  the  flankmg  party 
of  Fraser  at  the  same  time  an  attack  was   to   be  made  on  the  left  of  the 
British.     General    Poor  advanced  towards  an  eminence  upon  which  were     i 
stationed  the  British  grenadiers  and  the  artillery  of  .Ackland  and  W  illiams.      | 
He  had  given  them  orders  not  to  fire  until  after  the  first  discharge  of  the 
British  guns,  and  they  moved  onward  toward  the  frowning  battery  in  awful     j 
silence  until  a  sudden  volley  of  grape-shot  and  musket  balls  made  havoc     I 
among  the  branches  of  the  trees,  scarcely  a  shot  taking  effect  upon  the 
advancing  column.     At  this  signal   Poor's  men  s])rang    forward    and  de- 
livered their  fire,  and  opening  to  the  right  and  left  jiressed  furiouslv  u[>on 
the  enemy's  flanks  and  gained  the  top    of  the  hill,  where  the  struggle  be- 
came fierce  and  obstinate  in   the  evtreine.     One  cannon  was  t.iken  and     ! 
retaken  fi\e  successi\e  times,  finally  remaining  in  the  hands  of  the  .\meri-     ' 
cans,  when  Colonel  Cilley  turned  it  upon  the  retreating  enemy,  and  fired 
it  with  their  own  ammunition.     Williams  and  .Ackland  were  both  taken 
prisoners,  the  latter  being  severely  wounded  ;  and  the  grenadiers  fled  in 
confusion,  leaving;  the  field  in  jmsscssion  of  the  .-Kmericans,  thickly  strewn 
with  their  de.ad  and  wounded, 

.\s  soon  as  the  action  was  begun  at  this  point  Morgan's  command  rushed 
down  like  an  .avabmche  from  the  ridge  skirting  the  flanking  party  of  Fraser, 
and  a^^aik■.!  theniVith  su.  h  a  destructive  fire  that  they  were  lla^lllv  driven 
back  to  their  lines.  Then,  by  :i  rapid  movement,  he  fell  upon  the  right 
flank  of  the  British  with  >iicli  impetuosity  as  to  throw  them  into  mnfuMon. 
and  Major  Dearborn,  coming  up  at  this  criticni  moment,  c ompleleil  their 
discomfiture.  The  right  and  left  of  the  British  lines  were  thus  broken, 
but  the  centre  had  remained  firm.  General  .Arnold,  who  had  so  unjustU* 
lieen  deprived  of  his  command,  had  been  watching  the  progress  of  the 
battle  in  great  exi  itement,  and  now  mounted  his  horse  and  started  for 
the  battle-field.  (lates  sent  Major  Armstrong  to  order  him  back,  but 
Arnold,  suspecting  his  errantl,  was  ipiickly  beyond  his  reach,  and  ex- 
posed to  such  perils  that  the  messenger  was  not  anxious  to  follow  him. 
Pl.ac  ing  himself  at  the  head  of  the  men  he  formerly  comm.inded,  he 
nished  like  an  un*  hained  tiger  upon  the  British  centre,  which  soon  began 
to  give  way    under  his  furious  assault.      General  Fraser,  who  was  com- 


manding on  the  right,  seeing  the  centre  in  such  a  critical  situation,  brought 
up  reinforcements,  and  by  his  courage  and  skill  restored  order.  He  soon 
fell  mortally  wounded  ;  dismay  seized  the  British  soldiers,  and  a  panic 
s|ircad  all  along  the  line,  which  was  increased  by  the  apfiearance  of  Gene- 
ral Ten  Broeck  with  a  reinforcement  of  New  \'ork  militia.  Burgoyne 
finding  himself  unable  to  keep  up  the  sinking  courage  of  his  men,  aban- 
doned his  artillery  and  ordered  a  retreat,  and  the  whole  force  fell  back 
precipitately  to  their  intrenchments.  The  .Americans  pursued  them,  and 
scarcely  were  they  within  their  fortifications  when,  under  a  terrific  shower 
of  grape  and  musket  balls,  .Arnold  assaulted  them  from  right  to  left,  forcing 
the  outworks,  and  driving  the  enemy  to  the  interior  of  their  camp.  Here 
he  w.is  overtaken  by  Major  Armstrong,  who  delivered  to  him  Gates'  order 
to  return  to  camp,  fearing  he  "might  do  some  rash  thing."  He  returned, 
but  not  until  he  had  achieved  a  glorious  victory,  and  jnit  his  life  in  great 
jieril  without  a  command,  while  Gates  had  remained  in  camp,  receiving 
the  honors  that  justly  belonged  to  others.  Night  came  on  and  the  con- 
flict ceased,  and  before  dawn  Burgoyne  abandoned  his  encampment,  now 
rendered  untenable,  and  the  Americans  eariy  in  the  morning  took  pos- 
session of  it. 

Burgoyne.  who  in  the  beginning  of  the  campaign  had  boastfullv  ex- 
claimed, in  general  orders,  "  Britons  never  retreat,"  now  found  that  there 
was  no  alternative  for  him  but  retreat,  and  when  night  came  on  again  he 
began  his  retrograde  movement  in  the  midst  of  a  drenching  rain.  This 
had  been  anticipated,  and  General  Fellows,  previous  to  the  acrion  on 
the  7th  inst.,  had  been  sent  with  a  detachment  to  take  a  position  opposite 
Saratoga  ford,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson.  .Another  detachment  of 
two  thousand  men,  was  now  sent  to  occupy  the  heights  beyond  Saratoga, 
to  prevent  Burgoyne's  retreat  upon  Fort  F.dward  ;  and  still  another  was 
stationed  at  the  ford  above.  On  the  evening  of  the  9th  Burgoyne  halted 
for  the  night  at  Fish  Creek.  The  main  portion  of  his  army  forded  the 
creek  and  encamped  on  the  opposite  bank,  while  he,  with  a  brigade  as 
a  guard,  passed  the  night  radier  iiicrniv  wiili  some  companions  in  a 
house  belonging  to  General  Schuyler.  This  delay  lost  him  his  army. 
Finding  the  ford  across  the  Hudson  strongly  guarded  by  the  detachment 
under  Fellows,  he  concluded  to  continue  his  retreat  up  the  river  to  Fort 
Edward.  He  sent  forward  a  party  to  repair  the  bridges,  and  a  detach- 
ment to  take  possession  of  the  fort,  but  finding  the  -Americans  stationed 
in  force  upon  the  heights,  they  fell  back  to  the  main  army.  In  the  after- 
noon of  the  Toth  General  Gates  came  up  with  the  bulk  of  the  .American 
army  in  pursuit,  and  occupied  the  high  ground  on  the  south  side  of  Fish 
Creek,  opposite  the  enemy's  encampment.  The  detachment  sent  forward 
to  Fort  Edward  led  General  Gates  to  believe  the  rumor  that  the  main 
army  of  Burgoyne  had  retreated,  and  he  resolved  to  fall  upon  wh.it  he 
supposed  was  the  rear  guard.  Burgoyne  was  aware  of  Gates'  error,  and 
hoping  to  profit  by  it,  concealed  his  troo|is  for  the  pur|iose  of  falling  upon 
the  .Americans  as  soon  as  a  favorable  opportunity  should  be  afforded. 
F.arly  the  next  morning,  and  in  a  thick  fog,  which  both  jiarties  con- 
sidered favorable  to  their  re^pcctne  designs,  the  army  of  (lates  advanced. 
Morgan  was  ordered  to  cro-^  ihr  1  r^ck  and  begin  the  action,  .wd  at 
once  fell  in  with  the  British  pi.  keis.  who  fired  upon  him  and  killed  several 
of  his  party.  His  reception  led  hiiu  to  lic!ie\e  that  the  rumor  of  the 
enemy's  retreat  was  false;  that  the  ui.un  bodv  of  Burgovne's  force  was 
still  near,  and  that  the  |iosition  of  hl^  own  corps  was  critical.  .Another 
brigade  had  already  irossed  and  captured  a  picket-guard,  and  another 
was  .about  to  follow,  when  a  deserter  frum  the  enemv  came  in,  reportiUL' 
that  the  entire  llritis'n  army  was  at  h.ni,].  and  prepared  lor  iMttle  :  whi.  h 
statement  was  shortly  after  loiihnnc.l  l.v  tlic  c  aplirrc  .if  a  re.  nnnoitcr- 
ing  party  .\s  the  f.ig  cleared  ,i«  u  .md  c\p..>cil  the  position  of  Imtli 
armies,  a  retreat  wasilccmed  ,i.U  i.,il,lr  hi  lhedcl.iihnuntstli.il  li.i.l .  n.sscd 
the  creek.  .\s  so.m  a-,  they  tiirnc.l  .ili.iirl,  the  british,  uli.i  were  u.itdiing 
their  movements  and  awaiting  their  a.U.nu  e.  opened  fire  upon  them,  but 
they  made  their  retreat  with   the   Ins^  nf  nnlv  a  few  men. 

Burgoyne  was  now  completely  em  irmud,  (In  the  opposite  bank  of 
the  Hudson,  Fellows  was  entrenched,  with  heavy  batteries  to  0]ien  on  liilll 
if  he  should  attempt  to  cross  the  river.  Fort  Edward  was  held  by  an 
.American  force  of  two  thousand  men.  On  the  south  and  west  the  main 
body  of  the  Americans  was  posted,  while  sui.ill  dcta.  hiiunts  were  in  all 
directions  watching  his  every  movement,  and  contmiLillv  harrassing  his 
outposts.  His  jirovisions  were  almost  exhausted,  and  none  could  be  ob- 
tained, and  it  w.is  extremely  hazardous  to  attempt  to  get  water  from  the 
river  or  creek.     There  was  no  place  of  safety  for  the  sick  and  wounded. 


BURGOYNES  SURRENDER— AMERICAN  INDEPENDENCE  RECOGNIZED  BY  FRANCE. 


23 


and  the  women  and  children,  as  well  as  soldiers  and  officers,  were  con- 
stantly exposed  to  the  cannon  balls  that  were  flying  about  the  encamp- 
ment On  the  1 2th  he  held  a  consultation  with  his  generals,  and 
it  was  decided  to  retreat  that  night,  but  the  returning  scouts  brought 
such  discouraging  intelligence  that  the  movement  was  postponed  till 
mommg.  During  the  night  the  Americans  crushed  the  river  on  rafts, 
and  erected  a  batter)'  on  Burgoync's  left  flank.  Retreat  was  now  hope- 
less. The  next  morning  a  general  council  was  called,  when  it  was  unani- 
mously decided  to  open  negotiations  with  lleneral  Gates  for  an  honor- 
able surrender.  This  conclusion  was  hastened  by  the  passage  of  a  cannon 
ball  across  the  table  at  which  Burgoyne  and  other  generals  were  seated. 
The  negotiations  were  not  completed  until  the  i6th,  when  the  terms  of 
his  surrender  were  agreed  upon,  and  were  to  be  signed  by  the  commander 
on  the  following  morning.  During  the  night  a  Tory  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing the  British  camp,  from  down  the  river,  who  reported  that  Clinton  had 
taken  the  forts  on  the  Hudson  and  ascended  the  river  as  far  as  Esopus. 
This  news  so  excited  Burgoyne's  hopes  that  he  resolved  not  to  sign  the 
articles  of  capitulation,  and  to  gain  time  he  wrote  Gates  that  he  had  been 
iofonned  that  a  part  of  his  army  had  been  sent  toward  Albany,  which, 
if  true,  should  be  considered  a  breach  of  faith,  and  that  he  could  not 
give  his  signature  until  convinced  that  the  strength  of  the  Americans 
had  not  been  misrepresented.  He  was  informed  by  Gates  t  i  his  anny 
was  as  strong  as  it  had  been  before  these  negotiations  took  place,  and 
unless  the  articles  were  signed  immediately,  he  should  open  fire  upon 
him.  Burgoyne  thereupon  reluctantly  signed  the  articles  of  capitulation. 
The  surrender  of  BurgoxTie  was  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  Ameri- 
cans in  their  struggle  for  inde])endence.  The  preponderance  of  success, 
up  to  this  time,  had  been  on  the  side  of  the  British.  The  reverses  on  Long 
Island  and  at  Xew  York  in  the  previous  year,  together  with  the  recent 
defeats  in  Pennsylvania,  had  darkened  the  military  horizon  with  thick 
clouds  of  doubt  and  dismay.  All  eyes  were  now  anxiously  watching  the 
army  of  the  north,  v/hich  had  also  been  forced  to  relinquish  Ticondcroga 
and  Fort  Edward  at  the  commencement  of  the  campaign,  and  shaded  the 
prospect  of  successful  resistance  in  that  direction.  The  news  of  a  com- 
plete victory  filled  the  patriots  with  joy  and  hope,  and  appalled  the  Tories, 
who  now  began  to  tremble. 

CHAPTER  XH. 


When  Burgoyne  first  perceived  the  difficulties  gathering  around  him,  he 
urged  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  hasten  the  expedition  up  the  Hudson  to  join 
him,  hot  Clinton  was  obliged  to  wait  for  the  arrival  of  reinforcements,  and 
it  was  the  4th  of  October  before  he  was  ready  to  move.  The  first  object 
to  be  accomplished  was  the  reduction  of  Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton, 
in  the  Highlands.  These  had  been  constructed  to  i)revent  the  ships  of  the 
enemy  from  ascending  the  river,  and  each  was  indefensible  in  its  rear,  and 
feebly  garrisoned.  Clinton  landed  first  at  Ver[)lanck's  Point,  and  under 
cover  of  a  fog  dropped  down  with  a  part  of  his  force  to  Stony  Point,  where 
he  landed,  and  marched  toward  the  forts.  These  were  commanded 
liy  Gov.  George  Clinton,  and  his  brother,  James.  Governor  Clinton,  on 
learning  that  the  enemy  were  moving  up  the  river,  sent  out  a  scouting  party 
to  watch  their  movements,  and  from  them  he  first  learned  of  their  having 
landed  at  Stony  Point.  A  small  force  was  then  sent  out  by  Gov.  Clinton, 
which  met  the  advance  guaid  of  the  British  about  three  miles  out.  .Shots 
were  exchanged,  and  the  -\mericans  retreated  to  tlle  forts.  Gov.  Clinton 
then  sent  out  a  stronger  detachment  to  oppose  the  enemy's  advance,  and  as 
this  was  soon  engaged  in  a  sharp  contlict,  another  was  sent  to  its  assist- 
ance. They  were  pre-.sed  back  by  a  superior  force,  but  not  until  the  enemy 
had  met  with  considerable  loss.  Cpon  nearing  the  forts  the  British  were 
divided  into  two  columns,  and  made  a  simultaneous  assault  upon  them. 
After  an  incessant  fire  for  several  hours  the  liritish  general  demanded  an 
instant  and  unconditional  surrender.  The  proposition  was  rejected,  and 
the  conflict  continued  until  evening,  when  part  of  the  besieged  fought  their 
way  out.  Governor  Clinton  made  his  escape,  and  likewise  his  brother, 
though  -mounded.  Fort  Constitution  w.as  abandoned  on  the  approach  of 
the  British,  which  gave  them  command  of  the  river.  A  det.achment,  under 
Vaughn  and  Wallace,  landed  willuiiit  mui  h  opposition,  and  burned  Kings- 
Inn.  On  hcanng  of  the  disastroM,  tcrminalion  of  liurgovne's  campaign 
•  he  expedition  returned  to  New  Vork 


It  was  obvious  that  France  had  no  sympathy  with  Great  Britain,  but 
looked  upon  the  revolt  of  her  colonies  with  secret  satisfaction,  and  earnestly 
desired  their  separation  from  England.  By  the  war  which  closed  in  17C3 
she  had  been  compelled  to  relinquish  her  extensive  possessions  in  North 
America,  and  she  rejoiced  to  have  an  opportunity  to  assist  in  the  infliction 
of  a  like  dismemberment  of  territory  upon  Great  Britain.  The  commis- 
sioners at  the  Court  of  \'er^ailles,  from  the  revolted  colonies,  although  not 
alwa\'s  openlv  countenanced,  were  by  no  means  discouraged,  and  aid  was 
frequently  extended  to  the  Americans  in  a  clandestine  manner.  When  in- 
telligence of  the  capture  of  Burgoyne  reached  France,  her  vacillating 
policy  ended,  and,  casting  off  all  disguise,  she  entered  into  a  treaty  of  alli- 
ance with,  and  on  the  6th  of  February.  1778,  acknowledged  the  indepen- 
dence of  the  United  States.  This  event  made  the  patriots  almost  certain 
of  ultimate  success. 

The  Indians  and  Tories,  who  had  been  dispersed  at  Fort  Schuyler,  were 
meditating  mischief,  and  making  preparations  through  the  winter  of  1S77-S 
to  invade  the  Mohawk  Valley.  Brant,  the  Indian  chief  who  had  prepared 
the  ambuscade  at  Oriskany,  was  foremost  in  these  threatening  movements. 
Sir  John  Johnson  and  Colonel  John  Butler  were  also  active  in  enlisting 
Tory  refugees.  A  council  was  called  by  the  Revolutionary  authorities,  to 
secure,  if  possible,  the  neutrality  of  the  Indians.  It  met  at  Johnstown  in 
March.  None  of  the  Senecas,  the  most  powerful  of  the  Six  Nations,  were 
present,  and  but  few  of  the  Mohawks.  General  La  Fayette,  who  was  to 
command  a  proposed  expedition  against  Canada,  attended  the  council. 
His  attention  was  called  to  the  exposed  condition  of  the  settlements,  and 
he  directed  the  building  and  strengthening  of  fortifications  for  their 
protection.  The  first  hostile  movement  of  Brant  was  the  destruction  of  the 
small  settlement  of  Springfield,  at  the  head  of  Otsego  Lake.  On  the  2d  of 
Julv  an  engagement  occurred  on  the  upper  branch  of  the  Cobleskill,  be- 
tween an  Indian  force  of  four  hundred  and  fifty,  and  fifty-two  Americans. 
The  latter  were  overpowered.  The  Indians  burned  the  dwellings,  and 
slaughtered  the  cattle  and  horses  they  could  not  take  with  them.  The 
settlers  generally  were  continually  harrassed  by  marauding  parties  of 
Indians  during  the  summer,  but  on  the  approach  of  winter.  Brant  withdrew 
with  his  forces  toward  Niagara,  and  hostilities  apparently  ceased.  On  his 
way  to  Niagara  he  was  met  by  Walter  Butler,  a  fugitive  from  justice.  He 
had  been  arrested  as  a  spy,  and  condemned  to  death,  but  had  been  re- 
prieved through  the  intercession  of  friends,  sent  to  Albany,  and  con- 
fined in  prison,  from  which  he  made  his  escape.  He  joined  his  father. 
Col.  John  Butler,  at  Niagara,  and  obtained  the  command  of  two  hundred 
Tories,  to  unite  with  Brant  in  an  incursion  into  the  Mohawk  Valley.  Upon 
meeting  Brant  he  prevailed  upon  him  to  return  and  attack  the  settlement 
of  Cherry  Valley.  Colonel  Alden,  «  ho  was  in  command  of  the  fort  at  that 
place,  received  inform'ation  of  the  intended  attack,  but  treated  it  with  un- 
concern. He  refused  to  permit  the  settlers  to  move  into  the  fort,  believ- 
ing it  to  be  a  false  alarm.  He,  however,  assured  them  that  he  would  keep 
scouts  on  the  look-out.  to  guard  against  surprise,  and  he  did  send  them, 
but  thev  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  savages,  who  extorted  from  them  all 
necessary  information  respecting  the  situation.  On  the  morning  of  the  nth 
of  No\ember  the  enemy  entered  the  settlement,  under  cover  of  a  thick  and 
mistv  atmosphere,  and  began  an  indiscriminate  slaughter  of  men,  women, 
and  children.  The  house  of  Mr.  Wells,  of  which  Colonel  .\lden  was  an 
inmate,  was  surrounded,  and  the  whole  family  brutally  m.ass,icred.  The 
colonel,  in  attempting  to  escape,  was  tomahawked  and  scalped.  Thirty- 
two  of  the  inhabitants,  mostly  women  and  children,  and  sixteen  soldiers  of 
the  garrison,  were  slain  in  the  most  horrible  manner.  The  whole  settle- 
ment was  plundered,  and  every  house  burned.  Nearly  forty  prisoners  were 
taken,  and  conducted  down  the  valley  to  encamp  for  the  night,  promi-.- 
cuouslv  huddled  together,  some  of  them  half  naked,  without  shelter,  and 
no  resting-place  but  the  cold  ground.  The  next  day,  finding  the  women 
and  children  cumbersome,  the  captors  sent  most  of  them  back.  The 
infamous  Butler  w.is  not  only  the  author  of  this  savage  expedition. but  he 
was  the  director  of  all  the  cruelty  pr.icliced.  With  the  destruction  of  this 
settlement  hostilities  ceased  along  the  frontier  until  the  following  spring. 

Through  the  winter  Brant  and  his  colleagues  were  making  preparations 
for  a  renewal  of  their  incursions,  and  necessity  seemed  to  demand  the 
infliction  of  severe  punishment  ujion  the  savages  who  threatened  to  deso- 
late the  border  settlements.  Accordingly  on  the  i8th  of  .\pril,  1779,  Col- 
onel Van  Schaick  was  sent  out  with  a  force,  from  Fort  Schuyler,  to  make 
a  descent  upon  the  Onondagas.  They  had  approached  to  within  a  few 
miles  of  their  villages  and  castle  before  their  occupants  were  aware  of  the 


24 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


expedition  against  them.  The  Indians  fled  to  the  woods,  leaving  ever>'- 
thing  behind  them,  even  to  their  anii*i.  Their  villages,  three  in  number, 
consisting  of  about  fifty  houses,  were  burned,  and  their  provisions  and 
cattle  destroyed.  The  council-house,  or  castle,  was  spared  from  the  flames, 
but  a  swivel  found  in  it  was  rendered  useless.  Thirty-three  of  the  Indians 
were  taiben  prisoners,  and  twelve  killed.  The  expedition  then  returned  to 
Fort  Schuyler,  arriving  on  the  24th,  having  accomplished  its  object  in  six 
days,  without  the  loss  of  a  man.  White  this  short  campaign  was  in  progress. 
the  lower  section  of  the  Mohawk  was  visited  at  different  points  by  scalping 
parties,  and  the  settlements  menaced  with  the  fate  of  Cherry  Valley.  The 
Onondagas,  fired  with  indignation  at  the  destruction  of  their  villages,  re- 
taliated by  a  descent  upon  the  st-iilcment  at  Cobleskill,  and  more  than 
twenty  of  the  militia  were  killed  in  defending  it.  The  settlement  at  Min- 
isink,  being  uni)rotected,  Brant  resolved  to  ravage  it.  On  the  night  of  the 
19th  of  July,  at  the  head  of  a  party  of  Indian^  and  Tories,  disguised  as 
savages  he  silently  approached  the  town  and  had  set  fire  to  several  houses 
before  the  inhabitants  were  aroused  to  the  danger  of  their  situation.  All 
who  could  sought  safety  in  flight,  leaving  everything  to  the  invaders,  who 
plundered  and  destroyed  all  their  property,  and  retired  to  (.irassy  Brook, 
where  Brant  had  left  the  main  body  of  his  warnors.  When  intelligence 
of  this  outrage  reached  Goshen.  Doctor  Tu^ten,  Colonel  of  the  local  militia, 
ordered  them  to  meet  him  at  Minisink.  and  one  hundred  am'  "  irty-nine 
responded  to  the  call.  A  council  was  held,  and  it  was  resolved  to  pursue 
the  invaders.  Colonel  Tusten  was  opposed  to  such  a  hazardous  undertak- 
ing with  so  small  a  force,  but  he  was  overruled,  and  the  line  of  march 
taken  up.  The  next  morning  the  pursuers  were  joined  by  Colonel  Hathom, 
with  a  small  reinforcement.  On  coming  to  the  place  where  the  Indians 
had  encamped  the  previous  night,  it  was  ob\ious  from  the  number  of 
camp-fires  that  the  force  was  much  larger  than  had  been  expected,  and  the 
leading  officers  advised  return  rather  than  pursuit,  but  their  rash  associates 
were  determined  to  proceed.  Soon  after,  Captain  Tyler,  who  was  with  a 
scouting  pirty,  was  shot  by  a  hidden  foe.  hut  this  circumstance,  although 
it  gave  the  company  some  alarm,  did  not  check  the  pursuit.  When  the 
party  reached  the  hills  overlooking  the  Delaware,  they  saw  the  enemy 
marching  toward  the  fording  place  near  the  mouth  of  the  Lackawaxen. 
Haihorn  determined  to  intercept  them,  and  arranged  his  men  accordingly. 
Hills  intervened  between  the  opi)Osing  forces,  and  they  soon  lost  sight  of 
each  other.  Brant  was  watching  the  movements  of  the  whites,  and  antici- 
pating their  design  turned  as  soon  as  they  were  lost  to  view,  and  throwing 
his  whole  force  in  their  rear,  formed  an  ambuscade.  Not  finding  the 
enemv  »here  they  expected.  Hathom's  men  were  greatly  perplexed,  and 
retracing  their  steps  discovered  the  Indians  in  an  unexpected  quarter  and 
greativ  superior  in  numbers.  The  latter  managed  to  cut  off  from  the  main 
body  of  Hathom's  troops  about  one-third  of  his  entire  force  in  the  com- 
mencement of  the  skirmish.  From  the  summit  of  ahiil  the  militia  maintained 
the  une<]ual  conflict  until  their  ammunition  was  exhausted,  and  then 
attempted  to  retreat,  but  only  thirty  succeeded  in  m.iking  their  escape  from 
their  merciless  enemies.  When  the  retreat  began,  there  were  seventeen  of 
the  wdunded  behind  a  ledge  of  rocks  under  the  1  .ire  nf  Doctor  Tusten, 
and  in  this  helpless  condition  they  were  ruthlessly  murdered,  together  with 
the  doctor,  by  the  Indians. 

But  a  fearful  retribution  was  at  hand,  and  snon  fell  on  the  Indians  with 
destructive  force.  In  the  spring  it  was  determined  to  send  a  large  expedi- 
tion into  the  Indian  coL:ntry;  and  so  severely  chastise  the  savages,  and 
Tory  allies  as  to  discourage  them  from  renewing  their  depredations  upon 
the  settlements.  (Icneral  Sullivan  was  pl.iced  in  the  chief  command  of 
this  e\|K:dition,  the  plan  of  which  was  a  combined  movement  in  two  divis- 
ions ;  one  from  Pennsylvania,  to  ascend  the  Susquehanna,  uniler  Sullivan 
himself,  and  the  other  from  the  north,  under  (leneral  James  Clinton.  The 
two  divisions  were  to  unite  at  Tioga.  On  llie  17th  of  June.  Crener.il  Clin- 
ton ciimmenced  the  transportation  of  his  boats  across  the  countr\  from 
Canajoharie  to  Otsego  Lake,  and  proceeded  to  its  outlet,  where  heauaitcd 
orders  from  Sullivan.  Whik  'here  he  built  a  dam  to  confine  the  water 
within  the  lake,  hoping  by  its  sudden  rcmov.nl  to  render  the  navigation  of 
the  river  more  certain  in  case  of  a  long  drought.  This  not  onlv  i.u  ilitated 
the  transportation  of  his  boats  ujum  the  ri\er,  but  it  caused  an  o\ertl.)\\  of 
its  bants  and  destroyed  the  corn-fields  belongmg  to  the  Indians,  who  being 
ignorant  of  the  cause  of  their  loss  were  greatly  astonished  and  alarmed. 
General  Clintcm  formed  a  junction  with  Sullivan  at  Tioga  on  the  22d  of 
August,  and  the  tnmbined  forte  moved  cautiously  ii[>  the  Tioga  and 
Chemung.     On  the  29th  the  enem\    were  discovered  occupying  an  advan- 


tageous position  near  the  present  city  of  Elmira.  The  light  infantry  in 
the  advance  formed  for  battle,  and  while  waiting  for  the  main  body  to 
come  up,  skirmishing  was  carried  on  with  small  parties  of  Indians  who 
would  sally  out  from  their  works,  fire,  and  retreat,  and  make  the  woods 
echo  with  their  hideous  war-whoops.  The  Indians  occupied  a  hill  on  the 
right,  and  Sullivan  ordered  Poor,  with  his  brigade  to  advance  against  them, 
while  the  main  body  of  the  army  attacked  them  in  front.  As  Poor  began 
to  ascend  the  hill  he  was  fiercely  opposed  by  the  savages  under  Brant, 
and  the  Tories  under  Sir  John  Johnson.  It  was  some  hours  before  the 
latter  began  slowly  to  give  way.  Having  gained  the  summit  of  the  hill. 
Poor  moved  against  the  enemy's  left  flank,  which  he  soon  carried,  and 
perceiving  that  they  would  be  surrounded  they  abandoned  their  works  and 
made  a  precipitate  retreat.  Sullivan's  army  encamped  upon  the  battle- 
field that  night,  and  the  next  day  the  wounded  were  sent  back  together 
with  the  heavy  artillerv.  and  the  march  was  resumed  toward  Catharines- 
town,  where  the  expedition  arrived  on  the  2d  of  September  ;  on  the  follow- 
ing day  the  place  was  destroyed,  together  with  the  corn-fields  and  orchards. 
The  Indians  fled  before  the  inv.iders,  who  continued  their  work  of  destruc- 
tion, pillaging  the  villages  of  their  enemies  and  thus  depriving  them  of  all 
means  of  subsistence.  On  the  7th.  Sullivan's  army  reached  Kanadaseagea. 
the  capital  of  the  Senecas.  This  they  destroyed,  as  well  as  all  the  smaller 
villages  on  their  way  to  the  Genesee  river,  which  was  reached  and 
crossed  on  the  14th.  The  Genesee  Castle  was  doomed  to  meet  the  fate  of 
the  rest,  and  the  whole  surrounding  country,  including  the  town  which 
comprised  120  houses,  was  swept  as  with  the  besom  of  destruction.  On 
the  i6th  the  expedition  recrossed  the  Genesee  river,  and  retracing  their 
steps,  arrived  at  Tioga,  tne  starting  point,  on  the  3d  of  October.  The 
Indians,  although  subjected  to  great  suffering,  were  not  wholly  crushed  by 
these  severe  losses.  Their  numerical  force  was  but  slightly  reduced,  and 
they  retaliated  upon  the  frontier  settlements  with  savage  vengeance  when- 
ever a  favorable  opportunity  offered. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Arnold's    tre.\son— close    of    thr    rf.volution — .\doptiox    of    the 
constitution — intern.\l  improvements. 

Early  in  June  of  1779,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  conducted  an  expedition  up 
the  Hudson,  and  attacked  two  small  forts,  one  at  Stony  Point,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river,  and  the  other  at  Verplank's  Point,  nearly  opposite.  The 
former  had  only  about  forty  men  to  defend  it,  and  they  retreated  on  the 
approach  of  the  British  ;  but  the  latter,  with  its  garrison  of  seventv  men, 
resisted,  and  was  captured.  Washington  much  regretted  the  loss  of  these 
posts,  and  although  they  had  been  enlarged  and  strengthened  after  the 
British  took  possession  of  them,  he  resolved  to  make  an  effort  to  regain 
them.  Stony  Point  was  suri)rised  on  the  night  of  the  15th  of  July  follow- 
ing, and,  after  a  short  and  fierce  conflict,  the  garrison,  of  more  than  five 
hundred  men,  together  with  the  cannon  and  military  stores,  were  captured, 
and  the  works  demolished  and  abandoned. 

In  the  spring  of  17S0  Urant  was  again  upon  the  war-path,  and  with  a 
band  of  Indians  and  Tones,  destroyed  Harpersfield  in  April.  It  was  his 
design  to  attack  the  upper  t<irt  of  Si  hoharie,  l>ut  on  his  way  he  captured 
Captain  Harjjer,  who  represented  to  him  that  the  fort  had  lately  been  rein- 
forced, and  he  returned  to  Niagara  with  his  prisoners.  Sir  John  Johnson, 
with  a  force  of  five  hundred  Tories  and  Indians,  ver\'  unexpectedly  ap- 
peared at  Johnstown  on  the  night  of  .May  21.  and  the  next  day  swept  the 
countrv  between  that  neighborhood  and  the  Mohawk.  Several  persons 
were  murdered,  others  taken  prisoners,  and  all  buildings  not  belonging  to 
the  Tories  were  burned.  On  the  following  afternoon  the  party  retreated 
toward  Canada.  On  the  2ist  of  August.  Canajoharie  and  the  adjacent 
settlements  were  atta*  ked  by  Brant,  at  the  heail  of  a  large  body  of  Indian- 
and  Tories,  who  dicl  even  more  damage  than  Johnson's  party. 

Genera!  Benetlit  t  Arnold,  wounded  at  the  hist  battle  with  Burg-nne.  and 
unable  to  take  any  active  position,  was  a]ipointed  .Military  Gc.\ern<>r  nf 
Philadelphia  in  the  sj)ring  of  1778.  Feeling  the  importance  <>f  his 
station,  and  fond  of  making  a  show,  he  Itegan  living  in  such  an  extrava- 
gant manner  as  to  become  pei  uniarily  embarrassed;  and  rather  than 
retrench,  and  live  within  his  in<  onie,  he  resorted  to  a  system  (>(  fraud 
which  brought  him  into  unpteas.int  relations  with  the  citizens  of  Philadel- 
phia. By  i>rder  of  Congress  he  was  tried  before  a  court-martial,  and  sen- 
tenced to  the  mildest  form  of  punishment — simply,  a  reprimand   from  the 


TREASON  OF  ARNOLD—CAPTURE  AND  EXECUTION  Of  MAJOR  ANDRF— CLOSE  OF  THE  WAR.       25 


Commander-in-chief.  He  appeared  lo  aciiuit.'S(  c  in  the  sentence,  but  his 
pride  was  wounded,  aud  he  thirsted  for  revenge.  While  in  Philadelphia 
he  had  married  the  daughter  of  a  Tory  residing  in  that  place.  She  was 
accustomed  lo  receive  the  attentions  of  British  officers  durmg  their  occu- 
pancy of  the  city,  and  through  her  intimacy -with  Major  .\nUre  a  corres- 
pondence had  been  initiated  between  him  and  Arnold,  by  which  means 
his  treacherous  schemes  were  developed,  and  culminated  in  a  most  infamous 
treason.  Still  he  was  loud  in  his  professions  of  patriotism  and  attachment 
to  his  country's  cause,  and  pretended  to  be  anxious  to  again  join  his  com- 
panions in  the  field.  He  solicited  the  command  of  West  Point,  then  the 
most  important  post  in  the  possession  of  the  Americans.  Washington  had 
assigned  him  to  the  command  of  the  left  wing  of  the  army,  but  upon  his 
repeated  and  earnest  request,  the  command  of  West  Point  was  given  him 
instead  on  the  3d  of  August,  1780.  He  established  his  head-quarters  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  at  the  house  of  Colonel  Beverly  Robinson, 
whose  property  had  been  confiscated  on  account  of  his  espousal  of  the 
British  cause.  Arnold  well  knew  that  Sir  Henry  CHnton  would  richly  re- 
ward him  for  being  instrumental  in  placing  West  Point  in  his  hands,  and 
hinted  as  much  to  Major  Andre,  between  whom  and  himself  letters  passed 
in  disguised  hand-writing,  and  over  fictitious  signatures.  In  order  to  settle 
the  terms  of  this  infamous  treachery  it  became  necessary  for  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  to  send  Major  Andre  for  a  personal  interview  with  Aruoid,  not 
only  to  agree  upon  the  conditions  of  his  contemplated  surrender,  but  to 
guard  against  a  counterplot.  Major  Andre  sailed  up  the  Hudson  on  board 
of  the  Vulture,  and  a  meeting  was  finally  effected.  Near  the  village  of  Hav- 
erstraw  resided  Joshua  H.  Smith,  who  was  duped  by  Arnold  to  assist  in 
carrying  put  his  designs.  It  was  he  that  brought  Major  Andre  on  shore, 
where  Arnold  was  awaiting  him,  and  concealed  in  a  thicket  they  plotted 
the  ruin  of  the  patriot  cause  from  about  midnight  until  day  began  to  dawn, 
and  then  repaired  to  Smith's  house  to  complete  their  plans.  Arnold  was  to 
receive  ten  thousand  jiounds  and  the  oftice  of  Bngadier-General  in  the 
British  army,  while  We^it  Point  was  to  be  given  up  on  the  approach  of  the 
English  fleet.  Major  Andre  was  supplied  with  papers  explaining  the  mili- 
tary condition  of  the  fort,  which  were  concealed  in  his  stockings;  while  a 
pass  was  given  him  under  the  name  of  John  Anderson.  In  the  morning  a 
cannonade  was  opened  upon  the  Vulture,  and  she  was  obliged  to  fall  far- 
ther down  the  river,  which  reminded  Andre  of  the  fact  that  he  was  within 
the  .American  lines.  Smith's  fears  were  so  much  aroused  that  he  refused 
to  convey  him  by  boat  to  the  Vulture,  but  offered  to  accompany  him  a  con- 
siderable distance  by  a  land  route.  They  crossed  the  river  and  jirocceded 
toward  White  Plains.  Near  Pines  Bridge  they  parted,  and  Andre  continued 
his  journey  alone.  When  near  Tarrytown  he  was  stopped  by  three  militia- 
men, who  were  watching  for  stragglers  from  the  British  lines.  From  what 
they  said  to  him  he  was  led  to  believe  they  were  loyalists,  whereupon  he 
avowed  himself  a  British  officer,  but  upon  discovermg  his  mistake  he  pre- 
sented Arnold's  pass,  and  endeavored  to  explain  his  previous  statements; 
they  insisted  upon  searching  him,  and  he  was  forced  to  submit,  and  the 
important  pa[>ers  were  found.  His  liberal  offers  of  money,  if  they  would 
release  him,  were  of  no  avail,  and  he  was  conducted  to  the  nearest  mili- 
tary post. 

On  the  same  morning  that  Washington  arrived  at  Arnold's  head-quarters 
from  Hartford,  where  he  had  been  to  confer  with  some  French  officers, 
Arnold  received  intelligence  of  Andre's  arrest,  and  hastening  to  his  barge 
made  his  escape  to  the  Vulture.  He  was  apprised  that  Washington  would 
soon  be  at  his  (juarters,  and  left  orders  to  inform  him  that  he  had  gone  over 
to  West  Point,  and  would  soon  return.  Washington  arrived  shortly  after, 
and  crossing  over  to  West  Point  found,  to  his  surprise,  that  Arnold  had  not 
been  there.  After  spending  some  time  in  examining  the  works,  he  re- 
turned, when  the  pai)crs  which  had  l)een  found  upon  Andre  were  placed  in 
his  hands,  and  the  whole  conspiracy  revealed.  An  immediate  pursuit  to 
overtake  the  traitor  was  made,  but  it  was  too  late  to  prevent  his  escajie. 
Infortunate  Andre  was  tried  by  a  court  of  fourteen  generals,  convicted  of 
bci  ig  a  spy,  sentenced,  and  executed.  Arnold  wreaked  his  malice  on  the 
AnK-ricans  by  devastating  different  parts  of  the  country  during  the  war. 
Afier  its  close  he  went  to  England,  where  he  was  shunned  and  despised  by 
al!  honorable  men. 

( )n  the  15th  of  October,  17.S0,  a  large  jiarty  of  Tories  and  Indians,  under 
Sir  John  Johnson  and  Brant,  invaded  the  Mohawk  Valley  by  way  of  Scho- 
harie Creek,  destroying  the  settlements  on  the  way  to  Fort  Hunter,  and 
thence  up  the  Mohawk,  on  both  sides.  As  soon  as  intelligence  of  this  in- 
vasion reached  Albany,  General  Van   Rensselaer    marched    against  them 


with  a  bodv  of  militia.  Colonel  Brown  was  stationed  at  Fort  Paris,  and 
receiving  orders  from  Van  Rensselaer  to  attack  the  enemy,  promptly 
obeyed,  but  his  small  force  was  dispersed,  and  himself  and  forty  of  his  men 
slain.  \'an  Rensselaer,  after  great  delay,  attacked  and  routed  the  invaders, 
who  fled,  and  suet  eeded  in  making  their  escajie  to  Canada.  The  Mo- 
hiwk  Valley  continued  to  be  devastated  by  the  savage  foe  On  the  9th  of 
July,  17S1,  Currytown  was  attacked  by  a  party  of  more  than  threehundred 
Indians,  commanded  by  a  Tory  named  Doxstader.  They  were  pursued  by 
Colonel  Willett,  and  in  a  battle  forty  of  their  number  were  slain,  and  the 
others  routed.  On  the  24th  of  October  Major  Ross  and  Waller  Butler,  at 
the  head  of  nearly  a  thousand  men,  consisting  of  British  regulars,  Indians, 
and  Tories,  made  a  sudden  descent  into  the  Mohawk  Valley,  and  began 
their  work  of  plunder  and  devastation.  They  were  met  by  Colonels  Wil- 
lett and  Rowley  near  Johnstown,  and  a  sharp  engagement  ensued,  lasting 
till  dark,  when  the  enemy  fled.  They  were  pursued,  and  at  Canada  Creek 
another  skirmish  took  place,  wherein  the  cruel  and  infamous  Butler  was 
slain.  Upon  his  fall  their  whole  force  fled  in  the  utmost  confusion.  This 
was  the  flnal  invasion  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  and  their  flight  the  closing 
scene  in  one  of  the  most  terrible  warfares  on  record. 

While  menacing  an  attack  on  New  York,  Washington  carefully  withdrew 
from  the  Hudson  to  attack  Cornwallis  in  his  devastating  march  through 
the  South,  and  was  far  on  his  way  to  Virginia  before  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was 
aware  of  the  movement.  Cornwallis  was  beseiged  at  Vorktown,  and  com- 
pelled to  surrender  his  whole  army  on  the  19th  of  October.  17S1,  This 
virtually  closed  the  war.  Sir  Guy  Carlton  was  sent  to  take  the  command 
of  the  British  forces  in  place  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  directions  to  open 
negotiations  for  peace.  A  provisional  treaty  was  signed  on  the  30th  of 
November,  1782,  and  a  definitive  treaty,  recognizing  the  independence  of 
the  United  States,  was  com  luded  al  Paris,  September  3d,  1783.  On  the 
25th  of  November  the  British  troops  took  their  final  departure  from  the 
city  of  New  York,  and  on  the  same  day  Washington  entered  it  with  his 
army,  amid  the  joyous  acclaiuations  of  the  emancipated  people.  Nerer, 
perhaps,  was  peace  more  welcome,  for  the  long  war  had  been  a  terrible 
and  trying  ordeal  for  the  patriots,  and  we,  who  are  living  in  peace  and 
plenty,  so  far  removed  by  the  wheels  of  time  from  that  eventful  period,  are 
not  likely  to  properly  estimate  their  endurance  of  great  and  continued  suf- 
ferings, nor  fully  appreciate  the  liberties  they  obtained  at  so  great  a  sacri- 
fice, and  bequeathed  to  succeeding  generations. 

The  United  States,  having  been  recognized  as  an  independent  nation, 
it  was  early  perceived  that  the  powers  conferred  upon  Congress  by  the 
.Articles  of  Confederation,  were  in  many  essential  respects  inadeipiate  to 
the  objects  of  an  effective  national  government.  The  States  had  been 
leagued  together  for  a  particular  purpose,  but  retained  their  individual 
sovereignty,  and  Congreeis  had  no  power  to  compel  them  to  obey  its  man- 
dates. The  people  were  losing  their  regard  for  the  authority  of  Congress  ; 
its  recommendations  for  ihe  liquidation  of  the  debts  incurred  by  the  war 
were  not  promptly  complied  with,  and  financial  and  commercial  affairs 
were  falling  into  serious  derangement.  Each  State  being  independent  of 
the  others  in  the  Confederacy,  jealousies  would  naturally  arise,  and  without 
concerted  action  on  the  fiart  of  the  States  it  was  almost  impossible  to  col- 
lect revenue.  In  view  of  these  increasing  evils  the  leading  minds  of  the 
country  desired  a  closer  onion  of  the  States  under  a  general  government. 
A  convention  was  held  at  .Annapolis,  in  September,  17S6,  lo  take  into  con- 
sideration the  establishrrtent  of  a  general  tariff  on  imports  and  a  uniform 
system  of  commercial  regulations.  Commissioners  were  jiresent,  however, 
from  only  five  States,  among  which  was  New  York.  rei)resented  by  Alex- 
ander Hamilton.  They  recommended  the  calling  of  a  convention  of 
delegates  fron\  the  several  States,  in  May  following,  and  transmitted  a 
report  of  their  conclusions  to  Congress.  Their  recommendations  were 
atlopted  by  Congress,  and  that  body  deemed  it  expedient  that  the  delegates 
should  be  instructed  to  revise  the  Articles  of  Confederation  and  report  to 
Congress,  and  the  several  State  Legislatures,  such  amendments  and  pro- 
\isions  as  should  seem  adecjuate  to  the  exigencies  of  the  government.  All 
the  States  except  Rhode  Island,  were  represented  in  the  Convention,  which 
was  held  at  Philadelphia-  Believing  that  the  Articles  of  Confederation  were 
so  defective  as  to  be  wholly  inadetpiate  to  the  wants  of  the  country,  the 
delegates  went  to  work  to  form  a  new  Constitution.  Its  plan  was 
gener.illy  approved,  but  there  were  many  in  the  convention  who  looked 
upon  the  pre.servation  of  State  sovereignty  as  pre-eminently  essential,  and 
regarded  the  ])roposcd  change  in  this  particular  as  an  infringement  of  State 
rights.     The  delegates  from  New  York,  ujjon  their  appointment,  had  beeri 


26 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


restricted  to  the  revision  of  the  existing  Articles  of  Confederation,  and  when 
the  Convention  decided  to  provide  a  new  Constitution  they,  with  the  exception 
of  Alexander  Hamilton,  withdrew.  That  body  then  proceeded  to  form  a  consti- 
tution, which  was  adopted  and  submitted  to  the  several  Stales  for  approval,  the 
assent  of  nine  being  required  for  its  ratification.  A  spirited  contest  ensued 
in  the  State  of  New  York,  between  its  advocates  and  opponents,  the  latter 
being  in  the  ascendancy  ;  but  having  been  adopted  by  the  requisite  number 
of  States,  it  was  ratified  in  convention  by  the  State  of  New  York  by  a  close 
vote,  on  the  26th  of  July,  1788,  but  with  the  recommendation  of  several 
amendments  which,  however,  were  not  adopted.  The  city  of  New  York 
was  chosen  for  the  seat  of  the  Federal  Government,  and  George  Washing- 
ton was  elected  President. 

The  difficulties  relative  to  the  New  Hampshire  grants  still  continued. 
A  convention  of  the  people  in  that  disputed  territor}-,  in  1777,  declared  it 
an  independent  State,  and  petitioned  Congress  for  admission  into  the  Con- 
federacy. New  York  thereupon  sought  the  mterposition  of  Congress  in 
her  behalf,  and  that  body  recognized  her  claims  ;  but  the  people  interested 
in  the  New  Hampshire  grants  were  determined  to  maintain  their  indepen- 
dence, and  during  the  following  year  organized  a  State  government  This 
revived  the  discord,  which  had  remained  inactive  since  the  breaking  out  of 
the  war,  and  so  great  was  the  hatred  of  the  New  Hampshire  pe^nle  toward 
the  State  of  New  York,  that  rather  than  be  subject  to  her  jurisdiction  they 
chose  to  return  to  their  allegiance  to  Great  Britain,  and  were  secretly 
negotiating  with  the  British  to  become  a  colony  under  the  Crown  ;  but 
before  the  conspiracy  was  fully  matured  it  was  interrupted  by  the  capture 
of  Comwallis.  Hostile  feelings  continued  after  the  war,  but  in  1790  the 
difficulties  were  amicably  adjusted.  New  York,  on  receiving  a  stipulated 
sum  for  the  extinction  of  land  claims,  relinquished  her  jurisdiction,  and  in 
the  following  year  the  disputed  territory  was  admitted  into  the  Union, 
under  the  name  of  Vermont. 

Large  tracts  of  wild  land  were  in  possession  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
at  the  termination  of  the  war.  In  1786  the  State  granted  two  tracts  to 
Massachusetts,  to  satisfy  certain  antiquated  claims  of  that  State,  but  retained 
her  sovereignty  over  the  ceded  territory.  The  largest  of  these  tracts,  known 
as  the  Genesee  country,  embraced  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and  was 
designated  by  a  line  running  south  from  a  specified  point  on  Take  Ontario 
to  Pennsylvania.  The  other  embraced  a  portion  of  the  present  counties 
of  Tioga  and  Broome.  Land  commissioners  of  the  State,  a  few  years  later, 
authorized  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  disposed  of  large  tracts  of  land  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  State,  for  very  small  considerations.  The  largest 
and  most  important  of  these  was  that  granted  to  Alexander  Macomb,  con- 
taining upward  of  three  and  a  half  millions  of  acres,  at  about  eighteen 
pence  per  acre. 

In  1791  the  Legislature  ordered  an  exploration  and  survey  to  ascertain 
the  most  eligible  method  of  removing  obstructions  from  the  Mohawk  and 
Hudson  rivers,  in  view  of  improving  their  navigation  by  the  construction 
of  canals.  The  following  year  two  companies  were  incorporated,  styled 
the  Northern  and  Wcstem  Inland  Lock  Navigation  Companies,  for  the 
purpose  of  facilitating  navigation  by  connecting  by  canals  Lake  Ontario 
with  the  Mohawk  and  Lake  Champlain  with  the  Hudson. 

Governor  Clinton,  in  1795,  having  declined  to  be  a  candidate  for  re- 
election, John  Jay  was  chosen  as  his  successor.  The  State  was  now  rapidly 
gaining  in  jjopulation,  and-  in  1800  had  reached  to  nearly  six  hundred 
thousand.  By  an  act  of  the  Legislature  a  convention  was  called  to  amend 
the  State  Constitution  in  regard  to  the  apportionment  of  members  of  the 
Legislature.  This  body  convened  in  iSoi,  chose  Colonel  Aaron  Burr  to 
preside  over  it,  and  fixed  the  number  of  Assemblymen  at  100.  In  iSoi 
George  Clinton  was  again  elected  to  the  Governorship,  which  office  he  held 
until  1804.  when  he  was  chosen  Vice-President  of  the  United  Stales,  and 
Morgan  Lewis  was  elected  his  successor.  At  this  time  Aaron  Burr  was  holding 
the  office  of  Vice-President,  and  failing  to  receive  the  nomination  for  re- 
election was  nominated  by  his  friends  for  the  office  of  Governor  of  New 
York.  Mortified  and  chagrined  at  his  defeat  he  sought  revenge  upon  those 
who  had  been  the  most  prominent  and  inllucntial  in  causing  it.  He 
regarded  the  influence  of  Alexander  Hamilton  as  having  contributed  largely 
to  his  defeat,  and  in  desperation  at  his  blighted  political  prospects  deter- 
mined to  wreak  his  vengeance  upon  him.  An  excuse  was  presented  by 
Hamilton's  expressing  political  views  antagonistic  to  his  own,  whieh 
having  been  reported  to  him  in  a  distorted  form  he  chose  to  consider  as 
personal,  and  challenged  him.  The  challenge  was  accepted  and  the  duel 
fought,  Hamilton  fallmg  mortally  wounded  at  the  first  exchange  of  shots. 


His  deplorable  death  produced  a  gloomy  feeling  throughout  the  country, 
as  his  brilliant  talents  and  unexceptionable  character  had  won  for  him  the 
esteem  of  the  whole  community.  After  this  occurrence,  Burr  visited  the 
Western  States  and  engaged  in  treasonable  schemes  for  detaching  them 
from  their  present  political  associations,  to  form,  in  conjunction  with 
Mexico,  a  separate  government.  He  was  arrested  and  tried  for  treason, 
but  escaped  conviction  for  want  of  sufficient  proof.  All  confidence  in  his 
integrity,  however,  was  lost,  and  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  passed  in 
comparative  obscurity.  In  1S07  Daniel  D.  Tompkins  waseiected  to  succeed 
Morgan  Lewis  as  Governor  of  New  York.  In  this  year  Robert  Fulton  com- 
pleted the  Clermont,  the  first  boat  that  ever  succeeded  in  steam  navigation. 
It  was  launched  at  Jersey  City,  and  made  its  trial  trip  up  the  Hudson  to 
Albany. 

Great  Britain  and  France  being  at  war,  the  former  by  a  series  of  "Orders 
in  Council."  prohibited  vessels  of  neutral  nations  from  trading  with 
France  or  her  allies,  and  in  retaliation  Napoleon  proclaimed  the  notable 
Berlin  and  Milan  decrees,  forbidding  all  trade  with  England  and  her 
colonies.  The  effects  of  these  ordinances  were  very  injurious  to  American 
commerce:  and  inconsequence  thereof  Congress,  on  the  23d  of  September, 
1807,  laid  an  embargo  on  all  vessels  in  the  harbors  of  the  United  States, 
which  bore  heavily  on  the  mercantile  interests  of  the  country,  and  excited 
considerable  opposition. 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

CAUSES    OF   THE   LAST    WAR    WITH    GREAT   BRITAIN — EXPEDITIONS   AGAINST 
CANADA — HOSTILITIES    ALONG    THE     BORDER. 

The  country  was  now  rapidly  drifting  into  another  conflict  with  Great 
Britain.  The  aggressions  of  the  British  had,  for  several  years,  been  a 
subject  of  great  anxiety  and  bitter  animosity,  which  continually  increased. 
Although  the  United  Stales  maincaincu  a  strict  neutrality  while  the 
Napoleonic  wars  were  raging  between  Great  Britain  and  France,  their  rights, 
as  a  neutral  nation,  were  disregarded.  The  embargo  laid  by  Congress  upon 
the  shipping  in  American  ports  was  found  so  injurious  to  commercial 
interests  that  it  was  repealed,  and  a  non-intercourse  act  passed  in  its 
place.  In  .\pril,  1S09,  the  English  ambassador  at  Washington  opened  ne- 
gotiations for  the  adjustment  of  the  existing  difficulties,  and  consented  to 
the  withdrawal  of  the  obnoxious  "Orders  in  Council"  so  far  as  respected 
the  United  States,  on  condition  that  they  should  repeal  the  act  prohibiting 
intercourse  with  Great  Britain.  Upon  this  basis  an  agreement  was  effected, 
when  the  President  issued  a  proclamation  declaring  that  as  it  had  been 
officially  communicated  to  the  United  States  that  the  "Orders  in  Council" 
would  be  repealed  on  the  loth  of  June,  trade  might  be  resumed  with  Great 
Britain  after  that  date.  As  soon  as  intelligence  of  this  agreement  on 
the  part  of  their  ambassador  reached  the  English  Government,  the 
latter  refused  to  ratify  it  on  the  ground  that  he  had  exceeded  his 
instructions,  and  immediately  recalled  him.  The  proclamation  of  the  Pre- 
sident was  then  revoked,  and  the  two  governments  resumed  their  former 
relations.  In  addition  to  other  injuries  and  encroachments  upon  the  rights  of 
the  United  States  as  neutrals,  the  English  Government  claimed  the  right 
to  search  .\merican  vessels,  and  authorized  its  officers  to  examine  their 
crews,  seize  all  whom  they  chose  to  regard  as  British  subjects,  and 
force  them  into  their  service.  All  remonstrances  were  unavailing.  The 
English  officers  in  enforcing  ihis  right  of  search  commuted  great  outrages, 
and  the  practice  became  so  obnoxious  as  to  demand  some  decided  mea- 
sures for  its  suppression.  Under  these  circumstances,  there  appeared  to 
be  no  alternative  but  war.  and  Congress  having  authorized  it,  war  was 
declared  against  Great  Britain  on  the  19th  of  June,  1812.  The  mea- 
sure was  far  from  being  universally  sustained,  however.  The  Federal 
party,  then  in  the  minority,  opposed  it,  and  their  political  opinions  being 
apparently  stronger  than  their  patriotism,  they  loudly  denounced  it.  It 
was  also  but  feebly  sustained  by  a  portion  of  the  Democratic  party,  not  on 
political  grounds,  but  from  the  belief  that  the  country  was  unprepared  for 
war.  New  York  and  New  England  were  most  prominent  in  their  opposi- 
tion, and  if  they  did  not  directly  aid  the  enemy,  their  conduct  was  dis- 
couraging and  injurious  to  those  who  were  perilling  their  lives  in  their 
country's  cause. 

The  Americans,  deeming  it  ex[)edient  to  invade  Canada,  directed  the 
attention  at  once   toward  that  point,  and   measures  were  taken  to  collect 
forces  along  the  northern  frontier  of  New  York,  and  westward  to  Michi- 


SUCCESSFUL  DEFENCE  OF  SACKETT'S  HARBOR— COMMODORE  PERRY'S  BRILLIANT  VICTORY.       27 


gan.  They  were  distributed  in  three  divisions.  The  eastern  rendezvoused 
in  the  vicinity  of  Plattsburg,  on  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Champlain. 
The  central  was  under  the  command  of  General  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer, 
who  made  his  headquarters  at  Lcwiston,  on  the  Niagara  river;  and  the 
northwestern  division  assembled  at  Detroit.  In  connection  with  these 
armaments  a  naval  force  was  fitted  up  on  the  lakes,  the  command  of  which 
was  assigned  to  Commodore  Chauncey.  In  July  a  small  British  fleet  made 
an  attack  upon  Sackett's  Harbor,  on  Lake  Ontario,  which  was  defended 
by  Lieutenant  Woolsey,  who,  from  a  battery  arranged  on  the  shore,  so  dis- 
abled the  hostile  fleet  that  it  withdrew.  In  October  an  attack  on  Ogdens- 
burg  by  a  British  fleet  was  repulsed  by  General  Brown.  In  the  same 
month  Lieutenant  Elliott,  by  a  bold  movement,  captured  on  Lake  Erie 
the  British  vessel  Caledonia,  laden  with  a  valuable  cargo  of  furs,  while 
she  lay  in  fancied  security,  protected  by  the  guns  of  a  British  fort. 

After  the  inglorious  surrender  of  Clen.  Hull  at  Detroit,  the  ne.-it  offensive 
movement  on  the  part  of  the  .\mericans  was  assigned  to  the  central  divis- 
ion, which  was  eager  to  offset  Hull's  disgrace,  by  a  brilliant  achievement. 
An  attack  on  the  heights  of  Queenstown  was  decided  on.  and  was  made 
Oct.  13.  With  inadec^uate  means  of  transportation,  about  a  thousand  men 
were  transferred  to  the  Canadian  bank  of  the  Niagara,  drove  the  British 
from  their  batteries,  and  took  the  heights.  Gen.  Brock  rallied  the  enemy 
and  attempted  to  recapture  the  position,  but  was  mortally  wourded  and 
his  force  repulsed.  The  .Americans,  however,  were  unable  to  huid  their 
ground  against  the  British  reinforcements  which  were  brought  up,  having 
no  implements  for  fortification  ;  and  the  militia  who  had  not  yet  crossed 
the  river  became  panic-stricken  on  seeing  some  of  the  wounded  brought 
over,  and  refused  to  go  to  the  aid  of  their  outnumbered  comrades.  The 
latter  were  therefore  overwhelmed  and  forced  to  surrender,  after  having 
about  sixty  killed  and  a  hundred  wounded. 

Nothing  save  a  little  skirmishing  occurred  in  this  quarter  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  year.  The  disgrace  which  had  fallen  upon  the  American 
arms  on  land  this  year  was  alleviated  to  a  considerable  extent,  however,  by 
their  splendid  triumphs  on  the  water.  Soon  after  the  new  year  had  been 
ushered  in,  the  sanguinary  conflict  at  Frenchtown,  on  the  Raisin  river,  took 
place,  resulting  in  the  surrender  of  the  .\merican  forces.  The  prisoners 
taken  on  this  occasion  were  left  to  be  tortured  by  the  barbarous  Indians 
under  Proctor,  the  infamous  British  commander,  in  direct  violation  of  his 
pledge  for  their  safety.  Several  persons  in  St.  Lawrence  County  were 
arrested  by  the  Bntish  authorities  and  confined  in  Canada  on  charges  of 
desertion.  On  the  7th  of  February  Captain  Forsyth,  the  commander  of 
the  post  at  Ogdensburg,  crossed  to  the  Canadian  shore  with  a  small  force, 
and  captured  about  fifty  prisoners  and  some  military  stores.  In  retaliation. 
Colonel  McDonnell,  on  the  22d  of  the  same  month,  crossed  the  river  with 
a  considerable  force,  and  attacked  Ogdensburg.  Only  a  feeble  retinue  of 
soldiers  was  stationed  there  for  its  protection  ;  but  this,  with  the  aid  of  the 
citizens,  defended  the  town  gallantly,  although  thev  were  finally  ob- 
liged to  abandon  it  to  the  invaders.  A  large  quantity  of  military  stores 
came  into  the  enemy's  possession,  several  vessels  were  destroyed,  and 
considerable  damage  was  done  to  the  property  of  the  citizens. 

General  Dearborn  had  been  entrusted  with  the  command  of  the  central 
division,  and  on  the  25th  of  .\pril  detached  a  force  of  seventeen  hundred 
men,  under  General  Pike,  for  a  descent  upon  Toronto,  then  known  as  York. 
They  embarked  at  Sackett's  Harbor  on  board  the  squadron  of  Commodore 
Chauncey,  and  landed  on  the  27th  in  the  vicinity  of  York  in  the  face  of  a 
spirited  fire  from  the  enemy,  whom  they  soon  drove  back.  The  British 
before  leaving  their  fortifications  had  laid  a  train  of  combustible  matter, 
and  connecting  it  with  their  magazine,  thus  plotted  the  destruction  of  the 
invaders.  The  scheme  was  in  part  successful,  for  the  Americans  took  the 
redoubts  as  they  advanced,  and  when  within  about  fifty  rods  of  the  bar- 
racks the  explosion  took  place.  General  Pike  was  mortally  wounded,  and 
about  two  hundred  of  his  followers  either  killed  or  injured.  The  troops 
were  appalled  at  this  disaster;  but  at  the  order  of  their  dying  commander 
they  s]irang  forward  and  captured  a  part  of  the  retreating  enemy,  and 
drove  the  remainder  from  the  field.  After  the  capture  of  Toronto,  the 
squadron  returned,  and  preparations  were  made  for  an  attack  ujjon  Fort 
George,  on  the  Niagara  river,  near  Lake  Ontario.  .-K  descent  was  made 
upon  this  post  on  the  27th  of  May,  and  although  meeting  a  stout  resist- 
ance, was  in  the  end  successful.  On  the  landing  of  the  troops.  Colonel 
Scott  advanced  to  attack  an  advantageous  position  held  by  the  enemy,  and 
after  a  sharp  conflict  succeeded  in  dislodging  them.  General  Vincent,  the 
British  commander,  in  alarm,  ordered  the  evacuation  of  the  remaining  posts 


on  the  Niagara  frontier,  and  on  retreating  from  Fort  George  caused  the 
magazine  to  be  blown  up.  The  greater  part  of  the  garrison  made  their 
escape,  but  nearly  four  hundred  regulars  and  five  hundred  militia  were  made 
prisoners.  General  Vincent  retreated  with  the  view  of  taking  a  position  on 
Burlington  Heights,  and  was  followed  by  a  detachment  of  the  .\mcricans  ; 
but  the  British  turned  and  attacked  their  pursuers  in  the  night,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  capturing  their  generals,  and  further  pursuit  was  abandoned. 
Colonel  Boerstler  was  detached  with  a  force  of  about  six  hundred  men  to 
dislodge  a  body  of  the  enemy  stationed  at  Beaver  Dam,  about  seventeen 
miles  from  Fort  George.  Arriving  in  the  vicinity  of  that  place  he  was  at- 
tacked by  a  body  of  Indians  in  ambush,  who  kept  up  a  conflict  in  their 
skulking  manner  until  the  arrival  of  a  reinforcement  of  British  troops. 
The  British  officer  then  sent  a  summons  to  the  Colonel  to  surrender,  at  the 
same  time  magnifying  the  number  of  his  troops.  Colonel  Boerstler  believ- 
ing that  he  had  a  superior  force  to  contend  with,  and  unable  to  obtain  a 
reinforcement,  surrendered  his  detachment  as  prisoners  of  war. 

During  these  offensive  operations  on  the  part  of  the  .Americans,  like 
expeditions  were  undertaken  by  the  British.  The  force  at  Sackett's  Har- 
bor, having  been  reduced  to  aid  the  expedition  along  the  Niagara  river,  and 
the  fleet  of  Commodore  Chauncey  being  at  Fort  George,  Sir  George  Pre- 
vost  made  an  attempt  to  re-capture  that  post.  On  the  2gth  of  May  he 
appeared  before  the  place  with  a  force  of  about  one  thousand  men.  It 
had  been  left  in  command  of  Colonel  Backus,  who,  aided  by  General 
Brown,  so  successfully  resisted  the  onslaught,  that  the  enemy,  after  sus- 
taining considerable  loss,  withdrew.  This  affair  was  followed  by  consider- 
able skirmishing  along  the  American  side  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  on  the 
nth  of  July,  Colonel  Bishop  made  an  attack  upon  the  village  of  Black 
Rock,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Niagara  river.  In  this  conflict  the  British 
force  was  repulsed  with  considerable  loss,  and  their  leader  mortally 
wounded. 

Meanwhile  Commodore  Perry  was  preparing  to  dispute  the  control  of 
Lake  Erie  with  the  enemy.  The  Americans  had  no  efficient  force  upon 
that  lake,  and  Perry,  by  unremitting  exertions,  built  and  equipped  a  fleet 
of  nine  vessels.  Of  these  the  Lawrence  and  the  Niagara  each  carried 
twenty  guns,  and  the  whole  fleet  but  fifty-four.  The  Bntish  fleet,  under 
Commodore  Barclay,  consisted  of  six  vessels,  carrying  sixty-three  guns. 
On  the  loth  of  September  the  British  commander  approached  the  Ameri- 
can fleet  with  his  vessels  arrayed  in  battle  order,  and  Perry  at  once  pre- 
pared for  action.  With  his  flag-ship,  the  Lawrence,  he  advanced  to  meet 
the  enemy,  and  maintained  an  unequal  conflict  until  his  ship  was  reduced 
to  a  complete  wreck,  and  nearly  all  of  her  crew  either  killed  or  wounded. 
.\t  this  juncture,  and  when  the  enemy  had  a  fair  prospect  of  obtainingabril- 
liant  victory.  Captain  Elliott,  commander  of  the  Niagara,  who  had  perceived 
the  crippled  and  unmanageable  condition  of  the  Lawrence,  moved  for- 
ward to  her  aid,  and  Perry,  although  exposed  to  a  continuous  fire  from  the 
enemy,  sprang  into  a  boat  and  proceeded  to  the  Niagara,  to  which  he  trans- 
ferred his  flag.  The  action  was  then  renewed  with  great  vigor  by  the  re- 
mainder of  the  American  squadron.  They  passed  fearlessly  among  the 
enemy's  ships,  dealing  such  a  destructive  fire  upon  them  that  the  whole 
fleet  soon  after  surrendered. 

This  important  and  brilliant  victory  was  followed  by  one  under  General 
Harrison,  commander  of  the  northwestern  division,  who  on  the  5th  of  Oc- 
tober defeated  General  Proctor  at  the  battle  of  the  Thames.  By  these 
victories  the  territory  of  Michigan,  which  had  been  so  ingloriously  sur- 
rendered by  General  Hull  at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  was  regained. 
Late  in  the  autumn  of  this  year,  an  unsuccessful  attempt  was  made  to  in- 
vade Canada,  under  the  direction  of  General  Wilkinson,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded Dearborn  in  the  chief  command  of  the  northern  army.  The 
.American  Generals,  Izard  and  Hampton,  were  repulsed  near  the  border 
in  Franklin  County.  General  Wilkinson  descended  the  St.  Lawrence,  and 
on  the  19th  of  November,  at  Chrystler's  Farm,  near  Williamsburg,  an  in- 
decisive engagement  took  pLice,  the  Americans  retreating  to  their  boats, 
and  abandoning  further  operations. 

The  forces  on  the  Niagara  frontier  had  been  so  much  reduced,  that  they 
were  inadequate  for  its  defence  after  the  arrival  of  the  British  reinforce- 
ments under  General  Drummond.  General  McClure,  finding  he  would  be 
obliged  to  abandon  Fort  George,  removed  his  military  stores,  and  unneces- 
sarily inflicted  great  distress  upon  the  citizens  of  the  villages  of  Queens- 
town  and  Newark,  reducing  the  latter  place  to  .ashes.  The  British  soon  after 
retaliated  by  a  series  of  cruel  barbarities  along  the  Niagara  frontier.  On  the 
19th  of  December  a  successful  attack  was  made  upon  Fort  Niagara,  and  a 


3S 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW   YORK. 


large  share  of  the  garri.tun,  together  with  the  hospital  patients,  were  put  to 
death  without  mercy.  General  Rial,  with  a  detachment  of  Royal  Scots  and 
a  large  body  of  Indians,  crossed  the  river,  plundered  and  burneti 
Lewiston,  and  inflicted  barbarous  cruelties  upon  the  defenceless  inhabitants. 
Youngstown,  Manchcstc-r.  Schlosscr,  and  the  Indian  villaL,'e  of  Tuscarora. 
were  devi^taied  in  the  same  manner.-  On  the  30th  of  thi>.  month,  an 
engagement  took  place  near  the  village  of  Black  Rock,  between  (lencral 
Rial's  force  and  the  militia,  resulting  in  the  repulse  of  the  latter  under 
General  Hall.  The  ullage-,  of  Hlack  Rock  and  Iluffalo  uere  abanduruH 
l^  the  Americans,  and  speedily  destroyed  by  the  invaders. 

In  February,  1814,  (icncral  Wilkinson  dispatched  a  [)art  of  his  army  to 
Sackett's  Harbor,  and  moved  from  French  Mills  to  Plattsburg.  The 
British  had  collected  a  strong  force  at  Ka  Colic  Mills,  un  the  Sorel.  and 
General  Wilkinson  resolved  ut  dislodge  them.  On  the  30th  of  March  he 
crosseti  the  frontier  and  commenced  the  attai  k,  but  was  repuUcd  and  with- 
drew with  his  force  to  Plattsburg.  In  consei.|uence  of  this  failure  he  was 
nrmoved  from  his  command,  (icncral  I/ard  succeeding  him. 

The  miUtary  stores  deposited  at  Oswego  Falls  attrat  ted  the  attention 
o^  the  British,  and  with  a  view  of  capturing  them  a  British  sijuadron 
appeared  before  Oswego.  .As  soon  as  it  was  discovered,  information  was 
sent  to  Captain  Woolsey  of  the  navy,  and  the  militia  gathered  under 
Colonel  Mitchell  and  gave  the  enemy  such  a  spirited  recei-tion  from  a 
battery  prepared  on  the  shore  that  boats  approaching  found  n  prudent  to 
return  to  their  ships.  The  fleet  advanced,  and  the  .Vmerican  force  of  only 
about  three  hundred,  defended  their  positions  for  several  hours  A  landing 
was  finally  effected,  and  the  little  band,  havini^  maintained  their  ground  as 
k»g  as  it  was  possible  against  a  vastly  superior  force,  withdrew  toward  the 
Falls  to  defend  the  stores  destroying  the  bridges  in  their  rear.  The  British 
disabled  the  ordinance  of  the  fort,  and  on  learning  that  the  bridges  had 
been  destiDyed  returned  to  Kingston.  It  was  deemed  jirudent  however  to  re- 
move the  stores  thus  preserved  to  Sackett's  Harbor,  and  Captain  Woolsey, 
akicd  by  a  body  of  riflemen  and  Indians,  set  out  for  the  accomplishment  of 
dns  object.  The  British  admiral  was  apprised  of  the  movement,  and  learning 
their  destination,  through  the  treachery  of  a  boatman,  dispatched  a  force 
to  intercept  them.  On  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Captain  Woolsey's  force 
pot  into  Sandy  Creek,  and  Major  .\ppling  was  landed  with  his  troops. 
vhich  he  concealed  in  ambush.  i'he  enemy  followed  and  landed  a  detach- 
ment to  pursue  them.  The  British  having  ascended  the  bank  of  the  creek 
to  the  place  of  concealment  of  Major  Appling's  men,  the  latter  arose  and 
opened  such  a  destructive  fire  upon  ihem  that  they  fell  back  in  confusion, 
aod  left  Captain  Woolsey's  expedition  to  proceed  to  its  destination  without 
further  molestation. 

On  the  3d  of  July,  1S14,  Fort  F:rie,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Niagara. 
where  it  leaves  Lake  Krie,  was  surrendered  to  an  American  force  of  3.500 
under  Oen.  Brown,  who  then  moved  on  to  Chippewa.  Here  they  met  and 
defeated  the  enemv  in  a  general  action,  the  latter  retreating  to  Fort  ( ieorge. 
at  the  mouth  of  the  ri\er.  The  .\niericans  pursued  as  far  as  (lueenstown 
Heights,  whence  they  relumed  toChip])ewa. 

On  the  25lh,  (ien.  Si  ott's  brigade  while  reconnoitering  m  force,  encoun- 
tcied  the  entire  British  army  advantageously  posted,  and  the  battle  of 
I.,ondy'>  I^ne  occurred.  The  brigade  of  C.en.  Ripley  came  to  the  relief  c)f 
Scott's  when  the  latter  had  maintained  the  engagement  into  the  e\  ening.  an<l 
afler  the  brilliant  capture  of  a  British  battery,  the  enemy  gave  up  the  field. 
The  losses  were  exceedingly  severe  on  both  sides. 

The  next  day  the  Americans  broke  up  their  camp  and  retired  to  Fort 
Erie  unmolested.  Here  they  immediately  proceeded  to  strengthen  their 
defences.  On  the  4th  of  August  the  enemy,  having  been  reinforced,  ap- 
pcaretl  and   invested  the   Fort,  then  commanded   by  General  (Jaines.     On 


■s.  and  before  dawn  on 
cnced.  In  their  attack 
lines,  the  enemy  were  repulsed  four  times  h 
right    they    met    with    no    better    success. 

the  extreme,    and  the    eneni 
of     the     bastion,     but    the 


In 


the  7th  they  opened  fire  upon  the  Ameri 
ijth  a  combined  and  furious  assault  wa' 
the  left  of  the  Amern  ai 
heavy  lo?»s,  and  tm  th 
the  centre  the  contlit  l  was  desperate 
finally  succeeded  in  gaining  possess 
advance  was  suddenly  checked  by  its  explosion,  and  the  combat  shortU 
after  ended  in  their  defeat  at  every  point.  They  retreated  to  their  cam] 
with  broken  columns,  having  sustained  a  loss  of  nearly  a  thousand  men 
The  Americans  continued  to  strengthen  their  tlefenres,  and  both  armie^ 
wefe  reinforced.  General  Brown,  havmg  recovered  from  his  wnuncis,  re- 
sumed the  connuand.  and  fnuliiig  (he  enemy  were  intent  un  [iroser  uting  tht 
siege,  determined  Hi   make  a    soriK*    to  dislndge   them   anil    ilestroy  then 


works.  The  British  fori  e  consisted  of  three  brigades,  each  of  which,  in  its 
turn,  was  stationed  at  the  batteries,  while  the  others  remained  at  their  en- 
t  3m|)ment  about  two  miles  distant.  The  object  in  making  the  sortie  was 
to  defeat  the  brigade  on  duty  before  it  could  be  reinforced.  On  the  (7th 
of  Se[itembcr  the  sortie  was  made  and  resulted  in  the  capture  of  the  British 
batteries  and  the  destruction  of  their  fortifications.  A  (gw  days  after- 
ward General  Drummond  left  his  encamjjment  before  the  fort,  and  returned 
to  Chippewa.  No  further  offensive  operations  were  carried  on  in  this 
'piarter,  and  a  few  weeks  later  the  fort  was  deniulishcd  and  the  Croups  w  iih- 
drawn  to  the  American  shore. 

While  this  siege  wa.s  in  i)rogress,  hostile  movements  of  greater  magnitude 
^vcre  being  made  in  other  sections  of  the  country.  The  British  army  had 
been  strongly  reinforced  during  the  summer  ;  the  City  of  Washington  had 
been  captured  and  the  public  buildings  deslrojed,  and  the  entire  coast  was 
held  in  a  state  of  blockade  by  their  fleet.  They  contemplated  a  dismeml)er- 
ment  of  the  Union  by  obtaining  possession  of  Lake  Champlain  and  the 
Hudson,  from  the  North,  and  ca|)turing  the  City  of  New  York  ;  believing 
that  a  division  of  the  Republic  would  thus  be  accomplished  and  a  separate 
peace  concluded  with  the  Kastern  States,  whose  discontent  and  opposition 
to  the  war  were  manifest.  The  people  were  now  fully  aroused,  and  mea- 
sures were  immediately  taken  for  the  defence  of  New  York.  Its  fortifica- 
tions were  strengthened  and  strongly  garrisoned.  The  invasion  of  New 
York,  by  the  way  of  Lake  Champlain,  was  entrusted  to  General  Prevost 
with  about  fourteen  thousand  veteran  troops  from  Wellington's  army,  and 
the  aid  of  a  strong  fleet  carrying  ninety  guns.  To  oppose  this  formidable 
annament,  General  Macomb,  at  Plattsburg,  had  only  fifteen  hundred  regular 
troops  and  about  three  thousand  militia,  hastily  collected  and  undisciplined. 
Commodore  McDonough,  by  almost  incredible  exertions,  had  in  a  short 
time  constructed  a  fleet  carrying  sixty-six  guns.  General  Izard  had  trans- 
ferred a  large  portion  of  the  troops  from  this  quarter  to  the  Niagara 
frontier.  Knowing  the  weakness  of  the  American  force  at  Plattsburg, 
General  Prevost  hastily  organized  and  put  his  army  in  motion  before  the 
fleet  was  ready  for  co-operation,  and  on  the  6th  of  September  his  advance 
reached  Beekmanstown,  where  their  progress  was  disputed  by  a  body  of 
militia  and  a  few  regulars  who.  however,  soon  retreated  towards  Plattsburg,. 
and  tearing  up  the  bridge  over  the  Saranac,  entered  their  entrenched  camp. 
The  British  advanced,  and  having  taken  i)ossession  of  some  buildings  near 
the  river,  attempted  to  cross,  but  they  were  met  with  a  shower  of  hot  shot 
which  proved  so  annoying,  that  they  contented  themselves  with  preparing  for 
an  assault  upon  the  fortifications.  On  the  morning  of  the  iith  the  British 
fleet  under  Commodore  Downie  was  seen  advancing  in  line  of  battle,  to 
engage  the  .\merican  ships  at  anchor  in  the  bay  off  Plattsburg.  A  fierce 
and  determined  conflict  followed,  and  in  less  than  three  hours  the  whole 
British  fleet,  excepting  a  part  of  the  galleys  which  had  made  their  escape, 
surrendered.  Simultaneously  with  the  naval  engagement,  General  Prevost 
opened  his  batteries  on  the  American  lines,  and  attempted  to  force  passages 
<}(  the  Saranac  at  three  different  points,  but  at  each  place  his  troops  were 
repulsed  with  great  loss.  On  the  surrender  of  the  fleet,  in  sight  of  both 
armies,  further  efforts  to  truss  the  river  were  abandoned.  When  niglit 
.  ame  on,  General  Prevost,  in  great  alarm,  made  a  precipitate  retreat  from 
the  town,  leaving  behind  his  sick  and  wounded,  together  with  a  large  quan- 
tity of  military  stores.  This  exjjedition  was  the  last  undertaken  for  the  in- 
vasion oC  this  frontier,  and  its  signal  defeat  materially  aided  in  bringing  the 
war  to  a  close.  On  the  24th  of  December  a  treaty  of  peace  was  concluded 
at  Ghent,  but  before  the  welcome  news  had  reai  hed  our  shores,  the  British 
met  with  another  disastrous  defeat  at  New  Orleans. 

CH.APTKR  XV. 


1  HK  KKU:  CAN 
IHF.    ST.' 


\11MINIS1  RA  i  I 


;iMC   ITKIS 
IV11.    WAR. 


The  construction  of  the  Kne  and  Champlain  canaU,  uhi<  h  had  been 
projected  just  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  had  been  virtually  abanduiicd 
by  the  repeal  of  the  act  authorizing  the  commissioners  to  borrow  funds  for 
the  prosecution  of  the  work.  But  on  the  termination  of  the  war  the  policy 
was  revived,  and  the  attention  of  the  people  was  again  called  to  this  great 
undertaking.  The  diffitulties  of  the  enterprise  however,  were  formidable. 
The  late  war  had  drawn  heavily  upon  the  Slate  treasury.  The  preliminary 
measures  for  the  construi  lion  of  the  canals  had  already  been  attended  with 
lunsidcrable  expense,  and  the  people  were  luih   to  engage  in  an  enterprise 


COMPLETION  OF  ERIE  CANAL— ORIGIN  OF  ANTI-MASONRY--INVASION  OF  CANADA. 


29 


which  they  plainly  foresaw  would  be  so  insatiable  in  its  demands  upon  the 
public  treasury.  They  were  therefore  slow  to  encourage  additional  legis- 
lation for  its  prosecution,  but  through  the  untiring  energy  and  jjerseverance 
of  De  Witt  Clinton,  an  act  prepared  by  him  was  passed  in  April.  1817. 
authorizing  the  construction  of  the  work,  (lovernor  Tompkins  having 
been  elected  Vice-Pre^idcnt  of  the  United  States,  resigned  his  otfice  as 
governor;  and  in  .\pril  De  Witt  Clinton,  the  ardent  and  zealous  advocate 
of  the  system  of  internal  improvements,  was  elected  to  succeed  him.  On 
the  4th  of  July,  1817,  the  Erie  canal  was  commenced  at  Rome,  and  in  Oc- 
tober, 1817,  that  ]*ortion  of  it  between  Utica  and  Rome  was  opened  for 
navigation. 

In  182 1  an  act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  authorizing  a  conventitm  to 
be  called  to  revise  the  State  Constitution.  This  convention  met  at  .\lbjn>. 
and  after  a  lengthy  session,  adopted  a  Constitution,  which  was  sui)sequently 
ratified  by  the  people,  and  under  its  provisions  the  Slate  was  governed  for 
a  quarter  of  a  century.  By  the  new  Constitution  the  time  of  holding  the 
State  elections  was  changed  from  April  to  November,  and  the  officers 
elected  were  to  enter  upon  their  official  dutiesonthe  ist  of  Tanu.iry.  Jose]>h 
A.  Yates  was  elected  governor  in  1822,  and  was  succeeded,  in  1S24,  by  He 
Witt  Clinton.  The  Krie  canal  having  been  completed,  the  first  flotilla  of 
canal  boats  left  Buffalo  for  New  York  on  the  26th  of  October.  1825.  Intel- 
ligence of  its  departure  was  communicated  to  New  York  in  one  hour  and 
twenty  minutes  by  the  discharge  of  cannon  stationed  at  points  within  hear- 
ing distance  of  each  other  along  the  entire  route.  The  occasion  was  cele- 
brated with  great  rejoicing  throughout  the  Stale. 

The  first  State  charter  for  the  construction  of  a  railroad  was  granted  in 
1826.  The  points  to  be  connected  were  .Albany  and  Schenectady,  and  the 
road  was  completed  in  1831.  Although  the  road  was  but  rudely  con- 
structed, the  advantages  of  this  new  mode  of  transportation  were  so  obvious 
that  railroads  were  soon  after  projected  in  various  parts  of  the  State. 

During  the  year  1826,  William  Morgan,  a  printer  in  the  village  of  Batavi.i. 
and  a  Roval  Arch  Mason,  determined  to  publish  a  pamphlet  purporting  i'> 
contain  a  disclosure  of  the  secrets  of  Masonry.  His  intention  was  dis- 
covered, and  on  the  nth  of  September  .Mr.  Cheesebrough,  Master  of  the 
Masonic  Lodge  at  Canandaigua.  procured  a  warrant  for  his  arrest,  on  a 
charge  of  theft.  Being  discharged  for  want  of  proof,  he  was  immedi- 
ately re-arrested  for  a  small  debt  due  another  person,  which  Cheesebrough 
claimed  had  been  assigned  to  him.  Judgment  was  rendered  against  Mor- 
gan for  the  del>t,  an  execution  was  issued,  and  he  was  committed  to  jail. 
At  night  he  was  clandestinely  taken  from  the  jail  by  supposed  members  of 
the  fraternity,  gagged,  and  con\eyed  to  Canada,  and  from  thence  to  Fort 
Niagara,  where  he  remained  confined  until  the  29th  of  September,  at 
which  time  he  mysteriously  disappeared,  it  was  the  universal  opinion  that 
he  was  murdered  by  the  masonic  fraternity,  and  measures  were  taken  to 
investigate  the  matter.  No  clew  to  his  fate  could  be  found,  but  it  was  bt- 
lieved,  from  the  facts  obtained,  that  there  was  a  conspiracy  among  the 
members  of  the  masonic  order  for  the  commission  of  some  great  crime. 
Committees  appointed  for  investigating  the  matter  found  their  efforts  con- 
tinually thwarted  by  persons  supposed  to  be  members  of  the  fraternitv. 
This  aroused  public  sentiment  against  secret  societies  generally,  and 
especially  against  Free  Masons.  A  political  jiarty,  styled  "Anti-Ma'>- 
onic."  was  organized,  whose  avowed  object  was  the  exclusion  of  all  sup- 
porters of  Masonry  from  official  trust.  For  several  years  it  constituted  a 
formidable  political  clement  in  the  western  part  of  New  York. 

On  the  evening  of  February  nth,  1828.  Governor  Clinton  suddenly  ex- 
pired. This  unexpected  and  sad  event  was  deeply  lamented  throughout 
the  community.  Amid  discouragements  of  every  kind,  and  of  a  magnitude 
that  would  have  filled  ordinary  men  with  dismay,  he  had  persevered  with 
unflagging  energy,  and  accomplished  measures  which  in  succeeding  years 
have  proved  eminently  beneficial  to  the  best  interests  of  the  State.  On  the 
death  of  Clinton,  Nathaniel  I'ltcher,  then  Lieutenant-Oovernor,  succeeded 
to  the  governorship  for  the  remainder  of  the  term,  and  in  No\  ember  Martin 
Van  Buren  was  elected  to  succeed  him.  In  March  following.  Van 
Burcn  was  appointed  to  an  ofli(  e  in  President  Jackson's  Cabinet,  and 
resigned  the  governorship,  which  devolved  uiion  Knos  T.  Throop,  who 
was  ele<  ted  to  the  nffn  e  at  the  succeeding  election  in  1830. 

In  Fel)niary,  i8j2,  the  State  Agricultural  Society  was  formed  at  a  con- 
vention of  its  friends  in  Albany,  but  received  no  support  from  the  State 
tmtil  it  was  reorganized  in  1841,  and  measures  were  adopted  for  raisinj; 
funds  and  holding  annual  fairs  In  April.  18,^2,  an  ad  was  passed  charter- 
ing a  company  to  construct   the   New  V.irk  and    Knc    Railw.iy.  and    four 


years  later  the  Comptroller  was  dire<ted  to  issue  Slate  stock  to  the  amount 
of  $3,000,000  to  aid  the  enterprise.  In  November,  1832,  William  L. 
Marcy  was  elected  to  succeed  Throop  as  Governor  of  the  Slate.  In  1833 
a  legislative  act  was  passed,  authorizing  the  construction  of  the  Chenango 
Canal,  connecting  the  Erie  Canal  at  Utica  with  the  Susquehanna  river  at 
Binghamton.  In  April,  1835,  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  by  which  the 
schools  in  the  State  were  to  be  provided  with  libraries.  Near  the  close  of 
this  year,  a  great  conflagration  occurred  in  New  York  city,  consuming  ]>ro- 
perty  to  the  amount  of  eighteen  millions  of  dollars. 

In  1837,  an  insurrection  originating  in  popular  discontent  occurred  in 
that  portion  of  Canada  bordering  on  the  State  of  New  York,  and  received 
the  sympathies  of  some  .Americans,  who  unadvisedly  became  involved  in 
an  unauthorized  invasion  of  the  British  possessions.  In  Uecember,  a  ])arty 
of  well  armed  and  equipped  Americans,  under  Van  Rensselaer,  and  ac- 
companied by  William  Loyd  Mackenzie,  the  leader  of  the  insurrectionary 
movement,  took  possession  of  Navy  Island,  in  the  Niagara  river,  within 
Canadian  territory.  The  Caroline,  a  small  steamboat,  was  brougiit  from 
Buffalo,  and  used  as  a  ferryboat  between  the  island  and  the  American 
shore.  During  the  night  of  December  29th,  Colonel  McNabb,  with  an 
armed  force  from  Canada,  crossed  over  to  the  boat,  and  while  its  occupants 
were  asleep,  loosened  it  from  its  moorings,  set  it  on  fire,  and  let  it  float 
down  the  river  and  over  the  Falls,  by  which  operation  several  Hves  were 
lost.  Mackenzie  fled  to  this  State,  and  the  Governor  of  Canada  made  a 
demand  upon  Governor  Marcy  for  his  surrender,  which  was  refused.  .\ 
proclamation  was  issued,  however,  by  Marcv,  and  one  also  by  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  forbidding  American  citizens  to  take  any  part  in  the 
insurrection,  and  (General  Scott  was  ordered  to  the  frontier  to  enforce  our 
neutrality  laws.  The  excitement  continued  for  some  time,  but  the  insur- 
gents were  finally  subdued  by  the  British  and  Canadian  authorities. 

In  1838  Wm.  H.  Seward  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State,  and  in  1842 
was  succeeded  by  William  C.  Bouck.  After  the  death  of  the  patrcon, 
Stephen  Van  Rer.sselacr,  disturbances  arose  in  Rensselear,  Albany,  and 
other  <  ounties,  from  the  tenants  refusing  to  fulfil  the  obligation  of  their 
leases,  which  in  1844  assumed  serious  aspects.  The  tenants  organized  and 
arrayed  themselves  in  opposition  to  the  enforcement  of  legal  proceedings, 
and  outrages  were  often  committed  upon  executive  officers  in  the  discharge 
of  their  duties.  Many  of  the  tenants  on  the  Van  Rensselaer  manor  were 
seriously  aggrieved  by  the  demands  of  their  landlords  under  the  provisions 
of  ancient  leases,  which  for  a  long  time  had  been  suspended,  and  the  revi- 
val and  enforcement  of  which  threatened  to  ruin  them.  Silas  Wright  was 
elected  Governor  in  Novemher,  1S44.  and  on  assuming  the  duties  of  chief 
magistrate  in  January  following,  called  the  attention  of  the  Legislature  to 
these  anti-rent  outrages,  which  continued  to  increase.  Stringent  laws  were 
passed  for  the  punishment  of  offenders  :  but  the  excitement  still  prevailed, 
and  lawless  acts  were  committed  by  members  of  an  organization  of  Anti- 
Renters,  disguised  as  Indians.  These  occurred  so  frequently  that  it  be- 
came necessary  to  order  out  the  military  to  suppress  the  insurrection.  In 
1846  the  Legislature  passed  laws  to  abolish  "distress  for  rent,"  and  facili- 
tate legal  remedies  by  extending  the  time  for  a  "re-entry"  on  lands  for  its 
non-i>ayment,  and  during  the  ensuing  year  those  who  had  participated  in 
these  outrages  were  pardoned  by  a  proclamation. 

Through  the  energy  and  genius  of  Professor  Morse  the  magnetic  tele- 
graph was  added  to  our  list  of  public  facilities  for  intercommunication. 
and  as  early  as  1845  various  lines  were  in  process  of  construction  through 
the  country.  A  Constitutional  convention  having  been  called,  met  at  Al- 
bany on  the  tst  of  June,  1846,  and  continued  in  sessions  upwards  of  four 
months.  The  amendments  to  the  State  Constitution,  adopted  by  that  body, 
were  ratified  by  the  people  in  November,  and  John  Young  was  elected 
Governor  of  the  State. 

The  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  Union  led  to  hostilities  between  Mexico 
and  the  United  States,  and  on  the  nth  of  May,  1846,  Congress  declared 
that,  by  the  acts  of  the  Mexicans,  war  existed  between  the  two  nations. 
The  Americans  were  victorious  in  all  important  engagements  with  that 
nation,  and  the  part  taken  by  the  troops  from  the  State  of  New  York  v\as 
conspicuous,  and  highl)  creditable  to  their  valor.  Peace  was  concluded 
on  the  2d  of  February,  1S48.  In  November  of  the  same  year  Hamilton 
Fish  was  elected  Governor  of  New  York. 

By  the  census  of  1850  it  was  found  that  the  population  of  the  Slate 
amounted  to  upwards  of  three  millions,  being  an  increase  of  two  and  a 
half  millions  in  half  a  century.  In  November  of  this  year  Washington 
Hunt   was   elvtted   to  succeed    Hamilton   Fish   as   (invernorof  the  State. 


30 


OUTLINE  HISTORY  OF  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


c  was  a  candidate  for  re-election  in  1852,  but  was  defeated  by  Horatio 
cymour.  In  1854  an  amendment  was  made  to  the  State  Constitution  re- 
qoiring  the  appropriation  of  an  annual  sum  during  a  term  of  four  years 
for  the  enlargement  of  the  Erie  and  the  completion  of  other  canals  in  the 
State.  In  November  of  the  same  year  Myron  H.  Clark  was  elected  Gover- 
nor. In  1855  the  State  contained  about  three  thousand  miles  of  railroad, 
constructed  at  an  aggregate  cost  of  $125,000,000.  In  1856  John  A.  K.ing 
was  elected  Governor,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  was  succeeded  in 
1858  by  Edwin  D.  Morgan. 

The  recognition  of  slavery  in  the  Territories  belonging  to  the  United 
States  having  been  earnestly  combatted  for  several  years,  the  difficulty  fin- 
ally terminated  in  a  gigantic  civil  war.  On  the  election  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln to  the  Presidency,  in  1S60,  upon  princij^les  of  avowed  hostility  to  the 
extension  of  slavery,  and  the  failure  to  effect  a  compromise  by  which 
slavery  should  be  recognized  or  tolerated  in  any  portion  of  the  Territories, 
the  Southern  States  resolved  to  secede  from  the  Union,  and  organize  a 
separate  government.  The  capture,  by  the  Confederates,  of  Fort  Sumter, 
has  been  considered  the  first  open  act  of  the  rebellion,  and  upon  its  occur- 
rence, in  April,  1861,  active  hostilities  were  begun,  and  before  the  close  of 


the  year  one  hundred  and  fifteen  regiments  had  been  put  in  the  field  by 
the  State  of  New  York.  In  July,  1863,  during  the  execution  of  the 
draft  ordered  by  an  act  of  Congress  for  recruiting  the  Union  army, 
a  terrible  riot  occurred  in  the  city  of  New  York.  The  police  were  unable 
to  check  its  progress,  and  for  several  days  the  city  was  convulsed  and  over- 
whelmed with  tumult,  rapine,  and  murder.  The  outbreak  was  finally 
quelled  by  the  interposition  of  the  military,  but  not  until  a  large  amount 
of  property  had  been  destroyed,  and  a  considerable  number  of  lives  lost. 
The  war  was  prolonged  until  the  spring  of  1865,  when  it  terminated  with 
the  complete  success  of  the  Union  cause,  and  peace  has  since  prevailed. 

By  the  census  of  1S75  the  State  was  found  to  contain  4,705,000  inhabit- 
ants. Within  a  period  of  two  and  a  half  centuries  this  immense  pojjula- 
tion  accumulated,  and  from  the  almost  pathless  wilderness,  in  the  beginning 
trodden  only  by  wild  beasts  and  savages,"  it  has,  by  industry  and  enterprise, 
removed  the  primeval  forests,  reared  large  and  numerous  cities,  and  con- 
structed vast  and  magnificent  public  works,  which  conspicuously  appear  in 
all  parts  of  what  is  justly  termed  the  "  Empire  State."  With  the  full  en- 
joyment of  peace,  it  continues  to  advance  with  accelerated  and  rapid  strides, 
in  harmonious  accord  with  its  proud  and  becoming  motto,  "Excelsior." 


C 


3/ 


THE   HISTORY 


MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THB     FIVI      MATIONS THEIR      TRADITIONS      OF      THEIR     ORIGIN IROQUOIS 

CUSTOMS THEIR  CONTACT  WITH  THE   FRENCH. 

The  greater  portion  of  what  now  constitutes  the  State  of  New  York, 
when  first  visted  by  the  Europeans,  was  found  to  be  inhabited  by  five  dis- 
tinct and  powerful  tribes  of  Indians  who  had  united  and  formed  a  con- 
federacy. T^e  tribes  that  composed  this  confederacy  were  the  Mohawl^s. 
Oneidas,  Otaondagas,  Cayugas  and  Senecas,  called  by  the  Enghsh  the 
Five  Nations,,  and  by  the  French,  the  Iroquois.  They  bore  among  them- 
selves the  titiSe  Aquinoshioni  or  Konoshioni,  signifying  Cabin-makers  or 
People  of  the  Long  House,  referring  to  their  organization  and  territorial 
possessioQs,  wliich  extended  from  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  to  the  shores 
of  Lake  Erie^  Their  government  was,  in  many  respects,  republican,  and 
the  wisdom  displayed  in  the  management  of  their  affairs  distinguished 
them  above  aB  the  other  aborigines  of  the  Continent.  At  what  time  the 
confederacy  was  formed  is  unknown,  its  origin  being  as  much  involved  in 
the  obscurities  of  tradition  as  any  other  remote  event  of  Indian  histor)'. 
Some  as  the  result  of  their  investigations  have  fixed  the  period  less  than  a 
century  before  the  Europeans  came  into  the  country,  while  others  have 
placed  it  mone  than  two  centuries  earlier.  The  current  tradition  held  by 
the  Iroquois  respecting  their  origin  was  that  they  sprang  from  the  earth 
itself  : 

"In  remote  ages,  they  had  been  confined  under  a  mountain  near  the 
Falls  of  the  Osh-wa-kee  or  Oswego  river,  whence  they  were  released  by 
Tharonhvjaoon,  the  Holder  of  the  Heavens.  Bidding  them  go  forth 
to  the  east,  he  guided  them  to  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  following  its 
stream  they  r>fached  the  Hudson,  which  some  of  them  descended  to  the 
sea.  Retracing  their  stejis  toward  the  west  they  originated  in  their  order 
and  position  the  Mohawks,  Oneidas,  Onondagas,  Cayugas,  Senecas  and 
Tuscaroras,  sia  nations,  but  the  Tuscaroras  wandered  away  to  the  south 
and  settled  on  the  Cantano,  or  Neuse  river,  in  North  Carolina,  reducing 
the  number  to  five  nations. 

"  Each  of  tb^  tribes  thus  originated  was  independent  of  the  others,  and 
they  warred  wuh  each  other  as  well  as  with  the  surrounding  tribes.  Thar- 
onhyjagon  stiK  remained  with  the  tribes  ;  gave  them  seeds  of  various  kinds, 
with  the  propcir  knowledge  for  pKinting  them  ;  taught  them  how  to  kill  and 
roast  game  ;  made  the  forests  free  to  all  the  tribes  to  hunt,  and  removed 
obstructions  from  the  streams.  After  this  he  laid  aside  his  divine  char- 
acter and  rcsoJi-cd  to  live  with  the  Onondagas,  that  he  might  exemplify 
the  maxims  he  had  taught.  For  this  purjiose  he  selected  a  handsome  spot 
of  ground  on  the  southern  banks  of  the  l.ike  called  Tfonth,  being  the 
sheet  of  water  row  known  as  Cross  lake.  Here  he  built  a  cabin,  and  took 
a  wife  of  the  Onondagas,  by  whom  he   had   an  only  daughter,  whom  he 


tenderly  loved,  and  most  kindly  and  carefully  treated  and  instructed.  The 
excellence  of  his  character,  and  his  great  sagacity,  and  good  counsels  led 
the  people  to  view  him  with  veneration  and  they  gave  him  the  name  of 
Hi-a-wat-ha,  signifying  a  very  wise  man.  From  all  quarters  people  came 
to  him  for  advice,  and  in  this  manner  all  power  came  naturally  into  his 
hands,  and  he  was  regarded  as  the  first  chief  :r.  all  the  land.  Under  his 
teachings  the  Onondagas  became  the  first  among  all  the  original  clans. 
They  were  the  wisest  counselors,  the  best  orators,  the  most  expert  hunters, 
and  the  bravest  warriors.  Hence  the  Onondagas  were  early  noted  among 
all  the  tribes  for  their  pre-eminence, 

"  While  Hiawatha  was  thus  living  in  quiet  among  the  people  of  the  hills, 
the  tribes  were  attacked  by  a  furious  and  powerful  enemy  from  the  north  of 
the  great  lakes.  This  enemy  advanced  into  the  country  and  laid  waste  the 
villages,  and  slaughtered  men,  women  and  children,  until  the  people  had 
no  heart  to  oppose  the  invaders.  In  this  emergency  they  fled  to  Hiawatha 
for  advice,  who  counseled  them  to  call  together  all  the  tribes  from  the  east  and 
from  the  west,  saying  'Our  safety  is  not  alone  in  the  club  and  dan,  but  in 
wise  counsels.'  He  appointed  a  place  on  the  banks  of  the  Onondaga  lake 
for  the  meeting,  and  thither  the  chiefs,  warriors  and  head  men  forthwith 
assembled  in  large  numbers,  bringing  with  them  their  women  and  children. 

"  The  council  had  been  waiting  for  three  days,  but  as  yet  Hiawatha  was 
absent.  Messengers  were  dispatched  to  hasten  his  attendance,  but  they 
found  him  gloomy  and  depressed.  He  told  them  that  evil  lay  in  his  path,  and 
he  felt  that  he  should  be  called  to  make  some  great  sacrifice  ;  nevertheless, 
he  would  attend  the  council.  The  talismanic  white  canoe  in  which  he 
always  made  his  voyages,  and  which  the  people  had  learned  to  reverence, 
was  got  out  and  Hiawatha  and  his  daughter  took  their  seats.  Gliding 
silently  down  the  deep  waters  of  the  Seneca,  the  canoe  reached  the  outlet, 
and  entered  on  the  placid  Onondaga,  As  the  canoe  of  the  venerated  chief 
appeared  he  was  welcomed  with  loud  shouts,  but  while  he  was  measuring 
his  steps  toward  the  council  ground,  a  long  and  low  sound  was  heard,  and 
instantly  all  eyes  were  turned  upward,  where  a  compact  mass  of  cloudy 
darkness  appeared,  which  gathered  size  and  velocity  as  it  approached,  and 
appeared  to  be  directed  inevitably  to  fall  in  the  midst  of  the  assembly. 
Every  one  fled  but  Hiawatha  and  his  daughter,  who  calmly  awaited  the 
issue.  The  force  of  the  descending  body  was  like  that  of  a  sudden  storm ; 
and  hardly  had  Hiawatha  paused,  when  an  immense  bird,  with  long  dis- 
tended wings,  came  down  with  a  swoop  and  crushed  the  daughter  to  the 
earth.  The  very  semblance  of  a  human  being  was  destroyed  in  the  remains 
of  the  girl,  and  the  head  and  neck  of  the  bird  were  buried  in  the  ground 
from  the  force  of  the  fall. 

"  Hiawatha  was  inconsolable  for  several  days  ;  but  at  length  took  his 
place  in  the  council,  and  the  deliberations  opened.  The  subject  of  the  in- 
vasion was  discussed  by  several  of  the  ablest  counselors,  and  various  plans 
proposed  to  foil  the  enemy.      Hiawatha  listened  to  the  debate,  and  at  its 


it 


THE  FIVE  NATIONS  IN  COUNCIL— ADDRESS  OF  HIAWATHA— INDIAN  CUSTOMS. 


conclusion,  bailc  the  warriors  to  dc|»arl  until  the  next  day,  when  he  would 
unfold  his  plan,  which  he  felt  confident  would  ensure  safety. 

"The  council  again  met  ;  and  with  even  more  than  ordinary  attention 
the  peo[>Ic  hstened  to  the  word?,  of  their  great  chief.  Hiawatha  counseled 
tbcm,  that  to  o|>|K>se  these  hordes  of  northern  tribes  singlv  and  alone  would 
prove  certain  destruction  ;  that  to  oppose  them  succcssi'ully  the  tribes  must 
unite  in  one  common  band  of  brothers  ;  must  have  one  vuice,  one  fire,  one 
pijw,  and  one  war  club.  In  the  confederacy  which  he  proposed  should  be 
formed,  the  several  tribes  were  assi^ed  the  position  they  were  to  thereafter 
occupy, and  in  conclusion  he  urged  them  to  weigh  well  his  words  ;  that  if  they 
should  unite  in  the  bond  he  had  proposed,  the  (Ireat  Spirit  would  smile 
u|»on  ihem,  and  they  would  be  free,  prosperous  and  happy;  but  if  they 
rei>^-ted  his cojnscl,  they  wjuld  be  enslaved,  rumed,  and  pjrhaps  annihilated 
forever. 

"The  tribes  received  the  address  in  solemn  silence,  and  the  council  closed 
to  deliberate  on  the  plan  recommended.  Assembling  the  next  day,  the 
union  of  the  tribes  into  one  confederacy  was  discussed,  and  unanimously 
adopted.  Pending  this  result,  Hiawatha,  warned  by  the  death  of  his  daugh- 
ter that  his  mission  was  accomphshed,  prepared  to  make  his  final  departure 
from  earth.  Before  the  council  dispersed  he  recounted  the  scr\  ices  he  had 
rendered  to  his  people,  and  urged  them  to  preserve  the  union  they  had 
formed,  telling  them  that  if  they  preserved  it,  and  admitted  no  foreign  ele- 
ment of  power  by  the  admission  of  other  nations,  they  would  always  be 
free,  numerous,  and  happy.  '  If  other  nations  are  admitted  to  your  coun- 
cils, they  will  sow  the  seeds  of  jealousy  and  discord,  and  you  will  become 
few,  feeble,  and  enslaved.  Remember  these  words;  they  are  the  last  you 
will  hear  from  the  lips  of  Hiawatha.  The  Great  Master  of  breath  calls  me 
to  go.  I  have  waited  patiently  his  summons,  and  am  ready  to  go."  As  his 
voice  ceased,  sweet  sounds  from  the  air  burst  on  the  ears  of  the  multitude; 
and  while  all  attention  was  engrossed  in  the  celestial  melody,  Hiawatha  was 
seen  seated  in  his  white  canoe,  in  the  mid-air,  rising  with  every  choral 
chant  that  burst  out,  till  the  clouds  shut  the  sight,  and  the  melody 
ceased." 

This  confederation,  which  was  undoubtedly  established  for  the  purpose 
of  common  defence,  was  a  very  powerful  and  effective  alliance.  In  the 
general  council  of  the  Confederacy  the  Senecas,  who  were  much  more 
numerous  than  the  other  nations,  were  represented  by  two  delegates,  and 
each  of  the  others  by  one.  The  presiding  officer  at  the  council  was  always 
assigned  to  the  Onondagas,  and  to  the  Mohawks  the  principal  war-chief. 
Their  power  was  in  their  union,  which  differed  from  that  of  other  nations  in 
its  perpetuity,  the  latter  frequently  securing  the  same  results  by  temporary 
alliances  in  case  of  war.  The  delegates  spoke  the  popular  will  of  the 
tribes  they  represented,  and  to  determme  their  action  they  were  not  per- 
mitted to  approve  any  measure  which  the  tribe  had  not  endorsed  by  a 
unanimous  vote.  Each  nation  was  governed  by  its  own  chiefs,  civil  and 
military,  who  might  declare  war  and  conclude  peace  on  their  own  account; 
claimed  dominion  over  territory  defined  by  general  boundaries,  and  was 
perfectly  independent  of  control  by  other  members  of  the  Confederacy,  ex- 
cept when  national  or  confederated  action  required  the  concurrence  of  all 
the  tribes.  When  the  united  tribes  in  council  made  a  decision,  it  was 
unanimous.  The  question  then  had  to  be  referred  to  the  warriors  of  each 
tribe,  assembled  in  council,  where  a  unanimous  decision  was  also  required; 
hence  every  resolve  was  clothed  with  the  full  popular  will. 

The  matrons  of  the  tribe  in  council  could  command  a  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities, and  when  they  so  determined,  the  chiefs  and  warriors  returned  from 
the  war-path  without  compromising  their  character  for  l)ravery.  For  this 
puqiose  a  male  functionary,  the  messenger  of  the  matrons,  who  was  a  good 
speaker,  was  designated  to  perform  an  office  which  was  deemed  unsuitable 
to  the  female.  When  the  proposition  for  a  cessation  of  war  was  resolved 
upon,  the  message  was  delivered  to  this  officer,  and  he  was  Iiound  to  en- 
for(  e  it  with  all  the  powers  of  eloquene  e  he  jiosscsscd.  The  following  de- 
scription is  given  of  their  national  council.  "The  council-house  was  built 
of  bark.  On  each  side  si.x  seats  were  jilaced,  cat  h  containing  six  persons. 
No  one  was  admitted  besides  the  members  of  the  Council,  except  a  few  who 
were  particularly  honored.  If  one  arose  to  speak  all  the  rest  sat  in  pro- 
found silence,  smoking  their  pit»cs.  The  speaker  uttered  his  words  in  a 
singing  tone,  always  rising  a  few  notes  at  the  close  of  each  sentence.  What- 
ever was  pleasing  to  the  Council  was  confirmed  by  all  by  the  word  nee,  or 
yes.  And  at  the  end  of  each  si)eech  the  whole  company  jnined  in  ai)plaud- 
ingthespeaker,  by  calling  Ho!  Ho!  At  noon  two  men  entered,  bearing  ui)on 
a  pole  across  their  shoulders,  a  large  kettle  filled  with  meat,  which  was  first 


presented  to  the  guests.  A  large  wooden  ladle  as  broad  and  deep  as  a 
(  ommon  bowl,  hung  with  a  hook  to  the  side  of  the  kettle,  with  which  every- 
one might  at  once  help  himself  to  as  much  as  he  could  eat.  The  whole  was 
(  onducled  in  a  very  decent  and  quiet  manner.  Indeed,  now  and  then,  one 
would  lie  flat  upon  his  back  and  rest  himself,  and  sometimes  they  would 
stop,  joke,  and  laugh  heartilv  " 

The  Iroquois  were  divided  into  clans  or  families,  distinguished  by  as 
many  different  sorts  of  arms  or  emblems,  each  being  made  to  represent  the 
<  Ian  or  family  to  which  it  belonged.  A  sachem  of  one  of  these  families 
when  he  signed  an  instrument  of  conveyance  or  public  paper,  put  his  em- 
blem upon  it,  representing  the  animal  by  which  his  family  was  designated. 
The  first  was  that  of  the  tortoise,  and  was  first  because  they  pretended 
that  when  the  earth  was  made  it  was  placed  on  a  great  turtle,  and  when 
there  was  an  earth(iuake  it  was  the  turtle  that  stirred.  Other  families  were 
designated  by  such  names  as  the  wolf  and  the  bear. 

All  their  aftairs  were  under  the  direction  of  their  chiefs,  who  obtained 
their  authority  by  the  general  opinion  of  their  courage  and  conduct,  and 
whenever  they  failed  to  appear  to  the  Indians  in  a  praiseworthy  light,  their 
dignity  ceased.  Though  the  son  was  respected  on  account  of  valuable 
-ser\ices  performed  by  his  father,  yet  without  personal  merit  he  could  not 
attain  his  rank.  Whatever  pertained  to  hereditary  descent  was  confined  to 
the  female  line,  and  the  chieftainship  fell  upon  the  son  of  a  chief's  daugh- 
ter, to  the  exclusion  of  his  uncle  ;  but  the  chiefs  brother  would  succeed 
him  instead  of  his  own  son  in  case  there  were  no  descendants  through  the 
female  line.  The  language  used  by  the  Iroquois,  both  in  their  speeches 
and  in  ordinary  conversation,  was  exceedingly  figurative.  Many  of  their 
chiefs  were  distinguished  for  their  eloquence,  and  some  of  their  speeches 
have  scarcely  been  excelled  by  the  greatest  orators  of  enlightened  nations. 
An  early  historian  of  New  York,  writing  at  the  time  when  the  Five  Nations 
still  constituted  a  powerful  body,  in  regard  to  their  manners  and  customs, 
says:  "  The  manners  of  these  savages  are  as  simple  as  their  government. 
Their  houses  are  a  few  crotched  stakes  thrust  into  the  ground,  and  over- 
laid with  bark.  A  f.re  is  kindled  in  the  middle,  2v.d  an  aperture  left  at  the 
top  for  the  conveyance  of  the  smoke.  Whenever  a  considerable  number  of 
these  huts  are  collected  they  have  a  castle,  as  it  is  called,  consisting  of  a 
square  without  bastions,  surrounded  with  pali.sadcs.  They  have  no  other 
fortification,  and  this  is  only  designed  as  an  asylum  for  their  old  men,  wives 
and  children,  while  the  rest  are  gone  out  to  war.  While  the  women  culti- 
vate a  little  spot  of  ground  for  com,  the  men  employ  themselves  in  hunt- 
ing. The  men  frequently  associate  themselves  for  conversation,  by  which 
means  they  not  only  preserve  the  remembrance  of  their  wars  and  treaties, 
but  diffuse  among  their  youth  incitements  to  glory,  as  well  as  instructions 
in  all  the  subtleties  of  war."  Before  they  went  out  they  had  a  feast  on 
dog's  fiesh,  and  a  great  war  dance,  at  which  the  warriors,  who  were  fright- 
fully painted  with  vermilion,  rose  up  and  sung  their  exploits,  or  those  of 
their  ancestors,  and  thereby  kindled  a  military  enthusiasm  in  the  whole 
company.  The  day  after  the  dance  they  would  go  out  a  few  miles,  in 
single  file,  observing  a  profound  silence.  The  procession  being  ended,  they 
stripped  the  bark  from  a  large  tree,  and  painted  the  design  of  their  expedi- 
tion on  the  naked  trunk.  The  figure  of  a  canoe,  with  the  number  of  men 
in  it,  indicated  the  strength  of  their  party;  and  by  a  deer,  fox,  or  some 
other  emblem,  painted  at  its  head,  it  was  discovered  against  what  nation 
they  had  gone.  On  their  return,  before  they  entered  the  village,  two  her- 
alds advanced  and  set  up  a  yell,  which  by  its  modulation  intimated  either 
good  or  bad  news.  If  the  news  was  good  the  village  was  notified  of  it,  and 
an  entertainment  provided  for  the  conquerors,  one  of  whom  on  their 
ai)proach  bore  the  scal[>s  which  they  had  taken,  stretched  over  a  bow.  and 
elevated  upon  a  pole.  The  boldest  man  in  the  village  came  out  to  recei\e  it, 
and  then  ran  at  the  top  of  his  speed  to  where  the  rest  were  collected.  If 
overtaken  he  was  seveicly  beaten,  but  if  he  outran  the  pursuers  he  was  allowed 
to  participate  in  the  honor  of  the  victors,  who  neither  spoke  nor  received 
tomplimenls  until  the  feast  was  over.  Then  one  of  the  victors  wasap[tointed 
to  relate  the  whole  ad\cnture,  while  all  the  rest  listened  attentively  (ill  the 
(lose,  when  they  all  joined  in  a  savage  danre. 


CHAPTFR  II. 


-FIRST  cot  NCIL    IN 


the  most  eastern  of  the  Five  Nations.    They  claimed 
ion   extending   from    the    vicinity  of  Albany,  on  the 


MOHAWK  WARS— JESUITS— GOV.  DONGAN  AND  THE  IROQUOIS. 


Hudson,  westerly  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Susquehanna  and  Delaware,  and 
thence  northerly  to  the  Si-  Laurence  river,  and  embracing  all  the  land 
between  this  river  and  Lake  Champlain.  Their  actual  northern  limits 
were  not  definitely  fixed,  but  they  appear  to  have  claimed  as  hunting; 
grounds  all  the  lands  between  the  St.  Lawrence  and  St.  Johns  nvers.  This 
was  a  subject  of  continual  dispute  between  them  and  other  tribes. 

The  French  began  the  settlement  of  Canada  in  1603,  under  a  patent 
granted  by  Henr>'  IV.  to  Pierre  Du  Gast,  and  were  the  first  Europeans 
with  whom  the  Mohawks  came  in  contact.  The  circumstances  were  such 
as  to  make  these  Indians  for  a  long  period  bitterly  hostile  to  the  French. 
the  latter  ha\ing  bten  first  met  by  them  as  allies  of  the  .-Vlgonquins,  enemies 
of  the  Mohawks.  To  overcome  this  hostility,  which  was  most  prejudicial  to 
the  commercial  interests  of  France,  was  the  task  of  the  French  priests.  As 
soon  as  the  settlement  of  Canada  was  fairly  begun,  La  Carnon,  a  Francis- 
can, at  the  solicitation  of  Champlain,  governor  of  the  new  colony,  entered 
the  field  as  a  missionan-.  and  as  early  as  1616  had  penetrated  the  wilder- 
ness to  the  Mohawk  countr\',  being  undoubtedly  the  first  white  man  to  be- 
hold the  now  famous  river,  and  its  beautiful  valley.  The  Franciscans 
were  succeeded  in  1633  by  the  Jesuits,  who,  in  the  interest  of  trade  as 
well  as  religion,  went  alone  and  unarmed  among  the  savages,  exhibiting 
in  their  exposure  to  perils  and  hardships  the  most  striking  examples  of 
courage,  patience,  and  self-denial.  Among  the  Five  Nations,  however,  the 
labors  of  the  priests  were  for  more  than  half  a  century  of  little  avail, 
especially  among  the  Mohawks,  at  whose, hands  three  of  the  Jesuit  mis- 
sionaries suffered  martyrdom  with  the  spirit  of  the  primitive  apostles.  The 
captivity  and  fate  of  Jogues  exemplify  their  persistence,  and  the  heroism 
with  which  they  met  death.  In  1642  he  and  a  number  of  others  were 
captured,  by  a  party  of  the  Iroquois,  on  the  St.  Lawrence.  While  being 
taken  into  the  interior  they  came  into  the  hands  of  the  Mohawks  near 
Lake  George,  and  were  compelled  to  run  the  gauntlet  .  On  re:iching  rhe 
villages  of  the  Mohawks  Jogues  was  made  to  run  the  gauntlet  twice  more 
for  their  amusement.  During  his  captivity  he  was  frequently  tormented 
with  the  most  heartless  cruelty.  His  fingers  and  toes  were  removed  joint 
by  joint,  and  his  body  and  limbs  mutilated  with  burning  sticks  and  hot 
irons.  He  suffered  in  this  way  for  fifteen  months,  when,  through  the 
influence  of  the  Dutch,  he  was  released,  and  returned  to  France.  He 
afterward  came  back  to  this  country,  and  in  1646  repaired  to  the  scenes  of 
his  sufferings  lo  prosecute  his  missionary  work.  He  was  immediately 
apprehended,  and  put  to  death  by  the  most  excruciating  tortures,  at  the 
village  of  Caughnawaga,  where  Fonda  now  stands.  However  interrupted 
in  their  labors  the  Jesuits  would  not  give  them  up,  until  they  had  finally, 
about  1670,  converted  these  very  Indians  of  Caughnawaga,  and  induced 
them  to  remo\e  to  Canada. 

In  1659  the  Mohawks,  suft'ermg  from  their  conflicts  with  the  French, 
and  crippled  by  their  warriors  getting  liquor  from  the  Dutch,  sent  a  dele- 
gation to  Albany,  then  called  Fort  Orange,  to  ask  for  aid  and  a  stoppage 
of  the  sale  of  liquor.  The  speaker  of  the  tribe  complained  of  the  Dut(  h, 
saying  thai  they  called  his  people  brothers,  and  were  bound  to  them  by  a 
chain;  but  this  continued  only  so  long  as  they  had  beavers,  after  whu  h  they 
were  no  longer  thought  of.  He  complained  because  the  gunsmith  refused  to 
repair  their  arms,  and  that  ammunition  was  withheld  from  them  when 
they  had  no  wampum.  He  requested  that  men  and  horses  might  be  fur- 
nished them,  lo  cut  and  draw  timber,  so  they  could  build  fnrts  for  their 
protection.  The  commander  at  Fort  Orange  could  give  them  no  reply, 
but  promised  to  submit  their  request  to  the  governor,  whose  arrival  was 
daily  expected.  The  governor,  however,  not  making  his  appearance  in 
''cveral  days,  the  people  at  Fort  Orange  began  to  be  alarmed,  and  deemed 
't  prudent  to  send  ambassadors  to  the  Mohawks,  to  reply  to  their  request. 
\  formal  council  for  this  purpose  was  held  at  Caughnawaga  in  September. 
1659.  which  was  the  first  ever  held  in  the  Mohawk  country. 

In  the  spring  of  1666,  the  Governor  of  Canada  resolved  upon  the  total 
dcstnu  tion  of  the  Mohawks,  and  inv.ided  their  country  with  the  Adiron- 
d.Kks,  and  a  strong  French  force,  but  his  success  wns  not  so  complete  ab  he 
hid  (ontemplatcd.  The  man  h  through  the  primitive  forests  w  .i^^  ledmus 
^Vhen  the  expedition  had  finally  arrived  near  the  Mohawk  vill.i-es  the  In- 
•h.ins  ab.indoncd  them  and  retired  to  the  woods.and  .ill  that  the  Kremh  were 
•ible  t«»  do  in  lessening  their  numeric  al  force  wj>  to  murder  some  of  the 
'•1(1  men  wh<j  (hose  to  die  rather  than  desert  iheir  houses.  Ha\  ing  planted 
die  cross,  the  triumph  and  glory  of  which  were  made  the  pretence  for  this 
'■^p«-duion.  celebrated  Ma^s.  and  sung  the  Tv  DuM.  the  in\aders  set  fire 
'"  the  palisades  .ind   wigwams,  and  retraced  their  steps  to  Canada.     The 


Indians,  who  were  awed  by  the  great  number  of  the  enemy,  and  their  fire- 
arms, thought  it  proper  to  ask  for  peace,  which  was  concluded  the  follow- 
ing year. 

Not  only  were  the  Mohawks  harrassed  by  the  French  and  their  Indian 
allies  from  the  north,  but  they  were  involved  in  bloody  war  with  the  Mo- 
hicans, through  which  they  became  so  much  weakened  and  humbled,  that 
in  the  spring  of  1669  they  sent  an  embassy  to  Quebec  to  solicit  aid,  ask- 
ing that  their  nation  might  be  protected  from  the  Mohicans  by  the  King  of 
France.  They  were  so  far  successful  as  to  secure  the  co-operation  of  the 
Jesuit  missionaries,  in  resisting  an  attack  upon  them  by  the  Mohicans. 
The  latter,  and  their  allies  invaded  the  Mohawk  country,  and  on  the  i8th 
of  August,  1669,  besieged  the  palisaded  village  of  Caughnawaga.  The  re- 
sistance offered  by  the  Mohawks  was  so  spirited  and  effectual  that  they 
soon  retreated.  The  Mohawks  descended  the  river  in  pursuit,  and  getting 
in  advance  of  them,  formed  an  ambuscade  at  a  place  commanding  the  road 
to  Schenectady,  where  they  waited  their  approach.  A  conflict  ensued,  in 
which  the  Mohawks  were  at  length  repulsed.  The  Oneidas,  Onondagas 
and  Cayugas  joined  with  the  Mohawks  and  invaded  the  country  of  the 
Mohicans,  but  without  success. 

The  French,  having  instigated  some  of  the  Iroquois  to  commit  depre- 
dations on  the  frontier  of  Virginia,  the  latter  were  called  to  account  at  a 
council  held  at  Albany,  in  1684,  at  which  Governor  Dougan  so  completely 
won  them  over  that  they  requested  that  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  Duke  of 
York  might  be  displayed  in  all  their  castles.  Dongan  gladly  complied  with 
a  request  which  could  be  interpreted  as  submission  to  the  English  au- 
thority, if  it  should  become  desirable  to  put  that  construction  upon  it  ; 
and  he  also  presented  some  of  the  chiefs  with  medals  showing  that  they 
were  English  subjects. 

.•Vt  the  opening  of  the  year  1690,  France  and  England  being  at  war.  the 
converted  Caughnawaga  Indians,  who  had  removed  to  Canada,  ioined  the 
French  under  Count  Frontenac  in  a  descent  upon  the  lower  Mohawk  set- 
tlements. Near  midnight,  on  the  8th  of  February-,  the  inhabitants  of  Sche- 
nectady were  roused  from  their  slumbers  by  the  horrid  yells  of  the  savages 
as  they  burst  into  the  town,  broke  open  the  doors  and  began  an  indiscrimi- 
nate slaughter  of  men,  women  and  children.  The  torch  was  applied  to 
complete  the  destruction,  and  only  one  of  the  eighty  well  built  houses  in 
the  village  was  spared.  Sixty  persons  lost  their  lives  in  this  massacre 
and  twenty-seven  were  carried  into  captivity.  The  remainder  fled,  naked, 
toward  Albany,  through  a  deep  snow,  while  a  fierce  storm  was  raging, 
and  twenty-five  of  these  poor  fugitives  were  so  badly  frozen  that  they  lost 
their  limbs.  The  Mohawks  residing  in  the  village  were  spared  in  order  to 
show  that  tribe,  as  well  as  the  other  nations  of  the  confederacy,  that  it  was 
not  them  but  the  English  whom  the  French  wished  to  afflict.  But  the 
Mohawks,  instead  of  being  won  over  to  the  French  by  terror  of  these 
scenes,  only  sympathized  with  their  suffering  and  unfortunate  neighbors, 
joined  with  a  party  from  Albany  in  pursuit  of  the  in\aders  in  their  retreat, 
and  sent  their  war  parties  to  again  harrnss  the  Canadian  frontier. 

But  the  civil  commotions  which  the  colony  of  New  York  continued  to 
experience  so  engrossed  public  attention,  that  the  Five  Nations  were  left 
to  contend  with  the  common  enemy  without  much  assistance  from  the 
English,  and  consequently  they  became  disaffected,  insomuch  that  at  the 
solicitation  of  the  Caughnawagas.  the  .Mohawks  sent  an  embassy  to  Canada 
to  confer  with  Count  P'rontence  about  peace.  To  defeat  this  [lurpose,  a 
council  wa.-;  held  at  Albany  with  the  other  nations  of  the  confederacy, 
who  renewed  the  chain  of  friendship,  and  resolved  to  prosecute  the  war 
against  the  French.  The  Mohawks  afterwards  confessed  to  having  had 
negotiations  with  the  French,  and  hastened  to  join  in  renewmg  their  league 
with  the  English. 

Count  Frontenac  finally  finding  all  his  efforts  for  accomphshing  a  peace 
with  the  Five  Nations  unavailing,  determined  to  invade  the  country  of  the 
Mohawks.  Collecting  an  army  of  six  or  seven  hundred  Frem  h  and  Indi- 
ans at  Montreal  for  this  purpose,  he  set  out  in  January,  1693,  and  after  a 
tiresome  march  through  the  snow,  arrived  at  and  surprised  the  lower  castle 
of  the  Mohau  ks.  situated  near  the  confluence  of  the  Mohawk  and  .^<  hc^harie 
rivers.  Ihi.  castle  was  ca[.turecl  without  much  re-isianc  e.  and  the  middle 
castle  was  taken  with  ecpial  ease,  the  warriors  being  mostly  absent.  On 
assailing  the  upper  castle,  however,  the  invaders  met  with  more  resistance. 
Thev  found  about  fnrty  warriors  engaged  in  a  war-dance  jireparatory  to 
some  e\))e(Iition  thev  were  about  to  enter  upon.  .\  conflict  ensued,  in 
which  the  Krem  h  lost  about  thirty  men  before  they  succeeded  in  subdu- 
ing their   enemies,      .\bout   three   hundred   of   the    Mohawks   were   taken 


34 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


It  is  difficult  to  1^ 
nated  ca-stle>,  a  tern 
some  other  proteLtio 
less  defensible  villag 


prisoners  in  this  invasion.  The  ])eoi>le  of  Schenectady,  though  apprised 
of  the  enemy's  march,  ga\"e  the  Mohawks,  their  neighbors,  no  assistance 
nor  informed  them  of  the  ap|)roaching  danger.  .\t  this  the  Mohawks 
were  much  displeased.  Immediately  on  hearing  of  this  invasion,  Schuyler, 
with  the  militia  of  -\lbany.  joined  by  a  party  of  the  Indians,  pursued  and 
harrassed  them  in  their  retreat,  and  succeeded  in  retaking  about  fifty  of 
the  Indian  captives. 

ate  the  site  of  some  of  the  Mohawk  villages  dcsig- 
whuh  implied  places  furnished  with  palisades  or 
that  distinguished  tliein  from  more  migratory  and 
,.  M  an  early  day  these  Indians  built  their  huts 
near  together,  the  better  to  resist  an  imading  foe.  tlreat  danger  from  an 
enemy,  how-e\er,  sometimes  compelled  a  migration  of  the  camp,  or  con- 
venience of  hunting  or  fishing  dictated  it.  The  Mohawks  once  had  a 
strong  castle  nearly  four  miles  south  of  Fort  Plain,  in  a  well  chosen  posi- 
tion, on  an  elevated  tongue  of  land  between  two  streams,  called  Indian 
Hill.  This  plateau  presents  on  the  west  toward  the  Otsquene  an  impractic- 
able bluff.  The  northern  declivity  of  the  hill  is  more  gentle,  and  thirty 
or  forty  rods  below-  its  termination  the  stream  mentioned  "mpties  into  the 
Otsquago.  Upon  the  hillside  the  entrance  of  the  casue  may  still  be 
traced,  as  the  ground  has  never  been  cultivated.  The  relics  found  here, 
including  fragments  of  pottery,  bones,  bone  implements,  fresh  water  clam 
shells,  etc.,  indicate  that  the  place  was  probably  early  and  long  one  of  the 
chief  strongholds  of  the  tribe.  It  is  believed  that  the  occupancy  of  this 
site  should  be  dated  more  than  250  years  ago.  The  Mohawks  also  had  a 
castle  within  the  present  limits  of  Fort  Plain,  at  the  termination  of  the 
high  ground  on  the  east  side  of  the  Otsquago,  now  called  Prospect  Hdl. 
This  site  was  occupied  much  later  than  the  other,  as  shown  by  the  dis- 
covery of  rings,  wampum  shells,  etc.,  introduced  by  the  Jesuits,  or  others 
of  the  first  white  men  who  ventured  into  the  valley.  The  position  of  this 
village  was  also  well  chosen  for  defence  and  observation.  It  is  said  to  have 
been  called  by  the  Indians  Ta-ragh-jo-rees — Healthy  Place. 

For  the  Last  half  century  of  the  tribal  existence  of  the  .Mohawks  m  their 
own  beautiful  valley  they  had  but  two  villages  designated  as  castles.  Of 
these  the  Canajoharie,  or  upper  castle,  was  situated  in  the  present  town  of 
Hanube,  and  the  lower  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Schoharie  creek,  at  its 
junction  vvith  the  Mohawk.  Ihe  latter  bore  the  Indian  name  of  l>yion- 
darogon. 

CH.\PIKR   111 


The  wars  in  F.urope  in  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  and 
the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth,  were  waged  principally  on  religious 
grounds.  Most  of  the  Kuropean  powers  still  adhered  to  the  Catholic  faith, 
and  supported  the  vigorous  efforts  of  the  Roman  see  for  the  e.xtinction  of 
Protestantism.  The  lower  Palatinate  in  (Icrmany  was  for  many  years  the 
scene  of  the  rapine  and  rav.iges  so  eminently  incidental  to  religious  wars, 
until  the  remnant  of  the  population  holding  the  tenets  of  the  Protestant 
faith  could  no  longer  find  a  hiding  place  from  their  implacable  enemies, 
the  French,  and,  fleeing  from  their  native  land,  took  refuge  in  England. 
under  the  protection  of  a  power  which  had  then  assumed  its  historic  posi- 
tion .as  the  chief  bulwark  of   Protestantism. 

Queen  .\nne,  u]ion  the  recommendation  of  her  board  of  trade,  granted 
the  petition  of  loshua  Kockerthal.  a  Lutheran  minister,  in  behalf  of  him- 
self and  fifty-one  of  his  sulTermg  co-rcligionists,  that  they  might  be  trans- 
ported to  her  Majesty's  .\merican  colonics.  Ihe  immigrants  are  supposed 
to  have  arrived  at  New  Vork  in  the  latter  part  of  170.S,  as  in  .\ugiist  of  that 
year  Lord  Lovelace,  governor  of  the  ...lony  of  New  Vork.  was  directed 
to  provide  for  their  sub^isten.  e.  Ihey  were  natur.ili/eil  bef.ire  leaving 
England,  and  -ent  over  at  the  expense  of  the  gmerniiicni.  In  June.  1710. 
three  thousand  more  of  the  I'nlatines.  as  ilicy  were  1  alkd.  from  the  name 
of  their  native  land,  arrived  in  charge  of  (iov  Hunter.  Over  four  hun- 
dred had  perished  by  sickness  <lunng  the  voy.igc.  Ihe  British  (Jovern- 
roent  not  only  transported  ihc  iniinigrants  free  of  charge,  but  was  to  su|)- 
port  them  for  a  year,  when,  it  was  expelled,  ihev  would  have  liei  ome 
self-sustaining.  In  a  report  of  the  board  of  iradelo  l^)ueen  .\nne,  dated 
December  9,  1709,  it  was  su^i;esteil  that  tlu\  might  be  located  along  the 
Mohawk  river,  where  they  could  be  employed  in  making  tar  and  turpentine 
from  the  abundant  pine  trees;  and  woiiid  serve  as  a  protei  tioii  10  die 
colony  from  the  French  in  lanaila.  .mil  the  In.li.ins  in  iheir  interest. 


In  pointing  out  a  place  as  most  suitable  for  the  settlement  of  the  Pala- 
tines, the  board  of  trade  designated  a  tract  on  the  Mohawk,  about  fifty 
miles  in  length  and  four  in  breadth  ;  and  another  about  thirty  miles  in 
length,  upon  a  creek  flowing  into  the  Mohawk,  referring  to  the  Schoharie, 
the  land  around  which,  though  claimed  by  the  .Mohawk  Indians,  could 
easily  be  purchased  of  them.  It  was  also  proposed  that  the  settlers  be 
employed  for  a  limited  time  in  making  naval  stores,  and  be  naturalized  in 
the  province,  free  of  charge.  The  F^nglish  .\ttorney-Lieneral  reported  a 
contract,  which  was  executed  by  them,  granting  them  forty  acres  of  land 
for  each  person,  and  exemption  from  taxes  and  ([uit  rents  for  seven  years 

Governor  Hunter  came  over  at  the  same  time  with  this  last  body  of  the 
Palatines,  having  particular  directions  where  to  settle  them,  according  to 
the  suggestirms  of  the  lords  of  trade.  Upon  a  survey  being  made,  how- 
ever, of  the  lands  indicated,  they  were  found  destitute  of  pine  timber,  and 
hence,  though  highly  fertile,  unfitted  for  the  design  entertained,  (rovernor 
Hunter,  therefore,  bought  of  Robert  Livingston  a  tract  of  six  thousand 
acres  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  which  he  describes  as  good  soil  ;  and 
in  December,  1710,  he  settled  a  large  portion  of  the  Ciermans  upon  it. 
Some,  however,  preferred  to  remain  in  New  York  city,  and  others  found 
their  way  into  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  there. 

Having  removed  to  the  lands  purchased  by  Hunter,  the  immigrants 
erected  tem|)orary  huts,  settling  in  seven  s(piads,  each  vvith  a  commissarv. 
through  whom  they  received  their  su]iplies  from  an  agent  of  the  Queen. 
The  man  Livingston,  from  whom  the  land  vvas  bought,  obtained  a  contract 
for  furnishing  these  supplies,  and  is  said  to  have  cheated  the  settlers  in 
the  quantity  of  Hour  delivered  by  making  the  tare  of  the  barrels  less  than 
their  actual  weight.  Governor  Hunter,  who  exercised  a  supervision  over 
the  settlement,  recommended  that  five  families  work  in  partnership,  hold- 
ing their  property  in  common,  thinking  such  an  arrangement  would  greatly 
facilitate  the  manufacture  of  tar  and  turpentine,  for  which  purpose  he 
bought  a  neighboring  tract  of  pine  timber.  The  newcomers  were  com- 
pelled to  work  under  the  direction  of  government  agents,  and  found  the 
business  very  distasteful.  Thev'  justly  complained  to  the  government 
officials.  Some  of  their  children  had  been  bound  out  to  the  earlier  in- 
habitants of  the  colony,  and  the  conditions  on  which  they  came  to  New 
York  had  been  disregarded.  Governor  Hunter's  course  in  settling  them 
on  lands  where  they  v\-ere  employed  in  improving  the  estates  of  others, 
instead  of  in  the  fertile  precincts  of  the  Mohawk,  sorely  aggrieved  them, 
y  conduct."  A  member  of  the  Hritish 
his  colleagues,  doubtless  with  too  good 


and  led  to  what  was  called  " 
Government,  in  a  letter  to  c 
reason,  says  ; 

"  I  think    it  unhappy  that 
eniment,   fell   into   ill   hands 
vears  in  that  jirovince  for  a  very 
at  .Albany,  in  which  he  was  guilt 
he  greatly   imjiroved  h 


L'ol.  Hunter  at  his  first  arrival  in  his  gov- 
for  this   Livingston  has  been   known   manv 

man;  he  formerly  victualled  the  forces 
f  the  most  notorious  frauds,  by  which 

has  a  mill  and  a  brew-house  Ujjon   hi- 


land,  and  if  he  can  get  the  victualling  of  those  Palatines,  who  are  conven- 
iently posted  for  his  jiurpose,  he  will  make  a  very  good  addition  to  his 
estate,  and  I  am  persuaded  the  hopes  he  has  of  such  a  subsistence  to  be 
allowed  were  the  chief  if  not  the  only  inducements  that  prevailed  with  him 
to  propose  to  Col.  Hunter  to  settle  them  upon  his  land." 

In   May,  1711.  the  number    of   Palatines  on  the  Hudson   was  reported 
to  be  1,761.     They  had  no  idea,  how 
of  mitigated  slavery,  and   relimpiishi 
They  sent  some  of  their  number  to  vi 
a  good  loi  ation  for  a  settlement. 

Early  in  the  summer  of  171  1.  the 
Colonial  Se<  retary  that  the  Palatine 
remain  on  the  lands  where  they  were 
Si  hoharie  and  settling  upon  the  trai  t 
(Jiieen  .\niie.  Ihev  were  disposed  to  force  their 
("iovernor  Hunter  ».is  obliged  to  bring  a  bodv  of  t 
to  disarm  them  .ind  comjiel  them  to  resume  theii 
dition  of  Col.  Ni.  holson  for  the  reduction  of  Cannd.i.  in  the  fall  of  171 
about  three  hundreil  of  the  Palatines  cheerfully  enlisted,  glad  to  es.  a| 
from  their  haled  toil,  and  to  pay  some  part  of  their  debt  of  vengeance  I 
the  detested  French.  Hut  they  had  never  given  up  their  longing  for  tl 
rich  soil  to  the  westwaril.  .ind  Governor  Hunter  found  it  no  easy  ta' 
to  restrain  them.  In  Scpiember.  1712.  he  wrote  Mr  Cast,  the  siiperii 
tendent.  that  he  had  exhauslcd  .ill  the  money  and  c  redit  he  was  ni.isl. 
of,  and  therein  emb.irrass.d   hiiiiself  with   diffi.  nines  whi.  h   he  knew  n. 


er,  of  rema 
i   the   regior 
■   the  ••  |,roi 

ning  in  their  conditio 

designated  for  then 

used  land."  and  sele. 

rds  of  tra.l 
would  not  V 
ttled.  but   V 
hi.  h  h.id  b 

were  informeil  by  th 
ork  at  making  tar.  m 
ere  intent  on  going  1 
een   prouiiseil   them   b 

labi 


In   the 


1704858 


HARDSHIPS  OF  EARLY  IMMIGRANTS— DISSATISFACTION  AMONG  THE  PALATINES 


35 


how  to  5innount;  and  directed  him  to  communicate  to  the  Germans  the 
state  of  ^airs.  and  instruct  them  to  seek  employment  for  themselves. 
The  tar  aianufacture,  however,  was  not  to  be  abandoned,  but  they  must 
retom  to  it  when  retjuircd. 

Someflf  the  Eeading  Palatines  embraced  this  opportunity  for  an  emigra- 
tion to  tfct  banks  of  the  Schoharie,  where  they  had  obtained  permission  of 
the  Indians  to  settle.  Thcv  threaded  on  foot  an  intricate  Indian  trail, 
bearing  s^on  their  backs  their  worldly  possessions,  consisting  of  "a  few 
rude  toofa,  a  scanty  supply  of  provisions,  a  meagre  wardrobe,  a  small 
number  f^  nist>-  fire-arms  ;  they  had  to  manufacture  their  own  furniture, 
if  the  apofogy  for  it  merited  such  a  name."  They  had  not  been  very  long 
in  possesion  of  the  Schoharie  valley  before  Nicholas  Bayard,  who  had 
been  coomissioned  as  an  agent  of  the  Crown,  appeared  at  their  settlement 
and  offeaed  deeds  from  the  Sovereign  lo  those  who  had  taken  up  land, 
if  they  would  define  its  boundaries.  The  poor  settlers,  however,  had  been 
so  long  SMI sed  to  fair  treatment  that  they  regarded  this  excellent  offer  as 
a  snare,  and  dna\e  the  agent  from  the  community.  From  Schenectady  he 
sent  a  nsssage;  repeating  his  proposition,  but  it  was  disregarded,  and  he 
sold  iheinds  on  which  these  Palatines  had  settled  to  a  party  of  five  men 
m  Albanr.  A  patent  was  taken  by  the  purchasers,  who  called  upon  the 
occupanls  in  the  spring  of  17 15,  and  requested  them  to  take  a  lease,  buy 
or  remo^t.  To  none  of  these  terms  would  the  latter  consent,  declaring 
that  the  Queen  had  given  them  the  lands,  and  they  wanted  no  better  title. 
l^gal  proceedings  were  resorted  to  by  the  patentees,  and  a  sheriff  sent  to 
arrest  sane  of  the  leading  Palatines.  No  sooner  was  the  officer  in  their 
midst  and  his  business  known  than  a  mob  gathered  and  fell  upon  him, 
beating  hro  unmercifully  and  inflicting  other  indignities,  equally  annoying. 
Some  of  the  ofEeriders  were  after\vard  arrested  and  confined  in  jail.  Con- 
sidering 5Semse1ve<;  sorely  nnnressed.  the  Palntines  had  a  petition  drawn 
up,  setrinj  forth  their  grievances,  and  commissioned  three  of  their  number 
to  presenl  the  memorial  to  the  proper  authorities  in  England. 

In  i72ot  Hunter  was  succeeded  by  \Vm.  Burnet  in  the  governorship  of 
the  pro\TEce,  and  in  consequence  of  the  troubles  with  the  Palatines  both  at 
Schoharie  and  at  the  original  settlement  on  the  Hudson,  was  specially  in- 
structed 10  remove  such  of  the  latter  as  might  desire  to  other  localities.  In 
October,  1722,  another  company  of  Palatines  arrived  at  New  York  from 
Holland,  having  lost  many  of  their  number  on  the  vogage.  The  progress 
made  by  Burnet  in  settling  the  Palatines  in  the  Mohawk  valley,  will  ap- 
pear in  his  letter  to  the  board  of  trade,  dated  Nov.  21,  1722.  in  which  he 
says: 

"When  I  was  at  Albany  I  expected  to  have  fixed  the  Palatines  in  their 
new  Settlcaoent  m-hich  I  had  obtained  from  the  Indians  for  them  at  a  very 
easy  purcfese,  but  I  found  them  very  much  divided  into  Parties  and  the 
cunninges:  of  them  fomenting  their  Divisions  on  purpose  that  the  greatest 
number  ni^ht  leave  the  Province  and  then  the  great  Tract  of  Land  lately 
purchased  would  make  so  many  considerable  estates  to  the  few  Kamilys 
that  shoaW  remain,  and  with  this  view  they  told  me  that  they  found  the 
land  was  far  short  of  what  the  Indians  had  represented  it  to  them  and  that 
not  above  twenty  Familys  could  subsist  there  which  I  shewed  them  was 
a  mere  prttence  by  naming  a  Tract  where  130  Familys  live  and  flourish, 
which  byd»eir  own  confession  was  less  and  no  better  soil  than  theirs  how- 
rver  since  I  found  it  was  their  humor  to  undervalue  what  had  been  done 
lor  them  I  thouj;^t  it  best  to  wait  till  they  should  of  themselves  be  forward 
to  settle  ibis  new  Tratt  rather  than  to  show  too  muih  earnestness  in  pres-.- 
ing  them  10  it  Rut  as  about  sixty  familys  desired  to  be  in  a  distinct  Tract 
from  the  Kst  \-  were  those  who  had  all  along  been  most  heartv  for  the 
t'fovemment  I  have  given  them  leave  to  purchase  land  from  the  Indian^. 
W  ween  the  present  English  settlements  near  Fort  Hunter  &  part  of  Can- 
-Kla  on  a  Oeek  called  Canada  Creek  where  thcv  will  be  stilt  more  immedi- 
^ttly  a  ISairier  against  the  sudden  incursions  of  the  French,  who  made  this 
their  Road  when  they  last  attacked  iV  burned  the  Frontier  Town  called 
■^hencttadv. — The  other  Pal.itines  have  since  my  return  to  New  York, 
vrnt  vmie  wf  thnr  body  to  desire  a  warrant  of  survey  for  ye  New  Tra.  t 
■itrcjdy  punhasetl.  which  convinces  me  that  I  ha<l  done  right,  in  not  being 
*'Mt  emest  in  that  affiiir  when  1  was  at  Albany.  .Xntl  indeed  in  my  deal- 
'"Ks  with  tJm)sc  |K.-ople  \  find  very  little  gratitude  for  favors  done  them.  A: 
I-inirnlarhlhat  th<isc  who  were  best  taken  care  of  iS:  settled  on  good  Lands 
hv  my  PrfA'tcssfir  are  the  most  jpt  to  misrepresent  him  ;md  tliis  managed 
h>  .1  few  cunning  [Mrrsons  among  them  that  lead  the  rest  as  they  please, 
»hi>  arc  fee  the  j^cnerality  a  laborious  and  honest  but  a  headstrong  ignor- 
•*nt  people." 


As  the  Palatines  began  to  discover  that  all  their  troubles  proceeded  from 
their  own  ignorance  and  stubbomess  some  of  them  purchased  the  lands  on 
which  they  had  settled,  but  a  large  portion  of  them  in  the  spring  of  1723 
removed  to  Pennsylvania.  Others  moved  up  the  Mohawk  valley  and  set- 
tled in  and  about  the  present  towns  of  Canajoharie  and  Palatine  and  to 
the  westward  along  the  river.  These  dissatisfied  Palatines  from  Schoharie 
were,  with  but  few  exceptions,  the  earliest  known  white  settlers  in  this  part 
of  the  Mohawk  valley.  The  agents  of  the  Ciermans  had  doubtless  travers- 
ed this  region  a  number  of  years  earlier  to  spy  out  the  most  desirable  places 
for  settlement ;  and  that  some  of  them  were  in  occupancy  prior  to  1723 
clearly  appears  from  the  fact  that  Governor  Burnet  in  November,  1722,  in- 
formed the  Board  of  Trade  that  he  had  permitted  some  to  purchase  lands 
from  the  Indians  between  the  English  settlements  near  Fort  Hunter  and 
"  part  of  Canada  "  on  Canada  Creek,  in  which  location  they  would  be  a  bar 
rier  against  the  sudden  incursions  of  the  French. 

On  the  19th  of  October,  1723.  the  Stone  Arabia  Patent  was  granted  to 
twenty-seven  Palatines,  who  with  their  families  numbered  one  hundred  and 
twenty-seven  persons.  The  tract  conveyed  by  this  patent  contained  12.- 
700  acres  and  was  divided  into  twenty-eight  equal  parts.  Fifty-one  lots  of 
fifty  acres  each  were  laid  out  on  the  tract,  and  each  twenty-eighth  part  con- 
sisted of  one  or  more  of  these  lots  together  with  a  portion  of  the  undivided 
land,  except  that  two  of  the  patentees.  Lodowick  Casselman  and  Gerhart 
Shaeffer  took  their  entire  twenty-eighths  from  the  undivided  portion.  Bar- 
tholomew Picard  took  with  his  four  lots  enough  of  the  undivided  land  to 
make  two  twenty-eighths  of  the  grant.  With  these  exceptions  each  paten- 
tee's portion  included  enough  of  the  undivided  land  to  make  one  twenty- 
eighth  of  the  grant  when  added  to  his  lot  or  lots  ;  "  these  lots  being,"  in 
the  language  of  the  patent,  set  out  and  granted  in  severalty  as  follows, 
viz  : 

'*  Lots  Nos.  I  and  47  to  Warner  Digert  ;  lots  Nos.  2,  44.  S  and  48  to 
Bartholomew  Picard  ;  lots  Nos.  3  and  36  to  Johannes  Schell  ;  lots  Nos. 
4  and  17  to  Jacob  Schell  ;  lots  Nos.  5  and  25  to  Johannes  Cremse  ;  lots 
Nos.  6  and  46  to  Johannes  Emiger  ;  lot  No.  7  to  Wni.  V'ocks  ;  lots  Nos. 
9  and  24  to  John  Christian  Garlack  ;  lots  Nos.  10  and  19  to  Mardan  Dil- 
linbeck  ;  lots  Nos.  11  and  14  lo  Adam  Emiger  ;  lots  Nos.  12  and  4I  to 
John  Lawyer;  lots  Nos.  13  and  38  to  Andries  Feink  ;  lots  Nos.  15  and 
45  to  Hendrick  Frey  ;  lots  Nos.  16  and  40  to  Theobald  ( Jarlatk  ;  lots  Nos. 
iS  and  2&  to  Suffenmas  Diegert  ;  lots  Nos.  20  and  34  to  Wm.  Coppernoll  ; 
lots  Nos.  21  and  37  to  Andries  Peiper  ;  lots  Nos.  22  and  50  to  Mardan 
Seibert  ;  lots  Nos.  23  and  39  to  Hans  Deterick  Casselman  ;  lots  Nos.  26 
^nd  ^s  ^o  Christian  Fink  ;  lots  Nos.  27  and  49  to  Johannes  Ingolt  ;  lots 
Nos.  29  and  51  to  Elias  Garlack  ;  lots  Nos.  30  and  43  to  Simon  Ercharl  ; 
lots  Nos.  31  and  35  to  John  Joost  Schell  ;  lots  Nos.  ^2  and  42  to  William 
Nelse." 

CHAPTER   IV. 

THE  CO.NSVRUCTION   '>F  FORT   HINIKR FIRST    SKI  TI.K.MKNTS — MR   WII.I.I.^M 

Johnson's  c.-vREF.R — thf,  hvrnetsfield  mass.acre:. 

Fort  Hunter  was  built  early  in  the  last  century  at  the  junction  of  the 
Mohawk  and  Schoharie  creek  to  serve  as  a  frontier  military  post.  The 
contract  with  Governor  Hunter  for  its  construction,  dated  October  11,1711. 
provided  that  it  should  be  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  sipiare  with  a  wail 
twelve  feet  high  made  of  logs  a  foot  s(piare  and  pinned  together  at  the 
corners.  Within  this  inclosure  there  were  to  be  a  two-story  block  house 
with  dtmble  loop  holes  and  a  chapel  twenty-four  feet  square  and  one  story 
high.  The  work  was  to  be  completed  by  the  following  July  for  jTi.ooo. 
The  contract  was  taken  by  Garret  Symome,  Barent  and  Hendrick  Vroo- 
man,  John  Wemp  and  Arent  Van  Petten  of  Schenectady.  The  fort  was 
afterward  enlarged  and  strengthened.  The  house  of  worship  within  its 
walls,  built  of  stone,  was  *  ailed  (^ueen  Anne's  ihapel,  being  furnished  by 
the  queen  shortly  after  its  i.impletiDn  nnd  provided  by  her  witli  a  com- 
munion st-rvue  of  silver.  Altai  hed  to  it  was  a  glcl>e  of  three  hundred 
acres  of  good  land  on  which  stood  a  two-story  stone  parsonage.  It  was 
under  the  management  of  an  Epis.  opal  society  in  Englan.i  "  fur  propagating 
the  gospel  in  foreign  part.  ■' 

Fort  Hunter  was  i)iaced  under  the  <  nmman.l  ot  1  k-.iI.  Inhn  S.oit,  «lio, 
having  pur.  h.ised  a  large  tra.  t  i.t  land  from  the  Indians  on  ihe  20th  of 
October.  1722,  took  a  patent  for  tifteen  hundred  acres  exten.ling  westward 
from  Auriest  reek  along  the  south  bank  of  the  .Mohawk  ;  ami  on  the  23d 
of  June.  1725,  his  son  took  a  patent  for  eleven  hun<lred  arres  lying  nn- 
medialely  west   and    extending  to    the   site    of  the    village  of    Fultonville. 


^ 


36 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


Hendrick  and  Hans  Hansen  in  17 13  took  a  patent  for  two  thousand  acres 
near  Tribes  Hill,  upon  which  they  afterward  settled  ;  and  it  is  claimed  that 
Henry,  a  son  of  one  of  them,  was  the  first  while  child  bom  north  of  the 
Mohawk  between  Schenectady  and  Palatine  Bridge.  In  1714a  patent  for 
two  thousand  acres  on  the  north  side  of  the  Mohawk  at  Caughnawaga  was 
granted  to  John,  Margaret  and  Edward  Collins,  who  subsequently  con\  eyed 
it  to  Myndert  Wemple,  Ilouw  Fonda  and  Hendrick  A.  Vroornan,  descen- 
dants of  whom  are  numerous  in  the  valley.  Among  the  early  settlers  were 
a  family  named  Groat  who  located  at  what  is  now  Crane's  Village.  The 
Groat  brothers  in  1730  erected  the  pioneer  gristmill  west  of  Schenectady. 
The  latter  place  had  pre\!Ously  furnished  flour  to  the  Palatines  in  the  Mo- 
hawk valley  as  far  up  as  the  German  Flats. 

.\bout  this  time  ap[)eared  upon  the  scene  of  pioneer  labors  in  this  region 
a  young  man  destined  during  the  course  of  an  active  and  ambitious  life  to 
far  outrank  his  neighbors  in  social  position  and  in  the  extent  of  his  influ- 
ence and  possessions  ;  to  fill  the  largest  place  in  the  local  annals  of  his 
time  and  to  found  a  community  which  will  perpetuate  his  name  in  its  own 
to  the  remotest  future.  William  Johnson  was  sent  into  the  .Mohawk  valley 
in  1738  to  superintend  a  large  estate,  the  title  to  which  had  been  acquired 
by  his  uncle.  Sir  Peter  Warren,  a  British  .\dmiral.  This  tract,  containing 
some  fifteen  thousand  acres,  lay  along  the  south  bank  of  the  -Mohawk  near 
the  mouth  of  Schoharie  creek  and  mostly  within  the  present  town  of  Flori- 
da. It  was  called  from  its  proprietor  \\"arrensbush.  Johnson  was  bom  at 
Warrentown  in  the  county  of  Down,  Ireland,  in  1715,  and  was  therefore 
twenty-three  years  old  when  he  took  charge  of  his  uncle's  wilderness  do- 
main. He  was  to  promote  Cai)tain  Warren's  interests  by  the  sale  of  small 
farms  in  Warrensbush  ;  his  own  interests  by  cultivating  land  for  himself, 
and  their  joint  interests  by  keeping  a  store  in  which  ihey  were  partners. 
In  1743  he  became  connected  with  the  fur  trade  at  Oswego  and  denved  a 
great  revenue  from  this  and  his  other  dealings  with  the  Indians.  Having 
early  resolved  to  remain  in  the  Mohawk  \alley,  he  applied  himself  earnestly 
to  the  study  of  the  character  and  language  of  the  natives.  By  freely  ming- 
ling with  them  and  adopting  their  habits  when  it  suited  his  interests  he 
soon  gained  their  good  will  and  confidence,  and  gradually  acquired  an  as- 
cendancy over  them  never  possessed  by  any  other  European. 

A  few  years  after  Johnson's  arrival  on  the  Mohawk  he  purchased  a  tract 
of  land  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  In  1744  he  built  a  gristmill  on  a 
small  stream  flowing  into  the  Mohawk  from  the  north  about  three  miles 
west  of  the  site  of  .Amsterdam.  He  also  erected  a  stone  mansion  at  this 
place  for  his  own  residence,  calling  it  Fort  Johnson.  The  building  still 
stands  and  bears  its  old  name.  Johnson  also  bought  from  time  to  time 
great  tracts  of  land  north  of  the  Mohawk,  and  at  some  distance  from  it, 
mostly  within  the  present  limits  of  F'ulton  county. 

The  Mohawk  river  early  became  the  great  thoroughfare  toward  Lake 
Ontario  for  the  English  colonists  in  prosecuting  their  trade  with  the  In- 
dians. Governor  Burnet  realized  the  importance  of  controlling  the  lake 
for  the  purposes  of  commerce  and  of  resistance  to  the  encroachments  of 
the  French,  and  accordingly  established  in  172^  a  trading  post,  and  in  17^7, 
a  fort  at  Oswego.  The  French  met  this  measure  by  the  construction  of 
defences  at  Niagara  to  intercept  the  trade  from  the  upper  lakes.  Thi> 
movement  was  ineffectually  op|ioscd  by  [he  Iroi|Uois,  who,  to  obtain  a^si^,- 
tance  from  the  F^ngli^h,  gave  a  deed  of  their  territory  to  the  King  of  F"ng- 
land,  who  was  to  protect  them  in  the  possession  of  it. 

To  defend  the  frontier,  which  was  exposed  to  invasions  by  the  French, 
especially  after  their  erection  of  the  fortification  of  Crown  Point,  it  was 
proiio>ed  to  people  the  territory  in  that  direction  with  Scotch  Highlandcr>. 
Captain  Campbell,  a  Highland  chief,  came  over  in  1737  to  view  the  Ian. Is 
offered,  which,  to  the  amount  of  thirty  thousand  acre-.,  it  is  said,  (Anernor 
Clarke  promised  to  gr.int  free  of  i  hargcs.  except  the  cost  of  survev  and  the 
King's  ipiii. rent.  Sntisfieil  with  the  lands,  and  with  the  assurances  giwii 
him.  Captain  (  ain|ibell  transported,  at  his  expense,  from  Scotland  more 
than  four  hundred  adults,  with  their  ihildren;  but  on  their  arri\al  thcv 
were  prevented  by  the  intrigues  of  interested  ottirers  from  settling  in  the 
tract  indicated,  and  suffered  great  hardships  before  they  could  establish 
and  support  themselves  elsewhere.  .Many  of  them  settled  in  and  about 
Saratoga,  beioining  the  pioneers  in  that  quarter,  as  the  I'al.itines  were  nn 
the  .Mohawk.  Engl.iml  and  France  being  at  war.  in  1  onsequeni  e  ol  the 
latter  cspoiisiii-  the  .  aiisc  of  "  the  p(.|.ish  rrcteiuler."  the  Clie\  alier  St. 
George,  the  S.  oti  h  settleiiK-nl  was  surprised  on  the  mi.rning  of  Nov 
17th,  174^,  In  over  si\  hmi.lred  Fren.  h  .in,l  Indi.ins.  wh,.  .ner.  aiile  the 
garrison,  [luriu-d  .ill  the  settlers'  buildings,  .uul  either  killcil  or  1  arned  int.. 
<aptiMt\   aim. .St  llie  nli.ilc  p..pill.ltl,in        I  hirn   f.im.li.s  i,  ere  niass.i.  re. I. 


The  village  of  Hoosic  having  been  similarly  destroyed,  no  obstacle 
remained  to  the  enemy's  advance,  and  consternation  prevailed  in  the  out- 
lying settlements,  leading  many  of  their  inhabitants  to  flee  to  Albany.  The 
environs  of  that  city  were  harrassed  by  parties  of  French  and  Canadian 
Indians,  and  the  Six  Nations  wavered  in  their  attachment  to  the  English. 
.\l  this  juncture  William  Johnson  was  entrusted  with  the  sole  manage- 
ment of  the  Iroquois.  It  is  his  services  in  this  most  important  and  deli- 
cate position,  wherein  he  stood  for  a  large  part  of  his  life  as  the  mediator 
between  two  races,  whose  positions  and  aims  made  them  almost  inevitably 
hostile,  that  constitutes  his  strongest  claim  to  lasting  and  favorable  remem- 
brance. His  knowledge  of  the  manners,  customs,  and  language  of  the 
Indians,  and  the  complete  confidence  which  they  always  reposed  in  him, 
.pialificd  him  for  this  position.  .\  high  officer  of  his  government,  he  was 
also  in  1746  formally  invested  by  the  .Mohawks  with  the  rank  of  a  chief  in 
that  nation,  to  whom  he  was  thereafter  known  as  Warraghigagey.  In  Indian 
costume  he  shortly  after  led  the  tribe  to  a  council  at  .\lbany.  He  was 
appointed  a  colonel  in  the  British  service  about  this  time,  and  by  his 
direction  of  the  colonial  troops  and  the  Iroquois  warriors,  the  frontier 
settlements  were  to  a  great  extent  saved  from  devastation  by  the  French 
and  their  Indian  allies,  the  settlements  north  of  .\lbany  being  an  un- 
happy exception,  while  occasional  murders  and  scalpings  occurred  even 
along  the  Mohawk. 

Johnson's  influence  with  the  Indians  was  increased  by  his  having  a  .Mo- 
hawk woman,  Molly  Brant,  sister  of  the  famous  chief  Joseph  Brant,  living 
with  him  in  the  relation  of  a  wife  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life.  The 
savages  regarded  the  connection  with  great  complacency,  as  they  did  the 
pale  faced  chief's  intimacy  with  their  wives  and  daughters  generally. 
Johnson's  first  wife  is  understood  to  have  been  a  German  girl,  purchased 
by  him  from  a  .Mr.  Philips,  living  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk,  nearly 
opposite  Crane's  Village,  to  whom  she  had  been  sold  for  payment  of  her 
passage  across  the  ocean — a  common  custom  for  twenty-five  years  after  the 
Revolution.  She  lived  with  Mr.  Johnson  but  a  few  years  before  her  death. 
Their  children  were  subsequently  sir  John  Johnson,  Mrs.  Guy  Johnson, 
and  Mrs.  Col.  Claus.  The  generally  received  account  is,  that  Johnson 
and  his  German  wife  were  not  married  until  during  her  fatal  illne.ss. 

Peace  nominally  existed  between  France  and  England  from  1748  to 
1756.  but  hostilities  between  their  .American  colonies  broke  out  as  early  as 
1754.  In  the  following  year  Col.  Johnson  was  ajipointed  a  Major-CIeneral 
and  led  the  expedition  against  Crown  Point,  which  resulted  in  the  disas- 
trous defeat  of  the  French  near  Lake  George.  M  the  same  time  with  his 
military  promotion  he  was  re-appointed  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs, 
having  resigned  that  office  in  1750,  on  account  of  the  neglect  of  the  govern- 
ment to  pay  certain  claims  for  services.  On  resuming  the  superintendency 
General  Johnson  held  a  council  with  the  Iro.iuois  at  his  house,  which 
resulted  in  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  their  warriors  following  him  to 
Lake  George.  The  victory  there  gained  was  the  only  one  in  a  generally 
disastrous  year,  and  General  Johnson's  services  were  rewarded  by  a 
baronetcy  and  the  sum  of  ^£^5,000,  voted  by  Pariiament.  He  was  also 
thereafter  |>aid  ^600  annually  as  the  salary  of  his  office  over  the  Indians. 
The  poor  Irish  trader  had  become  the  wealthy  baronet.  Sir  William 
Johnson. 

In  the  spring  of  1756  measures  were  taken  for  fortifying  the  portages 
between  Schenectady  and  Oswego,  by  way  of  the  Mohawk,  Wood  Creek, 
Oneida  Lake,  and  the  Oswego  River,  with  a  view  to  keeping  o|)en  com- 
munication between  .\lbany  and  the  fort  at  Oswego.  The  latter  was  in 
(Linger  of  being  taken  by  the  French,  but  the  English  authorities,  though 
w.irned  of  the  fact,  lo.ik  but  lardy  and  inelTei  tual  measures  to  defend  the 
post.  .\  few  days  before  it  was  actually  invested  Gen.  Webb,  a  man  of 
small  abilit)  ami  .  .uirage,  was  sent  with  a  regiment  to  reinforce  the  garri- 
son, .ind  Sir  U  illiaiu  Johnson,  with  tw.,  battalions  of  militia  ami  a  liodyof 
ln.li.ins,  shorlly  followed  him.  Hefore  Webb  reached  Oneida  Lake,  how- 
eier.  he  w.i,  informed  that  the  beleagured  post  had  surrendere.l.  and  fleil 
.lownihe  .\1. .hawk  to  the  German  Flats,  where  he  met  Johnson's  for.e. 
1  he  lort  at  1  isweg.i  was  ,lein..lisheil  l.y  the  Fren.  h.  greatly  t..  the  sjtisfa.  - 
tion  of  111,, si  ,,f  the  Ir,„pi,,is,  who  li.i.l  .ilw.iys  regarded  it  with  .ilarni,  an.l 
who  now  iii.i.le  trc.it, es  with  the  m.  l..rs  ;  .in.l  the  Mohawk  valley.  e\poseil 
to  the  enenn.  «  as  r.iiige.l  by  s.  alping  p.irties  .jf  Canailian  savages. 

The  .M.ih.iwks.  however,  throiigli  the  inlliicn.eof  Sir  William  lohnson, 
reni.uned  l.iithfiil  t.,  the  English.  Ihe  H.inmet.  with  a  Mew  to  .  .mnterni  t 
the  Uliprtssi,,n  lii.,.lc  iip,.n  the  Siv  .\.ili,,ns  by  the  l-rell.  Il  sii, .  esses,  sum- 
in., lud   them    to   UKCI    him   ni    .,>uii.  il    .11    F,,rl    |.,hnsoii.    ni     liine.    it;!.. 


FRENCH  AND  INDIAN  MASSACRE  IN  THE  MOHAWK  VALLEY. 


37 


Previous  to  their  assembling  an  adverse  circumstance  occurred  which 
rendered  negotiations  at  once  more  ncccssar>-  and  less  hopeful.  A  parly  of 
Mohawks,  while  loitering  around  Fort  Hunter,  became  involved  in  a  quarrel 
with  some  soldiers  of  the  garrison,  resulting  in  several  of  the  Indians 
being  severely  wounded.  Revengeful  feelmgs  possessed  the  minds  of  the 
tribe,  but  Johnson  succeeded  in  pacifying  them,  and  winnmg  over  the 
Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras  to  the  English  interest.  In  the  begmning  of 
August  Sir  William  led  a  party  of  Indian  warriors  and  militia  to  the  relief 
of  Fort  William  Henr>-,  at  the  head  of  Lake  George,  which  was  besieged  by 
Montcalm;  but  on  reaching  Fort  Edward  his  progress  was  arrested  by  the 
cowardice  of  Gen.  Webb,  who  was  there  in  command,  and  who  used  his 
superior  authority  to  leave  the  beseiged  fortress  to  its  fate,  which  was  a 
speedy  surrender.  The  provincials,  thoroughly  disgusted  by  the  disasters 
incurred  through  the  incompetency  and  cowardice  of  their  English  officers, 
now  deserted  in  great  numbers;  and  while  this  was  the  case  it  was  not  to 
be  expected  that  the  fickle  warriors  of  the  Six  Nations  would  remain 
faithful. 

Soon  after  the  capture  of  Fort  William  Henry  rumors  gained  circulation 
that  a  large  force  of  French  and  Indians  was  preparing  to  invade  the 
settlements  on  the  Mohawk.  The  Palatines  who  had  settled  on  the 
Bumetsfieid  Patent  were  evidently  most  exposed;  and  feeling  but  poorly 
protected  by  what  fortifications  there  were  among  them,  they  were  several 
times  during  the  Autumn  on  the  point  of  deserting  their  dwellinj,^  and 
removing  to  settlements  further  down  the  river  which  were  better  defended. 
The  rumors,  however,  seeming  to  prove  groundless,  they  became  embold- 
ened, and  finally  neglected  all  precautions  against  an  attack.  Meanwhile, 
an  expedition  of  about  three  hundred  Canadian  French  and  Indians,  under 
command  of  one  Belletre,  penetrated  the  northern  wilderness  by  way  of 
Black  River,  and  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  November  12,  the 
Palatine  village,  containing  sixty  dwellings  and  four  block  houses,  was 
surrounded,  and  the  inhabitants  aroused  to  a  sense  of  their  situation  by 
the  horrid  war  whoop,  which  was  the  signal  of  attack.  The  invaders 
rushed  upon  the  block  houses.  At  the  first  they  were  received  with  an 
active  fire  of  musketr)',  but  the  little  garrison  was  soon  appalled,  as  much 
by  the  blood-curdling  yells  of  the  Indians,  as  the  more  serious  demonstra- 
tions of  the  French.  The  Mayor  of  the  village,  who  was  in  command, 
opened  the  door  and  called  for  quarter.  The  garrisons  of  the  other 
block-houses  followed  his  example.  These  feeble  defences,  with  all  the 
other  buildings  in  the  settlement  were  then  fired,  and  the  wretched 
inmates  of  the  dwellings,  in  attempting  to  escape  from  the  flames  were 
tomahawked  and  scalped.  About  forty  of  the  Germans  were  thus  massa- 
cred, and  more  than  one  hundred  persons,  men,  women  and  children,  were 
carried  into  captivity  by  the  marauders  as  they  retired  laden  with  booty. 
This  they  did  not  do,  however,  until  they  had  destroyed  a  large  amount  of 
grain  and  provisions,  and  as  Belletre  reported,  slaughtered  three  thousand 
cattle,  as  many  sheep,  and  fifteen  hundred  horses— figures,  doubtless, 
grossly  exaggerated. 

Although,  as  soon  as  their  infamous  work  was  consummated,  the  raiders 
hastily  withdrew  in  the  direction  of  their  approach,  the  whole  Mohawk 
valley  was  thrown  into  the  wildest  panic,  which  the  distressed  condition 
and  heartrending  narratives  of  women  and  children  who  had  escaped  the 
massacre,  served  to  intensify.  The  inhabitants  of  the  remaining  Mohawk 
settlements  hastened  to  send  their  effects  to  Albany  and  Schenectady, 
with  the  intention  of  following  them;  and  for  a  time  the  upper  towns  were 
threatened  with  entire  desertion.  The  Palatine  settlement  on  the  south 
>ide  of  the  Mohawk,  near  the  ore  whose  destruction  has  been  related,  was 
similarly  visited  in  .\pril.  1758.  The  militia  under  Sir  William  Johnson 
rendezvoused  at  Canajoharie  to  resist  this  last  invasion,  but  the  enemy 
withdrew,  and  did  not  afterward  appear  in  force  in  this  <]uarter.  .About 
this  time  Johnson,  with  some  three  hundred  Indian  warriors,  chietly 
Mohawks,  joined  .Abercrombie's  expedition  against  Croun  Point.  The 
disastrous  repulse  and  retreat  of  Abercronibie's  force,  with  the  expectation 
(hat  it  would  be  followed  up  by  the  vittorious  enemy,  renewed  the  worst 
fears  throughout  the  Mohawk  \alley.  which  for  onte  were  nut  realized. 

In  spite  of  this  disaster,  the  successes  of  the  English  elsewhere  during 
1758  made  so  favnralile  an  impression  on  the  Six  Nations,  that  Sir 
William  Johnson  «ns  enabled  in  bring  nearly  a  thousand  warriors  to  join 
<'.en.  Pridenux's  expedition  against  Niagara,  in  the  following  summer, 
which  the  Martinet  londucled  ton  suct  essfiil  issue  after  Trideaux's  death 
by  the  acculental  explo.um  of  a  shell.  Sir  William,  in  1760.  led  thirteen 
hundred  I^<l.|uol^  warriors  in  (.encral  AmherM's  vxpeditmn  against  Mon- 
treal, whu  h  eMMiguisiietl  the  Frun.  h  power  in  Norih  .Xiiilti.  a. 


THE     MOHAWK     VALl.EV 
THE    SAVAC 


CHAPTER    V. 


'757 tiROWTH     OF    POPULATION 

-CREATIO.V    OF    TRVON    COUNTY. 


The  settlement  of  the  Mohawk  valley  previous  to  the  conquest  of 
Canada  progressed  but  slowly.  A  description  of  the  country  given  by 
a  French  authority  in  1757,  furnishes  the  following  interesting  representa- 
tion of  the  state  of  things  at  that  date,  in  the  present  territory  of  Mont- 
gomery county,  after  mentioning  that  the  road  was  "good  for  all  sorts  of 
carriages,"  from  Fort  Kouari,  about  0]jposite  the  mouth  of  West  Canada 
Creek,  in  the  town  of  German  Flats,  Herkimer  County,  to  Fort  Cannat- 
chocari,  which  was  at  the  upper  Mohawk  castle,  in  the  town  of  Danube, 
and  same  county,  and  was  a  stockade  fifteen  feet  high,  and  one  hundred 
paces  square  : 

"From  Fort  Cannatchocari  to  Fort  Hunter,  is  about  12  leagues;  the 
road  is  pretty  good;  carriages  pass  over  it;  it  continues  along  the  banks 
of  the  Mohawk  river.  About  a  hundred  houses,  at  greater  or  less  distance 
from  one  another  we  found  within  this  length  of  road.  There  are  some 
situated  also  about  half  a  league  in  the  interior.  The  inhabitants  01 
this  section  are  Germans,  who  compose  a  company  of  about  100  men  each. 
'*  Fort  Hunter  is  situated  on  the  borders  of  the  Monawk  river,  and  is 
of  the  same  form  as  that  of  Cannatchocari,  with  the  exception  that  it  is 
twice  as  large.  There  is  likewise  a  house  at  each  curtain.  The  cannon  at 
each  bastion  are  from  7  to  9  pounders.  The  pickets  of  this  fort  are  higher 
than  those  of  Cannatchocari.  There  is  a  church  or  temple  in  the  middle 
of  the  fort;  in  the  interior  of  the  fort  are  also  some  thirty  cabins  of 
Mohawk  Indians,  which  is  the  most  considerable  village.  This  fort,  like 
that  of  Cannatchocari,  has  no  ditch;  there's  only  a  large  swing  door  at  the 
entrance. 

"  Leaving  Fort  Hunter,  a  creek  [Schoharie]  is  passed,  at  the  mouth  of 
which  that  fort  is  located.  It  can  be  forded  and  crossed  in  batteaux  in 
summer,  and  on  the  ice  in  winter.  There  are  some  houses  outside  under 
the  protection  of  the  fort,  in  which  the  country  people  seek  shelter  when 
they  fear  or  learn  that  an  Indian  or  French  war  party  is  in  the  field. 

"  From  Fort  Hunter  to  Chenectedi  or  Corlar  is  seven  leagues.  The 
public  carriage  way  continues  along  the  right  bank  of  the  Mohawk  river. 
.About  20  to  30  houses  are  found  within  this  distance  separated  the  one 
from  the  other  from  about  a  quarter  to  half  a  league.  The  inhabitants  of 
this  section  are  Dutch.  They  form  a  company  with  some  other  inhabit- 
ants on  the  left  bank  of  the  Mohawk  river,  about  600  men  strong.'* 

The  above  having  sketched  the  south  bank  of  the  Mohawk,  the  writer, 
beginning  at  the  west,  thus  describes  the  corresponding  distance  on  the 
north  bank  : 

"After  fording  Canada  creek,  we  continue  along  the  left  bank  of  the 
Mohawk  nver  and  high  road,  which  is  passable  for  carts,  for  twelve  leagues, 
to  Col.  Johnson's  mansion.  In  the  whole  of  this  distance  the  soil  is  very 
good.  About  five  hundred  houses  are  erected  at  a  distance  one  from  the 
other.  The  greatest  number  of  those  on  the  bank  of  the  river  are  built 
of  stone,  and  those  at  a  greater  distance  from  the  river  in  the  interior  are 
about  half  a  league  off  ;  they  are  new  settlements,  built  of  wood. 

"There  is  not  a  fort  in  the  whole  of  this  distance  of  12  leagues.  There 
is  but  one  farmer's  house,  built  of  stone,  that  is  somewhat  fortified  and 
surrounded  with  pickets.  It  is  situate  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  three 
leagues  from  where  the  Canada  creek  empties  into  the  Mohawk  river.  The 
inhabitants  of  this  country  are  Germans.  They  form  four  companies  of 
100  men  each. 

"Col.  Johnson's  mansion  is  situated  on  the  border  of  the  left  bank  of 
the  river  Mohawk  ;  it  is  three  stones  high,  built  of  stone,  with  portholes 
crenelees  and  a  parapet,  and  flanked  with  four  bastions,  on  which  are 
some  small  guns.  In  the  same  yard,  on  both  sides  of  the  mansion,  there 
are  two  small  houses.  That  on  the  right  of  the  entrance  is  a  store,  and 
that  on  the  left  is  designed  for  workmen,  negroes  and  other  domestics, 
i'he  yard-gate  is  a  heavy  swing  gate,  well  ironed;  it  is  on  the  .Mohawk 
river  side  ;  from  this  gate  to  the  river  there  is  about  200  paces  of  level 
ground.  The  high  road  passes  there.  A  small  rivulet  coming  from  the 
north  empties  itself  into  the  Mohawk  river  about  200  paces  below  the 
enclosure  of  the  yard.  On  this  stream  there  is  a  mill  about  50  paces  dis- 
tant from  the  house  ;  below  the  mill  is  the  miller's  house,  where  grain  and 
Hour  are  stored  ;  and  on   tlie  other  side  of  the  (.reck,  too  paces  from  the 


nil. 


ttle 


nd   t<.ddL- 


;ire    kept 


DO    p; 

One  hundred 


38 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


fifty  paces  from  Col.  Johnson's  mansion,  at  the  north  side,  on  the  left 
bank  of  the  little  creek,  is  a  little  hill  on  which  is  a  small  house  with  port 
holes,  where  is  ordinarily  kept  a  guard  of  honour  of  some  twenty  men, 
which  serves  also  as  an  advanced  post. 

"From  Col.  Johnson's  house  to  Chenectedi  is  counted  seven  lea^^es  ; 
the  road  is  good,  all  sorts  of  vehicles  pass  over  it.  About  twenty  houses 
are  found  from  jioint  to  point  on  this  road.  *  *  *  In  the  whole  coun- 
try of  the  Mohawk  river  there  are  nine  companies  of  militia  under  Col. 
Johnson  ;  eight  only  remain,  that  of  the  village  of  the  Palatines  being  no 
longer  in  existence,  the  greater  part  having  been  defeated  by  M.  de  Belle- 
tie's  detachment.  Col.  Johnson  assembles  these  companies  when  he  has 
news  of  any  expedition  which  may  concern  the  Mohawk  river." 

The  French  war  had  involved  the  government  of  New  York  so  deeply 
in  debt  that  direct  taxation  was  necessitated.  Part  of  a  tax  list  under  a 
warrant  sent  by  the  Albany  county  commissioners  to  "  Mr.  John  Fonda. 
Collector  for  Mohawks,"  in  the  summer  of  1764,  is  extant,  and  rtads  as 
follows  ■ 


'rl^:  --• 

1 

VALUA 

ASSESS. 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
Margrit  Fiipse. 
Marte  Van  Ol.ir 

£^6t  £ 
da,     21 

3 

.7  6 
12  6 

1  Peter  Young, 
jjohn  Nukerk, 
1  Hans  Klvn, 

2Z 

'3 
'3 

£.   .26 
I    12  6 
I    12  6 

Lewis  Groat, 

20 

2 

10 

Daniel  Clas, 

I     5 

Davit  Pruvn. 

20 

2 

10 

'  Guy  Johnson, 

10 

I     5 

Isaac  D.  C.raf. 

18 

2 

5 

John  Have, 

10 

■      5 

Hans  .\ntes. 

i; 

2  6 

1  Jacob  Potman, 

10 

'      5 

James  McMaster 

16 

Clas  D.  Graf, 

9 

I      2  6 

Hanne  Vedder, 

16 

2 

'  Harmanis  Mabe, 

9 

I      2  6 

Wouter  Swart. 

16 

2 

Cor's  Potman, 

9 

I      2  6 

John  Johnson, 

16 

2 

1  Cor's  Nukerk, 

9 

I      2  6 

The  apprehension  and  dread  of  French  invasion  being  removed,  the 
tide  of  emigration  flowed  more  rapidly  into  the  Mohawk  valley  ;  and  the 
gloom  and  desolation  that  had  fallen  upon  the  advanced  settlements  gave 
way  before  the  promise  of  a  prosperous  future.  For  the  miprovement  of 
his  vast  estate  Sir  William  Johnson  was  active  in  settling  families  on  the 
north  side  of  the  river.  He  built  a  summer  residence  within  the  present 
town  of  Broadalbin.  Fulton  County,  which  was  known  as  Castle  Cumber- 
land ;  and  at  the  same  time  a  rustic  lodge  on  the  Sacondaga  river,  a  few 
miles  west,  which  was  afterwards  called  the  Fish  House.  In  1762  he  more 
fully  identified  himself  with  the  development  of  his  estate  north  of  the 
river  by  building  and  occupying  Johnson  Hall,  at  the  settlement  subse- 
quently named  from  him  Johnstown.  Much  of  his  time  and  attention  was 
taken  up  with  Indian  affairs.  Various  plans  were  devised  by  him  for 
christianizing  and  educating  the  Six  Nations  by  the  introduction  of 
churches  and  schools  among  them.  He  interested  himself  especially  in 
the  elevation  of  the  Mohawks,  several  of  whose  young  men  were  sent  to 
the  Moor  Charity  School,  at  I.abanon.  Conn.,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Wheelock.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  most  of  them  gave  a  better 
account  of  their  opportunities  than  their  school  fellow,  Josei)h  Brant, 
whose  name  was  in  after  years  a  terror  throughout  the  Mohawk  valley, 
which  he  and  his  savage  followers  swept  with  fire  and  tomahawk. 

In  the  summer  of  1763  Sir  William  Johnson  had  to  e.xert  himself  to 
prevent  the  Six  Nations  from  joining  the  league  of  the  western  tribes  which 
had  been  effc<  ted  by  Pontiac.  chief  of  the  Ottawa  confederacy,  for  the  ex- 
pulsion of  the  English,  in  whose  occupamy  of  the  country  he  for<;aw  the 
doom  of  his  race.  Without  neutrality,  at  least  on  the  part  of  the  Iroijuois, 
there  was  no  safety  for  the  frontier  settlements.  Even  with  an  assurance 
of  their  neutrality,  which  Sir  William  obtained  from  all  but  the  Senecas,  it 
was  deemed  expedient  to  order  out  the  militia,  who  were  sent  in  compa- 
nies to  the  frontit-r  posts,  while  friendly  Indians  served  as  scouts,  and 
ranged  the  forests  from  Lake  Champlain  to  Oswego  in  vigilant  search  for 
the  prowling  foe.  Pontiac's  conspiracy  faded  of  the  support  he  had  hoi)ed 
from  the  French;  his  f..ll(mers  dcscrlfd  htm  beture  they  had  in.uic  the 
New  York  sfttlenK-nts  feci  the  \cngLMn(c  that  ihey  vi-.itcd  upon  the  far 
western  posts. 

Sir  William  Jflin^on  thus  gamed  r)pp<irtunit\  for  more  constant  efforts 
for  civilizing  the  Indians.  In  i7*>;  he  drew  up  an  elaborate  review  of  the 
state  of  ImlKin  affairs  for  the  English  bcpard  of  trade,  reromnicnding  vari- 
ous measures  for  the  advancement  of  the  tribes.  When  a  change  in  the 
location  of  the  Moor  Charitv  Sihool  was  talked  of,  he  endeavored  to  ha\c 


it  removed  to  the  Mohawk  valley.  He  failed  in  this,  but  in  1769  he  built 
a  church  expressly  for  the  use  of  the  Mohawks,  both  of  the  upper  and 
lower  castles.  Mr.  Stone  quotes  a  letter  from  the  Baronet  to  his  agent  in 
New  York,  in  which  the  latter  is  directed  "  to  get  a  ball  made  and  gilt  ; 
also  a  weathercock  and  all  the  iron  work  necessary  to  fix  them.  They  are 
to  be  proportioned  to  the  building,  which  is  a  wooden  church  now  a  build- 
ing at  Canajoharie  of  50  ft.  long  by  32  wide.  Also  a  bell  ^13  to  ^^20  in 
price."  Mr.  Stone  writing  in  1864  adds,  "  This  little  church  is  still  stand- 
ing in  the  town  of  Danube,  Herkimer  County,  New  York;' the  same  old 
bell  still  hangs  in  the  belfry.  Tradition  states  that  during  the  Revolution 
this  bei!  was  carried  off  by  the  Indians,  who  on  being  pursued  cast  it  into 
the  Mohawk,  whence  it  was  afterwards  fished  out  and  restored  to  its 
place."  At  this  time  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  were  enjoying  the 
services  of  teachers  of  their  own  race,  educated  by  Dr.  Wheelock,  at  the 
expense  of  Sir  William  Johnson. 

The  continual  increase  of  population  in  the  Mohawk  valley  in  process 
of  time  naturally  gave  rise  to  the  question  of  dividing  the  county  of  Al- 
bany, which  originally  occupied  all  but  the  southeastern  part  of  the  State 
as  then  bounded,  including  Vermont.  A  movement  for  that  purpose,  in 
1769,  failed  to  meet  the  approval  of  the  Legislature,  and  was  for  the  time 
abandoned.  The  onerous  tax  imposed  upon  the  people  by  their  being 
compelled  to  go  all  the  way  to  Albany  to  avail  themselves  of  the  courts, 
however,  caused  the  project  to  be  revived.  -A.  second  petition,  suggesting 
an  appropriate  line  for  a  division,  was  forwarded  to  the  Assembly  early  in 
1772,  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  who  was  the  principal  mover  in  the  enter- 
prise. The  Assembly  complied  with  the  petition  by  the  creation  of  a  new 
county,  embracing  all  of  the  State  west  of  a  line  running  due  north  from 
the  Delaware  river,  through  what  is  now  Schoharie  County,  and  along  the 
eastern  limits  of  the  present  counties  of  Montgomer>',  Fulton  and  Hamil- 
ton to  the  Car.adian  line.  The  new  county  was  named  Tryou,  frum  the 
Governor  of  the  colony.  Johnstown  was  designated  as  the  county  seat 
on  the  loth  of  May,  and  measures  for  the  erection  of  a  jaU  and  court- 
house were  at  once  taken. 

At  the  formation  of  Tryon  county  its  white  inhabitants  were  mostly 
settled  along  the  Mohawk.  Instead  of  towmships,  it  was  divided  into  five 
large  districts.  The  most  eastern  district  was  called  the  Mohawk,  and 
consisted  of  a  strip  of  the  State  between  the  east  line  of  the  county  already 
defined  and  a  parallel  line  crossing  the  Mohawk  river  at  the  "  Noses." 
The  Stone  Arabia  district  extended  indefinitely  northward  from  the  river 
between  the  Mohawk  district  on  the  east  and  on  the  west  a  north  and  south 
line  through  the  State,  crossing  the  river  at  Little  Falls.  With  the  same 
breadth  the  Canajoharie  district  reached  southward  to  the  Pennsylvania 
line.  North  of  the  Mohawk  river  and  west  of  the  Stone  Arabia  district, 
as  far  as  settlements  extended,  was  the  K.ingsland  district;  while  south  of 
the  river,  extending  westward  from  the  Canajoharie  district  to  the  meridian 
of  Fort  Stanwix  and  southerly  to  the  Pennsylvania  line,  was  the  German 
Flats  district.  On  the  first  Tuesday  in  April  each  year,  the  inhabitants  of 
each  district  were  to  elect  a  supervisor,  and  two  assessors  and  one  collec- 
tor of  taxes.  This  division  of  districts  was  made  March  24,  1772,  the 
boundaries  adopted  being  suggested  by  Sir  William  Johnson.  A  year 
later  the  name  of  the  Stone  Arabia  district  was  changed  to  Palatine. 

The  creation  of  the  new  county  necessitated  a  court  and  civil  ofllicers. 
.Accordingly  four  judges,  six  assistant  judges,  a  number  of  justices  of  the 
peace,  a  clerk  and  a  coroner  were  appointed  by  Governor  Tryon,  all  but 
the  clerk  being  Sir  William  Johnson's  nominees.  The  first  court  of  gen- 
eral quarter  sessions  was  held  at  Johnstown  on  Tuesday,  September  8. 
1772.  The  bench  consisted  of  Guy  Johnson,  John  Butler  and  Peter 
Conyne,  judges;  Sir  John  Johnson,  Daniel  Claus,  John  Wells  and  Jelles 
Fonda,  assistant  judges;  John  Collins,  Joseph  Chew,  Adam  Loucks,  John 
Frey,  Young  and  Peter  Ten  Broeck,  justices. 

The  first  election  in  the  county  occurred  pursuant  to  writs  issued 
November  25.  1772.  Colonels  Guy  Johnson  and  Hendrick  Frcy  were 
chosen  to  represent    the  (ounty  in    the  assembly,  in  whi«h  they  touk  their 

in  { ommand  of  all  the  militia  m  the 
He  look  great  pride  in  their  soldierly 
n  his  selection  of  officers.  (;o\ernor 
ey  m  1772  re\  lewed  three  regunenls  of 
Id   and  the  German  llats  respe.  tixely. 


al  Jtthnson  was  at  this  time 
north  of    the   Highlands, 
nc.  and  was  very  careful    i 
1  a  tour  of  the  Mohawk  vail 
ia  at  Johnstown,  Hiirnctstie 


nbering  in  all  fourteen  hundred  men. 


ASSESSMENTS  IN  OLDEN  TIMES— THE  JOHNSON'S  INFLUENCE  PREJUDICIAL  TO  THE  PATRIOTS.     39 


Among  the  mass  of  papers  left  by  Jelles  Fonda,  and  now  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Van  Homes  of  Fonda,  is  "  a  List  of  the  persons  that  are  assessed 
above  five  pounds,  with  the  sums  they  are  to  pay,  and  the  number  of  days 
they  are  to  work  ui>on  the  King's  highways,  annexed."  Though  not  dated, 
the  document  is  beheved  to  have  been  written  shortly  previous  to  the 
Revolution,  and  furnishes  a  sort  of  limited  census  of  the  inhabitants  of  this 
region,  with  their  relative  financial  standing.  Many  names  now  familiar 
in  the  same  district  will  be  recognized  under  the  disguise  which  the 
orthography  of  the  writer,  and  perhaps  of  the  times,  put  upon  them.  The 
list  is  as  follows  : 


PERSONS    X*MES. 


John  Eleven. 
Abraham  Hodges, 
John  and  Evert  Van  Eps, 
Wm.  and  Wouttcr  Swart, 
Maninus  Van  O'Linda, 
Mary  Phillipse, 
Abraham  Phillipse, 
William  Allen, 
John  Souts, 
Jacobus  Cromwell, 
.\ndrew  Frank. 
-\braham  Van  .\lstinc. 
■Crownidge  Kinrade. 
John  S.  Vrooman. 
.Adam  Stenbergh, 
Henry  and  John  Lewis. 
Abraham  Vates, 
David  and  Peter  Lewis, 
Hendrick  Divindorf. 
David  Potman, 
Christian  Earnest, 
John  Waters. 
■Christopher  McClraw, 
James  Phillipse, 
William  Snook, 
.Samuel  Pettingall, 

Patrick  McConnclly. 
John  Van  Dewake, 

Peter  Young, 

Timothy  Lendersc, 
Charles  H.Van  Eps. 

Peter  Jost, 

Philip' Phillipse. 

lacob  Van  Dewarkc. 

John  Everse. 

Malkart  Van  Du^esar. 

Mrs.  Sophia  Dennistun, 
'Capt.  Norm'd  McLead, 

Widow  Vrooman  &  son, 

Dow  Fonda, 

Lips  Spinner, 

Samuel  Rose, 

Hendri.  k  HolT. 

(lilbert  Tice. 

Peter  Cooley, 

Sanis(fn  Sunens. 

John  Wemplo. 

Andres  Wemi.le. 

Peter  Conyn.  Es<|.. 

Harm.in  Vishet. 

Hanse  Clement, 

Lewis  Clement. 

Michael  Staller, 

Daniel  Mcdreg.ir. 

Philip  We.mur, 

li.iltiis  F.rgctsl^^er, 

Unbert  .V.binis, 

M.irtin  Lessl.T. 

Krans  S.llts. 

Hanse  Clvnc. 

la.nb  I'otni.in, 
■Cornelius  P.HMi.m. 


i.d 
1   6  4 


PERSONS     NA.MES. 


.\dam  Gardener, 
j.\rent  Bradt, 
JAdam  Dagstader,  Sen.. 
Fred'k  Dagstader.  Sen., 
Hendr'k  Dagstader,  Sen.,! 
lohn  Bowen, 
"Uilliam  B.  Bowen, 
John  V.  Potman. 
John  Butler,  Es.i.. 
John  Nare, 
John  and  Jacob  Kilts. 
Conrad  Linkenfelter. 
.\rent  Potman. 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  Bart.. 
Sir  John  Johnson,  Kt., 
Col.  Daniel  Claus, 
;Col.  Guy  Johnson, 
j  Frederick  Degrart, 
[Nicholas  Degrart", 
jj.  Degraff  and  son  Jer'h, 
[Lewis  Groat, 
Jacob  Bushart, 
Hendrick  Bushart, 
[Adam  Fonda.  j 

Peter  Whitmore. 
[john  and  Conradt  Smith,' 
iGuvsbert    and    Garret  ) 
Van  Brachler.  i 

'  lames  Davis, 


Peter  Fredc 


ckand> 


John  Wilson, 

J.  Rupart  and  I.otiridge, 

[Peter  Service, 

Hans  .\ll)rant. 

Andrcis  Snvder. 

Hans  Doren. 
T'hilip  Cromwell. 

Volkcrt  Veeder, 

Widow  Smith  and  sons, 
John  V.  Veeder. 
John  Funda, 
jelles  Funda, 

liarent   B.  Wemple. 

Hannanus  .\Ieale>, 

(iarrent  C.  Newkirk, 

lohn  Newkirk. 

Peter  Martin.  F;s.i  . 

Isaac  Collier, 

.\dam  Zeelie. 

Ephraim  Wcmple, 

Parent  Hansen, 

Hendrick  Hansen, 

Abraham  ( lu.u  kenl.iish. 

lercmiah  (^ua,  kenl.ii.h. 

N.  and  I".  (,)ua.  kenhnsh, 

Vin.  ent  ()ua.  kcnl.ush. 


.\l.i 


ikc 


John   Malatt. 


5  '.!■". 


6    4 


61  4 


CHAPTER  VL 


IIUNTV     ON     THE     EVE     OF     THE 
PATRIOTIC    (^ATHERl.N'GS    J 


REVllLfTION THE    JOH.VSON  I 

•.D    UTTERANCES. 


Perhaps  in  no  section  of  the  northern  colonies  were  the  loyalists  so 
numerous  or  so  influential  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  agita- 
tions as  along  the  Mohawk  valley.  A  state  of  things  e.xisted  in  this 
quarter  unfavorable  to  the  spirit  of  independence.  Many  conditions  con- 
spired to  make  the  cause  of  the  crown  popular  and  powerful  that  were 
lacking  in  other  sections,  prominent  among  which  was  the  almost  absolute 
power  that  Sir  William  Johnson  had  obtained  over  the  Si.x  Nations  and  a 
large  share  of  the  white  inhabitants.  His  domains  in  the  Mohawk  valley 
including  the  66,000  acres  mostly  in  what  is  now  Herkimer  count)-, 
which  in  1760  were  given  him  by  the  Mohawks,  and  in  the  possession  of 
which  he  was  confirmed  by  the  crown,  leading  to  its  being  called  the  Royal 
grant),  were  exceedmgly  extensive,  and  his  influence  through  man)  sub- 
ordinate officers  and  a  numerous  tenantry  was  correspondingly  great.  His 
opinion  on  all  matters  of  importance  with  which  he  was  concerned  was 
considered  that  of  a  sage;  and  though  not  decidedly  expressed,  it  nat- 
urally favored  the  government  which  had  bestowed  upon  him  wealth  and 
rank.  The  name  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  who  had  been  the  people's 
friend  and  companion  in  peace  and  their  leader  in  war,  was  a  tower  of 
strength  throughout  Tryon  County;  and  it  was  but  natural  that  his  senti- 
ments on  so  momentous  ipiestions  as  those  raised  between  the  colonies 
and  the  crown  should  have  persuaded  to  the  side  of  the  latter,  or  at  least 
rendered  neutral,  some  who  would  otherwise  have  cast  in  their  lot  with 
the  colonists.  By  the  Indians,  not  only  of  the  Six  Nations,  but  also  of  the 
western  tribes  which  had  fallen  within  the  circle  of  his  influence,  the 
Baronet  was  regarded  with  the  greatest  veneration  in  spite  of  his  unas- 
suming sociability  and  his  familiar  manners,  incident  to  a  border  life. 

Notwithstanding  that  royalist  influences  thus  seemed  predominant  in 
the  Mohawk  vallev,  the  stamp  act  agitation  and  other  excitements  that 
followed  it  penetrated  this  secluded  region  and  kindled  the  same  patriotic 
flame  that  was  beginning  to  glow  throughout  the  colonies;  so  that  the 
[)eople  were  not  uninterested  spectators  while  the  conflict  of  power  and 
principle  was  going  on  upon  the  seaboard  previous  to  the  organization  ot 
the  continental  army. 

Upon  the  death  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  July  11,  1774,  his  son.  Sir  John 
lohnson.  succeeded  to  his  jiost  of  .Major-General  of  the  militia,  as  well  as 
to  his  title  and  most  of  his  estate,  and  his  son-in-law.  Col.  Guy  Johnson, 
became  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs.  But  no  heir  to  the  first  Bar- 
onet's properly  or  offices  had  the  record  or  the  personal  qualities  to 
enable  him  to  sway  the  sceptre  of  Sir  William.  Sir  John  was  unsocial, 
morose  and  irascible  in  disposition,  and  a  man  of  small  jjopularity.  I'he 
Johnson's,  however  were  strongly  supported  by  the  influence  of  "  Miss 
Molly,"  Sir  William's  Mohawk  housekeeper,  over  the  tribe  to  which  she 
belonged;  and  her  efforts  were  seconded  by  the  strenuous  exertions  of  her 
brother  Thayendanegea,  better  known  as  Joseph  Brant,  who  had  been  in 
the  service  of  the  first  Haronet  during  the  last  years  of  the  latter's  life,  and 
upon  his  death  became  the  secretary  of  Guy  Johnson.  Thus  a  great, 
though  diminished  influence  still  emanated  from  Johnson  Hall.  Its  pro- 
prietor was  in  close  official  and  ]jolitical  relations  with  Col.  John  Butler,  a 
wealthv  and  influential  resident  of  the  county,  and  his  son  Walter,  whose 
names  were  rendered  infamous  by  their  brutal  and  bloody  deeds  during 
the  Revolution.  The  Johnson  family,  together  with  other  gentlemen  of 
the  same  views,  owning  large  estates  in  their  neighborhood,  so  far  con- 
trolled a  belt  of  the  .Mohawk  valley  as  to  measurably  prevent  the  circula- 
tion of  intelligence  unfavorable  to  the  mother  country. 

Hut  the  white  settlers  were  generally  the  Dutch,  who  had  gradually  ex- 
tended their  settlements  up  the  valley  from  Schenectady  and  occupied  the 
eastern  part  of  the  county;  and  the  Germans  from  the  Palatinate  who  had 
located  farther  west.  These  people  were  not  disposed  lo  submit  to  the 
ne«-fledged  aristocrats  who  assumed  a  high  and  mighty  style  in  dealing 
with  the  sturdy  yeoman.  The  Johnsons  soon  found  that  the  print  iples 
avowed  in  rebellious  Boston  had  taken  root  even  in  their  midst;  while  the 
far-reai  hing  influence  wielded  by  Sir  William  was  narrowing  down  to  a 
sort  of  feudal  domination  over  a  few  hundred  tenants  and  immediate  re- 
tainers. Many  of  the  inhabitants  of  I'ryon  County,  in  common  with  those 
of  other  parts  of  the  country,  viewed  with  alarm  and  indignation  the 
oppressive  acts  of  the   English  ministry,  and  deeply  sympathized  with  the 


40 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


people  of  Boslon,  upon  whom  the  iron  hand  of  tyranny  had  fallen.  Before 
Sir  William  had  been  in  his  grave  two  months  a  public  meeting  was  held 
in  the  Palatine  district,  warmly  approving  the  calling  of  a  congress  for 
mutual  consultation  upon  the  political  exigencies  of  the  colonies.  The 
resolutions  adopted  breathe  the  genuine  spirit  of  freedom,  and  must  have 
required  noble  decision  and  courage  to  promulgate  in  so  remote  and 
defenceless  a  region,  filled  with  loyalists  and  Indians  controlled  by  them. 
They  may  be  read  as  follows,  from  the  original  minutes  of  the  meeting  in 
the  handwriting  of  Christopher  P.  Yates: 

"Whereas^  The  British  Parliament  has  lately  passed  an  act  for  raising 
are^'enue  in  .America  without  the  consent  of  our  representati\e,  abridging 
the  hterties  and  privileges  of  the  .American  colonies,  and.  therefore,  block- 
ing np  the  port  of  Boston;  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  and  in  the 
county  of  Tryon  aforesaid,  looking  with  concern  and  heartfelt  sorrow  on 
these  alarming  and  calamitous  conditions,  do  meet  this  27th  day  of 
August,  1774,  on  that  purpose  at  the  house  of  .\dam  Loucks.  Esq.,  at 
Stone  .Arabia,  and  conclude  the  resolutions  following,  viz. ; 

"First. — That  King  C.eorge  the  Third  is  lawful  and  rightful  lord  and 
sovereign  of  Great  Britain  and  the  dominions  thereto  belonging,  and  that 
as  part  of  his  dominions,  we  hereby  testify  that  we  will  bear  true  faith  and 
allegiance  to  him;  and  that  we  both  with  our  lives  and  fortunes,  will  sup- 
port and  maintain  him  upon  the  throne  of  his  ancestors,  in  the  just 
dependence  of  these,  his  colonies,  upon  the  crown  of  Great  Britain. 

"Second. — That  we  think  and  consider  it  as  our  greatest  happiness  to 
be  governed  by  the  laws  of  Great  Britain,  and  that  with  cheerfulness  we 
will  always  pay  submission  thereunto,  as  far  as  we  consistently  can  with  the 
security  of  the  constitutional  nghts  and  liberties  of  English  subjects. 
which  are  so  sacred  that  we  cannot  permit  the  same  to  be  violated. 

"Third. — That  we  think  it  is  our  undeniable  privilege  to  be  taxed  only 
with  our  own  consent,  given  by  ourselves,  or  our  representatives;  that 
taxes othenvise  laid  and  enacted  are  unjust  and  unconstitutional:  that  the 
late  Acts  of  Parliament  declarative  of  their  right  of  laying  internal  ta.\es 
on  the  American  colonies  are  obvious  encroachments  on  the  rights  and 
liberties  of  the  British  subjects  in  .America. 

"Fourth. — That  the  act  for  blocking  up  the  port  of  Boston  is  oppres- 
sive and  arbitrarj',  injurious  in  its  principles,  and  particularly  oppressue 
to  the  people  of  Boston,  whom  we  consider  as  brethren  suffering  in  the 
common  cause. 

"Fifth. — That  we  will  unite  and  join  with  the  different  districts  of  this 
county  in  giving  whatever  relief  it  is  in  our  power  to  the  distressed  inhab- 
itants of  Boston,  and  that  we  will  join  and  unite  with  our  brethren  of  the 
rest  of  this  colony  in  anything  tending  to  support  and  defend  our  rights 
and  liberties. 

"Sixth. — That  we  think  the  sending  of  delegates  from  the  different 
colonies  to  a  gener.al  Continental  Congress  is  a  salutary  measure,  and 
absolutely  necessary  at  this  alarming  crisis,  and  that  we  entirely  approve 
of  the  five  gentlemen  chosen  delegates  for  this  colony,  by  our  brethren  of 
New  York,  hereby  adopting  and  choosing  the  same  persons  to  represent 
this  colony  at  the  Congress. 

"Seventh. — That  we  hereby  engage  faithfully  to  abide  by  and  adhere 
to  such  restrictions  and  resolutions  as  shall  be  made  and  agreed  upon  by 
the  said  Congress. 

"Eighth. — That  we  concei\e  it  necessary  that  there  be  appointed  a 
standing  tommittee  of  this  county  to  correspond  with  the  committees  of 
New  York  and  .Albany;  and  we  do  hereby  appoint  Christopher  P.  V.ates. 
Isaac  Pans,  John  Frcy,  and  .Andrew  Fini  k,  Jr.,  «lio,  together  with  persons 
to  be  appointed  by  the  other  distru  ts  of  111 
mitteeof  Correspondence  to  con\ey  the  sei 
of  resolves  to  New  York. 

"  NlN  fH. —  It  i^  voted  by  this  meeluif;  th 
this  d.ly,  certified  by  the  chairm.in.  be  tr.in- 
different  distriit^  of  this  cDuiitv,  anil    we   1 
of  the  saiddistri.  t  to  appoint  ller^u^^  to  1  iimposc  also  a  committee  of  c  or- 
responden*  e."' 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  .'September,  1774,  a 
Declaration  of  Rights  was  adopted,  showing  wherein  the  colonies  were  sub- 
jected to  injustice.  It  h.ad  a  jiowerful  effect  in  forming  and  defining  pub- 
lic opinion,  and  drawing  the  lines  between  patriot  and  tory  in  this  inland 
dislnct.  It  was  beginning  to  be  suspected  that  Col.  (aiy  Johnson  was 
using  his  official  authority  with  ihe  Indians  to  alienate  thcni  from  the 
cause  of  the  .Americans,  and  indiu  e  ihciii    to  declare  for  ihe    King  in  1  asc 


:  of  thi; 


.  of  the 


end  If  to  l\u 


1  Loni- 


ceedings  of 
.isorsof  the 


of  a  conflict.  Brant,  Johnson's  secretary,  was  incessantly  visiting  the 
tribes,  and  holding  secret  conferences  with  the  chiefs.  His  former 
friendly  intercourse  with  the  Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland,  missionary  among  the 
Oneidas,  suddenly  ceased,  and  at  the  instigation  of  Brant,  an  Oneida  chief, 
preferred  charges  against  the  clergyman  before  Johnson,  and  asked  his 
removal.  It  was  well  known  that  this  faithful  minister  was  a  staunch 
patriot,  and  the  action  of  the  wily  Sachem  could  not  be  misunderstood. 
The  Oneidas  as  a  nation,  however,  rallied  to  the  support  of  Kirkland  ;  his 
removal  was  for  a  time  deferred,  and  to  his  influence  may  be  attributed 
the  position  taken  by  the  tribe  during  the  long  Revolutionary  struggle, 
and  the  signal  aid  which  they  gave  to  the  cause  of  freedom. 

The  Johnson  family  and  their  associates  having  promptly  sided  with  the 
crown,  m.ide  active  efforts  to  smother  the  spirit  of  liberty,  which  was 
evidently  gaining  strength,  but  by  a  measure  of  their  own  adoption,  they 
managed  to  fan  into  full  blaze,  instead  of  extinguishing  the  spark  that  had 
been  struck  in  the  Palatine  District.  In  the  spring  of  1775,  just  before 
the  second  Congress  assembled  at  Philadelphia,  the  exciting  intelligence  of 
the  encounter  at  Lexington  was  received  in  Johnstown,  during  a  session  of 
court.  The  loyalists,  thereupon,  thinking  it  time  to  assert  themselves, 
undertook  a  demonstration  against  the  colonial  Congress,  by  circulating 
for  signature  a  declaration  disapproving  of  the  proceedings  of  that  body 
in  the  preceding  autumn.  This  provoked  a  spirited  altercation,  but  the 
movers  in  the  affair  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  signatures  of  a  majority  of 
the  grand  jurors  and  magistrates  of  the  county.  This  procedure  of  the 
tories  threw  the  whigs,  who  comprised  a  considerable  majority  of  the 
white  population  of  Tryon  county,  into  a  fever  of  excitement  and  indigna- 
tion. They  judged  the  time  had  arrived  for  a  decided  step,  and  public 
meetings  were  called,  and  committees  appointed  in  all  the  districts,  and 
sub-committees  in  nearly  every  precinct. 

The  first  mass  meeting  of  the  whigs  was  broken  up  by  the  violent 
interference  of  the  tories.  Some  three  hundred  patriots  had  assembled 
unarmed  at  Caughnawaga  10  jiroclaira  their  sentiments  and  raise  a  liberty 
pole,  a  most  offensive  object  to  Tory  eyes.  Before  their  purpose  was 
accomplished.  Sir  John  Johnson  .and  Cols.  Claus,  Guy  Johnson  and  Butler, 
with  a  large  number  of  their  retainers,  armed  with  swords  and  pistols, 
arrived  on  the  ground.  Guy  Johnson  mounted  a  high  stoop  and  harangued 
the  crowd  with  great  vehemence.  He  expatiated  on  the  strength  of  the 
king  and  government,  and  the  folly  of  revolt.  .A  single  British  ship,  he 
said,  could  destroy  all  the  navy  that  the  colonies  might  set  afloat.  He  had 
not  a  conciliatory  word  for  the  people,  but  denounced  their  jiroceedings 
in  virulent  and  abusive  language.  .Among  the  leading  whigs  present  were 
Sampson  Sammons,  a  wealthy  farmer,  living  a  little  north  of  the  place  of 
meeting,  and  two  of  his  sons,  Jacob  and  Frederick,  Johnson's  speech  so 
irritated  Jacob,  that  he  interrupted  the  speaker  by  pronouncing  him  a  liar 
and  a  villian.  Johnson  leaped  from  his  rostrum  and  seized  young  Sam- 
mons by  the  throat.  .A  struggle  followed,  in  which  Sammons  uas  felled 
to  the  ground  by  a  blow  from  a  loaded  whiji-handle,  producing  a  moment- 
ary stupor.  Recovering  he  found  one  of  Johnson's  servants  sitting  astride 
his  body.  F'linging  him  off  he  si»rung  up  and  renewed  the  fight.  Pistols 
were  presented  to  his  bre.ist,  but  he  was  destined  10  suffer  much  more 
rough  handling  for  his  country's  sake,  and  they  were  not  fired.  He  was, 
however,  knoi  ked  down  again  and  severely  beaten  by  the  tories.  .Mean- 
while, his  un.irnied  companions  had  dispersed,  and  on  escaping  from  the 
clutches  of  Ihe  Johnson  men,  Sammons  was  satisfied  to  retire  to  his  father's 
house,  bearing  upon  his  body  the  first  scars  of  the  Revolutionary  contest 
in  the  coiint\-  of  Trjon. 

.A  crowded  and  spirited  whig  meeting  was  held  shortly  alter  in  the 
church  at  Cherry  \'alley  The  orator  of  the  occasion  w.is  a  resident 
named  Thomas  Sjiencer,  \\*ho  h.id  served  as  an  Indian  inlerpreter.  He 
delivered  a  rude  but  forcible  s|ncrh,  and  resolutions  were  .adopted  sin. ugly 
condemning  the  conduct  of  the  J'lhn^town  tories,  and  exjilicitly  approsing 
the  proceedings  of  the  Contineni.il  Congress.  .\  second  meeting  at  the 
house  of  .\d.iin  I.oiicks,  fearing  that  ihc  Johnstown  tory  declaration  might 
pass  for  the  voice  of  the  county,  if  no  notice  was  taken  of  it.  adopted  an 
article  of  ns^ociation.  endorsing  the  action  of  Congress,  and  pledging  the 
signers  to  its  support,  A  committee  to  correspond  with  those  of  other 
di-iricts  was  ap].ointed,  consi,ting  of  Christopher  P.  Yates,  John  Frey, 
Is.1.1,  I'.ins.  .\n,lrevv  lin.  k.  Jr.,  Andrew  Reeber.  Peter  \V,iggoner, 
.Vnlhony  \-an  Ve.  hlen.  ll.iniel  Mi  Dougnll,  J.icob  Klock,  George  Kcker. 
Jr.,  Harni.inii,  \'an  SKik,  and  ChnsKipher  W.  Fox. 

Ad.iiii  loiuks,  at  whose    house  ihis  niceling  was  held,  lived  on    what   is 


TRYON  COUNTY  PATRIOTS  SUSPICIOUS  OF  COL.  JOHNSON. 


41 


now  kDovn  as  the  Graff  fann,  being  occupied  by  Erwin  Graff,  i  some  two 
miles  froin  Palatine  Bridge.  Loucks  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  upon  the 
bench  3t  the  sitting  of  the  first  "Court  of  General  Quarter  Sessions"  at 
Johostown. 

CHAPTER  VH. 

PA-ntlOTIC    ACTION    OF    THE  PALATINE  DISTRICT  COMMITTEE THE  COUNTY 

COMMITTEE    TO    GUY   JOHNSON — HIS   SUSPICIOUS   COURSE. 

The  patriots  of  Tr)'on  county  were  early  confirmed  in  their  suspicion 
that  the  Johnson  party  was  preparing  to  suppress  all  patriotic  demonstra- 
tions in  the  county;  and  also  inciting  the  Indians  to  take  up  the  hatchet 
for  the  king  when  actual  hostilities  should  break  out.  As  evidence  of  his 
intentions.  Sir  John  Johnson  planted  swivels  around  the  Hali.  and  organ- 
ized and  armed  a  body  of  Scotch  Highlanders  living  near  it.  The  Palatine 
committee,  in  view  of  the  alarming  state  of  affairs,  met  on  the  19th  of 
May,  1775,  and  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  committee  at  Albany  : 

"We  are  so  |>eculiariy  circumstanced  in  this  cT>unty  relating  to  the 
present  straggle  for  Amencan  liberty,  that  we  cannot  longer  defer  laying 
the  situatioD  of  this  county  before  you.  The  district  we  represent  has 
been  foremost  in  avowmg  its  attachment  to  liberty,  and  approving  the 
mode  of  opposition  adopted  in  America,  and  are  now  signing  an  associa- 
tion similar  to  what  has  been  signed  in  other  counties  of  this  province. 
And  we  hope  in  a  few  days  to  have  the  pleasure  to  transmit  it  down  for 
the  press.  The  county  being  e.xtensive,  it  takes  a  considerable  time  before 
the  people  who  are  favorable  to  the  cause  can  be  got  to  sign,  for  we  have 
caused  copits  of  the  association  to  be  dispersed  in  divers  parts  of  the 
county. 

"  This  county  has  for  a  series  of  years  been  ruled  by  one  family,  the  dif- 
ferent branches  of  which  are  still  strenuous  in  persuading  people  from 
coming  into  rongres-iional  measures,  and  even  last  week,  nt  a  numerous 
meeting  of  the  Mohawk  district,  appeared  with  all  their  dependents  armed 
to  oppose  the  people  from  considering  of  their  grievances.  Their  number 
being  so  lai^e,  and  the  people  unarmed,  struck  terror  into  the  most  of 
them,  and  they  dispersed.  We  are  informed  that  JoKnson  Hall  is  fortified 
by  placing  a  parcel  of  swivels  round  the  house,  and  that  Col.  Johnson  has 
had  part  of  his  regiment  under  arms  yesterday,  no  doubt  with  a  design  to 
prevent  the  friends  of  Liberty  from  publishing  their  attachment  to  her  to 
the  world.  Besides  which  we  are  told,  that  certain  Highlanders  'Roman 
Catholics  in  and  about  Johnstown,  are  armed  and  ready  to  march  upon  like 
occasion.  We  are  also  informed  that  Col.  Johnson  has  stopped  two  New 
England  men  and  searched  them,  being,  we  suppose,  suspicious  that  they 
were  going  to  solicit  aid  from  us  or  of  the  Indians,  whom  we  dread  *  *  * 
there  being  a  current  report  through  the  county  that  they  had  been  made 
use  of  in  keejiing  us  in  arms. 

"We  recommend  strongly  and  seriously  to  you  to  take  in  your  consider- 
ation whether  any  powder  and  ammunition  ought  to  be  permitted  to  be 
sent  up  this  way,  unless  it  is  done  under  the  inspection  of  the  committee, 
and  consigned  to  the  committee  here,  and  for  such  particular  shopkeepers 
as  we  in  our  next  shall  acquaint  you  of. 

"We  are  determined  to  suffer  none  in  our  district  to  sell  any  but  such  as 
we  approve  of,  and  sign  the  association.  When  anything  particular  comes 
to  our  knowledge  relating  to  the  Indians  (whom  we  shall  watch\  or  any 
other  thing  interesting,  we  shall  take  the  earliest  opportunity  in  communi- 
cating the  same  to  you.  And  as  we  are  a  young  county,  and  remote  from 
the  metropolis,  we  beg  you  will  give  us  all  the  intelligence  in  your  power. 

We  shall  not  be  able  to  send  down  any  deputies  to  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress, as  we  cannot  obtain  the  sense  of  the  county  soon  enough  to  make  it 
worth  our  while  to  send  any;  but  be  assured  we  are  not  the  les>  attached  to 
American  liberty,  for  we  are  determined,  although  few  in  number,  to  let 
the  world  see  who  are  and  who  are  not  such,  and  to  wipe  off  the  indelible 
disgrace  brought  on  us  by  the  declaration  signed  by  our  grand  jury  and 
some  of  our  magistrates,  who  in  general  are  considered  by  the  majority  of 
the  county  as  enemies  to  their  country.  In  a  word,  gentlemen,  it  is  our 
fixed  resolve  to  support  and  carry  into  execution  everything  recommended 
by  the  Continental  and  Provincial  Congress,  and  to  be  free  or  die." 

Shortly  after  this  letter  was  written,  accidental  confirmation  was  ob- 
tained of  the  helief  that  the  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  was  tamper- 
ing with  his  savage  wards  in  anticipation  of  hostilities.  A  communication 
from  ihe  Mohawks  to  the  Oneidas,   in  the  language  of  the  former,  was 


found  in  an  Indian  trail,  where  it  was  probably  dropped  by  one  of  their 
couriers.  It  was  written  by  Joseph  Brant,  from  Guy  Johnson's  house,  and 
was  an  application  for  warriors  to  act  as  part  of  a  perpetual  body  guard  for 
the  superintendent  who,  the  despatch  said,  was  "  in  great  fear  of  being  ta- 
ken prisoner  by  the  Bostonians."  It  was  announced  that  the  other  nations 
might  be  called  on.  This  dispatch  was  interpreted  by  those  into  whose 
hands  it  fell  as  an  attempt  of  Johnson  to  reinforce  himself  for  purposes  in- 
compatible with  their  safety.  Col.  Johnson  himself  wrote  about  the  same 
time  to  the  magistrates  of  the  upper  districts,  urging  them  to  dissipate  if 
possible  the  impression  that  he  meditated  an  imi^roper  use  of  his  influence 
with  the  Indians.  It  was  learned,  however,  that  the  remoter  tribes  of  the 
Si.\  Nations  had  been  invited  down  to  his  house.  The  superintendent's 
own  domestic  army  amounted  to  five  hundred  men,  and  he  had  already  cut 
off  free  communication  between  Albany  and  the  upper  Mohawk  settle- 
ments. The  Palatine  district  committee,  at  a  meeting  held  May  21,  to 
consider  these  facts,  unanimously  adopted  a  series  of  resolutions  including 
the  following  : 

"Third. — That  as  the  whole  continent  has  approved  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  and  other  colonies  of  New  England,  we  do  adopt 
and  approve  of  the  same,  and  therefore  we  must  and  do  consider  that  any 
fortification  or  armed  force  raised  to  be  made  use  of  against  them,  is  de- 
signed to  overawe  us  and  make  as  submit. 

"  Fourth. — That  Col.  Johnson's  conduct  in  raising  fortifications  around 
his  house,  keeping  a  number  of  Indians  and  others  constantly  about  him, 
and  stopping  and  searching  travellers  upon  the  king's  highway,  is  very 
alarming  to  the  county  and  highly  arbitrary,  illegal,  oppressive,  and  un- 
warrantable, and  confirms  us  in  our  fears  that  his  design  is  to  keep  us  in 
awe,  and  to  oblige  us  to  submit  to  a  state  of  slavery. 

"  Fifth. — That  as  we  abhor  a  state  of  slavery  we  do  join  and  unite  to- 
gether under  all  the  ties  of  religion,  honor,  justice  and  love  for  our  coun- 
try, never  to  become  sla\es,  and  to  defend  our  freedom  with  our  lives  and 
fortunes." 

It  was  ordered  that  the  German  Flats  and  Kingsland  districts  be  invited 
to  join  the  Palatine  for  the  purpose  of  a  common  defence. 

This  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Philip  W.  Fo.x,  near  the  Palatine 
stone  church,  a  house  which  is  said,  with  great  probability,  to  have  been 
burned  during  the  Revolution.  The  owner  was  called  by  his  Dutch  neigh- 
bors Lips  Fox.  He  was  a  grand  juror  at  a  court  held  March  9,  1779,  and 
also  at  a  session  which  convened  at  Johnstown  June  12,  1781,  and  ad- 
journed, probably  for  greater  security,  to  Fort  Hunter,  where  it  is  believed 
the  court  sat  in  Queen  Anne's  Chapel.  They  were  men  of  such  standing 
who  formed  the  Tryon  County  committee  of  safety. 

In  the  latter  part  of  May,  Guy  Johnson  sent  to  the  common  council  of 
Albany  a  letter  complaining  of  the  expense  to  which  he  was  put  in  pro- 
tecting himself  from  being  kidnapped  by  certain  New  Englanders,  or 
persons  about  Albany  or  Schenectady,  who  he  had  been  repreatedly 
warned  were  meditating  such  an  attempt,  on  the  false  and  malicious  rumor 
that  he  intended  to  make  the  Indians  destroy  the  settlers.  The  savages 
would,  however,  he  declared,  do  something  of  the  kind  if  he  should  be 
taken  prisoner  in  the  way  suggested.  He  appealed  to  the  municipality  of 
Albany,  as  having  authority  and  influence,  to  disabuse  the  public  mind, 
and  prevent  the  alarming  consequences  which  he  feared. 

A  prompt  reply  to  Col.  Johnson's  communication  contained  the  follow- 
ing words : 

"We  trust  that  you  are  so  well  acquainted  with  the  nature  and  duties  of 
your  orfice,  that  you  will  pursue  the  dictates  of  an  honest  heart,  and  study 
the  interest,  peace  and  welfare  of  your  county.  In  which  case  we  presume 
you  need  not  be  ap|)rehensive  of  any  injury  in  your  person  or  property, 
neither  can  we  learn  or  conceive  that  there  either  is  or  has  been  any 
intention  of  taking  you  captive,  or  offering  you  any  indignity  whatever, 
either  by  the  New  England  people,  or  any  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  city, 
or  any  one  else;  and  we  have  but  too  much  reason  to  think  that  these 
groundless  reports  have  been  raised  and  industriously  propagated,  in 
your  own  phraseology',  by  some  busy  people  in  your  county,  to  rouse  up 
the  Indians  from  theii  peaceful  habitations,  and  take  up  arms  against  such 
of  our  American  brethren  as  are  engaged  on  the  part  of  America  in  the 
unhappy  contest  between  Great  Britain  and  her  colonies." 

The  Albany  committee  in  reply  to  the  Palatine  comuuttee's  letter,  said 
they  had  no  ammunition  to  spare,  and  advised  their  correspondent  not  lo 
attempt  to  open  communication  between  the  two  counties  by  force,  and 
the  project  was  accordingly  given  up. 


42 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMRRY  COUNTY. 


Ob  the  24th  of  May,  the  committees  of  all  the  districts  but  the  Mohawk 
met  together  at  the  house  of  William  Seher,  in  the  Canajoharie  district, 
unanimously  approved  of  the  proceedinji;s  of  the  Palatine  committee  in 
their  meetings  and  voted  that  Daniel  McDuugall,  for  i'alaime  district, 
David  Cox.  for  Canajoharie.  and  Edward  Wall  and  Duncan  McDougall, 
for  (ierman  Klat«*  and  Kinj;sland,  be  sent  to  Schenectady  and  Albany  to 
confer  with  the  committees  at  those  towns  on  the  situation  and  the  duties 
of  the  hour;  and  to  j^ct  a  supply  of  ammunition,  to  be  sold  under  the 
supervi>»ion  of  the  body  ordering  it.  It  was  also  "  resolved  unanimously, 
that  whereas  the  persons  of  some  of  the  members  of  this  commitee  have 
been  threatened  with  imjjrisonment  on  acLOunt  of  their  being  concerned 
in  our  just  opjiositron,  in  which  case  we  do  associate  and  unite  together, 
we  will  to  the  utmost  of  our  power  do  our  endeavurs,  by  force,  or  other- 
wise, to  rescue  them  from  imprisonment,  unless  such  person  or  persons  are 
confined  by  legal  process,  issued  upon  legal  ground,  and  executed  in  a 
legal  manner." 

William  Seeber,  the  committeeman  at  whose  house  this  meeting  was 
held,  was  the  Major  of  a  batallion  of  militia  at  Oriskany.  He  was 
mortally  wounded,  but  survived  the  battle  126  days,  at  his  house,  which 
was  near  the  present  village  of  Fort  Plain,  and  within  rifle  shot  of  the  Fort 
Plain  block  house.  The  farm  that  was  his  is  now  owned  by  the  Lipe 
brothers,  David  and  Seeber.  .A  tenant  is  now  Dec,  1877  .  on  the  place, 
which  for  years  previous  to  the  spring  of  1S77,  was  owned  and  occupied  by 
Adam  Lipe,  a  brother  of  the  present  proprietors. 

On  the  25lh  of  May,  a  council  of  the  Mohawks  was  held  at  Guy  Park. 
it  was  attended  by  delegates  from  the  Albany  and  Tryon  county  commit- 
tees. The  principal  chief  and  speaker  of  the  Mohawks  was  Little  Abra- 
ham, a  brother  of  the  famous  Hendrick.  He  said  he  was  glad  to  hear 
that  Guy  Johnson  was  in  no  danger;  the  Indians  did  not  wish  to  (|uarrel 
with  the  whites,  but  they  were  alarmed  by  reports  that  their  powder  was 
stopped;  they  obtained  their  supplies  from  the  superintendent,  and  if 
their  ammunition  was  intercepted  they  should  distrust  the  whiles,  but 
would  at  all  times  listen  to  what  they  had  to  say  in  the  presence  of  Col. 
Guy  Johnson.  The  representatives  of  the  committees,  after  holding  a 
consultation,  replied  that  they  were  pleased  to  hear  the  friendly  expres- 
sions of  the  speaker.  They  assured  the  Mohawks  that  the  reports  of 
ammunition  being  withheld  from  them  were  false,  and  that  when  business 
was  to  be  transacted,  they  would  meet  the  Indians  at  the  council  fires,  and 
in  presence  of  their  superintendent.  The  Mohawk  speaker,  in  his  response, 
said  that  the  love  his  people  had  for  the  memory  of  Sir  William  Johnson, 
and  the  obligations  of  the  whole  '6\\  Nations  to  him  must  make  them 
regard  and  protect  every  branch  of  his  family.  He  promised  that  he  and 
his  comrades  would  exfilain  things  to  all  the  Indians,  and  hoped  the  com- 
mittee men  would  do  the  same  to  their  jjcoiile. 

The  council  broke  up  in  apparent  good  feeling,  but  the  result  was 
unsatisfactory  on  both  sides.  No  contidem  e  uas  |ihKed  in  the  pledges  of 
the  Indians.  The  Mohawks  only  were  rcjjresented.  and  the  suijermtend- 
ent  made  this  fact  the  excuse  for  immediately  calling  another  council  ni 
the  German  Flats.  Under  cover  of  this  appointment,  he  removed  with 
his  family,  attended  by  a  large  retinue  of  Mohawks,  to  the  residem  e  of  a 
Mr.  Thompson,  a  few  miles  above  the  Flats, 

On  the  29th  of  May.  a  meeting  of  the  Irvon  c  ((iint\  t  onimiitee  was  held 
at  the  house  of  William  Seeber,  at  whit  h  a  resolution  was  passed  prohibiting 
all  trade  with  persons  who  had  not  signed  the  article  of  association;  forbid- 
ding also  the  owners  of  slaves  to  allow  them  off  their  premises  without  a 
written  permit,  and  declaring  that  whoexcr  disregarded  these  regulations 
should  be  treated  as  an  enemy  (»f  the  district  and  the  country. 

The  first  full  meeting  of  the  Tryon  <  ounty  eommiltee  was  held  June  2. 
at  the  house  of  Warner  Tygert.  in  the  Canajoharie  district;  the  Mohauk 
members  having  thus  far  been  prevented  from  attending  by  the  Johnson^.. 
Warner  Tygert.  or  Dygert,  as  the  famiK  now  spell  their  name,  lived  in  the 
extreme  western  en«l  of  the  Canajoharie  disiru  I.  at  the  for)l  uf  Fall  Hill. 
and  but  a  short  distance  from  the  (icneral  Hrrkinier  dwelling.  In  the 
latter  part  of  the  war.  Tygert  was  killed  bv  Indi.ins.  tm  the  hill  abo\e  his 
residence,  where  he  had  gone  to  build  a  lorn  cnb.  While  thus  engaged, 
he  laid  down  his  gun.  struck  fire  and  lit  Ins  pipe,  and  was  about  to  resume 
his  work,  when  a  party  of  Indians,  tout  eakii  in  the  bnslus  near  by.  shot 
him  down,  tomahawked  and  scalped  hiiu,  A  little  son.  (en  )e;irs  ()l(l.  who 
accompanied  him,  was  taken  a  prisoner  to  Canada,  where  he  reiiKimLMJ. 
Dygert  was  one  of  the  first  grand  jurors  at  Johnstown. 

It  is  well  here  to  record  the  names  of  the  committee — names  that   must 


^o 


never  lie  l()>t  from  ihc  history  of  the  Mohawk  valley,  and  of  the  Revolu- 
tion;  they  arc  a^  follows: 

MiiHwvk  l>isikiur, — John  Marlett,  John  Bliven,  Abraham  Van  Horn, 
.\<l.im  Konda,  hrcilcruL  Ki'.her.  Sampson  Sammons,  William  Schuyler, 
Volkcrt  Veeder,  James  M<. Master,  and  Daniel  Lane. 

Pal.atine  DisrKiLr. — Isaac  Paris,  t'hrisiophcr  P.  Yates,  John  Krcy, 
Andrew  Fink,  Jr.,  .\ndrcw  Keeber.  Peter  Waggoner,  Daniel  .NtcDougall, 
Jacob  Klock,  (;eort;e  K,  ker,  Jr..  H.irmamis  V.m  Slyck,  Christopher  W. 
Fo\,  and  .\nthony  Van  Vei  htcn. 

CAN4JOHARIK  Dlx  I  KK  I .  — N  ii  Hc.las  Herkimer,  Ebenezer  Cox.  William 
Seeber,  John  Moore.  Samuel  Campbell,  Samuel  Clyde,  Thomas  Henry, 
and  John  Pit  kard. 

KiNiisi.ANi)  A.N'i)  (iKk.MAN   Ki.Ats  Disrkicis. — Edward    Wall,   William 
Petry,  John  Petry,  .Marcus    Petry,  .^ugustinus   Hess,  Frederick  .-Khrendorl, 
eorge  Wents,  Michael   E.  Ittij;.  Frederick  Fo.\.  Ceo.   Herkimer,   Dunian 
.McDoiigall.  Frederick  Hilmer,  and  John  Franck. 

Christopher  P.  Yates  was  chosen  chairman  of  the  county  committee, 
I  and  Edward  Wall  and  Nicholas  Herkimer  were  deputed  to  deliver  to  IJuy 
j  Johnson  a  letter  from  the  committee,  of  w  hich  the  following  is  the  essential 
I      part; 

'         ".\ccording  to  the  example  of  the  counties  in  this   and  the  neighboring 

1      colonies  the    people  of   the  district  we  represent  have  met  in  a    peaceable 

i      manner  to  consider   of  the   jircsent  dispute  with  the  mother  country  and 

j     the  colonies,  signed  a  general  association  and  appointed  us  a  committee  to 

meet   in  order  to  consult  the  common  safety  of  our  rights  and  liberties, 

which  are  infringed   In  a  most  enormous  manner  by  enforcing  oppressive 

and  unconstitutional  acts  of    the  British    Parliament  by  an  armed  force  in 

I      the  Ma.ssachusclts  Bay. 

"  \\'as  it  any  longer  a  duiilit  that  we  are  oppressed  by  the  mother  country 
1      and  that  it  is   the  a\owed  design  of  the  ministers  to  enslave  us,  we  might 
i      perhaps  be  induced  to  use  argument  to  point   out   in   what  particular.^  we 
j     concei^ethat  it   is  the  birthright  ot  Flnglisti   subjects  to  be  exempted  trom 
j     all  taxes  except  those  which  are  laid  on  them  by  their  representatives, and 
I      think  we  have  a  right,    not   only  by  the  laws  and  constitution  of  England, 
to  meet  for  the  purpose  we  ha\e  done;  which  meeting  we  probably  would 
have  postponed  a  while   had   there  been  the  least  kind  of  probability  that 
I      the  petition  of   the  general  assembly   would   have   been  noticed  more  than 
j     the  united  petition    of    almost  the  whole  continent  of    America  by  their 
'      delegates   in  Congress,  which,  so   far  from  being  any  ways  complied  with, 
was  treated  with  superlative  lontempt   by  the  ministry,  and  fresh  oppres- 
sions were   and  arc  ilaih-  heaped  upon  us.      L'pon  whi<  h  principles — prin- 
ciples which  are  undeniable — we   ha\c  been  appointed  to  consult  methods 
to  cimtribute  what   little  lies  in  our   power  to    save  our  devoted  country 
from    ruin   and  devastation;   whuh,  with    the   .assistance  of    Divine  Provi- 
dence, it  is  our  lived  and  determined  resolution  to  do;  and,  if  called  upon, 
we  shall   be    foremost   in    sharing  the   toil  and   danger  of    the    field.     We 
consider   New    England    suffering   in   the  i  iimmon  cause  and  commi.serate 
their  distressed    condition,  anil    we  should    be   wnnlinu  in  our  duty  to  our 


III   to 


rscb 


ing 


our  dctermin.uiiin  to  the  world. 

■  "We  know    that    some  of    the    members    ,.f    this   .  ommiltee  have  been 

I      charged  with  c  ompelling  people  to   n.iiie  into  the  measures  whuh  v\c  h.ive 

I      adopted,  and  with   drinking   tre.isonable    toasts.      But  as  we  are  t  on\ini  ed 

I     that  these  reports  are  false  and  m.ibcioiis,  spread  by  our  enemies  with  the 

sole  intent  to  lessen  us  in  the  esteem  of  the  world;  and  as  we  are  cons<  loiis 

of  being  guilty  of   no  .rime  and   of    h.umg   b.irely   done  our   duty.  «e  are 

entirely  uncon.  crneil  as    to  anuhin-  that  is  -.jid  of  us  or  i  an  be  done  with 

us.      We  should,  however,  be    .  arele-  of  ,uir  .  har.i,  Icr  did  wend  ui>h    to 

dete.  t  the  dcspis.ible    wrelih    w  li <l    be    s,,    b.isc  .1-  to  charge  us  w  ,th 

things  whi.  h  we  never  have  entertained  the  first  disi.int  thoughts  of. 

"We  are    not    ignorant  of    the    verv  great  iniport.in.  e   of    voiir   oflneas 

superintendent  of  the  Indians,  and.  therefore,    it  is  no  more  our  duty  ih.in 

ini  lination  to  prolei  t   vo"    "i    l'"^   di^c  h.irge  of   the  diilv    of    vniir   proper 

provime;   and    we    meet  vou  with  pleasure  m  behalf  of   ourselves   an.l  our 

constituents  to  thnuk  you    for   meeting   the    Inilians   in  the   iip|Rr  pans  of 

the   -loiinly.   win,  h    iii.iv     be    the    nie.ins    of    casing     the     people   of    the 

remainder  of  tli>-ir  le.irs    nn   lliis  ,i,  ,  oiint  anil  prevent  the  Indians  ,„,umit. 

;     .tingirregiil.irilics  on  ihcir  w.iv  down  to  Cuv  I'.irk.      .\nd    we  beg  of  vou  to 

use  your  endeavors   with  the  Indians  to  dlssii.ide   them  from  inlerfering  in 

,      the  dispute   with   the  mother   loiintry   and  the  colonics.      We  cannot  think 

I      that  as  you  and  your  family  possess  very  large  estates  in   this  toiinly.  you 


GUY  JOHNSON— THE  SIX  NATIONS.  AND  THE  CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS. 


43 


arc  mfavorable  to  American  freedom,  although  you  may  differ  with  us  in 
the  mode  of  obtaining  a  redress  of  grievances. 

**  Permit  us  further  to  observe  that  we  cannot  pass  over  in  silence  the 
intemjption  which  the  people  of  the  Mohawk  district  met  in  their  meeting, 
which,  we  are  informed,  was  conducted  in  a  peaceable  manner;  and  the 
inhnman  treatment  of  a  man  whose  only  crime  was  being  faithful  to  his 
employers  and  refusing  to  give  an  account  of  the  receipt  of  certain  papers 
to  persons  who  had  not  the  least  color  of  right  to  demand  anything  of  the 
kind.  We  assure  you  that  we  are  much  concerned  about  it,  as  two  im- 
portant rights  of  English  subjects  are  thereby  infringed,  to  wit;  a  right  to 
meet  and  to  obtain  all  the  intelligence  in  their  power." 

To  this  letter  Col.  Johnson  returned,  from  Mr.  Thompson's.  Cosby's 
Manor,  an  admirably  worded  reply,  mildly  deprecating  what  he  considered 
the  unconstitutional  means  taken  by  the  colonists  for  a  redress  of  their 
griev-ances,  stating  that  it  was  only  on  reliable  advices  of  his  danger  that 
he  fortified  his  house;  denying  that  he  had  stopped  any  travelers,  except 
two  New  England  men,  and  claiming  that  in  that  case  he  did  only  a  mag- 
istrate's duty.  He  closed  with  the  assurance  that  the  people  had  nothing 
to  apprehend  from  his  endeavors,  and  that  he  should  always  be  glad  to 
prontote  their  true  interests. 

Any  good  impression  that  may  have  been  made  by  the  superintendent's 
letter  was  dissipated  by  his  movements.  He  did  not  hold  the  council 
called  by  him  at  the  German  Flats,  but  pushed  on  to  Fort  Stanwix,  taking 
with  him  not  only  his  family  but  a  considerable  number  of  his  dependents 
and  the  great  body  of  the  Mohawk  Indians,  who.  when  they  started  with 
him  on  this  westward  march,  left  their  old  home  along  the  river  they  had 
named  never  to  return  to  it  except  in  flying  incursions  for  butchery,  in- 
cendiansm  and  plunder.  The  suspicions  of  the  Tryon  county  patriots 
were  further  e.xciled  by  a  communication  from  the  provincial  congress  of 
Massachusetts  to  that  of  New  York,  in  which  the  former  mentioned  having 
been  informed  that  Col.  Guv  Johnson  had  "  taken  great  pains  with  the 
Six  Nations  in  order  to  bring  them  into  a  belief  that  it  is  designed  by  the 
colonies  to  fail  upon  them  and  cut  them  off."  The  congress  of  New  York 
replied  to  this  communication,  disclaiming,  as  it  had  repeatedly  done,  any 
intention  to  injure  Johnson  or  the  Indians. 


CHAPTER    Vni. 

THE   SIX    NATIONS    .■\L1EN.\TEI>     FROM     THE    COl.OME^     RV    GlfV     JOHNSON 

HOSTILE    ATTITUDE    OF    SIR    JOHN    JOHNS<lN. 

The  county  committee  was  again  convened  on  the  nth  of  June,  and 
having  received  a  letter  from  the  congress  of  the  province  recommending 
the  appointment  of  delegates  to  that  body,  chose  Christopher  P.  Yates 
and  John  Marlett  as  such  delegates.  The  committee  also  adopted  a  reso- 
lution recommending  that  the  sub-committee  of  each  district  should  make 
a  list  of  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  their  respective  districts,  in 
order  that  the  article  of  association  should  be  presented  to  those  who  had 
not  signed  it  and  a  list  prepared  of  those  who  refused  to  sign. 

The  meeting  at  which  tWi-*  action  was  taken  was  held  at  the  house  of 
Gose  Van  Alstine,  which  was  a  common  place  of  assembling  with  the  com- 
mitter. This  house — a  stone  building — since  known  as  the  J.  H.  Mover 
place,  is  still  standing  on  the  east  side  of  the  creek  in  Canajohane.  Philip 
and  Martin  G^  or  one  of  them,  sons  of  Gose  Van  Alstine,  owned  it  after 
the  Revolution.  The  name  Gose  has  also  been  written  Goose,  Gosen,  and 
latterly  Goshen.  The  patriot  here  mentioned  was  a  grand  juror  at  the 
first  "Court  of  General  Quarter  Sessions"  held  in  the  Johnstown  court 

hniise. 

I  he  supi»orters  of  the  colonial  cause  in  the  Mohawk  valley,  concluding 
that  Guy  Johnson  had  determined  to  incite  the  Indians  against  them. 
laUned  lo  win  the  favor  of  the  savages,  or  at  least  secure  their  neutrality. 
Nf>r  were  they  entirely  unsuccessful,  for  though  most  of  the  Iroquois 
•"•nally  took  up  the  hatchet  against  them,  the  majority  of  the  Oncidas  and 
I'waroras  retnaincd  neutral  as  the  result  of  a  conference  with  them  at 
'he  (;erman  Flats,  June  28.  arranged  by  their  missionary,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
^^'Tkland.  and  [larlicipated  in  by  a  deputation  from  Albany,  They  also 
pronusedlo  communicate  any  important  news  they  could  obtain. 

I  he  county  committee  on  the  3d  of  July  granted  the  petition  of  certain 
vtilt-n  for  permission  to  form  themselves  into  militia  companies.  Learn- 
"^g  that  the  mayor  of  Albany,  who  was  a  tor)-,  had  left  that  city  for  the 


west  with  considerable  baggage,  and  suspecting  he  was  conveying  military 
stores  to  the  Indians,  the  committee  ordered  Capt.  George  Herkimer  with 
a  sufficient  force  to  stop  him  and  search  his  effects.  Nothing  contraband 
was  found  in  his  battcau,  and  he  was  allowed  to  proceed.  The  committee 
also  took  measures  to  garrison  Fort  Stanwix  at  the  recjuest  of  the  exposed 
settlers  at  that  post. 

(iuy  Johnson  remained  but  a  short  time  at  Fort  Stanwix,  and  pushing 
forward  to  Ontario,  far  beyond  the  verge  of  civilization,  held  a  council 
with  a  large  number  of  Indians  there,  where,  he  said,  their  action  might  be 
independent  and  unembarrassed  by  the  interference  of  the  colonists.  At 
this  place  Johnson  received  the  letter  of  the  congress  of  New  York,  dis- 
claiming any  intention  of  injuring  him  or  the  Indians.  He  rejjlied  under 
date  of  July  8,  1775,  in  a  more  hostile  tone  than  he  had  previously  used 
toward  the  insurgents.  He  reiterated  his  assertion  of  conspiracies  to 
kidna[)  him,  and  complained  that  his  mail  and  other  articles  on  the  way  to 
him  tor  himself  and  the  Indians  were  intercepted,  producing  a  resentment 
among  the  latter  that  boded  ill  to  the  whites.  The  following  is  the  con- 
cluding paragraph  of  his  letter: 

"  I  should  be  much  obliged  by  your  promises  of  discountenancing  any 
attempts  against  myself,  etc.,  did  they  not  appear  to  be  made  on  conditions 
of  compliance  with  continental  or  provincial  congresses,  or  even  committees 
formed  or  to  be  formed,  many  of  whose  resolves  may  neither  consist  with 
my  conscience,  duty  or  loyalty.  I  trust  I  shall  always  manifest  more 
humanity  than  to  promote  the  destruction  of  the  innocent  inhabitants  of  a 
colony  to  which  I  have  been  always  warmly  attached,  a  declaration  that 
must  appear  perfectly  suitable  to  the  character  of  a  man  of  honor  and 
principle,  .who  can  on  no  account  neglect  those  duties  that  are  consistent 
therewith,  however  they  may  differ  from  sentiments  now  adopted  in  so 
many  parts  of  America." 

The  belief,  however,  gained  ground  among  the  patriots  that  Col.  John- 
son was  collecting  an  army  of  Indians  to  invade  the  Mohawk  valley  from 
the  west,  while  Sir  John  Johnson,  who  was  a  general  of  militia,  would 
sweep  down  with  a  body  of  his  Tory  neighbors  and  tenantry  from  the  Hall, 
which  he  had  fortified  and  garrisoned.  In  this  emergency  the  patriots  had 
but  an  inadequate  supply  of  ammunition  for  the  three  hundred  men  they 
could  rally,  and  sent  urgent  appeals  to  Schenectady  and  Albany  for  assist- 
ance.    Fortunately,  the  expected  invasion  was  deferred. 

Guy  Johnson  did  not  return  to  the  valley  after  completing  his  business 
at  Ontario,  but  proceeding  to  Oswego  convened  another  council  and  suc- 
ceeded in  further  estranging  the  Iroquois  warriors  from  the  colonics. 
From  Oswego  he  went  to  Montreal,  accompanied  by  many  warriors  of  the 
Six  Nations.  There  they  met  Sir  Guy  Carleton  and  Sir  Frederick  Haldi- 
mand,  and  were  induced  to  engage  in  the  military  service  of  the  king.  It 
needed  no  uncommon  sagacity  to  penetrate  the  motives  of  Guy  Johnson, 
and  his  removal  to  Canada  was  only  a  fresh  justification  of  the  suspicions 
against  him  which  had  been  continually  strengthening.  Having,  by  his 
undisturbed  councils  with  the  savages  in  the  dei)ths  of  the  wilderness, 
secured  their  attachment  to  the  cause  of  the  crown,  he  remained  in  Canada, 
continuing  to  act  as  their  superintendent  and  distributing  liberal  rewards 
for  "  the  destruction  of  the  innocent  inhabitants  of  a  colony  to  which  "  he 
had  "  been  always  warmly  attached." 

The  Continental  Congress,  aware  of  the  importance  of  preserving  peace 
and  friendship  with  the  Indians,  appointed  commissioners  lo  treat  with 
them.  For  this  purpose  the  Six  Nations  were  invited  to  a  council  at 
Albany.  Its  result  was  very  promising,  as  the  Indians  expressed  them- 
selves in  favor  of  neutrality.  Soon  after,  however,  a  malignant  fever,  pre- 
viously unknown,  made  great  havoc  among  them.  The  Schoharie  canton 
of  the  Mohawks  suffered  severely,  and  the  survivors  concluding  in  their 
superstition  that  the  (ireat  Spirit  was  angry  with  them  for  not  taking  sides 
with  the  king,  followed  their  brethren  who  had  left  the  valley  with  Guy 
Johnson.  In  subsequent  savage  incursions  they  were  among  the  most 
forward  and  cruel. 

By  the  Iroquois'  stipulations  of  peace  and  neutrality  the  people  of 
Tryon  county  were  considerably  relieved  from  apprehensions  of  immediate 
danger,  but  the  Committee  of  Safety  were  not  inactive,  and  now  direi  ted 
their  attention  to  a  more  efficient  organization  for  the  defence  of  the  settle- 
ments andthe  civil  government  of  the  county.  Taking  upon  themselves 
both  military  and  civil  functions  they  exercised  them  with  diligence  and 
vigor.  They  arrested  and  tried  suspicious  persons,  fined,  imprisoned  and 
executed  when  in  their  judgment  the  offence  required  it.  They  deposed 
the  sheriff,    .Alexander   White,   an   overbearing   Tory,  and  appointed  Col. 


44 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


Johfi  Frey,  an  ardent  Whig,  in  his  place.  White  had  rendered  himself 
odioK  to  the  patriots  from  the  finit.  Accompanied  by  a  band  of  Tories 
he  hid  cut  down  the  bberty  pole  erected  at  the  German  Flats,  the  first 
planted  in  the  Mohawk  valley.  Ha\ing  arbitrarily  arrested  a  prominent 
Whig  named  Fonda,  the  sheriff  put  him  in  jail  at  Johnstown,  but  Fonda's 
,net^ibors  proiiiprly  liberated  him,  and  would  have  captured  White  had  they 
not  been  interrupted  by  the  gathering  of  a  superior  force  of  Tones  at 
Johnson  Hall.  Retiring  to  Caughnawaga  they  sent  a  deputation  to  Sir 
johB  Johnson,  demanding  White's  surrender.  This  was  of  course  refused, 
wheictipon  the  committee  proceeded  as  stated. 

Tie  patriot  authonties  found  it  necessary  to  keep  a  vigilant  watch  upon 
the  movements  of  Sir  John,  who,  surrounded  by  a  numerous  body  of 
Tories^  left  no  means  untned  to  annoy  and  embarrass  them;  laboring  to 
destfof  popular  confidence  in  the  committee;  calling  i^ublic  meetings  and 
choosing  counter  committees;  endeavoring  to  cover  the  \\'hig  leaders  with 
ridici^,  and  anon  charging  them  with  illegal  and  tyrannical  conduct. 
Mutuai  exasperation  was  the  necessary  consequence.  It  was  not  to  be 
expected  that  matters  would  improve  under  such  circumstances,  and  the 
TryOB  county  committee  finally  determined  to  discover,  if  possible.  Sir 
Johjis intentions.     To  this  end  the  following  letter  was  addressed  to  him: 

"Tryok  County  Co.mmittee  Ch.a.mber,  Oct.  26,  1775. 
"HowjR.^BLE  Sir: 

"  As  we  find  particular  reason  to  be  convinced  of  your  opinion  in  the 
questions  hereafter  expressed,  we  reciuire  you  that  you'll  please  to  oblige 
us  with  your  sentiments  thereupon  in  a  few  lines  by  our  messengers,  the 
bearos  hereof.  Messrs.  Ebenezer  Cox,  James  McMaster  and  John  James 
KJock,  members  of  our  committee. 

"We  want  to  know  whether  you  will  allow  that  the  inhabitants  of  Johns- 
town and  Kingsborough  may  form  themselves  into  companies  according  to 
the  regulations  of  our  Continental  Congress,  for  the  defence  of  our  coun- 
try's cause;  and  whether  your  honor  would  be  ready  himself  to  give  his 
persoBal  assistance  to  the  same  purpose. 

'*  Also,  whether  you  pretend  a  prerogative  to  our  county  court  house  and 
gaol,  and  would  hinder  or  interrupt  the  committee  to  make  use  of  the  same 
public  houses  to  our  want  and  service  in  the  common  cause. 

"  We  don't  doubt  you  will  comply  with  our  reasonable  requests  and 
thereby  oblige,  honorable  sir, 

"Your  obedient  and  humble  servants, 
"  By  order  of  the  Committee, 
"Nicholas  Herki.mer,  Chairman." 

Sir  John's  reply  left  no  doubt  resting  upon  his  sentiments  at  least.  It 
was  thus  reported  to  the  committee  by  their  messengers  : 

"  t.  By  perusing  our  letter  Sir  John  replied  that  he  thinks  our  requests 
very  unreasonable,  as  he  never  had  denied  the  use  either  of  the  court 
house  or  gaol  to  anybody  nor  would  yet  deny  it  for  the  use  which  these 
houses  h,a\e  been  built  for.  but  he  looks  upon  it  that  the  court  house  and 
gaol  are  his  property  till  he  is  paid  ^^'"oo,  the  amt)unt  of  which  being  out 
of  his  pocket  for  the  building  of  the  same. 

"a.  In  regard  of  embodving  his  tenants  into  comjianies,  he  never  did 
forbid  them,  neither  should  do  it,  as  they  may  use  their  pleasure  ;  but  we 
might  save  ourselves  the  trouble,  he  being  sure  they  would  not. 

"3.  Concerning  himself,  he  said  that  before  he  would  sign  any  associa- 
tion or  would  lift  his  hand  uji  against  his  king,  he  would  rather  suffer  that 
his  head  shall  be  cut  off. 

**  Further  he  replied  that  if  we  should  make  any  unlawful  use  of  the  gaol, 
he  woald  oppose  it,  and  also  he  mentions,  that  there  have  many  unfair 
means  l>een  used  for  increasing  the  association,  and  uniting  the  people  ; 
for  he  was  informed  by  credible  gentlemen  in  New  York  that  they  were 
obliged  to  unite,  otherwise  they  could  not  live  there  ;  and  th.it  he  was  in- 
forme<3  bv  good  authority  that  likewise  two-thirds  of  the  Canajohjrie  and 
German  Flats  pe«tple  ha\e  been  forced  to  sign  the  .irtii  les  ;  nntl  in  his 
opinion  the  Hosion  people  are  o[ien  rebels,  and  the  other  (olonies  have 
joined  them." 

On  receiving  the  answer  of  the  Baronet  it  "as  "moved  and  resolved  by 
the  maj^jrity  of  vote*  that  our  pristjners  Lewis  Clement  and  Peter  Down. 
sentent ed  to  be  confined  in  gaol  for  three  months.  ha\ing  been  returned 
by  the  .Albany  committee,  shall  be  sent  to  our  county  gaol  at  Johnstown, 
to  find  nut  whether  Sir  John  shall  judge  this  use  of  our  gaol  as  unlawful, 
and  will  op|»ose  the  same."  .\ccordingIy,  a  guard  of  eight  men  under  com- 
mand of  Captain  Jacob  Secber,  escorted  the  prisoners  to  the  jail     Sir  John 


refused  the  committee  the  use  of  the  jail,  and  they  had  to  fit  up  a  private 
house  for  that  purpose. 

The  county  committee  having  reported  to  the  congress  of  New  York 
their  action  in  relation  to  Sir  John,  received  the  following  reply  : 

"  Dkc.  9TH. — The  Congress  have  this  day  entered  into  the  consideration 
of  your  letter  of  the  28th  of  October,  and  are  of  opinion  that  your  applica- 
tion to  Sir  John  Johnson  requesting  an  answer  from  him  whether  he  would 
allow  his  tenants  to  form  themselves  into  companies  and  associate  with 
their  brethren  of  your  county  according  to  the  resolves  of  the  Continental 
Congress  for  the  defence  of  our  liberties,  was  improper  with  respect  to  him, 
and  too  condescending  on  your  part,  as  it  was  a  matter  that  came  properly 
within  your  province,  and  to  which  we  doubt  not  but  you  are  competent, 
as  you  have  a  line  of  conduct  prescribed  to  you  by  Congress.  With  respect 
to  your  second  question,  whether  he  would  take  any  active  part  in  the 
controversy  at  present  existing  between  Great  Britain  and  her  colonies,  we 
conceive  it  to  be  very  proper,  and  thank  you  for  information  on  that  head. 

"  .^s  to  the  third  question,  we  conceive  that  he  has  no  claim  nor  title  to 
the  court  house  and  goal  in  the  county,  as  we  are  credibly  told  that  his 
father.  Sir  William  Johnson,  did  in  his  life  time'  convey  the  same  to  two 
gentlemen  in  trust  for  the  use  of  your  county.  However,  as  an  attempt  to 
use  the  same  for  the  purjiose  of  confining  persons  inimical  to  our  county 
may  be  productive  of  bad  consequences,  we  beg  leave  to  recommend  to 
you  to  procure  some  other  place  which  may  answer  the  end  of  a  goal ;  and 
give  our  advice  not  to  molest  Sir  John  as  long  as  he  shall  continue  inact- 
ive, and  not  impede  the  measures  necessary  to  be  carried  into  execution 
from  being  completed." 

Some  of  the  .Mohawk  Indians  having  already  taken  up  the  hatchet  in 
behalf  of  the  British  in  Canada,  the  committee  of  Tryon  county  questioned 
the  sachems  of  the  Canajoharie  castle  in  regard  to  the  return  and  sojourn 
among  them  of  several  of  these  warriors.  The  men  of  the  castle  met  the 
committee,  and  gave  a  rather  non-committal  reply  ;  they  admitted  that 
some  of  the  Mohawk  braves  were  in  Canada,  and  said  that  if  they  were 
killed  there  the  castle  would  not  resent  it.  They  were  glad  that  others 
had  returned,  for  they  had  done  wrong  in  going  awav  contrary  to  the  per- 
suasions of  the  sacheiys.  "  We  have  made  a  very  strong  agreement  of 
friendship  together,"  said  the  speaker,  "  and  we  beg  you  will  not  break  it 
for  the  sake  of  some  wrong  done  by  some  who  have  been  debauched.  You 
will  drop  it,  we  hope,  for  the  present." 

The  committee  in  reply  complained  that  the  returned  warriors,  in- 
stead of  coming  penitently  to  them,  as  became  them,  had  kept  out  of  the 
way,  and  at  least  one  of  them,  named  William  Johnson,  had  been  boasting 
of  his  course  and  talking  loudly  against  the  .Americans. 


CH.APTER  I.\. 


SCHVVI.ER  S     EXPEnnicI 


-THE    Fill. HI 


STOWN     AMI     IIISARMAME: 
OF    SIR    JOHN    JOHNSON. 


:t    of    the 


Sir  John  Johnson  continued  to  make  defensive  prepar.itions  about  the 
Hall.  These,  with  his  numerous  tory  adherents,  the  military  organization 
of  the  Scotch  Highlanders  in  his  immediate  vicinity,  and  the  increasing 
alienation  of  the  Indians,  kept  the  people  of  Tryon  county  in  continual 
alarm.  It  was  also  reported  that  military  stores  were  collected  at  the  Hall, 
and  that  three  hundred  Indians  were  to  be  stationed  there  to  be  let  loose 
on  the  settlers  when  it  should  be  deemed  expedient.  It  was  evident  that 
the  tories  were  actively  preparing  to  take  up  arms  for  the  king.  Congress 
having  been  notified  of  this  state  of  things,  ordered  General  Schuyler  to 
take  proper  steps  for  capturing  the  material  of  war  reported  to  be  sioreil  at 
Johnstown  and  the  tory  leaders  thereabouts  and  disarming  their  followers. 
Schuyler  had  at  the  time  no  force  with  whiih  to  execute  this  order,  but 
soon  mustered  seven  hundred  men  and  proceeded  toward   lohnstown. 

The  .Mohawks  at  the  lower  castle,  under  I.ittle  .Miraham.  had  not  been 
drawn  away  by  Brant  and  Guy  Johnson,  and  still  kept  their  pledge  of 
neutrality.  To  preserve  the  good  will  of  these  Indians  and  guard  against 
giving  them  .my  unnei  ess.nry  surprise  and  alarm.  General  Schuyler  sent  an 
inlcr|ir.eter  to  their  ■  .istlc,  vvh'i  .addressed  them  as  follows  : 

"  Itnithcrs  ;  I  am  sent  by  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonics  to 
acipiaint  you  that  the  brethren  of  .Mbany  have  received  information  that 
several  [.ersons  in  and  about  Johnstown  are  busy  in  collecting  men  to  cut 
our  throats,  and  are  ni.Tking  other  hostile  [ireparations  to  assist  in  en- 
slaving this  country,  and  to  prevent  and  stop  up  the  ro.Td  of  tommunication 


GEN.  SCHUYLER  AND  THE  MOHAWKS— HFS  TERMS  TO  SIR  JOHN  JOHNSON. 


45 


to  the  westward.  Your  Albany  brothers  on  this  alarming  occasion  have 
collected  their  warriors,  and  are  now  sending  them  up  the  river  in  order  to 
inquire  into  the  truth  of  the  report  and  act  thereupon  as  they  may  judge 
needful 

"Brothers.be  not  alarmed  at  these  preparations;  nothing  is  intended 
against  you;  our  own  safety  and  liberty  impel  us  to  this  measure.  Vou  can 
rest  perfectly  satisfied  that  we  will  in\-ariably  pursue  our  friendly  disposi- 
tion toward  you,  and  expect  that  you  will,  agreeable  to  the  promises  you 
made  at  Albany,  take  no  part  in  the  present  struggle. 

"Brothers,  we  promised  you  last  summer  that  Sir  John  and  his  family 
should  not  be  molested  while  he  took  no  measures  against  us.  We  are  yet 
of  that  mind,  and  if  he  has  acted  as  an  honest  man  he  need  not  fear  any 
danger. 

"  Brothers,  lest  the  preparations  and  march  into  your  country  should 
alarm  the  Six  Nations,  we  desire  that  you  will  send  some  of  your  young  men 
with  this  speech  to  the  end  of  the  House  of  the  Six  Nations,  that  no  uneasi- 
ness may  take  place  in  their  minds." 

The  Mohawk  sachems,  in  spite  of  their  friendly  attitude  toward  the 
colonists,  were  roused  to  senous  apprehensions  by  this  address,  heralding 
as  it  did  an  expedition  hostile  to  their  friend.  Sir  John  Johnson.  They  took 
the  matter  into  grave  consideration  and  sent  back  by  the  interpreter  a 
message  desinng  that  the  troojis  that  were  on  their  way  should  be  halted, 
suggesting  that,  perhaps,  a  mode  might  be  pointed  out  by  which  the  trouble 
could  be  more  quietly  settled,  for  example,  by  sending  three  or  four  per- 
sons to  speak  with  Sir  John  ;  but  promising  that  if  the  commissioners  did 
not  reconsider  their  intention  their  message  should  be  forwarded  to  the 
other  tribes  as  requested.  In  the  meantime,  three  of  the  Mohawks  would 
go  to  Sir  John  and  desire  him  and  the  other  tones  at  Johnstown  to  remain 
■  at  peace,  and  allay  their  uneasiness,  which  was  caused  by  reports  from 
Albany  that  people  were  coming  from  New  England  to  destroy  them  and 
their  possessions.  To  this  message  the  squaws  of  the  tribe  added  one  of 
their  own  to  the  same  effect.  Such  was  the  anxiety  of  the  tribe  that  a 
deputation  shortly  set  out  from  the  castle  for  Albany  to  further  remonstrate 
against  the  proposed  invasion. 

At  Schenectady  they  met  Cleneral  Schuyler,  who  had  advanced  without 
waiting  for  the  return  of  his  messenger.  Little  .\braham,  who  led  the 
Mohawk  embassy,  addressed  the  General  at  length,  and  in  a  more  vigorous 
tone  than  that  of  the  message  which  he  and  his  warriors  had  sent.  He 
desired  General  Schuyler  to  consider  the  plan  of  sending  a  few  persons  to 
inquire  into  the  state  of  things  at  Johnstown  and  keep  his  army  at  home. 
He  thought  it  strange  that  cannon  were  being  brought  along  the  path  of 
peace  so  lately  opened  between  the  Six  Nations  and  .Albany,  and  which 
was  not  to  be  stained  with  blood.  The  Mohawks,  he  said,  were  mediators 
between  the  hostile  parties,  and  would  consider  themselves  the  enemies  of 
whichsoever  side  began  aggressions.  Sir  John  had  promised  them  he  would 
not,  but  he  would  defend  himself  if  necessary.  The  speaker  thought  the 
Baronet  was  disposed  to  shut  up  the  path  of  peace,  but  he  had  not  the  force 
to  do  it.  The  sachems  had  been  all  along  exhorting  their  warriors  to  peace, 
but  they  might  be  unable  to  restrain  them  if  so  large  a  body  of  armed  men 
marched  into  their  country;  at  least  they  were  determined  to  be  present  at 
the  interview  between  General  Schuyler  and  Sir  John,  if  the  former  per- 
sisted in  going  forward,  and  if  he  [mshed  things  to  extremes,  they  would 
not  be  accountable  for  anything  that  might  happen. 

General  Schuyler  assured  the  .Mohawks  that  no  hostile  intentions  were 
entertained  against  any  of  the  Indians;  if  they  had  been,  a  message  would 
not  have  been  sent  to  the  castle,  nor  would  they  have  been  furnished  with 
IKjwder,  as  had  recently  I)een  done.  The  troops  were  moving  to  prevent 
the  Johnstown  tories  from  closing  up  the  jiath  of  peace  between  Albany 
and  the  Six  Nations,  and  no  blood  would  be  shed  unless  the  Johnson  party 
refused  to  come  to  an  agreement,  (ieneral  Schuyler  ])roniised  to  invite  Sir 
j"hn  to  meet  him  on  the  way  to  Johnstown,  and  hoped  the  Indians  would 
'•e  present.  This  was  satisfactory  to  the  Mohawk  deputation,  who  ini- 
n>tili;itcly  returnedtothcir  I  a>.tle,  while  General  Si  huyler dispatched  a  letter 
lo  the  liaronet.  annoiim  ing  his  intended  march  toward  Johnstown  on  the 
("ll'iwing  day,  Jan.  17.  1776.  inviting  Sir  John  to  meet  him  at  any  point  on 
ihc  rriiiie,  .ind  .issuring  him  of  his  s.ifety  in  so  doing. 

Sihuyler's  march  up  the  valley  was  .iccordingly  resumed,  the  militia 
)i'ining  hmi  in  such  numbers  that -by  night  his  force  exceeded  three  thou- 
sand men.  At  (iuy  I'ark,  about  sixteen  miles  frcim  Sc  henei  tady,  Sir  John 
and  several  of  his  leading  Tory  friends  were  met  with.  In  the  interview 
Ihc  Haronetlold  (leneral  Schuyler  that  he  (Johnson)  was  sustained  by  the 


Indians,  a  considerable  number  of  whom  were  already  at  Johnson  Hall. 
In  answer  to  this  threatening  intimation  Schuyler  assured  the  Tory  chief 
that  resistance  on  his  part  would  produce  serious  consequences,  and  stated 
his  terms  for  an  amicable  arrangement.  Sir  John  asked  for  twenty-four 
hours  to  consider  them,  w  hich  being  granted,  he  returned  to  the  Hall.  The 
following  were  General  Schuyler's  stipulations: 

"Terms  offered  by  the  Honourable  Philip  Schuyler.  Es(|.,  Major  tleneral 
in  the  army  of  the  Thirteen  L'nited  Colonies,  and  commanding  in  the  New 
York  department,  to  Sir  John  Johnson,  Baronet,  and  all  such  other  per- 
sons in  the  county  of  Tryon  as  have  evinced  their  intentions  of  supporting 
his  Majesty's  ministry,  to  carry  into  execution  the  unconstitutional  me.is- 
ures  of  which  the  Americans  so  justly  complain,  and  to  prevent  which  they 
have  been  driven  to  the  dreadful  necessity  of  having  recourse  to  arms. 

"  FiRSTLV.  That  Sir  John  Johnson  shall  upon  his  word  of  honor  immedi- 
ately deliver  up  all  cannon,  arms  and  other  military  stores  of  what  kind 
soever  which  may  be  in  his  own  possession,  or  which  he  has  caused  to  be 
delivered  into  the  possession  of  any  persons  whatsoever,  either  directlv  or 
indirectly,  or  that  to  his  knowledge  may  be  concealed  in  any  part  of  the 
said  county;  that  he  shall  distinguish  all  such  military  stores  of  what  kind 
soever  as  belong  to  the  crown,  or  were  furnished  with  the  design  of  arming 
the  Indians  or  the  inhabitants  of  Iryon  county,  from  those  which  may  be 
private  property,  in  order  that  a  proper  inventory  may  be  taken  of  the  List 
articles,  that  the  same  may  be  restored  or  the  value  of  them  refunded  when 
this  unhappy  contest  shall  be  over. 

"  Seconolv.  General  Schuyler,  out  of  personal  respect  for  Sir  John,  and 
from  a  regard  to  his  rank,  consents  that  Sir  John  shall  retain  for  his  own 
use  a  complete  set  of  armor  and  as  much  powder  as  may  be  sufficient  for 
his  domestic  purposes. 

"Thirdly.  That  Sir  John  Johnson  shall  remain  upon  his  parole  of 
honour  in  any  part  of  Tryon  county  which  he  may  choose  to  the  eastward 
of  the  district  of ,  unless  it  should  appear  necessary  to  the  Honoura- 
ble the  Continental  Congress  to  remove  him  to  some  other  part  of  this  or 
any  other  colony;  in  which  case  he  is  immediately  to  comply  with  such 
orders  as  they  may  think  jiroper  to  give  for  that  purpose. 

"Fourthly.  That  the  Scotch  inhabitants  of  the  said  county  shall, 
without  any  kind  of  exception,  immediately  deliver  up  all  arms  in  their 
possession  of  what  kind  soever  they  may  be;  and  that  they  shall  each 
solemnly  promise  that  they  will  not  at  any  time  hereafter  during  the  con- 
tinuance of  this  unhappy  contest  take  up  arms  without  the  permission  of 
the  Continental  Congress  or  of  their  general  officers,  and  for  the  more 
faithful  performance  of  this  article,  the  General  insists  that  they  shall  im- 
mediately deliver  up  to  him  six  hostages  of  his  own  nomination. 

"  Fifthly.  That  such  of  the  other  inhabitants  of  Tryon  county  as  have 
avowed  themselves  averse  to  the  measures  of  the  United  Colonies  shall 
also  deliver  up  their  arms  of  what  kind  soever  they  may  be,  and  enter  into 
the  like  eng.agement  as  is  stipulated  in  the  preceding  article,  both  with  re- 
spect to  their  future  conduct  and  the  number  of  hostages. 

"Sixthly.  That  all  blankets,  strouds  and  other  Indian  articles  belong- 
ing to  the  crown  and  intended  as  presents  to  the  Indians,  shall  be  delivered 
up  to  a  commissary  appointed  by  (ieneral  Schuyler  in  the  presence  of  three 
or  more  of  the  .Mohawk  chiefs,  in  order  that  the  same  may  be  dispensed 
amongst  the  Indians  for  the  purpose  of  cementing  the  ancient  friendship 
between  them  and  their  brethren  of  the  United  Colonies,  for  which  sole 
purpose  they  ought  to  have  been  furnished. 

"Sf-vf.nthi.v.  If  Sir  John  Johnson  and  the  people  referred  to  in  the 
aforegoing  articles  shall  justly  abide  by  and  perform  what  is  required  of 
them,  the  General,  on  behalf  of  the  Continental  Congress,  doth  promise 
.and  engage  that  neither  Sir  John  Johnson  nor  any  of  those  people  shall  be 
molested  by  any  of  the  other  inhabitants  of  the  said  county,  or  by  any  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  thirteen  United  Colonies;  but  that  on  the  contrary 
they  will  be  protected  in  the  quiet  and  peaceable  enjoyment  of  their 
property;  the  sole  intent  of  this  treaty  being  to  prevent  the  horrid  effects 
of  a  civil  and  intestine  war  betwixt  those  who  ought  to  be  brethren;  th.lt 
all  the  arms  which  shall  be  delivered  up  in  consequence  of  the  pre*  eding 
articles  shall  be  valued  by  sworn  appraisers;  that  if  the  Continental  Ccm- 
grcss  should  have  oiiasion  for  them  they  may  be  taken.  If  nnt,  they  "ill 
be  delivered  lo  the  res|,ective   i.roprietors  when  this  iinh.i|.py  <  ontest  sh.ill 


be  at  . 


end.' 


On  the  i.Stli,  (ieneral  Schuyler  advanced  to  Caughnawag.n,  where  he 
met  Col.  Herkimer  with  the  Tryon  county  militia.  In  the  evening  of  that 
day  he  received  from  Sir  John  a  communication  stating  that  the  Haronet 


46 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


had  no  military*  stores  or  Indian  supplies  belonging  to  the  crown;  stipula- 
ting thM  only  such  arms  as  m-ere  not  private  property  should  be  surren- 
dered; demanding  that  he  should  be  permitted  to  go  where  he  pleased, 
and  saying  no  one  had  power  to  give  hostages  for  the  Scotch  or  other 
Tories, 

General  Schuyler  replied,  insisting  upon  his  terms,  giving  the  Baronet 
until  twelve  o'clock  that  night  to  accept  them;  warning  him  of  the  dread- 
ful conse<(uences  of  a  refusal,  and  requesting  the  retirement  of  Ladv  John- 
son from  the  Hall,  upon  which  he  pro];o-.cd  to  march  immcdiatclv. 

Soon  after  thts  (IJNpatrh  had  been  sent.  C.eneral  Schu\ler  wa>  visited  bv 
all  the  men  of  the  lower  Mohawk  casrle  and  several  from  the  upper  castle. 
They  had  come  from  Johnson  Hall,  four  miles  distant,  where  the  Haronet 
had  informed  them  of  Schuyler's  requirements.  They  entreated  the  latter 
to  accept  Sir  John's  proposals.  This  was,  of  course,  refused,  but  at  their 
solicitations  the  (ieneral  granted  him  four  hours  lunger  in  which  to  frame 
his  answer,  during  which  time  the  Indians  hoped  to  "shake  his  head  and 
bring  him  to  his  senses."  In  compliance  with  the  appeals  of  the  Mohawks, 
Schuyler  also  consented  not  to  remove  Johnson  from  the  county,  telling 
them  he  did  so  to  show  the  regard  of  the  colonists  for  the  I'  'ians,  and  to 
leave  Sir  John  within  the  reach  of  benefit  from  their  example  and  advice. 

At  midnight  the  colonial  (ieneral  received  the  expected  "answer  to  the 
terms  proposed  by  the  Honourable  Philip  Schuyler,  Esq.,  Major  General 
in  the  army  of  the  thirteen  United  Colonies  and  commanding  in  the  New 
York  department,  to  Sir  John  Johnson.  Baronet,  the  inhabitants  of  Kings- 
borough  and  the  neighborhood  adjacent."  In  this  communication  the 
Baronet  demanded  to  be  allowed  to  go  to  any  part  of  the  countv  not  west 
of  the  German  Flats  and  Kingsland  districts,  and  to  every  part  of  the  con- 
tinent south  of  the  county.  He  again  refused  to  give  hostages  for  the 
Scotch  Highlanders,  but  said  that  any  six  of  them  might  he  taken  pris- 
oners, with  the  understanding  that  they  should  be  "maintained  agreeable  to 
their  respective  ranks,"  and  "  have  the  privilege  of  going  to  any  part  of  the 
province  of  New  Jersey  or  Pennsylvania,  which  the  General  or  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  may  appoint."  The  hope  was  expressed  that  General 
Schuyler  would  persuade  Congress  to  provide  for  the  support  of  the  pris- 
oners' families.  The  baronet  refused  to  give  hostages  or  make  any  engage- 
ments for  other  Tories,  except  that  they  should,  so  far  as  depended  upon 
him,  give  up  their  arms.  The  Cieneral  might  seize  as  many  of  them  for 
hostages  as  he  pleased.  The  Indians  had  remained  with  General  Schuyler 
until  this  letter  was  received,  when  they  were  told  that  the  trouble  was 
likely  to  be  settled  peaceably,  and  took  their  departure,  highly  gratified. 

Schuyler  then  sent  his  ultimatum  to  Sir  John.  The  latter  was  allowed, 
together  with  his  friends,  to  retain  a  few  favorite  family  arms;  he  was 
permitted  to  go  to  any  part  of  New  York  east  of  the  s]jecified  districts  of 
Tryon  county  and  excepting  seaport  towns;  permission  for  more  extended 
traveling  might  probably  be  obtained  from  Congress.  Prisoners  would  be 
taken  from  among  the  Scotch,  and  the  Baronet's  suggestions  in  regard  to 
them  complied  with,  except  that  they  would  be  located  for  a  time,  at  least, 
at  Reading  or  Lancaster,  Pa.  They  were  to  go  at  once,  however,  to 
Albany,  where  they  might  remain  long  enough  to  settle  up  their  affairs. 

To  General  Schuyler's  onginal  stipulations  as  thus  modified,  Sir  John 
agreed.  The  Tories  not  Covered  by  them  were  brought  together  by  de- 
tachments sent  out  through  the  neighborhood.  Jan.  rglh  the  expedition 
moved  forward  to  Johnson  Hall,  and  the  Baronet  gave  up  the  arms  and 
ammunition  in  his  possession,  to  a  much  less  amount  than  was  expected. 
On  Saturday,  the  zoth.  General  Schuyler  paraded  his  trooi)s  to  receive  the 
surrender  of  the  Scotch  Highlanders,  some  three  hundred  in  number,  who 
on  delivering  their  arms,  were  dismissed  with  an  assurance  of  protection 
while  ihey  remained  peaceable.  The  report  of  a  concealed  deposit  of 
military  stores  at  a  particular  spot  was  found,  by  a  search,  to  be  false.  On 
the  same  day  General  Schuyler  began  his  return  march  to  Albany,  stop- 
ping that  night  at  Caiij;hnawaga.  A  hundred  or  more  prominent  Tories 
were  brought  into  John^^town  from  the  neighboring  country  and  di>armed 
by  Col.  Herkimer,  who  remained  for  that  purjtose,  and  to  receive  the 
prisoners'  hostages,  two  days  after  Schuyler's  departure. 

The  energetic  measure  carried  out  by  General  Schuyler  allayed  the 
Whigs'  fears  of  immediate  molestation  ;  but  ihcir  apprehcn>ii>ns  were  soon 
revived  by  the  conduct  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  who  violated,  at  least  in 
spirit,  the  compact  which  he  had  made,  by  constantly  exerting  his  inlluence 
to  create  sentiment  hostile  to  the  U'higs.  As  a  consequenLC,  the  High- 
landers became  as  bold  as  ever  in  their  opposition  to  Congressional  rule. 
Gen.  Schuyler  obtained  sufficient  evidence  that  the  Baronet  was  instigating 


the  Indians  to  hostilities  along  the  frontier,  and  believed  that  more  evil 
would  result  from  his  remaining  at  liberty  than  from  his  arrest  and 
imprisonment.  Accordingly,  an  expedition  commanded  by  Col.  Dayton 
was  sent  in  May  to  capture  Johnson  and  <|uell  the  rising  disaffection  about 
Johnstown.  Sir  John  was  seasonably  informed  of  this  movement  by  loyalist 
friends  at  Albany,  and  prepared  to  flee  with  his  retainers  to  Canada.  He 
had  scant  time  for  preparations,  and  as  Col.  Dayton  arrived  at  the  eastern 
side  of  the  village  of  Johnstown,  the  Baronet  and  his  party  struck  into  the 
great  northern  forest,  poorly  provided  with  food  and  equipments  for  their 
arduous  journey.  Their  little  store  of  provisions  was  soon  exhausted,  and 
the  danger  of  starvation  was  among  the  perils  that  beset  them,  as  for  nine- 
teen days  they  threaded  the  wilderness  from  the  head  waters  of  the  Hudson 
to  Montreal.  Some  of  their  number  they  had  to  leave  by  the  way,  to  be 
brought  in  afterward  by  a  party  of  Indians  sent  out  for  the  purpose.  So 
hurried  was  Johnson's  dej)arture  from  the  Hall,  that  his  most  valuable 
effects  were  hustled  into  an  iron  chest  and  buried  in  the  garden  by  one  of 
his  black  slaves.  This  fellow  was  bought  by  the  patriot  Col.  Veeder,  but 
he  faithfully  kept  the  secret  of  the  concealed  property  of  his  fonner  master, 
and  was  able  four  years  later  to  point  out  the  position  of  the  chest  to  its 
owner. 

Col.  Dayton  remained  with  his  troops  several  weeks  at  Johnstown.  Such 
papers  as  the  Baronet  had  left  there  were  examined,  and  Lady  Johnson 
was  removed  to  Albany,  where  she  was  detained  as  a  hostage  for  the  peace- 
able conduct  of  her  husband.  He,  however,  immediately  took  a  com- 
mission as  Colonel  in  the  British  service,  and  organized  two  battalions 
from  the  Tories  who  accompanied  him  in  his  flight  and  others  who  followed 
them.  Johnson's  men  were  called  the  Royal  (ireens,  and  were  during  the 
Revolution  the  bitterest  enemies  of  their  former  neighbors  in  the  Mohawk 
valley,  visiting  them  repeatedly  with  fire  and  sword,  and  even  surpassing 
their  Indian  allies  in  deeds  of  cruelty. 

Sir  John's  estate,  the  largest,  with  one  exception,  then  owned  by  any 
man  on  the  continent,  was  confiscated  under  an  act  of  attainder  covering 
himself  and  some  sixty  other  Tories,  whose  property  shared  the  same  fate. 

After  Sir  John  escai)ed  to  Canada,  parties  of  Tones  were  continually 
taking  the  same  course.  Eighty  went  at  one  time,  taking  with  them  a  pair 
of  stolen  oxen  as  food  for  their  journey.  While  they  were  disputing  as  to 
who  should  command  them  on  their  way,  a  party  of  Whigs  came  upon 
them,  aided  by  some  militia  and  State  troops,  and  took  them  all  prisoners 
except  fourteen.  These  were  pursued  still  further,  and  five  more  secured, 
and  all  lodged  in  the  Johnstown  jail. 


CHAPTER   X. 


THK     MlLITl.l 


GANl^AIION — AL.^RM     ON     THE     APPROACH     OF     BURGOVNK 
<D    ST.    [.K(;KR — FORT    SCHUVl.FR    INVFSTKD. 


The  Tories  who  remained  in  Tryon  County  after  Sir  John's  flight  made 
no  further  hostile  demonstrations.  For  a  time,  therefore,  the  Whigs  lived 
in  comparative  trantjuillity,  but  they  did  not  relax  their  vigilance  or  forget 
that  they  were  living  on  a  frontier  always  liable  to  incursions  of  the  savages, 
aided  and  encouraged  by  the  vindictive  loyalists.  Scouting  parties  were 
kept  constantly  on  the  alert  to  give  the  promptest  notice  of  the  appearance 
of  the  foe. 

The  new  attitude  in  which  the  colonies  were  placed  by  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  was  heartily  approved  by  the  patriots  of  the  Mohawk 
V'alley,  who  nevertheless  foresaw  the  suffering,  toil  and  loss  that  would  be 
required  to  sustain  it.  One  necessity  immediately  created  was  the  strength- 
ening of  the  militia.  A  company  of  rangers  was  formed  during  the  summer 
of  1776,  and  placed  under  command  of  Capt.  Robert  McKean.  This  force 
being  ordered  to  duty  elsewhere,  another  company,  under  Capt.  Winn,  was 
stationed  in  the  Valley,  in  compliance  with  the  urgent  a[q.eals  of  the  people 
to  the  Congress  of  New  York.  In  August,  Capt.  (ietman's  company  of 
rangers  was  enlisted.  The  officers  were  :  Captain — Christian  Getman  ; 
Lieutenants — Jacob  Sammons  and  James  Billingston  ;  Corporals — William 
Kind.  John  Mulsor  and  Leonhart  Cratzer  ;  Sergeants— John  Smith,  Nehe- 
miah  Williams  and  Ri<  hard  Coppernoll.  The  following  were  the  names  of 
the  jjrivates  : 

Joshua  Agin,  Mith.u-I  Hiller.  John  Brame,  John  Box,  John  Canton.  Adam 
Coppernoll,  Samuel  Coplin.  John  Cram,  John  Dop.  William  Karb,  Jacob 
Empie.  Isaac  Fuller,  Mi<  hael  Fuller,  Jacob  Kishback,  Jacob  Frey,  John 
Fluno,  Felton  Fralick,  Richard  Freeman,  Thomas  Getman,  George  Hoyney 


T 


TRYON  COUNTY  MILITIA— THE  NOTORIOUS  BRANT  IN  ALLIANCK  WITH  JOHNSON 


47 


Frederick  Hoyntry,  Abraham  Hodges,  Conrad  Hart,  Daniel  Hart,  John 
Hails,  George  Hawk,  Christian  (enne,  Lodowick  Krin^,  William  Karin, 
Christian  leather,  Johannes  Leather,  Geory;e  Loux,  Johannes  Miller,  Cor- 
nelius Mills,  Jacob  Pitkard.  Philip  Phillips.  Johannes  Rafe,  Johannes 
Spanknable,  Johannes  Sutes,  Jacob  Staring,  Nicholas  Slrader,  (ieorgc 
Saitsman,  George  Salt^man.  Jr.,  John  Schnell,  Bolson  Smith,  Hendrick 
Shafer,  Jacob  Tucsler.  Hendrick  Van  I)er  W'erkin,  John  Van  Her  Werkin, 
John  Van  Anwarp.  Hendrick  Vrooman,  Minchan  Vrooman,  Martin  Van 
Der  Warkin,  Johannes  U'ormuood,  Chnstian  Wormwood,  Christian 
Walliser 

The  first  steps  in  the  organization  of  a  militia  had  been  taken  more  than 
a  year  before  the  declaration  of  independence.  On  the  3d  of  June,  1775, 
the  Countj'  Committee  recommended  the  appomtmcnt  of  a  committee  in 
each  district  to  form  the  palnols  into  companies.  This  duty  was  performed 
by  the  Canajoharie  committee  on  the  15th  of  June,  and  by  the  Palatine 
on  the  i6th.  The  men  of  the  German  Flats  and  Kingsland  districts 
assembled  for  a  similar  purpose  on  the  17th,  but  the  organization  was  post- 
poned. On  the  3d  of  July  the  County  Committee  granted  permission  to 
the  settlers  in  North  Germaniown  to  form  themselves  into  a  company. 
John  Eisenlord  was  chosen  Captain,  John  Key;er,  First  Lieutenant,  Adam 
Bellinger,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  John  Smith,  Ensign.  Thib  ^.ompany, 
according  to  an  ordinance  of  the  County  Committee,  was  to  "begin  at 
Jacob  Staring's,  included,  and  lake  in  all  the  inhabitants  from  16  to  50 
years  of  age  on  the  north  side  of  the  high  road  to  Leonard  Rickert's  ; 
thence  all  the  inhabitants  of  North  Germantown  of  the  ages  above  men- 
tioned, and  extend  so  far  in  Sir  William  Johnson's  deceased  settlement 
until  the  company  amounts  to  60  private  men,  the  sergeants  and  corporals 
included."  .\t  the  same  meeting  which  made  this  order  held  Aug.  26, 
1776;  the  subjoined  resolution  was  passed  : 

'*  The  following  persons  are  nominated  by  a  majority  of  votes  as  field 
officers  for  each  respective  district  : 
"  Canajoharie — 

"ist  Colonel  Nicholas  Herkimer, 

Lieut.  Colonel  Ebenezer  Cox, 

Major  Robert  Wells. 

Adjutant  Samuel  Clyde, 
Palatine — 

**Col.  Jacob  Clock, 

LieuL  Col.  Peter  Waggoner, 

Major   Harmanus    Van    Slyck, 

Adjutant  Anthony  Van  Vechten,  J 
**  Mohawk — 

**  Col.  Frederick  Fisher,  ') 

Lieut.  Col.  Adam  Fonda,     1     ,  1,        ,- 

Major  John  Bliven.  I  -^'^  Mattali. 

Adjutant  Robt.  Yates.  J 

"Kingsland  and  Gf.rman  Fiat^ — 
"  Col.  Han  Yost  Herkimer,  ~1 

Lieut.  Col.  Keter  Bellinger, 

Major  Han  Yost  Shoemaker, 

Adjutant  Jno.  Deniooth.  J 

By  another  vote  of  the  committee  Nichola-*  Herkimer  was  ajipoinled 
"Chief  Colonel  Commander  for  the  county  of  Trvon."  At  the  same  time, 
however,  a  request  was  made  10  Crencral  Schuyler,  then  at  Tit  onderoga. 
for  a  couple  (»f  the  companies  under  his  command  to  protect  the  frontier, 
the  inhabitants,  probably,  wishing  to  attend  to  their  ordinary  avocations 
as  long  as  possible. 

In  the  spring  of  1777  a  large  party  of  Indians,  under  Hrant,  having  come 
down  from  Canada  without  committing  any  depredations,  appeared  at 
I'nadilla  on  the  Susquehanna.  Having  required  the  people  of  that  settle- 
ment to  furnish  his  warriors  abundantly  with  provisions,  Mrant  told  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Johnstone  and  the  militia  ofti.  ers  of  the  place  that  he  had  en- 
tered the  British  servii  e,  and  would  not  allow  anv  of  the  M.jhawks  to  l)e 
seized  and  confined  to  their  castles,  as  he  understood  h.ui  been  done.  The 
savage  horde  remained  at  Unndilla  two  days  and  when  they  left,  drove  off 
some  cattle  and  sheep.  This  visitation  so  alarmed  the  people  of  the  set- 
tlement that  they  aliandoned  it.  most  of  tlu-iii  returning  to  Cherry  Valley, 
whence  they  had  emigrated  to  the  Siis<piLh.inn.i,  dnd  some  rcpairin"  to 
the  German  Flats  and  the  Hudson  river  selilcnunts 

From  Unadiila,  Hrant  dcsrcnded  the  river  to  Oi^-hkuaga.  There  he  re- 
ceived reinforcements,  and  his  threatening  attitii-U  (  aiised  great  anxietv 
in  the   frontier  neighborhoods.      It  was    determined  bv   Gencrnl    S(  huylcr 


Battalion. 


2nd  Ratta!i( 


■4th   Battali. 


and  his  officers  in  council  that  Col.  Herkimer  should  confer  with  the  Mo- 
hawk chief,  with  whom  he  had  been  on  friendly  terms  when  they  were 
neighbors  beside  the  Mohawk.  Herkimer  accordingly  sent  a  message  to 
invite  Brant  to  meet  him  at  Cnadilla,  and  proceeded  thither  himself  with 
about  three  hundred  of  the  Tryon  county  militia.  There  he  had  remained 
for  a  week  when  Brant  encamped  with  five  hundred  warriors,  two  miles 
distant.  The  commanders  and  a  portion  of  their  followers  met,  unarmed, 
in  an  open  field  between  the  encampments.  Brant  told  his  visitor  that  his 
forces  were  in  concert  with  the  king  and  had  opened  a  war  path  across  the 
country  to  Esopus,  to  form  a  junction  with  the  tories  in  that  quarter.  The 
conversation  on  the  part  of  the  chief  was  hostile  in  tone,  and  a  battle  was 
narrowly  avoided.  A  second  interview  the  next  morning  was  equally  fruit- 
less, and  Herkimer  led  back  his  forces  to  the  Mohawk.  Brant  and  his 
warriors  shortly  after  joined  Sir  John  Johnston  and  Col  John  Butler  at 
Oswego,  where  they  were  gathering  a  force  of  refugees  and  Indians  pre- 
paratory to  a  descent  upon  the  Mohawk  valley,  and  where  (iuy  Johnson 
had  called  a  council  of  the  Six  Nations.  At  this  council  were  present  a 
considerable  number  of  sachems,  who  still  adhered  to  their  pledge  of  neu- 
trality, given  to  General  Schuyler,  until  the  appeals  of  the  British  agents 
to  their  avarice  overcame  their  sense  of  honor.  Finally  they  concluded  an 
alliance  with  the  English,  binding  themselves  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against 
the  colonists.  They  were  then  clothed  anew  and  armed  by  the  British 
officers,  and  a  bounty  offered  them  for  every  scalp  they  should  bring  in. 
Brant  was  from  this  time  acknowledged  the  grand  sachem  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions, and  soon  after  entered  upon  the  murderous  career  which  made  his 
name  a  terror  to  the  people  of  the  Mohawk  vallev. 

The  intended  invasion  of  that  section  from  the  west  by  St.  Leger  co- 
operating with  Burgoync's  descent  by  the  way  of  Lake  Champlain,  was 
seasonably  announced  to  the  Tryon  county  authorities  by  Thomas  Spen- 
cer, an  Oneida  half-breed  sachem,  who  had  learned  of  it  in  Canada  on  a 
spying  expedition.  He  reported  that  there  were  seven  hundred  Indians 
and  four  hundred  British  regulars  at  Oswego,  who  were  to  be  joined  by 
six  hundred  tories,  then  on  one  of  the  islands  above  Oswegatchie,  in  an 
incursion  into  the  valley.  He  urged  a  reinforcement  of  Fort  Schuyler 
Stanwix),  and  that  the  woods  about  it  be  cleared  awav  and  trees  felled 
into  Wood  creek,  the  route  by  which  the  enemy  would  advance  from 
Oneida  Lake.  He  was  concerned  for  the  safety  of  his  tribe,  who  would 
be  compelled  to  join  the  invaders  if  the  latter  were  not  promptly  checked. 

This  startling  information,  instead  of  arousing  the  whigs  of  Tryon 
county  to  active  measures  of  defence,  seemed  to  paralyze  them  with  alarm. 
As  the  thus  far  victorious  army  of  Burgoyne  advanced  from  Ticonderoga, 
threatening  to  overwhelm  everything  before  it,  the  patriots  of  the  county 
began  to  waver,  while  the  remaining  tories,  secretly  informed  of  the  move 
nients  of  the  British,  again  took  heart.  It  was  declared  that  the  Indians 
would  ravage  the  whole  country,  and  many  of  the  inhabitants  who  had 
previously  been  neutral,  now  espoused  the  cause  of  the  crown  and  stole 
away  to  the  enemy.  The  residue  of  the  Scotch  Highlanders  in  the 
vicinity  of  Johnstown,  together  with  some  of  the  Germans  adhering  to  the 
British  cause,  had  fled  to  Canada,  headed  by  two  men  named  McDonald. 
whom  General  Schuyler  had  allowed  to  visit  their  families.  The  wives 
and  children  of  the  absconded  tories  maintained  communication  with 
thein  and  administered  to  their  needs.  The  plan  of  arresting  and  remov- 
ing them  to  a  place  where  they  could  neither  do  nor  suffer  harm  was  sug- 
gested and  ajiproved  by  Col.  Herkimer,  or  Gencial.  as  we  might  better 
style  him,  since,  though  appointed  a  Colonel  by  the  Tryon  county  com- 
mittee, he  outranked  the  officers  of  that  name  commanding  battalions, 
being  himself  commander  of  all  the  county  troops.  So  alarming  were  the 
various  reports  which  reached  the  settlements  that  some  of  the  inhabitants 
were  obliged  to  be  constantly  ranging  the  frontier  to  guard  against  a  sur- 
prise by  the  enemy,  while  others  stood  as  sentinels  around  the  fields  where 
farmers  were  at  work.  The  deplorable  stale  of  the  county  is  revealed  by 
the  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  John  Jay  to  Gouverneur  Morns, 
dated  July  21,  1777: 

"'The  situation  ot  'Tryon  county  is  both  shameful  and  alarming.  Such 
abjection  and  despondency  as  mark  the  letters  we  have  received  from 
thence  disgrace  human  nature.  God  knows  what  to  do  with  ihem,  or  for 
them.  Were  they  alone  interested  in  their  fate,  I  should  be  for  leaving 
their  cart  m  the  slough  till  they  should  put  their  shoulders  to  the  wheel  "" 

In  the  distouraging  communications  from  'Tryon  county  which  Mr,  Jay 
referred  to,  the  committee  of  that  county  reported  that  with  part  of  their 
militia  nt  Tort  Edward  many  of  those  remaining  at  home  thought  it  hope- 


48 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


less  to  take  up  arms  against  the  overwhelming  invasion  that  was  expected  ; 
and  that  if  immediate  relief  was  not  afforded  by  a  reinforcement  of  live 
hundred  men,  they  must  fall  a  prey  to  the  enemy,  or  else  seek  their  pro- 
tection. A  letter  by  (Jcneral  Schuyler,  dated  Kort  Edward,  July  i8,  1777, 
contains  the  following  sentences  corroborative  of  Mr.  Jay's  complaint  in 
regard  to  the  spirit  of  the  Tryon  county  patriots  ; 

"I  am  exceedingly  chagrined  at  the  pusilanimous  spirit  which  prevails 
in  the  county  of  Tryon.  1  apprehend  much  of  it  is  to  be  attributed  to 
the  infidelity  of  the  leading  persons  of  that  (juarter.  If  I  had  one  thou- 
sand regular  troops,  in  addition  to  those  now  above  and  on  the  march,  I 
should  venture  to  keep  only  every  third  man  of  the  militia  and  would  send 
them  down.  The  substance  of  Col.  Harper's  information  had  been  trans- 
mitted about  a  month  ago.  In  consequence  whereof  I  sent  Col.  Van 
Schaick  into  Tryon  county  with  as  many  troops  as  I  could  collect.  After 
the  improper  agreement  made  by  (leneral  Herkimer  (with  Brant  at  Una- 
dilla';  these  troops  were  marched  back  ;  but  as  soon  as  I  was  informed  of 
the  march,  I  ordered  them  to  remain  in  Tryon  county,  where  they  are 
still,  and  I  have  sent  up  Col.  Wesson's  regiment  to  reinforce  them.  But  if 
I  may  be  allowed  to  judge  of  the  temper  of  Gen.  Herkimer  and  the  com- 
mittee of  Tryon  county,  from  their  letters  to  me,  nothing  will  satisfy  them 
unless  I  march  the  whole  army  into  that  quarter.  With  deference  to  the 
better  judgment  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  I  cannot  by  any  mea^-  think  it 
prudent  to  bring  on  an  open  rupture  with  the  savages  at  the  present  time. 
The  inhabitants  of  Tryon  county  are  already  too  much  inclined  to  lay 
down  their  arms  and  take  whatever  terms  the  enemy  may  please  to  afford 
them.  Half  the  militia  from  this  Tryonl  county  and  the  neighboring 
State  of  Massachusetts  we  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  dismissing  ; 
but  the  whole  should  go." 

The  committee,  a  few  days  previous  to  this  appeal  for  protection,  had 
been  called  to  reinforce  Fort  Schuyler.  Of  the  two  hundred  militia 
ordered  to  muster  and  form  the  garrison  of  that  post,  a  part  only  obeyed. 
Thev  had  also  ordered  two  companies  of  regular  troops,  stationed  at  dif- 
ferent points  in  the  county  under  their  direction,  to  repair  to  the  fort  ;  but 
even  these  made  various  excuses,  claiming  that  their  service  as  scouts  had 
unfitted  them  for  garrison  duly.  They,  however,  reiuctantiv  complied 
At  this  late  hour,  with  Burgoyne  advancing  upon  .Mbany,  little  help  could  be 
expected  from  a  distance  ;  and  it  was  obvious  that  the  people  of  the  Mo- 
hawk valley  must  rely  mainly  upon  themselves  for  their  defence  against  the 
tories  and  savages  of  St.  Leger.  who,  if  not  confronted  on  the  remote 
frontier,  would  soon  be  at  their  doors.  Gen.  Herkimer,  therefore,  on  the 
17th  of  July  issued  a  proclamation,  announcing  that  two  thousand  "Chris- 
tians and  savages  "  had  assembled  at  Oswego  for  a  descent  upon  the  Mo- 
hawk valley,  and  warning  the  people  en  masse  to  be  ready  at  a  moment's 
notice  to  take  the  field  in  fighting  order,  the  men  from  sixteen  to  sixty  for 
active  service,  and  the  aged  and  infirm  to  defend  the  women  and  children 
at  points  where  they  might  gather  for  safety.  Those  who  did  not  volun- 
tarily muster  for  service  when  called  upon  were  to  be  brought  along  by 
force. 

On  the  30th  of  July  the  Tryon  county  committee  received  a  final  warn- 
ing from  the  Oneida  sachem,  Thomas  Spencer,  that  the  enemy  would  be 
upon  Fort  Schuyler  in  three  or  four  days,  and  an  exhortation  to  make  the 
most  of  the  time  in  pushing  the  preparations  for  its  defence.  On  the  2d  of 
August,  Lieut-Col.  Mellon,  of  Col.  Wesson's  regiment,  arrived  at  the  fort 
with  two  batteaux  of  provisions  and  ammunition  and  a  reinforcement  of 
two  hundred  men,  all  sorely  needed  and  most  heartily  welcomed.  As  the 
last  load  of  supplies  was  hurried  within  the  stockade,  the  vanguard  of  St. 
I.eger's  army  broke  from  the  border  of  the  surrounding  forest. 


CHAPTER  XI. 
ST.  I.eger's  siec.f.  of  fort  schuvlf.r  anp  thf.  battle  of  oriskanv — 

ROSTFR    OF    THF.    LATTER. 

At  the  same  time  that  Burgoyne  began  his  march  to  the  northern 
frontier  of  New  York,  Col.  Barry  St.  Leger  was  dispatched  f;./.  the  St. 
Lawrence  to  Oswego  to  join  the  tories  and  Indians  congregating  there 
under  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Brant,  who  had  been  made  a  cajitain  in  the 
British  army.  W.  the  end  of  July  the  invading  force,  consisting  of  seven- 
teen hundred  Indians,  tories,  British  regulars,  and  a  few  Hessians,  set  out 
for  Fort  Schuyler.     It  was  St.  Leger's  intention  after  capturing  that  post  to 


sweep  down  the  Mohawk  valley,  crush  out  the  rebellious  element  and  co- 
operate with  Burgoyne. 

On  the  2nd  of  .August  an  advance  party  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Bird 
and  Brant,  arn\ed  before  the  fort,  which  was  garrisoned  by  seven  hundred 
and  fifty  men  under  Colonel  Gansevoort,  with  six  weeks  provisions  and 
plenty  of  ammunition  for  small  arms,  but  lamentably  lacking  in  cartridges 
for  the  cannon,  there  being  only  about  four  hundred,  or  nine  per  day  to 
each  gun  for  six  weeks.  The  garrison  had  no  flag  when  the  enemy  ap- 
peared, but  a  curious  patchwork  conforming  to  the  Congressional  regula- 
tions soon  waved  over  the  beleaguered  fortress.  Shirts  were  cut  up  to  form 
the  white  strijies  ;  the  red  was  supplied  by  bits  of  scarlet  cloth,  and  the 
ground  for  the  stars  was  furnished  by  a  blue  cloak.  On  the  3d,  Col.  St. 
Leger  arrived  with  his  whole  force  and  immediately  demanded  a  surrender 
of  the  fort,  sending  in  at  the  same  time  a  copy  of  a  pompous  manifesto  in- 
tended to  shake  the  courageous  by  its  threats  and  seduce  the  timid  by  its 
promises.  It  was,  however,  treated  with  derision,  and  active  hostilities 
began. 

.As  soon  as  St.  I.eger's  ad\ance  upon  Fort  Schuyler  was  known  to  the 
committee  and  officers  of  Tryon  county.  Gen.  Herkimer  summoned  the 
militia  to  the  field  for  the  relief  of  the  garrison.  The  patriots  who  had 
desponded  when  the  danger  threatened  them  from  a  distance,  roused  them- 
selves in  its  presence  to  a  heroic  effort  for  the  protection  of  their  homes 
and  families.  Not  only  the  militia,  but  most  of  the  members  of  the  county 
committee  took  the  field.  Gen.  Herkimer  soon  found  himself  at  the  head 
of  more  than  eight  hundred  men  eager  for  action.  The  rendezvous  was 
the  little  stockade  fort  built  at  C.erman  Flats  the  year  'oefore  by  Col.  Day- 
ton and  named  after  him.  The  little  army  now  assembled  here  was  chiefly 
composed  of  sturdy,  resolute  farmers,  some  in  uniform,  but  more  in  home- 
spun. Gathered  in  little  groups  they  expressed,  excitedly,  in  a  mixture  of 
English  and  German,  their  even  insubordinate  eagerness  to  meet  the 
once  dreaded  foe. 

On  the  4th.  Gen.  Herkimer's  force  set  out  for  Fort  Schuyler  along  a  road 
which  was  little  more  than  a  rude  path  through  the  wilderness,  and  in 
places  almost  impassable  for  the  baggage  wagons.  In  the  evening  of  the 
5th  they  encamped  in  the  neighborhood  of  Oriskanv.  From  this  point 
Gen.  Herkimer  sent  forward  Adam  Helmer  and  two  others  to  inform  Col. 
Gansevoort  of  his  approach.  The  discharge  of  three  cannon  at  the  fort, 
in  rapid  succession,  was  to  be  the  signal  of  their  arrival  there,  and  for  (ien. 
Herkimer  to  advance  upon  the  besiegers  while  Col.  Ganse\oort  made  a 
sortie  against  their  camp. 

St.  Leger  had  been  notified  of  the  advance  of  the  militia,  and  early  in 
the  morning  of  the  6ih,  detached  Brant  with  a  large  body  of  the  Indians, 
Major  Watts,  with  a  division  of  Johnson's  Greens,  arid  Col.  Butler,  with  his 
Rangers,  to  intercept  them.  f;en.  Herkimer,  brave,  but  cautious,  had  de- 
termined not  to  leave  his  camp  until  he  should  be  reinforced,  or  should 
hear  the  signal  guns.  His  subordinates,  however,  in  their  excessive  eager- 
ness to  press  forward,  became  almost  mutinous  on  the. morning  of  the  6th. 
"  Doubtless,"  ihey  said,  "the  messengers  had  been  killed  or  captured,  and 
the  sound  of  the  signal  cannon  was  not  to  be  expected."  In  deference  to 
their  continued  complaints,  Gen.  Herkimer  held  a  council  of  his  principal 
officers,  with  whom  he  discussed  the  question  of  an  immediate  advance, 
showing  the  folly  of  his  ill-equipped  militia  attacking  double  their  number 
of  well  armed  troops,  without  reinforcements,  or  even  an  understanding 
with  C;ansevoort.  His  officers,  however,  were  impatient  of  delay,  and  did 
not  conceal  their  contempt  for  the  prudent  advice  of  their  General.  Cols. 
Cox  and  Paris  denounced  him  as  a  coward  and  a  tory.  Suppressing  his 
indignation  at  this  outrageous  insult,  Herkimer  told  them  that  he  considered 
himself  charged  with  the  care  as  well  as  the  leadership  of  his  men,  and 
did  not  wish  to  place  them  in  a  perilous  position  from  which  it  would  be 
impossible  to  extricate  them  ;  he  added,  that  those  who  were  boasting 
loudest  of  their  courage,  would  be  the  first  to  run  in  the  face  of  the  enemy, 
and  satisfied  the  clamor  of  his  officious  subordinates  by  giving  the  order  to 
march.  The  troops  with  shoutings,  grasped  their  arms,  and  the  undiscip- 
lined regiments  of  Cols,   Cox,  Paris,  Visscher  and  Klock,  rushed  forward. 

The  line  of  march  soon  led  into  a  curving  ravine,  with  a  marshy  bottom, 
traversed  by  a  causeway  of  logs  and  earth.  Along  this  road  the  headstrong 
patriots  were  pursuing  their  hasty  march,  when  the  guards  in  front  and 
flank  were  suddenly  shot  down,  and  the  surrounding  forest  rang  with  the 
blood-curdling  yells  of  the  savages.  The  latter  immediately  closed  up  the 
gap  by  which  the  patriot  force  had  entered  their  fatal  circle.  In  so  doing 
they  cut  off  from  the  main  body  the  baggage-train   and  the  regiment  of 


BATTLE  OF  ORISKAiNY— DEFEAT  OF  THE  ENEMY— DEATH  OF  HERKIMER. 


49 


Cot  Visscher.  The  latter  took  to  flight,  as  predicted  by  their  general,  but 
did  not  thereby  escape  the  punishment  of  their  temerity;  for  they  were  pur- 
sued and  cut  off  by  a  detachment  of  the  Indians.  The  regiments  sur- 
rounded in  the  ravine  were  thrown  into  dire  confusion  by  the  fire  of  their 
concealed  enemy,  and  for  a  tmne  seemed  likely  to  be  annihilated  before 
they  c»uld  make  any  effectual  defence.  In  this  dreadful  extremity,  how- 
ever, they  were  not  panic-stricken;  but,  after  the  first  shock,  resolving  to 
sell  tlieir  lives  dearly,  they  fought  with  the  courage  and  skill  of  veterans. 
The  slaughter  among  them  was  fearful.  Their  danger  was  increased  when 
they  were  disabled  by  wounds,  for  at  every  opportunity  the  savages  darted 
from  their  coverts,  with  knife  and  tomahawk,  to  complete  the  work  of  the 
musket-balls  that,  from  every  side,  tore  through  the  disordered  body  of 
patriots  floundering  in  the  morass. 

Early  in  the  action  Gen.  Herkimer  was  severely  wounded  by  a  ball  which 
shattered  one  of  his  legs,  just  below  the  knee,  and  killed  hi^  horse.  On 
beingUken  up  he  coolly  directed  his  saddle  placed  against  a  tree;  support- 
ing himself  upon  it,  he  lighted  his  pipe,  and  with  a  hail-storm  of  bullets 
cutting  down  his  men  all  about  him,  calmly  directed  the  battle,  nobly  re- 
buking those  who,  a  few  hours  before,  in  pressing  the  march  into  this  fatal 
trap,  had  called  him  a  coward  and  a  traitor. 

The  unequal  combat  had  continued  nearly  an  hour  before  any  orderly 
and  concerted  action  was  attempted  by  the  patriot  troops.  Captain  Seeber. 
without  orders,  threw  the  remnant  of  his  company  into  a  circle,  the  better 
to  repel  the  attacks  of  the  enemy,  who  were  by  degrees  closing  in  upon 
them.  The  example  was  followed  by  other  sections  of  Herkimer's  little 
army,  whose  defence  from  this  time  became  so  effective  that  it  was  thought 
necessary  for  a  part  of  the  Royal  Greens  and  Butler's  Rangers  to  make  a 
bayonet  charge.  This  brought  the  Mohawk  Valley  patriots  at  last  face  to 
face  with  their  hated  foes  in  deadly  personal  struggle.  Hardly  had  the 
battle  assumed  this  terrible  form,  when  a  heavy  thunder-storm  broke  over 
the  belligerents;  the  tories,  upon  whom  the  fight  in  its  present  phase*  was 
telling  severely,  gladly  drew  off  to  a  safe  distance,  and  there  was  a  lull  in 
the  strife  of  arms  while  the  war  of  the  elements  continued. 

Herkimer's  men  took  advantage  of  this  circumstance  to  concentrate  in  a 
circle  upon  an  advantageous  piece  of  ground,  where  they  more  hopefully 
awaited  a  renewal  of  the  attack.  Another  piece  of  tactics  now  adopted  was 
the  placing  of  two  men  behind  a  single  tree,  to  fire  alternately,  thus  pro- 
tecting each  other  from  the  savages,  who,  when  a  marksman  was  alone, 
rushed  upon  and  tomahawked  him  as  soon  as  he  had  fired,  and  before  he 
could  reload.  As  the  pouring  rain  ceased,  the  enemy  renewed  their  assault. 
They  were  mostly  tory  refugees  from  Tryon  county,  and  their  old  neigh- 
bors, recognizing  them  as  such,  wreaked  upon  them  the  resentment  engen- 
dered by  years  of  controversy,  with  their  experiences  of  insult  and  injury. 
Springing  from  their  lines,  the  patriots  of  the  Mohawk  rushed  with  tiger- 
like ferocity  upon  the  men  who  were  leading  a  horde  of  heartless  savages 
to  the  destruction  of  their  families  and  homes,  and  thrust  them  through 
with  the  bayonet,  or  with  the  knife  in  closer  grajfpie.  Meanwhile  the  In- 
dians, good  for  nothing  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  severely  punished 
in  the  later  stage  of  the  battle.  lost  heart  and  wavered. 

The  booming  of  cannon  in  the  direction  of  the  fort  now  came  gratefully 
to  the  ears  of  the  patriot  soldiers.  Col.  Willet  was  assaulting  St.  Leger's 
carap.  The  tory  Col.  Butler,  thinking  Herkimer's  men  might  be  expecting 
a  reinforcement  from  the  fort,  had  the  uniforms  of  a  detachment  of  John- 
son's Greens  disguised  so  as  to  make  them  resemble  a  company  of  Ameri- 
cans, and  sent  them  toward  the  patriot  position  from  the  direction  of  the 
fort.  The  ruse  was  well  nigh  successful.  IJeut.  Jacob  Sammons  was 
deceived  by  it.  and  announced  to  Capt.  Gardinier  the  approach  of  sup- 
port- That  officer,  however,  eyed  the  advancing  jtarty  with  suspicion,  and 
when  they  were  within  hearing,  hailed  them.  They  were  already  so  near 
that  one  of  the  captain's  men  recognized  in  their  ranks  an  actjuaintance 
whora  he  supposed  a  friend.  Stepping  fo^^\■ard  to  greet  him.  he  was  seized 
as  a  prisoner.  Capt.  Gardinier  sprang  to  the  rescue,  and  in  the  fierce 
struggle  which  ensued  killed  three  of  the  disguised  tories.  Some  of  hi§ 
men,  not  yet  undeceived,  warned  him  that  he  was  killing  his  friends,  but 
he  cried  out:  "They  are  not  our  men;  they  are  the  enemy — fire  away!" 
A  volley  of  bullets  was  sent  whizzing  among  the  tories,  and  thirty  of  them, 
together  with  many  Indian  warriors,  fell.  The  survivors  charged  furiously. 
They  were  met  in  the  same  spirit,  and  the  forest  again  rang  with  the  clash 
of  steel  and  the  yells  of  the  savages.  The  latter  could  not  long  abide  a 
contest  on  even  terms,  however  brave  behind  trees  and  at  liac  king  the 
wounded;  and  seeing  their  ranks  fast  thmning  and  the  stubborn  stand  of 


the  provincials,  they  became  disheartened  and  raised  the  signal  for  retreat 
— "Oonah!  Oonahl"  Panic  seizing  them,  they  fled,  followed  by  a  sho^vcr 
of  bullets  and  the  frantic  cheers  of  the  surviving  patriots.  The  tories, 
deserted  by  their  dusky  allies,  retreated  precipitately,  leaving  the  field  in 
possession  of  the  Tryon  county  militia,  whom  almost  a  miracle  had  saved 
from  extermination.  Thus  ended  the  battle  of  Ori^kany,  one  of  the 
bloodiest  and  most  hotly  contested  fields  of  the  Revolution.  During  the 
six  hours*  conflict  nearly  two  hundred  of  the  patriots  had  perished,  and  as 
many  of  the  enemy,  including  nearly  a  hundred  Indian  warriors. 

As  the  shower  which  deluged  the  Oriskany  battlefield  subsided.  Col. 
Willet,  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  and  a  three-pounder,  sallied  from 
Fort  Schuyler  and  fell  upon  the  British  entrenchments  so  unexpectedly 
that  the  troops  left  in  them  and  the  savages  remaining  in  their  adjoining 
camp  had  not  time  to  form,  and  were  driven  helter-skelter  into  the  woods. 
The  attacking  party  held  the  enemy's  position  long  enough  to  transfer 
from  it  to  the  fort  twenty-one  wagon  loads  of  all  manner  of  spoils,  includ- 
ing five  British  flags  and  the  coat  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  who  was  glad  to 
escape  in  his  shirt  sleeves  across  the  river.  Willet's  command  regained 
the  fort  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  and  hung  out  the  captured  standards 
to  the  view  of  St.  Leger,  who  returned  just  too  late  to  intercept  the  vic- 
torious provincials. 

The  patriots  who  remained  unharmed  upon  the  Oriskany  battlefield  set 
about  removing  their  wounded,  of  whom  about  fifty  were  carried  to  places 
of  safetv.  General  Herkimer  was  borne  to  his  residence,  where  he  died 
about  ten  days  after  the  battle,  from  the  effects  of  a  clumsy  amputation. 
Among  the  prisoners  taken  by  the  British  was  Col.  Paris,  who  was  after- 
ward murdered  by  the  Indians,  together  with  many  other  captives.  Maj. 
John  Frey  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  and  would  have  been  slain 
by  his  own  brother — a  tory — but  for  the  interference  of  bystanders.  The 
sense  of  victory  could  not  console  the  many  homes  in  the  Mohawk  Valley 
which  were  represented  among  the  corpses  moldering  in  the  bloody  ravine 
of  Oriskany,  and  every  hamlet  had  reason  long  to  mourn  the  rashness  of 
some  of  the  brave  men  who  went  forth  to  save  it  from  invasion. 

The  garrison  of  Fort  Schuyler  was  so  completely  environed  by  its  be- 
siegers, that  nothing  could  be  learned  of  the  result  of  Herkimer's  effort. 
St.  Leger  took  advantage  of  the  fact  by  compelling  Col.  Bellinger  and 
Major  Frey,  who  were  prisoners  in  his  camp,  to  write  a  letter  to  Col.  Ganse- 
voort,  reporting  the  disastrous  failure  of  the  effort  to  relieve  him,  assuring 
him  that  there  was  no  hope  and  advising  him  to  surrender.  They  were 
forced  to  say  that  their  anxiety  for  the  good  of  their  friends  in  the  fort  led 
them  to  write  as  they  did,  since  the  enemy  were  in  overpowering  force, 
and  Burgoyne's  army  jirobably  already  before  Albany,  the  fall  of  which 
place  would  be  followed  by  the  contpiest  of  the  Mohawk  valley.  This  let- 
ter was  delivered  by  Col.  Butler,  St.  Leger's  Adjutant,  to  Col.  Gansevoort, 
with  a  verbal  demand  for  surrender,  which  from  its  informality,  the  latter 
refused  to  recognize.  He,  however,  gave  audience  next  day  to  three  British 
officers  who  addressed  him  at  length,  representing  that  the  only  salvation 
of  the  garrison  was  an  immediate  surrender,  as  the  Indians,  who  were  ex- 
tremelv  exasperated  by  their  losses,  would  slaughter  his  men  if  they  held 
out  longer,  and  were  on  the  point  of  sending  a  large  party  down  the  valley 
to  massacre  the  inhabitants,  who  were  defenceless,  now  that  Herkimer's 
army  was.  as  they  represented,  destroyed.  They  asserted  that  Burgoyne 
was  then  in  Albany,  which  insured  the  fall  of  the  fort.  If  it  was  promptly 
surrendered,  the  garnson  would  be  protected  from  the  savages,  but  the 
latter  would  soon  become  uncontrollable.  Col.  (iansevoort  having  refused, 
as  before,  to  recognize  any  verbal  demand,  St.  Leger  on  the  9th,  sent  him 
a  written  summons  to  the  same  effect  as  his  subordinate's  speech,  and  like 
that,  betraying  a  solicitude  for  the  immediate  possession  of  the  fort,  which 
was  incompatible  with  an  assurance  that  it  must  certainly  fall  into  his  hands. 

Col.  Gansevoort  briefly  replied  that  he  should  defend  the  fort  to  the  last 
extremity.  Siege  operations  were  thereupon  renewed  with  increased  vigor, 
but  the  artillery  of  the  enemy  was  so  light  as  to  make  but  little  impression. 
It  was  feared,  however,  that  the  garrison  might  be  starved  into  capitulation, 
if  not  relieved,  and  Col.  Willet  and  Maj.  Stockwell  set  out  in  the  night  of 
the  loth  to  pass  the  enemy's  lines,  go  down  the  river  and  rally,  if  possible, 
the  militia  of  the  county,  with  whom  the  Colonel  was  deservedly  popular. 
Reathing  .\lbany  after  a  perilous  journey,  Col,  Willet  found  Gen.  Arnold 
with  a  Massachusetts  brigade  starting  for  the  relief  of  the  beleagured  post. 
The  force  immediately  set  out,  and  reaching  Fort  Dayton,  halted  for  the 
local  militia  to  assemble. 

In  the  mean  time  St.  Leger  was  not  idle.      His    next   move  was  to  issue 


so 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


an  address  to  the  people  of  Tr^'on  county,  signed  by  Sir  John  Johnson 
and  Cols.  Claus  and  Butler,  in  which  he  hoped  by  threats  of  Indian  bar- 
bajilies  to  induce  them  to  influence  Col.  Gansevoort  to  surrender.  This 
appeal  artfully  expressed  the  utmost  concern  for  the  fate  of  those  to  whom 
it  was  addressed,  and  an  ardent  desire  on  the  part  of  its  authors  for  peace 
and  reconciliation,  which  they  condescended  to  j^rant,  in  spite  of  the  in- 
juries to  which  they  had  been  subjected,  and  the  fact  that  they  were  at  the 
head  of  a  victorious  army.  After  these  words  of  peace  and  promise,  the 
alternative  in  case  of  continued  resistance  was  set  forth  : 

"^'ou  have,  no  doubt,  great  reason  to  dread  the  resentment  of  the  Indians 
on  account  of  the  loss  they  sustained  in  the  late  action,  and  the  mulish 
obstinacy  of  your  troops  in  this  garrison,  who  have  no  resource  but  them- 
selves ;  for  which  reasons  the  Indians  declare,  that  if  they  do  not  surrender 
the  garrison  without  further  opposition,  they  will  |iut  every  soul  to  death 
— oot  only  the  garrison,  but  the  whole  county — without  any  regard  to  age, 
sex  or  friends,  for  which  reason  it  is  become  your  indispensable  duty,  as 
yoa  must  answer  the  consequences,  to  send  a  deputation  of  your  principal 
people  to  oblige  them  immediately  to  what  they,  in  a  very  little  time,  must 
be  forced — surrender  the  garrison,  in  which  case  we  will  engage  on  the 
faith  of  christians  to  protect  you  from  the  violence  of  the  Indians." 

This  document  only  brought  trouble  upon  some  of  the  messengers  who 
circulated  it,  Walter  Butler,  son  of  Col.  John  Butler,  having  come  down 
the  valley  on  this  mission,  was  arrested  near  Fort  Dayton,  tried  as  a  spy 
by  Gen.  Arnold,  convicted,  and  though  saved  from  death  by  the  interces- 
sions of  some  officers  who  knew  him,  was  sent  to  .-Mbany  and  their  im- 
prisoned. General  Arnold  issued  a  stirrmg  proclamation,  well  calculated 
to  neutralize  the  tory  manifesto  and  encourage  the  patriots  of  the 
vaJky. 

St.  Leger  ran  forward  his  trenches  to  within  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards 
of  the  fort,  but  the  sharp  firing  of  the  garrison  prevented  a  nearer  approach. 
He  shelled  the  fortress,  but  with  little  eli'ect.  Its  defenders,  however 
ignorant  of  the  relief  on  the  way  to  them,  began  to  be  apprehensive,  and 
some  even  suggested  a  surrender.  Ganse\oort  would  not  entertain  this 
idea,  having  resolved,  if  his  supplies  were  exhausted,  to  make  a  sortie  by 
night  and  cut  his  way  through  the  enemy's  lines,  or  die  in  the  attempt. 
He  was  happily  spared  this  desperate  resort,  for  on  the  2:nd  of  August, 
St  Leger  broke  up  his  camp  and  hastily  retreated,  leaving  his  tents  and 
baggage,  with  most  of  his  artillery,  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  brave  gar- 
rison. This  movement,  as  surprising  and  mysterious  as  it  was  welcome  to 
the  beseiged,  was  the  result  of  a  ruse  perpetrated  by  Gen.  .\rnold,  who 
released  a  rough  ignorant  fellow  named  Han  Yost  Schuyler,  captured  at  the 
same  time  with  Walter  Butler,  on  condition  that  he  should  go  to  the  camp 
of  St.  Leger  with  an  extravagant  rejiort  of  the  force  which  was  at  hand  to 
raise  the  siege.  Bullets  were  fired  through  his  clothes  to  corroborate  the 
story  he  was  to  tell  of  having  had  a  narrow  escape,  and  a  friendiv  Oneida 
Indian  arranged  to  reach  St.  I.eger  about  the  same  time  from  another 
Huarter  with  similar  intelligence.  The  effect  of  their  tale  upon  the  Briti-.h 
commander  and  his  followers  need  not  be  repeated-  The  savage^,  dis- 
gusted with  the  result  of  the  campaign,  in  the  confusion  of  the  fli^^ht 
robbed  and  even  killed  some  of  their  white  allies,  and  as  .St.  I.eger  re|)(iried. 
"bctame  more  formidable  than  the  enemy  they  had  to  cxjiect." 

Han  V'ost  Schuyler  managed  to  escape  from  the  retreating  force  at  \\  ootl 
Creek  and  returning  to  Fort  Schuyler,  explained  St.  I.eger's  sudden  de- 
parture and  announced  .Arnold's  approach.  That  officer  on  his  wav  to 
the  Fort  was  met  on  the  23rd  by  a  messenger,  who  told  him  that  the  besie- 
gers had  tied,  and  learning  this  sent  out  a  deiacliiiient  in  pursuit.  The  next 
day  he  reached  Fort  Schuyler,  where  he  was  received  with  li\ely  dciiion- 
strations  of  joy.  Cransevoort  had  also  sent  a  p.irty  after  the  living  ciu-in_\-, 
who  took  a  number  of  [irisoners  and  ,1  larizc  i|iiantity  of  spoil,  ini  lu.ling 
.SL  I.eger's  writing  desk,  containing  his  private  papers. 

The  successful  defence  of  l-'ort  Schuyler  was  one  of  the  priiu  ipal  laiises 
of  the  failure  of  Burgnync's  1  am|iaign.  which  at  one  time  promised  to 
strike  a  fatal  blow  at  American  liberties,  'I'hc  co-operation  of  St.  I.eger's 
consider.il.lc  army  with  that  of  Burgoyne's  might,  perhaps,  have  sa\ed  the 
latter  from  capture  by  the  provincials.  That  it  was  arrested  and  turned 
back  at  the  very  gate  of  the  .Mohawk  valley  was  duo  to  the  valor  of  the 
defenders  of  Fort  .Schuyler  anil  those  who  went  to  their  siipp.irl.  Ihe 
men  who  beat  off  the  terrible  onset  in  the  Clriskany  lielile,  holding  the 
enemy  while  Willet's  little  force  sac  ked  their  camp,  deserve  a  prominent 
plai  e  in  the  record  of  our  forefathers'  heroism;  but  the  preserc  ation  of  the 
details  of  the  Revolutionary  struggle  in  the  Moh.iwk  valley  was  so  neglected 


at  the  only  time  when  they  could  have  been  rescued  from  oblivion  that 
not  even  a  majority  of  the  soldiers  of  the  brave  Herkimer  can  be  named. 
Their  names  so  far  as  known  are  here  inserted  ;  a  due  proportion  of  them, 
it  will  be  seen,  went  from  within  the  present  limits  of  Montgomery  and 
Fulton  counties  : 

ROSTER  OF  ORISKANY. 

*Brig.  Gen.  Nicholas  Herkimer. 

Col.  Frederick  Visscher,  .Mohawk. 
*Col.  Ebenezer  Co.x,  Canajoharie. 

Col.  Jacob  G.  Klock,  Palatine,    St.  Johnsville. 

Col.  Peter  Bellinger,  German  F'lats. 

Col.  John  Bellinger. 
*Frederick  .Ayer    Oyer  ,  Schuyler. 
J  Major  Blauvelt,  Mohawk. 
tCaptain  George  Henry  Bell,  Fall  Hill. 
*Joseph  Bell,  Fall  Hill. 

Nicholas  Bell,  Fall  Hill. 
tCaptain  John  Breadbeg,  Palatine. 

-Adam  Bellinger. 

t  Lieut.  Col.  Frederick  Bellinger,  German  Flat.s. 
*Samuel  Billington,  Palatine,  Committee  of  Safety, 

Billington. 

*.Major  John  Blevin. 

*Captain  Jacob  Bowman,  Canajoharie. 

John  Boyer. 

Lieut.  Col.  Samuel  Campbell,  Cherry  Valley. 
*Lieut.  Robert  Campbell,  Cherrj-  Valley. 

-Major  Samuel  Clyde,  Cherry  Valley. 

Jacob  Castler, 

John  Castler 

.\dam  Gassier. 

Jacob  Clemens,  Schuyler. 

Captain  A.  Copeman,  Minden. 

William  Cox,  St.  Johnsville. 

Richard  Coppemoll. 
*  Robert  Crouse,  Canajoharie. 
'Benjamin  Davis. 
'Captain  John   Davi.s,  .Mohawk. 

Martinus  Davis,  Mohawk,    ,\  brother  of  Captain  John  Davis  . 

Nicholas  I)e  Graff,  -\msterdam. 

Captain  Marx  De.Muth,  Deerfield. 
'Captain  .Andrew  Dillenback,  Palatine. 

John  Doxiader,  German  Flats. 
'Captain  Henry  Dievendorff.  Canajoharie. 

Hon.    John    Peter  Dunckel,   Freyshiish. 

Hon.  Garrett  Dunckel,  Freysbusii. 

Hon.  Nicholas  Dunckel,  Kreysbush. 
,     Francis  Dunckel.  Freysbush. 
j    'John  Dygert.  Committee  of  Safety. 
X^Captain  William  Dygert,  (lerman   Flats. 
'-Maj.  John  Eisenlord,  Stone  Arabia. 

Peter  Ehle,  Palatine. 

Jacob   F.mpie,  Palatine 

Henry  Failing,  Canajoharie. 

Jelles  Fonda. 

Captain  .\dam  Fonda. 

X'alentine  Fralick.  Palatine. 
ll-Major  John  Frey.  Palatine. 
'Captain  (,'hristcipher  IV  Fox,  I'alatiiie. 

Ca|.tain  Christoi'herW     I  o\,  I'.ilatine 

Charles  Fox,  Palatine. 

Peter  Fox,  P.alatine. 

Christopher  Fox,  Palatine,    Nephews  of  Christopher  W.  Fox;. 

George  Geortner,  Canajoharie. 

t'aptain  Lawrence  Gras,  .Minden. 
'Nicholas  Gray,  Palatine. 

l.ieut.  Samuel  (»ray.  Herkimer. 

'Captain  Graves. 

tCapt.  Jacob  Gardinier,  Mohawk 
t l.ieut.  Samuel  Gardinier,  Mohawk. 


NAMES  OF  THE  PATRIOTS  WHO  FOUGHT  AT  ORISKANY. 


51 


tl  Jeut  Petnis  Groot,  Amsterdam. 

•John  Snell,  Stone  Arabia. 

Henry  Harter,  German  Flats. 

•John  Snell,  Jr,  Stone  Arabia. 

Captain  George  Herkimer. 

John  Adam  Helmer,  German  Flats. 

[A  son  of  George,  and  a  fifer.] 
•Frederick  Snell,  Snellbush. 

•Captain  Frederick  Helmer,  German  Flats. 

[Of  the  Snells,  .Mr,  Simms  writes:   It  has  been  said  for  many 

John  Heyck,  Palatine. 
Nicholas  Hill. 

years  that  nine  Snells  went  into  the  battle  and  that  seven 
of  the  number  remained  there.     We  have  made  an  effort 

Lieut.  Yost  House,  Mindcn. 

to  trace  them  out,  and  here  is  the  result  thus  far:  Five 

*Lieut.  Col.  Abel  Hunt,  Canajoharie. 

brothers  and  a  relation,  perhaps  a  cousin,  and  a  son  of  one 

Andrew  Keller,  Palatine. 

of  the  brothers.] 

Jacob  Keller,  Palatine. 

Lieut.  Jeremiah  Swarts,  Mohawk. 

Solomon  Keller,  Palatine. 

John  G.  Sillenbeck. 

•Maj.  Dennis  Klapsattle,  German  Flats. 

John  Shults.  Palatine. 

Jacob  Klapsattle,  German  Flats. 
Peter  Kilts,  Palatine. 

George  Shults,  Stone  -\rabia. 
Peter  Summer. 

John  Klock,  St.  Johnsville. 

Adam  Thumb,  Palatine. 

John  I.  Clock,  St.  Johnsville. 

Jacob  Timmerman,  St.  Johnsville. 

Henry  Lonus,  Minden. 

tLieut.  Henry  Timmerman,  St.  Johnsville. 

Solomon  Longshore,  Canajoharie. 
•Jacob  Markell,  Springfield. 
•William  Merckley,  Palatine. 

Henry  Thompson,  Fultonville. 
Lieut.  Martin  C.  Van  .\lstyne,  Canajoharie. 
•John  Van  .\nt\verp. 

John  P.  Miller,  ^iinden. 

Jacob  Moyer    now  Myers,  German  Flats. 

Lieut.  David  McMaster,  Florida. 

(ieorge  Van  Deusen,  Canajoharie. 
Henry  Vedder. 
tConrad  Vols    now  Foltz)  German  Flats. 

Adam  Miller,  Minden. 

Lieut.  Jacob  Vols,  German  Flats. 

Henry  Miller,  Minden. 

•Major  Harmanus  Van  Slyck,  Palatine. 

David  Murray,  Fonda. 

Christian  Nelles. 

John  D.  Nellis,  Palatine. 

•Major  Nicholas  Van  Slyck. 
Capt.  John  Visscher,  Mohawk. 
JLieut.-Col.  Henry  Walradt,  German  Flats. 

Peter  Nestle,  Palatine. 

George  Walter.  Palatine. 

•Hon.  Isaac  Paris,  Palatine,  and  his  son,  who  was  also  killed. 

Major  George  E.  Watts. 

John  Niarri  Petri,  Fort  Herkimer. 

Lieut. -Col.  Peter  Waggoner,  Palatine. 

•Lieut.  Dederiah  Marx  Petrie,  Herkimer. 

Lieut.  Peter  Waggoner,  Jr.,  Palatine. 

Dr.  William  Petr)-,  Fort  Herkimer,  Committee  of  Safety. 
tjoseph  Petry,  Dayton. 
•Captain  Samuel  Pettingill,  Mohawk. 

George  Waggoner,  Palatine. 

John  Waggoner.  Palatine,  (whose  descendants  are  the  Wagner 
family,  of  Palatine  Bridge., 

tAdam  Price,  .Minden. 
Nicholas  Pritchard,  Minden. 

Jacob  Wagner,  Canajoharie. 
John  Wagner,  Canajoharie. 

Richard  Putnam,  Mohawk. 

Garret  Walrath. 

Abraham  D.  Quackenboss. 

Lieut.  Henry  Walrath. 

fjacob  Rachiour,  Minden. 

Peter  Westerman,  Canajoharie. 

George  Raynor,  Minden. 
Captain  Nicholas  Rector,  Garoga. 

•John  Wollover,  Fort  Herkimer. 
Abraham  Wollover,  Fort  Herkimer. 

Col.  John  Roof. 

Marx  Raspach,  Kingsland. 

tPeter  Wollover,  Fort  Herkimer. 
•Richard  Wollover,  Fort  Herkimer 

Henry  Sanders,  Minden. 

Jacob  Wever.  German  Flats. 

Sampson  Sammons,  Fonda,  Committee  of  Safety. 
Jacob  Sammons,  Fonda,    uncle  of  Col.  Simeon  .Sammons.' 
•William  Schaver. 

Peter  Jams  Weaver,  German  Flats, 
Michael  Widrick,  Schuyler. 
•Lawrence  Wrenklc.  Fort  Herkimer. 

Ensign  John  Jacob  School,  Palatine. 

tDr.  Moses  Vounglove,  Surgeon. 

•Col.  Saffreness  Seebcr,  Canajoharie. 

Captain  Robert  Yates. 

fCapt.  Jacob  Seeber,  Canajoharie. 
tMaj.  William  Seeber,  Canajoharie. 
fPrivate  Henry  Seeber,  Canajoharie. 
•Private  James  Seeber,  Canajoharie. 

tNicholas  Yerdon,  Minden. 
tjacob  Yonker,  Oppenheim. 

•Killed. 

fWounded. 

Lieut.  John  Seeber.  Minden. 

JTaken  prisoner. 

•.■Vudolph  Seeber.  Minden. 

Peter  Sitz,  Palatine. 

Rudolph  Siebcrt. 

CHAPTER  .\n. 

Henry  Spencer,  Indian  Interpreter. 
Christian  Schell,  Little  Falls. 

A    FRUITLESS   COL-SCII.  WITH    THK    IROQl'dlS  ,*T  JOHNSTOWN INDIAN    HUS- 

George  Smith,  Palatine. 

TII.ITIF-S — SIR    JOHN    JOHNSON'S    FIR.ST    RAID. 

Henr)-  Smith. 

Col.  Henry  Staring,    ancestor  of  Hon.  John  H    Starin,  of  Ful- 
tonville.  who  now  represents  the  Nineteenth  I>i>tri(;t  of  New 

Early  in  1778  the  people  of  the  Mohawk  Valley  were  alarmed  by  the  re- 
port that  the  western  Indian  tribes  were  about  to  unite  with  the  .Mohawks. 

York  in  Congress. 
Capt.  Kudol|>h  Shoemaker,  Conaioharie. 
•Joseph  Snell.  Snellbush,  now  Manhcim. 
•larob  Snell,  Sneilbush,  now  Manhemi. 
Peter  Snell,  SncUbu^h,  now  Manheim. 
Creorge  Sncll,  Snellbush,  now  Manheim. 
[The  above  were  brothers.) 

Cayugas,  Onondagas  and  Scnecas.  in  a  war  u|)on  the  frontier,  instigated  by 
Johnson,  Claus  and  Butler,  and  managed  by  Brant.     Congress,  in  view  of 
the  outlook,  ordered  a  council  held  with   the  Six   Nations  of  Johnstown 
between  the  15th  and  20th  of  February,  and  appointed  Gen.  Schuyler  and 
Volkert  P.  Doiiw  to  conduct  it.  together  with  a  special  commissioner  to  be 
designated  by  Gov.  Clinton.     The  Governor  named  James  Duane.     The 

52 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


Indians  showed  littie  interest  in  the  conference,  and  delayed  their  coming, 
until  it  was  the  9th  of  March  before  the  council  could  be  o]»cned.  There 
irere  then  present  more  than  seven  hundred  of  them,  mostlv  Oneidas, 
Tuscaroras  and  Onondagas,  with  a  few  Mohawks,  three  or  four  Cavugas, 
but  not  one  of  the  Senecas,  whose  warriors  outnumbered  those  of  all  the 
other  Iro'iuois.  Instead  of  attending  the  council  the  last-named  tribe  had 
the  audacity  to  send  a  message  expressing  great  surprise  that  they  were 
asked  to  do  so  while  the  Americans'  "tomahawks  were  sticking  in  their 
beads,  their  wounds  bleeding,  and  their  eyes  streaming  with  tears  for  the 
loss  of  their  friends."  meaning  at  the  battle  of  Oriskany. 

The  proceedings  were  opened  by  the  reading  of  an  address  from  Con- 
gress charging  the  Indians  with  ingratitude,  cruelty  and  Ireacherv,  while 
the  conduct  of  the  I'nited  States  towards  them  had  been  true  and  mag- 
nanimous. The  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras  were  excepted  from  the  charge, 
applatided  for  their  fidelity,  and  assured  of  friendship  and  protection.  .\n 
Onondaga  chief  then  spoke  for  his  tribe,  hypocritically  bewailing  their 
conduct,  and  exculpating  himself  and  brother  sachems  by  saying  that  the 
young  and  headstrong  warriors  would  not  listen  to  them,  but  were  misled 
b)-  the  seductive  artifices  of  the  tones.  The  .Mohawks  had  nothing  to  say 
for  themselves.  .\n  Oneida  chieftain  answered  eloquently  in  behalf  of  his 
nation  and  the  Tuscaroras.  He  lamented  the  degeneracy  of  the  hostile 
tribes,  and  predicted  their  extinction  in  consequence.  H-^  concluded 
with  the  solemn  assurance  that  the  United  States  could  rely  on  the  abid- 
ing friendship  and  the  assistance  of  those  for  whom  he  spoke.  The  gov- 
ernment commissioners  closed  the  conference  by  extolling  the  faithfulness 
and  courage  of  the  two  friendly  nations,  and  dismissed  the  others  with  a 
warning  that  the  cause  of  the  Americans  was  just,  and  the  sa\ages  who 
opposed  it  must  look  well  to  their  ways,  else  the  strong  arm  of  the  United 
States  would  reach  with  vengeance  even  to  the  remotest  villages  of  the 
Senecas.  The  inhabitants  of  Tryon  county  were  gratified  with  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Council,  hoping  it  might  have  a  good  effect  upon  the  In- 
dians;  but  it  was  a  sanguine  expectation,  for  the  conference  left  the  most 
important  tribes,  with  Brant  for  their  leader,  brooding  over  their  losses 
at  Oriskany  and  their  failure  at  Fort  Schuyler,  and  intent  on  vengeance. 

The  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  who  was  temporarily  in.  command  of  the 
northern  department,  was  (iresent  at  the  council,  and,  before  leaving 
Johnstown,  learning  of  the  comparatively  defenceless  condition  of  the 
New  York  frontier,  he  ordered  forts  built  at  Cherry  Valley  and  in  the 
Oneida  country  ;  the  three  on  the  Schoharie  garrisoned  and  armed  with  a 
small  brass  cannon  a-piece,  and  other  border  fortifications  strengthened. 
These  and  far  more  efficient  ])recautionary  measures  were  necessarv,  for 
it  was  but  too  evident  that  the  Johnsons  and  their  adherents  would  make 
extraordinary  efforts  to  reco\er  the  Mohawk  \alley,  in  which  they  had  so 
large  interests  at  stake.  Their  scouts  and  spies  were  watching  every 
movement  in  this  quarter,  and  at  the  very  time  when  the  council  was  in 
progress  at  Johnstown,  no  less  a  personage  than  Col.  (aiy  Carlton,  nephew 
of  the  (lovernor  of  Canada  bearing  that  name,  was  lurking  in  the  neigh- 
borhood to  ascertain  and  report  the  dis|iosition  of  the  chiefs.  Efforts 
were  made  for  his  arrest,  Lafayette  himself  offering  a  reward  of  fiftv 
guineas  for  his  apprehension. 

Early  in  the  spring.  Brant  again  appeared  at  ()ghkw.iga,  where  he  organ- 
ized scalping  [larties  to  fall  upon  the  settlers'  habitations  and  cut  them  off 
in  detail.  To  guard  against  these  marauders,  the  utmost  vigilance  was 
neces-sary.  Not  only  by  night  was  it  needful  to  be  on  the  alert  for  the 
stealthy  approach  of  the  mortal  enemy,  but  the  laborers  in  the  fields  had  to 
be  protected  by  sentinels  standing  on  guard.  Such  was  the  trymg  situ- 
ation of  the  dwellers  in  Tryon  county  to  the  end  of  the  Revolutmnarv 
contest.  In  June,  it  having  been  re|iorted  that  Brant  was  fortifying  a 
position  .at  Unadilla,  Cajit.  MiKean  was  sent  by  the  people  of  Cherry 
Valley,  with  a  few  volunteers,  to  rc(  onnoitre  the  chieftain's  encampment. 
On  his  way.  .MrKean  learned  that  Brant  was  out  with  a  considerable  force, 
and  fearing  that  his  little  party  might  be  sur|irised  and  overwhelmed  he 
thought  it  prudent  to  return.  In  the  course  of  his  march  McKean  injudi- 
ciously wrote  a  letter  to  Brant  repro.iching  him  for  his  predatorv  svstem 
of  warfare  :  intimating  that  he  was  too  cowardly  to  show  himself  in  honor- 
able conflict,  and  challenging  the  Mohawk  to  meet  him  in  smgic  1  nmhat 
or  with  an  e<pi.il  number  of  men.  The  letter  ron(  hided  by  siymg.  thai  if 
:'ne  murderous  chief  would  .  ome  to  Cherry  \  .ilkv  he  wiiliia  be  1  li.ingcd 
from  i  hrititUn  ^  f::wsf.  This  letter  wjs  fastened  to  a  stii  k.  and  Ir^U" 
placed  in  an  Indian  path,  soon  four.il  its  way  to  its  ilisim.uiim.  liraiit  was 
slung  to  ra.ge  by  its  re<  cipl.  but  forbcire  an  answer  imul  he  c  nnvcyed  it  in 
the  Cherry  Valicy  massac  re  of  a  few  months  l.itcr 


Early  in  the  summer  of  1778  a  party  of  about  a  hundred  tories,  who 
had  fled  to  Canada,  made  their  appearance,  collected  their  families,  and 
departed,  strange  to  say,  unmolested  by  the  Tryon  county  militia,  though 
they  were  men  in  the  active  service  of  the  enemy.  They  not  only  escaped 
with  their  families,  but  committed  hostilities  on  the  way.  Starting  from 
Fort  Hunter  when  their  arrangements  were  completed,  they  proceeded,  via 
Fonda's  Bush,  to  F'ish  House,  now  in  the  town  of  Broadalbin,  in  Fulton 
county,  taking  eleven  prisoners  on  the  route;  and  at  the  last  named  place 
captured  Solomon  Woodworth  and  Codfrey  Shew,  with  his  three  sons, 
and  burned  Mr.  Shew's  buildings.  The  tories  then  repaired  to  their 
canoes,  which  were  moored  on  the  Sacondaga.  and  floating  down  that 
stream  to  its  mouth,  crossed  to  Lake  fjeorge  and  continued  their  voyage 
to  Canada.  Woodworth,  however,  escaped  the  day  after  his  capture,  and 
four  of  the  other  prisoners  soon  after  reaching  Canada. 

A  party  of  four  or  five  hundred  Indians  appeared  on  the  Cobleskill  on 
the  jndof  July,  and  on  the  upper  branch  of  that  stream  killed  or  captured 
half  of  a  force  of  fifty-two  regulars  and  militia  who  had  engaged  them. 
Several  dwellings  were  burned  by  the  savages  in  that  vicinity,  and  they 
slaughtered  the  cattle  and  horses  which  they  did  not  drive  away.  The 
Wyoming  massacre  occurred  two  days  later  ;  in  July  the  little  settlement 
of  .\ndrustown,  six  miles  southeast  of  German  Flats,  was  plundered  and 
destroyed  by  Brant,  the  people  and  the  live  stock  being  slaughtered  or  driven 
away,  and  in  September,  the  German  Flats  settlement  itself  underwent  the 
same  fate,  except  that  the  inhabitants  were  warned  barelv  in  time  to  save 
themselves  by  fleeing  to  forts  Dayton  and  Herkimer.  Three  or  four 
hundred  militia  pursued  the  enemy  on  their  retreat,  but  accomplished  noth- 
ing. Col.  Win.  Butler's  Pennsylvania  regiment,  and  part  of  Morgan's  nfle 
corps,  which  had  been  stationed  on  the  Schoharie  after  the  Cobleskill  con- 
flict, made  an  expedition  down  the  Susquehanna  and  destroyed, the  Indian 
village  of  Oghkwaga  with  its  provisions.  In  November,  Brant  and  Walter 
Butler  who  had,  by  feigning  sickness,  obtained  a  transfer  from  the  jail  at 
.Albany  to  the  house  of  a  tory.  intoxicated  his  guard  and  escaped,  with  two 
hundred  tories  and  five  hundred  Indians,  fell  upon  the  Cherry  Valley  settle- 
ment, killed  thirty-two  [leaceable  inhabitants  and  sixteen  soldiers  of  the 
garrison,  burned  all  the  buildings,  destroyed  or  took  away  all  the  moveable 
property,  and  dragged  into  captivity  most  of  the  surviving  inhabitants. 
The  women  and  children  were  soon  allowed  to  return,  except  three  women 
one  of  whcjm  was  murdered  in  a  day  or  two,  and  their  children.  Previous 
to  the  flight  of  Sir  John  Johnson  from  Johnstown  to  Canada,  he  buried  his 
own  and  his  father's  most  valuable  papers  in  an  iron  chest  on  his  premises. 
Late  in  the  fall  of  1778,  at  the  request  of  Sir  John,  the  Canadian  (Governor- 
General,  Haldimand,  sent  forty  or  fifty  men  on  a  secret  expedition  to 
Johnstown  to  recover  them.  The  chest  was  found  to  have  been  an  in- 
sufficient protection  from  dampness,  and  the  papers  had  become  mouldy 
and  illegible.  Intelligence  of  this  expedition  was  obtained  from  a  man 
named  Helmer,  who  w.as  one  of  the  party.  He  was  among  the  tories  who 
fled  with  Sir  John.  Being  disabled  by  an  injury  to  one  of  his  ancles  on 
this  trip  after  the  Baronet's  iron  chest,  he  was  left  at  the  house  of  his  father 
when  the  party  retired.  There  he  remained  concealed  until  the  next 
spring,  when  he  was  arrested,  tried  as  a  spy  by  a  court  martial  at  Johns- 
town, convicted  and  sentenced  to  death. 

In  .April,  1779,  the  settlements  in  the  Mohawk  valley  were  once  more 
alarmed  by  the  appearance  of  scalping  parties  at  different  points,  menac- 
ing them  with  the  fate  of  Cherry  Valley.  On  the  south  side  of  the  river 
a  party  fell  upon  a  small  community,  captured  three  prisoners  and  some 
horses,  and  drove  the  inhabitants  into  Fort  Plain.  .At  the  same  time 
another  party  made  a  descent  upon  Stone  .Arabia.  Having  killed  a  man 
and  burned  two  houses,  they  attacked  that  of  Capt.  Richer,  occupied  by 
himself  and  wife,  two  sons  and  an  old  man.  The  List  and  one  of  the  sons 
were  killed  and  all  the  others  wounded,  but  the  Indians  haung  lost  two  of 
their  number  gave  up  the  attack  and  retired.  On  the  same  day  a  party  of 
Senecas  appeared  at  Schoharie,  drove  the  people  into  the  forts,  plundered 
their  houses,  and  carried  two  men  away  prisoners. 

These  simultaneous  attacks  threw  the  whole  valley  into  a  panic.  The 
Palatine  committee  wrote  immediately  to  General  Clinton  for  assistance, 
which  W.1S  promptly  rendered,  and  a  timely  t  heck  given  to  the  marauders, 
Three  hundred  Onond.agas,  however,  now  took  the  war  path  to  avenge  the 
recent  destrui  tion  of  their  villages,  and  de.ath  and  capture  of  part  of  their 
warriors,  which  had  been  visited  upon  them  for  their  treachery.  'I  hey  ad- 
vanc  ed  upon  the  Cobleskill  settlement,  which  a  detachment  of  troops  had 
been  sent  from  Schoharie  to  defend,    fhese  were  drawn  into  an  ambusc.ide 


SIR  JOHN  JOHNSON'S  RAIDS  AND  ATROCITIES. 


53 


and  part  of  them  killed.  The  rest  with  the  people  of  the  settlement  fled 
to  Schoharie.  Seven  of  the  soldiers,  however,  to  check  the  pursuit  and  save 
the  non-combatants,  took  post  in  one  of  the  deserted  houses  and  defended 
themselves  desperately  till  the  building  was  fired  by  the  savages,  when 
these  heroic  men  perished  in  the  flames.  The  settlement  was  then  plun- 
dered and  destroyed.  Brant  was  meanwhile  harrassing  the  borders  of  the 
lower  Hudson  river  counties,  and  the  trials  of  the  frontier  neighborhoods, 
houriy  exposed  to  rapine  and  murder,  were  extreme.  The  only  means  of 
protection  seemed  to  be  to  carry  the  war  into  the  country  of  the  savages, 
and  on  this  theory  was  executed  the  devastating  campaign  of  Gen.  Sullivan 
through  the  territory*  of  the  western  nations  of  the  State,  which  is  elsewhere 
recounted.  Gen.  Sullivan  having  been  misinformed  in  regard  to  the  actions 
of  the  friendly  Mohawks  remaining  at  the  lower  castle,  most  unfortunately 
ordered  Col.  Gansevoort  to  take  them  prisoners  and  destroy  their  dwellings. 
The  first  part  of  the  order  was  executed,  and  the  second  would  have  been 
had  not  the  white  inhabitants  needed  the  houses  for  their  use,  their  own 
having  been  destroyed.  .A.s  soon  as  the  matter  came  to  the  knowledge  of 
Gen.  Schuyler,  the  prisoners  were  released. 

For  a  considerable  time  after  Sullivan's  campaign,  the  Mohawk  valley 
enjoyed  comparative  repose,  only  disturbed  by  occasional  alarms  incident 
to  border  settlements  always  liable  to  invasion  ;  but  it  was  the  calm  pro- 
phetic of  a  storm.  The  lower  section  of  the  valley  had  for  the  most  part 
escaped  the  fortunes  of  war.  having  suffered  more  from  frequen.  ad  har- 
rassing alarms  than  from  actual  hostilities.  The  men  of  this  region  had 
repeatedly  gone  forth  to  participate  in  the  common  defence,  and  their  num- 
ber had  thus  been  diminished  by  death  or  capture  ;  while  the  means  of 
self-protection  on  the  part  of  the  lower  Mohawk  settlements  were  by  no 
means  increased  by  the  influx  of  defenceless  people  driven  from  their  homes 
further  up  the  nver.  The  time  had  now  come  when  the  inhabitants  of  the 
eastern  part  of  Tryon  county  were  to  be  afflicted  with  terrible  visitations 
at  their  own  doors. 

On  the  2ist  of  May,  1780.  near  midnight,  Sir  John  Johnson  entered 
Johnstown  at  the  head  of  iive  hundred  British  tro<j|>-.,  tunes  and  Indians. 
He  had  crossed  the  country  from  Crown  Point  to  the  Sacondaga,  a  quarter 
from  which  an  invasion  was  least  expected,  and  stolen  upon  the  settlement 
so  quietly  that  the  patriot  inhabitants  were  first  warned  of  the  enemy's  pres- 
ence by  the  beginning  of  the  work  of  murder  and  destruction  in  their  midst. 
TheVesident  tories.  who  were  in  the  secret,  assisted  the  savage  invaders  and 
were,  of  course,  exempted  from  injury.  On  nearing  Johnstown  the  Baro- 
net's forces  were  separated  into  two  divisions,  one  of  which  he  himself  led 
directly  to  Johnson  Hall,  and  thence  through  the  adjacent  village  down  to 
the  mouth  of  Cayadutta  creek,  there  to  join  the  other  division,  which  was 
to  take  a  more  easteriy  route,  strike  the  Mohawk  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Tribes  Hill,  and  thence  proceed  up  the  valley.  This  latter  detachment, 
consistingchiefly  of  Indians  and  tories,  is  believed  to  have  been  command- 
ed by  two  brothers  named  Bowen,  refugees  from  this  vicinity,  who  had  fol- 
lowed the  Johnsons  to  Canada. 

The  whole  course  of  Sir  John's  raiders  was  murderous  and  disgraceful. 
The  first  house  visited  by  the  midnight  assassins  composing  the  eastern 
division  was  that  of  Lodowick  Putman,  two  or  three  miles  from  the  village 
of  Johnstown.  The  family  consisted  of  Mr.  Putman  and  wife,  three  sons 
and  a  daughter.  Two  of  the  sons  were  fortunately  absent.  The  other  and 
his  father  were  murdered  and  scalped.  The  wife  and  daughter  were  allowed 
to  escape  to  Johnstown.  While  Mr.  Putman's  household  was  being  broken 
np,  a  party  of  the  savages  proceeded  to  the  residence  of  his  son-in-law  and 
neighbor  Amasa  Stevens,  whom  they  dragged  out  and  murdered  in  the 
most  brutal  manner,  leaving  his  wife  to  seek  refuge  where  she  might.  The 
>etilers  at  Albany  ilush,  being  tories,  were  passed  without  molestation,  and 
the  s(  alping  party  went  on  to  the  house  of  Gerret  Putman,  a  staunch  whig, 
«h()  had  been  marked  as  a  victim.  Putman  and  his  son  had  lately  re- 
moved and  rented  the  house  to  two  Knglishmen,  who  were  tones.  Ig- 
norant of  this  fact,  the  depredators  broke  into  the  building  and  killed  and 
scalped  the  inmates  before  they  could  reveal  their  true  rharat  ter.  The 
'">use  of  Henr>*  Hansen  was  next  assailed,  the  owner  butchered  and  his 
■^^ns  carried  away  i>risoners. 

At  the  house  of  Col.  Visscher,  the  marauders  met  with  ^ome  resistanc  e 
•'■'.111  the  inmates.  A  few  days  previou>,  the  colonel  had  sent  his  wife  and 
•'I'-dr^n  to  Schenectady.  His  two  brothers  were  with  him,  and  now  that 
'^ic  enemy  were  upon  them,  the  three  men  resolved  to  defend  them.selves 
'"  ihe  last  extremity.  As  the  savages  tried  to  break  into  the  house  they 
•^*TL-  fired  upon,  but  their  overwhelining  number  enabled  them  to  force  an 


entrance,  and  the  brothers  retreated  to  the  chamber,  fighting  desperately 
on  the  stairway.  They  were  at  length  overpowered,  stricken  down  and 
scalped,  and  the  house  set  on  fire.  Col.  Visscher  was  knocked  on  the 
head  with  a  tomahawk,  and  had  his  scalp  torn  off  ;  but,  although  left  for 
dead,  he  recovered  and  survived  for  many  years.  He  is  mentioned  else- 
where in  this  work  by  the  name  of  Fisher,  that  spelling  having  been 
adopted  by  some  of  the  family. 

Having  completed  their  work  at  the  Visscher  place,  the  enemy  pro- 
ceeded up  the  river,  destroying  everything  belonging  to  the  whigs  ;  but  the 
alarm  was  getting  abroad,  and  the  people  were  given  some  chance  to 
escape. 

The  division  led  by  Sir  John,  on  leaving  Johhson  Hall,  passed  through 
the  village  of  Johnstown  undiscovered  by  the  occupants  of  the  fort, 
which  consisted  of  a  stockade  about  the  jail  and  several  block  houses.  On 
their  way  to  Caughnawaga  they  surrounded  the  house  of  Sampson  Sam- 
mons,  whom  they  lapturcd,  together  with  his  three  sons,  Jacob,  Frederick, 
and  Thomas.  Mr.  Sammons  was  well  known  to  Sir  John  and  was  re- 
spected by  him,  insomuch  that  the  Baronet  would  not  give  htm  and  his 
household  over  to  the  Indians  ;  but  the  family  were  too  prominent  and  in- 
fluential patriots  to  be  left  at  large,  and  it  had  been  decided  to  take  the 
father  and  sons  to  Canada.  They  were  accordingly  marched  away  from 
their  plundered  dwelling,  to  witness  the  desolation  of  their  neighborhood. 
Johnson's  forces  having  united  at  the  mouth  of  Cayadutta  creek,  pro- 
ceeded up  the  valley,  burning  every  building  not  belonging  to  a  tory, 
carrying  ott  all  attractive  portable  property,  slaughtering  sheep  and  cattle, 
and  leading  away  the  horses.  They  carried  their  devastation  only  a  few 
miles  above  Caughnawaga,  and  returning  to  that  place  in  the  afternoon 
burned  every  building,  but  the  church  and  parsonage.  At  this  place  a  vener- 
able old  man,  named  Douw  Fonda,  had  been  killed  and  scalped  by  a  party  of 
Indians  in  the  morning  ;  he  was  one  of  nine  aged  men,  four  of  them  over 
eighty,  who  were  slaughtered  during  Sir  John's  raid.  From  the  ashes  of 
Caughnawaga,  Johnson  and  his  ruffianly  followers  returned  to  Johnson 
Hall,  pausing  by  the  way  to  burn  the  Saiiuuons  buildings  and  take  away 
the  seven  horses  on  the  place,  leaving  the  females  of  the  family  houseless 
and  destitute. 

Sir  John  remained  several  hours  at  the  Hall  on  his  return.  Here  he  re- 
gained possession  of  about  twenty  negro  slaves,  left  behind  when  he  fled 
from  the  country.  Among  them  was  one  called  William,  who  had  been 
entrusted  with  the  secretion  of  the  Baronet's  plate  and  some  other  valu- 
ables, which  he  buried  in  the  cellar.  Under  the  Act  of  se(|uestration,  the 
Tryon  county  committee  had  taken  possession  of  the  Hall  and  estate, 
which  they  leased  to  Jacob  Sammons.  The  latter  bought  the  slave  Wil- 
liam, but  that  faithful  servant  kept  the  secret  of  the.  concealed  treasures 
until  he  now  pointed  them  out  to  their  owner.  Previous  to  their  distribu- 
tion among  the  soldiers  for  conveyance,  they  filled  two  barrels. 

Toward  night  the  militia  from  the  surrounding  country  began  to  gather 
at  Johnstown  under  Col.  John  Harper,  and  Johnson  deemed  it  advisable 
to  resume  his  homeward  march.  He  accordingly  set  out  for  the  Sacon- 
daga,  accompanied  by  a  considerable  number  of  tories,  who  had  joined 
his  ranks.  The  whigs  about  Johnstown,  who  had  been  too  completely 
surprised  and  panic-stricken  to  resist  his  advance,  did  not  recover  in  lime 
to  harass  his  retreat.  The  militia  who  had  assembled  were  in  too  small 
numbers  to  attack  him,  but  Capt.  Putman  and  a  few  others  followed  the 
enemy  and  observed  their  movements  for  several  miles.  Col.  Van  Schaick, 
indeed,  went  in  pursuit  with  eight  hundred  militia,  but  too  late  to  overtake 
Sir  John  and  his  guerillas. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


>fFKF.R[N(;     OF     THK     ? 
LANAJOHAklK- 


OHAWK    VALLEY    PATKI01S HRANT  S     DKSCF.N 

-IHK    SFLO.SD    RAID    OF    SIR    JOHN    JOHNSON. 


The  situation  of  the  Mohawk  valley  was  such  that  it  was  liable  at  any 
time  to  be  further  desolated  by  hordes  of  savages.  Shortly  after  the  irrup- 
tion of  Sir  John,  (ieneral  Clinton  ordered  Col.  Ciansevoor!  to  repair  with 
his  regiment  to  Fort  Tlain.  take  charge  of  a  large  quantity  of  stores  des- 
tined for  Fort  Schuyler,  and  convoy  the  batteau  containing  them  to  its 
destination.  This  caution  was  necessary  to  save  the  supi)lies  from  ca])ture 
by  the  Indians.  Most  of  the  local  militia  accompanied  C.nnsevoort's  com- 
mand.     Brant  was  again  on  the  war-pa'h,  watching  tor  a  favorable  moment 


54 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


to  spring  upon  the  unprotected  inhabitants,  and  supplied  by  the  tones  with 
information  of  movements  in  the  settlements.  He  was  early  aware  of  the 
departure  of  the  troops  for  Fort  Schuyler,  and  when  they  were  well  on 
their  way,  made  a  descent  on  Canajoharie  with  about  five  hundred  Indians 
and  tones,  chietly  the  former.  There  were  several  stockades  in  the  neigh- 
borhoods desolated  by  the  invaders,  but  the  principal  fortification  was 
that  known  as  Fort  Plain,  situated  on  an  eminence  near  the  present  village 
of  that  name,  and  commanding  an  extensive  view  of  the  valley.  The  gar- 
rison of  Fort  Plain  was  insufficient  without  help  from  the  militia,  who  were 
now  absent  from  the  neighborhood,  to  give  battle  to  Brant's  force.  The 
approach  of  the  latter  was  announced  to  the  people,  then  busy  with  their 
harvesting,  by  a  woman  finng  a  cannon  at  the  fort,  whither  all  who  were 
fortunate  enough  to  escape  from  the  savages  fled,  leaving  their  property  to 
be  destroyed.  The  Indians  advanced  to  the  precincts  of  the  fort  and 
burned  the  church  and  parsonage,  beside  several  other  buildings.  The 
church  spire  was  adorned  with  a  brass  ball,  and  the  savages,  believing  it  to 
be  gold,  watched  eagerly  for  its  fail.  When  at  last  it  fell  they  sprang  for- 
ward to  sei2e  the  prize,  but  as  gladly  relinquished  their  grasp  with  blistered 
hands.  The  columns  of  smoke  rising  from  the  burning  buildings  were 
seen  at  Johnstown,  and  were  the  first  intimation  of  this  latest  incursion. 
The  farmers  left  their  harvest-fields  and  joined  Col.  Wemple,  marching  up 
the  river  with  the  Schenectady  and  Albany  militia;  but  they  re  not  in 
time  to  check  the  work  of  destruction  or  cut  off  ihe  retreat  of  the  maraud- 
ers. The  Colonel,  who  has  been  thought  to  have  been  more  prudent  than 
valorous  on  this  occasion,  only  reached  the  desolated  region  in  time  to  view 
the  smouldering  ruins  and  rest  securely  in  the  fort  that  night. 

The  next  morning  some  buildings,  which  had  escaped  the  torch  the  day 
before,  were  discovered  on  fire.  Col.  Wemple,  on  being  notified  of  the  fact, 
said  that  if  any  volunteers  were  disposed  to  look  into  the  matter  they 
might  do  so;  whereupon  Major  Bantlin.  with  some  of  the  Tryon  county 
militia,  set  out  for  the  scene  of  the  fire.  It  proved  to  have  been  set  by  a 
party  of  Brant's  fulluwcrs,  who,  as  soon  as  discovered,  ned  to  rejoin  the 
main  body.  In  a  day  the  fairest  portion  of  the  valley  had  been  desolated, 
sixteen  of  the  inhabitants  slain,  and  more  than  fifty,  chiefly  women  and 
children,  carried  into  captivity.  Fifty-three  dwellings  with  their  barns,  a 
grist-mill,  a  church  and  two  small  forts  were  burned,  more  than  three  hun- 
dred cattle  and  horses  driven  away,  and  the  implements  of  husbandry  and 
the  standing  grain  destroyed.  The  forts  which  were  demolished  were  not 
garrisoned,  and  had  been  constructed  by  the  people  themselves.  The  in- 
habitants of  the  desolated  neighborhood  had  protested  against  helping  the 
Government  to  keep  open  communication  with  Fort  Schuyler  while  their 
own  homes  were  but  slightly  protected,  and  the  result  of  their  doing  so 
justified  their  worst  apprehensions. 

Much  as  the  patriotic  inhabitants  of  the  Mohawk  valley  had  already 
suffered,  their  afflictions  were  not  yet  over.  During  the  autumn  of  1780, 
Sir  John  Johnson,  Brant  and  the  Seneca  chief,  Cornplanter,  led  against 
the  Mohawk  and  Schoharie  settlements  an  expedition  designed  to  sweep 
away  the  last  vestige  of  wealth  possessed  by  the  adherents  to  the  cause  of 
the  colonists.  The  warriors  of  the  two  chiefs  named  formed  a  junction 
at  Unadilla  with  Sir  John's  forces,  which  consisted  of  three  companies  of 
the  Royal  Greens,  one  company  of  German  Yagers,  two  hundred  of  But- 
ler's Rangers,  a  company  of  British  regulars  and  a  party  of  Indians.  Sir 
John  and  his  followers  came  from  Montreal  by  the  way  of  Oswego,  bring- 
ing with  them  two  small  mortars  and  a  brass  three  three-pounder,  mounted 
on  legs  instead  of  wheels,  and  called  from  that  circumstance  a  "  grass- 
hopper;"  the  artillery  was  transported  on  packhorses.  The  plan  of  the 
enemy  was,  upon  reaching  the  Schoharie,  to  pass  the  upper  of  three  small 
forts  on  that  stream  by  night  and  unobserved;  destroy  the  settlements 
between  it  and  the  Middle  Fort,  and  attack  the  latter  in  the  morning. 
This  plan  was  carried  out  October  16,  the  homes  of  all  but  lories  being 
given  to  the  flames.  The  Middle  Fort  was  bombarded,  but  no  impression 
was  made  upon  it,  and  an  assault  was  not  attempted.  The  enemy  moved 
on  toward  Fort  Hunter,  making  a  feeble  attack  on  the  Lower  Srhoharie 
fort  by  the  way.  not  sparing  a  building  or  gram  stack  known  to  belong  to 
a  whig,  and  killing  or  driving  off  the  cattle  and  horses.  A  hundred  thou- 
sand bushels  of  grain  were  estimated  to  have  been  destroyed  that  day. 
Nearly  one  hundred  of  the  peaceable  settlers  were  brutally  murdered. 
The  whigs  were  so  exasperated  by  the  ruin  wrought  among  them  that  their 
survivors  applied  the  torch  to  the  buildings  and  stacks  of  their  tury  neigh- 
bors, and  the  desolation  along  the  Sc  hnharie  was  complete. 

The  invaders  remained  in  the  vicinity  of   Fort  Hunter  during  the  day 


after  their  appearance,  destroying  everything  in  the  neighborhood.  On 
the  1 8th  they  moved  up  the  Mohawk,  a  detachment  of  the  Greens  and 
Indians  taking  the  north  bank,  and  all  structures  left  standing  in  the 
spring,  or  since  put  up.  were  burned.  At  night  Sir  John  encamped  near 
the  Nose,  and  next  morning  crossed  to  the  north  hide  at  Keder's  Rifts. 
From  this  point  a  detachment  was  sent  against  the  stockade  in  Stone 
Arabia,  called  F'ort  Paris,  and  the  main  bodv  shortly  followed,  after  keep- 
ing to  the  river  bank  about  two  miles  further. 

As  soon  as  intelligence  of  this  irruption  reached  .\lbany,  Gen.  Van 
Rensselaer,  with  the  Albany  militia,  accompanied  by  Gov.  Clinton,  marched 
to  the  assistance  of  the  people  of  Tryon  county.  Van  Rensselaer  reached 
Caughnawaga  on  the  iSth,  and  learning  that  F'ort  Paris  was  to  be  attacked 
on  the  following  day.  sent  orders  to  Col.  Brown,  who  was  in  command  of 
that  post,  to  sally  out  next  morning  and  engage  the  enemy  while  he  him- 
self would  make  a  diversion  in  his  favor.  Col.  Brown  obeyed,  going  out 
to  confront  the  enemy  with  his  little  force  at  the  appointed  time.  Van 
Rensselaer  was  so  unpardonably  slow  in  his  movements,  that  before  he 
arrived  within  reach  of  the  enemy.  Brown's  little  band  had  been  over- 
whelmed. The  Colonel  himself  was  slain  while  gallantly  fighting  at  the 
head  of  his  men,  and  about  forty  of  his  followers  met  the  same  fate,  the 
remainder  seeking  safety  in  flight.  Having  routed  Brown's  little  com- 
pany, Sir  John  dispersed  his  own  force  in  small  detachments,  which,  burn- 
ing and  pillaging  in  every  direction,  left  Stone  Arabia  in  ruins.  In  the 
afternoon,  Johnson's  guerillas  reunited  and  moved  westward  to  a  place 
called  Klock's  Field,  where,  wearied  with  their  exertions  and  burdened 
with  plunder,  they  halted  to  rest. 

On  the  morning  of  the  19th,  Van  Rensselaer  renewed  his  march,  keep- 
ing along  the  south  side  of  the  river,  and  was  joined  by  Capt.  McKean 
with  about  eighty  volunteers  and  a  strong  body  of  Oneida  warriors,  under 
their  principal  chief.  Louis  Atayataroughta,  who  had  been  commissioned 
a  lieutenant-colonel  by  Congress.  This  accession  made  Van  Rensselaer's 
force  entirely  superior  to  Johnson's.  Sir  John  had  taken  the  precaution 
to  station  a  guard  of  forty  men  at  the  ford  by  which  he  crossed  the 
Mohawk,  and  Van  Rensselaer  on  reaching  this  point,  not  attempting  to 
force  a  passage,  halted  until  the  guard  was  withdrawn,  and  even  then  pro- 
ceeded without  crossing;  thus  remaining  idle  and  useless  on  the  south  side 
of  the  river  while  the  enemy  were  annihilating  everything  combustible  on 
the  north  side.  Before  noon  Van  Rensselaer  arrived  opposite  the  point 
I  where  Johnson's  men  were  completing  the  destruction  of  Brown's  party, 
the  firing  being  still  audible.  Here  the  colonial  force  was  halted,  and  was 
immediately  joined  by  some  of  Brown's  fleeing  soldiers,  who  had  forded 
the  river  without  difficulty.  One  of  the  latter,  a  militia  officer  named  Van 
Allen,  promptly  reported  to  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  the  state  of  affairs,  and 
inquired  if  he  was  not  going  over.  In  reply  the  General  said  he  was  not 
ac{[uainted  with  the  fording  place.  He  was  told  there  was  no  difficulty  in 
fording,  and  Van  .Allen  offered  to  act  as  pilot.  Thereupon  Captain 
McKean  and  the  Oneida  chief  led  their  bands  across,  expecting  the  main 
army  to  follow  without  delay.  Instead  of  supporting  his  advance  party  in 
the  promised  co-operation  with  Col.  Brown,  Van  Rensselaer  now  accom- 
panied Col.  Dubois  to  Fort  Plain,  to  dine  with  Gov.  Clinton.  Returning 
about  four  o'clock,  he  found  that  the  remainder  of  his  army  had  crossed 
the  river  on  a  rude  bridge  built  upon  baggage  wagons  driven  into  the 
stream.  He  was  at  length  stung  to  something  like  activity  by  his  officers 
remonstrating  against  his  inertness,  and  the  Oneida  chief  denounced  him 
to  his  face  as  a  tory;  and  the  provincials  advanced  with  due  expedition. 

Sir  John  seeing  that  he  could  not  avoid  an  attack,  prejiared  to  meet  it 
by  throwing  up  slight  breastworks  and  arranging  his  forces  in  order  of 
battle.  The  tones  and  Butler's  Rangers  occupied  a  small  plain  partly  pro- 
tected by  a  bend  in  the  river,  while  Brant  with  his  Indians,  concealed  in  a 
thicket  on  a  slight  elevation  further  north,  were  supported  by  a  detach- 
ment of  German  Yagers.  It  was  near  evening  when  the  battle  began. 
Van  Rensselaer's  extreme  right  was  conunanded  by  Col.  Dubois.  N'ext  to 
him  was  Capt.  McRcan  with  his  volunteers,  and  then  came  the  Oneidas, 
while  the  left  was  led  by  Col.  Cuyler.  The  Indians  in  ambush  constituted 
the  left  of  the  enemy.  As  the  provincials  approached.  Brant  raised  the 
war-whoop,  to  which  the  Oneidas  quickly  responded,  and  the  engagement 
soon  became  general.  The  Oneida  warriors  rushed  upon  their  Iroquois 
kimlrcd,  followed  liy  McKean;  the  latter  supported  by  Col.  Dubois,  whose 
wing  of  the  line  of  battle  was  loo  extended  to  match  the  enemy's  disposi- 
tions. Brant's  savage  legion  resisted  for  a  time  the  impetuous  <  harge.  but 
eventually  tied  toward  a  ford  about  two  miles  up  the  river.  Brant  was 
wounded  in  the  heel,  but  effected  his  escape. 


DESPERATE  CONDITIONS  OF  TRYON  COUNTY  SETTLEMENTS. 


55 


The  victorious  troops  were  eager  to  jmrsue  tiie  scattered  and  demoraliz- 
ed enemy,  but  it  was  now  twilight,  and  Van  Rensselaer  once  more  inter- 
posed for  the  preservation  of  the  I'oc,  by  ordering  the  patriot  anny  to  fall 
back  two  or  three  miles,  and  encamp  for  the  niglit.  This  order  was  a 
grievous  disappointment  to  the  troops,  and  was  obeyed  with  reluctance,  and 
but  in  part,  as  Louis  the  Oneida  chief.  Captain  McKean  and  Col.  Clyde 
still  harassed  the  flying  enemy,  capturing  one  of  tlieir  field  pieces,  and 
taking  some  prisoners.  The  patriots  were  the  more  exasperated  at  being 
withheld  from  pursuit  on  learning  from  one  of  their  captives  that  the 
raiders  were  on  the  point  o(  surrendering  when  Van  Rensselaer  gave  the 
order  to  retreat. 

Early  the  next  morning,  the  Oneidas  and  McKean  with  his  volunteers 
moved  up  the  river,  only  to  find,  as  was  to  be  expected,  that  undercover  of 
the  night  the  enemy  had  escaped,  fieeing  toward  Onondaga  Lake,  where 
their  boats  were  concealed.  \'an  Rensselaer  followed  moderately  as  far  as 
Fort  Herkimer,  from  which  point  he  sent  forward  McKean  and  the  Oneidas 
to  harass  the  fugitives,  promising  to  advance  with  the  main  body  immedi- 
ately. Coming  next  morning  uj>on  the  still  burning  camp  fires  of  the 
marauders,  the  advance  party  of  the  pursuers  halted,  the  Oneida  chief 
fearing  an  an\buscade,  and  refusing  to  proceed  until  Cien.  Van  Rensselaer 
came  up.  Instead  of  that  active  and  valiant  officer,  came  a  messenger  re- 
porting that  the  pursuit  was  abandoned,  and  the  army  on  its  return  march. 
Van  Rensselaer  has  been  universally  censured  for  his  mismanagement  of 
this  expedition,  especially  his  shameful  negligence  in  allowing  Stone  .A.rabia 
to  be  desolated  in  his  presence,  and  Johnson  to  escape  with  his  army  only 
defeated  when  it  might  have  been  annihilated. 

CH.\PTER  XIV. 

DOXTADER'S    raid    ox      CURRYTOWN,    and    the     CONSEyUE.ST    FEGHTl.NC [ 

THE    FORAY    OF    ROSS    A.ND    BUTLER — UEATH    OF    THE    LATTER. 

Gloomy  indeed  was  the  prospect  at  this  time  in  the  .Mohawk  valley. 
Desolation  and  destitution  were  on  every  side.  Of  an  abundant  harvest,  | 
almost  nothing  remained.  The  Cherry  Valley,  Harpersfield,  and  all  other 
settlements  toward  the  head  waters  of  the  Susquehanna,  had  been  entirely 
deserted  for  localities  of  greater  safety.  Some  idea  of  the  lamentable  con- 
dition of  other  communities  in  Tryon  county  may  be  obtained  from  a  state- 
ment addressed  to  the  Legislature,  December  20,  1780,  by  the  supervisors 
of  the  county.  In  that  document  it  was  estimated  that  seven  hundred 
buildings  had  l>een  burned  in  the  county  ;  six  hundred  and  thirteen  persons 
had  deserted  to  the  enemy  ;  three  hundred  and  fifty-four  families  had 
abandoned  their  dwellings  ;  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  lives  had  been 
lost ;  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  persons  had  been  carried  into  captivity, 
and  twelve  thousand  farms  lay  uncultivated  by  reason  of  the  enemy. 

Nor  were  the  terrible  sufferings  indicated  by  these  statistics  mitigated 
by  a  brighter  prospect.  Before  the  winter  was  past,  Brant  was  again  hover- 
ing  about  with  predatory  bands  to  destroy  what  little  property  remained. 
Since  the  Oneidas  had  been  driven  from  their  country,  the  path  of  the 
enemy  into  the  valley  was  almost  unobstructed.  It  was  with  difficulty  that  1 
supplies  could  be  conveyed  to  Forts  Plain  and  Dayton  without  being 
captured,  and  transportation  to  Fort  Schuyler  was  of  course  far  more 
hazardous.  The  militia  had  been  greatly  diminished  and  the  people  dis-  1 
I>irited  by  repeated  invasions,  and  the  destruction  of  their  property  ;  and 
yet  what  information  could  be  obtained,  indicated  that  another  incursion 
might  be  looked  for  to  sweep  perhaps  the  whole  extent  of  the  valley,  con- 
temporaneously with  a  movement  from  the  north  toward  .\lhany.  Fort 
S<  huylcr  was  so  much  injured  by  flood  and  fire  in  the  spring  of  17,^1,  that 
It  was  abandoned,  the  garrison  retiring  to  the  lower  jiosts  ;  and  all  the 
up|)er  part  of  the  valley  was  left  open  to  the  savages. 

Governor  Clinton  was  greatly  pained  by  the  gloomy  outlook,  and  know- 
ing thai  Col.  Willett  was  exceedingly  popular  in  the  v  alley,  earnestly  solicit- 
ed his  services   in   this  quarter.     Willett  had  just  been    appointed   to    the 
command  of  one  of  the  two  new  regiments  formed  by  the  consolidation  of 
the  remnants  of  five  New  York  regiments,  and  it  was   with  reluctance  that 
he  left  the  main  army  for  so  difficult  and  harassing  an  undertaking  as  tht      I 
defence  of  the    .Mohawk   region.     The  spirit  of   the  people,  at  this   time     ; 
lower  than  at  any  other  during  the  long  struggle,  began  to  revive  when  Col. 
Willett  ap[)eared  among  them.      It  was  in  June   that  he   repaireil  to  Tryon      1 
county  to  take  charge  of  the  militia  levies  and  State  troops  that  he  might  be     ' 
able  to  collect.     The  former  did  not  now  exceed  a  hundred  men,  and  in  a     | 


letter  to  Governor  Clinton  making  known  the  weakness  of  his  command, 
Colonel  Willett  said  :  "  I  confess  myself  not  a  little  disappointed  in  having 
such  a  trifling  force  for  such  extensive  business  as  I  have  on  my  hands  ;  and 
also  that  nothing  is  done  to  enable  me  to  avail  myself  of  the  militia.  The 
prospect  of  a  suffering  county  hurts  me.  Upon  my  own  account  I  am  not 
uneasy.  Everything  I  can  do  shall  be  done,  and  more  cannot  be  looked 
for.  If  it  is,  the  reflection  that  I  have  done  my  duty  must  fix  my  own 
tranquillity." 

It  was  not  long  before  Col.  Willett  had  to  repel  an  invasion.  On  the 
gth  of  July  the  settlement  of  Currytown  was  attacked  by  some  three  hun- 
dred Indians  and  a  few  loyalists  led  by  a  rank  tory,  named  John  Dox- 
tader.  The  inhabitants  were  at  work  in  the  fields  when  the  enemy  darted 
from  the  surrounding  forest,  and  the  now  familiar  scene  of  murder  and  de- 
struction was  re-enacted.  Part  of  the  settlers  escaped  to  a  small  jiicketed 
block-house,  but  nine  were  carried  away  prisoners,  and  all  the  buildings  in 
the  settlement  were  fired  before  the  marauders  retired,  save  one  belonging 
.    to  a  tory. 

Col.  Willett  was  at  Fort  Plain  at  the  time  of  this  foray  and  saw  the  smoke 
rising  from  the  burning  buildings.  A  scouting  and  foraging  party  of  thirty 
or  forty  men  under  Captain  Gross  being  on  the  march  toward  New  Dor- 
lach,  came  upon  the  trail  of  the  enemy,  and  later  upon  their  camp,  where 
a  slight  guard  remained,  while  the  body  of  the  raiders  were  attacking  Cur- 
rytown. Captain  Gross  immediately  reported  with  all  possible  dispatch 
to  Col.  WiUet  at  F'ort  Plain,  and  himself  repaired  to  Bowman's  creek  to 
await  orders.  Col.  Willett,  on  seeing  the  smoke  of  the  conflagration  at 
Currytown,  sent  Captain  McKean  in  that  direction  with  sixteen  of  the 
militia  and  orders  to  collect  as  many  more  as  possible  on  the  wav.  The 
party  moved  so  rapidly  as  to  reach  Currytown  shortly  after  it  was  deserted 
by  the  enemy,  and  in  tune  to  assist  in  saving  some  buildings  but  partly 
consumed. 

Col.  Willett,  after  despatching  McKean  to  Currvtown,  promptlv  col- 
lected what  force  he  could  and  followed,  joining  the  detachments  of  Gross 
and  McKean  that  evening,  when  the  whole  effective  force  did  not  e.xceed 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men.  They  encamped  in  a  cedar  swamp  near  the 
present  Sharon  Springs,  intending  to  surprise  the  enemy's  camp  by  night. 
In  attempting  this  movement,  however,  the  guide  lost  his  way  in  the  dense 
forest,  and  when  the  point  of  attack  was  reached  about  six  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  the  savages  and  tories,  having  been  warned  of  their  danger,  had 
taken  a  more  defensible  position  and  were  prepared  for  battle.  It  was 
at  once  resolved  to  attack  them,  but,  if  possible,  to  draw  them  from  their 
advantageous  post.  For  this  purpose  a  small  detachment  was  ordered  for- 
ward under  Lieut.  Jacob  Sammons,  with  orders  to  retreat  at  the  proper 
time  and  decoy  the  enemy  within  a  semi-circle  formed  by  the  rest  of  Col. 
Willet's  force.  The  Indians  having  repulsed  Sammons'  willing  party, 
rushed,  yelling,  in  hot  pursuit,  and  were  thus  brought  into  contact  with 
Col.  Willett's  force  of  one  hundred  men,  while  Captain  McKean  fell  upon 
their  right.  Thus  entrapped  they  broke  and  took  refuge  behind  trees, 
which  they  soon  relinquished  in  precipitate  flight,  leaving  their  camp  and 
booty  behind,  .■\bout  forty  of  them  were  found  dead  on  the  field.  Col. 
Willett  lost  in  killed  five  men,  and  five  wounded  and  missing.  .Most  un- 
fortunately among  the  wounded  was  Captain  McKean,  who  died  the  next 
day  at  Fort  Plain,  greatly  lamented. 

Col.  Willett  returned  hurrieilly  from  the  battle  field  to  Fort  Plain  with- 
out burying  his  dead,  which  service  was  performed  by  Col.  Veeder,  who 
arrived  at  the  spot  soon  after  with  a  detachment  of  militia.  Beside  the 
fallen  soldiers  there  were  discovered  upon  the  ground  seven  of  the  Curry- 
town prisoners,  whom  the  Indians,  on  finding  they  must  retreat,  had 
scalped  and,  as  they  supposed,  killed.  Two  of  them,  however,  were  found 
alive — Jacob  llievendorif,  aged  eleven,  and  a  little  girl  named  Mary  .Miller. 
The  latter  died  on  the  w,ay  to  Fort  Plain,  but  the  boy  recovered,  as  did 
also  his  brother,  Frederick,  who  had  a  similar  terrible  experience  at  Curry- 
town the  day  before. 

Soon  after  the  Currytown  affair,  a  party  of  Indians  and  tories,  led  by  a 
son  of  Col.  Jacob  Klock,  who  had  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  refugees  in  Can- 
ada, attempted  an  attack  upon  Palatine.  They  encamped  one  night  in  the 
vicinity,  but  Philip  Ilelmer,  one  of  their  number,  learning  that  a  family  of 
his  relatives,  named  Bellinger,  were  among  the  doomed,  deserted  and 
informed  the  threatened  settlers.  A  force  of  twenty-five  patriots  hastily 
gathered,  and  led  by  Jacob  Sammons  went  in  search  of  the  enemy.  The 
latter,  on  finding  their  [iresence  discovered,  had  retreated,  but  they  were 
overtaken,  and  in  a  skirmish    which  ensued  were  routed,  with  the  loss  of 


56 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


their  provisions  and  some  of  their  amis.  An  Indian,  wounded  and  cap- 
tured; was  killed  by  Helmer,  who  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  his  late  asso- 
ciates. Three  who  esca|>ed  died  from  their  wounds  on  their  way  to 
Canada. 

Small  guerrilla  parties  continued  to  lurk  around  the  frontier  settlements 
during  the  remainder  of  the  summer  and  early  autumn  of  1781.  but  the 
vigilance  of  Col.  Willett's  scouts  prevented  their  doing  any  great  damage. 
The  tories,  houe\er,  had  lost  none  of  their  animf)sity  against  their  former 
neighbors  in  the  Mohawk  valley,  and  in  the  autumn  of  this  year  they  ex- 
ecuted one  more  of  their  murderous  and  ruinous  forays.  The  expedition, 
which  was  led  by  Major  Ross  and  Walter  Kutler.  of  Cherry  Valley  infamy, 
consisted  of  British  regulars,  tories  and  Indians  to  the  number  of  about 
a  thousand.  Their  stealthily  approach  to  the  settlements  was  undiscov- 
ered until  they  appeared  at  Currytown,  October  24th.  There,  for  once, 
they  caused  no  conflagration,  not  wishing  as  yet  to  announce  their  arrival 
to  the  neighboring  communities,  but  passed  rapidly  on  to  Warrensbush  and 
the  vicinity  of  Kort  Hunter,  killing  or  capturing  all  whom  they  met.  In 
the  neighborhood  of  the  fort  they  were  able  to  destroy  the  dwellings  and 
plunder  the  people  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  before  any  forte  could 
be  collected  to  oppose  them. 

As  soon  as  the  news  reached  Col.  Willett  he  started  to  the  rescue  with 
what  men  he  could  hastily  collect.  Marching  through  the  night  he  reach- 
ed Fort  Hunter  the  next  morning  October  25th  ,  but  the  enemy  had 
already  crossed  the  river  and  directed  their  course  toward  Johnstown, 
plundering  and  burning  right  and  left.  Willett's  force  lost  some  time  in 
parsing  the  stream,  which  was  not  fordable  at  this  point,  but  this  accom- 
plished, the  pursuit  was  vigorously  prosecuted  and  the  enemy  were  over- 
taken at  Johnstown.  Col.  Wiilett  had  but  four  hundred  and  sixteen  men, 
and  his  inferiority  of  force  compelled  a  resort  to  strategy  in  attacking. 
Accordingly  Col.  Rowley,  of  Massachusetts,  was  detached  with  about  sixty 
of  his  men  and  some  of  the  Tryon  county  militia  to  gain  the  rear  of  the 
enemy  by  a  rirruitous  march  and  fall  upon  them,  while  Col.  Willett  at- 
tacked them  in  front.  The  invaders  were  met  by  Col.  Willett  near  John- 
son Hall,  and  the  battle  immediately  began.  It  was  for  a  time  hotly  con- 
tested, but  at  length  the  militia,  under  Col.  Willett.  suddenly  gave  way.  and 
fled  precipitately  to  the  stone  church  in  the  village  before  their  commander 
could  induce  them  to  make  a  stand.  The  enemy  would  have  won  an  easy 
and  complete  victory  had  not  Col.  Rowley  at  this  moment  fallen  vigorously 
upon  their  rear  and  obstinately  maintained  an  unequal  contest.  This  gave 
Col.  Willett  time  to  rally  his  men,  who  again  pressed  forward.  At  night- 
fall, after  a  severe  struggle,  the  enemy,  overcome  and  harassed  on  all  sides, 
fled  in  confusion  to  the  woods,  not  halting  to  encamp  until  they  had  gone 
several  miles.  In  the  engagement  the  .\mericans  lost  about  forty  ;  the 
enemy  had  about  the  same  number  killed  and  lifty  taken  prisoners. 

A  young  Johnstown  patriot  named  William  Scarborough,  who  was 
among  the  garrison  at  the  fort  at  the  time  of  this  action,  left  it  with  another 
soldier  named  Crosset.  to  join  Willett's  force.  They  fell  in  with  the  enemy 
on  the  way,  and  Crosset,  after  shooting  one  or  two  of  the  latter,  was  him- 
self killed.  Scarborough  was  surrounded  and  captured  by  a  company  of 
Highlanders  under  Capt.  McDonald,  formerly  livmg  near  Johnstown. 
Scarborough  and  the  Scotch  officer  had  been  neighbors  before  the  war.  and 
had  got  into  a  political  wrangle  which  resulted  in  a  tight  and  the  beating 
of  the  Highland  chief.  Henceforward  he  cherished  a  bitter  hatred  toward 
his  adversary,  and  finding  him  now  in  his  power,  ordered  him  shot  at  once. 
His  men  refusing  the  butcherly  oftice,  McDonald  took  it  upon  himself,  and 
cut  the  prisoner  to  [>ieces  with  his  sword. 

McDonald  was  not  the  only  one  with  whom  SrarborouL;h  quarreled 
about  the  political  situation.  He  once  ^o  abused  an  old  man  whom  he 
met  at  a  grist-mill  in  Johnstown  that  the  miller  called  a  number  of  soldiers 
from  the  fort  to  witness  their  comrade's  conduct.  They  rebuked  S(.ar- 
borough  for  misusing  the  poor  old  man.  whereupon  he  turned  his  attention 
to  them,  and  having  provoked  a  fight,  got  a  severe  drubbing.  .-V  man 
named  Yocknm  FoUock.  who  lived  in  the  neigbborhootl  of  Johnstown. 
and  was  killed  at  the  battle  near  the  Ilall.  "was  found  with  a  i)iece  of 
meat  placed  at  his  mouth,  as  supposed,  by  the  Indians  in  derision."  Be- 
side these  incidents  connected  with  the  engagement,  Mr.  Simms  relates  the 
following: 

"In  the  Revolution  a  hedge  fence  ran  eastward  from  Johnson  Hall,  and 
the  men  under  Willett  were  upon  one  side  of  it  and  those  un<ler  Ross  the 
other.  After  a  few  shots  the  Americans  rclreat'.d  in  contusion,  but  were 
rallied,  returned   to   the   field,  and   acting   in   (iinicrtwith    troops   m   the 


enemy's  rear,  gained  a  signal  victor)'.  When  the  Americans  first  retreated, 
Wagner  [Joseph,  who  told  the  story,]  was  the  last  man  to  leave  the  ground. 
Seeing  an  officer  genteelly  clad  spring  over  the  fence  near,  he  fired  and 
brought  him  down.  In  an  instant  a  hundred  giins  were  leveled  at  his  own 
person,  and  he  fled  in  safety  amid  their  discharge.  After  the  battle  was 
over  and  Willett's  men  had  encamped,  Wagner,  attended  by  several  of  his 
friends,  visited  the  field  to  learn  the  fate  of  the  handsome  officer  he  had 
flred  at.  He  found  him  on  the  ground  near  where  he  had  fallen  and  ad- 
dressed him  much  as  follows;  '  My  dear  sir,  I  am  the  man  who  shot  you 
in  the  afternoon,  but  I  have  a  fellow  feeling  for  vou;  permit  me  and  I  will 
take  you  to  our  camp,  where  you  shall  receive  kind  treatment  and  good 
care.'  'I  would  rather  die  on  this  spot,"  was  his  emphatic  reply,  'than 
leave  it  with  a  d — d  rebel  I'  The  young  officer,  who  was  very  good-look- 
ing, with  long  black  hair,  was  left  to  his  fate.  By  dawn  of  day  the  Ameri- 
cans were  put  in  motion,  and  Wagner  saw  no  more  of  the  warrior  named; 
but  on  the  approach  of  several  Oneidas  in  the  morning,  he  observed  in  the 
hands  of  one  a  scalp,  the  hair  of  which  resembled  that  of  his. 

"Capt.  .\ndrew  Fink,  a  native  of  the  Mohawk  valley,  who  possessed  a 
spirit  suited  for  the  times,  was  also  in  the  Johnstown  battle.  *  *  * 
During  the  action  near  the  Hall  the  British  took  from  the  .Americans  a 
field-piece,  which  Col.  Willett  was  anxious  to  recover.  He  sent  Capt.  Fink 
with  a  party  of  volunteers  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy,  and  if  possible  get  the 
lost  cannon.  Three  of  the  volunteers  were  Christian  and  Myndert  Fink, 
brothers  of  the  Captain,  and  George  Stansell.  While  observing  the  move- 
ment of  the  enemv  from  the  covert  of  a  fallen  tree.  Stansell  was  shot  down 
beside  his  brave  leader,  with  a  bullet  through  his  lungs,  and  was  borne  from 
the  woods  by  Hanyost  Fink.  Strengthening  his  party  of  volunteers,  Capt. 
Fink  again  entered  the  forest,  soon  after  which  he  picked  up  a  British 
knapsack  containing  a  bottle  of  French  brandy  and  a  cocked  hat.  The 
cannon  was  soon  after  recaptured,  and  it  being  near  night  Willett  drew  off 
his  men  and  quartered  them  in  the  old  Episcopal  church  in  Johnstown, 
training  entrance  bv  breaking  in  a  window. 

"Most  of  the  Scotch   settlers  in  and  around  Johnstown  either  went  to 
I     Canada  with  the  Johnsons  at  the  beginning  of  difficulties,  or  if  they  re- 
I      mained  were  more  the  friends  of  the   British  than  the  .American  govern- 
I     ment.      Duncan   McCiregor,  who  resided  several  miles  north  of  Johnson 
I      Hall,  was  an  exception.     .At  the  time  of  Ross'  invasion  several  Indians  and 
t     a  tory  entered  this  pioneer's  house  in  the  evenmg,  who  left  it  as  they  were 
approaching,  unobserved  by  them.    He  gained  the  rear  of  his  log  dwelling, 
I     and  through  a  cranny,  watchetl  the  motions  of  the  party.     He  was  armed 
I     with  a  gun  and  a  sword,  and  resolved  if  any  injury  or  insult  was  offered 
j     to  his  wife,  to  shoot  the  offender  and  flee  to  the  woods.     Mrs.  McGregor 
I     detected  a  tory  in  one  of  the  party  by  observing  his  white  skin,  where  the 
I      paint  had  worn  off.      This  white    Indian   inquired  of  her  if  she  could  not 
]     give  them  something  10  eat.     She  replied  that  she  had  some  johnny-cake 
I     and  milk.     'That  will  do,'  said  he,  and   soon   they  were  eating.     .As  they 
i      rose  from  the  table  one  of  them  espied  a  handsomely-pamted  chest  in  one 
corner  of  the  room,  and  asked  what  it  contained.     '  It  contains  books.'  said 
she,  'and  other  articles  belonging  to  a  relative  in  .Albany.'      'Ah,'  said  the 
i     speaker,  '  he  belongs  to  the  rebel  army,  I  suppose  ?'     She  replied  that  he 
j     did,  and  her  countenance  indicated  no  little  anxiety  as  he  exclaimed,  with 
a  menacing  gesture.  'Be  careful  you  do  not  deceive  us  !'     One  of  the  in- 
t     traders  with  a  tomahawk  instantly  split  the  cover,  and  the  books  and  sun- 
dry articles  of  clothing  were  thrown  upon  the  floor.     The  clothing  was 
added  to  their  stock  of  plunder,  and  soon  after  the  warriors  departed." 
I         The  morning  after  the  battle.  Colonel    Willttt   started  in  pursuit  of    the 
;      invaders,  halting  at  Stone  Arabia,  and  sending  forward  a  detachment,  with 
i     orders  to  proceed  by   forced    marches  to  Oneida   Lake  and  destroy  the 
encmys  boats,  which  he  was  informed  had  been  left  there.      Willett  remain* 
t      ed   for  a  day  at   Stone    Arabia,   thmking  the  guerrillas   might    attempt  to 
plunder  that  neighborhood,  and  then  renewed   the  pursuit,  meeting  on  the 
wav  hisadxnnced  party  returning  from  t)ncida  Lake,  without  having  accom- 
plished anything.     The  enemy.  ha\ing  taken  the  direction  of  west  Canada 
Creek,  Col.  \\illctt  followed  them  thither,  his  force  being  increased  by  the 
arrival  of  about  sixty  Oneida  warriors  and  some  white   troops.     Several 
I     of  the  marauders  were  killed,  and  others  captured  in  skirmishes  with  their 
t      rear  guard  before  the  creek  was  reached.      Having  crossed  the  stream.  Wal- 
I      ter  Butler  tried  to  rally  his  followers  and  contest  the  jtassage  of  the  .\nieri- 
cans.     While  thus  engaged  he  was  recognized  and  shot  down  bv  an  ( ineida 
Indian,      His  men  thereupon  tied,  and    the  Oneida  marksmen    crossmg  the 
(  reek  with  tomahawk  and   scalping  knife,  made  a  fitting  end  of  the  lilood- 


ROSS  AND  BUTLERS  RAID— PERFIDIOUS  TORIES. 


67 


thirsty  tory  who  directed  the  Cherry  Valley  massacre. 

The  pursuit  was  shortly  after  relinquished,  and  Col.  Willett  returned 
to  Fort  Dayton,  having  lost  but  one  man  since  the  Johnstown  engage- 
ment, while  the  loss  of  the  enemy  in  their  flight  was  considerable. 
Col.  Willett,  reporting  to  Ciovernor  Clinton  said,  that  the  number  of 
British  and  savages  killed  in  the  several  encounters,  "  the  fields  of 
lohnstown,  the  brooks  and  rivers,  the  hills  and  mountains,  the  deep  and 
glooray  marshes  through  which  they  had  to  pass,  they  alone  can  tell, 
and  perhaps  the  officer  who  detached  them  on  the  expedition." 

The  body  of  Butler  was  left  unburied  where  he  fell.  He  was  one  of  the 
greatest  scourges  of  his  native  county.  Of  him,  Lossing  thus  speaks  : 
"  Tender  charity  may  seek  to  cloak  his  crimes  with  the  plea  that  par- 
tisan warfare  justified  his  deeds;  and  lapse  of  lime,  which  mellows  such 
crimson  tints  in  the  picture  of  a  man's  character,  may  temper  the  asperity 
with  which  a  shocked  humanity  views  his  conduct  ;  yet  a  just  judgment 
founded  upon  observation  of  his  brief  career,  must  pronounce  it  a  stain 
upon  the  generation  in  which  he  lived." 

CHAPTER  XV. 

PEACE      ON      THE     MOHAWK — RESULTS    OF     THE     WAR— THE     NAMING     AND 
SUCCESSIVE    BOUNDARIES   OF    MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 

The  foray  of  Ross  and  Butler  was  the  last  serious  incursion  that  afflicted 
the  Mohawk  valley  during  the  Revolution.  The  unhappy  inhabitants  were 
not,  however,  permitted  to  relax  their  anxious  vigilance,  for  small  scalping 
parties  still  hovered  about  the  more  e.xposed  settlements.  As-  late  as  the 
summer  of  1782,  a  band  of  seven  Indians  came  down  through  the  northern 
wilderness  to  kill  or  capture  any  prominent  whigs  they  might  be  able  to 
surprise.  Henr}-  Stoner's  name  was  mentioned  to  them  bv  Andreas  Bow- 
man, a  tory,  living  east  of  Johnstown,  and  taking  Bowman  with  them,  os- 
tensibly as  a  prisoner,  but  really  as  a  guide,  the  savases  repaired  to 
Stoner's  place,  at  Fonda's  Bush.  The  old  patriot  was  hoeing  com  when  the 
Indians  were  discovered  by  him,  and  he  tried  to  reach  his  house  where  his 
rifle  was  kept  ;  but  he  was  overtaken,  and  in  his  defenceless  condition  fell 
an  easy  prey  to  the  tomahawk.  Securing  his  scalp  the  savages  went  to  his 
house,  which  they  plundered  and  burned.  Mrs.  Stoner  escaped  injury, 
and  saved  one  of  her  dresses  by  throwing  it  from  a  window.  The  house 
having  been  destroyed,  she  sought  shelter  at  that  of  a  neighbor  named 
Harman.  He  with  several  others  went  to  Stoner's  farm,  and  searching  the 
fields,  found  the  owner  still  alive,  though  near  death.  On  taking  a  draught 
of  water  he  expired.  The  Indians  had  taken  prisoners  Stoner's  nephew, 
Michael  Reed,  and  a  man  named  Palmatier.  The  former,  a  mere  lad,  was 
taken  to  Canada,  where  he  became  a  drummer  for  Butler's  Rangers,  but 
Palmatier  escaped  the  first  night  after  his  capture.  On  his  return  to  his 
friends  he  reported  the  course  of  Bowman,  who  had  also  returned  after 
helping  the  savages  carry  off  their  plunder  to  a  hiding  place  near  the  Sa- 
condaga.  The  tory  was  seized  and  thrown  into  the  Johnstown  jail.  There 
he  was  visited  by  a  party  of  whigs,  who  by  way  of  making  him  confess 
his  share  in  Stoner's  murder,  hung  him  by  the  neck  for  a  very  brief 
period.  Nothing  was  learned  from  him,  however,  and  after  some  em- 
phatic warnings,  he  was  released.  How  Stoner's  famous  son  Nicholas,  the 
trapper,  avenged  his  father's  death,  is  narrated  on  another  page. 

Reference  having  been  made  to  the  Johnstown  jail,  another  affair  with 
which  it  was  connected  may  be  here  related.  Among  the  tory  refugees  in 
Canada  was  John  Helmer.  a  son  of  Philip  Helmer,  who  lived  at  Fonda's 
Bush.  Having  returned  to  that  settlement,  he  was  arrested  and  imprisoned 
at  Johnstown.  The  sentinel  at  the  jail  one  day  allowed  Helmer  to  take 
his  gun  in  hand  to  look  at.  as  the  prisoner  seemed  much  pleased  with  it. 
The  inevitable  consequence  is  thus  stated  by  Mr.  Simms  :  "The  piece 
hjd  hardly  i)assed  out  of  the  young  guard's  possession  ere  his  authority 
«"as  set  at  defiame,  and  its  new  owner  took  it  to  a  place  of  retirement  to 
inspect  its  merits,  which  were  not  fully  decided  upon  until  he  had  safely 
Arrived  in  Canada.'*  Helmer  had  gotten  off  so  easily  thai  he  was  em- 
boldened to  venture  again  into  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  on  a  recruit- 
ing mission.  His  presence  becoming  known,  he  was  captured  by  Bcnja- 
niin  De  Line,  Solonlon  Woodworth  and  Henry  Shew,  and  committed  to 
*hc  Johnstown  jail.  Fortunately  for  the  venturesome  tory,  a  sister  of  his 
^^ad  a  lover  among  the  garrison  stationed  at  the  jail,  which  was  then  also 
3  fort  ;  and  he.  more  true  to  his  sweetheart  than  to  his  muntrv,  not  only 
released  Helmer,  but  together  with  another  soldier,  set  out  with  him  for 


Canada.  Swift  justice  fell  u])on  the  deserters,  who  were  both  shot  dead 
by  a  pursuing  party.  Helmer,  severely  wounded  by  a  bayonet  thrust, 
escaped  for  a  time,  but  being  subsequently  found  half  dead  in  the  woods, 
was  returned  once  more  to  the  jail.  His.  wound  having  healed  he  again 
escaped,  and  this  time  reached  Canada,  having  undergone  almost  incredi- 
ble sufferings,  which  he  related  in  an  interview  with  Nicholas  Stoner,  who 
met  him  after  the  war  in  Canada,  where  he  remained. 

We  have  said  that  the  raid  of  Ross  and  Butler  was  the  last  serious  in- 
vasion of  the  Mohawk  valley.  There  was  little  left  to  terftpt  further  in- 
cursions. The  patriots  of  Tryon  county  had  jjassed  through  a  terrible 
ordeal.  Those  who  now  live  in  peace  and  plenty  on  the  lands  once  so 
often  trodden  by  relentless  foes,  cannot  comprehend  the  sufferings  of 
their  forefathers,  and  their  brave  and  patient  endurance.  Especially  diffi- 
cult would  it  be  to  realize  the  amount  of  painful  anxiety,  hardship  and 
self-denial,  to  which  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  Revolutionary  heroes 
were  subjected,  while  fathers,  husbands;  and  brothers  were  away  fighting 
for  their  country's  freedom.  All  through  the  long  struggle  the  lives  of 
these  brave  women  were  made  burdensome  by  incessant  toil  and  watching. 
Not  only  had  they  household  duties  to  perform,  but  it  fell  to  their  lot  to 
cultivate  the  farms  for  their  subsistence.  The  slow  and  toilsome  reaping 
with  the  sickle  having  been  accomplished,  and  the  grain  garnered,  they 
had  to  carry  it  miles,  often  on  foot,  to  mill,  exposed  to  the  attack  of  the 
wily  Indian  or  the  treacherous  tory  ;  or  if  the  mill  was  too  distant,  had  to 
pound  the  grain  in  a  ^vooden  mortar  at  home.  Those  who  had  live  stock 
were  under  the  necessity  of  watching  it  night  and  day.  The  housewife 
and  daughters  had  to  weave  the  cloth  from  which  the  garments  of  their 
family  were  made,  for  few  could  afford  to  buy,  even  had  well  stocked  stores 
been  always  at  hand.  But  severe  toil  was  a  less  hardship  than  the  con- 
stant exposure  to  being  attacked  by  the  Indians,  which  made  it  pari  of 
their  daily  work  to  be  on  the  look-out  for  the  lurking  foe,  familiar  with  all 
the  footpaths  and  liable  to  appear  when  least  expected,  seldom  sparing  the 
innocent  and  helpless,  hut  leaving  blood  and  flame  as  the  evidence  of  his 
stealthy  visit.  The  terrible  experiences  of  the  Revolution  were  impartially 
shared  by  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  patriot  soldiers,  and  their  trials 
and  endurance  can  never  be  fully  portrayed. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  war.  Col.  Willett  sent  to  Gen.  Washington  a 
lengthy  statement  of  the  condition  of  affairs  in  Tryon  county,  from  which 
it  appears  that,  whereas  at  the  opening  of  the  struggle  the  enrolled  militia 
of  the  county  numbered  not  less  than  2,500,  there  were  then  not  more  than 
800  men  liable  to  bear  arms,  and  not  more  than  1,200  who  could  be  taxed 
or  assessed  for  the  raising  of  men  for  the  public  ser\'ice.  To  account  for 
so  large  a  reduction  of  the  poj)uIation,  it  was  estimated  that  one-third  had 
been  killed  or  made  prisoners  ;  one-third  had  gone  over  to  the  enemy; 
and  one-third  for  the  time  being  had  abandoned  the  country.  No  other 
part  of  America  of  the  same  extent  had  suffered  so  much;  no  where  else 
had  the  patriot  population  been  so  nearly  at  the  mercy  of  the  Indians  and 
tories.  Overrun  again  and  again  by  savage  hordes  bent  on  murder,  booty 
and  ruin,  this  region  presented  at  the  close  of  the  war  a  heart-sickening 
desolation. 

The  sufferings  of  the  unfortunate  inhabitants  of  the  Mohawk  valley  were 
the  measure  of  the  delij;ht  with  which  they  hailed  the  return  of  peace.  The 
dispersed  population  returned  to  the  blackened  ruins  of  their  former  hab- 
itations, rebuilt  their  houses  and  again  brought  their  farms  under  cultiva- 
tion. With  astonishing  audacity  the  tories  now  began  to  sneak  back  and 
claim  place  and  property  among  those  whom  they  had  impoverished  and 
bereaved.  It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  this  would  be  tolerated.  The 
outraged  feelings  of  the  community  found  the  following  expression  at  a 
meeting  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  the  Mohawk  district.  May  9.  1783: 

"Taking  into  consideration  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  this  county 
relating  to  its  situation,  and  the  numbers  that  joined  the  enemy  from 
among  us,  whose  brutal  barbarities  in  their  frequent  visits  to  their  old 
neighbors  are  too  shocking  to  humanity  to  relate: 

"They  have  murdered  the  peaceful  husbandman,  and  his  lovely  boys 
about  him  unarmed  and  defenceless  in  the  field.  They  have,  with  a  ma- 
licious pleasure,  bu'chered  the  aged  and  infirm;  they  have  wantonly  sport- 
ed with  the  lives  of  helpless  women  and  children,  numbers  they  have 
scalped  alive,  shut  them  up  in  their  houses  and  burnt  them  to  death.  Sev- 
eral children,  by  the  vigilance  of  their  friends,  have  been  snatched  from 
flaming  buildings;  and  though  tomahawked  and  scalped,  are  still  living 
among  us;  they  have  made  more  than  three  hundred  widows  and  above 
two  thousand  orphans  in  this  county;  they  have  killed  thousands  of  cattle 


58 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


and  horses  that  rotted  in  the  field;  they  have  burnt  more  than  two  millions 
of  bushels  of  grain,  many  hundreds  of  buildings,  and  vast  stores  of  forage; 
and  now  these  merciless  fiends  are  creeping  in  among  us  again  to  claim 
the  privilege  of  fellow-citizens,  and  demand  a  restitution  of  their  forfeited 
estates;  but  can  they  leave  their  infernal  tempers  behind  them  and  be  safe 
or'peaccable  neighbors  ?  Or  can  the  disconsolate  widow  and  the  bereaved 
mother  reconcile  her  tender  feelings  to  a  free  and  cheerful  neighborhood 
with  those  who  so  inhumanly  made  her  such  ?  Impossible!  It  is  con- 
trary to  nature,  the  first  principle  of  which  is  self-preservation.  It  is  con- 
trary to  the  law  of  nations,  especially  that  nation  which,  for  numberless 
reasons,  we  should  be  thought  to  pattern  after;  since  the  accession  of  the 
House  of  Hanover  to  the  British  throne  five  hundred  and  twenty  peerages 
in  Scotland  have  been  sunk,  the  peers  executed  or  tied,  and  their  estates 
confiscated  to  the  crown  for  adhering  to  their  former  administration  after 
a  new  one  was  established  by  law.  It  is  contrary  to  the  eternal  rule  of 
reason  and  rectitude.  If  Britain  employed  them,  let  Bntain  pay  them. 
We  will  not;  therefore, 

"  REs*)LVEr>,  unanimously,  that  all  those  who  have  gone  off  to  the  enemy 
or  have  been  banished  by  any  law  of  this  State,  or  those,  who  we  shall  find, 
tarried  as  spies  or  tools  of  the  enemy,  and  encouraged  and  harbored  those 
who  went  away,  shall  not  live  in  this  district  on  any  pretence  whatever; 
and  as  for  those  who  have  washed  their  faces  from  Indian  paint  and  their 
hands  from  the  innocent  blood  of  our  dear  ones,  and  have  returned,  either 
openly  or  covertly,  we  hereby  warn  them  to  lea\e  this  district  before  the 
twentieth  of  June  next,  or  they  may  expect  to  feel  the  just  resentment  of 
an  injured  and  determined  people. 

"We  likewise  unanimously  desire  our  brethren  in  the  other  districts  in 
this  county  to  join  with  us  to  instruct  our  representatives  not  to  consent 
to  the  repealing  any  laws  made  for  the  safety  of  the  State  against  treason, 
or  confiscation  of  traitor's  estates,  or  to  passing  any  new  acts  fur  the  re- 
turn or  restitution  of  tones. 

"  By  order  of  the  meeting, 

"JosiAH  Throop,  Chairman." 
In  the  treaty  of  peace  between  (.ireat  Britain  and  the  United  States  no 
provisions  were  made  by  the  former  power  in  behalf  of  its  Indian  allies. 
At  the  beginning  of  the  war  the  Mohawks  w  ere  still  in  possession  of  a  large 
extent  of  territor\,  and  were  induced  to  abandon  it  and  take  up  the  hatchet 
for  the  king,  under  a  promise  from  the  (iovernor  of  Canada  that  when  the 
contest  was  over  they  should  be  restored  to  the  same  position  as  before  it 
at  the  expense  of  the  English  government.  The  extinction  of  the  British 
power  throughout  most  of  the  country  was  not  dreamed  of.  Such  being 
the  result  of  the  war,  the  Mohawks  could  have  no  more  hope  of  regaining 
their  lands  than  the  tories  with  whom  they  had  fought,  and  scalped,  and 
plundered  and  burned.  .At  their  urgent  soIiLitation,  a  tract  of  land  in 
Canada  was  finally  granted  to  them,  and  such  others  of  the  Six  Nations  as 
chose  to  remove  to  it.  TheOncidas  and  Tiiscaroras,  having  remainetl 
friendlv  to  the  .Americans,  were  secured  in  the  jiossession  of  their  lands. 
.AH  the  other  members  of  ihe  confederacy  having  taken  up  the  hairhct 
against  the  I'nited  States,  might,  as  loii-iuercd  peoples,  ha\e  them  dispos- 
sessed, and  driven  over  the  establishvtl  iKjiindarv  into  the  domjins  of 
their  British  employers;  hut  .ntter  .  i.nsider.iMc  negotiation  the  Inited  ' 
State>  gave  them  peai  c  on  their  relimiuislung  a  large  share  of  their  tern- 
tory. 

During  the  Revolution,  the  English  official  in  honor  of  whom  Tryon 
county  was  n.inied  rendered  his  name  odious  by  a  series  of  infamous 
acts  in  the  service  of  the  Crown  ;  and  the  Legislature  on  the  2nd  of  .April, 
178+ voted  th.it  the  county  should  l.eialled  .\1o.mc...mh<v  ,  in  honor  of 
General  Richard  .Montgomery,  who  fell  in  the  attai  k  on  l^iiiebec.  early  in 
the  war.  .At  the  beginning  of  the  Kevolution,  the  popiil.itiun  of  the  county 
was  eslimaleil  at  about  ten  thoiis.ind  .\t  the  close  of  the  nar  it  h.i.l 
probably  been  reduceil  to  one  third  of  that  number,  but  so  inviting  were 
the  fertile  lands  of  the  county  that  in  three  vears  .ilter  tlie  return  of  j.e.ue 
17.S6  It  hail  a  population  of  fifteen  tliousaiul. 
The  boundaries  of  the  several  counties  m  the  State  were  more  inmiitelv 
defined,  March  7.  1788,  and  .Montgomery  w.is  declared  to  loiiiam  .ill  that 
part  of  the  Slate  bounded  cast  by  the  counties  ,,i  IKier,  .All.aiiv.  U.ish- 
ington  and  Clinton,  and  south  by  the  Slate  of  Pennsylvania.  \\  li.it  had 
been  districts  in  Tryon  1  (lunty  were,  with  the  exc  eption  of  Old  laiglaml, 
made  towns  ol  Montgomery  county,  the  Mohawk  distrii  t  forming  tvvu 
towns,  Caughnawaga,  north  of  the  ruer,  .nnd  .Moh.mk  south  of  it.  The 
Palatine  oriuinally.  Stone  .Arabi  i  .  and  C.inajnlijrie  disiri.  ts  were  organized 
as  towns,  retaining  those  names. 


The  war  of  the  Revolution  had  made  the  people  of  the  other  Slates 
familiar  with  New  York,  Sullivan's  campaign,  in  particular,  had  revealed 
the  fertility  of  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and  a  tide  of  emigration 
thither  set  in  at  the  close  of  the  war.  This  led  to  the  formation  from 
Montgomery,  January  27,  1789,  of  Ontario  county,  which  originally  included 
all  of  the  State  west  of  a  line  running  due  north  from  the  "  82nd  mile- 
stone "  on  the  Pennsylvania  boundary,  through  Seneca  Lake  to  Sodus  Bay 
on  Lake  Ontario.  On  the  i6th  of  February,  1791,  the  county  of  Mont- 
gomery was  still  further  reduced  by  the  formation  of  Tioga,  Otsego  and 
Herkimer.  The  latter  joined  Montgomery  on  the  north  as  well  as  the 
west,  the  present  east  and  west  line  between  Fulton  and  Hamilton,  con- 
tinued westward,  being  part  of  their  common  boundary,  and  another  part 
of  it  a  line  running  north  and  south  from  Little  Falls,  and  intersecting  the 
former  "at  a  place  called  Jersey-fields."  Of  the  region  thus  taken  from 
Montgomery  county  on  the  north,  the  present  territory  of  Hamilton  was 
restored  in  1797,  only  to  be  set  apart  under  its  present  name,  February  12, 
1S16.  .April  7,  1817,  the  western  boundary  of  Montgomery  was  moved 
eastward  from  the  meridian  of  Little  Falls  to  East  Canada  Creek  and  a 
line  running  south  from  its  mouth,  where  it  remains.  The  line  between 
Montgomery  and  Schenectady  has  always  been  part  of  the  boundary  of 
the  former,  having  originally  separated  it  from  .Albany  county.  The  form- 
ation of  Otsego  county,  February  16,  1791,  established  the  line  which  now 
separates  it  and  Schoharie  from  Montgomery.  The  latter  took  its  northern 
boundary  and  entire  present  outline  on   the  formation  of  Fulton  county 


1838. 


IMMIOKATION      FROM 
BKIDGFS- 


CH.APTER  XVL 


:..\ND PIONEF.R      LIFE NEW      ROAI»S 

ON    THE    MOHAWK    TURNPIKE. 


Prior  to  the  Revolution,  the  inhabitants  of  the  .Mohawk  valley,  as  has 
been  seen,  were  for  the  most  part  the  tjermans,  who  came  over  from  the 
Palatinate,  and  the  Dutch,  who  tardily  extended  their  settlements  westward 
from  Schenectady,  together  with  some  Scotch  and  Irish.  But  after  that 
eventful  period,  people  from  .New  England,  no  less  industrious  and  enter- 
prising, came  flocking  in  and  took  possession  of  the  confiscated  lands  of 
the  tories,  obtaining  their  title  from  the  State,  or  pushing  into  the  unbroken 
wilderness,  brought  new  farms  into  cultivation. 

Now  pioneer  life  was  lived  on  a  larger  scale.  The  settlers'  log  cabins 
more  thickly  dotted  the  wilderness,  and  the  clearings  about  them  en- 
croached more  rapidly  upon  the  surrounding  forests.  Everywhere  was 
heard  the  ring  of  the  woodman's  axe  and  seen  the  smoke  from  whirlwinds 
of  flame  that  were  consuming  the  trees  earlier  felled  and  dry  enough  to 
burn.  The  first  burning,  which  destroyed  limbs  and  boughs,  left  the 
ground  strewn  with  blackened  trunks.  To  pile  these  together  .so  that 
.mother  firing  would  consume  them  was  the  rough  and  dirty  job  of  "  log- 
.;ing  up."  It  was  largely  done  by  "bees,"  to  which  the  willing-hearted 
.ind  ready-handed  frontiersmen  rallied  in  numbers  adeijuate  to  the  heavy 
work  to  be  done.  Severe  as  that  was,  an  afternoon  at  it  left  the  young 
men  with  vim  enough  for  a  wrestling  matih,  after  they  had  rested  long 
enough  to  devour  the  generous  supper  with  «  huh  the  housewife  feasted 
them. 

The  grain  grown  on  the  fields  thus  laboriously  cleared  was  threshed 
with  the  flail  or  by  driving  horses  over  it,  and  winnowed  bv  dropping  it 
through  a  natural  draft  of  air  instead  of  the  artificial  blast  of  the  fanning 
mill.  When  ready  for  market  it  was  mostly  drawn  to  .Albany,  some  three 
.lays  being  rcpiircd  for  the  journev.  Rude  lumber  wagons  or  ox-carts, 
or  wood-shod  sleighs,  were  the  common  vehicles  for  all  occasions. 

.\  variety  of  work  then  went  on  in-doors  as  well  as  out,  whit  h  long  ago 
generally  teased  to  be  done  in  priv  ate  houses.  Households  of  that  age 
were  in  wide  contrast  with  those  of  the  present  Every  good  mother 
taught  her  daughters  a  bro.id  range  of  dcmesti,  duties,  from  w.ishing 
dishes  and  log-,  al.ui  ll.inrs  to  weav  ing  and  making-up  fine  linen.  For  the 
home  ». IS  ,ilso  the  lac  tory,  and  to  none  of  the  good  wife's  muliifarioils 
duties  did  luT  industrious  spirit  and  proper  ambition  incline  her  more 
strongly  tli.m  to  the  making  from  Hax  and  wool  of  the  fabrics  whi.h  she 
and  hers  might  need.  For  weeks  and  months  the  house  resoumled  viith 
the  melody  of  spinning-wheel  and  loiuu  and  other  simple  mai  hinery,  «iili 
whuh  every  family  answered  for  itself  the  ipiestion  wherewithal  it  sho'ild 
be  clothed.      .Moilier  and  il.Mr  liter  were  proud   to  appear,  even  at  .  I.iii.  h. 


THE  FRUITS  OF  PEACE— IMMIGRATION— CONSTRUCTION  OF  ROADS  AND  BRIDGES. 


59 


in  homespun,  if  they  had  made  it  well,  and  father  and  bon  were  not 
ashamed  of  the  suits  which  loving  hands  had  fashioned  for  them. 

This  was  the  period  when  the  disciples  of  St.  Crispin  "  whipped  the 
cat " — a  term  applied  to  the  practice  of  itinerant  shoemakers,  who 
spread  tie  implements  of  their  craft  for  a  day,  more  or  less,  in  private 
dwelling  re^jairing  old  and  making  new  equipage  for  the  feet  that  had  so 
many  steps  to  take  in  rough  ways.  Common  brogans  were  worn  by  both 
men  and  women,  who  were  better  pleased  w  ith  the  rude  style  of  the  log- 
cabin  age,  than  modem  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  fashion  are  with  the  finest 
slipper  and  grandest  gaiter  that  the  art  of  the  day  can  produce.  Such 
was  the  fife  that  thnved  along  the  Mohawk  after  the  long  and  wasting 
war,  and  •hich  laid  the  foundation  of  the  wealth  and  refinement  that 
reign  in  die  valley  to-day. 

Not  only  was  it  found  necessary'  to  organize  new  towns  and  counties 
for  the  convenience  of  the  increasing  population,  but  improvement  in  the 
means  of  ;ransit  and  communication  was  demanded.  In  .\pril,  1790,  the 
Legislature  voted  "one  hundred  pounds  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a 
bridge  across  the  East  Canada  Creek,  not  exceeding  three  miles  from  the 
mouth  thereof,  upon  the  road  from  the  Mohawk  river  to  the  Royal  Grant." 
Three  years  later,  commissioners  were  appointed  by  the  Legislature  with 
directions  to  build  "  a  bridge  over  the  East  Canada  Creek  nearly  opposite 
Canajohaiie  Castle,  on  the  public  road  leading  from  Tribes  Hill  to  the 
Little  FalSs." 

In  179S  a  very  important  bridge  was  built  over  the  Schoharie  Creek  at 
Fort  Hunter,  under  the  superrision  of  Maj.  Isaac  Dupuy.  The  tide  of 
emigration  up  the  Mohawk  necessitated  the  improvement  of  the  thorough- 
fares in  the  valley,  and  the  principal  result  of  efforts  in  that  direction  was 
the  Mohawk  turnpike,  from  Schenectady  to  Utica.  The  charter  for  its 
constructioti  was  granted  .April  4,  1800.  In  1802  or  1803,  Seth  Wetmore 
and  Levi  N'orton  came  from  Litchfield  county,  Conn.,  and  intending  to 
take  up  land  in  the  valley,  interested  themselves  in  the  turnpike  enter- 
prise. Tley,  with  Ozias  Bronson,  Hewitt  Hills  and  three  others,  formed 
the  first  boamd  of  directors.  Wetmore  being  a  surveyor  and  civil  engineer, 
superintended  the  construction  of  the  road.  He  afterwards  sold  his  stock 
and  with  the  avails  bought  of  the  Kane  brothers,  for  about  §5  per 
acre,  a  farm  of  200  acres  at  .Ames,  in  the  town  of  Canajohane,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death  in  1836.  He  served  as  judge  of  the  county  court, 
and  two  terms  as  sheriff  of  Montgomery  county,  while  it  contained  the 
present  Folton  county  and  the  eastern  tier  of  towns  in  Herkimer.  He 
was  the  last  sheriff  named  by  the  council  of  appointment,  and  the  first 
elected  br  the  people.  Ozias  Bronson  bought  a  farm  near  .Amsterdam, 
and  his  grandsons,  James,  Edward  and  George,  now  live  at  .Amsterdam 
village,  in  successful  business  connections.  It  will  be  interesting  here  to 
read  Thuilow  Weed's  account  of  staging  over  the  famous  turnpike  in 
1824,  thongh  serious  errors  in  Mr.  Weed's  location  of  \arious  landmarks 
will  be  deterted  by  those  conversant  with  the  towns  to  which  his  notes 
ajjply.  In  describing  the  journey  from  Rochester  to  Albany  in  his  auto- 
biography, Mr.  Weed  speaks  as  follows; 

"  From  Little  Falls  we  come  after  an  hours  ride  to  a  hill  by  the  bank  of 
the  river  which,  several  years  before.  Gen.  Scott  was  descending  in  a  stage 
when  the  driver  discovered  at  a  sharp  turn  near  the  bottom  of  the  hill  a 
Pennsylvania  wagon  winding  its  way  up  diagonally.  The  driver  saw  but 
one  esra|>e  from  a  disastrous  collision,  and  that  to  most  persons  would  have 
appeared  even  more  dangerous  than  the  collision.  The  driver,  howe\  er, 
having  no  time  for  reflection,  instantly  guided  his  team  over  the  precipice 
and  into  the  river,  from  which  the  horses,  passengers,  coach  and  driver, 
were  safely  extricated.  The  passengers,  following  (jen.  Scott's  example, 
made  the  driver  a  handsome  present  as  a  reward  for  his  courage  and 
sagacity. 

'*  We  dine  at  East  Canada  Creek,  where  the  stage  house,  kejit  by  Mr 
Couch,  Wis  always  to  be  relied  on  for  excellent  hain  and  eggs  and  fresh 
brook  tront.  Nothing  of  especial  interest  until  we  reach  Spraker's,  a  well 
known  tavern  that  neither  stages  nor  vehicles  of  any  description  were  ever 
known  to  pass.  Of  Mr.  Spraker,  senior,  innumerable  anecdotes  were  told 
He  was  a  man  without  education,  but  possessed  strong  good  sense,  consid- 
erable conversational  powers,  and  niurh  nntur.il  hiinior.  Most  of  the 
stories  told  about  him  are  so  Joe-.Millerish  that  I  will  repeat  but  one  of 
them.  On  one  occasion,  he  h.ad  a  misunderst.inding  with  a  neighbor,  which 
pt'.voked  hoth  to  say  hard  things  of  caih  other.  Mr.  Spr.iker  having  re- 
ceived a  verl*a.l  hot  shot  from  his  antagonist,  reflectetl  a  few  moments  and 
^fplied,  "  Ferguson,  dare  are  worse  men  in  hell  dan  you  ;  "  adding  after  a 


pause,  "  but  dey  are  chained."     **••*•••*••• 

"  .At  Canajohane  a  tall  handsome  man  with  graceful  manners,  is  added 
to  our  list  of  passengers.  This  is  the  Hon.  .Alfred  Conkling,  who  in  1820 
was  elected  to  Congress  from  this  district,  and  who  has  just  been  appoint- 
ed Judge  of  the  United  States  District  Court,  for  the  Northern  District  of 
New  York,  by  Mr.  Adams.  Judge  Conkling  is  now  in  1870  the  oldest 
surviving  New  York  member  of  Congress.  In  passing  Conyne's  Hotel,  near 
the  Nose,  the  fate  of  a  young  lady  who  '  loved  not  wisely  but  too  well  ' 
with  an  exciting  trial  for  breach  of  promise,  etc.,  would  be  related.  Still 
further  east  we  stop  at  Failing's  tavern  to  water.  Though  but  an  ordinary 
tavern  in  the  summer  season,  all  travelers  cherish  a  pleasant  remembrance 
of  its  winter  fare  ;  for  leaving  a  cold  stage  with  chilled  limbs,  if  not  frozen 
ears,  you  were  sure  to  find  in  Failing's  bar  and  dining-rooms  '  rousing  fires  '  ; 
and  the  remembrance  of  the  light  lively  '  hot  and  hot  '  buckwheat  cakes, 
and  the  unimpeachable  sausages,  would  renew  the  appetite  even  if  you  had 
just  risen  from  a  hearty  meal. 

"  Going  some  miles  further  east  we  come  in  sight  of  a  building  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Mohawk  river,  and  near  its  brink, the  peculiar  architecture 
of  which  attracts  attention.  This  was  formerly  Charles  Kane's  store,  or 
rather  the  store  of  the  brothers  Kane,  five  of  whom  were  distinguished 
merchants  in  the  early  years  of  the  present  century.  They  were  all  gen- 
tlemen of  education,  commanding  in  person,  accomplished  and  refined  in 
manners  and  associations.  *  •  *  Here  Commodore  Charles  Morris, 
one  of  the  most  gallant  of  our  naval  officers,  who  in  1812  distinguished 
himself  on  board  the  L'nited  States  Frigate  'Constitution  '  in  her  engage- 
ment with  the  British  frigate  '  Guerriere  '  passed  his  boyhood.  In  1841, 
when  I  visited  him  on  board  of  the  United  States  seventy-four  gun  ship 
'  Franklin,'  lying  off  .Annapolis,  he  informed  me  that  among  his  earliest 
recollections,  was  the  launching  and  sailing  of  miniature  ships  on  the  Mo- 
hawk river.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  in  the  town  of  Florida,  is 
the  residence  of  Dr.  .Alexander  Sheldon,  for  twelve  years  a  member  of  the 
Legislature  from  Montgomery  county,  serving  six  years  as  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  .Assembly.  The  last  year  Dr.  S.  was  in  the  Legislature,  one  of 
his  sons,  Milton  Sheldon,  was  also  a  member  from  Monroe  county.  Anoth- 
er son.  Smith  Sheldon,  who  was  educated  for  a  dry  goods  merchant,  drifted 
some  years  ago  to  the  city  of  New  York,  and  is  now  the  head  of  the  ex- 
tensive publishing  house  of  Sheldon  &  Co.,  Broadway. 

"  The  next  points  of  attraction  were  of  much  historical  interest.  Sir 
William  and  Guy  Johnson  built  spacious  and  showy  mansions  a  few  miles 
west  of  the  village  of  .Amsterdam,  long  before  the  Revolution,  in  passing 
which,  interesting  anecdotes  relating  to  the  English  Baronet's  connection 
with  the  Indians  were  remembered.  .A  few  miles  west  of  Sir  William 
Johnson's,  old  stagers  would  look  for  an  addition  to  our  number  of  passen- 
gers in  the  person  of  Daniel  Cady,  a  very  eminent  lawyer,  who  resided  at 
Johnstown,  and  for  more  than  fifty  years  was  constantly  passing  to  and 
from  Albany.  .At  .Amsterd.im,  Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  then  a  rising  lawyer 
of  that  village, often  took  his  seat  in  the  stage,  and  was  a  most  companion- 
able traveler." 

Mr.  Simms,  commenting  on  this  sketch,  indorses  the  author's  reference 
to  circumstances  "  which  compelled  the  male  passengers  at  times  to  gel  out 
into  the  mud,  and  with  rails  appropriated  from  the  nearest  fence,  to  pry 
the  wheels  up  so  that  the  horses  could  start  anew.  Two  miles  an  hour 
was  not  unfretpiently,  in  the  Spring  and  Fall,  good  speed  at  certain  locali- 
ties." 

Correcting  .Mr.  Weed's  errors  as  to  locality,  Mr.  Simms  says  :  "Conyne's 
Hotel  was  three  miles  east  of  Fonda,  he  says  near  the  Nose  ;  if  so  there 
may  have  been  two  keepers  of  the  same  name,  and  *  *  *  Failing's  tavern 
was  at  St.  Johnsville,  and  some  twelve  miles  to  the  westward  of  the  Nose, 
and  more  than  twenty  miles  to  the  westward  of  Conyne's.  At  Palatine 
Bridge  was  one  of  the  most  noted  stage  houses  in  the  Valley.  It  was 
built  and  first  kejit  by  Shepherd,  and  afterwards  by  the  late  Joshua  Kved, 
and  was  as  widely  and  favorably  known  as  any  other  piililic  house  wiihm 
fifty  miles  of  it." 

The  charter  of  the  Utica  and  Schenectady  Railroad  Company,  granted 
.in  1833,  recpiircd  it,  before  beginning  trans|iortation,to  purchase  the  rights 
of  the  .Mohawk  I'urnpike  Company,  at  the  rate  of  $21.50  per  share,  and 
assume  the  responsibilities  of  the  latter.  One  of  these  responsibilities  was 
that  of  kce|iing  the  turn[iike  in  repair.  It  was  provided,  however,  that  the 
railroad  conijianv  might  abandon  the  turnpike,  giving  notice  to  the  com- 
missioners of  highways,  and  after  such  notice  it  should  be  kept  in  order  m 
the  same  manner  as  other   highways.     The  railroad  company   for  a  time 


\ 


60 


THE  HISIORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


look  toll  on  the  turnpike  and  kept  it  in  repair,  but  subsequently  removed 
the  gates,  and  is  now  responsible  for  the  maintenance  of  only  a  part  of  the 
old  highway. 

The  Legislature  in  i3o2  authorized  the  opening  of  certain  roads  in  the 
State. and  in  pursuance  of  this  act  the  highway  denominated  the  State  Road, 
leading  from  Johnstown  in  a  northwestern  direction  to  the  Black  River 
country,  was  opened  it;  was  subsequently  much  u^ed  while  that  part  of  the 
country  was  being  settled  by  emigrants  from  the  east.  The  improvement  of 
the  road  leading  from  Schenectady  to  Utica  along  the  south  side  of  the 
Mohawk  was  deemed  expedient,  and  commissioners  were  appointed  in 
1806,  to  direct  the  work,  their  instructions  being  to  straighten  the  existing 
road  and  open  it  to  a  width  of  fifty  feet.  The  towns  through  which  it 
passed  were  required  to  repair  and  maintain  it  if  their  population  was  not 
too  small. 

The  original  towns  of  Montgomery  county  were  soon  subdivided.  March 
12,  1793.  Caughnawaga  was  divided  into  Johnstown,  Mayfield,  Broadalbin 
and  Amsterdam,  and  Mohawk  into  Charleston  and  Florida,  their  dividing 
line  being  Schoharie  creek.  In  1797.  Salisbury-,  now  in  Herkimer  county, 
was  taken  from  Palatine,  and  the  next  year  part  of  Canajoharie  went  to 
form  Minden. 

CHAPTER   XVII. 

THE    MOHAWK    RIVER ITS    IMPROVEMENT    AS    A    HIGHWAY    BY    THE   ISLAND 

LOCK    NAVIGATION    COMPANY. 

The  Mohawk  river  seems  to  have  taken  its  name  from  the  English  appel- 
lation of  the  tribe  of  Indians  inhabiting  its  banks.  They  were  called  Ma- 
quaas  by  the  Dutch,  who  according  to  Ruttenber  learned  that  name  for 
ihera  from  the  Mohicans,  and  were  generally  mentioned  by  that  desig- 
nation during  the  seventeenth  century  :  being  aisu  >poken  of  as  the  Ma- 
quas,  Makwaes,  Maquaes,  Maquese.  and  Maques,  and  in  Courcelle's  report 
of  his  expedition  against  them,  as  the  Mahaukes,  Mauhaukes  and  Mohau- 
kes.  The  French  also  called  themAgniers.  They  styled  themselves  Ka- 
yingehaga.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  they  were  occa- 
sionally mentioned  by  the  title  which  they  subsequently  bore,  and  which 
was  prevalent  throughout  the  last  century.  Sir  William  Johnson  wrote  the 
name  of  the  nation  Mohock,  and  the  tribe  are  called  Mohocks  on  Guv 
Johnson's  map  1771  of  New  York,  and  the  adjoining  parts  of  the  country 
whereon,  however,  the  river  is  called  the  Mohok.  The  stream  was  com- 
monly named  the  Mohawks'  river  in  the  early  part  of  the  last  century,  but 
during  that  century  the  present  spelling  became  universal. 

From  the  earh  settlement  at  Albany,  and  that  soon  after  made  sixteen 
miles  north-west,  the  Mohawk  river  and  valley  inevitably  became  the 
common  route  to  still  further  western  settlements,  and  to  the  magnificent 
chain  of  lakes  so  early  explored.  To  facilitate  navigation  on  the  Mohawk 
by  removing  obstructions,  was  therefore  an  object  of  prime  importance. 
and  plans  to  this  end  were  j^ropo-ed  as  earK  a-.  1725.  but  nothing  was 
done  until  near  the  close  of  the  century.  The  cataract  of  Cohoes  necessi- 
tated a  portage  from  Albany  lo  Schenectady:  from  there  the  placid  river 
offered  its  easier  j>athway,  and  the  craft  called  batteaux  came  into  general 
use.  These  boats  were  of  much  greater  cajjaciiy  than  the  Indian  s  lurch 
bark  canoe,  or  the  useful,  but  precarious  dugout,  which  forages  had  danced 
to  the  gentle  bree/cs  on  the  liosom  nf  the  river.  They  were  of  different 
grades  and  wore  rated  by  the  strength  of  their  crews  as  three  and  six 
handed  batteaux.  They  were  flat  bottomed  boats  of  sufficient  dimensions 
to  carry  several  tons,  and  were  proi)elled  by  setting-poles,  which  were  kejit 
for  sale  at  convenient  points  along  the  shore.  With  batks  to  the  pro«  the 
batteaux  men  thrust  the  poles  to  the  rivers  bed.  .ind  bearing  hard  uptm 
them  and  walking  aft.  gained  for  their  craft  toilsunie  headway  against  the 
current.  A  sort  of  harmony  of  nunement  was  ■secured  by  the  captains. 
"  Rowsnu'n  up  !  "  and  "Second  men  up  I  "  .\  tiller  o.ir  suffi(  ed  for  guid- 
ance. Such  wa-i  the  mode  of  transporting  merchandise  and  Indian  tum- 
moditics  to  and  from  the  West  for  more  than  halt  a  century;  such.  too.  the 
method  of  conveying  munitions  of  war  during  the  Revolution.  Captains 
in  this  latter  service  were,  under  the  pension  law  of  1S3J,  cniiihdiothe 
same  pensions  as  captains  in  the  Cnnlincntal  army,  A  list  of  tin  m  still  ex- 
tant includes  the  followin.;  names:  John  Vernon.  Jacob  C.  IVak,  William 
Peters,  Rynier  Van  Kvera.  Tunius  Vij.schcr,  Cornelius  Barimyst.  William 
Davis,  Stephen  Half,  Simeon  I )e  Graff,  James  Dickinson,  and  John  I.efHer. 
Dennis  Flander  also  ran  a  supply  boat  on  the  Mohawk  during  the    Revolu 


j      tion  ;  he  was  ambuscaded  by  the  Indians  several   times,  and  fired  at,  but 
j      passed  through  without  a  wound." 

The  earliest  boatmen  were  troubled   by   the   Indians,  who  took  toll  for 
the  navigation  of  their  river  and  seem  to  have  believed  in  high  rates.     The 
navigators  thus  stated  their  grievances  to  the   Lieutenant-Governor  under 
j      date  of  June  i,  1754." 

"  We,  the  Traders   or   Handlers    to  Oswego,  most   humbly  beg  leave  to 
remonstrate  to  your  Honour,  the    many  hazzards    and   Difficulties   we  are 
I      subject  lo  in  our  passage  thither  from  the  ill  treatment  we  meet  with  from 
I      the  Indians    /.  e.    in  passing  the  Mohawks  and  canojohary  castles,  they  Board 
I      our  Battoes  with  axes  knives  dec  and  by  force  take  what  Rum  they  think 
proper  hooping  and  yelping  as  if  they  had  Gloried  in  their   depradations 
I      and  threatening  murder  to  any  that  oppose  them,  and  on  our  arrival  at  the 
;      great  carrying  place,  the  Oneida    Indians    force    our    Goods  from    us  at 
pleasure  to  carry  over,  and  not  content  with  making  us  pay  a  most  exorbi- 
tant price  for  each  Freight,  but  rob  us  of  our  Rum,  stores  and  other  Goods 
with  a  great  deal  of  invective  threatening  language   and  are   generally  so 
Numerous  that  we  are  Obliged  to  submit    to  those  impositions  or  run  the 
risk  of  being  murdered    and  Robbed    of  everything  we  have  ;  and  to  put 
I      their  schemes  the  better  in  Execution  they  force  away  the  High   Germans 
'      who  generally  attend  with  their  Horses,  that  we  may  be  under  a  necessity 
;     of  employing  them  and  paying  whatever  they  please  to  demand." 
'  The  chief  obstacles  to  this  primitive  and  simple  means  of  commerce 

were  the  rifts  or  rapids  in  the  river  between  Schenectady  and  Little  Falls 
— so  called  in  contradistinction  to  the  great  falls  at  Cohoes.  These  rapids 
were  known  by  such  names  as  Fort  Hunter  rift,  Caughnawaga  rift,  Keetor's 
rift  (at  Spraker's),  Brandywine  rift,  at  Canajoharie  ,  etc.  Much  labor  was 
required  to  force  the  batteaux  over  these  spots,  and  at  such  places  in  the 
river  the  crews  were  assisted  by  men  on  shore  with  ropes.  At  Little  Falls, 
'  there  being  a  descent  of  forty  feet  in  half  a  mile,  a  portage  became  neces- 
sary. The  goods  were  transported  around  the  falls  on  wagons  with  small, 
wide-rimmed  wheels,  and  a  guard  set  over  them  while  the  boats  were 
brought  up  in  the  same  way,  when  the  latter  were  launched  and  reloaded 
and  proceeded.  From  Little  Falls  the  river  was  the  commercial  artery  to 
Fort  Stanwix  Rome  ,  whence  another  portage  to  Wood  creek  gave  access 
to  the  grand  chain  of  takes  through  that  stream,  Oneida  lake  and  river,  and 
the  Oswego  river. 

After  the  Revolution  public  attention  was  drawn  to  the  consideration  of 
plans  for  facilitating  the  navigation  of  the  Mohawk.  To  this  end  the  In- 
land Lock  Navigation  Company  was  incorporated,  March  30,  1792.  Gen. 
Philip  Schuyler  was  elected  president.  In  the  same  year  a  committee  of 
the  company  examined  the  stream  and  reported  the  result  of  their  investi- 
gations. In  their  report  the  bed  of  the  river,  at  intervals  from  Schenec- 
tady up,  is  minutely  described,  and  each  rapid  or  rift  laid  down.  The 
impediments  were  found  to  be  many,  and  lor  the  improvement  of  the  rifts 
it  was  suggested  by  the  committee  that  "several  of  the  rapids  might  be 
deepened  by  erecting  small  stone  dams  nearly  across  the  river,  leaving  a 
passage  for  boats;  but  this,  while  it  would  give  a  sufficiency  of  water, 
would  so  increase  its  velocity  as  to  render  an  ascent  with  a  half-loaded 
boat  of  a  size  to  carry  three  or  four  hundred  bushels  of  wheat  extremely 
difficult  without  the  aid  of  machinery  to  draw  up  the  boat,  and  such  ma- 
chinery It  would  be  difficult  permanently  to  erect,  on  account  of  the  vast 
quantity  of  ice  which  suddenly  descends  whenever  the  Schoharie  creek 
breaks  up  in  the  Spring  of  the  year,  and  which  would  destroy  such  ma- 
chinery. Some  of  the  rapids  may  be  deepened  by  removing  the  stones  in 
the  bottom;  but  this  can  only  be  successfully  executed  when  the  water 
above  the  rapid  is  deep;  for  if  it  is  not,  another  rapid  is  formed  immedi- 
atelv  above  by  det[»ening  the  existing  one.  But  the  improvement  of  this 
jtart  of  the  river,  although  difficult,  yet  it  is  feasible,  and  would  be  easily 
so  without  any  extraordinary  expense  if  the  bed  of  the  river  was  a  solid 
rock:  for  then  four  or  five  dams  at  proper  distances  would  create  a  series 
of  ponds  covering  the  immediate  rapids,  and  hence,  by  means  of  a  lock 
and  guard-gates  at  each  dam.  boats  would  ascend  or  descend  from  the  one 
to  the  other  in  succession.  Hut  lo  drive  piles  to  secure  all  the  dams  from 
blowing  would  be  so  arduous  and  expensive  an  operation,  that  a  canal  and 
locks  in  the  adjacent  grounds  would  be  infinitely  preferable." 

It  was,  moreover,  sUj;gested  that  a  more  effectual  accommodation  would 
be  obtained  by  the  erection  of  a  dyke  of  timber  and  stone  parallel  lo  the 
north  bank  of  the  river,  above  Schoharie  creek,  "until  it  shall  descend  the 
river  as  far  as  lo  gain  height  sufficient  lo  enter  the  bank  below  the  rocky 
part,  which  would  be  at  ihe  distance  of  about  1 100  yards  ;  rrd  as  tl  e  fall 


NAVIGATION  OF  THE  MOHAWK— THK  WAR  OF  1812 


61 


then  would  be  about  9  feet,  a  lock  might  be  constructed  there,  and  thence 
a  canal  might  be  carried  through  good  ground  on  the  low  lands,  having 
the  apUnds  on  one  side  until  just  below  Clyne's  tavern,  where  it  would 
ag.iin  enter  the  river,  continued  and  confined  by  a  dyke  or  embankment, 
for  about  300  yds,  and  then  again  through  the  low  lands,  along  the  foot  of 
the  uplands,  to  the  river,  near  the  house  of  the  late  Guy  Johnson,  where  it 
would  enter  the  river  with  one  or  more  locks." 

It  was  not  thought  necessary  to  do  more  than  to  remove  the  rocks  and 
other  obstructions  from  the  bed  of  the  river  at  Caughnawaga  and  the  rifts 
above.  At  Little  Falls  a  canal  was  considered  indispensable,  and  another 
from  Fort  Schuyler  Stanwix  to  Wood  creek.  The  main  part  of  the  work 
for  the  improvement  of  navigation  was  put  upon  these  carrying  places.  At 
Little  Falls  the  portage  was  obviated  by  a  canal  with  five  locks,  and  a 
length  of  4,752  feet,  cut  for  more  than  half  its  extent  through  solid  rock. 
The  work  began  at  this  place  shortly  after  the  report  was  submitted,  but 
it  was  not  until  late  in  the  autumn  of  1795,  '^hat  the  canal  was  ready  for  the 
passage  of  boats.  Portions  of  this  work  yet  remain,  ser\ing  as  an  import- 
ant feeder  for  the  Erie  canal  by  the  substantial  aqueduct  across  the  river. 
The  work  throughout  the  whole  extent  cost  §400,000,  about  one-fourth  of 
which  expense  was  borne  by  the  State. 

After  these  improvements  were  made  the  Durham  boat  was  substituted 
for  the  clumsy  and  unwieldly  batteaujc,  which  had  so  long  been  in  use.  It 
was  of  sufficient  capacity  to  carry  from  ten  to  fifteen  tons,  and  had  the 
bow  sharf>ened  to  a  cut-water.  An  oilcloth  awning  was  used  when  neces- 
sary. Along  the  sides  cleats  were  nailed  down  for  the  boatmen  to  rest 
their  feet  upon  while  propelling  the  craft  with  poles.  A  small  caboose  was 
the  crew's  store-house,  and  the  cooking  was  done  on  shore,  where  fuel  was 
always  at  hand. 

Although  delay  occasioned  by  the  portages  was  obviated,  yet  the  rifts 
were  not  so  far  overcome  but  that  it  was  found  very  difficult  and  required 
a  great  amount  01  Laburtu  furcc  these  larger  boats  over  thera.  It  was  cus- 
tomary for  a  number  of  boats  to  make  the  voyage  in  company,  and  the  one 
in  advance  when  a  rift  was  reached  waited  for  the  others  to  come  up.  so 
that  the  crews  could  avail  themselves  of  each  others  assistance.  Often 
even  their  united  efforts  failed,  and  after  a  boat  had  remamed  stationary 
for  some  time  upon  a  rift  it  would  be  necessarj-  to  let  it  drift  back  again 
and  take  a  new  start. 

The  upward  voyage  was  necessarily  slow  and  tedious;  coming  down  was 
far  easier,  a  simple  sail  often  aiding  the  current.  It  is  related  that  a  Cap- 
tain Larabee  left  Utica  in  the  morning  and  arrived  at  Schenectady  in  the 
evening  of  the  same  day,  which  was  regarded  as  quite  a  feat.  Though  ac- 
cidents sometimes  occurred  by  oversetting  or  otherwise,  loss  of  life  seldom 
happened.  A  boat,  however,  was  once  capsized  at  the  Fort  Hunter  rift 
and  two  of  its  occupants  drowned,  the  third  escaping  by  swimming. 

The  expense  of  transportation  from  Albany  to  Schenectady  was  sixteen 
rents  per  hundred  pounds,  from  Schenectady  to  Utica  seventy-five  cents, 
and  from  Utica  to  Oswego  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents.  The  great 
outlay  incurred  m  the  improvements  made  the  cost  of  transportation  so 
much  that  the  enterprise  did  not  prove  lucrative,  and  the  company  in  j8i8  " 
relinquished  their  nght  west  of  Oneida  Lake,  and  in  1820  sold  out  to  the 
State  for  $152,718.52,  In  1822  notice  appeared  of  the  building  of  a 
steamboat  at  Schenectady  to  run  between  that  city  and  Amsterdam.  A 
second  notice  mentioned,  "unavoidable  delay  in  its  completion."  Thence- 
forward there  is  no  record  or  any  traditional  knowledge  of  the  enterprise, 
or  the  cause  of  its  failure.  Mr.  David  Cady,  of  Amsterdam,  who  fur- 
nished a  large  share  of  our  account  of -the  enterprises  for  the  utilization  of 
the  Mohawk,  finding  consolation  for  their  failure  in  the  quiet  beauty  of  the 
famous  river,  adds: 

"And  while  at  times  one  could  almost  regret  that  our  Mohawk  is  not 
navigable  for  even  light  craft,  we  mayhap  may  congratulate  ourselves. 
(-"oramerce  with  its  noisy  din,  the  shriek  and  scream  of  the  steam  whistle, 
the  murky  clouds  of  heavy  smoke,  would  have  robbed  our  wayward  river  of 
much  of  its  witching  beauty  and  romance.  Tom  Moore  has  sung  its 
praise,  Harriet  Marlineau  has  admired  its  gentle  flow,  and  our  own  Whit 
tier  claims  to 

**  Have  seen  along  its  valley  gleam 
The  Mohawk's  softly  winding  stream, 

"And  we  dwellers  along    its  shore  love  well  the  lovely  river  in  all  its 
"loods  and  phases;  we  love  it  in  its  glassy  depths,  we  love  it  in  its  rippling 
we  love  it  in  its  purple   lints  of  morning;  we  love  it  in  its  amber 

idges; 


''hallo 


hues  of  evening;  we  love  its    sedgy  banks;  we  love  its  rock-ribbed  1 


we  love  its  wide  alluvials,  where  the  graceful  corn-tassels  wave,  and  we 
love  its  meadow  belts;  we  love  the  full  volume  of  its  freshet  floods,  and  we 
love  the  silver  line  of  its  summer-dwindled  current.  We  cannot  but  be 
proud  of  and  proclaim  our  love  for  our  wayward  but  ever  beautiful  Mo- 
hawk." 


CHAPTER  XVHL 

MONTGOMERY     COUNTY     IN     THE     WAR     OF     l8l2 THE     MILITIA    SYSTEM 

HOW    THE    ELEVENTH    BRIGADE    WENT    TO    WAR. 

Though  the  colonists  had  secured  their  independence  and  with  the  re- 
turn of  peace  could  pursue  their  various  avocations  undisturbed  by  an  in- 
vading foe,  they  did  not  beat  their  swords  into  ploughshares,  for  they 
realized  the  necessity  of  preserving  some  military  organization.  Their 
recent  sufferings  from  savage  warfare  had  warned  them  to  be  on  their 
guard  against  Indian  depredations  as  well  as  a  possible  invasion  by  a  for- 
eign power.  Hence  arose  the  militia  system,  under  which  martial  exercise 
was  regularly  practiced,  the  officers  and  privates  supplying  themselves  with 
the  necessary  outfit.  The  apprehension  that  led  to  this  military  precau- 
tion was  too  soon  justified.  Scarcely  had  a  quarter  of  a  century  rolled 
away  before  the  signs  of  the  times  indicated  the  rapid  approach  of  another 
war  with  Great  Britain,  which  would  require  the  yeomen  to  use  their 
arms  on  the  frontier,  instead  of  flourishing  them  in  harmless  battles  on 
some  chosen  field  at  home. 

At  this  period  the  state  of  New  York  along  the  Canadian  frontier  was  to 
a  great  extent  an  almost  unknown  wilderness,  and  communications  and 
transportation  were  still  slow  and  laborious.  The  Mohawk  river,  slightly 
improved  in  its  natural  wayward  course  by  the  Inland  Lock  Navigation 
Company,  was  the  only  route,  except  the  rough  highways,  for  the  westward 
conveyance  of  cannon,  which  were  loaded  upon  the  Durham  boats.  April 
loth,  1812,  Congress  authorized  the  drafting  of  100,000  men  from  the 
militia  of  the  country,  13,500  being  assigned  as  the  quota  of  New  York.  A 
few  days  later  the  detached  militia  of  the  State  were  arranged  in  two 
divisions  and  eight  brigades.  The  fourth  brigade  comprised  the  loth, 
nth,  12th  and  13th  regiments  in  the  Mohawk  valley,  and  was  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Richard  Dodge,  of  Johnstown. 

The  embargo  act  was  extensively  violated  and  much  illicit  trade  carried 
on  along  the  Canadian  frontier,  smugglers  being  sometimes  protected  by 
armed  forces  from  the  Canada  side.  To  break  up  this  state  of  things  and 
protect  the  militiary  stores  collected  at  the  outposts,  a  regiment  of  Mohawk 
valley  militia,  under  Col.  Chnstopher  P.  Bellinger,  was  stationed  in  May. 
1812,  at  Sackett's  Harbor  and  other  points  in  northern  New  York.  These, 
on  the  declaration  of  war  in  the  month  following,  were  reinforced  by  a 
draft  on  the  militia  not  yet  called  into  service.  The  Montgomery  county 
militia  responded  promptly  to  the  calls  for  troops  to  defend  the  frontier, 
and  were  noted  for  their  valor  and  patriotic  zeal,  submitting,  without  com- 
plaint', to  the  various  privations  incident  to  the  march  and  camp.  A  de- 
tachment of  them,  under  Gen.  Dodge,  arrived  at  Sackett's  Harbor  Sep- 
tember 2ist,  and  the  General  took  command  at  that  post. 

The  house  in  the  town  of  Florida,  now  owned  by  Waterman  Sweet,  was 
kept  as  a  hotel  by  one  VanDerveer  during  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  a 
place  of  drafting  the  militia  into  the  service.  At  Canajoharie  a  recruiting 
rendezvous  was  opened  by  Lieutenant  Alphonso  Wetmort  and  Ensign 
Robert  Morris  of  the  Thirteeth  regiment,  residents  of  Ames,  who  raised 
two  companies,  which  were  ordered  to  the  Niagara  frontier  in  time  to  take 
part  in  the  first  events  of  importance  in  that  ((uarter.  The  Thirteenth 
suffered  severely  at  the  battle  of  (^ueenstown  Heights,  Ensign  Morris  and 
Lieutenant  Valleau  being  among  the  killed  and  five  other  officers  severely 
wounded.  After  that  engagement  operations  were  for  some  time  confined 
to  bombardment  across  the  river  from  the  fortifications  at  Niagara  and 
Black  Rock.  At  the  latter  point  Lieutenant  Wetmore  lost  his  right  arm 
by  a  cannon  shot.  He  was  subsequently  promoted  to  the  offices  of 
major  and  division  paymaster. 

During  the  two  succeeding  years,  the  militia  and  volunteers  from  the 
Mohawk  valley  were  on  duty  all  along  the  frontier.  When  the  term  of 
service  of  any  company  or  regiment  expired,  it  was  sueceeded  by  another. 
Many  of  the  garrison  of  Sackelts  Harbor,  when  it  was  attacked  by  the 
British  May  24,  1813,  were  from  this  section.  That  place  was  an  im- 
portant depot  of  military  stores,  a  large  amount  of  which  was  destroyed  by 


68 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


the  garrison  in  fear  of  their  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  who,  how- 
ever, were  finally  repulsed. 

A  good  number  of  the  Montgomery  and  Fulton  veterans  of  1812  still 
sur\'!ve.  Among  those  in  the  western  part  of  these  counties  are  ;  Moses 
Winn,  Minden,  in  his  S8th  year  his  father  was  a  cajitain  in  the  Revolution, 
and  sheriff  of  the  county  after  the  war  ;  George  M.  Bauder,  Palatine,  in 
his  92d  year  he  has  a  land  warntfit  not  yet  located  ;  John  Walrath.  Min- 
den, nearly  82  ;  William  H.  Secher.  Minden,  about  86  ;  iVter  G.  Dunckel, 
Minden,  about  84  ;  Henry  Nellis,  Palatine,  about  84  ;  John  Casler,  Min- 
den, nearly  86  after  being  blind  for  eight  years  his  sight  was  restored)  ; 
Abram  Moyer,  Minden,  about  84  ;  Cornelius  Clement  Flint,  Minden,  about 
84;  Benjamin  Getman,  Ephratah,  86;  Henry  Lasher,  Palatine,  88;  Py- 
thagoras Wetmore,  Canajoharie,  80;  John  Eigabrandt,  St.  Johnsville,  about 
82.  In  the  eastern  part  may  be  mentioned  :   J.  Lout,  Mohawk  ;   David 

Resseguie,  Northampton,  94;  and  Amasa.  Shippee  and  Capt.  Reuben  Wil- 
lard  of  the  same  town. 

When  peace  was  once  more  restored  and  the  militia  were  allowed  to  re- 
main at  home,  instead  of  camping  on  the  frontier  to  dispute  the  ground 
with  a  foreign  enemy,  martial  exercises  were  still  required  of  them  by  the 
law  of  the  State.  The  militia  consisted  of  all  the  able-bodied  white  male 
citizens,  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  forty-five.  State  officers,  clergy- 
men, schoolteachers  and  some  others  when  actively  employed,  were  exempt 
from  military  duty.  Students  m  colleges  or  academies,  employees  on  coast- 
ing vessek  and  in  certain  factories,  and  members  of  fire  companies  were 
also  exempt,  except  in  cases  of  insurrection  or  invasion.  Persons  whose 
only  bar  lo  military  service  was  religious  scruples,  could  purchase  exemp- 
tion for  a  stated  sum  annually.  The  Major-General,  Brigade-Inspector 
and  chief  of  the  staff  department,  except  the  adjutant  and  commissary 
generals,  were  appointed  by  the  State.  Colonels  were  chosen  by  the 
captains  and  sabaltems  of  their  regiments,  and  these  latter  by  the  written 
ballots  of  their  respective  regimer.ts  and  separate  battalions.  The  com- 
manding officers  of  regiments  or  battalions  appointed  their  staff  officers. 
Every  non-commissioned  officer  and  private  was  obliged  to  equip  and  uni- 
form himself,  and  perform  military  duty  for  fifteen  years  from  his  enroll- 
mentf  after  which  he  was  exempt,  except  in  case  of  insurrection  or  mvasion. 
A  non-commissioned  officer,  however,  could  get  excused  from  duty  in 
seven  years,  by  furnishing  himself  with  certain  specified  equipments,  other 
than  those  required  by  law.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  commanding  officer  of 
each  company  to  enroll  all  military  subjects  within  the  limits  of  his  juris- 
diction, and  they  must  equip  themselves  within  six  months  after  being 
notified- 

The  first  company  of  cavalry  organized  in  this  part  of  the  Mohawk  val- 
ley took  in  a  large  district  of  country,  and  was  raised  and  commanded  by 
Capt.  Hudson,  a  merchant  at  Indian  Castle  now  Danube  ,  early  in  this 
century.  Peter  Young,  of  Fort  Plain,  became  its  second  captain  ;  and 
was  succeeded  by  Ca])t.  Wemple.  At  his  death  the  command  of  the  com- 
pany devolved  upon  Jacob  Eacker,  of  Palatine.  His  resignation  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  appointment  of  Nicholas  N.  Van  Alstine,  as  its  captain.  .\s 
he  was  not  the  unanimous  choice  of  the  company,  which  wns  then  large. 
his  3pi>oiniment  led  lo  a  division  of  the  one  into  two  companies,  one  upon 
each  side  of  the  river  ;  that  on  the  north  side  being  commanded  by  Barent 
Getman. 

On  the  first  Monday  in  September  of  each  year,  every  company  of  the 
militia  was  obliged  to  assemble  within  its  geographical  hmits  for  training. 
One  day  in  each  year,  between  the  ist  of  September  and  the  15th  of 
October,  at  a  place  designated  by  the  commander  of  the  brigade,  the  regi- 
ment was  dire*,  ted  to  assemble  for  a  general  training.  All  the  officers  of 
each  regiment  or  battalion  were  required  to  rendezvous  two  days  in  suc- 
cession in  June.  July,  or  August,  for  drill  under  the  brigade-inspector. 
A  colonel  also  appointed  a  day  for  the  commissioned  officers  and  musicians 
of  his  regiment  to  meet  for  drill,  the  day  after  the  last  mentioned  gathering 
being  generally  selected.  Karh  militi.iman  was  personally  notified  of  an 
approaching  muster,  by  a  non-commissioned  officer  l)earing  a  warrant  from 
the  commandant  of  his  company  ;  or  he  might  be  summoned  without  a 
warrant  by  a  commissioned  officer,  either  by  visit  or  letter.  A  failure  to 
appear,  or  to  bring  the  necessary  equipments,  resulted  in  a  court-martial 
and  a  fine,  unles.s  a  good  excuse  could  he  given  ;  dcliminents  who  could 
not  pay  were  imprisoned  in  the  county  jail.  When  a  draft  was  ordered 
for  public  service  it  was  made  by  lot  in  ea*  h  comjtany,  which  was  or- 
dered out  on  parade  for  that  purjiose. 


"  General  training  "  was  usually  regarded  as  a  pleasant  occasion  by  the 
men,  as  it  gave  them  a  chance  to  meet  many  acquaintances;  and  was  the 
holiday  of  the  year  for  the  boys.  Provided  with  a  few  pennies  to  buy  the 
inevitable  ginger  bread  from  the  inevitable  peddler,  they  were  happier  than 
the  lads  to-day  would  be  with  shillings  to  spend  among  the  greatest  variety 
of  knicknacks.  The  place  of  meeting  and  the  extent  of  the  parade  ground 
were  designated  by  the  commandmg  officer.  The  sale  of  spirituous  liquors 
on  the  ground  could  only  be  carried  on  by  permission  of  the  same  official. 
Total  abstinence  was  not  the  rule,  however,  on  such  occasions  ;  and  an 
officer  who  had  the  right  to  throw  away  the  contents  of  a  private  bottle, 
did  not  always  practice  such  extravagant  wastefulness,  particularly  if  fond 
of  the  "critter."  being  persuaded,  that  if  spared,  some  of  the  beverage 
would  ultimately  find  its  way  down  his  own  throat.  A  general  training 
was  once  held  at  Glen,  during  an  exceedingly  severe  drought,  and  the  in- 
habitants of  the  neighborhood  fearing  that  their  wells  would  be  drained  of 
their  scanty  supply,  resorted  to  the  prudent  precaution  of  taking  away  the 
fixtures  for  drawing  up  the  water.  This  measure  proved  highly  profitable 
to  the  innkeeper,  who  had  plenty  of  whisky  to  sell,  and  water  to  give  only 
to  the  purchasers  of  his  liquor. 

During  the  long  jieriod  of  peace  which  followed  the  second  war  with 
Great  Britain,  the  militia  who  had  seen  senice  dropped  out  of  the  lists  ; 
and  when  the  riotous  anti-rent  disturbance,  or  Helderberg  war,  as  it  was 
called,  gave  the  next  prospect  of  belligerent  operations,  the  ranks  were 
filled  by  a  generation  entirely  unacquainted  with  scenes  of  carnage,  and 
anything  but  eager  to  take  the  field.  Their  reluctance  was  increased  by 
the  fact  that  many  of  them  had  the  same  grievances  as  the  anti-renters, 
whom  they  were  expected  to  quell.  Particularly  was  this  the  case  among 
the  members  of  the  Fourteenth  Brigade,  who  lived  along  the  south  side  of 
the  Mohawk  from  Schenectady  nearly  to  Canajoharie. 

This  brigade  was  also  distracted  with  controversies  over  the  office  of 
brigade-inspector.  Aaron  Freeman,  of  Schenectady  county,  had  held  that 
position  with  great  acceptability,  but  removmg  to  Albany  was  obliged  to 
resign  it.  He  recommended  the  appointment  of  a  certain  man  to  fill  the 
vacancy  thus  created,  but  the  governor,  probably  influenced  by  political 
motives,  made  another  choice.  The  appointment  required  the  sanction  of 
the  Senate,  but  the  Legislature  was  not  in  session,  and  the  governor,  with- 
out consulting  the  Senate,  appointed  Robert  Green,  of  Duanesburgh, 
Schenectadv  county.  Shortly  after  the  officers  of  the  brigade  were  sum- 
moned to  meet  for  drill  at  Minaville.  in  the  town  of  Florida.  When  Green 
appeared  as  l)rigade-inspector,  the  officers  to  a  man  bolted  and  refused  to 
drill  under  him.  Robert  B.  Harris,  now  living  at  Fultonville.  who  had 
formerly  been  Colonel  of  the  26th  regiment,  covering  the  towns  of  Char- 
leston and  Glen  and  ])art  of  Root,  was  present,  and  bv  unanimous  request 
conducted  the  drill  exercises.  At  the  general  muster  of  the  26th  Regiment, 
held  at  Charleston  Four  Corners  soon  after,  a  similar  scene  was  enacted. 
The  Brigadier-General,  having  refused  to  recognize  Green  as  brigade-in- 
spector, was  put  under  arrest.  Such  being  the  unhappy  state  of  aff.iirs  in 
the  Fourteenth  Brigade  at  the  time  of  the  anti-rent  insurrection,  no  call 
was  made  upon  it. 

The  Eleventh  Brigade,  however,  north  of  the  Mohauk,  was  called  to  gird 
on  the  armor  and  repair  to  the  seat  of  war  to  gather  its  share  of  laurels. 
The  invitation  seems  not  to  have  been  universally  appreciated.  The  mili- 
tiamen did  not  all  grasp  their  firelocks  with  the  cheerful  alacrity  and  deter- 
mination so  becoming  to  the  soldier.  On  the  contrar}-,  some  rather  amus- 
ing feats  were  performed  in  the  endeavor  to  evade  being  warned.  One 
reluctant  patriot,  anxiously  expecting  the  messenger  of  war,  one  evening 
heard  the  sound  of  hurried  footstei)s.  He  did  not  jeoi)ardize  his  chances 
of  safety  by  lingering  to  scrutinize  his  visitor,  but  taking  it  for  granted  that 
the  dreaded  notice  had  arrived,  bolted  from  the  hou^e  and  tied  at  the  tr.p 
of  his  speed.  As  it  hajipened.  the  comer  was  one  in  the  same  strait  wiih 
himself,  and  whether  seeing  the  joke,  or  hoping  to  <  atch  up  with  the  \wz_\- 
tive  and  have  his  company  in  their  retreat,  or  infectctl  with  the  pani<  which 
had  seized  his  fellow  soldier,  he  pursued  the  latter,  and  both  ran  until  they 
were  completely  exhausted. 

When  the  brigade  had  been  mustered  and  had  proceeded  as  far  as 
Schenectady,  a  halt  was  made.  There  were  many  among  the  militia  whose 
courage  was  settling  toward  zero,  in  anticipation  of  soon  treading  fields  of 
carnage,  and  their  ['light  was  cnjoye<l  by  the  majority  of  the  force,  who 
were  not  in  similar  trepidation.  Among  the  latter  was  a  waggish  fellow 
named  .\braham  Sonic,  who  had  gained  some  notoriety  in  horse-trading, 
and  wlio  took   great   pride  in  being  heard  and  observed  by  the  crowd.      It 


THE  PROJECTOKS  OF  THE  ERIE  CANAL— ITS  CONSTRUC  TION. 


63 


was  suggested  to  him  that  he  should  make  a  speech  appropriate  to  the  oc- 
casion. He  promptly  prepared  himself  and  addressed  the  martial  assem- 
bly with  becoming  gravity.  If  he  assured  his  hearers  that  they  were  on 
the  way  lo  glorious  triumph,  he  did  not  soothe  the  weak-kneed  by  promis- 
itig  that  it  would  be  gained  without  a  struggle.  On  the  contrary,  he  repre- 
sented that  he  had  been  down  among  the  Helderbcrgers  and  seen  how 
desperately  they  were  preparing  for  the  conflict.  They  had  broken  up 
their  plowshares  to  charge  their  lield-pieces  with  the  jagged  fragments,  and 
even  the  old  gray-headed  men  with  spectacles  on  were  lying  behind  the 
fences  and  practicing  sharpshooting.  The  force  proceeded  to  Albany,  but 
at  roll-call  ne.xt  morning  it  appeared  as  though,  during  the  night,  a  pestilence 
'  of  mushroom  growth  had  seized  a  portion  of  the  brigade.  When  the  drill 
exercises  had  been  performed,  and  the  militia  were  ordered  to  the  arsenal 
to  get  their  ammunition,  a  number  more  were  taken.  It  was  something 
wonderful  how  sickness  had  depleted  the  ranks  by  the  time  they  were 
drawn  up  for  parade  and  review  in  the  afternoon,  in  anticipation  of  an 
immediate  march  to  the  seat  of  war;  but  on  their  being  unexpectedly  or- 
dered home  instead  of  to  the  front,  the  suddenness  of  their  recovery  was 
equally  remarkable.  Convalescent  symptoms  instantly  appeared,  and  when 
the  heroes  set  out  for  home,  they  did  so  in  full  force  and  good  spirits. 
The  militia  system  was  modified  not  long  after,  so  as  to  make  it  less  rigor- 
ous and  encourage  the  formation  of  volunteer  organizations. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


THE    CONSTRUCTION 


AND    ENLARGEMENT    OF    THE     ERIE    CANi( 

DENT  OF  Lafayette's  tour. 


Schemes  for  the  promotion  of  inland  navigation,  as  we  have  seen,  did 
not  at  first  contemplate  anything  beyond  the  improvement  of  natural  chan- 
nels from  the  Hudson  to  Lake  Ontario.  Efforts  in  that  direction  proving 
unsuccessful,  the  construction  of  an  artificial  channel  from  the  Hudson  to 
Lake  Erie  suggested  itself  to  commercial  and  scientific  minds.  The  first 
proposal,  if  not  the  original  conception,  of  such  an  enterprise  is  claimed 
for  Gouvemeur  Morris.  In  conversation  with  Simeon  De  Witt.  Surveyor- 
General,  at  Schenectady,  in  1803,  Morris  suggested  the  project  of  convey- 
ing the  water  of  Lake  Erie  direct  to  the  Hudson  by  means  of  a  canal  so 
constructed  as  to  preserve  a  continuous  fall  to  the  high  lands  bordering  on 
the  river,  which  should  be  sunnounted  by  the  instrumentality  of  locks. 
The  Suneyor-(;eneral,  in  common  with  most  to  whom  the  scheme  was 
mentioned,  regarded  it  as  visionary  and  impracticable,  and  so  represented 
it  to  James  Geddes,  a  surveyor  of  Onondaga  county,  in  a  subsequent  con- 
versation with  him  on  the  subject.  Geddes,  however,  on  reflection  viewed 
it  differentlv,  and  concluded  that  with  some  modifications  the  plan  could 
be  carried  out,  and  that  the  enterprise  w  ould  be  one  of  great  utilit) .  Peo- 
ple generally,  however,  appalled  at  the  magnitude  of  the  suggested  work. 
hardly  dared  to  consider  the  subject  gravely,  and  for  several  years  after  the 
conception  of  the  idea,  nothing  was  done  toward  realizing  it. 

Yet  it  was  not  abandoned.  .Among  the  ablest  advocates  of  the  project 
was  Jesse  Hawley,  who  in  a  fourteen  weeks  series  of  contributions  to  the 
Genesee  Mtssiiij^cr,  beginning  in  October.  1807,  elucidated  it,  and  demon- 
strated its  feasibility.  The  jiroposition  was  first  brought  before  the  Legis- 
lature by  Joshua  Forman,  member  from  Onondaga,  Feb.  4,  1808.  Pur- 
suant to  a  resolution  oftered  by  him,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report 
on  the  propriety  of  an  exploration  and  sur\ey  to  the  end  that  Congress 
might  be  induced  to  appropriate  the  re<|uisite  funds.  The  committee  re- 
ported  favorably  ;  a  survey  was  ordered  .April  6.  1808,  and  a  small  ap- 
propriation made  for  the  expenses  of  the  same.  The  service  was  performed 
by  James  (ieddes.  He  was  directed  10  examine  the  route  for  a  canal  from 
Oneida  Ijke  to  Lake  Ontario  as  well  as  th.nt  from  Lake  Erie,  eastward. 
He  reported  in  favor  of  the  latter,  which  he  pronounced  feasible.  The  re- 
port excited  general  interest  and  made  such  an  impression  on  the  Legisla- 
ture that  a  joint  resolution  w.ts  passed  creating  a  board  .of  commissioners 
lo  make  additional  explorations  and  surveys,  for  whit  h  §3.000  was  appro- 
priated. The  work  was  done  in  ihc  summer  of  1810.  and  a  report  made 
m  the  following  spring  in  fa\nr  of  the  route  to  Lake  Erie.  The  tost  of 
the  proposed  canal  «.is  estimated  at  jJs.ooo.ooo.  April  8,  181 1,  an  act  was 
passed  continuing  and  enlarging  the  commission,  authorizing  it  to  appeal 
lo  Congress  and  the  Legislatures  of  other  Stales  for  aid  and  appropriating 
$15,000,  for  further  operations.      I'rcci-ely  a  year  later,  the  commission  re- 


ported that  the  legislatures  of  Massachusetts,  Ohio  and  Tennessee  only 
had  asked  the  congressional  delegations  of  their  States  to  vote  for  the  aid 
requested  by  New  York.  The  length  of  the  projected  canal  was  estimated 
at  350  miles,  and  the  cost  of  transportation  six  dollars  per  ton.  The  report 
spoke  of  the  project  in  glowing  terms  and  recommended  its  prosecution  on 
the  credit  of  the  State.  The  commissioners  in  compliance  with  their  re- 
quest were  authorized  to  obtain  a  loan  of  §5,000,000,  and  procure  the 
right  of  way. 

The  prosecution  of  the  work  was  prevented  by  the  war  with  great 
Britain,  which  so  engrossed  public  attention  that  the  canal  project  was 
abandoned,  and  the  act  authorizing  a  loan  in  its  behalf  was  repealed. 

Toward  the  close  of  1815,  the  enterprise  was  revived.  A  large  meeting 
in  its  favor  was  held  at  New  York,  in  December  of  that  year,  at  which 
resolutions  were  adopted  urging  the  construction  of  the  canal.  An  able 
memorial  from  New  York,  and  petitions  from  all  parts  of  the  State  were 
presented  to  Ihe  Legislature.  The  memorial  was  a  strong  argument  for 
the  canal,  and  a  rose-colored  prophecy  of  the  results  tiiat  would  follow  its 
construction  in  the  development  of  population  and  commerce,  in  spite  of 
many  obstacles,  the  efforts  of  the  canal  champions  out  of  the  Legislature 
and  in  it,  especially  of  DeWitt  Clinton,  among  the  latter,  procured  the  pas- 
sage of  an  act,  April  17,  1816,  providing  for  the  appointment  of  commis- 
sioners to  take  up  the  work.  The  men  appointed  were  Stephen  Van  Rens- 
selaer. DeWitt  Clinton.  Samuel  Young.  Joseph  Elliott,  and  Myron  Holies. 
They  had  the  same  powers  as  the  previous  board,  and  were  voted  §20,000 
for  the  expenses  incurred  by  them.  DeWitt  Clinton  was  the  president  of 
the  commission.  l"he  plan  of  a  continuous  slope  from  Lake  Erie,  first 
proposed,  was  abandoned  by  the  commissioners,  and  that  of  following  the 
undulations  of  the  surface  adopted.  They  also  adopted  the  estimate  of 
five  millions  as  the  cost  of  the  work.  April  15.  1817.  an  act  prepared  by 
DeWitt  Clinton,  was  passed,  though  not  without  strenuous  opposition  au- 
thorizing the  commencement  of  actual  construction.  The  canal  was  still 
considered  by  many  a  ruinous  experiment,  and  lamentations  were  frequent- 
ly heard  on  the  miseries  of  an  o'.ertaxed  people  and  their  posterity. 

The  canal  was  divided  into  three  sections,  from  Albany  to  Rome,  Rome 
to  the  Seneca  river,  and  thence  to  Lake  Erie.  Charles  C.  Broadhead  was 
engineer  in  charge  of  the  eastern  division,  Benjamin  Wright  of  ihe  middle 
division,  and  James  Geddes,  of  the  western.  The  canal  was  planned  to 
be  forty  feet  wide  at  the  surface,  and  twenty-eight  at  the  bottom,  and  the 
depth  of  water  four  feet.  The  locks  were  ninety  feet  long  and  twelve 
wide  in  the  clear.  The  commissioners  were  authorized  to  borrow  on  the 
credit  of  the  State  sums  not  exceeding  §400,000  in  any  one  year.  Nearly 
§50.000  had  been  spent  in  explorations  and  surveys  before  ground  was 
first  broken.  That  event  occurred  at  Rome  on  the  nation's  birthday,  1S17. 
in  the  presence  of  DeWitt  Clinton,  the  foremost  champion  of  the  enter- 
prise, who  was  then  Ciovemor.  and  the  commissioners.  John  Richardson 
held  the  plow  in  oijeningthe  first  furrow-.  It  was  more  than  two  years  be- 
fore any  part  of  the  line  was  ready  for  use.  On  the  zsdof  October,  1819, 
the  first  boat  was  laiim  hed  at  Rome,  to  run  between  that  point  and  Utica, 
for  the  conveyance  of  passengers.  It  was  called  the  "  Chief  Engineer;" 
was  sixty-one  feet  long  and  seven  and  a  half  wide  ;  had  two  cabins,  each 
fourteen  feet  long,  with  a  flaf  deck  between  them,  and  was  drawn  by  one 
horse.  The  next  day.  the  commissioners  and  some  of  the  most  prominent 
citizens  of  L'lica  embarked  there  for  the  return  trip  to  Rome,  and  set  off 
with  a  band  playing,  bells  ringing,  cannon  thundering  and  thousands  of 
spectators  cheering  from  the  banks. 

On  the  21st  of  July.  1820.  tolls  were  first  levied,  the  rates  being  fixed  by 
the  commissioners  ;  the  amount  received  that  year  was  between  five  and 
six  thousand  dollars,  taken  by  six  collectors.  The  canal  was  used  between 
Utica  and  Little  Falls,  in  the  autumn  of  1821,  the  contractor  at  the  latter 
point  availing  himself  of  the  unprofitable  labors  of  the  Inland  Lock  Navi- 
gation Company  :  and  the  portion  east  to  the  Hudson,  was  iiniler  contract. 
Meanwhile,  the  river  floated  the  canal  boats  from  Little  F.ills  10  Schenec- 
tady. The  Mohawk  Valley  below  the  former  point,  was  thoroughly  ex- 
plored under  the  supervision  of  Henjamin  Wright,  chief  enginetr,  and  the 
intended  direct  lint  from  Schenectady  to  ihe  Hudson  river  near  .Albany  was 
abandoned  in  favor  of  ihe  course  of  the  Mohawk  river.  The  accuracy  of 
the  engineering  work  on  the  line  was  considered  wonderful  in  view  of  the 
fait  that  the  engineers  Wright  and  Geddes  had  had  no  previous  experience 
of  the  kind,  having  been  only  land  surveyors  before  their  employment  on 
this  great  work. 

In  the  spring  of  iSzj,  the  canal  was  open  uninterru|);edly  from  Spraker's 


64 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


to  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and  in  September  following,  the  St.  Johns- 
ville  feeder  was  completed.  The  spot  at  the  "Nose,"  however,  was  still 
unfinished,  and  at  that  pomt  merchandise  was  transferred  to  river  boats 
for  transportation  past  the  unlinished  section.  In  the  later  stages  of  the 
great  work,  unexpectedly  rapid  progress  was  made,  its  success  being  now 
assured,  and  on  the  26lh  of  C>ctober,  1825,  the  linishing  touch  had  been 
given  and  the  canal  was  thrown  open  to  navigation  throughout  by  the 
admission  of  the  water  from  Lake  Erie  at  iilack  Rock.  The  length  of  the 
canal  was  363  miles,  and  its  onginal  cost  $7,143,780.86.  Its  completion 
was  celebrated  with  unbounded  joy  which  found  expression  in  extraordin- 
ary civic  and  military  ceremonies,  and  ail  the  festivities  that  a  proud  and 
happy  commonwealth  could  mvenl.  On  the  morning  of  October  26,  the 
first  flotilla  of  boats  bound  for  New  York  from  Lake  Erie,  entered  the 
canal  at  Buffalo,  carrying  the  Governor  and  canal  commissioners.  Their 
departure  was  the  signal  for  firing  the  first  of  a  large  number  of  cannon 
stationed  within  hearing  distance  of  each  other  along  the  whole  line  of  the 
canal  and  the  Hudson  river,  and  at  Sandy  Hook,  by  which  the  momentous 
news  of  the  opening  of  through  travel  at  Buffalo  was  announced  at  the 
Hook  in  an  hour  and  twenty  minutes.  One  of  the  signal  guns,  stationed 
at  Spraker's  Basin,  was  fired  by  the  Revolutionary  veteran,  Goshen  Van  Al- 
stine.  The  official  voyagers  were  everywhere  greeted  with  enthusiastic 
demonstrations.  The  Advertiser^  of  Albany,  commenting  on  their  arrival 
at  that  city,  said  :  "  Wednesday  last  was  a  proud  day  to  the  citizens  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  an  important  day  to  the  Union,  for  then  we  had 
occuiar  demonstration,  that  the  great  work  of  the  age  is  completed  and  our 
inland  seas  made  accessible  from  the  ocean.  *  *  *  At  ten  o'clock  the 
*  Seneca  Chief  '  with  the  Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  the  Buffalo,  wes- 
tern and  New  York  committees  on  board  came  down  in  fine  style,  and  the 
thunders  of  cannon  proclaimed  that  the  work  was  done,  and  the  assem- 
bled multitudes  made  the  welkin  nng  with  shouts  of  gladness."  Sketches 
of  canal  scenery  were  stamped  upon  earthenware  and  various  implements 
in  commemoration  of  the  great  achievement. 

As  at  first  constructed,  the  canal  ran  through,  instead  of  over  the 
streams  which  it  had  to  cross,  especially  in  the  Mohawk  vallev.  their  waters 
being  raised  to  its  level,  as  near  as  possible,  by  dams.  This  gave  a  surplus 
of  water  in  certain  localities,  and  afforded  some  fine  milling  privileges. 
One  of  this  sort  was  furnished  below  Canajoharie  creek,  where  John  A. 
Ehle  built  a  saw-mill  to  avail  himself  of  it.  To  carry  the  canal  through  a 
stream  of  any  size  required  upon  both  shores  of  the  latter,  guard  locks, 
with  gates,  which  could  be  closed  during  freshets.  Considerable  difficulty 
was  frequently  experienced  at  such  places  by  a  long  string  of  boats  accumu- 
lating on  each  side  of  the  stream  where,  at  times,  they  were  delayed  for 
several  days,  during  which  their  crews  came  to  be  on  familiar,  and  not  al- 
ways friendly  terms.  Such  delays  were  sometimes  caused  by  a  freshet  in 
the  creek  injuring  the  dam.  The  passage  of  the  first  boat  across  a  creek 
on  the  subsidence  of  high  water,  was  a  marked  event,  sometimes  drawing 
a  large  crowd  of  people  together  to  witness  it.  The  fir^t  thing  was  to  get 
the  boat  within  the  guard  lock  and  close  the  gate  behind  it.  Then,  with  a 
strong  team — sometimes  doubled — the  feat  was  undertaken.  It  was  always 
attended  with  excitement  and  more  or  less  peril.  The  greatest  difficulty 
was  experienced  at  Schohaire  creek,  that  being  so  large  ;  and  on  the  part- 
ing of  a  towiine  midway  of  the  stream,  in  several  inbtances.  boats  were 
borne  by  an  aggravated  current  over  the  dam  and  into  the  river — occasionally 
with  loss  of  life.  In  such  cases,  the  boats  had  to  go  to  Schenectadv  before 
they  could  get  back  into  the  canal.  The  i>assenger  packet  boats  had  the 
precedence  in  passing  locks,  and  it  was  readily  conceded  at  creek  crossings 
in  freshet  times. 

This  leads  us  to  remark  that  the  canal  at  the  outset,  far  from  being  ex- 
clusively an  artery  of  commerce,  as  at  present,  was  the  fashionable  avenue 
of  western  travel.  The  packets  were  elegantly  furnished,  set  excellent 
tables,  and  outstripped  the  freight  boats  in  speed  by  their  comparative 
lightness  and  their  three  horse  teams.  The  canal,  accordingly,  furnished 
the  natural  route  of  Lafayette  in  his  grand  tour  through  this  part  of  the 
country  in  1825.  In  connection  with  this  event  occurred  an  interesting  in- 
cident not  hitherto  published  :  While  the  Manpiis  was  at  Johnstown,  dur- 
ing the  Revolution,  he  was  entertained  at  Johnson  Hall  by  Jacob  Sammons, 
who,  for  al.iout  four  years  of  the  war,  leased  the  Johnson  farm  from  the 
Committee  of  Sequestration.  There  Thomas  Samnions  repeatedly  met 
the  French  nobleman.  In  the  early  days  of  the  canal,  Thomas  Sammons 
was  engaged  in  boating  on  the  great  highway.  He  octasionally  accom- 
panied one  of  his  boats  to    Albany,  returning,  sometimes,  on  the  canal. 


though  oftener  by  land.  Arriving  one  day  at  Schenectady  with  a  boat  from 
Albany,  accompanied  by  his  boy  Simeon — now  for  many  years  so  widely 
and  well  known  as  ('olonel  Sammons — he  was  surprised  to  find  the  main  street 
of  the  town  streaming  with  flags,  gay  with  flowers,  and  lined  and  carpeted 
with  evergreens.  Mr.  Sammons  was  not  long  in  learning  that  the  staid  old 
place  had  put  on  this  holiday  attire  for  the  fitting  reception  of  Lafayette, 
who  was  expected  to  reach  Schenectady  that  day  in  his  journey  through 
the  grateful  country  which  so  well  honored  its  illustrious  visitor.  It  need 
hardly  be  said  that  Mr.  Sammons  resolved  to  await  his  coming,  confident 
that  he  could  obtain  not  only  the  sight  of  the  great  Frenchman  that  would 
be  vouchsafed  to  the  crowd,  but  audience  with  him. 

Information  arrived,  however,  that  Lafayette  would  not  reach  Schenectady 
until  the  next  day  and  the  disappointed  patriot  resumed  his  voyage,  consol- 
ing himself  and  his  son  with  the  assurance  that  they  would  see  the  Mar- 
quis at  Fultonville.  Their  opportunity  was  not  so  long  deferred.  The 
Sammons  craft,  in  due  time,  came  to  the  point  of  crossing  Schoharie 
creek.  Where  boats  now  sail  high,  if  not  dry  above  that  stream,  over  a  mas- 
sive aqueduct,  they  then  ran  through  it  as  above  described,  the  team  cross- 
ing on  a  narrow  towing  bridge.  Mr.  Sammons'  boat  was  at  the  crossing 
when  the  packet  conveying  the  illustrious  Frenchman  bore  down  upon  it. 
decked  with  streamers  and  evergreens,  even  the  harness  of  the  horses  brist- 
ling with  flags.  A  jubilant  crowd  upon  the  tow-path,  horseback  and  on 
foot,  kept  abreast  of  the  coming  boat.  Sammons  was  exhorted  to  hurry 
across  the  creek  and  out  of  the  way,  that  there  might  be  no  unnecessary 
delay  to  the  progress  of  nobility.  He,  seeing  his  opportunity,  hastened  to 
comply,  and  landing  with  his  son,  came  back  to  the  towing  bridge  from 
which  he  was  able  to  board  the  packet  as  it  arrived. 

Stepping  to  the  door  of  the  forward  cabin  they  were  met  by  the  captain 
who  sternly  demanded  their  object.  Learning  it,  he  stoutly  forbade  their 
entering,  saying  that  the  Marquis  was  resting,  and  could  be  disturbed.  Mr. 
Sammons,  who  was  a  resolute  man  and  far  too  intent  upon  his  errand  to 
allow  himself  to  be  balked  m  it  at  that  stage,  promptly  convinced  the  cap- 
tain that  he  was  going  in;  but  young  Simeon  was  so  overawed  by  the 
doorkeeper's  menacing  attitude,  that  he  would  have  remained  wilhout,  and 
the  event  would  have  had  no  narrator,  had  not  his  father  turned  back, 
taken  him  by  the  hand  and  led  him  into  the  cabin. 

Lafayette  was  reclining  on  a  couch  with  his  head  upon  his  hand.  As 
his  visitors  stepped  up  to  him.  he  looked  Mr.  Sammons  in  the  face  for  an 
instant,  and  then  springing  to  his  feet,  grasped  both  his  hands  in  his  own, 
and  with  his  eyes  sparkling  with  animation,  eagerly  asked  ;  "  Where  have  I 
seen  you  before  ?  I  have  met  you  somewhere."  *'  At  Johnson  Hall,"  re- 
plied Mr.  Sammons  ;  and  as  the  Marquis  with  the  rapidity  of  thought  re- 
called his  sojourn  at  the  old  Johnstown  mansion,  his  next  question  was  : 
"  Is  your  brother  Jacob  living  ?"  and  his  next,  when  told  that  that  much 
tried  patriot  had  passed  away:  "Is  that  good  woman  his  wife,  alive?" 
Being  told  that  she  was,  and  was  living  in  Onondaga  county,  the  Marquis 
made  a  hasty  note  of  the  fact. 

Here  the  captain  had  the  pleasure  of  warning  Mr.  Sammons  that  if  he 
did  not  leave  the  boat,  he  would  not  have  another  chance.  "  Hold  the 
boat !"  cried  Lafayette,  and  the  packet  was  actually  stopped  until  the  in- 
terview was  ended,  when  Mr.  Sammons  stepped  ashore,  as  may  well  besuii- 
posed,  a  proud  and  happy  man,  and  his  son  a  proud  and  happy  boy,  no 
doubt,  or  he  would  ne\er  have  told  the  story  with  such  readiness  and 
spirit  when  on  the  down  hill  side  of  life.  On  arriving  at  Syracuse,  Lafav- 
ette  had  the  committee  of  reception  bring  Mrs.  Sammons  before  him,  and 
gave  her  a  purse  containing  ten  guineas,  telling  her  not  to  open  it  until 
she  reached  home. 

The  canal  early  became  taxed  beyond  its  capacity,  and  the  necessity  ot 
enlarging  it  was  made  apparent.  By  an  act  passed  in  May,  1835,  the  canal 
commissioners  were  authorized  to  have  this  work  performed,  including  the 
construction  of  double  locks,  as  fast  as  they  should  judge  advisable.  Un- 
der this  act,  the  enlargement  was  begun  and  carried  on  with  more  or  les-^ 
activity  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  before  it  was  completed 
throughout.  In  its  re-construction,  the  canal,  instead  of  passing  through 
streams,  was  carried  over  them  by  aqueducts,  thus  obviating  the  trouble 
that  had  occurred  in  times  of  high  water.  It  was  reduced  in  length  to  350  i-- 
miles.  and  increased  in  breadth  to  seventy  feet  at  the  surface,  and  fifty-tui- 
and  a  half  at  the  bottom,  while  the  depth  of  water  was  increased  to  seven 
feet.  The  cost  of  the  enlargement  was  over  §30,000,000.  The  results  o\ 
the  canal  in    facilitating  communication  and  commerce,  and   stimulating 


THE  UTICA  AND  SCHENECTADY  RAILROAD. 


65 


the  growth  of  towns  along  its  line,  are  before  the  people  and  need  not  be 
commenced  upon. 


CHAPTER    XX. 


EASLV  railroading;  in  the  moma 

TADV   AND  NtW 


VK   VALLEY — THE  UTICA   A> 
OKK  CENTRAL  LINES. 


Scarcely  was  the  Erie  Canal  completed  throughout  its  whole  extent,  and 
equipped  with  boats  for  the  transportation  of  passengers  and  merchandise, 
when  its  splendors,  which  had  aroused  so  much  enthusiasm,  were  threat- 
ened with  eclipse  by  the  institution  of  railroads.  The  first  charter  granted 
by  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  for  the  building  of  a  railroad,  was  given 
to  the  Mohawk  ami  Hudson  River  Railroad  Company,  which  proposed  to 
build  a  road  from  Albany  to  St  henertady.  This,  the  [uoneer  railway  of 
the  State,  and  the  setond  of  any  importance  in  the  Union,  was  finished  in 
1S31.  It  wa-.  rudely  bvwlt  and  ecpupped.  The  rails  were  like  those  of  a 
horse  railroad,  and  at  first  indeed  horses  were  the  motor,  except  that  at  the 
summits  of  the  higher  hills,  stationary  engines  were  planted  to  draw  up  and 
let  down  the  cars  by  ropes.  The  passenger  cars  were  modeled  after  the 
stage  coach  of  the  day,  being  hung  on  leather  thorough-braces  ..nd  having 
seats  both  inside  and  out.  A  lever  attached  to  the  truck,  was  operated  by 
downward  pressure  as  a  brake. 

Steam  came  into  use  on  the  road  in  its  first  year.  The  first  locomotive 
was  one  imfX)rted  from  F'ngland,  called  "  John  Bull,"  weighing  but  four 
tons.  The  advantages  of  this  mode  of  transit  even  in  its  infantile  stage 
were  apparent,  and  other  railroads  were  projected.  Their  charters  pro- 
vided for  the  appraisement  of  property  taken  for  the  use  of  a  railroad  com- 
pany, named  the  commissioners  for  receiving  subscriptions,  and  sometimes 
those  for  surveying  and  locating  the  line. 

It  was  net  to  be  supposed  that  Schenectady  would  long  remain  the  ter- 
minus of  a  road  pointmg  up  the  Mohawk  valley  toward  the  growing  west. 
Enterprising  men  very  soon  resolved  on  its  extension  among  the  thrivmg 
villages  creaied  by  the  tide  of  westward  emigration  ;  and  in  1833,2  charter 
was  granted  for  the  construction  of  the  Utica  and  Schenectady  Railroad. 
The  original  capital  of  the  company,  §2,000,000,  more  than  sufificed  for  the 
building  and  equipment  of  the  road,  and  the  enterprise  proved  conspicu- 
ously successful  The  first  board  of  directors  consisted  of  Erastus  Corn- 
ing.John  Townsend,  Lewis  Benedict,  James  Porter,  .Alonzo  C.  Paige,  Tobias 
A.  Stoughtenburgh,  Nathaniel  S,  Benton,  Nicholas  Devereaux,  Henry 
Seymour,  ^Vlfred  Munson.  James  Hooker,  John  Mason  and  Churchill  C. 
Cambreling.  Coming  was  first  President;  Porter,  Secretary  ;  \Vm. C.Young. 
Chief  Engineer,  and  on  the  completion  of  the  road  Superintendent,  and 
Gideon  Dav-idson,  Commissioner.  One  of  the  provisions  of  the  charter 
was,  that  each  county  through  which  the  road  passed,  must  bd  represented 
by  one  or  more  of  its  citizens  in  the  board  of  directors  ;  under  this  regula- 
lii»n,  Tobias  A.  Stoutenburgh  was  chosen  from  Montgomery  county.  The 
original  charter  also  fixed  the  maximum  fare  at  four  cents  per  mile,  and  re- 
quired the  coiMjiany  to  sell  out  to  the  State  after  ten  and  within  fifteen 
ye.irs  if  the  State  desired  to  purchase. 

The  work  of  construction  went  on  with  rapidity,  and  on  the  ist  of  August, 
1X36,  the  rood  was  opened  for  the  conveyance  of  passengers.  That  August 
day  was  an  event  in  the  valley,  both  in  itself,  and  in  its  foreshadowings. 
The  long  excursion  train  was  packed  with  delighted  passengers,  and  each 
station  furnished  yet  other  crowds  seeking  places  in  the  overflowing  cars. 
I'he  train  made  slow  progress,  but  eager  and  curious  eyes  watched  the  iron 
inonster  that  puffed  its  murky  breath,  and  hissed  through  its  bra/en  throat. 
A"  indicting  the  dcc[)  interest  fell  in  the  occasion,  we  may  mention  that  a 
l>dy  confined  to  her  bed  by  illness,  near  the  route  <if  the  road  in  the  village 
of  .Amsterdam,  by  an  ingenious  arnngement  of  lonkmg  gia.sscs  was  enabled 
'<*  see  the  train  move  past. 

At  this  time  the  idea  of  carrying  freight  was  not  entertained.  The  char- 
ter forlwde  it,  consequently  no  preparations  fur  the  transmission  of  mer- 
*^h.in(IiNC  had  been  made  by  ihe  company.  The  desire  of  the  sui)erinten- 
d«Tit  seemed  to  be  to  confine  the  business  of  the  road  to  carrying  passen- 
gt  rs.  The  occa:iion  for  handling  freight,  however,  of  course  arose  on  the 
'l"sing  of  the  i:anal  in  1836.  On  the  very  day  that  the  frost  stopped  nav- 
'*i-»t"on,  in  that  year,  a  Oerman  family  wishing  to  convey  their  effects  from 
•'alaiine  Bridge  to  Schenectady,  were  permitted  to  ship  them  on  a  car,  and 


this,  it  may  be  said,  was  the  beginning  of  the  way  freight  business  of  the 
Central  Railroad.  The  conductor  in  this  case  having  no  tariff  of  rates  to 
guide  him,  made  the  rather  exorbitant  charge  of  fourteen  dollars.  The 
Legislature  in  1837  authorized  the  company  to  carry  freight,  and  subse- 
quently made  the  regulation,  allowing  passengers  to  have  a  specified  amount 
of  baggage  carried  free  of  charge.  The  first  freight  cars  were  called  "  stage 
wagons." 

Improvements  were  made  in  track  and  rolling-slock  at  an  early  day  in 
the  history  of  the  Utica  and  Schenectady  road.  We  have  said  that  the 
rails  were  originally  like  those  of  the  present  street  railroads — namely, 
sticks  of  timber  with  bands  of  iron  spiked  upon  them,  called  "strap  rails." 
The  irons  had  a  tendency  to  work  loose  at  the  ends  and  turn  up,  forming 
what  were  called  "snake-heads,"  which  were  ready,  011  catching  the  bot- 
tom of  a  car,  to  spear  the  passengers  or  throw  the  train  from  the  irat  k. 
The  first  improvement  in  passenger  cars  consisted  in  building  frame 
bodies,  somewhat  ornamented,  and  placing  them  on  four-wheeled  trucks. 
Each  car  was  divided  by  partitions  into  three  compartments,  seating  eight 
persons  apiece,  and  entered  by  a  door  on  either  side.  'I"he  condu<  tor 
traversed  a  plank  tunning  along  the  side  of  the  car,  and  holding  on  to  an 
iron  over  the  door  of  each  section  reached  in  for  the  fares. 

At  first  no  time  tables  governed  the  running  of  the  trains.  One  would 
leave  Utica  at  a  specified  hour  each  week-day  morning,  and  get  to  Sche- 
nectady when  it  could,  returning  on  the  same  plan.  For  a  long  time  after 
the  completion  of  the  road  there  were  few  station  agents,  and  freight  con- 
ductors had  to  hunt  up  patrons  at  each  stopping  place  where  merchandise 
was  to  be  left,  and  collect  the  charges.  Freight  trains  ran  about  eight 
miles  an  hour;  passenger  trains  about  twenty,  or  less.  Time  and  expe- 
rience gradually  brought  order  and  exactness  into  every  department  of 
business  on  this  line,  and  it  enjoyed  almost  unexampled  prosperity. 

In  the  spring  of  1853,  the  Legislature  passed  an  a(  t  for  the  consolida- 
tion of  roads  then  in  operation,  and  some  only  projected,  between  .Albany 
and  Buffalo,  to  form  the  New  York  Central.  This  was  effecied  a  few 
weeks  later.  The  new  company  had  a  capital  of  $23,085,600.  The  Utica 
and  Schenectady  was,  of  course,  one  of  the  companies  absorbed  by  it. 
One  of  its  original  directors,  who  remained  such  up  to  the  time  of  the 
consolidation,  states,  that  at  that  time  *' the  stock  capital  of  the  company 
was  $4,500,000,  on  which  the  shareholders  received  fifty  percent,  premium 
in  six  per  cent,  bonds  of  the  consolidated  company,  equal,  at  par,  to 
$2,475,000;  and  how  much  of  the  two  and  a-half  millions  of  increase  to 
the  original  two  millions  was  made  up  by  extra  dividends  in  the  old  com- 
pany, and  how  much  of  surplus  has  been  and  will  be  paid  by  the  trustees 
to  the  stockholders  of  the  company,  I  need  not  name  to  make  good  the 
assertion  that  the  Utica  and  Schenectady  Company  has  turned  out  the 
most  successful  of  modern  railway  enterprises."  The  growth  of  business 
on  this  road  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  its  second  track  was  laid  before 
it  became  part  of  the  New  York  Central. 

The  ambition  of  each  railway  magnate  as  the  actual  and  prospective 
greatness  of  the  West  became  apparent,  was  the  control  of  a  through  line 
from  the  seaboard  which  could  make  sure  of  its  share  of  the  transport- 
ation for  the  great  grain  regions  and  populous  cities  so  rapidly  developing. 
Cornelius  Vanderbilt's  first  step  in  this  direction  was  the  consolidation  for 
five  hundred  years  of  the  Hudson  River  Railroad  with  the  New  York 
Central,  which  took  place  under  an  act  passed  by  the  Legislature  in  May, 
1S69,  the  line  taking  the  name  of  the  New  York  Central  and  Hudson 
River  Railroad.  The  immense  business  in  the  transportation  of  freight 
commanded  by  this  road  required  that  its  freight  trains  should  have  trat  ks 
to  themselves,  and  made  it  at  once  necessary  and  profitable  to  double  the 
already  large  capacity  of  the  line  from  Buffalo  to  Albany,  where  nun  h  of 
its  traffic  is  diverted  toward  New  Kngland.  This  was  accomplished  I)y 
the  construction  of  third  and  fourth  tra(  ks  between  those  cities,  which 
were  completed  in  the  autumn  of  1874,  giving  this  portion  of  the  line  a 
greater  rapacity  than  is  possessed  by  any  road  in  the  country. 

The  almost  inc.i!culal)le  advantages  to  be  derived  from  railroad  facilities 
are  offered  at  iheir  best  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Mohawk  valley.  The 
creation  of  jtoinis  of  sale  and  shipment  for  agricultural  produce  increases 
the  value  of  farm  properly,  and  Montgomery  county  everywhere  shows,  in 
its  rich,  well  cultivated  farms  and  fine  buildings,  the  benefits  of  home  mar- 
kets and  the  highest  facilities  for  transportation.  The  villages  which  by 
the  Central  K.iilroad  are  placed  within  an  hour  and  a-half  of  Albany  and 
SIX  or  seven  of  New  York,  are  far  more  nearly  oiual  to  those  cities  in  their 
advantages  as  homes  than  they  could  be  without  it,  while  possessing  their 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


own  class  of  attractions,  and  thus  are  assured  of  a  solid  growth  antl 
development.  To  arrest  or  seriously  delay  the  conveyance  of  what  now 
comes  and  goes  so  promptly  by  mail  and  express  would  be  to  lake  awa)' 
much  of  what  constitutes  civilization,  and  remand  the  community  thus 
afHicted  to  comparative  barbarism. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

ACRICVLTL-RE    IN    SIR   WII.LIA.M    JOHNSON'S    TIME — HISTORY    OF    THt    .MON  I - 
COMERV    COUNTY    AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

The  earliest  stage  of  agriculture  in  the  Mohawk  valley  was  that  in 
which  the  squaws  culti\ated  corn,  beans  and  stpiashes,  or  pumpkins,  on 
the  river  flats  adjacent  to  the  Mohawk  castles.  The  interests  of  agricul- 
ture, however,  received  very  early  attention  from  the  Dutch  colonists. 
Though  the  very  first  of  them  who  penetrated  the  wildernesses  along  the 
rivers  were  traders,  the  majority  of  the  pioneers  were,  of  course,  farmers. 
There  is  record  of  a  fair  or  cattle  show  at  the  settlement  on  .Manhattan 
Island  as  early  as  1641.  .Agriculture  received  legislative  notice  and 
encooragement  in  1692,  by  the  passage  of  an  ordinance  providing  for  hold- 
ing fairs  and  markets  in  each  county  of  the  province,  which  remained 
unrepealed  until  after  the  organization  of  the  State  government.  These 
early  markets  were  competitions  for  custom  rather  than  for  premiums. 
The  various  farm  products  were  arranged  in  close  proximity,  so  that  their 
comparative  excellence  could  be  readily  decided  by  the  purchaser,  and 
thus  a  very  effective  spur  to  the  efforts  of  producers  was  afforded.  The 
expenses  incurred  in  such  displays  and  sales  were  defrayed  by  a  tax  on 
the  commodities,  equally  shared  by  the  buyer  and  seller.  Efforts  for  the 
improvement  of  agriculture  in  the  colony  during  a  century  of  English  con- 
trol would  seem  to  have  been  none  too  successful,  judging  from  the  fol- 
lowing picture  of  the  state  of  that  great  industry,  which  is  part  of  a  letter 
from  Sir  William  Johnson  to  the  English  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  the 
Arts,  dated  Johnson  Hall,  February  27,  1765; 

"The  state  of  .Agriculture  in  this  country  is  very  low,  and  in  short  likely 
to  remain  so  to  the  great  Detriment  of  the  Province,  which  might  otherw  ise 
draw  many  resources  from  so  extensive  and  valuable  a  Countrv,  but  the 
turn  of  the  old  settlers  here  is  not  much  calculated  for  improvement,  con- 
tent with  the  meer  necessaries  of  Life,  they  don't  chuse  to  purchase  its  su- 
perfluities at  the  expence  of  Labour  neither  will  they  hazard  the  smallest 
matter  for  the  most  reasonable  prospect  of  gain,  and  this  principle  will 
probably  subsist  as  long  as  that  of  their  equality,  which  is  at  present  at 
such  a  pitch  that  the  conduct  of  one  neighbor  can  but  little  influence  that 
of  another. 

"Wheat  which  in  my  opinion  must  shortly  prove  a  drug,  is  in  fact  what 
they  principally  concern  themselves  about  and  they  are  not  easily  to  be 
convinced  that  the  Culture  of  other  articles  will  tend  more  to  their  advan- 
tage. If  a  few  of  the  .Machines  m.ide  use  of  for  the  breaking  of  hemp 
was  distributed  amongst  those  who  have  Land  proper  for  the  purpose  it 
might  give  rise  to  the  culture  of  it — or  if  one  only  properly  constructed 
was  sent  as  a  model,  it  might  Stir  up  a  spirit  of  Industry  amongst  them, 
but  Seed  is  greatly  wanted,  \-  Cannot  be  procured  in  these  parts,  and  the 
Germains  who  are  the  most  Industrious  pco[)Ie  here)  are  in  general  in  too 
low  circumstances  to  concern  ihcmselves  in  anything  attended  with  the 
smallest  Expence,  their  Plantations  being  as  yet  in  their  infancy,  &  with 
regard  to  the  old  Settlers  amongst  the  Cermans  who  live  farther  to  the 
Westward,  they  have  greatly  ado[)ted  the  sentiments  of  the  rest  of  the  in- 
habitants. The  country  Likewise  labours  under  the  disadvantage  of  nar- 
row, and  (in  many  places)  bad  roads,  whii  h  would  be  still  worse  did  I  not 
take  care  that  the  inhabitants,  laboured  to  repair  them  according  to  law. 
The  ill  Condition  of  Publit  roads  is  a  C.rcat  obstruction  to  husbandry,  the 
high  wages  of  labouring  men,  and  the  great  number  of  tcpling  houses  are 
likewise  articles  which  very  much  want  Regulation.  These  disagreeable 
circumsLim  cs  must  for  some  time  retard  the  Progress  of  husbandry;  1 
could  heartily  wish  I  had  more  leisure  to  attend  to  these  necessary  articles 
of  improvements  to  promote  wliiih  my  Influence  and  E.vninple  should  not 
be  wanting  I  ha\e  formerly  had  f'cjsc  \ery  well  split  at  my  mills,  .ind  I 
shall  set  the  same  forw.nrd  amongst  the  people  as  far  as  I  can,  I  have' Like- 
wise sent  for  Collections  of  many  Seeds,  and  uscfull  grasses  whii  \\  I  shall 
Encourage  them  to  raise,  and  from  ihc  gri.ii  nauis  cf  ^loi  k.  even  lor  home 
use.  &  Consumption,  I  am  <luirt,  all  1  i;in  lu  turn  llic  intcnlion  of  the  in- 


habitants to  raising  these  necessary  articles,  for  the  purchase  of  which,  a 
good  deal  of  cash  has  hither  to  been  annually  carried  into  the  N.  England 
Collonies. 

"  Before  I  set  the  Examples,  no  farmer  on  the  Mohock  River  ever  raised 
so  much  as  a  single  Load  of  Hay,  at  present  some  raise  above  one  Hun- 
dred, the  like  was  the  case  in  regard  to  sheep,  to  which  they  were  intirc 
strangers  until  I  introduced  them,  &  I  have  the  Satisfaction  to  see  them  at 
present  possess  many  other  articles,  the  result  of  my  former  Labors  for 
promoting  their  welfare  and  interests,  my  own  Tenants  amounting  to 
about  too  Families  are  not  as  yet  in  circumstances  to  do  much,  they  were 
settled  at  great  Expence  and  hazard  during  the  heat  of  the  [French]  War, 
and  it  was  princijially  (I  may  venture  to  affirm,  solely)  owing  to  their  resi- 
dence &  mine,  that  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  did  not  all  abandon  their 
settlements  at  that  Distressful  Period;  But  tho*  my  'Pennants  are  consider- 
ably in  my  Debt,  I  shall  yet  give  them  all  the  assistance  I  can  for  encour- 
aging any  usefull  Branches  of  Husbandry,  which  I  shall  contribute  to  pro- 
mote thro'out  the  rest  of  the  country  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  and 
Communicate  to  you  any  material  article  which  may  occur  upon  that  Sub- 
ject." 

The  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  .Agriculture,  Arts  and  Manufactures 
was  established  in  1793  In  1801  this  society,  for  convenience  of  action, 
divided  the  State  into  agricultural  districts,  each  consisting  of  a  county. 
\  secretary  was  appointed  in  each  district,  whose  duty  it  was  to  convene 
the  members  of  the  society  within  his  county,  learn  the  state  of  agriculture 
and  manufactures  therein,  and  report  to  the  president  of  the  society. 
Several  years  after  this  arrangement  was  made  premiums  were  offered 
for  the  best  specimens  of  home-made  cloth,  and  were  awarded  partly 
by  the  general  authority  of  the  society,  and  partly  by  county  judges  ap- 
pointed by  it. 

By  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  in  1819,  for  the  improvement  of  agricul- 
ture, a  board  of  officers  was  created  and  an  appropriation  made  for  two 
years,  w'nic'n  was  to  'oe  distri'outed  among  the  different  counties  of  the 
State  for  the  advancement  of  agriculture  and  domestic  manufactures,  on 
the  condition  that  the  counties  themselves  subscribed  an  equal  sum. 
This  advance  on  the  part  of  the  State  was  met  with  indifference  generally, 
and  no  permanent  results  were  secured  by  it.  The  present  agricultural 
society  of  the  State  was  formed  in  1S32,  but  not  by  Legislative  action.  No 
appropriation  was  made  in  its  favor  until  its  re-organization  in  1841,  when 
measures  were  taken  for  raising  funds  and  holding  annual  fairs.  In  the 
spring  of  that  year  §40,000  was  appropriated,  partly  to  the  State  society, 
and  partly  for  division  among  the  counties  in  proportion  to  their  repre- 
sentation in  the  .Assembly. 

It  was  under  this  act  that  The  Montgomery  County  Agricultural  So- 
ciety was  organized.  Pursuant  to  a  notice  by  the  county  clerk,  a  meeting 
was  held  September  20,  1844,  at  the  court  house  in  Fonda.  .A  committee 
on  nominations  reported  the  following,  which  were  adopted  :  President, 
Tunis  I.  Van  Deveer;  vice-presidents,  Joshua  Reed  and  Peter  H.  Fonda  ; 
secretary,  John  Frey  ;  treasurer,  John  Nellis.  The  board  of  directors 
consisted  of  a  representative  from  each  town  in  the  county,  as  follows  ; 
.Amsterdam,  Benedict  .Arnold  ;  Charleston,  Robert  Baird  ;  Canajoharie, 
Jeremiah  W,  (lardner  ;  Florida,  Lawrence  Servoss  ;  Clen,  Richard  Hud- 
son ;  Minden,  Barney  Becker  ;  Mohawk,  Lyndes  Jones  ;  Palatine,  Wm. 
Snell  ;  Root,  George  Spraker  ;  St.  JohnsviUe,  John  Y.  Edwards.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution  and  report  it  at  a  subsequent 
meeting,  which  all  desirous  to  promote  the  interests  of  agriculture,  manu- 
factures and  rural  arts,  were  earnestly  reijuested  to  attend. 

On  the  13th  of  October,  the  organization  was  completed  and  arrange- 
ments made  for  the  first  fair,  which  was  held  at  the  court  house,  on  the 
nth  and  12th  of  November  following.  The  receipts  amounted  to  $47  1.50  ; 
the  expenses  were  but  nine  dollars  less.  The  fair  was  held  at  the  same 
place  for  the  next  three  years,  the  annual  receipts  averaging  about  §250. 
The  fifth  year  the  fair  was  held  at  Canajoharie,  October  7  anil  8,  1.S45. 
The  next  four  were  held  at  the  court  house  in  Fonda  ;  the  tenth,  at  Port 
Plain,  and  the  next  three  at  the  court  house.  The  fair  of  1S54  was  held 
at  St.  JohnsviUe,  and  that  of  1855  at  Conajoharie.  Since  then  it  has 
been  held  annually  at  Fond.i,  that  (ilace  having  been  fixed  upon  as  the 
permanent  locality,  by  a  convention  of  the  society,  at  "the  Reformui 
Dutch  Church"  in  that  village,  September  24,  1K63.  At  the  s.nme  time  it 
w.as  ordered  that  the  society  be  kept  distinct  froiu  .ind  imlependeni  of  any 
other  in  it,  organi/alion  and  nifairs. 

On  the  lolhof  October,  1  S60,  the  (  onstnution  and  by  laws  were  a(lo|ileil. 


FAIRS  AT  FONDA— THAT  PLACE  MADE  THE  COUNTY   SEAT. 


67 


by  which  the  societj*  has  since  been  governed.  Under  the  constitution, 
the  officers  comprise  a  president,  two  vice-presidents,  a  secretary,  and  a 
treasurer.  There  is  an  executive  committee  of  three,  and  the  board  of 
directors  consists  of  three  from  each  town  in  the  county.  The  term  of  all 
the  officials  is  one  year.  Membership  for  a  year  (  osts  fifty  cents,  and  life 
membershi[i.  $io.  The  annual  meeting  of  the  vitiety  is  held  in  the  even- 
ing of  the  first  day  of  the  fair.  The  officers  are  then  elected  and  enter 
upon  their  duties  on  the  first  of  January  foUowm^. 

In  1861,  a  new  feature  of  attraction  was  added  to  the  fair  by  a  very  suc- 
cessful balloon  ascension.  The  number  of  entries  of  live  stock  and  in 
some  other  departments  that  year  outnumbered  those  of  previous  years 
by  one-half.  An  address  was  delivered  by  Mr.  James  Arkell,  and  an 
original  poem  by  Hon.  John  Bowdish.  In  1863,  the  society  decided  to 
purchase  grounds  on  which  to  hold  their  annual  fairs.  .\  held  of  about 
thirteen  acres,  part  of  the  Van  Home  estate,  on  the  bank  of  the  Mohawk, 
beginning  at  the  lower  side  of  the  bridge,  was  selected.  The  fair  of  1864 
was  the  first  held  on  the  new  ground,  and  the  most  successful  up  to  that 
date,  the  receipts  being  over  $2,000 — double  those  of  any  previous  year. 
When  the  ground  was  purchased  there  was  about  $400  in  the  treasury. 
This  sum  was,  of  course,  soon  exhausted  in  paying  for  the  land,  fence  and 
first  buildings,  and  a  debt  of  between  five  and  six  thousand  dollars  was 
created,  which  was  steadily  reduced  from  year  to  year  by  the  receipts  at 
fairs.  In  his  report  for  1872,  the  secretary  aunounced  that  the  society 
would  be  enabled  to  make  further  necessary  investments — such  as  per- 
manent buildings  for  live  stock,  improvements  of  Floral  Hall,  etc.  The 
receipts  from  the  fair  of  1873 — some  $2,000 — hardly  met  the  unusually 
large  expenses  for  that  year.  The  address  on  this  occasion  was  delivered 
by  Hon.  John  Bowdish. 

Special  efforts  were  put  forth  to  make  the  fair  of  the  centennial  year, 
1876,  one  of  unusual  attractiveness,  in  the  hope  of  increased  receipts  that 
would  cancel  the  remaining  indebtedness  of  the  society.  The  exhibition 
in  the  various  departments  far  surpassed  those  of  previous  years,  and 
many  special  attractions  were  introduced,  including  foot  races,  a  rope- 
walking  performance  and  superior  musical  entertainment — three  bands 
being  in  attendance.  The  receipts  were,  as  hoped,  much  greater  than  on 
any  previous  occasion,  amountmg  to  $3,803.  It  was  in  this  year  that  the 
grand  stand  was  built.  The  amount  taken  in  the  next  year,  though  several 
hundred  dollars  less,  put  the  finances  of  the  society  in  a  very  gratifying 
condition,  there  being  at  the  commencement  of  the  year  1878  $987  in  the 
treasury. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

THE    RE.MOV.\t    OF    THE    COURT    HOUSE — MO.STC.OMKRY's    REPRESF.NT.^TIVES 
IN    LONCRESS    ASTi    LKGISL.^TURE COU-NT^     I.NSTlTUTIONS. 

The  projectors  of  the  village  of  Fonda  conceived  that  the  prospects  of 
their  enterprise  would  be  brightened  by  making  the  embryo  city  the  capi- 
tal of  Montgomery  county.  .\  petition  for  the  removal  of  the  county 
buildings  from  Johnstown  was  acccordingiy  presented  to  the  Legislature 
in  1836.  The  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Mohawk  was  by  this  time  so 
thickly  inhabited  that  the  old  county  seat  was  not  central  to  the  popula- 
tion of  the  county,  and  it  was  left  comparatively  out  of  the  world  by  the 
construction  of  the  Utica  and  Schenectady  Railroad.  The  petition  made 
a  persuasive  showing,  on  a  statistical  basis,  of  what  proportion  of  the 
inhabitants  would  be  accommodated  by  the  proposed  change;  and  an  act 
authorizing  the  erection  of  a  court  house  and  jail  at  Fonda  was  passed 
during  the  session  in  which  it  was  [tresented.  The  commissioners  appointed 
to  locate  the  buildings  and  superintend  their  construction  were  .\aron  C. 
Wheelock,  Henry  .\dams  and  Howland  Fish.  The  act  recpiired  them  to 
raise  and  pay  into  the  treasury  of  the  county  $.1,500  as  a  preliminary  step, 
ind  procure  a  site  of  at  least  three  acres  for  the  new  county  buildings. 
rhc  comptroller  was  authorized  on  receiving  a  bond  from  the  county 
treasurer  to  loan  the  county  the  sum  retpiired  from  the  common  school 
fund,  to  be  repaid  at  any  time,  or  times,  within  five  years,  that  the  super- 
visors might  decide  upon.  Under  tlicse  arrangements  the  court  house  and 
]  lil  were  Iniilt  in  1836.  The  removal  of  the  county  seat  from  Johnstown 
*as  naturally  very  unsatisfactory  to  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  and 
resulted  in  the  tlivi-sion  of  Montgomery  two  years  later.  An  interesting 
\iew  of  the  state  of  things  in   the  county  at  the  period  now  considered  is 


afforded  by  the  following  extract  from  TAe  Amsterdam  Democrat : 

"In  1836,  Joseph  Smith  was  postmaster  at  Amsterdam,  David  Crane  at 
Cranesville,  Jay  Cady  at  Minaville,  Henry  Randall  at  Port  Jackson.  John 
C.  Van  .\lstyne  at  Auriesville,  Peter  Enders  at  Fort  Hunter,  Thos,  Bunn  at 
Tribes  Hill,  Wm.  M.  Gardinier  at  Fultonville,  Henry  V'eeder  at  Caughna- 
waga,  John  Hanchet  at  filen,  and  T.  .\.  Stoutenburgh  at  Johnstown  ^which 
was  then  in  the  county  . 

"The  following  papers  were  published  in  this  county:  The  Intelligencer 
and  Mohawk  .\dvertise^  at  .\msterdam,  by  John  J.  Uavis  and  L.  H. 
Nicholas,  with  the  last  named  as  editor;  the  Johnstown  Herald,  at  Johns- 
town, by  Philip  Reynolds,  Jr.;  the  Montgomery  Republican,  at  Johnstown, 
by  Peter  Mix;  the  Montgomery  .-Vrgus,  at  Canajoharie,  by  Abraham  V. 
Putnam;  the  Xurthem  Banner,  at  Broadalbin,  by  William  Clark;  the  Gar- 
land semi-monthly  .  at  Union  MilU,  by  Wm.  Clark,  and  the  Christian 
i*alladium    semi-monthly  ,  at  Union  .Mills,  by  Joseph  Badger. 

"The  Mohawk  and  Hvidson  railroad  commenced  in  1830,  extended  from 
.Albany  to  Schenectady,  and  covered  fifteen  miles  of  the  one  hundred 
miles  of  railroad  then  in  operation  in  this  State.  The  Utica  and  Sche- 
nectady railroad  was  nearly  completed.  .\  writer  says  of  it:  'This  road, 
the  importance  of  which  entitles  it  to  a  conspicuous  station  among  the 
many  improvements  of  the  age,  is  designed  to  form  no  inconsiderate  link 
in  the  extensive  chain  of  communication  between  the  western  world  and 
the  tide  waters  of  the  Hudson.  Passing  through  a  country  famed  for  its 
fertility  of  soil  and  its  exuberance  of  agricultural  productions,  the  route 
can  scarcely  fail  of  presenting  some  interesting  features  to  the  contempla- 
tion of  the  most  fastidious  traveller.  With  the  Mohawk  river  almost  con- 
stantly in  view,  as  it  majestically  sweeps  onward  in  its  course,  confined  on 
either  side  by  a  succession  of  lofty  and  precipitous  hills,  the  eye  of  the 
amateur  may  frequently  discern  landscapes  comprising  almost  every  variety 
of  picturesque  and  scenic  beauty.'  Erastus  Corning  was  president  of  the 
Utica  and  Schenectady  R.  R.  Co.,  and  vice-president  of  the  Mohawk  and 
Hudson  Co.  The  county  contained  1,227,712  acres  of  land;  the  value  of 
the  real  estate  was  $3,753,506,  ar.d  the  personal  estate  $674,899.  Tiie 
county  taxes  amounted  to  $19,289.66,  and  the  town  taxes  $13,023.00. 

"There  were  four  academies  in  the  county,  located  at  .Amsterdam,  Can- 
ajoharie, Kingsborough  and  Johnstown.  Horace  Sprague  and  W.  A. 
Tweed  Dale  were  principals  of  the  first  named.  The  county  also  contained 
eight  woolen  factories,  thirteen  iron  works,  five  paper  mills,  sixty-two  tan- 
neries, two  breweries,  two  hundred  and  seventy-four  saw  mills,  seventy-four 
grist  mills,  thirty-one  fulling  mills,  twenty-nine  carding  machines  and  four 
oil  mills.  Elijah  Wilcox  was  collector  of  canal  tolls  at  Fultonville,  and 
Jubal  Livermore  was  one  of  the  superintendents  of  canal  repairs.  David 
Spraker,  of  Canajoharie.  was  one  of  the  four  senators  from  this,  the  fourth, 
district,  which  included  the  counties  of  Saratoga,  Washington,  St.  Law- 
rence and  Montgomery,  Henry  V.  Berry  of  Caughnawago,  Joseph  Blair  of 
Mills"  Corners,  and  Jacob  Johnson  of  Minaville,  were  Members  of  .Assem- 
bly. Abraham  Morrell  and  David  Spraker  were  masters  and  examiners  in 
chancery.  In  the  Courts  of  Common  Pleas,  Abraham  Morrell  was  first 
judge,  and  Samuel  A.  Gilbert.  John  Hand,  Henry  J,  Dievendorff  and  David 
F.  Sacia,  judges.  Malachi  Kettle  was  Sheriff  ;  Tobias  .\.  Stoutenburgh, 
surrogate;  Charles  McVean,  district  attorney;  and  Joseph  Farmer,  county 
treasurer.  All  four  resided  at  Johnstown.  There  were  forty  lawyers  in 
the  county,  among  whom  were  Howland  Fish  of  Glen,  David  P.  Corey  and 
Deodatus  Wright  of  Amsterdam,  and  Daniel  Cady,  R.  H.  Cushney  and 
John  Frothingham  of  Johnstown.  Forty-four  physicians  looked  after  the 
physical  welfare  of  the  people.  Benedict  .Arnold,  of  .Amsterdam,  was 
Major  lieneral  of  the  second  division  of  cavalry.  .Aaron  C.  Whitlock  of 
Ephratah.  was  Brigadier  General  in  the  same  division.  Twenty-three 
clergymen  were  located  in  the  county,  not  including  the  Methodist.  Rev. 
James  Wood  was  in  charge  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  this  village.  In 
the  Tioy  conference  the  Troy  district  contained  twenty-two  .Methodist 
clergymen,  and  the  -Mbany  district  twenty-eight.  Matthias  J.  Bovee,  of 
.Amsterdam,  was  .Member  of  Congress." 

MONTCiOMERV  COUNTY   IN  CONGRESS. 

By  the  courteous  care  of  Hon.  John  H,  Starin,  now  representing  this 
district  in  Congress,  we  are  enabled  to  present  ihe  following  summary  of 
Montgomery  county's  ^ep^e^entati.^n  in  iju-  national  legislature,  from  the 
time  of  the  adoption  of  the  I'nttcti  bt.ites  constitution  : 


«8 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


CONGBF.SS. 

rv., 

V, 

VI, 

VII., 

VIIL, 

IX., 

X., 

XI., 

XII, 

XIII. 

XIV.. 


Jekemi.\h   Van   Rensselaer, 
James  (}i>ri>on, 
Silas  Talbdi, 

\VlLL!A.\l    COOHER, 

JAUE-s  Cochran, 
JoN-\s  Platt. 
Benjamin  Walker. 
Thomas  Sammons, 
Thomas  Sammons, 
Peter  Swari, 
Thomas  Sammons, 
Th*>mas  Sammons, 
Jacok   Markall, 
Daniel  Cahv, 


.XIII., 
.MIL, 
XHI  , 


.XIV., 
XI\', 


1789-91 

'79'-9J 

'793-95 

'795-97 

1797-99 

799-1801 

1801-3 

1803-5 

1805-7 

.807-9 

.809-11 

.8,1-13 

XV, 

Iohn  Heri;imer. 

XIV.. 

1817-ly 

XVI., 

JOHN    Fav. 

XIV., 

1S19-.M 

XVII.. 

.\lered  C'onkling. 

XIV., 

182,-23 

XVIIl., 

John  W   Cai.v, 

XVI., 

1823-25 

XIX., 

Henrv   Markell. 

XVI., 

1825-27 

XX., 

Henry  Markell. 

XVI., 

1827-29 

xxu 

Benedict  .Arnold, 

xv;.. 

1829-31 

XXII^ 

Nathan  Sdlle, 

XVI., 

'»3'-33 

XX 1 1 1., 

t"HARLE.S    McVeaN, 

XV., 

'833-35 

XXIV., 

Matthias  J.  Bovee, 

XV., 

'835-37 

XXV., 

John   Edwarp, 

XV., 

'837-39 

xxvr. 

Peter  J.  Wai.ner, 

XV., 

'839-41 

XXVII., 

John  Sandeord, 

XV., 

'841-43 

XXVIII., 

Charles  Benton, 

XVII., 

'843-45 

XXIX., 

Charles  Bento.n, 

XVII.. 

'845-47 

XXX., 

C;eor.;e  Petrie, 

XVII.. 

1847-49 

XXXI., 

Henry   P.  Alexander, 

XVII., 

1849-51 

XXXII., 

.Alexander  H.  Blell, 

XVII., 

'85 '-53 

xxxni.. 

Peter  Rmw. 

XVlll, 

'853-55 

XXXIV., 

Thomas  R.  Morion. 

XVIII.. 

'855-57 

XXXV., 

Clarke  B.  Cochrane, 

XVIII., 

'857-59 

XX.XVI., 

Clarke  B.  Cochrane, 

XVIIl.. 

1859-61 

XXXVII., 

ChAIXCEV     \  imiARI), 

XVIIl., 

1861-63 

xxxvin.. 

James  M.  Marmn, 

XVIIl.. 

1863-65 

XXXIX.. 

Iames  M    Marvin. 

XVIIl  , 

1865-67 

XI.., 

James  .M.  .NUkvin. 

XVIIl.. 

1867-60 

XI.I., 

Stephen  Sanheord. 

XVIIl.. 

1869-71 

XLir, 

John   .M.  Carroll, 

XVIIl.. 

•871-73 

XLIII., 

HysK\    \V.  Hathorn, 

XIX.. 

'S73-75 

XLIV., 

Henrv  W.  Ha  1  horn. 

XX., 

'875-77 

XI.V., 

John   H.  Si  arin. 

XX., 

1877-79 

IN  THE  ST.\TE   I.EGISI..\TrKK 

Under  the  first  State  constitution  New  York  was  divided  into  four  sen. 
ztoriaJ  districts.  Montgomery  lounty  lieing  part  of  the  I\th.  Under  the 
constitution  of  1S2,,  there  were  eight  districts,  each  rc|ircsented  by  four 
senators;  one  elected  each  year.  L'nder  the  cunsiitution  of  1S46,  the 
thirty-two  senators  represent  as  many  separate  districts,  and  the  whole 
numleer  are  elected  on  altern.ite  years.  Since  the  adoption  of  this  consti. 
tution,  the  district  includini;  Mcmtgoniery  county,  wiiich  is  now  the  .XVth, 
and  ts  coniiMiscd  of  Montgomery,  Fulton,  Hamilton.  Saratoga  and  Sclie- 
nectady  counties,  h.cs  been  represented  as  shown  by  the  subjoined  table: 

184S-9.      Joseph  Blair. 

1850— I.  Cieo.  H.  Fox  and  John 
S.lnford:  the  first  of  whom  re- 
signed soon  after  his  election. 

1852—3.     Simeon  Snow. 

1854—5.     tleorge  Yost. 

1856-7.     Frederick  P.  Bellinger. 

1858-9.     George  G.  .S<  ott. 

1874-9.      Webster  Wjgne 


1S60-I. 

Isa.ah  Blood. 

1862. 

John  Wiliard. 

1863. 

Wilbam  Clark. 

,864-5. 

James  H.  Cook. 

1866-7. 

.Ad.un  U".  Kline. 

186S-9. 

Charles  Stanford 

1870-1. 

Isaiah  Hlood. 

'872-3 

Isaiah  Fuller. 

Until  ,846  ca<  h  county,  except  Hamilton,  elected  one  or  more  members 
of  .Assembly  .annually,  the  number  being  designated  from  time  to  time  by 
bw.  The  number  alloied  to  Tryon,  afterward  Monrgiunerv  county,  under 
the  several  apiHirtionments,  together  with  the  names  of  the  members  and 
d.itcs  of  their  election,  so  far  as  ran  be  ascertained,  will  appear  from  the 
following  tabular  statement: 


'777- 
Samuel  Clyde, 
Zephaniah  Batchelcr, 
.Michael  Edie.   • 
Jacob  Snell. 

1778. 
George  Henry  Bell, 
Samuel  Clyde, 
Michael  Edie, 
Jacob  Snell, 
Peter  Waggoner,  Jr. 


'779- 
George  Henry  Bell, 
.\hraham  Copcman, 
Peter  S.  Dygert, 
Frederick  Fox, 
Jacob  (lardinecr, 
Peter  Waggoner,  Jr. 

1780. 
Zephaniah  Batcheler, 
.Abraham  Cojteman, 
Peter  S.  Dygert, 
Frederick  Fox, 
Jacob  Gardineer, 
Peter  Waggoner,  Jr. 

178,. 
Jacob  Gardineer. 
.Abraham  Garrison, 
William  Hari.er, 
Peter  Waggoner.  Jr., 
Zephaniah  Batcheler. 

1782. 
Zejihaniah  Batcheler, 
Frederick  Visscher. 
John  Frey, 
.Andrew  Finck,  Jr., 
.Abraham  Garrison, 
William  Harper 

'783- 
Zephaniah  Bat(  heler, 
Frederick  Vis,cher, 
John  Frey, 
.Andrew  Finck.  Jr. 

1784. 
.Abraham  Copcman. 
Frederick  C.  Fox, 
William  Harper. 
James  Livingston, 
Volkert  Veeder, 
Christopher  P.  Yates, 


Frederick  C    Fox, 
Wilb.am  Harper, 
James  Li\mgston, 
Isaac  Paris, 
Volkert  Veeder, 
Christopher  P,  Vales 

,786. 
Abraham  .Arndt, 
John  Frey.  . 


Wi 


Ha 


Jame^  Livingston, 
Abraham  Van  Hor 
Volkert  Veeder. 


,787. 
James  Cannon, 
John  Frey, 
William  Harper, 
James  Livingston. 

1788. 
Abraham  Arndt, 
John  Frey, 
William  Harper. 
John  Livingston, 
Isaac  Paris, 
Henry  Staring, 
Volkert  Veeder, 
John  Winn, 
Christopher  P.  Yates. 

,789. 
.Abraham  .Arndt, 
John  Frey, 
William  Harper, 
James  Livingston, 
David  Mc.Masters, 
Henry  Staring, 
Volkert  Veeder, 
John  Winn, 
Christopher  P.  Yates. 

1790. 
.Abraham  Arndt, 
James  Livingston, 
David  McMasters, 
Volkert  Veeder. 

'79'. 
.Abraham  .Arndt. 
John  Frey, 
James  Livingston, 
John  r.  Visscher. 

1792. 
Jacob  Eacker, 
Douw  Fonda, 
John  Frey, 
David  McMasters, 
Silas  Talbot. 
Simon  \'eedcr. 

'793- 

Jacob  Kacker, 
David  .McMasters, 
Silas  Talbot, 
Simon  Veeder. 

'794. 
Jacob  Eacker, 
Frederick  Getman, 
John  McArthur, 
David  McMasters, 
Simon  \'eeder. 

'795- 
Douw  Fonda, 
Frederick  Getman, 
David  McMasters, 
Simon  Veeder. 

,796. 
David  Cady. 
Jacob  Eacker, 
Frederick  Getman, 
John  C,  Van  Kps, 
Peter  Veeder, 
Simon  Veeder, 


MONTGOMKRY  COUNTY'S  LEGISLATIVE  REPRESENTATIVES. 


69 


'797- 
Jacob  Eacker, 
Frederick  Getman, 
John  C.  Van  Eps, 
Peter  Veeder, 
Simon  Veeder. 

1798. 
Frederick  Getman, 
James  Hildreth, 
Robert  McFarlan, 
Archibald  Mclntyre, 
Henry  Pawling, 
Stephen  Reynolds, 
Jacob  Snell, 
Philip  Van  Alstine, 
Simon  Veeder, 
Peter  Voorhis. 

1799. 
Cornelius  Humphrey, 
Archibald  Mclntyre, 
Jacob  Snell, 
Simon  Veeder, 
Frederick  Sammons, 
John  Herkimer. 

1800. 
Cornelius  Humphrey, 
Archibald  Mclntyre, 
Jacob  Snell, 
Simon  Veeder, 
Christopher  P.  Yates, 
Alexander  Sheldon. 

1801. 
Archibald  Mclntyre, 
Frederick  Sammons, 
Jacob  Snell, 
Charles  Ward, 
Christopher  P.  Yates, 
Alexander  Sheldon. 

i8oj. 
Alexander  Sheldon, 
Daniel  Walker, 
Charles  Ward, 
Henry  Kennedy, 
John  Roof. 

.803. 
Alexander  Sheldon, 
John  Herkimer, 
David  1.  /ieley, 
Henry  Kennedy. 
Archibald  Mclntyre. 
1804. 
John  Seeber, 
Alexander  Shcldun, 
David  I.  Zieley, 
James  Mclntyre, 
Jonathan  Hallet. 

1805. 
Joseph  Wagoner, 
Alexander  Sheldon, 
John  Herkimer, 
James  Mc[ntyre, 
Samuel  Jarkson. 

1806. 
Alexander  Sheldon. 
James  Lansing. 
H.irinanus  A.  Vedder. 
I.awrcn.  e  Cross 
William  Van  dl.mda. 


1807. 
Alexander  Sheldon, 
Lawrence  Gross, 
Henry  Fonda, 
Peter  C.  Fox, 
Harmanus  A.  Vedder. 

1808. 
John  Fay, 
Daniel  Cady, 
John  Green, 
Richard  Van  Borne, 
David  1.  Zieley. 

1809. 
Daniel  Cady. 
Richard  Van  Home, 
John  Green, 
James  .\llen, 
David  I.  Zieley. 

1810. 
Nathan  Christy, 
Richard  Van  Home, 
William  Woodward, 
Nathan  Kimball, 
Edmund  G.  Rawson. 

1811. 
Daniel  Cady, 
Jacob  Eacker, 
Daniel  Hurlbut, 
James  Mclntyre, 
Nathan  Christy. 

1S12. 
Josiah  Bartlett, 
Daniel  Cady, 
John  Fay. 
Daniel  Hurlbui, 
Archibald  Mclntyre, 
Daniel  Mc\'ean, 
.\lexander  Sheldon, 
Richard  Van  Home. 

1813. 
Josiah  Bartlett, 
r^aniel  Cady, 
Daniel  Mc\'ean, 
Richard  \'an  Home. 

1814. 
Solomon  Dievendorff 
John  Etsenlord, 
Samuel  A.  Gilbert, 
.Alexander  St.  John, 
John  Shuler, 
.Sylvanus  Wilcox, 
.Andrew  Zabriskie, 
,\lvah  Soulhwick. 

.8.5. 
'      Solomon  Dievendorff 
•      John  Eisenlord, 
I      Alexander  St.  John, 
I      John  Shuler, 

Alvah  Southwick. 

1816. 

Henry  Cross, 

Henry  Fonda. 

Samuel  Jar  kson, 

Benedict  Arm.ld, 

Isaac  Sears. 


1817. 
Barent  K.  Vrooman, 
Samuel  Jackson, 
Ezekiel  Belding, 
Henry  I.yker, 
Jacob  Shaw. 

1818. 
Jacob  Hees, 
.\aron  Haring, 
Duncan  McMartin,  Jr., 
Robert  Hall, 
Samuel  Jackson. 

1819. 

Lawrence  Gross. 
Henry  J.  Dievendorff, 
Jacob  Hees, 
Henry  Fonda, 
John  L.  Francisco. 

1820. 

Howland  Fish, 
Lawrence  Gross, 
Henry  Failing,  Jr., 
David  W.  Candec. 
Archibald  Mclntyre. 


John  W.  Cady, 
James  Mclntyre. 
Joshua  Webster, 
Henry  Valentine, 
Nicholas  Gross. 


George  D.  Ferguson, 
Christian  Klock. 
,\lvin  Harris, 
Joseph  Spier. 

18-^3 
Henry  Cunningham, 
Francis  H.  Van  Buren, 
Peter  Smith. 
Peter  C.  Fox. 

i8f4- 
Peter  Smith, 
Henry  Cunningham, 
Alexander  St.  John. 
Samuel  Jackson. 

1825. 

Abraham  A.  Van  Home 
Augustus  Dievendorff. 
John  French, 
Alexander  Sheldon. 

1826. 
Lawrence  Gross, 
Nathaniel  Westcott. 
Howland  Fish. 

1827 

David  F.  Sacia, 
Nathaniel  WestLOtt, 
John  Veeder. 

1828. 
Phineas  Kandall, 
Joseph  Spinnard. 
Peter  Young. 


1829. 
Henry  J.  Dievendorff. 
Daniel  Stewart, 
Thomas  R.  Benedict. 


1830. 


William  Rob, 
Piatt  Potter, 
Josiah  C.  Brc 


1831. 


Peter  W'ood, 
Silas  Phillips. 
Jacob  Van  .\rnan 


Douw  .\.  Fonda, 
William  Carlisle, 
Cornelius  Mabee. 

■835 
David  Morrill, 
Clark  S.  Grinnell. 
Asel  Hough. 

1834 
j      Henry  Adams, 
Ashbel   Loomis, 
Collins  Odell. 

'835- 
!      Joseph  Blair, 
j      Henry  V.  Berry, 
'      Joseph  Johnson- 

;  '836 

Joseph  Blair. 
Jacob  Hees, 
Richard  Peck. 

j. 

Marcellus  Weston, 
.Abraham   V.  Putman 

I      Jeremiah  Nellis. 


183X. 


Isaac  Jackson, 
Isaac  S,  Frost. 


■«39. 


Peter  Wood. 
John  S   Veede 


Reutien  How 
Daniel  K.  Nc 


Lawrence  Mar.  ellus. 
J.-imes  Dievendorff. 

1842. 
John   Bowdish. 
John  I.  Zoller. 

1843 
Clark  B  Cochrane. 
Morgan  1..  Harris. 

.844 
Peter  H    Fonda. 
John  L.  Bevins. 

1845 
Thcod.iriL  R.  l.iddle 
Benjamin  Baird. 


7» 


THE  HISrORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


1846. 
Gjsialiel  Bowdish, 
Andrew  S.  Gray. 

1847. 
IS/  Dist.     Asa  Bowman, 
id.     "         \Vm.  A.  Haslett. 

1848. 
isi  Dist.      Frothingham  Fish, 
ti.     "         Lewis   Averill. 


i860. 
Frothingham  Fish. 

1861. 
Nicholas  Ncwkirk 

tS62. 
Freeman  F.  Moulion. 

i86j. 
John  Kellogg. 


Mt  Disl. 
2i.     " 


Samuel  H.  Cireen, 
Charles  Hubbs. 


Simeon  Samn 


\sl  Disl. 

id.     " 


1850. 
S.  P.  Heath, 
Conrad  P.  .Snell. 
1851. 
isl  Dist.     John  I.  Davis, 
2d     "        William  Clark. 


1864. 


1865. 


isi  Dist. 

id     " 


tit  Dist. 

id     " 


1852. 
William  McClellan, 
Abraham  N.Van  Alstine 

'853-4- 
Aaron  W    Hull, 
H&zekiah  Baker. 


ist  Dist.     John  \  an  Der\eer^ 
id     "        Joseph  Spraker. 

1855. 
ist  Dist.     Matthew  O  Davis, 
id.     "        Hezekiah   Baker. 

1857. 
Hezekiah   Baker. 

1858. 
Jcieniiah  SnelL 

1859. 
Jay  D.  Bo»*man. 


Isaac  S.  Frost. 

1866. 
-\braham  Hoffman. 

1867. 
.Angell  Matthewson. 

1868. 
Darius  V.  Berry. 

1869. 
James  Shanahan. 

1870. 
Webster  Wagner. 

1871-2. 
Wm.  J.  Van  Dusen. 

■873- 
Martin  L.  Stover. 

1874. 
Martin  Schenck. 

1875. 
Geo.  M.  Voorhees 

1876-7. 
Edward  Wemple. 


A  Democratic  majority  of  from  350  to  40 
the  sheriff  and  member  of  assembly  have  Ix 
about  as  often  for  the  last  twenty  years. 


i  claimed  for  the  county,  but 
elected   by  the  other  party 


THE  CARE  OF  THE   POOR. 

Near  the  south  bank  of  the  Mohawk,  about  two  miles  below  Fultonviile, 
stands  the  Montgomery  county  poor  house.  Prior  to  1866  the  buildings 
and  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  belonged  to  the  county,  but  in 
that  year  the  super\  isors  sold  this  property,  under  authority  of  a  special 
act  of  the  Legislature.  Hiram  Sammons  was  the  purchaser,  and  also  con- 
tracted for  the  support  of  the  mdigent.  Each  town  arranges  for  the  main- 
tenance of  its  paupers  through  an  overseer  at  a  stipulated  [»rice  per  week, 
which  varies  from  two  dollars  to  three  and  a  half,  according  to  the  mental 
and  physical  conduion  of  the  pauper.  Mr.  Sammons,  the  purchaser  of 
the  poor  hou^e  and  farm,  died  in  1868.  and  Robert  Wemple  bought  the 
properly,  also  contracting  for  the  support  of  the  inmates  of  the  house,  of 
which  he  is  still  in  charge.  A  part  of  them  are  chargea!)le  to  the  county 
at  large,  and  the  affairs  of  the  poor  in  general  are  attended  to  by  a  county 
superintendent. 


THE   MONTGOMERY  COUNTY   MEDICAL  SOCIETY 

This  association  was  organized  on  the  first  Tuesd.iy  of  July,  1S06,  in 
conformity  will)  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  entitled  "An  .\i  t  to  incorporate 


Medical  Societies  and  to  regulate  the  practice  of  Physic  and  Surgery," 
passed  on  the  4th  of  .April  in  that  year.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the 
court  house  in  Johnstown,  and  the  following  is  a  full  list  of  the  physicians 
present  :  Ale.iander  Sheldon,  Oliver  Lathrop,  Stephen  Reynolds,  Wm.  H. 
Devoo,  Wm.  Reed,  Benjamin  Tucker,  Horace  Barnum,  Abraham  Stem- 
bergh. 

The  following  named  persons  were  chosen  officers  of  the  society  : 
.Alexander  Sheldon,  President ;  William  Reed.  Vice-president ;  Stephen 
Reynolds,  Secretary  ;  Oliver  Lathrop,  Treasurer 

-Alexander  Sheldon,  Stephen  Reynolds  and  Benjamin  Tucker  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  draft  a  code  of  by-laws  by  which  the  societv  should 
be  governed,  and  also  to  "procure  a  Seal  with  such  device  as  they  may 
think  proper,"  and  report  at  an  adjourned  meeting,  which  occurred  on 
the  15th  of  October,  1806.  .At  this  meeting  the  membership  of  the  society 
was  increased  by  the  addition  of  the  following  persons  :  Jonathan  Eights, 
Benjamin  Lyon,  Joshua  Webster,  Daniel  Cui.k,  Jonas  Far,  of  Minden, 
Elijah  Cheadle,  Thomas  Conklin,  Christian  Tissure. 

The  regular  meetings  of  the  society  were  held  but  once  a  year,  on  which 
occasions  one  or  more  addresses  were  usually  delivered  by  members 
chosen  by  the  society  for  the  purpose.  Censors  were  appointed,  whose 
duty  it  was  to  receive  and  examine  into  impeachments,  the  penalty  for 
which,  when  sustained,  %vas  expulsion  from  the  society,  or  a  fine  not  to 
exceed  $10.  They  were  also  required  "to  make  diligent  enquiry  into  the 
legal  qualifications  of  all  persons  practising  physic  or  surgery  within  this 
county,"  and  if  any  were  found  who,  "  in  their  opinion,  had  not  the  qualifi- 
cations required,"  they  were  to  be  published  in  the  public  journals 
throughout  the  State.  Candidates  for  the  medical  profession  were  ques- 
tioned by  the  Censors,  and  after  passing  a  satisfactory  examination  they 
were  required  to  sign  the  following  declaration  :  "  I  do  solemnly  declare 
that  I  will  honestly,  virtuously  and  chastely  conduct  myself  in  the  practice 
of  Physic  and  Surgery,  with  the  privileges  of  practsiing  which  profession 
I  am  now  to  be  invested,  and  that  I  will  with  fidelity  and  honor  do  every- 
thing in  my  power  for  the  benefit  of  the  sick  committed  to  my  charge  ;" 
upon  which  the  society  gave  them  a  diploma,  granting  them  "  the  privilege 
of  practising  physic  and  surgery  in  this  State."  .Members  were  required 
to  "keep  an  accurate  history  of  all  important  and  singular  cases"  that 
occurred  in  their  practice,  and  of  "all  useful  discoveries"  made  by  them, 
and  report  the  same  to  the  society. 

The  division  of  Montgomery  county,  in  1838,  necessitated  a  division  of 
this  society  and  its  property,  and  it  was  re-organized  by  electing  Daniel 
Ayres,  Pres.;  Zadock  Barney,  Vice-Pres.;  A.  T.  E.  Hilton,  Secy.,  and 
Morgan  Snyder,  Treas.  The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  members 
of  the  society  at  that  time  :  Abram  J.  .Arndt,  John  .Atwater.  Daniel  -Ayers, 

Zadock  Barney,    Henry    K.    Belding,   Thompson    Burton,   Burbeck, 

Richard    Davis,    Lebbeus  Doty,   Jas.    Defendorf,  Glaves,    A.  T.   E. 

Hilton.  Erastus  Holmes,   Aaron  W.    Hull,   W.  H.   Johnson,  Marcey, 

E.  -A.    Mumford, Patterson,    Uriah    Potter,    Abm.    Pulling,    John  W. 

Riggs,  Daniel  Smith,  Jacob  G,  Snell,  Simeon  Snow,  Morgan  Snyder,  J.  D. 
Stewart,  Samuel  Voorhees,  Joshua  Webster,  Joseph  White,  David  E. 
Houghtaling. 

The  place  of  meeting  which  up  to  this  time  had  always  been  at  Johns- 
town, was  now  changed  to  Fonda. 


CHAPTER  X.XHI. 

ORIGINAL    LAND   GRANTS    IN    .MONTGOMERV    COUNTV DISSF.NSIONS    ARISING 

FROM    THEM — IHF    CLARKF.    ESTATF.. 

Lender  the  colonial  goiernment  it  was  customary  that  the  aboriginal,  or 
Indian  title,  should  be  extinguished  before  land  grants  were  issued  to  the 
parties  miking  application  to  purchase.  .A  deed  from  the  Indians  was 
usually  procured  by  holding  a  council  with  them,  and  this  being  atiom- 
plished,  the  Surveyor  General  was  directed  to  make  the  survey  and  in  his 
report  furnish  a  m.ip  and  field  notes  of  the  premises.  The  draft  of  a 
patent  was  then  prepared  by  the  .Attorney  General,  and,  if  appro\ed  by 
the  Ctovernor  of  the  colony  and  his  council  it  was  granted  and  recorded. 

Under  an  established  ordinance,  only  one  thousand  acres  could  be 
granted  to  one  person,  but  this  regulation  was  frequently  evaded  by  .asso- 
ciating as  patentees  a  large  number  of  persons,  who  were  only  nominally 
parties  to  the  purchase.     Land  speculators  were  plentiful   in    those  early 


LAND  GRANTS  AND  CONTROVERSIES. 


71 


times,  as  well  as  since,  nor  was  there  less  corruption,  perhaps,  among  the 
officials.  The  latter,  in  addition  to  the  remunerative  fees  obtained  by  the 
performance  of  their  duty,  were  often  largely  interested  as  participants  in 
the  purchase.  In  a  few  instances  land  grants  were  issued  from  the  Crown 
of  England,  instead  of  through  the  colonial  government.  In  some  of  the 
grants  under  the  colonial  government,  the  conditions  required  the  payment 
of  the  annual  (|uit-rent,  which  at  that  time  constituted  an  important  source 
of  revenue,  and  which  subsequently  became  due  to  the  State.  The  pay- 
ments for  quit-rent  were  sometimes  specified  to  be  made  in  money,  but 
oftener  in  grain  or  other  produce. 

The  first  two  land  grants  on  record,  covering  territory  now  embraced  in 
Montgomery  county,  bear  date  of  April  2 2d,  1703.  They  were  issued  on 
the  same  day,  one  to  (Icraldus  Camfort,  for  twenty  acres,  located  in  the 
present  town  of  Amsterdam,  and  the  other  to  John  Peterson  Mabie.  con- 
veying lands  on  the  Schoharie  creek.  Mabie  surrendered  his  grant  of  this 
date,  and  on  the  20th  of  July,  1705,  took  another  for  a  tract  in  the  same 
vicinity.  The  description  of  this  piece  of  land  will  show  how  indefinitely 
the  boundaries  were  given  in  some  instances  at  that  period.  It  was  de- 
scribed as  **a  tract  on  Tiondowgoes  creek,  on  both  ^ides,  commonly  called 
Kadarode  ;  as  you  go  up  the  Mohawk  river,  about  twenty  English  m^lc^ 
westward  of  the  land  of  .\dam  Vrooman,  there  comes  the  said  creek  into 
the  river,  and  going  from  the  mouth  of  said  creek  along  the  same  about  4 
miles  up  there  is  the  said  piece  of  land,  being  a  flat  plain  on  the  west  side 
of  said  creek,  containing  80  acres  lowland,  surrounded  by  a  stony  hill, 
near  a  small  island  in  said  creek,  the  like  quantity  of  upland,  also  called 
Kadarode,  surrounded  by  a  great  hill  downward  of  said  creek,  called 
Tiondowgoes,  till  you  come  to  a  great  cove  running  to  the  water  side,  it 
being  all  on  this  side  of  the  praying  Indians'  castle" 

The  most  fraudulent  practices  were  sometimes  resorted  to  in  obtaining 
the  lands  from  the  Indians,  only  the  semblance  of  a  purchase  being  made 
of  them  in  some  instances.  Conspicuous  among  the  extensive  tracts  lo- 
cated in  this  section  of  the  countr>',  and  obtained  in  such  an  underhand 
manner  was  the  Kayaderosseras.  which,  like  some  others,  was  the  subject 
of  a  long  controversy.  In  1704,  Samson  Broughton.  .\ttorney  Gener.d  of 
the  province,  procured  of  the  Mohawk  Indians,  for  himself  and  associates, 
the  above  named  tract.  The  Mohawks  received  but  a  very  small  compen- 
sation, understanding  the  tract  to  be  in  quantity  only  sufficient  for  a  farm. 
With  this  title,  thus  fraudulently  obtained,  a  patent  was  procured  on  the  2d 
of  November,  1708,  for  about  seven  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land,  lymg 
between  the  Hudson  and  Mohawk  rivers.  The  watchfulness  of  the  Indians, 
however,  deterred  the  patentees  from  any  movement  for  maintaming  their 
claim  to  this  vast  territory  for  more  than  half  a  century,  no  survey  even 
being  made.  Owing  to  the  inaction  of  the  patentees,  the  Indians  became 
almost  unmindful  of  the  transaction,  supposing  the  claim,  from  the  so- 
called  purchase,  abandoned. 

Several  families,  however,  immediately  after  the  conquest  of  Canada  by 
the  English,  settled  upon  the  tract.  This  awakened  the  slumbering  jea- 
lousy of  the  Indians,  who  not  only  demanded  that  the  settlers  should  re- 
move, but  that  the  claim  to  the  Kayaderosseras  tract  be  relinquished.  The 
dispute  was  renewed  and  contmued  for  several  years  before  an  adjustment 
of  the  difficulty  was  arrived  at.  Sachem  Abraham  in  conference  recalled 
the  fact  that  the  Mohawks  had  helped  to  conquer  the  French  with  the  e.\- 
pectation  that  they  could  remain  in  peaceful  possession  of  their  territory, 
but  they  now  found  that  some  of  their  brethren  wished  to  deprive  them  of 
the  chief  hunting  ground  they  had  left  and  which  they  never  could  learn 
had  been  sold  by  the  nation. 

Sir  William  Johnson,  in  behalf  of  the  Mohawks,  represented  to  the  Colo- 
nial Government  the  fraudulent  manner  m  which  the  patent  had  been 
procured  and  made  strenuous  e.xerlions  to  have  it  vacated,  but  not  meeting 
with  success  from  this  source  in  his  solicitations,  he  endea\ored  to  obtain 
redress  for  the  Mohawks  by  placing  the  matter  before  the  English  board 
of  trade  with  a  view  to  procuring  through  the  board  an  act  of  Parliament 
annullmg  the  patent.  The  patentees,  fearing  they  might  lose  their  claim, 
at  length  offered  to  compromise  the  affair  by  relinquishing  a  portion  of  the 
tract  and  making  some  further  compensation  for  the  part  retamed,  but  the 
sum  offered  was  so  small  that  the  Mohawks  declined  to  accept  it.  Failing 
in  this  attempt  to  cnmitrnmisc.  the  claimants  gave  the  matter  into  the  hands 
of  the  governor  of  the  province,  with  instructions  to  settle  the  alfair  as  he 
should  deem  projicr.  In  the  summer  of  176.S,  the  governor  repaired  to  the 
Mohawk  country  and  called  and  held  a  c.nunil  uith  the  Indians  prepara- 
tory to  a  settlement,  but  there  having  been  no  survey  ol  the  lands  in  ques- 


tion, it  became  necessary  to  wait  until  a  survey  could  be  made.  This  hav- 
ing been  performed  by  order  of  the  governor,  an  amicable  settlement  of 
difficulty  was  shortly  after  arrived  at.  The  patentees  on  their  part  relin- 
quished a  portion  of  the  tract,  and  the  Mohawks,  for  the  consideration  of 
five  thousand  dollars,  conveyed  the  remainder  to  them.  The  boundaries 
of  this  patent  as  established,  include  a  portion  of  the  towns  of  Broadalbin, 
Perth  and  Amsterdam. 

Succeeding  the  grants  issued  to  Camfort  and  Mabie,  a  small  tract  was 
patented  to  Wilson  and  Abeel,  in  1706,  lying  in  the  town  of  Amsterdam. 
In  17 13,  Hendrick  Hansen  and  his  son  Hans  took  a  patent  for  two 
thousand  acres  in  the  present  town  of  Mohawk,  having  obtained  a  deed  of 
the  same  from  the  Indians,  at  a  general  meeting  held  at  the  lower  castle  in 
1 7  ID.  Two  thousand  acres  were  granted,  in  17 14,  in  three  equal  parts  to 
John,  Margaret,  and  Edward  Collins  at  Caughnawaga,  and  two  years  later 
the  same  quantity  was  granted  to  Harman  Van  Slyck.  as  far  up  the  river 
as  the  present  town  of  Palatine.  In  the  same  year.  1716.  a  grant  of  seven 
hundred  acres  was  issued  to  Johannes  Harmanse  Fisher,  near  Fort  Hunter, 
in  the  town  of  Florida,  and  in  the  year  following  another  small  tract,  in 
the  same  town,  was  granted  to  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Babington. 

These  grants  were  followed  by  others,  some  of  which  were  for  large 
tracts.  In  1722,  Lewis  Morris,  in  company  with  five  others,  took  a  patent 
for  six  thousand  acres,  and  the  ensuing  year  the  same  party  took  another 
for  the  same  quantity  adjoining  it,  all  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk,  in 
the  present  towns  of  Canajoharie  and  Root.  The  Stone  Arabia  patent,  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Palatines,  containing  nearly  thirteen  thousand  acres,  was 
granted  in  1723.  These  industrious  people  immediately  settled  upon  and 
improved  their  lands.  From  this  penod  many  other  grants  speedily  fol- 
lowed, conveying  tracts  in  various  localities,  some  of  which  embraced  a 
large  extent  of  country. 

In  regard  to  some  of  these  patents,  serious  controversies  have  arisen. 
The  Canajoharie  patent,  in  wKich  Philip  Livingston  was  most  largely  in- 
terested, is  noticeable  in  that  respect.  The  Indian  deed  for  a  tract  of  land 
in  which  this  patent  was  located,  was  procured  from  them  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  make  its  validity  doubtful.  Only  a  few  of  the  Indians  had 
signed  the  document,  and  they  were  not  influential  ;  whereas,  it  was  cus- 
tomary for  all  the  sachems  of  the  tribe  to  sign  a  deed.  Not  only  was  the 
title  thus  questionable,  but  the  surveyor  in  the  interest  of  the  patentees 
fraudulently  managed  to  include,  in  the  lines  which  he  ran,  considerably 
more  than  the  deed  called  for.  The  line,  by  which  the  tract  was  thus  en- 
larged, was  surreptitiously  run  by  the  light  of  the  moon.  When  the  Mo- 
hawks discovered  the  fraud  practised  upon  them,  they  complained  so 
loudly,  that  further  proceedings  were  for  many  years  abandoned  by  the 
patentees. 

In  the  mean  time  the  neighboring  (iermans  rented  of  the  Indians  the 
disputed  territory,  settling  upon  and  improving  it.  In  this  situation  the 
matter  remained  until  1762,  when  the  settlers  were  served  with  writs  of 
ejectment  by  order  of  Wm.  Livingston,  son  of  Philip,  the  original  patentee. 
This  at  once  revived  the  contention  which  had  begun  by  fraud,  and  which 
was  continued  by  the  same  means,  receiving  a  new  im[)etus  and  becoming 
more  complicated  by  the  rascality  of  tieorge  Klock.  He  resided  at  Cana- 
joharie, and  possessed  a  share  in  the  disputed  territory,  acting  also  as  agent 
for  the  other  claimants.  Having  invited  the  Indian  proprietors  to  the 
house  he  filled  them  with  rum.  and  when  they  had  become  intoxicated  he 
obtained  their  signatures  to  a  paper  declaring  the  legality  of  the  original 
purchase  and  their  relinquishment  of  further  claim  to  the  premises.  This 
paper,  together  with  two  new  deeds  procured  in  like  manner,  was  for- 
warded to  the  governor.  The  matter  was  brought  to  the  notice  of  Sir 
William  Johnson,  the  Indian  agent,  who,  at  the  recommendation  of  the 
governor,  held  a  council  with  the  Mohawks,  to  ascertain  their  true  feelings 
in  regard  to  the  transaction.  The  council  was  well  attended,  not  only  by 
the  Indians,  but  by  others,  among  whom  were  several  justices,  especially 
invited  to  be  present  at  the  occasion.  The  fraudulent  character  of  the 
proceedings  was  clearly  brought  to  light;  the  claimants  desisted  from  fur- 
ther efforts  to  possess  the  land,  and  all  except  Klock  shortly  after  executed 
a  release  to  the  Indians. 

After  the  State  Government  was  firmly  established  in  place  of  the  Colo- 
nial, the  lands  remaining  in  its  possession,  as  well  as  those  deri\ed  from 
forfeitures  and  other  sources,  were  usually  sold  in  small  parcels  as  portions 
of  some  large  tratt.  Corry's  patent,  granted  the  19th  of  November,  I7,;7, 
has  since  the  e^tablishnient  of  the  Stale  Government  been  a  niaticr  fur  liti- 
gation, and  dissensions  in  regard  to  it  continue  at  the  present  time,      This 


,dtistai6MUiii 


72 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


grant  was  obtained  from  the  Crown,  and  covered  upward  of  iwenty-five 
^ousand  acres,  lying  in  what  are  now  the  towns  of  Charleston,  Root  and 
Glen.  It  was  granted  to  William  Corry  and  twelve  others.  George  Clarke 
was  at  that  time  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  Colony,  and  was  secretly  inter- 
ested in  the  purchase,  but  was  ]>recluded  from  taking  his  share  openly  for 
rtie  reason  that  an  Knglish  law  forbade  a  Colonial  Governor  being  an  mter- 
ested  party  in  grants  of  land  made  by  the  Government.  Clarke  was  super- 
seded in  the  office  of  governor  in  174J,  and  shortly  afterward  the  lands, 
having  been  surveyed  and  laid  out  into  lots  and  farms,  were  divided  be- 
tween Corry  and  Clarke,  the  latter  of  whom  returned  to  Kn^land  m  1745. 
He  died  in  1763,  and  his  possessions  were  bequeathed  to  his  two  sons, 
George  and  Edward,  then  living  in  New  Vork.  George  went  to  England 
in  1772,  and  four  years  later  died  there.  chi!dle:»s.  Edward,  who  also  went 
to  England,  died  there  in  1744,  leaving  an  only  son  named  (Jeorge  Hyde 
Clarke,  to  whom  the  pro])erty  was  devised.  Corry  sold  his  share,  which 
was  confiscated  by  the  State,  in  consequence  of  the  toryism  of  its  owners, 
during  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 

George  Hyde  Clarke  remamed  in  New  York  during  the  war,  and  taking 
the  part  of  the  Colonists  against  the  British  Government,  wa^  confirmed  m 
the  large  landed  possessions  of  his  father.  Immediately  after  the  war.  he 
succeeded  in  leasing  this  land  to  settlers,  to  whom  he  granted  "three-life" 
Iea.ses.  The  lessees  cleared  the  lands,  built  ujjon  them,  and  exi.-  ised  all 
the  rights  of  ownership.  The  farms  were  bought  and  sold,  the  occupants 
paying  to  the  landlord  the  moderate  rent  of  one  shilling  per  acre.  In  this 
condition  the  property  has  descended  from  father  to  son  until  the  present 
time,  each  owner  bearing  the  name  of  George  Clarke.     There  was  no  seri- 


ous difficulty  until  after  the  present  proprietor  came  into  possession.  He 
was  a  minor  when  his  father  died.  When  he  arrived  at  his  majority  the 
agitations  concerning  leasehold  estates,  popularly  known  as  "  Anti-Rentism," 
which  commenced  in  1S44,  had  extended  to  this  county. 

At  the  instance  of  prominent  gentlemen,  John  Van  Buren,  who  was  At- 
torney General,  began  an  action  in  behalf  of  the  State  against  Clarke,  to 
set  aside  his  title  to  the  land,  on  the  ground  of  its  having  been  fraudulently 
procured  from  the  British  Government.  It  was  first  tried  before  the  emi- 
nent and  learned  Judge,  Daniel  Cady.  His  decision  was.  that  possessions 
of  the  tenants  were  the  po;>scsbion  of  the  landlurd.  and  that  he  having  held 
the  property  as  against  the  State  for  more  than  twenty  years,  was  the  ab- 
solute owner.  This  deci>ion  was  sustained  by  the  General  Term,  and  by 
the  Court  of  Appeals,  to  which  it  was  carried.  Since  then  the  leases  have 
e.vpired  in  accordance  with  their  conditions.  In  some  few  instances,  the 
present  owner,  (ieorge  Clarke,  extinguished  the  leases  by  negotiation  or 
purchase.  On  the  expiration  of  the  others,  the  rent  was  raised  from  the 
former  price  of  one  shilling  an  acre  until  the  proprietor  now  demands,  and 
in  lome  instances  receives,  from  two  to  three  dollars  an   acre. 

This,  however,  h.is  brought  about  a  most  lamentable  condition  of  things. 
On  more  than  one  quarter  of  the  Clarke  farms,  the  tenants  have  refused 
to  pay  the  rents  demanded,  and  on  their  ejectment,  the  buildings  have  been 
fired.  Many  of  the  farms  arc  tbus  unoccupied,  and  those  occupied  are 
worked  by  dissatisfied  and  angry  tenants,  who  make  no  improvements  and 
pay  the  rents  demanded  only  on  compulsion,  and  until  such  times  as  ihey 
can  procure  other  places.  This  condition  of  things  operates  |irejuditially 
to  the  interests  of  the  towns  as  well  a.s  to  the  «ount). 


LAND  PATENTS  IN  MONTGOMERY  AND  FULTON  COUNTIES. 


73 


TABULAR  STATEMENT  OF  GRANTS  AND  GRANTEES. 


The  counties  of  Montgomery  and  Fulton  comprise  within  their  limits  the  following  tracts  and  parts  of  tracts  of  lands  granted  by  the  Crowr 
before  the  Revolution,  and  in  two  instances  by  the  State  since  the  treaty  of  1783  ; 


NAMES    OF    SOME    OK    THE    ORIGIN 
PROPRIETORS. 


IN    WHICH    SITUATED. 


Arieskill  Patent. 
Alexander  Patent, 


Bagley's  Patent, 
Bagley's  Patent, 
Barclay  Tract, 
Babington  Tract. 
Bleecker  Patent, 
BleecWer  Patent, 

Bracken  Patent, 
Bradt  Patent, 
Burnet  Patent, 
Butler  Patent, 
Bergen's  Purchase, 
Canajoharie  Tract, 


Camfort  Tract, 
Caughn.iwag2  Patent, 
Claus  Patent, 
Colden  Patent, 
Colden  Patent, 
Corr)''s  Patent, 
Collins'  Tract, 
Cosby's  Patent, 
Cosby's  Patent, 
Cosby's  Patent, 
Cosby's  Patent, 
De  Lancev  Patent, 
Dick  Patent, 
Fisher  Tract 
Freeman.Tract, 
Glen,  Bleecker  and  Lan- 
sing Patent. 
Glen  Patent, 
Glen  Patent, 
Gros  Tract, 
Gunterman  Tract, 
Guerin  Tract. 
Harrison's  Tract, 
Harrison's  Patent, 

Hansen  Patent. 
Herkimer  Patent, 
Haring  Patent. 
Holland  Patent. 
Hoofe  P.itent. 
Jer^yfielil  Patent. 
Kennedy  Patent. 
Kingsborough  Patent, 
Klock'.  Patent, 
Kayaderosseras  Patent. 
Lansing  I'ateni. 
Livingston  Patent, 
Livingston  Patent, 
Livingston  P.itent. 
r.yne  Patent. 
Lott  P,itent. 
^rcLe(Kl■s  Patent, 
Magin's  I'atent, 
Masc  P.itent. 
Mabie  Patent. 
Mabie  I'atent, 
Miirris  I'atent. 
Miirris  Patent. 
Morris  Patent, 


James  DeLancey  and  4  others. 
James   Alexander,  A.  Coevmans,  S, 

States,  R.Walter,  R.Van  Dun.Petei 

Hansen,  A.  Governeur,  J.  Dunbar, 

J.  Mynders.  L.  Claese. 
Timothy  Bagley  and  C.  Williams. 
Timothy  Baglev  and  12  others, 
Henry  Barclay.' 

Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Babmgton, 
Rutger  and  Nicholas  Bleecker, 
Rutger   and   Nicholas   Bleecker.  J. 

De  Lancev  and  J.  Haskall, 
John  Bracken. 

Arent  Bradt  and  Philip  Livingston, 
William  Burnet,  Jr., 
Walter  Butler  and  3  others, 

Lewis  Morris.  C.  Colden,  J.  Alex- 
ander, .A.  Van  Home,  John  Collins, 
M.  Vedder, 

Geraldus  Camfort, 

John,  .Margaret  and  Ed.  Collins. 

Daniel  Claus, 

.■\lexander  Colden. 

Elizabeth  Colden. 

Wm.  Corrv,  Geo.  Clarke,  and  others, 

Ed.  Collins, 

Henrv  Cosby, 

William  Cosbv. 

.\lex. Cosby  ^-'his  sons  Wm.  &  Philip. 

William  Cosby, 

James  De  Lancev  and  others. 

William  Dick, 

Johannes  and  Harmanse  Fisher, 
I  Thos.  Freeman  &  wife  &  D.  Martin, 

I  J.  Glen, 

j  Jacob  Glen  and  others, 
I  John  Daniel  Gros. 
,  Coenradt  Gunterman, 
j  Mavnard  Guerin  and  his  wife, 
j  Ed.'  and  Phillis  Harrison, 
.  Franc.  Harrison.  L.Morris.  J.  Spratt. 
!     J.  Schuyler.  A.Wendell.  J.  Haskall, 
Hendrick  Hansen  and  son  Hans, 
!  J.  J.  and  H.  Herkimer, 

!  Henrv  Holland, 

:  Henr'v  Hoofe, 

;  Henry  (lien  and  93  others. 

I  -Archibald  Kennedy. 

I  .'Xrent  Stevens  and  others. 

'  George  Klock  and  14  others. 

Naning  Heermanse  and  12  others. 
'  Jacob  Lansing  and  others, 

Philip  Livingston  and  19  others, 

Philip  Livingston  and  19  others, 

Robert  Livingston,  Jr., 

John  Lyne. 

Abin.  Lott  anil  19  others, 

.Norman  McLoil. 

Sarah  Magin  an.l  others. 

r.lc.  Mase'\-  J.  K.  \-   I    R.  Bleecker 

Peter  Mabie, 

lohn  Petersen  Mabie, 

Frederick  .Morns. 

Lewis  .Morns  and  others, 

Lewis  .Morris  and  others, 

0 


Mav 

6 

June 

17 

Nov. 
Nov. 

19 

27 

.\ug. 
Aug. 

24. 
14, 

Sept. 
M'rch 

-2, 
26 

Feb. 

■4. 

Feb. 

24. 

Oct    23,  ■ 
June   20 

.\pnl  22, 

Nov.  4, 

Sept.  29, 

Dec.  30, 

Dec  30. 

Nov.  19, 

July  t6, 

Aug.  29, 

Oct.  II. 

Feb.  9, 

June  25, 

Nov.  12, 

.\ug.  .2, 

Feb.  14, 

July  3, 


.M'rch 

?o. 

Oct. 

M. 

.\ug. 

it. 

Oct. 

M'rch 

iS, 

lulv 

17. 

April 

'3. 

lulv 

16. 

Dec, 

12. 

April 

12. 

April 

iS. 

lune 

;?. 

Dec 

Nov. 

2. 

lune 

-,!• 

Feb. 

10. 

Nov. 

,s 

.M'rch 

10. 

Aug. 

■2. 

Sept. 

16, 

Sept. 

29, 

M'rch 

^1 

Oct. 

\pnl 

Is. 

luly 

June 

;s. 

(let. 

i.i. 

June 

JO. 

343 
675 


4,30° 
280 

3.200 

775 

4,000 

13  lots. 


2,450 
2,000 


!.000 

i.ooo 
:,ooo 
).ooo 
:.ooo 


6,000 

7,100 

905 


2,000 
2,324 

1.250 
539''544 
94.000 
775 


Glen,  Montgomer)'  County. 


Mohawk.  .Montgomery  County. 

Root  and  Canajoharie. 

Charleston    chietly  . 

Flonda, 

Florida. 

Minden. 

Minden  and  Canajoharie. 

St.  JohnsviUe. 

Canajoharie 

Root. 

Johnstown  and  Mohawk. 

Fulton  and  Hamilton  Counties. 


Canajoharie  and  Root. 

Amsterdam. 

Mohawk. 

Maylield. 

Canajoharie. 

Canajoharie. 

Root,  (ilen,  Charleston,  and  Scho 

Northampton.       [harie  Countv. 

Florida. 

Florida 

Florida. 

Canajoharie. 

Glen. 

Canajoharie. 

Florida. 

Florida. 

Stratford.  Caroga  and  Bleecker. 
Broadalbin. 
Minden. 
Root. 
Minden. 
Florida. 
I  Florid.i. 

Palatine  and  St.  lohnsville 

Moh.iwk. 

Minden  and  Herkimer  County. 

Northampton. 

North.impton 

.-Vmsterd.Tin  and  Florida. 

Stratford  and  Herkimer  County. 

Root. 

Ephratah,  Johnstown  S:  .\Liyfield. 

0|ipenheim  and  Ephratah 

.\msterdam  and  I'erth. 

Mindcn  and  Herkimer  Countv. 

Minden  and  Herkimer 

Fulton  and  Saratoga  Counties, 

Root. 


i,ooo     Canajoha 


Oppenheim. Ephratah  &  Stratford. 
'  Mayfield  and  Northamnton, 
( Ippenheim  and  Ei)h 
Northampton 


atah. 


Gle 


I  Montg..i, 
I  Montgor 


ery  County, 
cry  County. 


Granted  in  two  tracts, 
one  of  4,000,  the  oth- 
er of  6,000  acres. 


Granted  in  two  tracts, 
[2,000  each. 


To  each  one-half. 


To  each  one-fourth. 
Opposite  Ft.  Hendrick. 


Butler  3-7,  Scott    2-7, 
[Milne  &  W'ms  e.  1-7. 

Two  tracts  of  6,000  ac, 
another  one  of  450. 

To  each  one-third. 


In  Northampton  Pat. 
I  Within    a     tract     of 
I      86.000  acres. 
Part     of   Cadwallader 
[Caldwell  Tract. 


Part  of  8,000  ac.  tract. 


To  each  one-third. 


Part  of  86,000  acres. 
Part  of  86,000  acres. 

Purch'd  from  Indians. 

Ciranted  from  Mohawk 

[Indians. 

Part    of   Northam|)ton 
[Patent. 


Part    of  Northampton 
[Patent. 


74 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


!CAUE>i  OF  PATENTS  OH 

NAMES    OF    SOME    OF    THE    ORIGINAL 

WHEN 

NO.   OF 

TRACTS. 

PROPRIETORS. 

i;rantei). 

ACRES. 

TOWN    IN    WHICH 

SITL-ATEl). 

REMARKS. 

Mayfield  Patent. 

Francis  Beard  and  13  others, 

June    27. 

'70. 

14,000 

Caroga,  lileecker  .in 

d  Maytield. 

Otsquaga  F'atcnt, 

Rutger  Hlcci  ker  anil  others. 

Sept.   22. 

[29. 

4.3°° 

Mui.len. 

Otsqua'jc  Patent. 

U'eiser,  Lawyer  and  Wagenar, 

luly       8, 

1.637 

Minden. 

Provooit  Patent, 

Provoost.  Cociis,  Van  Wyck,  &c.. 

March  8, 

'26,' 

Root. 

Koberti'  Patent. 

Beiijatnin  Roberts. 

Sept.    29, 

'70. 

2^000 

Mavlield  and  North 

ampton. 

Roseboom  Patent. 

Johannes  Roseboom, 

April   29, 

■26. 

1,500 

Rout. 

Sacondaga  Patent. 

Lendert  Gansevoort  and  others. 

Dec.      2, 

4". 

28.000 

Johnstown.    Perth. 

Mavlield    and 

Scott  Patent, 

Lt.  John  Stott, 

Oct.     22, 

1,500 

Glen. 

[liro.idalbin. 

Commandant    of    Fort 

Scott  Patent, 

John  Scott,  Ir., 

J..ne    23. 

'-5. 

Glen. 

[Hunter. 

Stoi«r  .\rabia  Patent. 

John  Christian  Garlack  &  26  others. 

Oct.     19, 

■23. 

12,700 

Palatine. 

Divided  into  51  lots. 

Stone  Heap  Patent, 

Daniel  Claus.  Howen  and  i,  others. 

Sept.    15, 

15,500 

Charleston  and  Sch 

■  harie 

Shuckburgh  Patent, 

Rich.  Shuckburgh  and  Jacobus  Van 

1,100 

[County. 

Dyke, 

May    28, 

'55. 

i    180 

(ilen. 

Stringer  Patent, 

Samuel  Stringer, 

Nov.    26, 

■85. 

'.35° 

Broadalbin, 

Stephens  Patent, 

.\rent  Ste|ihens. 

July     16, 

'42. 

Northampton. 

Northampton  Pt. 

Schuyler  Patent. 

Cornelius  Schuyler, 

July     16, 

'42. 

1.300 

Northampton. 

Northampton  Pt. 

Ten  Eyck  Patent, 

Hendrick  Ten  Eyck, 

April     2, 

•61, 

■85 

Glen. 

Ten  Evck  Patent, 

Hcndrick  'len  Eyck, 

.\pril  29, 

'26, 

1,500 

(;ien. 

Van  Slyck  Patent, 

Harman  Van  Slyck, 

Sept.      I, 

'16, 

2,000 

Palatine. 

Van  Rensselaer  Patent, 

Jeremiah  \'an  Rensselaer. 

Oct.       4, 

'74. 

28,964 

Fulton  County. 

Van  Driessen  Patent. 

Petrus  Van  Driessen, 

May     19, 

'37. 

St.  Johnsville. 

Visger  Patent, 

Johannes  Visger, 

Feb.     25, 

'26, 

900 

Glen. 

Van  Home  Patent, 

Abm,  Van  Home  and  3  others. 

Noy.    .3, 

■3'. 

8,000 

Minden. 

Williams  Patent, 

C.  Williams  and  others, 

Aug.    29, 

'35. 

14,000 

Florida. 

Called  Warren's  Bush. 

Wilmot  Patent, 

.\nne  Wilmot, 

Aug.    29, 

'35. 

Florida. 

Windecker's  Patent, 

Harmtman  Windecker, 

Nov.    12, 

'3'. 

2,000 

Minden. 

Winnes  Patent, 

Peter  Winne  and  others. 

Oct.       6, 

'4>. 

4,000 

Root. 

[Patent. 

Wctnp  Patent, 

John  Wemp, 

Dec.     16, 

'37, 

464 

Florida. 

Part    of    86,000    acre 

Wilson  &  Abeel  Patent. 

Ebenezer  Wilson  and  John  Ahecl. 

Feb.    22, 

•06. 

Amsterdam. 

CairdChatsandackteP. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

FEATVRES    OF    THE    (iF-OLOr.V    AND    PHYSICAL    GEOf.RAPHV    (IF  MONTGOMHRV 
AND    FULTON    C()UNTit:S. 

Though  the  counties  of  Montgomery  and  Fulton  are  less  rich  m  minerals 
than  some  others  in  the  State,  yet  the  subject  of  their  geology  is  an  inter- 
esting one.  The  facts  respecting  this  topic  are  derived  from  the  report  of 
the  geological  survey  made  under  the  authority  of  the  State,  the  results 
of  vfaich  were  published  in  1842.  The  two  counties  are  considered 
togeSfaer  in  this  chapter  to  avoid  the  repetition  which  would  result  from 
treating  them  separately.  The  whole  area  of  Montgomery  and  Fulton 
lies  to  the  north  of  the  Helderberg  range,  and  contains  a  less  number  of 
rocks  than  the  counties  to  the  west  through  which  that  great  elevation  ex- 
tends. The  rocks  are  :  i,  (ineiss  of  several  varieties,  granite,  etc.,  being 
the  primary  rocks  ;  2,  Potsdam  sandstone  ;  3,  the  Calciferous  group  ;  4,  the 
Black  river  limestone  ;  6,  Utica  slate;  7,  Frankfort  slate,  and  its  sandstone. 
Of  these  only  Nos.  i,  3,  6,  and  7  form  important  masses  as  to  the  surface 
which  they  cover.  The  primary  rocks  cover  the  northern  part,  their 
greatest  breadth  being  to  the  northwest.  They  bound  the  Sacondaga 
valley  at  the  northeastern  corner  of  Fulton  county,  turning  to  the  south- 
west a  few  miles  below  the  line  of  Hamilton  <  ounty.  forming  the  high 
ridges  known  as  Mayfield  and  Kingsborough  mountain^,  turning  west  to 
the  north  of  Kingsborough  village,  and  joining  Klij)  hill,  the  northern  pro- 
longation of  the  '*  Noses."  They  form  Royal  hill,  and  pass  into  Herkimer 
by  an  irregular  line,  inclining  to  the  northwest.  Beyond  these  limits  the 
primary  ro<  k  appears  but  in  two  places,  on  Zimmerman's  creek,  below 
I.a&sellsville,  and  on  both  sides  of  the  .Mohawk,  formmg  the  basis  of  the 
Noses. 

The  calciferous  group  forms  three  areas  to  the  north  of  the  river,  no- 
where extending  more  than  a  mile  to  the  south  of  it.  It  forms  the  whole 
surface  of  the  eastern  part  of  these  cininiies,  ex(  eptmg  some  partial  over- 
lying masses.  It  forms  also  the  great  south  portion  of  the  Noses,  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  space  from  the  ridge  east  of  Mother  creek  and  the 
I.inle  Sprite  to  the  East  Canada  creek.  The  Utica  slate  separates  the 
three  areas  of  the  calciferous,  the  eastern  edges  ranging  conformably  with 
the  lower  rocks,  and  the  western  unconformably,  being  the  edges  upturned 
by  the  uplifted  rocks.  The  first  of  these  masses  forms  that  fine  section  of 
country  near  the  centre  of  whi<  h  Johnstown  is  placed  ;  the  other  is  that 
through  which  Garoga  creek  Hows  from  Kphratah  to  Palatine  chun  h. 
'I'here  are  besides  these  two  large  arens  on  the  north  side  of  the  Mohawk  a 
few  isolated  pati  hes,  one  on  Frenchman's  creek,  m  the  town  of  Hruadalbm, 
a  second  back  of  St.  Johnsville,  a  third  on   Fast  Canada  creek,  extendmg 


by  Manheim  bridge  to  the  falls  at  the  uplift,  and  a  fourth  on  Little  Sprite 
creek.  That  portion  of  Montgomery  county  south  of  the  Mohawk,  excell- 
ing a  few  strips  near  its  border,  is  covered  by  the  Utica  slate  and  the 
Frankfort  rocks,  the  latter  occupying  the  whole  southern  half,  and  the 
former  the  space  between  these  rocks  and  the  river.  These  are  the  four 
important  masses  as  to  the  extent  of  surface  covered,  the  others  occujn - 
ing  very  small  areas.  The  Potsdam  sandstone  appears  upon  the  primary 
at  Klip  hill  between  the  two  roads  which  lead  to  Johnstown.  It  is  in 
small  patches  of  one  or  two  layers,  being  all  that  remains  of  a  once  con- 
tinuous mass.  The  Birds-eye  limestone  is  quarried  in  the  town  of  Mayfield 
at  a  point  in  the  old  Claus  patent.  It  appears  in  two  insulated 
hills  to  the  west  of  Eva's  Kill,  in  the  small  i|uarry  on  the  west  side  of  the 
dam  back  of  Amsterdam  village,  and  at  the  quarries  of  Tribes  Hill.  I'hc 
rock  at  these  places  is  thin,  and  not  suitable  for  heavy  work.  On  the 
south  side  of  the  Mohawk  it  first  appears  at  Fort  Plain.  It  is  there  ;n 
thick  layers,  and  was  quarried  for  the  canal  ;  also  on  the  opposite  side  "t 
the  river  between  the  turnpike  and  the  railroad,  forming  the  surface  rock 
for  many  acres  of  area.  North  of  the  river,  the  birdseye  limestone  is  quar- 
ried in  several  jjlaces.  This  rock  is  also  noticed  in  Garoga  creek  near  the 
village  of  Ephratah. 

The  upper  mass  of  the  Black  river  limestone,  of  which  the  birdseye  form- 
the  lower  part,  embraces  most  of  the  grey  limestone  at  Amsterdam  vilhi;^e 
and  several  <|uarries  along  the  Mohawk.  The  'I'renton  limestone  is  but 
little  (piarricd.  being  preferred  for  making  lime.  This  rock  is  seen  in  the 
town  of  Mayfield,  in  two  places  in  Broadalbin,  to  the  east  of  the  gre.it 
Vlaie.  at  Amsterdam,  along  the  south  side  of  the  uplift  of  the  No->e-. 
at  the  dam  in  C'anajoharie  creek,  at  Fort  Plain,  and  north  east  of  the  quarr\ 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  The  land  slopes  to  the  Mohawk  ••'a 
both  sides  of  the  river  throughout  its  course  in  these  counties,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  northeastern  and  northwestern  portions,  the  former  im  lin- 
ing to  the  Sacondaga  river,  and  the  latter  to  the  East  Canada  creek.  I  'it- 
country  which  is  occupied  with  the  primary  rocks,  is  yet  a  wilderness,  ex- 
cepting some  portions  along  its  outside  Ijorders,  and  others  again,  where 
facilities  for  sawing  and  getting  out  timber  exist,  and  it  must  remain  umii- 
habited  until  conveniences  for  transportation  are  made.  It  is  thickly  i'"'- 
ered  with  forest,  and  contains  numerous  lakes  which  are  disposed  u])on  it"* 
southern  and  western  borders,  showing  the  height  of  the  level  land  from 
which  the  more  elevated  hills  and  ridges  of  the  primary  region  usually  ri--c. 
(tne  of  the  first  prominent  points  going  east  along  the  primary  range  1^ 
Royal  hill.  It  is  one  of  those  high,  long,  narrow,  north  and  south  rang-.-, 
which  rise  abruptly  like  Klip  hill,  and  others  quite  numerous  in  SaratiV-* 
county.  It  is  composed  of  gneiss,  similar  to  that  of  Little  Falls,  and  m 
many  parts  divided  by  numerous   joints  into  angular   blocks.     There  wj*^ 


GEOLOGY  OF  MONTGOMERY  AND  FULTON  COUNTIES. 


75 


nothing  extraneous  discovered  in  this  hill  but  a  little  [jlumbago  and  small 
garnets.  This  hill  forms  the  west  side  of  Pleasant  Valley  and  extends  up 
to  near  Caroga  lake.  The  valley  is  covered  with  alluvion,  but.  it  is  prob- 
able, was  once  underlaid  by  the  Utica  slate,  which  may  yet  exist  there,  as 
waterMom  fragments  of  it  are  numerous  at  the  foot  of  the  high  bank  below 
Pleasant  \'alley  village,  which  could  not  have  come  from  any  point  south, 
no  fact  of  the  kind  having  been  observed  in  the  primary  region. 

The  valley  of  (iaroga  creek  separates  koyal  htll  from  Klip  hill,  the  pro- 
longation of  the  N(tses.  From  thence  the  primary  mass  rises  to  the  east, 
and  near  K.ingsborough  village,  attains  considerable  elevation.  For  about 
>ix  or  seven  miles,  the  tourse  of  the  range  of  primary  rocks  is  to  the  north 
and  east  and  its  height  uniform,  the  range  appearing  as  a  ridge.  Beyond 
it  is  broken  into  rounded  or  curved  masses  of  dirierent  elevations.  There 
is  a  much  greater  variety  of  gneiss  at  the  east  than  at  the  west  end  in  that 
section  of  the  country,  .\bout  two  and  a  half  miles  from  Kingsborough, 
the  stone  has  been  iiuarncd.  It  has  a  striped  or  ribbony  appear- 
ance, being  a  well  characterized  gneiss,  and  contains  numerous  small  red 
garnets,  which  give  a  brownish  color  to  the  rock,  the  mica  being  black  ; 
also  much  green  feldspar.  Further  north  there  is  an  abundance  of  beauti- 
ful porphyritic  gneiss  suitable  for  all  purposes  to  which  granite  is  applied, 
being  but  slightly  stratified,  which  would  favor  its  extraction.  The  hills  or 
mountains,  as  they  are  here  termed,  rise  about  five  or  six  hundred  feet 
above  their  base,  the  latter  being  elevated  about  eleven  hundred  .  jt  above 
the  Mohawk,  as  was  ascertained  with  reference  to  connecting  the  waters 
of  the  Sacondaga  with   the  Mohawk. 

The  juncture  of  the  primary  and  the  calciferous  sandstone  from  Royal 
Hill  to  Lassellsville  consists  of  rounded  elevations,  sandy,  loamy  and 
clayey,  between  which  the  small  water-courses  of  that  section  pass  on 
their  way  to  the  Mohawk.  East  of  the  village  there  are  sand  hills,  and 
from  thence  to  Royal  Hill  gravel  hills.  The  country  is  much  broken  by 
rounded  and  irregular  elevations  and  depressions,  showing  from  Royal 
Hill  to  East  Canada  creek  a  line  of  agitated  waters  resembling  the  one 
which  extends  along  Black  river  to  Ilooiuille. 

M  Pleasant  Valley  the  alluvion  is  of  great  thickness,  its  hills  rising  to 
about  one  hundred  feet  of  elevation,  and  continues  up  to  Garoga  lake. 
The  great  ma-ss  of  the  chain  of  hills  east  of  IJaroga  creek  is  of  yellow  sand, 
the  same  kind  with  that  of  the  primary  region.  The  Vlaie  or  natural 
meadow  and  swamp  which  extends  along  the  creek  of  that  name  to  near 
the  Fish  House,  are  the  remains  of  a  lake,  and  show  the  pre-exislent  state 
of  that  country;  the  drainage  of  which  happened  at  successive  periods,  as 
is  beautifully  shown  and  the  extent  of  the  alluvial  action  also  near  where 
the  upper  and  lower  roads  unite  which  lead  from  Cranberry  post-office  to 
the  river,  near  the  hill  or  mountain  side.  There  four  well  defined  alluvial 
banks  exist,  resembling  great  steps  on  the  mountain  side,  which  forms  a 
semi-amphitheatre,  changing  by  a  cu^ve  from  a  northeast  to  a  south-south- 
east direction.  The  upper  bank  of  alluvion  rises  about  a  hundred  feet 
above  the  river;  the  next  below  about  eighty  feet;  the  third,  from  thirty 
to  forty  feet;  and  the  lowest,  from  ten  to  twelve  feet.  The  upper  one  is 
of  sand;  the  second,  of  bluish  clay  covered  with  sand;  and  the  two  lowest 
ones  of  sand  and  gravel.  The  Vlaies,  or  natural  meadows,  are  numerous 
in  many  parts  of  the  district,  and  are  the  prairies  of  the  \Vesi  on  a  small 
scale.  Their  soil  being  composed  of  fine  earth  is  favorable  for  grass,  the 
rapid  growth  of  which  smothers  the  germinating  trees.  This  is  repre- 
sented as  the  primary  cause  why  trees  do  not  exist  where  grass  is  rank; 
the  others  are  but  subordinate  ones.  These  natural  meadows  all  show  the 
same  origin,  having  been  ponds  or  lakes  receiving  the  wash  of  the  country 
which  they  drained,  the  finer  particles  of  which  being  diffused  through 
their  waters  have,  by  subsidence,  formed  their  level  bottom  and  their 
highly  productive  soil. 

-\long  the  borders  of  the  Mohawk,  through  Montgomery  county,  there 
exists  a  series  of  parallel  upraised  masses,  extending  but  a  short  distance 
south  of  the  river.  These  ujilifts  or  upraised  masses  consist  of  those  rocks 
and  groups  whose  position  is  below  the  Utica  slate.  They  have  been 
raised  in  places  just  as  if  they  were  composed  of  a  scries  of  parallel  blocks 
under  which  a  force  was  ap|ilied  which  caused  them  to  pierce  the  slate 
and  to  appear  at  various  heights  above  the  i  omnion  level  of  it.  The 
uplifts  vary  as  to  length,  brcidth  and  height,  sonic  traversing  the  whole 
extent  between  the  primary  region  and  the  river,  while  i.ihers  are  partial, 
occupying  but  limited  areas.  While  some  h.ive  been  r..iscd  so  high  as  to 
exhibit  the  whole  serie*  of  rocks  from  the  jirimary  inclusive  to  the  Utica 
slate,  others  show  only  the  upper  rocks  of  that  series. 


The  first  uplift  is  that  of  Flint  Hill.  The  lowest  part  consists  of  the 
calciferous  group  which  extends  to  .Amsterdam  village,  and  disappears 
under  the  Black  river  and  Trenton  limestones;  the  whole  of  which,  further 
west,  are  lost  under  the  alluvion.  This  uplift  gave  rise  to  quarries  at 
.\nisterdam.  The  second  uplift  is  at  Tribes  Hill,  showing  three  elevations, 
the  layers  which  are  inclined  from  east  to  west,  ranging  parallel  with  each 
other.  The  first  rise  consists  of  the  calciferous  group,  a  quarry  having 
been  opened  in  this  rock;  the  second  consists  of  birdscye  limestone;  and 
the  third,  the  intermediate  mass  to  that  rock  and  the  Trenton  limestone, 
the  two  forming  with  the  Cha;y  limestone  the  Black  river  limestone  group. 
Ihcy  all  dip  west  ten  degrees  south,  and  show  the  direction  of  their  uplift 
and  the  effects  of  denudation  in  producing  their  insulation.  Between  the 
Trenton  limestone  and  the  river  is  the  intermediate  mass.  It  has  been 
extensively  quarried  at  this  jilace,  and  on  the  hill  near  the  village. 

The  third  uplift  is  by  the  roadside  cast  of  Fonda,  and  is  but  partial,  the 
'Trenton  limestone  only  appearing. 

'The  fourth  uplift  is  the  Noses,  which  rise  in  the  valley  like  a  huge  dyke 
or  mountain  barrier,  and,  except  where  broken  by  the  river,  show  a  long 
continuous  wall  which  faces  the  east  and  slopes  gradually  along  the  river 
to  the  west.  The  Mohawk  passes  by  a  gap  through  the  mass,  showing  on 
either  side  a  cliff  of  the  calciferous  group,  which  often  rises  vertically  to 
two  hundred  feet  or  more.  The  gneiss  forms  the  base  at  the  east  end.  It 
shows  itself  in  three  places  on  the  south  side  and  terminates  its  range  east, 
rising  probably  one  hundred  feet  above  the  river.  On  the  north  side  of  the 
uplift  the  calciferous  has  been  uncovered  to  considerable  extent,  showing  a 
surface  averaging  five  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south.  Further  north 
the  primary  takes  its  place,  showing  patches  of  Potsdam  sandstone  for 
about  two  miles  from  where  it  emerges  from  under  the  calciferous.  For 
some  distance  north  of  the  river  at  the  east  end  of  the  uplift,  alluvion  and 
soil  conceal  the  surface  rock,  but  beyond  at  many  points  the  Utica  slate  ap- 
pears dipping  to  the  east  at  angles  of  about  thirty  degrees,  the  juncture  of 
the  gneiss  and  slate  being  covered  with  soil.  The  uplift  of  the  Noses  can- 
not be  said  to  terminate  along  the  river  short  of  Palatine  church,  where  the 
slate  appears  in  the  creek  at  its  usual  low  level  when  not  disturbed.  The 
whole  of  the  uplift  is  of  great  interest,  exposing  a  vast  mass  of  rock  and  the 
succession  of  the  rocks  either  going  west  along  the  river  or  south.  Quar- 
ries have  been  opened  in  its  range  at  Canajoharie,  Palatine  Bridge,  Fort 
Plain,  etc.  The  creek  at  Fort  Plain  shows  that  the  rocks  on  both  sides 
have  not  the  same  elevation,  those  on  the  west  side  being  higher  than  tho.se 
on  the  east. 

The  fifth  uplift  extends  from  Palatine  church  to  near  East  Canada  creek, 
exhibiting  a  large  surface  of  the  calciferous  group.  At  St.  Johnsville  the 
calciferous  group  forms  a  high  cliff  in  the  rear  of  the  village,  extending 
from  Crumb  beyond  Zimmerman's  creek  in  nearly  an  east  and  west  direc- 
tion. It  is  not  the  result  of  the  wearing  away  of  all  the  parts  on  its  south 
side  so  as  to  give  passage  to  the  river,  for  at  the  foot  of  the  cliff  the  bird.s-  . 
eye  is  seen,  but  obscurely;  next  to  it  at  the  southeast  are  the  lower  layers 
of  the  Trenton,  and  east  and  north  the  Utica  slate,  all  within  a  few  rods 
of  each  other. 


CH.\PTER  XXV. 

MONTGOMERV    COUNTV    IN    THE    CIVIL    WAR HISTORY  OF    THE    I  I5TH    NEW 

YORK    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY. 

In  writing  the  history  of  the  115th  N.  Y.  Volunteer  Infantry,  we  record 
the  acts  of  a  noble  body  of  men,  whose  deeds  are  already  written  in  blood, 
and  inscribed  high  up  in  the  roll  of  Fame.  This  regiment  was  raised  in 
the  counties  of  Saratoga,  Montgomery,  Fullon  and  Hamilton,  and  mus- 
tered into  the  United  States  service  on  the  26th  day  of  August,  1862,  bv 
Capt.  Edgerton,  U.  S.  A.,  at  Fonda,  the  place  of  rendezvous  of  the  regi- 
ment. The  field  staff  and  captains  were  as  follows:  Colonel,  Simeon  Sani- 
mons;  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Ceorge  S.  liacheller;  Major,  Patrick  Henry 
Cowan;  .Adjutant,  Thomas  R.  Horton;  Quartermaster,  .Martin  Mc.Martin; 
Surgeon,  Richard  H.  Sutton;  .Assistant  Surgeon,  William  H.  Ingersoil; 
Chaplain,  Sylvester  W.  demons.  Captains:  Company  A,  C.arret  Vander- 
veer;  Company  B,  John  I*.  Kneeskern;  Company  C,  William  H.  .\lcKil- 
trick;  Company  I),  Sidney  I.ingenfelter;  Company  E,  William  H.  Shaw; 
Comp.iny  F,  Walton  W.  French;  Company  C,  Egbert  B.  Savage;  Company 
H,  Solomon  P.  Smith;  Company  I,  Ezra  L.  Walrath;  Company  K,  William 


76 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


Smifh.  With  the  above  officers,  together  with  a  full  complement  of  lieu- 
tenants and  ten  hundred  and  forty  enlisted  men,  the  regiment  broke  camp 
at  Fonda  on  the  29th  day  of  August,  and  was  forwarded  to  the  scat  of  war 
as  soon  as  possible,  arriving  at  Sandy  Hook.  Md..  on  the  lialtimore  and 
Ohio  R.  R.,  on  the  ist  of  Sept..  where. the  regiment  was  furnished  with 
arms,  but  very  little  ammunition.  It  then  moved  on  to  Harper's  Kerry. 
Va^  where  it  was  assigned  to  guard  duty  along  the  Shenandoah  Valley  K. 
R„»ith  head'juarters  at  Charlestown.  \'a. 

The  regiment  performed  guard  duty  faithfully,  untd  a  few  days  before 
the  surrender  of  Harper's  Ferry,  when  it  and  others  were  ordered  to  con- 
centrate at  that  place.  On  the  way  to  the  Ferry  James  English,  a  mem- 
ber of  Co.  n.  was  wounded  in  the  hand,  liy  the  accidental  discharge  of  a 
raostet,  necessitating  amputation  at  the  wrist;  he  was  the  first  man  wounded 
in  the  regiment.  On  arriving  at,  or  near  Haq>er's  Ferry,  the  regiment  was 
encamped  on  Fiolivar  Heights,  in  the  rear  of  the  village.  From  this  point  it 
performed  picket  duty,  and  while  so  engaged,  John  Hubbard,  of  Co.  .\, 
was  wounded  by  a  guerilla.  On  the  12th,  Companies  E  and  .A  were  or- 
dered to  report  to  Col.  Tom  Ford,  in  command  of  Maryland  Heights,  and 
upon  doing  so,  were  ordered  to  proceed  up  the  Potomac,  to  the  old  "  John 
Brown"  school-house,  and  form  a  skirmish  line  from  the  river  as  far  up 
the  mountain  as  possible,  the  left  resting  on  the  river. 

EarJy  the  next  morning  the  two  companies  were  ordered  b,  .  to  Ford's 
headquarters,  and  from  there  to  Elk  Ridge,  at  the  Lookout,  on  the  highest 
peat  of  the  mountain.  Here  for  the  first  time  members  of  the  115th  regi- 
ment met  the  enemy  in  deadly  combat.  .After  several  hours  fighting,  and 
holding  their  position,  the  two  companies  were  ordered  to  evacuate  the 
place,  and  report  to  Gen.  Miles'  headquarters,  which  they  did  very  reluct- 
antly, and  not  until  they  had  received  the  third  order.  Company  E  had 
one  man  wounded.  About  this  time  Company  R  moved  up,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  its  captain  was  carried  to  the  rear,  having  been  wounded  in  the 
thigh  by  a  minie-ball.  Upon  nenring  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  at  what 
was  known  as  Maryland  Heights.  Companies  E  and  A  met  the  remainder 
of  the  regiment,  who  congratulated  them  upon  their  safe  return. 

The  regiment  returned  to  camp  on  Bolivar  Heights.  The  troops  were 
kept  moving  to  and  fro  until  the  morning  of  the  15th,  when  (Icneral  Miles 
made  one  of  the  most  cowardly  and  disgraceful  surrenders  recorded  in  the 
annals  of  American  history.  Eleven  thousand  men,  armed  and  equii>ped 
in  the  best  style,  with  plenty  of  ammunition,  holding  one  of  the  most  de- 
fensible positions  in  the  United  States,  were  ignominiously  surrendered, 
instead  of  aiding  to  surround  Lee's,  Longstreet's,  Hill's  and  Jackson's 
corps  where  there  was  no  possible  way  of  escajie.  Thus  the  Union  army 
was  reduced,  and  eleven  thousaml  as  good  fighting  men  as  e\er  shouldered 
a  musket  were  doomed  to  bear  the  taunts  of  their  enemies,  at  home  and 
abroad,  as  "Harper's  Ferry  cowards."  But  every  regiment  that  was 
obliged  to  participate  in  ihat  farce,  and  whose  honor  was  sold  by  the  com- 
manding officer,  has,  upon  bloody  fields,  won  briglu  laurels,  and  vindicated 
its  soldierly  character.  By  the  good  graces  of  the  rebel  generals,  who  h;id 
the  captured  army  as  an  "elephant  on  their  hands,"  the  prisoners  were 
paroled  the  next  day,  and  allowed  to  depart  in  peace,  which  they  did  with 
sorrowing  hearts. 

The  regiment  returned  to  .\nnapoIis,  Maryland,  and  them  e  went  to 
Chicago,  where  it  went  into  camp  on  the  Cook  county  fair  ground, 
which  was  called  "Camp  .Tyler,"  after  the  general  in  command  of  the 
troops  around  the  city.  During  the  stav  of  the  1 15th  in  Chicago  its  duties 
were  about  the  same  as  those  of  troops  in  garriAon.  but  the  men  were 
allowed  rather  more  liberties  than  regular  soldiers  on  duty.  While  at 
Chicago,  the  weather  being  very  bad  most  of  the  time,  and  the  men  not  on 
fatigue  duty  enough  to  gi\e  them  healthy  exercise,  malarial  fever  <an-.ed 
the  death  of  quite  a  number. 

About  the  20th  of  November.  186-'.  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  jto- 
cecd  to  AVashington.  The  capital  uas  reached  about  the  23d,  and  at  the 
sanie  time  the  soldiers  of  tlie  115th  were  cm  h.inged  and  marthetl  o\cr  to 
Arlington  Heights.  There  ihey  were  sujtposed  to  go  into  winter  quariers, 
but  by  the  time  quarters  were  built  the  regiment  was  ordereil  out  again. 
and  kept  in  motion  between  Arlington.  Fairfax,  Hunter's  creek,  Alexan- 
dria and  Vorktown.  where  it  embarked  on  the  steamer  "  .\Litnn/as."  Jan- 
uary 23d.  i86j,  an.l  arrived.it  Hdton  Head.  S.  C  ,  DepartmenI  of  tlie  South, 
aliout  the  26lh  of  January. 

Here  the  regiment  was  divided  into  detachments  for  ])ost.  camp  and  out- 
post duty.  Companies  E  and  D  were  detailed  to  garrison  Battery  Mitchell. 
an  outpost  on  Scull  creek.     Conq^any  B  was    stationed   at  Saybrook.  and 


other  companies  at  different  points  on  and  around  Hilton  Head  Island, 
until  the  28th  of  May,  when  the  different  detachments  were  relieved  and 
the  regiment  was  again  a  unit  at  Hilton  Head.  On  the  :d  of  June,  Com- 
panies E  and  B  were,  by  order  of  C.eneral  Chatfield,  detailed  for  special 
field  duly,  and  went  with  other  troops  up  May  river.  S.  C,  and  burned  the 
town  of  Bluffion.  .\bout  the  2-jih  of  June  the  regiment  was  moved 
to  the  city  of  Beaufort,  S.  C,  some  twelve  miles  up  Beaufort  river,  where 
it  went  into  camp,  .\fter  remaining  here  a  while  and  suffering  severely 
from  malaria,  incident  to  the  dull  routine  life  of  the  camp,  the  regiment 
was  again  divided  into  detachments  and  sent  to  do  outpost  and  picket 
duty  on  Beaufort,  Port  Royal  and  other  islands  adjacent  to  them. 

On  the  20th  of  r>ecembcr,  the  regiment  embarked  on  transports  for  the 
old  camji  at  Hilton  Head,  where  it  was  attached  to  Gen.  T.  Seymour's 
"ill-starred  "  Florida  expedition.  The  force  left  Hilton  Head  on  the  5th 
of  February,  1864,  reached  Jacksonville  on  the  evening  ot  the  7th,  and  01- 
cujjied  the  city  without  oj-position.  During  the  night  of  the  Sth  the  expe- 
dition reached  Camp  Finnegan,  about  twelve  miles  from  Jacksonville,  ca]i- 
turing  a  battery  of  six  guns,  a  quantity  of  small  arms.  etc..  and  a  large 
amount  of  provisions,  upon  which  the  boys  feasted  until  next  day,  when, 
with  well  filled  haversacks,  they  moved  towards  Tallahassee,  reaching  and 
occupying  Baldwin  without  opposition,  and  reaching  Barber's  Plantation 
during  the  night.  The  next  day  the  troops  advanced  to  Sanderson's  Sta- 
tion, where  they  burned  the  railroad  depot  filled  with  corn,  and  several 
resin  and  turpentine  manufactories,  and  tore  up  considerable  railroad 
track,  burning  ties  and  other  property  belonging  to  the  rebels.  By  order 
of  Oen.  Seymour,  the  army  fell  back  to  Barber's  Plantation  and  remained 
there  until  the  igth. 

During  this  time  the  115th,  a  part  of  the  4th  Massachusetts  cavalry  and 
a  section  of  the  3d  R.  I.  Flying  Artillery  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  Cal- 
lahan, a  station  on  the  Femandina  and  Cedar  Keys  railroad,  and  capture 
whatever  they  might  find,  which  was  one  pony,  seven  bushels  of  sweet  po 
tatoes,  and  one  or  two  Florida  Iiugs,  of  die  kind  tiiat  need  to  liuve  kuo^a 
tied  in  their  tails  to  prevtyit  their  getting  through  cracks.  Returning  to 
camp,  weary,  footsore  and  hungry,  the  boys  of  the  115th  were  allowed  to 
rest  about  one  dav,  when  the  whole  command  broke  camp  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  20th,  for  the  disastrous  field  of  Ohistee.  known  by  the  rebel-' 
as  Ocean  Pond. 

Upon  arriving  on  the  field  the  order  of  battle  was  formed,  with  the  115th 
on  the  extreme  right  (^f  the  infantry  line,  and  the  troops  ordered  to  move 
forward,  which  they  did  with  a  steadiness  that  showed  the  15,000  rebels 
that  they  hatl  work  to  do.  Upon  arriving  on  a  rise  ^>i  groiiiul  between 
where  the  line  was  formed  and  the  rebel  position,  the  advancing  force  re- 
ceived a  murderous  fire,  at  which  the  colored  troops  on  the  extreme  left 
broke  \ery  badly.  The  white  troops  upon  the  left  beg:n  to  double  up  on 
the  115th.  I.ut  order  was  soon  restored.  About  this  tune  the  rebels  mad. 
a  charge  upon  the  L'nion  right,  whi.h  was  repuKed  by  the  115th.  whosenl 
the  enemy  back  o\er  their  works  with  heavy  loss.  The  .  ombat  continued 
to  rage  «ith  fury  until  the  supply  of  ammuniiion  on  b.-tli  sides  gave  out. 
and.  night  coming  on,  both  pariies  were  willnig  to  c.ill  it  a  drawn  baltlc. 
but  C.en.  Seymour,  by  ordering  a  retreat,  gave  the  rebels  to  understand 
that  he  abandoned  the  contest.  Upon  this  occasion  Gen.  Seymour  took 
oct  asiun  to  publicly  compliment  the  1 15th,  giving  it  the  honor  and  |)r.ii>c 
of  saving  his  little  army  from  total  annihilation,  and  naming  it  the  "Iron- 
hcarted  Regiment."  The  regiment  lost  over  one-half  its  number  in  killed, 
woundeil  and  missing  Col.  SaiiiBiun^ijvasjyounded  in  the  foot  at  the  coin 
men.  eincnt  of  the  battle.  Capl.\J^aiid^^7^Je^was  mortally  woumled.  an.'i^ 
die.I  in  a  few  days.  Lieiitv  ■["(mqiJ^nr'ami  Shatfer  were  killed,  beside^  . 
manv  of  the  i>e-t  non-eommissinned  otiticers  and  men. 

(  )n  k.nin^  <  Hustee  the  expedition  retraced  its  steps  toward  Ja(  kson- 
vilte,  wlure  the  115th  di.l  picket  and  .amp  duty  until  lebruary  <^th.  uhcc 
the  for.  e  enilMrkol  <m  transports  P.r  I'aluka.  Fla.  about  one  linndrci 
miles  up  the  St,  John's  river  from  Ja.  k^un\llle.  Here  the  troops  rested, 
an.l  nothing  of  interest  transpired.  On  the  14th  ni  April  they  again  ei:i 
barked  on  transports  for  Hilton  Head.  S.  C,  making  a  few  hours'  st.ip  a: 
Jacksonville,  and  arriving  at  their  destination  on  the  evening  of  the  lOih 
On  the  18th  the  regiment  sailed  for  Cdoucester  Point.  Va.,  reaching  thi" 
plaie  on  the  21st.  and  was  attached  to  the  loth  army  corps.  On  May  4t' 
It  was  attached  to  the  Army  of  the  James,  under  Oen.  B.  F.  Butler.  M"' 
army  moved  up  the  James  river  to  Bermuda  Hundred,  and  on  the  7th  '■' 
.May  the  ir5th  particijiated  and  suffered  severely  in  the  ill-fated  battle  '•' 
Chesterfield    Heights.  Va.,    losing    about   eighty    in    killed,    wounded    an-' 


BATTLES  OF  THE  ujth  REGIMENT. 


77 


missing.  From  this  time  to  the  i6th  of  May  the  regiment  was  marching, 
fighting,  pitkcting,  etc.  On  the  morning  of  that  day  the  disastrous  battle 
of  Drury's  Bluff  was  fought,  and  the  115th  regiment  again  brought  into 
recjuisition  under  the  immediate  supervision  of  Gen.  .-Vdelbcrt  .\mes.  who 
complimented  it  for  its  bravery  and  skillful  movements,  which  s.ived  But- 
ler's army  from  total  rout. 

On  the  17th  the  regiment  went  into  camp  at  Hatcher's  Run.  From  this 
time  it  was  on  picket  duty  all  the  time  to  the  ;8th.  when  it  marched  to 
City  Point,  and  embarked  on  board  the  steamer  "  De  Molay,"  for  White 
House,  Va..  landing  there  on  the  jtst,  at  4  P.  M.  The  115th  took  up  the 
line  of  march  for  Cold  Harbor,  V,i.,  reaching  that  place  June  ist,  at  3  1-2, 
P.  M.,  and  immediately,  with  the  rest  of  the  Brigade,  charged  the  enemy's 
works,  this  regiment  capturing  two  hundred  .ind  fifty  men  with  their  arms 
and  equipments.  Here  the  regiment  was  again  complimented  for  bravery 
by  Gen.  Devens. 

From  that  time  to  the  i;th,  the  regiment  was  under  a  continuous  fire 
ilay  and  night.  During  the  night  of  the  i;tb  it  man  hed  for  White  House 
Landing,  which  place  was  reached  at  6  .\.  M.,  of  the  T3th.  Next  day  the 
regiment  embarked  for  City  Point,  landed  at  Powhattan,  on  the  James, 
and  marched  the  rest  of  the  way.  On  the  ;3d  it  moved  up  in  front  of 
IVtersburgh,  Va.  From  this  time  the  regiment  was  in  the  trenches  before 
Petersburgh,  to  July  29th,  when  Gen.  Turner's  division,  to  which  ''e  1 15th 
was  attached,  moved  to  the  left,  to  assist  Biirnside's  gth  corps  in  the  ex- 
plosion of  the  mine,  and  charge  upon  the  enemy's  works.  This  occurred 
at  5  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  30th  of  July.  Here,  again,  the  115th 
tlisj>layed  its  courage  and  cool  bravery  by  standing  as  a  wall  of  fire  be- 
tween the  adv.incing  Rebels,  and  the  partially  demoralized  9th  corps, 
and  was  again  complimented  by  both  (Jens,  liurnside  and  Turner, 

From  Petersburgh  the  regiment  marched  to  near  City  Point,  and  then 
to  Bermuda  Hundred,  losing  several  men  by  sun  stroke,  as  the  weather 
was  extremely  hot,  and  the  roads  dry  and  dusty.  Up  to  this  time  the 
regiment  had  been  under  nre  for  thirty  seven  days,  and  needed  rest,  which 
was  had  at  Hatch's  farm,  until,  on  the  evening  of  the  T3th  of  August, 
the  regiment  broke  camp  and  marched  to  Deep  Bottom,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  James  river,  which  was  reached  at  7  o'clock,  \.  M.,  on  the 
14th.  That  day  and  the  next  were  occupied  in  marching  and  counter- 
marching. On  the  i6th  the  enemy  were  found  strongly  posted  at  Charles 
(.'ity  Court  House,  where  fighting  began  at  once  and  continued  until  the 
evening  of  the  iSth,  when  the  115th  was  deployed  and  covered  the  retreat 
of  the  Union  forces.  In  this  affair  the  regiment  lost  eighty-four  killed, 
wounded  and  missing. 

(")n  the  20th  it  returned  to  the  old  cam]i  at  Bermuda,  with  only  one 
hundred  and  twenty  men  fit  for  duty.  Comparative  rest  was  the  happy 
lot  of  the  decimated  regiment  until  the  28th,  when  it  marched  to  Peters- 
burgh again  and  occupied  the  trenches  in  front  of  that  city.  The  regi- 
ment had  a  little  rest,  doing  only  trench  and  c  amp  duty  until  the  J.sth  of 
September,  when  it  broke  camp  and  mart  hed  to  the  north  side  of  the 
James.  On  the  29th  the  Hjth  partici|)ated  in  the  capture  of  two  redoubts 
"n  Chafin's  farm,  known  by  some  as  .Spring  Hill.  Here  the  losses  of  the 
regiment  were  very  se\ere,  among  the  dead  being  the  loved  and  lamented 
Capt.  W.  H.  McKittrick,  of  Co.  C.  During  this  eng.igement  in  charges, 
'  uuntercharges,  victories  and  repulses,  the  enemy  lost  three  times  the 
number  that  the  115th  did. 

From  this  time  to  October  37th,  the  regiment  was  doing  [licket  duty 
most  of  the  time.  On  that  d.ay  a  reconnoissance  was  made  in  force  on  the 
Darbjtown  road,  in  front  of  Richmond,  the  ii5tb  taking  a  i>rominent  [)art 
in  charging  the  rebel  works,  and  losing  rpiite  heavily,  .\niong  the  number 
killed  was  Sergeant  Ide  of  Company  F.,  the  idol  of  his  comrades.  Re- 
turning to  camp,  the  regiment  h.ad  five  days'  comparative  rest.  C)n  the 
■^th  of  December,  the  ti5th  embarked  on  board  the  propellor  "  Ha«,'" 
.ind  particip.ited  in  the  abortive  attempt  to  capture  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C. 
In  the  afternoon  of  December  30th,  the  regiment  debarked  at  Jones' 
I  anding,  on  the  James  river,  Va.,  and  just  alter  dark  was  .ig.iin  in  the  old 
camp  on  Chafin's  farm. 

l>n  January  4th,  1.S65,  the  115th  ag.dn  embarked  on  bciard  the  Propeller 
"  DcMolay,"  on  its  second  expedition  against  the  ke>>tnne  of  the  confcd- 
erary.  The  whole  force  was  under  command  of  (Jen.  .\lfred  H.  Terry. 
I  he  troops  landed  at  Flay  Pond  battery,  a  short  distance  north  of  Fort 
Fisher,  on  the  13th  at  9  A.  M.  The  1 15th  lost  but  two  or  three  men  in 
'■indmg.  At  3  P.  N[.  of  the  15th,  the  grand  charge  was  made  upon  the 
fort,  the    115th  bearing  a  noble  part  in    its  1  ajiture,  and  being  again  com- 


plimented by  General  Terry,  also  by  Gen.  Ames,  who  knew  something  of 
its  fighting  qualities  while  in  the  army  of  the  James.  The  loss  to  the  regi- 
ment was  about  70,  and  among  the  killed  was  Lieut.  S.  S.  OIney,  of  Co.  F., 
whose  loss  to  the  regiment  and  company  could  not  be  made  good.  .\t 
about  8  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  i6th,  one  of  the  magazines  of  the 
fort  exploded,  killing  and  wounding  more  of  this  regiment  than  the  fight- 
ing of  the  day  before. 

From  this  time  to  the  surrender  of  Johnson's  rebel  army,  the  115th  was 
continually  employed  in  fighting,  marching,  picket  and  guard  duty,  until  it 
reached  Raleigh,  N.  C,  where  it  was  assigned  to  "  safe  guard  "  duty  in  the 
city,  from  April  23d  to  June  17th,  when  it  was  mustered  out  of  service. 
On  the  19th,  the  regiment  left  Raleigh  for  .\lbany,  X.  Y.,  where  it  was  paid 
off  by  Paymaster  C.  F.  Davi^,  on  the  6th  of  July,  1865,  there  being  some- 
thing less  than  two  hundred  of  the  original  members.  Upon  leaving  the 
Li.  S.  Service,  the  men  quietly  returned  to  their  homes  and  former  voca- 
tions, and  to-day  the  old  115th  N.  Y.  Volunteer  Infantry  is  represented  in 
nearly  every  State  in  the  I'nion,  and  almost  every  calling  in  life.  However 
humble  or  ex.alted  they  may  now  be,  if  you  speak  of  the  camp,  the  bivouac, 
the  fatigue,  the  march,  the  picket,  the  fight,  .and  the  camp  fires  of  years 
gone  bv.  their  eves  will  kindle,  and  at  the  fireside  they  fight  their  battles 
o'er  and  o'er,  until  one  could  almost  hear  the  roar  of  musketry,  and  the 
bursting  of  shells.  But  we  must  stop,  for  we  can  add  nothing  to  the  laurels 
alreadv  wreathed  around  the  brow  of  one  of  the  best  of  our  country's  de- 
fenders, the  115th  Regiment,  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry.  It  only  re- 
mains to  add  the  following  list  of  battles  which  were  participated  in  by  the 
regiment,  or  a  part  of  it. 


Maryland  Heights, 

Sept. 

13th, 

1862. 

Bolivar  Heights,  Va., 

t5th. 

West  Point,       Va., 

Jan. 

8, 

1863. 

Jacksonville,     Fla., 

Feb. 

7, 

1SO4. 

Camp  Fineg.in,    " 

s, 

Baldwin, 

9. 

Sanderson,           " 

It, 

Callahan  Station." 

14. 

Olustee, 

20, 

Palatka, 

March 

10, 

Bermuda  Hundred,  Va.,    .May 

5, 

Chesterfield  Heights, 

7, 

Old  Church, 

9. 

Weir  Bottom  Ciiiirch. 

12. 

Drury's  Bluff.  Va., 

14.     ■ 

Proctor'sCrcek\-Port 

V\althall,V 

a.,Mayi 

6," 

Cold  Harbor,  -.'a.,      J 

une       1. 

1.S64. 

Chickahominy.  " 

Petersburgh,       " 

-3. 

Burnside  Mine,           J 

uly      i°. 

Deep  Bottom.     "       A 

ug.iO-iS, 

Fort  Gilmer.       "       S, 

-■pt.        29, 

Darbytown  Ro.id,      d 

'ct.         27, 

F'ort  Fisher,  N.  C,     D 
.!. 

'ec.         25, 

1S65. 

Fort  Anderson,  N.C.,! 

'eb.      1 9, 

Sugar  loaf  battery," 

20, 

Wilmington,           '' 

The  ti5th  brought  out  of  the  war  six  flags,  which  Col.  S.immnns,  in  be- 
half of  the  regiment,  presented  to  the  State.  The  national  ensign,  a  gilt 
of  the  l.ldies  of  the  .Wlh  Senatorial  district.  .Vug.  :o.  1S62,  showed  sen  ice, 
the  staff  .and  three-fifths  of  the  flag  being  gone.  The  regimental  banner, 
presented  by  the  State  authorities  while  the  regiment  wasat  Fonda,  of  silk, 
with  eagle  .and  shield  in  the  center,  the  national  motto  in  a  scroll  beneath, 
and  thirty-four  stars  in  the  field  above,  bearing  the  inscription,  "  115th  N.V. 
Vol.  Regiment  Infantry,"  came  out  rent  in  the  center  and  lorn  from  side 
to  side.  A  set  ond  and  similar  regimental  banner  survived  in  better  (~on. 
dition,  and  with  it  was  a  new  national  Hag  inscribed  with  the  names  of  the 
regiment's  battl,.  ;  also  two  guidons  of  bunting.  These  flags  were  turned 
over  to  the  .adiuta.it  general.  They  are  rejiresented  by  Lieut.  Col.  N.  J 
Johnson,  and  are  carrieil  by  Sergt.  James  F.nglish,  who  lost  an  arm  while 
supporting  them  in  the  field. 


78 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


The  following  is  a  roll  of  men  from  Montgomery  and  Fuiton  counties 
who  enlisted  and  served  in  the  115th  Regiment,  together  with  their  places 
of  enrollment  : 

REGIMKNTAI.  OKFICKRS. 

Colotut^  Simeon  Sammons,  Mohawk.     Commissioned  in  1862. 

Lifut.  Col.,  E.  L.  Walrath,  Syracuse.  .Appointed  major  in  No\etnber. 
1863  ;  lieutenant  colonel  April,  1865. 

Liful.  Col.,  (leo.  S.  Batcheller,  Saratoga.  Commissioned  and  went 
out  with  regiment. 

N.  J.Johnson,  Ballston.     Commanded  regiment  in  May,  1S64. 

Major,  Patrick  H.  Cowan,  Saratoga. 

Surgfon,  C.  McFarland.     Commissioned  in  1863. 

"         R.  E.  Sutton,  Saratoga.     Went  out  with  regiment. 

Asst.  Surgeon,  Sam'l  \V.  Peters.  "  " 

zndAsst.  Surgeon,  Hiram  W.  Ingerson,  Fonda.   Went  out  with  regiment. 

Adjulanl,  Thos.  R.  Horton,  Fultonville. 

Q.  M.,  Martin  McMartin,  Johnstown.     Served  3  years. 

Chaplain,  S.  W.  Clemens. 

COMPANY  A. 

OFFICERS. 

Captain,  Garret  Van  Deveer,  Fonda,  N.  V.  Mortally  wounded  at 
Olustee.     Died  Feb.  24,  1864. 

\st  Lieuteiuint,  Willel  Ferguson,  Fonda,  N.  Y.  Promoted  to  captain, 
Feb.  14,  1864. 

2nJ Lieutenant, lo\in\\ .  Davis,  Fonda,  N.  Y.  Promoted  to  ist  lieu- 
tenant.    Severely  wounded  at  Olustee. 

\st  Sergeant,  C.  N.  Ballou,  Fonda,  N.  Y.  Promoted  to  2nd  lieutenant. 
In  1864  to  captain. 

inJ  Sergeant,  Stephen  Morns,  jr..  Glen,  N.  Y.  Mortally  wounded  at 
Olustee. 

id  Sergeant,  C.  C.  Cole,  Glen.     Wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff. 

4M  Sergeant.  Jas.  W.  Van  .-\rnem,  Fonda.  Promoted  to  2d  sergeant, 
June,  1865. 

5M  Sergeant,  Chas.  (iross,  (Wen.      Died  at  Washington. 

1st  Corporal,  Thomas  Smeaton,  Root. 

znJ  Corporal,  John  .\   Hidibard,  Fonda.    Lost  leg  at  Harper's  Ferry. 

irJ  Corporal,  Simeon  J.  Aumack,  Glen.      Rilled  at  Deep  Bottom. 

\th  Corporal,  Nicholas  Shults,  Palatine. 

5M  Corporal,  Silas  W.  Horning,  Glen.    Lost  arm  at  Deep  Bottom,  Va. 

6th  Corporal,  Stephen  B.  Nellis,  Palatine. 

^th  Corporal,  Rodolphus  H.   Tipple,  C.len. 

Musician,  Joseph  Allin. 

Musician,  .Mvergone  Ackert,  Fonda.      Killed  at  Fort  Fisher. 

Wagoner,  Geo.  H.  Bellows,  (ilen.     Mortally  wounded  at  Olustee. 


Nelson  Ambridge,  Palatine. 

Geo.  W.  Blowers,  Fonda.  Wounded  at  Olustee  and  died  March  11, 
1864. 

Michael  Byers,  Fonda.      Killed  at  Chesterfield  Heights,  May  7,  1864 

John  Brower,  Fonda. 

G.  H.  Bellows.     Died  at  Hilton  Head. 

Robt.  Baker.     Died  at  Salisbury,  N.  C. 

Reuben  Blowers,  Fonda. 

I)aniel  Burk,  Fonda. 

Joseph  Bese,  (ilen. 

John  D.  Bond,  Glen.      Died  of  disease,  .May  20,  1S65, 

Chas  Clapson,  Glen.  Mortally  wounded  by  accident,  at  Hilton 
Hc.1.1 

Ezra  Coleman,  Crlen.      Died  at  Fortress  Monroe. 

Jas.  I'.  Caldwell,  Fonda. 

Elisha  Carson,  Glen.      Died  at  Andersonville.  Feb,  20,  1S64 

Rosdell  Corlew.      Died  in  North  Carolina. 

Alfred  J.  Castler,  Glen.      Promoted  to  corporal.    Wounded  at  Olustee. 

F.  Cromwell.      Died  at  Olustee. 

Wm.  Crowden,  ?onda. 

Joseph  Carpenter,  Glen. 


John  Dutcher,  Fonda. 

Jas.  M.  Dean,  Fonda.      Died  at  Hilton  Head. 
Chas.  Denegar,  Glen.      Killed  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C,  Jan.  15,  1865. 
Chas.  DeVan,  Palatine.       "       "   Deep  Bottom,  Aug,  16,  1865. 
Geo.  F.nney,  Fonda. 
Chas.  Ergabroadt,  Palatine, 
John  F'aus.     Died  at  Andersonville 
Daniel  T.  Goodbread,   Palatine, 
Oswald  Glen,  Glen, 

John  (low,  Mohawk,      Died  at  Beaufort, 

Jas.  Gardner,  Palatine.    Wounded  at  Olustee  and  died  March  19,  1864. 
Wm.  Gardner.  Palatine. 
Thos.  J.  Henry,  Fonda 

Henry  Heaser,  Fonda.     Killed  at  Petersburgh.  Va.,  June  30,  1864. 
John  Homing,  Fonda. 

John  Hogan,  Fonda.      Killed  at  Petersburgh,  Va.,  July  13,  1864. 
Wm.  Hilton,  Glen.      Promoted  to  sergeant. 
John  Holsner,  Glen.      Died  in  Virginia. 

George   Hart,  Glen.      Wounded   at  Olustee.      Died   in  .Andersonville 
Prison. 

Patrick  Joyce.  Palatine. 

John  Keyderling,  Glen. 

H.  A.  Keyderling,  Glen. 

.\.  W.  Kirkham,  Glen.     Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  Olustee. 

John  Kaiser.     Killed  in  \'irginia 

Henry  Keyderling,  Glen. 

.\Iex.  Lanegar,  Glen. 

Jacob  M,  Lanegar,  Glen. 

Solomon  Lanegar,  (}len. 

Peter  Lanegar,  Glen.      Killed  at  Fort  Fisher,  N,  C  ,  Jan,  15,  1865, 

A.  H.  M.  Lanegar,  Glen. 

John  A.  Lanegai,  Glen.      Killed  at  Olustee,  Feb.  20,  1864. 

Ira  .\.  Lanegar,  (ilen 

Mortimer  D.  Lowell,  c;ien. 

Hiram  Lusk,  Fonda.      Died  in  Hospital,  Feb.,  1864. 

Whiting  A.  Lee,  Fonda 

Oliver  Lighthall,  Root.     Wounded  at  Chester  Heights. 

Sam'l  H,  Lusk,  Palatine. 

John  Lewis,  Palatine. 

John  Lasher,  Palatine. 

Menso  Lasher,  Palatine. 

Lewis  Martin,  Palatine. 

Lewis  Martin,  jr,  Palatine. 

McDowell,  Palatine.     Killed  at  Olustee.  Fla. 

John  \.  Mayer,  Bleecker. 

Edward  McCann,  Glen. 

Bernard   McGuire,  Glen. 

Michael  McM.ahon,  Root. 

Thomas  R.  Neely,  (lien. 

Sam'l  I).  Osterhout,  (lien       Died  at  Hilton  Head,  May  6,  t86j. 

Henry  O'Neal,  Root. 

John  Pettit,  CanajohariE. 

Daniel  Peeler,  C»len.     Died  at  .\ndersonviIIe  Prison. 

John  H.  Peeler,  Palatine.     Mortally  wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff. 

\Vm.  .\.  Pratt.     Died  in  Virginia, 

Wm.  Reynolds,  Fonda. 

Joshua  W.  Ripley,  Glen. 

Geo.  L.  Rice,  Glen. 

Niles  Reynolds.  Fonda. 

John  Robinson.      Died  in  Andersonville. 

Jacob  Sabcnhart,  Palatine. 

Leander  Snell,  Palatine. 

George  Smith.  Fonda. 

William  Strait,  Fonda. 

Fredcricl:  Seller,    Fonda. 

Levi  Smith.  Glen. 

W.  N.  Sar.dt,  Glen.      Died  in  hos])ital. 

Conrad'  Jmith,  Palatine.     Wounded  at  Fort  Fisher,  missing. 

John  Sryder.      Died  at  Hilton  Head. 

Daniel  'I .  Steel,  Mohawk. 

Joseph  Sh.annon,  Palatine. 


RECORD  OF  THE  115TH  REGIMENT. 


79 


John  Sherlock,  C.len.     Taken  prisoner  at  Deep   Bottom. 

Nathan  Terrell,  Fonda. 

Martin  Timmins,   Fonda.     Wounded    at  Deep  Bottom      Died   Sept. 

14,  1864 

John  J.  Van  Brocklin.  Glen.  Died  of  wounds  at  Harper's  Ferr\, 
September  15,  1862. 

John  Van  Dusin.  Palatme. 

W.  D.  Van  Ausdell.     Taken  prisoner  and  missing. 

William  Van  Alstine.  (Men.     Wounded  at  Olustce 

Charles  Weeper,  C.len.  Wounded  at  Olustee.  Died  in  rebel  prison, 
August  1864. 

William  Wepcr,  C.len. 

l^afayette  Waterman.    Palatine.       Died  in  rebel  prison,  Nov.  11,  1864. 

COMPANY  B. 

OFFICERS. 

Captain,  John  P.  Kneeskem,  Minden. 

ist  Liiutenant,  H.  .X.  Dievendorff.  Canajoharie.      Resigned. 

zd  LifuUnant,  John  Van  De  Saude.  Fort  Plain.  Wounded  at  Deep 
Bottom:  died  at  Fortress  .Monroe,  October  3,  1864. 

\st  Strgiant,  William  J.  Lasher,  St.  Johnsvillc. 

id  Sergeant,  Isaac  E.  Smith.  St.  Johnsville.  Promoted  to  21^  Lieut.; 
to  1st  Lieut.,  Co.  C;  to  Captain,  Co.  C. 

^d  Sergeant,  Daniel  K.  Peacock.  Fonda. 

ifh  Sergeant,  Jacob  H.  Snyder,  Fonda. 

5M  Sergeant,  Joseph  L.  Mosher,  Canajoharie. 

ist  Corpora/,  -Augustus  Collier,  St.  JohnsviUe.  Promoted  2d  lieuten- 
ant November,  1864;   1st  lieutenant  June.  1865. 

id  Corporal,  Job  J.  Harlow,  Minden. 

3</  Corporal,  Edward  C.  Buddie,  Canajoharie. 

4/A  Corporal,  Countryman  Jadua,  St.  JohnsviUe.     Killed  at  Ft.  Fisher. 

5M  Corporal,  John  Reardon,  St.  JohnsviUe.  Promoted  2d  lieutenant, 
June.  1865. 

6M  Corporal,  Washington  Vosburgh.  Canajoharie. 

•jth  Corporal,  Charles  Tucker,  Fonda. 

8M  Corporal,  John  F.  .Moyer,  Fonda. 

Musician,  Darwin  R.  Hicks,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

Musician,  Marius  Powell,  St.  Johnsvillc. 
iVagorur,  Alonzo  Van  Evera,  Fonda. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry  Albright,  Fonda. 

Welber  Alpaugh,  Canajoharie. 

William  L.  .\lger,  Canajoharie. 

Jacob  B.  Brown,  St.  JohnsviUe.  Killed  near  Petersburgh,  Va.,  June 
24,  1864. 

Robert  E.  Burk,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

Orin  H.  Brown,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

George  W.  Burk,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

James  Bellis,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

John  Burns,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

Henry  T.  Becker.  Canajoharie, 

William  H.  Burden,  Can.njoharie. 

James  S.  Brown,  Canajoharie. 

John  Becker,  Canajoharie.     Wounded  and  taken  prisoner. 

David  Bowes,  Fonda.      Died  of  typhoid  fever,  August  14,  1864. 

Henry  Byer,  Fonda. 

David  L.' Collins.  St.  JohnsviUe. 

Norman  Cook.  Minden. 

Leonard  J.  Crouse,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

Seeley  Conover,  Canajoharie. 

Livingston  Derrick,  Canajoharie. 

John  Denmark,  St.  JohnsviUe.  Died  at  Hilton  Head  of  lung  fever. 
May,  18O3 

William  E.  Flint,  Canajoharie.      Killed  at  Olustce,  February  20,  1864. 

William  H.  Flint,  Canajoharie. 

Abram  Failing,  jr.,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

Robert  Gray,  Fonda. 

Aaron  Garlock,  Minden. 

James  Green,  Minden. 

Daniel  Gilday,  .Minden.      Killed  at  Olustce,  February  20,  1864. 


Lewis  H.  Goodrich,  Canajoharie. 

Henry  Goodrich,  Canajoharie.      Killed  at  Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  1S64. 
George  Hoyt,  L'anajoharie. 
(leorge  J.  Hickey,  Canajoharie. 
.\bram  Hanson,  Minden. 

Samuel  L.  Hungcrford,  .Minden.  ;      ■ 

John  W.  Higgins,  St.  J(,hnsviUe. 
\ViUiam  Hompkey,  St.  JohnsviUe. 
David  Handy,  St.  JohnsviUe. 
William  S.  Hess,  St,  JohnsviUe. 
Robert  Kitts,  Fonda. 
John  .\.  Koehler,  Minden. 
Charles  G.  I.appee,  .Minden. 
Peter  B.  Lampman.  St.  Johnswlle. 
William  H.  Lam|iinan,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

John    P.    Limner.  Minden.     \\  ounded  at  Petersburgh,  and  died  Sep- 
tember. 1864. 

William  W.  Lake.  Canajoharie. 
R.  .Ma.vfield.      Died  near  home. 
Lewis  Magadien,  St.  JohnsviUe. 
John  H.  Miller,  St.  JohnsviUe. 
George  Miller,  Fort  Plain.      Died  near  home. 
Norman  Miller,  St.  JohnsviUe, 
WiUiam  J.  Miller,  Minden. 
Michael  Moloney,  Fonda. 

Richard    Maxfield,  Fonda.      Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  Olustee; 
died  November,  1864. 

Pairick  McMahon,  .Minden. 
Morgan  W.  Moyer,  Minden. 
Thomas  McCireevy,  .Minden. 

Lucas  Mount,  Canajoharie.     Wounded,  taken  prisoner  and  died. 
B.  .Moyer.      Died  at  Savannah,  Ga. 
John  W.  Moak,  .Minden. 

George  Miller,  Mintlen       Died  at  .Minden,  N.  V.,  November,  1864. 
Peter  Nellis,  St.  JohnsviUe. 
John  C.  Nellis,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

Frank  Niederlander,  Minden,       Killed  at  Olustee,  February  20,  1864. 
.■\nthony  Otto,  Canajohane. 

Nicholas  Rupert,  Minden.      Killed  at   Deep  Bottom,  .\ugust  16,  1864. 
.\bner  Snell,  St.  JohnsviUe. 
OrviUe  Snell,  St.  JohnsviUe. 
E.  W.  Southerland,  St.  JohnsviUe. 
Dan.  K.  Schram,  St,  JohnsviUe. 
James  Sneck,  St.  JohnsviUe. 
Daniel  Starin,  St.  JohnsviUe. 

,\lonzo "Smith,  St.  JohnsviUe.      Killed  at  Olustce,  February  20,  1864. 
Charles  Schuyler,  Canajoharie. 

Lucius    .A.    Smith,   Canajoharie,      Wounded    and    taken    prisoner  at 
Olustee,  and  died  at  .^ndersonville.  September,  1S64. 
George  S,  Smith,  Canajoharie. 
John  Smith,  Minden. 
D.  C.  Tompkins.  St.  JohnsviUe. 
Charles  Tring,  Minden. 
James  H,  Veeder,  St.  JohnsviUe. 
Fisher  F.  Van  Kjips,  Minden. 
Frank  Washburn,  .Minden. 
Daniel  J,  Whiting,  Minden. 
Nicholas  Winne.  St.  JohnsviUe. 

Reuben  Walrath,  St.   JohnsviUe      Mortally  wounded  at    Darbytown 
Road,  October  27,  1864. 

William  Welch,  .Amsterdam. 
John  J.  Williams.  Amsterdam, 
George  \Veaver,  Amsterdam. 
James  J.  West,  Florida. 

COMPANY   D. 


Captain,  Sidney  D    Lingenfelter,  Amsterdam. 

ly/.   Lifitteiumt,  Thomas  Wayne,  P'lorida.      Discharged    February    22 
5;  disability. 


80 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


imi.  Lituttnant,  Hugh  S.  Sanford,  Amsterdam.     Promoted  to  captain. 

lit  Sergtanl,  Nicholas  De  Graff,  Amsterdam.  Promoted  2d  lieuten- 
ant June,  lS6j;   1st  lieutenant  February,  1865. 

tnd  Sergeant,  \Vm.  W    McKay,  Amsterdam 

yd  Sergeant,  Charles  Kline,  Amsterdam.  Promoted  2d  lieutenant 
November,  1S64;   ist  lieutenant  Ma)-,  1865. 

4/A  Sergeant,  John  C.  Brand,  Charleston. 

5//i  Sergeant.  Elbert  Slingerland,  .Amsterdam. 

lUCoTporal.  \Vm.   H.  Baker,  Florida. 

tnd  Corpi>ral,  Frank  Moon,  .\msterdam.  * 

ird  Corporal.  Wm.  McCollom,  Amsterdam.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

4//4  Corporal,  Levi  Lmgenfelter,  Amsterdam.  Killed  at  Olustee,  Fla., 
February  20,  1S64. 

5M  Corporal.  Henry  Hilton,  Charleston. 

ith  Corporal.  Edward  S.  Montaney.  Charleston. 

^tk  Corporal.  Daniel  Grant.  Amsterdam.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

ith  Corporal.  Schuyler  Gordon,  Charleston. 

Musician,  Chauncey  Snyder,  .\msterdam. 

Musician.  Francis  Snyder,  .-Amsterdam. 

Wagoner.  Clark  Vedder,  Amsterdam. 


Jacob  Albright,  Charleston. 

Willard  E.  Bemus,  Amsterdam 

William  Boyd,  .■\msterdani. 

Abraham  Brower,  .\msterdam. 

Myron  L.  Bemus,  .\msterdani.  Wounded  at  Fort  Gilmer;  died  Oc- 
tober 1 1,  1S64. 

David  R.  Brower,  Florida. 

Leonard  Burns,  Florida. 

Harvey  Bunsey,  Charleston. 

Winslow  Burton,  Charleston.      Died  of  disease  October  24,  1864. 

Roderick  F.  Barlow,  Charleston.  Killed  at  Olustee.  Fla..  February 
JO,  1864- 

James  Bretton.  Charleston. 

Wm.  E.  Colgrove,  Charleston.   Died  in  rebel  prison  December  3,  1863. 

Philip  V.  Colgrove,  Charleston. 

Frank  M.  Conover,  Charleston.      Killed  at  Deep  Bottom. 

J.  M.  Countryman.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

.Andrew  Clark.  .Amsterdam.     Died  at  Beaufort  June  28,  1863. 

W.  Clark.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

Williamson  Cunning.  .Amsterdam. 

-Andrew  M.  Claflin.  .Amsterdam. 

Frank  Crow,  Mohawk.     Died  in  rebel  prison  October  21,  1864. 

George  Cassidy,  Florida.      Died  at  Beaufort,  July  S,  1S63. 

Charles  Dunbar,  Fonda. 

Sylvester  N.  Dodds,  .Amsterdam.  Killed  on  railroad  at  Chicago  No- 
vember II,  1S62. 

Alfred  G.  Eaton,  Charleston. 

Nicholas  H.  Eaton.     Wounded  at  Olustee, 

James  English,  Florida. 

Peter  A.  Folensbee,  Amsterdam.  Killed  at  Olustee,  Fl.i.,  February 
20,  1864 

Nathan  F.  F'olensbee,  Charleston. 

Charles  Frinv.     Died  at  Beaufort 

John  French,  Florida.     Died  of  fever  .May  12,  1S64 

James  F'redendall,  Florida. 

George  Fredcndall,  Florida: 

Daniel  Goodaiimoot,  .Amsterdam. 

John  Gillins.  Amsterdam.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

Wm.  E. Glover,  Amsterdam.   Wounded  at  Olustee,  killed  .it  rctcrsluirgh. 

Thomas  Heavey,  .Amsterdam.  Died  in  New  Vork  Hospital  .\ugiist 
4.   1865. 

Abner  Hall,  Amstcrd.im. 

John  Hansaw,  .\msterdam. 

Henry  C.  Hart,  .Amsterdam 

John  H.  narrower,  .Amsterdam. 

ls.iac  narrower.  Amsterdam.      Died  of  dise.ise  August  7,  1S64. 

Fred  Hiitchkins,  .Amsterdam. 

Miner  H.  Humphrey,  Charleston. 

Albert  Inm.in,  Amsterd.im 


J.  Johns.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 
Wm.  H.  Kellogg.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 
George  Kline,  Amsterdam. 

Charles  E.  Kellogg,  Charleston.     Died  of  fever  December  16,  1862. 
Thomas  Lepper,  .Amsterdam. 
Oscar  Lockwood,  .Amsterdam. 
James  Little,  Amsterdam. 
Wm.  Little,  Amsterdam. 
Samuel  Marshall,  .Amsterdam. 
Aaron  Mcintosh,  .Amsterdam. 

James  McCollum,  .Amsterdam.     Died  at   Deep  Bottom,  Va. 
James  McKercher,  .Amsterdam. 
James  McNuUy,  .Amsterdam.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 
Walter  McCowatt,  .Amsterdam. 
Daniel  Mosher,  .Amsterdam. 
Philip  McCarthy,  Florida. 

John  S.  McMaster,  Florida.      Died  at  Fortress  Monroe. 
Wm.  H.  H.  Martin,  Charleston. 
Wm.  H.  Nutt,  .Amsterdam. 
Henry  Newman.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 
John  .A.  Ostrander,  Charleston. 
B.  Owens.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 
Charles  Ormand.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 
Henry  Rust,  Amsterdam. 
Wm.  Robinson,  .Amsterdam. 
Samuel  T,  Rider,  Charleston. 

Asa  B.  Rider,  Charleston.     Died  of  fever  November  23,  1862. 
Lewis  Ros.T.  Florida. 

John  H.  Simpson,  Flonda.     Died  at  .AndersonviUe. 
Alexander  B.  Shute    Florida- 
Edward  Smith.     Killed  at  Olustee. 

Chauncey  Snyder,  jr.,  Amsterdam.    Died  of  fever  November  15,  1862. 
.Alfred  Saltsman.  .Amsterd.im      Died  of  fever  November  15,  1S62. 
Michael  E.  Soules,  Amsterdam. 
Alfred  C.  Shepard,  .Amsterdam. 
Chas  E.  Thayer,  Amsterdam. 

John  Turner,    .Amsterdam      Wounded  at  Olustee,  and  died  of  fevi 
September  15,  1S64. 

Cornelius  Tymeson,  .Amsterdam. 

Elbert  Tymeson,  .Amsterdam. 

Daniel  Tullock,  Florida.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

Kelley  S.  Tullock,  Florida. 

James  .A.  Tripp.  Florida. 

Wm.  Thayer,  Florida.     Died  in  rebel  prison  September  21,  1864. 

James  W.  l>mpler.  Florida. 

John  H.  Wendell,  .Amsterdam. 

Robert  Welch,  Fonda.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

John  W.  Wilmot,  .Amsterdam. 

Henry  Wood.     Wounded  at  ( llustec. 

COMPANY  E 


Captain.  William  H    Shaw,  .\!ayfield. 

ist  Lieutenant.  Frank  .Abott,  Johnstown.      Resigned  Oct.  15,  1862. 

id  Lieutenant,  .Aaron  C.  Slocum,  Fulton  Co. 

ij/  Sergeant.  Jacob  1..  Haines,  Mayfield.  Promoted  ist  lieutenant 
in  1863. 

2(/ .Vv.i.vo///.  Charles  L.  Clark,  Johnstown.  Promoted  2d  lieutenant 
in  1865. 

yi  Sergeant,  Robert  Stewart,  Johnstown.  \ 

^tli  Sergeant.  Henry  Wright,  Johnstown.  ' 

^th  Sergeant.  MeKille  H.  Foote,  .Northampton, 

ist  Corporal.  .Malhew  Van  Steanburgh,  Johnstown.  Killed  at  ( )ulstee, 
Florida,  Februa'v  20,  1864. 

2d  Corporal.  Henry  C.  Christie,  Mayfield.     Died  at  Hilton  Head. 

3<i'  Corf'iiral.  George  Van  Rensselaer,  Bleecker 

4M  Corf'oral.  Isaac  I'oloney,  0|)penheim. 

5M  Cor[;:iat.  Webster  Shaver,  Kphratah.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

blh  Corporal.  James  H.   Taylor,  Johnstown.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

1th  Corporal.  Peter  J,  Keck,  ()|.penheim. 


RECORD  OF  THE  115TH  REGIMKNT 


81 


iti  Corporal.  Frederick  Meyer,  Ephratah. 
Musician,  James  A.  Benson,  Northampton. 
Musician.  John   H.  Hale.  Mayfield. 


Died  at  Beaufort,  S.  C. 


unded  and  taken  prisoner  at  Ohi^tee. 
njuries  January  17,  1865. 


Died    of 


Alfred  Allen,  Johnstown. 
James  H.  Austen.  Johnstown. 
Henry  I.  BeHington,  K|)hratah 
Joseph  Bowman.      Killed  at  Oluslee. 
George  W.  Ruel,  ( )ppenheim.    W 
Uied  in  prison,  .-Vugust  15,  1864. 
James  B.  Brooks,  Northampton. 
Edmond  Burgess,  Northampton. 
John  I..  Bratt,  M.ayheld. 
Darius  Baker,  Mayfield. 
Charles  J.  Bishop,  .Mayfield. 

Theron  Bowman.  Mayfield    Uied  at  Beaufort,  of  fever,  June  ;6.  1863. 
Benjamin  A.  Baker,  .Maylicld.     Died  at   Washington,  D.  C  ,  of  small 
pox,  January  11,  1S63. 

Peter  Bums,  Johnstown. 
James  Bums.     Wounded  at  tjiustee. 
Henry  Barclay,  Johnstown. 

Franklin  H.  Barker,  Johnstown.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 
James  Bolster,  Oppcnhcim.      Died  at  Beaufort,  July  26,  1863. 
Eli  Brooks,  Northampton. 
Orin  Cross,  Johnstown. 
Thomas  Craig.      V\'ounded  at  ( >lustee. 
H.  J.  Cool,  Openheim.      Died  at  Fortress  Monroe 
Samuel  Clemen.s,  Oppenheim.      Died  of  wounds  at  Fort  Johnson.  \'a.. 
May  14,  1864. 

Augustus  C.  Canfield,  Oppenheim      Wounded  at  Olustee. 
Herman  Cool,  Johnstown.     Died  at  Fort  Monroe,  January  3,  1865. 
Thomas  Dooly.      Died  at  Andersonville. 

Dan.    B.    Doxtader,  Johnstown.      Died  at   Beaufort,   S C,  March    14, 
1864,  of  wounds. 

Philander  Do.xtader,  Stratford. 

Charles  R.  Dibble,  Stratford.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

David  H    Dalryniplc,  Stratford.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

Charles  Dyer,  Stratford.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

James  H.  Eldred.   .Northampton. 

Benjamin  Ferguson,  Mayfield. 

Nelson   Fairchilds,  Johnstown. 

Joshua  Oetman,  Ephratah. 

James  H.  (ictman,  Kphratah. 

George  C.  (iraves,  Johnstown. 

William  R.  Holliday,  Johnstown. 

James  F.  Mallet,  Johnstown. 

Albert  Helebrandt,  Johnstown. 

P.  Herman      Wounded  at  Olustee. 

John  Hall,  Johnstown. 

John  Hilton,  Johnstown. 

Albon  Manner,  Northampton. 

Cornelius  V.  H.ill  Mayfield.    Wounded  at  Olustee. 

George  B.  Harrison,  Northampton. 

John  F.  James,  Northampton. 

James  R.  Jatoby,  Kphral.ah. 

Sanders    Johnson,    Ephratah.       Wounded     at    Deep    Bottom.    Died 
August  26,   1864. 

Aaron  Johnson,  Johnstown.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

•Stephen  A.  Johnson,  Mayfield.      Died  of  wounds  June  i,  1864. 

Stephen   Kirklaml,  Mayfield. 

Andrew  Kei  k.  Oppenheim. 

Wm    H.  H.  Keck,  Openheim. 

Willi.im  H.  l.ou.  ks,  Kphr.itah.     Died  of  fever  at  Beaufort,  July  3,  1863 

Moses  l.oucks,  Ephr.ntah. 


Stephen  Mowers,  Stratford. 

James  N.   Matauny,  Oppenheim.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 
Wm.  Montaney,  ( )ppenheim.     Died  at  Virginia. 
S.  D.  .Mosher.    Died  at  Beaufort,  North  Carolina. 
Hugh  Ml  l.aughlin,  Johnstown. 

Archibald  McLaughlin.  Johnstown.     Wounded  at  Cold  Harbor,  Ches- 
ter Heights,  and  Olustee 

Frederick  .Multer.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

David  I,.  Mann,  Johnstown. 

Cornell  McAllister,  Mayfield. 

Thomas  D.  Perry,  Mayfield. 

Philip  Plank.  Johnstown. 

Steward  Putnam,  Johnstown. 

Levi  Phillip,  Oppenheim.     Wo 

J.ames  H.  Piatt,  Northampton. 

Charles  Rhodes,  Northampton. 


Wounded  at  Olustee. 
iinded  at  Olustee. 

Died  .at  Beaufort.  July  27,  1863. 
Died  at  Petersburgh,  June  26,  1864. 


1864. 


1864. 


John  .A.  Rhodes,  Nurthami^ton. 

Hiram  Rhodes,  Northami>ton. 

Charles  Rood.     Died  at  Petersburgh,  Virginia. 

Abram  Rathmire.  Johnstown.    Killed  at  Olustee,  Florida,  Feb.  20,  '64. 

Peter  P.  Shiilcr,  Baker,      Died  at  Philadelphia,  of  fever,  Feb.  7,  1863. 

Andrew  Seit/,  Fonda.      Died  in  North  Carolina. 

Sanford  W.  Shaw,  Mayfield.     Wounded  at  Olustee  and  died  Nov.  10, 

John  Scott,  Johnstown.      Died  in  Virginia. 

Mathew  H.  Snyder.  Johnstown. 

William  H.  Scorsby,  Stratford. 

J    Stearnocks.     Died  at  Fortress  Monroe. 

John  -A.  Smith,  Oppenheim. 

William  H.  Suits,  .Northampton. 

Jeremiah  Stenburgh,  Ephratah.      Died  at   Fortress  Monroe,  Aug.  26, 

Smith  Travis,  Northampton.     Died  at  Fortress  Monroe. 
James  C.  Tompkins,  Johnstown.     Died  at  Chicago,  Nov.  4,  1864. 
[ames  Van  .\uken,  Johnstown.     Died  at  Yorktown,  Va.,  June  30  '63. 
Died  of  injuries.   Fort    Fisher,  N.  C, 


Died  at  Hilton  Head. 


Peter  Van  Loon,  Oppenheim. 
June  17,  .865. 

John  N.  Ward.  Oppenheim. 

Reuben  S.  Wright,  Johnstown 

Reuben  T.  Wells,  Mansfield. 

Joseph  Wood,  F^phratah.     Died  at  Hilton  Head,  .\ug.  7,  1863. 

James  Welch.     Died  at  Olustee,  Florida. 


COMPANY  G. 


Michael  Maloncy,  .Amsterdam.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

R.  S.  Quillett,  .Amsterdam. 

William  Van  Slyke,  Amsterdam. 

William  H.  Wiley,  .Amsterdam.     Wounded  and   died  in   rebel  prison. 


COMPANY  M. 


Eli  1).  M.  I.ec,  Ephrat 
George  H  Luck, 
Joshua  Lake,  Johnsto 
Simon  P.  Little,  Str.itfi 


rtha 


Tpton. 


Lyman  Brown,  .Minden. 
Michael  Dean,  Minden. 
Patrick  Egan,  Minden. 
Michael  Flanagan.  .Minden. 
John  Mart.  .Minden. 
William  H,  Kellogg,  Florida. 
Jacob  C)nderkirk,  .Amsterdam. 
Dennis  Ray.  .Minden. 
James  Richards,  Fonda. 
Jatob  Smith,  Minden. 
Geo.  Thorn,  Amsterdam. 
J.  J.  Vosburgh,  Amsterd.im. 
Francis  Williamson,  .Amsiordam. 


10 


82 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


COMPANY  I. 


Captain^  Ezra  E.  Walrath,  Syracuse. 

ist.  LiiuUnant,  David  M.  Kettle,  Canajoharic.  Promoted  to  captain, 
May  1864. 

lit  Sergeant,  Jeremiah  Bovee,  Canajoharic. 

znd  Sergeant,  George  O.  Smith,  Canajoharic,  Promoted  2nd  Lieuten- 
ant, January  27,  1864. 

ind  Sergeant,  James  M.  \'oung,  Fonda.      Died  at  home. 

5M  Sergeant,  George  Maxon,  Canajoharic. 

id  Corporal,  Frederick  C.  Winsman,  Canajoharic.      Died  at  Chicago. 


Henry  Billington,  Canajoharie.     Wounded   at  Deep  Bottom,  Aug    16, 
1864. 

Henry  W.  Babcock,  Canajoharie. 

B.  C.  Christansen,  Canajoharie.     Died  in  New  Jersey. 

Martin  Car>er,  Canajoharic. 

R.  Crandall,  Canajoharie.      Died  at  Andersonvillc. 
John  W.  Crosby,  Fonda. 

Ezra  Coleman,  St.  Johnsville.     Died  of  wounds  at  Fortress    Monroe 
Nov.  II,  1864. 

Thomas  Clark,  .Minden. 

William  Disbrow,  Glen.      Died  of  disease  at  Portsmouth,  Va. 

Livingston  Derrick,  Canajoharie. 

Morgan  M.  Flint,  Canajoharie.       Killed  at  Drurys  Bluff,  Va.,  Jan.  14, 
1864 

Simon  Faulkner,  Canajoharic. 

James  Gardner,  Canajoharic. 

Chaunccy  Goodbread.  Palatine. 

Patrick  Hanvey,  Mindcn. 

Alexander  Kershuckey,  Canajoharic.      Died  of  disease   in  N.  Y.  city. 

Frederick  W.  Kcaner,  Palatine. 

John  Kelly,  Canajoharie. 

R.  B.  Kelley,  Fonda. 

Nicholas  B.  Lewis.  Canajoharie. 

Svlvanus  Mover.  Canajoharic.      Killed    at    Chesterfield    Hci';hts,   Va.. 

May  7,  1864. 

John  McKoy.  Canajoharie, 

Michael  .Miller,  (;icn.      Died  at  licaufori. 

Donald  McMirtin.  Johnstown. 

Barney  Mc(;uirc.  C.Icn.      Died  of  disease  at  .\nnapolis. 

Patrick  North.  Canajoharie. 

John  Pettit,  Mohawk. 

.Martin  Priie,  Can.ajoharic. 

Augustus  Price,  Canajoharic. 

Daniel  Peeler,  Palatine.      Died  in  rebel  prison,  June  22,  1864. 

George  Rolf,  Can.ijoharic. 

Jeremiah  Rightmoyer,  P.ilatine. 

Peter  X.  Rightnioyer,  P.ilatine. 

Frank  E.  Rich,  Ro  it. 

P.  Sullivan.     Killed  a-.  Pctcrslnirgh. 

A.  G.  Snyder.  Am,:erdan).      Died  at  l'ctcr-.bMrgh. 

Charles  W.  Sharff,  Can.ijoharic.      Wnunilc.l  .it  (llustee. 

'Ihom.as  J.  Stephens,  Canajoharic. 

Aaron  B.  Sncll,  Fonda. 

Abijah  Smith,  Fonda. 

Horatio  Smith,  Fond.i.      Died  of  disease  at  Chici-o,  in  i,S62. 

Noah  Suits.  Palatine. 

Clark   S.iuthwi.k.   St.    Johnsville.      Died   in  hospii.il.  at  lieaufort,  of 
n'ounds,  February  26,  1S64. 

Benjamin  Truman. 

Luras  Van  Kvcra,  Can.ijoharic      Died  .it  Norfolk.  Va.,  July  1864. 

Theodnrc  Whitfor.l,  C.inajnharie. 

James  E.  Walrath,  St.  Johnsville. 

Francis  Wilmcrson,  .Amsterdam. 


COMPANY  K. 


Captain,  W'm.  Smith,  .Amsterdam.      \\'oiinded  at  .Maryland  Heights. 

li/  Lieuteniiit.  Ralf  Sexton,  Caroga.      Discharged  May  25,  1863. 

\st  Sergemt,  Henry  P.  McMaster,  Caroga. 

znJ  S:rgeant,  Jas.  NL  Hill,  Broadalbin.      Promoted  2nd  lieutenant;  in 
i86j  to  ist  lieutenant.     Transferred  to  47th  N.  V. 
\  3--/  SfrgeanI,  Jas.  O.  F'ox,  Broadalbin.     Died  at  Petersburgh. 

;  4//;  .Sergeant,  Archibald  Buchanan,  Broadalbin. 

!  5M  Sergeant,  Caleb  Olnislead,  Broadalbin. 

'  IS/  Corpora/,  James  A.  Swan.  Caroga. 

j  2«(/  Corporal,  Loren/o  E.  Bradt,  Caroga. 

4///  Corporal,  John  Park,  Broadalbin.     Died  at  Beaufort,  S.  C. 
I  6M  Corporal,  Samuel  Burr,  Broadalbin.     Promoted  to  sergeant. 

j  ^th  Corporal,  Eli  Smith,  Caroga. 

I  8M  Corporal,  Henry  Luly,  Broadalbin. 

Musieian,  Samuel   Hurd,  Caroga, 

Musician,  Joshua  W.  Ripley,  Broadalbin. 

Musician,  .Melville  W.  Cole.  Broadalbin. 
i  H'agoner,  Jas.  Carmichael,  Johnstown. 


J.  M.  Amstead.      Died  at  Deep  Bottom,  Va. 
David  Anderson,  Broadalbin. 
Geo.  H.  Ackley.  Johnstown. 
Wm,  Bailey.     Wounded  at  Oluslee. 
,      Milligham  Bump,  Mohawk. 

Peter  Bratt,  Caroga.     Died  after  being  discharged. 
.\bram  Backnyre,  Palatine.      Died  at  Fortress  Monroe. 
Edward  Bratt,  Palatine. 

Marcus   Banta,    Broadalbin.      Burnt  to  death  at   .\msterdam,   N.   Y., 
Aug.  29,  1862. 

Chas.   H.   Bradt,  Johnstown.      Killed  at  Olustee,  Fix,  Feb.  20,  1864. 
Promoted  to  sergeant. 

John  Cole,  Caroga.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

Norman  M.  Cool.  Oppenheim. 

John  R.  Clark,  Broadalbin.      Died  at  Petersburg,  Va. 

Joseph  Carjientcr.  Broadalbin. 

Francis  Cole,  Johnstown.      Died  at  Chicago,  Oct.  31,  1862. 

Michael  .\.  Dorm,  Caroga.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

Peter  Dingman,  Bro.idalbin. 

Edgar  1).  Dimerest,  Broadalbin.      Promjted  to  sergeant  in  1865. 

William  H.  Dingman,  Broadalbin. 

John  H.  Day,  Mayfield. 

John  Demore,  .Amsterdam. 

j.ames  De  Graff,  Palatine. 

Philip  Erkenbrack,  Caroga.      Wounded  at  Olustee. 

Ebene/er  Failing,  Caroga. 

Martin  Frederick,  Caroga. 

David  F'ailing,  Caroga.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

William  L.  Frederick,  Mohawk. 

Peter  Fry,  Bro.adaIbin. 

William  NL  Fox,  Broadalbin.      Discharged  for  disability. 

Daniel  F'osmire,  Broad.ilbin. 

James  R.  Gage,  Caroga. 

A.  Harden.      Dicil  at  Raleigh. 

Peter  Hanahan,  Caroga. 

W.  A.  Honeywell,  Broadalbin. 

A.  P.  Hart,  Broadalbin. 

Grote  Honeywell,  Johnstown. 

James  Hunter.     Wounded  at  Olustee, 

Benjamin  Hammond,  Broadalbin.     Promoted  to  corporal  in  1S63. 

G.  G.  Honeywell,  Broadalbin.     Wounded  at   Drury's  Bluff  and  Win- 
chester. 

William  Hillic,  Caroga.      DIcii  of  diseise  June,  1865. 

Charles  W.  Johnson.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

tieorge  S.  Jones,  Mohawk. 

Thomas  Kelly,  Broadalbin. 


COMPANIES  OE  MONTGOMERY  AND  FULTON  MEN. 


83 


Francis  Kirsh,  Glen.     Died  at  Hilton  Head.  June  21.  1863. 
Franklin  E.  I^amb,  Caroga. 
Frank  I.imer.  Caroga, 

Charfes  I^mb,  Caroga.      Died  of  wounds.  January  16,  1865. 
Heniy  Luloy,  Broadalbin.      Died  at  Hilton  Head. 
Nathan  Layton,  Palatine 

Nonaan  W.  Lyford,  liroadalbin.     Wounded  at  Chesterfield   Heights  ; 
died  May  7.  1864, 

Abram  Massey,  Caroga. 

Charles  Moat.  Caroga.     Died  of  measles  at  Washington,  Ja 

Charles  M.  Marcellus.  liroadalbin.      Promoted  to  sergeant. 

Isaac  Manchester.  Broadalbin.     Wounded  at  Chesteriield. 

Alex.  Monroe,  Broadalbin.      Died  at   Hilton  Head.  Octobc 

MelTin  Miller,  Ephratah.      Died  at  Johnstown,  N.  Y..  Mar. 

BAniey  McGuire,  .Amsterdam. 

Michael  .Miller,  Glen.     Died  of  disease  at  Beaufort.  January 

Barney  Naughton,  Ephratah. 

Cynis  Near,  Caroga. 

Lei-i  Pettit,  Broadalbin.      killed  at  Olustee,  February  ;o,  1864. 

William  H.  Peck,  Broadalbin.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

William  Pedrick,  Caroga.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

William  A.  Peek,  Broadalbin. 

Engaged  at  Maryland  Height; 


1863. 


1863. 
1S65. 


15,  1864. 


nd  Har- 


Discharged  for  disability  in  1864. 


;d  June  ig,  1863. 

Died  of  wounds  in  rebel  hospital.  May 


rebel 


Elijah  .\.  Rose,  Broadalbin. 
per's  Ferry. 

William  Rowley,  Broadalbin. 

William  D.  Rice,  Broadalbin 

Abram  Rockmeyer,  Palatine. 

Warren  J.  Se.vton,  Caroga. 

Adam  Steams,  Caroga. 

Henry  Seeley,  Broadalbin. 

Obediate  Sprung,  Broadalbin 
II,  1865, 

Albert  Solomon,  Broadalbin 

Richard  A.  Thorp.  Broadalbin.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

Stephen  S.  Treper,  Broadalbin.      Wounded  at  Oljstee. 

Joseph   VanderpooL  Caroga.     Wounded   at   Olustee  ;  died 
prison,  March  10,  1864 

Andrew  J.  Van  Skiver,  Johnstown. 

George  W.  Wait,  Caroga. 

James  H.  Williams,  Caroga.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

Jos.  Wistar.     Died  at  Statcn  Island 

Aaron  Ward,  Broadalbin. 

James  Young,  Johnstown. 

Wm.  S.  Young,  .Amsterdam.     Wounded  at  Olustee. 

Joseph  Younger,  .Amsterdam. 
Hospital    Steward    J.    Countryman,    of    St.   Johnsville,  killed   at   Fort 
Kisher,  N.  C,  and    Sergeant    M.ajor  E.    R.    Fonda,  of  Cohoes,  killed   at 
Chesterfield,  Va.,  were  also  members  of  the  115th. 

While  the  115th  Regiment  included  more  of  the  nation's  defenders  from 
Montgomery  county  than  any  other  organization,  the  patriots  of  the  county 
also  swelled  the  r.inks  of  other  regiments,  as  follows  : 


COMPANY   E.  43D  INFANTRY;  ENROLLED  AT  CANAJOHARIE. 


George  M.  .Algier. 
Samuel  Allen. 
Isaac  Bandu. 
James  Barry. 
John  Conrad. 
James  Cary. 
James  Connor. 
James  Dwyer. 
William  Drake. 
Charles  Drake. 
George  Eicher. 
John  Farrell, 
John  Fralick. 
James  Farlan. 
Henry  Fero. 
Lewis  Hartley. 
Henry   Henneman. 
Jerome  Hill. 
Richard  Hardin. 
Richard   Handy. 
William  Hillebrant. 
J.   Hammersmith. 
John  Jolly. 
Frank  Jolly, 
Geo.  Jackson. 
John  Karg. 
John  Kiernan. 
Thomas  Lynch. 


Peter  Lynch. 
Chas.   Luckin. 
John  McBahen. 
Theodore  .Martin. 
Chas.  Miller. 
Peter  McNinny. 
John   McCabe. 
Daniel  McMann. 
Wm.  Meagher. 
John  Murphy. 
Ellis  Moyer. 
Or\iIlar  .Mann. 
John  Neil. 
Harrison  Plank. 
Peter  H.  Reynolds. 
David   Race. 
Jonas  Race. 
Henry  Showdy. 
Chas.  Shultz. 
Thomas  Smith. 
Chas.  Smith. 
Stephen  Socks. 
Albert  Taylor. 
M.  Van  Brocklm. 
A.  A.  Van  Valkenburg. 
Frederick  W'illick. 
.Abel  Weaver. 
James  Y'oung. 


CafUin,  Jacob  AVilson. 
\st.  Utiitetuiitt,  Hiram  \.  \Vins!ow. 
zd  Sir^^tint,  Thomas  .Avery. 
id  Strgraiit,  Frank  Shurburt. 
4//t  Srrj^'t-t7/i/,  ].  W,  Hagadorne. 
5M  St-ri^filiif,  Jackson  Davis, 
rx/ O"-/,.™/,  John    D.   Dain. 
2,/C,'if„r„/,  William  F.  Ward. 
ZJ  Ci'rf.Tii',  Cornelius  V.in  Alstyne. 
5M  Corforal,  Christopher  Rirbards. 
bih  Corf,,,,;,/,  Marlin  O'Brien. 
Musiain,  Charle,   Marcy 
Muiiiia,!,  William  Flint. 


COMPANY   K,    ist  ARTILLERY.   ENROLLED  AT   FORT    PLAIN. 


Captahi,  Lorenzo  Crounsc. 

lit  Lieutr'iiiint,  S.  Walter  Stocking. 

2mf  Lirut<;tui,it,  .Angell  .Mathewson. 

\st  Ser^ea,it,  Geo.  W.  Fox. 

Q.  M.  S/ri;,a„t,  Wm.  J.  Canfield. 

Sfr^fant,  Mosher  Marion. 

Sergeant,  Charles  Keller, 

1st  Corporal,  Phelps  Conover, 

3/-//  Corpora/,  .Aden  G.  Voorhees. 

4//1  Corpora/,  Gottlieb  Ludwig. 

6//;  Corpora/,  Wm.  E.  Smith. 

Tt/i  Corpora/,  Horatio  Fox. 

%t/i  Corpora/,  Henry  Tabor. 

Biig/er,  Geo.  W.  Beardsley. 

Artificer,  Clark  Burtiss. 

Wago,ier,  Martin  Sitts. 


Bennett,  Peter. 
Bennett,  Jesse. 
Bennett,  Elisha  D. 
Billington,  Geo.  H. 
Baziel,  Peter. 
Burtiss,  Albert. 
Brown,  Hiram, 
Brownrigg,  William 
Christman,  Geo.  W. 
Carter,  .Myron. 
Coine,  James. 
Dyslin,  Ambrose. 
Dyslin,  Azari.ih. 
Drum,  Wm.  II. 


Dievendorff,  John  H 
Ellsworth,  John  B. 
Edick,  Geo. 
F^nghauser,  F^dward. 
Fricke,  Henry. 
Fort,  Geo.  \\ 
Goodbreatl,  Solomon. 
Crimen,  Loren  A. 
Gallup,  Rufus. 
Henniger,  John. 
H.anlcy,  Jnmcs. 
Holmes,  Jvrcmiah. 
Johnson,  Francis  H. 
Johnson,  Dtlos  M. 


M 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


Knieskem,  Lyman  P. 
ICaufmann,  Jacob. 
Kelscy.  Franriv 
Kelley.  John. 
Litner,  John. 
Monk,  Philo. 
Mattice.  John. 
Nestell,  \Vm.  H. 
Netlis,  .-\zariah. 
NestelU  Wm. 


ah. 


Parr,  Rul.crt 
RoKcrs,  Rus,cll  \ 
Reynold!,,  Wm.  J 
RockerfclloK,  )„■ 
Stevens,  John. 
Smith,  (fcor^c. 
Shannon,  Richard. 
Trickcy,  John. 
VValrath,  llco.,  M.I) 
\\'atennan,  .Me.xandi 


White,  .Vlatthe 


t6th   RE(;iMKN  r  .VRlll.l.KRY 


Allen,  Abraham  J.  Oinajiih,iric. 
Barlow,  Julius 
Barlow,  John  D, 
Bennett,  Samuel  F. 
Bowman,  Erastus  W. 
Campbell,  Cornelius  K    " 
Dyslin,  Allen  T,     St.  JolinnilU. 
Fuller,  Charles  H.   Canajoharic. 
Hibbard,  Daniel  W.   St.  JohnaiHe. 
Hess,  Daniel. 
Hall,  Lorenzo  It 
Knickerbocker,  Sam. 
Nolan,  Thomas.      Ciinnjohane. 
Rodgers,  Jas.  L.     .SV.  Johmxille. 
Kidcricic,  Peter  H.      Caitajohartf. 
Smith,  Wm.  H.     St.  Johnnillr. 
Southerland,  Clark  E 
Sheffer,  John  W. 


Billings,  Lyman.     Offcn/itim. 

Brown,  Jonas  1), 

Canan,  Dennis  P      .MiniUn. 

Churchell,  Jolin  K.     .SV.  Jolinsrillr. 

Clemans.  Daniel.     Offiii/nim 

Cunningham,  Daniel         •■ 

Dilanl.eck,  Kenj.  P       C,nMj„/i.,ni: 

Dilanbeck,  John  \ . 

Fallen,  John.     Si  J.^/nisri//,- 

Hagadurn,  Cha^.   1.     .Uiii./rn. 


Hagadorn,  \\"m.      .Sfindfn. 
Hall.  (ieo.  W,     Ouuiji'haru: 
Keck.  Jacob.      Oppfnhriiti. 
Keller,  Henry  H.      Mimlni. 
Kelly,  John  A.      .SV.  Johns-.-illf. 
Klock.  Dewitl. 
Lousby,  Stephen. 
I.yke.  Peter  F.     Miiultn. 
Moycr,  John.      Ciiiuljoharii-. 
Real,  Jacob. 
Ryan,  .Michael  B. 
Seevy,  .Andrew. 
See-.y.  Mich.iel. 
Smith,  Michael.     Op^ftihfim. 
Stibyney,  Earnest. 
Strobuck.  John. 
The    following  smaller   representations  in   various  regiments  and   com- 


panies  close  our  reiord  of  the  brave  r 
and  suffered  to  keep  the  nation  whole  : 

N.  Wormuth.       Fort  Pla. 

W.  Stanton,     fiiltomillt. 

P.  Winn.    .\tin,l!n, 

J.  Shiel,      Palatini. 

J.  Benning,     Root. 

C.  Neall,     Palatine, 

J.  Coutant,     Rtiot. 

S.  McNiel, 

H.  Broadstrcet,  AmsUri/ai. 

W.  McCowart, 

C.  Marsh, 

W.  C.  Putman, 

D.  Sikes, 

F.  H.  Stiles, 

G.  J.  Van  Schaick, 
John  Dunn,     Canajoharie, 
John  Maicos,  *' 

J.  Bleek,         Amsterdam.      B; 

J.  A.  Dawson, 

J.   Davis, 

R.  Di.xon, 

(;.  Finn, 

Geo.  E.  Lewis, 

J.  Bartley,         //  Plain. 

J.  Billingham,  Johnst.n^'n. 

E.  Burlingame.  St.  Jolmrrilh 
S..  Jennings.        .Stral/nnl, 

L.  P.  Ballard,         //../■/,/,;, 
-A.  J.  Messenger. 
W.  Storms, 


n  from    Montgomery  who  fought 

Co.     E.,     6th   Regt.    Cavalry. 

L.,    15th     •■ 
■■       .M.,   20th      ■• 


B..   2nd    Regt.    Vet.  Cav. 


Co.    E.,  ist  Regt.  Mounted  Rifle 
Co.  K.  76th  Infantry. 


Independent  .Artillery. 


2lst  Regiment. 
24th 


NATURAL  FEATURES  OF  AMSTERDAM— ITS  FIRST  SETTLERS. 


85 


TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


THE  TOWN  OF  AMSTERDAM. 


The  present  town  of  Amsterdam  \vas  originally  included  in  the  town  of 
Caughnavaga,  a  lerriton-  that  embraced  all  that  part  of  Montgomery 
county  north  of  the  Mohawk  river  and  east  of  the  hold  hill  spurs  known 
as  "The  Noses."  Fomied  in  1788,  the  comparatively  young  town  of 
Caughnawaga  was.  five  years  after,  itself  subdivided  into,  or  rather  merged 
in,  the  new  towns  of  Johnstown,  Mayfield,  Broadalbin  and  Amsterdam. 
Thus  the  formation  of  Amsterdam  occurred  on  the  12th  of  March,  1793. 
At  that  dbte,  no  village  of  importance  was  within  its  bounds.  Embr\-o  set- 
tlements had  come  into  beinj;  much  earlier  in  the  adjacent  town  of  Florida 
— fomierh  Warrensbush:  while  (.■aiighnaw3g;t  bnd  its  sub'^tantial  stone 
church — built  in  1763 — and  surrounding  hamlet,  and  Johnstown,  the  shire 
town  of  Montgomery- county,  as  it  had  been  of  Tryon  county,  was  a  village 
of  considerable  impf)rtance.  The  creation  of  Fulton  county  caused  a 
division  al  this  town,  and  the  northern  portion  was  set  off  April  i8ih.  1838, 
to  form  the  town  of  Perth  Fulton  county  .  which  bounds  it  on  the  north. 
It  is  bounded  east  by  Schenectady  county,  south  by  the  Mohawk  river. 
and  west  fciy  the  town  of  Mohawk.  It  contains  20.054  acres,  three-fourths 
of  which  are  imder  cultivation. 

The  so3  of  the  Mohawk  river  fiats  and  islands  is  exceedingly  rich,  and 
produces  !arge  and  valuable  crops,  among  which  broom  corn  is.  perhaps, 
the  most  iia|>ortant  and  remunerative.  North  of  the  bluffs  and  slopes  that 
hem  the  ris-er,  the  soil  is  of  a  lighter  character,  yellowish  loam,  yet  afford- 
mg  fair  reSum>  to  a  varied  agriculture,  and  is  well  adapted  to  gra/.ing  and 
the  raising  of  mo-nt  i  ereals. 

uts  in  the  town,  but  the  land  is  pleasantly 
northern  bounds,  affording  many  a  land- 
(ireat  ledges  i>f  gray  limestone  lie  along 
iver;  tjuarries  of  it  are  worked  to  a  con- 
vcn  some  miles  back  from  ihe  gen- 
cellent  quality  is  obtained  for  local 


.No  monncains  rear  their  sum 
undulating  from  the  river  to  it: 
scape  of  -juiet.  pastoral  beauty. 
the  bluffs  frn  the  margin  of  the 
>iderable  e.xtent  in  several  localities, 
era!  ridge,  from  which  stone  of   most  1 


*hicl» 


i  also  in   good  demand  for  canal  lo(  ks,  bridges,  etc.      .\  large 
furnished  for  the  railroa<l  bridge,  and  the  new  Capitol  building 


,  the  Chuctenunda.  which  weds  th. 
name  is  regarded  as  purely  Indiar 
in  "twin  sisters,"  in  albi 
name  emptying  into  tht 


-piantuy  ' 
at  .Albany. 

The  pncripat  stream  of  the 
Mohawk  ai  Amsterdam  village 
<>ur-tc-nun-da  in  olden  re<  ords  ,  and  said  to  1 
Mon  to  a  ssream  of  similar  volume  and  the  sa 
nvcr  on  the  opposite  shore,  the  mouths  being  but  a  few  rods  apart  The 
northern  Chuctenunda  is  traceable  some  fifteen  miles,  several  email  brooks 
falling  into  its  channel.  Its  descent  is  rapid,  and  it  has  allured  about 
fifteen  manufacturing  establishments  to  its  banks.  The  supply  of  water 
W'ing  too  limited  and  inconstant,  a  reservoir,  covering  one  hundred  acres 
"r  more,  wa.s  constructed  in  i860,  about  ten  miles  from  the  village,  for  the 
I'iirpf)se  of  keeping  up  the  supply.  The  incre.ising  nvimbcr  of  mills  .and 
'ictories  00  this  stream  necessarily  increased  the  demand  for  water,  and. 
■n  1876,  the  enterprising  mill-owners  enlarged  this  reservoir,  or  rather  con- 
"^Iructed  a  new  and  more  substuntinl  one  in  the  same  locality,  covering 
■^b'jut  seven  hundred  acres,  whit  h  has  proved  a  valuable  adjunct  in  main- 
Utning  a  regular  and  sufficient  flow  of  water.     The  reservoir  is  in  pla<  es 


over  thirty  feet  deep.  It  has  an  outlet  tube  three  feet  in  diameter,  and 
cost  about  §25,000.  It  is  soon  to  be  in  telegraphic  communication  with  the 
village.  East  of  the  Chuctenunda  two  other  streams,  not  considerable  or 
constant,  fall  into  the  Mohawk;  while  the  Fort  Johnson  creek  formerly 
K-ayaderosseras  .  a  large  and  valuable  stream,  flows  across  the  western 
part  of  the  town  and  murmurs  close  by  the  substantial  walls  of  Fort  John- 
son. Evas  Kil  creek,  flowing  into  the  Mohawk  at  Cranesville,  took  its 
name  from  Mrs.  Eva  Van  Alstyne,  who  was  wounded  and  scalped  by  the 
Indians  in  1755,  while  crossing  this  stream  on  her  way  from  Johnstown  to 
Schenectadv. 


EARLY    PATENTS. 

The  first  settlements  in  the  town  are  supposed  to  have  been  commenced 
as  early  as  1710  or  1712,  the  pioneers  being  (ierman  Palatines,  who  were 
sent  here  under  the  patronage  of  Queen  Anne  of  England,  and  Holland 
Dutch,  from  Schenectady  and  other  parts,  who  settled  along  the  Mohawk 
about  the  same  time.  But  little,  however,  is  known  of  them  in  connection 
with  this  town  at  that  early  period.  The  title  to  twenty  acres  of  land  ly- 
ing in  Amsterdam  was  issued  to  (Veraldus  Camforl,  .\pril  22d,  1703.  This 
is  probably  the  first  patent  granted  by  the  English  Colonial  Government 
within  the  present  limits  of  Montgomery  county.  Another  patent  was 
granted  to  Ebenezer  Wilson  and  John  .Aheel.  "one  half  to  each,"  called 
the  Chatsandai  kte  Patent,  which  bears  date  February  22d,  1706;  but  there 
IS  no  evidence  that  any  of  the  patentees  or  their  representatives  settled  on 
their  lands  at  that  early  date.  In  1716.  Philij)  CIroat,  of  Rotterdam,  ac 
.[uired  the  title,  direct  from  the  Indians,  to  a  strip  of  land  in  the  eastern 
part  ol"  the  town  This  was.  without  doubt,  the  earhest  grant  obtained 
from  the  dusky  lords  of  (he  forest.  It  embraced  the  present  site  of 
Cranesville.  and  conveyed  "all  the  land  between  the  creeks  "  about  one 
mile  .  as  far  north  from  the  Mohawk  as  the  grantee  might  desire.  When 
removing  hither  (iroat  v 
breaking  through  the  ict 
who  was  also  drowned.  Hi- 
Lewis,  the  latter  being  then 
made  the  intended  settlement, 
mill  at  what  is  now  Cranesvilb 
on  the  north  side  of  the  Moh 
(ierman  Flats,  fifty  miles  beyond 
put  in  by  John  Burns,  a  (ierman. 
(iroat  was  taken  prisoner  by  thret 
longing  to  the  Owenagunga  tribe, 
Canada,  where  he  was  forced  to  n 


He  ^ 


wned  in  the  Mohawk,  near  Schenectady,  by 
vas  in  a  sleigh,  ai  companied  by  a  woman, 
widow  and  three  sons.  Sirnon,  Jacob  and 
ily  four  years  old,  with  several  domestics. 
In  1730  the  (iroat  brothers  erecleil  a  grist- 
This  was  the  first  mill  of  the  kind  erecte<l 
v]i,  and  for  a  time  served  the  settlement  at 
The  first  bolting-doth  in  this  mil!  was 
n  1772.  In  the  summer  of  1755,  Lewis 
hostile  Indians,  a  father  and  sons,  be- 
*ho  conveyed  him  to  their  settlement  in 
n  the  gauntlet.  He  was  soon  after  sf.UI 
to  a  French  Can.idian,  named  Louis  de  Sncjw,  with  whom  he  remained  as 
a  servant  until  the  declaration  of  war  between  (ireat  Britain  and  Fran(  e. 
when  he  was  claimed  as  a  British  prisoner,  .ind  for  six  months  imprisoned, 
in  St.  Francis  W.iy,  near  Montreal.  He  was  finally  liberated,  and  returneif 
home  after  an  ab.sence  of  four  years  and  four  months. 


8G 


THE  HIS!  OK Y  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 
FORT   JOHNSON. 


Sir  WDIiam  Johnson,  in  the  year  1742.  purchased  a  lot  of  land  on  the 
Kayaderosscras  (now  Fort  Johnson  ,  creek,  aljout  three  miles  north-ucsl 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Chnrtcnunda,  in  the  town  of  Amsterdam,  "  for  the 
[lurpose,"  a-,  he  asserts,  "of  seciirmg  a  valuable  water-power,  on  which  he 
proposed  to  erect  a  saw-mill,  that  would  he  certain  to  yield  a  profit  of  full 
forty  pounds  [)er  annum."  He  soon  after  moved  from  Warrenshush,  across 
the  Mohawk,  to  his  new  pos.sessions.  In  1744  he  erected  a  valuable  flour- 
ing mill  upon  the  brisk  stream,  and  also  built  an  elegant  stone  mansion 
for  his  own  residence,  conferring  upon  the  estate  the  name  of  Fort  John- 
son. This  massive  stone  structure,  still  standing,  is  35  feet  deep  by  60 
feet  front,  and  two  stories  high,  with  lofty  attic,  and  large  dormer  windows 
It  was  elegamtly  finished  for  that  period,  as  is  evinced  by  the  richly  orna. 
mented  carvings  of  oak  and  mahogany,  paneled  wainscoting,  spacious  halls 
and  aaircasc.  Standing,  as  it  does,  on  the  main  thoroughfare  from  the 
East  to  the  far  West,  on  low  grounds  close  by  the  creek,  the  hills  rising 
abruptly  in  tfee  rear,  it  bids  fair,  for  many  years,  to  be  an  interesting  relic 
of  earliest  civilization.  "Here,  after  Srr  William  had  built  the  "  Hall  "  at 
Johnstown,  and  removed  thither  in  1763,  his  son  (afterwards  Sir  John 
Johnson),  continued  to  reside. 

One  mile  east  of  Fort  Johnson  was  the  residence 
of  Colonel  Daniel  Claus,  a  son-in-law  of  Sir  William. 
This  dwelling  was  subseipienlly  burned  and  never 
rebuilt. 

[The  accompanying  engraving  of  Fort  Johnson 
was  taken  from  Lossing's  "  Field  Book  of  the 
Revolution,"  by  permission  of  Harper  Brothers, 
the  publishers  of  that  excellent  and  highly  interest- 

„.,...  ingwork.] 

Rev.  (lideon  flawley  made  a  journey,  in  1753,  from  .Albany  to  Oghkwaga 
(now  Windier,  Broome  Co.),  by  way  of  ths  .Mohawk  valley.  Forty  years 
later  he  wrote  a  narrative  of  the  trip,  from  which  we  take  the  following  : 

"At  sunset  we  were  politely  received  at  Colonel  Johnson's  gate,  by 
himself  in  ptrrson.  Here  we  lodged.  His  mansion  was  stately,  and  situ- 
ate a  little  distance  from  the  river,  on  rising  ground,  and  adjacent  to  a 
stream  which  ttimed  his  mill.  This  gentleman  was  well  known  in  his  civil 
military  and  private  character.  He  was  the  first  civil  character  in  the 
county  of  .\lbaiiy  at  that  day;  and  after  this,  by  means  of  the  war  which 
commenced  in  1755,  and  his  connection  with  the  Indians,  of  whom  he  was 
appointed'  sole  superintendent  for  that  part  of  the  continent,  he  arose  to 
great  eminence.  In  1756  he  was  made  a  baronet.  It  was  favourable  to 
our  mission  to  have  his  patronage,  which  1  never  lost.  In  the  year  1765  I 
found  him  at  another  mansion  about  eight  miles  from  this,  and  four  from 
the  river.  This  last  was  a  very  superb  and  elegant  edifice,  surrounded 
with  litllebuiklingsfor  the  accommodation  of  the  Indians  when  down  upon 
treaties  or  conferences  with  him.  Mr.  Woodbriilge  .ind  I  look  our  leave 
of  him  in  the  morning,  rode  up  to  the  ford  anil  crossed  the  river,  and  came 
over  to  the  south  side,  and  rode  to  what  was  called   ihe   Mohawk   castle. 


near  which  wjis  a  stone 
creek,  not  far  from  the  i 


■  of   Indi, 


disch; 


on  Sroharr 
into  the   .Mc 


(;UY 

Still  another  mile  east — each  tlom 
story,  sirongly-biiilt  stone  mansion 
(illy  Park,  where  the  nephew,  as  wel 
son,  (luy  John-Min,  resided.  I'he  hni 
prison  .tppear.iTice  till  1.S46.  when  it  ] 
art,  by  whom  it  was  considcrabl>  cnl.i 
building  reiniMielcd  and  cimvcrlcd  ini 
the  name  <tf  (iuv  I'ark. 


P.\RK 

1  tin  a  mile  s. 

■'"■'■ 

-w 

is  the  1 

.  :\\U:].  with 

Ihc 

surr 

oundin 

1  a-  son-in-l.i 

w.  0 

f  Si 

Willi,! 

i.issed  ml.)  1 

to  \ 
c  h. 

nds 

of  Jam 

irjcd,  its  ro. 

f  r.i 

sed. 

and  ll 

to  a  hands,,n 

e  d 

vclli 

ig,  still 

.These  pl.l.  C-.  were  abandoned  soon  after  llie  brcaki 
luti.inary  War.  and  were  sul.sci|iiently  declared  forfe 
by  the  Federal  <;overnnienI.  and  sold  to  other  inirlics 
possess!, m  of  tort  Johnson,  where  he  has  rcsi.lcd  f^ 
-    •  ■  inging  wilh  11 


portion  of  the 

mile  sipiare  c 

rigina 

by Kylet 

,  and  afterwa 

nis  tr 

S.  hnirk.   Max 

veil.   Smith. 

ml,  1 

present    0, ,  u| 

-T-nt.      .\nollK 

r     110 

IS40 


K.  Akin  is  now  in 
.uvL-ral  years.  A 
s  first  imrchased 
I,.  S.:luiyler.  Van 
ng  W.  Sv\L-t.-t.  the 


hands,  became  the  property  of  Joshua  Wilde  in  1845,  and  from  him  it 
passed,  in  1854,  to  his  son,  James  L,  Wilde,  who  continues  to  occupy  it. 
Still  another  part,  now  owned  by  Abram  Lingcnfelder,  was  first  settled 
by  Nathan  Wells,  and  afterwards  owned  successively  by  Alphenbreck 
Putnam  and  Benj.   Turney,  who,  in  1863,  sold  it  to  its  present  owner. 

The  glove  factory  of  Jame.s  Finehout  and  the  skin  mill  of  Coughnet  and 
Moore  are  also  located  on  this  square,  near  Fort  Johnson.  A  grist-mill, 
the  third  in  order,  now  occupies  the  site  of  the  one  erected  by  Sir  William, 


the  tw 


.  for 


■mg 


bur 


:d  do 


THE    PIOXKKRS  OK  AMSTERDAM. 

The"  farm  at  present  owned  by  D.  W.  Ecker  and  I.  CDllins  was  first 
settled  by  (ieo.  Shuler,  before  or  during  the  Revolution  For  a  long  lime- 
Mr.  Shuler  kept  the  valuables  and  spare  clothing  of  the  family  in  an  iron 
bound  chest,  secreted  in  a  large  stone  pile,  to  prevent  them  from  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  Indians  and  Tories 

Peter  Van  Wormer  was  among  the  first  to  settle  in  the  valley._  He  lo- 
cated on  lot  No  3.  Rayadcrosseras  patent.  Cornelius  Dodds  settled  in 
•793.  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  grand-son,  C.  Dodds.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of   1812. 

The  farm  upon  which  Wilson  Putnam  is  now  located,  was  originally  set- 
tled by  Victor  Putnam,  some  time  previous  to  the  Revolution.  During 
the  war  Mr.  P.  often  took  his  family  across  the  river  to  Fort  Hunter,  for 
safety.  He  was  at  one  time  stationed  there  for  the  purpose  of  arousing 
the  neighborhood,  upon  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  by  firing  an  alarm  gun. 

James  Allen  settled  in  1792,  where  J.  C.  Chalmers  resides.  Hisoriginal 
purchase  also  included  the  farm  of  James  Donnan. 

In  the  year  1794,  Isaac  and  Samuel  Jones,  cousins,  from  Orange,  N.  J.. 
purchased  lands  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.  A  small  settlement  had 
previously  b^en  commenced  in  this  portion  of  Amsterdam,  and  five  fami- 
lies were  already  located  in  as  many  log  cabins  near  each  other.  Their 
names  were  Robison,  Ellis,  Glasi,  Allen  and  Olmsted.  Isaac  Jones,  the 
same  year,  moved  his  family  and  settled  here.  In  the  following  year,  Sam- 
uel Jones  came  on  with  his  family  and  located  where  his  grand-son,  J.  V. 
Jones,  now  resides.  A  year  or  two  later.  John  Jones,  the  father  of  Isaac, 
moved  in  and  bought  out  Mr.  Robison,  and  Joseph  Baldwin,  a  relative  of 
the  Joneses  by  marriage,  purchased  and  settled  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Oim- 
stead.  Samuel  B.  Jones,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  settled -in  1797,  where 
his  grand-son,  Samuel  Jones,  now  resides.  The  first  school-house  erected 
in  this  part  of  the  town  stood  on  "  Olmstead  Hill."  near  the  present  resi- 
dence of  A.  Van  Vrankin,  and  .Samuel  Jones  was  among  the  first  who 
taught  in  it. 

The  farm  now  occupied  by  M  W.  Cli/.be,  was  originally  owned  by  a  Mr. 
Kennedy,  who  settled  on  it  some  time  previous  to  1800.  He  was  an  enter- 
j)rising  fruit  grower  and  nurseryman,  producing  several  new  varieties  of 
fruit,  hitherto  unknown.  "The  Kennedy  farm"  was  purchased  in  1S07,  by 
Juseph  Clizbe.  grandfather  of  the  present  owner, 

Jo.jpli  H-ig.imm  nnde  the  fir^t  settleni.-'nt  at  H.igainan's  Mills,  as  earl> 
as  [777.  He  came  from  Dutchess  Co..  X.  V„  and  was  the  son  of  Henry 
Hagaman,  a  native  of  Holland.  He  was  the  first  to  locate  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  town,  having  previously  purchased  four  hundred  acres  of  land. 
as  follows  :  one  hundred  acres  from  Mr.  Vischer,  of  Schagticoke,  for  $5 
per  acre,  and  three  hundred  acres  of  White  and    Palmer,  of  Saratoga  Co.. 


.t  .m<\ 

.'  onlvr 


for  $.'.75  per 

aTe. 

The  < 

iintrv   at 

th 

.VtVedders 

ii:ils  1 

lere  w. 

reoiili  th 

-■  gr 

shop,  with  sii 

ill  Jrt 

ollin^s 

'or  e.u  ll 

11 

111  ihi 


i-h  the  I. 


.Mr 


ll.ig.iiii.in  at  ..11.  e  ■ 
his  new  ho:ii.-,;e.id,  th.-  er.-  tija  ni  a  siw  mil 
It  is  related  th.it  h^-re  the  name  of  ".\msterdai 
part  of  the  then  I  irge  district  of  Caughnawag 
assemliled  for  the  i.iirpose  of  raising  the  fr.im 
when  it  was  jiroposed  to  give  a  nam.*  to  this  ^ 
known  and  more  definitely  distinguished.  .\ 
sterdam  "  was  almost  unanimously  agreed  up 
at  its  organieation  as  an  independent  town, 

.\  relic  of  those  early  times,  now  in  ihe  |i(is 
Cashier  of  the  hirst  National  IJaiik  of  .\iii- 
(lays  when  negro  slavery  existed  by  conslitiitii 


w.is 

very 

spars 

elyse 

ttlcd 

s.lW   I 

mils  a 

nd  a 

black 

smith 

1.1.1  r 

onh 

jf  M 

anny' 

Cor 

t  wi. 

e  em 

ugh 

0  allf 

wthc 

liner 

ced  1 

npro 

vemcr 

ts  on 

eing 

amor 

gthe 

first 

made 

was 

fir.st 

ado, 

ted  fo 

rthis 

Th 

scat 

cred 

settler 

shad 

f  .M 

.  H.lg 

iman 

's  saw 

mill. 

ion, 

wher 

.•l.y   i 

mig 

It  be 

te   \ 

as   ta 

ken. 

ind   ■ 

Am- 

the 

name 

heir 

g   rel 

iined 

sion 

of  ll. 

vid  C.idy, 

Fs,|  , 

dam 

rem 

nds 

one  1 

f  the 

i    HL 

ht   e% 

en    1 

1    free 

and 

MINOR  VILLAGES  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  AMSTERDAM. 


87 


independent  New  York,  and  tlie  barier  and  sale  of  a  human  being  was  a 
legitimate  transaction.  It  is  a  deed  executed  Aug.  13th,  1791,  by  Samuel 
D.  Wenner  to  David  Cady,  grandfather  of  the  present  David  Cady  ,  which, 
"  in  consideration  of  50  pounds,  current  money."  conveys  the  "negro  wench 
named  'Catc'  aged  25."  The  grantor  also  affirms  "said  wench  to  be 
honest  and  sober." 

It  is  rc()orted  that  in  rSoz  there  were  "five  mills  upon  the  Chucte- 
nunda,"  '.Amsterdam  at  that  time  included  West  Galway  .  Eleven  years 
later,  it  is  recorded  that,  upon  the  same  stream  "  there  are  in  all  5  grain 
and  4  saw  mills,  2  carding  machines,  2  fulling  machines,  2  oil  mills  and  a 
trip  hammer,"  besides  "the  extensive  iron  manufactory  of  S.  .iv:  .\.  Waters, 
where  mill-saws,  mill-irons  and  grass  scythes  are  annually  manufactured  and 
sold  to  the  amount  of  S,ooo  to  10,000  dollars.  This  establishment  cost 
^,000,  and  its  enterprising  proprietors  have  obtained  a  high  reputation  for 
their  wares.     They  sell  about  6,000  grass  scythes  annually." 

MINOR  vili..\c;es  of  the  town. 

Hacamak's  Mills  is  a  small  village  situated  on  Chuctcnunda  creek, 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  about  four  miles  north-east  of  the  village 
of  Amsterdam.  Besides  the  "  Star  Hosiery  Mills,"  it  contains  a  post- 
office,  two  churches — Methodist  and  Reformed — a  grist  mil!  and  saw  mill, 
and  two  stores.  Various  other  industries  are  also  represented.  M.  V. 
Herrick  became  proprietor  of  the  grist  and  saw  mills  in  187;  He  is  a 
native  of  this  Slate,  and  has  lived  in  the  town  since  1840. 

The  Star  Hosiery  Mills  of  H.  Pawbng  &  Son.,  is  the  oldest  establish- 
ment of  the  kind  in  the  county.  The  hosiery  business  was  commenced 
in  1857,  by  Pawling  &  Jackson,  on  a  small  scale  at  first,  in  connection  » ith 
wool  carding  and  the  manufacture  of  woolen  goods.  The  business  subse- 
quently merged  into  knit  goods  exclusively,  under  the  firm  name  of  H. 
Pawling  &  Son,  who  are  at  present  running  four  sets  of  machinery,  giving 
employment  to  eighty  hands,  turning  out  sixty  do^en  shirts  and  drawers 
<iaily,  manufacturing  about  $150,000  worth  of  goods  annually. 

Tribes  Hill  is  located  on  the  western  border  of  the  town,  just  north  of 
the  N.  Y.  Central  Railroad,  on  the  brow  of  a  considerable  elevation.  A 
portion  of  the  village  lies  in  the  town  of  .Mohawk.  It  received  its  name 
from  the  circumstance  that,  upon  this  elevation,  the  various  Indian  tribes 
were  accustomed  to  assemble.  The  place  contains  a  post. office,  a  Metho- 
dist and  a  Roman  Catholic  church,  a  store,  school-house,  and  the  usual 
numlwr  of  shops,  with  a  population  of  about  200.  At  the  railroad  station 
near  the  village,  a  suspension  bridge  spans  the  Mohawk,  connecting  it 
with  Kort  Hunter.  The  bndge  was  built  by  a  stock  company  in  1852-3, 
at  a  cost  of  $17,500.  It  is  536  feet  between  abutments  and  is  supported 
by  six  cables,  each  three  inches  in  diameter.  The  towers  are  constructed 
of  heavy  oak  timbers,  and  the  bridge  will  support  a  weight  of  5,000  |)0unds 
per  fool. 

Rev.  John  Taylor,  in  the  journal  of  his  missionary  lour  through  this 
region  in  1802,  made  the  following  entry  ; 

"  ya/l  z^rJ.—rnye-,  alias  Tribes  Hill,  in  the  town  of  Amsterdam, 
county  of  .Montgomery.   ♦  ♦  *     This  pbrc  appears  to  be  a  perfect  Habel 


as  to  language.  Hut  very  few  of  the  people,  I  believe,  would  be  able  to 
pronounce  Shibboleth.  The  articulation  even  of  .New  England  people,  is 
injured  by  their  being  intermingled  with  the  Dutch,  Irish  and  Scotch,  The 
character  of  the  Dutch  people,  even  on  first  acquaintance,  .ippears  to  be 
that  of  kindness  and  justice.  .As  to  religion,  they  know  but  little  about  it, 
and  are  extremely  superstitious.  They  are  influenced  very  much  by 
dreams,  and  apparitions.  The  most  intelligent  of  them  seem  to  be  under 
the  influence  of  fear  from  that  cause.  The  High  Dutch  have  some  singu- 
lar customs  with  regard  to  their  dead.  When  a  person  dies,  nothing  will 
influence  ye  connections,  nor  any  other  person,  unless  essentially  neces- 
sary, to  touch  the  body.  When  the  funeral  is  appointed,  none  attend  but 
such  as  are  invited.  When  the  corpse  is  placed  in  the  street,  a  tune  is 
sung  by  a  choir  of  persons  appointed  for  the  purpose — and  continue  sing- 
ing until  they  arrive  at  the  grave  ;  and  after  the  body  is  deposited,  they 
have  some  remarks  made — return  to  ye  house  and  in  general  get  drunk. 
12  men  are  bearers — or  carriers — and  they  have  no  relief.  No  will  is 
opened,  nor  debt  paid,  under  six  weeks  from  ye  time  of  death." 

It  may  as  well  be  remarked  here  that  funerals  were  not  the  only  occa- 
sions on  which  the  .nncicnt  .Amsterdamers  and  their  neighbors  m  general 
got  drunk.  Christmas  festivities  were  ec|ually  thirsty  work  ;  witness  the 
following  extract  from  a  journal  kept  by  the  missionary  Kirkland  in  1789: 

"  The  manner  in  wch.  ye  ppl.  in  yse  parts  keep  Xmas  day  in  commem- 
or'g  of  the  Birth  of  ye  Saviour,  as  ya  pretend  is  very  affect'g  and  strik'g. 
They  generally  assemble  for  read'g  prayers,  or  Divine  service — but  after, 
they  eat.  drink  and  make  merry.  They  allow  of  no  work  or  servile  labour 
on  ye  day  and  ye  following — their  servants  are  free — but  drinking  swearing 
fighting  and  frolic'g  are  not  only  allowed,  but  seem  to  be  essential  to  ye 
joy  of  ye  day." 

Cranesville,  situated  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Mchawk,  about  three 
miles  east  of  .Amsterdam  village,  is  a  small  station  on  the  N.  Y.  Central 
Railroad,  containing  a  church,  hotel,  store,  saw  mill,  a  post  office,  and  a 
cluster  of  comfortable  dwellings,  mainly  of  farmers.  It  was  named  in  honor 
of  David  Crane,  who  settled  there  in  1S04,  and  kept  a  hotel  for  many  years. 

Rock  Citv,  situated  one  and  a  half  miles  north-east  of  Amsterdam,  con- 
tains the  .-Xmity  knitting  mills  of  John  Ma.xwell.  In  1S57  Mr.  .Maxwell 
formed  a  copartnership  w  ith  Adam  W.  Kline,  and  the  firm,  converting  a 
small  saw  mill  at  this  place  into  a  hosiery  mill,  commenced  the  manufac- 
ture of  knit  goods,  with  one  set  of  machinery,  to  which  was  subsequently 
added  the  second  set.  In  1S60  their  mill  was  burned,  after  which  Mr. 
.Maxwell  purchased  the  entire  interest,  erected  a  new  mill,  and  in  1862 
commenced  manufacturing  again  with  one  set  of  machinery.  He  soon 
after  added  another  set,  operating  them  successfully  till  1872.  when  this 
mill,  also,  was  destroyed  by  fire.  It  was,  however,  rebuilt  the  same  year, 
on  a  much  larger  scale.  .Mr.  Maxwell  is  at  present  running  four  sets  of 
machinery,  with  a  capacity  of  eighty  dozen  shirts  and  drawers  per  day. 
He  employs  about  sixty  operators,  and  manufactures  for  the  market  about 
§75,000  worth  of  goods  annually.  The  stone  quarry  and  lime  kiln  of  D. 
C.  and  N.  Hewett,  are  located  at  this  place,  where  is  cut  and  carved  an 
endless  variety  of  stone  for  building  purposes,  walks,  bridges,  etc. 


88 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


THE  VILLAGE  OE  AMSTERDAM. 


Albert  (or  Aaron)  Vedder  scaled  near  the  inoulli  of  the  Chuctcnvinda 
iTcek  during  the  RcvoUiiionary  war,  and  then  and  there  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  the  present  thriving  village  of  Amsterdam,  hy  erecting  a  saw-mill 
and  a  grist-mill.     The   latter  stood  un   the  ground  now  occupied   hy  the 


C'hurtenunda  knitting-mills  of  S.  huvler  an 
gave  way  to  other  buildings. 

As  the  seitlcmcnt  began,  to  grow  an 
around  *' Vedder's  mills,"  the  place  begat 
"  Veddersburg,"  which  name,  by  commor 
vcars.     Mr.  Vcdder  was  at  ()ne  time  tak 


1  lllood:  the  s 


mg  • 


d  the  inhabitants  to  m<  rease 
1,  naturally  enough,  to  be  called 
I  consent,  it  retained  for  many 
en   prisoner  bv  the   In.lians  and 


ed  to  tarry  till  the  next 
)uring  the  night  one  of 
sly  formed  an  .it  quaml- 


carried  to  Kort  Johnson,  where  his  captors  propo 

<iay.  and  tied  him  to  a  tree  for  safe  keeping. 

their  number,  with  whom  Mr.  Vedder  had  previo 

ance,  cut  the  rords.  released  him,  and  allowed  him  to  es,  ape.      .\mong  ihc 

lirst  to  follow  Mr  Vedder.  at  \edders  mills,  were  K    K.  1  >e  C.raff,  Nl.  hola, 

Wilcox  and  Urn.  KIme. 

Ax  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  the  ptipiilation  of  the  town  of 
Amsterdam  «js  pretty  equally  div  ided  between  Holland  Dutch  and  the 
desi  endants  of  the  early  (ierman  Palatines  on  one  side,  and  those  from 
New  Kngland  and  New  \oTii  on  the  other.  The  Dutch,  revering  the 
name  of  .\msierdam,  were  desirous  of  calling  their  |)resent  village  after  the 
metropolis  of  their  mother  c  ountry.  This  desire  i  ulminated  in  the  spring 
of  1804,  when,  at  a  town  meeting,  the  ipiestion  of  changing  the  name 
Veddersbiirg   to    .\iiistercl.im    was   submitted    to   a    vote,    which    resulted 


in  a  tie.  James  .\llen,  being  president  of  the  meeting,  had  the  tasting 
vote,  and,  out  of  modest  courtesy  to  the  Dutch  element,  decided  upon  the 
name  "  .-Vmslertlam."  Thus  the  name  '*  Veddersburg "  was  tliscarded. 
to  be  eventually  forgotten,  and  to-day  exists  only  in  history 

The  village  of  Amsterdam  is  thus  des.  ribed  by  one  writing  in  181.1: 
"(In  the  Mohawk  turnpike,  near  the  mouth  of  the  (.'huctenunda  creek,  is 
a  small  collection  of  houses  called  .Vmsterdam  or  Veddersburg.  where  is  a 
post-office,  a  Presbyterian  church,  a  school-house,  25  dwellings  and  some 
stores,  mechanics'  shops,  mills.  &c.,"  with  a  population  which  probably  did 
not  exceed  150.  .\lthough  its  geographical  position  remains  the  same,  its 
boundaries  have  been  considerably  enlarged.  The  "  Mohawk  turnpike  " — 
at  thai  time  the  most  important  thoroughfare  west  from  Albany — has  been, 
long  since,  reduced  to  the  rank  of  an  ordinary  road;  while  to  take  its  place 
have  come,  first,  the  Erie  Canal,  and  later,  the  N.  V.  Central  Railroad.with 
its  (Quadruple  >rack.  The  village  now  extends  along  the  north  bank  of  the 
.Mohawk  river  for  nearly  two  miles.  It  has  grown  to  be  the  largest  and 
most  important  village  in  the  county,  containing  a  population  of  nearly 
7,000.  The  principal  streets  are  well  paved,  and  lighted  with  gas,  and 
street-cars  traverse  the  village  to  its  utmost  limits,  east  and  west. 

Possessing,  as  it  does,  the  splendid  water  power  afforded  by  the  rapidlv 
descending  Chucteniinda,  .Amsterdam  has  become  an  imptjrtant  center  for 
\arious  manufacturing  interests.  It  contains,  within  its  corporate  limits, 
nine  knitting  or  hosiery  mills,  all  in  .active  operation,  with  an  aggregate  of 
sixiv  sets  of  machinery,  which  alone  give  employment  to  over  i.ooo  persons 
of  both  sexes,  and  produce  §1,500,000  worth  of  knit  goods  annually.  There 
are  two  extensive  caqiet  manufactories,  a  .steel  spring  factory,  a  burial  case 
and  coffin  manufactory,  a  large  foundry  and  machine  shop:  steam  boiler 
works,  two  broom  factories,  linseed  oil  works,  a  boot  and  shoe  manufactory, 
paper  mills,  a  kerosene  oil  refinery,  a  paper  box  factory,  .and  a  large 
number  of  smaller  factories  and  shops.  Fully  one-third  of  the  population 
of  the  village  is  emploved  in  these   factories,  a  large   proportion  of  them 


ingl 


( )n  the  2(1  of  .April,  18,10.  acharter  was  granted  for  the  incorporation  of 
.Amsterdam,  but  no  action  seems  to  have  been  taken  under  that  act.  'I'hc 
following  year,  however,  the  enactment  was  renewed,  the  organization 
cnm[»leted  bv  the  elei  tion  of  officers,  and  the  place  became  an  incorpor- 
ated village.  Hv  the  original  charter,  the  trustees  were  made  elective  and 
the  president  w.as  chosen  by  them  from  among  their  own  members.  In 
1854  very  important  changes  were  made,  and  greatly  enlarged  corporate 
privileges  were  conferred  by  amendments  to  this  i  harter.  The  president 
also  became  elective. 

THK   KKKRV. 

.\mong  the  first  buildings  of  any  pretentions  erected   in  this  village  wa.- 

one   but    recenllv  destroyed.      It   st 1   on   the   margin   of   the  river  at  the 

foot  of  Pearl  street,  and  was  the  original  ferry  house  of  the  on<  e  import- 
ant ferry  .across  the  .Mohawk  to  the  Florida  shore.  Thi-  ferry  earlv 
obtained  the  right  of  way  across  the  river,  which  franchise  has  never  been 
relincpiished,  but  has  compelled  the  maintenance  of  a  viaduct  under  tin 
railroad,  as  well  as  the  open  arch  beneath  the  building.  No.  1:9  Main 
street. 

THK   HRinc.K. 

Not  until  1821  was  a  bridge  erected  across  the  .Mohawk,  at  this  place 
This   bridge   originally  i  ontemplaled   but   two    sp.ins,  but    a  ]iortion   of   " 


T'^m, 


1.'.     '^  '■:       ':  '■   -^'  C3'  '-:      -:. 

^T^i^^^  ^  Je*]  -^ii]  i^..liAi-'-^  ^.     > 

■;■;,     ^-.'----.^^        f  1  '"    T 


i.- 


^i>-^ 


INSTITUTIONS  OF  AMSTEKDAM  \TI.LAGE. 


R» 


(jllin^  licforc  lompk-tlon,  the  i.lnn  wa-.  i  hant;Ld  ai 
emu-il-  II  J'd  good  service  till  iSi9.  when  an  ur 
It.  h^  successor  met  a  similar  fate  in  1S42.  Tht 
until  i'*^65,  when  the  northern  span  was  turn  away  h\ 


il  an  additional  |iler 
usual  Hood  destroyed 
third  one  stood  firm 
an  iie  Hood.      It  was 


faithlul   I  uslodiai 


K.   Si 


Slates.  I 
lilirarv. 


nnner.  lai 
d   to   hav 


ry  volui, 


1876.  the  major  par 
:nt   substantial  stru 


repined  by  a  light,  but  stron;;,  iron  arch;  but. 
jgain  swept  away,  and,  the  same  year,  the  |ii 
Kjs  completed,  at  a  cost  of  about  §25,000. 

CKMETERIKS. 

The  first  burial  place  for  public  use  was  located  immediately  west  of 
Hrid.ue  street,  l>etween  Main  and  the  ri\er.  Many  tombstones  were  si.ind- 
ing  there  when  the  Central  railroatl  was  built,  but  encroaching  buihimgs 
have  long  since  obliterated  all  trace  of  their  existence.  The  second  grave- 
yard crowned  the  hill,  upon  Market  and  Prospect  streets.  This  came  to 
Jic  well  peopled,  and  ceased  to  afford  proper  facilities  for  interments 
within  its  limits.  In  November,  1S57,  an  association  was  organized,  and 
in  [he  spring  of  1858  a  tract  of  fourteen  acres  was  jjurchased,  and  Circen 
Hill  Cemetery  located  on  an  eminence  on  the  north  side  of  the  village. 
The  grounds,  possessing  a  natural  beauty,  have  been  artistically  jilatted, 
and  beautifully  ornamented  with  forest  trees  and  evergreens;  gracefully 
winding  carriage  drives,  underlaid  with  stone,  make  every  pa  accessible 
.It  all  seasons  of  the  year.  It  has  a  commodious  receiving  vault,  built  of 
undressed,  blue  limestone,  and  conveniently  located  for  use  in  winter.  .\  few- 
years  have  wrought  this  spot  into  one  of  rare  loveliness,  and  many  a  \  isitor 
is  daily  attracted  to  this  "city  of  the  dead."  .\nthony  Holmes,  a  n.itive 
of  F)ngland,  is  the  present  superintendent,  having  had  charge  of  the 
grounds  since  1S58. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  public  school  house,  built  previous  to  1800,  stood  up.n  the 
site  of  the  present  Ward  School  No.  1,  near  Liberty  street.  Daniel  She]>- 
■ird  was  the  first  to  teach  in  it.  This  red  school  house,  later,  had  a  second 
story  added,  and  was.  for  some  lime,  under  the  charge  of  a  Mr.  Sill.  It 
».is  burned  in  1856,  but  was  immediately  followed  by  a  new  brick  build- 
ing, which,  in  1S76,  was  enlarged  to  over  twice  its  original  si/.e.  liorace 
Sprague  once  taught  in  the  first  school  building,  as  he  did  also  in  the 
stone  building  No.  5  Church  street.  He  afterward  erected  a  tmilding  near 
No.  8  drove  street,  and  occupied  it  as  a  i>rivatc  academy.  It  was  subse- 
•  (uently  converted  into  a  dwelling,  but  was  long  known  as  the  "old  acad- 
emy." Mrs.  Kisk  once  occupied  part  of  the  Van  Wyck  house  on  Church 
street  for  a  young  ladies"  seminary,  which  attained  a  considerable  reputa- 
tion. In  1839.  the  2d  ward  stone  school  house  was  built  on  Division 
street.  It  was  enlarged  in  1865,  and  in  1877  a  handsome  and  commndious 
three-story  edifii  e  was  added. 

.\nisterdam  .\tailem>-  was  first  incorporated  by  the  Legislature  -March 
2c)th.  iSjQ,  and  the  Regents  of  the  University  February  16th,  1S41,  under 
'he  name  of  .\msterdam  Female  Seminary.  The  Globe  Hotel,  situated  in 
'he  central  part  of  the  vill.ige,  was  purchased  for  its  location.  A  boarding 
•'epartment  attached  was  for  ladies  only,  its  day  department,  for  both 
»excs.  Dr.  Sterling,  its  first  principal,  was  followed  successively  by  Rev. 
••illwrl  Morgan,  William  M.  l.aren,  1).  H.  Crittenden,  .M.  T.  Cavert,  Kev. 
William  Howell.  M.  T.  (avert  2d  term  ,  O.  E.  Hovey  and  William 
^'lmock.  reaching  down  to  1865.  On  .April  27th  of  that  year,  a  new  char- 
ter was  obtained,  and  its  name  changed  to  .\msterdam  Academy.  The 
"Id  building  w.is  sold,  and  the  present  substantial  and  commodious  one 
"r.  .\cailemy  Hill  was  erei  ted.  and  fitted  up  with  all  the  modern  improvc- 
"•'-nis.  at  a  cost  of  {540,000.  The  boarding  department,  as  formerh,  is  for 
'  'its,  while  the  day  school  is  for  both  sc.xcs.  The  first  Board  of  Trustees 
■■"■!tr  the  new  (barter  were:  Hon.  Stephen  Sanford,  M.  C,  president; 
"'  n  S  I'ulvcr  Heath,  secretary;  D.  W.  Shuler.  treasurer;  Hon.  Samuel 
•■•i'ling.  Hon.  Adam  W .  Kline,  Abrain  V.  Morris,  S.  McElwain,  Hon.  j 
'•  hn  Kellogg,  John  MiDonnell,  Leonard  V.  (iardner  and  Ch.mdler  ] 
''-"tlcll.  Dr.  C.  C.  Welsell  was  the  first  principal,  .and  was  followed  by 
*^  IV  Sims.  The  present  incumbent  is  W.  W.  Thonijison,  who  is  assisted 
'■>  a  <or!ipetcnt  board  of  te.nchers. 

I'lHI.IC    I.IHKARV. 

^sc.irly  as  i.S.o.  .\inslcr,!.im  had  established  .piilc  a  respectable   public 
•'btarN       Mr.  William    Reid,  for  a  long  time  a  resident  of   this  pl.ice,  was 


SOCIKTIKS. 


MASONIC     l.onOF. 


Artisans'  Lodge,  No.  84,  received  its  charier  from  the  Grand  I  >i>i  -e  of 
the  State  in  1824,  and  completed  its  organization,  through  the  a<iu,-  /e.il 
of  W.  L'.  Chase.  It  held  its  meetings  in  the  second  story  of  the  stone 
shop,  erected  by  Mr.  Chase  in  1S23,  on  the  bank  of  the  river  at  the  foot 
of  Pearl  street,  until,  through  the  decline  of  interest  in  Masonry,  1  bei  .iine 
defunci.  In  1854  it  was  resuscitated,  and  soon  therealier  was  en.ibud  to 
regain  its  forfeited  No.,  84,  which  it  now  wears,  occupying  handsome  r.-inns 
on  Chuclenunda  street. 


The  Young  Men's  Christian  .\ssocialion  was  organized  June  i  ith 
as  the  result  of  a  happy  revival  of  religion  in  that  year  It  has  eve 
maintained  an  existence,  occupying  various  localities  until  est.il 
itself  in  its  present  iiuarters.  It  now  occupies  the  whole  upper  flor 
the  First  National  B.ank  building,  corner  of  Main  and  Chiictenund.i 
The  annual  election  of  president  and  trustees  occurs  <m  the  last  I 
of  June.  The  regular  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Irusiees  o(  cur 
first  Tuesday  of  each  month.  The  first  president  elec  ted  was  |,in 
Bronson.     The  present  presiding  officer  is  N.  J.  l)e  (iraff. 

TF.MPEK.ANCK    CIKOANfZA  1  ION. 

St.  Mary's  Total  Abstinence  and  Catholic  Benevolent  Socictv  v 
ganized  Jan.  4th,  1874.  The  first  officers  were  :  John  Kennedv. 
John  Kavanaugli,  Treas.,  and  John  McNally,  Sec.  It  meets  at  Sai 
Hall,  on  the  1st  and  3d  Tuesdays  in  each  month,  and  numbers  .Xc 
bers.  The  present  officers  are;  Pres.,  Jas.  E.  Ilolan  ;  Treas,.  J.  H.  l:i 
Sec.  John  Donahoe. 


April 


L-ning. 
st  has 


E.  S.  Young  Post  No.  33.  C,  A.  R..  was  organized 
with  E.  S.  Young  and  twenty  others  as  charter  membe 
membership  numbers  53.  It  meets  every  Tuesday  e' 
quarters.  Harmony  Hall.  Since  the  organization  this  I'l 
several  hundred  dollar?  for  charitable  purposes.  Consn 
attention  has  been  given  by  its  members  to  searching 
those  soldiers  of  the  late  war  who  were  killed  and  left 
names  have  thus  far  been  rescued  from  oblivion,  .ind  ei 
placed  near  the  soldiers'  monument  in  Creen  Hill  Cemel 

THE   PRESS  OF   AMSIERDA.M 


The  first  newspaper  published  in  .Vmsterdam  was  <  ailed  7"/t.  i/r'i.m 
J/era/J.  Its  first  appearance  was  in  Dec.  1821.  It  was  issued  weeklv.  I.v 
Darius  Wells,  editor  and  proprietor.  While  here  Mr.  Wells  loniuui.  ed 
the  manufacture  of  vvoodlype.  In  1824,  he  removed  to  I'aterson,  S  J. 
and  the  //rr,;/,/ passed  into  the  hands  of  Philip  Reynolds,  who  move.l  ihe 
office  to  Johnstown,  F'ulton  county,  where  the  paper  was  published  bv  huu 
till  1834,  under  the  title  of  T/ie  J.^hnstim'n  Ilcrahl. 

In  1833,  the  publication  of  The  Af,>/i,ijrk  G.izfl/e  was  ,  omnuni  <  .1  i.v 
Joseph  Noonan.  In  1S34,  it  became  the  Intellif:f}icei\  and  under  the 
proprietorship  successively  of  Wing  Jv  Davis,  J.is.  Riggs.  and  I  .  H. 
Nichols,  it  continued  to  be  published  till  1S36,  when  itbeiam.-  the  prop- 
erty of  Simeon  B  Marsh,  who  retained  the  position  of  editor  and  proprie- 
tor for  eighteen  years.  In  1854,  the /«^///i,'™.rr  was  pun  based  bv  Xcno- 
phon  Haywood,  who  changed  its  name  to  the  Recorder,  and  published 
il  as  such  till  1868,  when  it  was  sold  10  A.  Z.  NcfT,  by  whom  it  his 
since  been  continued  under  the  same  title. 


90 


THF,  HISTOin'  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


In  i860,  Wincgar  it  Van  Allen  were  Induced  to  try  the  experiment  of 
publishing  a  daily  paper  It  was  tailed  The  Daily  Dis/'aU/i,  and  wa^  ed- 
ited by  C-  P.  Wmet;ar.  It  made  its  appearamc  regularly  tor  about  si\ 
months,  when  it  was  i  hanged  to  a  weekly,  and  lontinued  as  such  till  .N'ov. 
1864,  at  whii  h  time  it  ceased  to  exist. 

Tlif  AmilrrJam  Demoa,it  was  started  Oct.  14.  1S70,  byC.co,  ().  Smith 
and  Walter  1!.  MaIihe»son.  In  about  three  months  .Mr  Smith  sold  his 
share  of  the  concern  to  .\ngell  Matthewson,  of  Kort  Plain,  who  in  March, 
1S71,  turned  it  over  to  Mr.  John  E.  Ashe,  and  went  west.  .Mr.  .\she.  who 
graduated  at  I'nion  College,  in  i866.  was  nominated  for  the  .\ssembly  by 
a  Democratic  convention,  at  Fonda,  in  the  autumn  of  187:!,  but  was  be.iten 
in  the  ensuing  election.  His  partnership  in  the  Democrtxt  establishment 
la.sted  until  .\ugiist,  1H73.  The  concern  was  subsecpiently  purchased  by 
Mr.  \V.  J.  Kline,  of  Fultonvillc,  who  as  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  paper 
^fttill  manages  it. 

.     .  CORPORATIONS  OK  AMSIKKDAM 


AylEniCT    CIINIP.A-NV. 

In  i8io,  a  charter  was  granted  by  the  Legislature  of  this  State  ■  ■  Marcus 
T.  Reynolds,  Benedict  .Arnold,  and  Welcome  U.  Chase,  under  tnc  corpor- 
ate title  of  the  "  .\msterdam  .Atpieduct  Company."  -An  organization  was 
effected  and  the  work  commenced  for  supplying  the  village  with  water  for 
domestic  purposes.  A  spring  was  secured  and  pipes  laid  for  that  portion 
of  the  village  west  of  the  creek.  Subsequently  additional  springs  were 
purchased  and  a  like  work  undertaken  for  the  village  east  of  the  Chucte- 
nunda,  availing  itself  of  the  original  "  .\(}ueduct  "  charter.  These  works 
have  done  good  service  in  their  day,  but  neither  the  source  nor  conduits 
are  at  all  adequate  to  the  present  needs  of  the  village. 

CAi-LlGHT    COMPANY. 

The  Chuctenunda  Gas-light  Company  was  organized  in  i860.  It  experi- 
enced unusual  difficulty  in  laying  pipes  and  mains,  on  account  of  the 
rocky  stratum  under  the  shallow  soil.  Until  1866,  gas  was  produced  from 
resin  ;  in  that  year  the  works  were  destroyed  by  fire.  They  were  re-built 
and  ready  for  use  again  in  Nov.  1867,  since  which  time  gas  has  been  manu- 
factured from  coal  exclusively.  The  increasing  demand  for  light  necessi- 
tated an  enlargement  of  the  works,  and  in  1876,  the  present  large  and  sub- 
stantial buildings  on  the  bank  of  the  river  opposite  the  depot  were  com- 
pleted. 

THF.    STRFFI     KAIl  WAV. 

The  Street  Railway  Company,  of  \msterdam,  obtained  a  charter  run- 
ning for  fifty  years,  and  in  1875  laid  the  track  and  commenced  running 
their  cars  through  .Main,  Market  and  Division  streets.  The  route  is  one 
mile  and  three-quarters  in  length,  and  the  trip  is  made  once  in  twenty 
minutes. 


<  hascd,  at  an  expense  of  §3,400,  and  the  second  company  formed.  Kach 
of  these  companies  is  supplied  with  two  sets  of  hose,  making  in  all  4,000 
feet.  The  steamer  J.  I).  Serviss  occupies  the  engine  house  on  Chuctenun- 
da street,  and  the  F..  1).  Bronson  the  one  on  .Market  street.  Kach  engine 
is  kei)t  ready  for  instant  service. 

.\  hook  and  ladder  company,  newly  organized  and  equi]iped,  with  a 
truck  and  apparatus  which  cost  §450,  constitutes  an  important  .uljunct  to 
the  fire  department  of  the  village. 

THE  JAIL. 

The  fir-,t  "calaboose,"  or  [»lace  of  detention  for  alleged  criminals,  was  a 
small  room  in  the  second  story  of  the  stone  shop  No.  5  Church  street. 
It  ans%vcrcd  the  small  need  of  the  quiet  town  till  it  was  burned  down.  It 
is  supposed  to  have  been  set  on  fire  by  an  insane  person  who  was  lodged 
there  for  safetv  over  night,  and  who  perished  in  the  flames.  In  1855,  a 
two  story  building  was  erected,  the  first  tloor  for  jail  purposes,  the  second 
story  for  the  use  of  the  common  council.  This  body,  however,  in  the 
spring  of  1877,  transferred  their  room  to  the  Hook  and    Ladder  Company. 

BANKS 

Not  until  iSj9  did  the  village  attain  to  the  dignity  of  a  bank,  at  which 
date  the  "Farmer's  Bank"  was  duly  established,  with  Cornelius  Miller 
president,  and  D.  P.  Corey  cashier  ;  capital.  $100,000.  It  first  occupied 
the  south  half  of  a  brick  building  on  Market  street.  Thence  it  was  moved  ,^ 
to  a  small  brick  structure  erected  for  its  use  at  the  corner  of  Spring  and 
Market  streets.  It  again  migrated  to  .Main  street,  near  No.  :  .Market 
street,  where  it  was  continued  until  1S52,  when  a  good  building  and  vault 
were  erected  for  it  by  Marquis  Barnes.  In  1859  it  increased  its  stock  to 
§200,000,  and  in  1865,  under  the  L^.  S.  Banking  law,  it  added  to  its  title 
the  distinctive  "  National."  In  1875  it  erected  the  fine  building  it  ni.>w 
occupies,  corner  of  .Main  and  Railroad  streets.  Its  present  officers  are  Isaac 
Jackson,  president  ;   I>.  D.  Cassidy,  cashier. 

The  "  Bank  of  .Amsterdam  "  was  organized  m  t86o.  Its  first  officers 
were  Cornelius  Miller,  president  ;  Jay  Cady.  vice  president ;  Charles  l)e 
Wolfe,  cashier.  In  1865,  it  re-organized  under  the  National  law,  and  be- 
came the  First  National  Bank  of  .Amsterdam.  Its  location  was  in  South 
.Arch  Block.  Main  street,  until  1868,  when  it  removed  to  the  beautiful 
structure  it  had  reared  and  now  occupies  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Chuc- 
tenunda streets.  .Mr  John  McDonnell  has  been  its  President  since  1862. 
In  April,  187J,  David  Cady  w.as  called  to  be  its  cashier. 

The  "  Manufacturers'  Bank  "  was  first  organi.^ed  as  a  State  bank  in  May, 
1873,  and  at  once  built  and  occupied  the  neat  structure  at  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Church  streets.  Its  ofhc  ers  were  .\ilam  W  .  Kline,  president  : 
and  Chas.  De  Wolfe,  <  ashler  On  Man  h  .-jlh,  1.H75.  it  was  re-organized 
under  the  National  law  ami  became  tiie  "  M.iniifaciurcrs'  National  Bank." 
It  has  a  cash  capital  of  s«ioo.ooo.  with  S-'o.ooo  Mir|.liis  I'hc  present  offi- 
cers are  .\.  W     Kline,  prcsulenl.  and  H.  1'    Kline,  cashier. 

PROFESSIONAL   MEN. 


FIRE   DEPARTMENT. 


The  earliest  movement  in  'he  way  of  protection  against  fire,  was  the  pro- 
curing, by  the  private  enterprise  of  Jas,  Holliday,  of  a  fire  engine  uf  very 
'imited  powers.  It  came  to  be  known  by  the  derisive  title  of  the  "Tub," 
and  was  available  only  at  short  range  and  very  diminutive  fires  In  the 
early  days  of  the  village,  leather  buckets  were  reipiired  to  be  kept  in  every 
hou.se,  the  ratio  increasing  with  the  dimensions  of  the  building,  and  when 
a  fire  occurred  every  man  and  woman  was  a  self  constituted  fireman  It 
was  not  till  1839  that  a  full  grown  fire  engine  was  pun  based  and  the 
"  Mohawk  Engine  Company  "  organized.  The  engine  house  on  Chuc- 
tenunda street  was  built  for  it.  Several  years  later  another  engine  was 
bought  and  the  "Casiade  Engine  Company  "  formed.  I'he  engine 
house  on  Market  street  was  built  for  it  in  1855.  In  June,  1870.  the  steam 
fire  engine  "J  D.  Scrviss"  was  procured  at  a  <  ost  of  $3. 000,  and  a  new- 
company  organized  with  sixty  members  at  first,  soon  after  increased  to  one 
hundred.       The  following  vcar  Steamer  No    2,   "  E.  D.  Bronson,"  was  pur- 


The  first  lawyer  to  locate  in  .Amsterdam  was  Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  who, 
in  1825,  sought  a  wider  field  of  operations  in  .Albany.  The  profession  no» 
has  fifteen  representatives,  prominent  among  whom  are  L.  .A.  Sessions. 
H.  C..  Moore.  Richard  Peck,  /..  S  Wesibrook.  K  A.  McDuflSc,  P.J  Lewi", 
and   H.   B.  Waldron. 


Chas.  .A.  Devendorf,  .M.D..  was  born  in  1839.  He  graduated  from  Wil- 
liams College  in  1859.  and  afterward  tttok  a  medical  course  and  graduate! 
at  Bellevue  Hospital.  He  served  as  surgeon  in  the  army  four  vears,  and  in 
1866,  located  at  .Amsterdam,  where  he  has  since  practiced  his  jirofession. 

J.  H.  Scoon,  M.IJ.,  was  born  in  Schenectady  county,  N  \  .  Oct.  2till' 
1815,  and  was  educated  at  Amsterdam  .\cademy.  He  ( omment  ed  tlr" 
study  of  medicine  in  1845.  and  gr.idiialcd  at  the  Albany  .Medical  (.'ollcg"'. 


---,•.■.*"       ,    .     T     ''T    T^      ^''  X^'iJr 


Z_   .  .--■  -  ■  ^-!k'^::iff^  ^'"f^":^       -i    •   '  --^  J       1-    [lit  \\.i,*  lull   p    gv'-3''-      j-'i         'f  ■  ■-  i-'W^^^  ^  ]^' <  B 


CAR^AO^E  SPRING  FACTORY  and  R  E  S  I  D  E  N  C  E  of  DAV I S  W.SHULER  Esif .  AM  STE  PDA  M  .  N  Y. 


-.'^ 


i..^ 


lEiiiiir'''' 


;*r'  ^ij&<y^^-!<>y  VALv?-\^^-^'ifc'-^ 


/^£-s.OF    A  ,  H  E  ES  ,  P/iiAT/(v£:    Bridge    NY 


AMSTERDAM'S  PROFESSIONAL  AND  BLSINESS  MEN. 


91 


liniun' 2jd,  1849.  He  lirst  IcKatcd  as  .1  physician  at  (iaiway.  Saratojia 
("«.  In  August,  1862.  he  was  appointed  assistant  surgeon  in  the  .^;d  N.\' 
Krcimcnt  ;  was  subsei|ucntly  promoted  to  surgeon  of  volunteers,  and  served 
10  the  HepiTtment  of  the  (;ulf  for  four  years  ;  associated  a  part  of  the  time 
•  ith  Maj.  <ien.  A.  J.  Snuth,  as  Medical  Director  of  the  Trans-Mississippi 
lleparrmcnl-  He  was  mustered  out  of  ser\t\e  in  March.  1S67.  and  im- 
mediately s<ntlcd  in  Amsterdam,  where  he  still  lontinucs  in  the  practice  of 
lus  profession. 

S.  n.  I.em-is,  M.D.,  a  nephew  of  I'rof  Taylor  Lewis,  late  of  Union  Col- 
lege, was  bom  in  Ontario  County.  N  V.  in  1S29.  He  graduated  from 
I'nion  I'oHcge  in  1856,  when  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  Ira  Harris, 
of  .-Mbany  ;  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  practiced  that  profession  for  scv- 
tral  vcars.  He  afterwards  turned  his  attention  to  medicine,  entered  the 
.Mhan\  Metrical  College,  received  his  diploma,  .ind  went  to  Illinois,  where 
he  continued  the  practice  of  medicine  for  ten  years.  In  .Vpril,  1876.  he 
returned  to  New  Vork  and  located  in  this  place,  where  he  still  follows  his 
la.sl  railing. 

S.  H.  Fr«>ch,  Ml).,  was  bom  in  Hroome  County.  N.  V.  in  1837.  He  is 
a  gradu.ate  of  .-Mbany  Medical  College,  class  of  1859.  He  commenced  dis- 
[lensmg  medicine  in  Lisle.  liroome  county,  N.  V.,  in  1859.  In  1862  he 
was  apjjointed  surgeon  in  the  army,  and  served  in  that  capacity  two  years. 
»hen  he  renewed  his  practice  in  Hroome  county.  In  1872,  he  removed  to 
Xmsterdam,  -where  he  continues  to  administer  to  the  wants  of  the  afflicted. 

Dr.  Wm.  H.  Robb  located  in  .Amsterdam  in  .April,  186?,  and  became  a 
student  of  r>r.  ].  G.  Snell.  He  graduated  in  medical  science  Dec.  25th. 
1X65,  and  on  January  ist,  1866,  became  a  partner  with  Dr.  .-snell,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  in  constant  practice  as  a  physician. 

Dr.  C.  H-  Tilton,  dentist,  was  born  in  N.  H..  in  1S35.  He  graduated  at 
the  lloston  flental  College  in  1861,  and  practiced  the  silence  of  dentistry 
in  that  city  till  1865,  when  he  removed  to  .Amsterdam,  He  is  the  oldest 
resident  denti.st  in  the  village. 

J.  X.  VVhit«,  M.I).,  surgeon,  was  born  in  Dcerfield,  Oneida  county,  ^■.^■  , 
and  came  to  .Amsterdam  M.nrch  15th.  1855.  where  he  has  since  resided  at 
14  nivi:»ion  street.     His  father.  Joseph  White,  was  from  Warwick,  Mass. 


MILIi;  AND   MANTFACTORIES. 

The  village  of  .Amsterdam  early  contained  a  grist  mill  and  saw  mills  ;  also 
an  oil  mill,  a  tannery,  a  scythe  factory,  mechanics'  shops,  etc.,  yet  these  en- 
terprises wert  all  upon  a  quite  moderate  scale,  and  not  until  1840  were  the 
sjiecial  manafactories  inaugurated  which  have  since  become  so  large  an 
clement  in  the  prosperity  of  the  village.  In  that  year,  Messrs.  Wait,  (Ireen 
*V  Co.,  leased  a  small  satinett  factory  at  Hagaman's  Mills,  and  there  com- 
ineni  ed  the  manufacture  of  ingrain  carpets.  .At  the  end  of  two  years,  this 
'  opartnershij*  was  dissohed.  and  Wm.  R.  (ireene.  of  the  above  firm,  came 
to  .Amsterdam  village,  and,  in  a  small  building,  long  since  <]emolished,  but 
then  standing  on  the  present  site  of  the  (ireene  Hosiery  mills,  set  up  the 
lirst  carpet  looms  in  this  place,  ."^ubseipiently  Mr.  John  .-ianfurd  became 
inti-rcsted  in  the  enterprise,  a  much  larger  structure  higher  up  the  creek, 
known  as  the  Harris  mill  was  purchased,  and  their  operations  largely  ex- 
tended. Mr.  (ireene  at  length  withdrew  from  the  firm,  and  the  business 
«.)s  continued  by  J.  Sanford  S;  Son  till  1853.  when  J,  Sanford  retired, 
leaving  the  entire  management  to  his  son,  Stephen  Sanford.  Since  that 
lime  wonderful  changes  have  taken  place  in  nearly  every  branch  of  the 
"irpet  manufacture.  The  slow  and  cumljrous  hand-loom  has  been  super- 
"dcd  by  the  swift-working  power-loom,  and  new  and  ion\enient  appli- 
an'  es  h.ive  taken  the  [il-ice  of  old  and  complicated  m,ii  hinery.  Mr.  Sanford 
h.is  a\.-{iled  himself  of  every  useful  improvement,  antl  has  from  time  to  time 
•nl.irgtd  the  business  until  his  are  now  the  largest  ».)rks  of  the  kind  owned 
b>  any  individual  in  the  country.  The  wools  are  taken  in  the  raw  condi- 
tion and  worked,  through  all  the  different  |iroccsses,  into  all  grades  of  in- 
triin  ami  three-ply  carpets,  tajicstry,  bnisscis,  rugs  and  mats.  This  factory 
has  a  t.i|,.i,  ity  of  producing  5.000  yards  of  car|ieling  daily,  and  gives  em- 
l'l">nient  to  over  700  pe.-sons. 

In  1S57.  Wm,  K.  (ireene,  jr.,  in  comi^ny  with  John  McDonnell.  1  oni- 
ni'nccd  the  manMf,lcliire  of  knit  goods  with  tw.i  sets  of  mai  hinery  in  an 
"Id  null,  which  stood  on  ground  now  occupied  by  W.  K.  (ircenc's  Son  \- 
'  ■•.«  h<.siery  mill.  In  the  spring  of  |86,S  .Mr.  .Mi  Honnell  withdrew  from 
II"  firm,  Mr.  (Jrecnc  remaining  alone,  who  sn.,n  after  a.lded  a  third  set  of 
'•'■u  hinery.      He  subsequently   built  a  m.i.  h  l.nrgcr  mill,  and.  from  time  10 


time,  increased  his  lac  ilities  for  manufacturing,  until  in  1870  he  was  opcr. 
ating  with  thirteen  sels  of  machinery.  His  death  occurring  in  that  w.ir. 
the  business  was  thereafter  conducted  by  Wm  K.  Orccne's  .Sons  ,\  1  ,, , 
till  January  ist,  1877.  when,  one  of  the  sons  dying,  the  firm  name  w.is 
changed  to  Wm.  K.  (ireene's  Son  iV  Co.  This  firm  employ  10c  h  oi.ls, 
.■■nd  manufac  lure  250  do/cn  shirts  and  drawers  per  day.  prodiu  mg  ^;oc.- 
000  worth  of  goods  annually. 

.Adam  W.  Kline  » as  one  of  the  tirst  to  engage  in  the  manufac  ture  of 
knit  goods  in  this  town  He  began  the  business  in  1857  in  companv  with 
John  .Maxwell,  at  what  is  now  known  as  Rock  City.  Being  burned  out  in 
1H60.  he  disposed  of  his  remaining  interest  to  Mr.  Maxwell,  cone  to 
this  village,  and,  in  company  with  his  son,  erected  a  mill  near  the  r.iilrn.id 
on  the  east  bank  of  the  Chuctcnund.a,  and  with  four  sets  of  mac  luncrv 
prosecuted  the  business  till  1866,  when  their  mill  was  entirely  dcstroied 
b\'  fire.  They  soon  after  built  a  grist  mill  on  the  same  site,  operating  it 
successfully  for  two  years,  but  preferring  their  former  occupation  the 
building  was  converted  into  the  Pioneer  Hosiery  Mills,  and  they  .igain 
turned  their  attention  to  knit  goods.  They  are  at  present  working  four 
sets  of  machinery,  making  ninety  do/.en  shirts  and  drawers  per  day,  em- 
ploying fifty  hands,  and  doing  a  business  amounting  to  §100,000  per  year. 

The  knitting  machincrv  used  by  Maxwell  \-  Kline  while  m  partnership 
was  invented  and  built  by  the  former,  and  patented  in  March.  1853.  Mr. 
.Maxwell,  who  is  now  proprietor  of  the  Amity  Knitting  .Mills  at  .Amster- 
dam, was  also  thein\entor  of  impro\ements  patented  September  ^zd.  1864. 
and  February'  17th.  1S74. 

The  Chuctenunda  Hosiery  .Mills,  sjtuated  on  Market  street,  are  0|>erated 
by  Schuyler  ^-  Blood,  proprietors,  who  began  this  branch  of  tndiisir\  in 
1864.  They  are  at  present  running  six  sets  of  machinery.  giMng  enipio\- 
ment  to  one  hundred  operators  and  manufacturing  about  $150,000  worth 
of  knit  goods  annualh- 

Warren  DcKorest  iV  Co.  are  proprietors  of  the  Riverside  Hosiery  Mills 
This  firm  first  commenced  the  business  in  1S71  in  what  was  known  ..s  ihe 
"old  furnace  property."  near  the  railroad,  but  upon  the  laving  01  the 
cjuadruple  track  they  were  forced  to  vacate,  when  their  present  new  mill 
on  Market  street  was  erected.  This  firm  are  running  ten  sets  of  machiner\. 
employing  140  hands,  and  doing  a  business  of  from  $150,000  to  $200,000 
per  annum 

The  Mohawk  Valley  Hosiery  .Mills  were  established  in  1873.  They  are 
located  on  the  river  near  .Main  street,  (lardner  Jt  Thomas,  the  proprie- 
tors, manufacture  from  ten  to  twenty  different  grades  of  white  and  colored 
goods.  They  give  employment  to  one  hundred  men  and  women,  running 
six  sets  of  machinery,  making  30,000  dozen  shirts  and  drawers  a  xc.ir. 
being  a  business  of  about  $150,000. 

In  the  year  1848.  Supplina  Kellogg  commenced  the  manufacture  of  lin- 
seed oil  at  West  (iabvay.  In  1S51  he  was  succeeded  by  his  two  sun-.  I., 
and  J.  Kellogg,  who  soon  after  removed  their  works  to  .Amsterdam  vill.ige, 
locating  on  Church  street.  Subsequently  James  .A.  Miller  bee  .ime  ass.i- 
ciated  with  them,  sine  e  which  the  business  has  been  prosecuted  under  the 
firm  n.ime  of  Kelloggs  cS:  Miller.  In  the  early  days  of  this  i.u  loiv  len 
bushels  of  seed  was  the  average  amount  used  |icr  day:  the  present  .  un- 
sumption  of  seed  is  from  900  to  1.000  bushels  dailv,  which  iiroduc  c-  from 
2,000  to  2,500  gallons  of  oil.  The  concern  is  giving  employment  10  50 
workmen,  and  doing  an  average  business  of  $950,000  annually. 

The  burial  case  manufactory  of  I.  C.  Shuler  cV  Co.,  situated  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Spring  and  .Market  streets,  was  established  in  185S.  Thev  make  an 
endless  variety  of  metallic  .and  wooden  burial  cases,  which  are  shipped  to 
all  parts  of  the  country.  They  give  constant  em|iloyment  to  from  -c  to 
80  h.ands.  and  turn  out  half  a  million  of  dollars  worth  of  work  anniialK 
Mr.  Shuler  was  born  near  Manny's  Corners  in  1823.  His  father.  Cc-ori;. 
Shuler.  was  born  before  the  Revolution,  and  the  family  to  whi.  h  h.  be- 
longed w.as  so  endangered  by  the  Indians  as  to  be  obliged  to  remove  t"  a 
place  of  safety.  Mr.  Shuler  began  the  furniture  and  iinderl.iking  l.i  -,. 
ness  on  a  small  scale  in  1S53,  and  by  1S5S  had  a  large  wholes.ile  tr-ide. 
His  business  is  now  the  largest  done  by  a  single  house  in  this  line.  I  he 
founder  of  the  Shuler  family  in  this  counin- was  Lawrence  Shuler.  who 
immigrated  from  (iermany. 

In  18&6  the  firm  of  Stewart  \-  Carmich.ael,  of  the  Forest  City  I'.iper 
Mills,  commenced  the  manufacture  of  straw  wrapping  pa|icr,  ihangingftoin 
that  to  brown  hanging  paper  at  the  end  of  two  years.  In  1874  this  iKci 
W.1S  dropped,  and  the  firm  ha\e  since  applied  themselves  to  the  prcliic - 
tion  of  white  h.ingmg  pajiers  exc  liisi\  elc ,      They  nianuf.icture  6co  tons  of 


92 


IHF.  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


this  i»pcr  annuaSly.  The  mill  is  kept  constantly  in  operation,  employing 
in  all  fony  haml>.     The  sales  amount  to  $100,000  per  annum. 

The  manufacture  of  paper  boxes  was  begun  in  Amsterdam  in  1S74  by 
Horace  Inman,  uho  is  at  present  doing  an  extensive  business,  employing 
2Z  workmen,  consuming  1^5  tons  of  paper,  manufacturing  300,000  l>oxes 
o£  various  kinds  and  domg  a  business  amountmg  to  $20,000  per  annum. 

The  fif»it  foundr>-  m  Amsterdam  was  established  by  Hell  Marrcllus,  m 
1837.  It  was  purchased  m  1842  by  H.  S.  McKlwam,  who  has  from  time 
to  time  enlargctl  his  operations  as  the  demands  of  the  community  re<.)uired, 
and  i>  at  present  the  only  representative  of  this  branch  of  industry  In  the 
town,  giving  employment  to  about  30  men,  and  doing  a  business  amounting 
£0  from  §50,000  to  S75.000  annually. 

Wm.  Bredau,  a  native  of  England,  who  settled  in  Amsterdam  m  1864. 
manufactures  knittmg  machine  needles,  thus  supplying  the  wants  of  the 
numen^s  hosiery  mills  in  this  direction.  He  occupies  a  part  of  the  River- 
side Hosiery  Mills  and  makes  $6,000  worth  of  this  kind  of  needles  an- 
nually. 

The  boot  and  shoe  manufactorv-  of  A.  &:  W.  McElwam  was  established 
in  1868,  by  the  pre.sent  firm,  who  now  turn  out  $100,000  worth  of  their  pro- 
ductions  yearly,  and  give  constant  employment  to  60  operatives. 

The  steam  broom  factory  of  G.  W.  Bronson,  located  on  Cedar  street, 
manufactures  from  $40,000  to  $50,000  worth  of  brooms  annually,  and  em- 
ploys 25  workmen.  The  broom  factory  of  J.  D.  Blood  &:  Son,  located  on 
Union  street,  near  the  railroad,  was  established  in  1S6S.  This  firm  employ 
60  workmen,  and  manufacture  $100,000  worth  of  brooms  and  brushes  an- 
nually. 

OTHER    BUSINESS    INTERESTS. 

The  first  exclusive  boot  and  shoe  store  in  Amsterdam  was  commenced 
in  May.  1820,  by  Chandler  Hartlett,  who  still  continues  the  business,  hav- 
ing occupied  his  present  location  since  1822.  There  are  now  six  estab- 
lishments of  this  kind.  N.  J.  DeGraff  and  John  Kavenaugh  being  prom- 
inent representatives  of  the  business. 

One  of  the  foremost  business  establishments  of  Amsterdam  is  the  crock- 
ery store  of  Edward  E.  Smith,  which  has  been  kept  for  the  last  twenty 
years.  It  was  bought  April  i.  1S74,  by  Aver>'  iS:  While,  who  carried  on 
both  a  wholesale  and  retail  trade,  until  September.  1876.  when  Mr.  J.  A. 
Snel!  bought  out  Mr.  White.  The  gentleman  now  at  the  head  of  the 
business.  Mr.  E.  S.  Smith,  entered  the  firm  in  1877.  During  that  year  the 
wholesale  trade,  which  had  been  rapidly  growing,  attained  such  proportions 
as  to  make  it  inconvenient  to  tarry  on  both  that  and  the  retail  business 
conjointly,  and  Messrs  Avery  \-  Snell  removed  the  wholesale  department 
to  Schenectady,  leaving  Mr.  Smith  to  conduct  the  retail  branch  at  the  old 
stand-  This  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  concerns  in  the  village, 
and  the  only  store  which  \>  devoted  so  exclusively  to  the  crockery  trade. 
Included  in  the  stock  are  gla.->s  and  plated  ware,  cutlery  and  wall  paper. 
The  house  does  a  business  of  about  $50,000  annually,  principally  in 
Montgomery.  Kulton,  Saratoga.  Schenectady  and  Schoharie  rountie-.. 

L.  L.  Dean  &  Co..  hardware  dealers.  Main  street,  are  successors  to  Dean 
-i  V'ischer,  who  commenced  the  business  in  1864  Thi^  i>  the  olde'^t  hous 
of  the  kind  in  the  town.  The  sales  amount  to  from  $50,000  to  $60,000  a 
year. 

Vischer  Ct  Schuvler.  Mam  street,  are  hardware  merchants.  Mr.  Vischer 
began  the  hardware  trade  in  this  location  in  1868  ;  subsequently  J.  D. 
Schuyler  became  interested  with  him.  'I'his  trade  has  steadily  increased 
until  it  now  amounts  to  from  $40,000  to  $50,000  annually. 

C.  W.  Williams,  dealer  in  hardware,  on  Main  street,  is  a  native  of  this 
State  ;  he  settled  in  Amsterdam  in  1855.  and  embarked  in  his  present  busi- 
ness in  1872.  He  is  at  ])resent  selling  goods  to  the  amount  of  $25,000  per 
annum. 

Almarin  Young  was  born  in  1 80S  at  Fort  Jackson,  opposite  Amsterdam, 
where  he  resided  until  1859.  ^\hen  he  removed  to  Amsterdam  vill.ii:o.  He  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  ]>ost  master  in  1861,  and  held  that  office  sixteen 
consecutive  years,  resigning  in  July  1877. 

CHURCH    HIS'IORV  OK  AMSTERDAM. 

Tradition  and  histr^ry  con*  ur  in  the  statement  that  misbionary  work  was 
done  in  this  region  some  time  previous  to  any  religious  org.inuatum  Rev. 
'Messrs  Kirkland  an<t  Ames   are   spoken  of  as  having   labored   here    from 


time  to  time,  also  Rev.  Sampson  Occum,  a  Mohican  Indian,  educated  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Wheelock,  and  converted  to  Christianity,  who  devoted  himself  to 
spreading  the  gospel  among  his  own  race.  He  is  said  to  have  often 
preached  in  a  barn  standing  on  the  present  "  Eambier  property."  History 
speaks  of  him  as  being  "  a  man  of  vigor  and  piety."     His  death  is  recorded 


REFORMED    AND    PKESBVTER1.\N. 

The  first  religious  organization  in  this  town  was  formed  in  1792,  in  con- 
nection with  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church.  Its  consistory  was  composed 
of  Michael  Sjiore,  Tunis  Swart.  Jeremiah  De  (Iraff  and  Ahazueras  Marcel- 
lus.  Its  existence,  however,  was  of  short  duration,  and  it  was  not  till  1795 
that  an  organization  was  effected  with  sufficient  strength  to  sustain  life. 
It  occurred  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  open  air  about  three  miles  north  of 
.\m>terdam  village,  and  the  title  fi.\ed  upon  was  the  "  Dutch  Reformed 
Church  of  Amsterdam."  Jeremiah  Voorhees  and  Cornelius  VanVran- 
kin  were  elected  elders,  and  the  following  Sabbath  a  clergyman  from 
.Alliany  performed  the  rite  of  ordination.  Vet  this  body  was  too  weak  at 
fir>t  to  support  a  pastor,  and  it  was  only  at  intervals  that  they  were  favored 
with  preaching.  The  missionary  Kirkland  was  among  the  first  to  minister 
to  this  houseless  flock.  The  first  record  of  baptism  occurs  on  the  25th  of 
July.  1799.  Hester,  infant  daughter  of  Manning  Marcellus  and  Deborah 
Dc  Graff,  was  baptized  by  Rev.  John  Demorest,  who  was.  doubtless,  only 
otficiating  for  the  time  being,  for  it  was  not  until  the  following  May  that 
this  society  assumed  the  responsibility  of  calling  a  pastor,  and  that  only  in 
conjunction  with  the  churches  at  Fonda's  Bush  and  Mayfield.  In  that 
month  the  Rev.  Conrad  Ten  Eyck  became  their  first  regular  pastor.  The 
baptismal  record  opened  by  Mr.  Demorest  was  from  this  time  regularly 
kept,  thus  reaching  in  an  unbroken  chain  from  May,  1799,  down  to  the 
l)resent  time.  There  was  as  yet  no  church  edifice,  and  meetings  were 
held  in  barns,  groves  or  dwellings,  as  suited  the  members,  by  which  several 
r.dditions  were  made  to  their  numbers.  On  July  3d,  1795,  Josejih  Clizl'c 
was  chosen  elder,  and  Aaron  I.indsley  deacon  :  also  Dec,  30th  of  the  same 
year.  Nicholas  Marcellus  and  Isaac  Vedder  were  elected  elders  and  John 
Maulev  and  John  Cram,  deacons. 

In  1800,  the  first  church  building  in  the  town  was  erected,  by  this  or- 
ganization, at  Manny's  Corners,  about  two  miles  north  of  Cranesville.  The 
lutation  of  the  building  here  caused  a  dissatisfaction  with  the  village 
members  of  the  congregation,  who,  in  consequence,  withdrew,  and  in  the 
same  year  erected  a  church  edifice  at  .Amsterdam  village,  on  what  is  now 
the  corner  of  Main  and  Market  streets,  conferring  upon  it  the  title  of  the 
■'Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  Veddersburg."  Rev.  Mr.  Ten  Eyck  con- 
tinued to  preside  over  both  churches  for  a  time,  but  each  congregation 
being  weakened  by  the  separation,  he  was  at  length  induced  to  resign  his 
I  arc  of  the  Amsterdam  churt  h,  and  the  following  year  that  of  the  Ved- 
-icrsburg  church  also. 

M  the  end  of  two  years,  in  1803.  the  Rev.  John  Christie  was  settled  over 
the  church  at  Manny's  Corners,  in  (  onjunction  with  the  churc  h  at  West 
Galwav,  they  having,  in  the  meantime,  changed  their  ecclesiastii  a!  con- 
nection, and  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Synod.  The  Veddersburg 
church  remained  without  a  pastor  eleven  years.  Wearied  at  last  with  the 
effort  to  sustain  two  distinct  organizations,  the  Veddersburg  church,  in 
the  spring  of  1812,  also  became  Presbyterian,  and  the  two  congregations 
were  again  united  as  the  "Presbyterian  Church  of  Amsterdam."  In  the 
fall  of  1813  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  H.  Sillman  was  formally  called,  and  settled 
as  the  first  pastor  of  the  re-united  church.  He  remained  with  it  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  October  15th,  1815.  his  age  being  32.  During  ht> 
pastorate,  I.  Collins,  Abraham  Hoagland  and  I.uther  Stiles  were  consti- 
tuted elders.  He  was  followed  in  1816  by  the  Rev.  Holsey  A.  Wood. 
One  hundred  and  thirty  members  were  added  to  the  chun  h  as  the  fniiis 
of  a  revival  carried  on  by  this  devout  man.  His  ministrations  were  ab" 
terminated  by  death,  November  26tli,  1S25.  in  the  33rd  year  of  his  age 
During  his  stay.  Nathaniel  Hcndrick,  Aaron  Manellus.  Thomas  Alhn. 
Harney  Stiles  and  Joseph  Hagaman  were  ele.  ted  elders.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  his  !>rother.  Rev.  James  Wood,  who  was  ordained  and  installed 
as  pastor  September  5th,  1S26. 

On  March  jd.  1832,  one  hundred  and  four  of  the  village  members  touk 
letters  of  dismissal  from  the  "Church  of  Amsterdam,"  and,  having  oh 
tained  the  sane  tion  of  the  Presbytery,  were  formally  organized,  the  same 
dav,  as  the   "  Presbyterian  Church  of  Amsterdam  Village."     They  at  on(  c 


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W':'        COUNTRYMAN,      CANAJOHAKlE,       MOt-lTRulM  E  P  Y         CO.,       N.    Y. ' 


CHURCHES  OF  AMSTERDAM. 


■j:t 


r<minn."ni<^ 'he  erection  of  a  new  brick  edifice  on  the  comer  ot  Church 
jn.l  throve  streets,  which  was  finished  and  dedicated  in  August  of  the  same 
vc.if.  The  Rev.  .Mr.  Wood  now  confined  his  efforts  to  the  village  church, 
until  iSj3,  when  he  resigned,  and  was  succeeded,  February  14th,  1834,  by 
the  Kci.  Hugh  M.  Kont/,  who  was  called  from  hislaliors  by  death.  ,\ugust 
1,1,  1.S56.  In  Deceniberof  that  year,  the  Rev.  Dr.  (Joodalc  commenced 
^ll^|t.t>lo^ace  over  this  church,  which  continued  the  rather  unusual  period  of 
14  jears.  He  resigned,  on  account  of  impared  health,  in  November,  1870, 
jfui  is  n.>w  enjoying  a  mellow  sunset  of  life  among  this  ])eople. 

In  1K54,  Mr.  Simeon  B.  Marsh,  (editor  of  the  Intcllifrmer  for  18  years 
rn«m  1S36)  set  up  in  this  church  a  small  organ,  mainly  of  his  own  con- 
>!  mi  tion,  which  did  service  after  its  fashion,  for  several  years,  and  was 
the  iirsi organ  used  in  the  town.  He  played  it,  as  also,  later,  his  daughter, 
an  a*  coniplished  musician,  who  became  .Mrs.  J.  Watts  \'an  Devecr.  Apropos 
til  the  subject,  the  first  piano  liroughl  to  this  town  was  that  of  Mrs. 
.M.iri  us  T.  Reynolds,  18^4,  and  it  was  an  object  of  no  little  curiosity  to 
:hc  many  who  had  never  seen  an  instrument  of  the  kind.  Mr.  Marsh  had 
been  for  several  years  a  teacher  of  music,  establishing  and  maintaining  the 
ti^iial  country  singing  schools,  in  many  villages  of  this  vicinity.  He  origi- 
n.iied  infant  singing  classes,  m  which  he  was  most  successful,  as  well  as 
hi,;iily  ]H>[iular  in  hts  adult  schools.  He  was  a  good  singer  and  teacher, 
anil  a  resi>ectable  performer  upon  violin  and  organ.  For  several  years  he 
w.u  leader  of  the  singing  in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  this  village.  He 
.iKo  i»osse-ssed  considerable  ability  as  a  composer,  and  published  many 
times  of  real  merit,  one  of  which  has  since  girdled  the  eanh,  and  to-day 
i-»,  perhaps,  oftener  sung  in  christian  worship  than  any  other  tune,  .-^ges 
mav  pass  before  the  simple  melody  and  sweet  harmony  of  "  Martyn  "  will 
I  c.i^e  to  charm,  expressing,  as  it  does,  the  deej)  emotion  of  christian  hearts. 
'this  tune  was  comjjosed  on  horseback,  look  there  its  concrete  form,  and 
wa..  soon  given  to  his  various  schools  on  the  black-board.  It  won  its  sweet 
way,  found  place  in  singing  books  and  papers,  and  has  now  its  niche  firm 
.i!id  sure  in  the  popular  heart. 

I'ht  last  religious  services  held  in  the  brick  chur'jh  built  in  1832  oc- 
I  iirred  May  9th,  1869,  immediately  after  which  the  structure  was  razed, 
.ind  the  erection  of  the  present  edifice  commenced  on  the  same  site,  the 
I  iirncr  stone  of  which  was  laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  July  22nd 
tnlliiMing.  .-\  box  deposited  within  this  stone  contains  many  stnivfinrs, 
-111  h  as  books,  newspapers,  a  map  of  the  village.  United  States  tlag,  coins, 
i.irilsof  business  houses,  catalogue  of  church  members,  village  officers. 
<■•«  .  etc.  The  building  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  over  ^40,000.  and  dcdi- 
'  'trd  June  rst.  1870.  It  is  constructed  of  brick,  with  gray  limestone 
'■:  i.iinental  trimmings,  in  the  Romanesque  style  of  architecture.  Its  di- 
iii'-'isions  are  66  liy  104  feet,  and,  with  the  galleries,  it  has  a  capacity  for  seat- 
'!!.;  one  thousand  persons.  It  is  elaborately  finished  and  furnished  inside. 
.-  -i  contains  a  large  organ  anfl  a  jionderous  bell.  .Annexed  to  the  church, 
••n  (irove  street,  IS  a  chapel,  which  will  accommodate  250  people,  anil  is 
■■■-»'l  for  weekly  services,  and  the   infant    branch  of  the  Sunday  school. 

I  ..t  south  of  the  church,  on  the  same  lot,   stands   the   pleasant  and  com- 

II  ■ 'lious  brick  parsonage.     In   .November.    1870.    Rev    Dr.   llonilak-   w.is 

•  •  ted  pastor  cw^r;/;«.  and  on  the  21st  of  December  following  kcv.  Henry 
'  Teller  was  installed  pastor  in  charge,  who  still  lontnuies  in  that 
'  ipacity. 

In  Kebniary,  17S1,  by  direction  of  the  presbytery,  upon  application,  the 
'  n-.irth  at  Manny's  Corners  was  designated  as  the  "  First  "  and  the  village 

•  ■  urrh  as  the  "  Second  I'resbyterian  Church  of  .\insterdam."  The  present 
"■'  inbcrship  numbers  470.  Its  Sabbath  school  has  an  enrollment  of  300 
-  hol.irs.  I  onstittiting  two  departments  lt>  session  now  consists  of  Re\ . 
H  r,.  Telier.  Moderator:  Chandler  Dartleti.  Jas.  H.  ISronson,  .|.is,  .\,  .Mil- 
■•r.  K.ivid  Cady,  Dan'l.  I.  .McMartin,  C.irdiMer  lllood.  Henry  Hernck  and 
'  .1  V.in  Devcer,  F.lders  ;  Josiah  Sharplcy,  Tlios.  S,  Sl.inlcy  .md  Niih.il.is 
.'    I'.  I ir.iir.  Deacons      The  ohicers  have  been  as  full,, hs  : 

1832— F-:iders:  Joseph  Cli/bee.  Israel  Collins,  I'h. .111.1,  .Mien,  1  lUlicr 
^"les.  ILirney  Stiles,  (handler  llartlclt.  De.i.  ons  :  Chas.  Stiles,  John 
.'•-nne,  Ji.hn  Kfner,  John  Frccnn  re. 

■  838— F.lders:  Jeremiah  Warring,  Fills  Cli/bee.  De.icons  :  (leo.  W. 
lif.nson,  W.  B.  Hull. 

'842  — F.lder:  Samuel  I.efferts. 

'849-F.lders:  John  J.Schuvler.  JohnSanford.  De 
'I  r.im  Pardee. 

'^IT-Khlcrs:  J.ihn  K.  Ha«lcv,  Maley  C.  Vonng. 

■S'.j-Kl.lers;  (k-orge  W   Striker,   lames  C.  Duell 


Thomas    S.    Stanley,   Joshua 
(iardincr  Itlo.jd, 


i.H    Vou 


.Xcnoi.hon   Haywooi 
liiincs  H,  Hronson. 


1869— Elders:  Jo.,cph  II.  Sturtcvant,  Ja 
C.  Wetsell,  T.  Romeyn  Hunn.  Deacon.- 
Sharpley.  • 

1875— Elders:    Daniel    I.    McMartin,   Henry    H 
John  J.  Van  Deveer.     Deacon:   Nicholas  J.  De  Graff. 

The  Reformed  Church  of  Cranesville  was  organized  June  24th,  1871,  by 
delegates  from  the  classis  of  Schenectady,  with  eleven  members:  H.  P  P. 
Chute  and  H.  J.  Swart  were  elected  elders,  and  Geo.  .\.  Brewster  and  Geo. 
Combs  deacons.  The  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1870-1,  at  a  cost  of 
nearly  §4,000.     The  present  membership  is  forty-eight. 

The  church  at  Manny's  Corners,  enfeebled  by  the  withdrawal  of  its  pas- 
tor and  one  hundred  and  four  of  its  members,  was  by  no  means  discouraged, 
and  January  ist,  1833,  called  and  settled  the  Rev.  Charles  Jenks.  The 
session  then  consisted  of  Nicholas  Marcellus,  .Abraham  Hoagland,  [oseph 
Hagaman  and  N.  Hendrick.  In  1835  the  church  building  at  Hagaman's 
.Mills  was  erected  in  connection  with  this  church,  and  for  fourteen  years 
services  were  held  alternately  in  the  two  houses,  they  being  denominated 
res|iectivcly  the  North  church  and  the  South  church.  Thus  began  a 
growth  and  development  on  the  north  such  as  had  already  taken  place  on 
the  west.  In  -April,  1838,  .Mr.  Jenks  resigned,  and  was  followed  by  .Mr. 
Stewart  now  the  Rev.  Dr.  Stewart  ot  Minneapolis,  Minn.;,  who  was  or- 
dained and  installed  February  20th,  1839,  remaining,  however,  but  little 
over  a  year.  The  records  now  show  the  peculiar  fact  that  during  the  in- 
terim that  the  church  was  without  a  pastor  thirty-six  members  «erc  added 
to  it  at  a  meeting  presided  over  by  Rev.  James  .Arnold.  The  next  pastor 
was  Alex.  Proudfit,  ordained  and  installed  February  i6th.  1S41.  In  March, 
1842,  Manning  .Marcellus.  Thomas  P.Johnson  and  Francis  Hagaman  were 
elected  elders.  Rev.  .Mr.  Proudfit  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Charles  Milne, 
September  13th,  1848,  whose  labors  with  the  church  terminated  in  January, 
1850,  at  which  time  a  separation  took  [ilace  between  the  north  and  south 
branches,  thus  diminishing  the  membership  of  the  mother  church  by  sixty- 
eight.  Nicholas  and  .Manning  -Marcellus  were  now  the  only  remaining 
elders.  In  Jan'aary,  t852,  Sylvester  Judson,  and  in  June,  1854,  Dr  Pniyn 
and  John  C.  .Marcellus  were  elected  elders,  .\fter  the  withdrawal  of  the 
north  branch  a  succession  of  ministers  followed  in  the  order  named:  Re\. 
Messrs.  Proudfit.  Ingalls.  James  B.  Eastman,  .Morey,  James  Frothingham 
and  Snyder,  down  to  1863.  On  November  rst  of  that  year.  Rev.  W.  |. 
Hlain  assumed  the  pastorate  of  this  church,  which  he  has  held  to  the  pres- 
ent, a  period  of  fourteen  years.  The  old  church  building,  the  first  in  the 
town,  still  remains  in  good  repair.  The  present  elders  are  T.  P.  JohuMin, 
J.  C.  .Marcellus  and  .Alexander  Scott. 

The  Reformed  Church  of  H.ngaman's  .Mills  was  organized  Janii.irv  2isi. 
1S50.  with  sixty-eight  members,  and  first  known  as  the  "  I'restn  terian 
Church  of  Hagaman's  Mills."  It  was,  however,  independent  of  the  Pres- 
bytery and  General  .Assembly.  In  October,  1.S55.  it  was,  by  applii  .iii.iii, 
taken  under  the  care  of  the  Classis  of  .Montgomery,  and  was  aftcniar.l 
known  as  the  "  Protestant  Dutch  Church."  In  1867.  the  (ieiicral  Sv  11..1I 
of  the  denomination  dropped  the  word  Dutch,  and  from  tli.it  tunc 
this  church  has  been  known  as  the  "Reformed  Churtli  of  II.ig:ini.nr, 
Mills."  Rev.  Charles  Milne,  who  assiste.l  in  its  nrg.ini/ation.  l.c,  .iiik-  it, 
first  pastor.  He  was  followed  successively  by  Revs.  Kellogg.  .Viims  \\ . 
-Seely.  J.  Fanning  Pearce  and  E.  Slingerland.  In  the  fall  of  1863,  the 
Rev.  .A.  J.  Hagaman  .accepted  the  pastorate,  and  still  continues  in  that 
capacity. 


This  chiir.  h  IS  a  lineal  descendant  of  Queen  .\n 
Fort  Hunter  in  1712  ,ce  Church  History  of  Florida  , 
of  its  benefactress,  (Jiieen  Anne  of  England.  That 
a  place  of  worship  until  1820,  when  it  w.is  dctroye 
the  Erie  canal.  From  its  ashes  sprung  St.  Ann's  Clliii 
opposite  Amsierd.iui.  Ihis  ihurihwas  organized  I 
A  building  was  erected  in  1830,  and  comjileted  and  i 
It  soon  became  apparent,  however,  that  the  location  n 
at  this  place  was  liisadvantageous  to  the  growth  and 
parish,  and  it  was  resolved  to  sell  the  building,  which  v 
19th,  1849,  for  $2,400.  .At  this  time  the  officers  were: 
ing  and  Henry  Fhler.  wardens;  and  (Jcorge  Warnick, 
Jubal  I.ivcriiiore.  William  H,  Hill.  J.imcs  Riggs.  Hen 
B.  Chase  ami    Fr.iiu  is  Newkirk,  sest'rvinen.      The  last 


He's   (  hapcl 

,  l.n.lt   .It 

and  nnmc.l 

m  honor 

edifice  w:is 

iiM-.l    ,1, 

il   to   m.ikc 

H.i\    l..r 

•ch  ot  Port 

1.1,  U-.n. 

vas  d 

isposcd  of 

lunc 

Dr. 

Abraham 

Piill- 

Cha 

ry  .A 

ries  Devcn 
.  Ilm.lle,  ( 

i.lorf. 

94 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


of  Fort  Jackson,  the  Rev.  A.  N.  Littlejohn,  had  resigned  April  15th,  1849, 
and  the  Rev.  Thomas  I..  Frankjin— now  the  Rev.  Dr  Franklin  of  Phila- 
delphia— was  tailed  as  rector.  November  I4,lh,  1849.  remaining  till  Decem- 
ber isi.  185^^.  I>uring  his  rectorship,  the  new  names  of  H  \.  Hadley  and 
S.  R.  Voorhees  appear  as  vestrymen;  and  the  present  St.  Ann\  of  Amster- 
dam was  erected  on  Division  ilreet,  and  consecrated  June  15th,  1851.  by 
Bishop  De  I.ancy  of  Western  New  York.  The  tower  of  the  church,  how- 
ever, was  not  completed  till  1S63.  The  Rev.  William  H.  Trapnell  was 
rector  from  January  27th.  1854,  to  April  24th,  1857;  followed.  August 
26th,  1858,  bv  Ke\.  J.  A.  Robinson,  who  remained  five  or  six  years.  Then 
came  the  Rex.  I'orrer  Thomas,  from  ivS64  to  1869.  On  November  i4lh. 
1869,  Rev.  Thomas  (i.  Clemson  was  elected  rector;  he  resigned  December 
loth,  1870.  and  was  succeeded  in  April,  1871,  by  the  Rev.  Howard  T. 
Widdemer,  who  remained  till  January  ist,  1875.  During  his  mmistry  here  a 
new  organ  was  bought,  the  house  and  lot  adjoining  the  church  on  the  west 
purchased  for  a  rectory,  and  a  new  iron  fence  for  the  church.  Rev.  J. 
C.  Hewett  became  reitor  in  1875,  and  remained  fourteen  months.  The 
present  rector.  Rev.  William  N.  Irish,  took  charge  of  the  parish  July  ist, 
1876.  The  present  officers  are:  Wardens~W.  Max  Rcid.  John  J.  Hand. 
Vestrymen — Cvrus  B.  Chase.  D.  Carmichael,  George  S.  Devendorf.  Abram 
V.  Morris,  William  Ryland.  James  T.  Sugden,  I,.  S.  Strang.  John  K.  War- 
nick.  Clerk — F..  H.  Finlayson.  This  church  is  supported  by  the  contri- 
butions made  at  the  Sunday  offertories.  The  seats  are  free.  Connected 
with  it  is  a  prosperous  Sunday  school:  L.  S.  Strang,  superintendent. 

"A  most  interesting,  though  unusual,  service  was  held  in  this  church  on 
the  evening  of  July  3d.  1876.  The  singing  was  very  appropriate  and 
excellent.  After  a  short  service,  and  remarks  by  the  rector,  at  11:55  ^^ 
night,  the  whole  congregation  joined  with  devout  reverence  in  silent  prayer, 
and  at  the  hour  of  twelve,  amid  profound  silence,  the  signal  was  given 
that  the  nation  had  entered  upon  its  Centennial  year.  The  ringing  of 
bells,  the  firing  of  cannon,  the  general  illumination — for  there  was,  m  an 
instant,  light  in  all  the  dwellings — and  the  glare  of  fireworks,  proclaimed 
the  joy  without,  while  the  voices  of  a  grateful  congregation  within,  rising 
from  their  knees,  added  solemnity  to  a  scene  never  to  be  forgotten,  by 
singing  the  Te  Demn  :  and  the  whole  congregation  then  joined  heartily  in 
the  national  anthem; 

'God  bless  our  native  land  I 

Firm  may  she  ever  stand 

Thro'  storm  and  night.'" 


The  first  formal  organization  of  a  Baptist  church  in  this  village  seems  to 
have  been  about  1825,  Four  years  thereafter  the  congregation  erected  a 
brick  church  building  on  Main  street,  now  occupied  as  a  private  residence. 
No.  igS.  It  was  occupied  by  the  society  till  1S42,  when  the  present  edi- 
fice was  built  on  Market  street.  This  was  enlarged  in  1870,  and  has  the 
distinction  of  containing  a  fire-alarm  bell  and  the  only  town  clock  in  the 
village.  [Repeated  efforts  and  solicitations  have  been  made  to  obtain  a 
more  complete  history  of  this  church,  hut  without  success. — Pu(>lhluis\ 


The  first  C.Ttholic  services  of  a  public  character  in  Am-iterdam  were 
held  in  1837.  by  Rev.  Father  Beauchamp.  of  Rome,  N.  V.  The  buihimg 
secured  for  the  occasion  was  then  a  I'niversalist  church,  new  the  gru<  cry 
store  of  T.  F.  Kennedy,  comer  of  Main  and  Market  streets.  The  first 
formal  organization  nf  a  •  hurc  h  in  this  vicinity  occurred  in  1844.  .\  build- 
ing standing  near  the  «  anal  bank,  in  the  town  of  Florida,  about  a  miie  and 
a  half  east  of  the  village,  wa-  rented  and  converted  into  a  temporar\  jtlace 
of  worship, and  the  Rev.  Father  McCluskey.  of  Schenectady,  nunisiLred  to 
the  wants  of  the  congregation  as  a  part  of  his  extensive  mission.  In  1847 
Father  Cull.  aUo  of  Schcncitady.  located  here  and  assumed  charge  <.f  ihe 
church.  Knronraged  by  the  nunilier  and  liberality  of  his  congreg.itirm,  he 
was  enabkil.  June  19th.  1849.  to  pun  base  the  Fpi-copal  chun  h  proptrty 
at  Port  J.Kk^on.  He  was.  s.mn  after  this  transaction,  indu*  ed  to  resign, 
and  was  su. .  ceded,  m  1850.  by  Rev.  1-ather  Ma'.dbon.  after  whom  came 
successively  Fathers  Sheehan.  MclWie.  O'SuUivan  and    Furlong,  the    latter 


of  whom,  while  here,  secured  of  Isaat  Jackson  a  location  in  Amsterdam, 
preparatory  to  the  erection  of  a  new  churt  h.  whith,  however,  was  soon  lost. 
Father  Furlong  was  followed  in  1S55  by  Rev.  J.  P.  Fitzpatrick,  who,  after 
a  jjastorate  of  five  years,  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Father  Carroll  for  a  shori 
lime.  In  1862  the  congregation  was  favoreil  with  the  services  of  Re\  K, 
P.  Clark,  through  whose  instrumentality,  and  the  co-o|>eration  of  the  peo- 
ple, the  church  was  released  from  an  old  debt,  and  the  present  site  of  Si. 
Mary's  again  purcha.sed  and  paid  for.  Failing  in  health,  he  was  forced  to 
resign,  and  was  followed,  in  1866,  by  Rev  Philip  Keveney,  now  of  St 
Peter's  church.  Troy,  N.  V..  who  remained  until  the  close  of  1874  In 
1869  the  present  St.  Mary's  i  hurch  edifice,  on  Main  street,  was  ercctcd. 
It  is  built  of  brick,  with  gray  limestone  ornamental  facings,  in  the  Roman- 
esque style  of  architecture.  Its  dimensions  are  60  by  130  feet,  and  174 
feet  to  the  top  of  the  spire,  which  is  surmounted  by  a  large  gilt  cross.  .-Vt 
its  completion  an  organ  costing  over  $3,500  was  bought  and  plated  in  pi.- 
silion.  Immediately  after  the  walls  of  the  strirrtnre  were  erected,  the  en- 
tire west  side  tumbled  down,  severely  injuring  two  workmen  and  causing 
considerable  delay  and  additional  expense.  The  parochial  residence,  built 
the  same  year,  is  a  two  story  brick  building,  30  by  40  feet,  with  a  wmg  and 
piazzas.  In  1875  the  present  pastor.  Rev.  W.  B.  Hannett,  assumed  charge 
of  the  parish,  which  had  previously  been  reduced  to  the  villages  and  vh  in 
ities  of  Amsterdam,  Port  Jackson.  Tribe's  Hill  and  Fort  Hunter.  Sin<  c 
that  time  he  has  added  to  the  church  a  beautiful  wooden  altar,  at  a  cost  of 
$1,500,  besides  a  ponderous  bell,  weighing  nearly  3,000  pounds.  In  Sept., 
1875.  the  Rev.  John  F.  Hyland  was  railed  as  assistant  pastor.  In  F'eb., 
1S76.  during  a  funeral  servii  e.  a  hurricane  blew  down  the  spire  and  tower 
of  the  church,  which,  in  falling,  demolished  the  roof  of,  and  otherwise  seri- 
ously damaged  the  priest's  house.  Fortunately,  no  one  was  hurt,  and  in 
repairing  the  damage  several  improvements  were  made,  both  to  the  resi- 
dence and  church.  There  are  in  connection  with  this  church  a  number  of 
auxiliary  societies,  besides  a  large  Sunday-school,  numbering  500  pupils, 
under  the  superintendency  of  John  K.avanaugh. 

The  presence  of  two  priests  in  this  parish  induced  the  Hon  Jjiiics 
Shanahan,  of  Tribes  Hill — assisted  by  a  few  of  his  neighbors — to  pur*  base 
an  unoccupied  church,  located  on  Main  street,  in  that  village,  which  was 
enlarged,  remodeled,  tastily  finished  and  furnished,  and  presented  to  the 
bishop  of  the  diocese,  and  where  services  are  now  regularly  held. 


LVTHFRAN. 

The  Cierman  Lutheran  Church  of  Amsterdam  was  formally  organized  bv 
Rev.  Mr.  Peterson,  in  Sept.,  1866,  although  a  society  of  this  persuasion  had 
been  in  existence  since  Nov..  1863,  which  was  formed  at  that  time  by  a  Mr. 
Hauch.  The  meetings  were  at  first  held  in  private  dwellings,  afterw.trds 
in  the  Presbyterian  session-room.  Rev.  Mr.  Peterson  was  suet  ceded,  in  1 868, 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Matchart,  during  whose  pastorate,  which  lasted  but  little 
over  a  year,  the  corner-stone  of  a  church  was  laid,  and  a  j.arsonagc  budt: 
but  this  projierty  was  afterward  sold,  and  the  money  appropriated  to  other 
uses.  In  1869  a  churc  h  edifi*  e  was  erected,  and  on  Jan.  i  ith.  1870,  it  was 
dedicated  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pholman,  of  Albany,  under  the  name  of 
"  Deutsche  Evangelische  Lutherische  Dreieinigkeits  Kirche."  In  March. 
1870.  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  J.  P.  Krechting,  w.is  duly  installed,  and  un- 
der his  ministrations  the  number  of  communicant  meml^ers  has  increased 
fj-om  20  to  31 1.  There  are  in  connection  with  this  church  a  growing  Sun- 
day-school and  a  young  people's  literarv  society. 


MUHOmST    FPISCOrAI.. 

The  "West  Amsterdam  .M.  K.  Church"  was  organi/cd  about  iSio  Tht 
present  church  building  was  erected  in  1S60.  and  is  lo<  ated  on  Fort  |ohn- 
son  creek,  aliout  four  miles  north-west  of  Amsterdam  village. 

The  old  "  Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  Veddersburg."  built  m  1800.  wav 
upon  the  erection  of  the  brick  chur<h,  in  1832.  sold  to  the  M.  F^.  soriety. 
and  by  them  removed  up  Main  street  to  what  is  now  the  corner  of  Wall 
street,  where  it  stood,  devoid  of  its  steeple,  iintd  1S45,  when  it  was  a^am 
removed  to  .M.irket  street,  where  it  --iill  remains,  a  part  of  the  j-resent 
Methodist  <  hurt  h  buildmg. 


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ORIGIN  OF  THK  NAME  CANAJOHARIE— FORTIFIED  DWELLINGS. 


95 


THE  TOWN  OF  CANAJOHARIE. 


This  town  has  an  aboriginal  name,  w  hich  w  as  first  given  bv  the  Mohawks 
[o  the  creek  flowing  through  it.  That  stream  was  so  named  from  a  remark- 
able natural  phenomenon  connected  with  it.  Nearly  three-fourths  of  a 
mile  from  the  junction  of  the  creek  with  the  Mohawk  river  there  is  in  the 
riHky  bed  of  the  former  a  hole  averaging  over  twenty  feet  in  diameter, 
with  a  depth  when  cleared  of  about  ten  feet,  though  it  now  contains  several 
feet  of  sand  and  rubbish  de[)osited  by  the  .current  of  the  stream.  This 
i  aviiy,  which  resembles  a  large  cistern,  was  formerly  nearh-  round  with  vcr- 
tit  al  walls,  but  within  the  last  ipiarter  of  a  century  its  rim  has  become  much 
broken,  and  the  side  toward  the  current  of  the  creek  somew  hat  elongated 
This  singular  excavation,  made  in  the  course  of  ages  by  the  action  of  the 
water  and  rolling  stones,  some  of  which,  worn  into  globular  shape,  have 
liecn  found  m  it,  was  called  by  the  Indians  C'.;«-i7;A'-/m-a/,',  which,  as  inter- 
preted by  the  notorious  chieftain  Brant,  meant  "  the  pot  that  washes  it- 
self." It  is  situated  at  the  lower  end  of  a  mountain  gorge,  opposite  a  bold 
elevation  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  creek,  and  scarcely  half-a-dozen  rods 
above  the  termination  of  the  stream's  rocky  bottom  at  that  point.  There 
arc  smaller  pot-holes  to  be  seen  in  the  rocks  near  by.  Spafford,  in  his 
.Stale  Gazeteer  of  1824,  speaking  of  this  freak  of  nature,  says:  "The  name 
was  first  applied  to  a  whirlpool  at  the  foot  of  one  of  the  falls  of  the  creek 
that  now  Ijears  this  name;"  and  subsequent  writers,  copymg  from  him, 
have  fallen  into  the  same  error.  There  is  a  beautiful  cascade  in  the  creek, 
perhaps  a  quarter  of  a  mile  above  this  Indians"  dinner-pot,  where  the  water 
in  a  little  distance  falls  forty  or  fifty  feet;  but  the  significant  Can-n-io-ha- 
rie  is  quite  at  the  lower  end  of  the  gorge  in  which  the  falls  are  situated. 
They  are  formed  by  an  outcrop  of  the  hardest  kind  of  slate  rock,  as 
llie  veteran  historian,  Simms,  tells  us  he  "  learned  with  blistered  hands 
over  forty  years  ago."  when  he  and  a  friend  "determined,  with  gush- 
ing zeal — with  crowbar  and  pickaxe — to  make  a  flight  of  steps  from  the 
.  reek's  bed  to  the  summit  of  the  hill  beside  the  falls.  If,"  says  Mr. 
Simms,  "a  trace  of  our  labor  is  still  \  isible  on  the  east  side  of  the 
stream,  it  probably  will  not  now  gi\e  secure-  footing  for  the  paw  of  a 
dog.  Standing  beside  it,  our  conjecture  was  that  this  hole  was  mainb 
formed  at  a  period  when  the  falls  were  directly  above  it,  the  hill,  in 
the  lapse  of  ages,  having  gradually  receded  nearly  one-ipiarter  ol  a 
niile.  The  lofty  wall,  one  hundred  feet  high,  ujion  the  west  side  of  the 
gorge,  still  shows  what  physual  energies  of  nature  ha\e  been  called 
into  action." 

.\niong  the  aborigines  the  name  Canajoharie  attached  to  the  territory 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk  from  the  spur  of  the  .Mayfield  inoun- 
latn  which  crosses  the  river  at  .Spraker's  Basin  to  the  mountain  elevation 
known  as  Fall  Hill,  the  C.eneral  Herkimer  mansion  two  miles  east  of  I.itlle 
I-  ills  being  included  in  the  Can.ajoharie  district ;  hence  when  the  Mo- 
h.iwks  located  their  upper  castle  near  the  mouth  of  the  Nowadaga  in  the 
present  town  of  Danube,  they  distinguished  it  as  the  Canajoh.irie  castle. 
\t  the  advent  of  the  whites  a  small  body  of  .Mohawks  lived  on  the  site 
"f  Canajoharie.  their  wigwams  extending  up  the  creek  to  where  .^rkcll  and 
-■■inith's  sack  factory  stands.  The  islands  in  the  river  a  mile  and  a  hall 
almve  and  a  mile  below  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  together  with  the  ailj.m  em 
fl.iis,  were  then  cultivated  by  the  Indians,  who  raised  on  them  corn,  beans, 
-'pcishcs  and  tobacco.  .Along  the  hillsides  above  and  below  Canajoharie 
creek,  the  first  fur  traders  found  old  apple  trees  m  abundance,  but  not  set 
Mut  in  any  order. 

riiere  is  a  Icgenil  that  a  great  many  winters  ago  the  Mohan  ks  and  the 
<is»cgat<hie  half  tribe  which  is  saul  to  have  lived  three  miles  and  .1  half 
nMrlh-e.ast  of  Canajoharie  at  a  pl.ice  called  Knockerock  Kails,  near  Charles 
Millers.)  ap|x>inled  a  great  feast  to   take  place  four  miles  east  of  Canajo- 


harie under  the  eastern  brow  of  a  mountain.  There  large  numbers  en- 
camped for  the  great  occasion.  The  full  moon  was  high  in  the  heavens. 
.\  uhite  dog  had  been  roasted  and  the  feast  was  in  preparation.  .Already 
the  medicine  man  had  gone  through  his  incantations,  and  the  war  dance  had 
begun,  when  a  rumbling  sound  was  heard,  the  mountain  trembled  and 
i]uaked,  and  in  a  moment  its  whole  summit  parted  asunder,  and  an  ava- 
lanche of  rocks,  trees  and  earth  was  precipitated  upon  the  throng,  few  of 
whom  escaped. 

.\  document  dated  1794  records  the  laying  out  of  a  road  from  an  oak 
post  in  front  of  Cornelius  Van  .Alstine's  hotel,  westerly  along  the  south  side 
of  the  Mohawk,  nearly  to  the  present  limits  of  Canajoharie  village,  thence 
through  a  "  dug-way."  and  up  the  creek  to  the  falls,  and  on  through  Kreys- 
bush  to  Cherry  \allcy. 

In  1798.  Canajoharie,  which  extended  along  the  ri\er  nearly  twenty 
miles,  was  divided,  the  westerly  portion  taking  the  n. me  of  Minden.  In 
1823  it  also  contributed  to  the  formation  of  Root,  while  a  further  inroad 
was  made  upon  its  territory  in  1849.  by  annexing  the  fine  agricultural  dis- 
trict known  as  Freysbush  to  Minden.  .As  at  present  constituted,  Canajo- 
harie has  a  front  of  about  five  miles  on  the  Mohawk,  from  which  it  extends 
eight  miles  southerly  to  the  Otsego  county  line.  The  town  is  a  remarkably 
good  one  for  farming  purposes,  having  not  only  a  jiroductive  soil  but  very 
little  untillable  land,  considering  us  irregular  surface.  It  can  not  be  shown 
with  any  satisfaition  who  were  the  first  settlers  of  this  town,  or  when  thcv 
came  into  it. 

REVOI.CTION.ARV  STRONGHOLDS. 

.All  pioneer  settlements,  not  abandoned  in  the  Revolution,  made  some 
provision  for  their  security  in  the  hour  ot  peril.  This  usually  consisted  of 
a  palisaded  dwelling,  a  stone  one  being  preferred  if  favorabl)  located. 
Such  defences  w  ere  dignified  by  the  title  of  forts.  There  were  several  in 
this  town,  the  most  prominent  of  whicli  is  still  standing  on  the  east 
side  of  the  (  reek  in  Canajoharie.  This  was  of  stone,  and  was  during  the 
ke\nlution  known  as  the  I'hilip  Van  .\lstine,  and  fifty  years  later  as  the 
John  H.  Moyer  pl.ice.  It  became  kno«n  when  fortified  as  Kort  Rens- 
selaer 

.A  mile  or  two  southeast  from  this,  on  the  Mapletown  mad,  and  a  mile 
from  the  creek,  resided  John  Ehle.  whose  house  was  [.alisaded  and  .ailed 
Fort  F^hle.  .A  little  distance  from  this  place,  in  1780,  or  1781,  a  party  of 
the  enemy  under  Brant  surprised  and  killed  .Adam  Flights  and  captured 
Nathan  Foster  and  Conrad  Fntcher,  who  were  taken  as  prisoners  to 
Canada,  enduring  their  share  of  suffering.  Lieut.  Cornelius  Van  F^vera 
and  ensign  John  \'an  F^vera  were  on  duty  in  and  around  Fort  FJile. 

F'rench's  Gazetteer  of  the  State  says  that  a  fort  one  hundred  feet  square 
was  erected  at  Canajoharie  at  an  early  day  as  one  of  the  chain  of  fortifica- 
tions guarding  the  route  to  Oswego.  This  is  an  error.  The  fort  referred 
10  was  at  the  upper  or  Canajoharie  castle  of  the  .Mohawks,  m  Danube. 
Herkimer  county.  It  had  an  F^nglish  garrison  during  the  wars  with  the 
French,  and  was  sometimes  called  Fort  Hendrick,  after  the  famous  ,  iuef- 
lain  who  dwelt  near  it, 

Johannes,  or  John  Roof,  who  had  lo.  ated  at  Fort  Slanwix,  now  Rome, 
in  i7fio,  left  that  pl.ai  e  by  the  advice  of  Col.  Gansevoort,  when  it  was 
threatened  by  the  enemy,  in  1777,  leaving  his  buildings  to  be  burned  by 
Gansevoort's  order  lo  prevent  their  occupancy  by  the  enemy  ;  and  drop- 
ping down  the  \alle>  to  Canajoharie,  bought  alarm  upon  which  Henry 
Schreniling.  an  early  settler,  had  built  a  stone  dwelling.  It  stood  direitly 
b.ick  of  the  present  F^ldridge  or  l.ovett   House  until  about   the  year  1840, 


IMF   HlsrOUV  OF  MO\TGO\IFRY  COIIN'TY. 


when  it  was  demolished.  In  the  latter  ])art  of  the  Revoluiionar)-  uar  a 
smalt  party  of  Indians  t'lred  on  some  men  hoeini;  corn  on  Roof's  tlaib.  hc- 
twren  his  dwelling  and  the  river,  not  far  from  the  present  river  ijridge.  and 
killed  one  of  them,  but  seeing  the  others  securing  their  tire  arms  they  fled 
to  the  hiils  and  est  aped.  Roof  had  kept  a  tavern  at  Fort  Stanuix,  and  m 
(anajoharie  he  resumed  that  hnsiness.  continuing  it  for  some  ycar.-»  after 
the  war.  He  was  suiceeded  in  it  by  his  son  and  namesake,  the  late  Col. 
John  Roof. 

Martin  Roof,  a  brother  of  the  last-named.  wa>.  a  druggist  at  an  earlv  day 
in  Canajoharie  \illagc.  and  one  of  its  first  postmasters,  aUo  an  jLiing 
justice  of  the  |»eai  c.  John  Roof.  Jr.,  married  a  daughter  of  t'.corge 
Shaker,  of  Palatine,  and  for  a  time  they  ke[)t  the  Roof  tavern  as  one 
family.  Dunng  this  time,  probably  about  1795.  ^^^  house  was  robbed  one 
nigfic  of  a  heavy  irf>n  (.hcst.  which  was  chained  to  the  post  of  a  bed  on 
which  some  of  the  family  were  sleeping  ;  a  trundle-bed  was  also  quite  near 
it  The  chest  usually  contained  several  hundred  dollars  in  specie,  and  no 
inconsiderable  sum  was  in  it  when  it  was  so  mysteriously  abducted.  Not 
long  before  it  was  stolen  it  was  lifted  only  with  great  effort  by  two  girls  in 
their  teens,  one  of  them  the  young  inn-keeper's  wife's  sister,  who  is  now 
living  at  the  age  of  ninety-seven.  It  was  never  known  who  took  the  safe,  or 
what  became  of  it.  A  small  tin  trunk  within  it,  containing  valuable  papers, 
was  afterward  found  in  an  abutment  of  the  bridge  over  the  creek.  Of 
Henrv  Schremling.  above  mentioned,  little  can  be  learned,  Capt.  Martin 
G.  Van  Alstine,  and  Captain  or  Sheriff  John  Winn,  married  resi)ectively 
his  daughters  Cathanne  and  Klizabeth.  Schremling,  in  the  latter  i>art  of 
the  last  centur\'.  had  a  mill  near  the  site  of  Arkell  &  Smith's  dam  in  Cana- 
joharie. His  name  was  pronounced  Scrambling,  and  the  place  was  called 
from  him  "  Scrambling's  Mills."  At  some  period  before  the  Revolution, 
three  brothers,  Henrv.  Nicholas  and  John  Failing,  Germans,  located  on 
the  rich  intervale  lands  just  westward  of  Canajoharie  village.  Henry 
pitched  his  tent  where  Joshua  Williams  now  resides.  It  was  known  after 
the  war  a.s  the  Roger  Dougherty,  and  ^itill  later  as  the  Adam  I.  Roof  place. 
Nicholas  resided  nearly  a  mile  farther  west,  where  he  built,  just  before  the 
war, one  of  the  better*  la.ss  of  stone  houses,  in  a  commanding  jwsition  upon 
a  knoll,  [t  is  remembered  as  a  large  two-story  dwelling,  having  a  spacious 
hall  and  stairway  in  the  centre.  In  the  autumn  of  1833  or  1834  this  editice. 
then  occupied  as  a  tenement  house  by  several  families,  took  fire  one  night 
from  a  keg  of  ashes  under  the  stairs,  and  burned  down.  i'his  house,  as 
was  learned  many  years  ago  from  the  late  Jacob  H.  Failing  a  son  of  Henry 
and  grandson  of  Nicholas  Failing  .  who  was  a  boy  living  in  it  at  the  time. 
was  rendered  defensible  during  the  Revolution  by  the  following  process  : 
A  staging  was  erected  across  itb  rear  or  hill  side  a  few  feet  wide,  with  an 
oak  floor,  and  was  planked  up  breast  high,  access  being  gained  to  it  by  the 
chamber  windows.  The  lower  windows  and  outer  doors  were  also  planked 
up  so  as  to  be  bullet-proof  ;  and  as  the  house  had  several  familii-s  in  it 
during  the  war.  especially  after  so  many  had  been  burned  out  by  the 
enemy,  it  was  believed  it  might  be  defended  against  a  large  at;acking 
force;  but  it  was  never  molested,  .\fter  the  war  the  place  went  in[o  the 
possession  of  Rev.  Jt^hn  Daniel  Gros  who,  after  owning  it  for  a  time, 
traded  it  to  Col.  Hendrick  Frey  for  property  in  Freysbush,  where  he  built 
a  large  brick  mansion,  now  standing,  in  which  he  lived  for  some  years,  and 
where  he  died  in  1.S12.  Col.  Frey  occupied  the  Failing  place  fur  some 
years,  and  in  it,  at  a  good  old  age,  he  died.  From  it,  with  a  field-glass,  he 
could  oversee  his  men  at  work  on  the  flats  of  the  Mohawk  for  hal.  a  mile 
ea.st,  north  and  west.  His  farm  here  embraced  200  acres,  and  liis  entire 
possessions  south  and  west  of  the  site  of  Canajoharie  village,  3.200.  From 
him  Freysbush  was  namctl.  Col.  Frey  w.as  a  justice  of  sessions  o.  Tryon 
county,  and  a  postmaster,  and  tarried  (►n  a  lucrative  trade  with  the  Indians 
and  settlers.  He  was  buried  ne.ir  his  huuse  ab.Ae  mentumed.  but  no 
monument  marks  the  spot.  Col  Frey  was  a  lo\ahst  during  the  l<e\olu- 
tion.  His  brother.  Major  Frf\.  was  a  prominent  p.itnot.  once  C  lairman 
of  the  Trvon  Cnunf\  Committee  of  Saletv 


KAKI.V  GRIST   MIM.S. 

The  first  grist  mill  on  Can.ijoh.uie  >  rcL-k  is  believed  to  have  be  n  ere<  ted 
by  Goshen  (iose'  V.in  AKtinc-.thc  father  of  Cai.tain  Martin  G.  .nd  Philip 
Van  Alstine.  who  sm .  eeded  m  i(^  ownership.  It  is  supposed  loh.ucbeen 
built  about  1760.  It  was  a  wf.oden  building  and  stood  on  the  east  bank 
of  the  stream,  twenlv-five  or  ihirtv  roiU  from  the  end  of  the  rapid  below 


t/ie  falls,  from  whence,  near  the  original  Can-a-jo-ha-rie,  the  water  is  said 
to  have  been  conveyed  to  it  in  a  race  course.  .-Vbout  the  year  iSi^.or  1815, 
this  mill  burned  down,  and  Mrs.  Isaac  Flint,  who  among  the  superstitious 
was  reputed  a  witch,  was  from  some  cause  accused  of  setting  it  on  fire. 
Learning  that  she  was  to  be  arrested,  her  mind  was  so  wrought  upon  thai 
she  arose  one  night,  fastened  a  ( ord  to  a  nail  m  a  beam  overhead  ;  then 
standing  upon  a  chair,  adjusted  a  noose  around  her  neck,  and  pushing  the 
chair  from  under  her.  was  soon  beyond  the  reach  of  her  accusers.  Nathan- 
iel Conkling,  an  uncle  of  Senator  Roscoe  ConkUng,  as  coroner,  called  an  in- 
quest on  the  occasion,  says  Peter  G.  Dunckcl,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
jury,  and  is  now  eighty-four  years  of  age.  Tradition,  at  the  end  of  over 
si.xty  years,  is  more  ready  to  implicate  a  relative  of  the  mill  owner-,  as  the 
incendiary  than  the  poor  woman  who  died  by  her  own  act,  a  victim  to  the 
superstition  of  her  neighbors. 

Some  measures  were  taken  in  Preysbush  to  procure  timber  to  reconstruct 
the  mill,  but  it  was  not  done,  and  not  long  after  the  site  and  water  privilege 
were  sold  to  George  Goertner  and  Henry  Lieber,  his  son-in-law.  When 
the  mill  was  built,  a  small  stone  dwettitig  was  erected  near  by  for  the  miller, 
and  one  of  the  last  to  make  it  a  home  w.as  a  man  named  Stanton,  still  re- 
membered as  having  been  quite  accommodating.  This  old  dwelling,  some- 
what dilapidated  and  occupied  in  the  interest  of  Lieber  as  a  coo  >er  shop 
for  the  manufacture  of  flour  barrels,  was  burned  down  one  nigii:  in  the 
autumn — as  believed — of  1828.  In  1817,  Goertner  and  Lieber  built  astonc 
mill  fifteen  or  twenty  rods  below  the  site  of  Van  .\lstine"s.  where  they  also 
constructed  a  substantial  stone  dam  across  the  stream.  At  this  place  they 
also  erected  a  sawmill,  distillery,  fulling  mill  and  carding  machine,  and  for 
some  time  a  large  business  was  done  here,  including  much  of  the  milling 
for  the  towns  of  Palatine,  Root,  and  Charleston.  Mr.  Lieber  shorilv  bought 
out  his  partner's  interest.  At  his  death  about  1838,  Uriah  Wood  became 
the  owner  of  the  mills.  W'hile  in  his  possession  they  were  destroved  by  fire 
and  never  re-built.  Henry  Lieber.  and  John  his  brother,  on  coming  to 
America  about  the  beginnir.g  of  this  century,  were  for  a  time  sold  ioio  .servi- 
tude to  pay  their  passage  from  Ciermany — a  custom  long  in  vogue,  and  of 
which  many  good  though  poor  people  availed  themselves.  Henry  Lieber, 
on  becoming  his  own  master,  first  learned  the  weavers  trade,  an  i  then  be- 
gan life  as  a  pack  peddler  ;  ne.xt  had  a  small  store  in  Freysbush.  then  one 
at  Newville  ;  and  finally  became  established  in  trade  at  Canajoharie.  just 
before  the  advent  of  the  canal.  The  Lieber  brothers  were  instrumental  in 
liringing  their  parents  to  this  country. 

The  second  grist  mill  on  Canajoharie  creek  was  built  by  Col.  Hendrick 
Frey  about  1770.  and  near  it  a  nice  stone  dwelling.  Here,  at  the  same 
period,  he  built  a  saw  mill.  This  place,  which  became  known  as  the 
Upper  Mill,  was  not  more  than  forty  or  fifty  rods  from  the  Van  Alstine 
mill.  It  was  nearly  a  mile  from  the  creek's  mouth,  and  stood  at  the  b.-^se 
of  the  high  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  stream,  and  near  the  Indians' 
Oin-ti-fo-/ni-ric.  Col  Frey  was  at  this  time  an  extensive  landloril.  and  in 
disposing  of  farms  in  Freysbush  he  stipulated  that  the  buyers  sh-mld  have 
their  milling  done  at  his  mill.    He  lived  at  this  place  during  the  Resolution. 

"  Black  Pom,"  or  "  Miller  Pom,"  as  often  called,  a  slave  belonging  to 
Col.  Frey,  was  remembered  after  the  war  as  having  been  a  usef.il  .i|tpen<l- 
age  about  the  mill;  but  the  princijial  miller  for  a  long  time  was  an  Irish- 
man, named  Usher.  He  occupied  a  small  wooden  house  not  far  from  the 
Frey  mansion.  He  had  a  son,  John,  who  was  a  good  soldier  in  (Ik-  war 
of  181 2.  Of  the  miller  Usher  the  following  anecd<)te  is  remembered; 
Col.  Frey,  like  Sir  William  Johnson— with  whom  he  was  ever  o  i  terms  of 
intimacy,  having  been  associated  with  him  as  an  officer  in  the  P"rem  h  war 
— vvas  fond  of  fun.  even  if  it  had  to  spring  from  a  practical  joke.  (M.aerv- 
ing  Mrs.  Henry  Hess  approaching  the  mill  with  a  grist  mm.-  .1  woman 
performed  similar  labors  at  that  period  ,  he  said  to  Usher:  "  I'.iat  woman 
is  very  hard  of  hearing;  you  will  have  to  talk  bnid  to  her."  Phen  step- 
ping out  to  assist  Mrs.  Hess  at  the  wagon,  he  took  occasion  to  say  to 
her;  "  My  miller  is  so  deaf  you  can't  make  him  understand  unless  you 
speak  very  loud."  When  the  grist  was  unloaded  and  the  woman  entered 
the  mill  to  look  after  it,  the  Colonel  posted  himself  in  a  favorable  place  to 
listen;  when,  as  he  afterward  told  his  friends,  he  heard  some  of  the  loudest 
talking  he  ever  heard  in  his  life.  Phe  miller's  and  woman's  \oues  were 
raised  to  the  highest  possible  pin  h  for  a  long  time  before  the  p.iriies  dis- 
covered that  they  had  been  sold. 

This  Upper  .Mil!  properly,  by  a  deed  of  gift  from  his  gr.mdfather.  dated 
May  4,  1812,  passed  into  the  possession  of  Henry  Frey  i'ox.  and  with  it 
about  seven  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  excellent  land,  most  of  it  heavily 


PIONEEKS  OP^  TKADE  IN  CANAJOHARIK 


07 


rkin 


g  up 
Mr.   St. 


limbered.  Much  of  this  timber  John  A.  Khic.  who  erected  a  storehouse, 
Aawmrll  .ind  dry  do«:k  below  Canajoharic  vilhige.  on  the  canal  at  its  com- 
,;>IcticH»,  ^awcd  up  and  took  to  tide-water  in  boats  of  his  own  construction; 
thus  ^*>r  several  years,  giving  employment  to  a  larjje  number  of  men.  In 
iHj6,  and  for  some  years  after,  I>r.  Sherman  Hvcd  in  the  stone  house 
ap(>eitaining  to  the  mdl  property,  during  which  time  John  l.icber  was  suc- 
tcssfoily  operating  the  grist  mill  and  distillery  adj<jining.  The  properly 
^-hanged  owners  a  number  of  times,  coming,  in  1828,  into  (he  possession  of 
Harvty  St.  John,  who,  wtih  Nit  holas  (',.  \'an  .\lstine  as  a  partner,  for 
several  years  manufactured  flour  for  the  New  York  market,  w. 
iinost  of  the  wheat  raised  in  this  and  several  adjoining  towns. 
John,  however,  failed,  and  after  being  in  a  good  many  hands. 
■»c re  burned  down  January  H,  1S49,  and  eight  days  Inter  the  mill 
jnel  the  same  fate.      Neither  of  the  structures  \\c\s  rebuilt. 


THE   HISTORY  OK  TRADE. 

Small  stores  were  established  in  the  different  (ierman  settlements  soon 
after  ibey  were  planted,  but  nothing  is  known  of  them,  except  the  little 
ahat  tiadition  has  handed  down.  They  contained  small  stocks  of  such 
^oods  as  their  white  neighbors  must,  of  necessity,  have,  and  certain  kinds 
which  their  traffic  with  the  Indians  called  for  ;  the  latter  consis,  ^  of  fire- 
arms knives,  hatchets,  ammunition,  trinkets,  brass  and  copper  kettles, 
"scarlet  cloth,  rum  and  tobacco.  The^e.  with  a  few  other  articles,  were  bar- 
itered  for  furs  to  great  advantage.  There  were,  probably,  traders  in  the 
lown  of  Canajoharie  before  the  Revolution,  but  it  is  now  impossible  to 
name  any.  The  first  after  the  war  was  William  Beekman,  who  located  near 
Van  Alstine's  ferry,  a  mile  east  of  Canajoharie  village,  in  1788,  as  it  is 
(thought,  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  In  a  few  years  he  removed 
Ro  Sharon,  and  became  the  pioneer  merchant  of  that  town.  He  was  a 
iman  of  fair  ability,  and  on  the  organization  of  Schoharie  county,  in  1795, 
he  wa>ippuinied  the  first  Jud^e  of  tiie  Comnion  Pleas  Bench,  a  position 
which  he  held  for  nearly  40  years.  He  died  November  26,  1745.  aged 
seventy-eight  years.  He  was  succeeded  in  trade  in  Canajoharie  by  Barent 
Koseboom  ^S:  Brothers.  John  and  .Abram.  At  length  Philip  Van  Alstinc 
t>ccaroe  the  sole  partner  of  Barent  Roseboom  in  tr^de,  the  firm  occupying 
a  store  on  the  east  side  of  the  Canajoharie  creek,  and  within  the  present 
•illage,  which  then  contained  scarcely  a  dozen  houses. 

The  Kane  Brothers,  seven  in  number,  came  into  Canajoharie  very  soon 
after  the  ad\ent  of  Beekman,  probably  about  1790,  and  at  first  established 
themselves  in  trade  in  the  old  stone  dwelling  ot  I'hilip  Van  .Alstine,  which. 
erected  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  is  still  standing.  Tradition 
vays  that  (ieneral  Washington  was  in  this  building  on  his  visit  to  the 
frontier  in  1782  .  I'he  new  firm  was  known  as  John  Kane  iS:  Brothers  ; 
whether  all  of  them  were  interested  is  unknown.  They  were  a  family  of 
*xnart  TOunj;  men,  and  when  they  located  there  was  no  store  of  any 
rvotc  in  the  valley  westward  of  them,  so  that  for  a  time  much  of 
t*ic  trade  of  the  Herkimer  settlements  centered  here.  The  names  of  the 
Kane  brothers  were  John,  Klias,  Charles.  EJisha,  Oliver,  James  and  Archi- 
bald. Only  John,  James  and  .\rchibald  were  known  in  the  business.  Kre 
Iv^ng  they  erected  a  stone  dwelling  with  an  arched  roof,  one  mile  east  of 
(".^najoharie  village,  where  had  been  established  "  Martin  Van  Alstine's 
Ferr)-,"  at  or  before  the  organization  of  Tryon  county — it  was  in  operation 
wi  1776.  At  this  place  James  and  Archibald  Kane  continued  to  trade,  un- 
tiil  about  the  year  1S05.  It  is  believed  no  firm  in  the  valley  ever  before 
hsrcame  so  widely  known.  In  1799  their  purchases  of  potash  and  wheat 
aniounted  to  §120,000.  On  leaving  the  place,  the  brothers  separated  widely, 
J■"^n  going  to  New  York,  Elias  to  Albany,  whither  he  was  subse<iuentiv 
f'-Il'.xicdby  James;  Klisha  to  Philadelphia.  Oliver  to  Rhode  Island.  Charles 
f-  (;ien\  FalK.  .m.l  Art  hibaid  to  Ha\ti.  where  he  married  a  sister  of  the 
b^.ifk  ruler  and  where,  after  a  few  years,  he  died.  The  Kane  dwelling. 
*  hi.  h  tame  to  called  the  "  round  top."  ha\  ing  a  modern  hi|f  in  the  roof. 
''■  vtill  sfonfJing.  Its  roof,  when  creeled,  was  covered  with  sheet  lea.t  It 
t*-  to  be  hoped  that  this  relic  of  the  past  may  be  suffered  to  remain.  A 
bitle  (anal  uhi»  h  led  from  the  Kane  store  to  the  river  is  still  visible,  ihoiigh 
nt.uly  fiJUd  up  and  lined  with  willows. 

'I  he  war  of  the  Revolution,  as  ail  war.do.  inan.mir.ited  a  dissolute  [.eriod 
"f  drinking,  gunbling  and  horse-racir.g  winch  lasted  f<.r  years,  and  ^v.is  at 
•t*-  hel^;ht  in  the  time  of  th-  kanes.  Their  house  became  a  rcnde/v.ni^  for 
'a^d  pluyers,  and  a  cpiarrel  over  stakes  occurred  on  one  occasion,  resulting 

12 


in  a  duel.  April  iX,  iXoi.  in  .i  -.mall  pmc  grove  on  the  hill  west  of  iht- 
Kane  dwelling,  in  which  Art  hibalii  Kane  was  wounded  in  the  ri;;ht  arm 
by  Barent  Roseboom.  Dr.  Webster,  father  of  l'eter(;.  Webster,  Km|.,  was 
Kane's  surgeon,  and  charged  him  los. — $1.25 — for  each  of  his  half  do/en 
visits  but  one,  for  which  the  charge  was  Ss  ;  llle  doctor  ti\cd  four  units 
from  his  |jaticnt,  and  the  moderateness  of  his  charges  is  s.iid  to  have  been 
characteristic  of  the  man. 

makri.\<;e  kkks  and  methods 

Col.  John  Roof,  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  marrie<l  the  widow  of 
Rev.  Philii.  rick,  or  I'eek,  as  usually  written  :  and  for  the  performance  of 
the  ceremony  he  gave  Rev.  John  I.  Wack  seven  dollars.  Soon  after  Capt. 
-Vbram  Wemple  married  a  daughter  of  John  I.oucks,  and  gave  as  his  mar- 
riage fc.e  ten  dollars.  Just  after  these  nuptials  Henry  Erey  Cox  married 
a  daughter  of  Henry  Na/ro,  and  gave  the  same  clergyman  fifteen  dollars,  .i 
liberal  fee  for  those  times  in  the  country.  In  speaking  of  his  unuMial 
success.  Dominie  Wack  was  heard  to  say  soon  after  that  he  wished  his 
parishioners  would  keep  on  doing  like  that,  and  he  wouldn't  care  if  they 
came  every  day.  At  this  period  U'illiam  I.ane  married  a  daughter  of  I'eter 
Walrath,  of  Bowman's  Creek.  He  also  called  into  reijuisition  the  services 
of  Mr.  Wack,  and  when  the  knot  was  tied,  asked  the  dominie  what  he 
usually  got  for  the  ceremony.  '*  That,"  replied  the  good  man,  "  depends 
upon  how  much  a  man  thinks  of  his  wife  :"  he  .added,  "the  legal  fee  is  one 
dollar."     Mr.  I.ane  is  said  to  have  given  him  a  dollar. 

.\mong  the  early  incidents  related  is  the  following  account  of  a  marriage 
in  which  .Sipiire  Bowman  officiated.  While  working  in  his  hay  Held  .1 
couple  came  to  his  house  on  horseback  to  be  married.  'The  party  were- 
sent  to  the  hay  field,  where  they  found  the  siiuire  upon  a  load  of  haj. 
Wishing  to  dispatch  the  business  with  as  little  trouble  as  possible,  he  re- 
fpiested  the  parties  to  join  hands.  He  then  said,  "  Hans,  you  dake  dis 
voman  to  be  your  vife  ?"  "  \"a,"  replied  the  expectant  groom.  '*l.isbei, 
you  dake  dis  Hans  to  he  your  husbant  ?"  "  V'a.  ich  will."  "  Den  I  make 
you  one  viesh  und  one  peefe.      Now  vat  man  has  put  togcdder,  let  not  Cot 


put 


unde 


THE   FIRST  SCHOOLS. 


.An  Indian  school  was  taught  at  the  Canajoharie  castle  by  an  Indian 
named  Philip  Jonathan,  as  early  as  1764  ;  but  the  first  school  in  the  present 
town  stood  on  Seeher's  Lane,  on  the  north  line  of  the  (ioertner  farm,  .t 
mile  and  a  half  southwest  of  Canajoharie  village,  and  the  district  was  styled 
"  No.  I  in  and  for  the  tow  n  of  Canajoharie  "  when  the  i  oiiimon  si  hool 
system  was  ailopted. 

MINOR   VILI.ACIOS  OK    THE  TOWN. 

RnwM.VN's  Ckkkk  was  about  forty  years  the  local  name  of  a  dislrii  t  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  town,  four  or  five  miles  in  extent,  through  whuh 
in  an  easterly  direction  courses  the  Canajoharic  creek,  the  stre.iin  bcin.; 
called  Bowman's  creek  at  this  locality,  after  Jacob  Bowman,  an  early  settler, 
who  about  1760  bought  a  large  tract  about  its  head-waters,  ilus  fur  a 
number  of  years  was  ipiite  a  business  part  of  the  town,  and  its  first  post 
office  was  named  Bowman's  Creek.  .\  number  of  .Mr.  Bowman's  nuniL-rous 
descendants  reside  in  the  neighborhood. 

Bt  Ft,  is  the  name  whuh  ihi-.  post  offii  e  took  about  iS;o.  and  .1  litih- 
hamlet  has  since  been  known  by  that  name.  Its  first  remembered  settlers, 
who  went  there  about  the  beginning  of  this  lenliirv.  Here  lohn  Kowm.in. 
Benjamin  Button,  an  ecientnc  ami  mgeniuiis  blai  ksmiih.  with  the  sin  imili 
of  a  giant  and  the  courage  of  a  mastiff  ;  Hon.  I'eicr  Walr.iili.  lienom  Bnl 
lock,  a  clo.sc-communion  Baptist  [ireacher  ;  .Muli.'el  Hukev.  I  rcdi  ru  k 
Weller,  Audolph  Walrath.  Richard  Horning,  Cornelius  Mint.  James  Muuh. 
Noah  Dodge,  a  justice  of  the  peace  ;  James  Adsit,  Daniel  M.  Donald,  .\sa 
Kimball,  whose  place  was  afterward  known  as  the  .Milligan  farm  ;  .\dam 
Brown,  and  his  son  Peter,  who  was  a  merchant  ;  Doctor  Conklin,  who 
died  by  falling  into  a  kettle  of  boiling  potash  ;  Wm.  Bartlett,  a  tanner, 
and  John  Sceber,  Esci.,  who  was  one  of  the  earliest  inn-keepers.  He  is  be- 
lieved to  have  sold  out  to  Peter  Brown  and  the  latter  to  Henry  (i.arloc  k,  who 
was  succeeded  by  his  brother  John  (larloi  k,  who  at  one  time  was  running  .1 
grist  mill  and  a  distillery,  enabling  him  to  sii|iply   his   table  and   his  b.ir. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


The  post  office  is  believeti  to  have  been  kept  at  (Jarlock's  when  its  name 
was  changed  to  Buel,  in  honor  of  Jesse  Buel  of  Albany,  then  a  prominent 
agriculturist  of  the  Stale.  Near  this  place  a  deaf  and  dumb  asylum  was 
established  in  i&2^,  which  for  a  time  had  some  success,  but  whose  pupils 
at  the  end  of  a  dozen  years  were  removed  to  New  York 

Ames,  so  called  in  honor  of  Fisher  Ames,  is  a  hjmlel  with  a  post  office, 
in  the  same  valley,  between  two  and  three  miles  east  of  Huel.  and  was  at  one 
period  quite  a  business  place.  .\  post  office  was  erected  not  long  after 
the  name  of  Buel  was  given  to  the  Bowman's  Creek  office. 

The  first  settler  in  the  town  of  Canajoharie  as  now  defined  is  believed 
to  have  been  a  man  named  Taylor,  who  cleared  off  some  thirty-five  acres 
half  a  mile  south  of  the  village  of  .\mes.  planted  apple  trees  and  built  a 
small  house  of  logs,  with  a  roof  of  bark.  When  the  locality  began  to  be 
settled,  he,  having  no  title,  had  to  lca\  e  his  clearing.  Where  he  came  from 
and  where  he  went  to  is  unknown.  He  had  a  son  called  Harry  Taylor, 
who  is  rememl>ered  by  aged  people  now  living  as  having  wandered  about 
bareheaded,  though  generally  having  two  or  three  hats  hanging  to  a  bun- 
dle which  he  carried.  He  would  spend  the  day  beside  some  stream,  fishing 
for  homed  dace,  and  at  night  beg  a  lodging  on  a  kitchen  floor  and  a  bile 
of  food  after  the  family  had  eaten.  When  asked  why  he  carried  hats  but 
wore  none  he  would  say  he  had  lost  his  head  which  in  one  sense  seemed 
true  enough    and  was  waiting  for  one  to  grow  on. 

Early  in  1796  a  Free  Will  Bajitist  church  organization  was  removed  to 
Ames  (where  some  of  the  members  lived,  including  the  minister.  El- 
der George  Elliott  from  a  point  several  miles  west,  where  it  was  established 
in  1794.  The  following  were  the  original  members  ;  Rufus  Morris, 
Wm.  Hubbs,  Jesse  Benjamin,  Philip  Bonsteci.  Ray  Guiles,  Nathan 
Richmond,  Peter  Frederick.  Samuel  Baley,  Stephen  Smith,  Ephraim  Elmer. 
Jonathan  Elliott,  Rufus  Elliott,  Jon.ih  Phelps,  Henry  Rowland,  Joseph  El- 
liott, Jacob  Elliott.  Job  \\'ood,  John  Thomas,  Thomas  Tallman.  Benjamin 
Treadway,  Stephen  Howard.  David  Warner.  Matthew  N'eaiey,  Isaac  Elliott, 
Hendrick  rcnrucrtun,  John  Hodge  jr.,  .-Mexander  Hubbs.  Gideon  Elliott^ 
Gerard  Hubbs,  Jonathan  Parks,  Stephen  (iriffeth.  Samuel  .\llen,  James 
Marvin,  John  Baley,  Richard  Kimball.  Jonathan  White.  Wm.  Griffeth^ 
Abiram  Skeel,  Jonathan  Wheton,  Elisha  Daniels,  Oliver  Bartholomew, 
Reuben  Hodge.  Clemens  (.iriffith.  John  Hodge.  Sen.,  Daniel  Marvin.  John 
Bishop,  John  Jackson,  .^/ariah  Peck.  Solomon  Scipie.  Orlando  Mack. 
Simeon  Pemberton,  James  Mar\in,  jun,,  Samuel  Hubbs,  Isaac  \'an  .\lstine 
and  54  females,  wives,  sisters  and  daughters  of  the  above,  .\mong  the  num- 
ber, as  a  relic  of  Puritanism,  is  the  name  of"  Thankful  Lord."  Their  first 
meetinghouse  was  erected  a  mile  east  of  where  the  \illage  of  .\mes  is  situ- 
ated. The  society  has  had  a  successful  continuance,  never  being  without 
a  pastor.  A  new  church  was  built  in  1832  at  .Ames,  and  the  society  organ- 
ized under  the  statute  as  the  "  .Ames  Free  Ba[>tist  Church,"  with  Jeremiah 
R.  Slark,  John  Bennett,  l.uthcr  Tavlor,  Simon  D.  Kittle,  Willard  R.  Wheel- 
er, and  Lawrence  Beach,  as  trustees. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  its  pastors  ;  lieorge  Elliott,  .\.  Nichols,  Thomas 
Tallman,  E.  Eastman,  David  R.  .McElfresh.  O.  F.  .\Ioulton,  Phips  W.  Lake, 
(;.  P.  Ramsey.  R.  Dick,  Wm.  H.  Waldrose,  A.  Bullock,  J.  .M  Crandall,  and 
S    F.  .Mathews. 

Prominent  among  the  early  citizens  here  were  Dr.  Simeon  Marcy,  Jos. 
Jessup,  his  brother-in-l.iw;  Rufus  and  Charles  Morns,  brothers,  the  latter 
being  the  father  of  Commodore  (Charles  Morris,  of  the  war  of  1812;  Judge 
Phineas  Randall,  father  of  the  late  Governor  .Alevander  Randall,  of  Wis- 
consin; Ira  Beach,  an  inn-keeper;  Frederick  MiiK.  William  and  Squire 
Hills,  brothers;  Abial  Bingham,  Seth  Wetmore,  the  first  Sheriff  of  .Mont- 
gomery county  elected  by  the  people  under  the  Revised  Statutes;  three 
brothers,  .Abrani,  Isaac  and  Jacob  Hodge;  Gen.  John  Keyes,  father  of  the 
eccentric  Zach.  Ke_\es,  longa  tavern  keejier  in  Sharon;  Ebenezer  Hibbard, 
sen.,  who,  with  Keyes,  on  locating,  bought  a  thousand  acres  of  land;  John 
Russel,  George  Mills,  who  had  a  l.trge  tannery;  two  or  three  Whiles,  one 
of  them  .\sohcl,  a  halter,  who  sold  out  lo  .Asahel  Hawley,  the  latter  after- 
ward removing  to  Canajoharie;  and  another  .Xbijah,  who  was  the  first  sur- 
veyor in  the  town;  one  Benton,  wh«j  owned  a  grist  iiiili  on  the  treek;  FUien- 
ezer  Tillotsnn.  Jabin  Welch,  a  s|.inning-wheel  maker;  Charles  Powell. 
Reuben  Hodge,  Rice  Ileach,  a  silversmith;  John  .Schuyler,  Lebbeus  Kim- 
ball, Billings  Hodge,  Guy  Harrow,  Joseph  Wood,  James  Marvin,  Daniel 
Latimer,  F:ider  Creorgc  FHIiolt  and  Jonah  Phelps  Joel  \\hite  was  the 
first  white  child  bom  at  .Vmes.  Russel  and  Mills  were  the  first  merthants 
at  Ames,  beginning  business  about  tSoo. 

Mrs.  F.lecU  Bryars,   who  was  found  al  he/  loom  weaving  as  lively  as  a 


middle  aged  lady,  says  that  in  her  mother's  lime  the  neighbors  would  li\r 
six  weeks  in  succession  without  bread,  subsisting  on  potatoes,  butter  ami 
salt.  Bams  were  so  scarce  that  grain  had  to  be  hauled  many  miles  to  b,- 
ihreshed;  hence  farmers  put  off  the  job  until  they  had  finished  sowin- 
their  winter  grain,  living  without  breadstuffs  rather  than  lose  the  tinic 
necessary  for  threshing.  .Mrs.  Bryars  was  married  in  petticoat  and  shon 
gown,  and  Mr.  Bryars  in  linen  pantaloons;  neither  wore  shoes  or  stockings. 

Phelps  Button,  of  .\mes,  says  his  grandfather,  Jonah  Phelps,  cleared  the 
place  where  Button  lues,  and  that  he  used  10  carry  his  grist  on  his  bai  k 
two  miles  and  a  half  to  Sharon  Springs.  He  made  the  first  payment  §10 
on  his  place  by  burning  potash.  Mr.  Button's  great-grandfather.  Benjamin 
Button,  was  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution  five  years,  and  died,  aged 
eighty-eight.  Being  granted  a  furlough  of  three  days  while  in  the  army  hc 
went  home,  walking  seventy  miles  between  sunrise  and  sunset,  staid  one 
day  and  returned  to  his  regiment  the  next. 

John  Van  Epps,  grandfather  of  R.  L.  U'esselsof  -Ame.s,  was  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  He  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians  and  held  by  them 
for  three  years.  When  captured  he  was  on  his  way  to  a  neighbor's  with 
some  money  which  his  father  owed  the  latter.  He  had  time  to  hide  the 
money  at  the  foot  of  a  certain  gate-post,  where,  on  his  return,  he  looked 
for  it,  to  find  only  the  pocketbook.  He  then  enlisted  as  a  captain.  George 
Harring,  the  grandfather  of  .Mr.  Wessels,  once  incurred  the  hatred  of  an 
Indian  at  Fort  Plain  by  throwing  mud  in  his  face.  The  insulted  savage 
was  afterward  caught  trying  to  shoot  Harring,  was  driven  off  and  never 
seen  again.  Most  of  the  pioneer  settlers  at  Buel  and  .Ames  were  New  Eng- 
land men,  but  the  order  of  their  coming  to  this  town  has  not  been  pre- 
served. .About  1797,  a  grist-mill,  a  saw-mill  and  a  wheelwright's  shop 
were  set  in  operation.  .A  pottery  and  nail  factory  followed,  while  as  vet 
there  was  no  communication  with  other  settlements,  except  a  trail  to  Can- 
ajoharie. 

Sprolt  Brook  is  the  name  of  a  small  village  vvith  a  post-office  a  nv!-_- 
to  the  westward  of  Buel,  near  which  place  Justus  \'an  iJeusen  has  an 
establishment  for  the  manufacture  of  woolen  yarn. 

M.\PLF.TOwN,  a  hamlet  three  or  four  miles  southeast  of  Canajoharie  vil- 
lage, is  a  place  of  some  interest.  Here  as  eariy  as  1791,  Jacob  Fjhle  and 
James  Kno.x,  his  brother-in-law,  located,  paying  for  their  lands  S2.62I  per 
acre.  Mr.  Ehle  built  his  house  on  the  old  Indian  trail  from  Canajoharie 
to  .New  Dorlach  ;  and  in  clearing  near  his  dwelling  he  left  all  the  promis- 
ing hard  maple  trees,  which  sugar-bush  ,  gave  the  place  its  name.  .Mr 
Knox  was  for  years  an  efficient  su]»ervisor  of  the  town,  and  for  a  Inn-^ 
time  a  popular  justice  of  the  peace  ;  so  conscientious  was  he,  and  so  lit- 
tle did  he  covet  the  fees  of  the  office,  that  he  made  it  a  rule  to  notify  ile- 
fendants  before  issuing  a  summons;  hence  his  legal  business  did  not  in 
rich  him.  During  the  war  of  i.'<i2,  there  were  thirteen  justices  in  tin 
town,  made  such  by  the  council  of  appointment,  and  eleven  constable- 
chosen  by  the  people  ;  it  is  not  to  be  presumed  that  any  of  them  dependcil 
on  the  avails  of  their  offices  for  a  livelihood.  .Mr.  Knox's  oldest  son,  tin 
late  (Jeneral  John  Jay  Knox,  of  .Augusta,  Oneida  county,  was  one  of  tli. 
best  and  most  widely  known  men  in  central  New  ^'ork.  His  brother  Wil- 
liam remained  upon  the  homestead  and  died  there,  while  his  brother- 
Herman  and  James  went  to  Illinois,  and  there  made  their  mark.  Dtlur 
pioneer  settlers  at  .Mapletown  were  John  St.  John,  Philander  Barnes,  Wea- 
sel Cornue,  John  Sweatman,  a  tanner  and  shoemaker  ;  lohn  Perrigs  an<i 
Elisha  Payton.  .A  Reformed  church  was  built  at  this  place  near  the  be- 
ginning of  the  present  century  and  Doinine  roll.  If  not  iti  first  pastor,  ».i- 
one  of  the  earliest. 

Marshvili.f.  is  a  hamlet  near  the  center  of  the  town.  Here  the  rir-i 
extensive  saw-mill  in  the  town  was  built  at  an  early  day  by  one  of  th' 
Seebers.  Stephen  and  Henry  Oarlock  subsequently  bought  the  propcru 
and  operated  the  mill  successfully  for  several  vears.  At  this  place  one 
Joe  Carley  did  the  horse  and  ox  shoeing  for  a  large  circle  of  countrv 
being  near  the  main  route  to  Cherry  Valley.  Carley  was  alive  after  tlf 
war  of  1812,  and  about  the  shinplaster  period.  Some  sheep  having  lieir. 
stolen  from  Mr.  Goertner,  a  wealthy  farmer  in  the  vicinity,  the  thief  w  '' 
traced  to  a  dwelling  near  by,  where  bones  and  horns  were  found  iimh  ' 
the  floor.  Shortly  after  maniiscrqit  shinplasters appeared  purporting  10  I 
issued  by  "the  Multonville  Bank,"  signed  by  "Joe  Carley,  President,"  ."'■ 
"  payable  in  good  merchantable  miittem."  Heme  the  name  of  Mutton 
ville,  by  which  the  little  hamlet  is  still  .sometimes  1  ailed  George  WatH' 
an  apprentice  of  Carley,  bought  bun  out  and  earned  on  the  blacksmi''' 
business  until  his  death,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son 


THE  CHURCHES  OF  CANAJOHARIE  VILLAGE. 


99 


THE  VILLAGE  OE  CANAJOHARIE. 


It  has  already  lH;en  mentioned  that  in  the  closing  years  of  the  last  cen- 
tury Cajiajoharie  consisted  of  less  than  a  do/cn  houses.  It  is  impossihlc 
to  say  when  the  first  settlement  upon  its  site  was  made,  or  to  sketch  thu 
exact  condition  of  the  village  at  all  siai^es  of  its  growth,  from  its  small 
beginnings  to  its  incorporation  April  30,  1829,  and  thence  to  a  thriving 
town  of  about  two  thousand  inhabitants.  Its  progress  is  best  traced  under 
the  principal  divisions  of  a  community's  development — religious,  educa- 
tional, business,  etc. 

CHURCH   HISTORY. 

The  first  village  church,  a  pretty  edifice  with  a  steeple,  was  built  by  men 
of  different  denominations,  in  181S.  When  the  canal  was  opened,  it  ran 
so  near  this  building  as  to  leave. barely  room  for  the  tow-path.  Rev. 
(ieorge  B.  Miller,  a  Lutheran,  was  the  first  settled  preacher.  He  had 
many  difficulties  to  contend  with,  among  them  that  of  having  to  be  his 
own  chorister.  In  this  musical  cajiacity  he  had  to  compete  with  the  bugles 
played  on  the  "  Ime  "  and  "packet  '  boats,  just  before  the  church  windows, 
in  the  summer  of  1826,  the  first  year  of  through  canallmg.  ^'hese  instru- 
ments were  e\en  sounded  before  the  0[)en  windows  in  prayer  time.  This 
annoyance  was  only  broken  up  by  an  appeal  to  the  State  authorities.  Mr. 
Miller  died  at  the  Hartwick  Seminary,  of  which  he  was  long  principal. 
His  ministrations  at  the  union  church  continued  for  nine  years  from  its 
erection. 

THF,    REFORMED    CHURCH. 

On  the  13th  of  January,  1827,  Rev.  Douw  Van  O'Linda,  (.lerrit  A.  Lans- 
ing, Jacob  Hees,  John  Cooper.  John  M.  Wemple.  Jacob  (iray  and  Henry 
I.oucks  met  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Lansing,  a  little  red  wooden  building. 
a  few  hundred  feet  east  of  the  present  Reformed  Church.  "  for  the  purpose 
of  taking  into  consideration  the  subject  of  organizing  a  Protestant  Dutch 
Church  in  this  place."  Messrs.  Lansing  and  Loiicks.  Silas  Stiiwell  and 
John  Comue  were  elected  elders.  The  church  thus  organized  was  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Van  OT.inda  until  1831.  by  which  time 
considerable  progress  had  been  made;  though  it  was  not  until  1830  that 
the  society  had  a  settled  pastor — Rev.  Ransford  Wells,  under  whose 
administration  it  increased  largely  in  niembershii).  His  successor,  Rev. 
Richard  D.  Van  Rleck,  served  the  church  but  a  year  and  a-half.  leaving  in 
the  autumn  of  1835.  At  this  time  an  ineffectual  effort  was  made  to  raise 
fimds  for  building  a  church  edifice,  the  society  having  thus  far  used  the 
union  church  Rev.  Samuel  Robertson  followed  Mr.  Van  Kleek,  and 
from  his  departure  in  .\pril,  1339.  services  were  not  held  for  more  than 
two  years.  About  the  end  of  the  year  1841,  a  union  Sunday-school  of 
this  society  and  the  Methodists  across  the  river  they  had  as  yet  no  organ- 
ization in  Canajoharie  was  formed,  which  met  m  the  little  red  school 
house  then  standing  about  where  K.  L.  Allen's  house  now  is,  and  was 
■superintended  by  Pythngoras  Wetmore.  a  \eteran  f>f  the  war  of  1812,  who  is 
"•'ill  living.  In  1841,  the  present  stone  church  of  the  society  was  built, 
the  dedication  occurring  Man  h  10.  1842.  Rev.  E.  P.  Dunning,  a  young 
^'mgrcgational  clergyman  of  New  Haven,  was  called  to  the  pastorate, 
whose  duties  he  performed  very  successfully  for  three  years.  His  suc- 
Msss(>r  was  Rev.  James  McKarlane,  during  whose  ministry  here,  which 
<  I'lscd  in  1S48,  dc.icons  were  first  rhos^n.  The  next  pastor,  Rev.  John 
>>eWiit.  held  the  posit. nn  but  a  yc.ir.  when  he  was  siu<eeded  by  Rev. 
Nathan  V.  Chapman*  who  came  in    1S50  and  remained  until  1S54.     Rev. 


E.  S.  Hammond  was  pastor  during  the  next  two  years.  Rev.  Alon^o 
Welton  then  supplied  the  pulpit  for  a  year,  when  Rev.  Benjamin  F. 
Romaine  entered  upon  a  five  years'  pastorate,  during  which  the  church 
was  repaired,  the  galleries  removed,  the  pulpit  taken  from  the  south  to  the 
north  end,  and  the  pews  correspondingly  reversed.  The  next  pastor  was 
Rev.  B.  Van  Zandt,  D T).,  who  ministered  from  1862  to  1869,  when  the 
present  pastor  succeeded  him. 

ST.    JOHNS   (;ERMAN    LUTHERAN. 

St.  John's  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  in  1835 
under  Rev.  John  Eisenlohr  as  pastor,  the  membership  including  C.  Scharff, 
C.  Sauerland,  Henry  Otto.  F.  Jones,  Henry  Lieber  and  F.  Miller.  Charles 
Aebeling  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  In  1836  the  place  of 
meeting  was  in  the  academy  building.  A  frame  church  was  built  in  1848, 
and  in  1871  a  stone  one.  which  was  consecrated  in  March,  1872.  The 
present  pastor  is  Rev.  J.  A.  Hoffman.  The  Sunday  school  numbers  one 
hundred  and  fifty  scholars,  under  the  superintendency  of  H.  Herk. 

ENGLISH    LUTHERAN. 

This  church  was  organized  in  1S39.  by  Rev.  since  Doctor  Wm.  N. 
Scholl.  and  in  that  year  or  the  next,  the  union  church  building  was  bought 
by  the  society.  It  was  dedicated  in  February,  1841,  the  sermon  being 
preached  by  Dr.  Lintner,  of  Schoharie,  who  gave  the  first  sermon  in  the 
same  building  twenty  three  years  before.  Mr.  Scholl  was  pastor  of  the 
new  church  until  1850.  Its  first  trustees  were  Herman  I.  Ehle,  Daniel 
Verdon,  Joseph  White,  George  Goertner,  jr.,  Jacob  Anthony,  D.  W.  Erwin, 
Livingston  Spraker,  James  Wagner  and  J.  W.  Netter\'ille.  Rev.  F.  W. 
Brauns  was  pastor  during  most  of  1852,  and  was  succeeded  in  January, 
1853,  by  Rev.  Reuben  Dederick,  whose  ministry  covered  a  period  of  five 
years.  Next  came  the  Rev.  .Mr.  Hersh,  after  whose  one  year  pastorate  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Whipple  labored  for  the  church  seven  years,  leaving  the  field  in 
i866.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Mr.  Luckenback,  whose  stay  was  less 
than  two  years  ;  then  for  about  the  same  time  the  church  was  without  a 
pastor.  In  the  mean  time  the  old  building  was  torn  down  and  the  present 
stone  edifice  on  Church  street  was  built,  together  with  a  chapel,  at  a  cost  of 
$15,000,  The  new  building  was  dedicated  August  10,  1870,  and  Dr. 
Lintner,  who  had  delivered  the  first  dedication  sermon,  fifteen  years  before, 
again  preached.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  L.  D.  Wells,  was  installed  Dec. 
28,  1870.     The  membership  of  the  church  is  115. 


PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL. 

The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  Canajoharie  was  organized  under 
the  auspices  of  Rev.  I.  Leander  Townsend,  rector  at  Cherry  Valley,  early 
in  1852.  The  first  wardens  were  John  E.  Young  and  .\mos  A.  Bradley, 
and  the  first  vestrymen,  George  Yost,  David  W.  Erwin,  Sumner  S,  Ely, 
Samuel  G.  Wilkms.  Abraham  Seeber.  John  I.  Brandon,  Chester  S.  Brum- 
bly  and  Joseph  White.  These  gentlemen,  together  with  Wm.  McMiMer. 
Andrew  Gilchrist,  Daniel  S.  Read,  Morgan  L.  Harris,  Delevan  Corey.  Tni- 
man  M  Riciiards.  Peter  D.  Betticher,  John  I.  Roof,  Daniel  It.  LubHell. 
George  Smith.  Ralj.h  R.  Lathrop,  and  Charles  Miller,  signed  the  re>|uest 
for  the  organization  of  an  Episcopal  church  at  Canajoharie.  At  the  sug- 
gestion of  Rev.  Mr.  Townsend,  the  name  of  St.  Polycarp  was  given  to  the 


100 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


parish.  This  was  chan(;cd  three  or  four  years  since  to  "The  (lood  Shcp- 
hold."  Meetint;^  were  held  at  first  in  the  Lutheran,  and  afterward  in  the 
other  village  churches,  or  in  the  academy.  The  present  church  buiMinj; 
w»  ero-ted  at  an  expense  of  §9,000,  furnished  ahnost  entirely  by  one 
pefson,  who  holds  the  title  to  thccdilkc,  which  has  not  yet  been  consecrated 
It  seats  aluput  two  hundred  anil  fifty  persons.  ( Ici  asional  preaching  servi- 
ceswerc  held  until  .Mar.  h  1854  when  Rev.  Joseph  \V.  .\tcllwain  began  an 
engagement  of  si\  months,  l-rtun  his  removal  occasional  serxices  were 
held  by  Kev.  Mr.  I)<jwdneyand  ke\.  Mr.  Howard  until  1S73,  when  Rev 
Mr  Widdeiner  of  .\msterdam  began  holding  semi-monthly  meetings,  uhn  h 
have  since  been  continued  by  his  successors,  Re\.  Messrs.  Poole,  I.usk, 
ScJiuylcr  and  Van  Uyne. 

ROM.W    c.\i  HOI.IC. 

Sts.  Peter  and  Paul's  Roman  Catholic  Church  edifice  was  built  in  1S62, 
at  a  cost  of  alwut  §5,000,  and  dedicated  in  .\pril,  1S63,  by  Kather  Daly,  of 
Utica.  '(Tie  society  was  organized  immediately  after,  with  a  membership 
of  about  seventy  families.  The  first  pastor,  Rei.  Kather  Clark,  was  fol- 
lowed in  1865  by  Rev.  John  J.  Brennan,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John 
P.  Harrigan.  in  1858.  He  remained  until  1875,  when  the  present  pastor. 
Rev.  Charles  Zucker,  took  charge  of  the  congregation,  which  now  includes 
about  one  hundred  families. 

CANAJOHARIES  JOURNALISTIC   HISTORY. 

Canajoharie's  first  newspaper  was  the  'TfU^^raph,  published  in  1825  and 
i8j6,  by  Henry  Hooghkirk. 

'The  Canajoharie  Sentinel  followed  in  1827,  with  Samuel  Caldwell  as 
editor. 

The  Caruijoharie  Jiepultiieaii  was  published  in  1827  and  the  following 
year.  It  was  edited  at  the  outset  by  Henry  Bloomer,  and  subsequently  by 
John  McVcan  and  I).  F   Sacia. 

The  first  of  these  gentlemen  in  1831  started  'Thf  Montj^omery  Ar^us.ai 
which  he  retained  the  management  for  about  two  years,  when  it  passed 
into  the  hands  of  S.  M.  S.  (".rant,  who  conducted  it  until  1836. 

Andrew-  H.Calhoun  published  The  Ciiniijv/iane  /mes/igator,  from  1833 
to  1836. 

The  Mohavk  Valley  Gazette  wii.  published  by  W.  H.  Riggs,  from  1847 
to  1849,  and  The  ATonlxumery  I'liinn  by  W.  S.  Hawlcy.  from  1850  to  1853. 

In  1837,  Levi  S.  Backus,  a  deaf  mute,  started  the  Radii,  He  continued 
its  publication  until  November,  1840,  in  which  month  the  office  was 
burned  out.  When  Mr.  Backus  renewed  his  journalistic  labors  in  the 
February  following,  it  was  at  Fort  Plain.  The  Caiiajoharie  J<aJii  was  re- 
vived in  the  spring  of  1858,  and  at  the  opening  of  the  year  1S63  came 
under  the  management  of  Mr.  James  .\rkell,  the  sack  manufai  turer  of 
almost  worlil-wide  reputation.  In  the  spring  of  the  same  year  .Mr.  1.  F 
Allen  purchased  a  share  of  the  pajicr.  It  was  at  this  time  enlarged  and 
called  the  CaiiajWiarie  Jia.lii  ami  Tax-Payers  Joi,r„al.  a  name  now  famili,ir 
to  so  many  readers.  On  the  first  of  January,  1866,  .Mr.  .Arkcll  sold  his  in- 
terest in  the  RaJii  to  .\ngell  Matthewson,  and  he  in  May  1868  to  .Mr. 
.Mien,  who  thus  become  sole  jiroiirietor.  Later  in  the  same  year,  however, 
.Mr.  .\lvin  J.  Plank,  of  Fort  Plain,  bought  a  share  of  the  concern,  and 
.Messrs.  .Vllen  and  Plank  compose  the  jiresent  firm  of  L.  F.  .Mien  i\:  Co. 

Mr.  .Allen,  who  was  born  in  Schenectady,  learned  the  art  of  jirinting  at 
the  office  of  the  Ref/eefnr  in  that  city,  and  aftcnvard  practiced  it  in  .\lbany 
before  a.ssuniing  the  m.inagement  of  the  A'ailir.  The  historian  Simms  is  an 
occasional  contributor,  aiul  .Mr.  .Arkell  and  .\lr.  Ch.Tries  C.  Barnes  write 
regularly  for  the  paper,  which  is  in  a  highly  [irospenuis  condititm.  It  is 
the  only  l»«-al  journal  taken  to  any  extent  in  the  rich  old  \illage  in  which 
it  IS  located,  .IS  well  as  in  Palatine  Brulge  and  Stone  .\raliia  on  the  norih. 
and  Ames,  M.irshville,  Rural  (irove  .and  Sprakers  Basin  on  the  south  ,iml 
east;  while  its  ciri  iilaliMn  in  the  adjoining  cnunlics  of  Fulton,  Sihenc.  lady. 
Schoharie,  ( Itsc-go  .and  Herkimer  is  considerable,  and  it  has  a  scattered 
subscription  list  of  about  three  hundred  in  the  western  Sl.itcs  It  thus 
stands  on  a  secure  basis,  and  is  stc.idily  increasing  itscin  iiLiiion.  «hu  h  has 
more  than  doubled  sinie  .Mr.  .\llen  entered  the  concern 

TIIK  CANAJOILVKIL   Al  AI-KMN. 
It  is  very  creditable  to  the  citi/ens  of  the  village,  that  in  its  mf.incy  lliL'y 


established  an  academy,  w  hich  was  in  successful  operation  before  the  canal 
was  com])leted.  The  building  was  erected  about  1S24,  and  the  institution 
incorporated  by  the  Regents  of  the  I  niversity  about  1826.  The  lirsl 
principal  was  Rev.  (leo.  B.  Miller,  who,  previous  to  the  creation  of  the 
academy,  taught  a  select  school  in  the  old  Roof  stone  tavern  building. 
In  1S26  or  1S27  Samuel  Caldwell  was  principal  of  the  school  ;  about  which 
lime  lie  edited  a  village  newsp.iper,  afterward  conducted  by  Henry  Hoc.gli- 
kirk,  a  practical  printer.  Caldwell,  who  was  a  lawyer  of  some  .ibility,  re- 
moved to  Buffalo,  where  he  died.  .\mong  the  early  managers  of  the 
academy  we  find,  as  late  as  1832.  the  Rev.  .Mr.  Canning,  a  Congregation.U 
clergyman  from  Massachusetts,  assisted  by  two  sons.  The  eldest  of  these-, 
Ebenezer  S.  B.  Canning,  for  a  tunc  held  a  position  in  the  navy,  which  he 
finally  left,  and  was  just  beginning  to  make  his  mark  as  a  journalist  in 
Buffalo,  when  he  fell  a  victim  to  the  cholera,  in  its  second  visitation 
.After  the  Cannings  a  Mr.  Parker  was  for  some  years  principal  of  theacad- 
cniv.  and  with  him,  about  1834,  was  the  accomplished  preceptress,  .Miss 
Allen,  now  Mrs.  C.eo.  G.  Johnson,  of  Palatine  Bridge.  Henry  Loucks. 
FNii-,  of  Palatine  Bridge,  was  for  many  years  a  most  efficient  trustee  of  the 
institution.  The  academv  bell  vvas  a  novel  one,  being  a  bar  of  1  ast  steel, 
in  triangular  form.  .As  the  village  church  had  no  bell,  that  of  the  academy 
was  used  on  the  Sabbath  to  call  the  worshipers  together.  A  similar  bell 
was  then  in  use  on  the  Lutheran  stone  church  in  Palatine,  and  another  on 
the  court-house  at  Johnstown.  The  original  wooden  building  of  the  acad- 
emy still  stands  near  the  old  site,  having  been  moved  to  give  place  to  the 
present  structure.  The  institution,  which  has  a  large  library,  and  cheniii  al 
and  philosophical  apjiaratus,  is  now  the  academic  department  of  the  vil- 
lage free  school. 

FIRES  L\  CANAJOHARIE. 

This  place  has  been  peculiarly  unfortunate  in  its  experience  of  fires. 
Three  times  has  it  specially  suffered,  in  1840,  1849,  and  the  spring  of  1877, 
the  flames  in  each  case  sweeping  over  almost  the  same  ground,  namely,  all 
the  business  blocks  on  both  sides  of  Church  street,  from  Main  street  to  the 
canal.  The  last  great  fire  occurred  .April  30th,  and  destroyed  nearly 
one-half  of  the  business  part  of  the  village,  including  projierty  worth  over 
a  cjuarter  of  a  million  dollars,  and  insured  for  a  little  more  than  one-third 
of  that  amount.  In  place  of  the  burned  buildings  have  arisen  massive  and 
handsome  brick  structures,  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  not  prove  so  easy  a  prey 
to  the  devouring  element. 

CANAJOHARIE'S  FIRST   BUSINESS  .MEN. 

About  1805,  Henry  Nazro  began  to  trade  within  the  jiresent  limits  of 
Canajoharic  village.  .At  the  end  of  a  few  years  he  removed  to  Troy  and 
W.1S  succeeded  by  .Abram  Wemple,  a  good  business  man,  who  for  a  time 
commanded  a  company  of  cavalry.  He  was  a  tall,  handsome  and  resolute 
officer,  and  died  greatly  lamented,  about  1815.  When  he  began  trading. 
Ills  father  was  with  him.  Their  place  of  business  was  "  the  yellow  build- 
ing "  vacated  by  Barent  Roseboom,  which  occupied  nearly  the  site  of  the 
dwelling  subsequently  built  by  the  late  Thomas  B.  Mitchell  ;  but  having 
built  a  store  across  the  creek  he  took  possession  of  it,  and  Joseph  Failing 
began  trading  in  the  vacated  building,  where  he  also  kept  a  tavern.  His 
brother  Warner  joined  him  in  trade,  but  soon  sold  out  to  John  Usher.  In 
1817,  this  store  took  fire  from  ashes  stored  under  [the  stairs  and  burned 
down,  entailing  a  heavy  loss  on  F'ailing  and  Usher.  The  former  still  beinn 
'  indebted  to  Warner  Failing,  turned  over  to  him  all  his  property,  even  to  J 
silver  watch,  setting  an  exanqile  of  integrity  not  always  imitated  in  the 
present  generation.  The  old  .Abram  Wemple  store  was  occupied  in  iS2'j 
bv  the  somewhat  cc  centric  Richard  Bortle,  without  a  mention  of  whom 
the  village  record  of  that  period  would  be  incomplete.  In  this  building 
■•  hick  Bortle."  as  faiuiliarily  known,  fixed  up  .at  his  opening  a  lot  of  bottles 
of  c  olorccl  lluids  so  as  to  make  a  very  noticeable  liquor  show,  and  here  he 
kcpi  a  saloon.  He  drew  an  easv  fiddle  bow,  spun  an  inimitable  yarn, 
anti  could  gracefully  cnicrt:iin  any  guest  from  a  beggar  to  a  prince.  He 
came  from  Sc  hoharic  c  ciiintv.  and  did  not  live  long  in  Canajoharic. 

James  P.   Alton,  who  had   previously   kept  a  store  and   |iubli.     house  it 

Ames,  traded  for  a  time  at  Canajoharic,  after  the  death  of  \Vciii|ilc,  .md 

I      during  the  construction  of  the  canal,  but  he  failed  before  its  completion  in 

'      1S25       In  1S21.  Herman  I.  Khic  bcg.in  to  trade  here,  and  in  1S24  erected 


'<. 


v-^ 


^\f 


'MmL 


JK^^:-#-r^  fa 


CANAJOHARIES  BUSINESS  MEN. 


101 


his  store  on  the  canal.  Henry  Lieber  estaMished  hinisclt  as  a  mtrchant  in 
1822  or  1823,  and  in  connection  with  his  mills  did  a  lucrative  Imsiness 
He  bailt  several  canal  boats  to  facilitate  his  own  traffic,  and  one,  the  "  Prince 
Orange,"  was  the  first  of  the  class  called  lake  boats  constructed  in  this 
part  of  the  State.  It  was  built  in  1S26,  and  was  launched  near  the  site  <>f 
ihr  brewery  which  Mr.  I.ieber  built  in  1827.  This  building,  which  was  of 
brick,  and  known  latterly  js  a  malt  house,  uas  destroyed  by  the  great  lire 
of  the  year  1877.  One  of  the  industries  of  this  period,  removed  to 
Ijnajoharie  from  Palatine  liridge.  was  a  furnace  for  plow  and  other 
castings,  in  which  Mr.  P^hle  was  a  partner,  the  firm  being  Gibson.  John- 
.ion  &  Ehle.  Mr.  IChle,  with  whom  the  historian  J.  R.  Simms  was  for 
two  years  a  clerk,  and  afterward  a  partner,  was  for  a  number  of  years 
known  as  one  of  the  I>est  dry  goods  dealers  in  central  New  York.  Edward 
H.  Winans  was  in  trade  here  in  1S26,  and  John  Taylor  as  a  partner  of 
K hie  moved  in  in    1827. 

The  first  remembered  physician  at  Canajoharie  wa*»  Dr.  Jonathan 
Kights»  who  removed  to  AUiany  prior  to  1820.  He  was  succeeded  by  John 
Atwaler,  and  I.ebbeus  Doty,  and  to  the  craft  was  added,  as  early  as  1825, 
Walter  L.  Hean. 

To  represent  the  legal  profession,  the  village  had  in  its  earliest  days 
Roger  Dougherty,  and  Alfred,  father  of  Roscoe  Conkling,  and  a  little  later, 
Nicholas  Van  Alstinc,  a  native  of  the  locality.  The  two  former  were  suc- 
ceeded by  David  F.acker.  afterward  First  Judge  of  the  county  Common 
Fleas  Bench,  and  David  F.  Sa<  ia.  Van  Alstine  early  became,  as  did 
James  B.  Alton,  an  acting  justice  of  the  peace.  A  number  of  legal  prac- 
titioners came  in  soon  after,  among  whom  was  Charles  Mc  Vean,  one  of  the 
first  Congressmen  from  Montgomerv-  county,  and  afterward  surrogate  of 
the  county  of  New  York. 

THE  ORUilNAl.   INNS. 

John  Roof  kept  an  inn  at  Canajoharie  as  early  as  1777,  and  this  was 
the  first  of  which  there  is  any  knowledge,  although  it  is  reasonable  to  sup- 
pose that  "mine  host  "  was  there  before  Roof's  coming.  In  the  summer 
tif  1779  (.ien.  James  Clinton  and  a  body  of  Sullivan's  troops,  destined  to 
invade  the  Indian  villages  of  western  New  York,  were  at  this  place  several 
weeks,  waiting  for  supplies  and  the  arrival  of  batteaux  building  at  Schenec- 
tady and  elsewhere.  During  that  time  they  opened  a  road  through  Spring- 
field to  the  head  of  Otsego  Lake,  along  which  the  boats  were  drawn  on 
wagons.  Tradition  says  that  (ien.  Clinton  boarded  with  Roof  at  this  time, 
and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  many  of  his  ofificers  were  quartered  with  Roof 
and  Philip  Van  Alstine.  While  Clinton's  men  were  here,  two  spies.  Lieut. 
Henr)-  Hare  and  Sergt.  Wm.  Newberry,  were  captured  in  Florida,  tried  here 
and  hung,  (ieneral  Clinton  is  said  to  have  spent  the  day  with  Domine 
<".ros,  at  Fort  Plain,  to  avoid  the  importunity  of  the  friends  of  the  con- 
demned. A  deserter  named  Titus  was  shot  about  the  same  time.  The 
imdy  of  Hare  was  given  to  his  friends,  but  Newberry  and  Tilus  were 
buried  on  the  fiats,  and  the  bones  of  one  of  them  were  unearthed  in  digging 
tie  canal  some  forty  years  after  their  burial.  Washington  is  said  to  have 
siopifcd,  when  in  this  quarter,  at  Roof's  house,  which  was  of  stone  rubble 
work)  22x38  feet,  and  a  story  and  a  half  high,  with  gable  end  to  the  public 
square.  The  accommodations  were  rather  meagre,  but  sauerkrout,  Dutch 
cheese,  bread  and  maple  sugar  abounded. 

The  modern  house  erected  in  front  of  the  old  stone  edifice  bought  of 
Henry  Schreniling  by  John  Roof,  and  kept  as  a  tavern  by  him,  and  his 
snn  after  him  ,  whii  h  is  i  ailed  the  "Stage  House."  and  has  a  coach  and 
four  pictured  on  its  front,  was  kept  in  1S26  by  Reuben  I'eake,  and  a  few 
years  later  by  ICIisha  Kane  Root',  who.  about  1S33  was  sxu  1  ceded  by  C-eorge 
H.  Murray.  When  Murray  left.  Morgan  L.  Harris,  who  had  married  a 
daughter  of  K.  K.  Roof.  kei>t  the  Iioum-  lur  about  another  decade.  The 
Mages  ran  to  Cherr\  Valkn,  and  (triginalh  had  two  hordes,  instead  of  four; 
but  in  1S44  fuur  horse  ^ta_'e^.  <  arrving  inul  .inrl  passengers,  began  running 
to  Cherry  Valley  and  CMuperstown.  leaxing  the  Kldridge  House  daily;  this 
bne  was  kept  up  fur  about  iv\enty  vears 


KIsINKnS   .MK\  of  TO-DAY. 

Arkell  \-  Smith's  paprr  .md  miinn  tlunr  s,i.  k  m.iniifa.  tory  is  r 
".K-  of  the  nx.st  imp')rt  uu  t■^t.lhll^llnH.nI>  m  the  \ilLi-e,  but  the  la 
its  kind  in  the  world.       I  he  b^sl^es^   was  ^.siablished   in    1X5.).   an 


1  1853,  was  the  first  bank]in  Cana- 
in  successful  operation.  James 
It   was  organized  as  a  national 


employment  to  a  large  number  of  operatives.     The  works  are  run  by  water. 

They  occupy  two  fronts  on  Mill  street  ;  the  main  building  has  over  thirty 
thousand  feet  of  floor,  and  the  cotton  warehouse,  machine  shops,  etc.,  have 
m  addition,  a  front  of  nearly  three  hundred  feet  in  length  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  street.  The  machines  producing  sacks  have  a  consuming 
i  apacity  of  over  six  tons  of  |>aper  per  day.  Sacks  are  pasted,  cut  off,  one 
end  softened  for  tying,  a  thumb  hole  put  in  one  end,  bottoms  folded  and 
pasted  down,  a  card  printed  on  and  are  counted  by  the  same  machinery  at 
the  rate  of  over  seventy  thousand  per  day.  Six  large  drum  cylinder  presses, 
running  at  high  speed,  are  used  in  the  printing  dei)artinent.  The  paper 
mills  are  at  Troy,  N.  V.,  and  use  nearly  six  hundred  horse  power  of  water, 
being  the  largest  two  manilla  mills  in  the  L^nited  States.  The  firm  have  a 
branch  house  in  Chicago,  and  agencies  in  St.  Louis  and  San  Francisco, 
and  ship  their  goods  to  every  part  of  the  United  States  and  to  foreign 
countries. 

The  Spraker  National  Bank,  chartered  i 
joharie  under  a  State  charter,  and  is  still 
Spraker  has  always  been  its  president, 
bank  in  1865  ;  capital  $100,000. 

The  Canajoharie  Bank  was  organized  as  a  State  bank  in  1855,  and  as  a 
national  bank  ten  years  later.  A.  N.  Van  Alstine  was  the  first  president, 
and  P.  Moyer  the  first  cashier;  C.  G.  Barnes  and  A.  G.  Richmond  hold 
those  offices  at  present.     The  capital  of  the  bank  is  §25,000. 

The  Phoenix  Block,  of  which  an  illustration  appears  on  another  page,  is 
a  fine,  large  fire-proof  building,  erected  in  the  summer  of  1S77.  over  the 
ruins  of  a  frame  structure,  formerly  the  Masonic  Hall  building,  and  at  the 
time  of  the  disastrous  fire  of  April  30,  1877,  owned  by  Hodge  &  Stafford. 
The  present  building  is  of  brick,  the  front  being  composed  of  "Crolon 
pressed  brick,"  with  iron  cornice  and  trimmings  outside,  and  metal  roof, 
and  is,  taken  altogether,  one  of  the  best  looking  and  most  substantial 
blocks  in  the  village. 

The  south  half  of  this  building  is  owned  and  occupied  by  Sticht  & 
Shubert,  as  a  boot  and  shoe  store,  below;  while  the  second  story  is  rer^ted 
of  them  by  the  Canajoharie  Reform  Club,  as  a  club  room;  and  the  third 
story  by  Professor  Dobson  for  his  dancing  school. 

The  firm  of  Sticht  &  Shubert  is  composed  of  Christopher  Sticht  and 
Frank  Shubert,  both  of  German  nativity,  but  long  residents  of  America. 
Mr.  Sticht,  the  senior  member  of  the  firm,  came  to  America  from  Germany 
in  1S54,  and  began  work  at  shoe  making  for  his  brother,  John  ^L  Sticht, 
on  this  site.  In  1861,  he  purchased  of  his  brother  a  half  interest  in  the 
business.  In  1S65,  Frank  Shubert,  who  came  from  Germany  in  1851,  pur- 
chased of  John  M.  Sticht  the  remaining  half  interest,  making  the  firm  ol 
Sticht  &  Shubert,  which  has  ever  since  successfully  traded  here.  In  the 
fall  of  1877,  after  this  building  was  nearly  completed,  the  firm  of  Sticht  A 
Shubert  purchased  of  Hodge  ^:  Stafford  the  south  half  of  it,  as  now  occu- 
pied by  them.  The  Stichts  had  occupied  the  same  store  and  been  in  the 
same  business  up  to  the  30th  of  .April,  1S77,  the  date  of  the  fire. 

Mr.  Sticht  enlisted  at  the  first  call  for  troops  in  1S61,  with  the  three 
months  men,  and  faithfully  served  out  his  time.  Mr.  Shubert  also,  at  the 
call  of  his  country  in  .\ugust,  1S61,  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  R,  43d 
Regiment  N.  Y.  S.  V.,  and  served  with  honor  as  sergeant  until  April, 
1865,  when  for  bravery  and  devotion  he  was  given  a  lieutenant's  commis- 
sion, which  he  proudly  brought  home  with  him  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

P'or  honesty  and  fair  dealing  this  firm  has  built  up  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion, as  they  make  a  specialty  of  first-class  work. 

The  present  drug  and  medicine  firm  of  Hodge  &:  Stafford  was  founded 
in  the  year  1856.  by  Horace  Rush  and  Dr.  John  H.  Stafford,  father  of  one 
of  the  present  proprietors,  and  occupied  the  corner  store  in  the  old  Concert 
Hall  building,  erected  by  James  T.  Easlon.  .\fler  about  ten  years  the 
interest  of  Mr.  Bush  was  purchased  by  A.  M.  Hodge,  who  had  been  a 
clerk  in  the  store  from  its  tommencement.  Shortly  after  Dr.  Staflord 
transferred  his  interest  in  the  business  to  his  son  Charles  T.  The  new 
firm,  within  a  short  time,  ptirchased  the  block.  In  the  memorable  fire  of 
Apr.  30.  1S77,  the  entire  block  from  Canal  to  Main  streets  was  conMinu-fl. 
Within  five  months,  on  the  site  of  the  old  building,  but  embracing  in  depth 
forty  feet  additional,  the  new  and  substantial  three  story  brick  bl(M  k 
above  des.  ribed,  and  cKeuhere  illustrated,  was  ere*  ted.  "Ahith  i-  n..w  o.  - 
cupied  in  part  by  the  firm 

The  i>rcsent  store  as  to  si/e.  t  onvenience  and  general  finish,  is  <  lann.  d 
to  be  superior  to  anv  in   the  cunty.  and  <  ertainly  indi 


s  that  the 
essful. 


102 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


Among  the  principal  business  men  are  John  Finehout&  Son,  who  opened 
a  grocery  and  crockery  store  in  i860.  G.  F.  Hiller  located  here  in  the 
grocery  business  in  1870. 

W.  G.  Winsman,  boot  and  shoe  dealer,  began  business  in  1862,  succeed- 
ing his  father,  who  commenced  the  trade  in  1834. 

Louis  Bierbauer  began  brewing  ale  and  lager  beer  in  1856.  and  is  still 
engaged  in  it,  being  located  in  Mill  street. 

In  the  hide,  leather  and  wool  business  may  be  mentioned  James  Halli- 
gan,  the  only  dealer  in  that  line,  who  began  in  1859. 

Peter  Sloan,  dentist,  was  the  only  one  in  the  village  when  he  opened  his 
office  in  1861. 

William  Hatter,  who  settled  here  in  1848.  began  thebusinessof  aclolhier 
and  merchant  tailor  m  1S51,  and  still  contmues  it. 

The  cut  stone  and  lime  business  is  carried  o  i  by  Charles  Shapcr,  who, 
beginning  in  1856,  has  built  up  a  thriving  trade.  There  arc  four  others  m 
the  same  line. 

Philip  Betts  located  here  in  1861,  and  opened  a  meat  market,  which  he 
still  keeps. 

S.  A.  Field  has  kept  a  Hvery  stable  since  1857. 

E.  Roberts  has  been  a  machinist  in  the  village  since  1852. 

E.  I^  Vates  built  the  Yates  malt  house  in  1863.  It  was  managed  by 
Wemple  and  Read  until  1S69.  when  Mr.  Vates  took  charge  of  the  business. 
This  is  the  only  establishment  of  the  kmd  now  in  the  village,  one  having 
been  burned  down  in  the  fire  of  1877. 

^  L.  B.  Clark  &:  Son  have  a  large  planing  mill,  run  by  steam,  and  an  eleva- 
tor and  feed  mill. 

An  apiar)'  is  carried  on  by  J.  H.  Nellis,  who  is  an  importer  '  nd  breeder 
of  Italian  bees,  manufacturer  of  artificial  honey  comb,  and  general  dealer 
in  apiarian  supplies. 

A.  C.  Xellis,  as  a  florist  and  seedsman,  furnishes  plants,  seeds,  bulbs,  etc., 
of  every  description. 


MASONIC   LODGE   AND  CHAPTER. 


Hamilton  Lodge.  No.  79.  F.  ^:  A.  M..  has  an  elegant  hall  in  the  village 
of  Canajoharie.  Its  charter  dates  back  to  1806.  when  it  was  No.  10  in  the 
list  of  lodges.      Dr.  Joshua  Webster  was  the  first  master. 

A  chapter  of  Royal  Arch  masons  also  have  an  interest  in  the  hall  and  its 
furniture. 

St.  Paul's  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organized  at  Buel.  a  year  or  two  earlier 
than  Hamilton  Lodge,  with  which  it  was  afterward  united. 


HARVEY  DUNKEL. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  of  German  descent,  his  great-grandfather, 
Peter  Dunkel,  having  emigrated,  with  his  family  of  four  sons,  from  Zwei 
Breucken  on  the  Rhine,  and  settled  at  Frey^bush,  in  the  town  of  Canajo- 
harie, about  the  year  1765.  His  grandfather,  John  (iarret  Dunkcl,  who, 
upon  his  arrival  here,  wa^  only  si.\  years  of  age,  also  had  four  sons,  \tz: 
George,  Peter,  John,  and  1  )aniel.  His  father,  John  Dunkel,  jr..  who  is  stilt 
living,  was  bom  in  Canajoharie  in  May,  1797,  and,  in  turn,  was  blessed 
with  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  to  wit;  William  J.,  Peter  J.,  Moses, 
Harvey,  Lucy  and  Ann  Eliza,  the  latter  being  the  present  Mrs.  S.  W. 
Beardsley.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Fox,  whose  grand- 
father came  from  Germany,  and  located  in  the  same  vicinity  as  early  as 
1770.  Both  his  grandfathers  and  great-uncles  naturally  espoused  the 
cause  of  liberty,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  Revolutionary  struggles. 
His  paternal  grandsire  lost  his  right  eye  in  an  engagement  at  Sharon  Hill. 
ano  was  also  prevent  at  the  surrender  of  Hurgoyne;at  Saratoga,  in  October. 
1777,  and  he  and  his  brothers  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Oriskany.  Many 
Revolutionary  relics,  once  a  part  of  his  accoutrements,  are  still  in  the 
possession  of  the  family.  Harvey  Dunkel  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cana- 
joharie, Montgomery  county,  April  26th,  1837.  He  received  an  academic 
education,  studied  law  at  Cherry  Valley,  Otsego  county,  with  James  E. 
Dewey.  Esq.,  now  of  Albany,  and  in  the  spring  of  1859  was  admitted  to 
the  bar.  On  October  15th,  1861,  he  united  in  marrige  with  Althea  H.. 
daughter  of  Joshua  S.  Williams,  of  Canajoharie.  Fannie  L,  their  onlv 
child,  was  born  July  25th,  1862.  In  December,  1858,  he  located  in  the 
village  of  Canajoharie.  where  he  .soon  after  commenced  and  still  continues 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  November,  1874,  he  was  elected  district 
attorney  of  Montgomery  county  for  three  years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1877  was 
again  elected,  by  an  increased  majority,  being  the  only  man  re-elected  to 
that  office  since  the  organization  of  the  county.  As  the  people's  atlornev, 
he  has  conducted  some  of  the  most  important  criminal  cases  ever  brought 
before  the  courts  of  Montgomery  county.  In  February,  1878,  he  tried  two 
murder  cases  of  great  interest,  in  the  short  space  of  five  days,  which  re- 
sulted in  the  conviction  of  both  crimmals  ;  and  for  the  able  and  impartial 
manner  in  which  these  cases  were  prepared,  presented  and  prosecuted,  he 
received  the  untjualified  commendation  of  the  bar,  the  encomiums  of  the 
press,  and  the  plaudits  of  the  public  generally.  .Although  three  genera- 
tions removed  from  his  native  German  ancestry,  he  speaks  the  language  of 
his  forefathers  with  ease  and  fluency.  He  is  also  possessed  of  rare  musi- 
cal talent,  and  has  a  high  rejjutation  as  a  singer.  His  genial  disposition 
and  social  and  sympathetic  nature  have  won  him  hosts  of  true  friends  in  all 
classes  of  society,  while  his  intellectual  attainments,  professional  abilitv, 
sound  judgment,  love  of  justice  and  uncompromising  integrity,  command 
the  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 


H.XRVEY  DUNKEL. 


1 


THE  PIONEERS  OF  CHARLESTON. 


103 


THE  TOWN  OF  CHARLESTON. 


The  town  of  Charleston,  the  third  in  point  of  age  in  the  county,  was 
fonned  from  the  original  town  of  Mohawk  on  the  12th  day  of  March.  1793. 
The  eariy  history  of  the  town  of  Glen,  given  in  another  part  of  this  volume, 
is  in  part  the  early  history  of  this  town,  from  the  fact  that  during  the  year 
182J  Charleston  was  reduced  to  less  than  one-half  of  its  former  proportions 
by  the  creation  of  the  towns  of  Root  and  Glen;  the  former  having  been 
organized  January  27,  and  the  latter  April  10.  The  list  of  the  first  officers 
of  the  town  and  much  other  interesting  historical  matter  are  lost,  owing  to 
the  fact  that  in  the  year  1867  Schuyler  Gordon,  who  was  the  town  clerk, 
kept  the  records  in  his  store  at  Oak  Ridge,  and  in  the  autumn  of  that  year 
the  store  was  burned  and  the  town  records  were  consumed  in  the  flames. 

Among  the  early  settlers  in  the  town  was  John  E.  Van  Epps,  who 
located  at  the  site  of  the  present  village  of  Fultonville,  in  the  town  of 
Gien.  From  his  nephew,  Charles,  who  came  about  the  same  time,  the 
town  received  its  name. 

Charleston,  the  only  town  in  Montgomery  county  which  does  not  border 
on  the  Mohawk  river,  is  about  five  miles  distant  from  it,  the  nearest  point 
being  where  the  town  line  strikes  the  Schoharie  creek.  The  latter  forms 
its  eastern  boundary,  and  is  the  line  of  separation  between  it  and  the 
to»-n  of  Florida,  and  also  in  part  the  dividing  line  between  Montgomery 
and  Schenectady  counties.  The  surface  is  generally  a  rolling  upland, 
descending  abruptly  to  the  beds  of  the  small  streams  which  riow  in  every 
direction;  the  principal  one.  Mill  brook,  flowing  east  and  uniting  with  the 
Schoharie  about  two  miles  north  of  the  village  of  Burtonvilie.  In  the 
eastern  part  of  the  town  the  land  bordering  ui>on  the  Schoharie  consists 
*  hiefly  of  bluffs,  varying  in  height  from  50  to  100  feet. 

When  the  first  white  settlers  came  into  this  section,  the  adaptability  of 
the  water  of  the  Schoharie  for  milling  purposes  was  at  once  seen,  and 
numerous  mills  were  erected  along  its  course. 

CHARLESTON'S   PIONEERS. 

Among  the  early  settlers  i)rior  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  were  : 
Thomas  Machin.  Capt.  John  Stanton,  Robert  Winchell,  Adin  Brownley, 
Henry  Mapes,  David  Kimball,  Nathan  Kimball,  E/ekiel  Tracy,  Nathan 
Tracy,  Abner  Throop,  John  Eddy  and  Abiah  Beaman;  and  these  were 
followed  later  by  Judah  Burton.  Abram  Davi^  John  Hutler,  Charles  Ear- 
mg,  Benjamin  Beard,  Juhn  Reimer,  John  Brand.  John  Hamilton,  Isaac 
Conover,  Peter  Fero.  Edward  Montanye,  Henry  Shihly.  John  Schuyler. 
Garret  I.  Lansing,  Alexander  Hubbs.  George  Teeple,  John  Cochley,  John 
Hoag,  Elijah  Herrick,  Abram  Guile.  Ephraim  Burtch,  William  Jamison, 
Joshua  Tuhbs,  Christian  Overbaugh.  Sylvanus  Willoughby,  James  Sut- 
l»heo,  Benjamin  K.  Kneeland.  Elias  Cady,  Francis  Hoag,  Nathaniel  Bow- 
dish.  Ira  H.  Corbin.  James  Jermain,  Henry  (i.  Staley,  David  Hamilton, 
James  Pcttcys,  Peleg  Petieys.  Cornelius  Wiser.  Sergeant  Heath,  Daniel 
Bryant,  Cljrk  Randall.  Thoma>  Leak.  Michael  Winter.  Jacob  Weed,  Jacob 
Smith.  Ethan  Eaton.  Stephen  Borden,  Epra  (iordon.  Richard  Davis.  Moses 
Picrson,  Richard  Cliiie.  William  Fero  and  John  Onderkirk. 

This  town  witnessed  much  of  the  distress  suffered  by  the  dwellers  on 
the  frontier  during  the  Revolution,  from  the  fact  that  the  raiding  parties 
«'f  British,  Indians  and  tories  usually  chose  the  Schoharie  valley  as  their 
"►ute  from  the  valley  of  the  Sus-pichanna  to  that  of  the  Mohawk.  The 
r-iad  leading  directly  north  from  O.ik  Rid^L-  was  the  old  Indian  road,  and 
"n  one  occasion,  during  one  of  the  hurried  m;inhL-s  from  the  Sus.juehan- 
nu  to  the  Mohawk,  the  lintiOi  and  IndKins  were  pursued  by  a  party  of 
Americans,  and.  a   shnrt   di-.tan(  e   north  ol  the  hou!%c  of  late  occupied  by 


Noah  Davis,  built  a  barricade  of  their  baggage-wagons,  and  for  some  time 
resisted  the  advance  of  the  Americans,  but  were  finally  forced  to  retreat, 
burning  the  barricade  as  they  left. 

It  was  also  on  this  road  that  the  famous  "  stone-heap  "  was  situated. 
There  is  a  tradition  that,  long  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war,  a  white 
man  was  murdered  at  this  spot,  and  the  edict  was  issued  that  every  In- 
dian, in  passing  the  spot,  should  throw  a  stone  upon  it.  Who  issued  the 
command,  and  when  it  was  issued,  are  questions  whose  answers  are  lost 
in  the  dim  distance  of  time.  The  fact  remains  that  every  Indian  who 
passed  the  spot  did  cast  a  stone  upon  it.  One  authority  says:  "  Somewhere 
between  Schoharie  creek  and  Caughnawaga  commenced  an  Indian  road  or 
foot-path  which  led  to  Schoharie.  Near  this  road  ♦  *  *  h^^^  been 
seen,  from  time  immemorial,  a  large  pile  of  stones,  which  has  given  the 
name  '  Stone-heap  Patent '  to  the  tract  on  which  it  occurs,  as  may  be  seen 
from  ancient  deeds."  Rev.  Gideon  Hawley,  in  the  narrative  of  his  tour 
through  the  Mohawk  country,  by  Schoharie  creek,  in  1753,  makes  the  fol- 
lowing allusion  to  the  stone-heap;  ''We  came  to  a  resting-place  and 
breathed  our  horses,  and  slaked  our  thirst  at  the  stream,  when  we  pfrreivcd 
our  Indian  looking  for  a  stone,  which,  having  found,  he  cast  to  a  heap 
which  for  ages  had  been  accumulating  by  passengers  like  him  who  was  our 
guide.  W'xi  inquired  why  he  observed  that  rite.  He  answered  that  his 
father  practiced  it  and  enjoined  it  on  him.  But  he  did  not  like  to  talk  on 
the  subject.  »  *  *  This  custom  or  rite  is  an  acknowledgment  of  an 
invisible  being.  We  may  style  him  the  unknown  god  whom  this  people 
worship.  Tiiis  heap  is  his  altar.  The  stone  that  is  collected  is  the  obla- 
tion of  the  traveler,  which,  if  offered  with  a  good  mind,  may  be  as  accept- 
able as  a  consecrated  animal.  But  perhaps  these  heaps  of  stones  may  be 
erected  to  a  local  deity,  which  most  probably  is  the  case."  On  this.  Kul- 
tenber  remarks:  "The  custom  referred  to  had  nothing  of  worship  in  it. 
*  *  *  The  stone-heaps  were  always  by  the  side  of  a  trail  or  regularly 
traveled  path,  and  usually  at  or  near  a  stream  of  water.  The  Indians 
paused  to  refresh  themselves,  and.  by  throwing  a  stone  or  a  stick  to  a  <  er- 
tain  place,  indicated  to  other  travellers  that  a  friend  had  passed." 

It  was  the  custom  of  many  of  the  early  settlers,  especially  those  who 
came  from  adjoining  counties,  to  come  to  their  new  possessions  in  the 
spring  and  fell  the  trees,  and  in  the  fall  burn  them,  and  return  to  their 
homes  to  spend  the  winter  months.  After  two  or  three  years  they  uould 
have  sufficient  space  cleared  to  cultivate,  and  would  then  bring  their  fami- 
lies and  build  their  log-houses. 

The  first  woman  in  the  vicinity  of  Charleston  Four  Corners  was  Elizabeth 
Caw.  She  occupied  a  log-house,  with  blankets  hung  in  the  doorways  and 
windows  to  keep  out  the  night  air. 

CENTERS  OF   BUSINESS  AND  POPULATION. 


Bl'RTonvim.v, —  Shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Rev(»lutionary  wai 

I      of  land,  in    the  south-east  end    comer  of    the    town,  one  mile  s<pi 

I      granted  to  Judah  Burton    and  others.     The  date  of    the  first  setth 

I      this  ])oint  is  not  definitely  known,  but  it  was  probably  very  shortly  . 

close  of  the  war.  if   not  a  year  or  two  previous  to  that  date,  from 

that  Judah   Burton  in    the  year  17S5.  erected  the  first  saw  and  gri;; 

the  town.       This  building  stoo.l  about  half  a  mile  below  the  loraii. 

present  mill  at  Burtonvilie,  and  was  built  by  Feli.\  Holt.     A  brisk 

was  tarried  on  here,  as  it  was  for  many  years  the   only  mill  in  to« 

hiiilding  remained  until  the    vear  1S14,  wh^n  a  heavy  freshet  «  arn 

the  dam,  and  the  busmess  was  abandoned  at  that  point       In  the  sj 


are.  was 
.-ment  at 
after  the 
the  fart 
t-mill  in 
U10)  the 


im 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


however,  a  mill  was  erected  at  the  site  of  Burtonvillc,  by  Jonathan,  Eben- 
exer  and  Abrani  Mudge,  which  remained  until  the  year  1850.  In  that 
year,  Judah  Burton,  the  son  of  the  original  settler,  built  the  fine  structure 
at  present  occujiicd  by  J.  \V.  &.  N.  H.  Mcriness.  Burton,  after  building 
the  mill,  larried  on  the  business  until  1854,  when  he  sold  nut  10  Smith 
Colyer,  who  continued  it  for  two  years,  .and  was  then  succeeded  by  Charlci 
M.  Sitlerley,  who  sold  out  in  the  year  1876  to  the  present  firm  J.  W 
Meriness  came  to  tlie  town  in  1854,  and  was  employed  in  the  mill  when  it 
was  in  the  hands  of  Colyer.  He  has  been  here  in  the  buiiness  Mncc  that 
time,  with  the  exception  of  four  or  hvejears. 

In  1810,  Joseph  Blanchard  erected  a  carding  machine  and  fulling  mill. 
where  he  carried  on  business  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1844,  A.  G.  Ran- 
dall commenced  the  business  of  manufacturing  woolen  goods  at  Biirton- 
ville,  and  four  years  thereafter  built  the  mill  now  occupied  b\  himself  and 
his  son,  who  are  now  dcjing  a  first  class  trade.  In  connection  with  the 
business  of  manufacturing  woolens,  they  make  grape,  honey,  and  packing 
boxes,  and  also  have  a  patent  right  for  manufacturing  spring  beds. 

In  1812,  a  nail  factory  was  erected  here,  but  the  business  was  carried  on 
only  for  a  short  time. 

In  1817,  a  tannery  was  erected  at  this  point  by  Benjamin  Davis.  He 
was  succeeded  in  iSi6  by  Benjamin  Palmer,  who  continued  the  business 
until  1863,  when  the  tannery  was  aba^idoned. 
,  The  first  blacksmith  shop  in  the  village  of  Burtonville  was  put  up  in 
1812,  by  John  Walker,  although  one  had  been  built  previous  thereto,  about 
a  (Quarter  of  a  mile  outside  of  the  village  limits. 

The  first  hotel  at  this  [loint  was  established  shortly  after  the  commence- 
ment of  the  present  century,  by  Captain  .^bram  Mudge,  and  in  connection 
with  this  business  he  kept  a  general  store  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
resident  farmers.  From  him  the  settlement  took  its  first  name,  .Mudge 
Hollow,  but  when  the  post-office  was  established  here,  the  more  attractive 
I  name  of  Burtonville  was  conferred  upon  it. 

In  addition  to  these  business  enterprises,  there  are  at  Burtonville  at  the 
present  time,  a  hold,  two  siorcs,  a  saw-mill,  a  wagon  shop,  a  harness  shop, 
and  two  blacksmith  shops.  A  sash  and  blind  factory  was  formerly  among 
the  industries  of  the  place,  but  was  abandoned  in  1S62. 

"fhe  first  hotel  at  Ch.vri.kstdn  Foir  Corners  was  kept  by  Philip 
Young,  who  began  the  business  about  the  year  1810.  Young  also  kept  a 
blacksmith  shop  in  connection  with  the  hotel,  and  in  this  shop  Isaac  S. 
Frost,  now  of  Canajoharie,  established  a  store.  Shortly  after  this  Young 
built  a  hotel  on  the  site  of  the  one  occupied  by  John  H.  Smith,  but  soon 
sold  out  to  Captain  Carl.  The  hotel  thereafter  frequently  changed  hands, 
among  those  who  succeeded  Carl  being  David  Gordon,  John  and  .Andrew- 
Frank,  Edward  Potter,  Philip  Rockafcliow.  Conrad  Kellers,  William  Haz- 
ard, and  John  H.  Smith,  the  house  at  |)resent  being  under  the  efficient 
management  of  the  latter.  Mr.  Smith,  although  he  has  not  the  facilities 
for  accomodating  a  large  number  of  guests  at  one  time,  has  the  happy  facul- 
ty of  making  every  one  who  visits  him  feel  very  much  at  home. 

Isaac  S.  F'rost,  who  established  the  first  store  at  Charleston  Four  Corners. 
was  sui  cecded  by  Jesse  F.aton.  F^.aton  then  took  in  a  partner  named  I.ovell. 
the  firm  name  being  I.ovell  &  Katon.  Jas.  Frost  was  the  nevt  occupant  of 
the  store,  .and  he  was  succeeded  by  Charles  Mclnstrey.  Th  :  establishment 
was  carried  on  as  a  tmion  store,  and  afterward  James  Ford  kept  it  for  a  year. 
After  Ford.  Wm.  Ma.xwell  1  arried  on  the  business  for  eight  or  nine  years, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Judson  McDuffee.  .McDuffee  built  up  a  large  tr.ide. 
and  did  a  thriving  business  until  the  year  1876.  when  the  store  was  humeri 
i  down.     A  store  was  afterwards  openid    by  H.  S    Simmonds  in   the  lower 

I  part  of  an  old  wagon  shop. 

j  There  have  been  a  host  of  bl.lc  ksmilhs  at  the  l-oiir  Corners  sm.  .;  I'hilip 

I  Young  first  swung  the  pledge,     .\lonzo  .M.  s,  ott,  "  the  vilhige  bl.u  k-niith" 

I  at  the  present  lime,  is  a  naii\e  of  the  tonn    of   K.,ni,  .mil  «,is   l.nrn   m  tlic 

year  1S42.  He  came  to  Charleston  in  1  .S57,  .nnl  « unl  to  larming  .it  the 
Four  Corners,  hut  mii  ye.irs  .i-n  ,i|..,nil<inc.l  the  |iln«  f,,r  ihc  l..rgc.  Mr. 
Scott  was  a  member  of  tlic  lilhllcny  Arliil.i-v  diinnj,  the  rebeliion.  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war 

The  other  branches  of  business  earned  c.n  at  the  Four  I  .irner^.  ,ire  a 
cheese  fad.iry.  a  wagon  shop,  .and  an  iindcrl  ikiug  est.iMishiiieni  .\llhough 
it  does  not  show  on  the  siirf.u  e,  there  lsc|inlc  an  ai  live  1hi..uu-s  preset  uted 
at  this  point. 

The  first  hotel  at  1  in kl  1  -ion,  (.r.  asil  isiiv.re iimonU  kiin«n.  Kii.kk's 

CoKNi-ks,  w.is  cipcueil  shorllv  alter  the  close  of  llie  List  iciuiin  It  is  not 
known  definitely  wh.i  was  the  I'lrst  proprietor,  but  among  the  first  was  U'm. 


Shaw,  who  was  followed  by  a  man  named  Wolverton.  The  hotel  then 
passed  successively  into  the  hands  of  Elisha  Wilcox,  Richard  Carley,  Row- 
land Rider,  Joseph  Steel,  Priest  Rider,  John  .\  Perkins,  Daniel  Schuyler, 
(ieo.  Fero,  John  A.  Perkins,  Wm.  J.  Rider,  and  the  present  owner  and  01  - 
>  upant,  C.  I).  Hall.  Formerly  quite  an  extensive  trade  was  carried  on  at 
this  pomt.  .\t  one  time  about  25  years  ago,  there  were  two  stores,  a  hotel, 
a  millinery  establishment,  a  blacksmith  shop,  two  shoe  shops,  and  a  tannery 
The  tannery  was  established  before  the  commencement  of  the  present  cen- 
tury by  a  man  named  Picrson,  who  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  and  the  latter 
by  Jacob  Van  Duysen.  Jacob  died  and  left  the  business  to  his  son  Joseph, 
«ho  carried  it  on  until  about  two  years  ago,  when  he  closed  it  up.  The 
store  at  this  place  was  given  up  about  eight  years  ago.  Jacob  Montanyr 
was  the  last  store  keeper,  and  the  business  was  formerly  conduitcd  in  the 
building  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Rebecca  Rider. 

.\t  0.\K  RiDciE  a  store  has  been  established  for  a  number  of  years.  The 
present  merchant.  Wasson  C.  Barlow,  has  by  strict  attention  to  business, 
and  his  courteous  bearing  toward  his  customers,  established  a  large  trade 
Mr.  Barlow  is  a  native  of  the  town,  and  is  well  known  for  many  miles  arouml 
He  served  his  country  in  the  civil  war,  h.aving  enlisted  in  the  13th  Heav  j 
.\rtilery  in  December,  1863. 

Formerly  the  farmers  of  Charleston  devoted  their  lands  to  dairying  pur- 
poses, but  the  high  prices  obtainable  for  hay  for  several  years  past  induced 
many  of  them  to  sell  off  their  cows  and  devote  their  attention  to  the  rais- 
ing of  hav.  Two  years  ago,  after  his  store  had  been  burned,  (udson  Mc- 
Duffee went  into  the  hay  business.  He  purchases  the  hav  from  the 
farmers  and  ships  it  to  buyers  in  New  York  and  other  large  cities. 
Mr.  McDuffee  handles  from  four  to  five  thousand  tons  of  hay  annually 
He  was  born  in  the  town  in  1846,  and  has  always  lived  in  it.  His  father, 
William,  owns  three  farms  in  the  town  at  the  present  time,  comprising,  in 
all,  200  acres. 

BRIDGES  OVER  THE  SCHOHARIE 

Previous  to  the  year  1790  the  only  way  of  crossing  the  Schoharie  creek 
was  by  fording  it,  and  during  seasons  of  high  water  communication  be- 
tween one  shore  and  the  other  was  necessarily  interrupted.  In  th.at  year 
the  first  bridge  across  the  creek  was  erected  at  Burtonville.  It  was  an  ordin- 
ary wooden  structure,  and  remained  until  the  year  1814.  In  that  year, 
while  John  Eaton  and  a  boy  named  Raymond  Barlow  were  crossing  the 
bridge  in  a  wagon,  it  gave  way.  Eaton  had  been  warned  of  the  dangerous 
condition  of  the  bridge  previous  to  driving  upon  it.  but  replied  that  he 
would  risk  it.  When  about  in  the  middle  of  the  bridge  the  accident 
occurred,  and  Eaton  was  caught  by  the  timbers,  forced  under  the  water 
and  drowned.  Barlow  escaped  uninjured,  and  is  now  living  in  the  town 
It  was  not  until  the  year  1820  that  another  bridge  supplied  the  place  of 
the  one  thus  destroyed.  It  was  a  simple  wooden  truss  bridge,  and  re- 
mained until  the  year  1841,  when  it  was  carried  off  by  a  freshet.  Two 
years  thereafter  a  fine  substantial  iron  bridge  was  erected,  and  [lart  of  it  is 
still  standing;  but  in  the  year  1869,  the  western  part,  from  the  island  to 
Burtonville,  was  carried  away,  and  in  1870  the  bridge  assumed  the  form  it 
now  wears. 

SCHOOL  HOUSES  ANT)  TEACHERS 

The  first  school  house  in  the  town  was  located  at  the  present  site  of 
School  No.  8,  and  was  built  about  the  year  1800.  .Among  the  earlie-t 
teachers  in  the  town  was  .Antlrew  Biggam,  the  father  of  Dr.  Higgam  at 
Rider's  Corners.  The  first  school  house  in  District  No.  3  was  built  about 
the  year  1S05;  and  about  the  year  i.SoS  the  first  school  house  in  District 
No  I  was  erected.  In  the  year  i.Sio  the  first  school  house  in  the  eastern 
|)art  of  the  town  was  built,  about  a  mile  and  a-half  north  of  the  ullage  c:l 
Burton\ille  It  n.is  twenty  feet  sipiare.  and  the  roof  came  to  a  point  over 
the  centre  of  the  lunlcluig.  The  present  building  was  erected  in  1842 
Scpiire  D.  C.  Chase,  the  present  teacher  of  the  school,  began  teaching  here 
in  1840.  in  the  old  building,  and  taught  until  the  year  1855.  He  then 
ceased  for  ten  years.  In  [."^es  he  c  ommenccd  again,  and  t.uight  eigia 
years;  since  which  time  he  has  been  teaching  during  the  winter  term  onl\ 
Squire  Chase  also  holds  the  oftices  of  justice  of  the  peac  e  and  postmaster, 
and  at  his  fine  residence  in  the  village  of  lUirlonviUe  he  has  three  ac  res  c' 
land  which  he  devotes  to  the  purpose  c.f  raising Jirapts,  pears  and  clhcr 
fruit. 


PHYSICIANS,  CHURCHES  AND  POSTMASTEHS  OF  CHAKLESTON. 


105 


THE  SICCFSSION  OF  PHYSICIANS.     ^ 

Previous  to  the  commencement  of  the  present  century.  Dr.  Lathrope 
an<i  l>r.  Babbitt  ^^e^e  the  only  practicing  physicians  in  the  town.  Their 
district,  however,  covered  a  much  larger  field  than  the  dttctors  of  the  present 
tlav  find,  as  these  two  practitioners  had  patients  throughout  all  that  section 
trmbraced  in  the  jiresent  town^  of  Charleston,  (lien.  Root,  and  Florida. 
It  is  true  there  were  other  doctors  practicing  here,  but  these  two  were  the 
(inly  resident  physicians.  About  the  commencement  of  the  present  centnr\' 
I»r.  Wm.  Smith  began  practicing  in  the  town.  He  was  living  near  Davis" 
Comers  at  the  time,  and  when  he  was  riding  through  the  woods  would  cut 
a  poplar  switch  for  a  ndmg  whip,  and  when  he  arrived  at  home  plant  it. 
i  he  row  of  i>oplar  tree>  at  this  point  is  composed  of  Dr.  Smith's  old  ridmg 
whips.  Among  those  who  in  the  earlier  history  of  this  town  took  their 
saddle  bags  and  traveled  about,  restoring  the  sick  and  wounded  to  health 
and  strength,  was  Dr.  .\lexander  Sheldon.  He  came  to  the  town  about 
the  year  1804,  and  shortly  afterward  erected  the  dwelling  house  occupied 
by  him  until  his  death,  and  which  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs. 
Rider.  Dr.  Sheldon  had  a  large  practice  in  Charleston,  Glen  and  Root 
for  about  forty  years. 

Dr.  Wm.  t^arlisle  began  practicing  medicine  in  the  town  about  the  year 
1823,  and  about  seven  years  afterward  Dr.  Henry  Belding  moved  here 
from  the  town  of  Flonda. 

In  the  year  1835  Dr.  Burton  opened  an  office  here,  but  after  a  few  years 
removed  to  the  village  of  Fultonville. 

About  this  time,  or  short!);  after.  Dr.  Vine  A.  Allen,  and  Dr.  Heath 
were  located  here,  but  neither  remained  longer  than  a  year  or  two. 

Among  the  pre.^ent  physicians  of  the  town  is  Dr.  W.  H.  Blggam.  who 
began  practicing  at  Rider's  Comers,  about  the  year  1842.  Dr.  Biggam  is 
a  hale,  hearty  looking  man.  63  years  of  age,  and  is  prohaijly  the  best  known 
man  in  the  town.  A  skillful  physician,  and  a  kind,  genial  neighbor,  he  has  by 
patient  attention  lo  business  gained  a  name  and  a  success  he  well  deserves. 

Dr.  J.  J.  Miller,  whose  "  Cottage  Home  "  at  Charleston  Four  Corners  is 
well  known  to  residents  of  the  town,  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  in 
1S35.  During  the  early  years  of  the  war  he  was  with  the  army,  in  the 
employ  of  the  Christian  Commission.  He  was  at  that  time  a  minister  of  the 
(iospel,  but  eight  or  ten  years  after  he  took  up  the  practice  of  medicine, 
and  has  been  engaged  in  it  ever  since  until  the  fall  of  1877,  when  he  started 
on  a  lecturing  tour  throughout  the  country.  He  has  been  a  resident  of 
(!harleston  for  fourteen  years. 

Among  the  other  physicians  at  present  practicing  in  town  are  Dr.  Henry 
Shibley,  Dr.  Palmer  and  Dr.  I.umis. 

THE  CHURCHES  OF  CHARI.E.ST(^N. 


THE     BAPTIST 


AT     RIPER; 


This  is  the  oldest  church  in  the  town,  and  one  of  the  oldest  in  this  sec- 
tion. It  was  organized  in  1703.  The  first  building  was  erected  on  the 
site  of  the  present  strurturtr  It  w.is  a  frame  edifice,  and  remained  until 
the  year  1833,  when  it  was  torn  down  and  the  present  building  erected  in 
Its  place,  much  of  the  timber  in  the  old  church  being  used  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  new  one.  Rev.  Elijah  Herrick  was  the  first  minister,  and  he 
was  succeeded  by  his  son  Calvin.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  Alexander 
Macltey,  and  the  membership  numbers  about  So, 


THE    "CHRISTIA 


_HtHCH    OF    CHARl  KS 


Thus  so<iety  was  organized  by  an  association  of  Free  Will  Baptists,  on 
thf  9th  of  December,  1813,  with  thirteen  signers  of  the  church  roll.  James 
Wilson  was  the  first  pastor.  The  society  was  without  a  church  edifice  until 
tliL-  year  1819,  when  a  building  was  erected  about  a  mile  west  of  Oak  Ridge, 
and  was  u'ied  freely  by  all  denominations.  Previous  to  this  time  the  chiirrh 
•n-x-tings  had  been  hfid  in  the  school  house.  In  1822  Elder  John  Ross, 
til"  n  iH  years  of  age,  »n->  railed  to  preside  over  the  church,  and  for  half  a 
"  ntiiry  this  faithful  man  of  (lod  filled  his  important  offire.  The  present 
'  I'lirch  edifuc  was  erected  in  the  summer  of  1834.  In  the  fall  of  1872  El- 
'h  r  Rnss  resigned  the  pastorate,  and  Rev.  He/ekiah  I.eonardson  was  railed 
•'■  <  ccu|>y  the  place      He  remained  for  two  years,  when  the  jirt-sent  pastor. 

13 


Rev.  James  Wright  <.uc  Ltrciltrd  him       There  are  at  present  on   the  church 
roll  the  names  of   165  memhers- 


The  Methodist  Church  at  Biirionvillc  was  organized  m  the  year  1857. 
The  menil)ershi[)  is  in  the  neighborhood  of  100.  The  present  pastor  is  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Browne. 

The  "Christian"  Church  ol  BurtonMlle  was  organized  December  23d, 
1865,  and  at  that  time  there  were  eighteen  names  on  the  church  roll.  The 
membership  at  present  is  about  60. 

POST  OFFICES  .AND   I'OSTMA.S  TERS. 

The  first  post  office  in  the  town  was  established  at  Charleston  fRider's 
Corners  .  previous  to  the  year  1807.  In  that  year,  which  is  as  far  back  as 
the  record  extends,  Levi  Pettibone  was  appointed  postmaster,  his  ap- 
pointment bearing  date  October  ist.  Since  that  time  the  names  of  the 
different  postmasters  and  the  dates  of  their  appointment  have  been  as 
follows  :  John  Guernsey,  January  ist,  1809.  .Adam  Smith,  January  10th, 
TS14.  Moses  N'ash,  (Jctolier  ist,  1816.  .Adam  Smith,  June  3d,  1818. 
Benjamin  Sheldon,  November  2d,  1822.  Peter  S.  Wyckook,  December 
iSth,  1823.  Wm.  Carlisle,  March  14th,  1827.  Henry  H.  Helding,  Febru- 
ary 20th,  1834.  Darius  J.  Hewett,  March  19th,  1836.  Thomjison  Burton, 
November  26th,  1836.  Wm.  H.  Biggam,  August  12th,  1845.  Elisha  H. 
Brumley,  July  27th,  1S49.  Wm.  H.  Biggam,  June  iSth,  1853.  Daniel  W. 
Schuyler,  .March  29th,  1855.  Wm.  H.  Biggam,  November  3d,  1855.  Char- 
les H.  Van  Dusen,  December  4th,  1S62.  Wm.  H.  Biggam,  October  30th, 
1867.     Cornelius  D.  Hall,  January  2d,  1873. 

U'hen  the  post-office  was  first  established  at  Burtonville,  it  was  named 
"  Eaton's  Corners,"  and  Ebenezer  Knibioe  was,  on  .April  13th,  1825,  ap- 
pointed the  first  postmaster.  David  Eaton  was  his  successor,  October 
27th,  1828,  and  he  was  followed  by  Geo.  E.  Cady,  May  23d,  1831.  Isa.ac 
Brownell  was  the  successor  of  Cady,  his  appointment  bearing  date  October 
20,  1837,  and  at  this  time  the  name  of  the  office  was  changed  to  Burton- 
ville. The  postmasters  and  the  dates  of  their  appointment  from  that  time 
to  the  [jresent  have  been  as  follows;  Judah  Burton,  May  i8th,  1841.  Ste- 
phen Hoag,  .August  1 2th,  1845.  David  M.  Scott,  October  15th,  1S45.  J. 
D.  Bowman,  February  5th,  1S50,  David  M.  Scott,  July  6th,  1853.  J. 
Rockwell,  .August  6th,  1857.  David  M.  Scott,  February  19th,  1858  ;  and 
De  Witt  C.  Chase,  April  19th,  1S61. 

The  post-office  at  Charleston  Four  Corners  was  established,  and  Isaa::  S. 
Frost  appointed  postmaster,  March  5th.  182S.  His  successors  have  been 
as  follows:  Jesse  N.  Eaton,  .Mav  12th  1832.  Isaac  S.  Frost,  November 
Sth,  1833.  Judson  McDuffee.  May  21st,  1874.  Horace  S.  Simmens,  May 
J2d,  1876. 

THE  CLARKE   LANDS. 

In  giving  the  history  of  the  town  of  Charleston,  it  becomes  necessary  to 
speak  of  the  great  drawback  to  the  advancement  of  the  town  in  wealth  and 
population,  and  the  reason  which  in  great  part  prevents  it  from  taking  a 
position  equal  with  or  in  advance  of  other  towns  in  the  county.  Naturally, 
the  town  of  ('harleston  is  as  well  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  dairying  or 
raising  grain  as  any  other  in  the  county,  if  not  better.  As  the  traveller, 
however,  passes  through  the  town,  over  ro.ids  which,  for  the  most  part, 
are  kept  in  much  better  order  than  those  in  adjoining  towns,  he  sees  in 
many  places,  notably  in  the  central,  northern  and  western  portions,  traces 
of  destruction  and  devastation,  which  at  first  he  would  find  difficult  of  ex- 
planation. He  sees  charred  ruins  and  blackened  chimneys  where  once 
happ)  families  were  accustomed  to  gather  at  the  fireside.  He  sees  fen<  es 
thrown  down,  and  the  fine  fields  formerly  enclosed  by  them  laid  waste  and 
fast  retrogr.iding  into  their  original  state.  If  he  should  ask  an  explana- 
tion of  these  signs  of  desolation,  the  answer  would  be  given  that  these 
farms  are  on  "  (.'larke's  lands." 

The  t  ircumstances  attending  the  acquisition  of  these  possessions  by  the 
Clarke  family,  and  the  legal  jihases  of  the  matter,  have  been  discussed  in 
the  chajiter  on  lands,  and  need  not  be  here  detailed.  The  raising  of  rents 
at  the  extinction  of  the  original  le.ases  which  limited  the  rent  to  a  shilling 
per  acre  ,  inaugurated  a  state  of  warfare  between  the  proprietor  ami  the 


106 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


occupaDls,  with  the  unhappy  results  above  described.  The  tenants  who 
are  driven  off  by  the  increased  rents,  which  they  cither  cannot  or  will  not 
pay,  have  no  disposition  to  leave  to  the  landlord  the  houses  and  barns 
which  they  or  their  fathers  built;  rather  than  do  so  they  apply  the  torch  to 
the  homestead  they  have  been  forced  to  leave.  For  five  years  or  more  this 
work  of  destruction  has  gone  on,  and  in  the  mean  time  the  reputation  of 
the  town  has  suffered  and  its  interests  have  languished. 


SOME  OF  CHARLESTONS  THRIFTY   F.\R.\IERS 

Jacos  M.  Bairi>  has  resided  on  the  fami  oct  upied  b\  him  for  nine  years. 
He  was  bom  in  the  town  in  1822,  His  father,  Benjamin  Baird,  was  a 
native  of  New  Jersey,  and  moved  to  the  town  of  Charleston  in  1794,  with 
his  father.  He  resided  here  until  1867,  when  he  moved  to  Port  Jackson, 
where  he  died  four  years  ago.  In  1846  he  was  a  member  of  the  State 
Legislature.  His  son  Jacob  now  carries  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres. 

James  P.  Butler  was  born  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  him,  March  26, 
i8tr.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Bell.  December  15,  1S31,  and  has 
now  five  children  living,  one  of  whom,  Benjamin  F.,  served  in  the  navy  for 
nineteen  months  during  the  rebellion,  and  was  then  taken  sick  and  sent  to 
a  hospital.  Mr.  Butler  has  a  fine  farm  of  fifty  acres,  mostly  under  cultiva- 
tion. 

Nelson  Overbauch  came  into  possession  of  the  farm  now  occupied  by 
him  in  1850,  purchasing  it  from  .\llen  Overbaugh,  who  had  received  it 
from  his  father  Christian,  in  1847.  Christian  had  owned  it  for  fortv  j'ears. 
The  farm  consists  of  207  acres,  located  along  Schoharie  creek,  the  house 
being  situated  within  twenty-five  feet  of  the  stream,  which  has  frequently 
overflowed  the  grounds,  and  on  one  occasion  covered  the  lower  floor  of 
the  house  with  water  to  the  depth  of  eight  inches. 

Francis  Hoa(;  has  lived  on  his  place  for  thirty-five  years.  His  father, 
Francis,  moved  into  the  town  from  Dutchess  county  about  the  commence- 
ment of  the  present  century.  .\t  first  he  had  100  acres,  but  kept  adding  to 
his  original  purchase  until  his  possessions  amounted  to  600  at  res.  He  died 
in  1854.  Francis,  jr.,  was  married  in  1840,  to  Miss  Nancv  M  Gordon. 
He  has  two  children,  a  son,  F'rank  J.,  who  is  located  in  Toledo,  and  a 
daughter,  who  is  living  at  home  with  her  parents. 

I).  J.  Bowi>i>H  bought  the  farm  now  occupied  by  him  in  1857.  and  has 
lived  on  it  since  that  time.     He   has  fifty  acres   in  all.  but  four  or  five  of 

nc  specimen  of   the 


which  are  under  cultivation.      His  son.  John  M-.  is  a   fine  sp. 

true  farmer,  and  has  several  fine  swarms  of  bees,  which  he  makes  a  special 

feature  of  his  business. 

Nathamkl  B0W111-.H  moved  from  Dutchess  county  to  the  town  of  Char- 
leston in  1806,  and  cleared  his  farm.  Mr.  Thomas  \V.  Bowdish.  his  son, 
has  always  lived  upon  the  place,  and  at  the  death  of  his  father  in  1853,  he 
came  into  full  possession.  The  farm  consists  of  98  acres,  .ibniit  20  of 
which  are  wood  land.  .Mr.  Bowdish  has  a  grandson  named  lior.w  F..  Cass 
now  living  with  him. 

Hkskv  G-  SrALKV  settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied  lu  his  nephew. 
Eugene  W.  Staley,  in  1S03.  He  ( learcd  the  farm  and  lived  on  it  up  to 
the  time  of  his  death  in  1837,  when  the  pro]jerty  fell  to  his  brothers 
(Jeorge  and  Jacob.  George  bought  Jacob's  share,  and  in  1872  Eugene 
W.  and  Loduski  Staley,  the  son  and  daughter  of  Jacob,  bought  the  farm 
from  George.  It  contains  127  acres,  too  of  which  are  under  cultivation. 
Eugene  and  his  sisters  loduski  and  Josephine  now  occupy  the  farm. 
Their  father  Jacob  is  living  in  Man|uctte  county,  .Michigan,  where  he  owns 
a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres. 

HosRA  Davis  was  burn  on  the  farm  now  oc.  iipicd  by  him.  September 
16.  iSii.  He  was  the  youngest  of  fourteen  children,  twelve  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity.  His  f.ather,  Ric  hard,  was  born  in  Millord.  Fairfield 
county.  Connecticut,  and  moved  to  Montgomery  county  in  1797.  Hosea 
was  married  in  1S32  to  .Miss  Phiebe  Wands,  and  has  seven  ihildren.  three 
of  whom  are  living  at  home.  The  brii  k  house  now  occupied  by  .Mr. 
Davis  was  built  in  the  year  1850.  and  the  bricks  of  whiih  it  is  composed 
were  manufactured  on  the  premises, 

Mmse>,  P11.RMJN  came  to  Charleston  in  17()7  or  1798.  and  took  up  150 
acres  on  the  Stonc-hcap  Patent,  His  son.  Uilli.iin  \  .  vv.is  born  on  tlie 
farm  in  1821.  and  came  into  possession  in  i86j,  upon  the  death  of  his 
father.      He  has  two  children,  a  son  and  a  daughter. 

(f  AHRKT  I,  I.ANsiNc.  came  from  Cohoes  about  1794.  and  took  up  200  acres 


on  Corry's  Patent,  Garret  G  ,  his  son.  who  succeeded  him.  has  240  acres, 
mostly  under  cultivation.  His  home  is  now  on  the  newer  part  of  the 
farm,  where  he  has  built  a  very  neat  and  pretty  house;  but  such  is  the 
fore  e  of  old  associations  and  habits,  that  Mr,  Lansing  spends  most  of  his 
time  on  the  old  homestead, 

REV.  JOHN   ROSS. 

The  biography  of  Elder  John  Ross,  of  Charleston  Four  Corners,  is  the 
record  of  a  remarkably  long  and  useful  life.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Galway,  Saratoga  county,  October  7,  1794.  His  early  years  were  spent  on 
the  farms  owned  by  his  father  at  different  times  in  that  town  and  several 
other  towns  of  the  same  county.  His  education,  so  far  as  it  was  obtained 
in  schools,  was  confined  to  those  of  the  neighborhoods  in  which  he  lived 
The  first  which  he  attended — he  being  then  a  small  bov — was  one  taught 
by  a  master  named  Spencer,  some  two  miles  from  his  home  in  the  town  of 
Charlton.  The  county  had  not  then  been  districted  for  educational  pur. 
poses,  and  school  houses  were  built  .-ind  schools  assembled  wherever  they 
seemed  to  be  demanded.  While  Elder  Ross  was  still  a  boy.  his  father 
removed  to  Cooperstown,  Otsego  county,  but  shortlv  returned  to  Saratoga 
county,  locating  in  the  town  of  Ballston  or  Ballstown.  as  it  was  then 
spelled  .  where  our  subject  grew  up  to  manhood. 

He  was  living  here  in  1813.  when  the  neighborhood  was  favored  with  a 
great  revival  of  religion.  Young  Ross  was  among  the  converts,  and  in  Sep- 
tember of  that  year  united  with  a  church  of  the  Christian  denomination, 
which  had  just  %een  organized  at  the  "Burnt  Hills"  neighborhood  in 
Ballston.  He  was  at  this  time  enrolled  among  the  militia  of  Saratoga 
county.  When  they  vvere  summoned  to  the  field  in  the  war  then  beini: 
waged  with  Great  Britain,  many  of  them  prayed  the  Government  to  have 
them  excused;  but  Ross,  fired  vvith  patriotic  enthusiasm,  j)romptIy  went 
forward  with  Captain  Cordon's  company  of  Col.  Rogers'  regiment,  show- 
ing his  interest  by  fumisning  his  own  knapsack,  which  was  made  of  tovv- 
cloth  and  [tainted.  Part  of  "the  regiment  to  which  he  belonged  was  seni 
to  the  northern  frontier,  but  his  company  was  ordered  to  Brooklyn  to  aid 
in  the  defense  of  the  metropolis,  which  was  threatened  liy  the  British,  anil 
where  a  number  of  .\merican  shi[)s  were  blockaded.  This  company  was 
employed  in  the  construction  of  Fort  Greene.  They  leveled  a  corn  fiehl 
for  their  parade  ground,  and  for  barracks  occupied  a  deserted  ropewaik 
They  were  repeatedly  called  out  in  anticipation^of  an  attack,  but  partici- 
pated in  no  actual  engagement.  When  young  Ross  had  been  in  the  ser- 
vice nearly  three  months  he  was  disabled  by  typhus  fever,  and  was  honor- 
ably dis(  barged.  .\s  soon  as  he  could  leave  the  barracks  he  embarked  for 
home  on  a  North  River  sloop,  which  consumed  five  davs  in  the  voyage  to 
.\lbany.  .\fter  a  tiresome  land  journey  of  twenty-eight  miles  he  reai  heti 
home,  where,  under  the  tender  c.ire  an  invalid  gets  onlv  at  home,  ht 
entirely  recovered. 

The  young  soldier  left  the  field  of  arms  to  enter  upon  a  nobler  warfare, 
whose  weapons  are  not  carnal,  but  spiritual.  The  converts  in  the  reviv.ii 
of  1813  were  encouraged  to  take  part  in  the  conference  meetings  of  tli' 
church,  and  Mr,  Ross's  participation  in  these  services'showed  gifts  and  de- 
votion that  seemed  already  to  mark  him  for  the  sacred  office  vvhich  he  sub. 
sequently  exercised  for  such  an  extraordinary  length  of  time.  He  hiniscli 
was  led  to  believe  it  his  duty  to  enter  the  ministry,  and  not  long  after  his 
conversion   began  holding  meetings  in  his  neighborhood.      He  was  regular. 


use   on    the  old  "  court  lioiisi 

in  Montgomery  county,  Flclc 
miles  east  of  his  present  res 
t  an  expense  of  not  more  th.ii 
ling  vv.is  used  by  whatever  lie 
I.  ipjllv  l.v  Ihe  Christians  1  In 
lis    1  ciniined  to    this  poinl,  Im 


ly  ordained  March    7.  1819.    at   a    schoorhu 
hill," 

Seeing  a  chance  for  ministerial  usefulness 
Ross  in  1822  removed  to  a  point  some  two 
dence,  where  a  small  church  had  been  built  .i 
S300,  chiefly  borne  by  one  man.  This  ImiK 
nominations  wished  to  worship  in  11.  but  prir 
ministrations  of  Elder  Ross  were  by  no  nic.i 
he  preached  to  «  ongregations  over  a  wide  extent  of  muntrv.  from  Flor"! ' 
on  the  east  to  Cherry  Valley  on  the  west.  In  spite  of  the  abundance  of  hi- 
clerical  labors  he  had  no  stated  salary,  but  was  obliged  to  support  hinis,  li 
in  part  by  secular  work,  among  other  things  teai  hing  quite  a  l.irge  s.  Im-'l 
in  which  there  vvere  seven  or  eight  children  of  one  f.tiuilv. 

In  1851  Elder  Ross  bought  seven  and  three-fourths  at  res  of  land.'" 
which  his  present  house  was  built  in  that  yc.ir.  he  himself  doing  part  ot  I'l' 
work,  and  his  equally  industrious  wife  making  the  carpets  before  the  ronu'* 
were  ready  for  them.      Wise  provision  was  made  for  the  beauty  of  the  pi"  ' 


ELDER   J.   ROSS. 


MRS  .  J.    ROSS. 


1**-':^  I'i 


'*%=~t"'', 


t2^^!!^£Sl2.iXl^l 


F^es'.oj:    ELDERJOHN  ROSS.„Charleston  Fcuc'  Corners,  Ho  ntg  ornery  Co   N 


Y., 


THE  MINISTRY  OF  ELDER  JOHN  ROSS. 


107 


by  the  planting  of  the  now  large  and  handsome  trees  before  the  house,  'to 
be  seen  in  the  accompanying  engraving  ,  which  Elder  Ross  brought  as  sap- 
hogs  on  his  back  from  a  neighboring  swamp.  Soon  after  the  original  pur- 
chase, he  bought  a  small  lot  containing  the  beautiful  grove  to  the  west  of 
bis  barn,  and  subscquentiv  fitty  ai  res  more  in  the  same  direction.  From 
ibe  farm  thus  made  up  he  ha-,  sold  one  acre  for  an  addition  to  the  cemetery 
jdjoining  his  church,  which  is  rei)resented   m   the  illustration  on   another 

This  church  was  built  in  1834,  though  KIdcr  Ross  had  been  the  pastor 
of  a  congregation  here  since  his  removal  10  this  county.  This  pastorate 
be  held  for  the  extraordinary  period  of  fifty  years,  when  in  1872  he  fell 
obliged  by  advancing  age  to  resign  it.  This  was  reluctantly  permitted  by 
his  people,  with  the  condition  that  he  should  sujiply  the  pulpit  vmcil  the 
dioice  of  his  successor.  This  he  did,  and  also  officiated  from  the  removal 
of  the  latter  until  the  arrival  of  the  present  pastor,  a  period  of  over  six 
aonths.  It  would  certainly  be  tlifficult.  if  not  impossible,  to  match  this 
record  of  more  than  half  a  centur)'  of  ministerial  labor  by  one  man  for  one 
congregation.  The  value  and  acceptability  of  the  i)astor*s  ser\ices  which 
are  implied  in  it,  need  hardly  be  pointed  out.  It  would  be  impossible  to 
estimate  in  words  or  figures  the  fruits  of  these  fifty  years  of  pastoral  work. 
.\s  one  item  it  may  be  mentioned  that  thirteen  young  men  from  among  El- 
der Ross's  panshioners  have  gone  forth  to  preach  the  gospel  of  which  he 
was  so  long  a  minister.  The  Christian  church  at  Rural  Grove  has  been 
largely  recruited  from  this  one  since  its  organization  in  1854,  seventy-seven 
members  from  Charleston  Four  Corners  joining  it  in  1865,  as  it  was  nearer 
their  homes.  Up  to  that  time  Elder  Ross  had  pastoral  charge  at  both 
pbces.     As  this  faithful  soldier  of  his  country  and  the  cross  took  up  arms 


in  his  youth  to  defend  the  nation  from  foreign  invaders,  so  in  his  age  hv 
raised  his  voice  against  its  destruction  by  domestic  traitors.  He  tiHjk  1 
firm  stand  in  favor  of  the  war  for  the  L'nion,  holding  meetings  in  hisihun  h 
in  favor  of  the  cause.  On  the  7th  day  of  October,  1877,  he  celebrated  hi^ 
83d  birthday  by  preaching  in  the  evening  to  a  large  congregation 

Elder  Ross  was  married  Sept.  16,  1819.10  Miss  I.ovina  .\nics,  .,(  |i,,n. 
ston,  Saratoga  county,  where  he  was  then  living.  Their  son  and  onlyihild. 
bom  June  25,  1821,  went  to  Hamilton,  Ohio,  in  1843,  where  he  was  f,,r 
some  time  engaged  m  teaching.  He  intended  devoting  his  life  to  the  min- 
istry, and  was  a  licentiate  when  the  hopes  of  the  church  and  his  many  per- 
sonal friends  were  blasted  by  his  untimely  death  in  February.  1849,  ,jkw 
to  a  relapse  after  an  attack  of  the  measles  from  which  it  was  thought  he  h.id 
recovered.  He  was  a  young  man  of  high  character  and  great  promise  .\ 
cortege  of  eight  hundred  jiersons  followed  his  remains  to  the  grave. 

The  golden  wedding  of  Elder  and  Mrs.  Ross  ga\e  opportunity  for  tho^- 
who,  with  their  parents,  had  enjoyed  his  ministrations  and  her  cheering  and 
helpful  presence  among  them  to  show  their  appreciation.  This  was  done 
by  f  large  and  most  interesting  social  gathering,  at  which  feeling  letters 
from  distant  friends  were  read,  and  valuable  gifts  presented  to  the  loved 
and  honored  servants  of  God,  who  have  done  so  much  gotid  in  the  neigh, 
borhood  and  made  so  many  friends.  They  are  nearing  the  close  of  their 
useful  lives  with  intelligence  unimpaired  and  a  good  measure  of  healih 
and  strength.  Elder  Ross  still  takes  the  necessary  care  of  his  livestoi  k, 
and  with  his  good  wife  receives  the  visitor  with  cheerful  hos|iitality  ;  ihe 
venerable  couple  are  spending  in  comfort  and  honor,  and  with  the  best 
wishes  of  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances,  the  rest  thev  have  s.i 
well  earned. 


103 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


THE  TOWN  OF  FLORIDA. 


This  town,  the  most  south -easterly  of  .Montgomery  county,  is  bounded 
northerly  and  easterly  by  the  Mohawk  river,  southerly  by  the  line  of 
Schenectady  county,  and  westerly  by  the  Schoharie  creek.  It  coniains 
alrout  39,436  acres  of  land,  and  but  few  of  these  are  untillablc.  It  is  the 
second  town  of  the  countv  in  point  of  area — Root  only  being  larger.  It 
has  a  variety  of  soils,  and  yjossesses  some  of  the  richest  lands  of  the  county. 
It  contains  the  highest  table  lands — Bean  Hill — in  the  county;  the  same 
range  is  also  called  Shellstone.  The  town,  while  pleasantly  i  Uilating, 
has  no  savage  bluffs  nor  barren  ledges  to  mar  its  surface.  The  Mohawk 
river,  with  its  varying  band  of  rich  flats,  forms  its  entire  northern  bound; 
while  its  western  is  the  famed  Schoharie  creek,  a  stream  of  quite  respect- 
able volume,  affording  numerous  water  privileges,  several  of  which  are 
fairly  utilized  and  others  waiting  to  be  occupied.  The  stream  takes  its 
n.se  among  the  spurs  of  the  Catskill  range  in  Greene  county;  it  traverses 
the  whole  length  of  Schoharie  and  southern  part  of  Montgomery  counties, 
till  it  debouches  into  the  Mohawk  river  at  Fort  Hunter.  It  is  a  passionate 
giant,  often,  at  si»ring-flood  or  sudden  freshets,  sweeping  down  a  mighty 
volunit.-,  fiercely  scorr.ing  its  ordinary  channel.  It  is  crossed  at  Fort  Hun- 
ter by  a  fine  a<|ueduct  of  fourteen  stone  arches,  bearing  a  wooden  trunk 
for  the  channel  of  the  F.rie  canal.  A  slight  dam  of  the  creek  at  this  point 
makes  it  also,  i)y  means  of  a  portion  of  the  old  canal,  a  valuable  feeder  for 
the  present  Krio  canal.  The  town  is  also  traversed  by  the  Chuctenunda, 
a  small  but  pretty  stream  that  flows  from  a  body  of  water  called  Maria's 
I'ond;  itself  connected  with  a  more  secluded  lakelet  known  as  Feather- 
stonehaugh's  Lake,  which  is  popularly  supposed  in  places  to  be  fathomless. 
Maria's  Fond  is  about  one  by  three  miles  m  area,  and  furnishes  a  \aluable 
water  power,  ne\er  yet  fully  employed.  The  Chuctenunda,  after  a  course 
ot  about  fifteen  miles,  empties  into  the  .Mohawk  river  at  Port  Jackson.  A 
smaller  and  inconstant  stream  also  falls  into  the  river  nearly  opposite 
Cranesville.  A  quiet  little  mirror,  known  as  Young's  Lake,  nestles  in  a 
dell  on  the  margin  of  the  Schoharie  creek. 

The  town  is  mainh-  agricultural,  and  is  well  adajjted  to  a  varied  range 
of  products,  well  able  to  keep  pace  with  varying  markets.  Wheat  was 
formerly  its  staple  and  largely  remunerative  crop.  Then  barley  became 
the  monopolist,  to  be  svicceedeil  by  oats  and  other  cereals.  A  good  deal  of 
fine  fruit  is  also  yearly  produced  for  market,  and  home  consumption. 
Apples,  pears  and  [jbims  find  a  congenial  home,  while  smaller  fruits  are 
not  neglected.  Most  of  the  alluvial  flats  of  the  river  and  Scoharie  creek 
are  devoted  to  broom  corn  ;  a  considerable  amount  of  cheese  is  annually 
produced  by  several  factories,  which  stands  well  in  market,  and  which  con- 
stitutes no  mean  item  in  the  town's  exchequer. 

THE   LOWER  MOHAWK  CASTLE. 

Within  the  borders  of  this  town,  at  the  1  onfluencc  of  the  S,  hohanc  wiih 
the  Mohan  k,  vvjn  located  the  lower  Mohawk  caMle,  a  centre  for  the  tribal 
gjlherini:^.  dis'  u^sions  and  decisions,  and  later  allaining  eminent  e  as 
historic  grciiiid.  I'he  Mohocs,  or  Mohawks  as  the  n.ime  is  now  written, 
are  commonly  rcgarile.l  by  historians  .is  among  Uu-  111. .m  powerful  md 
intelligent  of  our  savage  aborigines;  of  good  siature,  anil  .uhlelii  fr.inu-s, 
n.iturally  warlike  and  brave,  they  possessed  in  large  incisure  all  the  cpiali- 
tics  making  ii|i  the  savage's  highest  type  of  a  man.  The  tribe  held  e.xten- 
sive  hunting  grounds,  which  they  jealously  guarded,  and  were  not  over 
p.irti' ular  in  the  matter  of  encroai  linicnt  upon  the  territory  of  weaker 
neighbors.  'Ihis  lower  castle,  called  by  them  Tion.mderogM.  written  also 
Dyiondarogon,  became  early  an  important  centre,  radiating  its  influence  for 


peace  or  war  upon  savage  and  ci\'ilized  life  over  a  wide  extent.  Went, 
worth  (Ireenhalgh,  describing  the  Mohawk  villages  in  1677,  says  of  thu 
one:  "  Tionondogue  is  double  stockadoed  around;  has  four  ports,  lour 
foot  wide  apiece;  contains  abt  30  houses;  is  situated  on  a  hill  a  bow  shoit 
from  y'  River."  This  Indian  village  was  destroyed  by  the  French  in  1O67. 
and  again  1693;  the  inhabitants  in  each  case  escaping  and  returning  to  the 
spot. 

MISSIONS  AMONG  THE  MOHAWKS. 

.As  early  as  1642,  certain  French  Jesuits  undertook  missionary  work 
among  the  Mohawks,  but  their  efforts  did  not  result  in  their  obtaining  any 
permanent  foothold  among  the  swarthy  natives.  The  Rev.  Isaac  Jogues, 
the  first  intrepid  missionary  of  this  society,  fell  a  martyr  to  his  zeal  and 
devotion,  as  has  been  elsewhere  related.  Not  daunted  by  his  fate,  througli 
the  following  years  there  were  found  courageous  men  to  take  their  lives  ip 
their  hands  fo""  their  Master's  sake — Francois  Joseph  Bres.saue,  in  1644, 
Simon  Le  Moyne,  1655-7  ;  Jacques  Fremin,  1667-72  ;  Jean  Pierron, 
1667-8;  Francois  Boniface,  1668-73;  Francois  Valliant  De  Gueslis,  1674; 
and  Jacques  De  I.ambervillc,  1675-8. 

Doubtless  the  prominence  of  this  village  as  an  Indian  stronghold  ami 
centre  of  influence  had  weight  in  directing  thither,  also.  English  mission 
ary  zeal,  and  the  pious  an.xiety  of  her  Majesty  Queen  .Anne  to  exert  her 
divine  prerogative  as  defender  and  propagator  of  the  faith.  .\n  Episcop.il 
society  in  England  was  incorporated  by  royal  charter  from  King  William 
III.,  June  16.  1701.  known  as  the  "  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gos- 
pel in  Foreign  Parts."  It  had  as  one  of  its  objects  the  conversion  of  the 
Indians,  and  attracted  the  careful  .ittention  of  "Good  (Jueen  .\nne"  fniin 
the  first  of  her  reign.  In  1702,  or  1703,  the  Ke\.  .Mr.  Talbot  came  a^  i 
missionary  to  the  Mohawks.  He  was  the  first  clergyman  of  the  English 
Church  in  these  parts.  His  stay  was  short,  and  he  «as  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  Thoroughgood  Moore,  who  arrived  in  New  York  in  1704,  and  pro 
ceeded  thence  to  .Mbany  to  .ict  as  a  misMoii.irv  to  ;he  Iiuliaiis.  Owing  u< 
the  influence  of  the  fur  traders,  or  some  oihcrs.  he  was  unsure  cssful  an. I 
returned  to  New  York. 

Rev.  Thomas  Barclay  was  chaplain  to  llic  fort  at  .\lbany  in  1708.  and 
acted  also  as  missionary  to  the  Mohawks  until  No\cniber.  1712.  when  lb'- 
Rev.  William  Andrews  was  sent  out  by  the  society  as  a  successor  to  Mr 
Moore.  By  order  of  the  (lueen.  a  fort  was  built  for  his  security  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duty,  and  as  a  protection  for  the  Mohaw  ks  against  the 
French,  it  was  called  Fort  Hunter  after  (he  governor  of  !he  colony,  ami 
had  a  garrison  of  twenty  men.  The  liberality  of  ihe  ijiiccn  aK.i  causcu 
the  erection  and  endowment  of  a  chapel  and  man^e  Ihe  manse  is  siill 
standing  in  sturdy  strength.  It  is  a  twi..si,ir>  ston.'  binldiiig.  .ib.Mit  2.;  bv 
35  feet,  and  is,  periiaps.  the  oldest  slnuturc  in  tin  Mnhawk  dalles,  wcsl  ,  1 
Schenectady.  A  glebe  o(  300  a.  res  was  als..  itta.  bed  to  it.  There  lo 
yet  m.any  undimmed  eyes  that  might  ha^c  seen  llu  .  li.ipcl  ilcsliovcd  .1. 
1820  Mr.  Davi.l  Cady,  of  Amsierd.iin.  speaks  ni  iKumg  lic.ird  will' 
.merest  his  gr.indmother,  long  a  dweller  near  11.  des,  nl.e  her  allendim, 
Chrisinias  services  in  that  church;  its  quaint  arrangement  and  ap|..iinl 
mcnts;  .md  the  wondrous  dignity  of  an  old  .oh. red  man.  m  a  s,,rt  ..f  Ir.ciy 
of  scarlet  coat,  etc.,  wh..  was  the  chief  offii  i.il.  pew  .opener  and  organ. blower 
It  IS  matter  of  great  regret  thai  this  i  liiirch.  so  xivi.l  .1  niciuenl.)  "' 
the  iMst.  was  not  spared,  as  it  might  well  have  been  b>  a  slight  and  unim 
portant  divergeni  e  of  the  line  of  the  Erie  Canal,  «hi.  h  was  cut  directly 
through  its  site.    It  had  a  bell,  which  now  does  service  daily  in  the  academy  at 


QUEEN  ANNE'S  CHAPEL— MISSIONARIES  AT  FORT  HlNl  ER. 


109 


Johnstown  village.  The  entrance  to  the  chapel  was  on  the  north  side.  The 
pulpit  stood  at  the  west  end,  and  was  prmidcd  with  a  sounding  board. 
Directly  opposite  were  two  pews  with  elevated  floors;  one  of  which,  with 
a  wooden  canopy,  in  later  times  was  Sir  William  Johnson's;  the  other  was 
for  the  minister's  family.  The  rest  of  the  congregation  had  movalile 
benches  for  seats. 

This  chapel  contained  a  veritable  organ,  the  very  Christopher  Columbus 
of  its  kind;  in  all  probability  the  first  instrument  of  music  of  such  dignity 
in  all  the  wilderness  west  of  .Albany.  It  was  over  fifty  years  earlier  than 
the  erection  of  the  Episcopal  Church  at  Johnstown,  which  had  an  organ 
brought  from  England,  of  very  respectable  size  and  great  sweetness  of 
tone,  which  continued  in  use  up  to  the  destruction  of  the  church  by  fire 
in  1836. 

Queen  Anne  in  1712  sent  as  furniture  for  the  chapel  a  communion 
table  cloth,  two  damask  napkins,  a  "carpet  for  the  communion  table,"  an 
altar  cloth,  a  pulpit  cloth,  a  large  tasseied  cushion  for  the  pulpit,  and  a 
small  one  for  the  desk;  a  Holland  surplice,  a  large  Bible,  two  Common  Prayer 
Books,  one  of  them  for  the  clerk  ;  a  Book  of  Homilies,  a  large  silver 
salver,  two  large  silver  flaggons,  a  "  Silver  dish."  a  silver  chalice,  four  paint- 
ings of  her  Majesty's  arms  on  canvas,  one  for  the  chapel  and  three  for  the 
different  Mohawk  castles;  twelve  large  octavo  Bibles,  very  finely  bound,  for 
the  use  of  the  chapels  among  the  Mohawks  and  Onondagas,  wirh  two  paint- 
ed tables  containing  the  Lord's  Prayer.  Creed  and  Ten  Commandments,  "at 
more  than  20  guineas  expense."  To  which  the  society  having  charge  of 
the  mission  added  a  table  of  their  seal  finely  painted  in  proper  colors,  to 
be  fixed  likewise  in  the  chapel  of  the  Mohawks  ;  all  of  which  safely  arrived 
with  Mr.  Andrews  in  the  fall.  On  the  15th  of  Nov.,  1712,  Rev.  \Vm.  An- 
drews was  officially  received  at  .Mbany  by  the  Commissioners  of  Indian  af- 
fairs and  the  Mohawk  sacliems.  The  commissioners  promised  to  procure 
"  men,  slees,  and  horses  for  conveying  the  goods  of  the  Rev.  W'm.  .Andrews 
to  the  Mohawks  country."  Mr.  Andrews  was  no  more  successful  than  his 
predecessors,  and  in  1719  abandoned  his  mission. 

The  Reformed  Dutch  Church  at  .\lbany  had  sent  its  ministers  occasion- 
ally to  instruct  the  Indians  in  the  Christian  faith,  the  Rev,  Ciodcfridus 
Dellius  being  the  first,  who  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Johannis  Ljdius. 
.\  petition  to  "his  Excellency,  Edward  Lord  Viscount  Cornbury,  her 
Ma;e's.  Cap'n  Cien'l  and  (iov'r  in  Chief.  Otc,  ts:c,"  dated  .Mbany,  Dec. 
30,  1703,  signed  Johannis  Lydius,  asks  for  an  order  on  the  Collector  or 
Receiver  General  for  ^60,  "  one  year's  salary  in  ye  service  as  aforesaid, 
which  is  expired  November  ist,  1703."  Mr.  Lydius  continued  his  mission- 
ary labors  until  his  death.  March  t,  1710.  His  successor,  representing  the 
.same  church,  was  the  Rev.  Petriis  \'an  firiesen.  who  was  still  with  the 
mission  in  1722. 

The  most  cordial  relations  existed  between  the  ministers  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  and  Episcopal  churches  in  their  Indian  mission  work.  ,\fter  the 
Rev.  W'm.  .\ndrews  had  abandoned  his  mission,  the  Church  of  England 
had  no  resident  missionary  among  the  Mohawks  until  the  Rev.  Henry  Bar- 
clay came  in  1735,  tieing  appointed  caterhist  to  the  Indians  at  Yon  Hunter. 
His  stay  with  them  was  made  very  uncomfortable  by  the  French  war  and 
thi-  attitude  of  his  neighbors.  He  had  no  interpreter,  and  but  a  poor  sup- 
port, and  his  life  was  frequently  in  danger.  In  1745  he  was  obliged  to 
leave  Fort  Hunter,  and  in  1746  was  appointed  rector  of  Trinity  Church, 
New  York,  where  he  died. 

Lieutenant  (lovernor  Clarke,  in  1736,  directed  the  attention  of  the  .As- 
sembly to  the  dilapidated  condition  of  the  military  works  at  Fort  Hunter, 
and  suggested  that  a  new  fort  be  built  at  the  carrying  place  between  the 
Mohawk  river  and  Wood  creek,  afterwards  the  site  of  Fort  .Stanwix.  and 
the  garrison  transferred  from  Fort  Hunter  to  this  new  position.  The  car- 
rving  out  of  this  project  was  not  acceptable  to  the  Mohawks,  for  in  1739 
they  demanded  that  the  defences  of  Fort  Hunter  be  rebuilt  and  a  garrison 
continued  there,  under  a  threat  that  they  would  leave  their  own  country 
and  remove  to  Canada.  The  post  h.id  become  an  important  one  to  them. 
The  histori.in  Colden  says  :  "  .\n  ofS<  er  of  the  regular  troops  told  me 
that  while  he  was  commandant  of  Fort  Hunter,  the  Mohawks  nn  one  of 
these  occasions  (a  war  d.ince]  told  him  that  they  expei  ted  the  usual  mili- 
tary honors  as  they  pas^eil  the  garrison.  The  men  presented  their  pieces 
as  the  Indians  p.assed.  and  the  drum  beat  a  m.if  h  ;  and  with  less  re'.pe.  t 
the  ofli.er  said  they  would  have  been  diss.itisiied  The  Indians  pa-.ed  in 
single  row,  one  after  the.ither.  with  great  gravity  and  pniloiinil  silence,  and 
every  one  of  them,  as  lie  |i.assed  the  ofti.  er,  took  his  gun  from  his  shoulder, 
and  fired  into  the  ground  near  the  olficer's  foot.     'I'hey   marched  in   this 


manner  three  or  four  miles  from  their  castle.  The  women,  on  these  occa- 
sions, follow  them  with  their  old  clothes,  and  they  send  back  by  them  their 
finery  in  whith  they  man  hed  from  the  castle." 

Sir  W'm.  Johnson,  writing  to  Lieutenant-Governor  De  Lancey,  under  date 
of  "  .Mount  Johnson,  6  June.  1755,"  sjieaks  as  follows  : 

"  I  returned  last  night  from  the  Conogohery  Indian  Castle,  having  first 
been  at  the  .Mohock  Castle.  .\t  both  Settlements  I  have  fixt  on  Places  to 
build  them  Forts.  -At  the  hither  Castle  I  propose  it  to  be  nearly  on  a  Line 
with  Fort  Hunter,  to  take  in  the  Church  as  a  Bastion  &  to  have  a  com- 
munication Pallisado  between  the  two  Forts,  whichwill  be  a  small  exjience 
&  in  case  of  an  .\ttack  may  be  of  great  Service  by  mutually  assisting  each 
other,  and  if  drove  to  the  necessity  of  (piiting  the  One  they  may  still  main- 
tain the  other." 

Eleven  days  later  Johnson  writes  De  Lancey  : 

"  I  have  last  Night  with  much  Difficulty  agreed  with  three  Men.  to  build 
the  two  Forts  at  the  Mohawk  Castles  ;  .As  wood  fitt  for  that  Purpose  is 
very  scarse  thereabouts,  I  could  hardly  get  them  to  undertake  the  work  for 
yt.  Sura." 

Rev.  John  Ogilvie  was  Dr.  Barclay's  successor  in  this  mission.  He  com- 
menced his  work  in  March.  1749.  and  succeeded  Dr.  Barclay  also  at  Trinity 
Church.  New  Vork,  after  the  latter's  death  in  1764.  An  effort  was  next 
made  to  introduce  converted  Indians  as  missionaries  and  school  teachers, 
to  reclaim  the  natives  from  their  savage  life.  In  .August,  1769,  there  was 
an  Indian  school  in  operation  at  Fort  Hunter,  and  a  list  of  the  scholars  may 
be  found  in  the  Documentary  History  of  .N'cw  Vork. 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson, writing  to  Lord  Hillsborough  from  Johnson  Hall, .August 
14,  1770,  says  :  "The  Mohocks  have  had  Missionaries  of  the  Church  of 
England  amongst  them  from  the  Reign  of  Queen  .Anne  till  within  these 
few  years,  they  are  now  without  any,  "S:  from  the  scarcity  of  Clergymen  or 
some  other  cause,  the  Society  cannot  procure  them  on  the  Sallary  which 
their  small  funds  have  limitted  them  to,  whilst  at  the  same  time  the  Ind'. 
find  that  their  Brothers  in  Canada  \",  who  were  our  F^nemies,  are  regu- 
larlv  supplied,  &:  one  lately  appointed  in  Nova  Scotia  at  the  Expence  of 
Government  as  lis  said,  I  therefore  cannot  help  at  the  Intreaty  of  the  Ind'. 
humbly  recommend'  to  his  Majestys  consideration  the  afford'  some  al- 
lowances for  the  Mohock  Mission  which  has  always  been  under  the  im- 
mediate protection  of  the  Crown,  declaring  it  as  my  belief  that  if  any  far- 
ther provision  could  be  made  to  employ  others  in  so  good  a  work  it  would 
increase  their  reverence  for  the  Crown,  and  their  attachment  to  the  British 
Interest." 

Pursuant  to  this  apjical,  the  last  missionary  to  the  Moli.iwks  was  ap- 
pointed, namely,  the  Rev.  John  Stuart,  who  .arrived  at  Fort  Hunter  Dec. 
2,  1770.  He  prejiared,  with  the  assistance  of  the  celebrated  Joseph  Brant, 
a  Mohawk  translation  of  the  Gospel  of  St.  Mark.  At  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Revolution  he  made  himself  obnoxious  to  the  yeomanry  of  the  Mohawk 
valley  bv  his  relations  to  the  Johnson  family  and  the  Indians,  and  his  un- 
compromising loyalty  to  the  crown.  It  is  said  his  house  was  attacked  and 
plundered,  his  church  turned  into  a  tavern,  and,  in  ridicule  and  contempt, 
a  barrel  of  rum  placed  on  the  reading  desi;.  Mr.  Stuart  was  thus  necessi- 
tated to  remove,  .and  in  June,  177.S,  was  reported  to  be  in  Schenectady. 

At  the  opening  of  the  Revolution  F'ort  Hunter  was  in  a  state  of  delapi- 
dation.  The  remains  of  its  walls  were  then  pulled  down  and  a  palisade 
thrown  about  the  chapel,  which  was  also  defended  by  block  houses  mount- 
ing cannon.     A  garrison  was  stationed  here  toward  the  close  of  the  war. 

OTHER   E.VRLV  CHURCHES. 

Next  to  Queen  .Anne's  Chai>el,  .so  historic,  the  first  house  of  worship  in 
Warrenshurgh  appears  to  have  been  a  log  church  standing  near  what  is 
known  as  Snook's  Corners.  .\ll  tr.icc  of  it  is  now  gone.  Faithful  itiner- 
ant ministers  occasionally  held  services  in  barns  and  dwellings.  .At  one 
such  service  a  lad  of  eight  or  ten  years  was  to  receive  the  ordinance  of 
baptism,  but  when  the  time  for  the  rite  arrived  the  frightened  and  truant 
candidate  had  to  be  pursued  among  the  rafters  of  the  barn,  where  he  had 
sought  refuge.  In  the  log  chur.  h  Rev  James  Dempster  otiii  lated  some 
time;  no  re.  ord  of  his  ministry  cin  now  be  found.  He  left  a  char.u  Icr 
for  sterling  piety,  coupled  with     ctivity  an. I  no  little  edentncity. 

In  1769  a  German  named  L.iwreme  Sluiler.  originally  from  Wurteui- 
burgh,  but  for  some  years  a  resilient  of  Catskill,  located  upon  a  fertile 
farm  of  three  hunilred  acres,  now  one  mile  east  of  Minaville.     He  reared 


110 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


a  family  of  sixteen  children.  **A  man  distinguished  for  good  sense,  tem- 
pered by  a  spirit  of  piety  and  benevolence,  and  diffusing  an  influence  of 
goodness  and  liberality  through  his  family  circle  as  well  as  in  the  neigh- 
'  borhood.  The  first  Reformed  Dutch  church  in  the  town  was  erected  upon 
his  Unds,  as  was  also  the  neighborhood  school-house,  he  contributing  lib- 
erally towards  the  erection  and  support  of  both."  To  this  church  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Romeyn,  of  Caughnawaga.  was  called  to  minister  in  1784, 
and  he  served  it  acceptably  some  years.  Ihis  church  continued  in  use 
until  1808,  when  another  was  erected  at  the  "street."  one  mile  west,  and 
only  occasionally  was  service  held  in  the  old  church  thereafter,  until  the 
frame  was  sold  and  removed  from  its  site.  The  burial  ground  around  had 
become  populous,  and  it  now  contains  many  ancient  head-stones,  with 
quaint  inscriptions. 

ORIGINAL  OWNERSHIP  OF  THE  SOIL. 

Maps  illustrating  this  topic  will  be  found  on  the  page  with  the  outline 
map  of  Montgomery  and  Fulton  counties.  In  1703  the  land  about  f~ort 
Hunter  and  extending  across  the  Schoharie  creek  was  granted  to  John 
Peterson  Maibee.     This  was  the  first  grant  in  Tryon  county. 

October  i6th,  1753,  Walter  Butler  purchased  from  the  Indians  a  tract  of 
86,00c  acres,  which  began  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk  river.  "  at  the 
land  in  possession  of  one  David  Cavill,  and  running  thence  along  said 
river  to  the  flats  or  lowlands  of  Tienonderogo  ;  thence  around  said  flats 
to  Tienonderogo  creek;  thence  along  said  creek  to  Schoharie;  thence  along 
said  Schoharie  as  they  run  southerly  and  easterly:  thence  to  the  bounds 
of  Schenectady,  and  around  other  patented  lands  to  beginning."  This 
was  divided  into  six  tracts,  one  of  which  was  transferred  to  Charles  Wil- 
liams and  others,  Augujit  sglh,  1735,  and  comprised  the  principal  portion 
of  what  is  now  the  town  of  Florida.  It  began  at  a  certam  marked  tree 
standing  "on  the  cast  side  of  Schoharie  river,  opposite  the  dwelling  house 
of  Wm,  Bowne,  and  running  thence  north,  40°  30'  east,  277  chains,  to 
Mohawk's  river;  then  down  the  stream,  as  it  runs»  to  a  certain  place  on 
the  south  bank  of  said  river,  which  is  461  chains,  measured  on  a  straight 
line,  distant  from  the  end  of  the  line  running  north,  40^*  30'  east;  then 
south,  6j**  30'  west.  612  chains,  to  Schoharie  ri\er;  then  down  said  river, 
as  it  runs,  to  the  place  where  said  14,000  acres  began;  e.xcepting  out  of 
said  tract  the  lands  formerly  granted  to  Henry  Huff  and  the  lands  called 
the  village  lands."  AH  trees  24  inches  in  diameter  and  upwards,  at  12 
inches  from  the  ground,  were  to  be  reserved  for  masts  for  the  Royal  Navy. 
The  parties  taking  possession  of  this  tract  were  to  pay  the  yearly  rent  of  2 
shillings,  6  pence  for  each  roo  acres  at  the  Custom  House  in  New  York. 
and  agreed  to  settle  and  cultivate  at  least  3  acres  out  of  everv-  50  within 
the  next  three  years. 

This  was  the  tract  aflenvard  owned  by  Sir  Peter  Warren,  and  known  as 
Warrensbush,  [)robal)ly  purchased  by  him  in  1737;  as  a  petition  to  be  al- 
lowed to  purchase  6.000  acres  of  land  is  filed  by  him  in  the  Secretary  of 
State's  office,  dated  May  5th,  1737.  This  land  remained  in  the  Warren 
family  for  nearly  sixty  years.  Peter  Warren  was  bom  in  Ireland  in  1704. 
and  was  trained  to  the  nautical  profession.  In  1727  he  was  appointed  to 
the  command  of  the  "  Grafton,"  and,  after  a  brilliant  career,  was  made 
admiral  in  1747.  Ouring  part  of  this  time  he  lived  in  New  York,  where 
he  built  the  house  No.  i  Broadway,  afterwards  known  as  the  Washington 
Hotel,  and  married  Susannah,  eldest  sister  of  Hon.  James  Delamey. 

After  the  death  of  Sir  Peter  Warren,  Warrensbush,  as  he  had  named  it, 
was  divided  into  three  parts  :  one  part  was  conveyed  to  Charles  Fitzroy, 
otherwise  called  Lord  Southampton,  a  grandson  of  (iov.  Cosby,  and  Ann, 
his  wife  ;  one  part  to  the  Earl  of  .\bingdon,  and  the  third  to  Henry  (lage 
and  Susannah,  his  wife.  Kitzroy  conveyed  his  part  to  Col.  MacCiregor,  a 
merchant  of  the  city  of  New  York,  May  29.  1795,  who  had  a  survey  made 
July  6,  1795  Iiy  Lawrence  Vrooman.  and  he  to  Leonard  (iansevoort  of 
Albany.  April  8,  1796.  The  Earl  of  Abingdon  and  Henry  and  Susannah 
Gage  conveyed  their  two  shares  to  John  Watts,  of  New  York,  who  was 
formerly  their  attorney,  and  was  also  a  bmther-in-law  to  Sir  Peter  Warren, 
they  having  married  sisters,  daughters  of  J.imcs  Delant  y.  l)a\id  Cady  was 
agent  for  John  Watts  in  Warrensbush. 

The  same  year  (1735  that  Charles  Williams  received  his  graniuf  14.000 
acres,  patents  were  given  to  Edward  and  Phill.i^  Harrisnn,  Anne  Wihnut. 
Maynard  and  Elizabeth  (;uerin.  Hcniy  Cosby  and  Wm  Co^hy.  jr.  which 
comprised,  with  those  before  mentioned,  all  the  land  of  the  town  of 
Florida, 


In  the  spring  of  1738,  Wm.  Johnson,  then  a  young  man  23  years  of  age. 
was  sent  by  his  uncle,  Sir  Peter  Warren,  to  take  charge  of  and  form  settle- 
ments upon  the  tract  he  Warren  had  lately  purchased.  He  first  located 
on  the  south  bank  of  the  Mohawk,  on  what  is  now  known  as  the  Blood 
farm,  about  a  mile  below  the  village  of  Port  Jackson.  Here  he  opened  a 
little  country  store,  his  uncle  furnishing  the  money  to  the  amount  of  ^200. 
Cioods  were  purchased  in  New  York,  and  included  everything  that  would 
sell  well  on  the  frontier,  not  forgetting  rum.  Johnson's  customers  were 
both  whites  and  Indians,  and  the  trade  in  furs  was  considerable.  Sir 
Peter  attended  to  the  shipping  of  them  to  England.  The  means  of  both 
at  this  time  were  limited,  and  Sir  Peter  saw  the  advantage  to  be  gained 
by  setllmg  his  lands  as  rapidly  as  possible.  In  a  letter  to  young  Johnson, 
from  Boston,  dated  Nov.  20,  1738,  commencing.  "Dear  Billy."  he  recom- 
mends planting  a  large  orchard  in  the  following  spring,  and  girdling  trees 
for  clearing.  "  In  doing  which."  he  says.  "  I  would  be  regular  and  do  it 
in  square  fields,  leaving  hedge  rows  at  each  side,  which  will  keep  the  land 
warm,  be  very  beautiful,  and  subject  you  to  no  more  expense  than  doing 
it  in  a  slovenly,  irregular  manner"  In  1742  Johnson  began  to  make 
preparations  to  move  to  the  north  side  of  the  river,  which  coming  to  his 
uncle's  knowledge,  ([uitc  displeased  him,  as  he  supposed  his  own  lands 
would  be  neglected.  However,  the  young  trader  did  move,  and  in  1744 
built  the  stone  house  in  the  town  of  Amsterdam   known  as  Fort  Johnson, 

The  first  settlements  in  the  town  of  Florida  arc  supj)osed  to  have  been 
made  bv  Germans  from  Schoharie,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne, 

RECORDS  OF  OLD  MOHAWK. 

The  clerk's  office  of  the  town  of  Florida  has  an  ancient  looking,  parch- 
ment-bound volume  of  somewhat  coarsish  paper,  upon  each  leaf  of  which 
is  a  large  watermark  representing  in  a  circle  a  sitting  figure  holding  in  the- 
left  hand  a  lance  and  in  the  right  a  plant,  the  circle  surmounted  by  the 
regal  crown.  The  first  record  in  this  book  is  of  a  town  meeting,  held  in 
and  for  the  town  of  Mohawk,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  April,  1788,  about 
a  month  after  the  town  was  formed.  The  entries  are  quaint  and  the 
verbiage  and  spelling  often  quite  original.  "Opened  the  poll,"  says  the 
record,  "  and  adjourned  to  the  church.  After  reading  the  laws,  proceeded 
to  choose  town  officers."  At  this  election  were  chosen  a  supervisor,  two 
collectors,  five  assessors,  five  constables,  three  overseers  of  the  poor, 
eight  fence-viewers,  four  pound-keepers  and  eleven  path-masters.  The 
next  election  was  "ordered  at  the  house  of  John  Visscher,  town  clerk. 
¥oTi  Hunter."  Thirty-one  path-masters  were  this  year  elected.  It  was 
"  (joncJuded  by  majority  of  votes  in  the  town  of  Mohawk,  that  hogs  sliall 
be  confined  in  pastures."     Then  follow  the  oaths  of  oflncials. 

That  of  the  supervisors  might  well  be  commended  for  use  in  these  later 
days:  "  I  do  solemnly  and  sincerely  promise  and  swear,  that  1  will  in  all 
things,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and  ability,  faithfully  and  impartially 
execute  and  perform  the  trust  re[)Osed  in  me  as  Supervisor  of  the  I'own  nf 
Mohawk;  that  I  will  not  pass  any  account  or  any  article  thereof  where- 
with I  shall  think  the  said  county  is  not  chargeable,  nor  will  I  disallow  any 
account  or  article  thereof  wherewith  I  think  the  said  county  is  justly 
chargeable."  The  town  clerk  and  overseer  of  the  poor  took  similar  oaths. 
Minute  descriptions  of  marks  upon  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs,  are 
numerous  in  the  records,  as  "horses  branded  on  the  left  thigh,  letters  C. 
D.  The  mark  of  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs,  a  s<)uare  crop  of  left  ear,  and 
a  slit  in  the  right;"  "a  crop  of  the  left  air,  and  a  sijuar  hoel  in  the 
wright." 

We  find  here  the  undertaking  of  a  certain  person  by  way  of  [lublic  auc- 
tion "to  maintain  one  of  the  poor  of  Mohawk  town,  for  the  rerm  of  one 
year,"  the  consideration  being  in  this  case  "the  sum  of  eight  pounds 
nineteen  shilling;"  and  in  another,  "eleven  [)nunds  fourteen  shilling" 
This  last  named  jtarty  was  the  next  year  undertaken  for  the  sum  of  "nine 
pounds,  seventeen  shillings  and  sixpence" 

Notice  is  given  for  holding  an  "  P^lcction  for  the  Mnhawk  Town,  27ih 
April,  1790,  of  one  Representative  to  the  Con^^ress  of  the  Cniled  Staic'* 
from  the  counties  of  Montgomery  and  Ontario,  and  that  part  of  the  louniv 
of  Albanv  which  lies  at  the  west  side  of  Hudson  river;  three  senators  f<>r 
the  western  distrit  t  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  six  members  to  repre- 
sent the  county  of  Montgomery  in  the  House  of  .\ssembly." 

September  19,  1790.  the  commissioners  of  highways  ordered  the  sum  o( 
ten  pound-,  to  be  raised  by  lax  for  the  exf.ense  of  three-inch  plank  '*for 
the  use  of  the  bridges  on  public  highways  in  said  town,  to  wit,  the  Tugh- 


EARLY   RECORDS  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  FLORIDA. 


Ill 


tenando  bndge,  and  the  high  bridge  al  the  upper  side  of  Mr.  Elliot's." 
The  varied  spelling  of  the  names  of  the  "twin  sisters"  creeks,  running 
through  the  towns  of  Amsterdam  and  Florida — "Ouctenunda,"  "  Tinten- 
unda,"  "Tughtcnando,"  "Chuctenunda  " — will  have  been  noticed,  and  is 
easily  traced  to  the  difficulty  of  fixing  the  guttural  Indian  tones  in  our  less 
flexible  orthographv- 

In  the  year  1791,  we  hnd  a  list  of  licenses  and  permits  given,  thirty- 
three  in  number,  amounting  to  ^64  ids.  The  entry  ([uite  innocently 
oraits  to  say  for  what  such  permits  were  given.  Perhaps  tradition  may 
help  us  to  conjecture.  In  17S7,  we  find  enitiTcd,  tn  exUris" :  "Received 
June  4th,  17S7.  of  Mr.  Paschal  N.  Smith,  thirty-three  pounds  in  full  for 
the  commutation  of  quit  rent  on  two  thousand  acres  of  land  in  a  patent 
granted  the  12th  of  November,  1737,  to  James  De  Lancy,  Paschal  Nelson, 
Jacob  Glen,  and  others,  the  aforesaid  two  thousand  acres  being  the  original 
patentee  right  of  Paschal  Nelson,  and  lays  on  Auneskill  near  the  Mohawk 
river,  formerly  Albany  county,  now  Montgomery  county."  Signed,  Peter 
Curtenius.  R.  Q.  R. 

Other  entries  of  similar  character  testify  to  the  early  an.xiety  to  get  rid 
of  the  vexatious  ground  rents.  But  the  lease  system  was  well  entrenched, 
and  the  owners  knew  well  their  value  ;  only  slowly  and  gradually  was  the 
right  to  the  soil  obtained.  A  lease,  dated  "20th  Feb.,  1789,"  represents 
the  lessee  as  obtaining  from  "the  Right  Honorable  the  Earl  of  Abingdon, 
of  the  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  for  the  consideration  of  tiv'  hillings,  lot 
sixty-five  in  a  map  of  Warrensburgh,  made  by  John  R.  Bleeker,  1766,  con- 
taining one  hundred  acres,  yielding  and  paying  the  yearly  rent  of  one 
peppercorn  if  demanded."  It  bears  the  signature  of  Willoughby,  Earl  of 
Abingdon,  and  is  sealed  with  wax,  with  the  impress  apparently  of  an  in- 
taglio ring.     The  paper  has  the  regal  water  mark. 

Here  also  may  be  cited  a  quit-claim  of  certain  leaseholds  of  which  we 
have  spoken  :  "  Whereas,  John  Watts  of  the  city  of  New  York,  and  Jane. 
his  wife,  did  purchase  from  the  Earl  of  Abingdon,  of  Great  Britian,  and 
from  Henry  Gage  and  Susanna,  his  wife,  and  others  their  trustees,  two 
tracts  or  parcels  of  land  situated  at  a  place  called  Warrens!ii:rgh,  in  the 
town  of  Mohawk,  county  of  Montgomery.  State  of  New  York,  formerly 
part  of  the  estate  of  Sir  Peter  Warren,  and  being  two-thirds  which,  on  a 
partition  thereof,  fell  to  and  were  severally  conveyed  to  the  said  Earl  of 
.\bingdon.  and  to  said  Henry  and  Susanna  (iage;  and  whereas,  since  such 
purchase,  said  John  Watts  hath  sold  and  conveyed  sundry  lots  thereof  to 
David  C'ady,  Nathan  Stanton.  Ezra  Murray,  Phillip  and  Peter  Frederick. 
William  and  Peter  Youngs,  George  and  Jacob  Staleys,  John  Van  Derveer,  5 
Peter  and  Jacob  Houck,  ElishaCady.  George.  Christian  and  Peter  Service, 
RooIeitTe  Covenhoven,  Asa  Waterman,  John  (^uackenboss.  Ephraim 
Brockway,  Lewis  Phiilij).  Phillip  Doty,  and  sundry  others,  with  covenants 
on  the  part  of  said  John  Watts  to  convey  the  same  in  full  to  them  on  pay- 
ment of  certain  sums  in  the  -^aid  demises  mentioned.  And,  whereas,  it 
was  intended,  and  it  is  just  and  reasonable,  that  the  said  several  persons 
and  their  heirs  and  assigns,  to  whom  such  con\eyances  have  been  alreadv 
made,  should  hold  the  same  free,  clear  and  discharged  of  dower,  or  cl.iim 
of  dower  of  said  Jane  Watts  in  the  same  ;  Now.  in  consideration  of  the 
premises,  and  to  carry  the  same  into  effect,  and  also  for  and  in  considera- 
tion of  the  sum  of  ten  shillings,  with  which  the  said  Jane  doth  acknowledge 
herself  satisfied  and  paid,  she  the  said  Jane,  by  and  with  the  consent  of  her 
.said  husband,  signified  by  his  being  a  party  hereto,  hath  remised,  released. 
and  forever  quit-claimed  unto  the  said  I.'avid  Cady,  and  the  se\eral  others 
above  named,  the  said  lands  and  premises,  free  and  clear  of  all  dower  and 
claim  of  dower  of  her.  said  Jane  Watts,  of  and  in  the  same." 

"Signed  and  sealed  this  thirteenth  day  of  November,  in  the  year  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  n  nety-three."  Both  signatures  ha\e  wax 
seals,  showing  very  clearly  the  Watts  i  rest,  with  its  motto  :  "  /""/-//  ///'*t 
deficit  tel urn."  It  would  seem  prol)able  this  quitclaim  may  cover  a  large 
part  of  the  two-thirds  of  the  original  estate  of  Sir  Peter  Warren,  the  estate 
which  brought  his  nephew,  afterwards  Sir  William  Johnson,  to  become  a 
resident  here.  A  daughter  of  this  John  Watts  became  the  wife  nf  Sir  John 
Johnsim,  the  Baronet's  only  son. 

In  1792.  as  the  poll  list  shows,  path-masters  had  increased  to  the  num- 
ber of  fift>-fovir,  and  as  we  might  e\pc(  t.  the  office  of  commis>,if)ner  of 
highways  becomes  a  most  important  one,  and  many  entries  and  pages  at- 
test the  ariiiin  of  such  commissioners  in  the  laying  out  new  and  establish- 
ing existing  highways.  Advam  ing  ( ivilization  demanded  better  routes  of 
transit  than  Indian  trail,  or  narrow  bridle  path.  It  would  be  utterly  im- 
possible now  to  trace  any  of  these  highway  by  the  land  marks  given.     What 


was  then  clear,  is  now  vague  and   indefinite  ;  thus,  under  date  of  May  7, 
1788: 

"Be  it  remembered  that  we,  the  Commissioners  of  the  Mohawk  distrii  i 
and  county  of  Montgomery,  have  laid  out  a  common  road  from  two  rods 
below  the  block  house,  now  in  possession  of  Birenl  Hansen,  along  down 
the  banks  of  Schoharie  creek,  down  along  the  Mohawk  River,  until  ii 
comes  to  the  convenient  place  to  ford  the  river  to  John  Pulman's.  and  allow 
three  swing  gates  in  that  distance."  Oct.  15,  1787,  the  commissioners,  hav- 
ing viewed  and  found  it  necessary,  laid  out  a  road,  "  beginning  at 
Richard  Van  Veghten's  fence  aua  small  birch  tree  marked  ;  from  then*  e 
by  marked  trees  to  the  lane  between  William  Vintons  on  to  Nicholas  Spore, 
and  thence  along  said  lane  to  a  large  hemlock  tree  marked  ;  from  thence 
by  marked  trees  to  John  ^''an  Wormer's  pasture,  and  along  the  creek  to  the 
outside  of  the  pasture;  from  thence  by  marked  trees  to  the  old  road  market! 
out  ;  thence  along  said  road  to  the  road  come  by  Martin  Bovee,"  and  so 
ordered  it  to  be  recorded.  Very  quaint,  very  simjile  are  many  of  these 
descriptions,  often  "  as  near  the  creek,  or  the  side  of  the  hill,  as  the  make 
of  the  land  will  admit  of."  Generally  four  rods,  but  sometimes  three  and 
even  two  rods  are  permitted  as  the  width  of  roads,  to  enable  the  settler  "to 
get  out  to  mill  and  to  market."  We  quote  but  one  more  of  these  reconl^, 
that  of  a  "  Public  road  four  rods  wide,  beginning  on  Albert  Frank's  land 
on  the  now  public  road,  from  thence  on  the  south  side  of  a  Red  Oak  Saplin, 
marked  with  a  cross  and  S  S,  thence  near  a  westerly  course  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Babtist  Meeting,  with  a  straight  course  forward  on  the  north 
side  of  Albert  Frank's  house  to  black  cherry  Saplin  marked  H,  on  the 
south  side  of  said  tree  from  thence  a  westerly  course  to  hickory  Saplin,  on 
south  side  of  said  Saplin  marked  H.  from  thence  forward  a  westerly  to  a 
beach  Saplin  on  the  north  side  marked  H,  thence  forward  until  it  strikes 
the  divison  line  of  .Andrew  Franks  and  Peter  Hycks,  thence  on  said  divi- 
sion line  to  a  hemlock  tree  marked  H,  on  the  south  side  of  said  tree  on 
Andrew  Frank's  land  over  the  height  of  ground,  until  it  intersects  the 
public  mad" 

THE   EARLIEST    FLORIDA    RECORDS. 

Florida  was  formed  from  Mohawk.  March  \2.  1793.  The  first  annual 
town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Ezra  Murray,  on  the  first  ruesilay 
m  .\pril,  1794,  when  the  following  officers  were  elected  for  the  year: 
David  Cady,  supervisor  ;  Stephen  Reynolds,  town  clerk  ;  George  Servoss. 
William  Phillips  and  David  Beverly,  assessors  ;  Lawrence  Shuler  and 
Bernard  Marten,  overseers  of  the  poor;  David  Cady,  John  T.  Visscher  anil 
Benjamin  Van  Vlcck.  commissioners  of  highways;  Christian  Servoss.  Col- 
lector ;  John  Cady,  and  Caleb  P.  Brown,  constables. 

The  orderly  condition  that  had  become  the  routine  of  Mohawk  was  ^o 
well  understood,  that  little  change  was  necessitated  in  the  management  of 
town  affairs,  .\mong  other  regulations  enacted  at  the  first  tcmn  meeting, 
was  the  provision,  "that  if  any  person,  between  the  15th  of  May  and  the 
15th  of  June  in  any  year,  shall  kill  any  crow  or  blackbird,  within  the  limits 
of  the  Town,  and  shall  produce  the  heads  thereof  to  the  supervisor,  he 
shall  be  entitled  to  receive  from  the  su[iervisor  the  sum  of  one  siiiliing  for 
each  crow,  and  four  i)ence  for  every  blackbird,  to  l»e  i>roved.  if  disputed, 
by  the  oath  of  the  person  applying  for  the  same  " 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  "enacted  that  the  sujjervisor  of  this  Town 
pay  unto  Ezra  Murray  the  sum  of  one  pound  five  shillings,  as  a  reward  for 
the  use  of  his  house  this  day."  The  next  meeting  was  voted  to  he  held 
at  the  dwelling  of  Eben  Chase.  Next  year  the  crow  and  blackbird  bount> 
was  repealed.  Four  pounds  were  ordered  erected,  and  localities  assigned; 
each  was  to  be  forty  feet  scpiare,  with  "five  posts  on  a  side,  three  feet  in 
the  ground."  The  next  place  of  meeting  was  voted  on,  and  oftenest  thcv 
seem  to  have  been  jtrivate  dwellings,  in  various  localities.  In  1799  is 
entered.  "  Amount  of  si  hool  money  allotted  for  the  Town  of  Florida  is 
yj>  dollars.  _^S   cents 

Following  .1  very  s.dcmn  oath,  signed  by  the  commissioners  <..f  excise. 
"  that  we  will  not  on  any  account,  or  jfrc-tence  whatsoever,  grant  anv  license 
to  any  person  within  said  toun,  for  the  i)urpose  of  keeping  an  Inn  or 
Tavern,  but  only  in  such  cases  as  appear  to  us  to  be  absolutely  nc<  esv.uv 
for  the  benefit  of  travellers,"  we  have  the  names  of  three  persons  .ertnicd 
as  "of  good  moral  character,  and  of  sufficient  ability  to  keep  an  Inn  or 
Tavern."  to  whom  svh  h  lie  ensfs  were  issued. 

In  our  venerable  rerord  we  find.  A|'ril  ;.  iSii.  the  en.K  tment.  "that  no 
cattle,  horses,  or  sheep  iie  allowed   to    haunt   taverns,   grist   mills  or  other 


112 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


public  plai-es  to  the  damage  of  an>  owner  of  any  wagon  or  sleigh  that  may 
stand  waiting  at  suih  plaic.  after  the  first  day  of  Ncn.,  until  the  first  day  of 
April  following  :  and  siuh  cattle,  horses  or  sheep  intruding  on  Muh  place 
to  the  detriment  or  ttaniage  of  an\  customer  or  person  at  such  place  in 
wailing,  shall  he  linlile  to  lie  impoundeil,  and  the  u«ner<)f  such  cattle  or 
creature  to  pay  the  owner  or  oct  tipant  of  such  public  stand  the  sum  of 
twenty  cents,  and  the  further  sum  of  eighty  cents  to  the  pound  keeper." 
In  1S12,  "hogs,  shotes  or  pigs,  are  forbiildcn  to  run  at  large  under  penalty 
of  fifty  cents  ;"  a  still  later  ordinance  forbids,  under  penalty  of  ten  dollars, 
any  owner  or  occupant  of  land  "  to  suffer  or  permit  any  stalk  or  plant  of 
the  Cadada  thistle  to  grtiw  and  blossom  upon  their  lands.'"  and  it  further 
directs  overseers  of  the  highways  "  to  cause  any  plant  of  the  Canada  thistle 
growing  in  the  highway  to  be  cut  down  at  least  once  in  the  months  of  June, 
July  and  August,  under  a  like  penalty."  Krom  this  time  the  brief  records 
of  the  town  become  yearly  more  terse  and  definite.  The  grooves  that 
custom  forms  become  worn,  and  are  easier  kept.  On  through  the  pages 
appear  names  of  those  whose  lives  honored  themselves,  and  were  a  blessing 
to  their  day. 

In  turning  these  yellow  and  olden  leaves,  in  scanning  the  records  of 
hands  so  long  folded,  in  conning  these  lists  of  names,  one  goes  out  into  a 
new,  though  so  old  a  world.  Other  times  are  li\ed.  other  scenes  are  pass- 
ing; the  long  past  is  the  real,  the  present  has  for  the  moment  vanished. 
Names  here  so  oft  recurring  are  known  no  more  in  all  the  region.  Large 
families  have  dwindled  and  wasted,  and  no  representative  of  name  or  race 
can  now  be  found.  Pages  could  be  easily  filled  with  worthy  names  of 
those  who  here  had  homes,  those  whose  brawny  arms  hel|)ed  to  level 
forests,  and  bring  into  productiveness  and  beauty  the  primitive  wilderness. 
The  Shulers,  Ovcrbaughs.  Senisses.  Ruffs,  Pettengiils,  Cadys,  Jacksons, 
Staleys,  Schiiylers,  Reynoldscs,  Hills.  Bents,  Smiths,  ,Stantons,  Vandcrveers, 
Hales,  V'oorheeses.  \)c  La  Maters,  Johnsons,  Greens,  Ellises,  Herricks,  De 
Clraffs,  Choletts,  Murrays,  Covenhovens,  Earls,  Claytons,  Quackenbosses, 
Snooks,  Gordons,  Mudges.  Youngs — many  of  these  lived  brave,  noble  lives, 
and  left  spotless  names  as  an  inlieritance  for  their  children. 


tar.  Then  the  wide  fire-place  was  universal;  the  huge  brick  oven  indis. 
pensablc.  Stoves  were  not,  though  an  occasional  Franklin  was  jmssesscd 
The  turkey  was  oft  cooked  suspended  before  the  crackling  fire;  the  corn 
cake  baked  in  the  low,  coal-covered  bake  kettle;  the  potatoes  roasted  be- 
neath the  ashes,  and  apples  upon  a  ledge  of  bricks;  nuts  and  cider  wi-ic 
in  store  in  ever\"  house.  .\s  refinement  progressed,  and  wealth  advanie.! 
from  the  fireside  wall  extended  a  sipiarc  cornice,  perhaps  six  feet  deep  In 
ten  feet  wide,  from  which  depended  a  brave  valance  of  gay  printed  chintz, 
or  snowy  linen,  perchance  decked  with  mazy  net-work  and  tasseled  fring, . 
wrought  by  the  cunning  hand  of  the  mistress  or  her  daughter.  These, 
too,  have  we  seen.  Possibly  the  household  thrift  of  the  last  century  was 
not  greater  than  that  of  the  present  time,  but  its  field  of  exertion  wa^ 
va.stly  different.  The  hum  of  the  great  and  the  bu/z  of  the  little  spinnin, 
wheel  were  heard  in  e\ery  home.  By  the  great  wheels  the  fleecy  rolls  oi 
wool,  often  hand-carded,  were  turned  into  the  firm  yarns  that  by  the 
motions  of  deft  fingers  grew  into  warm  stockings  and  mittens,  or  by  the 
stout  and  clumsy  loom  became  g.iy  coverlet  of  scarlet,  or  blue  and  white, 
or  the  graver  "  press  cloth  "  for  garb  of  women  and  children,  or  the  butter- 
nut or  brown  or  black  home-spun  of  men's  wear.  The  little  wheel  loainlv 
drew  from  twirling  distaff  the  thread  that  should  make  the  "  fine  twined 
linen,"  the  glory  and  pride  of  mistress  or  maid,  who  could  show  her  handi- 
work in  piles  of  sheets,  table-cloths  and  garments.  L'pon  these,  too,  was 
often  lavished  garniture  of  curious  needlework,  hemstitch  and  herring- 
bone and  lace-stitch.  Plaid  linseys  and  linen  wear  were,  too,  fields  for 
taste  to  dis])ort  in,  while  the  patient  and  careful  toil  mu>t  not  go  unchron- 
icled  that  from  the  wrecks  of  old  and  worn  out  clothes,  produced  won- 
drous resurrection  in  the  "  hit-or-miss,"  or  striped  rag  carpet,  an  accessor) 
of  so  much  comfort,  so  great  endurance,  and  often  so  great  beauty.  Horse- 
back was  the  most  common  style  of  traveling.  The  well-sweep  or  bubblini: 
spring  supplied  the  clear  cold  water.  Such  was  the  /Aea,  we  know  the 
fti/Tt'.  In  modes  of  life,  in  dre^s  and  eq'.:;page,  in  social  and  politic-: 
habits,  in  locomotion,  in  comforts,  in  commerce,  one  needs  not  to  drau 
the  contrast;  more  wide  and  striking  it  scarce  could  be." 


OLD  TUfES  IN  ELORin.\ 


-APPRENTICESHIP  .AND  SL.WERY. 


With  the  opening  of  the  nineteenth  century,  we  seem  to  come  a  long 
step  toward  the  present.  It  seems  a  great  mile-stone  in  history,  di\  iding  a 
fading  past  from  the  fresher  present.  The  long,  doubtful  struggle  with 
England  had  resulted  in  a  dearly  bought,  dearly  prized  peace,  with  its 
beautiful  victories.  Local  tradition  has  not  yet  lost  the  memory  of  the 
suffering  that  followed  the  infamous  raid  of  Brant  and  Butler  through  this 
neighborhood  in  1680;  and  still  treasures  tales  of  hair-breadth  escapes,  of 
families  that  found  darksome  homes  in  the  cellars  of  their  burned  dwell- 
ings, of  the  fearful  hushing  of  children  lest  their  voices  should  betray  the 
places  of  concealment,  of  the  hiding  of  plaie  and  valuables,  tea  kettles 
freighted  with  spoons  being  hid  in  such  haste  as  to  dciv  future  unearthing. 
Such  hallowing  as  the  carnival  of  Indian  warfare  could  give  has  Florida  to 
boast  But  at  last  "the  land  had  rest."  The  red  man,  once  sovereign 
lord,  had  disappeared;  the  powerful  Johnson  family  was  exiled,  its  homes 
sequestered,  and  in  other  hands.  Sturdy  toil  and  earnest  labor  won  their 
due  return,  and  thrift  and  competency  were  everywhere  attested  by  hos- 
pitable homes  and  well  stored  bams.  .\Ibanv  was  the  main  market  for  the 
products  of  the  town:  whe.il  forming  the  mo^t  lonsiderable  item.  School 
houses  and  churches  now  dotted  the  lamlsc.ipe,  and  busv  grist  and  saw- 
mills p.erchcd  on  m.iny  streams.  I'he  Dutch  language  w.as  much  spoken, 
but  many  Connecticut  anil  New  F^nglanri  settlers  never  .Tcipiired  it,  and 
theirs  became  the  most  common  tongue. 

Not  alone  h.ive  the  "bla/ed."  or  marked,  tries  .iiid  saplings,  which  indi- 
<-ated  the  lines  of  roails  or  farm  bound.incs.  long  -.ince  decayed,  but 
"block  house"  anil  log  1  abin  haw  also  di-appeared,  and  it  may  bo 
doubled  if  five  spei  imcns  of  these  earh  hi.nicN  1  .m  now  be  found  » illim 
thi  iH.unils  of  Florida.  Vet  ^till  there  ln.-ul.oc.in  rcmciuber  the  old-  1 
f:i>hloned  hoiises.  Says  Mr.  DaMd  Caili  ,1..  ivh.iiii.  «iih  Mr.  J  Cadi  ' 
Ur.mn.  wc  arc  indebted  for  the  l.irgcr  |.,irr  o:  ..ur  hi-t..ry  of  Honda': 
"  We  h.uesecii  the  Ispe.  and  w.irnu-d  ,)arscli  c^  .1:   ihc  gre:it  hospil.ililc  hre- 

pl.ace,  with  crane,  pol-lio.ik,   and    tr.iinnuls. .|,ung   nearly  the    side  of 

the  room;  while  outer  doors  were  so  opposed  that  1  horse  miglil  draw  in 
the  huge  log  by  one  entrance,  leading  b\  the  other.  Strange,  too.  10  our 
childish  eyes  w-ere  the  curious  chininies  of  tree  limbs  encruNted  with  mor- 


While,  as  we  have  seen,  in  its  earliest  days  the  town  recognized  and 
cared  for  those  w-hom  w-e  "have  alway  with  us,"  the  poor,  by  "undenak- 
ing  "  them  at  public  auction,  it  was  not  unmindful  of  the  orphaned  or  help- 
less waif.  We  think  deserving  of  place  this  "  Indenture  maid  this  25th 
day  of  Oct.,  1791,  between  .Albert  Covenhoven  and  Jacob  Fenders,  over- 
seers of  the  town  of  .Mohawk,  and  .Amos  Clark,  of  the  town  and  couni> 
aforesaid,"  which,  "  witnesseth  that  the  said  overseers  of  the  poor,  by  aril 
with  the  consent  and  allowance  of  William  Harper  and  John  J.  Visschcr, 
Esip,  tw-o  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  for  the  town  aforesaid,  have  put. 
placed,  and  bound,  Peter  Hart,  aged  one  year  and  eight  months,  a])pren- 
tice  to  the  said  .Amos  Clark,  for  the  term  of  nineteen  years  and  lour 
months,  to  commence  on  this  date,  which  time  expires  in  the  year  1811  <'* 
these  presents,  during  of  all  week  time  and  term  the  said  Peter  Hart  hi- 
said  master  and  mistress  well  and  faithfully  shall  serve,  in  all  such  lawiui 
business  as  the  said  apprentice  shall  be  put  into,  according  to  the  best  ": 
his  powers,  wit  and  ability;  his  secrets  shall  keep;  his  command  lawfullv 
and  honestly  everywhere  he  gladly  shall  do;  he  shall  do  no  hurt  or  dama;jc 
to  his  said  m.aster  nor  mistress  nor  consent  to  be  done  by  others,  but  1" 
the  best  of  his  [lovver  shall  hinder  the  same,  or  faithfully  give  notis  to  b-* 
master  thereof;  he  shall  not  waist  the  goods  of  his  said  master  or  lend  thini 
to  any  person  without  his  consent.  He  shall  not  frequent  ale  houses"' 
play  houses,  or  to  play  at  cards  or  other  unlawful  games.  Fornication  he 
shall  not  commit,  matrimony  he  shall  not  contract,  neither  shall  he  ali-c^i 
himself  da\  nor  night  Ircmi  his  master's  service,  but  in  all  things  as  a  fail' 
fill  ser\ant  .md  a[iprentu  e.  shall  demean  himself  towards  his  saul  masl'  ' 
and  all  his  during  the  term  afores.iid. 

".And  s.iiil  .\mos  Clark,  for  his  part,  1  ovcnantclh.  promisseth  and  agic.rf: 
that  he.  the  said  .\mos  Clark,  the  s.aid  apprentice  will  teach  or  cause  hrn 
to  be  taught,  the  art,  skill  and  Iraid  of  husbandry  which  he  now  nsailh.  " 
the  best  manner  he  m.ay  or  can  teach  or  cause  to  be  taught,  and  infuriin'l 
as  much  as  thereto  belongih.  and  he  said  .Amos  Clark  knowcth.  and  ^h. : 
teach  and  in^irui  t  or  laiisc  to  be  instructed  the  said  apprentiie.  well  an-! 
siifiiiiently  to  re:ul  and  virile,  and  also  shall  find  for  the  .ipprcntice  siifiu  u  '  ' 
app.irel,  meat,  drink,  washing  and  lodging,  and  other  things  necessary  t'"^ 


^^"^ 


•e:;-       >  ^Q?« 


5^^ 


Fi.Es. OF  John  h.Swobe,westPerth,F(jltonCo.,n.y. 


1^*     W 


S     1 


e  r  n       « 


"X.a J. 


» 


4- 


w-%. 


FAR.M    RESIDENCE  OF    MESSRS  NELSON  &  Hi  RAM  R  E  ES  E  ,  FLO  Rl  DA,  N  Y. 


Lumber&CoalYard   of  Mr  J  F  Brown,  Port  Jackson, Florida, n  r. 


SOME  OF  FLORIDA'S  FIRST  SETTLERS. 


113 


«uch  as  apprentice  during  the  term  aforesaid,  and  at  the  expiration  of  said 
term,  s^all  give  unio  the  said  a|i|jrcmice  one  good  new  sule  of  waring  ap- 
partl,  both  linen  ami  wollen  com|)lcat,  over  and  above  his  now  waring  ap- 
parel. In  witness  whereof,  the  parlies  aforesaid  lo  these  present  inden- 
tures ilieir  hands  and  seals  interchangeably  have  set,  the  day  and  year 
first  above  written." 

A  ipit"  siin  lir  in  l.-:itur.:  "do'.h  p\il,  place  and  bind,  Ilanna  Fedcl. 
r.ged  four  years  and  eight  months,  an  afiprentice  to  William  Harper  and 
Margaret  hi-s  wife,  to  dwell  with  ihem  or  ihc  survivors  of  tlumforlhe 
term  of  thirteen  years  and  four  months  from  the  date  of  these  presents." 

I'erhais  IK>  more  appropriate  [liace  can  offer  than  this  connection  for  in- 
sertion of  a  copy  of  an  insirumcnt  haiipily  now  no  mure  lu  be  uriucn.  a 
co\enjnt  for  the  sale  of  to  mu(h  human  sinew  and  bone,  so  much  of  the 
sweat  and  toil,  so  much  of  the  immortal  soul  as  human  bonds  could  con- 
vey. No  picture  of  the  period  would  be  complete  that  should  be  un- 
shaded by  this  blot,  or  fail  to  notice  the  horrible  inconsistency  of  such  a 
love  ol  freedom  as  had  lately  imperilled  all,  and  consecrated  life  and  goods, 
to  win  and  maintain  a  liberty  free  from  [letty  encroachment,  while  yet  a 
race  was  held  in  domestic  thrall,  and  life-long  servitude. 

"  Km*  all  m.'n  by  these  presents,  that  I,  Samuel  Do  Reimer,  of  the 
town  of  Mohawk,  county  of  .Montgimiery,  State  of  New  York,  for  ,ind  in 
consideration  of  the  sum  of  fifty  pounds,  current  money  of  the  State  afore- 
said, lo  me  in  hand  paid  at  or  before  the  ensealing  and  deli\ery  of  these 
presents,  by  David  Cady,  Esq.,  the  receipt  whereof  I  do  hereby  acknowl- 
edge, have  liargained  and  sold,  and  by  these  pre.sents  do  bargain  and  sell 
unto  the  said  David  Cady,  a  certain  negro  wench  called  Cate,  being  of  the 
aje  of  twenty-four  years  (or  thereabouts),  now  being  in  the  possession  of 
said  David,  to  have  and  to  hold  the  said  negro  wench  hereby  bargained 
and  sold  lo  him  the  said  David,  his  executors  and  administrators  and  as- 
signs, against  me  the  .said  Samuel,  my  executors,  administrators  and  as- 
signs, and  against  .ail  and  ciery  other  person  and  persons  whatsoever, 
shall  and  will  warrant  and  defend  by  these  presents,  and  I  do  further  say, 
that  the  said  negro  wench  is  no  the  best  of  my  knowledge.)  honest  and 
sober.  In  witness  whereof.  I  hereunto  put  my  hand  and  seal,  this  twentv- 
third  day  of  .\ugust,  one  thou^and  seven  hundred  and  ninety-one. 

Saml'ei.  Df.  Riimer." 
"John  Watts,       I   ...  . 

JoHS  StULVl  KR,    y 

No  doubt  that  then,  as  in  later  times,  it  was  said,  "  They  can't  tjke  care 
of  themselves.  They  are  happier  with  their  misters."  Vet  when  in 
i.Sj4  the  act  of  emancipation  took  effect,  they  gladly  went  from  under 
the  yoke,  to  establish  homes  of  their  own,  and  none  but  the  hojjclessly 
infirm  or  aged  sought  to  remain  with  their  late  owners. 

SETTLERS  .^I.ONG     THE  SCHOH.VRIE. 

Among  the  pioneer  settlers  on  the  east  b.ink  of  Schoharie  creek  were 
Martinus  Cline  and  l-rancis  Saltz.who,  about  tlie  middle  of  the  last  century, 
leased  two  farms  in  Warren's  I'.itent,  now  the  Henry  (".  IVltlngill  and  Wil- 
liam Voorhc-cs  pla<  es,  opposite  Mill  I'oint.  It  is  said  that  when  Ihey  ar- 
rived on  the  ground  they  flipiHila  penny  for  the  choice  of  plai  es,  and  Sail z, 
winning  the  toss,  took  the  soulhcrnmust  or  Voorhees  farm.  His  oldest 
•l.iiighter  married  I'hilii)  Frederick,  and  they  settled  on  the  creek  at  the 
place  since  called  IJuchanan's  Mills,  where  Frederick  cleared  a  farm  and 
built  a  house  and  mill.  Here  in  a  few  years  ipiite  a  settlement  sprung  up, 
.\ni)thcr  of  the  pioneers  who  settled  on  the  creek  within  the  present  town 
"f  Florida  was  IVter  Young.  He  camu  from  New  Jersey,  and  laiupeil  ncir 
<"'irrct  V.in  D.-rveer's  place.  Learning  from  s,)mj  In, bans,  while  hiiiiiing 
cne  day,  th.lt  a  wliite  family  who  had  made  a  rlearing  over  l.v  llie  .  reck  I,, id 
I'll 'line  di^cdiiraged  and  abandoned  it,  he  t..r,k  po.s,  ,,im;i  ..i  ilie  f.irm.  ihe 
n.\:  a'nvj  l-'.-.-.L-ri-'i's  m  II.  T.i.-  pi  e-.-  w  i,  m  Sr  IV;, r  W'.irre  I's  (K.in.ii.i. 
and  Voung  paid  5s.  lod.  rent  fur  ten  \c.irs.  .m.l  .Htirviai.l  J  ;.  Ilu  1  m.il- 
>ias  remained  in  ]ios-essum  of  ibe  N  oiing  f.iiiiih  fioin  ,1  .a  ii.iy  i„  ih,s,  il.c 
ITcscnt  owner  being  Mi,sAnna  Young.  IV.er^'.mn-  hid  il.ax  s..ns.  the 
"Mest  of  whom,  (k-orge,  married  a  daughter  of  S.ill/  nii.i  m,,\ed  ,11  rn'.s  liic 
't'cl,  ;  William  m.irried  a  Cardinier  and  -c-.tl,;cl  in  r|.,ri,l,L  IVkt.  jr., 
nurricd  .M.irgarct  S.  rvi^s.  and  kei.t  the  home^icad. 

I'uringthe  ReM.lulion.ir>  war  the,  w.i,  the  relre.it  "I  the  mm-,  .,ii,l,.ii.ii,i^ 
'n  the-  neighborhood  when  threatened  by  the  saeage  encinv.  1  lu-y  loriu.d 
arauipbackof  the  lake  on  the  farm,  slullered  b;.  a  seiiii-i  ir.le  01  high,  ste.p 


hills.  Mrs.  Young,  whose  relatives  were  lories,  and  who  was  in  no  fear  cf  ' 
them  or  the  Indians,  cooked  and  carried  food  lo  the  refugees.  Another 
hiding  place  was  on  the  high  point  of  land  on  the  bank  of  the  creek.  At 
one  time  there  was  a  large  company  of  women  and  children  encamped  here. 
as  Indians  had  been  seen  up  the  stream.  It  was  in  the  autumn  and  i|uite 
cold,  and  they  had  risked  building  a  fire.  One  morning  the  watchman  spied 
a  company  of  men  appro.ai  hing  o\er  the  hills  to  the  east  of  the  camp. 
I'licy  were  supposed  to  be  the  enemy,  and  a  |ianic  was  created.  Some  lied 
to  the  lakeside  camp  ;  others  tried  to  put  out  the  fire,  which  would  betray 
their  position,  but  ihey  had  no  water,  and  the  more  they  raked  it,  the  more 
it  smoked.  They  were  soon  delightfully  relieved  by  the  arrival  of  the 
party,  who  proved  to  be  their  soldier  friends,  home  on  a  furlough. 

After  the  war,  Mrs.  Young's  tory  brothers,  John  and  Suflle  Servis-s  c.-me 
from  Canada  to  pay  her  a  visit.  .Mr.  Young  was  at  the  barn  threshing, 
and  happening  to  come  to  the  house  was  met  at  the  door  by  his  wife,  who 
told  him  of  the  arrival  of  her  brothers.  He  stepped  in,  took  down  his  old 
musket,  and  turning  to  John  Serviss,  said,  "  I  am  going  to  the  bam  to 
thresh  ;  in  an  hour  I  shall  come  back,  and  if  I  find  you  here  I  will  shoot 
you  down."  The  tory  naturally  bade  a  prompt  f.irewell  to  his  sister  and  set 
out  for  Canad.a.  The  suffering  and  loss  of  life  and  treasure  amon"  the 
frontier  patriots  at  the  hands  of  their  tory  neighbors  could  not  be  forgot- 
ten. 

Mrs.  Voung  w.as  a  great  nurse,  and  returning  one  night  from  a  visit  across 
the  creek  In  that  capacity,  saw  the  only  ghost  she  ever  met.  Having  pad- 
dled her  canoe  to  the  homeward  side  of  the  stream,  she  was  making  her 
way  through  a  cornfield  to  ihe  house,  when  an  apparition  tall  and  pale 
loomed  up  before  her.  After  staring  at  it  in  alarm  for  a  moment,  she  re- 
solved to  pass  around  it  through  the  corn,  but  as  she  attempted  to  do  so, 
the  old  white  horse  put  himself  also  in  molion  and  she  recovered  from  her 
fright. 

There  is  a  grave-yard  on  the  Voung  homestead,  which  is  the  resting  place 
of  several  generations  of  ihe  family,  and  probably  the  oldest  burial  ground 
in  the  town.  There  is  a  maple  tree  on  the  estate  from  which  five  genera- 
tions have  made  sugar. 

.\bout  a  mile  south  of  Ihe  Young  farm  settled  .\braham  Van  Home.  He 
was  sheriff  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution.  His  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Hannah  Hoff,  was  always  generous  and  helpful  to  the  neighbors 
when  in  need  or  trouble,  and  was,  of  course,  a  favorite  among  them.  A 
plot  was  once  formed  by  the  lories  10  kill  the  sheriff,  who  was  a  leading 
patriot.  The  assassins  gathered  round  his  house  by  night,  proposing  to 
shoot  him  through  a  window  as  he  lay  asleep  ;  but  fearing  they  could  not 
do  so  without  killing  his  wife,  they  postponed  the  deed.  The  plot  was  re- 
vealed; a  block  house  was  built  in  the  neighborhood  to  protect  the  patriots. 
Sheriff  Van  Home  after  the  war  removed  to  Herkimer  county.  Hisoidest 
I  son,  Cornelius,  kept  the  place.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Peter 
j     Young,  and  their  children  still  own  the  property. 

;         Still  further  south  there  were  a  few  settlers.who  were  troubled  by  losing 

their  cattle.     At  length  a  hunter  found  them  all  herded  in  a  clearing  across 

the  creek,  belonging  to  a  widow,  who  had  stolen  not  only  the  cows,  but 

other  pro])erty  of  her  neighbors.     The  latter  were  so  enraged  by  the  dis- 

'     eo'.ery  that  they  went  over  .and  shot  the  woman,  and  recovered  their  prop- 

I     erty.     Sheriff  Van    Home  and   his   next-door  neighbor,  J.acob   liunn,  on 

I      hearing  of  the  affair,  saddled  their  horses,  and  fording  the  creek,  buried 

\     the  victim  of   lynch-law,  flooring  the  grave  and   covering  the  body  with 

bark  before  shoveling   in  the  earth.     In  crossing  the  creek  on  the  return, 

I'.inn.  whowM,   "a  gro,,  fit  mm,"  slip^uj   friii   his  h-irse  in   th-  djep 


,ater.  and  was  n 
ima-hore.      1  le 


iiied  by  seizing  the  tail  of  the  animal,  whicn  drew 
served  for  a  still  mure  dangerous  adventure.  He 
n^pertion,  mounted  to  the  upper  scaffold  used  by 
li.i^a  birn  for  liiiu  and  had  it  nearly  done.  The 
•  men  of  hi^  ligiirc  and  gave  way,  the  bulky  projirie- 
1  win.  h  ..irrie.l  hnu  ihr.ingh  two  scaffolds  be  lew  it 


id. 


luirt 


This  farm  »a 

s  alterw.ini  i 

oujlt 

,V     11.111 

witii  his  grand-i 

liildren.      A 

■la,  e  1 

elow  ll 

■ho.'tly  alier  the 

Kcvolulicn 

.v  Dav 

id  I'm 

^■..aug   for   a    f. 

iin    in    Char 

eslou, 

now   ll 

\,.ang    sold    hi 

new    a..|ii 

silion 

to  Will 

mill  at  Ihe  falls. 

It  was  kep 

up    f, 

r   m.iii 

Ihe    dcslriie 

turn   0 

Ihc    1 

el   \'. 


Ill 


who   b. 


,  at   Ibe   falls,  was  pur,  h. 

He  soon  traded  with   I' 

IVter  Van   Home  pi.,,,-. 


s.  but    was 
at   th.it   p. 


vho    liUlll 

.is    abaniln 


114 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


This  was  a  great  fishing  |jlace  for  the  Indians,  who  reserved  it  in  their 
negotiations  with  the  whiter  In  the  ■'i'nng.  when  the  MRker>  «_anie  up  the 
stream  to  deposit  their  eggs,  great  t|uantities  were  caught  here  by  the  fisher- 
men, who  were  on  hand  day  and  night.  The  current  was  so  swift  that  the 
fish  could  pass  up  only  near  the  shore  A  sort  of  pound  was  built  out 
from  the  bank,  enclosed,  except  for  a  space  at  the  lower  end.  into  which 
the  fish  flocked  and  were  taken  out  with  a  net.  Hooks  and  lines  were  also 
used.  The  construction  of  the  dam  at  ?'ort  Hunter  prevented  the  fish 
from  ascending  the  stream,  and  spoiled  the  fishing  ground. 

The  Frederick  mills  were  leased,  with  eight  acres  of  land,  to  Thomas 
Tollman  and  James  I'ersons.  who  built  a  grist  mill,  a  carding  machine,  an 
oil  mill,  and  a  blacksmith  shop,  with  a  trip  hammer.  They  did  a  thriving 
business,  until  they  were  entirely  burned  out  in  1H06.  They  rebuilt,  but 
soon  sold  out  to  Wareham  Scott,  he  to  Lyndes  Jones,  he  to  Samuel  Jack- 
son, and  the  last  to  John  J.  Wells,  an  active,  enterprising  man,  who  built 
a  saw  mill  in  1828,  and  afterward  a  plaster  mill,  a  di>lillery,  and  several 
houses.  The  dams  which  he  built  for  the  use  of  his  mills  were  repeatedly 
swept  away  by  freshets,  and  finally  the  distillery,  plaster  mill  and  a  large 
bam  were  destroyed  by  the  same  agency.  Mr.  Wells  was  near!\  bankrupted 
by  his  loss,  and  a  store  owned  by  him  was  sold  out  to  his  creditors  at  high 
prices:  in  the  stock  were  two  beaver  fur  caps,  and  the  men  who  got  them 
used  to  boast  of  wearing  forty  dollar  caps.  Wells  sold  the  rest  of  his 
property  here  in  1861  to  Charles  Fieldhauer,  who  beside  running  the  mills, 
manufactured  brooms.  The  whole  establishment  was  burned  out  in  1863, 
and  the  ground  sold  to  a  Mr.  Veeder,  who  built  grist  and  saw-mills,  which 
he  sold  to  Mr.  H.  Buchanan,  the  present  owner. 

Very  early  in  this  centun,-,  Henry,  son  of  Peter  Voorhees,  built  a  store 
at  the  Florida  end  of  the  bridge  then  spanning  the  Schoharie  at  Mill 
Point.     In  1816  the  building  was  taken  down  and  removed  to  Minaville. 

PIONEER  SCHOOL  HOUSES. 

The  first  frame  school  house  in  the  northern  part  of  Florida  was  built 
in  1806,  at  Belding's  Comers,  on  the  site  of  the  present  school  house  of 
District  No.  3.  The  Methodists  of  the  neighborhood  contributed  toward 
its  erection,  in  order  that  they  might  use  it  also  as  a  meeting-house.  John 
Van  Derveer.  Daniel  Herrick  and  Squire  John  Cireen,  were  the  building 
committee.  Bartholomew  Helding,  in  whose  barn  religious  meetings  had 
been  held,  took  an  active  part  in  behalf  of  the  church  in  the  construction 
of  the  new  edifice.  The  only  survivors  among  the  first  pupils  who  studied 
in  this  building  are  Garret  Van  Derveer.  of  Florida,  and  John  Herrick,  who 
now  lives  in  Otsego  county.  Two  of  their  school  mates  have  recently 
died — Isaac  De  draff  and  his  sister,  Mrs.  Jennie  Barkhoff. 

The  first  school-house  in  the  southwestern  i)art  of  tht  town  was  a  log 
one,  built  about  17S5.  on  what  is  now  (ieurge  Serviss'  farm.  The  first 
teacher  was  a  man  named  Wright. 

The  first  frame  school  house  in  this  region  was  built  on  the  site  of  the 
present  No.  9. 

LEADIN(i   MKN    IN   FI.oRlD.XS   HISTnRV. 

We  ought  not  lo  forbear  mention  of  the  worthies  whose  good  deeds  and 
upright  lives  have  come  down  to  us  as  examples  of  the  good  and  true,  for 
" — When  a  good  man  dies. 

For  years  beyond  our  ken. 
The  light  he  leaves  behind  him  lies 
Upon  the  jaths  of  men  " 
David  Cady.  a  young  survevor  from  Stnnington.  Conn  probably  about 
17S0.  found  his  way  to  this  pan  nf  Mnh.Twk  district,  as  alrc.uiv  stated. 
He  became  agent  fur  Walts,  whfi  sult^e«|ticntly  purchased  the  Karl  of 
Abingdon's  lands,  and  relatit)ns  of  intmiary  and  confidence  subsisted 
between  the  two  until  death  interrupted  them.  David  Cady  married  Ann. 
daughter  of  Lawrence  Shukr,  in  f;S_^  Ihenc  eforward  he  rcsideil  in 
Flonda,  until  hi>  death  in  1818.  He  be<  anie  a  leading  man  in  the  tt^wn  as 
merchant  and  farmer,  honorably  set  uicd  a  large  property,  filled  for  a  long 
time  the  offices  of  district  justice,  supervisor,  and  county  jud;.'e.  vvas  a 
member  of  the  Legislature,  and  held  a  commis^iion  as  captain  of  militia 
under  C,ov.  C.eorge  Clinton,  1792.  The  house  built  liy  Judge  Cady  was 
regarded  as  .|utte  a  wonder.  The  carpenter's  wife  came  to  see  it  when 
done,  and  when  the   mistress  remarked  that  their  furniture  had   not  yet 


arrived  from  Albany,  e.xclaimed,  "  ()  dear,  if  I  had  such  a  house  I  wi.ii.j 
not  I  are  if  1  had'nt  any  furniture  I" 

The  famous  jurist,  Daniel  Cady,  was  in  his  youth  for  some  time  an  in- 
mate of  this  house.  To  that  same  house  came  alscj  a  voung  Knglislim,, 
who  had  been  a  commercial  lra\eler  in  his  early  home,  and  here  cmbarki .; 
in  a  small  way  at  first,  in  the  line  he  knew  the  best,  winning  by  indusir\ 
and  intelligence  daily  a  larger  sphere.  Samuel  Jackson,  for  this  was  In^ 
name,  became  a  successful  merchant,  a  wealthy  capitalist  and  a  large  laiul 
owner,  and  won  a  respected  place  for  the  qualities  he  evinced,  and  that  Kil 
him  to  so  large  success.  He  filled  acceptably  various  town  offices  andw.u 
member  of  the  Legislature,  and  Presidential  elector.  He  maintained  an 
elegant  home  in  the  town  of  his  adoption  through  a  very  long  life,  and  his 
ashes  now  repose  in  the  Minaville  cemetery.  Mr.  Jackson  and  Mr.  Cadv 
became  partners  in  mercantile  affairs,  bought  and  shipped  wheat  to  New- 
York,  receiving  generous  returns  for  their  ventures.  Mr.  Jackson  married 
and  settled  in  the  near  vicinity,  and  built  a  fine  residence,  that  yet  wear\ 
bravely  its  years.  He  brought  the  first  piano  into  the  town,  for  the  use  of 
his  family.  Mrs.  Jackson,  a  woman  of  energy,  tact  and  judgment,  "looked 
well  to  the  ways  of  her  household."  She  had  a  great  fondness  for  fiowers„ 
and  rare  plants,  and  was  most  successful  in  their  culture.  For  years  her 
garden  was  a  thing  of  beauty,  and  she  transferred  o  it  many  a  neglected 
wild  flower  that  developed  in  new  and  greater  beauty  under  her  care. 
Her  husband  gratified  this  passion  by  seeds  and  plants  from  distant  locali- 
ties. A  package  of  nameless  seeds  thus  sent,  she  planted  in  boxes  in  her 
house,  and  cared  for  the  tender  seedlings  all  winter,  and  from  those  seeds 
came  the  first  locusts  in  the  town,  and  doubtless  the  stock  of  all  the  later 
progenv.  Her  wilderness  of  roses,  and  gay  beds  of  gorgeous  colors,  at- 
tracted passers  by  to  stop  and  admire.  She  survived  her  husband  several 
years,  and  now  lies  beside  him. 

Doctor  John  De  La  Mater,  bom  and  reared  in  this  town,  became  a 
physician  of  eminence.  For  many  years  he  was  an  able  professor  ::i  hi.> 
calling,  at  Fairfield,  and  at  Cleveland.  Ohio.  He  died  there,  a  "  beioved 
physician"  for  his  amiable  disposition,  gentle  manners  and  goodness  of 
heart. 

George  Smith  occupied  a  prominent  place  in  the  social  and  political 
annals  of  the  town.  He  filled  usefully  and  ably  several  town  oflices,  and 
was  a  courteous  and  successful  merchant.  He  gave  the  name  of  Minaville 
to  the  little  hamlet  of  his  residence.  He  married  two  daughters  of  Judge 
Cady,  and  built  a  residence,  at  the  time  of  its  erection  regarded  the  finest 
in  the  county — a  dwelling  who.se  carvings  and  enrichments  constitute  u  ;i 
good  evidence  of  his  fine  taste  and  generous  views.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  man 
of  natural  polish,  always  the  gentleman  as  well  as  an  intelligent  business 
man.  He  subsequently  purchased  and  improved  Fort  Johnson,  antl 
dwelt  there  until  his  death. 

Doctor  Stephen  Reynolds  resided  at  Mina\iile.  and  was  a  man  of  gene 
ral  int'ormation,  an  ardent  agriculturist,  even  iniblishing  some  small  works 
upon  the  subject,  and  bv  his  thrift  and  acumen  amassed  a  hand.sonie 
propertv.  Me  was  the  father  of  Mr  Man  us  T  Ruvnolds.  the  .listingui^!.- 
ed  lau\er.  who  r.-.i,  he.l  .1  foremost  r.ink  in  his  pn.fe-i.m.  and  obtaine-l  .: 
large  pra<  tice   at  .\mslerdam.  and  at    .\lbany.  where  he  died,  ripe  in  ye.ir-. 

Horn  and  reared  in  ibis  town,  Samuel  \'oorhees  and  John  Watts  Caib 
were  school-mates  together  at  the  old  stone  manse  at  Fort  Hunter,  were 
fitted  for  college,  entered  and  graduated  at  I'nion.  Doctor  Vonrhee- 
studied  medicine  with  Doctor  Re>  nolds,  married  his  daughter  and  settled 
early  at  Amsterdam,  where  he  reside.l  until  hi>  death,  t'ull  of  years.  Hew  ■.- 
always  ha|ipy  to  tell  his  boyhond  ]tranks  and  li\e  o\  er  .igain  his  cirlii-' 
years.  John  Watts  Ca.ly.  after  his  graduation,  entered  the  office  of  Daiu.  i 
Cady.  at  Johnstown,  and  was  afterwards  his  partner  h.r  s-.nie  years.  nK^.n- 
his  esteemed  friend  and  associate  through  life.  Me  r^teived  honor.il'.> 
e\  idem  e  of  jiopular  favor,  being  elected  superv  i>..r,  jiistu  e,  member  of  il.- 
legislature,  and  representative  in  Congress.  He  resided  always  at  John- 
town  until  his  death,  scarcely  past  his  prime,  in  1S54,  a  genial,  gencroi:- 
man,  always  reg.irdeil  of  strictest  integrity,  of  liberal  views,  and  unblemish- 
ed honor. 

To  this  namesake  Mr.  John  Watts  presented  a  large  Hible.  Loiulon. 
'75.V  Upon  the  cover  are  the  Walts  coat  of  arms,  and  the  ins(  ription-  : 
"  New  York,  20th  July.  1790.  Presented  to  the  congregation  m  Warrtii- 
burgh,  of  which  Rev.  Mr.  James  Dempster  is  now  minister."  "i,Sr4,  I'rc 
sented  lo  J.ihn  Watts  Cady.  of  Johnstown,  by  his  friend  John  Watts.  New 
York."  It  is  in  excellent  preservation,  and  an  interesting  relic  of  ]'."'' 
years.     Mr.  Watts,  besides  the  Hible,  presented  to  Mr.  Deinjister's  congre- 


EMINENT  CITIZENS  OF  FLORIDA— VILLAGES  OF  THE  TOWN. 


IIS 


tfation  a  piece  of  land,  which  is  still  known  as  the  Dempster  lot. 

The  Hon.  Piatt  Potter,  now  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  passed  his 
6r»t  professional  years  in  Florida,  and  was  the  boon  companion  of  a  kin- 
dred circle.  He  removed  to  Schenectady,  where  he  still  resides.  Henry 
p.  Voorhees,  Tunis  Hubijard.  Cornelius  Phillips  and  John  Barlow  were 
men  worthy  of  note;  and  Col.  Peter  Voung,  an  intelligent  and  upright  man. 
spent  a  well-lived  lite  in  this  town.  His  home  was  a  secluded  one,  in  a 
<lell  nenr  the  Schoharie  creek  and  a  small  sheet  of  water  bearing  the  name 
of  •' Voung's  Lake."  The  farm  is  still  in  possession  of  members  of  the 
family,  and  boasts  of  a  monster  maple  tree,  that  has  been  tapped  yearly 
over  a  century,  and  still  yields  generously  its  sweets.  Col.  Voung  wa^ 
esteemed  in  the  community  for  his  probity  and  christian  character.  He 
held  various  town  offices,  and  also  represented  his  district  as  member  of 
.\.>scnil»ly.  He  raised  a  large  family,  and  died  in  the  liuiiic  he  so  long 
occupied. 

Rev.  Nicholas  Hill,  originally  from  Schenectady,  was  long  a  resident  of 
the  town,  and  made  a  lasting  impress  upon  his  time.  At  the  early  age  of 
len  years  he  became  a  drummer  in  the  army,  and  so  served  until  the  close 
of  the  Revolutionary  war,  when  he  took  up  his  life's  work.  A  man  of 
vigorous  mind,  of  executive  force  and  determined  zeal,  he  became  a  Metho- 
dist preacher  of  wide  note.  He  preached  in  dwellings  and  barns,  and 
reared  churches,  and  beat  the  ra-eille  that  aroused  many  a  hardened  sin- 
ner. He  owned  a  fine  farm,  and  reared  a  large  family  upon  it;  but  he 
never  forgot  his  higher  calling,  and  for  a  half  century  or  more  never  feared 
to  declare  "  the  whole  counsel  of  (iod."  and  to  invite  the  thirsting  to  the 
"river  of  the  waters  of  life."  He  was  the  father  of  Mr.  Nicholas  Hill.  jr.. 
who  reached  eminence  as  a  lawyer,  residing  in  .\lbany,  and  well  known  by 
his  voluminous  and  able  law  reports. 

This  town  was  the  native  place  of  one  of  the  most  eminent  ministers  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Rev.  John  Dempster,  D.  D.  He  was 
bom  about  179J,  entered  the  ministry  at  the  age  of  twentv-two,  and  was 
appointed  presiding  elder  at  thirty-five.  He  won  a  great  name  and  ex- 
erted a  powerf'jl  influence  by  the  stirring  eloquence  with  »vhich  he  preached 
among  the  pioneer  posts  of  Methodism  in  Central  New  York  and  else- 
where. At  the  age  of  forty-two  he  went  as  a  missionary  to  Buenos  Avres, 
His  father,  Rev.  James  Dempster,  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  clergyman  else- 
where mentioned,  was  educated  at  Edinburgh  University,  but  his  son's 
education  was  neglected  until  after  his  conversion,  in  his  eighteenth  vear. 
From  that  time  forward  he  studied  with  extreme  diligence  in  all  the  oppor- 
tunities he  could  snatch  from  his  arduous  ministerial  labors.  He  thus 
overcame  his  early  disadvantages,  and  his  rank  is  with  the  scholarly  men 
of  the  church.  Returning  from  South  America,  he  spent  the  last  twenty 
years  of  his  life  in  founding  and  in  professorships  at  several  theological  in- 
stitutions of  his  church,  including  one  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  and  was  acting 
as  president  of  (larret  Biblical  Institute,  at  Evanston.  III.,  when  he  died. 
in  1863. 

Entering  the  store  of  his  bruiher-in-law,  (leorgc  Smith,  at  twelve,  Jav 
Cady  early  gave  evidence  of  more  than  ordinary  capabilities.  Absent 
f'tr  a  lime  from  the  town,  he  returned  in  1S26,  and  for  manv  vears  held  a 
leading  place  in  its  affairs.  .\  merchant  of  sagacitv,  a  wise  t  ounsellor,  pub- 
li«  spirited  and  far  seeing,  he  exerted  his  influence  alwavs  for  good.  He 
removed  to  St  henectady,  as  [tresident  of  the  Schenectady  Bank,  holding 
the  position  until  his  death  in  1874.  He  accumulated  a  large  fortune, 
which  he  used  generously.     The  needy  never  appealed  to  him  in  vain. 

\tlla(;es  of  the  town. 

Four  post  offices  supply  the  maij  facilities  of  the  town.  Pour  J.acksun, 
the  largest  of  the  villages,  lies  upon  the  canal  and  river  opposite  .\nisler- 
dam,  and  affords  pleasant  homes  for  many  persons  doing  busmess  at  that 
place,  besides  other  inhal>itant.s,  numbering  in  all  about  500. 

It  hasone  church.  Reformed,  built  in  1850.  in  good  repair,  and  well  at- 
tended. A  commodious  public  school-house,  coal  yards,  grocery  stores, 
and  mechanics'  shops,  supply  well  the  wants  of  its  people  and  vicinity.  .\ 
•'parious  dry  dock  affords  godd  fa<  ilities  for  repairs  of  canal  boats,  and 
the  freighting  interests  of  the  canal  form  no  inconsider.Thle  item  in  the 
business  of  the  place,  large  quantities  of  coal,  iron,  flax-seed.  Hnseed  oil 
«ake,   machinery,  grains,  .ind  heavy  merchandise,  being  ret  eived   here    in 


Prominent  among  the  enterprising  residents  of  thv  luh 


'  portion  of 


I  the  town  of  Florida,  are  the  members  of  the  firm  of  Van  Buren  \-  Put- 
man,  who  located  in  Port  Jackson,  in  1861,  succeeding  Van  .\ntwcrp  jnd 
Van  Buren  in  the  flour,  feed  and  grain  business.  They  now  do  an  annual 
business  of  $123,000. 

J.  A.  Eldrett  has  an  extensive  manufactory  of  carriages  and  slctgh-  jt 
the  same  place,  and  J.  W.  Perkins  a  superior  foundry  and  machme  <\\'>u 
Lewis  Phillips  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  as  well  as  attcndm  •  to 
his  farm  on  the  river. 

\V.  H.  Moore,  through  his  well  kept  hostelry,  attends  to  the  wants  ui  ihc 
traveling  public. 

Chauncey  Munsell  is  an  educator  of  the  tastes  of  the  people,  in  the  c-ro  - 
tion  of  model  dwelling  houses  for  their  comfort  and  convcnieni  c. 

Port  Jackson  stands  on  land  which,  at  the  time  of  the  construciimi  uf 
the  Erie  Canal  along  here,  was  owned  by  Ephraim  Brockwav  and  I.cu|^ 
Phillips.  There  were  then  only  three  houses  at  this  point,  whith  vi.is 
spoken  of  by  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  as  "down  to  the  ferrv,"  ihc 
ferry  being  then  in  operation.  Soon  after  the  canal  was  opened,  b-lin 
Stilwell  erected  a  brick  store  building  now  occupied  by  Van  Buren  ,V 
Putman  as  a  feed  store,  in  which  he  for  several  years  carried  on  a  lar  'c 
trade.  He  also  did  an  extensive  business  in  lumber.  A  few  vears  lau-r 
George  Warwick  started  an  opposition  store.  'I'he  only  stores  in  this 
region  in  the  first  years  of  this  century,  were  one  carried  on  bv  a  man 
named  De  Forest,  just  below  the  Blood  farm  ;  another  on  ^■ankee  Hill, 
kept  by  one  Hall,  on  the  place  now  owned  by  John  Dean,  and  a  third  on 
the  property  now  owned  by  N.  J.  Becker.  Ephraim  Brockwav.  above- 
named,  kept  a  tavern  on  the  place  belonging  to  J.  J.  (irav.  at  Port 
Jackson.  There  were  others  on  Lewis  Phillips'  farm  and  at  Yankee  Hill, 
the  last  kept  by  Hallet  Greenman,  and  standing  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  J.  Walrath. 

SlOtchbush  Post-office,  perhaps  better  known  as  Powder  Spring,  is  a 
small  hamlet  of  private  dwellings,  with  a  school-house  and  some  shops,  ()n 
the  eastern  border  of  the  town,  near  a  powder  spring  of  considerable  local 
notoriety  and  resort.  Its  waters  have  been  analyzed,  and  are  deemed  etti- 
cacious  in  rheumatism  and  cutaneous  diseases.  The  spring  is  nicely  curl-eil 
and  pavilioned.  The  flow,  though  not  copious,  is  constant,  and  cattle  seek 
the  milky  stream  with  avidity.  A  hotel  and  bath-houses  have  been  pro- 
jected here,  but  not  constructed. 

MiNAvii.L.F.  nearest  the  geographical  centre  of  the  town,  received  its 
name  in  1818.  replacing  the  not  very  distinctive  title  "The  Street."  or  us 
less  elegant  form  of  "  Yankee  Street,"  by  which  it  was  long  known.  It 
was  early  and  for  many  years  iiuite  a  centre  of  country  trade.  It  is  preltily 
situated  in  a  wide,  verdant  bowl,  whose  southern  rim  is  the  Shellstone 
and  Bean  Hill  ranges,  and  its  northern  horizon  a  lower  line  of  ridges,  form- 
ing a  woody  fringe.  Through  it  flows  the  winding  Chucteniinda.  The 
ipiiet  air  of  thrift  and  comfort  that  rests  upon  the  place  is  not  tinaiirat  ;i\e, 
and  one  could  find  here  a  pleasant  home  if  seeking  seclusion,  "the  world 
forgetting,  by  the  world  forgot."  Two  churches,  stores,  a  hotel,  m  hool- 
house,  a  cheese-factory  and  several  shops  are  comprised  in  the  \illam.-. 
The  Reformed  church  was  built  in  iSo8.  The  residence  now  occupied  by 
Gen.  E.  .\.  Brown  was  erected  in  1811,  and  was  then  famous  as  the  hnc-'l 
jirivate  residence  in  the  county  of  Montgomery. 

Dr.  Z.  H.  Barney,  of  Minaville,  is  a  native  of  Vermont.  He  gr.i.ln- 
ated  at  Castlcton  College  in  that  State,  and  began  the  practi*  e  of  nu-dn  mc 
in  Saratoga  county,  N.  V.,  whence  he  removed  to  Port  Jacks<»n  in  iXj't. 
and  two  years  later  to  Minaville,  where  he  has  since  followed  his  profes- 
sion. He  is  seventy-eight  years  of  age,  and  probably  the  oldest  prnrtu  ing 
physician  in  the  c  oiinty. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Minaville  was  organized  about  i-*<;5, 
and  the  present  building  erected.  The  men  chiefly  instrumental  in  found- 
ing this  church  were  Rev.  Nicholas  Hill.  Samuel  R.  Grithth.  Henry  Peitm- 
gill,  Benjamin  Herrick,  William  Thayer  and  Marcus  P.  Rowl.md.  Am.mg 
the  preachers  here  have  been  Revs.  Henry  Stead,  Henry  L.  Si.irks.  Stcb- 
bins  Joseph  Connor.  Ripley.  Warner.  J.  W.  Devendorf,  Clark.  Joseph 
Cope.  Witherell.  Jarvis.  Duval!.  Townsend  and  J.  Hull,  the  latter  no»  in 
charge. 

Soon  after  the  organization  'if  the  sr  cie  v  a  great  revival  oci  iirrcd.  under 
the  labors  of  the  Re\,  Mr.  Starks,  which  .added  largely  to  the  onginatlv 
small  membership  of  the  church.  It  was  again  reduced,  however,  bv  ilie 
formation  of  the  Methodist  societies  at  Fort  Hunter  and  eUewhore.  and 
there  are  now  only  about  fifty  members.  Jacob  Earnest,  one  of  the  stew- 
ards, has  held  the  positiim  some  forty  years.    A  ])ar.sonage  was  built  ab<nit 


lie 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


the  year  1840,  and   the  total  value  of  the  church  property  is  estimated  at 
froon  $3,500  to  ^,000. 

At  a  place  tormcrly  railed  Mudgk  Hollow,  on  Chuctenunda  creek, 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  its  mouth,  there  were,  about  the  beginning  of 
this  century,  two  grist-mills  and  a  tannery,  the  mills  owned  by  one  Rowland 
and  Mudge  &  McDonald,  and  the  tannery  by  Bethuel  Dean.  *i"hese 
buildings,  together  with  a  saw-mdl  at  the  same  place,  have  passed  away. 
On  the  site  of  the  latter,  which  was  owned  by  Andrew  Frank,  now  stands 
the  Serviss  saw-milK  Haslelt  li:  Curtis  were  hatters  in  the  Hollow  in  the 
time  of  its  prosperity. 

PRESENT  CHURCHES. 


UNITED    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH    OF    FLORIDA. 

This  is  popularly  known  as  the  Scotch  Church.  Its  founders  were  Scotch 
people  who  settled  here  toward  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  The 
cfanrch  is  known  to  have  been  in  existence  in  179S,  and  was  probably  or- 
ganized at  least  ttn  years  earlier,  though  the  year  is  not  positively  known. 
The  following  were  the  first  members:  John  Adair.  John  Milminc,  John 
McKerlic,  John  McKie,  Alexander  Murray.  John  Lyle,  Wm.  Lander, 
Daniel  .Munson,  John  McGloch.  John  Smeallie,  Alexander  Ke"  hie,  An- 
drew Crawford,  James  Murray  and  Diniel  Morrison. 

Tlie  first  house  of  worship  was  built  in  1800,  on  a  plot  of  ground  which 
belonged  to  the  farm  cf  Mr.  Derrick  Van  Vecliten,  in  the  eastern  corner 
of  the  town.  The  jiresent  house  was  erected  on  the  same  site  in  1S46. 
The  first  interment  in  the  burying  ground  attached,  was  made  in  1S02. 
The  church  lot  was  gi\(.n  Ity  Mr,  \'an  V(.chLcn  in  consideration  of  five 
ihilliags  and  a  pew  in  per[)etuity. 

Probably  one  of  the  first  preachers  to  this  society  was  Rev.  James  fJemp- 
^ter,  elsewhere  spoken  of.  Dr.  John  Hanks  was  pastor  for  1S02  till  1S16; 
the  Kcv.  Mr.  Dunaldson  from  1S17  to  1S20  ;  Rev.  Peter  Campbell  from 
1S23  10  1S43  ;  Rev.  tieorge  M.  Hall  from  1849  to  1S63  ;  Rev.  R.  D.  Wil- 
liamson from  iHGz  to  1S70.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  R.  Rogers,  took 
charge  in  1871. 

The  present  membership  is  aiiout  150.  The  Sunday  school  was  organ- 
ized in  1850.     The  scholars  at  present  number  about  go. 

THE    FORT    HUNTER    METHODIST  CHURCH. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  society  of  Fort  Hunter  was  organized  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Parks  in  1S56.  Meetings  were  at  first  held  in  the  school  house 
south  of  the  present  church.  Mr.  Parks  was  followed  by  Rev.  Messrs.  A. 
G.  DcTcndorf,  Ell.ott.  Craig,  Rose,  Deli.  Clark,  Cope,  Wilhercll.  Duvall, 
T'own^nd.  Word  an. I  H.ill. 

The  present  <  hurch  w.i^  luiilt  in  1S60,  atul  dedicated  in  January,  1S61, 
during  the  i).Lsti)rate  of  the  Rev.  .Mr.  Cr.iig.  The  tru>:eesat  that  time  were  : 
John  I-  VoorhccF,  Cnrruliiis  Wur.ple,  John  W.  Uriggv,  Spencer  \"oorhees, 
Giles  Ohlen,  NiLhubs  Wukirk,  John  .McGr.uv,  Nebon  Reese,  and  H.  A. 
De\endorf.  The  1  iiurt  h  is  a  \\i>oden  building,  30  by  40  feet,  and  cost 
§1,450.     The  lot  of  half  .111  acre  cost  5:50. 

I-LORn)A  FARMS  AND   FARMERS. 

William  McClu.mi'HA  in  1S57  located  on,  and  has  since  owned,  one 
hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land,  known  as  the  P>elding  farm. 

I,.  Piiii  Lii's  owns  a  farm  of  some  three  hundred  acres,  which  Lewis 
Phillips  settled  on  about  1770.  It  was  afterward  owned  by  Philip,  John 
and  David  I'hillips. 

The  farm  of  A.  ('.  Piui  i  irs  was  in  the  pos--cs>ion  of  three  generations 
of  the  f.THiily  before  him.  It  was  originally  settled  and  owned  by  Cor- 
nelius Philips,  wh..  was  killed  at  Oriskany.  His  son,  William,  was  the 
next  proprietor,  and  h;inded  down  the  estate  to  his  son,  Cornelius,  on 
Tvhose  death,  in  1S65,  it  ft.!l  to  his  si,x\,  the  present  owner. 


The  farm  now  owned  by  Hiram   Hubds  was  first  occupied  by  JacoI> 
Vandervcer  after  the  Revolution,  and  next  by  his  son,  Asher.     Corneliur<j^ 
and  John   Hubbs  then  owned  the  place  until  the  present  proprietor  camc^ 
into  po-session.     A  family  burial  ground  on  the  farm  contains  the  remains 
of  the  former  generations  of  the  family. 

R.  M.  Harilkv's  farm  was  something  of  a  business  centre  about  a  cen- 
tury ago,  there  being  a  grist  mill,  potash  works,  a  small  store,  etc.,  at  thii 
point,  no  traces  of  which  remain. 

L.  CoNOVER   is   the  third   of   the  name  who   ha\e  owned   the  farm  or> 
which  he  now  lives.     The  first  was  Ruloff  Conover,  from  New  Jersey,  who  ' 
purchased  it,  about  1 790.  from  one  Fhillips,  and  occupied  it  until  his  death 
in  1823.     It  then  pa-,-<ed  into  the  hands  of  his  son,  Cornelius,  who  died  in 
1865,  leaving  the  property  to  the  present  owner. 

Richard  Davis  is  the  proprietor  of  a  farm  owned  by  one  Kline  during 
the  Revolution,  afterward  by  Benjamin  Petlingill,  and  then  by  C.  Bent, 
until  it  came  into  the  possession  of  Clark  Davis  about  1835.  From  him  it 
passed,  in  1865,  to  his  son,  who  has  since  owned  and  occupied  it. 

J.  Q.  Johnson  owns  a  farm,  part  of  which  was  the  old  Johnson  home- 
stead, the  buildings  on  which  stood  south  of  the  present  ones,  and  on  ihc 
opposite  side  of  the  creek.  Andrew  Johnson  located  here  about  1790, 
and  remained  until  his  death  in  1S06.  William  and  Daniel  Schuyler 
bought  out  his  heirs  and  kept  the  place  until  1S28,  when  Jacob,  a  son  of 
Andrew  Johnson,  purchased  it.  He  lived  in  the  old  house  until  1832, 
when  he  bought  the  adjoining  property,  on  which  he  lived  uiuil  his  death 
in  1874.  The  estate  then  fell  to  the  present  owner.  His  house  was  built 
by  Dr.  Stephen  Reynolds  in  1804,  and  is  thus  o.ie  of  the  oldest  in  the 
town.  'Ihe  ground  for  the  Chuctenunda  Ct-meCery  was  bou;^ht  cff  tins 
farm  in  1^60. 

Daniel  Schuyler's  farm  was  owned  by  William  Schuyler  about  the 
time  of  the  Revolution.  It  fell  to  Jacob  Schu>Ier  in  1789,  and  on  hi* 
death  in  1S06,  to  his  son,  Daniel,  from  whom  it  descended  to  the  present 
owner  in  1862. 

A.  Sekviss  is  the  great-grandson  of  the  original  owner  of  his  farm,  which 
was  also  the  property  of  his  grandfather,  Christopher,  and  his  father,  Law- 
rence Serviss.  The  present  owner  inherited  the  property  in  1S4S,  and  has 
since  occupied  it. 

J.  H.  Stalev's  farm  was  taken  up  by  one  Bunn.  It  was  aftenvard 
owned  by  John  Staley  until  1862,  when  it  came  into  the  hands  cf  the 
present  proprietor. 

The  place  owned  by  James  Ca>ev  was  settled  scon  after  the  Revolution 
by  Robert  Casey,  and  remained  in  his  hands  until  his  death  in  1841,  when 
it  fell  to  the  present  owner,  who  has  made  it  his  home  from  that  time. 

The  farm  of  W.  A.  Mu  mine  was  bought  from  Anne  Wilinot's  patent  by 
Gerrit  Van  Sente,  jr.,  of  .Mbany.  He  deeded  it  to  John  Stratc,  who  first 
settled  on  the  place,  which  he  occupied  until  1802.  He  then  sold  it  U* 
John  M limine,  whose  descend.ints  have  since  held  the  jiroperty.  John 
Milmine's  lon  .Alexander  inherited  the  farm  in  1828,  and  owned  it  until 
1834,  when  the  present  owner  came  into  possession. 

.\n  instance  of  long  tenure  of  an  estate  in  the  same  family,  not  very  r.irj 
in  this  old  county,  is  seen  in  the  case  of  the  farm  now  owned  by  J.  H.  V.w 
Vechtfn.  It  was  cleared  by  his  great  grandfather,  Hubarlas  Van  Vcchltn, 
who  took  possession  of  the  land  about  1770.  His  son  Derrick  was  hi^ 
successor  in  the  ownership  of  the  |)Iace,  and  bonded  it  down  to  his  son 
David.  From  him  the  present  owner  bought  part  of  the  estate  about  i846» 
and  inherited  the  remainder  in  1S72.  In  the  family  cemetery  on  the  farm 
the  remains  of  the  original  owner  and  his  wife  havu  lain  about  a  hundred 
years. 

A  similar  case  is  that  of  the  Keachik  farm,  which  was  first  occupied  by 
Andrew  K.e.ichie,  before  the  Revolution,  and  on  his  d--.\th  in  1825  fell  U> 
his  son  John,  who.  after  cultivating  it  for  thirty-eight  years,  kft  it  to  hi5 
three  sons,  two  of  whom,  F.  and  A.  Keachie,  still  ocrupy  it. 

J.  Rellev's  place  is  another  that  has  been  cultivated  from  before  the 
Revolution,  when  it  was  owned  by  William  Stewart.  After  the  war  it  w.n 
the  property  successively  of  Wni.  Bigham,  his  son  John,  and  John  Ki.!l)V 
before  it  came  into  the  hands  of  the  present  owner  in  1S40. 


f 


-ni 


3iS 


\-^ 


"Ji^^m^^mS^A  \v  v::>^-.' 


^frj-.  o/^     John   0.    ScHurt.eR.      Tow/v  or  Gls/v,     Mo/vTooMs/fr  €0.  /V.  K 


0^.^'^^4t^-W^i^  ^|. 


^-^^^  ^^       x'^H 


..  ^.-'g^^^- 


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xr^ 


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'iS^'t:35.. 


--.^4:J^ 


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/Pr5.    o>^  -p-LtTCHef^    VAM    W(E     ro^vr/    or    Hoot    MorvrooMcfir  Co.  /V.  K 


/.  -■-   ■:  .0}  "■'- '     .'■'"'  ^:'  w ?•'■■.■>.• "" ■         '  ■  •■^'  :S;^  -s^rt  /-y^ 


••j^V^:-'^^v'---'f^ 


/t-^vS-.  o/^     1.EVVJS   VAN    CPPS.     /^c^i.vont'/i.i.^.   HofJTcoMC/fyCo.^.Y. 


PIONEERS  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  GLEN. 


117 


THE  TOWN  OF  GLEN. 


The  town  of  Glen  was  formed  from  the  town  of  Charleston,  on  the  loth 
^ay  of  .April,  1823,  On  the  first  Tuesday  in  the  month,  the  town  organi- 
tation  was  formally  completed  by  the  election  of  the  following  board  of 
officers  :  William  Putman,  supervisor  ;  Ebenezer  Green,  clerk  ;  James 
Voorhees,  Thomas  Van  Derveer,  and  Jacob  F.  Starin,  assessors  ;  Jacob 
F.  Lansing  and  Henry  .\I.  Gardenier,  commissioners  of  highways  ;  Elijah 
Mount  and  Christian  Enders,  overseers  of  the  poor;  John  C.  Van  .-Vlstine 
»nd  Honland  Fish,  commissioners  of  schcols  ;  Cornelius  C  an  Home, 
inspector  of  schools  ;  .\brahcm  .\i:macl;,  collector;  John  C.  Smith,  Wil- 
liam I..  Hollady  and  IJtment  Sloan,  constables.  The  name  of  Glen  was 
chosen  in  honor  of  Jaccli  Saunders  G!cn.  cne  of  the  principal  residents, 
who  had  a  land  grant  of  ten  thousand  acres,  comprising  a  considerable 
part  of  the  (own,  and  was  also  the  pro])rictor  cf  a  large  store,  now  oc- 
cupied by  J.  V.  S.  Edwards,  within  the  present  village  of  Glen.  Mr. 
Edwards  is  also  the  occupant  of  the  old  homestead  which  w.is  erected  by 
Mr.  Glen,  in  the  jear  161S.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  hilly,  but  the  soil,  a 
clayey  loai'.i,  is  \ery  productive.  Formerly  the  attention  of  the  farmers 
was  largely  devoted  to  the  raising  01  cattle  for  dairy  purposes,  and 
numerous  cheese  factories  throughout  the  town  attest  the  e.\tent  to  which 
this  industry  was  carried.  Latterly,  however,  on  account  of  the  high 
price  obtainable  for  hay,  the  farmers  have  sold  their  cows,  and  the  busi- 
ness of  the  cheese  factories  has  shown  a  marked  falling  off. 

.Yurie's  creek,  which  iIdws  into  the  .Mohawk,  and  Irish  creek,  a  tributary 
of  the  Schoharie,  are  the  principal  streams  of  the  town.  Numerous  at- 
tempts have  been  made  to  obtain  iron,  but  these  efforts  l.ave  not  been 
attended  with  any  marked  success.  .X  chalybeate  sjiring,  a  mile  east  of 
Glen  village,  is  about  the  only  natural  curiosity  to  be  foimd  in  the  town. 
One  other,  however,  should  be  mentioned,  namely,  the  stee[>bank  upon  the 
west  side  of  the  Schoharie  creek,  n  little  below  Mill  I'oint.  This  bluff 
retains  the  name  by  which  it  was  called  by  the  Indians — Ca-Jiiui^/i-irh.ox 
"pjrpendicular  wall."  Th::  hill  of  w'.iich  this  is  on.-  fare  end;  all  round  in 
similar  steep  banks,  and  is  about  fit'ty  feet  high,  with  a  diamond-shaped 
area  of  some  three  acres.  It  is  level  on  the  top,  and  presents  a  very  singu- 
lar appearance  as  seen  from  the  hills  to  the  south-east.  It  is  visible  for 
m.iny  miles  along  the  bank  of  the  Schoharie. 

The  si)ring  above  mentioned  furnishes  a  small  but  steady  stream  in  all 
seasons  and  weathers,  flavored  vvith  iron  and  sulphur.  ,\  succession  of 
bubbles  of  gas  rises  with  the  water  from  the  earth.  The  water  is  cool  and 
refreshing.  Animals  are  very  fond  of  it,  and  at  the  settlement  of  the 
county,  the  resort  of  deer  to  this  spot  m.ide  the  vicinity  a  famous  hunt- 
ing ground.  The  water  is  considered  to  have  medicinal  value  in  cutane- 
ous diseases.  Man  and  beast,  however  heated,  may  drink  it  freely  without 
harm. 

FORTUNES  OF   THE  PIONEERS. 

In  1722  and  1723,  Lieutenant  Jolm  Scott  and  his  son  took  patents  for 
•he  lands  between  Aurie's  creek  and  the  Vates  and  Fonda  line,  near  where 
Fultonville  stands.  .\urie'screek  was  so  named  by  the  Dutch,  with  whom 
Aaron  is  .\urie.  after  an  old  Indian  warrior  named  .\aron,  who  lived  many 
years  in  a  hut  standing  on  the  flats  on  the  east  side  of  the  creek.  The  ad- 
joining village  of  Auriesvdlc  was  named  from  the  stream.  Early  in  the 
1-i.st  century,  three  brothers  n.imed  Quackenboss  emigrated  from  Holland 
to  the .  ..lony  of  New  York.  One  of  them  remained  at  New  York  city;  the 
other  two  went  to  .Miiany,  and  one  of  them,  named  Peter,  removed  to  Scott's 
patent  shortly  after  it  was  located.      He  settled  near  .Vurie's  creek,  on  the 


site  of  the  Leslie  Voorhees  place  of  recent  years.  Mr.  Quackenboss  had 
several  <  hildrcn  grown  ep  when  he  arrived  in  this  country,  and  David,  his 
elder  son,  after  a  courtship  on  the  John  .Alden  plan,  married  Miss  Ann 
Scott,  a  daughter  of  the  Lieutenant,  who  commanded  Fort  Hunter,  and 
also  settled  on  Scott's  patent.  \  young  officer  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Scott,  had  requested  Quackenboss,  then  in  the  employ  of  his 
superior,  to  speak  a  food  word  for  him  to  Miss  Ann,  which  he  readily 
promised  to  do.  The  fact  of  his  own  partiality  for  the  maiden,  however, 
came  out  more  strongly  in  his  interview  with  her  than  the  suit  of  her  mili- 
tary admirer.  She  was  all  the  better  pleased,  for  she  preferred  the  agent  10 
the  principal.  Learning  lhi.s,  he  proposed,  and  was  .accepted,  and  in  due 
time  the  twain  were  made  one.  Their  son  John,  born  about  the  year  1725, 
was,  it  is  believed,  the  first  white  child  born  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mo- 
hawk, between  Fort  Hunter  and  the  neighborhood  of  Canajoharie. 

About  the  year  i7.)o,  a  colony  of  si.\teen  Irish  families  was  |)lanted,  un- 
der the  patronage  of  Wm.  Johnson,  afterward  baronet,  on  lands  now  owned 
by  Henry  Shelp,  a  few  miles  south-west  of  Fort  Hun  er,  once  a  part  of 
Corry's  patent. 

Several  years  after,  when  they  had  built  huts  and  cleared  some  land,  a 
disturbance  arose  between  the  Indians  of  New  York  and  those  of  Canada, 
and  the  immigrants,  fearing  trouble,  broke  up  their  settlement  and  returned 
to  Ireland. 

Previous  to  the  Revolution,  Richard  Hoff  and  Marcus  Hand  had  erected 
dwellings  and  cleared  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  Schoharie,  about  four 
miles  from  Fort  Hunter.  During  the  war  these  houses  were  plundered 
and  burned  by  the  Indians.  The  family  of  HofI  made  good  their  escape, 
and  Hand  was  absent  in  Florida. 

John  Ostrom  settled  in  the  town  in  the  latter  -part  of  the  Revolution. 
His  son  Stephen,  who  still  lives  on  the  original  homestead,  was  a  1  olonel 
in  the  State  militia  in  his  younger  days.  .Matthias  Mount  came  into  the 
town  at  the  same  time  with  John  Ostrom,  from  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 
.\t  tills  time  the  country  was  all  new,  and  they  were  obliged  to  cut  their 
way  through  the  woods. 

Isaac  Conover  was  born  in  1759.  He  s.-rved  through  the  Revoluticn, 
with  four  of  his  biotl-.ers,  having  moved  into  the  town  cf  Gkn  two  jcars 
previous  to  the  brciking  out  of  the  war.  Cornelius  Conover,  the  failxr, 
built  a  block  house  when  he  first  settled,  to  protect  himself  frcm  the 
Indians.  His  barns,  filled  with  grain,  were  burnt  during  the  Revoluticn, 
by  a  tory  named  Van  Zuyler.  .Abraham,  sen  of  Isaac  (xnover,  is  still 
living  on  the  farm,  where  his  father  died  in  ii'46.  Seth  Conover,  another 
of  Glen's  pioneers,  came  from  New  Jersey  and  settled  in  the  town  alout 
the  year  17S5,  John  Hyncr,  sr.,  who  was  born  about  the  year  I7i*"'9, 
should  also  be  numbered  among  the  pioneers. 

.Andrew  Frank,  another  early  resident  of  the  town,  was  born  in  the  vcar 
1776.  His  de.ilh  occurred  in  1S4J.  Adam  Frank  vvas  one  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary patriots,  and  in  the  party  who  killed  George  Cu(  k  in  the  spring  of 
17S0,  in  the  house  of  John  \'an  Zuyler,  the  tory  mentioned  above,  and 
who  lived  just  south  of  the  house  occupied,  within  thirty  years,  by  Maj. 
James  Winne.  Cuck  himself  was  a  notorious  tory,  born  in  the  neighl  or- 
hood,  who  had  fought  with  the  Hritish  during  the  war,  and  was  at  the  time 
lurking  in  the  neighb-orhood  to  carry  off  the  si  alps  of  two  prt  mincnl 
patriots.  Capt.  Jacob  Gardiner  and  Lieut.  Abraham  D.  Qiiai  kcnbos^. 
which  he  knew  would  sell  at  a  high  price  to  the  Hrilisli  patrons  nf  the 
traflic.  A  daughter  of  Van  Zuyhv  h.iving  reveahd  to  her  wing  beau  the 
presence  of  Cuck  at  her  f.ither's  house,  a  do7en  patriots,  under  the  Ic.id 
of   Lieut.  Quackenboss,  proceeded  as  soon  as  possible  to  the  plac  e,  anri 


118 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


foning  an  entrance,  demanded  the  sialper.  Van  Zuyler  denied  that  he 
was  in  the  house,  but  on  searching  it  he  was  discovered,  and  undertaking 
to  defend  himself  was  shot  dead  Van  Zuyler  was  taken  prisoner  and 
thrown  into  the  Johnstown  jail,  having  been  briefly  suspended  by  the  neck 
near  the  present  village  of  Kultonville,  on  his  way  thither.  Adam  Frank's 
son,  Frederick,  was  bnrn  in  1793,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  181 2. 
J.  R.  V.in  F^vera  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  m  (lien,  and  helped  clear 


.  son.  Peter,  horn  in  the  if)\\  n 
and  s, 


1  Soj,  has  bi 


ttled  HI  th, 
His   fathc 


up  the  country.     Hi 
visor  four  terms. 

John  Van  l)er\ecrcame  from  New  Jersey 
year  179S.  and  served  during  the  war  of 
country  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution 

John  FMwards  settled  in  the  town  about  eighty  years  ago 
from  Columbia  county,  and  was  eighty-si.\  years  old  at  the 
death.     Henry  Silmser  was   born   in   the  town  of  Johnstown 


super- 


!jf  hi' 


the 


->  born  in  the 
oner  of  high- 
born in  the 
visor  for  two 


1795.  His  son,  Michael,  now  a  resident  of  Fultonville,  w; 
year  1S18.  John  \'edder,  born  in  {".ten  in  1787,  was  commis 
ways  for  twent)-  years.  John  O.  Vcdder.  his  son,  was  als 
town,  and  has  resideti  in  it  all  his  life.  He  has  been  supt 
years  and  highway  commissioner  for  a  number  of  years. 

Heter  M.  Vrooman  settled  in  the  town  of  Glen  in  1S37,  coming  from 
Schoharie  county.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  18 12.  (Gilbert,  a  son  of 
Peter,  came  into  (ilen  with  his  father,  and  still  lives  on  the  old  homestead. 
The  barn  on  Ciilbert  Vrooman's  place  was  the  second  barn  built  after  the 
Revolution,  for  several  miles  along  the  valley. 

John  H.  \'oorhees  settled  in  the  town  about  the  year  1789.  Jacob 
■Schuyler,  born  in  1791  in  New  Jersey,  moved  to  the  town  of  Florida  when 
very  young,  and  while  still  a  young  man  came  into  Cllen.  He  contributed 
much  to  the  building  up  of  the  churches.  .Another  who  took  interest  in 
the  churches  and  schools  of  the  town  was  David  Wood,  who  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Root  in  the  year  1804  ;  moved  into  Glen  in  1833,  and  started 
a  hotel  at  .■\.uries\ille.  He  managed  this  tavern  for  forty  years,  and  was 
justice  of  the  peace  for  thirty  years.  Jacob  Hrtiyn,  who  !i;o\ed  into  the 
town  in  the  year  iS^^,  was  supervisor  for  one  term.  \'ictor  C.  Futman 
and  his  son,  .Xbraham  V.,  were  also  early  settlers. 

Christian  Enders.  mentioned  as  one  of  the  first  overseers  of  the  poor, 
brotight  the  first  piano  into  the  town,  for  the  use  of  his  daughter,  who  went 
to  New  York  to  take  lessons. 


THF,  DEVEI.OH.MENT  OF  BUSINF.SS  CF:NTRfc:S. 

A  few  years  before  the  Revolutionary  war  Abraham  1).  Quackenboss 
built  a  brick  store  on  his  farm,  about  two  miles  below  the  site  of  Fcdton- 
ville.  Here,  until  the  bre.tking  out  of  the  war.  he  carried  on  a  large  trade 
with  the  Indians  and  the  settlers  in  the  vii  inity.  The  brick  we're  made  on 
the  premises,  the  soil  in  that  locality  being  particularly  adapted  to  the 
purpose.     This  store   vvas  the  trading  ]io^t   for  the  Indian   tribes  in  the 

.vicinity,  and  (,)n,l(  kenboss  m.lile  many  warm  frien.K  .imong  the  rcd-skms 
by  his  straightfornard  de.ilings  with  thi 
Indian^  tried  to  |ier^iiade  the  trader  to  go 
refused  to  do  so.  They  then  made  a  solen 
nor  any  of  his  property  should  be  h.irmed 
incursions  of  the  lirilish  and  Indians  they  halted  at  the  store,  and  hel|>ed 
themselves  to  the  contents,  but  did  not  destroy  any  property,  and  left  the 
building  unh.irmed.     A  man   named  Harrington,  who  was  formerly  in  the 

.employ  of  (.Quackenboss,  remamed  behind  and  fir,.d  the  store.  When  he 
informed  the  hnlians,  m  ,1  spirit    of   bravado,  of  what  he  had  done,  ihey 

-  were  so  incensed  at   what   they  considered!   a  \  iolation    of   their   comjiact, 

.that  they  determined  to  kill  him— and,  in  fai  t,  one  enthusiast  did  bury  his 
tomahawk  in  Harrington's  shoulder — but  milder  counsels  prevailed,  and 
he  was  permitted  to  live. 

After  the  close   of    the  w.ir   a   store    w.i~  opened    by  John  Kossj   in   the 

.residence  of  Qu.u  kenboss  Ihis  was  the  only  store  in  the  town  iinlil 
John  Smith  established  ime  .it  the  site  of  (ilen  Milage  in  1797.  .shortly 
after  this,  or  .about  the  1  uniiiH-nceiiu-iu  of  the  present  lentur).  K..bcrt 
Dunbar  kept  a  store  at  Auriesville.  before  the  canal  was  built  Jeremiah 
Smith  established  a  -.tore  here,  where  he  carried  on  an  extensive  trade. 
and  had,  in  connection  with  this  business,  a  distillery  anil  ^11  asherv  ;  he 
was  also  an  extensive  pun  haser  of  grain  and  prodm  e.  John  C.  Van  .Mstine 
traded  at   the   same  pla.  e   from  1S14I0    i,S55.     Annesiille  was   the   first 


Uhen  the  war  l.roke  out.  the 
with  them  to  Canada,  but  he 
lUi  agreement  that  neither  he 
1.      During  one  of  the 


point  at  which  any  collection  of  houses  worthy  of  the  name  of  a  village  in 
the  town  of  Glen  was  formed. 

.Aurie's  creek,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  affords  excellent  water- 
power  for  milling  purposes,  and  the  early  settlers  were  quick  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  it.  The  first  saw  and  grist  mill  in  the  town  was  erected  on  this 
creek  by  Peter  Quackenboss,  shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution.  It 
stood  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  .Auriesville,  and  remains  of  the  old 
race-way  can  still  be  seen.  This  was  the  point  to  whiih  farmers,  from 
many  miles  around,  brought  their  grain,  as  it  was  convenient  to  .Auriesville. 
.\t  this  point  there  are  now  two  hotels,  one  store,  a  blacksmith  shop,  and 
a  school-house.     The  population  of  the  village  numbers  about  200. 

The  next  settlement  made  was  Log  Town,  so  called  from  the  fact  that 
all  the  houses  were  built  of  logs.  .At  ]iresent  only  a  blacksmith  shop  re- 
mains of  the  business  formerly  carried  on  there. 

The  village  of  Glen,  the  next  point  at  which  business  life  centered,  was 
called,  in  its  earlier  days,  Voorhecsville,  from  the  fact  that  Peter  Voorhees 
owned  a  large  store  at  the  place.  The  first  merchant  at  this  point,  how- 
ever, was  John  Smith,  who  began  business  about  the  year  1797.  -At  pres- 
ent the  village  contains  two  churches,  a  Reformed  Dutch  the  first  church 
in  the  town  ,  and  one  known  as  the  True  Reformed,  a  secession  from  the 
Dutch  church  ;  two  hotels,  the  principal  one,  the  Cottage  Hotel,  owned 
and  occupied  by  John  F".  Hubbs;  two  stores,  the  post-office  being  estab- 
lished at  the  principal  one,  kept  by  J.  V.  S.  Edwards  ;  the  cigar  manufac- 
tory of  Hubbs,  Putman  \-  Keigher;  the  steam  saw  and  grist-mill  of  Put- 
man  &  Talmadge;  the  tannery  of  Joseph  Novon;  the  wagon-shop  and 
blacksmithing  establishment  of  Isaac  Talmadge.  and  a  cheese-factory. 
i;ien.  although  it  is  situated  four  miles  from  the  canal,  and  further  still 
from  the  railroad,  is  a  very  thriving  place. 

The  first  Reformed  Dutch  church  of  Glen  was  organized  in  the  year 
1795.  On  February  5th  of  that  year  the  building  of  a  church  edifice  was 
begun,  but  it  was  not  fully  completed  until  the  year  1814.  although  services 
were  held  in  the  building  before  that  time.  FMward  Jenks  was  the  first 
pastor,  and  Peter  Vrooman  was  one  of  the  deacons  for  manv  years.  When 
the  project  of  building  the  church  was  first  undertaken,  it  was  proposed 
to  erect  it  in  the  settlement  of  Log  Town,  and  logs  were  cut  for  the  purpose, 
but  it  was  afterward  determined  to  locate  the  church  at  (ilen.  This  build- 
ing was  used  for  religious  purposes  until  the  year  1842.  when  it  was 
purchased  by  J.  V.  S.  Edwards,  and  by  him  removed  to  his  farm  and  con- 
verted into  a  store-house.  A  new  church  edifice  was  erected  on  the  old 
site,  which  remained  until  the  year  1876,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire. 
In  the  same  year  the  building  at  present  in  use  was  erected. 

.Mii.i.  PiuNi,  on  Schoharie  creek,  was  another  collection  of  houses,  and 
necessarily  a  business  centre  in  early  times.  .A  German  of  some  means, 
named  Francis  Salt/,  having  settled  on  the  east  bank  of  the  creek,  about 
the  middle  of  the  last  century,  joined  vvith  one  "'  Moss  "  Putman  in  purchas- 
ing the  Shucksburg  patent  of  twelve  hundred  .acres,  across  the  creek  in  the 
I)resent  town  of  ( ilen.  Salt/  took  the  half  of  the  patent  farthest  up  stream, 
from  which  he  sold  the  site  of  .Mill  Point  to  a  son-in-Uiw  named  McCreaily: 
the  next  farm  back  of  this  to  another  son-in-law.  George  \'oiing;  a  third 
(arm  to  his  grandson.  F'rancis  Frederit  k.  and  a  fourth  to  Michael  Marlett. 
who  married  I'cggy  Frcderii  k.  The  two  hundred  acres  remaining  Sail/ 
offered  to  deed  to  Peter  Crush,  if  the  latter  would  marry  his  youngest 
daughter,  a  cripple,  unable  to  walk.  Crush  accepted  the  offer,  and  hav  ing 
built  a  house  on  the  tract,  carried  his  wife  to  it  on  his  back.  Thev  s|ient 
their  days  on  the  place,  and  left  it  to  their  only  son,  F'rancis. 

It  was  F'rancis  Salt/  who  is  said  to  have  got  a  mill-stone  from  Sir  William 
Johnson  for  a  song.  (Ine  of  his  sons-in-law,  named  Philip  Frederick,  pro- 
posed to  build  a  mill  on  his  place  since  called  Buchanan's  Mills,  in  Flori- 
da, there  being  none  nearer  than  the  one  at  Fort  Johnson.  Mr.  Johnson, 
having  a  mill-stone  not  in  use,  Saltz  bought  it  on  two  years*  credit.  When 
he  repaired  at  the  end  of  that  time  to  Fort  Johnson  to  make  the  payment, 
he  was  urged  to  sing  for  the  entertainment  of  "  some  grand  company  there 
visiting."  Saltz,  though  a  famous  singtr,  was  diffident  about  perfomiini: 
before  such  a  select  audience,  and  only  consented  on  condition  that  his 
creditor  would  forgive  him  the  debt  he  came  to  pay.  Johnson  s.iid  he 
would  do  so  if  the  singing  suited  him.  Several  songs  were  sung  without 
prodiii  ing  the  desired  elfei  t  on  the  creditor,  and  Salt/,  com  hiding  he  was 
not  to  gel  off  so  easily  after  all,  prodii.  ed  his  wallet,  singing  : 


**  Money  bag,  money  bag,  yc 
The  man  he  will  be  paid  !" 


at  ; 


RjESiDENCE,  Mill,  Tenant  Hpmses    etc,  of  JOSEPH    KECK,^  \^eck's  Centre,  Fukon  Co.,  NY, 


""^^.-i-- 


/ 


\\ 


■-=CS-rr?iHi^s?s;aia~SSES 


iSigs^^'r^^^:- 


-r^^i^^SSil^gi^bs^vaBi^^j^sEsL^^ 


SSJii^' 


r        .  .  — — 


J^oP  VICTOR  A.PUTMAN,  A\i:f'iesviUc/Gltni  Tp7CANAL~STolRE7WARiHOusE:''etc.  Munt^,on;ery 


"Ca,  N,  Y 


SETTLERS  OF  THE  EASTERN  BORDER  OF  GLEN 


119 


(•iiolsanil  host,  at  this  joined  in  a  bvirst  of  laughter;  the  latter  expressed 
himself  >uiied  and  the  (iennan  took  his  money  bark  with  him. 

I  here  was  a  family  named  Loss  aniung  Salt/'s  nci';hljurs.  and  liuth  the 
i.jicnis  falling  sii  k  and  dying,  he  took  their  rhildren  to  his  house  for  care. 
Hhin  one  of  them  had  berome  a  yoimg  lady  of  eighteen,  Saltz.  then  awid- 
,..cr  of  ninetv.  fell  in  love  with  and  married  her.  .Ml  the  neighborhood 
,.i.  in*  iled  to  the  u cdding,  and  it  was  a  gay  time  in  the  old  I  )utLh  fashw  .n. 
The  se<|uel  was  hardly  as  gay  to  the  aged  bridegroom,  for  his  youthful  bride 
rjn  away  in  a  year  with  a  hired  man.  incidentally  taking  the  old  man's 
inonev,  which  was  in  silver  and  kept  in  a  hair  trunk  ornamented  with  fancy 
njils.  This  trunk  is  now  owned  and  used  by  (_'.  C.  Van  Home,  aged  eighty- 
four,  who  is  a  great  grandson  of  Saltz  :  and  it  is  as  nice  as  when  the  second 
Mrs.  Saltz  skipped  away  with  the  hired  man  and  the  silver.  It  is  not  re- 
lated that  the  old  man  pined  for  his  graceless  companion  ;  but  during  the 
Uw  remaining  years  of  his  life,  he  would  sometimes  sit  down  and  count 
over  his  silver  money,  doubtless  thinking  bitterly  of  that  which  was  spirited 
cnit  of  the  hair  trunk.  These  last  years  he  spent  with  his  grand-daughter, 
Mrs.  Cornelius  Van  Home,  .^t  his  death,  she.  according  to  the  custom 
of  the  day.  baked  for  all  his  friends — some  two  hundred — who  were  expect- 
ed to  attend  the  funeral,  hut  the  creek  was  so  high  that  only  the  pall  bear- 
ers, in  two  canoes,  crossed  it  ;  they  buried  the  aged  man  on  his  old  home- 
stead, of  which  he  h,id  never  obtained  any  title. 

The  homestead  of  Cornelius  or  "  Boss  "  Putman,  who  united  ■  ith  Saltz  in 
Ihe  purchase  of  the  Shucksburg  patent,  was  near  the  hill  on  the  bank  of 
the  Schoharie,  whose  steep  front  toward  the  creek  is  called  "  Cadaughrity." 
Of  his  five  sons,  Francis,  John,  Victor,  Henry  and  Peter,  the  last  kept  the 
homestead.  He  was  a  boy  at  the  time  of  Johnson's  descent  on  the  valley 
in  the  spring  of  1780,  and  was  staving  oier  night  with  a  son  of  Barney 
Hansen,  at  the  latter's  house  near  Tribes  Hill,  in  the  present  town  of  Mo- 
hawk. The  lad  was  not  harmed,  but  his  clothes  were  carried  off  by  the  In- 
dians who  sacked  the  house.  He  followed  up  ihe  marauders,  and  found 
his  clothes,  which  they  had  thrown  away  at  various  points  along  the  road 
to  Col.  Visscher's.  The  latter's  house  had  been  fired  by  the  savages,  who 
hid  butchered  the  inmates,  but  the  flames  had  made  small  progress,  and 
were  extinguished  by  young  Putman  with  a  tub  of  sour  milk  which  he  found 
in  the  house.  In  the  autumn  of  thai  year.  Johnson,  accompanied  by  Brant. 
made  his  second  foray  upon  this  part  of  the  Mohawk  valley.  Coming  from 
Schoharie  over  Oak  Ridge,  Brant's  Indians,  after  burning  the  houses  of 
Marcus  Hand  and  Richard  Hofl,  west  of  Mill  Point,  proceeded  to  Cor- 
nelius Putman's.  His  family  had  fled  across  the  creek  and  he,  on  the  ap- 
proach of  the  enemy,  after  letting  out  his  hogs,  concealed  himself  near 
enough  to  his  buildings  to  sec  the  enemy  plunder  the  house,  bee  hives,  and 
hens'  nests,  and  after  feeding  on  eggs  and  honey,  set  fire  to  the  buildings 
and  stacks  and  depart,  one  of  the  Indians  having  lad;n  himself  with  tobac- 
10  from  the  barn.  The  only  destructible  property  that  remained  was  a 
stjtk  of  [leas,  a  hogshead  of  wheal,  which  had  been  hid  in  a  shanty  in  the 
N^oods,  against  such  an  emergency,  and  the  hogs,  whii  h  Mr.  Putman  had 
the  forethought  to  turn  loose.  With  these  the  family  began  life  anew,  liuild- 
ing  a  log  house,  which  was  ready  for  omipani  y  licfore  winter.  Peter  Piit- 
min  left  this  place  to  his  adopted  ^on.  I'litni.Tn  'V'.in  liiircn,  and  lie  to  his 
s<in  Martin,  who  still  owns  it.  Mr.  Putman  biiiU  a  large  brick  house  fur 
his  adopted  son.  and  made  many  other  improvements  on  the  estate,  but 
himself  always  lived  in  his  old  house,  and  in  winter  drove  his  white-faced 
Mirrel  horse  before  a  |»aneled  box-cutter,  with  a  bat  k  about  a  foot  higher 
than  the  owner's  head,  as  he  sat  against  it.  he  being  a  short  man.  He  w.is 
a  thrifty  business  man  and  accumiilaled  a  good  property. 

I'he  farm  next  below  that  now  owned  by  Mr.  .\bram  \".in  Home  w.is 
for  a  long  time  owned  by  Barney  V.in  I'.iiren.  sen.,  who  now  lues  ..n  ihc 
pljce  with  his  sons  Barney  and  Daniel,  and  whose  90th  birthday  was  cele- 
br.Med  Jan.  16.  iS;,'^,  his  wife  being  then  .S7.  The  next  farm  below  V.in 
P.:.tcn-s  was  settled  by  H.arm.inus  .Mabee  before  the  Revoliiiion.  and  at  ihc 
lime  of  fohnson  and  Brant's  incursion,  was  in  the  possession  of  his  son 
Peter  H.  The  buildings  were  burned  by  the  barbarians,  and  seven  fat 
h..gs  were  killed  and  left  in  the  pen.  The  Mabcc  lands  ,nrc  now  owned  by 
Ihe  grand-i  hildren  of  Peter  H.,  having  alw.ivs  been   in  the  family. 

Cornelius  Van  Home  came  from  New  Jetsev,  .ind  after  working  a  while 
I'lr  Philip  Frederick,  married  his  daughter.  E%e,  and  took  up  the  farm  on 
the  fUen  side  of  the  falls  in  the  Schoharie,  clearing  (he  land  and  building 
on  It.  Thi-i  farm  w.as  the  northeast  corner  lot  of  Corry's  patent.  He  and 
his  brother,  Henry,  were  patriot  soldiers  in  the  Kevolmion.  Tliev  louglit 
•  ttltiskany,  and  Cornelius  was  one  of  eight  wlio  <  .irricd    Peter  C"no*er 


from  the  battlefield,  where  he  had  a  leg  shot  off;  four  of  them  larncd  him 
for  a  time,  when  ihey  were  relieved  by  the  others. 

During  the  Revolutionary  war,  SyUanus  Wilcox  settled  the  f.itm  nc\i  1.. 
Van  Home's,  directly  abo\e  the  falls.  He  came  from  Connectiiut.  After 
his  death,  his  claim  as  a  tenant  of  Clark  and  Corry  was  sold,  and  the  faiiiiK 
scattered.  .\  daughter,  named  Betsey,  became  a  missionary  to  the  I  i.ik..i.i 
Indians,  and  has  Ined  among  them  over  fifty  years,  having  ni.Trried  .1  ll.ip- 
list  minister  of  the  name  of  Merrill.  They  have  had  great  sui .  es,  m 
civilizing  and  christianizing  these  savages.  The  Cornelius  V.in  Home 
farm  is  now  leased  by  C.  C.  \'an  Home,  a  son  of  Cornelius,  w  h.,  Ii.i, 
always  lived  here. 

The  first  settlers  here  had  to  take  their  grain  to  .\lbany  for  milling,  .iiid 
at  one  time  it  took  thirty  skipples  22  i-j  bushels  of  wheat  to  buy  a  bushel 
of  salt,  as  that  was  a  commodity  the  settlers  must  have.  C.etting  it  .it  lliis 
extortionate  rate,  they  naturally  made  the  most  of  it;  when  they  salted 
their  butter  the  brine  was  saved  for  seasoning  other  victuals. 

There  was  no  physician  in  those  days,  and  Mrs.  Matthew  Van  Home 
officiated  as  nurse  and  good  Samaritan  in  general  to  the  neighborhood. 
Mounting  a  horse  behind  the  messenger  who  came  to  ask  her  services,  ^he 
rode  away  through  the  wilderness  to  the  relief  of  the  distressed;  or  if  a 
wagon  was  used,  it  was  a  heavy  affair  with  no  tongue,  so  that  on  re.i<  hing 
the  brow  of  any  considerable  hill  it  was  necessary  to  take  a  large  pole  in 
tow  to  prevent  the  vehicle  running  away  with  the  team.  \  'piantity  of 
poles  were  kept  at  such  spots,  the  team  which  drew  one  down  a  hill  for  its 
protection  having  to  snake  it  back  on  the  return.  This  precaution  was 
only  taken  on  the  higher  hills,  as  it  was  counted  a  poor  horse  that  could 
not  keep  out  of  the  way  of  the  wagon  on  a  low  one. 

One  Sabbath  during  the  war,  the  Van  Home  family  went  to  Fort  Hun- 
ter to  meeting,  leaving  the  house  in  possession  of  a  negro  girl  naniet!  Cm, 
whom  Cornelius  had  bought.  She  took  the  opportunity  to  reach  for  the 
sugar-bowl,  which  the  prudent  F.ve.  knowing  the  servant's  pro<  livuies, 
kept  on  the  top  of  a  high  cupboard.  Gin  not  only  brought  down  ihe 
sugar,  but  everything  else  about  the  cupboard,  smashing  all  the  dishes, 
which  she  disposed  of  by  sinking  them  in  the  creek.  On  the  return  of  the 
family  she  created  a  great  excitement  by  reporting  that  the  Indians  ii.ad 
been  there,  carried  off  the  dishes,  and  upset  the  cupboard.  The  cause  of 
the  misfortune,  however,  soon  came  out.  The  Van  Homes  kept  sheep, 
and  Eve  must  always  wash  them;  which  she  did  sitting  in  a  canoe  .ind 
manipulating  the  wool,  the  "men  folks"  wading  in  with  the  sheep,  and 
holding  them  as  often  as  the  washerwoman  was  ready  for  one. 

.\bram  Rulifson  came  from  New  Jersey  after  the  Revolution,  and  iMiughi 
the  McCready  farm  at  Mill  Point,  on  which  he  built  a  mill,  which  he  .iflvr- 
ward  sold  to  Simon  and  Peter  Mabee.  They  enlarged  the  mill,  and  iliig  .1 
new  ditch  through  the  "blue  bank."  at  the  place  where  the  ditch  siill  runs, 
.\boiit  the  year  i.Soo.  a  bridge  was  built  over  Schoharie  at  Mill  Poml.  li- 
low  the  blue  bank  and  opposite  Voorhees'  l.ane;  it  had  log  abiiiiiKni-. 
I  ribbed  together.  It  was  swept  away  after  standing  four  years.  .m,l  m 
1S05  another  was  built  farther  up  stream.     This  w.is   so  low  that  .0,  Ingli 

water  driftwood  lodged  against  it,  and  carried  it  off  six  ye.irs  .ificr   1 1- 

struction.  In  i.Si;.  one  wa,  built  on  better  prim  :yW^.  slill  h<-hvT  ..11  lli,' 
stream,  .\bout  ihe  opening  of  this  century,  Samuel.  Henr>  ,ir,d  j.i.-i' 
\'an  Dorn  kepi  a  store  at  Mill  Point.  The>  suld  out  10  (  omelm-  ll-ii 
and  John  Hand,  who  traded  here  uniil  i.-i;o,  when  the  brid-e  w.i-  p.inlv 
torn  away  by  high  water  and  ice.  The  .Mabee  brothers  added  to  iluir  -n-i 
mill  a  saw  mill,  a  fulling  mill  and.  a  woolen  f.ntory.  all  of  which  J...  I 
Faulkner  subse.iuently  bought  for  $10,000  In  i-Sz;.  Peter  Martin  L-r..l- 
fished  a  ferry  cppositc  ihe  John  SOorhees  residence,  .ind  D.nid  \. 1-1, 11 
and  Frederick  Kiilif-.,ii  kepi  a  store  here;  but  the  ferry  bcil  w.i-  -w.|l 
awav  bv  a  flood  and  u  e,  .ind  ihe  store  w.as  given  up.  One  w.is  iluii  kept 
for  a  time  near  the  mill-. 

The  Faulkner  mills  and  outbuildings  were  burned  down  in  i.s;;  I  !  ■ 
saw-mill  and  grisi-mill  were  rebiiili.  but  were  destroyed  by  fire  m  tin  -pnnu 
of  1861,  together  with  some  adjoining  buildings.  They  were  one  c  iii"i>  n 
built,  in  improved  s'vie,  only  to  be  burned  down  again,  two  years  l.iier  In 
i,<64a  store  was  established  by  J.  S.  Faulkner,  who  has  kepi  it  t"  the 
present  lime.  .\  i  ider-mill  sbirtcd  by  David  Faulkner  in  1S70  crcued  ;in 
extensive  market  for  apples,  but  it  escaped  the  tl.inies  only  three  yc.irs  .\ 
bridge  h.as  been  built  over  Irish  creek,  at  its  mouth,  giving  the  Ijriiur-  "t 
the  south-eastern  part  of  Cden  and  the  eastern  part  of  Charleston.  .1  iii^'e 
direct  ro.i.l  10  .\iiriesMlle.  where  40,000  urns  of  h.iy.  besides  the  .nrpliis 
-ram  of  this  region,  were  shipped  m  the  ,iutumn  of  1S77,     (..irrcl    Piiiiiijii 


120 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


once  built  a  grist  and  saw-mill  on  Irish  creek,  back  of  the  Faulkner  farm, 
but  it  lacked  water  power  most  of  the  year,  and  was  abandoned.  Simon 
Veeley  built  a  tannery  and  sho-.*  shop  on  land  leased  of  Putman,  but  gave 
it  up,  and  Jacob  Hoff  obtained  possession  of  ih,'  concern. 

ACL'IDEXTS  AND  DISASTERS  ON  SCHOHARIE  CREEK. 

At  an  early  day  a  bridge  was  built  across  the  cree';  at  the  falls,  the  tim- 
bers supporting  it  being  let  intotli.'  slate  rock.  A  few  years  after,  at  a 
lime  of  high  water,  a  large  trtec.-me  rushing  tcp-fortmcst  dcwn  the  strecm, 
and  part  of  its  branches  passing  above  the  floor  of  the  bridge,  the  structure 
was  lorn  from  its  fastenings  and  swept  away. 

About  1S34.  John  J.  Wells  established  a  lerry  nt  Huchanan's  mills.  One 
year,  during  the  spring  floods,  four  men  went  out  in  the  scow  that  served 
as  a  ferry  boat  to  catch  drift  wood  th.it  was  fljating  down.  The  rojje 
across  the  stream,  with  which  the  boat  wa.s  connected  by  a  pulley,  gave  way 
at  its  eastern  end.  and  being  hastily  made  fast  to  the  scow,  the  latter 
drifted  across  to  within  three  rods  of  the  Olen  shore.  Before  it  could  be 
drawn  to  the  bank,  a  floating  tree  struck  it,  and  breaking  the  rope,  set  the 
craft  adrift  in  the  furious  current.  The  crew  took  to  the  water,  two  swim- 
ming ashore,  and  the  others  reaching  land  by  the  aid  of  planks,  though  one 
of  them  had  a  narrow  escap,'.  Two  years  later  the  rope  br.  ■  one  dark 
night  wh:;n  Peter  Williams  was  on  board  with  a  loaded  sleigh.  He  det.-ich- 
ed  the  team  and  drove  them  overboard,  and  then  struck  out  for  land, 
which  he  succeeded  in  reaching.  A  search  with  lanterns  was  made  for  the 
team,  and  the  horses  were  found  on  the  Flond.i  side,  one  dead,  but  drawn 
to  shore  by  the  other,  the  harness  hiving  held  them  together. 

Wells  owned  som;  mills  and  other  buildings,  among  them  a  large  barn, 
with  a  foundation  wall  twelve  feet  high,  on  the  bank  of  the  creek.  The 
spring  freshet  one  year  undermined  the  wall  ;  the  great  barn  rolled  over 
into  the  creek  and  went  sailing  away,  coivoyed  by  a  company  of  hogs  and 
hens  on  cakes  of  ice.  Mr.  Wells'  distillery  a.~,d  plastcr-niill  were  also 
ruined. 

In  the  spring  of  182:,  when  the  ice  was  very  thick  and  frozen  tightly 
around  the  supports  of  the  Mill  Point  bridge,  there  came  a  sudden  thaw 
and  rain,  and  the  neighbors,  hearing  that  the  ice  had  started  up  at  the 
falls,  gathered  at  the  bridge  to  witness  its  fate.  While  they  were  watching 
anxiously  from  the  western  bank,  a  stranger  in  a  sleigh  drove  on  to  the 
bridge  at  the  Florida  end.  The  crowd  shouted  to  warn  him  of  his  danger, 
but,  misunderstanding  their  cries,  he  only  drove  slowly  and  carefully. 
Seeing  that  he  persisted  in  crossing,  a  young  man  named  .\le.\ander  Voor- 
hees  ran  over  the  bridge, and,  leaping  into  the  sleigh,  plied  the  whip.  This 
brave  and  energetic  action  barely  saved  the  traveler,  for  the  bridge  was 
in  motion  as  the  sleigh  left  it,  and  it  soon  went  to  pieces. 

Oct.  4,  1S6S,  a  flood  broke  over  the  bank  at  Mill  Point,  and  swept  across 
the  flats  to  the  mills,  carrying  away  fences  and  saw-logs,  and  doing  con- 
sider.tble  other  damage.  The  same  thing  occurred  .\pril  19,  1S69,  when 
the  old  ferry-house  was  left  surrounded  by  water,  and  Charles  Strever 
and  family,  who  occupied  it,  were  confined  to  the  second  story  all  day. 
Strever,  however,  consoled  himself  with  the  contents  of  a  cider  barrel 
which  had  floated  out  of  the  cellar  of  Nelson  Overbaugh,  a  mile  above  the 
falls,  and  drifted  within  his  reach  ;  and  is  said  to  have  been  rather  tipsy 
when  taken  off  with  his  family  at  night  in  a  large  broom-wagon,  which  was 
with  great  difficulty  got  to  the  house.  The  flood  left  a  number  of  fish  in 
the  cellar  from  which  it  took  the  cider. 

On  the  7lh  of  June.  i,S74,  a  terrific  whirlwind  laid  most  of  Mill  Point  in 
ruins.  It  started  on  the  flits  east  of  Hjnry  .Mib.-e's  house,  and  look  a 
southeasterly  direction  through  Martin  Van  Buren's  woods,  twisting  the 
tops  off  the  trees  ;  then,  crossing  the  creek  and  a  field,  it  cut  a  swath 
about  ten  rods  wide  through  Henry  C.  I'etiengill's  heavy  i)ine  woods. 
From  this  point  it  recrus>ed  the  creek  exactly  over  Mill  Point,  unroofing 
the  mill,  and  completely  wrecking  an  adjoining  shed  and  hor-.e  birn  fillcil 
with  br.jom-corn.  Five  hordes  in  tlv:  b,lrn  string. -ly  escaped  uninjured. 
The  saw-mill,  and  a  larg.'  dry-house  filled  with  broom-corn,  were  also  en- 
tirely ruined,  the  latter  being  twisted  flit  to  the  earth;  a  broom  shop, 
James  Faidkner's  dwelling  and  three  others,  his  store  and  bl.i.  ksm.th 
shop,  every  building  of  lHvid  haulkner,  and  two  houses  of  Henry  S..ady, 
were  unroofed,  and  every  tree  was  twisted  off  where  the  full  forr  e  of  the 
tornado  was  felt.  Pieces  of  sine  fmm  the  roof  of  the  mill  flew  so  swiftly 
as  to  cut  through  the  siding  of  buildings,  and   stick  fast  in  trees.     As  the 


whirlwind  for  a  third  time  crossed  the  creek,  it  took  clothing  and  hats  well 
over  into  Florida,  and  mowed  down  trees  on  the  bank  of  the  creek.  Cross- 
ing the  creek  between  William  V'oorhees'  and  Daniel  Blood's,  it  came  to 
the  woods  of  Daniel  .McClumjiha.  Here  it  seemed  to  rise,  taking  only  the 
tojjs  of  the  trees,  and  so  passed  away.  In  a  few  minutes  it  had  traversed 
a  |}ath  a  mile  in  length,  with  .Mill  Pomi  for  its  centre.  .'\  torrent  of  rain 
accompanied  it,  seriously  damaging  the  unroofed  buildings  and  their 
contents 

Strange  as  it  may  seem,  not  a  creature  was  hurt.  The  catastrophe 
occurred  on  a  Sunday  afternoon,  when  the  inhabitants  of  Mill  Point  had 
repaired  to  the  school  house,  half  a  mile  distant,  to  hear  a  sermon  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Mitchell.  He  was  a  guest  at  one  of  the  wrecked  houses,  and 
climbing  from  the  ruins  went  to  the  si  hcol-I.cusc  to  fill  his  appoinimtnL 
The  services  proceeded  as  far  as  the  sermon,  but  the  minister  having  begun 
that  with  an  announcement  of  what  had  happened,  found  it  impossible  to 
hold  his  audience,  the  people  being  too  anxious  to  learn  the  shape  of  their 
property.  The  meeting  was  dismissed,  and  those  who  had  attended  betook 
themselves  to  the  scene  of  ruin.  Mill  Point  was  comjiletely  covered  with 
trees  and  lumber.  Fhe  people  were  busy  for  a  week  in  securing  their 
exposed  property.  By  their  enterprise  and  perseverance,  however,  they 
restored  the  waste  places  so  rapidly  that  the  next  year  found  Mill  Point 
as  jjrosperous  as  ever. 

In  olden  times  a  dangerous  dugway  skirted  the  so-called  "  blue  bank," 
near  Mill  Point.  It  was  a  narrow  track,  and  having  for  a  time  no  railing 
was  the  scene  of  several  perilous  accidents  in  which,  however,  no  loss  of 
life  occurred.  One  of  them,  at  least,  had  a  humorous  phase.  Jacob  Van 
Home  undertook  to  drive  by  this  point  with  -Mrs.  Cornelius  Van  Hornc 
and  another  lady  in  his  wagon.  One  of  the  horses  took  to  kicking,  and 
both  of  them,  with  the  vehicle,  went  off  the  bank.  Ihe  driver  and  the 
younger  lady  managed  to  jump  out,  but  .Mrs.  \'an  Home,  as  well  as  the 
horses,  brought  up  in  a  bed  of  soft  blue  clay  at  the  foot  of  the  declivity. 
Her  eyes  and  mouth  were  filled  with  the  mud,  .nnfl  she  was  motionless  and 
silent.  O.ie  of  the  men  who  came  to  the  rescue  remarked  that  she  was 
dead,  and  they  had  better  leave  her  and  attend  to  the  living  woman,  who 
w.is  hurt  and  screamiiig  with  pain  and  fright.  The  old  lady's  ears  were 
still  open,  it  seems,  and  hearing  this  obituary  remark,  she  spit  out  a  mouth- 
ful of  clay  and  shouted.  "  I  aint  dead  yet  I"  She  was  not,  indeed,  but 
lived  to  startle  a  worthy  laborer,  named  Snyder,  who  was  em|iloyed  at 
setting  posts  for  a  railing  to  protect  this  very  spot.  He  had  just  fi  .ished 
a  toilsome  job  on  a  large  white  oak  post  as  Mrs.  Van  Home  came  up  the 
hill,  unobserved  by  him  ;  and  leaning  his  spade  on  it,  stepped  back  a  little, 
took  oft'  his  hat,  wiped  his  sweaty  forehead,  and  said  aloud,  "'I'here  I  that's 
good  enough  for  the  devil,  and  what's  good  enough  for  him,  is  good  enough 
for  any  one!"  "Why,  Mr.  Snyder?"  inquired  the  old  lady.  "Hello!" 
said  the  workman,  as  he  jumped  round  ;  "  I  didn't  see  you.  How  you 
scairt  me  !"  The  solidity  of  Snyder's  work  was  shown  in  connection  with 
a  breakdown  which  happened  at  this  jioint  some  time  after.  The  teiira 
getting  loose  from  the  w.igon,  backed  over  the  verge,  one  each  side  of  the  big 
white  oak  post,  and  the  neck-yoke  catching  on  that,  the  horses  were  sus- 
pended until  the  men,  desiiairing  of  getting  them  back,  cut  them  loose  and 
let  them  slide  to  the  bottom,  where  t.iev  landed  without  serious  injury. 

.\bout  seventy  years  ago  a  whirlwind  started  near  the  HofI  farm,  west  of 
Mill  Point,  and  swept  down  the  east  side  of  the  valley,  op|iosite  the  build- 
ings now  owned  by  .Vbram  Van  Home,  felling  a  swath  ot  timber  ten  rods 
n.li,  howe\'er,  before  it  reached  the 
ed  to  Peter  Putman,  and  he  allowed 
I  to  carry  it  oft  for  firewooti,  with 
le  l.md  thus  cleared  lay  waste  until 
it  by  .Mr.  Van  Home. 


wide  on  hi; 
Schoharie. 


I,  rising  above   the 

:  f.nllen  timber  belo 

the  poor  people  of   the  neighborlic 

which  it  furnished  them  for  years. 

l.S;;,  when  tlie  first  crop  w.is  raised  ( 

In   l.inairv,  kS.-;-',  Wilham  New  kiri, 


ila  hi 


liter,  h, 


,ins  Ni 


Newkirkand  .Maria  .\larlet.  and 
Schoharie  on  the  ice   opposite 
FuUonvilleto  theN.wkirk  pi.ic. 
l.r   k^'  .iiid    the   ^>llo:e  pail)  w.ls 
were  I.,  i.ldthj   next  .lav,  .ml  w 


Mr.  t'hi.j  was  r, 
01  .Mr.  Newkirk  ■ 


louud  nc 
Till',   ICAKI.IER   .Wll   I..\'l  i;i- 
The  full  history  of  the  hotels  win  :li  have  ari- 
le  town  of  ('den,  would  oi  IislU  fill  a  volume. 


a  .vl,-.  Chise.  attem;itcd  to  drive  across  the 

the  I'utinan  hum.stead,  oa  the  way  from 

e,  u.i  liie  e.ist  bank  of  the  creek.     The  f  ■•■ 

,  uruwiud.      The    bodies  of  the  three  gir!s 

,i:.-,l   11  <,ne  grue.       The  corpse    o( 

r,  but  It  wa-,  two   mon:lls  before  thit 

D.iin's  luilU 


IKITF.l.S. 
■n,  declined  and   fallen  i 


V-W"  '^'  ■  ■■■"    -A    '  ■-•''")';'■■■■■.'*?    . 


^■■■^  Yy 


u,    ^ji.'P/iy- 


li'^'^r"^-  ■^'■A 


-il-'rir.  Jf^«s,s..  or  J^C;0BiH:,S3j^RlN>  iraltQnyil'le,_Mo,ntgomeTr;j     Cto^,,  Ni-,  Y^'-r3   '.'-■■■ 


ifj.*v,  ••:;»'^  ■*  ■■■"      .  ..-^  - 

J3it  ■^"'  -.-'.■' ?^^ -i  . 


-.  .•  ••..^«r'\c;?.-.v 


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31    ^"" "'^^"""' 


-  -  vif  vv.  J^e.s.   of    RICHARD    YYINNE,  Town  oP  (SI,en,J^ont6oTn  erj    CotN.   Y.  '-    :, 


^iic;; 


^.«*:2;f^t:^!j|£S»?i^:^»v;:^^  -  ■  V -'^1  _r..  .ui=-Li.i:iiil_L_LLJL^. 


"'■■<''--■  r.-.Jj^'es;, of;    DAVID    FRANK;  Franks.  Corners,  To wni  of  JvloyPleid;  Fulton    Co.,  N'-.Y.," 


^ 


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Res, store  etc.of  J. V. S-  E  D WA R DS' &"^ 0  N $.,.  Gl s  n . N  Y. 


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fles.oj   PE.TERf  VAN    EVERA.Town  of  Glen.Mont^omery  Co.KI  Y. 


-/"  ^  /iX 


■-4 


PeterVan  Even 

RANDALL. NY.  /  11 


HOTELS.  SCHOOLS  AND  POST  OFFICES  OF  GLEN. 


121 


One  of  the  first  taverns  was  kept  by  Wm.  Quaclcenlioss,  at  Auriesville, 
jlrout  the  year  1797,  but  John  Starin  established  one  at  Fiiltonville  shortly 
after  the  RevoUition.  About  1  795,  the  post  road  from  Albany  terminated 
hr«e.  an<l  Starin's  son  Myndert  tarried  the  mail  weekly  from  his  father'^ 
la^crn  to  Johnstown,  horse-back  or  nn  foot.  The  publii-  house  kept  by 
Siann  was  destroyed  about  ten  years  ago.  It  uas  situatetl  upon  the  south 
lijot  of  the  river,  a  short  distance  east  of  the  [iresent  location  of  the 
lirolge.  Another  of  the  early  landlords  was  Van  Name  Van  Kpps,  who 
rented  the  building  owned  by  Peter  (".  Vates,  and  kept  a  tavern  for  several 
years.  This  building  is  still  standing  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk, 
.diBost  directly  north  from  the  steam  saw-mill.  John  Starm  was  succeeded 
tiyhis  son  Myndert  Stann.  When  the  Krie  Canal  was  in  process  of  con- 
stnKtion,  almost  every  house  near  the  line  of  the  work  was  a  "tavern." 
Mi^i  of  these  extemporized  hoteU  only  existed  while  the  canal  was  build- 
\n^  although  some  of  them  were  kept  up  thereafter,  and  did  <^uitc  a  thriv- 
inn  trade  with  travelers  on  the  canal.  .Among  others  which  came  into 
Iteiag  about  this  time,  was  one  of  which  Richard  Hughescn  was  the  pro- 
prietor. The  building,  a  small  frame  structure  painted  red,  is  still  stand- 
ing. 

Peter  Fonda  kept  a  tavern  about  a  .piarter  of  a  mile  below  that  of  John 
Starin,  and  John  tiardinier  one  as  much  further  down  the  ri\er.  while 
Rynier (iardinier  kept  one  at  the  same  distance  still  further  east.  Several 
i.ther  small  places  of  entertainment  for  man  and  beast  were  established 
along  the  south  bank  of  the  canal  from  1825  to  1828,  hut  those  mentioned 
above  were  among  the  principal  ones. 

Fiotn  this  time  on  until  the  year  1868  the  only  hotels  at  Kultonville  were 
those  established  along  the  bank  of  the  canal  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  boatmen.  In  that  year  John  .\.  Perkins  came  from  Charleston,  and 
established  a  public  house  in  a  frame  building  on  the  site  of  the  hotel  now 
(i(  cupied  by  him.  He  remained  here  until  the  spring  of  1875;  when  he 
sold  out  to  William  I.owry.  who  kept  the  place  until  the  fall  of  1876,  when 
the  hotel  was  destroyed  by  tire,  .\fter  the  old  building  had  been  burned. 
Mr.  Perkins  built  the  present  brick  edifice. 

Tke  Starin  House  was  erected  by  the  present  owner.  H.  J.  DunaliUon. 
in  I-S75.  The  hotel  forms  part  of  the  Donaldson  Block,  the  most  >how\ 
builiting  in  the  village.  The  landlord  is  J.  E.  .Marsden.  and  the  hotel  i- 
handsomely  fitted  up  in  every  jiart. 

The  Cottage  Hotel  at  C.len.  conducted  by  John  P..  Hul'bs,  has  been 
esiabHshed  for  a  long  time,  ami  always  has  a  full  complement  of  guests. 


SCHOOLS. 
The   first   school   in   the   town  was   kept   in   the  house  of   .\brahai 


I) 


Quackenboss.  It  was  opened  immediately  after  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  and  was  taught  b>  John  Hazard.  This,  at  that  time,  was  the 
onlv  school  for  man)"  miles  around.  .Vbout  the  commencement  of  the 
present  century,  however,  sihool  districts  were  established,  and  school- 
hou^s  built  about  six  miles  ajiart.  ( »ne  of  the  first  s<  huol-houses  built  in 
ihe  town  was  the  "  Sanil  Hill  "  Nchool-house;  it  was  situated  on  the  hill,  a 
^hort  distance  northeast  of  the  resulem  e  of  Mr,  B.  Cardinier.  The  next 
one  above  on  the  line  of  the  canal  was  at  Stone  Ridge  Ihe  clti/ens  of 
the  town  of  (ilen  may  congr.itulate  thcmscbes  on  having  the  neatest  look- 
ing school-hoii-.cs  to  be  ~een  in  the  county. 

The  High  School  at  Kultonville  is  under  the  able  1  harge  of  .Mr.  J.  K. 
Anderson,  assisted  by  .Nfiss  Kate  Jones  and  Miss  Helen  Brown. 

f  )ne  of  the  school-houses  of  old  stood  on  the  border  of  (iarret  Putmati's 
farm  on  the  "  river  ro.id,'  near  Mill  Point.  Here  old  Master  .McCready 
feigned  supreme  for  manv  vcar-,  with  a  toughened  becth  whip,  .\bout 
iN.'o.  a  new  school-h.m^e  w.is  buiU  ,it  this  point,  over  which  Ransel  B. 
^  ouns  presiiled  lor  several  year,.  He  kept  order  by  the  whip,  and  was 
V'-Tv  vjvere  when  he  had  been  ilrinking;  this  char.icteristic  finally  caused 
his  removal.  Master  Hudson  then  got  the  school.  He  was  a  more  judi- 
•  Ion,  manager;  seldom  using  the  whiji.  He  would,  however,  make  the 
f'Iradory  pupil  stand  on  one  foot,  or  hold  out  an  .irnilul  of  books;  and 
'or  severe  punishment  he  had  a  way  of  standing  a  long  bench  u[t  at  an 
•ingle,  with  one  end  in  the  scuttle-hole  overhead,  and  making  the  unhappy 
""  Inn  climb  it.  If  the  youngster  slipped  back,  he  came  in  violent  contact 
«illi  the  vibrating  palm  of  the  pedagogue.  It  w.is  vain  for  the  lili  kles, 
I'lM'ii  to  try  to  escape  at  the  up|ier  end  of  Ihe  beni  h,  for  il  too  nearly  filled 
'he  ..utlk-  i„  leave  any  cxil  ihcrc.  The  performan.  e  must  h.ivc  been 
h  !,;>■  f-;n  (or  all  the  s,  h.,ol  but  one;  but  b.r  that  one  il  wa,  a  "cruel  ,111. 1 
"nuMul  punishment."  whi.  h   proluMy  ceased   wiih   the  retirement   nf   ils 

15 


inventor.  That  educator  having  a  sore  toe  one  winter,  moved  a  bunk-beil 
into  Ihe  sjhool-room,  and  had  the  children  bring  his  meals  by  turns,  .\fier 
Master  Hudson  came  .Master  Bcntley,  an  excellent  teacher  and  highiv 
esteemed.  Then  Kmily  I.oomis  taught  three  years  acceptably,  and  of  Liie 
nearly  every  year  has  found  a  new  teacher.  In  1858,  a  new  si  hool-house 
was  built,  being  made  large  enough  to  accommodate  religious  meetinu-. 
and  Sabbath-school. 

POST  OFFICES. 

Ihe  first  post  office  in  the  town  of  Olen  was  established  at  (lien  village, 
and  Cornelius  H.  Putman  appointed  postmaster.  May  19th.  1823.  His 
siu  cessors.  and  the  dates  of  their  appointment,  are  as  follows:  Jacob  Bur- 
ton. May  30th,  1828;  Harmon  P.  .Maybee,  April  6lh,  1,833;  William  .\ 
Kclley,  .April  15th,  1834;  John  Hanchet.  January  19th,  1835;  .\dam  Smith. 
September  17th.  1849;  Alon/o  Putman,  .March  4th,  1856;  William  H 
Steinberg,  May  16th,  1857;  Phillip  Pruyn,  .\ugust  24th,  1857;  John  Visher, 
April  i8th,  1862;  John  V.  S.  Edwards,  January  8th,  1863;  Joseph  .\oxon, 
November  12th,  1873;  Tunis  V.an  Derveer,  December  4th,  1873:  anil 
Edward  Edwards,  March  31st,  1874. 

The  post  office  at  .Xuriesville  was  established,  and  .Allen  H.  Jackson 
appointed  postmaster,  January  26th,  1824.  Since  that  time  postmasters 
have  been  appointed  as  follows:  John  Hand,  May  31st,  1827;  John  \'a\i 
.\lstine,  March  22d,  1831;  William  Irving,  November  20th.  1852;  David 
Wood,  .August  I2lh,  1856;  William  Irving,  March  26th,  1862;  and  (ohn 
N.  Putman,  May  5th,  1873. 

The  first  postmaster  at  Kultonville  was  William  M.  Oardinier,  and  the 
office  was  established  December  12th,  1832.  The  office  has  since  then 
been  filled  as  follows  :  Cornelius  Gardinier,  .August  2d,  1841  ;  William 
Shuler,  August  15th,  1843;  John  H.  Starin,  June  15th,  1849;  William 
Shuler,  July  14th,  1853;  and  lliles  H.  Mount,  May  16th,  1861. 

The  post  office  at  Mill  Point  was  established,  and  James  J.  Faulkner 
aiipointed  postmaster,  February  13th,  1874,  and  he  has  held  the  office  ever 

IHK  OLD  STOCKBRIDOE  CHIEF 
Ihe  sad  fate  of  the  aboriginal  race  on  .American  soil  is  typified  by  that 
of  the  aged  Indian,  Elijah  Pie,  who,  after  being  in  his  time  one  of  the  lonK 
of  the  land,  died  about  1840  at  the  county  poor-house.  He  wasoncechief 
of  the  formidable  Stockbridge  tribe,  but  was  too  favorably  inclined  loward 
the  whites  to  please  his  warriors,  and  a  younger  and  more  ambitious  and 
waHike  aspirant  supplanted  him.  He  thereupon  removed  to  the  .Mohawk 
valley,  where  his  mother  was  brought  up  and  was  buried.  "  Me  want  be 
near  mother's  grave,"  said  he,  and  leaving  his  .Massiichusetts  home  and  his 
tribe  about  1825,  he  erected  his  wigwam  on  the  farm  owned  by  .Abram  V. 
Putman,  about  a  mile  southeast  of  .Auriesville.  There,  for  some  fourteen 
years,  he  spent  a  solitary  life,  supporting  himself  by  making  b.iskets,  broom,, 
.and  other  Indian  wares,  which  he  exchanged  with  the  neighbors  for  the 
necessaries  of  life  ;  for  he  was  an  honest  man  and  would  not  be  beholden 
to  any  man,  while  he  could  care  for  himself.  .At  length,  however,  he  was 
disabled  by  rheumatism,  and  taken  to  the  county-house  for  proper  care. 
•  .\le  die  soon,"  he  said.  "Indian  no  live  long  with  white  man."  His 
words  were  prophetic  ;  he  did  not  long  survive  his  humiliation,  and  he  had 
spoken  as  truly  of  the  fate  of  his  race  as  of  his  own 

PERSONAL  SKETCH 
Pktkk  Van  Evkra,  a  son  of  John  B.  Van  Evera,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Canajoharie,  at  Mapletown,  .March  23d.  1803.  He  was  ediitatcd  in  a 
common  school,  and  at  the  age  of  twelve,  became  a  clerk  in  John  Taylor 
and  Co.'s  store  at  Ma]ilelown,  where  the  trading  in  the  town  was  then  aboiii 
all  done.  The  town  meetings  were  also  held  there.  .\t  seventeen,  .Mr 
Van  Evera  began  teaching  school,  and  after  leaching  three  years,  reliirnt-d 
to  his  paternal  homestead,  and  helped  his  father  on  the  farm.  Kehriiarv 
17th,  1825,  he  married  Nancy  Leonardson.  .March  15th,  1826,  he  rented 
a  farm  in  the  town  of  Cilen,  on  whii  h  he  remained  as  tenant  twelve  years. 
He  subseipiently  [lurchased  it,  and  has  resided  on  the  farm  ever  since.  He 
made  farming  his  sole  business  until  the  year  1867,  since  which  time  he 
has  lived  retired  on  the  old  homestead.  Kle  is  now  the  owner  of  1,400 
acres  of  land,  over  800  acres  being  in  Ihe  towns  of  Root  and  (lien,  the  re- 
mainder lying  out  of  the  1  ounty.  He  was  elected  supervisor  for  the 
years  1849,  1850.  1S51  and  1853.  'l-his  agc-d  couple  have  had  five  son,  and 
live  daughters.  Mr.  Van  Evera  possesses  a  large  amount  of  native  shrewd- 
ness :ind  ai  Icarpcr.tplionol  human  uaUire.  whi<  h  has  .  ontribiited  towards 
his  sii,,css  in  life 


133 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


FULTONVILLE. 


The  village  of  Fultonville,  situated  upon  the  Mohawk  river  and  the  Erie 
Canal,  and  separated  by  the  former  from  the  county  seal,  Fonda,  on  the 
"line  of  the  New  York  Central  Railroad,  was  so  named  in  honor  of  Roliert 
Fulton.  Its  site  was  known  as  Van  Hpps'  Swamp  during  the  Re\olution. 
It  is  the  youngest  village  in  the  town,  but  already,  because  of  the  facilities 
for  shipping  and  receiving  goods  afforded  by  the  canal  and  its  proximity 
to  Fonda,  has  far  outstripped  its  older  rivals. 

The  business  history  of  Fultonville  begins  with  the  establishment,  by 
John  Starin,  about  1810,  of  a  store  iust  west  of  his  tavern,  on  the  river 
bank.  The  building  was  burned  in  1834.  Three  years  after  the  opening 
of  Starin's  store,  the  first  river  bridge  at  this  point  was  built,  its  southern 
end  being  at  the  tcnninus  of  Wa-shington  street,  Joseph,  a  son  of  John 
Starin,  was  treasurer  of  the  bridge  company.  He,  in  partnership  with 
Abram  Hall,  for  a  number  of  years  kept  the  store  built  by  John  Starin, 
and  then  sold  out  to  Thomas  Robinson,  a  son-in-law  of  the  latter.  The 
Starin  homestead,  at  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Ri\er  streets,  was  built 
by  Joseph  Starin  about  the  year  1815.  John  Starin's  property  south  of  the 
river  included  the  part  of  what  is  now  Fultonvilic,  uuunued  on  the  west  by 
Washington  street,  on  the  south  by  .Montgomery  street,  on  the  east  by  the 
property  of  .\.  J.  \'ates,  and  on  the  north  by  the  river. 

Myndert,  son  of  John  Starin,  having  carried  on  a  large  and  successful 
business  at  Johnstown,  and  later  at  Sammonsville,  joined,  in  1822,  with 
Thomas  Robinson  in  buying  a  large  tract  of  land,  including  the  site  of 
Fultonville.  Here  Starin  and  Robinson  laid  the  foundation  of  the  present 
Tillage  by  building  a  store,  a  flour-mill,  a  distiller)-,  a  paper-mill,  an  ashery, 
a  saw-mill,  a  blacksmith  shop  and  nail  factory,  an  establishment  for  card- 
ing, spinning,  weaving  and  cloth-dressing,  etc.  \  plaster-mill  was  also  put 
up  and  streets  laid  out,  and  when  the  canal  was  completed  it  found  a  fuli- 
6edged  village  ready  to  take  advantage  of  it. 

In  the  autumn  of  1825,  the  year  in  which  the  artificial  river  connecting 
the  great  lakes  with  the  Hudson  was  opened  to  commerce,  Henry  P.  Voor- 
hecs  began  the  mercantile  business  ii|>on  the  south  bank  of  the  canal,  just 
east  of  the  bridge,  in  the  village  of  F'ultonville.  His  store  was  opened  in 
an  old  farm-house,  but  m  the  ne.\t  year  .Mr  V'oorhecs,  to  meet  the  prospec- 
tive demands  of  business,  erected  the  store  and  store-house  lately  occupied 
by  Peter  Van  .Antwerp.  He  erected  a  shed  for  wagons  on  the  corner 
where  the  Donaldson  Ulock  now  stands.  This  shed  was  afterward  raised 
and  converted  into  a  store,  and  later  still  was  transformed  into  a  dwelling- 
house  and  moved  to  the  northwest  corner  of  the  Voorhecs  place,  where  it 
has  been  occupied  by  Dr.  Sweatman.  Soon  this  country  place  became  a 
central  point  of  active  business,  rendered  attractive  by  the  advant,-.gus  of 
canal  navigation.  Several  new  busines.s  houses  sprung  into  existence, 
though  some  of  them  endured  but  for  a  short  time;  and  while  those  that 
survived  secured  a  fair  measure  of  patronage,  the  Voorhees  establishment 
continued  to  transact  an  ever-increasing  business.  For  iiian\-  vears  this 
was  a  ready  market  for  the  agricultural  products  of  all  the  region  lying 
south,  while  the  lumbermen  of  the  northern  forests  found  here  an  a\ail- 
able  de|)ot  at  which  to  dispose  of  their  lumber.  .\t  this  point,  also,  were 
received  and  forwarded  to  the  immense  tanneries  north,  large  i|iiantilies  of 
hides  and  leather  ;  it  was  at  this  point,  too,  that  large  ipianliiics  of  deer- 
skins were  received  and  forwarded  to  (iloverss  ille,  where  they  were  manu- 
factured into  glo^es  and  mittens,  and  then  returned  to  this  plate,  whence 
they  were  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  State.  Every  enterprise  for  manv 
years  prospered,  but  Henry  P.  Voorhees  was  always  in  the  van. 
.  Mr.  Voorhees  was  liorn  near  the  settlement  known  a,  "  I.og  Town,"  about 
the  year  1794,  his  father,  Peter  Voorhees,  being  a  successful  merchant 
doing  business  in  Voorhcesville,  now  known  as  Glen  village.     When  eleven 


years  old,  and  having  had  but  nine  months'  schooling,  "  Harry,"  as  he  wj. 
called,  entered  his  father's  store  as  a  clerk,  .\fter  a  few  years  his  fatlu-i 
removed  to  I.ysandcr,  N,  Y.,  and  Harry  went  with  his  uncle,  John  H 
Voorhecs,  who  established-  a  country  store  in  Florida,  on  the  road  Icadii-.i; 
from  Mill  Point  to  Minaville,  about  one  mile  from  Schoharie  creek.  Voim^ 
Voorhees  remained  here,  it  is  supposed,  until  he  established  himself  .n 
business  at  .Minaville,  then  known  as  Vankee  Street,  about  the  year  1815. 
He  then  kept  a  tavern  and  store,  and  also  combined  with  these  t»ij 
branches  the  business  of  a  potashery.  .About  this  time  he  married  Jane,  1 
daughter  of  Ruloff  Conover,  of  that  neighborhood,  by  whom  he  had  three 
daughters.  Two  of  his  early  clerks  were  John  Stilwell  and  Garret  Po~l, 
The  duties  of  the  first  are  said  to  have  reiiuired  his  services  as  hostler,  bar- 
tender, potash-boiler  and  clerk  behind  the  counter,  and  so  well  did  he  per- 
form his  several  duties,  that  Mr.  Voorhees  established  him  as  a  partner  in 
a  branch  of  his  business  at. .-Amsterdam. 

It  is  related  that  at  one  time,  when  the  project  of  widening  the  canal  wis 
under  discussion  iik  the  Legislature,  Vrooninn  Berr)-,  then  1  member  fr^ui 
this  district,  suggested  that  such  an  undertaking  was  impracticable,  as  it 
would  involve  the  destruction  of  Voorhees'  store  at  Fultonville.  In  1827 
Mr.  Voorhees  erected  the  brick  mansion  latterly  owned  and  occupied  \ij 
Charles  Donaldson,  though  it  is  still  known  among  the  residents  of  the 
village  as  the  Voorhees  mansion.  Here  Mr.  \'oorhees  lived  until  the  year 
1856.  when  advancing  age  compelled  him  to  retire  from  business  life,  ami 
he  then  removed  to  New-  Castle,  Delaware,  where  he  died  at  an  ad\ancL-il 
age.      His  wife  and  children  arc  also  dead. 

Mr.  Voorhees  was  succeeded  in  business  by  Messrs.  .\Iears  and  .Ma. 
Intyre.  who  were  followed  in  turn  by  .A.  J.  Abel  6:  Co.,  .Abel  Brother-, 
Abel  &  Morrison,  and  the  present  firm  of  J.  H.  Morrison  &  Co. 

The  Voorhees  residence  was  purchased  by  William  Enders  Fucker,  aii'l 
remained  in  his  possession  until  the  year  1873.  The  old  brass  knocker 
which  was  formerly  on  the  front  door,  and  which  bears  the  date  "  1827, 
is  now  in  possession  of  Mr.  Ecker. 

.Among  others  who  embarked  in  business  life  at  F'ultonville  in  its  earlier 
days  were  Clark  &  Post,  Devoe  S;  .Martin,  Thomas  Robinson,  .Mc.Artluir 
&  McKinley,  Plantz  &  Argersinger,  Crumwell  &  Fink,  Frisby  &  .\IcCnn- 
key,  Scott  Campbell,  S.  F.  Underwood,  Shuler  .S:  Wilcox,  Blood  &  Conyiic, 
D.  D.  Starin,  J.  H.  Starin,  L.  V.  Peek  &  Co.,  and  Chapman  &  Fonda.  Peter 
Fonda  and  Henry  Starin  also  kept  canal  stores  at  the  old  lock  in  the  lo»cr 
part  of  the  village  ;  but  these  two  stores,  w-hen  the  canal  was  enlarged  and 
the  loi  k  removed,  were  both  carried  on  by  Freeman  &  Farmer. 

Amon"  the  earlier  physicians  who  practiced  in  the  town  was  Dr.  .Alcx.in- 
der  Sheldon.  He  w-as  Speaker  of  the  .\ssembly  for  several  session' 
Drs.  Lathrop,  A'an  Est  and  William  Smith  were  also  among  the  earlier 
practitioners.  Dr.  Thompson  Burton  came  to  the  village  of  Fultonvil^^- 
about  the  year  1S46.  He  was  born  in  Charleston,  and  practii"' 
several  years  in  that  town  before  coming  to  Glen.  Dr.  W.  F.  Swealnii" 
came  to  FultoniiUe,  from  Schoharie  county,  in  the  year  1872,  J"'' 
now  has  an  cxtensi\e  and  increasing  prai  ticc.  Dr.  Leonard  Proctor  i'- 
lowed  his  profession  in  the  town  about  1840.  Dr.  James  Davis,  !'■ 
Richard  Davis  and  Dr.  Kclley  were  also  located  in  the  town  about  i'-' 
same  time.      .Among  others  may  be  mentioned  Drs.  Parson  and  I,e.i<-h. 

Isaac  H.dl  Tiffany,  I'.s,].,  was  born  at  Keene,  N.  H..  and  died  at  Full-'- ' 
ville,  Feb.  25,  1859,  aged  80  years.  While  iiuite  young  he  gradii.ited  ■ 
Dartmouth  College,  and  read  law  with  Aaron  Burr  in  his  palmy  d.i:.s.  H- 
was  long  a  successful  [iractitioner  of  law  in  Schoharie  county,  and  als"  '"  • 
of  its  judges.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  polished  manners,  social  and  c""' 
panionable,  who  desired  to  be  useful   rather  th.an  conspicuous.     He  »-" 


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FULTONVILLE  CHURCHES.  NEWSPAPERS  AND  CEMETERIES. 


I2S 


(ond  of  music  and  the  sciences,  especially  of  astronomy,  a  profound  schol- 
ar, and  a  constant  advocate  of  improvement  in  the  school-room  and  the 
workshop.  He  was  quite  at  home  in  all  intelligent  society,  where,  gifted 
with  a  retenti\'e  memory,  fine  conversational  powers,  and  a  large  fund  of 
anecdotal  lore,  he  was  ever  a  welcome  guest.  He  was  remarkably  tem- 
urrate  in  his  habits,  eschewing  the  use  of  tobacco  and  alcohol.  The  last 
twenty  years  of  his  life  he  resided  at  Fultonville,  where  he  was  a  much 
respected  and  esteemed  citizen. 

I'he  village  of  Kiiltonville  was  organized  -Aug.  g,  1848,  by  the  clei  tion  of 
the  following  board  of  trustees  ;  Howland  Fish,  president  ;  .Andrew  J. 
Vaies,  Wm.  B  Wemple,  Thomas  R.  Horton  and  Iiclancey  I),  Starm.  .\t 
that  time  the  population  of  the  village  was  6jo.  In  1.H75  the  population 
had  increased  to  1220. 

The  village  at  present  contams  two  churches,  a  Reformed  and  a  .Meth- 
odist Episcopal ;  one  ne\v^p.a]>er  office.  The  Monti^omery  Counh  Repiihltciin  : 
two  hotels,  the  Perkins  House  and  the  Starin  House,  in  addition  to  several 
others  along  the  tow-p.uh,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  bo.-^tmen;  a  ste;im 
flouring-mill,  two  steam  ^aw-miils,  a  steam  sash-and-blind  factory,  a  fur- 
nace and  machine  shop,  and  eleven  stores.  There  is  also  an  extensive 
coal  business  carried  on.  this  being  the  distributing  point  for  a  large  sec- 
lion  of  country.  The  present  trustees  of  the  village  are  Charles  H.  (,>uack- 
enbush,  president ;  John  W.  Wilson  and  Horace  B.  Freeman. 

In  our  record  of  the  business  of  the  town  of  Glen  we  woul  not  ft)rget 
to  mention  the  hay  business,  in  which  John  E.  Hubbs,  of  (ilen  village,  and 
Vii  tor  A.  Putman,  of  Auriesville,  are  engaged. 

FUl.TONVTLI.F,  CHURCHE.S. 


The  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch)  Church  of  Fultonville  was  organiz- 
ed November  24,  iS^S,  by  a  dcleg.ition  of  eight  members  from  the  church 
at  C^aughnawaga.  Immediately  after  the  organization  the  membership  was 
largely  increased  by  additions  from  other  churches  in  the  vicinity  .Steps 
were  taken  to  secure  a  church  edilice,  and  in  November.  1839,  a  neat 
wooden  building  was  erected  on  ground  donated  by  the  Putman  family. 
Rev.  David  Dyer  was  the  first  minister,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  M. 
Van  Buren.  During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Van  Buren,  the  church  edifice, 
together  with  its  contents,  was  destroyed  by  fire.  No  immediate  steps  were 
taken  toward  secunng  a  new  building  ;  services  were  held  regularly  in  the 
school-house.  In  1852  .Mr.  \'an  Buren  resigned,  and  the  society  was  with- 
out a  building  or  pastor.  In  1.S56,  the  present  churi  h  was  erected,  and  in 
May,  1857,  Rev.  Dr.  Wells,  of  Schoharie  county,  liecame  the  i»astor  ;  he 
remained  for  eleven  years.  Re\-  H.  S  Teller  next  ot^ciatcd  for  a  year, 
and  on  September  20,  1869,  the  jirescnt  pastor.  Rev.  J,  I..  Kip,  jr.,  of  I.iv- 
mgston,  N.  Y.,  was  called.  The  c  hun  h  now  has  under  its  lare  one 
hundred  and  five  families,  one  hundred  ,ind  thirty-^i\  communicants  and 
two  Sabbath-schools,  with  one  hundred  .ind  twcnt\-hvc  m  h„lars 


The  .Methodist  church  of  Fultonville  was  built  in  the  year  1854.  On 
the  31st  day  of  January  in  that  year,  the  organization  of  the  society  was 
effected,  and  in  the  following  spring  the  work  of  building  the  .  hun  h 
«a,  begun.  Ihe  llr.t  pa,l..r  «.is  N.  C.  Spaulding.  Ihe  number  of 
members  w.is  twelve,  .ind  I'eler  U  iUs  «.is  the  builder  ..f  the  ,  hun  h. 
The  list  of  ministers  «  ho  have  offii  laled  from  tune  to  time  is  quite  lengthy. 
Among  ihcni  were  the  following:  J  W.  Carhart,  Homer  Eaton,  F.  Wid- 
mer.  A.  J.  Dievendorf.  H.  D.  Kimball.  John  I'egg,  Eri  llaker.  I).  Cronk, 
Harmon  Ch.Tsc.  P.  P.  Manner,  1.  P.  Iluller.  and  tile  pastor  now  in  (  hargc. 


Rev 


F.  P  Voulen.  Homer  Eaton  is  the  presiding  elder.  The  list  of 
members  now  inclndes  sixty-six  names.  The  building  now  used  by  the 
society  is  the  original  structure. 

THE  PRESS. 

The  press  of  Montgomery  county  has  always  been  regarded  a*  nnmber- 
ing  in  its  circle  some  of  the  brightest  and  best  papers  published  in  the 
State.  .Among  this  galaxy  the  Monlgomrry  Counh  RffiuMitan  ranis  with 
the  first.  This  paper  was  started  at  Fultonville,  in  May  1S4C,  as  a 
weekly,  under  the  title  of  the  Monti^^^mrry  County  ll'/ii);,  by  Fljrms  J. 
Mills.  Within  a  year  it  was  rented  to  Benjamin  F.  Pinkham,  who  retained 
the  control  until  March,  1X41,  when  the  present  editor  and  projirieiftr,  Mr. 
Thomas  R,  Horton,  became  editor  and  publisher,  .Mr.  Horton  wis  only 
nineteen  years  of  age,  but  the  successful  career  of  the  paper  from  that  time 
to  Ihe  present,  shows  conclusively  that  the  expectations  of  the  original 
stockholders  when  they  persuaded  young  Horton  to  assume  c()ntn>l  were 
well  founded.  The  paper  continued  as  the  ffVi/^  until  1857,  when  the 
name  was  changed  to  the  Afnii/xomfry  Cnitnty  RcpuUican 

The  progress  of  the  Kfpii^lunn  has  been  attended  with  ever  iwreas- 
ing  success.  Mr.  Horton  has,  with  the  exception  of  two  years  from  the 
first  of  August,  1862.  during  which  he  left  the  newspajier  field  for  the  more 
dangerous  one  of  war.  leaving  the  editorship  to  his  brother,  J.  W,  Horton,) 
maintained  control  of  the  iiajier  since  first  assuming  charge,  and  it  is  to 
his  efforts  that  the  popularity  and  success  of  the  Repuh/ican  are  due. 

T/ie  Mohawk  ValUy  Ameiican  was  the  title  of  a  weekly  paper  published 
in  Fultonville  in  the  year  1856.  In  that  year  Mr.  C.  B.  Freeman,  as  editor 
and  publisher,  issued  the  first  number,  and  the  new  organ  was  greeted  with 
a  fair  measure  of  success.  Its  publication  was  continued  until  the  year 
1864,  when  Mr.  Freeman  purchased  The  Fonda  Srntinel  and  united  the 
two  under  the  name  of  The  Moha'vk  Valley  Democrat^  publishing  the  new 
paper  from  the  old  office  of  the  Sentinel. 

cemf:teries. 

In  the  year  1848  a  public  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Fulton\ifle  wait 
called,  to  take  some  action  in  reference  to  the  purchase  of  property  for  the 
use  of  a  public  cemetery.  A  subscription  paper  was  circulated,  and  in  the 
.Autumn  of  that  year  a  sufficient  sum  had  been  realized  to  purchase  the 
needed  ground  from  (larret  Yates.  The  committee  who  made  the  purchase 
were  Henry  P.  Voorhics,  Cornelius  Gardinier,  Evert  Vates,  Joseph  Miller, 
and  Howland  Fish,  The  property  was  laid  out  in  plots,  which  were  sold 
at  auction.  .Additions  have  been  twice  made  to  the  original  purihise.  and 
Hon.  J.  H.  Starin,  who  has  already  done  so  much  for  his  native  village,  has 
a  tract  as  large  as  that  now  owned  by  the  cemetery  association  which  he 
proposes  donating  to  the  association,  and  laying  out  beautifully.  Probably 
within  .1  vear  or  two  these  improvements  will  h.ave  been  act  omplished. 

"  -Ma[)Ie  .Avenue  Cemetery"  is  located  on  the  hill  about  half  a  mi!e  e.ist 
from  the  main  part  of  Fulton\ille  It  was  at  first  laid  out  by  Barney 
Gardinier  as  a  private  enterprise,  but  in  the  year  1873  the  Maple  .Avenue 
Cemetery  .Association  was  formed  and  the  grounds  passed  into  its  cnntrol. 
The  cemetery  occupies  a  |)rominenI  site  ;  the  walks  and  drives  are  in  fine 
( (jndition,  and  the  grounds  are  beautified  by  a  great  variety  of  on 
trees  and  shrubs. 

With  the  ereitii.n  of  the  first  i  hun  h  the  Relormed  at  Glen 
three  acres  of  gn.und  were  set  .ip.irl  for  llic  purpose  of  a  <  emeli 
this  plot  there  .ire  many  old  gr.ncs,  the  d.ites  on  the  stones  bei 
deciphering.  One  of  the  oldest  on  whiih  the  date  lanbe  read  is  iha 
Woolston.  and  bears  the  date  1791.  .\  curious  feature  in  the  plot  is  a 
slab  bearing  the  date  1813.  whic  h  is  still  in  an  excellent  state  of  prcse 


134 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


JOHN     H  .    STA  R  I  N 


^HIN'.  lilN    hkiM  HlNc.HAM 


For  one  hundred  and  tifiy  years  the  name  ')t  Starin.  or  Staring,  as  it 
»»  formcTly  written,  has  been  identified  with  the  history  of  the  Mohawk 
\aiScy.  Nicholas  Starin  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  latter,  and  emigrated 
haaer  in  1720- 

TThc  original  family  consisted  of  eight  persons,  and  included  Nicholas 
aorf  Catharine,  his  wife,  and  also  their  children,  severally  named  KredcriLk. 
Va&ntine,  Adam,  Tunis,  Joseph  and  Catharine.  Their  first  settlement 
W2»near  the  present  village  of  t'onda,  but  soon  afterward  se\eral  of  the 
•*•»  removed  to  (iennan  Flats.  They  were  a  well-nerved  and  stout-hearted 
ycooraJiry".  who  were  etjualiy  prepared  to  battle  with  the  armed  foe,  or  with 
thr  inevitable  difficulties  of  frontier  life. 

John  Starin,  grandson  of  Nicholas,  was  bom  in  1750,  near  the  present 
siirof  Fukonville,  and  was  old  enough  when  the  French  and  Indian  war 
l>c^zu  to  share  its  penis.  The  Revolution  found  him  ready  to  enlist  in  the 
semice  of  his  country,  but  he  was  not  alone  in  this  patriotic  duty,  for  in 
the  same  <rar  Nicholas,  Jacob.  George,  Henry,  Valentine,  I'hilip,  John  and 
Adun  Stann,  nine  in  number,  are  recorded  as  soldiers  under  the  .American 
flag  No  ather  family  in  this  State,  and  indeed  in  the  whole  Union,  has 
ever  manilcsted  so  great  a  degree  of  devotion  to  the  national  arms.  Their 
sulleings  were  often  severe,  and  the  following  instance  may  be  mentioned: 

lithe  summer  of  177S  Krant  ravaged  the  .Mohawk  valley,  and  at  .Andru- 
sioc,  a  small  settlement  si.\  miles  south  exst  of  Cerman  Flats,  great  havoc 
»a«  Blade.  The  crops  were  destroyed,  the  buildings  burned  and  the  stock 
drittn  off.  \  number  of  the  inhabit-ints  were  murdered  and  two  of  the 
Staiai  family  were  carried  captive  to  Canada,  leaving  their  families  to 
inevitable  exposure  and  distress. 

\Vlen  i»cacc  was  declared  the  Starins  all  became  active  members  of  the 
coiOBunity.  and  some  of  them  were  called  to  important  service.  On  the 
erg^zatioa  of  Herkimer  county  in  1791,  Henry  Starin  was  appointed 
first  judge,  .\mong  other  notable  features  in  this  connection  it  maybe 
mentioned  that  he  presided  at  the  first  term  of  court  held  within  the 
prestat  limits  of  Oneida  county,  which  occurred  in  Whitestown,  January 
3.  17^  John  Starin,  another  of  the  nine,'  soon  after  the  close  of  hostili- 
ties, ©pened  a  store  and  an  inn  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Ntohawk.  the 
spot  teing  near  the  iiresent  bridge  The  first  bridge,  when  destroyed  by 
the  in  in  1865.  had  at  that  time  stood  a  half  century,  and  Joseph  Starin, 
son  (rf  John,  was  one  of  its  builders  These  incidents  illustrate  the 
genetil  enterjirise  of  the  family,  which  for  more  than  a  century  has  held  a 
proininent  rank  in  the  advance  of  the  age. 

Mradert  Starin,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  1787  in  what  is  now  the  village 
of  FahonviUe.  In  his  youth  he  served  as  mail  carrier,  making  a  horse- 
back route  to  and  from  Johnstown,  and  as  the  circuit  court  was  often  held 
at  his  father's  public  house  he  became  early  acquainted  with  the  business 
of  the  day.  He  was  a  man  of  intelligence  and  decision,  and  had  a  stron-^ 
love  of  country.  Flencc.  when  the  draft  was  made  for  the  war  of  1812, 
chou^  he  was  then  suffering  illness,  he  waived  his  privilege  of  exemption 
and  stood  by  the  result  of  the  draft.  He  was  at  this  time  a  captain  in  the 
tnfanuy,  having  been  commissioned  by  dovernor  Tompkins.  When  the 
war  closed  Myndert  .Stann  opened  business  successfully  in  Johnstown,  but 
three  years  afterward.  (1819  he  made  Sammonsville  the  scene  of  his 
u|>erusons.  These  im  bided  the  building  of  a  hotel,  an  ashery,  distillery, 
fl<fur-niU,  methanical  shops  and  a  saw-mill. 

In  1^22  he  was  led  by  various  circumstances  to  begin  a  new  establish- 
ment near  his  old  home  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk,  being  in  this 
enterfiri.se  united  with  the  late  Thomas  Robinson.  They  purchased  a 
large  tiact  wh.ch  includes  the  jirescnt  site  of  Fullonvillc,  and  their  plan 
embraced  twelve  varied  forms  of    industry.     Among  these    were  mills  for 


sawing  lumber,  grinding  grain,  making  paper,  spinning  wool  and  drcssini^ 
cloth,  to  which  were  to  be  .idded  a  nail  factory,  a  distillery  and  an  ashery 
-\s  the  Erie  Canal  was  then  in  process  of  construction,  the  establishment  01 
Starin  A:  Robinson  included  a  dry-dock  and  boat  yard,  with  other  fai  ilitu-s 
connected  with  inland  commen-e.  The  new  village  was  laid  out  and  w  j^ 
then  formally  named  after  the  founder  of  steam  navigation.  FultonviUi- 
owes  its  existence  principally  to  the  enterprise  of  Mvndert  Starin  Hr 
married,  .March  22,  1816,  .Miss  Rachel  Sammons.  whose  father,  .Major 
Thomas  Sammons,  had  won  distinction  in  the  Revolution.  Major  SaIll^lc^ll^ 
was  elected  to  Congress  in  1802  and  1S04,  iXoS  and  1810,  a  degree  of  pub 
lie  service  which  indicates  the  position  he  occujjied  in  this  important  dis- 
trict. Myndert  Stann  died  in  1S45,  being  then  in  his  fifty-eighth  year, 
and  leaving  eight  children  to  the  care  of  a  widow.  The  latter  was  endowed 
with  those  powers  which  are  necessary  to  rearing  a  family,  and  her  influence 
and  example  have  consecrated  her  memory.  She  was  a  christian,  and  im- 
pressed upon  her  children  lessons  worthy  of  such  a  character,  as  the  best 
preparation  for  the  battle  of  life.  Mrs.  Starin  went  to  her  rest  September 
6,  1855,  but  she  still  lives  in  all  the  power  of  rn.iternal  influe.".ce. 

John  H.  Starin,  whose  character  and  services  demand  a  more  exiended 
reference  than  we  are  able  here  to  present,  is  the  son  of  the  last  mentioned 
pair,  and  was  born  .August  27,  182;.  His  early  days  were  pas.sed  in  Tub 
tonville,  and  after  attending  district  school,  he  had  a  brief  course  under 
the  Lancaster  system,  at  F^sperance.  He  also  attended  the  Kingsbor.> 
academy,  which  in  the  hands  of  the  late  jirofessor  Sprague  had  won  a  high 
reputation.  In  1842,  being  then  seventeen,  he  beg.an  the  study  of  ineili- 
cine  at  Albany,  under  care  of  Dr.  C.  C.  ^"ates,  but  soon  at'terward  returned 
to  F'ultonville  and  became  drug  clerk  for  his  brother  I)elancv,  who  w.is 
then  carrying  on  a  general  country  trade.  When  the  firm  of  Starin  .\ 
Freeman  was  formed,  he  took  charge  of  the  drug  department,  which  he 
soon  afterward  in  1847  purchased,  .and  thenceforth  conducted  the  busi 
ness  in  his  own  name.  He  had  just  reached  full  age,  and  since  then  he 
has  ne\er  been  in  any  other  ser\ice  than  his  own  or  that  of  his  couiurv 
He  was  made  postmaster  by  the  Fillmore  administration,  and  this,  w  iili  .1 
successful  drug  trade,  may  for  a  time  have  satisfied  his  ambition. 

New  York,  however,  soon  attracted  him  by  its  vast  facilities,  and  in  iSs'i, 
being  then  thirty-one,  he  conveyed  his  business  to  the  metropolis,  but  still 
retained  his  original  residence.  Commodore  Starin's  early  associations,  in- 
deed, have  always  held  their  mastery,  and  he  has  never  desired  to  be  ani 
other  than  a  citizen  of  old  Montgomery.  On  est.iblishing  himself  in  New 
York  his  industry  and  energy  reached  what  then  was  considered  a  very  satis- 
factorv  success,  and  he  was  invited  to  a  partnership  in  a  first-class  house, 
which  he  declined.  A  new  field  was  even  then  0|iening  heiore  him.  and 
one  which  was  more  congenial  to  an  administrative  mind.  This  was  the 
freighting  business.  He  had  freipiently  been  of  service  to  railwayman.) 
gers  to  a  degree  which  indicated  his  peculiar  abilities,  and  this  soon  led  t" 
a  closer  connection.  He  had  won  the  confidence  of  the  chief  freighters"! 
the  metrojiolis,  and  on  the  opening  of  the  rebellion  he  was  found  to  be 
specially  adapted  to  an  important  duty.  This  was  the  transportatmn  <  1 
ordnance,  military  stores,  and  general  commissary  supplies,  throughout  il" 
cities  of  Brooklyn  and  New  York.  It  was  accomplished  by  him  at  a  rcdiM  - 
tion  of  from  one-third  to  one-half  former  cost,  and  with  a  rapidity  ami 
precision  which  knew  no  failure.  New  York  had  become,  to  a  large  di 
gree,  the  centre  of  military  supplies,  whose  transportation  increased  until  " 
was  in  itself  an  immense  specialty.  The  system,  however,  was  skillfull)  "' 
ganized,  and  this  insured  its  remarkable  success. 

When  the  war  closed.  John  H.  Starin's  reputation  as  a  freight  op>r,ii'' 
led  to  a  contract  with  one  of  the  most  important  railroads,  which  pl.u  ed  I's 


h 


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HON.  J.   H 

,,,.■1  .ttractiun, 
cicral   hundred 

acrc>  u|ion  a  commanilin^^  elcvatinn  (in  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk 
river,  and  is  distant  less  than  a  inde  tnim  the  radroad  dcpnl  at  Fonda.  \ 
finer  loeation  lor  a  sioi k  farm  it  injidil  I.e  ditii.  iilt  u>  find.  .Mr  Starin  has 
just  <  oinijletcd  a  \ery  substantial  limking  bri(  k  residenee  at  the  crown  of 
the  hill,  whii  h  by  its  situation  presents  a  very  imposing  appearance  from 
valley  below.  This  building,  although  in  its  exterior  not  as  showy  as 
ny  modern  houses,  is  fitted  up  in  regard  to  its  interior  arrangements  in 
most  thorough  and  i  ompiete  manner.  The  former  rcsidcnee  of  the 
lily  is  situated  further  ba<  k  from  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  near  by  it  is 
extensive  hot-house,  Idled  to  overflowing  with  the  choicest  and  rarest 
of  plants.  In  the  rear  are  extensive  nurseries,  containing  all  \arieties  of 
fruit  an<l  ornamental  shade  trees, 

e  of  the  most  attractive  features  of  .Mr,  Starin's  place,  which,  as  the 
use  of  the  walks  ,ind  drives  is  freely  given  to  the  |iublic,  serves  the  piir- 
of  a  c(unmon  park,  is  the  magnifiient  deer  paddock,  which  embraces 
about  ten  at  res.  em  losed  by  a  i>i(  ket  fence  eleven  feet  high,  within  which 
arc  conllned  deer,  antelope,  ibex,  and  koi  ky  Mountain  elk,  Hordcnng 
Ihis  park  is  a  deep  ravine,  through  which  runs  a  dashing,  sparkling  brook, 
h  has  been  checked  in  its  course  and  made  to  serve  as  the  abiding 
place  of  numberless  trout,  where  the  spotted  beauties  can  be  plainly  dis- 
cerned whisking  about  in  the  clear  water. 

\  short  distance  from  the  mansion    are   the  carriage  houses  and   barns, 
encircled  bv  streams  of  running   water  ;   the  staliles   having  stalls  sixteen 


.ST.\RIN"S   K.ARM. 

feet  sipiare,  and  containing  every  appliance  for  the  comfort  and  convenieiu  r 
of  the  four-fcjoted  boarders.  Mr,  Starin  has  at  great  expense  laid  |,ipe, 
from  springs  in  the  hills,  furnishing  all  the  buildings  with  a  constant  sup. 
ply  of  clear  (  old  spring  water.  He  has  also  laid  mains  down  to  the  v  ill.ige. 
thus  giving  to  the  residents  of  Kullonville,  free  of  cost,  an  excellent  vv.iter 
supply,  .\  three-cpiarter  mile  track,  with  straight  sides  and  graded  curveil 
ends,  is  laid  out  upon  the  farm,  bordered  with  evergreens  and  maples, 
while  the  space  thus  enclosed  is  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  all  manner 
of  vegetables.  L'pon  this  track  during  the  season,  frecpient  trials  of  speed 
take  i)lace  between  the  manv  noble  sj)ecimens  of  horse-llesh  to  be  found 
in  -Mr.  Starin's  stables.  The  fields  abound  with  varieties  of  thorough-bred 
stock,  aldernev's,  short  horns,  blooded  sheep,  etc. 

The  curiosity  of  the  farm  is  an  .American  buffalo  of  [londerous  proper- 
lions,  while  we  must  not  fail  to  mention  O.xford  loth,  the  model  bull  of 
the  county. 

The  camera  obscura.  which  i:rovvns  a  slight  eminence  a  short  distanc  e 
from  the  mansion,  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  features  of  the  jjlai  e. 
affording,  as  it  does,  a  must  delightful  manner  of  viewing  the  country  for 
miles  in  every  direction.  The  view  of  the  valley  below,  with  trains  and 
canal-boats  moving  to  and  fro.  is  a  picture  worthy  of  a  more  extended  no- 
tice  than  can  be  given  it  here. 

Mr.  Starin  employs  a  large  number  of  men  upon  his  |}lace  in  different 
capacities,  thus  keeping  his  money  in  circulation  in  his  own  town,  and 
directly  benefiting  his  own  townspeople. 


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"FOF(T  PL7\W   S  EMIKARY■A^roGOLlEG|■\^iE'l^•ST'TUTE:^F■0ftTPU>^.IW.  MOJ^TCSOMEFf^y-'  (50..K.X/ 


COMMODORE  STARIN  S  FLEET— HIS  HOME  AT  FULTONVILLE. 


1:J5 


iHiMQCsj  in  his  hands.  His  facilities  for  loading  and  unloading  their  trains 
»cre  such  that  the  work  was  done  at  a  reduction  on  previous  cost,  and 
hence  the  exi>enment  proved  mutually  satisfactor)-.  Economy,  security 
and  dispatch  were  insured  on  the  one  hand,  while  on  the  other  an  extraor- 
<linar>'  power  of  calculation,  and  corresponding  executive  skdl,  rendered 
c>eosuch  low  rates  profitable.  The  example  of  the  New  Jersey  Central 
«j3  followed  by  either  leading  roads,  until  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and 
Western,  and  the  t'entral-Hudson,  sought  each  a  similar  arrangement. 
and  as  a  result  the  heaviest  part  of  the  freight  of  New  \'ork  is  now  moved 
In-  thtf  operations  of  one  controlling  intellect. 

rhe  latter  was  at  the  same  time  turned  to  harbor  na\  igation,  and  this 
leil  lo  the  purchase  of  the  steamer  Blackbird.  Thus  was  begun  a  marine 
rntcrest  which  has  gradually  become  the  most  extensive  in  the  waters  of 
the  metroi>olis.  Such  a  distinction  soon  found  its  proper  expression  in 
that  title  by  which  the  public  now  recognize  the  owner,  '*  Commodore 
St.irin."  A  grand  lleei  plies  in  the  harbor  and  Sound,  each  ot  which  bears 
hi>  special  signal,  and  the  latter  has  become  the  best  known  of  all  such 
marine  insignia.  This  fleet  comprises  fifteen  steam  tugs  employed  in  tow- 
ing other  vessels  ;  also  two  immense  propellers,  which  are  adapted  to  the 
freight  business  on  the  Sound.  To  these  are  to  be  added  several  powerful 
•.ide-wheel  steamers,  including  the  Castleton,  the  Pomona,  the  Thomas 
Hunt,  the  Ontario,  the  H.  M.  Wells,  and  the  I).  R.  .Martin,  and  also  those 
elegant  steamboats,  the  Blackbird,  the  Collyer,  and  the  John  H.  Starin. 
rhe  propellers,  lighters,  barges,  and  canal  boats  included  in  this  projjert) 
reach  the  number  <if  one  hundred  and  seventy-six,  and  the  force  of  hands 
on  the  pay-roil  often  numbers  fifteen  hundred  men.  The  amount  of 
freight  moved  by  this  force  is  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  tons  per  dav 
— all  of  which  is  done  with  a  degree  of  safety  and  despatch  never  before 
attained.  A  ship-yard  has  been  established  for  construction  and  repair, 
and  here  all  the  operatives  and  implements  of  each  detail  may  be  found  in 
ai-tive  service. 

Two  lines  of  Stalen  Island  ferry,  and  a  steamboat  line  to  New  Haven, 
arc  among  the  most  recent  additions  to  the  list  of  Commodore  Starin's 
enterprises.  His  general  office  is  123  and  125  Broad  street,  and  these  have 
telegraphic  connections  with  the  branch  offices,  four  in  number,  each  lo- 
« .ued  at  an  important  wharf.  All  these  operations  are  conducted  by  means 
of  that  system  which  has  gradually  reached  a  degree  of  jierfection  such  as 
ha-  never  previously  been  known  in  the  history  of  navigation. 

Commodore  Starin  has  been  often  brought  before  the  public  as  a  leading 
.igriculturisi.  and  hence  it  may  be  said  that  his  home  estate  at  FuItonviUe 
embraces  six  hundred  acres  of  excellent  land,  all  under  improvement.  Its 
natural  beauty  adds  much  to  its  general  attraction,  and  this  has  been  ad- 
mirably assisted  by  art.  The  specialty  of  rare  and  valuable  horses  and 
cattle  holds  prominence,  .^mong  the  former  are  some  of  the  finest  Ham- 
bletonian  breed,  while  the  enormous  Norman  stallion.  Baron  Hausman. 
represents  what  .\merica  so  long  has  needed — the  heaviest  and  strongest 
draught  hor-e.  Among  the  cattle  herds  one  may  behold  choice  specimens  of 
the  -Mdemey,  I>urham,  Devon,  .\yrshire,  Kerry,  and  other  valuable  breeds. 
In  addition  to  these,  a  park,  containing  buffalo,  elk,  and  other  rare  and  in- 
teresting animals,  may  be  mentioned  as  a  curious  feature.     The  trout  ponds 


are  also  places  of  much  interest,  while  the  various  breeds  of  fow  Is,  and  eve 
the  swine,  have  their  admirers.      The  floral  department  includes  a  sp.ii  ii,u» 
conservatory,  under  care  of  an  expert  liorist,  and  abounding  in  e\.jiic  as 
well  as  native  varieties. 

The  Commodore  has  .idded,  as  a  suitable  finish  to  this  establi-hiiicnt  a 
stately  mansion,  which  enjoys  a  varied  and  delightful  view  of  the  Mohjwk 
\'alley.  .All  the  improvements  of  the  age  have  been  introduced,  including 
hydraulic  and  also  gas  works,  and  the  latter  are  arranged  so  as  to  ilbiininate 
the  entire  adjacent  grounds.  Near  the  palatial  structure  is  an  artesian 
well,  in  addition  to  which  there  is  a  reservoir  which  supplies  l-'iiltonvillc 
with  water,  the  pipes  having  been  laid  down  at  the  Commodore's  c\|icnse. 
Lpon  the  whole  this  establi.shment,  when  considered  in  all  its  dct.nls.  h.is 
noei|ual  in  the  Union. 

.■\  powerful  motive  in  so  vast  an  outlay  is  that  pleasure  which  a  p.itr.m 
of  the  working  class  finds  in  giving  employment  to  deserving  men.  to  wiicjin 
this  is  often  the  best  form  of  charity  ;  in  addition  to  this  is  the  gniifica- 
tion  of  that  varied  taste  which  delights  in  the  development  of  the  beautiful 
as  well  as  the  useful.  Commodore  Starin  was  elected  to  Congress  by  the 
Twentieth  district  in  the  canvass  of  187O,  and  is  known  at  Wushingiim,  as 
elsewhere,  as  a  man  of  deeds  rather  than  of  words. 

Turning  to  domestic  life,  it  may  be  said,  without  invading  the  priva<:y 
due  to  family  affairs,  that  the  Commodore  married  Miss  I.aijra  I'nole,  of 
Fultonville,  sister  of  .Maj.  DeWitt  Poole  of  the  regular  army,  and  of  distin- 
guished service  in  the  late  rebellion.  It  need  hardly  be  added  that  he 
found  in  this  companion  one  who  could  rise  with  him  to  eminence  of 
wealth  without  losing  that  simplicity  and  sincerity  of  character  which 
marks  true  womanhood.  Two  sons  are  now  engaged  in  business  vvith  their 
father  ;  and  of  two  daughters,  it  may  be  said  that  one  has  become  Mrs. 
James  D.  Spraker  of  New  York  ,  while  the  other,  Miss  Carrie  Starin.  still 
.idorns  the  home  circle. 

The  most  striking  illustration  of  a  grand  hos])iialitv  whicli  ever  uuA 
place  on  the  .American  continent  was  found  in  the  Centennial  cri^i-.-j,  :r, 
which  Commodore  Starin  entertained  a  large  circle  of  his' friends.  This 
occurred  in  September.  1876,  being  the  first  use  to  which  the  ste.imer 
John  H.  Starin  was  devoted.  The  latter,  when  elegantly  fitted  for  ]iublii 
service,  vvas  ordered  to  .Albany,  where  a  large  portion  of  the  guc--ts  r.iine 
.1  board  ;  thence  she  sailed  for  New  York,  where  other  guests  were  re- 
ceived, making  a  complement  of  a  hundred  and  twentv-five.  besides  ..f*i(  ers 
and  crew.  The  excursion  included  a  visit  to  iN'ewport,  Providence.  Ki"  ky 
Point,  New  Bedford,  Martha's  Vineyard,  and  thence  a  voyage  to  Philadel- 
phia, where  two  days  were  devoted  to  the  Centennial.  The  ve>scl  then 
W.1S  headed  for  New  York,  whence  a  trip  w.is  made  to  Hell  C.ate  civern, 
and  also  to  Coney  Island.  After  this  came  the  return  voyage  up  the 
Hudson,  stopping  at  West  Point,  and  then  making  for  .Albany.  The  <  rtiise 
vvas  remarkably  successful  in  the  condition  of  the  weather,  the  complete- 
ness of  its  appointments,  the  enjoyment  of  its  guests,  and  the  utter  nb-cii  e 
of  anything  which  could  mar  its  general  delight.  '. 'ommodore  Starin's 
entire  family  was  aboard,  and  the  reunion  thus  afforded  with  old  friends 
gave  the  excursion  its  highest  tone  of  happiness. 


126 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


THE  TOWN  OF  MINDEN. 


This  town  was  organized  from  the  westerly  part  of  C'anajoharie.  March 
2,  179^!.  Tradition  says  it  was  named  Minden  at  the  suggestion  of  some 
cajiy  settlers,  who  came  from  a  jtlace  of  the  same  name  in  l«erman\-  The 
township,  which  is  one  of  remarkahle  fcrtihty,  is  about  nine  miles  in  length 
on  the  Mohawk,  with  an  average  breadth  of  eight  miles  southerly  The 
early  permanent  settlers  were  (lermans,  the  first  of  whom  came  from  Scho- 
harie. They  settled  mainly  in  that  part  of  the  town  railed,  from  their  na- 
tivity, Dutchtown,  and  across  the  river  in  Palatine  ;  the  former  cominunitv 
gradually  extending,  liy  accessions  from  Ciermany  between  the  years  1723 
and  1760.  along  the  river  the  whole  length  of  what  in  1772  became  known 
as  the  Canajoharie  district,  and  which  in  1 788  became  a  UDwnship,  bordering 
upon  the  river  some  twenty  miles,  its  western  border  embracing  the  former 
home  of  Cien.  Herkimer.  Kvidences  of  Indian  occu|iancy  are  literally 
found  all  over  this  town,  in  the  rude  stone  implements  lost  in  war  and  the 
chase,  but  the  sites  of  their  wigwams  can  never  be  known  except  as  the 
plow  reveals  the  evidence  of  their  existence. 

THE  FRENCH   WAR   PERIOD. 

In  this  town  since  its  settlement  first  begun,  have  been  enacted  interest- 
ing and  tragic  scenes  sufficient,  if  chronicled,  to  fill  a  volume.  Here,  among 
others,  transpired  in  w  hat  was  called  the  old  French  war — which  resulted 
in  establishing  English  supremacy  in  the  Canadas — the  following  cruel  in- 
cident :  Near  the  commencement  of  this  war,  which  begun  in  1755,  John 
Markell,  who  had  married  .Anna  Timmerman,  daughter  of  a  pioneer  settler 
of  St.  Johnsville,  took  up  his  residence  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town 
Predatory  incursions  were  often  made  during  the  war  by  small  parties  of 
Canadian  Indians,  and  especially  was  this  the  case  in  1757,  in  which  vear 
it  is  believed  the  tragedy  occurred.  Markell  and  his  wife  left  home  one 
day,  she  with  an  infant  child  in  her  arms  They  had  not  proceeded  far 
when  suddenly  they  saw  a  hostile  party  of  about  a  do/.en  warriors  ap- 
proaching in  their  |Mth,  and  only  a  few  rods  distant.  Markell  at  once 
divined  that  they  were  Canadian  foes,  knew  their  own  esc  ape  was  imjiossi- 
ble,  and  said  excitedl\  to  his  wife,  «ho  was  walking  directly  behind  hun — 
'•  Xnno.,  uiisrr  z,-it  ist  ,iiis:"  .\nna  our  time  is  up  !  These,  his  last  words, 
were  truly  prophetic,  for  in  the  next  instant  one  of  the  party  leveled  his 
gun,  a  bullet  from  whi.h  passed  through  Markell's  body  into  that  of  his 
wife.  They  both  fell  to  the  ground,  and  she,  the  child  falling  lr„m  her 
arms,  lay  upon  her  face  and  feigned  death.  Markell  was  at  once  toni;i- 
hawked  and  scjl|ied,  and  as  an  Indian  was  about  to  se.  ure  his  wilVs  scalp. 


d,  of  85   y 


of   hi 


say  what 


and 


she  heard 

knock  heron  the  head  1  •' 

He  <lrew  the  knife  around 

tiers,  sei/.etl  the  sc  alp  with  I 

her  head.     One  of  the  parly   snatc  hcd   up  the 

few  months  old,  and  d.ished  out  its  brains  ag.iiii 

not  linger  long  nor   strip  the  tlead,  and  it  was  \ 

probable  Mrs.  Markell  could  not  much  longer  ha- 

roleofdenlh.      It   is    hardly   possible  to    imagin 

woman,  who  was  entircU  conscious   the  whole  ti 

and  allowed  her  si  .dp  to  be  torn  off  without  th 

muscle.      Is  there  a  woman  in  .Minden  who 

kell  found  friends.  «as  >  ared  for  nnd  recovered,  1 

her  body  to  the    gr.ive.      Not    very  long    lifter  her 

the  next  se.ison,  she    married   ('hrisiKin   Dclniin, 

lived  the  reiii.iiiuler  of   a  long  and    very  useful  III". 


1  t,, 

.1 — 

•  r.elter 

WS     1 

ead 

now :  ■■ 

g.iins 

C  he 

shoiil- 

f.int. 

iher 

oulv  a 

Ih 

e  en 

mv  did 

did 

not  : 

as  it  IS 

-fully 
ony  ( 

f  th 

ted  the 
s  brave 

111.. 


I7J6. 


.April.  1821,  at  th 

birth  about  the    v 

the  age   of   twenty-one  years.     .She   is   r 

live  of  her  aged  descendants  and  rclati 


ears;  which  «ould  plai  e 
misfortunes  when  she  wa 
1S77  remembered  by  loin 
from  whom   these    facts  » 


ere 


JUS,  interesting  and  exemplary  old  lady 
\  concealed  by  the  manner  in  which  she 
children  by  her  second  marriage,  vi/ ; 
atharine  and  .Anna.  Peter  Geiman,  her 
the  war  for  services  rendered  his  country 


learned,  as  a  remarkably  industri 
The  loss  of  her  scalp  was  partial 
combed  her  hair.  She  had  six 
Peter,  Christian,  J,acob,  .Adam,  C 
oldest  son,  was  a  jiensioner  after 
in  the  Revolution. 

.Although  here  and  there  a  block  house  was  erected  on  our  frontiers  in 
the  last  French  war,  it  is  believed  there  was  none  in  this  town;  but  it  is 
not  unlikely  that  several  private  dwellings  were  strengthened  and  made 
ready  for  defence.  There  was  a  chain  of  defences,  however,  at  greater  or 
less  distances  apart,  from  Schenectady  to  Fort  Stanwix,  now  Rome:  and 
prominent  among  them  were  Fort  Johnson,  the  residence  of  Sir  William 
Johnson,  near  .Amsterdam:  Fort  Hunter,  at  the  Lower  Mohawk  Castle; 
Fort  Canajoharie,  at  the  Upper  Castle:  Fort  Kouari,  in  the  German  Flats 
settlement;  and  Fort  Schuyler,  on  the  present  site  of  Utica,  then  above 
the  white  settlements  of  the  vallev. 


E.ARI.V   .MILLS  .AND  MILLINfi. 

Tradition  does  not  tell  us  when  the  first  mill  was  erected  in  Minden, 
but  it  is  believed  one  was  built  on  the  ()ts,|uago  as  early  as  1740  or  1750 
We  may  suppose  that  for  a  time  after  the  jiioneer  whites  settled  in  this 
town,  they  adopted  the  Indian  mode  of  pounding  their  grain  for  use:  until 
Fox  erected  his  mill  on  the  (iaroga,  in  the  western  (lart  of  Palatine,  to 
which,  crossing  the  river  in  boats,  they  took  their  small  grists  for  a  time 
Fox,  who  came  from  Schoharie,  .ilso  built  one  of  the  first  saw  mills  in  the 
county,  which  for  a  period  supplied  lumber  for  some  distance  from  11. 
Is.i,ic  Paris  is  said  to  have  built  .i  i;rist  mill  in  1770,  .ind  10  have  sold  it 
ten  years  l.iier  to  1)  Dricsb.i.  h.  a  b.i-lcr  in  liurgoyne's  ,irmy,  vv  ho  vv.'s 
taken  prisoner  and  remained  in  this  i  ountrv ,  and  who  was  the  father  ul 
the  renowned  lion  tamer,  Herr  Driesbach.  i'he  latter,  born  at  Fort  1'l.iin. 
died  December  5,  1877,  aged  70,  on  a  farm  owned  by  him  in  Ohio. 


MINDFN'S  CHLRt  H    Hlsr(iR\-. 


si   Refr 


■d  Dull  h  Chnnh  of  1  ■.m.iioh.ine  no«  111  the  lown.:! 
.Minden  was  ere.  led  in  1750.  on  v>li;u  has  l.ui-  been  known  :is  San, I  II.". 
.1  lillle  disl.in.c  ,il...ve  the  .\bcel  pl.i.  c  ..n  lllc  l)ul.ht.,«n  r.,..,l.  .if  if'- 
.  Iiiir.  h.  Kev.  .\.  Rose.  r.inl/  was  the  ]i,ist,.r  f..r  llie  lirsl  e.-lit  ve.irs,  I  l.c 
e.lill.e,  a  wooden  slru.  lure,  sto..il  in  a  sightly  place  on  Ihe  weslerlv  s„k  .'i 
the  road,  anil  was  burnt  by  the  enemy  at  their  invasi.m  under  llranl.  m 
1780  I'he  prea.hing  in  this  .liiir.hwas  in  thetierinan  language  \' 
the  time  of  its  destruction  Domine  Oros  was  us  pastor,  and  from  that  lim. 
to  the  close  of  the  war  he  pre,i.  hed  in  a  b.Trn  th.il  sto.i.l  on  the  Willi. im 
I  ipe  f.inn,  in  the  ravine  through  whi.  h  the  road  r.m  from  the  river  I.,  the 
m.lilarv  post  known  as  Fori  I'l.iin.  Ibis  old.  b.irn  was  l..rn  down  .ui.l  .' 
new  ..ne  ere,  Id  on  Us  sile  .d.,.nl  the  y,.-ar  185,,  .\n  ohl  .Iwellmg  si.in.l 
ing  J  few  r,.,ls  bcl.iw  it,  whu  li  w.is  erected  more  th.in  .1  liiin.hcl  vc.irs  .,■■: 
gave  pl.n.  c  in  ihe  summer  of  1875  to  a  sllbstanti.il  l.n,  k  e.lih.  e  I  I,..-.  >•<•' 
.liter  anolher,  are  ihe  old  land-marks  remove, 1  Ihese  I, ml. bugs,  wilh 
sever.il   olhers,  were   so  near  the   f.irt.  tluit   ihe  cncmv  nucr   vcnliir..!   M 


r^ 


■\^s^ 


imoak^   ■%% 


»^'--^^fcjpi&i^ 


f^£s.  or    J. I. ZQiLLER^    Minden,   MoNTCOMcar  Co.  /V.V. 


-^iij 


■W?-'-^!W  •_:■-■'•-. ••■^=; 


••^v??  :^'''i'^? 


fe^tf^tijP^  "fc ■•■■■■■     -  ^^    ■••■■'   ■-■     -  — 


>-'"fti.-»?~-:Asl.»ii"'»>^-i,^_  ■ 


Res.  or  Wii_i_iAM    Zimmerman.     Town    or   Af/rvorN,    A/or^rcOM£Pr     Co.   M  Y. 


'^^^ _  -^-fc^^-^^v^^   .  ■?  ' 


.-i=A 


\  ^'^ 


/frs.  or     JQHNE.  tfP£.    Tdwu  or  M/ajocn,    Mo/vrcoMC»r  Co.   MY 


_-_.^.^rC:^^^'     ..,Mi^^' 


THE  CHURCH  HISTORY  OF  MINDEN. 


127 


adest  or  destroy  them.  One  of  the  latter  was  an  old  house  which  gave 
pbc?  to  the  beautiful  rnansion  of  Mrs.  Haney  E.  Williams,  about  a  dozen 
years  ago. 

A  new  church  edifice,  erected  on  the  site  of  the  old  one  at  the  close  of 
the  war,  »as  also  constructed  of  wood,  and  was  a  large  and  well  propor- 
tioned building,  with  a  small  half-round  pulpit,  having  a  short  uncushioncd 
b^h  for  its  scat,  that  would  accommodate  only  one  sitter;  while  over  the 
minister's  bead  was  a  dangerous  looking  sounding-board.  The  church 
had  a  gallery  upon  three  sides,  and  was  graced  with  a  stee])le  without  a 
bcBL  It  was  built  by  contract  by  Peter  March  for  one  thousand  pounds — 
^2,500.  A  lightning-rod  on  the  building  ha\  ing  become  broken,  the  iight- 
niog  struck  it  and  went  through,  doing  considerable  damage.  Cien.  Wash- 
ingloa  died  December  14,  1799.  and  his  death,  a  marked  event,  was 
sokmoly  obser\ed  at  this  church,  as  at  many  others  throughout  the  land. 
VVf  then  had  no  telegraph  to  herald  such  tidings,  and  days  were  required 
to  spread  them  abroad.  Funeral  ceremonies  took  place  here  in  the  latter 
part  of  December,  and  although  the  weather  was  cold,  there  was  little  snow 
on  the  ground,  and  the  gathering  of  the  people  was  immense.  The  church 
was  beautifully  fe>tooned  with  evergreens  and  crape,  and  was  literally 
padted  with  an  interested  audience,  as  was  learned  twenty  years  ago  from 
John  Amdt,  who  was  present  as  a  boy  at  the  time.  Rev.  Isaac  I.abaugh 
is  said  to  have  officiated  on  the  occasion,  and  his  discourse  was  aftenvards 
published.  Led  in  a  procession  was  a  caparisoned  horse,  with  holsters  upon 
the  saddle,  to  which  was  also  attached  a  pair  of  boots,  indicating  the  loss 
of  a  soldier.  Where  the  procession  formed  is  unknown,  probably  at  the 
pubSic  house  of  Nicholas  Dygerl,  then  situated  just  beyond  the  Christian 
Beltinger  place,  westward  of  the  church.  This  was.  perhaps,  the  most 
important  and  imposing  observance  of  Washington's  death  witnessed  in 
the  Moh-iwk  valley,  and  not  a  few  were  there  assembled  who  saw  that  dis- 
tingaished  hero  in  his  visit  to  this  locality  in  the  summer  of  1782.  seven- 
teen years  before,  when  his  excursion  extended  to  Cherry  Valley  and  the 
foot  of  Otsego  Lake,  the  site  of  Cooperstown. 

Tn  the  thirty-eight  years  succeeding  Mr.  Rosecrantz's  ministry,  the 
preachers  included  Rev.  Ludwig  Luppe.  Rev.  Mr.  K.ennipe  and  Rev.  J. 
L.  Broeffle  or  Preffle  .  Of  Mr.  Kennipe  it  is  written  that '*  he  once  re- 
ceived a  merciless  riagcllation  I'rom  a  hard  man,  by  the  name  of  Diel,  as 
they  rode  together  on  horseback  on  the  river's  bank.  The  minister  would 
not  prosecute,  but  appealed  to  (iod;  and.  strange  to  say,  both  men  died 
on  the  same  night."  From  178S  to  1796,  Rev.  A.  Christian  Diedrich  Peck 
was  the  pastor.  He  is  described  as  "  a  portly  man,  an  amateur  eiiuestrian, 
who  has  left  behind  him  the  reputation  of  an  unsurpassed  orator.  Great 
congregations  thronged  to  hear  him."  He  was  succeeded,  in  1796,  by  Dr. 
John  Daniel  (Iros,  "a  man  of  considerable  learning,"  who  had  been  pro- 
fessor of  moral  philosophy  in  Columbia  College.  From  1800  to  1S03, 
Key.  Isaac  Labaugh  supplied  the  churches  of  Canajoharie,  Stone  .A,rabia 
and  Sharon.  His  successor  was  Rev.  J.  I.  Wack,  who  contmued  pastor 
til!  1816,  and  w:is  "  probably  the  last  minister  of  the  old  Sand  Hill  church." 
He  »as  an  army  chaplain  in  the  war  of  181 2,  and  "a  man  of  commanding 
personal  appearance." 

John  Christopher  Wieting,  a  native  of  Brandenburg,  Germany,  while  a 
student  in  a,  university  at  the  age  of  18,  was  in  1777  pressed  into  the  Brit- 
ish service.  He  was  made  a  prisoner  at  Saratoga,  resolved  to  become  an 
American  citizen,  and  settled  at  (irecnbush  ;  from  whence  he  came  into 
the  toun  of  Minden,  and  established  one  of  its  earliest  schools.  He  began 
to  preach  as  a  disciple  of  Martin  I.uther,  about  the  year  1795.  His  labors 
in  a  few  years  resulted  in  establishing  two  churches,  one  at  the  "  Squake  " — 
a  contraction  of  Oi.s4iuago — a  settlement  near  the  source  of  the  creek  of 
that  name,  and  the  other  at  Geissenberg,  in  that  neighborhood.  These 
churches  were  seven  or  eight  miles  a[Kirt,  and  the  last  mentioned  was  a 
brick  edifice  of  fair  dimensions,  having  a  comely  steeple,  but  no  bell  in  it. 
This  church  had  a  small,  high,  0(  tagonal  ]iulpil,  made  to  seat  one  person, 
with  a  sounding-board  o%erhcard,  and  had  a  gallery  upon  three  sides. 
Instead  of  a  shed,  a  pine-grove  near  by  sheltered  the  horses  from  the 
Mimmer's  sun  and  the  winter's  sturtn.  The  Otsijuago  church  was  a  wood- 
<rn  structure  of  respectalilc  si/e,  but  without  a  steeple.  The  Geissenberg 
church  was  dedicated  about  the  year  1806;  Rev.  Philip  Krutz  preached 
the  sermon  on  the  occasion.  .After  services  began  in  this  church,  people 
friim  many  milc-^  arouml  tame  here  to  worship  ;  and  one  from  the  vicinity 
<ff  the  upper  Lutheran  church,  now  in  Stark,  is  remembered  as  being  very 
<onslant  in  his  attendance,  making  the  journey  on  foot — an  example  fur 
the  modem  Christian,  who  cannot  rise  early  enough  on  Sunday  morning  to 


get  ready  to  attend  church  service  ten  rods  from  his  own  dwelling.  Rev. 
Mr.  Wieting  was  a  very  energetic  and  popular  preacher,  and  continued  to 
officiate  at  these  churches  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
Feb.  I7.i8i7,when  he  was  about  58  years  of  age.  These  churches  seemed 
to  prosper  for  a  time  alter  his  decease,  but  finally  fell  into  disuse,  and  both 
have  long  since  been  destroyed. 

It  should  be  stated,  in  connection  with  the  Geissenberg  church,  that  its 
"fore  singer,"  as  the  chorister  was  called  in  those  days,  was  a  clever  Ger- 
man named  Gotlieb  Rrake,  who  also  came  into  this  country  as  a  Hessian 
soldier  under  Gen.  Burgoyne.  He  would  read  two  lines  of  a  hvmn,  and 
then  sing  them — in  German,  of  course — and  those  who  remember  his  sing- 
ing say  that  he  dwelt  long  upon  his  notes,  trilling  them  as  though  in  an 
at;ue  fit.  His  was  a  very  important  part  of  the  worship,  for  it  always  rc- 
<iuired  considerable  time. 

The  present  hamlet  of  Fordsbush,  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  town, 
has  two  churches,  Lutheran  and  L'niversalist.  The  latter  was  organized  in 
1S38.  The  church  was  rebuilt  and  enlarged  in  1874,  and  re-dedicated  in 
December  of  that  year,  when  the  membership  was  sixty-four.  The  pastors 
have  included  J.  D.  Hicks,  D.  C.  Tomlinson,  T.  L.  Harris,  Adolphus  Skin- 
ner, J.  H.  Harter,  A.  B.  Grosh,  O.  K..  Crosby,  G.  W.  Skinner,  T.  L.  Hath- 
away, Daniel  Bcllou.  C.  C.  Richardson,  H.  H.  Baker.  W.  G.  Anderson, 
A.  C.  Barry,  Q.  L.  Shinn.  O.  Cone,  R.  L.  Lansing.  E.  E.  Peck,  J.  W.  I,a- 
moine  and  James  H.  Ballou.  .Mr.  Lamoine's  pastorate  of  only  three 
months  was  terminated  by  his  death.  The  Fordsbush  cemeter}',  "Mount 
Hope."  in  which  he  was  buried,  is  managed  by  an  association  organized  in 
May,  1862.  It  contains  about  four  acres  of  land,  and  numerous  fine 
monuments,  one  of  which  cost  §1,500. 

Freysbush  also  has  two  churches.  Lutheran  and  Methodist.  The  Lu- 
theran church  was  organized  by  nine  members,  at  the  house  of  John 
Dunckei,  June  28,  1S34,  taking  the  name  of  "The  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church  of  Freysbush."  Daniel  Ottman,  Andrew  Roof  and  Wm.  Reagles 
were  the  first  elders.  !n  1835  the  church  became  connected  A'ith  the 
Hartwick  Synod.  There  were  then  fifty-five  members,  of  whom  only  two 
are  now  living  in  the  neighborhood.  In  1837  the  Franckean  Synod  was 
formed,  and  this  church  connected  with  it.  In  1841  a  house  of  worship 
was  erected,  30  feet  by  42,  at  a  cost  of  about  $r.ooo.  It  was  subsequently 
remodeled  and  enlarged,  at  an  expense  of  §1,100.  A  shed  for  teams,  145 
feet  long,  was  built  in  1S45  ;  and  a  parsonage  and  barn,  costing  §2,500,  in 
186S.  In  1872  the  church  property,  including  an  acre  and  a  half  of  land, 
was  valued  by  the  Synod  at  §6.580.  The  membership  of  the  church  is 
one  hundred  and  seventeen.  The  Sabbath-school  was  organized  in  1S41 
W.  Reagles  was  superintendent  for  the  first  twenty  years.  The  school  has 
sixty  scholars. 

Methodist  services  have  been  held  at  Freysbush  since  1S12,  but  the 
place  has  only  been  an  independent  jiastoral  charge  since  1847.  L'p  lo  that 
time  it  was  at  different  periods  part  of  the  Otsego,  Litchfield,  Sharon  and 
Canajoharie  circuits,  large  regions  generally  in  charge  of  two  of  the  "cir- 
cuit-rider" preachers  jointly.  Among  those  who  thus  ministered  at  this 
post,  both  as  preacher  and  presiding  elder,  was  Rev.  George  Gary,  who  is 
spoken  of  in  terms  of  the  highest  praise  by  those  who  remember  him. 
The  Freysbush  station  belonged  to  the  Genesee  Conference  until  1829  ;  to 
the  Oneida  for  the  next  forty  years  ;  to  the  Central  New  York  from  iS6r) 
to  1873,  and  to  the  Northern  New  York  from  that  date  to  the  present 
vear.  it  now  belongs  to  the  Troy  Conference.  It  has  been  successively  m 
the  Oneida  (1812-28,  Chenango  1829-35,  <>neida  1836-45.  Otsego 
1846-6S  ,  Herkimer  1869-76  ,  and  Albany  presiding  elder's  districts.  The 
church  building  of  the  society  is  the  second  occupied  by  them,  its  prede- 
cessor having  been  the  first  Methodist  church  built  in  the  town.  Rev.  L 
E.  Marvin  is  the  present  pastor. 

THE  REVOLUTIONARY   EPOCH. 

When  the  causes  which  had  for  years  been  taking  on  a  threatening 
shape  finally  culminated  in  a  belligerent  attitude  between  the  colonies  and 
the  mother  country,  the  peojtle  ol  Minden,  who  were  now  living  comfort- 
ably, and,  with  .schools  in  every  little  hamlet,  teaching  English  and  Germnn, 
had  become  as  intelligent  as  the  citizens  of  any  i)art  of  the  valley,  looked 
w  iih  favor  upon  the  a.  lion  of  their  Yankee  cousins  at  Boston,  and  a  majority 
of  them  were  at  once  in  sympathy  with  their  rebellious  movements.  The 
love  of  liberty  having  brought  their  fathers  lo   this  land  to  endure  every 


128 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


peril  and  harfUhip,  thfir  descendants  utrrc  not  disposed  willingly  to  bear 
anew  the  iron  heel  ot  desjMjttMiv  Heme,  while  the  mi^io^^  of  loyalty 
would  enforce  the  <j|Ji»res>ive  acts  ot  mother  Kngland  to  raise  a  revenue 
from  the  people  without  a  voice  in  the  legislation  which  exacted  it.  thev 
raised  their  vou  es  and  were  ready,  if  need  be.  lo  rai^e  their  arms  against 
those  measures  Such  a  course,  however,  could  not  result  otherwistr  than 
in  bringing  collision  of  sentiment  into  every  ncighborhoud,  whith,  if  con- 
tinued, must  soon  tend  lo  open  and  active  hostility  ;  and  when  the  clash 
of  arms  came  at  [.exington.  the  people  of  the  whole  «_ountr\  were  at 
once  arrayed  against  and  for  the  crown,  and  cnme  soon  after  to  be  desig- 
nated as  whigs  and  tories. 

The  several  districts  of  Tnon  county  took  ac  tion  in  the  matter  disturb- 
teg  the  country,  and  chose  Committees  of  Safety  to  (  o-operate  with  eai  h 
other,  and  ^^ith  the  Stale  Committee,  in  adopting  and  enforcing  needed 
measures  for  the  public  welfare  The  first  meeting  of  the  several  distrit  t 
committees  of  the  whole  county  convened  June  2,  1775,  when  the  Cana- 
joharie  district  was  represented  by  Nicholas  Herkimer,  Ebenezer  Cox. 
William  Seeber.  Thomas  Henn,  John  Pickard.  John  Moore,  Samuel  Camp- 
bell and  Samuel  Clyde.  Herkimer  and  Cov  Ii\ed  in  the  present  town  of 
Danube;  Seeber  and  Pickard  in  Minden.  Henry  in  Harperstleid.  Moore. 
Campbell  and  Clyde  in  Cherr>-  \'alley. 

As  it  became  apparent  that  the  whole  country  must  become  involved  m 
a  general  war,  preparations  were  everywhere  made  for  a  defence,  and  m 
no  place  were  they  so  much  needed  as  in  territory  bordering  on  hostile 
Indian  grounds.  The  three  forts — Plain,  Herkimer  and  Dayton,  were 
all  erected  in  1776.  Early  in  that  sea.son.  Col.  Dayton  was  sent  to  repair 
Fort  Stanwix.  and  it  is  not  improbable  he  was  consulted  about  the  manner 
of  getting  the  other  three  named  in  readiness  for  defence  ;  one  of  which 
was  called  after  him.  Fort  Plain  was  said  by  the  late  Lawrence  Gros. 
who  was  a  boy  living  near  when  it  was  erected,  to  have  been  so  named 
"because,  from  the  eminence  upon  which  it  stood,  there  was  such  a  plain 
or  prospective  view  ;"  the  area  of  level  grormd  around  it  being  compara- 
tively limited.  The  boss  workman  m  building  it,  said  Mr.  Gros.  was  per- 
mitted to  name  it.  S[)afford.  in  his  Gazetteer,  said  this  fort  was  on  the  bank 
of  the  river  ;  whereas  it  was  a  quarter  of  a  mile  tlistant.  and  ele\  ated  more 
than  fifty  feet  above  the  Mohawk. 

Fort  Plain  was  a  square  inclosure  in  palisades  .of  perhaps  one-third 
of  an  acre  of  ground,  with  its  entrant  e  gate  upon  its  south-easterly  side 
toward  the  road  leading  up  a  ravine  to  it.  It  had  in  its  diagonally  opposite 
comers  two  small  block-houses,  each  so  projecting  as  to  command  two 
sides  of  the  inclosure,  and  both  mounting  cannon.  Only  two  or  three 
rods  from  it,  on  the  side  hill,  was  a  living  spring,  where  the  garrison  ob- 
tained water.  This  spring  has  lately  been  utilized  by  the  employment  of 
a  hydraulic  ram.  Who  commanded  this  post  at  first  is  not  known,  and 
probably  it  was  not  garrisoned  until  the  s[»ring  of  1777.  Col.  Willett  was 
its  commander  for  several  seasons,  perhaps  not  consecutively,  still  he  is 
believed  to  have  been  here  constantly  in  the  summers  of  1780  and  1781. 
He  occupied  the  eastern  hut  of  three  or  four  built  on  the  side  of  the  hill 
below  the  pickets,  perhaps  a  rod  or  two  from  the  spring.  This  was  done 
because  the  inclosure  was  found  too  small  to  receive  a  sufficient  number  of 
I  rude  tenements  for  all  the  exposed  families,  whit  h  resorted  here  nights  for 

J  safety,  especially  when  the  enemy  were  known  to  be  prowling  about.     The 

t  village  of  Kort  Plain  took  its  name  from  this  military  post. 

After  the  incursions  of  the  enemy  under  lirant  and  other  savage  leaders 
in  1780,  which  were  the  more  numerous  .ind  vindictive  on  account  of  the 
destruction  of  their  own  towns  by  Sullivan  in  1779,  rendering  so  manv 
families  houseless,  it  became  necessary  to  increase  the  fort  accommoda- 
lions  for  them,  and  there  was  erected  the  structure  afterwards  known  cs 
the  block-house.  It  was  constructed  of  heavy  square  timber,  o<  t.igonal 
in  f(»rm,  three  stories  in  height,  each  story  projecting  a  few  feet  over 
its  base,  with  loop-holes  for  musketry.  Within  it  was  constructed  an  im- 
mense oven.  It  had  ime  or  more  cannon,  to  be  used  as  signal  guns,  or  in 
repelling  invaders.  It  stood  upon  a  small  knoll,  which  nt  the  end  of  a 
century  the  farmer's  plow  lias  nearly  oltbterated.  perhaps  twentv  rods 
south-west  from  the  pahsnded  inrlosiire.  Frem  h's  Gnzetteer  errone- 
ously states  that  this  blix  k-lioust;  w.is  ere»  ted  in  the  French  war.  and  hy  ^ 
Fren(h  engineer.  Ha.l  il  been  crei  ted  tMcnt)  \e:irs  e.irlicr,  it  u.juld 
h.ardly  have  been  done  bv  .1  Krui- hnian.  ns  wt-  ucre  .it  u.ir  uith  It.im.  e. 
it  was  doubtless  <  nnstrm  ted  nndcr  tli.-  inmicdi.rr  snrvcill.uHc  of  C(,l. 
Willett.  but  who  dcsi-ncd  it  is  nnknovxn  ;  ii  is.  h..uc\cr.  bclic\od  t.i  h.ive 
been  the  first  of  its  kind  on  onr  trontiers.      ^nmc  m  riter  has  <  nnnet  ted  the 


I  name  of  Col.  Gansevttort  with  the  construction  of  this  unique  foriificatiun. 
but  whv  is  unknown.  He  certainly  was  not  on  dutv  here  when  it  \i,,^ 
built.  :md  Col.  Willett  was.  and  had  the  supervision  of  all  the  defenci-s  i„ 
the  neighborhood.  .\nother  sv  riter  has  said  that,  although  there  w.^^  .^ 
sort  of  defenie  here  before  that  period,  the  fort  proper  was  not  cre<  ivl 
until  1778.  Capt.  Robert  McKe.in.  a  partisan  officer  of  great  merit, 
from  the  Cherry  \'alley  settlement,  « ho  was  severely  wounded  in  fhv 
New  Dorlach  or  Sh.iron  battle,  in  17S0.  was,  at  his  request,  brought  1.. 
Fort  Plain  on  a  litter,  where  hf  survued  his  wound  but  a  day  or  two.  IK- 
was  at  first  interred  where  other  soldiers  were,  a  little  distance  from  tin- 
palisaded  defente,  A  farm  roail  has,  within  the  past  twenty  years,  been 
cut  along  the  brow  of  the  hill,  commencing  near  the  site  of  this  military 
post.  Some  writer  has  stated  that  Capt.  McKean  died  and  was  buried  nt 
Freysbush  ;  this  is  an  error.  The  late  Lawrence  Gros.  whose  father  u;k  j 
Cajitain,  also,  in  the  Sharon  battle,  asserted  that  he  saw  Capt.  McKean  > 
I  remains  disinterred,  and  reburied  with  military  honors  on  the  brow  of  the 
hill,  in  front  of  the  block-house,  on  its  completion  ;  which  it  is  believed  wjx 
in  the  spring  of  1781. 

The  fortification  called  Fort  Plank  was  situated  on  elevated  groun.j. 
nearly  four  miles  south-west  from  tort  Plain,  and  t  onsisted  of  a  small 
palisaded  inclosure  embracing  a  dwelling,  which  has  for  years  been  known 
as  the  late  Chauncey  House  place,  and  is  now  owned  by  Reuben  Fail- 
ing, and  occupied  by  his  son  Joseph.  When  fortified  it  was  owned  b\  ,1 
family  named  Plank,  on  which  account  it  was  thus  named.  This  German 
name  is  still  represented  by  several  respectable  families  in  the  town.  It  ;^ 
supposed  a  sniall  block-house  made  a  part  of  this  defence,  in  which  a  can- 
non was  mountwl,  at  all  times  ready  to  be  used  as  a  signal  gun.  A  few 
soldiers  were  no  doubt  on  duty  here  much  of  the  time  in  the  summer  season, 
to  protect  so  far  as  practicable  the  farming  interest  :  as  was  the  case  ai 
similar  defences  elsewhere.  The  significant  voice  of  the  Fort  Plank  cannon 
many  a  time  brought  in  quite  a  n\mi!)er  of  families,  more  especially  their 
male  members,  in  a  circuit  of  a  few  miles.  IJiis  fort  is  supjiosed  to  hau- 
been  established  in  [777.  and  well  did  it  answer  its  purpose. 

The  single  discharge  of  a  cannon  at  this  and  all  similar  defeni  es  on  our 
frontier  indicated  that  the  foeman  was  abroad  and  the  settler  must  flee  u> 
the  fort  ;  but  two  or  three  discharges  in  quick  succession  told  the  fnqitivr 
quite  as  plainly  that  the  enemy  was  already  between  hmi  and  the  fort.  an<t 
that  he  must  find  a  safe  cover  elsewhere,  from  the  Indian"!,  tomahawk  :  an'l 
many  had  such  places  selected  in  the  forest,  where  thev  found  temporars 
refuge. 

Fort  Clyde  was  a  military  post  situated  on  the  rami  of  Henry  H.  Nellis. 
still  owned  by  his  descendants,  in  Freysbush.  It  was  on  elevated  grountl. 
affording  a  fine  i)rospect.  and  was  about  three  miles  south  of  east  from  Fort 
Plain,  as  the  roads  then  ran,  but  about  two  miles  by  the  present  highwa\ 
It  was  named  after  Col.  Clyde,  of  the  Cherry  Valley  settlement,  and  wa- 
not  unlike  the  original  Fort  Plain,  being  a  palisaded  inclosure  with  bln«  k 
house  corners.  It  had  one  or  two  <  annon,  and  is  believed  to  have  dated 
Its  existence  from  1777.  The  timber  for  its  [.alisades  is  said  to  have  all 
been  rut  on  the  Nellis  farm.  Col.  Clyde,  tradition  s.ays.  fitted  up  this  jKist. 
and  proved  a  frei|uent  visitant  in  looking  after  the  welfare  of  his  fosU  r 
child.  This  place  of  refuge  is  believed  to  have  saved  not  a  few  inhabiiai.:- 
from  death  or  captivity  ;  and  near  it  was  enacted  many  a  thrilling  si  ene 
I  Here  is  one  of  the  number  :  Henry  Nellis  and  His  scm  George  H. — 
known  afterwards  as  General  Nellis., to  whom  the  farm  dest  ended — <'H 
some  occ.ision  in  the  war.  tied  toward  the  fort,  jMirsiicd  by  Indians,  whi  ■; 
the  latter  was  tripped  by  some  object  and  fell,  just  as  an  Indian  fired  iq  •"■ 
him  His  father  called  to  him  to  know  if  he  was  hurt.  Springing  up  wiili 
the  exclamation  that  he  thought  he  was  not.  he  entered  the  fort  behni-l 
his  father,  uhen.  to  his  surprise,  he  found  a  bullet  hole  through  his  Ini 
The  dwelling  of  John  P.  Dunrkel  now  stands  xerv  neariv  upon  the  site  ■  ^ 
Fort  Clyde.  Mr.  Dune  kel's  mother  related  the  following  in.  ident  of  Mra-il  - 
'  descent  upon  this  neighborhood  in  17S0.  which  we  take  from  a  publiciti'i-i 
issued  a  few  years  since  : 

"Two  uncles  of  Mrs.  I)..  I'eter  and  Fran/,  were  splitting  timber  for  1 
,  wagon.  ab'Mii  halt  a  mile  from  the  block  bouse,  w  hen  suddenly  the  In.b  .n. 
fired  iq-.-n  them  and  rushed  forward  y.ith  iq. lifted  tomahauks  to  .  ompl.  w 
the  mas..i.  re.  iVier  ua^  woiin.led  ava\  <  aplured.  but  1- ran/,  unharin.  ■!. 
started  l..r  tlie  fori.  uhi<  h  he  rea.  bed  in  safet\.  but  fell  ..^hausted  .H  '!.. 
entrance  and  was  dragged  in  b\  ihc  inmates  The  women  of  the  fori,  bv 
their  enetgctii  deteme.  deceived  the  ntlai  king  party  and  the)  uitlidn" 
I      Peter  1).  was  taken  to  Canada,  where,  after  a   year's  captivity,  he  «.is  .  v 


»>« 


^^ 


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A 


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.H -/ 


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■4>n:>;r 


t-ltffn^"*--^-^""'-  -"  ■ 


m^4 


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,^^to>^.-^*Ag'^^^t. 


J.  R.  SIMMS^  re 


Res.  of     SEWARD    CROUSE.    Mindenv.lue, 

MONTGOMERY      CO.,  N.Y 


JiPTHA  Root  Simms,  whose  liken«5  a  here  given,  was  bom  in  Canterbury,  Ct,,  Dec.  31,  1807.  Hew 
3  Ihe  youogest  o(  three  children  U^o  wins  and  a  daughter),  of  Capi,  Joseph  Simms,  who  was  alio  a 
iucccsafully  earned  on  the  hatiers  trade  from  1798  to  18J4.  when  he 
:  v..  where  he  died  in  1343.  aijed  68.  The  subject  of  this  notice  had 
education,  with  several  terms  at  the  Plainfield,  Ct.,  Academy,  ail 
■noval  of  the  family  to  New  Vcrlt.     In  the  Spring  of  1835.  heeDicred 

„  in  Pearl  Mreet,  New  York.  While  residing  in  the  aiy,  he  was  a 
Je  Library  Assoeiatwn."  improving  his  leisure  time  in  reading  or  at- 
bui  ever  refrained  from  the  use  of  tobacco  or  alcoholic  drinks,  being 
<ept,  In  the  fail  nf  1831  he  returned  to  Caaajoharic,  and  went  into 
the  mei^ntile  business  w.lh  Herman  L  F.hle,  a  former  employer  and  Ion-  established  busmen  man  of  the 
place,  who  at  the  end  of  two  or  three  yeari  failed  in  his  M:vcral  business  relatiotis.  After  a  clerk-^hip  for  a 
time  in  Schoharie,  with  his  hands  financially  liefl.  Mr  S.  set  about  collecting  the  scattered  materials  for  hi, 
ffiltorjl  of  Schoharie  CouKf/aTui  Border  H'ir,>i  o/.Veu/  York,  published  m  18*5.  The  next  year  he  published  a 
Revolutionary  ule  entitled  the  Americai  Spy.  and  in  1850,  The  Trapseri  of  Sfic  York. 

With  his  marked  penchant  for  the  cariy  history  of  New  York,  he  has  had  a  fondness  for  geology,  a"d. 


native 

f  the  10- 

T„  named,  .n  which  h 

removet 

»ilhh 

u  family  to  Plainfield 

the  ad. 

aniageo 

f  a  good  common  soh 

pnor  10 

the  age 

of  17.  and  before  the 

asiOTV 

ear  his 

new  home,  and  the  t 

went  CO 

a  derk! 

lip  in  the  Spnng  of  i 

mctnber 

of  the 

•  YoiAitg  Jfen  's  Mtrca 

teoding 

lectiites 

before  the  aiWCiaiior 

e«ce«ii 

Ely  cau 

iou!  what  company  h 

ry  add,  ■ 
t  of  cur 


i,wbichhesoldsc* 


istedh 


leaed  . 


s  ago  to  the  Sute  of  New  York,     In  the  last  thirty  years  he 

le  of  the  matter  has  been  >pi'-it!  with  historical  facts. 

eni  in  rielving  into  the  rnrnw-fv-rrd  -vents  of  earlier  jen- 


i^PH 


y.^a^' 


MM- 


W3#fc|p5^^^^^I^X5^t;^ 


-:-i.      -^=  ,  -ii-,'A'S-VVv^^<\'^./ .C"^ -■1' 


-^:;'i;^£^. 


F       MR.    JOHN      A.     WAI 


LRATH,    Tort      Plain,    Montgomery      Co, 


'",  -"'fiu^ 


f=!ESIOE:NCE         0 


N,    Y, 


REVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS  IN  MINDEN. 


129 


trhanged.  A  Mn».  Flctts  wa-s  taken  at  the  same  time.  Her  house  v\a^  near 
the  fort,  and  while  seated  under  a  tree  near  by,  she  wa^  surprised  l)y  the 
ji.|ifoath  of  the  Indians  and  ran.  pursued  by  a  sinj;le  savage.  Being  t  lose- 
Iv  i«rsiietl  she  endeavored  to  e-^t  ape  by  running  around  a  tree,  but  the 
Inthan  siofij>ed  and  she  ran  into  his  opcH  arms.  She  was  taken  to  Canada 
.iiwj  treated  i|utle  well  ;  was  ; '.signed  to  the  duty  of  rook  for  her  Laptors. 
She  relumed  at  the  close  of  the  war,  and  after  the  death  of  her  husband, 
iiiained  Peter  l>unckel,  her  fellow  captive.  When  taken  prisoner  she  left 
;i  Krf>v  six  months  old,  which  was  overlooked  by  the  Indians  " 

The  foll<H*ing  are  from  the  same  source  ; 

•The  house  of  Johannes  Lipe  was  saved  from  plunder  and  tire  by  the 
.  nuteess  and  courage  of  his  wife.  She  had  been  busv  <arr\m^hcr  mosi 
kateible  articles  from  her  house  to  a  place  of  concealment,  and  had  made 
>.e*«ral  deposits  there.  The  last  time  she  returned,  she  met  at  the  gate 
two  Indians,  Being  familiar  with  their  language,  she  imiuired  if  they  knew 
.mrthingof  her  two  brothers,  who  were  among  the  tories  that  fled  to  Canada. 
Knnunatelf  the  Indians  had  seen  them,  and  supposing  her  to  be  a  tory. 
iher  walked  off  and  the  house  was  saved." 

"Sn  one  of  Hrant's  incursions  into  the  Mohuuk  valley,  he  came  down 
ihnHtgh  what  is  known  as  Dutch  Town,  in  Minden,  and  with  torch  and 
((>si£haw-k.  laid  waste  the  country.  After  an  attack  upon  Kf^t  Nellis,  a 
block-house  near  St.  Johnsville.  they  crossed  over  to  Fort  Willcu.  a  block- 
ho«Bie  built  by  the  Lipes,  Counirymans  and  Wmdeckcrs.  on  land  now  owned 
by  William  Tiraerman.  An  old  tree  near  the  residence  of  1).  T.  Timemian 
15  pointed  oat  as  the  spot  where  the  wife  of  Dr.  Frame  was  killed.  Their 
house  was  back  of  Timerman's  and  would  probably  have  been  passed  by 
unscrn,  but  Mrs.  F..  hearing  the  yells  of  the  savages,  started  for  the  fort  ; 
she  was  discovered,  tomahawked  and  scalped.  .\l  the  stone  house  of  Henry 
Serber.  on  Sand  Hill,  above  Fort  Plain,  a  boy.  John  A.  I-ipe.  was  doing 
picifft  duty.  When  the  alarm  was  given,  the  women  lied  to  the  fort,  fol- 
iowtd  by  the  nicn,  wIkj  were  at  work  in  the  tieid.  Dinner  was  already  pre- 
paml  and  upon  the  table  ready  for  the  laborers  ;  this  the  enemy  disposed 
of  aad  then  set  fire  to  the  house.  The  woodwork  was  burned  out,  and  the 
wan-Y  remained  until  purchased  by  Mr.  Lipe,  who  rebuilt  it.  In  1S4S  it  was 
lakea.  down  to  make  way  for  the  house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  .Vdam  l.ipe." 

GlJ.  Samuel  Clyde  was  a  bra\e.  cautious  and  prudent  officer  durmg  the 
uhcAr  war,  giving  most  of  his  valuable  services  to  this  part  of  the  Mohawk 
%  alley,  which  should  ever  gratefully  cherish  his  memor)-.  We  have  else- 
wher*  stated  that  Gen.  Washington,  on  a  tour  of  observation  in  the  sum- 
mer ti(  178^  to  the  frontier  posts  of  New  York,  visited  Fort  Plain,  from 
whewe  he  went  to  Cherry  Valley — no  doubt  looking  in  upon  Fort  Clyde 
on  Ibs  way  thither.  .\t  this  time  Col.  Clyde  was  in  command  at  Fort 
I'laim  The  party  came  up  on  the  south  side  of  the  .Mohawk  ;  and  it  is 
bcliered  that  (iov.  George  Clinton,  and  others  in  the  suite,  proceeded  di- 
re(  tly  to  Fort  Plain,  while  Washington,  attended  only  by  a  .servant,  crossed 
the  TKtT  at  Van  Alstine  s  ferry,  below  Canajoharie,  to  proceed  to  Palatine, 
and  become  the  welcome  guest  of  Peter  W.  Wormuth,  whose  son  Martmus. 
.'  ])al7iotic  young  lieutenant,  was  killed  by  Krant  in  1778,  near  Cherry 
V  alley.  Thus  was  Washington  ever  seeking  to  honor  by  his  prcsentc  those 
who  had  suffered  in  the  war.  I.ieut.  Wormuth  had  married  (lertrude. 
dau^ter  uf  Rudolf  Shoemaker,  wliose  wife  was  a  sister  of  {;en.  Herknner. 
.\fler  I.ieut.  Wormuth's  death  the  widow  married  Major  John  Frey. 

Wlsle  Gen.  Washington  was  at  Fort  Plain  the  following  incident  trans- 
pired, as  related  liy  the  late  Judge  (ieorge  C.  Clyde,  of  Cherrv  Vailev,  who 
was  a  grandson  of  the  Colonel.  As  Washington — who,  on  his  arrival,  was 
handsomely  saluted  by  the  garrison — dismounted.  Gov.  Clinton  introduced 
'  ommofndant  Clyde  to  the  gener.nlissimo,  observing,  as  he  did  so  :  '*  This  is 
Cnl.  (.lyde.  who  ha^  devoted  most  of  his  time  to  the  service  of  his  countrv 
during  the  war.  neglecting  his  o«n  pecuniary  interest  for  his  i  ountry's 
■■/«td.  He  deserves  to  be  rewnr<ied  in  Mjme  manner  for  his  \aluable  ser- 
ines." "  I'hcn."  <inii  kly  responded  the  Father  of  his  Country,  "you 
•'hould  remember  hmi  in  your  appoinlinenls."  .\s  the  war  was  then  near- 
'"i;  its  close,  cimI  positions  bt^an  to  be  looked  after.  The  go\ernor  did 
■'Herwards  adopt  Washington's  hint,  by  appointing  Col.  Clvrjc  sheriff  of 
^lonipnmery  county,  an  office  whose  duties  he  honorably  dtsi  barged  for 
^'  u-ral  years  :  and  more  than  once,  m  the  absence  of  a  fa\oiable  1  rossing, 
His  horse  swam  the  Mohawk  wiih  him  to  .iltend  lourt  at  Ji.hnstown. 

In  the  evtrcnic  northwest  corner  of  this  town  dwelt,  at  the  beginning  ol 
'•'e  war.  Jnh.mncs  Windecker.  an  honeM  ( lerman.  whose  house  uas  pali- 
-"iedat  an  earl\  period  of  the  struggle,  ano  called  Fort  Win.Ierker.  In 
•'I-*  neighborhood  dwelt  several  other  patriotic  families,  who  shared  in   the 

16 


benefit  of  this  defence.  The  intlosvirc  «asi|uitc  a  small  one,  as  learned  from 
a  soldier  who  performed  some  duty  there  during  the  war.  It  was  sitviatcd 
between  Fort  Herkimer  and  Fort  Plain,  nearly  eight  miles  west  nf  nurlK 
from  the  latter,  upon  the  river  road  as  now  called,  and  h.ad,  with  its  kiniln-.l 
military  posts,  its  signal  gun,  probably  contained  in  a  small  bloi  k-hou~c- 
I'his  place,  like  similar  institutions,  in  the  time  of  danger  had  at  least  one 
sentinel  on  duty  in  "  the  stilly  night,"  who  at  this  place  was  usually  pu-,ii  d 
outside  of  the  pickets.  Interesting  scenes  transpired  here,  as  at  alt  our 
frontier  posts.  When  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Brant — whose  trail  of  i  .irn.i-i- 
and  plimder  in  October,  1780,  extended  through  the  .Schoharie  and  Mohawk 
valleys — fled  before  the  militia  imder  Van  Rensselaer,  thev  crossed  ih.- 
river  not  far  from  this  fort,  se\en  men  and  a  boy  sallying  fromwhui!. 
killetl  an  Indian  and  took  nine  prisoners,  several  of  whom  were  so  worn 
out  with  fatigue  as  to  be  willingly  captured.  They  told  the  inmates  ol  ih,- 
fort  that  the  whole  amiy  was  in  such  a  state  of  lassitude  that  it  was  on  the 
point  of  surrender,  when  Van  Rensselaer  fell  back  to  encamp,  ami  g.nr 
them  a  chance  to  get  away. 

Fort  Willett  was  a  palisaded  inclosure  on  the  highest  ground  in  Dim  h- 
town,  and  was  situated  over  four  miles  from  Fort  Plain,  on  land  now  owned 
by  William  Zimmerman.  The  incursions  of  the  enemy  in  1780  ne<  e^- 
sitated  the  erec  tion  of  this  stockade,  which  is  understood  to  have  been 
completed  that  fall,  under  the  direction  of  Col.  Willett.  (luite  a  number 
of  families,  too  distant  from  the  other  forts  named  to  be  benefited  bv  them, 
found  a  safe  retreat  here.  This  inclosure,  which  had  ample  room  for  hut-' 
for  all  the  exposed  families,  had  the  usual  block-house  corners  and  an  alarm 
gun.  .\5  it  was  isolated  from  any  dwelling,  it  had  a  good-sized  oven,  the 
ruins  of  which  were  visible  not  many  years  ago.  The  timber  fcjr  its  pn  kets 
was  cut  on  several  adjoining  farms,  and  was  drawn  together  by  the  <iwner» 
of  them,  as  was  learned  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago  from  the  late 
fleorge  Countryman,  of  Fordsbush,  who,  a  lad  at  the  time,  drove  his  f.i- 
ther's  team  to  draw  part  of  the  material  together.  The  pickets  were  tlu- 
trunks  of  straight  trees  of  different  kinds,  about  a  foot  through  at  the  Imii, 
and  cut  long  enough  to  be  sunk  three  or  four  feet  in  the  ground,  and  n-. 
above  it  a  dozen  or  more  feet,  "On  the  return  of  peace,"  said  (oiinirv 
man,  "each  family  drew  home  its  share  of  the  pickets,  to  be  lonverted  ini" 
fences  or  out-buildings."  On  the  completion  of  this  opportune  laslle,  ("I 
Willett,  with  a  sipiad  of  his  men,  rode  out  to  see  it.  He  was  much  pk.iscd 
with  the  condition  of  things,  and  remarked  to  the  citizens  assembled  t.. 
meet  him  :  "  Vou  have  a  nice  little  fort  here  ;  what  do  you  call  it  - '  "  It 
has  no  name  yet,"  w.as  the  reply  ;  "won't  you  give  it  one  ?"  "  Well."  -ai.l 
the  Colonel,  "this  is  one  of  the  nicest  little  forts  on  the  frontier,  and  you 
may  call  it  after  me,  if  you  please."  The  n.ime  was  greeted  with  a  1  licvr. 
and  thus  was  the  name  of  Willett  localized  in  the  town  of  .Minden  forei.  r 
Some  years  ago  David  T.  Timmerman,  with  the  patriotii  motive  of  f.istcn- 
ing  the  name  more  definitely  xqnm  the  locality,  endeavored,  though  un^U'  ■ 
cessfully,  to  get  a  post-office  established  in  its  neighborhood  ;  and  more 
recently  the  name  has  been  given  to  a  cheese-factory  near  by. 

Commencing  westerly.  Fort  Windecker,  Fort  Willett,  Fort  I'l.mk  ind 
Fort  Clyde  were  only  two  or  three  miles  apart,  the  first  three  being  ne.irK 
cm  a  north  and  south  line,  curving  easterly  to  embrace  the  last  fort  named, 
and  being  in  something  like  a  half  cin  le  around  Fort  Plain.  Thus,  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  war,  the  town  of  Minden  hail  fuc  well  cst.iblished  [il.ii  cs 
of  defence,  which,  with  the  a-sistamc  of  a  few  rangers  frcmi  Fort  IM.iiu. 
enabled  the  surviving  inhabitants  to  furnish  most  of  the  bread  lor  ibv 
district. 

We  can  only  summari/.e  the  experiem  es  of  the  following  p.irti.  ip.uit^  m 
the  events  of  the  Revolution  among  the  people  of  this  region,  or  vnnpK 
mention  their  names,  though  the  incidents  suggest  volumes,  beside  mIi"  '•> 
the  aver.lge  dime  novel  would  be  tame  and  insipid:  John  l!rookin,in.  »l  ■■ 
was  larried  1  aptive  to  Canada  by  the  Indians,  and  made  to  run  the  g.iuni 
let:  Castina  Hellinger.  who  was  taken  by  the  Indians  to  Canada  when  ..n!v 
three  years  old.  where  she  afterward  married  and  refused  to  return  "lun 
found  by  her  father;  Freden.  k  lUllingcr;  Christian,  Ja.  ob  and  Peter  Hell- 
inger,  who  were  1  aptiired  by  the  Indians,  the  l.isi  t«o  l.iin.ih.i«  k.  .1  ind 
scalped,  and  Christian  held  for  three  years  as  a  sla%c:  Ni.  hol.is  1  .i-l.  r . 
John  easier,  a  baker  for  the  army,  « ho  is  said  to  have  kneaded  dough 
with  his  feet;  J.ai  ob  Conklmg,  m.ite  on  the  brig  \Iidilleto«n:  John  (  hi- 
Icy;  (Jeorge  Clock;  .\br.im  (.opeman,  a  Revolutionary  ma.or  ;  t.c.rg.- 
Dieiendorff.  a  lapt.iin;  John  fiiev  cndorff,  whoesi.ijied  from  i,ipliMt>  l»o 
years  after  he  had  been  taken  by  the  Indians;  Henry  DievendorIf,  who  «.i- 
shot  at   Oriskany  by  an    Indian,  who  «,is   immediately  killed    by  "  ilbam 


130 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


i 


Cox;  Jacob  Dievendorff,  a  captain,  who  passed  safely  throujjh  the  Ke\olu- 
tion;  George  Davis,  who  was  in  the  battles  with  Burguyne,  and  at  one  time. 
»ith  two  other  patricjts.  captured  three  tories,  whom  Da\is  escorted  to 
Albany;  John  Dillenlwclt.  a  captain;  John  Peter  Dunckel;  Cleorge,  brother 
ol  the  last  named,  who  lost  an  eye  by  an  Indian  bullet,  and  there- 
after drew  a  pension:  Maj.  John  Kisenlord,  killed  at  Oriskany;  Cornelius 
Flint;  Mrs.  Dr.  Frame,  murdered  by  the  Indians  near  the  [iresent  farm  of 
D.  T.  Timmcrman  while  tryin-;  to  escape  to  Fort  Ncllis;  Peter  Flagg,  a 
soldier  under  Col.  Willctt;  Henry  J.  Failing;  John  Ciremps,  a  rifteen-year- 
old  victim  of  Oriskany;  Peter,  his  brother,  who  put  out,  with  a  barrel  of 
swill,  a  fire  that  had  licen  kindled  in  his  house  by  the  Indians  and  tories 
when  they  made  their  raid  through  Stone  .\rabia  ;  Christian  Hufnail; 
Peter  H.  House;  Samuel  Howe;  Kudolph  Rcller,  who  was  taken  to  Can- 
ada by  the  Indians,  and  returned  after  si.x  months  with  consumption,  from 
which  he  died;  Peter  Lambert,  a  spy;  John  Lambert,  captured  by  the 
Indians  at  twelve  years  old,  and  who  on  his  return  two  years  after  was 
only  known  to  his  mother  by  a  scar  on  one  arm.  and  could  not  eat  food  as 
usually  cooked,  but  would  go  into  the  woods  and  cook  for  himself;  .Adam 
Lipe,  wounded  during  the  war;  John  Lipe;  Cieorge  Lambert,  a  butcher  in 
the  army;  Moses  Lowell,  a  patriot  soldier;  Francis  I.ighthall;  Isaac  .Miller. 
who  was  taken  by  the  Indians,  scalped  and  left  for  dead,  but  re\ived, 
reached  friends  and  recovered:  John  Miller,  one  of  the  pursuers  of  Brant; 
Jacob  Mathews:  Solomon,  John  Henry,  Jacob  and  Henry  Moyer,  soldiers, 
the  last  wounded  in  the  shoulder:  Nicholas  Pace:  John  Roof,  who  took 
part  at  Oriskany,  and  another  of  the  same  name  at  Johnstown;  Henry  and 
Peter  Sitts,  the  latter  of  whom  while  on  a  scout  had  his  horse  shot  down, 
and,  falling  under  the  animal,  was  captured  and  kept  in  Canada  during  the 
war;  Barbara  Schenck,  captured  by  the  Indians  while  pulling  rta.x  and 
taken,  thinly  dressed  and  barefoot,  to  Canada,  with  her  baby  and  a  girl  of 
eleven,  where  they  were  cared  for  by  a  tory  who  recognized  them,  and 
whence  they  returned  to  the  States,  except  the  daughter,  who  married  and 
removed  to  New  F^ngland;  Peter  Snell;  Henry  Sanders,  whose  head  v.as 
grazed  by  a  bullet  at  the  battle  of  Oriskany;  Peter  and  John  Snyder: 
Henry  Seeber,  a  paymaster-general  in  the  .American  army;  Henry  Tim- 
mennan,  grandfather  of  I).  T.  Timmerman,  who  was  in  the  block-house  at 
St.  Johnsville  when  it  was  attacked  by  Brant,  being  then  but  sixteen;  Oiles 
Van  Vest;  Nicholas  \'an  Slyke,  a  boatman  on  the  Mohawk,  who  boasted 
of  having  killed  forty-seven  Indians,  but  was  finally  killed  by  them  and  his 

body  mutilated;  Jacob  Wagner;  Jos.   H.  Wiles;  Wilkes,  grandfather 

of  Matthew  Wilkes,  a  scout,  who  contracted  a  fatal  disease   in  the  service: 

Wertnutli.  shot  dead  when    Sitts  was   taken:   Henry  Waffle:  U.  Wal- 

rath,  who  was  cajftured  by  the  Indians,  but  killed  his  guard  and  escaped 
into  a  swamp,  where  he  covered  himself  with  mud  and  eluded  search; 
Jacob  Walrath;  (ieorge  ^'oncker;  Adam,  John  and  Nancy  Yordon,  the 
latter  of  whom  was  taken  prisoner  to  Canada  and  there  married:  Christian 
Young;  and  Henry  Galler,  who  was  killed  during  the  war. 

EARLY  TR.ADKRS  IN   MINDKN. 

The  first  German  settlers  came  into  this  town  between  1720  and  1725, 
and  probably  no  local  tradesman  was  found  among  them  for  the  next 
twenty  or  more  years ;  the  merchandise  they  must  of  necessity  have  being 
procured  at  Schenect.idy,  when  not  brought  to  their  doors  by  Indian 
traders  and  pack-venders.  Their  wants,  however,  were  few.  and  luxuries 
were  unknown  among  this  honest,  hospitable,  and  from  necessity,  illiterate 
people  ;  for  the  reader  must  know  that  .as  yet  they  had  no  schools,  few- 
books  and  no  newspapers.  To  every  kind  of  luxurious  indulgence  they 
»ere  strangers,  and  as  for  envy,  they  could  hardly  have  known  the  mean- 
ing of  the  word  ;  for  their  fashions  were  not  looked  for  from  either  Paris 
or  Ix>ndon.  They  were  almost  strangers  to  .Asiatic  tea  and  coffee,  but 
they  did  substitute  for  the  latter  beverage  roasted  peas,  sweetened  with 
sugar  the  forest  maple  afforded  them.  They  spun  and  wove  their  own  fiax 
and  wool,  and  made  their  own  clothing  principally,  bringing  into  liberal 
requisition  deer  skins  and  other  peltries.  Native  genius,  with  them  as  with 
the  Indians,  enabled  them  to  bridge  over  many  of  the  ruts  which  are 
tcnind  in  fashion's  pathw.ay.  .\nd  >et  who  shall  say  these  pco]ile  were  not 
h.ippy  ?  for  the\  had  neither  llic  care  of  .accruing  interest  on  government 
bonds  to  rc-in\est,  nor  the  fear  of  a  sheriffs  aua<  hiiicnt  on  either  a  b.iby 
carriage  or  a  morignged  piano  to  keep  them  av.akc  nights — saying  nothing 
about  the  bedr.tggled  comlition  of  several  yards  of  trailing  silk. 


The  first  store  in  the  town  of  which  we  have  any  positive  knowledge,  wd.i 
established  near  the  Sand  Hill  church,  by  William  Seebcr,  a  German,  at 
the  place  where  for  years  .Adam  Lipe  has  resided.  His  store  was  openeil 
about  1750,  and  he  traded  here  during  the  French  war.  He  was  a  mujur 
of  militia  in  the  Oriskany  battle,  w  here  he  received  a  wound,  of  which  he 
died  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  days  after,  at  his  own  home  Two  of 
his  sons  were  also  in  that  conflict.  .Audolph,  who  was  slain  there,  and  Capt 
Jacob  W.,  who  fell  with  a  broken  leg,  and  died  shortly  after  the  limb  »a^ 
amputated  at  F'ort  Herkimer. 

Isaac  Paris,  a  brother-in-law  of  Washington  Irving,  was  the  first  mer- 
chant in  the  town  after  the  Revolution.  In  1786  he  erected  a  large  house,  m 
which  he  resided  and  traded  for  several  years,  boating  his  goods  up  the 
Mohawk.  This  building,  which  was  heavily  timbered,  is  still  standing  in 
Fort  Plain,  and  has  long  been  known  as  the  Bleecker  house.  It  had  four 
large  chimneys,  and  one  of  them,  in  which  no  fires  are  made,  is  the  sum- 
mer  residence  of  great  numliers  of  chimney  swallows  ;  their  hovering  over 
and  entrance  to  it  at  night-fall  being  an  interesting  spectacle.  Mr  Paris 
was  a  very  fair,  as  well  as  a  very  extensive  dealer,  and  his  kindness  became 
proverbial.  Says  Spafford  in  his  Gazetteer  ol  1824,  speaking  of  the  town 
of  Paris,  Oneida  county,  evidently  in  the  language  of  a  correspondent: 
"This  town  was  named  in  honor  of  a  Mr.  Paris,  at  the  request  of  the  in- 
habitants. In  1789,  '  the  year  of  scarcity.'  which  some  of  us  well  remem- 
ber, when  the  settlements  in  this  .piarter  were  in  a  feeble,  infant  state, 
Isaac  Paris,  then  a  merchant  at  Fort  Plain,  on  the  Mohawk,  supplied  the  in- 
habitants with  Virginia  corn  on  a  liberal  credit,  and  took  of  us  in  payment, 
ginseng,  and  anything  we  could  get,  supplying  our  necessities  in  the  kindest 
manner,  for  which  in  gratitude,  when  the  town  was  erected,  we  requested 
to  have  it  named  Paris."  "  Traits  of  this  character,"  added  Spafford,  "  I 
love  to  record."  Ginseng,  a  medicinal  root  indigenous  to  this  country,  ai 
that  period  entered  largely  into  our  foreign  exports  ;  indeed,  great  quanti- 
ties of  it  before  the  Revolution  were  procured  by  the  Indians,  which,  with 
furs,  they  bartered  with  early  traders. 

Conrad  Gansexoort  was  the  next  .\Iinden  merchant.  He  came  from 
Schenectady,  as  believed,  before  1790:  as  we  suppose  him  to  have  been 
established  here  in  business  prior  to  his  marriage,  which  took  place  Nov. 
12,  1791.  He  was  then  married  to  F.li/.aheth.  a  daughterof  John  Rose- 
boom,  Esq.,  «  ho  had  previously  moved  from  Schenectady  ,  and  settled  on 
the  late  .Abram  N.  Van  Alstine's  place,  below  Canajoharie.  Gansevoort 
erected  a  dwelling  with  a  store  in  it  on  a  knoll  at  the  foot  of  Sand  HilL 
The  building  stood  on  the  present  farm  of  Seeber  Lipe  ;  and  within  a  few 
years  has  been  moved  further  back  from  the  road,  and  converted  into  .1 
double  dwelling.  .After  nearly  twenty  years  of  successful  trading,  (.ianse- 
voort,  who  was  a  man  much  resjiected  in  the  township,  retireti  from  bttsi 
ness  and  returned  to  Schenectady. 

Three  Oothout  brothers,  CVarret,  Jonas,  and  Volkert,  came  from  Schen 
ectady  near  the  advent  of  Gansevoort,  some  say  just  before  and  others  just 
after  ;  and  on  their  arrival  they  erected  a  large  two-story  building  some 
fifty  feet  long  for  a  store,  with  a  dwelling  in  its  easterly  end.  It  stood  on 
the  lower  side  of  the  river  road,  about  a  mile  and  a  quarter  west  of  the  ul- 
lage of  F'ort  Plain,  near  the  present  residence  of  James  Polluck  ;  one  cor 
ner  of  it  being  afterwards  undermined  by  the  construction  of  the  canal 
Of  the  Oothout  firm,  it  is  remembered  that  Garret,  the  oldest,  and  who  was 
a  bachelor,  was  blind,  but  remarkably  shrewd,  vvith  a  sense  of  feeling  so 
keen  that  he  could  readily  distinguish  silver  coins,  so  that  no  one  could 
pass  a  ten  cent  piece  on  him  for  a  shilling,  or  a  pistareen  for  the  quarter 
of  a  dollar.  For  a  number  of  years  (Jansevoort  and  the  Oothouts  had  (|uii'- 
a  large  trade,  the  latter  firm  wholesaleing  to  some  extent.  Both  of  these 
firms  purchased  considerable  wheat,  as  no  doubt  their  neighbor  Pans  did 
while  in  trade,  which  they  sent  to  .Albany,  much  of  it,  »e  coniluile,  gom>; 
down  the  river  to  Schenectady  in  their  own  boats  Jonas  Oothout,  wli" 
lived  in  the  store  building,  and  vvho  married  Maria  F"ox.  had  two 
daughters,  Lydia  and  .Maria.  The  latter  died  young,  but  the  former, 
who  was  born  in  th,-it  building  in  1801,  was  married  in  it  in  1823,  to  Peter 
J.  Wagner,  Esq.  Her  father  had  died  a  year  or  two  before.  .Mrs.  Wagner 
is  remembered  as  a  most  estimable  lady.  After  her  death,  Mr.  Wagner 
married  Margaret  O.nboiit,  daughter  of  Abram  Oothout.  whose  wife  w.is 
Galena  I)e  Graff.  Abram  Oothout  was  a  younger  brother  of  Ihe  ir.ile- 
mcn  ami  settled  on  the  farm  adjoining  their  store,  and  in  the  now  I'olhi'  » 
dwelling,  his  daughter  Margaret  was  born  in  i.Sii  Thus  it  happencl  iln' 
the  cousins  whom  .Mr.  Wagner  married  .  hanied  to  be  born  in  adjoinuK 
dwellings. 


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RESIDENCE    &    GROUNDS    oF   MR.  JOSIAH    ROOF,  Minden,  Montgomer/    Co.,  N.  V. 


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HOUSE   &    GROUNDS   of   MR.  ROBERT  HALL,  Minden,  Montgomery    Co.,  N.  Y. 


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RESIDENCE    gr    LnRouNDS    o K    MR.  MOSES    SM ITH,  M inden ^  Mon tfr^omeny    Co.,  N.  Y 


MINDENS  EARLY  BUSINESS  MEN— OLD-TIME  PUNISHMENTS. 


131 


Kobrn  McFarlan  is  said  to  have  been  the  next  Minden  merchant,  and 
10  have  come  into  the  town  from  Paulet,  Vt.,  about  the  year  179S.  He  was 
ji  rcmjrkahly  smart  bnsines:^  man.  and  established  himseh'  in  trade  on  the 
,,.,iM>->iie  side  of  the  road,  a  few  rods  from  the  Sand  Hill  Relormcd  Dutch 
(  hun  ^  He  married  3  dau^ihtc^  of  Major  Hause.  of  the  neij^hliorhood. 
.%hit  h  proved  a  stroke  of  ^ood  polii  y,  since  he  not  only  got  a  good  wife. 
I  lit  il-o  the  trade  of  her  host  of  relatives  and  friends.  He  is  said  to  have 
run  -u?  ashen-  near  Hall>ville,  in  connection  with  his  business.  He  at  once 
(KTcaroe  an  active  member  of  society,  filling  the  position  of  justice  ot  the 
iicjcc.  as  also  that  of  colonel  of  militia  ;  and  he  is  said  to  have  been  not 
only  a  fine  looking,  but  a  very  efficient  officer.  At  a  general  [)arade  he 
viw  one  of  his  captains  a  little  {ii'.tan*  e  trom  his  men.  an<i  said  to  him. 
"Taptain,  go  to  your  post  !"  Not  e.vacily  comprehending  the  nature  of 
the  order,  he  walked  to  his  company  and  stated  to  some  of  his  men  in  (Ver- 
man  the  colonel's  command,  which  was  in  English,  wondermg,  as  he  said, 
what  the  latter  meant.  The  reply  of  his  men  was,  "  Go  to  the  head  of  your 
.  ompany  !**  As  he  is  still  remembered  by  the  aged,  perhaps  no  man  was 
rver  more  highly  esteemed  and  respected  in  the  community,  than  was  Col. 
McFartan.  On  a  marble  slab  in  the  old  graveyard  attached  to  the  Sand 
Hill  ihurch  may  yet  be  seen — although  it  is  half  down — the  following  in- 
scription :  '*  In  memory  of  Robert  McFarlan,  Esq.,  who  departed  this  life 
July  14,  i^ii>  in  the  49th  year  of  his  age," 

About  the  year  1808,  Conrad  Oanscvoort  relumed  to  Schenectady,  when 
Henry  \.  Bleecker,  a  young  man  from  Albany,  who  had  long  been  his 
rlerfc,  succeeded  him  in  trade,  doing,  as  believed,  his  share  of  business 
At  the  end  of  a  few  years  he  retired  from  business,  went  to  Canajoharie_ 
and  there  married  Betsey,  a  daughter  of  Philip  R.  ?"rey.  and  grand-daugh- 
ter oi  Col-  Hendrick  Frey,  .She  ii  said  to  have  been  the  prettiest  of  three 
fine-looking  sisters.  Bleecker.  after  his  marriage,  remained  on  the  Col. 
Frey  farm,  where  he  died  at  an  early  age.  His  widow  married,  for  her 
second  husband.  John  Cumraing,  Ksq.,  then  of  Es|)erance,  N.  V. 

David  I.ipe  and  Rufus  Firman  succeeded  Bleecker  in  trade,  but  how 
long  they  were  in  business  we  cannot  tell,  though  it  is  believed  it  was  not 
verv  long.  They  are  supposed  to  have  been  the  last  merchants  to  occujj\ 
the  (iansevoort  store. 

A  year  or  two  after  the  death  of  .McFarlan.  say  about  the  year  1815.  John 
A.  I.ip*  and  Abraham  Dievendorrf  began  to  trade  in  the  .McFarlan  build- 
ing; but,  not  harmonizing,  they  soon  separated,  when  Henry  Dicvendorff 
joined  his  brother  in  trade  at  that  store,  and  I.ipe  fitted  up  a  store  on  the 
same  side  of  the  street,  though  a  little  nearer  the  church,  which  was  occu- 
pied by  his  son  Conrad,  for  whom  it  was  erected,  until  about  the  year  1819. 
when  he  died.  John  A.  I.ipe  continued  to  do  business  here  for  some  time 
after  his  son's  death.  About  the  year  1820  the  Dievendorff  Brothers, Henry 
■ind  Abram,  erected  a  store  near  the  canal,  then  being  constructed,  to 
which  they  removed,  hoping  to  be  benefited  thereby.  This  building  stood 
near  the  present  premises  of  Uilli.im  Clark,  Esq.,  and  will  be  rememliered 
by  nid  people  as  a  long,  yellow,  two-story  building,  the  upper  iloor  being 
tised  for  a  public  hall.  Breaching  was  heard  in  this  room,  and  so  were 
Ihe  tones  of  a  violin,  for  in  it  was  held  many  a  social  dance.  One  such 
affair  was  in  honor  of  the  marriage  of  Peter  J.  Wagner,  Esq..  in  1823  In 
connection  with  their  business,  the  Dievendorffs  ran  a  distillery.  They 
finally  failed  in  trade,  and  were  succeeded  by  David  Dievendorff,  a  son  of 
Henrvt  who  had  long  been  a  clerk  for  his  father  and  uncle.  He  was  in 
»radc  for  several  year.s.  but  his  business,  like  that  of  his  predecessors,  finally 
pfned  disastrous.  About  the  year  1828.  as  the  business  part  of  the  young 
ullage  was  destined  lo  be  lower  down,  the  Dle^  cndorff  building  was  re- 
fnovc^d  to  the  pres-nl  site  of  the  brick  stores  ol  the  Dillenbeck  Brothers 
I  and  Walrath  &  Dunckel. 

Ik     John  R.  Dygert   and  John  Roth  succeeded  the  Dievendorff  Brothers  on 
\Sand  Hill,  and  after  a  little  time  Solomon  H.  Moyer  bought  out  Roth.    A  few 


years  later  Dygert  iV  Moyer  removed  to  a  store  erected  by  Dygert,  where 
Wood,  Clark  iV  Co.  are  now  in  trade,  at  the  canal  bridge.  This  firm  finally 
failed. 

John  Warner  came  into  Frcysbush  as  a  successful  Yankee  school-master, 
and  after  a  while,  about  1810,  he  opened  a  store.  In  1825  he  erected  the 
store  now  occupied  by  Walrath  ^V  Dievendorff,  the  second  dry  goods  store 
erected  in  what  is  now  the  village  proper,  Henry  P.  Voorhees  having  built 
the  first  the  year  before  on  the  bank  of  the  creek,  in  the  rear  of  the  Peter 
G.  Webster  block,  in  which  is  the  crockery  store  of  the  Lipe  Brothers. 
Boats  from  the  canal  could  then  load  and  unload  merchandise  and  grain 
at  the  Voorhees  store. 

Robert  Hall,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  town  of  Minden,  was 
bom  in  1777;  moved  from  .Argyle.  Washington  county,  N.  Y.,  about  the 
year  1800.  and  followed  the  occupation  of  a  pack-pedlar  through  the 
Mohawk  valley.  He  settled  about  1810  in  the  place,  now  a  post  oflice, 
named,  after  him,  Hallsville.  With  limited  means  he,  in  company  with 
John  White  and  a  man  named  Cooper,  built  a  store  and  lavem.  After  a 
few  years  Hall  purchased  the  business  of  his  partners,  and  continued  alone. 
During  his  residence  in  this  place  he  had  an  extensive  business,  at  one 
time  having  four  stores  running  in  the  county,  besides  a  brewery,  an  ash- 
ery  and  a  distillery;  he  also  owned  a  grist-mill  in  Herkimer  county.  Gen- 
eral trainings  were  frequently  held  at  this  place,  and  elections  were 
held  at  the  old  tavern.  Hall  served  in  the  war  of  1812  as  captain,  and 
was  stationed  at  Sackett's  Harbor  during  the  war.  He  also  se^^ed  one 
term  in  the  State  Legislature,  and  was  one  of  the  chief  movers  in  the 
establishment  of  the  Fort  Plain  Bank  and  one  of  the  heaviest  stockholders. 
During  the  earlier  part  of  1800,  bands  of  Mohawk  Indians  were  frequently 
camped  at  this  place.     Hall  died  December  7,  1841,  at  Hallsville. 


WHIPPING   POSTS  AND  STOCKS. 

These  disciplinary  institutions  were  not  only  to  be  seen  in  nearly  or 
quite  evei^-  town  in  New  England  at  the  beginning  of  this  century,  but 
also  in  all  the  older  settlements  of  New  York.  They  were  designed  to 
punish  petty  thefts,  for  which  from  ten  to  fifty  lashes  were  inflicted,  accord- 
ing to  the  magnitude  of  the  crime  and  its  attending  circumstances.  Just 
how  many  there  were  in  Montgomery  county  at  that  period  is  unknown. 
They  were  probably  in  use  at  Amsterdam,  Caughnawaga,  Stone  Arabia 
and  Herkimer,  and  we  have  successfully  traced  them  to  Johnstown,  Fort 
Hunter,  Freysbush  and  the  Canajoharie  church  above  Fort  Plain.  The 
last  two  named  were  long  situated  on  the  division  of  Canajoharie  town- 
ship; one  in  that  town  and  the  other  in  Minden,  until  Freysbush  was  set 
oft'  to  Minden.  Tradition  has  carefully  preserved  one  of  the  last  punish- 
ments o(  this  kind  inflicted  at  the  Freysbush  post,  which  stood  where 
William  Dunckel's  cheese  factory  now  stands.  Here  Jacob  Cramer,  for 
stealing  a  wash  of  clothing,  was  sentenced  to  thirty-nine  lashes  upon  his 
bare  back,  which  were  inflicted  by  a  constable  for  the  then  town  of  Cana- 
joharie, named  John  Rice.  This  seemingly  barbarous  custom  has  long 
since  become  generally  obsolete,  but  there  seemed  to  have  been  times 
uhen  immediate  punishment  for  petty  offences  saved  a  bill  of  expense,  if 
it  did  not  actually  lessen  crime. 


MINDEN'S  Civil.  WAR    RECORD. 

The  town  of  Minden  furnished  during  the  rebellion  518  men,  at  an  ex- 
pense, beside  the  county  bounty,  of  $154.143.67 — a  significant  hint  at  the 
expenditure  of  life  and  treasure  int  urred  in  the  suppression  of  the  rebel- 
lion, and  at  the  spirit  in  which  the  needed  sacrifice  was  met. 


132 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


FORT  PLAIN. 


About  the  year  1738,  (icorge  Clarke,  (lo^crnor  ot  the  ruloiu  i)f  Ncv\ 
York  from  1736  to  1743,  built  in  a  solitary  forest,  on  the  Mte  of  A.  ( 
Wagner's  dwelling,  the  first  hou:>e  within  the  village  of  hurt  I'latn.  It 
was  a  two-story  edifue,  with  a  hall  passing  through  the  *  entrc  and  large 
square  rooui',  on  either  side.  The  second  floor  was  ruai  hed  by  a  bruad 
stairway,  with  white  oak  bannisters  and  easy  steps  ut  the  same  material. 
The  house  had  a  frontage  of  nearly  forty  feet,  and  its  walls  were  built  of  a 
slaty  stone  taken  front  the  bed  of  the  neighboring  creek.  !■  'lad  four  chini- 
nies  of  the  same  material.  The  steps  to  the  front  door  are  remembered 
a-s  ha\-ing  also  been  of  slate,  but  a  limestone  step  used  at  one  of  the  doors 
still  serves  its  purpose.  Mr.  Wagner's  house  was  built  on  the  cellar  of  the 
Clarke  mansion,  by  Col.  Robert  Crouse.  The  latter  was,  for  its  tinie,  a 
structure  of  no  mean  pretensions.  It  is  said  to  have  been  erected  bv 
tiovemor  Clarke  for  two  sons  of  fast  proclivities,  to  remove  them  from  city 
associations.  For  a  time  the  family  resided  here,  in  a  commanding  position, 
having  a  force  of  slaves  to  do  their  bidding.  Tradition  says  that  at  the 
river's  Uank  Governor  Clarke  had  a  good  landing  for  his  pleasure  boats,  in 
which  it  may  be  supiKSsed  he  made  an  occasional  trip  to  Schenectady,  or  a 
visit  to  some  distinguished  family  along  the  river,  such  as  the  Herkimers, 
Foxes  and  Freys,  or  the  Episcopal  clergyman  at  Fort  Hunter.  Clarke 
brought  to  his  new  home  several  goats,  then  a  novelty  in  the  region,  and 
tm  some  occasion  they  strayed  away  and  were  lost.  They  were  finally 
found  on  the  high  ground  several  miles  southwest  of  Fort  Plain,  which  from 
this  circtimstanre  has  since  been  called  Geisscnberg — goat  hill.  The 
Clarke  family  could  not  be  contented  in  the  wilderness — perhaps  Mrs.  Clarke 
did  not  like  the  Indian  surroundings  of  her  border  home  ;  and  at  the  end 
of  a  few  years  they  abandoned  their  romantic  situation  and  returned  to 
New  York.  The  house  then  acquired  the  reputation  of  being  haunted,  and 
was  allowed  to  stand  empty  and  decay.  Not  only  did  children  give  it  a 
wide  berth  in  their  play,  but  many  a  man  and  woman  hastened  their  steps 
in  passing  it,  lest  they  should  see  or  hear  something  suiiernatural.  In  1K07 
I>r.  Joshua  Webster  and  Jonathan  Stickney.  enterprising  New  Englanders, 
built  a  tannery  aj  ross  the  creek  from  the  material  in  this  old  mansion,  and 
its  elves  and  ghouls  were  ousted. 

About  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  George  Crouse  came  from  (ier- 
niany,  settled  on  the  "lot  adjoining  the  Clarke  property  on  the  north,  and 
built  a  log  house,  which  was  burned  by  Brant  in  1780.  The  Clarke  farm 
came  into  the  i»ossession  of  Isaac  Paris,  jr.,  the  famous  trader,  and  was 
sold  by  him  to  (reo.  Crouse,  jr.  It  is  said  the  place  was  to  be  paid  for  in 
wheat  at  eighteen  cents  per  skipple  (three  pecks)  at  which  rate  Crouse  was 
advised  to  buy  it  by  Col.  Willett.  who  was  boarding  with  him.  The  ne.xt 
Lot  north  of  the  elder  Crouse's  was  owned  by  Peter  Young,  and  the  next 
by  Johannes  Lipe. 

Another  neighboring  estate  was  owned  by  a  German  named  John  Abeel, 
an  early  Indian  trader,  which  term  implied  a  speculator  in  goods  that 
were  bartered  for  furs  with  the  Indians.  After  being  thus  engaged  for  a 
time,  not  only  among  the  Mohawks,  but  with  all  of  the  Six  Nations,  he 
settled  just  west  of  P'ort  Plain,  as  it  is  thought,  about  1757  or  the  next 
yeaf.  He  jnarricd  the  daughter  of  an  early  German  settler  named  Knou's. 
as  recorded  in  a  "book  of  marriages,"  at  Albany,  pursuant  to  the  legal 
requirements  of  the  lime.  The  famous  chief  Cornplanter  was  the  son  of 
Abeel  by  a  Seneca  princess.  In  a  historical  address  at  Fort  Plain,  in  i860. 
P.  G.Webster,  F.sq.,  alluded  to  Abeel's  settling  in  this  vicinity;  his  trading 
excursions  among  the  Indians;  his  capture  in  1780.  near  home,  by  the 
warriors  of  Hrant  .md  Curnpbntcr  ;  ami  his  release  by  tlie  latter,  wl.u  af- 
terward visited  his  parent  at   Fort   Plain  and  later  at  Albany,  where  the 


trader  recognized  him,  and  would  have  given  him  valuable  jjresents.  but  tor 
the  natural  objections  of  his  German  wife. 

Joseph  Wagner,  who  settled  in  1805  on  a  farm  occupymg  a  large  part 
of  the  site  ot  Fort  Plain,  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  founders  of  the  village 
There  were  but  few  buildings  on  the  spot  prior  to  his  arrival,  .\monf; 
them  was  a  small  tavern  ke]it  by  Isaac  Soule.  as  early  as  1804.  In  r8o'i 
Mr.  Wagner  put  up  a  jiniall  public  house,  which  was  kept  as  such  until 
1850,  when  it  became  a  private  residence.  The  building  is  still  standing; 
and  is  owned  by  Andrew  I)unn.  John  C.  Pipe  oi)ened  a  store  in  the  old 
tavern  building  of  Isaac  Soule  about  1S08  ;  there  was  then  also  a  tailors 
shop  in  the  building. 

The  first  i)ost  office,  called  the  Fort  Plain  post  othce,  was  established  in 
1816,  on  Sand  Hill,  then  the  business  [tortion  of  the  village.  Conra<l  Pipe 
was  the  first  postmaster.  The  place  was  incorporated  in  1828.  taking  its 
name  from  the  local  fortification. 

The  earliest  physician  of  the  village  was  Joshua  Webster,  from  Scarboru. 
Maine,  who  settled  here  m  1797.  Phe  first  estabb-jhed  lawyer  was  Peter 
J.  Wagner,  a  gentleman  of  ability,  who  once  represented  old  Montgomery 
county  in  Congress.  The  first  hatter  in  the  place  was  Wni.  A.  Haslet,  whu 
began  business  in  1826.  Harvey  F,.  Williams  opened  the  first  tin  and  hard 
ware  store  in  1827.  Numerous  other  professional  and  business  men  estab- 
lished themselves  in  Fort  Plain  in  the  five  years  after  the  completion  '>l 
the  Erie  Canal   in    1825. 

THE  CHURCHES  OF   F(»RT   PLAIN. 


.IK  IHi'DISr    KPls 


The  first  Methodist  ( las> 
Rev.  Jonas  Diefendorl",  a 
pastor  in  charge  of  what  w: 
Rev,  George  Harmon   presi 


in  Fort  Plain  was  formed  June  24,  1832,  I7 
;sistant  pastor.  Rev.  Eleazur  Whipple  bcini; 
s  then  known  as  the  Canajoharie  circuit,  and 
ling  elder  of  the  district  to  which   it  belonged 


Thirteen  members  composed  the  ilass,  mcluding  Solomon  Countryman, 
the  leader,  and  his  wife;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacob  Wendell,  and  Mr.  and  Mr«, 
Thomas  Davis.  In  September,  1835.  the  class  had  thirty  members,  of  whom 
Peter  A.  Brunifieid  was  leader.  .\fter  the  two  clergymen  above-named, 
the  following  officiated,  two  at  a  time,  on  the  Canajoharie  circuit,  which  in 
eluded  Fort  Plain,  Freysbush.  and  other  places  :  James  Kelsey.  Abraham 
Diefendorf.  Milton  French,  Peter  Dcdrick,  James  P.  llackus,  Isaac  Grant. 
Lewis  G.  Weaver,  Alvin  Torry.  Edwin  Oennison,  John  Padham,  and  Pen 
jamin  Diefendorf.  The  last  two  had  charge  of  the  circuit  in  183S  and 
1839  ;  and  from  that  time  for  two  years  Fort  Plain  formed  a  charge  with 
Palatine  Bridge  under  the  same  pastor,  and  for  the  next  three  years  with 
Canajoharie.  alter  the  dedication  of  a  Methodist  churdi  there  in  1841.  I" 
1S44,  Fort  Plain  became  a  sejtarate  charge  with  a  resident  pastor.  Kmiii 
1839  to  1852.  inclusive,  the  following  clergymen  were  the  jiastors  for  abnut 
equal  periods:  Joseph  Fames.  Cyrus  Meeker.  Clark  Fuller.  Chas.  C.  <;il 
bert.  Thomas  Armitage,  Pishop  Isbell,  Asa  P.  Fenton.  and  Hiram  Chase 
In  1852  P'ort  Plain  was  transferred  from  the  Troy  to  the  Oneida  Conferen»  i-. 
which  action  was  rcver.icd  in  1S60.  From  1852  to  the  present,  the  pastors 
have  been  :  Robert  Fox.  John  P.  Newman.  J.  T.  Wright.  L.  Powdish,  Selah 
Stocking,  Isaac  Parks.  Homer  Katon.  William  Hcdell.  Postwick  Hauie>. 
Wm.  H.  Hughes.  T.  Dwight  Walker.  William  Ryan  and   I.  C.  Fenton. 

In  early   times    the    Methnd^t    preachers   occasfunaily  officiated   in    ll'" 
church  that  formerly  stood  on  Sand  II ill,  but  more  frcqiienily  in  the  sc< '">.l 


/ 


^-^^'Ts:^. , 


^^^.    V 


5«^»^' 


m 
m 


:1 


i*. 


^i^- 


MrsJoh  n  a  Zoller 


John   a   Zoller 


'lWiwni.;t'«^t°^n'  r-^:^: 


[|%e;.i, 


:--•:.  Sift. 


-:^ 


^.^n,* 


"^^S^i.'?'^^^^! 


Residence  otMrJoknA. Zoller, Fort  Plain,  Mont 


GOMERY    CO.  N  .Y 


J     •; 


'.I 


■••'■vi 


CHURCHES  AND  NEWSPAPERS  OF  FORT  PLAIN. 


133 


!.ii»n  of  a  building  near  Mr.  W'iliiam  Clark'?.  |jrcsent  residence,  and  in  the 
same  room  after  the  liuilding  »a>  mmed  to  a  5|iot  a  lew  feet  north  of  the 
hritk  Uuilding  at  the  corner  of  Cana!  and  .Main  streets  ;  then  for  several 
>cari  l)efore  1X42  in  what  was  until  that  time  the  district  schuol-housc. 
•  hwh  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  one,  but  stood  much  nearer  the  rt»ad, 
[he  lirst  Methodist  church  was  dedicated  Kel).  20,  1845.  In  1S54  it  was 
enlarged  and  re-dcdicaled. 


The  first  I'niversalist  soi  iety  of  Minden,  located  at  Fort  Plain,  was  or- 
i:.ini/ed  April  6,  tX;3  Jacoli  Hanil.  Ilaniel  (iros.  John  I.ighthall.  Henry 
t'ook  and  Henry  S.  Muyer  were  elected  trustees,  .Solonion  Sanders  clerk, 
and  Jacob  Hand  treasurer.  The  church  edific  c  was  dedicated  Dei  ember 
;;  of  the  same  year.  With  the  usual  lluctuations  attending  the  growth  of 
.i  religious  l>ody.  the  society  has  continued  to  the  present  time,  under  the 
pastoral  teaching  of  the  followmg  clergymen:  Job  Potter,  W.  Bullard,  Jesse 
Hushncll,  I..  C.  Browne.  H.  Kelding,  H.  Lyon,  J.  I).  Hicks,  H.  B.  -Soule, 
\  C  Barry,  H.  L.  Hayward,  C.  \V.  Cage.  \  B.  Grosh.  C  E.  Hews,  H.  H 
Baker,  .^dolphus  Skinner.  I>.  I).,  B,  I,.  Bennett,  I).  Ballou  and  E.  \V.  Fuller, 
the  present  pastor. 

The  church  building  h.is  been  twice  remodeled,  once  m  1855,  and  agam 
in  1874,  on  December  30  of  which  year  it  was  re-dedicated.  It  is  a  very- 
pretty  and  convenient  edifice,  having  a  fine  session  or  Sunday-school  room 
*>n  the  ground  floor,  and  an  auditorium  seating  four  hundred,  with  frescoed 
walls  and  ceiling.     The  society  has  no  debt. 

The  Sunday-school  wa.s  organized  soon  after  the  church,  and  has  now 
one  hundred  and  forty  pupils,  and  a  library  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  vol- 
umes.    The  pastor  has  generally  i>een  the  superintendent. 

THK     KtKOK.MKI)    CHlkCH. 

.\fler  the  village  had  grown  to  some  size,  the  Reformed  church  on  Sand 
Hill,  which  has  been  elsewhere  treated  of.  being  nearly  a  mile  awav,  that 
I  ongregation.  in  1834.  erected  another  within  the  village  limits;  but  scarce- 
ly was  it  completed  when,  from  some  defect  in  carrying  a  stovepijie  through 
J  wall,  it  look  fire  one  Saturday  night  and  was  burned  down.  L'pon  its 
site  the  next  season  a  brick  structure  was  reared,  which  was  enlarged  and 
repaired  in  1872,  at  an  expense  of  over  §13.000.  and  now  seats  about  five 
hiintired  persons.  While  the  present  church  was  being  built,  the  congre- 
g.ition  used  the  old  one  on  Sand  Hill,  but  on  the  completion  of  the  new 
building  it  was  demolished.  The  following  ministers  have  served  as  pas- 
tors of  the  Fort  Plain  Reformed  Church:  N.  Kogardus,  1S34-5  ;  Arthur 
Biirtis,  1835-6;  John  Page  Pepper,  1836-40;  S.  Van  \"echten,  1S41-4;  C. 
<.  McLean.  1844-52;  M.  L.  Schemk.  1853-7;  J.  C.  Hall.  1858-64.  From 
i.''64  to  1868  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Rev.  e;.  D.  Consaul.  and  by  Rev. 
W  Whittaker,  a  Presbyterian  minister.  Rev.  .Alexander  B.  Biggs  took 
•  harge  of  the  church  in  Julv,  1870,  and  remained  until  .April,  1876.  Rev. 
s.imuel  J.  Rogers,  the  present  pastor,  immediately  succeeded  him. 

The  ecclesiastical  relations  of  this  church  arc  with  the  Classis  of  .Mont- 
gomery, and  through  It  with  the  Cieneral  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church 
in  America  The  society  has  now  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven  members, 
and  the  Sunday-school  over  two  hundred. 


they  assumed  in  the  following  ueek  the  name  Voung  .Men's  Christian 
.Association.  They  were  \isited  afterward,  but  not  previously,  bv  rc-i.tc- 
senlatives  of  the  general  organization  of  that  name.  .\l  the  close  of  the 
first  year  the  membership  numbered  seventeen.  There  are  now  fortv-two 
'*  .active  "  and  a  number  of  "  associate  "  members.  H.  .\L  Boice  and  A 
n.  Gary  have  each  been  president  of  the  association  one  year,  and  W  P. 
Webster  five  years,  Mr.  Boice  the  first  year,  and  Mr.  Cary  the  fourth 
.\fter  meeting  for  two  months  at  Mr.  Boice's  room,  the  association  secured 
rooms  in  the  block  next  north  of  the  bank,  which  it  held  nearly  five  years, 
removing  NLiy  10,  1876,  to  the  present  more  commodious  quarters,  in  the 
Dunn  Block.  The  work  of  the  association  ha.s  been  almost  cntirelv  relig. 
ious.  In  six  years  two  hundred  and  sixty-four  Monday  evening  pr.iyer 
meetings  were  held,  beside  praise  and  "promise  "  meetings,  song  ser\ii  es. 
Sabbath-school  sessions,  Bible  classes,  "cottage"  meetings,  etc.,  during 
part  of  the  time,  generally  on  the  Sabbath. 

I'HE   PRESS  OF  FORT   PL.MN. 

The  first  newspaper  in  Montgomery  county  was  started  at  Fort  Pl.iin  m 
1827,  byS.  N.  S.  (Jrant,  under  the  title  of  the  /^urt  PUtin  W'akh  T.m'fr. 
In  1829  Grant  was  succeeded  by  John  Calhoun,  who  made  way  for  a  journalist 
named  Piatt,  in  1830.  Piatt  named  the  paper  The  Fort  Pliun  Srntinrl.  and 
this  title  it  bore  during  the  short  remainder  of  its  existence. 

Thf  Fort  Phiin  Gazette  was  published  from  1834  to  1836,  by  Henrv  1. 
Gross.  The  Fort  Plain  Journal  vis  started  in  1836,  by  E.  W.  Clili,  who  con- 
tinued its  publication  until  he  was  succeeded  in  1838  by  Wm,  L.  F'ish,whi> 
managed  the  concern  until  the  close  of  the  Presidential  cam])aign  of  1S40. 
During  Mr.  Gill's  management  the  jiaper  was  edited  firs  by  He^ry  Link, 
Esq.,  and  afterward  by  Henry  Roseboom.  \\'hile  printed  by  Mr.  F'ish,  the 
Journal  was  edited  by  P.  G.  Webster,  who  on  NLay  i,  1839,  caused  the 
name  of  Winfield  Scott  to  be  pKiced  at  the  he.id  of  the  -;ditorial  colun:n  as 
a  candidate  for  the  Presidency.  This  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  nomi- 
nation of  that  distinguished  officer  for  the  chief  magistracy.  In  February, 
1841.  the  Journal  passed  into  the  hands  of  Levi  S.  Backus,  a  deaf  mute, 
who  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  to  The  Montgomery  Phoenix.  1  >.  F. 
Voung  was  the  editor.  Mr,  Backus  continued  the  publication  until  1S54, 
when  he  sold  out  to  Wendell  and  Stansel,  who  changed  the  name  of  the 
paper  to  The  Mohawk  Valley  Register.  In  1855  Stansel  sold  out  to  IV  S 
Kellogg,  and  he  in  June  1856,  to  C.  W.  Webster,  the  firm  becoming  Web- 
ster \-  Wendell.  May  12,  1859,  .Mr.  Wendell  .sold  his  interest  to  I. 
Crounse.  who  in  three  weeks  parted  with  it  to  Chas.  Bradbury.  In  less 
than  a  year  Mr.  Bradbury  sold  to  .\ngell  Matthewson,  and  the  Register  w,xs 
published  by  Webster  &■  Matthewson  until  July,  1865.  when  Mr.  Webster 
retired,  the  circulation  of  the  paper  having  increased  during  his  connci  lum 
with  it  from  600  to  1000.  .Mr.  Matthewson  remained  in  sole  proprietorship 
until  rS68.  and  during  his  administration  pro\ided  the  office  Milh  p'twcr- 
presses  and  a  new  stock  of  type  ;  enlarged  the  paper  and  ran  its  cir<  iil.i. 
tion  up  to  1.500.  He  sold  out  to  Elliott  &  Bowen.  the  former  of  whom  in 
1872  sold  his  interest  to  Charles  Bowen.  and  in  March.  1876,  the  concern 
was  purchased  by  Horace  L.  Greene,  who  has  since  managed  it. 

The  Toesin  was  published  a  short  time  by  H.  Link 

The  Lutheran  Herald  -Ki^  published  semi-monthlv  in  1839,  by  W  L. 
Fish,  and  edited  by  Rev.  J.  D.  Lawyer. 


I.ITHI.RAN. 

The  first  meetings  of  this  body  were  held  in  1842,  in  private  houses,  by 
Msiting  clergyman.  Rev.  G.  Saul.  The  first  .  hiirch  building  was  erected 
I  1853.  The  Rev.  .Mr.  Roll  was  pastor.  He  has  had  up  to  the  present 
lelve  successors.  The  membership  of  the  church  is  seventy,  and  of  the 
'inday-srhool  fifty.  The  latter  opened  in  iS7i,wlth  forty  scholars.  Fhe 
resent  commodious  brick  1  luirch  was  built  in  1874. 


Mar.  h  21,  187 
harlcs  C.  Edw.i 


frcd  D    C.' 
'.  Wcbsicr 


and 


Frank  Die 
\.  H.  Willi, 


idorff. 


Hugh  M    Bo 
Is,  Ad.im   lln 

■It  the  rooms  of  the  first  named,  at  the  Fort  I'biin  de].ot.  ,Tnd  org.ini/cd  as 
•I  young  men's  prayer  association  ;   but  by  the  advice  of  Rev.  .X.  B.  Riggs, 


The  Fort  PI.1 
by  a  stock  comi 
of  the  Cniversi 
dent  of  the  firs 


THE  SEMINARY. 

lin  Seminary  and  Collegiate  Institute  was  erected  in  185  5, 
lany,  with  a  capital  of  §32,000.  and  chartered  by  the  Regent - 
ty.  Oct.  20.  of  that  ye.ir.  Hon.  Peter  J.  Wagner  was  j.n -,- 
t  board  of  trustees.  Rev,  Alon«i  Flack  was  the  lessee.  R.-^. 
Joseph  E,  Ring  the  first  principal,  »  ith  Miss  .\ngelina  Ensign  as  jirccepirc-s, 
and  thirteen  other  te.'.chers.  The  first  scholastic  year  of  the  insiiiiiti..n 
began  Nov.  7,  1853,  with  513  students.  \\  its  close  the  first  graduating 
honors  of  the  school  were  conferred  upon  Miss  H.annah  Waddell,  .'f 
Schenect.idy.  To  the  regret  of  all  concerned.  Prof.  King  resignc.l  the 
princijialship,  to  accept  a  similar  position  at  F'ort  FMward,  N,  X'. 

Rev,  James  E,  Latimer  was  unanimously  elected  to  fill  the  vac:ini  y,  N.i> 
9,  1854.  During  his  four  years'  su.cessful  management  of  the  si  liool,  tin- 
position  of  preceptress  was  held  by  Mrs.  Latimer,  Miss  Jennie  Lntimcr 
and  Miss  Hannah  Waddell  successively.      Prof.   Latimer  resigned  in  the 


134 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


sammcr  of  1858.  to  take  a  professorship  in  Klinira  Female  College.  The 
cchool  then  came  under  the  control  of  Prof.  \V.  H.  Bannister,  who.  in  his 
second  year,  associated  with  him  Ke\.  Charles  W.  Bennett,  now  a  Doctor 
of  Divinity,  and  the  excellent  and  popular  Professorof  History  in  Syracuse 
University.  Prof  Bannister,  with  .Miss  Louisa  Bannister  as  preceptress, 
continued  in  charjje  until  1S61,  when  he  was  succeeded  liy  Rev.  Benjamin 
I.  Diefcndorf,  The  next  two  principals  were  .Messrs.  Hinr,-  A.  Merrill 
and  Frank  H.  Ciraham. 

The  period  of  the  civil  war  was  a  time  of  frequent  change  of  administra- 
tion. In  1873  the  present  principal.  Rev.  .Abraham  .Mattice,  .-\..M.,  with  Miss 
Kate  M.  'I'homas  as  preceptress,  took  charge  of  the  school,  and  it  is  now 
in  successful  operation.  It  has  always  been  unsectarian,  welcoming  to 
its  halls  students  from  all  denominations  throughout  the  land,  .\mong 
its  scores  of  graduates  are  many  occupying  enviable  professional  po- 
sitions. 

The  location  of  the  Institute  is  all  that  can  be  desired.  It  is  easy  of 
access,  on  an  elevation  that  admits  of  perfect  drainage  and  free  circulation 
of  air,  and  that  affords  a  fine  view  of  the  surrounding  country.  It  is  also 
blessed  with  an  abundance  of  excellent  water.  The  Seminary,  as  may  be 
seen  from  the  engraving,  is  large  and  commodious,  and  well  calculated  to 
furnish  a  pleasant  home  to  pupils  of  both  sexes.  Under  the  inspiration  of 
the  motto,  "AccuR.icv,  EARNF.sT.\tbS,  Enthl'siasm,  Viliokv,"  much  has 
been  attempted  and  accomplished  by  this  institution  towards  reahzing  the 
highest  ideal  of  a  true  education,  viz.,  the  systematic  development  of  the 
whole  being,  physical,  mental,  moral  and  spiritual. 

Its  officers  and  teachers  at  present  are  as  follows  :  Trustees  :  Him.  Wil- 
liam Clark,  president ;  Reuben  Elwood,  vice  president ;  Morgan  Snyder, 
M.  D.,  Joshua  Vedder,  Worthington  S.  Farley,  Simon  Klock,  Josiah  Roof, 
Peter  G.  Webster,  Esq.,  William  Davy,  Edwin  W.  Wood,  Simeon  Tingue, 
William  Criffith,  Robert  H.  Shearer,  David  T.  Timmerman,  Daniel  S.  De- 
voe.     Alfred  Cary,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

Teachers  ;  Abraham  Mattice,  principal,  .\ncient  Languages  ;  fames  Ed- 
monson, Mathematics  and  Sciences  :  Otto  F.  Ebert.  French  and  German  ; 
Kate  M.  Thomas,  preceptress.  Geography,  Rhetoric,  and  F^locution  ;  .Mrs. 
Harriet  C.  Smeallie,  principal  of  primary  department.  Grammar,  Drawing 
and  Oil  Painting  ;  F'ranc  Knowlton,  Common  English  ;  Fannie  A.  Conk- 
ling,  piano.  Organ,  and  Vocalization. 

PROMINENT   BUSINESS   ESTABLISHMENTS 

The  first  banking  house  in  the  village  was  the  Fort  Plain  Bank,  organized 
Dec.  25,  1838,  with  §100,000  capital.  The  first  directors  were  J.  Webster, 
J.  Reid,  Robert  Hall,  Nicholas  Mover,  P.J.  Wagner,  Wm.  ,\.  Haslett,  John 
I.  Dievendorff,  Daniel  Moyer,  J  I.  Zoller.  J.acob  Abeel.  J.  H.  Mover.  Adam 
A.  Nesteli,  H.  .-Vdams,  J.  Cady  and  Jacob  Sanders.  In  February,  1X39, 
Joshua  Webster  was  elected  president,  and  Peter  F.  Bellinger  cashier.  Mr. 
Bellinger  resigned  in  a  few  weeks,  .md  was  followed  by  J.  C.  Dann,  who 
held  the  place  for  five  years,  when  he  gave  way  to  I.  C.  Babcock.  .Mr. 
Webster  resigned  the  presidency,  .\ug.  12,  1.S4.S,  when  J.  H.  Moyer  was 
chosen  president,  and  Livingston  Spraker  vice  president.  In  January, 
1854,  the  capital  of  the  bank  was  increased  to  $150,000.  Wm.  .\.  Haslett 
succeeded  Mr.  Moyer  as  president,  m  January,  1859,  and  J.  I.  Dievendorff 
became  vice  president.  Three  years  later  J.  S.  Shearer  was  elected  cashier, 
and  these  were  the  first  officers  of  the  Nation.al  Fort  Plain  Bank,  when  it 
was  formed  by  a  reorganization  of  the  Fort  Plain  Bank,  in  May,  1864.  and 
began  business  in  September  of  that  year,  Mr.  Haslett  died  in  ( )( toher. 
1874,  and  was  succeeded  in  the  presidency  by  E.  W    Wood. 

The  Fort  Plain  Spring  and  Axle  Works  were  established  about  nine  years 


ago,  and  most  of  the  time,  until  1876,  the  business  was  managed  by  Clark 
Smith  .V  Co.  The  firm  is  now  Wood,  Smith  &  Co.  The  factory  premiso 
comprise  about  three  acres  of  land,  a  short  distance  from  the  railroad 
bounded  in  the  rear  by  the  canal.  The  main  building  is  380  by  50  feet 
and  a  central  section  of  it,  75  feet  long,  is  two  stories  in  height  Two 
wings  in  the  rear  of  the  main  building  are  eac  h  50  by  75  feet.  The  best 
machinery  is  used,  operated  by  more  than  one  hundred  workmen.  One 
thousand  tons  of  bar  iron,  five  hilndrcd  tons  of  steel  and  one  hundred  tons 
of  pig  iron  are  annually  worked  up.  From  S'.ooo  'o  $1,200  is  paid  out 
weekly  to  the  workmen.  F"or  protection  against  fire  there  is  a  powerful 
steam  pump  connecting  with  the  canal,  capable  of  throwing  five  inch-and- 
a-half  streams,  for  which  three  hundred  and  fifty  feet  of  hose  are  always 
ready.  The  boilers  can  furnish  steam  for  an  eighty  horse-power  engine. 
The  forging  and  blacksmithing  department  is  equipped  with  six  fires,  one 
vertical  and  three  horizontal  trip-hammers,  and  heavy  shears,  which  easily 
cut  three-inch  iron.     The  best  Swedish  and  English  steel  is  used. 

Andrew  Dunn  was  born  .August  9th,  1831,  in  Kilmarnock,  Ayrshire. 
Scotland,  and  emigrated  to  this  country,  with  his  parents,  in  184 1.  He 
lived  a  short  time  in  Fulton,  Columbia  and  Herkimer  counties,  working  at 
various  occupations.  In  1847  he  went  to  Amsterdam,  Montgomery  county, 
where  he  learned  the  watch  and  jewelry  trade.  In  185 1  he  settled  in  Fort 
Plain,  where  he  now  resides,  and  where,  before  attaining  his  majority,  he 
commenced  the  watch  and  jewelry  business,  which  occupation  he  still  con- 
tinues. In  1855  he  united  in  marriage  with  Louisa,  youngest  daughter  of 
the  late  Nicholas  Gross,  of  Palatine.  He  has  a  family  of  three  children, 
named  respectively,  Nellie  L.,  David  E.  and  Andrew  G.  Through  honesty, 
industry  and  promptness  he  has  been  very  successful  in  trade,  .and  is  at 
present  connected  with  some  of  the  leading  business  interests  of  F'ort 
Plain. 

There  are  in  the  village  two  newspaper  offices,  two  grist-mills,  four  dry 
goods,  two.  hardware,  one  crockery,  three  drug,  about  a  dozen  grocery  and 
provision,  half  as  m.^.ny  Ircot  and  shoe,  one  paper  Iiaiigings  andtwo  clothing 
stores  ;  two  news  rooms,  two  steam  s,i\v-mills,  four  lumber-yards,  a  furnace 
for  plow  and  other  castings,  several  carriage  and  harness  shops,  six  black- 
smith shops,  several  coal-yards  and  livery  stables,  and  four  hotels. 

The  population  of  the  village  is  over  two  thousand. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

The  association  managing  the  beautiful  cemetery  of  Fort  Plain  was  or- 
ganized March  4,  1864.  with  the  following  trustees  :  Alfred  Cary,  William 
Crouse.  James  H.  Congdon,  Peter  Dievendorlf,  Theodore  B.  Farley,  Morgan 
Snyder,  James  W,  Cronkhite,  John  B  Haslet  and  Alexander  H  .Ayres.  An 
executive  committee  of  three  has  the  supervision  of  the  grounds,  under  1 
set  of  by-laws  adopted  by  the  association. 

Fort  Plain  Lodge  No.  433  F'.  and  .-\.  M.  was  organized  .\iig.  20,  1857. 
and  chartered  June  17,  1858.  The  first  officers  were  :  Peter  Snyder,  Mas. 
ter;  George  Yost,  S.  W.  ;  David  H.ickney,  J.  W.  ;  F.  Dievendorff,  Secre- 
tary: A.  Dievendorff,  Treasurer:  C.  I..  Sims,  De.acon  ;  L.  Hester,  Junior 
Deacon;  J.  Smith,  Tiler.      There  are  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  members 

Battery  K  of  the  First  Regiment  of  Artillery  was  organized  at  F'ort 
Plain  in  .September,  1S61,  and  known  as  F'ort  Plain  Battery.  It  was  mus- 
tered in  at  Elmir.a,  Oct.  4,  1S61,  with  Lorenzo  Crounse,  Captain  ;  Solon  W. 
Sto<  king.  First  Lieutenant  ;  and  .Angcll  Matthewson,  Second  Lieutenant. 
This  battery  participated  in  the  battles  of  Flarper's  Ferry,  Cedar  Mountain, 
Beverly  Ford,  Rappahannock  Station,  Chantilly,  Fredericksburg  'first), 
Ch.anccllorsville,  Gettysburg  and  Mine  Run,  and  was  in  the  defences  of 
Washington  from  April  1,  1864.  until  mustered  out  of  service. 


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MOHAWK  AND  THE  MOHAWKS. 


1S5 


THE  TOWN  OF  MOHAWK. 


The  small  town  of  Mohawk  has  perha]>s  been  the  scene  ot  more  events 
worthy  of  historic  record  than  any  other  in  the  county.  Armies  have  re- 
peatedly marched  over  its  territory,  markmg  their  course  nith  blood  and 
tonfiagration.  This  neighborhood  wa^  early  settled,  and  all  over  the  pres- 
rnt  town  live  the  descendants  of  the  pioneers,  among  whom  are  represented 
probably  a  greater  number  of  famihes  prominent  in  the  Revolution  than  in 
any  other  town  of  the  county.  Such  events  in  the  history  of  Mohawk  as 
were  connected  with  general  movements  through  the  county  have  already 
neen  narrated,  leaving  to  be  given  herein  the  minor  occurrences  and  strik- 
ing individual  experienLes  with  which  the  annals  of  the  town  abound. 

Mohawk  was  formed  from  the  southern  part  of  Johnstown,  April  4,  1S37. 
The  reader  hardly  need  be  cautioned  against  confounding  it  with  the  orig- 
inal town  of  Mohawk,  which  was  on  the  bouth  bide  ot  the  river,  and  was 
abolished  in  1793.  From  that  lime  ihere  was  no  territory  called  by  this 
name,  until  it  was  applied  to  the  present  town.  Mohawk  has  an  area  of 
20,222  acres,  sloping  rapidly  and  irregularly  from  the  Johnstown  line, 
which  is  some  four  hundred  feet  above  the  valley,  to  ihe  river  fiats.  The 
Uayfield  mountain  sweeps  down  through  the  western  border,  and  forms  at 
the  river  one  of  the  Iwld  declivities  called  the  Noses.  The  land  is  highly 
productive  and  well  cultivated.  Several  picturesque  streams  flow  into  the 
Mohawk,  or  into  Cayadutta  creek,  which  is  the  princi[)al  watercourse  in 
the  town.  The  next  in  size  is  Danoscara  creek,  or  Dadanaskarie,  as  it  is 
given  in  the  well  spelled  and  well  written  parchment  title  to  Hansen's  pat- 
ent ,2,000  acres  ,  executed  by  Ciov.  Robert  Hunter  in  1713.  The  whole  of 
this  patent  was  included  in  the  present  town;  almost  all  of  the  Caughna- 
waga  (Collinsi  patertt,  2,000  acres,  granted  Nov.  14,  1714,  adjoining  it  on 
the  west;  and  of  the  Alexantier  [jalent,  lying  next  west,  and  consisting  of 
it.ooo acres,  granted  May  6,  1725.  Part  of  the  Stone  Arabia  patent  formed 
the  north-west  corner  of  the  town,  and  portions  of  Butler's,  the  Sacondaga 
and  the  Chatsandackte  Wilson  and  Abeel  patents  completed  its  outlines 
on  the  north  and  east. 

INDIAN  OCCUPANCY 

The  earliest  dwellers,  of  whom  there  is  any  record,  on  the  soil  of  this 
town  were  the  clan  of  Mohawk  Indians  inhabiting  a  village  called  by  ihera 
Cahaniaga,  or  (Jandaoiigue  ;  by,  their  successors,  the  Dutch.  Kaghnewage, 
and  later  Caughnawaga.  It  stood  on  the  fair-ground  of  the  Montgomery 
County  Agricultural  Society,  on  the  eastern  edge  of  the  village  of  Fonda. 
The  Indian  name  is  interpreted  "  Stone-in-the-water." 

It  was  here  that  the  Jesuit  Jogues  was  held  captive  and  suffered  such 
UTtures  in  1642,  and  here  that  he  met  martyrdom  in  1646  '*  On  a  hill 
apart."  wrote  Hancroft,  "  he  carved  a  long  cross  on  a  tree,  and  there,  m  the 
solitude,  he  meditated  on  the  imitation  of  Christ.  Roaming  through  the 
M.itely  shades  of  the  Mohawk  vallev,  he  wrote  (he  name  of  Jesus  on  the 
b.irk  of  the  tree^,  engraved  the  cross,  and  entered  int(t  possession  of  those 
countries  in  the  name  of  (iod.  often  lifting  up  his  \oice  in  solitary  ch.ant." 
■■  rhis  hving  mart)  r,"  s.,\  s  I'.irkman.  "  half  d.id  m  sh.iggy  furs,  kneeling  on 
the  snow  among  the  i<  irled  rorks.  and  beneath  the  gloomy  pines,  bowmg 
in  adoration  before  the  emblem  of  the  faith  in  which  was  his  only  conso- 
lition  and  his  only  hope,  is  alike  a  theme  for  the  pen  and  a  subject  for  the 
pencil."  Unterrined  by  the  fate  of  Jogues.  three  other  Jesuit  missionaries. 
•Mie  of  whom  was  Kalher  Fremin,  came  to  Caughnawaga  in  1667,  and  the 
nnied  De  l.ainberville  in  1675.  The  last  named  reni.Tincd  three  years. 
IVhgahkwita,  the  daughter  of  a  chief,  was  .onxcrtcd  through  hi-,  mmi.tra- 
'Kms,  and  baptized  by  the  nnnie  of  Catherine,      Hcmg  subjeLleil  to  persecu- 


tion among  her  people,  she  ried  to  Canada,  where  she  died  in  lOSo,  aged 
twenty-four.  A  little  before  this  lime  the  labors  of  the  priests  had  resulted 
in  the  conversion  of  numbers  of  the  Caughnawagas,  who  were  eniired  by 
them  from  their  homes  and  kindred  to  settle  on  the  St.  Lawrence.  They 
afterward  rendered  valuable  service  to  the  French  us  allies  and  guides  in 
expeditions  against  the  Irotjuois.  Mrodhead  gives  the  following  .ui  ouiu 
of  their  conversion  and  exodus  : 

"  Bruyas,  at  Tionnonloguen.  or  St.  Mary's,  and  Boniface,  at  Cnuglina- 
waga,  or  St.  Peter's,  labored  among  the  Mohawks.  Although  the  sinalle-.l 
of  the  Iroquois  villages,  Caughnawaga  was  esteemed  by  the  Jesuits,  like 
ancient  Judah  by  the  Israelites,  as  the  greatest  of  all  their  stations.  Prayer 
was  offered  there  as  constantly  '  as  in  the  best  regulated  families  of  France." 
Vet,  while  zealous  Mohawk  converts  paraded  their  chaplets  in  the  Dimh 
church  at  Albany,  the  Jesuit  missionaries  mistrusted  their  fre«iuent  vibiis 
to  the  "heretics,'  and  lamented  their  'wretched  peace'  with  the  M.ihi«.i:is, 
which,  by  making  the  paths  safe,  enabled  the  Iroquois  to  get  brandy  to 
their  hearts'  content.  The  most  interesting  incident  was  the  departure  i»f 
a  number  of  Mohawks  to  the  mission  at  the  Prairie  de  la  Madeleine,  near 
Montreal.  This  settlement  had  received  its  first  Iroquois  accessions  from 
Oneida,  whose  chief.  Garonhiague.  or  'La  cemire  ehaiuie^'  became  a  cate- 
chist.  While  on  a  visit  there,  Kryn,  or  'the  great  Mohawk."  had  bei  "me 
converted  by  Fremin.  and,  on  his  return  to  Caghnawaga,  so  moved  the 
village  that  forty  Mohawks,  with  their  squaws  and  children,  went  b-n  k 
with  him  to  the  Prairie.  Their  brethren  at  Tionnonloguen.  '  who  were  nni 
yet  disposed  to  embrace  the  faith,'  complained  to  Bruyas  of  the'blaik 
robes,  who  seemed  to  wish  to  make  their  country  a  desert,  and  ruin  their 
villages."  The  health  of  Boniface,  however,  soon  failed,  and  he  relumed 
to  Quebec  to  die,  conducting  'a  great  party"  of  converts,  and  leaving 
Bruyas  alone,  in  charge  of  both  the  Mohawk  stations.  The  intervals  of 
missionary  labor  were  employed  by  the  Iroquois  superior  in  preparing  hi* 
immortal  dictionary  of  the  Indian  tongue." 

The  allusion  to  the  converts'  "visits  to  the  'heretics'  "  is  explained  :n 
the  following  passage  from  another  page  of  Mr.  Brodhead's  work  ; 

"Many  converts  were  made,  and  even  the  worship  of  Aireskoue.  iheir 
great  demon,  was  renounced  when  Pierron  threatened  to  leave  them,  after 
witnessing  one  of  their  solemn  'feasts  of  the  dead'  at  Caghnawag.i.  So 
zealous  were  some  of  the  proselytes  that  they  took  pri<le  m  dis[ilaying  their 
crucifixes  at  Albany,  and  in  arguing  with  the  'heretics.'  .\  converted 
squaw  went  into  the  church  while  Domine  Schaats  was  preaching,  and  re- 
cited her  <  haplet  during  the  whole  of  divine  service." 

At  Caughnawaga  was  held  in  1659  the  tirst  formal  council  with  the  Mo- 
hawks on  their  own  ground.  On  the  iSth  of  August,  1669,  the  village  was 
attacked  by  the  Mahicans,  who  were  repulsed  and  pursued.  It  consisted 
when  visited  by  Wentworth  Crecnhalgh  m  1677  of  twenty-four  houses.  It 
was  destroyed  by  the  forces  of  Count  Fronten.ic,  governor  of  Can.ida.  in 
1693. 

No  history  of  this  section  would  be  complete  without  mention  of  the  \\ 
moub  Hendrick  or  Soi-en-ga-rab-la,  who  for  many  years  stood  at  the  head  <'f 
the  Mohaw  k  canton.      As  he  lived  some  lime  on  the  north  bank  of  the  rn  er 


a  little  liclcn 

the  Nose    tlioiigii  generally 

proiiriatciv  1 

c  referred  to  here.     His  fath 

ried  .1  Mdh.i 

«k  iirimcss  and  unitetl  with  \ 

.iliom  i5So. 

ind    was  one   of  the   Irn([no 

.S(  hiivlcr  to 

■'.iH'.I.ind  in  1710.     He  was  ,i  1 

tv  and  l.ravt 

ry,  rcpresenlinj;  hi.s  i^.i^ie  in 

Ijattle  with 

indaunied  cour.ige,      H.s  W 

;it  the  ii|'|)er  rasile  he  m.i 
r  was  a  Mahi,  .in  .  ha-f.  »h.i 
cr  people.      Hendru  k  «.is 


d  with  cloip.u 


13fl 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


council  with  the  ^ix  Nations  held  at  Alljany  in  1754.  Holding  up  ihe 
chain  bell  that  typified  the  allianie  of  the  Kni^lish  and  the  Iroi|iiiiis,  he  be- 
gan by  raying  :  "  Brethren,  we  return  you  all  our  grateful  acknon  ledgmcnt^ 
for  renewing  and  brightening  the  covenant  t  hain.  This  chain  belt  is  01 
very  great  importance  to  our  united  nations  and  all  our  allies  ;  we  wiUthcrL-- 
fore  take  it  to  Onondaga,  where  our  council  fire  always  burns,  and  keep  it 
so  securely  that  neither  thunder  nor  lightning  shall  break  it."  In  reganl 
to  the  defenceless  condition  of  the  frontier  to  meet  French  in\asion.  he 
spoke  sharply  and  reproai  hfully,  telling  the  Knglish  that  it  was  their  own 
fault  that  they  were  not  strengthened  by  coni|ucst,  and  that  the  Indians 
would  have  taken  Crown  Point  had  not  their  white  brethren  [)re\enled  u 
"  You  burnt  your  own  fort  at  Saratoga,"  said  the  sachem,  "  and  ran  awa> 
from  it,  which  was  a  shame  and  a  scandal  to  you.  L(K>k  about  your  coun- 
ty and  see  ;  you  have  no  fortifications  about  you.  no,  not  even  to  this  city. 
'Tis  but  one  step  from  Canada  hither,  and  the  French  may  easily  come  and 
turn  you  out  of  your  doors."  Hemlrick  was  always  the  trusty  lieutenant 
of  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  fought  under  him  at  the  battle  of  Lake  C.eorge 
in  1755.  t)n  learning  of  the  approach  of  the  French,  it  was  proposed  to 
send  out  a  small  party  to  meet  them.  Hendrick's  ojiinion  being  asked,  he 
replied,  "  If  they  are  to  light,  they  are  too  few  ;  if  they  are  to  be  killed. 
they  are  too  many."  The  detachment  was  ordered  forward,  however,  with 
the  white-haired  chief  and  his  warriors  at  the  head.  .\t  the  opening  of  the 
action  Hendrick  was  killed.  He  had  been  held  in  the  utmost  veneration 
by  his  tribe,  and  his  fate  was  correspondingly  lamented. 


1  upied  by  his  grands, 


w  setllcil 
the  imvM  . 


coming  to  this  country,  settled   on  the  farm 

John  R.  Stollers,  who  was  born  on  the  place  in  1S12. 

Henry  t'oolman,  grandfather  of  Peter  Coolman,  was  another  (a-rin.iu 
immigrant,  and  was  also  a  patriot  soldier  in  the  Revolution.  At  the  dis.i, 
irous  Stone  Arabia  fight,  in  which  Col.  Brown  was  killed.  .Mr.  Cooliii.,,, 
shot  one  of  the  Indians  who  pursued  ihc  retreating  provincials,  and  his 
grandson  h.ls  the  musket  with  whu  h  it  iv.is  done. 

.\nother  of  the  (ierman  pioneers  was  Richard  SLhuyle 
1.S17  on  the  farm  where  his  son,  Thomas,  who  was  bori 
Florida  in  1815,  has  lived  since  the  former  date. 

John  and  Vi.  tor  Putnian  were  early  settlers  at  Tribes  Hill,  where  the 
latter  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-seven,  a  veteran  of  the  Revolution.  Ihcu- 
Fisher  Putman  was  born  in  1793.  Learning  the  h.irnessmak-rs'  trade,  lie 
went,  while  a  young  man,  to  Sackett's  Harbor  to  sell  sfime  of  his  prodiu  t 
He  arrived  there  in  time  to  be  drafted  for  the  defence  of  the  port,  then 
threatened  by  the  British.  He  died  at  Tribes  Hill  in  1870,  where  he  ha.l 
been  postmaster  since  1831.  He  had  colletted  many  valuable  relics  of 
the  Revolutionary  period,  which  were  unfortunately  lost  by  the  burning  of 
the  house  the  year  after  his  death.  His  son,  (1,  V.  Putman,  now  a  resident 
of  Fonda,  has  a  cannon  used  on  a  hill  near  that  place  at  a  gathering  in 
1776,  which  celebrated  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 


RF.VOLUITONARY    FVENIS. 


THE  MOHAWK   PIONEERS 

In  July,  1713,  a  patent  was  granted  to  two  men  named  Hansen  for  two 
thousand  at  res  of  land  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Mohawk  above  Tribes 
Hill.  They  stwjn  after  settled  on  the  tract,  and  there  is  no  record  of  any 
eariier  settlers  in  the  town  of  Mohawk.  A  patent  for  the  same  amount 
just  west  was  granted  in  the  ne.M  year  to  John,  Edward  and  Margaret 
Collins,  but  they  sold  to  .Mynderl  Wemple,  Douw  Fonda,  and  Hendrick 
A.  Vrooman,  without,  so  far  as  is  known,  making  any  settlements.  I'he 
purchasers,  however,  settled,  and  founded  some  of  the  famous  old  families 
still  represented  In  the  town. 

Captain  Henry  Hansen,  a  son  of  one  of  the  patentees,  was  killed  and 
scalped  at  the  time  of  Johnson's  raid  in  1780,  by  an  Indian  whom  he  had 
befriended,  and  who  had  expressed  great  gratitude:  his  house  was  burned 
and  the  women  of  the  hou.sehold  left  homeless.  Several  of  Hansen's 
neighbors  were  murdered  at  the  same  time.  Two  others  named  Bowen 
are  said  to  have  guided  the  Invaders  In  their  attack  on  the  Tribes  Hill  set- 
tlement, being  lories  who  had  gone  to  Canada  with  the  Johnsons.  Their 
father  had  settled  in  the  neighborhood  shortly  after  the  original  Hansens 

One  of  the  early  settlers  in  the  town,  and  in  this  part  of  it,  was  Tfarmen 
Visscher,  the  founder  of  the  \'isscher  family  whose  eventful  history  Is 
elsewhere  gi\en.  On  the  Hansen  patent,  the  same  tract  with  the  \'isschers. 
and  adjoining  that  place  on  the  north,  William  H.  Brower  bought  one 
hundred  and  fifty  acres  forgi  per  acre  from  his  father,  who  was  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  In  the  town  of  Palatine.  The  purchaser  did  not  occu[)v 
this  place  until  after  the  Revohitioijary  war,  through  which  he  ser\ed.  One 
of  the  actions  in  which  he  particl|)ated  was  Montgomery's  Ill-starred  attack 
on  t,>uebec.  ()n  the  retreat  of  the  .Americans  from  Canada,  Brower  had 
charge  of  one  of  the  cannon  as  far  as  Springfield,  Mass.,  where  he  was 
taken  w  Ith  the  small-po\.      At  the  close  of  the  war  he  settled  on    the  laml 


he  had  bought,  and  built  a  log  house. 
which  killed  his  sheep  ami  even  a  <  olt. 
house,  which  is  still  standing,  being  usi 
on  another  p  ige  in  a  \lcw  of  the  home 
The  latter  h.ls  in  his  possession  a  Spani 
was  the  first  money  his  gr.imlfather  mad 
burning  a   tree,  and  taking  the  ashes  to   I 


He  was  inuih  troubled  by  wolves. 
In  course  of  lime  he  built  another 
;1  as  a  icnement,  and  Is  re|iresenteil 
of  his  grandson,  H,  T.  K.  llrowcr. 
hdoll.ir  of  the  date  of  i77.-.  which 
on  the  new  place  He  got  it  by 
h  f.actory  which  had  been 


established  at  Johnstown  by  Sir  William  Johns 

.\nolher  Re\oliltionary  veteran,  once  resident  in  this  town,  to  which  he 
came  in  17.S4,  was  Ralph  S.  Iiem  k.  Tie  t,>..k  part  In  the  battle  c.i  .Mon- 
mouth, shooting  a  British  trcio|.cr  who  iharged  on  him  anil  ruling  away 
with  his  horse.  In  his  elgluy-first  \ear  he  went  to  New  Jersey,  to  obtain 
supi.ort  for  his  claim  to  a  pcnsi.m,  whu  hhe  was  enabled  to  do  bv  .uiident- 
ally  meeting  wth  the  laptam  iiudur  wli„in  lie  served. 

One  of    the  origin.d   <  Icrm.in  odKibil.inis   w.is    Mi.  I,acl  Slollcrs.  w  ho,  on 


This  town  w,as  the  theatre  of  many  stirring  events  during  the  war  f.;r 
Independence,  but  some  of  them  were  so  connected  with  movements  of  .1 
more  general  character  that  It  has  been  necessary  to  mention  them  In  the 
history  of  the  county  at  large,  while  others  are  Inseparably  associated  with 
the  family  histories  given  herewith, 

'The  affair  in  which  Jacob  Sammons  received  the  first  wounds  in  the 
great  struggle  in  the  .Mohawk  valley,  when  the  Johnson  party  resisted  >h.- 
raising  of  a  ilbert)-  pole  at  Caughnawaga,  has  ihus  been  related  elsewhere, 
but  the  e.xact  scene  of  the  encounter  was  not  there  given  and  may  here  be 
pointed  out.  It  vvas  for  a  long  time  forgotten  and  unknown,  but  has  re- 
cently been  identified  by  .Mrs.  Elizabeth  Foster,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Sam- 
mons, and  grand-daughter  of  Johannes  Veeder.  It  was  at  the  latter's  mill 
that  the  patriot  gathering  occurred.  The  building  was  a  heavily-timbered 
structure,  and  served  during  the  war  as  a  block-house.  It  stood  on  ground 
now  partly  covered  by  the  Central  Railroad  tracks,  and  about  opposite  the 
carriage  shop  of  Wood  A;  Peek.  'The  water  that  worked  it  was  taken  from 
the  (reek  on  its  western  side,  some  distance  above  the  britlge,  and  i '>n- 
veyed  In  a  covered  raceway  along  the  base  of  the  hill,  jiartly  on  the  line  "l 
the  F'onda,  Johnstown  and  (lloversville  Railroad,  passing  under  the  wagon 
road  where  the  i  arrlage  shop  referretl  to  stands,  and  reappearing  in  an 
open  flume  below.  'This  was,  doubtless,  the  building  referred  to  111  the 
following  "order  for  Flour  ..n  Mr.  Veader,  block  House:" 

"  For  t   HUNTKR.  Oitr  i6th  17.S1 

"Sir:  S'esterihiy,  when  I  was  at  your  house,  you  mentioned  lh.it  I  nu;;lu 
have  sonic  more  Flour,  but  1  negle.  ted  to  en. pilre  whether  It  was  boll.  .1 
or  not:  If  It  be  not,  let  it  be  done  as  soim  as  possible,  to  the  aniouni  -.i 
four  barrels  If  you  can  sjiare  so  niich,  whi.  h  I  shall  >end  b.irrels  to  piii    ' 


if  vou 


in  Ik 


,ou  vvould  I 
Sir,  yours. 


uic  h  oblige 


"  Send  me  an  answer  as  soon  as 
■'.Mr.  N^.m.kr" 

The  skirmish  that  grew  out  of  ll 
1775.  In  the  autumn  of  that  vt 
commissioned  1  olonel  bv  Congres 
near  Peggy  Wemplc's  tavern  at  Ca 
son,  riding  through  ihc  vill.ige,  fmi 


..ssll.le  If  not  the  Flour 

:  pole-raising  o,.urrcd  in  the -pnu;:. 
ir,  Fredcri.  k  Viss,  her,  v  ho  h.i.l  i.i. 
.  assemble. 1  his  regiment  for  Iraluir 
ighnawaga.  Sir  John  antl  l.a.lvj..li' 
d  what  was  going  on,  and  the  l'..ir..n. 


(In  reaihmg  it,  he  alighted  an.l  111 
1  the  regiment  together.  Being  loM 
.1   review,  he  directed   them   to  di- 

keep  their  ranks,  and  Sir  |ohn,  eii- 


hail  his  carriage  driven  10  the  spoi 

■  luireil  of  the  ( olonel  why  he  had  .all 

ih.it  they  vvere  gathered  for  parade  : 

perse.      The  . olonel  ortlered  them  t 

raged    at    this   contempt   for   his  assumed  authority,  raised  a  heavy  swi 

cane  to  strike  him,     Vi.ss.  her  graspeil   ibe  cane,  ami  a  struggle  ensued 

which   the  sword  was  drawn,  ihe  col.inci   holding  the  s.  abl.ar.l,      John 

thiealcncd  to  stab  him.  ,ind  was  tol.l  l.i  a.  t  his  pleasure.      Carning  n.ith 


MOHAWK  IN  THE  REVOLUTION— OLD  CAUGHNAWAGA. 


137 


his  pt^flis,  demanded  the  dismissal  of  the  rebel  regiment,  threatening  to 
shool  tkv  colonel  if  he  did  not  so  order  The  latter  again  told  the  irate 
Haronet  to  act  his  pleasure.  He  might  have  executed  his  threat  had  nor  a 
k'oang  Irisihman  in  Visscher's  command  sung  out:  '"  If  ye  offer  to  lift  a 
finger  sgainst  my  master,  I'll  blow  ye  through!"  The  tory.  wrathy  but 
helplesv could  only  mount  his  carriage  and  ride  away.  Incidents  like  thi^, 
occtiiriig  before  assemblies  of  citizens  and  soldiers,  taught  them  to  defy 
the  rep«s«itatives  of  British  ]iower.  and  nerved  them  for  endurance  and 
achievenent  not  surpassed  in  the  thirteen  colonies  by  an  efjual  population. 
CcJ- Yisscher  was  at  Albany  in  1777  when  a  boat  load  of  American 
soldiers,  wounded  at  Bemis  Heights,  arrived  from  Stillwater.  With  them 
were  the  drummer  boy  Nicholas  Stoner.  afterward  the  famous  trapper,  and 
Peter  Conyne,  who  lived  near  Caughnawaga.  The  latter  and  Peter  (iraff. 
from  the  same  town,  were  teamsters  with  (iates*  army,  but  followed  Arnold 
;n  his  iapetuous  attack  on  the  enemy's  camp,  in  which  Conyne  was  wound- 
ed. The  colonel  being  on  his  way  home,  took  young  Stoner  with  him,  and 
thence  K)  Johnstown.  Stoner  lived  with  the  \'i-'schers  during  part  of  the 
war,  when  about  fourteen  or  fifteen. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  the  town  was  John  Butler,  who.  with  his  son 
Walter,  she  former  xs  colonel  and  the  latter  as  captain  in  the  British  service. 
won  sucJk  an  infamoub  notoriety  in  the  gueriUa  warfare  waged  against  the 
noncoralatants  of  the  Mohawk  valley  during  the  Revolution.  The  Butler 
house  IS  still  standing,  being  now  owned  by  Mr.  Henry  Wilson,  and  is 
believed  to  be  the  oldest  building  in  the  town,  having  been  er^  .ed,  it  is 
thought,  about  the  same  time  as  Johnson  Hall  and  the  Caughnawaga  chur(  h. 
Its  site  is  a  commanding  position  about  a  mile  northeast  of  Fonda  Though 
rather  nsdely.  it  is,  as  might  be  supposed,  very  strongly  built,  being  heavilv 
timberedwith  oak.  The  walls,  instead  of  being  plastered,  were  ceiled  with 
pine.  The  chimney  bricks  were  imported.  Butler  was  at  the  beginning  of 
the  war  Heutenant-colonel  of  the  battalion  of  Tryon  county  militia,  of 
which  JdJes  Fonda  was  major.  The  disreputable  character  of  his  militar\ 
o[)eralioei  during  the  Revolution  made  him  always  unpopular  with  the 
British  regular  officers,  but  he  received  from  the  crown  a  pension  of  $1,000 
.ifter  the '^'2r,  a::d  the  Indian  superintcndcncy,  which  had  been  held  by 
<;uy  Johason.  and  to  which  appertained  a  salary  of  §2.000.  He  spent  his 
last  years  in  Canada,  where  he  died  in    1800, 

There  was  at  Tribes  Hill,  during  the  Revolution,  says  G.  F.  Putnian. 
a  family  trf  Indians,  including  five  brothers.  They  took  no  active  part  in 
the  war,  bat  two  of  them  were  killed.  The  survivors,  believing  that  Victor 
Putman  was  the  slayer,  resolved  to  have  revenge  on  him.  Meeting  him  at 
an  ancient  tavern  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of  Tribes  Hill,  they  challenged 
him  to  nTcstle,  as  he  was  famous  at  that  sport.  Fearing  treachery,  he  re- 
fused, and  they  set  upon  him  o[)enly.  He  fled  up  stairs  and  hid  behind  a 
large  chimney.  One  of  the  Indians  followed,  and  while  he  was  searching 
for  Putman  in  the  darkness,  the  latter  escaped  by  a  window.  The  In- 
dian who  had  followed  him  was  killed  when  descending,  by  one  of  his 
brothers,  who  mistook  him  for  Putman.  On  the  following  day.  when  the 
two  warriors  were  about  burying  their  dead  brother,  they  seated  themselves 
on  a  log,  m  which  position  they  were  both  shot  dead,  and  all  three  were 
buried  in  one  grave. 

Foremost  among  the  heroines  of  the  Revolution  in  this  region  was  the 
widow  Margaret  commonly  called  Peggy  Wemple.  She  was  a  Fonda, 
and  the  patriots  of  that  name  had  no  reason  to  be  ashamed  of  her.  De- 
prived of  her  husband,  B,irncy  Wemple,  in  I77t.  she  was  left  with  unusual 
cares  and  responsibilities,  which  she  met  with  remarkable  energy  and  hero- 
'sin.  She  kept  an  inn  beside  the  creek  on  the  old  road  to  Johnstown,  and 
"(tposite  the  site  of  Geo.  F.  Mills's  house  in  Fonda,  and  also  managed  a 
»:r"sl-mill,  with  the  help  of  her  boy  Mina.  Having  occasion  to  go  to  the 
mill  one  winter  evening  during  the  Revolution,  she  was  a  little  startled  at 
'mding  her-^lf  confronted  by  an  Indian,  but  was  soon  relieved  by  disrov- 
•  nng  th.it  n  was  a  ./re/*/ one.  lold  and  stifl',  placed  in  her  way  by  some  mis- 
'  hievous  [»cTsons  to  test  her  nerves. 

Like  all  the  patriots  of  the  neighborhood,  she  suffered  by  the  foray  of 
^T  John  Jcihnson  in  May,  ijcJo.  The  Indians  captured  her  boy,  and  shut- 
ting her  up  in  her  tavern,  set  fire  to  it.  Her  cries  broiight  help  and  she 
»as  rescued.  The  boy  Mina  was  released  at  Johnstown,  and  allowed  to 
find  his  way  back  to  Caughnawaga.  Mrs.  Wcmple's  house  was  destroyed, 
•<nd  probably  her  mill,  but  undismayed  she  built  again,  and  in  the  winter 
^^  1780-1,  she  ground  and  bolted  2,700  <ikipples  2.025  l^i'shc-ls  of  wheat 
•"  the  order  of  the  Tryon  county  comnutlec,  for  the  use  of  the  colonial 
""'Idlers  at  Forts  Ticnnderoga,  Hunter.  Plank,  .ind  Stanwix, 

17 


DUTCH  CAUGHNAWAGA. 

Before  the  Revolution  a  Dutch  village  had  succeeded  the  Indian  hamlet 
of  Caughnawaga.  It  stood  chiefly  on  the  site  of  that  part  of  Fonda  cast  of 
the  street  leading  to  Fulton\iIle,  and  e.xtended  in  a  rambling  way  from  the 
hills  at  the  foot  of  which  stood  the  church  and  parsonage,  down  to  the 
river.  Douw  Fonda,  the  founder  of  the  branch  of  the  Fonda  family  ^o 
prominent  in  this  neighborhood  from  his  day  to  the  present,  may  be  con- 
sidered the  founder  of  this  village  also.  The  fair  ground  of  the  Mont- 
gomery County  Agricultural  Society,  covers  part  of  the  site  of  old  Caugh- 
nawaga, and  when  the  ground  was  fenced  and  the  race  course  was  laid  out 
and  graded,  some  interesting  relics  of  the  old  village  were  discovered. 
.Among  them  were  the  remains  of  persons  buried  in  the  aniient  graveyard, 
which  were  removed  to  the  modern  one  on  the  neighboring  hills.  Some. 
not  interfered  with  by  the  necessary  excavation  and  building,  were  left  un- 
disturbed. Several  wells,  partly  filled  up,  were  found  on  the  premises,  and 
traces  of  the  cellars  of  a  number  of  the  old  Dutch  houses,  including  that 
of  Douw  Fonda.  This  house  is  spoken  of  as  "a  large  stone  dwelling  with 
wings,"  and  served  as  an  inn. 

Douw  Fonda  came  from  Schenectady  and  settled  at  this  point  in  the 
middle  of  the  iSth  century.  The  tombstone  of  his  wife  ;which,  wiih 
those  of  other  members  of  the  family.  Major  Giles  Van  Home  had  remov- 
ed from  the  old  graveyard  on  the  fair  ground  bears  the  date  1756,  and 
an  epita[ih  in  Dutch,  and  is  believed  to  have  been  made  in  Holland 
Douw  Fonda  is  thus  referred  to  in  a  letter  from  Colonel  Glen  to  Sir 
William  Johnson,  dated  "Schonectady,  23rd  March.  1765;" 

"  Sir  I  have  Received  your  favor  last  Night.  I  bane  this  Morning 
Sent  by  Charley  Breeson  in  Two  Battoos  seventeen  Barrills  of  Pork  and 
four  Do  of  Flowir,  for  the  u.se  of  the  Indians.  I  hauc  directed  it  to  be 
Left  at  Mr.  Dow  Fonda  at  Cognawage  as  Soon  as  they  Return  I  shall  Send 
Them  again,  if  you  think  four  Battoo  Load  will  not  do  I  beg  Please  'I'o  let 
me  know  and  I  will  Inmiedietly  Send  you  more.  I  have  attjuainted  Mr 
Duncan  of  the  Battoos  .Sent  and  v. ill  let  him  knoA  when  i  send  the  others. 

The  death  of  this  venerable  pioneer  at  the  hand  of  one  of  Johnson's 
savages  in  17S0,  has  been  mentioned.  The  details  of  the  butchery  have 
been  preserved  from  oblivion  by  Mr.  Simms,  who  makes  the  following 
statement  : 

"  When  the  alarm  first  reached  the  family,  Penelope  Grant,  a  Scotch 
girl  living  with  him,  to  whom  the  old  gentleman  was  much  attached,  urged 
him  to  accompany  her  to  the  hill  whither  the  Romeyn  family  were  fleeing: 
but  the  old  patriot  had  become  childish,  and  seizing  his  gun,  he  exclaimed. 
'  Penelope,  do  you  stay  here  with  me — I  will  fight  for  you  to  the  last  drup 
of  blood  !  ■  Finding  persuasion  of  no  avail,  she  left  him  to  his  fate,  which 
was  indeed  a  lamentable  one  ;  for  soon  the  enemy  arrived,  and  he  was 
led  out  by  a  Mohawk  Indian  known  as  One-armed  Peter  he  having  lost 
an  arm)  toward  the  bank,  of  the  river,  where  he  was  tomahawked  and 
scaljied.  As  he  was  led  from  the  house  he  was  oljserved  by  John 
Hansen,  a  prisoner,  to  have  some  kind  of  a  book  and  a  cane  in  his 
hand.  His  murderer  had  often  partaken  of  his  hospitality,  having  lived 
for  many  years  in  his  neighborhood.  When  afterward  reproved  for  this 
murder,  he  replied  that  as  it  was  the  intention  of  the  enemy  to  kill  him,  he 
thought  he  might  as  well  get  the  bounty  for  his  scalp  as  any  one  else.  Mr. 
Fonda  had  long  been  a  warm  personal  friend  of  Sir  William  John.son,  and 
it  IS  said  that  Sir  John  much  regretted  his  death  and  censured  the  murderer. 
*  *  *  With  the  plunder  made  at  L>ouw  Fonda's,  were  four  male  slaves 
and  one  female,  who  were  all  taken  to  Canada." 

The  most  prominent  of  the  early  members  of  the  Fonda  family  was 
Jeiles  Gelles  or  Giles  ,  born  in  1727,  one  of  the  three  sons  of  Diiuw 
Fonda,  who,  with  their  venerable  father,  vigorously  csj)oused  the  cause  ol 
the  colonies  at  the  opening  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  a  very  exlensi\e 
landholder  and  trader,  dealing  chiefly  with  the  Indians,  but  also  supplying 
Forts  Schuyler,  Stanwix,  Niagara  and  SrhUtSser,  and  the  post  at  Oswcgn, 
To  the  savages  he  sold  blankets,  ammunition,  trinkets  and  rum  ;  and  his 
purchases  consisted  of  flour,  ginseng  and  potash.  Many  of  his  papers  are 
in  the  possessioif  of  his  great-grandson.  Major  Giles  H.  F.  Van  Home. 
.\mong  these  are  faded  and  nnti<|ue  ledgers,  displaying  in  a  clear  manner 
his  business  transactions.  Before  the  Revolution  his  books  showed  debts 
in  his  favor  e'pi.Tl  to  more  than  $10,000  in  the  Indi.in  <  ountrv.  In  <inf 
of  them  may  be  found  the  following  d'.bii  .ig.imst  Sir  William  Johnson,  as 
the  party  responsible  for  ihc  payment  : 

"To  burying  S.i.  orias  [/.i(  hariah].  ,1  .Moh,iv\k    Indi.m,  i  l.irge   blanket. 


138 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


1  luge  shirt,  17  lbs.  |H>rk.  2  galings  of  rum,  17  lbs.  fluwer.  The  sachem 
sfkoke  to  me  and  said  he  was  very  [Kjor,  and  thai  it  wa^  yiisefii!  at  a  funnel 
*A  a  grown  person  to  have  provisions." 

This  distinguished  merchant's  trade  was  rarried  on  at  the  edge  uf  the 
fcts,  a  little  tielow  Caughnawaga,  where  he  had  a  large  store  and  residence. 
At  the  opening  of  the  Revolution  he  was  building  a  house,  asherv,  and 
4jCher  structures,  on  the  river,  six  miles  farther  west,  which  were  finished  in 
tme  to  be  l»umed,  with  nearly  all  the  other  buildings  on  the  north  bank 
«rf  the  river  from  the  Nose  to  Tribes  Hill,  at  the  time  of  Sir  John  John- 
MmS  first  descent  on  the  valley.  Fonda  amassed  great  wealth  by  his 
mercantile  operations,  and  possessed  a  corresponding  influeme  in  the 
coromunity.  His  capita!  was  to  a  considerable  extent  invested  in  lands. 
Vxn  of  his  large  estate  is  now  in  the  possession  oi  the  Van  Homes  ol 
Fonda. 

jelles  Fonda  was  a  lieutenant  under  (ieneral  Johnson  in  the  French  war 
A  picture  of  him  in  this  connection  is  afforded  by  the  fullowing  report  to 
his  superior,  which  is  more  amusing  to  the  reader  than  it  could  have  been 
to  the  writer:  t 

"Camp  at  I.akf.  (lEoRiit  14  Octr  1755. 

"A  ReiH)rt  of  the  Scout  under  my  Command  being  in  number  i  Sergint 
and  12  Men — Agreeable  to  orders  Came  op  first  with  the  party  Com- 
manded by  I-ut;  Van  Shaick  who  was  on  the  return  back  to  this  Camp 
and  asked  the  Reason  why  they  returned  so  soon  or  why  they  had  not 
preceded  as  an  accident  had  happened  to  one  of  their  men  he  sayd  he 
*TK  sick  and  unfit  to  i)roced  on  which  I  left  him  and  Came  up  with  the 
|ai1y  Commanded  by  Capt"  Syms,  who  was  waiting  for  orders  on  which  I 
then  gave  him  the  orders  I  Received  from  gen"  Johnson  Aid  He  Camp  to 

March  forward  upon  which  all  Excepting Refused  to  proced  and 

then  I  asked  my  party  to  go  and  take  their  Blanketts  and  provisions  which 
they  Denied  Except  with  their  own  Officers  and  I  then  Called  and  said  all 
you  that  are  Cowards  Come  and  lie  take  y'  names  Down  and  thev  Come 
so  thick  that  I  Could  see  But  10  or  12  Left  of  the  whole  party  ^:  thev 
mostly  Consisting  of  New  Yorkers  and  then  I  asked  the  Commander  what 
he  woud  do  or  whether  he  understood  me  that  he  was  to  go  forward  he 
said  he  l»elieved  he  would  Come  back  and  so  we  returned  to  this  Camp, 

"Jelles  Fonda." 

At  the  opening  of  the  Revolution,  Lieut.  F'onda,  rejecting  attractive 
offers  of  service  in  the  British  army,  promptly  took  up  arms  for  the  Col- 
onial cause,  and  during  the  war  served  as  captain  and  afterward  major  of 
militia,  having  since  been  commonly  spoken  of  by  the  latter  title.  In  the 
autumn  of  1779.  he  was  in  charge  of  Fort  Paris  during  the  temporary  ab- 
sence of  Col.  Visscher,  who  commanded  the  post.  A  part  of  the  garrison 
toot  this  opportunity  to  mutiny  and  desert.  Ignoring  Capt.  Fonda's  order 
to  remain,  they  left  the  fort,  when  that  officer  ordered  the  garrison  to  fire 
on  them.  This  was  done,  and  one  of  the  mutineers,  named  Jacob  \'alen- 
tine,  was  mortally  wounded.  Cai)t.  Fonda  was  court  martialed  for  this 
affair,  but  was  honorably  acquitted. 

In  the  darkest  days  of   the  war.  when   alt  the  men  in'the  \alley  liable  to 

military  service  under  ordinary  circumstances  were  defending  thf  outposts, 

and  hardly  hopin^;,  with  all  they  could  do.  to  keep  the  sa\age  enemv  from 

their  homes,  the  old  men,  who-  in  any  other  state  of  things  would  have 

been  spared  the  toils  and  alarms  of  war.  were  formed  into  companies  to 

defend  the  women   and  children  at  points  where  they  gathered  for  safety. 

One  of  the  companies  of  exempts  performing  this  highlv  important  service 

was  commanded  by  Capt.  Fonda,  himself  now  over  fifty  years  of  age.      A 

record  of  the  number  of  days  each  man  served  at  various  points  in  1778  is 

>lill  preserved,  and  is  appended; 

<-u       u  \r       t-  *  3  davswith  Lieut.  Hansen 

Cha..  H,\  an  Kpps,  ens.gn  -^  j     ,.-    ^^  Huwman's  H,ll. 

f  6  davs  at  Caughnawaga. 

h  "'  " 

Crownidge  Kinkcad '.  j     "      "  Johnstown. 

4     "      "  Cherry  \'alley. 

[9     "      '*  Johnstown. 

,,  II     1      .  i  ^  davs  at  lohnstown. 

Henry   Boshart \\     J         -'         .. 

'  I  6  1779 

George  Shank 6  days    1779    at  Johnstown,  with  I. iciil.  Hansen. 

r-         1         \     \-        w  ,        '7  davs  at   fohnstiiwn. 
Corneuus  .\.  \  an  .Alstine  -.  '      „      „  • 

(  4 

(  4  days  at  Johnstown. 
Stejihen  Maniboiit -{7     "      "  " 

(  4     "      "  Cherry  Valley. 
John  Hall 7  days  at  Johnstown  with  I  icut.  H.in,en. 


Richard  Collins 7  days  at  Johnstown. 

I  9  days  at  Johnstown. 
.Matthew  Van  Dusen ^i      "  Warning. 

(3      "     at  Cherry  Vallc). 

1  7  days  at  Johnstown  with  Lieut.  Hansen 
John  Wilson -  9 ■        "  .   " 

(  4 

1  5  davs  at  Johnstown, 
Barent  B.  Wemple •  j     ■'      •' 

'4 

\  7 

Hendnck  Kluperd 6 

'4 

,  ,..-  ^-^  ::  ;:     :: 

Jacob  Kits -  5 

/  6 

Kvert  \an  Epps 5  days  at  Johnstown  with  I. icut.  Hansen 

Samjjson  Sannnons, ensign  -  ' 

,  ,         1,        „  \  7  days  at  Johnstown  with  Lieut.  Hansen 

.\dam  Rupert '.,'..■' 

r  2  days  at  Johnstown. 
4     "      "  Sacondaga. 

Cornelius  Smith s  4     "      "  Bowman's  Hill. 

\  2     •■      •■  Bowman's  Hill. 
[  3     '•      "  Cherry  Valley. 
"  Hendrick  Wampil,  30  days  at  different  limes,  at  sundry  places,  agree 
able  to  the  account.  " 

"  Johannes  Nare,  corporal  at  three  different  times,  14  days,  Johnstown  " 

Cornelius  Hutman,  7  flays  at  Johnstown. 

"  John  McDoual,  says  he  has  Bin  out  att  all  times." 

"  Jacob  Shew,  13  days  at  Fort  I'lank  in  Jolingcr's  place." 

Jeremiah  Crowiey,  7  days  at  Johnstown,  with  Lieut.  Hansen. 

John  V'echle,  

f7daysatJ«hnstown         y  ^^..^^^ 

Conrad  Cratsenberg ■  ....  ..  V    Lieut.  Hansen 

I  3     '■       "  Cherry  Valley,  with  Capt   Fon.l  i 
(  7  days  at   lohnstown,  with    Lieut,  Hansen. 
lohnHuber      -  7      "       ■' 

(  3  "  "  Cherry  \'ailey.  with  Capt.  Fonda. 
Major  Fonda,  having  become  wealthy  in  trade,  furnished  his  house  mof'- 
elegantly  than  was  the  rule  of  the  day.  It  supplied  all  the  richer  plunder 
to  the  Indians  of  Johnson's  command,  when  they  swept  up  from  Tribe- 
Hill  on  that  May  morning  which  saw  such  deeds  of  blood  and  rapine  ainn, 
this  part  of  the  valley.  The  owner  was  fortunately  absent  from  home,  .m-l 
his  wife  and  his  son  Douw  had  warning  in  time  to  escape  a*  ross  the  riwr 
The  house  was  fired,  and  it  is  s.tul  that  uhilc  it  was  l)urning,  a  miisii  b.-x. 
connected  with  a  clock  in  the  building,  began  to  play  a  tune.  The  s.n.iLie- 
took  the  sound  for  the  voice  of  a  spirit,  with  more  reason  than  the  modeni 
s[)iritists  have  for  so  interpreting  a  monotonous  series  of  raps.  Like  tip- 
latter,  the  Indians  put  a  favoral.le  consiru<  tion  upon  the  ghostly  (ommun- 
cation.  A  mirror  was  the  most  prized  of  the  booty  here  obtained,  at  Ici-'. 
the  most  fought  for  among  the  plunderers. 

Major  Fonda  built,  after  the  war.  on  the  high  ground  m  what  is  now  tlic 
village  of  Fonda,  the  house  at  present  01  cujued  liy  Mr.  I'etcr  l,j--iicr  lb 
was  a  judge  of  old  Tryon  county,  and  w.is  a  member  of  the  Assembly  at  lh< 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  June  23,  1791.  His  sword  is  in  the  han-i' 
of  one  of  his  great  grand-children,  Mr,  Fxiward  Schenck.  of  New  \'orl- 
city. 

Although  the  old  village  la\  mainly  to  the  eastward  of  what  i-  n"« 
Fonda,  there  were  buildings  also  on  the  site  of  the  modern  town,  I  I'- 
Veeder  mill,  on  the  Cayadutta,  has  been  referred  to.  Alexander  Wliite,  !'" 
last  sheriff  under  the  crown,  who  so  hastily  vacated  his  office  ihrougli  t'" 
persuasions  of  a  mob  at  Johnstown,  lived  on  the  site  of  the  court-hoii^c. 
and  John  Fonda  occu])ied  the  house  after  White's  removal.  Adam  Fond  1 
also  lived  near  the  creek.  Jacob  Graff  came  from  Hano\er  about  17''' 
and  settled  as  a  farmer  in  what  is  now  the  village  of  Fonda.  Here  I'cii  1 
draff  was  born  about  1763.  He  saw  service  during  the  Revolution,  bcm - 
present  al  the  siirrcntler  of  lUirgoyne.  He  was  afterward  a  farmer  .u'-' 
gunsmith.  His  brother  I'hihp  belonged  to  the  rangers  mentioned  "' 
Stone's  Life  of  Joseph  Brant.  Cornelius  Smith  and  Johannes  Veeder  Iivl'I 
a  little  west  of  the  creek  and  near  the  river. 


THE  OLD  DUTCH  CHURCH  AT  CAUGHNAWAGA 


1S9 


THE  OLD  CAUGHNAWAGA  CHTRCH 

The  most  interesting  feature  of  old  Caugh- 
nawaga  remained  up  to  1868,  nanielv,  the 
Reformed  Dutch  church,  the  first  built  in  the 
town  ami  one  of  the  first  in  the  valley,  it  ha\- 
ing  been  erected  in  1763.  U'e  are  enabled 
by  the  courtesy  of  Harper  Brothers  10  present 
an  engraving  of  the  old  chart  h,  which  appear- 
ed in  Lossing's  "  Field  Book  of  the  Revolu- 
tion," published  by  that  eminent  house.  It 
stood  on  the  western  side  of  the  lot  on  which 
stands  the  house  of  James  Lansing  Veeder, 
Ksip,  which  was  built  about  the  beginning  of 
this  centurj',  and  was  the  parsonage  up  to 
1842,  succeeding  the  original  one,  which  stood 
further  bark  on  the  same  lot.  The  church 
wasa  massive  stone  building,  about  si|uare,  with  a  curb  roof.  On  the  north 
end  stood  agracefid  little  open  belfry,  with  a  bell-shaped  canopv.supported 
by  a  circle  of  posts,  and  sending  up  from  its  ape.x  a  slender  spire.  This 
structure  was  added  to  the  building  in  1795,  and  in  it  was  suspended  what 
had  been  Sir  William  Johnson's  dmner-bell,  which  weighed  over  one 
huntifed  pounds,  and  was  among  the  confiscated  property  of  Sir  John. 
Two  windows,  arched  at  the  top.  admitted  the  light  on  each  side.  In  the 
gabic  toward  the  road,  c  lose  to  the  ridge  of  the  roof,  was  a  little  circular 
opening  in  the  wall,  while  half  way  down  from  this  to  the  tops  of  the 
windows,  were  two  oval  ones,  a  trifle  larger,  inclined  toward  each  other  at 
about  the  same  angle  as  the  sides  of  the  roof  opposite  them,  after  the 
fashion  common  in  the  ecclesiastical  architecture  of  the  age.  The  entrance 
was  a  double  door  in  the  middle  of  the  eastern  side,  round-arched  like  the 
windows,  but  having  the  part  within  the  arch  closed  up,  the  door.->  not  ex- 
tending up  to  the  keystone.  Over  the  latter,  and  just  below  the  eaves,  was 
an  o*al  tablet  of  stone,  bearing,  in  i)uli  h.  the  inscription.  "Come,  let  us  go 
up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord,  to  the  house  of  the  (jod  of  lacob.  and  he 
will  teach  us  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  his  paths."  The  pulpit  stood 
again^  the  western  wall,  and  a  gallery  ran  around  the  other  three.  The 
church  was  seated  with  the  s«|uare  pews  of  the  period,  excepting  a  space 
at  the  north  end  where  were  placed  benches  for  Indians  and  negroes.  The 
pew  at  the  left  in  entering  is  said  to  have  been  sometimes  occupied  by  Sir 
VVilliara  Johnson,  who  contributed  liberally  toward  the  erection  of  the 
building.  In  1842  the  church  and  parsonage,  with  the  glebe  of  thirtv 
acres,  were  turned  over  to  the  pastor.  Rev.  Jacob  I>.  Fonda,  in  pavmcnt  of 
$1,300  arrearage  of  salary.  Two  years  later  he  sold  the  propertv  to  Rev. 
Douw  Van  OT.inda,  with  the  condition  that  the  society  might  redeem  it 
for  $1,300.  The  church  was  old-fashioned  by  this  time,  however  ;  the 
star  of  population  was  taking  its  way  westward,  toward  where  the  court- 
house, the  depot,  and  the  great  hotel  had  been  built  ;  and  the  members  of 
the  society,  who  had  built  a  new  church  in  the  fashionable  quarter,  never 
availed  themselves  of  the  privilege  of  recovering  their  ancient  house  of 
worship.  Rev.  ,\Ir.  Van  OT.inda  opened  an  academy  in  it  in  the  latter 
part  of  1844.  with  Jacob  .\.  Hardenbcrg.  a  Rutgers  graduate,  as  principal; 
but  it  was  kept  up  only  a  year  or  two.  and  after  it  had  been  given  u|i.  the 
building  was  used  as  a  dwelling.  .About  i860,  it  «.is  bought  by  Henry 
Veeder.  and  in  1S68  the  old  church,  which  Sir  John  Johnsoni  barbarians 
had  sjjared,  **  was  taken  down,  the  stones  being  used  for  ordinary  build- 
ing purposes."  "  It  is  said  that  people  wept  as  they  beheld  the  demolition 
of  this  sacred  edifice,  but  as  they  had  nothing  better  than  tears  to  give, 
tears  could  not  purchase  back  the  property,  and  therefore  it  was  gone 
forever," 

Hon.  Francis  Granger,  Gen.  Harrison's  appointee  for  Postmaster-Cicn- 
eral,  it  is  said,  used  to  si)eak  pleasantly  of  attending  service  at  the  old 
Caughnawaga  church.  One  Sunday  found  him  at  Caughnawag.a,  on  a 
journey  to  the  West,  with  his  priv.ate  conveyance.  It  was  at  a  time  when 
people  did  not  usu.illy  travel  on  the  Sabbath,  and,  having  the  day  before 
him,  Mr.  Granger  started  for  the  thurih  as  the  hour  of  meeting  drew  nigh. 
He  was  m  time  to  take  ol>servations  of  the  sacred  edifii  e,  and  the  Sabbath- 
day  custom,  of  the  Mohawk  valley  Christians,  about  all  of  which  there  was 
<o  the  traveler  an  agreeable  novelty.  While  he  was  considering  the  phe- 
nomenon of  .1  .  biirch  with  its  rear  gable  as  seemed,  from  the  steeple  being 
at  the  farther  end  ,  but  no  door,  toward  the  ro.id,  and   speculating  on  the 


purport  of  the  little  eyelet-like  windows  near  the  roof,  loads  of  the  »<.t- 
shipers  were  coming  in  from  the  country.  .\s  fast  as  the  women  alighietl 
from  tlie  sheepskin-bottomed  chairs  which  formed  their  seats  in  ihr 
wagons,  the  men,  after  providing  for  their  teams,  repaired  to  a  neighborini 
bar-room,  whither,  not  to  miss  any  part  of  the  exercises,  Mr.  Granger  Id- 
lowed  them.  Gravely,  as  befitting  the  day,  each  ordered  a  drink.  ILimh' 
drained  his  glass,  the  thirsty  Christian  thrust  his  hand  deep  in  his  pi:i  k.-i. 
and  drew  forth  a  long,  narrow,  leathern  wallet,  with  a  string  woven  in  ji 
.  the  neck,  rolled  up  around  the  coin  which  it  contained.  Taking  thv  pur,.- 
by  the  bottom,  and  emptying  the  cash  into  his  left  hand,  he  selecleil  a  siv- 
pence,  and,  laying  it  before  the  landlord,  poured  back  the  remainder  inM 
the  depths  of  the  wallet,  folded  it  carefully  up.  restored  it  to  his  p.ickti. 
and  returned  to  the  church.  Thither  Mr.  Granger  also  betook  himsell 
.\n  officious  usher  took  him  in  charge,  and.  shutting  him  up  in  one  of  the 
high-partitioned  box-pews  whicn  occupied  most  of  the  floor,  left  hini  !-» 
pursue  his  observations.  The  most  noticeable  feature  iif  the  odd  intcri"r 
of  the  building  was  the  pulpit,  which  was  a  litt'e,  five-sided  coop,  per.  hi.l 
aloft  on  a  slender  support,  reached  by  the  narrowest  of  stairwavs.  and 
canopied  by  a  sounding-board  that  completelv  roofed  it  over.  ( in  th-- 
wall,  on  either  side  of  the  pulpit,  hung  a  pole  several  feet  in  length,  sus- 
pended by  an  iron  hoop  or  ring,  from  which  also  depended  a  little  b.u; 
with  a  bell  at  the  bottom.  In  due  time  the  clergvman  entered,  and,  mourn- 
ing the  slender  stairway,  seated  himself  in  his  little  domain,  which  barcb 
contained  him.  From  his  fresh  and  rubicund  face,  it  would  almost  seem 
that  his  parishioners  were  countenanced  by  him  in  the  matter  of  their 
Sunday  morning  dram.  Here,  thought  the  visitor,  observant  of  his  glow- 
ing features,  was  a  light  of  the  church,  set  in  a  Dutch  candlesti(  k,  an. I 
covered  with  an  umbrella,  to  prevent  any  untimely  extinguishment.  The 
congregation  entered  heartily  into  the  singing,  and  Mr.  Granger  thought  n 
might  be  good  worship,  though  sad  music,  .\t  the  proper  stage,  the  usher». 
taking  down  the  scoop-nets  from  beside  the  pulpit,  went  fishing  experilv 
among  the  worshipers  for  a  collection,  tinkling  the  little  bells  a|ipenilcd,  .i-. 
if  to  warn  them  to  be  ready  with  their  change.  I'here  was  need  of  noti.  e. 
for  getting  at  the  coin  was  the  same  deliberate  o|ieration  as  at  the  t.ivern. 
There  were  the  diving  for  the  purse,  the  unrolling  and  the  emptying  .>f  the 
contents  ;  but  the  observer  noted  that  the  burgher's  eye  scanned  his  palm 
for  a  penny  instead  of  a  sixpence.  When  they  had  gone  the  round  of  tli.- 
house,  the  collectors  took  their  turn  at  the  performance,  seeming  to  hear 
the  Head  of  the  Church  saying,  as  of  old,  "Bring  me  a  penny.  "  I'he 
dominie  had  got  well  into  his  sermon,  in  a  commonplace  wav,  before  he  saw 
Mr.  Granger.  Then,  at  the  sight  of  a  well-dressed  and  intelligent  stranger 
in  the  house,  he  perceptibly  roused  himself,  and  became  really  elo.pien'. 
.At  the  close  of  the  service  he  had  an  interview  with  the  visitor,  who  a~-uri  .1 
him,  in  all  sincerity,  that  he  was  never  more  interested  in  a  sermon  in  Hw 
life.  Learning  that  the  latter  was  the  son  of  Hon.  Gideon  (jrangcr,  »h.> 
was  Postmaster-CIeneral  under  Jefferson,  the  clergyman  felt  the  more  him- 
ored  by  his  presence  and  compliments,  and  invited  him  to  the  [larsonag.- 
Mr.  Granger  declined,  returned  to  his  lodging,  and  next  morning  pro.  cclct 
to  Johnstown,  where  he  wished  to  see  Daniel  Cady. 

When  he  was  in  the  Cabinet,  .Mr.  Stephen  Sammons.  who  was  personalU 
acquainted  with  him,  made  a|)plication  for  the  establishment  of  a  p.>,t 
otficeat  an  unnamed  hamlet,  three  or  four  miles  northwest  of  Caughnawaga. 
The  Postmaster-General  immediately  recognized  it  as  a  jilace  where  he 
had  sad  experience  of  a  corduroy  road,  on  his  wav  to  Johnstown,  one  M..11- 
day  morning,  and  where  he  saw  a  distillery  and  a  store  on  the  corner,  whii  h 
the  applicant  assured  him  were  there  "  We'll  call  it  Sammonsville.  "  s.ii.l 
he,  and  Sammonsville  it  is. 

The  historian  Simms  was  a  regular  attendant  at  the  old  church  ab.M.i 
1838,  and  played  a  flute  in  the  choir,  of  which  Dr.  Stewart  (who  pl.ive.l 
the  bass  viol)  was  the  leader,  and  Mrs.  Stewart  also  a  member. 


ANECDOTES  OF    CAUGHNAWAGA. 

The  following  anecdote,  illustrative  of  "the  good  old  times  "  of  Ih 
Johnsons  and  earlier  Fondas,  is  given  by  .Mr.  Simnis  as  authentic  : 

"lathe  employ  of  Sir  Uillian.  Johnson,  a  few  years  before  his  dc.iil 
was  a  .  Irishman  named  .McCarthy,  by  reputation  the  most  noted  pngih- 
in  western  New  York.  The  Baronet  offered  to  pit  his  fellow -rounir\  n.. 
against  any  man  who  I  ould  be  produced  for  a  fist  fight,  M.ijor  |Jcll>- 
F'onda,  tired  of  hearing  the  challenge,  and   learning  that   a  very   mns.  iil. 


^I^|?^T-:  .?s^r^  3r  "'7^^o. ,  ;:l.r'-^^-^  _MCJl»  :^:^-i|i^'/^ '  #fS 

til  J»-^     ^  ^/    '-'SZ-KT^^  i  ^-  ■       li^^  ^^^1  ---^   -Tfe^-Jl    , .    [    W   *5r    ^    ■       li! 


THOMPSONS  &  RICHARDS    PAPER   M  i  LL,  FON  DA,  Montgomery  Co.  N.Y. 


^A*$^: 


'MW^^B^'^m^ 


140 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


l>Qtchman,  named  John  Van  Loan,  was  living  near  Brakabeen,  in  the 
Schoharie  valley,  made  a  journey  of  some  forty  or  fifty  miles  to  secure  his 
professional  services,  for  he.  too.  was  reputed  a  bully.  Van  Loan  readily 
agreed  to  flog  the  son  of  Krin  for  a  ten  pound  note.  At  the  time  appointed 
numbers  were  assembled  at  Caughnawaga  to  witness  the  contest  he- 
twctrn  the  pugilists.  After  McCarthy  had  been  swaggering  about  in  the 
crowd  for  a  while,  and  greatly  excited  ])ublic  expectation  by  his  boasting. 
inducing  numbers  to  bet  on  his  head,  his  comjtetitor  appeared,  ready  for 
the  contest,  clad  for  the  occasion  in  a  shirt  and  breeches  of  dressed  deer- 
skin, fitted  tight  to  the  person.  .\  ring  was  tormed  and  the  battle  com- 
menced.    The  bullv  did  his  best,  but  it  was  soon  evident  that  he   was  nut 


slipped  through  his  fingers  like  an 
a  test  ease.  Completely  exhausted, 
ini's  gamester  was  removed,  looking, 


a  match  for  his  r>utch  adversary,  v 
eel,  and  parried  his  blows  with  the 
and  almost  bruised  to  a  jelly,  Sir  \\ 
if  not  expressing,  ^ Petcavi."  " 

We  ought  not  to  omit  the  once  widely  popular  storv  of  "  the  Yankee 
pass."     The  following  is  Lossing's  version  of  it  ■ 

"A  peddler  (who  was  of  course  a  Yankee)  was  arrested  for  the  offense 
of  traveling  on  the  Sabbath,  contrary  to  law,  and  taken  before  a  Dutch 
justice  near  Caughnawaga.  The  peddler  pleaded  the  urgency  of  his  busi- 
ness. At  first  the  Dutchman  was  inexorable,  but  at  length,  on  the  payment 
to  him  of  a  small  sum.  agreed  to  furnish  the  Yankee  with  a  written  permit 
to  travel  on.  The  justice,  not  beingexpert  with  the  pen,  recjuested  the 
peddler  to  write  the  "pass."  He  wrote  a  draft  upon  the  Kanes  (the  well 
known  Canajoharie  merchants    for  fifty   dollars,  which   the  unsuspecting 


Dutchman  signed.  The  draft  was  presented  and  duly  honored,  and  thr 
Yankee  went  on  his  wav  rejoicing  A  few  days  afterward  the  justice  w.i^ 
called  U])on  to  pay  the  amount  of  the  draft.  The  thing  was  a  mystery,  and 
It  was  a  long  time  before  he  could  comijrehend  it.  All  at  once  light  brok.- 
in  upon  the  matter,  and  the  victim  exclaimed,  vehemently,  in  broken  ICii 
lish,  '  Eh.  yah  !  I  understhands  it  now  Ti^h  mine  wntin,  and  dat  ish  de 
taiii  Yankee  pass  !  "  " 

THK  SMALLER   VILLAGES  Ot    I'HE  TOWN,  ETC. 

Bkkkvvii,lk  is  a  hamlet  on  the  Cayadutta,  about  two  miles  north  ol 
west  from  Fonda.  Here  is  situated  the  Berryville  Paper-mill.  The  husi 
ncss  was  begun  in  iS6o  by  the  firm  of  L.  B.  Thompson  iS:  Co.  Ten  year-, 
later  the  present  firm  of  Thompson  &  Richards  was  formed.  The  mill, 
which  is  run  by  both  steam  and  water  power,  has  a  capacity  of  thrcu 
thousand  pounds  per  day,  and  manufactures  drug,  printing  and  tobacc., 
paper  to  the  value  of  about  §75,000  annually. 

Tribks  HiiJ.  is  a  village  of  much  historic  interest  on  the  line  between 
the  towns  of  Mohawk  and  .Amsterdam.  It  has  been  treated  of  in  the  his 
tory  of  the  latter,  and  need  not  be  further  mentioned  here. 

Near  the  western  border  of  the  town  stands  the  Mohawk  cheese  factory, 
incorporated  in  1S67;  capital,  $3,500;  capacity,  70,000  lbs  per  year.  Th.: 
first  board  of  directors  consisted  of  John  A.  Dockstader,  Peter  Coolm.in 
and  M.  Van  Deusen.  Jacob  J.  Dockstader  has  succeeded  Mr.  Coolman, 
otherwise  the  board  remains  as  at  first. 


THE  FONDA  LAND  ASSOCIATION— CHURCHES  OF  FONDA. 


141 


FONDA. 


ITie  prospect  of  rapid  increase  of  population  and  demand  for  real  estate 
in  the  Mohawk  valley,  as  a  conseiiiiencc  of  the  construction  of  the  Utica 
.and  Schenectady  Railroad,  led  to  much  speculation  in  lands  and  building 
>ite>  along  the  line.  The  village  of  Fonda  dates  its  pnncipal  growth  from 
ihis  time.  In  1X35.  a  number  of  capitalists,  including  John  B.  Rorst,  John 
L.  Craham,  James  l.orimcr  Ciraham,  Judge  S.  W.  Jones,  Charles  McVean 
ai  his  death  surrogate  of  the  county  of  New  York  and  James  Porter 
organized  the  Fonda  I,and  .\ssociation.  They  bought  the  ground  on 
which  the  newer  and  larger  part  of  the  village  stands,  and  had  it  surveyed, 
laid  out  and  m.ipped  William  C.  Young,  chief  engineer  of  the  new  rail- 
road in  its  construction,  and  its  first  superintendent,  also  interested  him- 
self largely  in  the  project.  John  I-.  Graham,  who  was  counsel  for  the 
Fanners'  Loan  and  Trust  Company  of  New  York,  obtained  from  that  insti- 
tution, in  behalf  of  the  association,  a  loan  of  §25,000  with  which  to  make 
purchases  and  improvements.  Among  the  latter  was  the  building  of  the 
Fonda  Hotel  in  1836.  John  B.  Borst  was  the  man  most  heavily  interested 
in  the  whole  enterprise,  and  the  titles  to  the  real  estate  acquired  were 
taken  by  him  for  himself  and  as.sociates.  Most  of  the  parties  to  the  in- 
vestment suffered  in  the  financial  distress  of  1S37,  and  their  embarrass- 
ments enabled  Mr.  liorsi  10  buy  out  their  mterests  under  a  foreclosure  of 
the  mortgage  held  by  the  Farmers'  Loan  and  Trust  Company.  Among 
other  things  he  thus  became  sole  proprietor  of  the  hotel. 

On  the  petition  of  Chester  S.  Brumley,  John  S.  Haggart  and  Richard 
H.  Cushney,  the  Court  of  Sessions  which  sat  at  the  Montgomery  county 
<  (uin-house,  September  30,  1850,  consisting  of  Count)  Judge  Bcld- 
ing  .ind  Justices  F.  P.  Moulton  and  Obadiah  Ilavi^,  granted  an  order  for 
the  incor]>oration  of  the  village  under  the  name  of  Fonda,  subject  to  a 
\ote  of  its  citizens,  for  which  provision  was  made.  The  vote  resulted 
.ilnuist  unanimously  in  favor  of  the  measure.  In  the  spring  of  iS5i,the 
Legislature  passed  an  act  authorizing  the  village  of  F'onda  to  elect  officers. 
Pursuant  to  this  act  an  election  was  held  NLny  13.  and  the  following  were 
I  hosen;  Trustees — R.  H.  Cushney.  K.  Van  Housen.  P.  H.  Fonda,  Charles 
I'unmerman  and  Douw-  \'an  O'Linda;  as.,Lssors — fohn  K\erson,  ^\'illiani 
1:  Housen  and  Gilbert  S.  \'an  Deusen;  collector.  Henry  W.  Si.iats; 
■  Icrk,  Henry  Van  Cl'I.inda.      The  |in|.ulation  of  the  territorv  incorpiiraled 

Thus  the  an<  lent  name  of  Cavfghnawaga  was  formally  viperscded  by 
llMt  of  Ihe  family  whir  li  had  been  ■■o  i.romincnt  in  the  annaU  of  the  neigh- 
b'Tliood  for  a  hundred  years,  and  the  old  village  of  the  Indians  and  the 
I'lilch  was  oversha<lowed  by  the  flourishing  new  town  growing  up  on  its 
western  border.  The  present  village  has  been  steadily  progressing  since 
It--  incorporation,  its  population  having  increased  to  about  thirieen  hundred, 
■Old  all  its  interests  correspondingly  dcvclojied.  Us  position  on  a  well 
e'|.ii|iped  trunk  railroail  gives  it  ready  communication  with  Ihe  world  at 
i-irge.  of  which  it  <  an  the  better  aiaii  itself,  since  it  is  the  s(u[iping-place 
'or  most  of  Fulton  1  nunty,  and  thus  a  very  important  station,  which 
h.irdly  any  trains  pass  without  slopjiing.  Its  main  street  was  paved  in  1S6S. 
Communication  with  its  neighbor  across  the  river  is  facilitated  by  the 
l"nda  and  Fultonvillc  street  railroad,  built  in  i.Sys.  by  Nicholas  H. 
I'ecker,  of  New  York  and  Johnstown,  and  of  whose  $10,000  capital  he  is 
die  principal  owner.  The  growth  and  development  of  the  \  illage,  in  its 
'  irious  departments,  are  shown  under  the  appropriate  head^  below, 

TIIK  chckches 


The  Roman  Catholics, 


K"MA\    CA  1  HOI.IC. 

enled  by  the  Jesuit  missionaries,  whos 


privations  and  sufferings  have  already  been  recounted,  were,  of  course, 
the  first  christian  denomination  by  whose  servants  religious  exercises  were 
held  at  this  point.  The  last  Jesuit  missionary  left  Caughnawaga  two  hun- 
dred years  ago,  and  from  his  departure  no  services  of  the  church  which  he 
represented  were  held  here  until  quite  a  recent  date.  U[i  to  December, 
1874,  the  Roman  Catholics  of  Fonda  had  no  house  of  worship,  but  as- 
sembled, to  hear  mass,  at  private  houses.  The  present  neat  chapel  was 
begun  in  1875,  and  finished,  free  from  debt,  in  December  of  the  next  year. 
It  has  a  seating  capacity  of  two  hundred  and  fifty,  and  is  built  of  brick, 
with  cut-stone  trimmings.  Rev.  John  F.  Lowery.  the  pastor  of  .St.  Patrick's 
Church.  Johnstown,  was  the  builder  of  this  edifice  The  altar  is  of  marble, 
and  surrounded  by  ten  pieces  of  white  statuary. 

The  Sunday-school  is  attended  by  forty-five   children,   and  is  superin- 
tended by  Patrick  Fitzimmons. 


THE    REFORMED    CHURCH. 

This  venerable  society,  originally  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  of 
Caughnawaga,  is  believed  to  have  been  organized  from  five  to  ten  years 
before  the  building  of  its  historic  house  of  worship  in  1763.  For  nine 
years  after  that  event  there  was  no  pastor  here,  services  being  held,  it  k 
supposed,  by  the  minister  at  Schenectady,  which  place  was  the  out-post  of 
the  denomination  in  this  direction,  until  the  building  of  the  Caughnawaga 
church.  In  1772,  Rev.  I'homas  Romeyn  became  pastor  of  this  frontier 
congregation,  whose  members  were  scattered  among  all  the  settknienl^ 
west  of  what  is  now  .\msterdam.  He  was  a  college  graduate,  of  nineteen 
years'  ministerial  e.xperience.  .\t  his  accession  the  roll  of  the  consistory 
comprised  the  following  well  known  names:  Elders — Peter  ro>ne,  |o. 
hannes  Kilts,  Johannes  Veeder,  and  Frederick  Dockst^ulcr.  De.i.  ons— 
.\dam  Fond.i,  Louis  Clement,  Sampson  Saminons,  and  Charles  \  an  I'.pps 
Mr.  Romeyn  held  the  pastorate  of  the  church  for  twenty-two  mo^l  ivcnt 
ful  years,  dying  at  his  post  in  1794,  aged  sixty-five.  The  territor\  ever 
which  he  originally  had  1  h.irge  was  reduced  very  early  in  his  .adiiiiiiisir.i- 
lion  by  the  org.mi/.iiion  ot  the  chun-h  at  Minaville.  in  the  town  of  I  l.irid.i. 
and  further,  tow.ird  the  close  of  his  term  of  service,  by  the  form.ition  ol 
the  Stone  .\rabia  (  hiirch. 

Mr.  Romeyn  was  succeeded,  in  i7c)5.  by  Re\.  .\br.ili,im  V.iii  Ib.rne 
The  consistory,  at  that  date,  was  composed  of  }:iders  lolin  I  oncl.i,  (..irrci 
Van  'Vrakelin,  Joseph  Prentup,  and  Frederick  Starin,  and  Ikaccuis  l.mus 
Lansing,  Abram  Vosbiirgh,  Joliannes  Van  Antwerp,  .ind  Peter  ihi.u  kc  n- 
bush.  Domine  Van  Home  was,  like  his  predecessor,  a  New  Jers.  v  m.m. 
and  a  college  graduate,  and  is  spoken  of  as  "a  man  of  gre.ii  .ibiliiv  .incl 
extensive  knowledge."  During  his  pastorate  occ  iirrcd  the  transition  frcmi 
the  Dutch  to  the  English,  as  the  language  of  the  church  serMc  ^..  Mr 
Van  Home  oflicialing  in  both  tongues.  He  ser\cd  this  c  Imrc  h  in  ,1  p.isici 
al  relation  thirty-eight  years,  during  which  many  events,  important  in  ihc- 
denomination,  0(  ciirred  within  his  jurisdiction. 

The  growth  of  jiopulation  in  the  valley  is  indic  .iied  by  the  lccrni.iti..ii  c.f 
four  new  c  hurches  from  parts  of  the  district  over  which  his  congregation 
was  at  first  scattered.  The  fact  (which  appears  Irom  the  church  recordsi 
that  the  pastor  performed  here  fifteen  hundred  marriages,  .nnd  o\er  two 
thousand  three  hundred  baptisms,  has  3  similar  bearing.  During  p.irt  ni 
his  ministry  at  Caughnawaga  he  owned  and  managed  a  farm,  whi.  h  is  iic.cn 
owned  by  Robert  Weinplc.  After  retiring  from  the  pastorate  in  |S;3.  In 
continued  to  live  at  C.iughnawaga  until  his  death,  in  1840,  at  the  rq.c  age- 
of  seventy-five.  He  was  buried  in  the  old  grave-yard  on  the  Hats,  wliic  h 
was  disturbed  by  the  l.iying  out  of  the  fair  ground.       During   the  last   two 


142 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


yean>  of  Domine  Van  HomcS  pasioraie,  Kev.  J.  S.  Ketchum.  of  the  Stone 
Arabia  Church,  assisted  him  by  (ondiKting  the  Sunday  afternoon  services. 

The  third  jjastur  was  Rev.  Robert  Quinn.  a  man  of  thirty,  who  had  jubt 
finished  his  theological  studies,  and  who  began  his  pastorate  by  his  ordi- 
nation in  the  rhunh  where  he  was  called  to  minister.  He  remained  but 
two  years,  and  on  his  resignation.  Rev.  Jacob  I).  Fonda  took  pastoral  charge 
of  the  society  in  1S35.  He  held  the  position  seven  years,  during  which 
two  more  churches  were  formed  fmm  the  original  parish.  Several  revivals 
occurred  m  his  pastorate,  in  one  of  which  thirty-one  members  were  added 
to  the  church.  No  pastor  was  immediately  called  to  succeed  Mr.  Konda 
on  his  retirement  in  1842.  but  services  were  held  for  about  two  years  by 
Prof.  Andrew  Yates,  IKD..  of  I'nion  College. 

During  this  time  a  new  church  was  built,  at  an  expense  of  about  $3,500. 
at  the  southwest  corner  of  Railroad  avenue  and  Centre  street,  whii  h  was 
dedicated  in  October,  1843.  Rev.  Douw  Van  (J'[,inda,  the  first  pastor  to 
officiate  in  the  new  church,  began  a  fourteen-ycars  pastorate  in  1844,  his 
ministry  here  being  ended  by  his  death.  Uuring  his  pastorate  the  bounds 
of  this  charge  became  about  what  they  arc  now.  "  Few  surpassed  him  in 
those  quaUties  which  go  to  make  the  acceptable  preacher  and  pastor." 

His  successor,  Rev.  Philip  Furbeck.  settled  here  in  1S59,  this  being  his 
first  charge  and  the  place  of  his  ordination.  He  resigned  in  1862,  and  the 
church  had  no  settled  jjastor  for  the  next  three  years.  Hurinti  most  of  this 
inten-al.  Rev.  Washington  Frothingham  occupied  the  pulpit.  In  the  spring 
of  i86j,  the  organization  of  the  church  was  so  far  modified  as  to  place  the 
management  of  its  temporal  affairs  in  the  hands  of  nine  trustees.  The  first 
board,  elected  March  3.  of  that  year,  consisted  of  John  Campbell,  jr..  Har- 
ney J.  Martin,  Hamilton  Schuyler,  (ieo.  F.  Mills.  Douw  A.  Fonda,  Samuel 
H.  Conklin,  John  I.  Davis,  Henry  \'eeder  and  Charles  Young.  In  1865 
the  church  once  more  had  a  pastor,  in  the  person  of  Rev.  John  C.  Boyd. 
who  remained  until  1S70,  when  ill  health  compelled  him  to  resign. 

In  1868  the  church  was  removed  from  its  original  to  its  present  site,  and 
to  a  considerable  extent  rebuilt,  at  an  expense  of  about  $io,6oo.  $947  of 
which  was  raised  by  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society.  On  the  completion  of  the 
improvements,  trie  budding  was  re-dedicated  in  August.  1869.  In  1872, 
the  word  '*  Caughnawaga  "  in  the  title  of  the  church  was  changed  to  Fonda. 
The  word  "  Dutch  "  had  been  dropped  five  years  before  from  the  name  of 
the  denomination  by  order  of  the  Cicneral  Synod. 

The  present  pastor,  Rev.  Thos.  Walker  Jones,  was  installed  in  November, 
1870.  Within  the  first  three  years  of  his  jiastorate.  the  society  secured  a 
parsonage  at  an  expense  of  $4,000,  and  over  §6.500  was  expended  in  the 
improvement  of  the  church  and  the  [uirchase  of  an  organ.  When  these 
investments  had  been  made,  the  value  of  the  church  property  was  esti- 
mated to  be  ;$30,ooo.  The  membership  was  then  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty.  It  has  now  risen  to  four  hundred  ;  over  three  hundred  members 
have  been  received  into  the  church  by  the  present  pastor.  The  member- 
ship of  the  Sabbath-school  is  about  the  same  as  that  of  the  church.  Jacob 
Hces  is  the  superintendent.  .Members  of  this  church  assist  in  carrving  on 
half  a  dozen  union  schools  in  the  town.  in<  luding  those  at  Herryville  and 
Sanimonsville. 


The  Methodist  Ki-istopal 
small  membership,   which  h.i 
to  the  Fonda  rather  than  the 
associations  of  the  older  <  hui 
present  operation  a  power  for 


ation- 


«44-pi 


hurt  h  was  organized  in  1S42  with  a  \ery 
X  had  an  emuuraging  gros\th.  Belonging 
laughnawaga  period,  it  has  not  the  historic 
ches  in   the  village,  but   like  them  is  in   its 

good.  The  society,  shortly  after  its  organ- 
L-il  With  a  house  of  worship  at  a  tost  of  $4,000. 


;^loN     PH'M  f'-TAN  I      KIls(_(.l'- 


1864.  by  Rev.  Robert 


This  congregation  was  organized  No\t:nibe 
<;.  Howard.  There  were  then  but  ten  or  t  .\cl\e  i  ommuni<  ants  ;  there  are 
now  about  forlv.  The  clergvnien  who  ha\e  sui  ressivciy  had  i  h.irge  of 
the  station  since  Mr.  Howard,  have  been  Rtvs.  James   H.   iJrown,  Hobart 

Cook,  Chas.  F.  A.  Hielbv, Poole.  Wm   I.u>k.  I.eui-,  Srhuvler  andChas. 

H    Van  Dym-, 

Ground  was  broken  for  the  <  <.nsirucii(.n  of  a  rhur.  h  in  1S66.  but  the 
building  was  not  (  nnserrated  until  M.i>  :<,.  186.,  it  is  a  neat  sii.ne  struc- 
lure,  costing  some  $(1,000  and   seating  two  hunilred 


THE  NEWSPAPERS. 

Caughnawaga  w  as  represented  in  journalism  by  T/if  Mohawk  Farmer,  not 
a  long-lived  publication.  Fonda's  first  newspaper  was  The  Foiuia  HeraiJ^ 
whiih  was  issued  by  J.  K.  Reynolds,  jr.,  in    1837. 

Next  came  The  Fonda  Sentinel,  which  was  started  in  1845.  During  pjrt 
<jf  Its  existence  under  that  name  it  was  published  by  Clark  Oi:  Thayer.  In 
1864,  the  .Vc/z/'/W  was  purchased  by  Mr,  C.  B.  Freeman,  who  united  \vul» 
it  the  .1/^^77.'^  Valley  Aweruan,  which  he  had  been  publishing  at  Fulton- 
ville.  anil  formed  the  Atohuiok  I'allcy  Deinocrat,  which  was  issued  from  thc 
tormer  office  of  the  Sentinel.  The  Denwcrat  <ontinued  under  the  control 
of  Mr.  F'reeman  until  two  years  since,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  the 
present  proprietor,  Mr.  John  E.  Ashe. 

The  American  Star,  whith  had  be^-n  published  six  weeks  at  Canajohariu. 
was  removed  to  Fonda  in  May,  1855,  and  in  the  next  year  to  Fultonville. 
where  it  took  the  name  of  the  Molia7i.'k  I'al/ey  American,  coming  into  thr 
possession  of  Mr.  C.  B.  Freeman,  whose  disposition  of  it  has  been  noted 
abo\e. 

THE  COURSE  OF  TRADE   AND   INDUSTRY. 

The  water-power  afforded  by  Cayadutta  creek  led.  at  a  very  early  dav. 
to  the  establishment  of  grist-mills  at  this  point.  One  or  two  have  been 
already  mentioned-  .\nother  is  said  to  have  stood,  previous  to  the  Revo- 
lution, half  a  mile  above  the  site  of  the  Cayadutta,  or  "Upiter."  mill. 

.\  cotton-mill  was  carried  on  for  about  five  years  by  a  company  organ- 
ized in  181 1,  consisting  of  John  and  Simon  Veeder,  (i.  Van  Deusen.  Hcnrv 
Fonda  and  Myndert  Wemple.  The  capital  was  §5,000.  A  woolen-mill 
and  carding-machine  for  custom-work  were  attached.  Simon  I.  Veeder 
rented  the  building,  and  started  a  satinet  factory  in  1825,  which  he  con- 
tinued till  1830.  when  he  sold  to  John  Booth.  The  latter  operated  the 
establishment  until  about  1S43,  when  he  died,  and  the  property  passed  inh» 
the  hands  of  J.  V.  A.  and  J.  V.  V\'emple,  by  whom  the  building  was  used 
as  a  threshing-machine  manufactory  for  a  short  time,  the  last-named  gen- 
tleman becoming  at  length  the  Sole  proprietor.  In  i860  the  propcrtv 
passed  into  the  hands  of  (ieo.  F.  Mills  &  Bro. 

This  firm  began  business  at  Fonda  in  1849.  purchasing  what  is  now 
known  as  the  Upper  Mi  1,  xvhich  now  has  four  run  of  stone,  with  a  capacit\ 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  barrels  per  day,  and  is  devoted  exclusively  ta 
supplying  the  wholesale  trade  of  the  firm.  In  i860,  being  desirous  of  en- 
larging their  business,  the  propnetors  bought  the  lower  mill,  a  building  43 
by  60  feet,  which  is  now  furnished  with  three  run  of  stone,  has  a  capatits 
of  six  hundred  bushels  per  day,  and  is  used  for  custom-work.  The  firm 
also  produces  and  deals  largeU  in  plaster  and  lumber. 

The  Mohawk  River  Bank  commenced  its  business  career  October  I3tti. 
1856.  with  a  capital  of  $100,000.  Its  ofiicers  were,  Daniel  Spraker,  prt-si- 
dent;  John  Bowdish.  vice-president;  Earl  S.  Gillett,  cashier;  and  Horat  e 
Van  Evera.  teller.  It  became  the  National  Mohawk  River  Bank  |ime 
5th.  1865.  with  its  cajtital  and  otficini  management  unchanged;  and  lhe\ 
stilt  remain  the  same  as  when  it  commenced  business  in  1856.  There  ha^- 
been  \ery  few  changes  in  the  board  of  directors.  The  banking  house  is  .1 
nice  brick  edifice,  a  few  rods  from  the  railroad  depot,  built  in  1856  for  tlu- 
[jurjioses  of  the  bank.  This  bank  has  the  rc[)utation  of  being  one  oi 
the  most  carefully  managed  institutions  of  the  kind  in  this  part  of  the 
State. 

.One  of  the  first  merchants  was  C.en.  Dodge,  who  was  in  business  her-.- 
about  1790.  The  first  drug  store  was  kept  by  N.  Webster  about  184-'- 
Mclntyre  &  Brings  now  carry  on  the  business  on  Main  street. 

The  mercantile  business  of  I.  M.  Davis  is  one  of  long  standing.  He 
began  in  1844  as  a  clerk.  In  the  next  year  he  formed  a  partnership  wiili 
his  father,  \mder  the  firm  name  of  M.  O.  Davis  A:  Son.  The  father  retir- 
ing in  1S49,  the  son  carried  on  the  business  alone  for  a  year,  when  he  took 
a  Mr,  Teller  as  junior  p.irtner.  who  remained  with  him  until  1855.  Mr 
Davis  then  went  into  the  hardware  business,  and  continued  it  alone  until 
1861,  from  whu  h  time  he  had  a  partner  until  1867.  Since  then  he  h'^ 
carried  on  a  general  mercantile  business,  and  is  one  of  the  most  success!  d 
business  men  of  the  (  ounty,  H.  I,.  Ji:  J.  (i.  Sizer.  Main  street,  and  two  •"■ 
three  other  establishments  arc  also  in  the  dry  goods  trade,  ami  there  ""' 
two  clothing  stores, 

(;.  F  Putnian.  of  I'uiman  \  Son,  carriage  makers.  Mam  street,  was  b-m 
at    Tribes  Hill  in  1823.     He  came  to  Fonda  in   1840.  an<I  has  been  suc<  cs- 


j,  3        ;      -I         '  ''r"'  . 

i'i     P.I     p51' 


i   ''l^l-^-^^r'.-l 


■f^i'^it'^    —       °^°A  HOTEL       '=-■=■'' ;~i  f^'v       -4  3t-',y:i;' K'-,'^/" 


■■  r; .  -^^^  '^  -•  ift-%v'i.  i^  "- 


•V      -J*     -,.-■..■• 


'li-  :\S  .jr'Ji'hV^ 


I     ■ 

I; 


-■■''■'^'^illfi^MiiJ-'^-i-^iuiL-rj-iAiiiali^-jrs 


RES. OF    JOHN    I.DAVIS,      TOWN    OT    MOHAWK    MONTGOMERY    CO    N.Y. 


FONDA  BUSINESS  HOUSES. 


14S 


■  three 


11,  Cush- 
wo  other 


t  iltv  engaged  in  his  preaenl  business  ever  since.     There  ari 
.ithcf  carriage  factories  and  blacksmith  shops  in  the  village. 

(leorge  lones  is  a  dealer  in  groceries,  oysters  and  clams. 
f,c\  is  in  the  same  business;  both  on  Main  street.  There 
I  rms  in  the  same  line. 

Konda  is  well  provided  with  hotels.  The  Fonda  Hotel  is  the  most  con- 
-j.icuous  building  in  the  village.  It  is  about  125  by  55  feet  and  three 
«ri<ri€s  high,  with  an  imposing  colonnade  at  either  end.  It  and  the  court- 
h.iuse  are  represented  by  a  wood-cut  in  Barber  &  Howe's  Historical  Col- 
tcttions  as  Ihey  appeared  in  1841,  with  a  single  railroad  track  running 
I<-tween  them.  The  Johnson  House,  three  stories  high,  with  thirty-five 
.  teals'  rooms  and  with  a  livery  stable  attached,  was  bought  and  fitted  uj) 
a>  a  hotel  by  its  present  proprietor,  D.  U'.  C,  Johnson,  in  1S70.  The  Caya- 
(i^tta  Hotel,  S.  Vrooman  proprietor,  should  also  be  mentioned.  These 
h.'uscs  are  also  on  Mam  street.  Two  or  three  more  might  be  mentioned. 
Ijmes  Kisher  and  two  others  keep  restaurants,  J.  S.  Teltis  is  a  wholesale 
Jcaler  in  Taylor  Oi:  Sons'  Albany  ales;  business  established  in  1852. 


Cider  and  vinegar  are  manufactured  by  B.  H.  Vrooman,  who  is  also  an 
ice  dealer,  and  by  Benjamin  S.  Martin;  the  business  of  the  latter,  wholesale 

and  retail,  was  established  in  1866. 

The  first  insur 
who  still  continu 

There  are  two  justices  of  the 
court-house. 

P.  Colgrove,   Main  street,  i 


ce  office  in  Fonda  was  opened  in  1862  by  A.  H.  Burtch 
it. 

Peter  A.  Graff  has  his  office  in  the 

nanufacturer  of  and  dealer  in  hame-»% 


■  peac 


lips, 


the  Fonda  Marble  Works,  Main  street, 
s  have  the   usua'  representations  in  the 


Henry  Siver  is  the  propneto 

The  legal  and  medical  profe 
village. 

Among  business  establishments  not  above  enumerated,  are  a  bakery,  a 
lumber-yard,  a  flour  and  feed,  two  hardware,  a  furniture,  a  boot  and  shoe, 
and  two  fruit  stores,  four  paint  shops,  an  express  office  American  ,  and  a 
l)hotograph  gallery. 


144 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


THE    SAMMONS    FAMILY. 


KkOlHlNliHAM. 


Ib  contemplating  the  hisilory  of  Montgomery  county,  one  cannot  but  oli- 
senre  the  prominence  held  by  sonic  of  its  ancient  houses,  among  which 
nientioD  may  be  made  of  the  n.ime  of  Sammons,  The  pioneer  of  the 
family,  Sampson  Sammons,  was  born  in  Greenwich  (now  a  part  of  the  city 
of  New  York  ,  December  4.  1722.  The  family  afterward  moved  to  Ulster 
county,  where  he  married  Rachel  Schoonmaker,  who  was  four  years  his 
junior.  In  1769  Sampson  Sammons  moved  to  Montgomery  then  Tryon 
county,  and  no  doubt  his  education  and  opportunities  of  mingbng  with  the 
more  cultivated  portion  of  the  colony  gave  him  at  once  a  marked  distinc- 
tion. 

We  learn  from  Stone's  life  of  Brant  that  Sampson  Sammons  was,  during 
the  early  part  of  the  Revolution,  one  of  the  famous  Tryon  county  commit- 
tee, which  controlled  the  military  operations  of  Central  New  York.  Stone 
also  mentions  that  he  was  the  first  man  west  of  the  Hudson  ri\er  at  whom 
a  sliot  wa-s  fired  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle.  The  occasion  was  the  at- 
tempt to  capture  .\le.\ander  White,  the  tory  sheriff,  which  is  elsewhere  de- 
scribed. Sampson  .Sammons  was  at  that  time  in  his  fifty-third  year,  and 
was  therefore  legally  exempt  from  military  duty.  The  privilege,  however, 
was  B-aived  by  h'.m  and  many  other  patriots,  and  a  company  of  e.xempts 
was  formed,  of  which  Jelles  Konda  was  captain  and  Sampson  Sammons 
lieutenant.  The  duty  of  this  force  was  to  serve  as  a  home-guard,  in  order 
to  protect  both  age  and  infancy,  and  to  secure  the  wives  and  mothers  from 
the  danger  of  a  tory  or  a  savage  foe.  Incursions  of  such  a  character  were  of 
frequent  occurrence,  and  whenever  the  sentinels  or  scouts  gave  the  alarm 
of  an  approaching  enemy,  the  women  and  children  would  be  compelled  to 
flee  from  their  homes  to  some  place  of  safety.  The  latter  might  he  a 
church,  a  block-house,  or  a  fort,  but  at  all  such  places  of  retreat,  the  vet- 
eran corps  of  exempts  afforded  them  protection. 

Not  only  the  historian  Stone,  but  also  Lossing  makes  reference  to  the 
prominent  position  occupied  by  Sampson  Sammons,  and  the  last  mentioned 
of  these  writers  in  his  "  Field  Kook  "  mentions  that  in  1780  he  Sammons) 
was  taken  prisoner  by  the  enemy,  together  with  three  of  his  sons.  Hi^ 
proiwrty  was  destroyed,  his  buildings  burned,  and  his  wife  and  daughters 
left  in  extreme  distress,  being  destitute  even  of  the  most  needfid  c  loth- 
ing.  Such  was  the  character  of  the  Ijorder  warfare  in  the  valley  of  the 
.Mohawk. 

Holh  of  the  above  mentioned  historians  refer  to  the  interview  held  be- 
tween Sampson  Sammons  and  .Sir  John  Johnson,  and  also  the  speech  made 
by  the  former,  and  his  release  from  a  prisoner's  fate.  This  took  place  at 
Johnstown,  but  the  gratification  of  release  was  turned  to  agony  by  the  sight 
of  two  son>  marched  to  Canada  to  suffer  all  the  hardships  of  captivity. 
These  sons  were  jai  ob  and  Frederii  k.  the  latter  being  subjerted  to  severe 
and  .llrocious  .  ruelty.  He  was,  indeed,  lamed  for  life  bv  the  injuries  re- 
ceived while  a  prisoner. 

Jacob  Sammons  left  a  narr.itive  of  his  sulferrngs,  wliii  h  is  of  a  harrowing 
character.  In  this  narrative  he  also  alludos  to  his  servi.  es  in  the  Oriskan> 
campaign,  from  which  it  ajijiears  that  he  fireil  the  last  shot  in  that  famous 
and  bloody  field.  The  following  cxtr.ict  is  given  in  its  original  simplicity. 
and  notwithstanding  its  defects  it  is  ?  creditable  composition  for  the  times: 

••  r  was  in  W  hat  is  Called  Cencral  Herkimer's  Rattle  or  Oriskeny  Battle 
about  four  miles  from  fort  Stanwix  went  in  with  about  900  men.  This 
time  I  went  as  a  Volantear.  I  suppose  as  Bloody  a  battle  as  has  been 
Fought  During  our  Contest  the  F;nemy  being  greatly  Superior  to  us  in 
number  iV  Commanded  by  C.ener.il  Sent  legor.  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Col 
Bullor.  We  Fought  them  fr.mi  about  nine  in  the  morumg  till  3  in  the 
afternoon.  When  our  people  W  s  gone  F^vicpt  a  Few  with  the  wounded 
and  we  was  Fixing  a  Hl.inket  on  two  sticks  10  carry  hnii  off  which  was  all 


the  way  we  Could  Contrive  and  left  some  on  the  field  of  Battle  that  was 
not  dead  as  we  had  not  men  to  carry  them  all.  I  saw  3  Indians  Come  to 
us  &  it  appeared  they  took  us  for  their  peoiile.  I  S:  two  others  shot  them 
all  A:  it  happened  that  I  Fired  the  last  gun.  Ciineral  Harkimerdicd  of  his 
wound  after  he  got  home.  We  lost  many  of  the  (best)  men  in  the  County 
our  Provision  being  all  taking  by  the  F^nemy.  .^s  we  went  home  I  saw  a 
man  with  his  Troath  cut  laying  with  his  head  on  his  pack.  I  took  his  pack 
iS;  found  a  loaf  of  bread  41:  about  Five  pounds  of  pork  which  tasted  ver\ 
sweet  to  me  and  my  comrades," 

.\fter  the  Johnson  raid  was  over,  Sampson  Sammons  was  lessee  and 
occupant  of  Johnson  Hall,  under  the  Committee  of  Sequestration,  at  an 
annual  rent  of  three  hundred  pounds.  He  entertained  at  the  "  Hall  "  the 
council  whose  .session  w.as  held  at  that  place  March  9,  1779.  Its  members 
were  composed  of  'V,  P.  Douw,  James  Duane,  General  Schuyler,  and  also 
La  Fayette,  and  it  formed  a  very  remarkable  body  of  earnest  and  devoted 
patriotism.  It  may  be  also  added  that  among  the  purchases  which  Samp- 
son Sammons  made  at  this  time,  was  the  slave  William,  who  had  assisted 
in  burying  Sir  John's  plate.  The  same  slave  aided  in  finding  the  buried 
treasure  in  T7S0.  when  it  was  brought  out  of  its  place  of  concealment  and 
restored  to  its  former  owner.  This  fact  is  also  mentioned  by  both  i-ossini. 
and  Stone.  William  remained  in  the  service  of  his  new  master  until  the 
estate  was  sold  by  the  Committee  of  Sequestration.  It  may  be  added,  thai 
Sampson  Sammons  had  seven  daughters,  all  of  whom  married  men  who 
had  served  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  such  being  their  father's  special 
refjuest. 

Stone  mentions  that  Jacob,  son  of  Sampson  Sammons,  received  the  first 
wounds  inflicted  in  Tryon  county  during  the  Revolution,  and  these  scars 
bore  testimony  of  his  service.  This  Jacob,  and  also  his  father,  were  in 
the  battle  of  Oriskany,  where  the  former  had  a  lieutenant's  commission,  to 
which  he  did  honor  i)y  his  gallantry.  This  has  been  frequently  mentioned 
in  the  histories  of  the  war,  and  needs  no  further  reference  here,  Fredern  k, 
the  second  son,  was  born  in  Ulster  county,  July  4,  1760,  He  came  to  the 
.Mohawk  valley  with  his  father,  and  was  an  officer  in  the  army  of  the  Rev  ■ 
olution.  He  was  taken  by  the  enemy,  as  has  been  mentioned,  .tnd  his  sui 
ferings  during  this  captivity  are  referred  to  by  Stone  as  of  an  extraordin.irv 
character.  He  was  a  witness  of  the  bloody  scenes  in  Sir  John  Johnson's 
raid  in  17S0,  and  s.aw  old  Douw  Fonda  butchered  in  cold  blood,  a  tragedv 
which  was  vivid  in  his  memory  until  the  last.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
State  Legislature,  and  was  also  a  Presidential  elector  in  iX?!'), 

.\s  a  recognition  of  the  great  losses  and  extraordinary  sullenng  endiir.  .1 
by  Frederick  Sammons,  as  well  as  his  great  services,  the  Slate  of  New 
York  by  legislative  enactment  grantc.l  him  a  special  pension  if  one  hun- 
dred dollars  a  year.  He  also  received  under  the  act  of  Congress  an  olti- 
cer's  pension  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  dollars,  to  vvhu  h  was  added  nni 
hundred  dollars  a  year  as  the  pcnsmn  of  in  invalid  soldier  He  Miilcrc.l 
to  the  last  from  the  injuries  received  v\hilc  .1  pnscincr,  lor  one  .•!  his  l.u- 
had  been  worn  to  the  bone  by  a  1  li.iin.  .ind  the  knee  jcunl  was  |.eriii.ii' 
ently  stiffened  and  thus  rendered  useless  Sui  h  were  the  cruellies  some 
times  endured  by  the  patriots  of  that  trying  time, 

Frederii  k  Sammons  had  two  sons  and  ten  daughters.  His  eldest  s..n. 
Jacob,  was  lieutenant  in  the  war  of  181;,  and  signali7ed  hiinsell  in  the 
storming  of  a  battery  at  (Jueenstown  Heights,  Oi  tober  13th  of  the  same 
year,  under  command  of  Captain — afterward  General — Wool,  I'his  fa<  t  is 
also  mentioned  by  Stone  in  his  history. 

Thom.is,  the  youngest  son.  held  several  military  cnmmissions  under  v.m 
oils  governors  of  the  State  of  New  N'ork.  and  was  also  a  member  ot  ihe 
"council  of  appointment."  a  feature  in  our  government   which   wielded  .1 


</ 


4 
■'f 

i  i 

1  5 


COL.  SIMEON   SAMMONS. 


Fles.of  $OL.$IMEON:SAMIVION5,TownofMohawk,Montgomery  Co.,NI.Y., 


=^'- 


COLONEL  SIMEON  SALMONS— POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY  SERVICES. 


145 


,. 1*1  importance.  He  rcprc-cnied  the  district  in  Congress  from  1803  till 
,So;,  and  «as  again  elected  in  i8og  and  iSii  His  congressional  services 
icrrainated  in  1S13.  and  sixty  four  years  afterwards  his  grandson,  Commo- 
Jiire  lohn  H    Starin,  took  his  seat  as  representative  of  the  same  district. 

Thomas  Sammons  »as  also  honored  by  other  marks  of  public  confidence 
jiiil  honor.      He  died  Nov.  jo,  iSjS 

The  homestead  of  this  distinguished  family  is  the  farm  now  occupied  by 
<"ol-  Simeon  Sammons.  Here  his  grandfather  settled  prior  to  the  Revolution, 
jod  the  family  burial  ground  now  contains  the  remains  of  four  generations. 
>jmpson  Sammons,  the  veter.in  pioneer,  died  October  17,  1795,  being  then 
^venty-four.  His  son  Thomas  died  Nov.  20.  i8j8,  and  was  buried  in  the 
-ame  spot,  his  age  being  seventy  six.  Frederick  Sammons,  whose  suffer- 
in"«  had  been  of  so  intense  a  nature  while  a  prisoner,  lived  to  see  his 
,eventv-eighth  year.  He  died  .May  2;,  1S3S,  and  found  a  grave  in  the 
»ame  place  of  sacred  repose. 

When  Sampson  Sammons  saw  the  return  of  jieace  and  assumed  the  duties 
..f  civil  life,  he  probably  little  dreamed  that  his  descendants  would  be  called 
:ii  a  bloody  conflict  in  their  country  s  defence.  This,  however,  occurred 
in  the  second,  the  third  and  the  fourth  generations  Reference  has  already 
ireen  made  to  hi-  son  Jacob,  and  also  grandson  of  the  same  name,  who 
iiiught  at  Quecnstown.  and  it  may  be  also  added  that  fourteen  of  his  de- 
.-  endants   bore    arms    under  the    L'nion   flag    during    the    late  rebcUion. 

\mong  these  stancis  prominently  the  n.-ime  of  Colonel  Simeon  Sammons. 
whose  father  ('i'homas.  was  so  long  honored  with  the  congressional  seat  of 
ihis  district.  'The  latter  had  seven  sons.  One  of  these  who  bore  his  father's 
name'  had  five  sons  in  the  Union  service,  one  of  whom  .\dam  was  among 
ihc  victims  of  the  war.  .\nother  William  had  two  sons  and  a  son-in-law 
in  the  same  service.  .Another  Frederick  also,  had  two  sons  in  the  service, 
i.ne  of  whom  William  was  also  a  victim,  while  Stephen,  another  son,  held 
ihe  rank  of  major  in  the  153rd  regiment 


COLONF-I,   SI.MEON   S.iMMONS. 

The  history  of  Montgomery  county  would  be  incomplete  without  a  brief 
reference  to  those  of  its  sons  w-ho  maintained  its  honor  during  the  recent 
<-i*-ilwar.  Chief  among  these  is  the  name  of  colonel  Sammons,  whose  posi- 
i#on  called  him  to  a  dangerous  service,  from  whose  effect  he  will  never 
fully  recover.  'The  colonel  is  the  son  of  Thomas  Sammons,  'who 
noarried  Mary  Wood,  and  established  his  home  on  the  ancestral 
tarm,  which  the  colonel  still  occufues.  The  latter  had  a  patriotic  ancestry 
in  lioth  parents,  since  his  mother  was  the  daughter  of  William  Wood,  a 
soldier  of  the  kevoUition,  while  her  brother,  Simeon  Wood,  served  under 
the  national  flag  throughout  the  war  of  1812 

The  colonel  was  born  May  2^.  iSii,  his  father  being  at  that  time  in  Con- 
■.;ress.  His  education.il  opportunities  were  limited  to  the  meagre  routine 
"f  the  district  school,  but  on  reaching  fourteen  he  was  fa\ored  with  a  vear 
.ind  a  half  at  the  Johnstown  academy.     While  attending  this  institution  he 

•  »f«cn  viewed  with  deep  interest  the  old  ta\ern  where  his  grandf.nther, 
Sanjpson  Sammtms.  was  fired  at  by  Sheriff  White,  as  has  been  mentioned 
••n   another  page.     'This  tavern   stood   near  the    corner   of    William    and 

•  Imton  streets,  but  has  since  been  demolishcii.  It  was  one  of  the  most 
tnurrcsting  buildings  in  Johnstown.  .After  these  brief  advant.nges.  the  sub- 
lect  of  this  notice  applied  himself  to  the  homestead  farm,  and  this  has  been 
his  stibseqiient  occupation  when  not  engaged  in    ]>ubli(  service. 

The  war  traditions  of  his  ancestors  naturallv  aroused  a  nii!itar\  spirit. 
which  led  him,  at  the  early  age  of  eighteen,  to  attejjt  an  ensign's  coniinis- 
MOB  in  the  37th  regiment,  nth  brig.ade,  14th  division.  \.\  .  inf.intry 
Tills  was  issued  by  Oovcrnor  'Throop,  March  3d,  1829,  and  was  follow- 
ed by  rapid  promotion.  'The  ensign  soon  bec.ime  lieutenant,  and  then  was 
■nadc  captain,     (lovernor  Marcy.  on  the  23d  of  .\ugust.  1S37,  gave  him  the 

•  •»mmisMon  of  major,  and  before  the  e\pir.ifion  of  a  year  he  was  made 
iieutenant-i-olonel.  ('io\emor  Seward  eventiiallv  commissioned  Simeon 
Sammons  colonel  of  that  regiment  whiih  he  had  entered  as  ensign, 
•cJonel  Sammons  had  become  dissatisfied  with  the  old-fashioned  general 
traiaing.  which,  as  he  very  <  Icarly  perceived,  1  ould  never  produce  disci- 
plined troops.  Convinced  that  the  system  was  a  failure,  he  called  a  meeting 
"f  the  officers  of   the  regiment,  to  <  onsiiler  the  propriety  of  its  abolition. 

Iliii  was  held  in  Johnstown  in  1S41.  and  soon  afterw.inl  tlie  officers  of  the 
I'rijjade  were  called  together  for  the  sjiiu-  |.inpn>e  The  spirit  of  reform 
led   to  a  still   more   important    meeting,  whn  h   w.is  luld  the  next  year  at 


.\lbany,  and  included  the  military  officers  of  the  State.  The  matter  was 
thoroughly  discussed,  and  Colonel  Sammons'  views  were  so  convincing 
that  the  old-fashioned  system  was  soon  afterward  abolished.  Having  ef- 
fected these  reforms,  the  Colonel  felt  the  claims  of  other  duties,  and  there- 
fore asked  to  be  relieved.  His  resignation  was  sent  in,  but  the  reply  was 
a  refusal  to  accept  it,  in  which  Adjutant-C.encral  Niven  wrote  .is  fol- 
lows :  "  1  regret  that  the  rules  of  this  department  and  the  interest  of  the 
troops  under  your  command,  make  it  t',\/t-</ifn/,  if  not  necessary,  that  your 
resignation  should  not  be  accepted  at  present.  I  hope  you  will  consider, 
my  dear  Colonel,  that  I  am  acting  under  a  solemn  official  oath,  and  that  I 
cannot  grant  your  rec]uest,  I  trust  you  will  feel  patriotic  enough  to  be 
satisfied  with  this  decision." 

Colonel  Sammons,  though  personally  attending  to  his  farm,  was  frc- 
'[uentlv  tailed  to  public  service.  For  several  years  his  fellow  townsmen 
made  him  supervisor  ;  he  was  also  frequently  president  of  the  Montgomery 
County  .Agricultural  Society,  to  which  were  added  those  d.ities  inseparable 
from  a  natural  love  of  politics — which,  indeed,  is  a  trait  in  the  family.  He 
was  for  some  years  chairman  of  the  Montgomery  County  Democratic  Com- 
mittee, and  also  a  freijuent  delegate  to  both  county  and  State  conventions. 
\Vhen  the  L'nion  National  Convention  was  held  in  Philadeljihia,  Col.  Sam- 
mons was  one  of  its  most  earnest  members,  and  he  also  was  a  delegate  to 
the  National  Convention  held  in  New  York  in  1868.  Three  years  pre- 
viouslv  he  represented  Montgomery  county  in  the  State  Legislature,  and 
among  his  measures  was  the  free  bridge  across  the  .Mohawk  at  Fonda. 
This  has  been  a  great  public  benefit.  In  1870  the  colonel  was  calleil  to  a 
new  position,  being  made  harbor-master  of  New  York,  whose  duties,  so 
often  perplexing  and  laborious,  he  [terformed  successfully  for  two  years. 

We  have  thus  taken  a  general  view  of  the  colonel's  public  life,  but  his 
war  record  also  claims  attention.  When  the  rebellion  so  fearfully  threat- 
ened the  existence  of  the  Cnion,  he  tendered  his  services  under  the  federal 
flag,  and  was,  in  fact,  one  of  the  chief  representatives  of  the  war  movement 
in  this  district.  Hence,  when  a  regiment  was  recruited,  he  was  generally 
mentioned  as  its  apjiropi-iale  commander.  In  obedience  to  public  senti- 
ment. Governor  Morgan,  on  July  9,  1862,  sent  him  a  colonel's  commission, 
with  orders  to  establish  a  camji  at  Fonda.  The  notices  for  proposals  for 
lumber  were  issued  next  day,  and  by  noon  the  bids  were  ojiened  and  the 
contract  finished.  Before  the  sun  went  down  thirty  men  were  engaged  in 
the  construction  of  barracks.  The  next  morning  .Adjutant  'Thomas  K. 
Horton.  Quarter-master  Martin  McMartin  and  Surgeon  Hiram  H.  Ingerson 
were  in  quarters  at  cam]),  and  were  engaged  in  examining  and  enlisting 
men,  and  also  furnishing  supplies.  Through  the  unwearied  industry  of 
these  officers,  and  the  additional  aid  of  the  war  committee  of  the  district, 
a  rapid  jirogress  was  made.  By  the  28th  of  .August,  not  only  a  full  regi- 
ment had  been  enlisted  and  mustered  into  the  national  service,  but  also  a 
inilitarv  force  was  left  in  camp  as  the  basis  of  an  additional  regiment.  No 
time  was  lost  in  marching  for  the  seat  of  war.  ()n  the  29th  of  .August  the 
115th  Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  Sammons,  was  under  way.  It 
was  a  dav  of  intense  excitement,  and  many  a  sad  regret  pierced  the  hearts 
of  parting  friends  as  the  noble  bodv  of  men  moved  forward  to  the  defense 
of  the  Union. 

Having  arrived  at  Washington.  Colonel  Sammons'  regiment  vv.is  hurried 
into  service,  being  ordered  to  relieve  troops  whose  time  had  just  expired. 
Of  the  events  th.it  immedi.itely  followed  we  have  not  time  to  speak  in  that 
detail  which  is  necessary  to  a  clear  explanation  of  results.  'The  115th  w.is 
brought  into  hard  duty,  with  incessant  exjiosurc  to  fire  Or.  Sutton,  its 
surgeon,  wrote  as  follows  :  "  In  thirty  days  the  115th  Regiment  have  sle|it 
on  their  arms  ten  nights,  under  the  open  heaven  sixteen,  six  niglits  in  the 
cars  and  six  in  tents  for  three  days  oiir  command  of  1.022  men  per- 
formed picket  duty  on  twenty-one  miles  of  railroad,  had  four  or  five  skir- 
mishes with  rebel  cavalry,  fought  one  day  behind  breast-works,  endured  a 
siege  of  four  days,  our  fo<Kl  being  salt  pork,  and  finally  surendered  to 
Stonewall  J.ickson,  anil  were  paroled.  1'hey  have  man  hed  1,500  miles  in 
thirty  days,  with  the  loss  of  but  one  man.  .\rmy  officers  who  have  been  in 
the  service  for  years  tell  me  that  they  have  never  known  as  much  endured 
by  any  regiment  in  the  same  time." 

'  The  surrender  referred  to.  was  asc  ribed  to  the  c  owardic  e  or  Ircac  hery  of 
C.ener.ll  Miles,  who  scon  afterward  met  his  doom,  being  slain  by  a  southern 
shot.  The  Marvlancl  Heights  could  h.ive  been  hcM,  ,ind  Colonel  .Sammon, 
was  indignant  at  the  base  condiii  t  of  one  who  was  in  superior  command 
The  regiment,  however,  saved  its  fl.ig,  and  its  honor  remained  untarnished. 
It  can  still  remember   .Marvland   Mculils  as  .1  place  where  they  were  rc.icly 


IS 


146 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


for  Still  greater  sacrifice,  hut  the  privilege  was  lienied  them.  Had  Colonel 
Sammons  hecn  in  the  place  of  Miles,  the  result  would  ha\c  heen   ditfereni 

The  colonel,  however,  was  determined  that  his  regiment  should  have 
another  opportunity  of  showing  its  devotion  to  the  L'nion.  Thisotcurred 
al  Olustec,  in  Florida,  February  20,  1864,  where  tieneral  Seymour,  with 
5,000  Union  troops  held  a  field  engagement  with  a  Confederate  force  out- 
numering  them  more  than  three  to  one.  Prior  to  the  Florida  <  ainpaign. 
the  115th  had  been  encamped  at  Heaufort,  where  its  members  made  their 
colonel  a  present  of  a  fine  war  horse,  fully  e<|uipped  with  saddle,  bridle. 
holsters,  pistols,  and  thus  ready  for  the  field.  This  testimonial  expressed 
the  regiment's  admiration  for  its  commander,  and  the  i)resenlation  was 
made  in  presence  of  the  full  brigade  in  the  autumn  of  1S63.  I'he  address 
was  made  by  private  Millan,  and  was  so  highly  suitable  to  the  iKcasion. 
that  it  is  worthy  of  a  place  m  this  record. 

"Colonel;  In  behalf  of  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  of 
the  regiment,  I  have  the  honor  to  present  toyou  this  horse  and  equipments, 
as  a  slight  token  of  the  respect  we  bear  to  you.  as  a  mark  of  our  appre- 
ciation of  your  labors  in  our  behalf  when  pursued  by  secret  and  dangerous 
enemies,  involving  us,  as  we  feared,  in  inextricable  difficulties.  It  was  you. 
oiir  honored  colonel,  who  labored  day  and  night,  until  you  succeeded  in 
clearing  us  from  our  difficulties,  vindicating  our  honor  as  a  regiment,  es- 
tablishing our  innocence,  and  restoring  us  to  our  former  status  with  the 
war  department  and  the  army.  It  is  you  who  has  done  all  this,  notwith- 
standing your  immediate  assistants,  from  whom  you  was  justified  ..i  expect- 
ing more  aid  than  you  received,  have  one  by  one  left  us,  and.  indeed,  fur- 
nished but  poor  assistance  while  they  were  connected  with  us.  Ihey  arc 
remembered  by  us,  and  their  course  is  known  to  all.  You  have  remained 
with  us,  and  shared  our  troubles,  our  toil,  and  our  privations.  We  have 
been  associated  together  in  our  country's  service  for  a  period  of  fifteen 
months,  and  during  ail  that  time  we  have  found  you  a  kind  and  pleasing 
commander,  always  anxious  to  benefit  and  improve,  by  all  the  means  with- 
in your  power,  the  condition  of  the  men  of  your  command. 

It  is  for  these  things,  colonel,  as  well  as  others,  which  it  is  unnecessarv 
for  me  to  occupy  your  time  m  enumerating,  we  desire  you  to  accept  this 
slight  expression  of  confidence  in  you  as  our  commanding  officer  ;  not  for 
its  intrinsic  value,  but  as  a  voluntary  expression  of  our  appreciation  of  your 
labors  in  behalf  of  your  command.  And  as  you  accept  it.  colonel,  accept 
also  the  prayers  and  best  wishes  of  your  command,  that  in  whatever  con- 
dition, or  under  whatever  circumstances  you  ma\  hereafter  be  placed,  you 
may  derive  counsel  and  assistance  from  Him  who  ruleih  over  all.  Believe, 
at  the  same  time,  that  whenever  you  are  called  upon  to  lead  us,  we  will 
follow,  bearing  in  our  ranks  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  in  our  hearts  God  and 
our  countr)." 

To  return  to  Olustee:  The  action  began  in  the  afternoon  and  continued 
until  night  covered  the  bloody  scene.  Colonel  Sammons's  regiment  was 
posted  on  the  right,  and  bore  the  brunt  of  the  battle,  suffering  terribly  in 
both  killed  and  wounded.  General  Seymour  remarked  that  "  it  was  the 
best  regiment  he  ever  saw  under  fire."  One  of  the  principal  victims  of 
this  bloody  scene  was  Captain  Vanderveer,  whose  remains  were  brought 
home  to  ?"ultonviIle  and  Ipuricd  with  public  and  military  honors.  Captains 
Ballou,  French,  and  Isaac  Smith,  were  wounded;  while  Lieutenant-colonel 
Walrath  and  Captains  Kettle,  Kneeskern,  P.  Smith  and  William  Smith. 
were  hit,  but  escaped  severe  injury.  First  Lieutenant  James  H.  Clark 
was  also  among  the  wounded,  but  sur\ived,  and  on  his  return  wrote  the 
history  of  what  he  api)ropriately  called  the  "Iron  Hearted  Regiment." 
It  is  a  chronicle  of  which  every  man  on  its  roll  may  be  justly  proud.  It 
should  be  said,  in  this  connection,  that  on  his  return  Lieutenant  Clark  was 
presented  by  his  friends,  at  Clifton  Park,  with  a  handsome  sword 

Colonel  Sammons  was  in  the  most  exposed  part  of  the  action,  and 
being  mounted,  his  portly  form  offered  an  attractive  mark  to  the  sharp- 
shooters. Cnder  such  exposure  it  could  not  be  exjiected  that  he  should 
escape,  and  it  is  our  only  wonder  that  his  name  is  not  among  the  dead 
instead  of  the  wounded.  He  received  a  ball  in  the  foot  near  the  ancle, 
which  proved  along  and  jiainful  wound.  While  speaking  of  Olustee,  an 
extract  may  properly  be  made  from  a  letter  written  bv  General  Seymour  to 
General  Sjjrague,  of  the  rtgular  army:  "Colonel  Harion's  brigade,  made 
up  of  the  47th,  4Sth,  and  115  regiments,  bore  the  brunt  of  the  battle,  as- 
sisted by    the  7th  Conn.,  the  ist  N.    C,  8th  V.  S.  colored,  and   54th  Mass. 


This  brigaile  going  gallantly  into  line  under  a  fierce  fire,  maintained  their 
ground  without  biulging  an  inch — on  the  contrary  advan*  ing  on  sonic 
points  and  fort  ing  the  encm\  baik.  They  both  gave  and  received  such 
blows  as  have  not  often  occurred  during  the  war.  As  the  sun  went  down 
hearty  cheers  of  defiance  were  given.  The  bngade  went  into  action  iSoo 
strong,  and  S12  arc  reported  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  |)o  you  know 
any  better  fighting  than  that  ?  If  so,  tell  me  of  it,  for  I  never  saw  anything 
finer.  Colonel  Sammons  and  Colonel  Moore  are  both  hurt.  Colonel 
Sammons  behaved  like  one  of  the  heroes  of  old,  and  he  has  my  respeit 
fore\er.'" 

The  wound  whii  h  Colonel  Sammons  received  was  one  of  a  painful  nature, 
and  sixteen  days  elapsed  before  it  was  properly  dressed.  This  took  place 
in  New  York,  whither  he  had  been  brought  on  his  way  home.  He 
was  welcomed  at  the  Fimda  station  by  a  large  attendance  of  friends,  who, 
with  a  band  of  music,  escorted  him  to  his  residence.  The  case  rapidly 
improved  under  the  affectionate  care  of  the  home  circle,  and  though  the 
New  VoTk  surgeon  feared  the  worst  result,  the  colonel  recovered  in  a  man- 
ner that  exceeded  the  best  hopes  of  his  friends.  He  lost  no  time  in  re- 
turning to  the  field.  His  regiment  had  been  ordered  to  join  the  army  of 
the  James,  and  he  took  1  ommand  while  the  siege  of  Petersburgh  was  m 
operation.  Soon  after  his  return  the  explosion  of  Burnside's  mine  oc- 
curred, and  also  the  battle  of  Cemetery  Hill,  in  which  the  colonel  and  his 
regiment  bore  a  prominent  part.  He  was  again  wounded,  being  shot 
through  the  body,  but  fortunately,  the  bullet  did  not  prove  fatal.  He  was 
carried  with  other  sufferers  to  Fort  Monroe,  and  when  sufficiently  able  he 
returned  home  to  once  more  receive  the  ministrations  of  domestic  affec- 
tion. Unable  to  resume  field  duty,  but  being  sufficiently  recovered  to  at- 
tend to  public  business,  he  was  elected  to  represent  Montgomery  countv 
in  the  State  Legislature.  To  meet  this  demand  for  his  services  he  resigned 
hiscommission  in  the  army.  The  gallant  115th  still  continued  in  the  field 
and  fought  a  number  of  severe  battles,  in  which  it  suffered  heavy  loss,  but 
won  brilliant  renown.  It  was  mu.stered  out  of  .service  at  Raleigh,  lune 
17,  1865,  that  day  being  the  eightieth  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Fiunktr 
Hill.  More  than  a  month  before  this  took  place  the  following  address 
was  prepared  and  sent  to  the  colonel,  and  as  an  expression  of  military 
gratitude,  it  is  worthy  of  publication. 

"Camp  115  N.  Y.  V.,  R.^lku.h.  N.  C,  May  5.  1865. 

"The  enlisted  men  of  the  115th  Regiment.  N.  Y.  V..  to  Colonel  Simeon 
Sammons.  their  late  commander  : 

"Your  address  of  January  6th.  1S65,  to  this  command  having  been  recci\- 
ed.  and  read  by  us  with  gratitude  and  pleasure  for  your  kind  remembrance 
of  us,  and  manifest  interest  in  our  welfare,  we  embrace  the  present  as  a 
favorable  opportunity  for  expressing  to  you  our  sincere  thanks  for  the 
solicitude  with  which  you  have  ever  watched  over  our  interests.  In  vou 
we  recognise  our  champion  and  deliverer  from  thecloud  that  overhung  our 
early  history,  and  to  your  unceasing  efforts  we  owe  much  of  our  present 
prosperity.  In  the  camji,  liy  your  zealous  and  persevering  labors  you  de- 
veloped the  latent  talent  of  the  regiment  and  brought  it  to  a  high  standard 
of  military  efficiency,  .so  necessary  on  the  field  of  battle  ;  and  when  called 
upon  to  meet  the  foe,  you  ])roved  yourself  a  worthy  leader,  whom  we  were 
willing  to  follow,  proud  to  own.  and  were  honored  in  belonging  to  your 
command,  and  in  after  engagements  to  maintain  the  honor  of  "  Col.  Sam- 
mons's Regiment,"  was  our  highest  ambition,  ^'ou  will  ever  be  held  dear 
in  the  hearts  of  your  men,  as  a  commander,  a  leader  and  a  friend.  With 
many  kind  wishes  for  your  future  welfare  and  hapjiiness,  we  will  bid  vou 
adieu  for  the  present,  hoping  t.oon  to  meet  you  in  our  own  native  State,  t^ur 
mission,  for  which  you  and  we  ha\e  fought  and  bled,  accomplwhed. 
"  \'ery  truly  your  friends. 

"  THF    KNLISIF.D  MKN  Of    THF.    115th   N.   V.    \," 

Col.  Sammons's  record  after  the  close  of  the  war  has  been  briefly  gi\cn 
in  the  foregoing  pages.  To  this  it  may  be  said  in  our  closing  paragraph. 
that  since  retiring  from  public  life  he  has  made  agriculture  his  chief  pur- 
suit. His  homestead  is  on  the  farm  which  grandfather,  Sampson  Sam- 
mons, settled  more  than  a  «  entury  ago.  It  is  a  place  of  much  beauty,  and 
here  the  Colonel  is  glad  to  welcome  his  friends  at  any  time,  but  especially 
those  who  share(l  with  him  the  dangers  of  the  field  while  .serving  under  the 
stars  and  stripes. 


ii3^*^■"*■''i--.^'■''.'a<..^;^   ■    i-.-f-^'>' 


'^^'Z^ft- 


Res. of    ISAAC    M.DAVIS,  FONDA    Montgomery   Co. 


y.X;:^ 


—■>«iiii; 


*;^t,l:i>  .^_  jc- j_A:;  i;:  r^JjTSr^^- 


Res.of  Hon.  JAMES  S  HA  N  AH  AN,  TRIBF.S  HILL   Montgomery  Co, NY. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 


m 


JAMES  SHANAHAN 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  the  6th  of  February,  1S29,  in 
Ireland.  WTien  he  was  eight  years  of  age.  his  parents  emigrated  to 
-\merica  and  settled  at  Onondaga  Hill.  Onondaga  count},  N.  V.  In  1844 
they  emigrated  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Ann  Arbor, 
Voung  Shanahan  remained  on  the  farm  for  two  years,  when  he  started  to 
carve  out  his  career."  He  left  home  with  a  few  shillings  in  his  pocket,  and 
began  work  in  learning  the  trade  of  a  stone  cutter.  This  completed,  he 
assisted  his  oldest  brother,  who  was  an  extensive  contractor,  in  the  build- 
ing of  lock  50  on  the  Krie  Cinal  and  locks  9  and  10  on  the  Oswego  Canal. 
.\fter  the  completion  of  this  work,  he  went  to  Lanesborough  and  was  em- 
ployed in  the  construction  of  the  Sterucco  viaduct  on  the  Erie  Railroad. 
-Vfter  this,  he  formed  a  co-partnership  with  his  brother  and  two  others,  and 
built  the  ma.sonryof  the  first  sixteen  miles  of  the  Central  Railroad  between 
Syracuse  and  Roche>ier.  This  was  completed  in  1.S5.;.  In  the  followmg 
ye.ir,  he  and  his  brother  built  the  masonry  on  the  Clswego  Railroad.  In 
1.S54  he  was  engaged  in  building  locks  on  the  Sault  St.  Marie  Canal.  In 
the  following  year  he  came  to  Tribes  Hill,  N.  V..  and  assisted  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  combined  locks  at  \V'aterford.  In  1S59  he  was  selected 
by  the  Dorchester  Freestone  Comjiany  to  examine  their  quarry  property 
in  New  Brunswick,  with  a  \  iew  of  reporting  us  resnun  es.  I'nder  his  sug- 
gestion a  new  quarry  was  opened  in  tlie  f<.>ilo"mg  year,  the  company  was 
reorganized,  and  it  was  decided  to  give  full  charge  to  Mr.  Shanahan.  The 
result  was  highly  satisfactory,  for  during  that  \ear  fifty-four  hundred  tons 
of  stone  were  shipped  from  the  quarrie-,  some  of  which  went  into  the 
famous  dry  goods  store  of  H  K  Clatlm,  in  New  York  city.  The  net  profit 
to  the  company  that  year  w.i>  $.S,ooo.  this  being  the  first  year  that  the 
company  did  not  a^M-^s  itsi..lf  to  pay  lieficicm  le-.  In  1861  Mr.  Shanahan 
was  compelled  to  remain  at  h<inie.  ami  the  deh'  icni  y  to  the  i.oiiipan\-  was 
upwards  of  $6,000  His  return  was  demanded,  and  m  iS6:-,5  he  hail 
•^harge,  and  came  away  only  when  37  per  cent  discount  for  muney  com- 
pelled the  stoppage  of  the  work. 


MRb    J^MF'^  '5H\N\H  VN 

In  1864-5-6  he  was  engaged  in  the  construction  of  the  New  ^ 
tral  elevator  and  the  first,  or,  as  it  is  now  called,  "  the  old  bridg 
the  Hudson  at  Albany.  .After  the  completion  of  these  he  went  1 
the  Cohoes  dam,  a  structure  1,400  feet  long,  which  he  complel 
season. 

In  1868-9-70  Mr.  Shanahan  was  superintendent  of  Section  N. 
Erie  Canal.  In  the  fall  of  i.'i6S  he  was  the  Democratic  nominee 
her  of  .Assembly  for  Montgomery  county,  and  was  beaten  by  in. 
for  his  competitor.  The  following  >ear  he  was  rcnominateil  ir 
by  a  majority  of  6ir.  He  served  ii|)on  the  c.inal  coniiniitee.  ilu-  • 
on  public  printing,  and  the  suli-i  ommr.tee  of  the  whole.  Servin- 
when  corruiition  in  ofiii  e  wa-  llie  rule,  he  r.mie  out  nf  (jrtii  e  w.l 
upon  a  character  that  has  been  uniformly  good  throiiglinul  a  well- 
In  1S70  he  obtained  the  contract  for  furnishing  the  stone  f. 
bridge  .acro.ss  the  Hudson  at  .Mbany,  and  in  eighteen  months  17. 


'ork  (  . 

j«„rk 
■d  m  ..: 


yards  of  cut  stone  were  furnished  from   his    Tribes  Hill  .1 

larries,     .Vli.  i 

this  work  was  completed,  he  set  to  work  on  the  lieaiy  retain 

ng«.illsi,.i!. 

west  approach  of  the  old  l.riil,.;e  at  Albany.      1  Hiring  the  tini 

e  ih.Tl  llu-  n.  - 

double  tracks  for  the  Central  kiilroad  were  b.-m  ;  .•.nsiiu.  I 

d.  hel.inll  t! 

m.tsunry  between    Fort    I'lain   and    Fink's    llridge,   as   .i|s„ 

that    IkI"..-i 

.Schene.  t.idy  and  Albanv.  incl'uling  the  stone  tur  the   -.  lu  n 

e.  la.U  Iti.L' 

During   the   List    few   \,ars    he    has    Icilt   all    llie  misonry 

or  l!ic.  .-!.': 

division  of  the  Lenlral  n,ad. 

In   February.  i,S7.S,  lu-  was  appointed,  wuhoul   his  s,,li,  iia 

ion.  as  .i-si.- 

ant  superintendent  of  piililic  «..rks.  h.umg  the  ,  harge  nl   1 

le   v.si.rn  .! 

Msion  of  the  state  lanals. 

InOitober,  1S54,  he   married   the   only  daughter  of  Jan 

es    .in.l    111." 

Maloy,  of  Ann   .\rbor.   .\Iichi;;jn.     He  luimediaiely  .  ame  1 

,    rrib.s   11,11. 

where  he  h.as  sin.  e  reside.l.      Me  is  the  lather  of  eight .  hildre 

n.  alN.I  v,ho,M 

are  living. 

148 


THE  HISTOKY  OF  MONTGOMEKV  COUNTY. 


THE    VISSCHER     FAMILY. 


BV    WASHINtiTON    FROTHINGHAM. 


Those  who  traverbC  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Mohawk  cannot  but 
notice  that  noble  mansion  which  crowns  its  north  slope  near  the  Danos- 
cara  creek,  three  miles  east  of  Fondi  The  situation  is  picturesque,  but 
nature  has  been  highly  improved  by  art.  The  spacious  outhouses  indicate 
agricultural  pursuits,  while  the  residence,  by  its  elegance  of  architecture 
and  also  the  tasteful  arrangement  of  grounds,  ^^uggests  the  combined  union 
of  wealth  and  culture.  Such  is  the  Visscher  mansion,  which  is  now  occu- 
pied by  Mr.  Alfred  De  Gralf.  who  represents  the  fifth  generation  in  direct 
line  of  succession.  The  building  is  of  great  strength.  It  has  stood  nearly 
eighty  years,  but  has  been  recently  reconstructed  and  enlarge"  ind  hence 
its  beauty  is  due  in  no  small  degree  to  the  improvements  made  by  the  pres- 
ent proprietor.  Looking  back  on  the  history  of  this  time-honored  mansion, 
we  learn  that  the  ancestors  of  the  family  were  among  that  better  class  of 
emigrants  who,  in  so  many  instances,  marked  the  settlement  of  the  valley. 
They  came  from  Hoorne  Holland  ,  the  date  of  their  arrival  being  1649, 
and  their  new  home  being  Albany,  then  known  either  as  Beaver  Dam  or 
Fort  Orange.  Here  Harman  Frederick  Visscher  was  born  August  24, 
1701.  Thirty-eight  years  afterwards  he  married  Catherina  Brower,  whose 
father,  William  Brower,  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  Schenectady,  and  after 
eleven  years  of  married  life  in  Albany  he  sought  ?.  new  home  in  the  valley 
of  the  Mohawk.  In  this  he  was.  no  doubt,  influenced  by  the  example  of 
Henrj'  Hanson.  likewise  an  Albanian,  who  had  there  obtained  an  extensive 
patent.  He  purchased  a  thousand  acres  of  the  latter,  the  price  being  ^Soo, 
and  the  deed,  which  is  dated  January  31,  1750,  is  among  the  earliest  on 
record.  Harman  Frederick  Visscher  passed  twenty-two  years  in  this 
frontier  life,  and  his  death  occurred  while  the  colonial  troubles  were  threat- 
ening an  open  rupture.  His  age  was  seventy-three,  and  his  was  the  first 
grave  in  the  family  plot  in  the  rear  of  the  mansion.  Four  sons  and  three 
daughters  survived  him  and  shared  his  valuable  estate.  The  eldest  son, 
Frederick,  was  bom  in  Albany,  February  22,  1741,  being  precisely  nine 
years  younger  than  Washington.  He  was  also  nine  years  old  when  he 
removed  with  his  father  into  the  wilderness,  and  the  Revolution  found 
him  a  stout-hearted  young  man,  who  had  just  entered  his  thirty-fourth 
year.  Such  was  Col.  Frederick  Visscher  when  he  was  called  to  decide 
between  crown  and  country.  In  promptly  espousing  the  cause  of  liberty 
he  was  joined  by  his  brothers  John  and  Harman,  and  thus  a  strong  cen- 
tral point  was  established. 

It  is  not  to  be  forgotten  that  local  influences  were  powerfully  arraved  against 
such  a  policy.  His  next  neighbor  00  the  west  was  Col.  Butler, while  only  three 
miles  east  dwelt  Sir  John  Johnson,  in  the  stone  mansion  built  by  his  father. 
Guy  Johnson  and  Col.  Claus  Sir  William's  son-in-law  were  also  near  at 
hand,  and  hence  the  decision  made  by  the  Visschers  severed  them  from  old 
friends,  and  involved  not  only  present  danger  but  also  the  possible  confis- 
cation of  their  paternal  estate.  The  critical  point  occurred  at  a  meeting 
held  at  Tnbes  Hill,  where  the  colonists  as  was  then  customary  were  ad- 
dressed by  men  of  wealth  and  influence.  One  of  the  speakers  was  Col. 
Butler,  whose  position  as  justice  under  the  crown,  as  well  as  his  vastest.ite. 
gave  him  powerful  sway  over  the  community.  Having  every  indmement 
to  sustain  the  royal  cause,  he  labored  strenuously  to  enlist  popular  senti- 
ment in  its  favor.  Col.  Butler  had  on  this  occasion  a  large  and  import.int 
audience,  numbering  at  least  three  hundred  of  the  sulid  men  of  the  fron- 
tier, all  of  whom  were  anxious  for  a  peaceful  solution  of  the  difficulties. 
His  address  had  great  effect,  and  he  followed  it  by  proposing  an  immediate 
test  of  lovalty.  "The  audience,"  says  Simms,  "was  ranged  in  a  line,  .ind 
Butler  then  railed  on  all  who  were  determined  to  adhere  to  the  crown  to 
move  a  few  paces  forward,  while  sn<  h  as  might  favor  rchellion  -Ikp.iM 
remain  behind  "     The  result  was.  that  but  one  man  stood  fur  libertv.   that 


man  being  Frederick  Visscher.  Others,  however,  who  had  been  tempo- 
rarily influenced  by  the  orator,  afterward  changed  their  views,  and  some  of 
these  became  ardent  patriots.  The  Tribes  Hill  meeting  was  followed  by 
an  incessant  struggle  between  the  tory  faction,  on  the  on«  hand,  and  the 
patriots  on  the  other,  for  supremacy  in  the  courts  and  other  elements  of 
influence.  Xot  only  hot  words  but  deeds  of  violence  occurred,  until  Sir 
John  Johnson  determined  on  military  interference,  especially  to  prevent 
the  colonists  from  miUtia  training  and  other  preparation  for  conflict 
Frederick  Visscher  had  already  received  a  colonel's  commission  from  the 
Continental  Congress,  with  power  to  select  his  staff,  and  make  other 
arrangements  for  service.  In  this  regiment  his  brothers  held  each  an  im- 
portant office,  John  being  one  of  its  captains,  while  Harman  was  adjutant. 
The  roll  soon  contained  si.x  hundred  names,  which  in  that  day  was  a 
powerful  force,  and  which  Sir  John's  hostility  was  unable  to  disband. 

.Another  important  step  was  the  committee  of  safety,  in  which  Colonel 
Visscher  represented  the  Mohawk  district.  The  latter  abounded  in  ho-.tile 
elements,  and  this  rendered  his  supervision  a  difficult  and  dangerous 
duty.  A  very  trying  feature  in  the  latter  was  the  disposition  of  families 
which  claimed  to  be  neutral  and  yet  were  objects  of  suspicion.  At  the 
same  time,  the  enormous  estates  which  reverted  to  the  public  by  confisca- 
tion required  judicious  attention.  To  this  was  added  the  still  greater 
danger  threatened  by  the  large  and  well  equipped  army  which  Sir  John 
Johnson  had  then  under  his  command.  The  latter  had  fortified  the  Hall 
at  Johnstown  ,  which  he  held  until  May.  1776.  when  the  general  uprising 
compelled  him  to  retreat  to  Canada.  It  was  feared,  however,  that  he  might 
suddenly  return  and  fall  on  the  colonists  with  fire  and  sword.  These  fears 
increased  until  their  fulfillment  seemed  inevitable  ;  the  next  scene  in 
history  being  the  two-fold  invasion  which  marked  the  campaign  of  1777. 
St.  Leger  threatened  the  country  from  the  west,  while  Burgoyne  moved 
down  the  Hudson  with  the  finest  army  this  State  had  ever  beheld.  The 
former  intended  to  ravage  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  expected  to  jom 
Burgoyne  at  .\lbany,  and  thus  hold  the  mastery  of  navigation.  It  was  ihc 
most  critical  hour  the  cause  of  liberty  had  ever  witnessed.  Every  patriot 
was  summoned  to  duty,  and  the  call  for  sacrifice  was  not  in  vain.  An  ex- 
pedition for  the  relief  of  Fort  Stanwix  was  organized  under  command  "f 
General  Herkimer,  of  which  Colonel  Visscher's  regiment  formed  an  im- 
portant body.  The  colonel  was  then  in  his  thirty-sixth  year,  and  had  borne 
his  share  in  the  hard  experience  of  frontier  life,  but  a  scene  was  now  to 
open  before  him  of  whose  horrors  he  could  have  formed  no  previous  con- 
ception. On  the  6th  of  August,  1777,  Herkimer's  army  was  ambushed  .it 
Oriskany,  and  amid  the  savage  yell  of  the  Indian  and  the  volleys  of  an 
unseen  foe,  the  terrific  battle  was  begun.  Its  result  is  told  in  history,  ami 
it  need  hardly  be  mentioned  here  that  the  bloody  sacrifice  of  that 
day  saved  the  Mohawk  valley  from  general  slaughter  and  conflagrati<»n 
Colonel  Visscher's  men  were  in  charge  of  the  baggage,  a  post  of  special 
danger,  since  it  was  plunder  rather  than  blood  that  attracted  the  foe.  A 
fieri  e  assault  took  place,  and  some  of  his  men  fell  bai  k  under  the  murder 
ous  and  unexpected  fire.  Stone,  the  historian,  when  referring  to  iI'.j- 
famous  action  says:  "  Perhaps  no  body  of  men  were  as  ready  and  jn\- 
ious  to  do  their  duty  as  were  the  patriotic  members  of  Colonel  Vi— ■ 
cher's  regiment."  He  add-:  "  It  is  scarcely  to  be  wondered  at,  that  when 
they  saw  themselves  cut  off,  flanked  and  fired  upon  by  an  unseen  foe.  a'  ■ 
conifianied  by  the  most  hideous  yells,  they  were  panic-slricken  and  hen«  c 
failed  to  wheel  into  line." 

After  the  surrender  of  Biirgo\ne  the  Mohawk  valley  had  less  to  fear 
from  foreign  foes  than  from  those  sheltered  in  its  own  populattim- 
the  p'ofessed  neatrals  wh-^  so  oft..-n  harbored  British    spies.      At  thrs  unv 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 


U'J 


Colonel  Visscher  was,  according  to  Simms,  appointed  commissioner  for 
disposing  of  confiscated  property  in  Tryon  county.  Some  lime  afterward 
August  6,  1779  ,  he  was  elected  member  of  the  "Stale  convention  for 
appreciating  currency,  restraining  extortion,  regulating  prices  and  similar 
duties."  The  followmg  spring  1780)  proved  to  be  the  most  eventful  ever 
knoHTi  in  the  histor)-  of  the  Mohawk  valley.  Sir  John  Johnson  had  been 
bitterly  disappointed  in  his  expectation  in  regard  to  St.  Leger.  He  had. 
mdeed,  hoped  that  the  success  of  the  latter  would  have  enabled  him  to  re- 
visit the  baronial  hall  and  hang  his  trophies  on  its  walls;  and  now,  to  ob- 
tain a  revengeful  satisfaction,  he  planned  that  murderous  raid  which  filled 
the  Mohawk  valley  with  horror  and  left  a  wide  track  of  desolation.  His 
malignity  was  well  known,  and  the  fears  it  had  excited  were  eventually 
more  than  realized.  The  entire  frontier  was  ravaged,  and  the  Visscher 
family  was  a  prominent  object  of  bloody  revenge.  The  blow  was  struck 
in  the  most  sudden  manner.  Shortly  after  midnight,  on  the  morning  of 
the  2zd  of  May,  the  Visscher  mansion  was  assailed  by  a  combined  force 
of  the  Tory  and  Indian  foe.  The  inmates  consisted  of  the  colonel,  his 
mother,  his  sisters,  his  two  brothers  and  the  sen.ants.  who  were  subjected 
to  the  bloody  violence  of  more  than  a  hundred  enemies.  The  scene  which 
follows  was  one  too  deeply  imbued  with  horror  to  be  attempted  in  this 
brief  recital.  The  sisters  fled,  seeking  concealment  in  the  gorge  of  the 
Danoscara  creek,  while  the  mother,  feeble  with  age  and  crippled  by 
disease,  was  unable  to  move.  The  three  brothers.  John.  Harman  and  the 
colonel,  engaged  in  hand  to  hand  combat  in  defence  of  their  home  and 
mother,  but  were  oveq>owered.  The  two  first  were  murdered  and  scalped, 
and  the  latter  was  also  as  was  thought  among  the  slain.  He  was  scalped 
and  left  for  dead,  after  which  the  house  was  pillaged  and  then  fired — the 
enemy  departing  amid  the  blaze.  The  colonel  revived,  and  recovered 
sufficient  strength  not  only  to  escape  the  flames,  but  also  to  drag  away  the 
bloody  corpses  of  his  brothers.  His  mother  had  survived  the  savage  blow, 
and  he  was  able  to  carry  her  to  a  place  of  safety.  These  statements  in- 
dicate a  degree  of  nerve  which  almost  seems  incredible,  but  they  are 
among  the  facts  of  history.  Colonel  Visscher  afterward  found  shelter 
among  his  friends  in  Schenectady.  His  murdered  brothers  were  buried  in 
one  grave  near  their  father  in  the  family  cemeter\-,  and  Colonel  Visscher 
was  the  sole  male  sur\-ivor  of  the  line.  He  recovered  his  health  and  im- 
mediately resumed  active  service. 

The  raid  in  which  this  bloody  scene  occurred  extended  all  through  the 
frontier.  At  Caughnawaga  Douw  Fonda  was  one  of  the  victims.  His  house 
was  burned  and  he,  though  nearly  four-score,  was  murdered  and  scalped. 
Sampson  Sammons's  house  and  property  were  also  destroyed  and  his  sons 
taken  prisoners,  as  has  been  mentioned  in  our  sketch  of  that  family.  It 
may  be  appropriately  added  here  that  Jacob  Sammons,  who  was  one  of  the 
prisoners,  saw  the  scalps  of  the  Visschers  among  the  trophies  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  enemy.  This  he  mentions  in  his  record  of  those  horrors 
whose  memory  still  lingers  amid  the  beauty  of  the  Mohawk  valley.  This 
record  has  been  in  the  Sammons  family  for  many  years,  but  the  following 
extract  is  the  first  that  has  ever  been  put  in  print.  "I  was  brought."  says 
the  narrative,  "  to  a  fort  tailed  Chamblay  and  never  had  a  chance  of  making 
my  escape  as  I  was  always  tied  with  a  cord.  The  first  night  I  was  with 
them  I  saw  the  Indians  dress  the  three  scalps  of  Colonel  Visscher  and 


brothers.  They  put  them  in  a  small  hoop  and  dried  them  before  the  tirr 
and  painted  the  flesh  red.  The  enemy  told  us  thev  had  burnt  Cuionri 
Visscher  in  the  fire  of  his  own  house,  but  to  my  joy,  when  I  returned  tr..iii 
Canada  I  found  him  alive  m  Schenectady,  bearing  his  wound  where  the 
scalp  was  taken  off."  Jacob  Sammons's  narrative  is  written  in  a  dear  lund 
and  is  a  document  of  thrilling  nature.  His  special  interest  in  Culund  Vi>-. 
cher  arose  from  the  fact  that  they  had  both  served  at  Oriskanv  and  were 
united  by  the  strong  friendship  of  the  camp.  To  return  to  Colonel  \'i>- 
cher — he  was  immediately  promoted  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general,  and 
in  the  reorganization  of  the  judiciary  was  appointed  first  judge  of  tlie 
Montgomery  county  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  an  office  which  he  held  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  June,  1782,  when  Washington  made  a  to-ij- 
through  this  portion  of  the  country,  an  elegant  entertainment  was  given 
him  in  Schenectady,  on  which  occasion  he  placed  Colonel  Vissther  at  h\■^ 
right  hand  in  honor  of  distinguished  services.  This  was  a  recognition  nt 
that  high  respect  generally  accorded  one  who  had  thus  suffered  in  the  pa- 
triot cause.  Colonel  Visscher  bore  till  the  last  the  broad  scar  left  on  hi-, 
head  by  the  scalping  knife,  and  on  public  occasions  this  was  covered  bv  a 
silver  plate  made  for  the  purpose.  A  lady  who  is  still  living,  and  who  w.k 
brought  up  in  Johnstown,  being  adaughter  of  General  Dodgeof  that  plat  e. 
often  saw  Colonel  Visscher  as  a  guest  at  her  father's  house,  and  well  remem- 
bers the  silver  head-piece  which  so  peculiarly  distinguished  him  from  .ill 
others. 

Colonel  Visscher  was  married  on  the  22d  of  May,  1768,  .being  then 
twenty-seven.'  to  Gazena  De  Graff,  of  Scheneciady.  The  early  years  ni 
his  marned  life  were  passed  amid  the  troublous  scenes  of  civil  war, 
but  his  latter  days  were  peaceful.  He  lived  to  see  the  thirty-third 
year  of  independence,  and  died  June  9th,  1809.  He  was  then  sixty- 
nine,  and  his  widow  survived  him  six  years.  The  funeral  took  pKu  e 
at  the  family  mansion,  which  had  been  rebuilt  after  the  war  in  a  very  spa- 
cious and  solid  manner.  A  large  attendance  was  present,  and.  amid  a 
general  expression  of  honor,  the  old  soldier  was  laid  to  rest  by  the  side  ol 
his  father  and  murdered  brothers,  in  the  family  cemetery  which  uverlook^ 
thai  valley  he  so  deeply  loved  and  so  gallantly  defended.  Col.  Vi.-,>chcr 
left  four  sons  and  two  daughters.  One  of  the  Latter  became  Mrs.  Jacob 
S.  Glen,  who  settled  in  the  town  of  that  name  and  made  it  her  home  for 
life.  The  other  became  Mrs.  William  Prime,  of  Herkimer,  who  died  at 
that  place  in  her  eighty-sixth  year.  The  sons  were  severally  named  le<^ie, 
Frederick  Herman,  William  Brower  and  Daniel.  The  first  of  these  settled 
on  his  portion  of  the  paternal  estate,  and  built  a  dwelling  which  some 
years  ago  was  destroyed  by  fire.  His  two  sons  are  still  living;  Frederick 
being  a  resident  of  New  York,  while  Rev.  Simon  G.  Visscher  is  a  promi- 
nent citizen  of  Rome.  Both  of  these  gentlemen  attended  the  centennial  of 
Oriskany,  and  had  a  position  among  the  representatives  of  those  who  bore 
arms  in  that  famous  battle.  Frederick  Herman  Visscher,  sun  of  the 
Colonel,  became  owner  of  the  paternal  mansion  and  its  adjacent  farm. 
He  married  Deborah  Conyne,  and  their  only  child  was  (Jazena  Catherine, 
who  was  early  left  an  orphan,  her  mother  dying  when  she  was  but  six 
months  old,  while  her  father  survived  but  a  year  longer.  This  orphan 
lived  to  become  the  wife  of  Judge  De  Graff,  and  became  a  highly  valued 
member  of  society. 


tr>!i 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


THE     DEGRAFF     FAMILY. 


BV    WASHINGTON    FROTHINr.H  AM. 


The  word  "graff  "  or  "grave"  signifies  in  the  original  an  office  of  much 
importance,  and  hence  we  have  the  term  *' landgrave"  or  '*  wildgrave,"  the 
latter  being  the  keeper  of  the  royal  forest.  The  expression  occurs  in  Bur- 
ger's poem,  "The  Wild  Huntsman,"  which  Scott  has  so  admirably  trans- 
lated— 

"The  wildgrave  winds  his  bugle  horn. 
To  horse,  to  horse,  halloo,  halloo; 
His  fief)'  courser  snuffs  the  mom. 

His  thronging  serfs  their  lord  pursue." 
Such  having  been  the  position  of  the  family  in  the  fatherland,  it  need 
hardly  be  said  that  it  has  been  fully  maintained  by  its  American  descend- 
ants. The  De  Graffs  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Schenectady,  and 
Isaac  De  Graff  comes  prominently  before  the  public  during  that  crisis 
which  tried  men's  souls.  He  was  bom  November  i6,  1756,  and  served  in 
the  array  of  the  Revolution,  holding  the  rank  of  major. 

During  this  "^ervire  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  l.z  Fayette,  who  was 
then  on  Washington's  staff,  and  who  administered  to  him  the  oath  prescribed 
by  Congress.  After  the  termination  of  hostilities,  he  was  appointed  first 
judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  Schenectady  county,  which  office 
he  held  during  a  large  part  of  his  life.  He  reached  his  88th  year,  having 
the  use  of  his  faculties  unti!  his  death,  which  occurred  December  ;i,  1844. 
It  may  be  added  here,  as  a  matter  of  connecting  interest,  that  the  Governor 
of  the  Dutch  West  India  island  of  St.  Eustatius,  whose  name  was  De  Graff, 
was  the  first  foreign  official  to  salute  the  American  flag,  an  act  which  the 
British  government  made  a  matter  of  complaint.  Isaac  De  Graff  had  two 
sons,  the  oldest  of  whom  (John  I.  De  Graff  during  the  war  of  1S12  displa>ed 
a  patriotic  spirit  equal  to  that  of  his  father.  This  occurred  at  an  emergency 
when  our  government  was  destitute  of  both  funds  and  credit.  The  latter 
had  been  paralyzed  by  the  capture  and  destruction  of  Washington  by 
the  British,  and  at  this  critical  time  Commodore  McDonough  was  preparmg 
his  fleet  for  the  defence  of  Lake  Champlam.  At  this  hour  of  need,  John 
I.  De  (iraff  advanced  the  necessary  funds,  and  three  week-,  after  the  destruc- 
tion of  Washington,  the  British  fleet  on  the  lake  was  defeated.  Commo- 
dore McDonough  ai  knowledged  his  obligations  in  a  letter  specially  written, 
soon  after  the  victory.  John  I.  De  Graff  represented  his  district  during 
two  terms  in  Congress,  and  was  honored  by  Pre^dent  Van  Buren  with  the 
offer  of  a  seal  in  his  cabinet  asSet  retary  of  the  Treasury,  which  he  declined, 
owing  to  the  pressure  of  private  busines.s.  He  was  one  of  the  projectors  of 
the  Mohawk  .V  Hudson  radrt.ad.the  first  passenger  r.'.id  built  on  tlus  -unti- 
nent,  and  was  prominent  in  ither  features  of  public  serv  n  e.  The  se<.ond 
son,  Jesse  D.  De  (Irarf.  was  h.trn  in  Schenectady  on  theSth  ol  faiuiar\.  iSoi. 
He  graduated  at  I'niun  CIU-l-.  and  studied  law  wiili  the  late  .\lonzo  C. 
Paige,  after  whuh  he  removed  to  Alb.my  an-i  estabhshed  hunself  m  the 
profession  with  marlved  stn  .  e-...  He  was  aUo  .ipi-.-mled  jud-e  oi  Cuminon 
IMeas  by  the  <  oum  1!  of  appointment.  On  the  lolh  of  .Xu-iist.  iSjo,  he 
married  M^sCazena  Calhenur  Vi-.scher.  iheoniv  thddof  Krederick  Herman 
Visscher.  who-.e  name  has  been  previously  mentioned.      Iheir  union  wa.s  of 


a  happy  character,  and  Judge  De  Graff,  after  his  marriage,  made  the  old 
Visscher  mansion  his  permanent  home.  He  found  occupation  in  the  im- 
provement of  a  large  estate,  and  became  a  prominent  man  in  the  society  of 
the  day.  He  died  August  4,  1S68.  and  was  buried  by  the  side  of  his  wife  in 
the  new  cemetery  in  Schenectady. 

His  children  were  four  in  number,  their  names  being  as  follows  ;  Susan, 
Charles  Herman,  Alfred  and  Isaac  Howard.  The  first  of  these  became 
the  wife  of  Mr.  William  Farnham,  of  Troy.  She  was  highly  esteemed  for 
domestic  virtues,  but  was  early  removed  by  death,  leaving  a  precious 
memory.  Charles  and  Howard  died  early,  and  hence  Mr.  Alfred  De  Graff 
is  the  sole  representative  of  the  family.  This  gentleman  now  occupies  the 
old  Visscher  estate,  being  the  fifth  generation  of  proprietorship.  He  has 
reconstructed  and  enlarged  the  mansion,  adding  the  improvements  of 
modern  architecture,  until  it  now  presents  a  tasteful  and  imposing  appear- 
ance. The  out-buildings  are  all  renewed  in  the  same  style,  and  thus  a  gen- 
eral harmony  pervades  the  establishment.  The  spacious  lawn  is  shaded 
with  forest  trees,  and  the  effect  is  heightened  by  the  deer  which  grace  the 
grounds,  and  which  seem  so  natural  that  one  at  first  sight  would  hardly 
believe  them  to  be  the  work  of  the  artist.  The  Danoscara,  dashing  over  its 
stony  bed  and  skirting  the  mansion,  adds  a  fine  effect  to  the  general  view, 
which  IS  one  of  ""are  beauty.  It  may  be  added  that  the  interior  is  admir- 
ably adorned  with  pictures  and  other  works  of  art,  as  well  as  with  a  choice 
and  valuable  library,  .\mong  the  curious  heir-looms  which  one  meets  in  this 
ancestral  mansion  is  a  silver  dollar  which  has  been  in  the  family  for  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years.  It  is  computed  that  if  this  sum  had  been  placed 
at  com[)ound  interest,  carefully  reckoned  during  tiie  whole  time,  it  would 
have  reached  the  handsome  amount  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars.  Mr.  Alfred 
De  Graff  married,  October  14th,  1869.  Miss  .\nna  Phillips,  only  daughter  of 
the  late  Cornelius  Phillips  of  the  town  of  Florida,  a  sketch  of  whose  life  ap- 
pears elsewhere  m  this  volume.  Three  children  adorn  this  union,  Edith. 
Howard  and  Florence,  who  form  the  si.\th  ;^eneration  connected  with  the 
estate  settled  by  Harman  Frederick  Vis-;(_her,  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
seven  years  ago.  .\s  a  feature  in  these  laniiiy  records  it  may  be  appropri- 
ately mentioned  in  this  connection,  that  Isaac  De  Graff  had  tuo  daughters, 
one  of  whom  Nani  y  married  Captain  Phdip  R.  Toll,  of  the  same  place. 
This  family  have  been  occupants  of  a  large  estate  near  Schenectady  for 
two  centuries,  and  therefore  need  no  farther  reference.  Philip  Toll  was 
bred  a  physician,  but  afterward  entered  service  during  the  war  of  181.2, 
holding  the  rank  of  captain  of  artillery,  in  which  he  won  the  special  con- 
fidence of  General  Hampton.  Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war  he  moved 
west,  his  permanent  residence  hem-  Fawn  River.  Mi.  h.gan.  where  his  son 
Isaac  D.  Toll  has  reached  a  distinction  e.|ualtcd  by  feu  publu  men  in  thai 
important  State.  Mrs,  Toll  is  still  living,  and  is  the  cherished  object  of  Jl - 
te.  tion  in  a  large  .hunestu.  .  ir- !e  An-uher  daughter  hcame  .Mrs.  Ko 
Dr.  Cu\lerof  Philadelphia,  where  she  ^tll!  resides,  and  though  now  p.'-i 
fours!  ore. .retains  the  use  of  her  fatuities,  and  is  a  remarkable  instance  '■' 
well-preser\ed  as  well  as  honored  old  age. 


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Iv 


U. 


J 


PALATINE  AS  IT  IS  AND  WAS— VILLAGES  OF  THE  TOWN. 


149. 


THE  TOWN  OF  PALATINE. 


On  the  7th  of  March  1788,  a  town  was  formed  from  a  large  part  of 
the  Palatine  district  of  Montgomery  county,  taking  the  same  name,  from 
it-i  pioneers  having  been  Palatines.  Other  towns  were  subsequently 
M»nned  from  [wrlions  of  Palatme.  Thus  Salisbury,  Herkimer  county,  was 
taken  off  in  1797,  and  Stratford,  Fulton  county,  in  1805  ;  also  Oppcnhemi. 
Kulton  county,  which  then  embraced  the  town  of  St.  Johns\ille.  in  1X08. 
Ajiain,  in  1827.  it  was  still  farther  reduced  by  the  taking  on  of  Ephratah.a 
small  pari  of  which  was  re-nnnexed  in  April,  1838.  It  is  somewhat  irregu- 
lar m  shafw;,  extending  about  eight  miles  and  a  half  east  and  west,  and 
seven  miles  north  and  south.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 'the  towns  of 
M.  Johnsvilleand  F.phratah,  and  on  the  east  by  the  town  of  Mohawk,  while 
the  Mohawk  river  forms  its  western  and  southern  boundaries. 

The  (jaroga,  in  the  northwest,  and  the  Kanadarank,  in  the  soiltheast, 
are  its  principal  streams  while  Fink's.  Flat  and  Mill  creeks,  and  several 
-smaller  rivulets  flow  in  different  directions  through  the  town. 

The  surface  is  chiefly  an  upland,  from  :oo  to  500  feet  above  the  Mohawk, 
slightly  undulating,  broken  occasionally  by  narrow  ravines  which  descend 
irregularly  toward  the  river.  A  rnrky  rnnge  of  hills  runs  across  the  south- 
east comer  of  the  town,  terminating  very  abruptly  at  the  river's  edge  in 
a  high,  narrow  bluff,  called  the  "  Nose."  The  soil  is  principally  a  dark 
clayey  loam,  inclining  to  the  gravelly  order  in  some  parts  ;  it  is  very 
fertile,  well  adapted  to  grazing,  and,  with  proper  cultivation,  yields  remu- 
nerative crops  of  most  cereals. 

Dairying  is  carried  on  to  quite  an  extent  by  a  majority  of  the  inhabitants. 
There  are,  at  present,  nine  cheese  factories  in  the  town,  most  of  which  are 
owned  by  stock  companies,  manufacturing  from  750,000  to  1,000,000 
pounds  of  cheese  annually.  Dwight  D.  Smith,  who  became  a  resident  of 
Palatine  in  1839,  erected  a  factor)'  and  commenced  the  manufacture  of 
cheese  in  1862.  This  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  establishment  of  the 
kind  in  Montgomery  <  ounty. 

Palatine  contains  within  its  present  limits  an  area  of  22,893  acres,  four- 
fifths  of  which  are  under  improvement.  The  population  in  1875  was  2,706. 
The  number  of  taxable  inhabitants  in  1877  was  483  The  assessed  valua- 
tion of  property  in  1877,  was:  real  estate.  $617,881  ;  personal  estate, 
^  1 8, 200. 

PALATINK  SKVF/N'TV-FIVK   VKARS  A(;0 

The  "journal  of  the  Rev,  John  Taylor  on  a  mission  through  the 
Mohawk  and  Black  river  country,  in  the  year  t8o2."  contains  the  following 
entry  ; 

"  Palaiiiif.  west  of  Johnstown  and  MayMeld  ;  e\tcnt  15  by  12  miles.  A 
place  called  Stone  Arabia  is  in  this  town  and  contains  one  Lutheran  Chh 
and  one  I>utch  reformed  Chh.  Mr.  I.ubaiuh  is  muiistcr  of  the  latter  .Tnrl 
Mr.  Crot/  of  the  former.  Four  miles  west  of  Sione  .Vrabia,  in  the  same 
town  of  Palatine  is  a  reformed  Lutheran  thh  to  whom  Mr.  Crotz  preaches 
p.irl  of  the  time.  4  miles  west  of  this  is  a  Dutch  reformed  chh  or  presh)- 
icrian  congregation.  The  Rev'd  Mr.  I>ozly,  a  German,  pastor."  In  the 
course  of  additional  remarks  on  this  region,  Mr.  Taylor  says  : 

"After  leaving  thi.s  town  [Johnstown]  I  passed  about  ten  miles  in  a 
hea\y  limbered  rountr).  with  Imt  few  inhabitants.  The  soil,  however,  ap- 
pear.s  in  general  to  be  excellent — the  (ountry  is  a  little  more  uneven  than 
It  IS  back  in  .Xnisicrdam.  After  tr.ivcling  about  to  miles  in  a  tolerahle 
road.  I  came  to  Sloncarabe  or  Robby  .is  the  Uuti  h  pronounce  it  .  This  is 
J  parish  of  Palatine,  and  is  <  ..mposcd  pnn.  ip.^lh  ..f  Hi;^h  Put-h,  or 
(lennans.      Passmg  uii  4   miL-s,  came   upon  the   n.iTin    .iii.itlic- parish  of 


Palatine,  a  snug  little  village  with  a  handsome  stone  chh.  Having  travel- 
ed a  number  of  miles  back  of  the  river,  I  find  that  there  is  a  great  similar- 
ity in  the  soil,  but  some  difference  in  the  timber.  From  Johnstown  tc) 
Stone  .\rabia.  the  timber  is  beech  and  maple,  with  some  hemlock.  In 
Stone  Arabia  the  timber  is  walnut  and  butternut.  The  fields  of  wheat  are 
numerous  and  the  crop  in  general  is  excellent.  In  everything  but  wheat, 
the  husbandry  appears  to  be  bad.  The  land  for  Indian  corn,  it  is  evident 
from  appearance,  is  not  properly  plowed — they  plow  very  shallow.  Neither 
is  the  corn  tended — it  is  in  general  full  of  weeds  and  grass  and  looks  mis- 
erably. Rie  is  large.  Flax  does  not  appear  to  be  good — whether  this  is 
owing  to  the  season  or  the  soil,  I  know  not.  Pease  appear  to  flourish — 
so  do  oats  ;  but  the  soil.  I  believe,  is  too  hard  and  clayey  for  potatoes — 
they  look  very  sickly.  I  perceive,  as  \et,  but  one  great  defect  in  the  morals 
of  the  people — they  are  too  much  addicted  to  drink.  The  back  part  of 
the  county  of  Montgomery  consists  of  some  pine  plains  ;  but  in  general  Uu- 
lumber  is  beach  and  maple.     A  good  grass  and  wheat  country." 


i 


VILL.AGES. 


Palatine  Bridge,  situated  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Mohawk,  on  the 
south  line  of  the  town,  is  the  principal  village.  It  consists  of  a  store,  a  post 
office,  a  hotel,  the  cider  mill  and  vinegar  factory  of  Beach  &  Cory,  and 
fiftv  or  sixty  dwellings.  Some  of  the  business  men  of  Canajuharie.  op[m- 
site,  have  residences  here.  It  is  made  a  station  of  importance  on  the  Cen- 
tral Railroad,  and  is  the  home  of  Hon.  Webster  Wagner,  the  inventor  and 
proprietor  of  the  Wagner  palace  or  drawing-room  cars.  The  lirst  bridge 
across  the  Mohawk,  west  of  Schenectady,  was  constructed  here,  aboiii 
1798,  from  which  fact  the  village  probably  took  its  name. 

Stone  .\rabia,  situated  near  the  center  of  the  town,  contains  two 
churches,  German  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  two  hotels,  the  cheese  fai  inry 
of  .Andrew  Nellis,  and  about  a  dozen  dwellings,  principally  of  farmers. 

Neli.iston,  so  called  from  the  numerous  families  of  Nellises  locaicil  in 
the  vicinity,  is  situated  on  the  west  line  of  the  town,  ojiposite  Kort  I'lam 
It  is  comparatively  a  new  village,  having  grown  up  within  tlie  l.n^t  usulv^- 
or  fifteen  years.  Wm.  P.  Swan  built  the  first  store  and  hotel  here  in  i."iO;, 
combining  both  branches  of  business  m  the  same  building.  The  piac  c  n..>r 
cont,ains  two  stores,  three  hotels,  .and  about  400  inhabitants. 

Palatine  Church,  a  small  h.imlet  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  town, 
contains  a  church,  a  store,  a  grist-mill,  and  a  few  dwellings.  When  the 
Mohawk  turnpike  was  constructed,  in  1S03-4,  this  was  a  jilaceof  i  onsider- 
able  importance,  being  the  Largest  vilUage  in  the  town.  Spafford's  i  In/cttei  r 
published  in  1.S13,  says  of  this  place:  "  Palatine  village  hasaboi; 
lings,  some  stores,  iVc,  and  a  stone  church." 

Cranf-  I.ANniNc..  In  the  early  part  of  the  present  lenti 
Crane  located  at  the  mouth  of  Caroga  Creek,  on  the  north  I1.1 
Mohawk,  near  Palatine  Church,  and  became  a  heavy  dealer  1 
establishing  an  immense  lumber  dejiot  for  the  northern  count 
here  it  was  rafted  down  the  river  to  .Albany  and  other  points. 
came  to  be  known  as  Crane's  Landing,  and  from  about  1S14  to 
pl.nce  of  considerable  im|.ortancc.  Hut  liltle  now  remains  to  m 
istence. 


55  dw, 

A.   .|o,l. 

k     of    ll 

liimlM 


The    first  official 


K.XRl."^'    T.W  KKN    I.ICF.NSKS. 

records   of  this  town  cannot   be   biund,   and    wilhn 


doubt  were  long  ago  destroyed,  tugcllu 


ilh  a  huge 


iSOJy 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


[iapers  which  had  accumulated  in  the  office  of  the  town  cierk.  The  earliest 
authentic  record  now  in  existence  is  that  of  a  meeting  of  the  commission- 
ers of  excise,  held  May  3d,  1803,  for  the  purpose  of  granting  licenses  to 
inn-keepers.  The  number  thus  licensed  will  give  an  idea  of  the  amount 
of  teaming  and  travel  seventy-five  years  ago.  before  the  da\s  of  railroads  or 
canals,  or  even  the  completion  of  the  Mohawk  turnpike.  The  following  is 
a  copy  of  the  oath  of  ofliie,  which  the  excise  commissioners  were  retiuired 
to  take  in  those  times  : 

**  U'e,  the  lommissioners  of  e.xcise  for  the  town  of  Palatine,  in  the  county 
of  Montgomery,  do  solemnly  swear,  in  the  presence  of  .Mmighty  God.  that 
we  will  not.  on  any  account  or  pretense  whatever,  grant  any  license  to  any 
person  within  the  said  town  of  Palatine,  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  an  inn 
or  tavern,  e.vcept  when  it  shall  ajipcar  to  us  to  be  alisohitely  necessary  for 
the  benefit  of  travelers  ;  and  that  we  will,  in  all  cases,  while  acting  as  com- 
missioners of  excise,  do  our  duty,  according  to  the  best  of  our  judgment 
and  ability,  without  fear,  favor  or  partiality,  agreeable  to  law. 

"  J.^COH  EtKLER.  I 

"  Hf.nrv  Beekmas.    -  Com's.  of  excise." 
"  Pf.tek  C.  Fnx.         1 
"  Sworn  before  me  the  above-named    i 
persons  a^  commissioners  of  excise,  - 
this  3d  day  of  May,  A.  I).  1803.       \ 

"  John  Zeii  lev.  Justice  of  Peace." 
.\fter  receiving  the  applications  of  the  candidates,  and  making  the  neces- 
sary inquiries  in  accordance  with  the  foregoing  obligation,  the  board  make 
the  following  certificate  : 

**  U'e,  the  commissioners  of  excise,  have  examined  and  find  the  here- 
under-named  persons  of  good  moral  characters,  and  of  sufficient  ability 
to  keep  inns  or  taverns,  and  that  inns  or  taverns  are  absolutely  necessar\- 
at  the  several  places  where  they  now  reside,  for  the  accommodation  of 
travelers. 

"Jacob    Ecker,  j    , 

Ex 


.of 


"  Hexrv  Beekma.n 
"  Peter  C.  Fox.  * 
JosL  Spraker,  Henry  Ccok.  .Andrew  J.  Dillenbeck.  John  ¥.  Empie,  Peter 
W.  Nellis  and  forty-seven  others  were  considered  possessed  of  "sufficient 
ability  to  keep  tavern."  and  were  granted  licences;  the  sum  paid  by  each 
was  from  §5  to  §6  50.,  according  to  the  location,  amounting  in  the  aggregate 
for  that  year  to  §258.50. 

E.\RI.V    TOWN  OFFICERS. 

Enough  of  the  records  of   1803  remains  to  show  that  Jacob  Ecker  was 
supervisor  and  Peter  C.  Fox  town  clerk  for  the  year 

On  .\pril  3d,  1804.  at  a  town  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Isaac  N.  Oot- 
hout,  the  following  oflic  ers  were  elected,  viz.:  Peter  Gramps.  jr.,  supervisor; 
Peter  G.  Fox.  town  clerk  ;  John  J.  Nellis.  Jost.  Spraker,  Peter  .N». 
Henry  Beekman  and  Martinus  N.  Nestle. 
Rudolph  Dy-ert  and  Michael  W.  B.iuder,  Cii 
eph  Wagner  and  Joseph  G.  K.I0 
collector;   Hcnr 


Smith. 

John    Eisenlord. 

i  of  highway  ;  Jos- 

crseers  of  the  poor  ;   Peter  J.  Nellis, 

._ ,    lan,  John  I..  Bellinger,  John  J.  Klock. 

Win.  .\ltenburg,  Rudol|>h  Hvgert,  .Samuel  Bently  and  John  Dillenback, 
fence-viewers  ann"  poiind-m.ister^  ;  Peter  J.  Nellis.  Jonas  Reis.  John  J. 
Failing,  Samuel  Frame.  John  Fralick  and  Samuel  Bliss,  constables. 


lOWN    I..\WS 


ed   "la 


for  the 


i.f   Palatine, 


ril  fo 


dislnbut. 


.\t  this  meeting  were  al- 
the  form  of  resolutions,  to  wit  ; 

"KfU'lvcl,  That  a  i  ertain  sum  of  nioiiev.  not  tu  e\c  ced  §ioc 
the  destruL  lion  of  ,  rows  and  blackbirds,"  This  fund  was  to 
among  the  m.!;4istrates.  who,  "upon  satisfactory  proof  made  to  them." 
were  instrui  ted  to  p.iy  "  for  every  crow  killed  in  the  tow n  of  Palatine.  6 
cents;  and  for  every  bblikbird  killed  as  afores.iid.  2  cents."  In  .April. 
1807,  these  bounties  were  increased  to  one  shilling  for  every  crow  .ind  6 
cents  for  every  blai  kbird,  and  scpiirrels  were  .added  to  the  list,  at  the  rate 
of  4  cents  per  c.ipitiiin  .A  reward  of  S'o  *is  also  offered  to  an\  person 
killing  a  wolf  within  the  town  limits  These  bounties  were  10  lie|)aiil  "as 
s(K>n  as  moncv  <ould  be  raised  and  collected  from   the    inhabil.ints  of  said 


tow 


b\   ta- 


suddcn  ilvpl..  IH 


1.1  the  tr 


tlic  frisrhiful  : 


Hud- 

Ml.itl.i 


thi 


taxes — a    portion    of  the    above    rewards  were   soon  after  revoked,  at    a 
meeting  held  especially  for  that  purpose.     The  following  is  the  record  : 

'*  .A  special  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  James  V.  Oothout, 
.Aug.  4th,  1807.  agreeable  to  notice  gi\en  July  i5th,  1807  ;  present,  John 
G.  .Nellis.  town  clerk.  \\  which  meeting  it  was  resolved,  that  the  town  law 
passed  at  the  last  town  meeting,  giving  i  shilling  for  e\ery  crow  and  su 
cents  for  every  blackbird  killed  in  said  town,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby 
repealed. 
"  Recorded  this  -ih  day  of  .August.  1S07,  [ 

by  me.  John  G.  Nellis.  town  clerk."         I 

The  reward  for  wolves  seems  to  have  remained,  and  in  the  spring  of  1H14 
it  was  increased  to  J25  per  head. 


.A  GOLNTV   HOISE   RFXOM.MENDED. 

The  following,  copied  from  the  records,  would  seem  to  indicate  that 
this  town  was  foremost  in  recommending  the  establishment  of  a  jjermanent 
home  for  the  poor  of  the  county  ; 

"  .At  a  town  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  James  V.  ( Jothoiit.  in  the  tow  n 
of  Palatine,  on  the  ;th  of  .April,  iSo;,  it  was  agreed  by  the  inhabitants  of 
said  town  that  the  acting  supervisor  of  the  town  aforesaid  shall,  at  the  ne\t 
meeting  of  the  supervisors,  propose  to  said  board  to  |)urchase  land,  as  near 
the  centre  of  the  county  of  Montgomery  as  possible,  in  order  to  build 
thereon  a  poor-house  for  the  better  support  of  the  poor  of  said  county,  and 
to  form  such  regulations  as  such  Board  of  Supervisors  may  think  fit." 

RELICS  OF  SLAVERY. 

The  birth  of  colored  children  was  made  a  matter  of  town  record  as  late 
as  1825.  and  the  offspring  of  colored  mothers  seem  to  have  been  considered 
as  "goods  and  cilatteis "  even  later.  The  ioiiowing  extracts  from  the 
records  are  given  verbatim  : 

".A  female  negro  child,  named  'Gcd.'  is  bom  this  12th  day  of  Novem- 
ber. 1808.  belonging  to  George  Ecker. 

"  Signed.)  <;eiiri.k   Eckkr, 

"  Recorded  by  me.  Johx  F'.isenlurd,  Town  Clerk." 

"Henry  J.  Frey's  black  woman  'Bet'  was  delivered  of  twin  children 
Feb.  5th,  1810,  a  male  and  a  female  The  male's  name  is  Philip,  and  the 
female's  Nan. 

"  Recorded  the  above  this  25th  day  of  Sept..  iSio.  by  me.  J^ciib  Htss. 
Town  Clerk." 

"I.  Andrew  Van  Wic,  do  hereby  certify  that  Nancy,  a  female  child  01 
color,  was  born  at  my  dwellmL;  house,  in  the  town  of  Palatine,  of  a  feiii.ile 
sUne  named  Dicnna,  on  the  2cl  day  of  October.  A.I),  1821,  Said  female 
is  now.  and  was  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  said  .Nancy,  the  property  of  tht 
said  Andrew  Van  Wie. 

"  Signed.)  .Vmirkw    Van   Wii-, 

"Suliscribed  ami  ^worn  to,  this  26th  day  of  Jan.,  1X24,  before  ine.  J.ui'. 
J.  GnoK.  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

"Recorded  the  aboie.  Feb.  24th.  1S24,  by  me.  Joskph  Gunhn.  lowii 
Clerk." 

Several  instances  of  the  manumission  of  slases — sometimes  "for  .1  1011- 
sideration  "—are  also  recorded.  The  following  is  ime  of  the  forms  in-idc 
use  of  in  such  cases  ; 

"I.  Christopher  G.  Fox,  of  Palatine,  in  the  coiiiUy  of  .Montgouury.  .Ii' 
hereby  certify  that  'Vet.'  a  colored  man  who  was  formerly  my  slave.  1- 
free.  he  having  been  manumitted  by  me.  in  and  by  these  presents. 

"   Signed.  GHRIS111PU1.K   G,    Fox. 

"  Dated.  Jan,  26lh.  1824. 

"  Witne-s  :  (i,  I..  Goupkr." 

"  We.  the  undersigned,  overseers  of  the  poor  of  the  town  of  Palatine,  d" 
hereby  certify  that  '  S  ct,'  a  colored  man,  who  was  this  day  manumitted  b* 
his  former  owner.  Christopher  C.  Fox.  of  said  town,  appears  to  be  iinilcr 
the  age  of  45.  and  of  siifiii  lent  ability  to  ]irovide  for  himself.  .All  of  whii  h 
we  do  hercb.y  certify,  according  to  the  statute  in  such  case  made  and  pro- 

"'i^^^Vi;:'"^^^":"™"'^^''- 

"  Recorded.  Feb.  23rd.  1S24,  by  me,  Jn-i  ni  (iriM^.s.    Town  Clerk" 


r 


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z  I 


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^*^^m 


.Urn-     '\    f^  ^'     -  •^^'F^^^^ 


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1.  Nr?-'^  ■■■"  i^  vvV-?% 


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Off 


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o 

o 

o 


PATENTS  AND  FIRST  SETTLEMENTS  IN  PALATINE 


IJI 


LANU  GRANTS 

Harmanu>  Van  Slyck  obtained  from  King  (Jeorge  1.  a  title  to  two  thou- 
vind  acres  of  land.  Sept.  ist.  1716.  This  was  the  first  patent  granted  by 
the  English  government  to  lands  in  this  town,  and  is  called  the  Van  Slyck 
patent.  It  lay  along  the  north  hank  of  the  Mohawk,  e.xlended  from  the 
So^e,  near  the  east  line  of  the  to«n.  up  the  ruer  a  mile  or  more  above 
Palatine  Bridge,  and  included  the  "  Frev  place."  This  tract  was  sur- 
>eved  and  laid  out  into  si.Meen  lots,  by  Nicholas  Sihiiyler,  in  September. 
i;jj.  when  it  was  found  to  contain  within  its  original  boundaries  nearh 
o.ooo  acres.  On  July  9th,  1728.  Van  Slyck  deeded  eight  of  the  lots  to 
Col.  .Abraham  De  Peyster.  .\Ir.  Van  Slyck  settled  on  a  portion  of  this 
land,  and  resided  here  for  many  years. 

I'hc  Harrison  patent  embraced  all  the  land  in  the  town  north  of  the 
Van  Slyck  patent,  between  the  nver  and  the  Stone  .\rabia  patent.  This 
trait  was  purchased  from  the  Indians,  in  the  King's  name,  March  8th, 
1722,  by  Francis  Harrison,  Lewis  Morris,  jr.,  John  Spratt.  John  Schuyler. 
.\braham  Wendell  and  John  Hascall.  It  contains  12,000  acres,  and  in- 
I  hides  nearly  all  of  the  present  town  of  St.  Johnsville. 

The  Stone  .Arabia  patent  is  located  principally  in  this  town,  embracing 
all  that  part  east  of  Harrison's,  and  north  of  Van  Slyck's.  This  patent  was 
granted  October  19th,  1723,  to  John  Christian  Oarlock,  F^lias  Oarlock. 
Andreas  and  Christian  Fink,  William  Coppernoll,  Jacob,  John  Jost  and 
Johannes  Schell,  Heinrich  Prey  and  eighteen  others,  nearly  ail  of  whom 
became  actual  settlers  on  different  portions  of  the  grant. 

EARI.V  SF.TTI.F.RS  AND  THF^IR   UF:SCENI)AN  IS. 

The  earliest  settlement  in  this  town,  and  probably  the  first  west  of  Schen- 
ectady, on  the  north  side  of  the  .Mohawk,  was  made  by  Heinrich  Frey,  a 
native  of  Zurich,  Switzerland,  who.  in  16^8,  left  that  city  for  .America 
bringing  with  him  an  open  letter  from  the  mayor,  addressed  "To  whom  it 
may  conccrr,."  L'pon  his  arrival  in  New  \'ork,  in  i68g,  be  received  from 
Oov.  Dongan  a  '*  location  ticket  "  for  too  acres  of  land  on  the  Schoharie 
creek,  but  the  Mohawk  valley  having  more  attractions  for  him,  he  soon 
removed  thither,  and  settled  just  west  of  the  present  village  of  Palatine 
Bridge,  where  he  erected  a  log  cabin  on  a  knoll,  near  a  fine  spring.  Here 
he  laid  claim  to  a  tract  of  300  acres  of  land,  his  only  title  to  it,  aside  from 
that  of  possession,  being  probably  obtained  from  the  Indians.  This  land 
was  subsequently  included  in  the  patent  issued  to  Van  Slyck,  from  whom 
Frey  procured  a  permanent  title.  The  old  homestead  has  always  remained 
m  the  possession  of  the  family,  being  now  occupied  by  S.  L.  I-'rey,  Esq., 
who  represents  the  sixth  generation.  The  first  house  was  occupied  until 
1739,  when  a  substantial  stone  dwelling  was  erected,  which  is  still  standing, 
in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  It  has  a  row  of  port  holes  on  all  sides,  and 
was  stockaded  and  occupied  by  several  companies  of  troops  during  the 
French  war. 

Heinrich  Frey,  jr..  the  oldest  son  of  Heinrich  Frey,  was  undoubtedly  the 
first  white  child  born  in  the  Mohawk  valley,  west  of  Sc  henectady.  He 
was  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  Stone  .Arabia  patent,  and  made 
the  survey  of  the  entire  tract  and  divided  it  into  lots.  By  frequent  pur- 
■hases  the  landed  estate  of  this  family  came  to  be  one  of  vast  proportions. 

At  the  commencement  of  Revolutionary  troubles,  Hendrick  and  John 
Frey,  sons  of  Heinrich,  jr.,  were  inflividuals  of  considerable  prominence, 
having  held  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  under  the  colonial  govern- 
ment. Col.  Flendrii  k  Frey,  being  the  oldest  son,  h.id  inherited  all  the  real 
e-l.ite  of  his  father.  He  had  been  educated  at  the  s,  hool  of  Rev.  Mr.  Dunlap. 
'•(  Cherry  Valley,  and  had  married  a  daughter  of  (len.  Hcrkuiier.  He  had 
'•een  a  colonel  of  colonial  troops,  under  Sir  William  Johnson,  in  the  war 
■  ti  the  French,  and,  with  Col.  (iuy  Johnson,  had  been  the  first  to  represent 
'he  county  of  Tryon  in  the  (ieneral  .Assembly  which  convened  Jan.  nth, 
'773  He  was  also  commissioned,  jointly  with  Sir  Wni.  Johnson,  to  ad- 
"imister  the  oath  to  all  appointees  to  office  in  Tryon  county.  When  war  was 
'inally  declared  between  ('.real  Britain  and  the  tolonies.  Col.  Frey  at  first 
'ttcmpted  to  maintain  a  neutral  position,  but  at  length  openly  avowed  his 
'"^■ilty  to  the  Crown,  and  was  afterward  engaged  to  some  extent  on  the 
•"h-  of  the   British. 

Major  John  Frey  was  born  ab.iiit  1740;  he  was  reared  and  always  lived 
'"  the  Mohawk  v.illev.  He  w.is  also  cdi'iaUil  at  Cherry  Valley,  and  afler- 
•ard  married  a  me.  e  of  C,cn.  Herkimer.      In  1756,  when   the  English  and 


French  were  disputing  for  the  supremacy  in  the  Canadas,  .Maj.  Frey,  then 
a  mere  boy,  yet  animated  with  a  patriotic  ^eal  for  his  king  and  Ins  ...,t; 
try,  shouldered  his  musket  anil  joineil  the  expedition  under  Bradstreri  ■■• 
take  Fort  Niagara,  then  in  the  possession  of  the  F'rench,  lie  n,  c  iqin-,! 
the  position  of  lieutenant,  and.  boy  as  he  was.  did  his  (ounirv  sen  i.  .• 
under  the  walls  of  that  I'ortress.  He  was  a  justice  upon  the  beiu  h  m  q..- 
first  Court  of  Oencral  (Quarter  Sessions  for  Tryon  county,  held  in  lulin. 
town,  September  Sth,  1772.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Tryon  Coiiiuy  C<.iii 
mittee  of  Safety,  both  before  and  during  the  Resolution,  and  in  ihe  sj,i  ,,^ 
of  1776  was  elected  its  chairman.  He  was  also  the  first  sherill  .ii  rh-- 
county  elected  by  the  peojile.  In  the  memorable  battle  of  Orisk.inv,  M.i. 
Frey  bore  a  conspicuous  part,  acting  as  brigade  major,  fighting  b\  the  si,).- 
of  Gen.  Herkimer,  and  barely  escaping  with  his  life.  He  uas  iicmiidf!  :i 
one  ami,  taken  prisoner  and  carried  to  Canada,  where  he  was  kept  r..r 
nearly  two  years.  Subsequently  to  the  Revolution,  the  New  \'ork  l*ro\m- 
',ial  Congress  conlerred  upon  him  the  honorable  appointment  of  brii;.!.!. 
major.  He  was  also  elected  a  member  of  the  convention  that  r.miicd  Mi.- 
federal  Constitution,  and,  at  a  still  later  period,  held  the  office  u(  senator 
in  the'  Legislature  of  the  State.  He  died  in  .Vpril,  1833,  aged  about  ^j 
years.  His  remains  now  repose  in  the  family  burying  ground  at  Palatin-- 
Bridge.  .At  the  centennial  anniversary  of  .American  indeiiendeiu  e,  rus 
grave  was  beautifully  decorated  with  flowers  by  his  worthy  des*  endaiiis 
and  grateful  coiintr\men.  in  cummemoration  of  his  distinguished  1  ivil  and 
military  services. 

.Aside  from  Heinrich  Frey.  there  is  no  record  or  tradition  of  tlie  setlle- 
ment  of  any  person  in  this  town  until  about  the  year  171 1,  at  whii  h  time  i 
large  number  of  Palatines  settled  along  the  Schoharie  flats  and  in  the 
.Mohawk  valley,  some  of  whom,  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose,  were  located 
within  the  present  limits  of  Palatine. 

Elias  Oarlock,  accompanied  by  several  of  his  neighbors,  removed  fr-Mu 
the  P.ilatine  settlements  of  the  Schoharie  and  located  in  this  town  aboui 
1717  He  was  afterward  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Stone  Arabia  patent, 
and  subsequently  settled  on  lot  No.  29. 

Peter  Wagner,  probably  from  Schoharie,  settled  about  the  year  1722  •  n 
the  farm  now  occupied  by  J.  Harvey  Smith,  situated  a  mile  south  of  Pala- 
tine Church.  His  son,  Peter,  jr.,  then  but  two  years  old,  resided  here  .i- 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  a  member  of  the  <  oiiiinitin- 
of  safety,  and  became  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  2d  battalion  of  Trv-'o 
county  militia,  participating  in  the  bloody  battle  of  fJriskany.  His  hou-e. 
the  stone  foundation  to  which  is  still  standing,  was  fortified  during  tli.- 
war  and  called  Fort  Wagner  Peter  J.  Wagner,  of  Fort  I'lain,  is  a  gran.i 
son  of  Col.  \\'agner.  He  was  born  near  Fort  Wagner  in  .\ugusi.  i;.,; 
In  1839  and  1S40,  he  was  a  representative  in  Congress  from  this  distn.  • 
George  Wagner,  a  son  of  t_'ol.  Wagner  and  grandf.ither  of  Hon  W'ebsi'  i 
Wagner,  was  living  in  Revolutionary  times  where  Chatinccv  W.igner  iii.vs 
resides.      He  was  also  in  the  (.)riskany  battle, 

William  Fox  immigrated  with  Peter  Wagner,  and  located  jusi  sc.iith  •■ 
Palatine  Church.  Several  of  his  descendants  took  an  active  p.in  m  iiv 
Revolutionary  struggle,  some  of  whom  were  men  oi  rank.  C.i|il.iins 
William  Vo\.  jr..  Christopher  P.  Fox  and  Christopher  U,  l-..\  .  ..mm.m.lc  1 
the  1st,  2nd  and  3rd  companies,  respectively,  cji*  the  2d  I'.il.itinc  batiil- 
ion   at   the   battle  of  Onskany,  where  C'a|.t   (.  hrisiopher   1'.  l-r,v    lest  In, 

life.     At  the  close  of   the  war,  Ca|it.  C.  W    fox  pur.  h.ised    fr..iii  ihi  C 

mittee  of  Secpiestration  the  farm,  near  Palatine  (."hiirdi,  fcirmerlv  owned 
by  one  of  the  Nellises.  a  loyalist,  whose  property  had  been  1  oniisc  ate--! 
Some  of  the  descendants  of  Capt.  Fox  still  reside  on  this  plac  e.  11  CI  i» 
F'ox  now  has  in  his  [lossession  the  sword  wiehled  by  (.'.tpi  Cliristopln  r 
U-.  Fox  at  the  Onskany  battle 

Jacob  P.  Fox,  who  now-  resides  near  Palatine  Church,  w.is  licrii  lu-rc  r, 
1797.  He  is  a  son  of  Peter  Fox.  who  was  in  the  battle  01  <  irrsk.inv.  whir. 
he  succeeded  in  dispatching  at  least  one  Indian,  who  at  that  mormni  cv.i^ 
sighting  his  gun  upon  a  white  man.  Peter  Fox  w.ns  also  m  the  b.ittle  r 
Kloc  k's  Field,  near  his  son's  residence. 

Casper  Koc  h  now  Cook)  was  born  .Vug.  51I1.  1700.  in  Swit/erl.nid.  nlur.- 
he  was  married,  Oc  tober  27th,  1722.  .About  the  >ear  1725  he  c  .ime  to  this 
country,  and  settled  m  Palatine,  a  mile  south  of  Stone  .\rabia,  where  he 
resided  until  his  death,  January  14th,  1789.  His  son  John,  who  w,is  burn 
and  reared  on  this  place,  and  who  also  died  here,  w as-wounded  in  the  jaw 
at  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  but  succeeded  in  making  his  escape,  and  w.is 
soon  after  found,  and  brought  home  on  a  hcjrse,  by  a  man  m  his  empio), 
named    Dolan.      His  buildings  were  all  destroyed  on  the  dav  of  the  battle 


152 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


of  Stone  Arabia,  the  family  having  fled  to  Fort  Paris  for  safety.  Casper  J., 
a  son  of  John  Cook,  was  also  born  here  in  1791,  where  he  resided  nearly 
his  entire  life,  dying  in  1856.  His  son,  Jacob  C,  a  great-grandson  of  the 
original  settler,  now  owns  and  occupies  the  farm,  having  lived  here  since 
his  birth,  in  1822. 

Mardan  Dillenbagh  now  Dillenbeck  ,  also  one  of  the  Stone  Arabia  pat- 
entees, settled  as  early  as  1725  on  lot  No.  10  of  that  patent,  where  John  A. 
Dillenback,  a  descendant,  now  resides.  His  eldest  son,  Andrew,  occupied 
these  premises  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution.  He  became  a 
captain  of  militia,  and  lost  his  life  al  the  battle  of  Driskany,  where  he  de- 
fended himself  against  the  attack  of  three  of  Johnson's  (ireens.  who  at- 
tempted to  take  him  prisoner.  Stone,  in  his  "  Life  of  Joseph  Brant,"  says: 
"This  officer  had  declared  he  would  not  be  taken  alive,  and  he  was  not. 
One  of  his  x-^-sailants  seized  his  gun,  but  he  suddenly  wrenched  it  from 
hira  and  felled  him  with  the  butt.  He  shot  the  second  one  dead,  and 
thrust  the  third  through  with  the  bayonet ;  but,  in  the  moment  of  his  tri- 
umph, a  ball  laid  him  low  in  the  dust."  His  widow,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Catharine  Fink — a  sister  of  Major  Fink — afterward  married  Capt 
John  Zeilley,  who  lived,  in  Revolutionary  times,  where  Jerome  \  an  Wic 
resides,  near  Spraker's  Station.  Capt.  Uillenbeck  had  one  son,  .\ndrew. 
jr.,  born  here  in  1772,  who  was  orderly  sergeant  under  Capt.  John  I.  Cook 
in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  for  nearly  three  months  stationed  at  Sackett's 
Harbor.  Andrew  A.  Dillenbeck,  a  son  of  Andrew,  jr.,  was  born  at  the  old 
homestead,  Sept.  iSth,  1800,  and  has  ever  since  resided  in  this  town, 
John  Dillenbeck,  a  brother  of  Capt.  Dillenbeck,  located  as  early  as  1750 
where  his  grandson,  Joseph  Dillenbeck.  now  lives.  Lysander  and  Josiah 
Dillenbeck  are  also  his  grandsons. 

Johannes  Schell  now  Snell  .  also  a  patentee,  and  original  proprietor  of 
lots  3  and  36  in  the  Stone  Arabia  patent,  was  probably  the  first  of  that 
name  to  settle  in  the  town.  He  was  a  native  of  Bavaria.  On  coming  to 
the  countrj',  he  first  settled  in  Schoharie,  but  in  1726  removed  to  Palatine, 
and  located  where  Jacob  Snell  now  resides.  He  had  several  sunb,  all  of 
whom  were  killed  at  the  battle  of  Oriskany.  He  died  at  Stone  .\ral)ia, 
SepL  1 2th,  1787,  leaving  numerous  descendants.  He  had  two  or  three 
brothers,  who  located,  in  1726,  at  Snell's  Bush,  on  the  east  line  of  Herki- 
mer county. 

Jacob  I.  Snell,  the  grandfather  of  David  Snell,  was  with  Col.  Brown  al 
the  battle  of  Stone  Arabia.  After  that  officer  fell,  Snell  attempted  to 
escape,  but  was  pursued  by  Indians,  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  scalped  and 
left  to  die.  He  soon  revived,  however,  sufficiently  to  regain  Fort  Paris, 
and  eventually  recovered  from  his  wounds.  His  oldest  brother  was  killed 
in  the  same  battle. 

Johannes  Krembs  now  (iramps  .  another  proprietor  of  the  Stone  Arabia 
patent,  settled,  as  early  as  1726,  and  perhaps  before,  on  lot  25,  where  Reu- 
ben Cramps,  a  descendant,  now  lives. 

.\ndreas  Feink  (now  Fink  ,  also  a  grantee  in  the  Stone  Arabia  patent, 
and  first  owner  of  lots  Xos.  13  and  3S,  located  on  the  farm  now  occupied 
by  Andrew  Nellis,  just  south  of  the  Stone  .\rabia  churches. 

William  Coppernoll,  another  patentee,  and  proprietor  of  lots  20  and  34 
of  the  same  patent,  settled  about  1730  near  Stone  .\rabia.  He  was  born 
near  Sthenectady,  in  168S.  In  1779  he  gave  lot  No.  20  of  the  above 
patent  for  church  purposes,  on  which  the  two  churches  of  the  place  now 
stand.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  citizen';  of  the  town  in  his  lifeiime,  and 
died  December  24th,  1787,  aged  99  years  and  7  months. 

Andrew  Nellis,  a  Palatine,  from  whom  most  of  the  families  of  that  name 
in  this  vicinity  have  descended,  settled  in  1722  on  the  farm  now  owned 
and  occupied  by  Martm  I,.  Nellis.  It  is  not  definitely  known  whether  he 
came  here  immediately  after  his  arrival  from  Kurope.  or  first  located  in 
Schohane.  The  latter,  however,  is  very  probable,  as  there  were  one  or 
more  of  that  name  who  came  over  with  the  first  i*alatine  immigr.^nts  in 
r7io. 

William  Nellis.  a  brother  of  .Andrew,  was  living  in  the  town  in  1744,  and 
undoubtedly  settled  several  years  pnor  to  thai  tbite.  He  remained  here 
until  about  1775 — being  then  far  advanced  in  life,  and  living  with  his  de- 
scendants— when,  on  ac<  ount  of  Revolutionary  troubles,  he  removed,  with 
most  of  his  posterity,  to  Canada.  Some  of  his  sons  or  grandsons  were 
with  Sir  John  Johnson  ..n  his  march  of  dc\nstatiun  up  the  Mohuuk  valley 
in  Octolier,  1780.  and  were  the  nu-ans  of  saving  rnl.iiine  Churdi  from  dc- 


Philip  Nellis.  the  grandf.ithcr  uf   the   present  Jrn 
as  woun<Ied    in    the    siiouUicr  at   the   battle  of  Or 


nnd  Andrew  Ncllis, 
py.      His  buildings 


were  all  burned  by  Sir  John's  troops  on  October  19th,  1780.  The  Nclli. 
family  are  now  quite  numerous  ;  many  of  them  are  wealthy  and  influeniui 
citizens. 

William  Brower,  from  Schenectady,  became  a  resident  of  this  town  alwju. 
'735-  I  ^>e  deed  to  his  land  bears  the  date  1738.  This  deed  has  never 
been  placed  on  record,  neither  has  the  land  been  re-deeded,  but  it  has  been 
conveyed  by  will  from  father  to  son  down  to  the  fifth  generation,  being  at 
present  owned  and  occupied  by  Harmon  Brower,  a  great-great-grandson  01 
William. 

Malachi  and  Michael  Bauder,  whose  father  was  one  of  the  earlv  PaL 
tines,  and  settled  in  Root,  about  a  mile  south  of  Vatesville.  located  m 
Palatine  as  early  as  1745  ;  the  former,  where  Conrad  P.  Snell  now  rcsidc\ 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  northwest  of  Stone  .\rabia,  and  the  latter  a  mik- 
north,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of  Josiah  Walralh.  Malai  hi 
had  six  sons,  named,  respectively,  John,  Michael,  Malachi,  jr.,  Leonanl. 
George  and  Ulrich,  all  of  whom  were  born  here  previous  to  the  Revulu 
tion.  in  which  he  and  his  two  eldest  sons  participated.  Malachi  Bauder, 
sen.,  was  for  a  lime  stationcil  at  Fort  Paris,  where,  for  better  protectitjii,  lic 
also  kept  his  family.  Going,  one  Sunday  morning  in  August,  to  visit  hi^ 
home  and  farm,  he  was  followed  by  two  of  his  sons. -Malachi  and  Leonanl, 
then  lads  of  about  ten  and  twelve  years  respectively.  After  examining  Iik 
buildings  and  premises,  he  lay  down  in  his  orchard  and  fell  asleep,  the 
boys,  meantime,  amusing  themselves  about  the  house.  While  thus  uncon- 
scious of  the  surroundings,  a  small  party  of  Indians  stealthily  npproar!k-<l 
the  house,  seeing  which,  the  bovs  fled  to  the  barn.  After  pillaging  the 
house,  the  savages  proceeded  to  the  barn,  where  the  boys  were  soon  dl^ 
covered  and  taken  captives.  On  awaking  and  searching  for  his  sons,  tin- 
father  soon  found  unmistakable  evidence  of  the  late  visit  of  the  enemy,  an.t 
at  once  divined  the  fate  of  his  offspring.  They  were  carried  to  Canail.i. 
where,  after  remaining  a  short  time  with  their  captors,  they  were  pur- 
chased, for  a  few  trinkets  and  a  little  "fire-water."  by  a  vvhite  man,  \\U-> 
took  them  to  Montreal,  where,  in  the  course  of  time,  they  were  cxchangctl. 
and,  with  others,  shipped  for  home  by  the  way  of  Lake  Champlain.  <  hi 
their  way  down  the  lake  the  boat  made  a  landing,  and  passengers  encamped 
on  the  shore.  Malachi,  straying  off  alone  in  search  of  wild  plums,  fouii't 
on  his  return  that  the  boat  had  left  without  him.  He,  however,  kept  the 
camp-fire  burning,  by  which  means  he  at  length  succeeded  in  atiractmg  llu- 
attention  of  another  boat,  which  look  him  to  New  England,  where  he  w.l^ 
adopted  into  the  family  of  a  resident.  .\t  the  end  of  a  year  or  more,  lu^ 
father,  getting  trace  of  his  long  lost  son,  started  on  horseback  to  recover 
him.  .\fter  no  little  trouble,  he  succeeded  in  convincing  the  New  Englanil 
people  of  his  identity,  his  boy  was  restored  to  him  and  returned  to  his 
early  home. 

Michael  Bauder,  the  second  son  of  Malachi.  located  previous  to  the 
Revolution  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Casper  Getman.  His  son,  Geor^;e 
M.  Bauder,  familiarly  known  among  his  acquaintances  as  "  Honyerry."  u.i- 
bom  here  Aug.  28th,  1785.  On  arriving  at  his  majority,  in  i8o6,  he  pur- 
chased and  settled  on  a  farm  adjoining  his  birth-place,  about  two  niik- 
east  of  Stone  Arabia,  formerly  owned  and  improved  by  Gerret  Lasher, 
some  lime  prior  to  the  Revolution.  He  was  a  member  of  the  State  mililu 
from  the  age  of  18  until  45.  and  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  under  Cap' 
John  1.  Cook.  Major  Frederick  Getman  and  Col.  Geo.  Nellis.  He  «.i. 
sent  with  his  regiment  to  Sackett's  Harbor,  where  he  remained  nearly  three 
months,  doing  military  duty,  and  has  for  several  years  drawn  a  pension  tor 
services  rendered  at  that  time,  Mr.  Bauder  still  lives  where  he  located  7'* 
years  ago,  the  house  then  standing  on  the  place  forming  apart  of  the  i»rc> 
ent  abode,  .\lthough  in  his  03d  year,  he  is  able  to  walk  about  his  farm, 
recollects  distim  tly  the  .•>cenes  and  incidents  of  his  early  days,  and  rctaU- 
intelligibly  and  with  interest  the  stories  told  him  by  his  ancestors. 

Conrad  Kilts  was  born  previous  to  1743,  and  reared  on  the  place  now 
occupied  by  his  grand-son,  .\lbert  Kilts.  He  participated  in  the  battles  oi 
Oriskany.  Johnstown  and  Stone  Arabia,  and  stood  by  the  side  of  Co' 
Brown  when  he  fell.  Peter  and  Johannes  Kilts  were  also  residents  of  thi- 
town  previous  to  1750. 

Peter  Suits  settled  previous  to  1743  on  the  farm   now  occupied  by  Jerrv 
Saltsinan.     Another  Suits,  probab!)  a  brother,  was  living  at  an   early  d.H-. 
where  John  Chrislman  resides. 

JacobChristman  was  undoubtedly  the  first  of  ttuit  name  who  be-.iinc  • 
resident  of  Pal.itine.  He  settled  at  an  early  date  on  the  farm  no«  o«nc<l 
and  occupied  b>  Hann:bal  Gray.  K.sq.  He  was  born,  prub.ably  l^(■.^^ 
many,  in  1706,  was  marriod  in  173S,  and  died  at  Stone  Arabia.  April  r'jib. 


Res.    of    JACOB     C.    COOK,  Town  of  Palatine^   Mo  n  boome  r_y     C  o.„  M.    Y.. .-'" 


m4.^ ;.. 


■^i:.^^ 


HOMESTEAoior   Ch  e  I  ate  B  E  N  JAM  I  N    S  (5h  E  N  CK,  Town   of   Palat;)n^e),  Tyl  o  n  ti^oraeTry    Co.,  N.  Y.^ 


REVOLUTIONARY  HEROES  OF  PALATINE. 


153 


17S9.  Jacob,  jr..  his  son,  i>artici|jaled  suiiifwhat  in  Ihc  Revolution.  He 
lived  at  that  lime  where  James  ("hristman,  his  graml-son,  now  resides. 
I'assing  Mr.  tlramps's  suj^arbush  one  evening  on  his  vv-ay  t'rom  Fort  Paris  to 
his  house,  he  discovered  several  tory  scouts  bivouacked  there,  and.  without 
bemg  observed  liy  them,  returned  to  the  fort  with  the  information.  .\  de- 
Mchment  w.ns  inmiediatcly  sent  out,  whi<  li  soon  returned  with  the  lories  as 
prisoners.  It  is  said  that  while  at  the  fort  thev  were  tortured  to  some  ex- 
tent, for  the  purpose  of  making  them  confes>  to  their  being  tories,  and  the 
nature  of  their  visit  in  this  vicinity,  but  to  no  purpose. 

(leorge  Spraker,  a  native  of  Prussia,  located  in  1755  at  what  is  now  Spra- 
I»er's  Station,  (jn  the  farm  now  owned  and  occupied  by  his  grand-son,  J(»- 
-.eph  Spraker.  whose  house  is  the  building;  so  long  famous  among  earh 
travelers  as  the  Spraker  tavern.  He  and  his  four  sons  participated  in  the 
Revolutionary  struggle.  His  eldest  two  sons.  John  and  (Veorge,  were  with 
I'ol.  Brown  at  the  battle  of  Stone  .\rabia. 

John  Eisenlord  emigrated  from  tiermany  on  ai  count  of  the  cruelty  of 
his  step-father,  about  1765.  and  became  a  resident  of  Palatine,  afterward 
marrying  a  daughter  or  grand-daughter  of  Johannes  Krembs  now  Gramps  . 
He  was  a  young  man  of  considerable  wealth,  a  tine  scholar — understanding 
the  English  language  perfectly — and  an  excellent  penman.  He  early 
espoused  the  cause  of  freedom,  and  sacrificed  his  life  at  the  battle  of  Oris- 
kany,  leaving  two  sons. 

Adam  Lou.x  now  I.oucks  whose  house,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile 
north  of  Stone  .\rabia,  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  J.  Ervin  Ciraff.  was  a 
meeting  place  of  the  Tryon  county  Committee  of  Safety,  was  born  m  Scho- 
harie, N.  Y.,  Dec.  15th,  1715  ;  was  married  Oct.  i6th,  1739,  and  died  Feb. 
14th,  1789.  His  son,  Peter  Loucks,  was  first  lieutenant  of  the  3d  company 
of  the  Palatine  battalion,  under  Capt.  Christopher  VV.  Fox,  at  the  battle  of 
Oriskany. 

John  Wohlgemuth  was  .t  soldier  nf  the  Revolution,  and  for  a  time  wa.s 
stationed  at  Fort  Plain.  His  grandson,  Leonard  Wohlgemuth,  who  was 
bom  here  in  1818.  and  is  still  a  resident,  has  in  his  possession  some  receipts. 
orders,  etc..  given  in  those  days  to  his  grandfather,  including  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"  Fort  Plank.  Dec.  ist,  1778. 

"  Recvd  of  John  Wohlgemuth  one  barrel  of  Powder,  one  box  of  musket 
balls,  and  one  box  of  Cartridges, 

"(Signed)  Jamks  Moori.." 
■'  F'ort  Plank,  19th  Jan.,  17S0. 

"Sir  :  Please  to  pay  Capt.  Han-Vnst  Oygert  the  sum  of  seven  hundred 
and  twenty  pounds,  N.  ^'.  Circulating  Rills  of  Continental  CVedit.  In  so 
doing  you  will  oblige.  Sir. 

"  Vour  Humble  Servant, 

"JvoR  Kiocic.- 
"To  Mr.  John  Wohlgemuth.  / 

Canajoharie  District,"  \ 

Lawrence  .Marcellus  was  born  in  Schenect.ady  in  1795.  and  became  a 
resident  of  this  town  in  1S16.  He  is  a  justice  of  the  peace,  in  which  ca- 
pacity he  has  served  the  town  of  Palatine  for  over  40  vears.  He  has  also 
held  the  office  of  superintendent  of  the  jjoor.  and  jiisti<e  of  the  sessions,  and 
in  1812  was  a  member  of  the  .Assembly.  His  father,  John  N.  MarceMus,was 
a  minuteman  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  at  one  time  on  duty  at  Fort 
Paris. 

John  Floyd,  a  native  nf  Litchborough.  KngLind,  1  aiiie  to  America  in 
the  spring  of  1S49.  and  settled  in  this  town  July  9th,  following.  He  is 
the  proprietor  of  the  "C.aroga  Valley  Apiary."  which  he  esi.dilished  Nov, 
1st,  1851.  He  W.1S  for  14  years  a  partner  of  .Moses  Ouimby.  of  St,  |ohns- 
viUe,      He  has  at  present  101  colonies  of  bees. 


THE  SHCI.L  FAMILY    IN   AMERICA, 

John  Scholl  and  wife,  of  Tillaborough.  or  Dillaborough,  in  Germany, 
emigrated  to  .\nieri(  a  in  17(19.  bringing  with  them  three  sons.  Johan  Jost, 
John  and  C.corge.  and  \c.\\  ing  a  daughter  in  the  Fatherland  They  settled 
at  Fort  Hcrkiincr,  .about  two  miles  from  the  village  of  Herkimer,  in  the 
rounty  of  the  same  name.  llie  son  Johan  Jost  married  Catharine,  only 
daughter  of  Heinrich  Winkell.  of  Ephratah,  in  1773,  and  settled  on  the 
estate  of  his  wife,  on  the  hill  north  of  the  village  of  Ephratah.  .nnd  on 
what  has  lately  been  the  Murray  farm.  John  Scholl  married  and  settled 
near  Lowvillc,    Lewis  county,  where   his  sons  \\ilHam   and   Conracll   .ilso 


settled.  I'hcy  spelled  the  family  name  as  it  is  no«  nritten — Shull — and 
their  descentlants  have  followed  that  orthography.  About  the  \e.1r1.S14 
William  Shiill  and  his  son  Daniel  moved  to  Stone  .Arabia,  The  latter,  w  hn 
was  bom  in  1810.  and  married  in  1831  and  again  in  1850.  was  killed  In 
lightning  in  1869.  William  Shull  was  a  lieutenant  in  and  afterward  colonel 
of  the  lolst  militia  regiment,  receiving  his  appointment  in  .April.  iSi.s 
His  grandson,  .Mr.   A.  W,  Shull   (son   of  Daniel  Shull),   «ho  was   born  in 

1835,  occupies  the  Shull  homestead. 

.\lr.  Shull  has  a  bell  hanging  in  a  belfry  on  his  wagon-house.  whuh 
bears  this  inscription  : 

"  Presented  by  (,)ucen  Anne  to  Sir  William  Johnson,  Baronet,  1774, ' 
This  bell  weighs  over  100  pounds,  and  was  used  by  Sir  William,  and  after 
his  death  by  his  son.  Sir  John,  as  a  dinner  bell.  Upon  the  confiscation  01 
the  property  of  Sir  John,  the  bell  was  purchased  by  several  male  members 
of  the  Caughnawaga  church  and  placed  upon  that  building.  Here  it  con- 
tinued to  [lerforni  its  sacred  mission  for  over  fifty  years,  when,  the  entire 
church  property  having  been  purchased  by  Rev,  Douw  Van  O'Linda.  it  was 
sold  by  him  to  Daniel  L.  Shull,  who  restored  it  to  its  origin.al  use,  that  of  a 
dinner  bell.  In  1862  Mr.  Shull,  for  some  reason,  had  it  re-cast,  prior  to 
which  it  bore  the  following  inscription:  "SR  William  Johnson,  llaronet, 
1774.     Made  by  Miller  and  Ross  in  Eliz.  Town." 

MEMBERS    OF  THE  TRVON  COUNTY  COMMITTEE 

Hon.  Isaai  Paris  resided  about  a  mile  west  of  Stone  .Arabia.  His  house 
was  burned  by  the  tories,  Oct.  19th,  1780.  The  place  is  now  a  part  of 
John  (Iramps's  farm.  Mr.  Paris  wa-s  a  zealous  patriot  ;  he  acted  as  colonel 
under  General  Herkimer  at  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  where  he  w.is  taken 
prisoner  and  afterwards  murdered.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  an 
affidavit  made  by  .Moses  Younglove.  surgeon  of  (General  Herkimer's 
brigade  of  militia,  who  was  taken  prisoner  with  Colonel  Paris.  "  Is.aa< 
Paris.  Est).,  was  also  taken  the  same  road  without  receiving  from  them 
[the  Indians]  any  remarkable  insult,  except  stripping,  until  some  torus 
came  up.  who  kicked  and  clubbed  him.  after  which  the  savages,  thinking 
him  a  notable  offender,  murdered  him  barbarously." 

George  Ecker,  jr.,  lived  about  a  mile  and  a  cpiarter  north  of  Palatine 
Bridge,  The  place  has  since  been  divided,  and  is  now  occupied  by  Reuben 
and  Hamilton  Graff,  His  father,  George  Ecker,  who  probably  settled  here 
as  early  as  1745,  was  born  in  Schoharie,  Nov  i  ;th,  1716,  married  (lit 
19th,  1742,  and  died  at  Stone  .Arabia,  Jan.  j.Sth,  1789. 

Andrew  Reber  occupied  the  premises  now  owned  by  Abraiii  N,  His.  op- 
posite  the  depot  at   Nelliston.      His  old   stone   residence   remained    iiniil 

1836.  when  it  was  razed  to  make  way  for  the  railroad. 

.Andrew  Fink,  a  member  of  the  committee  first  appointed,  was  a  son  m 
grandson  of  .Andreas  Fink,  previously  mentioned,  and  resided  on  the  same 
place,  where  he  was  born  Feb.  loth,  1751,  He  entered  the  service  of  his 
country  early  in  the  campaign  of  1775.  as  first  lieutenant  of  the  c  .mipanv 
commanded  by  Capt.  Christopher  P,  Vatcs.  which  belonged  to  the  2nd 
N  ^■,  Regiment,  under  Colonel  Goove  Van  Schaick,  On  the  I'dh  "i 
Feb,.  1776. he  wasproinoted  to  a  cajitaincy  in  the  same  regiment,  ai  which 
time  It  was  styled  the  1st  Regiment  in  the  New  York  line.  In  this  ,  ,ip.u  il\ 
he  served  until  1781,  when  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major  and 
served  under  Colonel  Marinus  Willett  on  the  Irontiers  of  the  Moh.nik  v.il- 
ley  and  elsewhere.  He  was  at  the  taking  of  St,  John's,  I'ort  Ch,iiiibh  ,in.i 
.Montreal.  In  the  campaign  of  1778,  he  was  with  the  army  under  ihc  iin- 
mediate  command  of  (k-neral  Washington,  and  «as  in  the  b.illlc  .il  .Mc- 
mouth,  .N,  J..  June  28th,  1778  ;  also  at  the  battle  c,f  Jclinstow  n.  .Su-  ;:A. 
1781.  He  received  his  discharge  at  Schenectady,  at  the  c  lose  of  the  w.ir. 
and  subsecpiently  removed  to  Manheim,  Herkimer  coiintv,  where  he  w.is 
living  in  ,8,8, 

FORTS   PARIS  AND  KE^SER. 

Fort  Paris,  so  called  after  Colonel  Isa.ic  Pans,  was  situated  on  a  rise  of 
ground  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of  the  Stone  Ar.ibia  c  hurc  his,  ,.n 
the  farm  now  owned  by  Alfred  W.  Shull.  It  w.,s  built  in  the  early  p.irt  •■! 
the  Revolutionary  struggle,  of  solid  hewn  tiiiiber,  and  was  two  stcries 
high, with  the  upper  story  projcctingover  the  I'lrst  on  all  sides,  Il  w.is  never 
surrendered  to  the  enemy,  and  remained  standing  until  the  early  part  of  Ihc 
present  century,  when  it  was  taken  down  and  removed.  Some  of  the 
timbers  arc  still  in  cxisten.  e  in  other  buildings  in  the  vicinity. 


Ibi 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMEUV  COUNTY 


^  Fort  Kcyser  was  located  alioiit  a  mile  south  of  Stone  Arabia,  on  the  farm 
no»  occu|)icd  liy  Aurora  Failing'.  It  was  a  small  stone  dwellinj;,  which 
had  been  stockaded  and  named  after  the  family  who  formerly  owned  the 
I 'lace. 

COI..  JOHN    BROWN.  THK   HKKo  Oh    STONK  ARABIA 

The  Stone  Araliia  engagement,  descrihed  in  Chap-  .XIII  of  Montgomery 
lounty.  look  place  between  Fort  Kc>>cr  and  the  ruer,  principally  on  the 
farm  at  present  occupied  by  Josephus  Nellis.  formerly  known  as  the  Shult- 
f.irm.  Fort  Keyscr  might  easily  have  f.dlen  into  the  hands  of  the  enem\ 
had  they  made  an  attack  after  the  battle,  as  there  were  but  si\  or  seven 
men,  undcrihargc  of  Captain  John  /iellcv.  left  to  protei  t  it.  among  whr.ni 
Here  (ieorge  Sj'raker  and  his  yoimgest  two  sons.  Conrad  and  Jost.  After 
the  enemy  had  left,  the  two  young  Sprakers.  with  a  couple  of  other  \oung 
men,  rejjaired  to  the  spot  where  Colonel  Brown  had  fallen.  His  scalp  had 
been  taken  off  so  as  com[»letcly  to  remove  all  the  hair  on  his  head,  and  he 
had  been  stripped  of  all  his  <lothing  except  his  ruffled  shirt.  These  four 
young  militiamen  bore  his  body  in  their  arms  to  F"ort  Keyset.  He  was 
afterward  properly  buried  in  a  cemetery  near  the  Stone  .Arabia  churches. 
where  his  ashes  still  rei)Ose. 

Col.  Brown  was  born  in  Sandersfield,  Berkshire  county,  .\I  v.  Ot  tober 
i(/th,  1744-  He  graduated  at  Vale  College  in  1771.  and  studied  law  with 
Oliver  .Arnold  a  cousin  of  the  traitor  at  Providence,  k  1.  He  com- 
menced practice  at  Caughnawaga,  N.  Y.,  and  was  appointed  King's  .\tloniey- 
He  soon  went  to  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  where  he  became  active  in  the  patriot 
t  ausc.  He  wa.s  appointed  by  the  State  Committee  of  Correspondence,  in 
'  77S-  'o  go  'o  Canada  to  excite  rebellion,  in  which  ])erilous  duty  he  had 
many  adventures.  He  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1775.  but  before  the 
meeting  of  that  body  he  had  joined  the  expedition  under  .\llen  and 
Arnold  against  Ticonderoga.  He  assisted  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Chambly 
in  the  autumn  of  that  year,  and  planned  the  attack  on  .Montreal,  which 
resulted  so  disastrously  to  Col.  F.than  .Mien.  He  was  at  the  storming  of 
(Quebec,  at  the  close  of  the  year.  The  following  year.  Congress  gave  him 
the  commission  of  a  lieutenant-colonel.  In  1777,  he  conducted  the  exjie- 
tliiion  that  attacked  Ticonderoga,  and  other  posts  in  that  vicinitv,  released 
one  hundred  .American  prisoners  at  Lake  George,  and  captured  quite  a 
large  quantity  of  provisions  and  stores  belonging  to  the  enem\ .  Soon 
after  this  he  retired  from  the  service  on  account  of  his  detestation  of 
Arnold.  Three  years  before  the  latter  became  a  traitor.  Brown  published 
a  hand-bill  in  which  he  denoun(  ed  him  as  an  avaricious  and  uni^rincipied 
man,  charged  him  with  "selling  many  a  life  for  gain,"  and  predicted  that 
he  would  prove  a  traitor,  in  the  memorable  words  with  which  the  hand- 
bill closed:  "  Money  is  this  man's  god,  and  to  get  enough  of  it  he  would 
sacrifice  his  country."  This  was  published  at  .Albany  in  the  winter  of 
1776-7.  while  Arnold  was  tpiartered  there.  .Arnold  vvas  greatlv  excited 
when  told  of  it.  called  Brown  a  scoundrel,  ami  declared  that  he  would 
kick  him  whensoever  and  wheresoever  they  might  meet.  This  declaration 
was  communii  ated  to  Brown.  The  next  flay,  he,  bv  invitation,  vvent  to 
a  dinner  where  he  would  meet  .Arnold.  The  latter  was  standing  with  his 
b.ick  to  the  fire  when  Brown  cqtered  the  door,  and  they  thus  met  each 
..ther  f.ice  to  face.  Brown  walked  boldly  u]i  to  .\rnold.  and,  looking  him 
sternly  in  the  f.ice,  said:  "I  understand,  sir,  that  you  have  said  you  would 
kick  me;  I  now  present  niys'elf  10  give  vou  an 
nold  made  no  replv. 
Arnold  was  silent, 
for  hi' 


pres. 


threat   into  cxecutioi 

y<>u  are  a   dirtv  sc,oiindreI-"*     .At 

after  a|K>logi/ing  to  the  gentlcm 

Col.  Brown,  after   he    left    the   arm 

.Massachusetts  service.      In  the  f.ill  r. 

militi.a,  he  marched  iq.  the    Mohawk 

require.     He  was  slain  on  his  thirty 

of  his  death  in  1^,56,  a   monument  vv; 

Henry  Brown,  of  lierkOiire,  Mass.,  a 

he  fell.      L'pon  the  monument  is  the 

"In  m 

who  was  killed 

at  I-alatine, 


opportunity  to  put  your 
Brown  then  said:  "Sir. 
nd   Brown  left  the  room. 


the 


I     17'io. 


nv   of    the    Berkshi 
On  the  anniversa 


Among  the  m. 
:>n  and  his  mi 
wned  the  jiren 


th  birlhda 

re<  teil  to  his  memory  by  his  son, 
one  ,\r.Tbia.  near  the  pKue  where 
is  the  following  inscriptum: 
iry  of  Col.  John  Brown, 
battle  on  the  loth  of  Oct.,  17.S0, 
the  County  of  Montgomerv. 
A-  36  ■•' 

ufferers  at  the  time  of  this  invasion  bv  Sir  |ohn  John- 
nt  hordes  was  .Maj.  Jelles  Fonda,  who  at  that  time 
now  occupied  by  Martin  Schenck,  near  the  "Nose." 


Here  .Maj.  Fonda  had  erected  a  fine  dwelling,  the  brick  for  which  are  said 
to  have  been  imported  from  Holland:  several  barns,  a  grist-mill,  a  saw- 
mill and  an  ashery.  These  buildings  were  all  burned,  as  were  his  store 
and  dwelling  at  Caughnawaga,  where  he  then  resided.  He  subsequently 
located  on  his  farm  near  the  Nose. 


THK    FIRST    PHYSICIAN,   POST    OFFICE  ANU  BRF,\VERY. 

I)r.  ticorge  \'ache.  was,  without  doubt,  the  first  physician  to  settle  in 
Palatine.  He  located  on  what  is  now  the  turnpike,  sometime  prior  to  the 
Revolution.  The  farm  he  occupied  is  now  a  part  of  the  estate  of  the  late 
John  V.  l'.dwar<ls.  During  the  Revolution  he  was  in  the  army.  On  one 
occasion  he  was  pursued  by  the  Indians,  and  with  his  horse  swam  the  Mo- 
hawk three  times  in  one  night,  each  time  being  warned  by  a  little  dog,  which 
closely  followed  him.  About  iSoo,  he  went  south  on  business,  where  he 
died  of  consumption,  leaving  an  only  son,  who  died  young. 

The  first  post  office  in  the  town  was  established  at  Palatine  Church, 
about  the  year  1813.  The  oldest  living  inhabitants  relate  that  it  was  cus- 
tomary in  1812,  when  a  person  wished  to  send  a  letter  to  a  friend  in  the 
■irmy  at  S.ackctt's  Harbor,  to  leave  it  at  any  hotel  on  the  turnpike,  when 
the  landlord  would  hand  it  to  any  teamster  going  that  way,  who  would 
carry  it  as  far  as  he  went  on  the  road,  and  then  pass  it  to  another  of  hit 
craft,  and  in  this  way  it  would  eventually  reach  its  destination. 

The  first  brewery  in  the  town  was  erected  about  the  year  1800,  by  a 
German  named  Moyer.  It  was  situated  about  a  mile  north  of  Stone  Ar- 
abia, on  lands  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of  the  late  John  F.  Nellis.  It  was 
in  operation  only  a  few  years. 

SCHOOLS. 

llntii  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  the  German  was  the  pre- 
vailing language,  and  probably  without  an  exception  the  schools  prior  to 
that  date  vvere  taught  in  the  German  tongue.  Soon  after  the  restoration 
of  peace,  people  from  New  England  began  to  settle  here,  followed  im- 
mediately bv  the  innovation  of  the  "  Yankee  schoolmaster-"  .Among  the 
early  te.achers  of  English  schools  in  the  town  were  John  .Martin  and 
gentlemen  named  Crookenburg  and  Mackey.  The  former  taught  in  the 
vicinity  of  Oswegatchie,  about  1795.  -^  building  was  subsequently  erectcil 
for  his  accommodation,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Jerome  Van  Wie.  it 
was  finished  with  dwelling  .apartments  in  one  end,  and  a  school  room  in 
the  other.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  in  the  early  part  of  the  present 
century.  Mr.  Mackey  kept  a  school  as  early  as  1795  at  or  near  Stone 
.Arabia,  in  a  building  which  stood  on  the  farm  of  Jacob  Snell.  Crooken- 
burg taught  near  Palatine  Church. 

The  first  school  commissioners  and  inspectors  of  schools  were  elected, 
in  accordance  with  a  new  act  of  the  Legislature,  in  April,  1813.  They 
were  .Abraham  Slernbergh.  Henry  J.  Frey  and  John  Quilhart.  commissioner-.; 
and  John  J.  Nellis.  John  I  Cook.  Richard  Young,  Jost  A.  Snell  anil  Har- 
inanus  N  Van  Slyik.  inspectors.  The  town  was  first  divided  into  school 
districts— eleven  in  number— Dec.  7th,  1814,  by  David  T.  Zielley.  Andrew 
Gray,  and  Chauncey  Hutchinson,  school  commissioners.  In  the  spring  "i 
1815,  a  re-division  vvas  made,  creating  in  all  seventeen  districts.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  at  that  time  Palatine  embraced  the  present  town  of  F'.pli 
ratah.  There  are  now  twelve  well  apportioned  districts — a  few  of  whuh 
are  fr.n  tinnal— and  eleven  school-houses  within  its  limitv 


A  union  aiademv.  the  first  within  the  present  boundaries  of  Mcmtgoincn 
(  ounty.  was  established  at  Stone  .Arabia,  and  incorporated  by  the  Rc^vnl' 
of  the  University,  .Marih  jist,  1795,  as  "The  I'nion  .Academy  of  Palatine 
The  only  rei-ords  obtainable  relating  to  this  institution,  are  in  connecti.'r 
with  those  of  the  Reformed  church  of  that  place.  At  a  meeting  of  il" 
consistory,  held  January  24,  1795,  composed  of  Rev.  D.Christian  I'l' ^ 
pastor;  Henry  Loucks  and  Christian  Fink,  elders,  and  John  Snell  ■"■ 
Dietrich  Coppernoll.  deacons,  it  wjs  "  revilved  that  the  five  acres  of  ihn-' ' 
land  of  the  Kefr.rmed  Dutih  Church  of  St.me  Arabia,  which  are  not  p^'^' 
to  the  present  minister  as  a  p.irt  of  his  salary,  shall  be  given  and  prescni>'' 
to  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  I'nion  .\cadeniy  to  be  erected  at  Sfi' 
Arabia."     On  the  14th  of  November,  1795,  the  board  of  trustees,  thro"-: 


THE  REFORMED  CHURCH  OF  STONE  ARABIA. 


155 


iheii  president.  Charles  Ncwkirk.  asked  and  obtained  permission  lr.,m  the 
,  ottsistory  of  the  Refonned  rhurih  to  occupy  their  ■.ihool-hou^c,  which 
appears  to  have  been  a  part  of  the  parsonage  which  had  been  ubed  for 
M  h<>ul  purposes,    for  one  year,  for  the  u>e  of  the  academy. 

John  Nifher  was  probably  its  first  principal,  .\mong  the  records  above 
meniioned  is  the  following:  "On  the  iSih  of  Oct..  1797.  John  .Nifhcr, 
teacher  of  an  Knglish  school,  was  solemnly  admitted  to  a  member  in  full 
.i.mmunion  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  L"hur<  h.  and  1  onsecpiently  wa^  admit- 
led  to  the  Lord's  Supper.  " 

The  academy  building  was  a  two-story  frame  structure,  erected  by  sub- 
.,  ription,  and  completed  m  1799.  Its  site  ivas  immediately  opposite  the 
Kefonned  church.  It  was  .iccidentally  burned  down  in  1H06  or  1807,  and 
never  rebuilt. 

CHURCH    HISTORY. 


THE     REFOR.MKD    CHURCH    OK    STO.Nt    .\K.\B1A. 

This  is  the  oldest  Reformed  Church  organization  west  of  Schenectady, 
north  of  the  Mohawk.  .\  religious  society  of  this  denomination  «  as  form- 
ed  by  the  Rev.  John  Jacob  Ehle,  as  early  as  17 11.  Ehle  was  the  Reformed 
minbter  for  this  section  of  the  country,  and  his  services  were  conducted  in 
the  German  language.  .\  log  church  was  built  about  this  date,  on  the  lot 
now  occupied  by  the  Lutherans.  The  records  of  baptisms  and  marriages 
were  kept  at  the  Schohane  church,  of  which  Ehle  was  pastor,  and  where 
he  resided.  The  oldest  record  in  the  possession  of  this  church  is  a  con- 
tract for  a  deed  to  a  lot  of  52  acres,  on  which  both  the  Lutheran  and  Re- 
forxDed  churches  now  stand.     The  following  is  a  copy: 

"Memorandum  of  agreement  between  William  Coppernoll  and  .Andreas 
Feink,  Heinrich  Frey,  Hans  Dietrich  Casselman,  John  Jerry  Miller  and  all 
the  rest  of  the  Company  of  this  land.  Noted:  the  -.aid  William  Coppernoll 
nath  sold  to  the  above  said  .Andreas  1-eink,  Heinnch  Krey  and  all  the  rest 
of  the  aforesaid  Company,  a  certain  lot  of  land  numbered  in  our  patent 
number  twenty,  for  a  church  and  other  uses  for  the  same  and  for  no  others, 
and  the  said  William  Coppernoll  i^  therefore  jiaid  and  ^atlsfied.  .\nd  the 
-aid  William  Coppernoll  binds  himself,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  in  the  sum  of 
too  jKjunds.  good  and  lawful  money  of  New  V'ork.  to  give  a  good  lawful 
Transport  for  the  above  said  lot  of  land  before  the  9th  day  of  April,  i8ji, 
.IS  witness  my  hand  and  seal  this  2nd  day  of  June.  1729. 

his 

"WllLH.M    X    Col'I'KKSoLI  ." 

mark 
The  deed  was   executed    May    ^Qth,    17J2,  by   William   Co|ipemoll.  of 
.Schenectady,  to  ".Andrew   Keink.  Werner  Diegcri,  Johannes  Si  hncll.  and 
.ill  the  rest  of  the  proprietors  and  owners  of  the  Stone   Raliy  Patent."  the 
«  onsideralion  being  jCzo. 

For  a  time  both  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  .  ongregations  worshiped 
in  the  log  church.  In  1733  these  societies  in  union  commenced  the  erec- 
tion of  a  frame  church,  where  the  present  Reformed  churc  h  stands  .\fter 
the  foundation  was  completed,  a  disagreement  arose  in  reg.irtl  to  the  name 
by  which  the  edifice  should  be  called,  whi.h  resulted  in  the  withdr.iwal  of 
the  Lutherans,  who  continued  10  hold  the  log  church.  The  Reformed 
society  proceeded  with  the  building.  Johannes  Schneil  and  Johannes 
Krembs  were  chosen  directors  ot  the  work.  Bonds  to  the  amount  of  ^^400 
were  given  by  the  church  and  reipiired  of  Schneil  and  Krembs.  They 
■>erc  to  be  allowed  two  shillings  .ind  sixpence  per  d.ay  and  expenses,  for 
'he  actual  time  employed  They  were  sent  to  .Albany  to  solicit  funds,  but 
"  ilh  w  hat  success  does  not  appear.  The  .irticles  of  agreement  on  the  part 
■I  the  church  were  signed  by  Andreas  Fink.  John  Jost  Schneil.  John  Jerry 
Miller,  Dietrich  I.ouiks,  Suf/crness  Diegert.  Henry  I.oucks  and  William 
'  i-ppcrnoll.  There  arc  no  data  a-  to  the  -ue  or  cost  of  the  edifice,  but  it 
"IS  nc.irly  five  years  before  it  wa-  lompietcd.  This  soi  icly  early  bee  ante 
•  n  independent  Reformed  1  hurch,  but  no  record  shows  at  what  dale  a  reg- 
ular churt  h  organization  was  effected.  It  must,  however,  ha\e  been  in 
'74,5  or  earlier,  judging  from  the  following  inscription,  written  in  (Icrman, 
"11  the  first  page  of  the  earliest  record  book  now  in  possession  of  the 
•hiinh:  '•(hurch  I!ook  of  the  C.erman  Reformed  ( 'hurch  of  Stone  R.ible. 
'intU-r  ihe  rule  of  Rev.  Johannes  Srhinlcr,  I're.nc  her  of  Schoh.nne  and 
>'lonc  K.il.ic.  and  (  onsistory  by  Dicilnrh  I.oux  and  John  Joosi  S,  hnell. 
F.lders.  .ind  Scveriiiis  Diiikcrt  .ind  Adam  l.oiix.  Dc.irons. 
■•Oct,    j|th.  174.V" 

19 


The  first  list  of  members  uniting  with  the  church  is  dated  in  1739.  when 
ten  were  admitted  The  first  recorded  baptism  is  that  of  Henry  Richard, 
son  of  Adam  Loux,  in  t745. 

I'he  church  lot  of  fifty-two  acres  was  e(|ually  divided  between  the  l.uther.n. 
and  Reformed  churches,  each  ■|uil-claiming  to  the  other,  March  r7th.  i;j| 
In  this  transaction  the  following  ]iersons  represent  the  Reformeil  1  hiin  h, 
and  signed  their  names  to  the  deed  given  to  the  Lutherans;  "Jost  Schell. 
Se\erincs  Deigert,  Peter  Suits,  William  Hrower,  Johannes  Rrenis.  Diet  k 
Loux,  Hendrick  Loux,  Hanis  Schneil,  Willi.im  Koppemall,  Andreas  Finck. 
Nicholas  Horning  and  Peter  Deigert." 

John  Jai  ob  Ehle.  as  noted  above,  was  the  first  to  minister  to  this  lon- 
gregation.  I'he  first  to  follow  him  was  Re\.  Johannes  Schiuler.  who  be- 
came pastor  of  the  church  as  early  as  (.ictober.  1743,  and  continued  until 
Jan.  3d,  1751,  when  the  records  show  baptisms  by  Rev.  .Armilo  Wernig,  .i- 
minister.  The  latter  must  have  left  as  early  as  1758,  for  receipts  for  salari 
show  that  Rev.  .Abraham  Rosenkrantz  was  pastor  from  1759  to  1769. 

Mr.  Rosenkrantz  at  first  preached  at  Schoharie  only  in  connection  with 
this  church,  but  afterward  had  charge  also  of  the  churches  at  Canajoharie. 
St.  Johnsville  and  (Jerman  Flats.  His  salary  here  was  ^£^70  annually,  pa:d 
promptly,  as  his  receipts  show,  and  from  all  the  churches  his  salary  must 
have  been  considerable  for  the  time.  He  came  to  this  country  from  (icr- 
many  when  a  young  man,  and  married  a  sister  of  Gen.  Herkimer.  He  lai. 
terly  settled  at  German  Flats,  now  Herkimer,  where  he  died  in  1794.  and 
was  buried  under  the  Reformed  church  of  that  place. 

F'rom  1769  to  1787  this  church  was  undoubtedly  without  a  pastor,  as 
there  is  no  record  or  information  to  the  contrary,  although  the  baptismal 
and  marriage  records  were  tontinued  regularly  through  this  period.  It 
was  supplied  occasionally  by  the  Rev.  John  Daniel  Gross,  and  very  prob- 
ably by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rosenkrantz  also,  as  the  baptisms  and  marriages  are 
by  him. 

The  church  edifice  was  burned,  as  was  that  of  the  Lutherans,  <)i  t.  19th. 
1780.  -After  the  Revolution  a  temporary  wooden  structure  was  erected 
for  occasional  preaching,  which  undoubtedly  accommodated  both  i  ongre- 
gations.  In  1788  the  Rev.  Dietrich  Christian  .A.  Peck  was  called  and  in- 
stalled as  pastor,  when  a  new  stone  edifice  w.as  built,  at  a  cost  of  $3.37.'^. 
which  was  at  that  time  the  best  1  hurch  building  west  of  Schenectadv. 
Philip  Schuyler  was  the  master  mechanic.  The  workmen  were  bo.irdcd 
near  by,  the  women  of  the  1  hurch  taking  turns  in  cooking  for  them 

On  Jan.  20th,  1790.  this  church  united  with  the  Classis  of  Alban%.  ,ni.i 
on  the  23d  of  May,  1791,  it  was  incorporated  as  "The  Reformed  I'rotesiml 
Dutch  Church  of  Stone  .\rabia,"  with  "  Rev.  D.t.',  A.  Pe.  k  as  minisicr  ..1 
the  Reformed  Protestant  Duti  h  tongregations  of  Stone  Arabia  and  tan.iju- 
harie."  John  Zielley,  Jaiob  Lacker,  Arnout  Vedder  and  Johannes  K...  ii 
were  chosen  elders  ;  and  Frederick  (ielman.  .Adam  I.oucks,  Casper  t  00k 
and  Michael  Ehle,  de.icons.  Re\.  .Mr.  Peik  preai  hed  in  the  German  l.m- 
guage  only,  but  kept  the  records  in  English  from  Jan.  17th,  1-S9.  He  re 
mained  as  pastor  until  1797,  when  he  was  called  to  (Jennan  Flals,  wlu-U'c 
he  rcmo^ed  to  New  \'ork  (  ity,  where  he  dropped  dead  in  ihc  strcel  ni 
1.S02. 

In  1799.  the  parsonage,  adjoining  the  church,  was  buili.  In  Ni'vcinl  .r, 
1800.  Rev.  Isaac  l.abaiigh,  of  Kinderhook,  a.  1  epted  the  pastorale  ..i  iV- 
church  in  connection  with  that  of  the  Canajoharie  ihunh.  The  .  oiisisi.  ■ 
rial  minutes  show  that,  at  Stone  .Arabia,  he  was  10  preai  h  in  three  iliM..i 
ent  languages,  as  follows:  "He  shall  [ireach  two  sermons  in  the  (<crin.ii-r 
language,  then  one  in  F'.ngiish.  then  two  again  in  C.ermnn.  then  ■■111  " 
Low  Dutch."  In  1S03.  this  order  was  i  hanged  so  as  to  ha^c  Iwo  s,  rn,"ii- 
in  English  to  one  in  Low  Dun  h,  Mr  l.abaugh  resigned  in  N.neml.,'. 
1803.  and  was  followed  in  1804  by  the  Rei,  J.ilin  Jaiol.  W  .„  k.  w!i..  .  ;-• 
minisiered  to  the  church  at  (.'anajoharie,.  His  s.dary  was  .S.-oo  lo.m  , .:. 
chiirih,  $1  lor  each  funeral  and  iiiarruige.  and  fifty  cents  for  cvcri  ml  mi 
baptism.  He  preached  in  both  Germ.in  and  F'.ngiish,  remaining  mi'' 
1828.  His  sue  cessor.  Rev.  Isa.ii  Ketcham.  came  in  1.830.  and  lonim.d 
his  labors  to  thi^ihiirch  His  pastorate  1  ontinued  till  183(1.  when  hi  i. 
signed  and  went  to  Michigan.  Rev  li.  P  Wesifall  was  called  and  seiiled 
as  pastor  in  1838.  L'nder  his  ministrations  the  congregation  was  bles-id 
with  a  copious  revnal,  over  forty  persons  uniting  with  the  church,  on  .  ..n- 
fession,  .at  one  time.  'I'he  church  Ijiiilding  was  also  repaired  and  ,1  new 
bell  procured  lor  il,  the  whole  costing  $2,000.  Rev  Mr.  Wcsifill  .li.  d 
here,  April  6lh,  1844,  aged  46  years,  .ind  was  buried  under  the  1  liiir.  h 
A  tablet  to  his  memory  is  pl.iccd  in  the  wall  over  the  pulpit.  Soon  .ilier 
his  death,  he  was  sue.  ceded  by  Rev  Ch.irlcs  Jukes,  of  t'den,  who  rcm.iin.d 


156 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


until  1850,  when  he  was  follmvcd  by  Rev.  John  C  Van  Lie«.  Rev. 
Messrs.  Kelcham,  Wc-ilall  (lor  a  time  .  Jukes  .\m]  Van  l.icw.  «hile  here, 
also  supplied  the  chun  h  at  Kphratah,  an  offshoot  of  this  church. 

Rev.  Mr.  Van  l.iew  resigned  his  pastorate  in  1856.  after  which,  for  four 
years,  the  church  was  uilhout  a  pastor,  but  was  supplicil  by  Rev.  Nanning 
liogardis  in  1S57.  and  by  Revs.  Philip  Furbeck  and  G.  M.  lilodgett  in 
1859.  The  parsonage  was  also  rebuilt  in  1S59.  at  a  cost  of  §1,400.  Rev. 
L.  H.  Van  Dyke,  from  the  church  at  lllooming  Grove,  Rensselaer  county, 
N.  v.,  ac.cptcd  the  pastorate  of  this  church  in  1  Soo,  and  remained  until 
i86;.  He  was  followed  in  May,  186X,  by  the  Rev.  J.  M,  Compton,  who 
at  tlie  end  of  two  years  resigned,  to  take  charge  of  the  church  at  Colum- 
bus and  Henderson.  The  present  pastor.  Rev.  \V.  li.  Van  Henschotcn,  a 
graduate  of  Rutger's  College,  cominem  ed  his  labors  with  the  united 
churches  of  Stone  .\rabia  and  Ephratah  May  1st,  187^,  and  continues  to 
minister  to  both  congrcgation.s.  This  w  as  once  the  only  Reformed  Church 
in  a  space  of  territory  w  here  eight  of  that  denomination  now  exist.  The 
present  number  of  communicants  is  76.  Present  consistory;  Rev.  \V.  B. 
Van  Benschoten,  pastor;  Conrad  P.  Snell.  Henry  Gramps,  John  Kitts  and 
Reuben  Graff,  elders;  and  Harrison  Brown,  Erwin  Vosburg,  C.  R.  Loucks 
and  Aurora  Failing,  deacons. 

LUTHFRAN    CHURCH   OF  STONE    .ARABIA. 

The  early  history  of  this  church  is  to  some  extent  identified  with  that  of 
the  Reformed  church.  Upon  the  equal  division  of  the  52  acres  of 
land  deeded  by  Wni.  CoppernoU  to  the  proprietors  of  the  .Stone  .■\rabia 
patent  for  church  purposes,  between  the  two  societies,  the  trustees  of  the 
Reformed  church  gave  a  quit-claim  deed  to  the  representatives  of  the  Lu- 
theran church,  naming  them  in  the  deed.  They  were  .Vlartinus  Dillenbagh, 
Johannes  Keyser,  Johannes  Schults,  I.utwick  ("assleman,  Nicholas  Stenfel, 
Andreas  Bessiner,  Johannes  Lawyer,  .Adam  Empie,  Johannes  Empie,  Jacob 
Schults,  Christopher  Schults,  and  Wm.  Nellis.  Only  four  of  them  were 
living  on  Dec.  29th,  1770 — Johannes  Empie,  William  Nellis,  and  Jacob  and 
Christopher  Schult.s — who  on  that  day  re-deeded  this  land  to  Christian  Dil- 
lenbeck  and  Johannes  Schults  in  trust.  The  original  deed  is  lost,  and 
probably  was  at  the  time  the  last  one  was  executed.  In  the  latter  deed 
this  clause  appears,  showing  the  existence  of  a  Lutheran  church  building 
at  that  date  :  "  -And  whereas  there  now  stands  erected  on  the  land  a  church 
or  meeting  place  to  worship  God  according  to  the  usage  of  the  Lutheran 
church."  Whether  this  was  the  original  log  church  built  50  years  previous, 
or  a  new  one  had  been  erected,  does  not  appear.  Whichever  it  may 
be,  it  was  destroyed  by  fire,  with  the  rest  of  the  hamlet.  Oct.  19th,  1780. 
The  first  Lutheran  minister  who  pre-iched  here  was  Rev.  William  Chris- 
tian Buckmeyer.  then  stationed  at  Loonenburg,  on  the  Hudson,  but  at  what 
time  is  not  definitely  known  ;  neither  is  there  any  record  showing  the  date 
of  a  church  organization  or  early  officers.  The  first  regular  pastor  at  Scho- 
harie, and  who  also  siqiplied  this  church  at  stated  periods,  was  Rev.  Peter 
Nicholas  .Sommer,  a  native  of  Hamburgh,  Clermany.  He  received  his  call 
Sept.  7th,  1742,  and  on  the  21st  of  the  same  month,  was  ordained  at  Ham- 
burgh as  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  chunh  at  Schoharie,  where  he  arrived  .May 
25th.  174.'^,  and  on  the  36th  preached  his  l*irst  sermon  in  .America.  This 
church  was  included  in  his  pastoral  charge  until  December,  1751,  when  the 
Rev.  Frederick  Reis,  from  Gcrmantown,  became  the  minister.  How  long 
he  remained  is  not  known,  but  in  1763  Rev  Theophilus  England  took 
charge  of  the  congregation,  and  continued  as  pastor  until  1773.  when  he 
died.  Sir  William  Johnson,  in  a  characteristic  letter,  dated  .April  4,  1771. 
to  the  Rev.  Dr.  .\uchmiitty,  writes  .is  follows  :  "  I  desired  our  friend  Mr. 
Inglis  to  meniicm  a  Circumstance  concerning  Religion  here  that  I  think 
you  ought  to  know.  riie  Lutheran  minister  at  Sioneraby  has  lately  in  a 
viilantary  Manner  without  any  previous  Arguments  to  induce  him  thereto 
desired  to  take  orders  in  the  Ch.irch  of  England,  and  what  is  much  more 
Strange,  It  is  llie  .Usirc  of  his  Congrcgali..n  ihat  he  should  d..  s,,.  I  he 
gre.nl  difficulty  is  That,  ihcy  will  be  wilhoul  a  Min.sicr  dunn-  Ins  .d.scnce, 
and  that  it  will  be  altemled  with  an  e\|.ence  »  hu  h  Irom  their  great  <  Iccon- 
oiny,  they  do  not  chuse  to  In.  urr.  Especially  as  thev  have  some  Charitable 
Esl'.iblishments  amongst  themselves,  that  are  Ch.'rgeable.  If  *  •  *  it 
CotiUl  be  Carried  through  without  making  iiui.  h  noise.  It  would  add  the 
Mniority  of  Inhabitants  of  a  very  fine  Seltlenunt  to  ih,-  ( -hiirch,  and  as  they 
arc  Foreigners  must  strengthen  their  alligiam  e  10  Goi 't  "  Dr  .AMchnnltty 
replied  from  New  ^■ork,  favorably  to  the  (  h.inge  of  denomination,  but 
whither  from  the  ■' great    Occonomy  "  of   the  duirih    forbidding  them  to 


send  their  minister  to  England  for  ordination,  or  for  some  other  reason, 
nothing  seems  to  have  come  of  the  proposal. 

It  would  seem  that  .=oon  after  the  death  of  Mr.  England,  the  Rev.  Fred- 
erick Reis  was  recalled,  who,  after  a  pastorate  of  four  or  five  years,  again 
resigned  and  returned  to  tiermantown.  He  was  succeeded  in  1780  by  the 
Rev.  Philip  Jacob  Grotz,  who  continued  his  labors  here  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  suddenly  on  the  ist  of  Dec,  1809,  he  having  reached  the 
age  of  62.  His  remains  lie  buried  in  the  cemetery  near  the  church.  Dur- 
ing his  ministry,  in  1792,  the  |)re.sent  church  edifice  was  erected.  He  was 
followed  in  iSii  by  Rev.  Peter  Wilhelm  Domier,  from  Germany,  who  re- 
mained until  182O,  when  he  returned  to  his  native  country. 

Up  to  this  time  the  services  had  been  conducted  and  all  records  kept  in 
(icrman.  The  first  minister  to  prea?  h  in  the  English  language  was  Rev. 
John  D.  Lawyer,  who  commenced  his  labors  in  1827,  and  delivered  his 
farewell  discourse  .April  tSth,  1830.  In  July  following,  he  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  Charles  .A.  Smith,  who  continued  in  charge  until  1838,  when  he 
was  followed  by  the  Re\.  Henry  I.  Smith,  who  resigned  at  the  end  of  one 
year.  He  is  now  Professor  of  German  in  Columbia  College,  New  York 
city.  Rev.  .Martin  J.  Stover  became  the  next  pastor,  Jan.  ist,  1840,  re- 
maining four  years.  He  was  succeeded  in  1845  by  the  Rev.  .Adolphus 
Rumpff,  who  continued  until  1S54,  when  he  was  followed,  in  the  beginning 
of  1855,  by  the  Rev.  S.  Curtis,  who  remained  about  three  years.  In  1S5S 
Rev.  A.  Rumpff  was  recalled,  and  continued  in  charge  until  Oct.  22d,  1S65. 
He  was  followed  Nov.  ist.  1865,  by  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Wert,  whose  pasto- 
rate here  continued  nearly  12  )ears,  closing  in  October,  1877.  The  present 
incumbent.  Rev.  W.  W.  Gulick,  commenced  his  labors  here  about  the  first 
of  November,  1877.  He  also  holds  services  at  stated  periods  in  the  Pala- 
tine Church.  The  present  officers  of  this  church  are,  Henry  Lasher,  Henry 
Saltsman  and  Peter  Coolnian,  elders  ;  Lysander  Dillenbeck,  Isaiah  Sitterly 
and  David  S.  Patten,  deacons  ;  Jerry  Saltsman,  Geo.  H.  Dillenbeck  and 
Azariah  Saltsman,  trustees. 

PALATINE    CHURCH. 

The  "  Palatine  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church "  edifice  is  the  oldest 
church  building  now  standing  within  the  limits  of  Montgomery  and  Fulton 
counties.  It  was  built,  of  stone,  in  1770  by  the  generous  donations  of  a 
few  individuals.  Peter  Wagner  and  Andrew  Reber  contributed  ;^ioo 
each  ;  Johannes  Hess  and  six  Nellises,  namely,  William,  jr.,  Andrew,  Johan- 
nes, Henry,  Christian  and  Dasid,  each  gave  ;£6o  toward  its  construction  ; 
while  the  building  of  the  spire,  which  seems  to  have  been  an  after  consid- 
eration, was  paid  for  by  ihe  Nellis  family  exclusively.  This  church,  unlike 
most  others  in  the  valley,  was  not  destroyed  by  the  British  or  their  allies 
during  the  Revolution,  for  the  reason,  it  is  supposed,  of  the  loyalist  ]iro- 
clivities  of  one  or  more  of  the  Nellises.  It  remained  as  originally  liiiill 
for  a  century,  when  it  was  remodeled  and  repaired  at  a  cost  of  nearly 
§4, 000,  and  in  the  fall  of  1870,  on  its  one  hundredth  anniversary,  a  grand 
celebration  and  fair  was  held,  at  which  Governor  Seymour  delivered  an 
a[)propriate  address. 

The  society  to  whiih  this  church  belongs  seems  ne\er  to  have  hail  any 
independent  church  organization,  but  has  always  been  sup|ilied  by  minis- 
ters from  other  churihes,  jirincipally  from  the  Lutheran  church  of  Stone 
Arabia.  At  present  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Gulick,  of  the  latter  church,  holds 
services  here  at  stated  intervals. 


I  This  is  often  spoken  of     as  "the  German  church."  but  its    corpor.iie 

1      title  is  "Salem's  chunh  of  the  E%,in-elual  .\sso(  lationof  North  Amen,  a 

I     of  the  Town  of  Palatine,"      ,\s  sm  h  11   was  incorporated   Feb.    12,  1.S77. 

'      with  three  trustees,  erne  of  «hfini   is  eleili.l  each  year.      The  Evangcln  .d 

Asso,  lalion    also  called   the  .Mbnghls,  fnim    Rev.  J.i.  nl,    Albright,  or    ,\i- 

.      brecht.who  founded   the  scci  in  l.Sco,   resembles  the  .Mclli..dist  Kpis,  opil 

church  in  do.  trine  and   government.      It   has  sixteen  annual  conferences, 

I     about  five  hundred  ministers  and  73.000  members.     Salem's  Chun  h  be- 

:      longs  to  the   New  York  confereni  e,  Albany  district  and   Bleecker  cin  uil. 

The  first  services  of    the  dennminalion  at  this   point  were  held  in  i.s,t5. 

by  Rev.  Messrs    Lane,  Fisher  and  Kolhschild,  at  a  school-house  near  ihc 

present  chunh   edifice      This  soon   proving    too  small,    ih:  ball-room  ol 

Andreas  Dillenbe.  k's   hotel  w.is  used  until  i8,j9,  when  a  union    chunh  "as 

erected  by  the  assistance  of  several  Geiman  families  who  moved  into  liie 


MRS.     WrBSTER       WAGNER. 


Ht)N.    WEBSTER     WAGNER. 


^^^^ 


PROMINENT  CITIZENS  OF  PALATINE— HON.  WEBSTER  WAGNER. 


157 


nnected  with   it.  of  wlih  h 


neighborhood  about  this  lime.  The  present  church  was  built  in  1871,  at 
a  cost  of  about  $1,000,  and  stands  a  few  rods  from  the  site  of  the  original 
structure.  Rev.  Oeorge  H.  Ciclser  has  been  the  pastor  for  three  years. 
Services  are  held  on  alternate  Sabbaths,  They  have  generally  been  in  the 
{;erman  language,  but  as  the  old  members  are  passing  auay.  that  tongue  is 
giving  place  to  the  F-nghsh.  The  membership  of  thi; 
llourishing  Sabbath-school,  with  75  scholars. 
Henry  Hin,  jr.,  is  supenntendent. 

B10GRAPHIC.\L. 

John  A.  Failing  was  born  September  iS,  iSoo.  a  mile  west  of  the  vil- 
lage of  St.  Johnsville.  His  father.  J.  H.  Failing,  removed  with  his  family 
to  the  western  border  of  the  village,  where  he  kept  a  hotel,  in  which 
our  subject  assisted  him.  The  latter  in  1814  had  entire  charge  of  the 
house  and  the  farm  for  two  months,  while  his  father  was  with  the  garrison 
at  Sackett's  Harbor.  The  house,  and  even  the  barns,  were  at  the  time 
filled  with  soldiers,  marines,  shi])  carpenters  and  teamsters  every  night. 
This  was  the  tavern  pleasantly  remembered  by  Thurlow  Weed.  At  nine- 
teen young  Failing  entered  the  militia,  and  held  successively  the  offices  of 
torporal,  sergeant,  ensign,  lieutenant  and  captain,  being  chosen  to  the 
latter  post  in  1825.  He  married  Nancy  Shults  March  23,  1823.  They 
have  had  three  daughters  and  nine  sons,  of  whom  one  daughter  and 
five  sons  have  died.  Four  years  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Failing  moved  to 
a  farm  of  96  acres,  which  his  father  had  bought  in  the  town  of  Palatine. 
The  barn  had  to  be  turned  partly  round  to  get  it  out  of  the  highway, 
and  the  job  required  about  eighty  men  an  entire  afternoon,  with  the 
addition  of  two  baskets  of  rusks  and  half  a  barrel  of  whisky.  Additional 
buildings  were  put  up  in  1828,  including  a  cider  mill,  whose  hrst  season's 
product  of  fiftv  barrels  was  sold  for  a  dollar  a  barrel.  The  wheat  crops 
were  generally  large,  and  marketed  at  Troy.  Latterly  the  farm  has  been 
chiefly  devoted  to  dairying.  Mr.  Failing's  estate  has  been  enlarged  by  the 
purchase  at  various  dates  of  320  acres,  and  a  brick  house  was  built  on  it  in 
r837.  Mr.  Failing  bought  his  present  residence  at  Palatine  Bridge  in  1870. 
He  has  ser\ed  one  term  as  supervisor  of  the  town. 

HON.  WEBSTER  WAGNER. 

Among  the  prominent  self-made  men  of  the  Mohawk  valley  in  active  life 
to-day,  is  Webster  Wagner.  He  is  of  German  extraction,  and  descends 
from  one  of  the  pioneer  families  that  located  in  Palatine  early  in  the  last 
century.  He  was  bom  at  Palatine  Bridge.  Oct.  2,  1S17.  His  father's 
name,  as  also  his  grandfather's,  was  John,  and  his  great-grandfather  was 
I.ieut.-Col.  Peter  Wagner,  of  "  border  warfare  "  memory,  who  was  an  active 
partisan  officer  in  the  Revolution,  and  as  a  man  of  means  e.xerted  no  little 
indiience  in  Tryon  <  ounty  ;  besides,  he  h.id  four  grown-up  sons,  all  whigs 
of  the  times,  ever  ready  on  an  emergency  to  discharge  any  perilous  duty. 
His  dwelling,  a  stone  edilKe,  was  fortified  in  the  war,  and  known  among 
the  stockades  as  Fort  Wagner.  (The  head  of  a  Palatine  family,  which 
wintered,  with  other  German  immigrants,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson  in 
1710.  was  Peter  Wagner,  iiossibly  the  first  man  of  the  name  who  luxated  in 
the  Mohawk  valley  about  a  dozen  years  later.  When  the  Vankce  school- 
musters  first  began  their  labors  in  the  German  settlements,  they  anglicised 
this  name  by  writing  it  Wjggoner — an  orthography  which  prevailed  a 
couple  of  generations  before  it  was  finally  corrected. 1  This  house,  with  a 
wooden  nddition.  situated  on  the  Mohawk  turnpike,  two  miles  westerly  of 
Korl  Plain,  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  the  dairyman  J.  Harvey  Smith. 
The  mother  of  Senator  W,igner  was  Elizabeth  Strayer,  also  a  descendant 
of  an  early  German  family. 

When  at  a  suitable  age,  the  subject  of  this  notice  s.rved  an  apprentice- 
ship with  his  brother  James,  at  the  wagon-mnker's  trade,  and  becnme  his 
partner  in  the  business,  with  which  thev  connected  a  house-furniture  ware- 
r<Kim.  The  business  proved  unprofitable,  but  with  good  habits,  good 
hcilth.  and  a  will  to  do,  the  junior  partner  resoKed.  in  courting  the  goddess 
nf  fortune,  to  try  again,  or  be  ready  for  Sh.ikespeare's 

"—tide  in  the  ntf.iirs  of  men. 

Which.  l.\ken  at  llie  tloo-i,  leads  (,n  to  fortune." 

His    advantages    .it    s.  hool,   thongh    Imiilol.  uere    ^^v\\    impnned.  and   his 

known   expi-rience.  reliable   judgment   and  good   ...mmon  sense  ga\e  him 

the   appointment,  in    1843.  through    his   frien.l.  Mr    I. Kingston   Spraker,  a 


director  of  the  N.  Y.  C.  R.  R.  Co.,  of  station  agent  at  Palatine  Bridt^e,  his 
agency  embracing  both  the  ticket  and  freight  business  ;  to  which  was  sub- 
sequently added  the  agency  of  the  American  Express  Company.  The 
varied  duties  of  these  important  trusts  were  all  satisfactonly  discharged, 
and  those  of  the  latter  by  proxy  for  several  years  after  he  resigned  the 
position. 

In  i860  his  duties  as  freight  agent  ceased,  but  for  several  years  before 
that  he  had,  on  his  own  account,  successfully  engaged  in  the  handling  of 
grain  and  other  farm  products.  While  in  the  latter  business,  whi)  h  ga\c 
more  scope  to  his  active  brain,  he  conceived  the  idea  of  building  sleeping- 
cars  ;  and  associating  with  him  in  the  enterprise  Messrs.  George  B.  Gates 
and  T.  N.  Parmalee.  of  Buffalo,  and  Morgan  Ciardncr,  of  Utica,  he  con- 
structed four  cars,  at  a  cost  of  $3,200  each.  Berths  were  provided  for  the 
sleepers,  provided  with  a  pair  of  cheap  blankets  and  pillows.  These  cars 
commenced  running  on  the  New  York  Central,  Sept.  i,  1858, at  which 
time  the  Hon.  Erastus  Corning  was  president  of  the  road.  He  looked 
with  favor  upon  the  enterprise.  The  project  at  the  outset  did  not  prove 
as  successful  as  was  anticipated.  The  difficulty  seemed  to  be  in  the  want 
ui  a  better  \entilation  of  the  cars,  which  the  inventor's  genius  was  at  once 
taxed  to  remedy.  The  ventilators  being  opposite  to  the  sleepers,  it  was. 
dangerous  to  leave  them  open  at  night,  while  the  air  was  suffocating  with 
them  closed.  In  1859  Mr.  Wagner  invented  the  elevated  car-roof,  placing 
his  ventilators  in  the  elevation,  which  at  once  gave  success  to  the  new  ad- 
venture. Ventilating  the  car  near  the  roof  was  found  so  useful  an  improve- 
ment that  it  was  at  once  adopted,  not  only  in  the  sleeping-car,  but  in  all 
new  passenger-cars,  to  the  increased  comfort  of  the  traveling  world. 

The  sleeping-car  had  not  been  long  in  use  when  the  civil  war  came  on, 
during  which  time  the  cost  of  these  cars  was  from  §18.000  to  §24,000  each. 
They  were  constructed,  however,  not  only  with  reference  to  strength  and 
beauty,  but  for  the  comfort  of  their  occupants,  being  furnished  with  mat- 
tresses and  all  necessary  bedding  for  an  undress,  contrasting  most  favorably 
with  the  first  ones  in  motion.  That  style  of  car  now  costs  from  §13,000  to 
$14,000.  In  1S67,  Mr.  Wagner  invented  and  put  in  operation  his  first 
drawing-room  or  palace  car,  the  first  ever  seen  in  America,  which  at  once 
became  so  popular  with  the  tourist  that  it  secured  to  him  a  fortune,  and 
home-comfort  to  its  thousands  of  generous  patrons.  Wagner  cars  are  now 
in  use  on  most  of  the  important  railroads  in  this  country,  and  they  have 
recently  been  introduced  by  Mr.  Pullman  on  some  of  the  best  regulated 
roads  of  Europe,  entitling  the  inventor  to  the  gratitude  of  the  millions  who 
have  already  e.xpenenced  their  comfort,  while  his  future  memory  will  be 
embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  the  traveling  world  as  a  benefactor  of  his  race. 

In  187 1  Mr.  Wagner  was  called  to  a  new  field  of  labor,  being  chosen  to 
a  seat  in  the  State  Assembly,  to  which  he  was  sent  by  a  majority  of  about 
200  in  the  county.  In  1872  he  was  elected  to  represent  the  XVth  district 
in  the  Senate,  by  a  majority  over  his  competitor.  Mr.  Isaiah  Fuller,  of 
3,222.  At  the  end  of  two  years,  he  was  returned  to  that  body  without  op- 
position. In  1876  he  was  again  sent  back  to  the  Senate,  by  a  majority  of 
2.623  over  Mr,  Samuel  T.  Benedict,  of  Schenectady.  In  Nov.,  1877,  Mr. 
Wagner  was  the  fourth  time  put  in  nomination  for  a  seat  in  the  Senate  ; 
and  so  great  was  his  personal  popularity,  that  although  the  Hon.  Geo.  G. 
Scott,  of  Ballston,  a  man  of  sterling  integrity  and  known  ability,  was  the 
oppo.-iing  candidate,  he  was  again  re-elected,  by  2,216  majority,  for  the 
years  1878  and  1S79. 

In  politics  Mr.  Wagner  is  known  as  a  Republican.  His  long  term  of 
service  has  rendered  him  familiar  vvith  legislative  business,  given  him 
heretofore  a  prominent  place  on  many  of  the  most  important  committees  ; 
and  caused  his  opinion  on  many  interesting  subjects  to  be  sought  for  by 
young  and  less  e.xperienctd  members.  He  has  recently  passed  his  sivtieth 
birthday  with  good  health  and  mature  judgment  ;  and  by  carefully  heed- 
ing nature's  infie\il)le  laws,  he  may  yet  render  the  ['ublic  important  ser\  u  e 
in  some  untried  capacity.  He  is  a  man  of  ample  means  ;  honest  and  up- 
right in  all  his  dealings  ;  courteous  and  affable  in  his  manners  ;  generous 
and  hospitable  in  his  nature  ;  social  and  genial  in  his  habits,  and  ktnd- 
hearted  and  exemplary  in  his  family  relations.  He  owns  not  only  a  pretty 
mansion  with  highly  cultivated  lands  around  it  at  Palatine  Bridge,  but  als(» 
a  very  nire  hmi^e  in  New  York  city,  in  which  his  family  spend  their  win- 
ters Mrs  Wagner  was  Miss  Susan  DaMs,  a  lady  as  amiable  and  sensible 
as  she  IS.  unassuming  and  domestic.  She  was  a  daughter  of  the  late  John 
P,  I  )aMN  a  inaster-mechanif — a  house-carpenter  by  trade — a  very  worthy 
ciii/en  of  (."anaji.hane  at  an  early  period  of  its  village  history.  The  re- 
mainder r.f  tins  family  <  ..nsists  of  five  i  hildren.  a  son  and  four  dauglmrs, 


158 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


all  of  whom  are  married,  except  Miss  Nettie,  the  youngest.  If  Senator 
Wagner  was  unsuccessful  at  the  outset  of  his  business  career,  energy  and 
perseverance  enabled  him  to  triumph  in  the  end,  in  gaining  both  wealth 
and  worldly  honors  ;  and  take  him  all  in  all  we  may  pronounce  him  one  of 
nature's  noblemen. 

We  hope  every  young  man  who  reads  this  brief  biography  will  learn 
from  it  this  important  lesson,  that,  although  he  may  not  be  equally  success- 
ful, yet,  in  order  to  be  at  all  prosperous  he  must  be  honest,  industrious, 
prudent  and  persevering — trampling  at  his  start  in  life  upon  all  manner  of 
evil  habits,  which  drag  the  many  down  to  ruin,  if  not  an  early  grave. 
Among  those  habits  to  be  especially  avoided  are  evil  associations,  profanity, 
smoking,  gambling  and  drinking.  Avoid  all  these  as  you  would  the  sting 
of  an  adder,  and  practice  the  virtues  named,  and  your  success  in  life  will 
be  almost  certain  to  follow,  if  properly  directed. 


WILLIAM   H.    DAVIS 

Mr.  Davis  is  a  native  of  Canajoharie,  where  he 
1824.  His  father  was  John  P.  Davis,  a  native  of 
moved  to  Canajoharie  early  in  life  and  carried  on  the 
and  builder,  on  an  e.xtensive  scale,  for  a  long  time. 
of  this  sketch,  also  learned  the  same  trade,  with  his 
sued  until  the  age  of  nineteen.  In  the  spring  of  the 
Troy  and  became  a  clerk  in  the  grocery  and  wine 
Averell,  where  he  remained  one  year.  In  the  spring 
Rochester  and  became  clerk  for  Brackett,  Averell  < 
branch  of  the  Troy  firm.  At  the  end  of  five  years" 
mitted  as  a  junior  partner.  At  the  death  of  Horat: 
1854,  the  house  at  Rochester  was  closed,  and  Messrs. 


uas  bom  Oct.  2$th. 
New   Jersey,  but  who 

business  of  carpenter 
William,  the  subject 
father,  which  he  pur- 
year  1844.  he  went  to 

store  of   H.  &  W.  J. 

of  1845  he  moTed  to 
SiT  Co.,  of  that  city,  a 

clerkship,  he  was  ad- 
io   Averell,  in  August. 

Brackett  &  Davis,  in 


connection  with  J.  O.  Howard,  commenced  the  same  business  in  New 
York,  under  the  firm  name  of  James  Brackett  &  Co. 

In  the  year  1858,  Stillman  A.  Clark  and  Josiah  B.  Wright  were  admit- 
ted as  partners  in  the  house,  and  the  business  was  continued  by  this  firm 
until  January,  1868.  when  Messrs.  Davis,  Clark  and  Howard  purchased 
the  interest  of  Brackett  and  Wright,  and  continued  business  under  the 
firm  name  of  Davis,  Clark  &  Co.,  until  January.  1872,  when  Davis  and 
Clark  purchased  the  interest  of  Howard  and  admitted  to  the  concern  John 
P.  Davis,  brother  of  W.  H.  Davis,  and  Henr\-  O.  Clark,  nephew  of  S.  A. 
Clark,  who  are  at  this  date  doing  a  successful  business  under  the  latter  firm 
name. 

On  Januar>  5th.  185,^,  Mr.  Da\i->  was  married  10  .\nna  Catharine  (ieort- 
ner,  daughter  of  lieorge  (.leortner,  of  Canajoharie.  who  died  in  the  year 
1869.  Two  daughters,  Olive  Stafford,  and  Edith  .\lliene.  remain  as  the 
fruit  of  this  marriage.  The  eldest  daughter.  ( (live,  was  married  to  Charles 
H.  Whitaker,  of  Toledo,  Ohio,  in  1S73.  Although  the  place  of  business 
of  Mr,  Davis  is  in  New  York,  he  retains  his  residence  at  Palatine  Bridge, 
where  he.  sometime  since,  erected  a  hand>ome  dwelling,  which,  with  the 
grounds  connected,  has  been  named  "  Rose  Terrace." 

Mr.  Davis  has,  for  a  long  time.  ht?en  a  director  of  the  Canajoharie  Bank, 
and  for  the  past  twelve  years  vice-president  of  that  institution.  A  few 
years  since  the  political  party  to  which  Mr.  Davis  belongs  complimented 
him  by  nominating  him  for  member  of  Assembly  during  his.  absence  from 
home,  but.  although  strongly  urged  ro  accept  by  his  fnends.  he  was  forced 
to  decline  on  account  of  his  business  eni^agements.  At  the  Centennial 
celebration  at  Canajoharie.  July  4th.  1876.  Mr.  Davis  was  selected  by  the 
committee  as  the  presiding  officer  of  the  day.  the  duties  of  which  position 
he  discharged  with  dignity.  In  private  life  Mr  Davis  is  a  social,  genial 
gentleman  of  the  old  school,  strictly  honorable  in  his  dealings  with  all, 
liberal  in  charitable  and  benevolent  enterprises,  and  possesses  conversa- 
tional powers  of  a  high  order. 


Mf^S'    W.     H.    DAVIS. 


WILLIAM    H.  DAVIS. 


i4 


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''^R\9,I^E;  T]ER,pAGE5;"  IK<e:3(., mifi-   ■N\;.,|;l^., J^^^VVJi^:,  PAtAHiNffii  BiR-nm.eiE'.,;  MioiMiTT'EaJMiE.RrfV    G':Q\^  Nt.  Y..  K^"' 


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.JAMES       SPRAKER. 


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•^.-^.Res.    OF     JAMES      SPRAKER,    Palatine      Bridge,     ISI.    V; 


159 


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Hen.  Joseph  Spraker 


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Mrs.Jooeph  Spraker. 


Residence  ofiriEi  HON. JOSEPH  SPKAKER,  pHlat.me.Mt  rif',T(i'ery  Co  ,New  York 

HOMESTEAD    r.F    THt       PPAKEr-;    F  A  M  l  L  r" 


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JO  ST      SPRA  K  E  R 


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MRS.     JOST      SPRAKER 


THE    SPRAKER    FAMILY. 


Tins  familjr,  which  has  long  been  prominent  in  the  Mohawk  valley  in 
wealth,  business  enterprise  and  social  and  political  influence,  deserves  par- 
iKolar  mention.  George  Spraker,  the  remotest  ancestor  of  the  family  in 
Ais  country,  a  native  of  Saxony,  settled  in  the  town  of  Palatine,  Mont- 
gwnery  county,  then  a  part  of  Albany  county,  about  the  year  1755.  He 
Harried  Maria  House,  v/ho  wis  also  of  German  descent,  and  by  honest 
adustry  became  the  builder  of  his  own  fortune  and  advanced  from  pov- 
erty to  prosperity.  At  the  time  of  his  death  George  Spraker  was  the 
••Tier  of  some  of  the  finest  agricultural  land  in  the  valley,  a  part  of  which 
was  oa  the  Mohawk  flats,  and  resided  at  the  old  homestead  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  Mohawk  river,  which  has  ever  since  remained  in  the  family. 

George  Spraker  had  four  sons  and  five  daughters,  and  the  sons,  with 
iimself,  bore  arms  against  the  British,  tones  and  Indians  in  the  war  for 
icdependence  and  the  early  frontier  struggles.  John  and  Georgfe,  sons  of 
George  Spraker,  were  with  the  detachment  of  the  heroic  Col.  Brown  in 
the  bloody  battle  with  the  British  and  Indians  on  the  19th  of  October, 
1780;  and  George  Spraker  himself,  then  an  elderly  man,  and  his  younger 
ms,  Conrad  and  Jost,  were  among  the  garrison  of  Fort  Keyset,  within  the 
limits  of  the  present  town  of  Palatine,  on  that  memorable  day.  Nancy 
Spraker,  a  daughter  of  George  Spraker,  and  widow  of  Jacob  J.  Lawyer, 
stjM  survives  and  resides  at  Schoharie,  being  nearly  one  hundred  years 
of  age. 

On  the  death  of  George  Spraker,  Jost  Spraker,  his  youngest  son,  suc- 
ceeded to  the  paternal  homestead.  Jost  Spraker  became  well  known 
thioughout  and  beyond  the  State.  Travelers  through  the  valley  before 
the  lime  of  railroads  were  entertained  at  his  hotel,  which  became  famous 
(at  liberal  hospitality.  Mr.  Spraker  was  personally  noted  for  his  humorous 
siyings,  and  many  interesting  anecdotes  of  his  original  wit  have  survived 
to  the  present  day.  He  was  an  extensive  land  owner,  and  possessed  many 
slares  until  they  became  emancipated  by  law.  In  the  village  of  Spraker's 
Basin,  opposite  his  residence,  was  erected  in  early  times  the  church  known 
as  "Spraker's  Church  "  This  old  church  was  replaced  in  1858  by  a  new 
edifice  built  upon  another  sue,  w-hich  was  donated  by  George  Spraker,  the 
el'.est  son  of  Jost  Spraker,  to  the  Reformed  ,\ssociation.  The  station  of 
the  New  York  Central  Railroad  near  the  homestead  of  Mr.  Spraker  15  ap- 
pr»>priately  named  "Spraker's." 

jost  Spraker  marned  Catherine  Frazier,  a  descendant  of  one  of  the 
Scottish  pioneer  families  who  first  settled  Johnstown,  and  died  in  184S,  in 
his  84th  year,  having  outlived  his  worthy  and  accomplished  wife  five  years. 
Sin  sons  and  two  daughters  survived  him;  and  the  sons,  acting  in  concen 
in  important  cnterjirises  tor  upwards  of  half  a  century,  have  deserved  and 
realised  a  rare  degree  of  prosperity,  and  made  their  family  name  the  guar- 
anty of  honor  and  responsibility  These  six  brothers  have  been  very 
prominent  in  the  social,  business   and   political   circles  of  their  time,  and 


have  justly  merited  their  singularly  high  reputation  for  business  ability  and 
integrity.  A  brief  sketch  will  be  given  of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Jost 
Spraker: 

NANCY   SPXAKER. 

Nancy  Spraker  married,  and  settled  at  an  early  day  at  Sackeit's 
Harbor,  New  York,  where  she  recently  died  at  an  advanced  age,  leaving 
descendants. 

CATHERINE    SPRAKER. 

Catherine  Spraker  after  marriage  resided  in  CobleskiU  and  Richmond- 
ville,  in  Schoharie  county.  New  York,  at  which  last  named  place  she  died 
in  1S66,  having  attained  old  age  among  her  children. 

JAMES    SPRAKER. 

James  Spraker,  the  fifth  son  of  Jost  Spraker,  commenced  business  as  » 
merchant  at  Spraker's  Basin  in  1832;  the  location  of  his  store  being  upon 
the  south  bank  of  the  old  canal.  At  this  place  Mr.  Scraker  earned  on  an 
extensive  and  prosperous  trade  for  six  years. 

Prescient  and  successful  in  financial  enterprise,  .Mr.  Spraker  at  an  early 
day  saw  the  field,  as  well  as  the  public  necessity,  which  existed  at  Canajo- 
harie  and  Fonda,  for  the  successful  establishment  and  operation  of  banks, 
and  by  uniting  his  counsels  and  efforts  with  those  of  his  brothers,  or£;an 
ized  the  Spraker  Bank  at  Canajoharie  in  1853,  and  the  Mohawk  Rivei 
Bank  at  Fonda  in  1S56;  each  of  those  institutions  being  the  pioneer  banlt 
in  its  own  locality.  .Mr.  Spraker  removed  to  Canajoharie  in  1853  to  take 
charge  of  the  Spraker  Bank,  and  resided  there  until  1865,  when  he  removed 
to  Palatine  Bridge,  and  purchased  the  residence  of  Henry  Loucks,  coun- 
sellor-at-law.  James  Spraker  is  one  of  the  original  directors  of  the  Spraker 
Bank  and  of  the  Mohawk  River  Bank;  he  has  been  president  of  the  first  \ 
named  institution  since  its  organization,  and  his  able  and  careful  manage-  : 
ment  of  its  affairs  has  ever  been  manifest  in  its  flounshing  condition  | 

But  not  in  financial  achievements  alone  is  his  fame  memorable;  for  in    ] 
the  midst  of  a  busy  and  yet  tranquil  life,  Mr.  Spraker  still  finds  time  to  re     j 
lieve    the    distressed    and    assist   the    young    in   the   battle    of    life      !■'    ' 
is  well  known  as  a  generous  donor  to  religious,  charitable  and  benevtilc"' 
objects,  and  his  name   is  often  sought  to  head  the  subscription  list.     Al 
though  frequently  urged  to  accept  nominations  for  office,  .Mr.  Spraker  hai 
always  preferred  the  freedom   of  private  life,  and   for.  half  a  century  ha»    | 
given  to  the  Democratu-  party  the  aid  of  his  wisdom  and   experience  in 
council  and  the  support  of  his  untamishrd  personal  character. 

The  home  of  James  Spraker  at  Palatine  Bridge,  guarded  in  front  by  t»o    1 
huge  and  beautiful  elms  of  primeval   growth,  which  are  doubtless  olde' 
than  the  settlement  of  the  county  by  Europeans,  is  one  of  the  most  cbaim 
ing  in  the  valley. 


-4 


LIVINGSTON      SPRAKER 

Livingston  Spraker,  the  fourth  son  of  Jost  Spraker,  was  extensively  and 
favorably  known  both  within  and  beyond  the  limits  of  his  native  State; 
having  been  sheriff  of  Montgomer>'  county;  delegate  to  the  national  Demo- 
cratic convention  held  in  Chicago  in  1S64;  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
Utica  and  Schenectady  Railroad;  and  a  director  of  the  New  York  Central 
Railroad  for  many  years;  and  having  held  other  prominent  positions.  He 
resided  at  Palatine  Bridge,  amassed  a  large  fortune,  and  died  September 
15th,  1873,  in  his  71st  year,  leaving  a  widow  and  children.  LiWngston 
Spraker  was  prominent  in  the  politics  of  his  native  county  and  State  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century;  and  was  one  of  the  original  directors  and  founders  of 
three  banks  :  the  Spraker  Bank  of  Canajoharie;  the  Mohawk  River  Bank 
of  Fonda;  and  the  Fort  Plain  Bank;  being  the  first  vice-president  of  the 
last-named  institution.  Mr.  Spraker  and  lady  were  liberal  donors  to  the 
English  Lutheran  Church  of  Canajoharie,  of  which  he  was  a  member  at 
the  ti  ne  of  his  death. 

The  mansion  of  Livingston  Spraker  was  one  of  the  most  hospitable  in 
the  valley;  and  his  many  friends,  scattered  far  and  wide,  will  long  miss  his 
imposing  presence,  courtly  manners,  and  generous  hospitality. 


JOSEPH    SPRAKER. 

Joseph  Spraker,  the  youngest  son  of  Jost  Spraker,  resides  upon  the  origi- 
nal family  homestead  in  the  town  of  Palatine,  which  he  has  recently  fitted 
up  with  all  the  modem  improve'ments.  In  1853  he  married  Angelica  Mitch- 
ell, daughter  of  the  late  Hugh  Mitchell  of  Spraker's  Basin,  and  has  four 
sons  and  one  daughter.  His  spacious  mansion  is  the  scene  of  many  a 
youthful  frolic  and  of  princely  entertainment.  Mr.  Spraker  is  one  of  the 
founders  and  a  director  of  the  Spraker  Bank  of  Canajoharie  and  of  the 
Mohawk  River  Bank  of  Fonda;  and  is  now  vice-president  of  the  first  named 
institution.  Among  other  important  positions  held  by  Mr.  Spraker  is  that 
of  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Palatine  two  tenj-s;  and  in  1856  he  represent- 
ed Montgomery  county  in  the  .Assembly. 

The  official  life  of  Mr,  Spraker  was  characterized  by  the  same  courtesy 
and  honor  which  distinguish  him  as  a  man,  and  realize  the  true  ideal  of  a 
republican  form  of  government— official  power  united  with  Integrity  and 
intelligence.  Mr.  Spraker  and  his  brothers  have  always  been  identified  in 
politics  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  influentialin  its  councils.  Joseph 
Spraker  and  lady  have  been  leading  members  of  and  liberal  donors  to  the 
Reformed  Church  at  Spraker's  Basin  from  the  time  it  was  rebuilt  in  1858. 

The  numerous  guests  who  have  been  entertained  by  Mr.  Spraker  and  his 
Jccomplished  lady  at  their  elegant  and  beautiful  residence,  will  not  soon 
(orget  either  the  abundance  and  good  cheer  of  the  table,  or  the  hearty 
'^ugh  and  kind  welcome  of  the  host  and  hostess. 


GEORGE      SPRA  KER 

George  Spraker,  like  his  father  familiarly  known  as  "the  Major,"  wai 
the  eldest  son  of  Jost  Spraker,  and  settled  at  Spraker's  Basin,  in  the  town 
of.  Root.  He  built  at  the  canal  lock  a  large  and  imposing  stone  mansion 
and  store,  and  there  carried  on  a  prosperous  mercantile  business  for  many 
years,  in  sight  of  the  paternal  homestead  across  the  nver.  .\mong  the  im- 
portant and  responsible  positions  filled  by  George  Spraker  are  tiui^ic  ul 
justice  of  the  peace  and  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Root,  director  ot  the 
Spraker  Bank  of  Canajoharie,  and  superintendent  of  the  Erie  Canal  fur 
many  years  under  the  appointment  of  the  late  Governor  Bouck,  who  was 
then  a  canal  commissioner.  He  enjoyed  the  life-long  friendship  of  this 
distinguished  man,  and  after  his  retirement  from  political  life  the  governor 
and  his  wife  frequently  visited  .Mr.  Spraker  at  his  residence.  George 
Spraker  married  in  early  life,  and  died  January  14th,  1869,  in  his  73d  year, 
leaving  a  family  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  Although  George 
Spraker  and  lady  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  yet  they  liberally 
and  constantly  supported  the  Reformed  church  at  Spraker's  Basin,  the 
site  of  which  was  donated  by  George  Spraker  to  the  church  society. 

George  Spraker  was  courteous  in  manners,  kind  and  social  in  disposition, 
and  an  eminently  honest  and  upright  man.  His  chanties  and  hospitality 
were  well  known,  and  during  his  whole  life  he  possessed  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  all  who  knew  him. 

DANIEL    SPRAKER. 

Daniel  Spraker,  the  second  son  of  Jost  Spraker,  resided  at  Spraker'i 
Basin  until  1853;  and  while  there  was  engaged  extensively  in  the  mercan- 
tile, storage  and  forwarding  business  on  the  Erie  canal  for  many  years,  in 
which  by  the  aid  of  energy  and  economy  he  became  one  of  the  leading 
merchants  of  the  valley.  In  1853  he  removed  to  Canajoharie  and  lived  i 
retired  life  for  a  few  years.  In  1856.  upon  the  establishment  of  the  Mohawk 
River  Bank  at  Fonda  by  the  enterprise  of  himself  and  brothers,  he  re- 
moved to  Fonda  and  accepted  the  presidency  of  that  institution,  which 
position  he  has  held  to  the  present  time.  As  manager  of  the  Mohawk 
River  Bank  he  has  shown  such  financial  ability,  sagacity  and  prudence  a» 
have  conspicuously  contributed  to  the  success  and  sound  condition  of  that 
institution.  Mr.  Spraker  has  also  been  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Spraker 
Bank  at  Canajoharie  since  its  organization.  Daniel  Spraker  married  Eliia 
Dykeman,  daughter  of  Stephen  Dykeman,  and  has  one  son  and  two  daugh- 
ters living,  his  wife  having  died  several  years  ago,  Mr.  Spraker  is  a  prom- 
inent member  and  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  Reformed  church  of  Fonda 

Unmoved  bv  the  smiles  or  frowns  of  fortune  and  of  power,  the  conduct 
of  Daniel  Spraker  has  been  always  guided  by  justice  and  integrity,  and  his 
manners  tempered  by  the  courtesy  of  the  old  school  and  the  gentle  im- 
pulses of  a  kind  heart;  and  now,  far  advanced  in  age,  for  many  years  he 
has  enjoyed  the  pleasant  fruits  of  a  noble  life,  the  respect  and  esteem  ol 
all,  and  an  ample  fortune  which  he  has  honestly  acquired. 


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HON.     DAVID     SPRAKER 


David  Spraker,  the  third  son  of  Jost  Spraker,  attended  the  Johnstown 
Acade*ny,  and  in  1819  entered  Union  College,  graduating  in  1822  with 
^nor;  being  at  the  time  of  his  death  a  member  of  the  board  of  councillor^ 
<rf  the  college  and  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society.  He  excelled  in  literary 
composition  and  orator}-,  and  participated  in  the  commencement  exercises 
of  1822  33  one  of  the  two  orators  chosen  by  the  college  literary  society 
known  as  the  Delphian  Institute.  Mr  Spraker  studied  law  at  Amsterdam 
with  Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  at  Albany  with  Judge  Alfred  Conkling  and  at 
Johnstown  with  Daniel  Cady,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  as  attorney  of 
the  Supreme  Court  in  1825,  and  as  counsellor  in  1828,  under  the  rigid  re- 
quirement of  seven  years  study  by  the  old  regime.  In  1842  he  was  licensed 
in  the  Circuit  and  District  Courts  of  the  United  States.  In  1830  he  be- 
came Supreme  Court  commissioner,  an  officer  who,  under  the  law  of  those 
days,  exercised  much  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the  present  Supreme  Couj-t; 
and  in  1833  was  appointed  master  and  examiner  in  chancer)'.  In  1835  and 
for  some  years  previous  thereto  he  was  a  judge  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  of  Montgomery  county,  and  resigned  his  office  in  the  fall  of  that 
year  to  take  his  seat  in  the  Stale  senate  and  the  Court  for  the  Correction 
of  Errors,  which  was  then  the  State  court  of  last  resort;  to  which  offices 
he  had  been  elected,  and  which  he  filled  for  four  years  from  the  first  day 
of  January,  1836.  During  his  career  in  the  senate,  although  probably  the 
youngest  member  of  that  body,  he  established  for  himself  a  reputation  for 
eloquence,  ability  and  integrity,  which  extended  far  beyond  the  borders  of 
his  native  Sute.  Of  that  senate,  Mr.  Hammond,  in  his  Political  History 
of  New  York,  mentions  with  approbation  only  Senators  Spraker  and 
Young,  for  their  efforts  to  prevent  the  squandering  of  public  money  in 
private  schemes,  and  in  the  interest  of  corpprations  ;  and  in  the  widely 
separated  counties  of  Erie  and  New  York  public  resolutions  were  adopted 
thanking  those  two  senators  for  their  intrepid  devotion  to  the  cause  of 
honesty  and  the  public.  The  judicial  ability  of  Mr.  Spraker  is  illustrated 
by  ihc  fact  that  upon  the  construction  by  the  Court  of  Errors  of  the 
complicated  and  numerous  provisions  of  the  celebrated  James  will,  the 
opinion  of  Judge  Spraker  was  the  ouly  one  which  was  concurred  in  by 


the  court  upon  every  point.  Mr.  Spraker  resided  in  Canajoharie  from 
1825  to  the  rime  of  his  death,  October  14th,  1873,  in  his  73d  year.  He 
practiced  law  for  many  years,  and  for  a  long  time  acted  as  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Montgomery  County  Mutual  Insurance  Company.  He 
was  postmaster  at  Canajoharie  six  years,  and  was  a  director  and  vire- 
president  of  the  National  Spraker  Bank  of  Canajoharie.  and  a  director  of 
the  Mohawk  River  National  Bank  of  Fonda.  In  1839,  and  again  in 
1S42,  Judge  Spraker  was  prominently  mentioned  in  the  newspapers  as  the 
Democratic  candidate  for  governor  of  the  State.  He  was  a  delegate  to 
the  national  Democratic  conventions  which  met  at  Charleston  and  Balti- 
more in  i860,  where  he  supported  the  nomination  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas. 
He  presided  at  the  first  war  meeting,  in  Canajoharie,  to  enlist  volunteers 
and  aid  in  suppressing  the  rebellion  ;  and,  throughout  the  war,  gave  un- 
wavering support  to  that  end. 

In  1845  he  married  Harriet  F.  Rowan,  youngest  daughter  of  Rev. 
Stephen  N.  Rowan,  D.D.,  of  New  York,  and  left  her  and  three  sons  and 
three  daughters  surviving  him. 

In  politics  Mr.  Spraker  was  a  life-long  and  consistent  Democrat,  and  was" 
widely  known  for  nearly  half  a  century  as  a  man  of  great  influence  at  home 
and  abroad.  He  adorned  the  many  public  positions  held  by  hira  with  grace, 
dignity  and  honor,  and  was  classed  among  those  accomplished  gentlemen 
and  chivalrous  statesmen  who,  not  numerous  in  his  own  day,  have  now 
almost  disappeared.  Judge  Spraker  was  intimately  associated  with  Presi- 
dent Van  Buren.  Gov.  Marcy,  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  and  many  others  of  the 
noblest  men  of  our  country,  most  of  whom  have  now  passed  away.  He 
united  the  profoundest  sagacity  with  wonderful  organizing  and  executive 
ability;  and  his  magnanimity,  benevolence,  and  chivalrous  daring  in  behalf 
of  justice,  won  him  universal  popular  love.  His  features  were  classic  and 
commanding,  his  eyes  dark  and  piercing,^  his  voice  musical  and  impressive, 
and  his  manners  and  movements  refined,  genial  and  graceful  in  the  highest 
degree.  He  possessed  the  gift  of  natural  eloquence  and  franknes5,  and 
the  enthusiasm  and  vivacity  of  youth  ended  only  with  his  life. 


THE  TOPOGRAPHY  OF  ROOT— REMINISCENCES  OF  CURRYTOWN. 


1G3 


THE  TOWN  OF  ROOT. 


Thb  town  was  formed  from  the  towns  of  Charleston  and  Canajoharie, 
January  27,  1823,  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  and  named  after  General 
Krastus  Root,  of  Delaware  county,  who  was  a  State  senator  at  the  time. 

Root  has  an  area  of  31,652  acres.  Within  or  upon  its  borders  are  the 
most  striking  features  of  the  notable  scenery-  which  makes  Montgomery 
county,  perhaps,  the  most  pictures<iue  section  of  the  Mohawk  valley.  The 
hills  bordering  on  the  river  rise  abruptly  to  a  height  of  -six  hundred  and 
thirty  feet,  and  from  their  summits  the  country  spreads  out  into  an  undu- 
lating upland.  The  bold  promontories  below  "  Spraker's,"  on  opposite 
^ldes  of  the  river,  have  from  the  earliest  times  been  called  the  Noses.  At 
this  point  the  Erie  Canal  and  the  highway  have  barely  space  for  their 
passage  between  the  nver  and  the  base  of  the  lofty  and  romantic  steep. 
whose  stony  front  is  but  partly  covered  by  vines  and  evergreens,  feebly 
-supported  by  the  scanty  soil  in  the  cavities  and  gorges  of  the  rocks. 

The  principal  streams  in  the  town  are  tributaries  of  the  Mohawk.  Of 
these  Yatesville,  which  in  a  land  grant,  dated  1727,  is  called  by  the  Indian 
name  \Va.sontha,;  and  Flat  creeks  are  the  longest.  On  the  former,  one 
mile  below  Rural  Grove,  occurs  what  is  known  as  Vrooman's  Falls,  a  per- 
pendicular cataract  of  twenty  or  twenty-five  feet,  which,  when  the  stream 
is  in  full  flow,  constitutes  a  powerful  attraction  to  the  admirers  of  nature. 
Here  many  years  ago  stood  the  grist-mill  of  a  Mr.  Vrooman.  whose  name 
is  perpetuated  in  the  na,tural  water-power  that  turned  his  mill-wheel.  The 
building  was  carried  off  bodily  by  a  flood  in  1813  and  dashed  to  pieces 
against  a  large  elm. 

A  small  portion  of  the  course  of  Flat  creek  corresponds  with  its  name, 
while  other  parts  present  bolder  and  more  interesting  features.  The  stream 
flows  past  an  imposing  declivity  of  slate  and  gravel,  and  running  through 
romantic  ravines,  reaches,  a  mile  above  Spraker's,  a  point  known  as  Ham- 
ilton's (latterly  Sutphen's,  Hollow,  where  it  makes  a  fall  of  sixty-five 
feet.  Several  persons  have  prospected  for  valuable  minerals  along  the 
creek,  and  an  ore  has  been  found  containing  fifty  per  cent,  of  lead  and 
fifteen  of  silver,  as  assayed  by  the  State  geologist. 

East  creek  flows  into  Flat  creek  from  the  east,  several  miles  from  the 
Mohawk,  On  its  banks  are  two  saw-mills,  and  a  cheese  box,  lath,  shingle 
and  broom-stick  factory.  Fly  creek  flows  eastwardly  through  the  south- 
eastern part  of  the  town,  and  empties  into  the  Schoharie. 

In  the  southern  pan  of  the  town  is  situated  what  is  known  as  the  Bear 
^wamp,  covering  about  forty  acres.  Out  of  it  issue  toward  the  east  and 
west  two  streams  of  about  e<-}ual  volume,  one  of  which  once  furnished  the 
power  for  a  saw-mil!.  The  swamp  contains  several  dangerous  sink  holes. 
It  produces — bountifully  in  some  years — -whortleberries  of  a  quality  else- 
where unknown,  growing  on  bushes  from  five  to  seven  feet  high. 


VILLAGES  OF  THE  TOWN. 

CuRRVTowN,  named  from  the  patentee  of  Corry's  patent,  on  which  it 
^-tood,  is  the  oldest  center  of  population  within  the  limits  of  Root.  The 
sufferings  of  this  unfortunate  community  during  the  Revolution,  have 
I'ecn  elsewhere  referred  to.  especially  the  remarkable  cases  of  the  Dieven- 
•I'lrff  boys,  who  survived  being  .scalped  and,  as  was  supposed,  killed  at  the 
"me  of  Uoxtader's  murderous  raid  nixjn  the  settlement  in  1781.  Other 
^offerers  by  the  same  attack  were  the  Keller-..  .Myerses,  Bellingers.  Tanners 
and  Lewises,  who.  with  the  Dicvemlorffs,  were  the  first  settlers  in  the  town. 
IVsuie  the  girl  Mary  Miller  and  ihe  boy  Ja<oh  Dievendorlf.  a  negro,  also 
named  Jacob,  two  lads  n.iined  Bellinger.  Ja(  ob  M>ers  and  his  son.  and  two 
"thers  were  among  the  prisoners  taken  by  the  savages,  and  upon  uhuin  the 


tomahawk  fell  when  the  retreat  of  the  marauders  began.  The  Indi.ans 
burned  all  the  buildings  but  the  fort.  Which  was  a  stockade  enclosing  the 
residence  of  Henry  Lewis,  a  log  school-house,  and  the  house  of  a  tury 
named  David  Lewis,  where  Henry  Voorhee*  has  since  lived — about  a  do/t  n 
mail.  The  oldest  son  of  Rudolf  Keller,  who  lived  too  far  from  the  fort 
to  think  of  gaining  it.  found  safety  with  his  family  in  the  woods,  though 
from  their  retreat  they  saw  the  destruction  of  their  home.  Peter  Bellin.;er 
escaped  by  riding  away  toward  the  Mohawk  on  one  of  the  horses  with 
which  he  was  plowing.  A  party  of  savages  sharply  pursued  him  and. 
though  they  did  not  overtake  the  horseman,  killed  and  scalped  Jaroli 
Mover  and  his  father  who  were  cutting  timber  in  the  woods.  Jacob  I)ie\en- 
dorff,  father  of  the  boys  who  showed  such  wonderful  vitality,  escaped  li\ 
throwing  himself  behind  and  partly  under  a  log,  over  which  his  [nirsutr- 
passed  without  seeing  him,  Of  the  younger  Jacob  Dievendortf,  who  su  Ion:; 
survived  the  loss  of  his  scalp,  Mr.  Lossing  thus  speaks  in  his  Pic  torial 
Field  Book  of  the  Revolution,  published  m  1S51  : 

"We  reached  Currytown,  a  small  village  nearly  four  miles  south  of 
Canajoharie,  at  about  noon.  The  principal  object  of  my  visit  there  was  tu 
see  the  venerable  Jacob  Dictcndorff,  who  with  his  family  was  among  the 
sufferers  when  that  settlement  was  destroyed  by  Indians  and  tories  in  Jul). 
1781.  Accompanied  by  his  son-in-law  Dr.  Snow,  of  Currytown,'  we 
found  the  old  patnot  busily  engaged  in  his  barn  threshing  grain  ;  and 
although  nearly  eighty  years  of  age  he  seemed  almost  as  vigorous  and 
active  as  most  men  are  at  sixty.  His  sight  and  hearing  are  somewhat 
defective,  but  his  intellect,  as  exhibited  by  his  clear  remembrance  of  the 
circumstances  of  his  early  life,  had  lost  but  little  of  its  strength.  He  i-- 
one  of  the  largest  landholders  in  Montgomery  county,  owningone  thousand 
fertile  acres  lying  in  a  single  tract,  where  the  scenes  of  his  sufferings  in 
early  life  occurred.  In  an  orchard  a  short  distance  from  his  dwelling  the 
house  was  still  standing  which  was  stockaded  and  used  as  a  fort.  It  is 
fast  decaying,  but  the  venerable  owner  allows  time  alone  to  work  its  de- 
struction, and  will  not  suffer  a  board  to  be  taken  from  it." 

The  venerable  man  here  spoken  of  died  Oct.  8,  1S54,  at  the  age  nf  H4, 
the  most  wealthy  resident  of  the  town.  His  remains  lie  in  the  family  I'un.'l 
place  with  those  of  his  parents,  on  the  homestead  farm,  which  he  he- 
queathed  to  his  grandson,  Jacob  DievendorfT. 

The  first  post  ofl^ce  in  this  region  was  at  Currytown,  and  was  supplied 
by  a  post  rider  The  first  postmaster  was  Daniel  Cuck.  the  second  W.il 
ler  Conkling,  and  the  third  John  Bowdish,  who  received  his  appointnunt 
from  President  Jackson,  in  1832.  ;when  the  post  oflice  was  moved  to  Kiir.il 
Grove\  and  has  held  the  position  ever  since — an  extraordinary  tenure  r.t 
oflSce,  singularly  at  variance  with  the  principles  of  the  President  who  in.ide 
the  appointment,  and  speaking  well  for  the  merits  of  the  official  who  re- 
ceived it. 

A  "  Dutch  "  Reformed  church  was  organized  at  Currytown  ahout  i  rv^- 
and  a  house  of  worship  built  in  1S09,  being  dedicated  on  the  ^A  of  Scplcm 
ber  in  that  year.  The  interior  of  the  building  was  materially  changed  in 
1849.  accordnig  to  the  taste  of  the  day,  and  the  spire,  which  was  de<a\ing. 
was  replaced  by  one  of  more  modern  style.  A  large  number  of  clerg)men 
have  officiated  in  the  desk.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  E.  (i.  Ackeron.  i 
graduate  both  of  Rutgers  College  and  Theological  Institute,  New  Bruns- 
wick, N.  J 

At  an  early  period  a  store  was  established  by  John  McKernan  in  the 
building  now  owned  by  Miss  Keller,  on  the  corner  opposite  the  residence 
of  llie  late  Dr.  Snow.  Retiiing  from  mercantile  pursuits,  Mr.  McKernan 
engaged,  about  1S2C,  in  the  enterprise  of  building  a  bridge  acn-ss  the 
Mohawk  at  the  point  now  known  as  Randall,      A  few  months  .after  its  ( ..m- 


164 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


pletion  a  flood  floated  the  structure  from  its  foundations,  which  are  still  to 
be  seen  in  the  river  when  the  water  is  low. 

The  resident  physician  at  Currytown  more  than  half  a  century  a^o,  was 
Daniel  Cuck,  who  owned  and  occupied  the  present  home  of  J.  U.  Snow, 
and  was  a  popular  practitioner  of  the  old  school,  when  the  resources  of 
the  profession  were  the  lancet  and  mercury.  He  was  the  owner  of  the 
first  one-horse  wagon  in  this  vicinity,  which  at  the  time  was  a  great  novelty. 
I>r.  Cuck  was  al.'O  engaged  in  mcrt  antilc  business  in  company  with  C.  C. 
Hubbard.  Thev  were  also  manufacturers  of  potash  from  house  ashes. 
Their  store  was  thought  to  be  be  an  e.xtensiye  institution,  though  a  small 
affair  compared  with  many  mercantile  houses  of  the  present.  Walter 
Conkling  was  for  a  long  period  at  the  head  of  a  country  store,  doing  a 
flourishing  business  in  the  western  part  of  the  hamlei. 

James  i.cwis  kept  a  hotel  on  the  '^ite  of  the  residence  of  the  late  Dr.  S. 
Snow,  fronting  the  highway  leading  to  Vatesville. 

John  Hoff  for  many  years  carried  on  the  business  of  manufacturing 
leather,  boots  and  shoes  ;  John  Hicks  made  farming  mills  and  cabinet 
ware  ;  F.  H.  Hrumbley  was  ^  wagon-maker,  and  blacksmith  shops  were 
equal  to  the  wants  ot   the  people. 

John  G.  Ecker  officiated  as  "knight  of  the  goose  and  shears,"  cutting 
wardrobes  that  vested  the  farmers  in  homespun  attire  from  cloth  made  by 
the  good  wives  and  daughters  of  sixty  years  ago. 

For  many  years  the  village  was  the  central  point  of  town  business,  where 
elections  and  lawsuits  were  usually  held  at  the  leading  hotel,  kept  by 
Richard  Hotf,  Boyd  Beverly  and  others.  Every  branch  of  busmess  once 
centering  here  has  been  swept  away  by  the  ravages  of  time,  and  the  place 
is  now  noted  only  for  its  fine  farm  buildings. 

Rural  Grove  is  located  in  the  southeasterly  part  of  the  town,  five  miles 
from  the  Mohawk,  on  the  Vatesville  creek,  or  **  the  brook  called  Wasontha," 
as  it  is  referred  to  in  an  ancient  deed.  The  place  was  founded  by  Abram 
H,  V'anderveer,  who  formed  a  partnership  with  Henry  Stowits  in  the  year 
1828,  erecting  a  dwelling  and  subsetjuently  a  large  building  for  a  tannery, 
which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  new  residence  of  Hon.  John  Bovvdish.  When 
the  frame  of  the  tannery  building  was  raised,  the  place  was  christened  by 
Henry  Stowits,  who.  from  the  apex  of  the  structure,  before  throwing  the 
bottle,  as  then  customary  on  such  occasions,  named  the  infant  village 
Unionville.  This  euphonious  title  was  soon  forgotten,  and  a  lady  suggested 
the  graceless  name  of  Leatherville,  by  which  the  hamlet  was  known  for 
many  years.  In  the  same  year  a  building  was  erected  by  Isaac  B.  Walker, 
as  a  hotel,  which  wa-s  kept  by  him  as  such  for  a  number  of  years,  and  is 
still  a  public  house,  now  kept  by  Henry  Van  Buren,  who  has  materially 
improved  the  buildings. 

William  A.  Covenhovcn  erected  a  building  for  a  store,  in  which  John 
Bowdish  and  Isaac  S.  Frost,  on  the  2d  of  June,  1829,  began  the  mercantile 
business.  The  building  is  now  the  property  of  Mr.  Bowdish,  who  has  en- 
larged it  and  greatly  improved  its  appearance,  and  still  occupies  it  as  a 
store  with  (ieorge  J.  Gove  in  partnership,  the  senior  partner  having  held  a 
continuous  interest  in  the  business  trom  the  beginning,  a  period  of  more 
than  forty-eight  years. 

When  the  leather  manufacture  was  discontinued,  the  n.inie  whiih  it  had 
given  the  i*lace  became  a  misnomer.  In  r.S5o,  a  resident  began  dating  his 
correspondence  from  Rural  Grove  the  name  being  suggested  by  the  grove 
of  elms  on  the  western  border  of  the  village  The  example  was  generally 
followed,  and  in  1S72  the  name  of  the  post  office  was  changed  frtiin  Root 
to  Rural  (irove.  The  oftice  has  been  held  for  more  than  forty-five  years 
by  Mr.  John  Bowdish.  and  its  I>usiness  has  increased  with  the  growth  of 
population  and  intelligence.  Newspapers  ha\e  multiplied  Iroui  a  iiierc 
score  to  hundreds,  and  thousands  of  letters  pass  thrtfugh  the  inaiU  where 
hundreds  did. 

Rural  Grove  is  the  most  important  Imsiness  (enter  in  the  town.  It  (on- 
tains  upward  of  seventy  buildings,  among  them  two  churches,  a  school- 
house,  a  hotel,  a  general  store,  a  tin  factory  and  hardware  store,  two  boot 
and  shoe  stores  and  shops,  three  blacksmith,  one  carriage,  one  joiner's 
and  one  cooper  shop  ;  a  buggy-gearing  factory,  a  iced  mill,  a  saw  null,  and 
a  cheese  factory.      It  ia  a  pleasant  village  in  a  beautiful  country, 

.\  Methodist  church  organization  early  existed  in  thi:>  vicinity,  supplied 
by  Itinerant  preachers,  including  Kcv.  W,  II,  St.irks.  .md  the  Rev  Mr. 
Emerson.  In  tS45  a  (hurch  edifi.  e  w.is  built  bv  the  .0.  iciy.  the  pulpit  of 
whiLh  was  at  lirsl  supplied  by  the  Re\.  .Mr  .Mo^hLr.  ot  t  .mniohanc.  A 
second  Methodist  chun  h  was  built  in  1S60.  three  iniK  .  di-t.mt.  and  s.rMccs 
have  always  been  condui  ted   there   by  the    Kural    Gro\e    pjstor,  uliu   also 


ministers  to  an  M.  E.  church  at  Argusville,  which  was  organized  by  Rc\ 
C.  A.  S.  Heath.  Rev.  l.e  Grand  Jones  is  the  present  pastor,  living  in 
parsonage  owned  by  the  society. 

The  "Christian"  church  of  Rural  Gro\e  was  organized  in  March.  185^ 
with  Elias  Vates,  Thomas  J.  \'anderveer.  Jacob  I.  Vanderveer,  Henry  ( 
Hamilton,  John  Dopp  and  Henry  Shibley  as  trustees.  The  church  edifii 
was  built  in  the  summer  of  1.S54,  and  dedicated  Nov.  8  of  that  year.  Rc\ 
Obadiah  E.  Morrell  preaching  the  sermon.  Rev.  John  Ross  was  the  fir^i' 
pastor,  and  either  he  or  an  assistant  supplied  the  pulpit  until  Dec.  28,186^ 
when  the  church  was  reorganized  upon  the  accession  of  77  members  from 
Charleston  Four  Corners,  who  had  been  dismissed  from  the  church  there  at 
their  own  reiiuest.  Revs.  John  Ross  and  J.  J.  Twiller  officiated  on  the 
occasion.  Of  the  new  organization  Rev  A.  .\.  Lason  was  first  pastv^r ;  Ir.i 
J,  Carr  and  H.  C.  Hamilton,  deacons  ;  and  ( .eorge  J.  Ciove.  clerk.  A  par- 
sonage was  built  in  1866.  In  the  spring  of  1S74  the  church  was  enlargt'-l 
and  improved,  at  an  expense  of  about  $Soo,  and  re-dedicated  June  11,  thc 
pastor.  Rev.  J.  C.  Burgdurf,  preaching  the  sermon.  The  church  has  nuu 
a  membership  of  153.  The  pastor  is  Rev.  R.  G.  Fenton.  A  Sabbath 
school  was  organized  May  5,  1861.  with  65  scholars  ;  present  number,  75. 
Ira  J.  Carr  is  superintendent. 

SpR.AKt.R's  B.\siN. — Among  the  early  settlers  south  of  the  Mohawk  and 
v^-est  of  Flat  creek  was  Maj.  Cleorge  Spraker,  who  accjuired  a  title  to  thc 
land  on  which  the  village  stands  from  hi:,  father.  Jost  Spraker,  and  built  a 
tavern  which,  after  his  retirement,  was  kept  by  a  succession  of  IandIord>. 
closing  with  a  Mr.  Hart,  who  was  in  possession  when  the  building  was 
destroyed  by  fire.     Its  foundation  walls  are  still  to  be  seen. 

The  completion  of  the  Erie  Canal  was  properly  the  birthday  of  the  vil- 
lage. Trade  was  introduced  by  Daniel  Spraker,  who  built  a  store  and 
warehouse  in  1822  and  1823,  and  engaged  in  trading  and  fonvarding,  offi- 
ciating in  the  transfer  of  freight  from  this  place  to  a  point  below  the  Nose 
while  the  canal  was  incomplete  at  this  spot.  A  second  store  was  estab- 
lished by  Joseph  Spencer,  near  by  on  the  canal,  where  a  formidable  busi- 
ness was  carried  on.  Mr.  Spencer  retiring.  John  L.  Bevins  became  hi^ 
successor.  When  the  canal  was  enlarged,  he  erected  a  commodious  stone 
building  on  Its  southern  bank,  where  he  did  business  for  a  numl>er  of 
years,  when  the  property  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Messrs.  Cohen, 
whose  descendants  still  carry  on  business  at  the  old  stand.  Not  to  be  left 
high  and  dry,  as  it  were,  by  the  change  in  the  line  of  the  canal  at  its  en- 
largement. Mr.  Spraker  removed  his  store  to  match.  After  a  mere  antik 
life  of  twenty-eight  years  he  retired,  and  was  succeeded  by  David  Quack- 
enbush. 

The  present  village  has  four  stores,  two  hotels,  two  blacksmith,  one 
wagon,  two  shoemakers',  and  one  harness  shop;  an  insurance  agency,  a 
telegraph  oftice,  a  post  office  and  a  church.  The  latter  was  built  in  1858. 
on  a  lot  given  by  the  late  George  Spraker.  The  village  is  connected  by 
ferry  with  the  railroad  at  Spraker's  Station.  A  charter  for  a  bridge  wa^ 
granted  several  years  since,  but  the  capita!  was  not  forthcoming.  Manv 
years  ago,  the  village  had  a  saw-mill,  a  carding  machine  and  a  fulhng 
mill. 

StrrntN's  Hoi.i.ov 
place  is  reached  Iron 
called  Hamilton's  Hoi 
tensive  business  here 
saw-mill,  a  carding-mi 
her  of  dwellings.  Th 
Hamilton,   evccpt    the 


.  is  a  hamlet  at  the  high  falls  on  Flat  creek.  The 
1  the  east  by  a  riiggrd  decliuty.  It  was  originalK 
low,  from  Solomon  Hannlton,  who  carried  on  an  e\- 
In  its  best  days  the  place  had  a  flouring-miil.  a 
11,  works  for  cloth-dressing,  a  distillery  and  a  num- 
L'  business  establishments  were  all  carried  on  bv  Mr. 


Chariest.. 


;   disf 
-.ted. 


which    .\da 


.  present  bus 


The  hamlet 
enterprise  is  ! 


1    Smith,   a   me 
It.  prune  hail 


•<l  it 


^    for    3 

■d.    \\ 


long  tn 


.piently,  John  Burns. 
were  for  many  ye;irs  k 
Free  Will  B.iptist  <  hu 
phue  has  a  po^t  otfi 
shoe  siH.p.  VI"  .in.l    r 


M.  Wi 


ipic 


from  the  >lrLMni  parsing  alung  it^  b( 
.1  |K>int  uluTc  miich  lit  the  liiisincss  of  the 
1  ,iorc  w.i>  kept  by  Hil>liarcl  Jt  WesseN.  S 
.,  was  in  tr.iiic  here  for  a  number  of  year-., 
e  or  two  holcU,  but  there  is  none  at  preM-n 
,h  is  located  liere.  but  has  no  settled  ministry 
;,  a  sehool-h(uise,  a  blacksmith  shop,  a  tanni 
il  mills,  a  cheese  factory  ami  a  ■;roi  cry  store; 
els,  ivhose  house  is  open  to  the  public  on  tei 


olleUu 


.ille.l    fr 


},-v-'-^'^^>Si  ,  '-'-W  •V''"-!x'i  .r''^'''7s 

f(%>  ^■•:;  'Ai-  \v-.v •■-■'!§ 


f   ff 


^..S^tM^^i^ 


VILLAGES  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  ROOT— MITCHELL'S  CAVE. 


ir.5 


LvkER's  Corners  is  the  name  of  a  group  of  buildings  where  for  a  num- 
ber  of  years  Cornelius  Lyker  kept  store.  A  hotel  was  also  built,  and  man- 
aged by  Barney  Martin,  and  by  others  after  him.  It  is  now  a  private 
residence,  and  a  portion  of  the  other  buildings  have  been  converted  mlo  a 
t  heese-factory.  Elijah  Bundy  has  for  a  number  of  years  been  dt-mg  a 
mercantile  business  in  the  place,  where  there  is  al>o  a  blacksmith  and 
w.igon  shop.  A  steam  saw-mill,  which  for  a  number  of  years  added  mate- 
rially to  the  business  character  of  the  hamlet,  has  been  remo\ed. 

Brown's  Hou.ow  iy,  a  little  village  in  the  southeast  purt  of  the  town. 
Here  was  early  erected,  by  Henr)'  Lyker,  a  flouring-mill  on  Flat  creek.  John 
Brown  bought  the  concern,  and  at  large  expense  increased  the  wjier-puwcr 
by  building  a  tunnel  a  thousand  feet  in  length  through  the  hill,  lining  it 
with  stone  work,  which  is  still  in  good  preservation.  The  mill  was  burned 
many  years  ago,  and  rebuilt  by  Mr.  Brown,  with  three  run  of  stones.  It 
has  since  had  several  owners,  and  is  now  doing  a  small  business.  Half  a 
century  ago  this  was  quite  a  business  centre,  the  most  important  establish- 
ment being  an  alcohol  distillery  carried  on  by  A.  Ladieu.  There  were 
also  a  saw-mill,  a  linseed  oil  mill,  a  carding-machine  and  fdlling-mill  for 
dressing  fabrics  made  in  private  houses,  and  later  a  ■^tore  was  kept  for 
years  by  Ira  Hoag  and  others.     Only  the  grist-mill  remains. 

V.ATESviLLE  IS  a  hamlet  on  the  Erie  Canal,  in  the  northeastern  part  of 
the  town,  important  chiefly  as  a  point  for  the  shipment  of  hav.  which  is 
sent  in  great  quantities  from  this  town,  as  also  from  Glen.  liree  thou- 
sand tons,  made  in  the  neighborhood,  were  shipped  from  VatesviUe  during 
the  past  year  to  eastern"  markets.  The  place  has  a  grocery  store,  a  school- 
house,  a  blacksmith  shop  and  a  post  office,  which  is  called  Randall.  In 
early  times  John  P.  Vates.  James  (i.  Van  Voast  and  Job  B.  Hoag  were 
merchants  at  this  point. 

Bundy's  Corners  is  a  cluster  of  buildings  taking  its  name  from  Stephen 
Bundy,  an  old  citizen  who  early  established  a  store,  and  opened  a  hotel 
where  Charles  Hovey  and  Stephen  Moulton  afterward  engaged  in  trade. 
Barney  Vrooman  subsequently  opened  a  small  store.  The  business  of  the 
hamlet  has  parsed  away. 

SUPERVISORS. 

The  supervisors  of  the  town  of  Root,  in  the  order  and  with  the  length 
of  their  service  as  such,  have  been  as  follows  :  David  C.  Hubbs  who  was 
elected  in  1823  ,  five  years  ;  Henry  Lyker,  two  ;  Joshua  Young,  one  ;  Geo. 
Spraker,  three  ;  John  Burns,  jr.,  two  ;  Jacob  Vosburgh,  two  ;  William  C. 
Hubbs,  two;  Simeon  Snow,  two;  John  L.  Bevins,  two;  Robert  Vates, 
two;  Charles  Hubbs,  nine  ;  Frederick  J.  Starin,  two;  Abram  Gardinier. 
one  ;  John  Bowdi>h,  two  :  James  W.  Lyker.  two  ;  (reo.  I.  E.  Lasher,  two  ; 
C.tmaiiel  Bowdish.  two;  David  Quackenbush.  two;  Wm.  B,  Dievendorff. 
two;  Ira  J.  Carr,  two  ;  Samuel  Morell,  one  ;  Freeman  P.  Moulton,  four; 
Miles  Vates    the  present  incumbent),  one. 

HOUSES   BOMBARDED  WITH   ROCKS. 

A  spur  of  the  Mayfield  mountain  crosses  the  Mohawk  betucen  the  towns 
of  Palatine  and  Root,  and  through  it  the  ri\er  seems  to  have  cut  its  way. 
Between  the  water's  edge  and  the  "  Nose  "  on  the  west  side  there  is  but  a 
limited  space,  which  is  occupied  by  the  canal  and  the  highway.  .At  the 
lower  end  of  the  Nose  there  formerly  stood,  between  the  road  and  the 
canal,  a  two-story  building,  with  a  small  barn,  which  was  erected  jjrior  to 
1S20,  as  supposed,  for  hotel  purposes,  and  was  occupied  by  a  Mrs.  Bar- 
rows while  the  canal  was  being  constructed.  I'o  the  inmates  of  this  soli- 
tary house — for  it  was  the  only  one  for  some  di^tanc  e  under  the  mountain — 
the  sun  always  set  at  an  early  hour  of  the  afternoon,  and  w,is,  indeed,  in- 
visible at  all  hours  during  the  winter  months.  About  iSro  a  fragment  of 
ro.  k,  weighing  perhaps  a  ton.  relaxed  its  hold  a  hundred  feet  above,  came 
thundering  down  the  dechviiy,  and,  passing  through  the  side  of  the  liou-^e. 
sink  tiirougli  the  Hoor  into  the  cellar.  This  happened  in  the  day-time, 
furty  or  fifty  years  ago.  A  woman  stood  but  a  few  feet  from  the  jfath  of 
the  bold  intruder,  working  over  a  wash-tub  ;  though  much  frightened,  she 
was  not  injured.  Mr.  Simnis  speaks  of  entering  the  <  cllar  iii.iny  years  ago 
lo  see  the  reckless  visitor.  The  house  remained  teiianik-^"  for  many  years, 
and  has  finally  disa^ipeared. 

A  few  rods  above  the  site  of  this  luckless  building,  in  a  bold  prujertion 
'>f  the  bare  rot  k,  at  least  a  hundred  feet  abo\e  the   r<>ad,  and   unapproarh- 


hi.  h 
.-.sly 


able  from  above  or  below,  was  an  opening  where  for  many  years  d 
and  perhaps  still  dwells,  a  large  colony  of  bees.  Their  safe  retreat  v 
source  of  no  little  conversation  on  canal  packet  boats  forty  years  agu 
is  not  known  that  any  one  ever  had  the  hardihood  to  attempt  an  appr 
tu  this  uni(|ue  home  of  the  busy  bee. 

.\bout  a  mile  below  the  residence  of  Barrows,  lived  a  neighbor  n.i 
Benjamin  Willie,  whose  house  was  also  under  a  mountain's  brow.  Di 
the  construction  of  the  canal  a  tremendous  blast  on  the  adjacent  ht 
sent  a  heavy  fragment  of  rock  upon  the  roof  of  Willie's  dwelling,  w 
passed  down  through  the  floors  into  the  cellar.  In  its  descent  it  harnil 
swept  past  Mrs.  Willie,  who  stood  at  a  table  kneading  bread.  Ant. 
I)rojectile,  from  the  same  blast,  fell  upon  the  oven,  an  out-of-doors  a 
then  heating  to  receive  the  baking,  and  totally  demolished  it. 

At  these  points  fragments  of  rock  sometimes  tumbled  into  the  can. 
the  spring,  and  in  its  original  shallow  condition  impeded  or  injured  I>i 
such  accidents  are  not  heard  of  since  the  enlargement. 

A  MEMENTO  OF  NORTHERN  SLAVERV. 


Among  the  early  records  of  Root  is  the  following  relic  of  the  latter  days 
of  slavery  in  this  State  ; 

"  Whereas  I,  Dericke  Vates,  widow  and  administratrix  of  Robert  V.ites, 
deceased,  am  the  owner  and  possessor  of  a  certain  black  man  n.inied 
George,  aged  about  thirty-five  years  ;  and  whereas  the  said  George  was 
born  a  slave  by  the  laws  of  the  State,  and  is  desirous  of  becoming  manumit- 
ted, and  obtain  his  freedom  :  now.  therefore,  for  and  in  consideratior.  of 
the  sum  of  one  dollar  to  me  in  hand  paid,  the  receipt  whereof  I  hcriby 
confess  and  acknowledge,  and  in  conformity  to  the  act  entitled  '  An  .\ci 
relating  to  slaves  and  servants,'  passed  March  31st,  1S17, 1  have  maniiuiii  led 
and  set  free  the  said  George,  and  freely  exonerate  him  from  all  ci.iims 
I  have  or  may  have  to  his  services  hereafter.  In  witness  whereof  I  Ii.tve 
hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  this  fifth  day  of  Apr:!,  in  the  year  of  c\i7 
Lord  1835. 

her 
"Dericke  x  V.^tes.  L.S." 

"  Witness,  Isaiah  Depuv."  mark 

MITCHELL'S  CAVE. 

BY    J.    R.    SIMMS. 

Horatio  Gates  Spafford  published  in  his  Gazetteer  in  18^4  a  notii  e  of 
this  cave.  The  entrance  to  the  cavern  was  in  the  margin  of  uoihU  on 
Nose  Hill,  nearly  a  mile  southeast  of  the  Barrows  dwelling,  then  st.mding 
under  the  mountain,  and  perhaps  a  mile  and  a  half  from  Sjiraker's  l;.i-:n  ; 
the  entrance  to  it  was  gained  by  an  oval  or  egg-shaped  hole  in  the  m.  k-. 
Mr,  Spaflord  said  it  was  named  after  the  late  Professor  Samuel  L.  Mii'  l-«  H, 
of  New  Vork,  and  the  parly  whose  description  he  copied  vi^iied  it  in  li;ly 
1821.  He  says  they  descended  into  it  by  ropes  sixteen  feet,  to  anopoimg 
eleven  feet  by  thirty,  and  thirteen  feet  high  ;  and  then  through  anciher 
passage  of  about  twenty  feet  to  another  room,  and  so  on  to  the  tinth 
apartment,  which  with  lateral  rooms  made  thirteen  or  fourteen  in  all  ;  -uid 
that  they  supposed  they  had  descended  500  feet.  Distance,  as  I  know  (rem 
e.xperience,  seems  long  in  such  a  place  ;  of  course  they  did  not  go  t*'  '-ny 
such  perpendicular  depth  from  the  surface. 

The  late  Ca[itain  Beach,  ()rincipal  engineer  in  constructing  this  di\i-i"n 
of  the  Erie  Canal,  assured  me  some  twenty  years  ago,  that  one  or  iii'ire 
of  his  assistant  tngineers  were  with  the  first  e.vploring  party.  I  h.ivc 
at  different  times  conversed  with  quite  a  number  of  persons  who  ha\  c  ex- 
plored this  cavern  in  whole  or  in  part.  The  most  satisfactory  de**'  ripn-'n 
I  ever  had  of  it  was  from  Martin  Carson,  who.  with  Doctors  Reid  and  .\ntis, 
and  several  other  jiersons,  visited  it  in  1K37.  His  account  and  th  it  of 
several  others  were  given  to  the  writer  in  1X53.  All  vi.sitors agree  th.it  ihe 
entrance  is  small  and  the  jiassage  to  the  first  landing,  sloping  n<<rllnv-''d, 
was  difficult,  and  made  Ijv  the  aid  of  a  rofte  or  a  jiole.  Some  parlies  li.ivo 
carried  a  coil  of  rope  in  exploring  it.  but  we  are  not  certain  that  the  "tic 
named  did  so;  and  although  some  have  (ompkimed  that  their  bJ.i^ 
burned  dimly  in  some  p.uis  nf  it,  oihers  expcricm  ni  no  dilVu  iiliv.  \<  -U. 
branches  of  trees  etc  .  ucre  uscii  by  c.rly  M.itur-  t.>  ai<i  in  bnd.u'n.  -r 
])assing  difficult  aiifldangennis  pans  of  the  tavern.  In  the  first  room  iii.my 
b.its  were  found. 


106 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


Said  Carson,  the  passage  leading  (rum  ihe  second  to  ilie  third  room 
was  the  raosl  diffii  ult  and  dangerous  part  of  the  whole  descent,  there 
being  between  those  rooms  on  the  north  side  ot  the  passage,  which  led 
along  a  shelving  rock  ever  wet  and  slipper)-,  a  deep,  narrow  and  perpen- 
dicular chasm,  whii  h  reminded  them  of  the  bottomless  pit :  as  stones  cast 
into  it  sent  back  their  Hinty  echoes  from  a  dcjuh  whii  h  they  feared  to  cal- 
culate, (ircat  care  was  necessary  in  p.issing  this  dangerous  opening. 
The  e.\i)loration  of  this  party,  said  my  mformant,  ended  in  the  thirteenth 
foom  ;  which  was  the  largest  in  the  i  avcrn,  it  l>eing  a  large  rotunda  with 
a  magnificent  dome  studded  with  stalactites,  but  all  of  an  ashen  hue,  the 
characteristic  color  of  all  similar  formations  in  this  case.  The  ro*  k  for- 
mation is  gneiss,  and  only  compact  dark  lime  stone  afl'ords  pure  white 
alabaster  concretions  from  the  percolation  of  water.  Carson  and  friends 
heard  running  water,  as  have  other  explorers,  but  met  with  no  water  ex- 
cept in  little  pools  in  cavities,  from  which  they  slaked  their  thirst.  He 
supposed  the  rotunda  about  on  a  level  with  the  bed  of  the  Mohawk,  and 
two  or  three  hundred  feel  below  the  earth's  surface. 

Here  is  the  account  of  another  party,  which  visited  Mitchell's  Cave 
about  forty  years  ago,  whose  narrati\e  I  also  obtained  in  1S53  :  The 
"  State  scow,"  with  about  a  dozen  hands,  had  been  engaged  one  torenoon 
of  a  warm  summer's  day  in  the  canal  directly  below  the  Nose,  wading  in 
the  water  then  four  feet  deep  ,  while  searching  for  leaks,  such  as  muskrats 
luight  make,  and  for  boulders,  which  sometimes  loosened  u\  the  moun- 
tain side  and  found  a  lodgment  in  the  canal  beneath.  Such  stone  often 
injured  and  occasionally  sunk  a  loaded  boat  at  the  period  under  conside- 
ration, calling  for  damages  from  the  State.  The  captain  proposed,  after 
afi  unpleasant  duty,  to  give  his  hands  the  afternoon,  and  with  them  explore 
the  mooted  wonder  of  the  mountain  ;  a  proposition  readily  accepted.  The 
[larty  not  long  after  rallied  at  the  cave's  mouth,  and,  provided  with  candles 
and  means  to  light  them,  descended  by  the  aid  of  a  pole  to  the  first  landing, 
with  the  exception  of  Ric  hard  Quackinbush,  whose  aldermanii  dimensions 
prevented  his  descent.  '*  Come  down.  Dick!"  shouted  his  comrades. 
"  I'm  coming!  "  resi>onded  the  hero  of  Stone  Ridge,  l.'ut  it  was  nog,.*  ,  and 
I>kIc  witnessed  with  sorrow  the  shadow  of  his  lost  brother  sailor  recede 
from  his  view. 

.^fter  descending  with  no  little  hazard  and  difficult)  to  the  fourth  room. 
which  was  18  or  20  feet  square,  se\eral  of  their  liglits  were  extinguished 
by  Ihe  draft,  or,  as  they  feared,  impurity  of  the  air,  and  only  three  of  the 
party,  who  were  pro\ided  with  a  globe  lamp — Charles  Redgate,  James 
Qoant  and  Noah  Fletcher — had  the  temerity  to  advance.  .\s  they  did  so, 
they  heard  a  distant  waterfall.  Descending  for  a  considerable  distance 
through  a  narrow  passage,  said  Kleti  her,  they  crawled  through  .1  hole 
about  the  size  of  a  barrel-head,  and  emerged  on  the  brink  of  what,  from 
the  light  cast  upon  it  by  a  single  lamp,  a|ipeared  to  be  a  deep  and  rapid 
stream,  which  went  thundering  far  l)elow.  .\t  this  point,  which  they  sup- 
posed was  the  extent  to  whi<  h  any  visitor  could  go.  thev  retraced  their 
steps  to  join  their  comrades  on  Urnr  firriht,  where  the  Stone  Ridge  alder- 
man was  anxiously  awaiting  their  arrival.  Kletcher  did  mc,  count  the 
number  of  rooms  they  visited,  nor  did  he  spe.nk  of  the  rotunda,  but  siip- 
[>osed  they  had  gone  down  nearly  or  'piite  to  the  bed  of  the  ri\cr.  a  dis- 
tance of  several  hundred  feet. 

It  is  [lossilile  that  after  severe  rains,  s.nuc  rihuus  m  this  ,a>erii  iiiav  lie 
filled  with  water,  which  for  a  time  |irevents  their  exploration.  Several 
visitors  have  s[>oken  to  us  of  the  large  room  or  rotunda.  I'eter  I.  New- 
kirk,  at  the  period  when  it  was  a  fashionable  phii  e  of  reson.  in  loinpanv 
with  .\ndrew  Cromwell.  Henjamin  ^sammons,  Daniel  (,)uackinbiish,  Joseph 
U.  Smith,  and  others,  swelling  the  number  to  eleven,  explored  this  cave; 
six  of  the  number  going  to  the  bottom.  He  saw  the  names  of  earlier  visi- 
tors, which  had  been  written  with  their  lingers  in  one  of  the  rooms,  on  the 
soft  coating  u].on  the  wall.  He  spoke  of'  the  fourth  room  a~  being  large, 
and  having  in  its  ceiling  or  dome  a  large  rock,  whii  h  seemed  threatening 
10  fail.  He  remembered  i:ounting  seven  rooms,  and  in  the  lower  one — 
several  hundred  feet  down — he  saw  a  pool  .if  w.iter.  Tlu-  pjrl\  wilh  him 
earned  a  coil  of  rope,  to  use  if  needed. 

When  this  cave  w.as  arresting  publi,  attention.  Dr.  John  l.ui,  ks.  then 
of  Schoharie  lounty.  visited  it  in  the  hope  of  getting  some  fine  formalioiis: 
but  was  onlv  rewarded  with  a  few  ash-(  olored  stalactites,  a  small  spci  luicn 
of  which  he  presented  to  the  writer.  His  ai  count  agreed  with  that  of 
others,  that  a  part  of  it  was  explored  with  ilangcr  on' ac.  .nint  of  dee|i 
chasms,  into  which  if  one  should  fall  lie  would  bring  up  far  on  his  journev 
toward  "Symmes'  Hole:"  that  it  contained  manv  apartments  of  interest  to 
the  naturaiisl.  and,  like  all  similar  institutions,  was  onlv  to  be  explored  at 
th-.'  h3.'.ar.l  of  a  sponged  .oat,  with  a  specimen  of  the  soil  thrown  m. 

C.arsun,  menlnmed  alune.  shot  a  bear  in  December.  iS^O,  ,.n  the  N.ise, 
a  lilllc  south  ol  the  Harrows  dwelling.  Hruin  had  siraved  from  the  n.irlli- 
ern  wilds,  and  .Irawn  iip..ii  his  tra-1  an  .irniv  of  nier,  il.-ss  foes.  He  cr.,sse.l 
the  Mohawk   ruer  l..r  safctv.  but  was  no  better  olf,  f..r  Cars.in  got  on   his 


I  of  the  last  bears  killed  on  the 
'en  not  infre(|uentiy  killed  in  1 


track  and  laid  him  low.      Thi; 

side  of  the  river,  though  the) 

county  within  a  few  years. 

ENf)CH    .AMBI.F.R,   INVRNTOR    OF   THF    MOWINC    .MACHINh 

F.noi  h  .\mbler,  formerly  a  rcsi.lent  of  the  town  of  Root,  has  in  his  ; 

session  letters  patent  granted  Dei  ember  ;j,  1.S34,  and  executed  by  .Andre* 
Jackson,  President  of  the  United  States,  securing  to  him  the  sole  right  ti, 
a  m.achine  of  his  invention  for  ".iitting  hav  and  grain,"  His  dis.min 
embraced  nearl)  all  the  most  important  principles  embodied  in  ihi 
machines  now  sold.  The  dri\  ing-whcel,  .  rank-mo\ement  and  guards  pr..- 
tecting  the  knife  were  as  now  produced,  but  the  knife  itself  was  a  straigK; 
edged  blade,  instead  of  the  more  efficient  saw-toothed  s.  ythe  of  the  inoder-. 
machines.  Mr.  .\mbler  unfurtunatel)  had  less  success  in  introducing  his 
machine  than  in  constructing  it.  and,  himself  hardly  aware  of  its  immen-e 
\aliie.  allowed  his  ]iatent  to  expire  without  availing  himself  of  it.  I'hr 
invention  was  revived,  and  the  great  fortune  and  greater  fame  which  the 
inventor  deserved  went  to  another  than  Mr.  .\mbler,  who  is  now  an  humble 
resident  of  Fulton  county. 

.\  TOWN   INSURANCE  COMl'.ANV. 

The  Farmers'  Mutual  Insurance  .Association  of  the  t.jwn  of  Root  was 
organized  in  1876,  Its  first  officers  were  ;  President,  William  B,  Dicven 
dorff  ;  vice  president,  James  P,  Van  Evera  ;  secretary,  Jacob  1),  Snow  ; 
directors,  W,  B,  Dievendorff,  Henry  D,  Riggs,  John  I.,  I.ipe,  J,  P,  Van 
Evera,  Isaac  Reynolds,  J,  J,  Finkell,  Jacob  I),  Snow,  Phinnick  Winne  and 
John  W,  Lasher  .Amount  of  property  insured.  §410,000,  which  forms  the 
capital  ;  the  stock  of  the  company  is  subject  to  taxation  for  payment  01 
losses  :  the  company's  address  is  Rural  Grove, 

.ANTI-HORSE  THIEF  SOCIETY, 

.A  society  by  this  title  was  organized  at  Rural  (Jrove.  -Aug.  27,  1870,  to 
protect  its  members  from  horse  thieves,  by  procuring  their  arrest  ami 
punishment.  In  1875  the  society  was  extended  to  th^  towns  of  liien  and 
Charleston.  It  has  a  written  constitution  and  by-laws.  Its  present  ofti 
cers  are  :  Jacob  M.  Stowits,  president  ;  John  Gordon,  vice  president  ; 
Daniel  Spraker,  jr,  secretary,  and  John  Kowdish,  treasurer.  The  socien 
has  a  large  membership,  and  a  paid  in  fund  to  meet  expenses. 
CHEESE   F.ACTORIES 

The  Root  Cheese  Factory,  at  Rural  Grove,  is  carried  on  by  an  association 
organized  Dec.  21,  1866.  with  a  capital  of  $4,500.  in  §50  shares.  The  firsi 
officers,  who  have  also  been  re-elected  at  each  succeeding  election,  were  : 
Ira  I,  Carr,  president  ;  Lewis  Bander,  vice  president  ;  and  Jacob  D  Sn.iw. 
sec  retarv.  The  factory  is  a  fine  wooden  building  and  has  a  c  .ipacitv  for 
manufacturing  the  milk  of  eight  hundred  cows.  which,  however,  is  cons-.lcr- 
ablv  above  its  actual  avera'ge.  The  total  procbic  t  of  i  heese  has  been 
i,56o.:;5;  |)ounds.  ranking  in  .luality  with  that  made  by  the  best  fjc  ion.  s 
in  the  countv.     It  has  alwavs  been  well  managed  and  prosiierous, 

Ihe  Flat  Creek  Factory  was  built  in  1.S65.  b\  John  I,  Brown,  and  w,is 
bought  in  1.X67  bva  companN  having  a  c:apital  of  Sj.ioo.  in  seventv  sh.ircs, 
and'governcd  l.vninc  trustees,  Wm,  ,A,  Dieven.lorff  is  president,  llu 
facto'ry  is  capable  of  using  the  milk  of  secen  hundred  .  cnvs  li  is  m  ,. 
lluurishing  .  ondil 


len  m  the  town 
Beside  the  ab. 
icnlioned. 


1.  and  the  stockholdei 
the  Kim  Dale  and    1. 


(  orne 


l,ic  ton 


e  people,  being  well  .| 
and   the  haws   relating 


ars. 


PEKSON.AL  SKEICHES 
HciN,  Ch-xri.ks  Hfuiis,  of  Rural  Grove,  has  been 
two  vears.  supervisor   nine  vears.   justice  of  the  peac 
w.as  a  member  of  the  ,Assembly  in    1850      He  is  now 
general  sc  ril.e  and  c  ouiiseloi 
sue  h  bv  his  knowledge  of  bi 
bv  Ihe'fidelitv  wilh  wlii,  h  he  disc  barges  everv  trust, 

'Hon,  Fkh'mvn  P,  M.u  1  rox,  of  Mat  Creek,  is  one  of  the  self-made 
of  the  town  Though  his  opp.irtunities  I'or  edii.Miion  were  liniitc-.l, 
talents  and  mdustrv'were  such  that  he  made  the  most  of  them,  and  w.c 
p.iinted  \<\  the  Bcird  of  Supervisors  the  first  sui.ermlendcnt  ol  the  pi 
s.  hools  in  ihe  countv.  He  held  the  first  teac  hers'  institute  in  the  Sl.i 
Palatine  P.ri.l-e  in  1S41,  He  has  been  jiisli,  e  of  the  peace  twentv-c 
vears.  supervisor  four  ve.irs.  and  was  in  the  I.egisl.iture  m  iSf,?,  His 
.  lal  life  has  been  mainly  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  ciimmon  s.  ho. 
D.^MKI,  Si>k.vK|.R.  jr.'.  of  S|irakcr's  Basin,  unites  a  ready  business  c  .i| 
ty  with  a  literary  taste  and  ability.  He  has  been  luslu  e  of  the  pe.i.  e  c 
years,  justice  of  sessions  three  years,  and  clerk  of  the  Ho.irilof  Siiperv 

four  vears.      He  is  the  author  of  iiianv  pleasing  .  .mini ens  t.,  the  p 

signed  "  Kep..rter,"  "  (^uill-dnver,"  and  "  C,....s.  .|iiin  "  lie  occupie 
father's  homestead,  a  c  oiiimanding  stone  house  be  side  the  cin.il  at  Sj.r.i 
Basin, 


te 


^^  ^'^'^"^|j~~f:fe:^^  ■/Av^'^f 


?<,-•■.'     .'      ■•■■..  ■        rTcly:^       ■"e--r-3      i''"EB=- jt"'*«i__  »■  ~    ^'"i   '        '     JS 


\ii  _' 


1^  ':|ii.|^^  !P^  i  |i|;^,l 


■•jS.-O'    -  ■•."    <       -  ,  -^    :       V- '     i       --■'  -Si  '  ■^'-'.  -  ■     \- 1    ;*-^-<.  >-'k  ---^r 


"ir 


1|M 


rf 


'i^i 


':f\ 


M 

o: 

S 

i  <fl 


?     i      J     -> 


} 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 


167 


HON.    JOHN     BOWDISH. 


The  traits  and  genius  of  men  may  be  more 
ct>rret:tly  determmed  when  estimated  by  the 
circumstances  under  which  they  commence 
tbe  world.  The  subject  ot  this  memoir.  John 
Bos'dish,  without  the  aid  of  friends  or  earl) 
educational  advantages,  entered  life's  arena  a 
[>lain  country  boy,  who  m  manhood  became  i 
successful  merchant,  a  careful,  intelligent 
thinker,  and  an  instructive,  tasteful  writer 
His  triumphs  in  life  furnish  evidence  of  the 
sdf-madc  man.  His  parents  were  Quakers 
(.1  English  descent,  emigrating  from  Dutchess 
County,  N.  Y.,  at  an  early  jjcriod,  securing  an 
humble  home  in  Charleston,  where  he  was 
bom  February  i8th,  1808.  .\s  he  grew  up 
he  toiled  in  field  and  forest  with  hoe  and  axe 
aiding  in  clearing  the  wilds  for  culture.  I  his 
uhen  education  was  thought  of  little  impor 
lance  ;  toil  the  rule,  learning  the  exception 
M  the  age  of  fifteen,  his  parents  consenting 
he  left  the  paternal  home  for  the  city  ot  Al 
bany,  May  loth,  1824,  with  fifty  cents  avail 
able  capital,  bidding  adieu  to  his  friends  to 
become  the  artificer  of  his  future.  On  reach 
iag  the  city,  he  stopped  with  a  friend  of  his 
father,  procuring  a  situation  as  clerk  in  a  store 
at  a  salary  of  fifty  dollars  per  annum,  at  the 
close  of  his  engagement  accepting  a  clerkship 
in  the  country.     On  reaching  his  majority    he 

formed  a  copartnership  with  Isaac  S.  Frost,  opening  a  small  store  June 
:nd,  1829,  at  his  jiresent  j)lace  of  business.  Rural  Grove.  Subsctpiently 
Job  B.  Hoag  took  the  place  of  Mr.  Frost,  and  Charles  Hubbs  of  Mr.  Hoag. 
From  1844  Mr.  Bowdish  was  the  sole  proprietor  until  1870,  when  hi;>  son- 
in-law,  George  J.  Gove,  an  estimable  and  correct  business  man,  was  admit- 
ted a  copartner,  and  still  continues  as  such.  The  initial  store,  under  the 
management  of  .Mr.  Bowdish,  long  since  became  an  extensive  establish- 
ment, holding;  commendable  rank  with  the  best  commercial  houses  in  the 
country:  its  success  is  due  to  his  industry,  economy,  skill  and  careful  agency. 
In  1853  he  became  interested  in  banking,  and  one  of  the  original  stock- 
holders of  the  Spraker  Bank,  at  Canajoharie  ;  also,  later,  of  the  Mohawk 
River  Bank,  at  Fonda;  he  has  been  a  director  of  both  from  their  origin, 
and  vice-president  of  the  latter  from  its  commencement.  In  early  life  he 
interested  himself  in  public  affairs,  when  his  townsmen  conferred  on  him 
official  positions  of  honor  and  trust.  In  1843,  by  the  voice  of  the  people. 
he  was  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  and  by  their  suf- 
frage higher  honors  were  bestowed,  electing  him  a  member  of  the  -State 
Convention  in  1846.  to  revise  the  Constitution,  where  he  introduced  a 
proposition  for  securing  a  constitutional  system  of  free  schools.  The 
i|uestion  wa.s  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Education,  of  whic  h  he  was  a 
member.  When  under  consideration,  the  Hon  S.  S.  Randall,  in  his  His- 
tory of  Common  Schools,  says:  "Mr.  Bowdish  made  a  powerful  and  elo- 
'pienl  appeal  to  the  convention  in  behalf  of  free  schools,  in  «hich  he  was 
sustained  by  Mr.  Nichols,  of  .V.  Y.,  and  others."  The  following  brief  ex- 
tract from  his  speech,  published  in  the  debates  of  the  convention,  furnishes 
only  a  faint  outline  of  his  remarks.  He  said:  "  The  welfare  of  a  free  gov- 
ernment depends  on  the  virtue  and  intelligence  of  its  subjects,  the  charac- 
ter and  habits  of  its  members;  if 'true  we  should  make  no  distinction,  the 
banner  of  education  should  be  proudly  unfurled  '  like  the  wild  winds  free,' 
alloiring  all  alike  to  enjoy  its  advantages.  The  child  of  the  woodland 
collage  and  princely  mansion  should,  if  possible,  be  educated  together, 
that  all  may  have  an  equal  opportunity  of  rising  to  eminence  and  fame. 
It  is  a  cardinal  [irinciple  of  republic  anism,  that  there  is  no  roval  road  to 
distinction;  it  is  held  to  be  accessible  to  all.  None  are  born  to  command 
or  to  obey.  In  the  order  of  nature,  God  has  made  no  distint  tion  ;  he  has 
not  provided  for  the  poor  a  coarser  earth,  a  thinner  air  or  a  jialer  sky. 
'he  sun  pours  down  its  golden  flood  of  light  as  cheerily  on  the  poor  man's 
home  as  on  the  rich  man's  palace.  The  cottager's  1  hildren  have  as  keen  a 
^cnse  of  luxuriant  nature  as  the  pale  sons  of  the  wealthy  Neither  has  He 
si.im|)ed  the  imprint  of  a  baser  birth  on  the  poor  man'>  1  hiM  ihan  that  of 
the  rich,  liy  which  it  may  know  with  a  certainty  that  its  lot  is  to  1  ra«l,  not 
'  bml>.  Mind  is  immortal,  it  is  imperial,  it  bears  no  mark  of  high  or  low, 
"I  rich  or  poor;  11  heeds  no  bounds  of  time  or  [ilai  e,  of  rank  or  1  ir.  iim- 
Mances;  it  only  needs  lihcrtv  and  learning  to  glide  along  in  lU  ,  nurse  wuh 
Ihc  freedom  of  the  riMilet  that  iorni'.  the  miL;litv  i»  can.  If  propcrK  .  iilti- 
>.ilcd.  it  will  man  h  on  iindislnriie.i  iinlil  it  re.iclus  the  siiniinit  ni  imcllc  - 
iiial  glory  anil  usefulness."  .\i  ilic  <  l'.,e  of  his  remarks  a  i.iu-  u.is  iikcn 
•ulopimg  the  prupoMlion,  win.  h  iias  siibseipientlv  aefcnlc.l.  nvnlniL;  ,1 
"lore  p.itrioti.  boilv  to  perfe.  1  tin-  s,,i,-iii  hv  liiiii  |.r,. posed,  i>iii.  h  in  1S5, 
«.is   enacted    l.v   the    I  egisl.itiirc.   .ind    is    11, ,»    .1    l.iw    .,1    llic    m.ik        In 


I.ffic 


d,     .Mr,     1;. 


,llsl.       I,. 


I  led 


himself  with  credit  and  honor,  caring  so  well 
for  the  interest  of  the  peojile  as  to  deser\e  .ind 
secure  their  approval  without  distinction  i»i 
party.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  at  R.ioi 
in  1832,  and  has  held  the  office  till  the  jireseiu: 
on  his  petition,  in  1872,  the  name  was  changed 
to  Rural  Grove. 

In  the  pursuits  of  life  he  has  been  ever  at- 
tentive to  business;  still  finding  leisure  to  w  nu 
much  for  the  press,  furnishing  evidenc  e  oi 
what  may  be  accomplished  bv  ajiplic  ation  oi 
moments  alien  from  business,  and  assuhiou- 
study  by  the  light  of  the  lamp,  without  the  .iid 
of  schools.  His  contributions  in  prose  .iiid 
\'erse  have  appeared  not  only  in  local  papers 
but  some  of  the  best  religious,  literarv  .ind 
political  journals  in  the  State.  He  deluered 
an  agricultural  poem  in  1S61,  and  an  address 
in  1873,  before  the  .Agricultural  Society  -11 
Fonda-  On  invitation  he  also  wrote  and  re-id 
a  historic  centennial  poem,  at  a  celebration  or 
the  4th  of  July,  1S76,  at  Canajoharie.  Ir 
business  and  social  life  he  is  kind  and  oblig 
ing,  benvolent  and  generous,  ever  sympatlu/. 
ing  with  the  poor  and  unfortunate,  and  liher;i 
in  the  support  of  religious  institutions. 

His  entire  life  has  been  one  of  probity  and 
lO\^  DisH  integrity,  in  all  his  dealings  from  its  morning 

•  to  the  night-fall  of  active  business,  during  h.ill 

a  century  along  the  busy  walks  of  civil  commerce.  From  the  cares  and 
pleasures  of  business,  life's  ambition  and  aims  are  tending  to  the  solitude  o( 
nature's  retreat:  Mr.  Bowdish  contemplates  soon  to  retire  from  the  toils  .end 
cares  of  trade,  when  his  contemplative  mind  will  be  free  to  enjoy  the  Lean  lies 
and  lessons  of  nature,  as  illustrated  in  the  following  extract  from  one  ol 
his  poems,  entitled  "  The  Empire  of  God:" 

— The  busy  world  when  free  from  toil,  the  interlude — 

It  offers  time  to  contemplate  Infinitude; 

-As  seen  in  classic  nature,  v\rought  in  grand  profile. 

The  autograph  of  God,  whose  thousand  charms  beguile, 

-Amid  its  pleasing  splendor,  all  may  sacred  muse. 

On  Him  who  perfect  j-iencils  nature's  gorgeous  hues. 

When  Flora's  charming  beauties  spread  in  grand  display. 

Rhetoric,  silent  speak  In  nature's  mystic  way; 

.\nd  when  o'er  man  its  magic  power  assumes  control. 

It  iHinfies  and  elevates  ih'  immortal  soul. 

Thus  on  the  -\lps  of  -\lps,  in  meditative  thought. 

The  mind  may  tr.ice  the  mighty  arm,  whose  pow'r  hath  wrought 

The  world's  grand  temple,  perfec  t  made  of  parts  allied. 

In  pleasing  grandeur — charmingly  diversified; 

Earth's  endless  beauties  blending,  w  idely  scattered  round. 

Where  seen,  the  vast,  sublime,  reflecting  Great  Profound; 

Who  rules  the  spheres  where  human  foiit  hath  never  trod, 

The  world's  grand  Benefactor,  great  Creator — God, 

Who  reigns  o'er  worlds  with  swav  bevond  edict  of  chance. 

Eternal  fixed  bv  law  of  eciuiiiomierance. 

No  pow'r  unlike  the  mighty  arm  that  silent  hurled. 

Co  lid  form  creation's  atoms  or  produce  a  world; 

Whose  changeless  laws,  affixed  in  grandeur,  spread  abroad 

O'er  nature's  empire,  wond'roiis  work  of  natures  God 

That  -Mightv  Being— self  existing— self  sustained, 

The  world's  Incomprehensible.  Great,  Unexplained. 


\|iressed  in  the  entire  poem,  furnish  evid.r 
Imiration  for  the  works  of  nature,  and  iiisupei 
;ni  V  Is  seen  delineated  in  the  things  of  earth, 
c  science  of  superhuman  rule, 
le,  as  a  husband  and  a  father,  -Mr.  Bowdish  is 
ning  and  caring  for  his  fainilv  with  untiring 
.  daughter  of  the  I. He  -Albert  Vanderveer,  and 
rs.  love  and  respect  hini  for  his  constant  effort 
luir  lives  .w  Helen  of  pleasure.  His  home  is 
d  with  the  beauties  ,il  nature  and  art;  while 
L-n  life-long  tlie  attractive  centre  of  the  loll 
Horlcllv  compelen.e.  Still,  e.irthlv  wealth  an. 
to  ol.bler.ile  from  iiu-morv  Ills  hiinil.le  l.egmi 
;-..lluM  lile.  where  he  was  taught  h.ibits  that  Ir. 
ss.  ,Mul  cclii.  h    his    -raphi.     pjn    has    ilhislralei 


In  the 
and  affe 


intelligent  da 


168 


THE  HIS  I  OR  V  OF  MONTGOMKllY  COUNTY. 


SIMEON     SNOW,     M.     D. 


BV      K.      P.      MOUI-TON. 


UXjj^  -^ 


SIMEON    SNOW, 


The  Hon.  Dr.  Simeon  Snow,  of  Root,  was  for 
many  years  the  principal  and  most  of  the  time 
the  only  physician  of  the  town.  He  was  an  east- 
ern man,  having  been  bom  in  Mansfield.  Mass., 
the  i8th  day  of  February,  1803.  His  parents 
were  of  English  descent.  His  father,  Simeon 
Snow,  at  that  time  and  during  the  war  of  181 2 
was  a  merchant  in  the  city  of  Boston;  subse- 
quently he  became  a  large  manufacturer  of  nails 
and  ironware.  After  continuing  this  business 
for  several  years,  he  retired  to  a  farm,  and  spent  ^ 

the  last  years  of  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits 
in  the  town  of  Savoy,  Berkshire  county,  Mass. 

The  early  life  of  Dr.  Snow  was  like  that  of  all 
other  boys  brought  up  on  a  farm:  working  dur- 
ing the  summer  all  the  long,  toilsome  day,  study- 
ing at  night  and  attending  the  district  school  in 
the  winter,  he  acquired  all  that  these  schools 
could  teach  him. 

He  then,  after  arriving  at  his  majority,  attended  .\shfield  .\cademy  and 
obtained  an  academic  education,  being  particularly  proficient  in  Latin  and 
obtaining  a  fine  knowledge  of  chemistr\'.  Turning  his  attention  to  the 
study  of  medicine,  he  entered  the  offices,  first  of  Dr.  Stacy,  of  Savoy,  and 
afterwards  of  Dr.  Brayton,  of  .\dams,  graduating  at  the  Williams  Medical 
College  of  Massachusetts,  September  3d,  182S.  .\fter  receiving  his  diploma, 
he  began  to  look  for  a  place  to  practice  his  profession.  Starting  for  the 
State  of  New  York,  then  well  on  the  way  towards  the  great  West,  he  stopped 
for  a  short  time  during  the  summer  of  1829  at  Fonda,  in  this  county,  and 
during  the  month  of  September  following  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Vatesville.  now  Randall,  in  the  town  of  Root,  and  mo\ed  from 
this  place  during  the  year  1834  to  Currytown.  In  the  practice  of  his 
profession  he  became  intimate  in  the  family  of  Jacob  Dievendorl'f  of  Revolu- 
tionary memory,  a  large  and  wealthy  landholder  living  in  Currytown,  a 
few  miles  south  from  Vatesville.  He  married  Elizabeth,  one  of  Mr.  Dieven- 
dorff's  daughters,  and  upon  her  death  married  Margaret,  another  daughter, 
January  27lh,  1836.  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  six  sons  and  two 
daughters.  Of  the  sons  two  are  successful  and  extensive  farmers  in  this 
town;  three  are  located  in  the  city  of  .\lbany — one  a  physician  and  sur- 
geon in  large  practice,  another  a  banker,  and  the  third  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness; and  one  has  died.  The  eldest  daughter  married  Seth  Ramsey,  who 
was  a  prosperous  merch.int  at  .\rgu^ville  until  his  death,  which  otctirrcd 
DcccmVier  10th,  1872.  The  younger  married  Dr.  .\lbert  Van  Dcrvcer, 
who,  having  served  as  a  surgeon  during  the  Rebellion,  located  in  Albany, 
and  now  stands  at  the  head  of  his  profession. 

Dr.  Snow  had  a  large  .ind  successful  prat  ticc.  being  called  frequently  in 
adjacent  towns.  He  was  one  of  the  mnsl  industrious  .ind  faithful  of  physi- 
cians. No  matter  how  f.itii^iied  he  might  be,  or  how  stormy  and  inclement 
the  night,  he  was  always  ready,  and  visited  the  poor  man's  cottage  with  the 
same  alacrity  that  he  did  the  mansions  of  the  rii  h.     In  his  prolessinn.  as  in 


his  business  life,  he  was  eminently  a  cautious  and 
careful  practitioner,  and  although  keeping  in  the 
very  front  rank  of  his  profession  by  persistent 
study,  he  never  risked  rash  experiments  or  haz- 
ardous chances;  consequently  he  was  unusually 
successful  and  acquired  a  reputation  second  to 
no  physician's  in  the  county. 

From  his  first  settlement  in  the  county  his  su- 
perior education  and  attainments  directed  the  at- 
tention of  his  neighbors  and  friends,  more  or  less 
unlettered,  to  the  importance  of  securing  his  ser- 
vices in  the  public  business  of  the  town.  He  al- 
ways interested  himself  in  the  education  of  the 
masses,  and  for  a  long  time  had  the  supervision  of 
the  district  schools  of  the  town  as  commissioner 
and  town  superintendent.  He  also  w.os  super\isor 
of  his  town,  and  served  in  the  Senate  of  the  State 
of  New  York  during  the  years  1852  and  1853.  He 
was  a  prominent  member  of  the  county  and  State 
medical  societies,  and  was  also  vice-president  of  the  National  Spraker 
Bank  at  Canajoharie.  In  all  these  various  positions  of  usefulness,  trust  and 
honor,  in  consultation  with  brother  physicians  in  cases  where  life  and 
death  were  fighting  for  the  mastery,  his  sagacious,  wise  and  practical  coun- 
sels were  always  regarded  with  the  greatest  respect,  and  universally  fol- 
lowed with  safety  and  success.  He  was  gifted  with  such  rare  good  com- 
mon sense,  and  had  so  large  an  experience  of  men  and  their  measures,  th.it 
he  rarely  erred  in  judging  of  them  or  for  them.  Possessing  a  large  fortune, 
of  real  and  personal  estate,  made  by  his  own  industry,  enhanced  by  the 
extensive  property  received  with  he,  wife,  he  so  managed  it  .as  to  be  .1 
blessing  to  the  comnuinity  in  which  he  lived;  no  debtor  of  his  was  ever 
disturbed  by  compulsory  process,  and  whether  the  debt  was  large  or  small, 
he  was  one  of  the  most  lenient  and  generous  of  creditors.  He  devoted  his 
leisure  hours,  which  were  few  enough,  to  overseeing  and  managing  a  lart;e 
farm,  and  in  addition  to  his  other  qualifications,  was  a  most  scientific  and 
practical  agriculturist.  H.aving  thus  lived  a  long  life  of  active  usefulness, 
he  began  to  think  of  retiring  from  the  active  duties  of  his  profession.  He- 
proposed  to  travel,  and  spend  the  remaining  years  of  his  life  in  ration.il 
enjoyment  Hut  "  man  proposes,  God  disposes;"  at  one  fell  swoop  ihc^e 
plans  were  frustrated,  and  the  fond  hopes  of  his  family  dashed  to  &■■: 
ground.  Starting  out  on  the  beautiful  morning  of  September  17th.  i.^'i.v 
to  make  some  profession.al  calls,  his  daughter  riding  with  him,  his  horsi- 
became  frightened  and  ran,  dashing  him  to  the  ground,  striking  his  he.ul 
against  a  stone,  and  fracturing  his  skull:  living  about  three  days  after.  1" 
never  became  conscious,  dying  at  10  p.  m.  on  the  20th.  I'hus  passed  .n»-" 
a  good  and  great  man,  a  kind  .and  loving  husband  and  father,  a  firm  friend, 
a  conscientious  and  skillful  physician,  a  j.atriotic  and  wise  st.itesman.  H  - 
funeral  was  .mended  by  a  large  concourse  of  his  townsmen,  and  frienil- 
from  all  parts  of  the  county,  who  mourn  him  as  those  only  are  moutni'i 
who  live  for  luimanily,  and  not  for  themselves. 


m^x 


r^r.^>-^i:..  "-■■'-  ■---^-^~"  ->v  ■'■      ^^^: ^.^j:lc,■^:fC.,^^Mr^''^^- 


;f^ 


1^*",5  ■'  i.  ..-•v^^IIi^^'^^-'-""'--:^^^,^*^^^ 


^^t^  /^/%  ^^^^  - -^.v- ::M^,.II|^.p^^a^: 


*:9^fe* 


Res.,  of      JACOB      DIEVENDORFF^   C  arry  T  u  wn,  Tc  wTi   of    Ro  c  t.  Montgomery    Co.,   N.Y. 


:"-,  S;fwi,ts^i^§3^^^^'^- 


i:«'*'^<^^i^'SMi^.-. —   -—x~:m'<^'±  •r'- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 


169 


JACOB   DIEVENDORFF. 

Jacob  Dievendorff,  the  pioneer  settler,  was  bom  in  Corry's  Town.  {Cur- 
rytown),  town  of  Root,  county  of  Montgomery,  September  23d,  1769. 
He  was  of  German  descent,  his  grand  parents  having  emigrated  from 
Germany  early  in  the  eighteenth  century.  His  father,  Jacob  Dievendorff, 
with  his  family,  was  living  in  Corry's  Town  at  the  time  of  the  invasion  of 
this  place,  July  9th.  1781,  by  a  party  of  tories  and  Indians  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  John  Dockstader.  Jacob  with  others  was  captured  by 
this  party,  and  taken  south  into  the  town  of  Sharon,  where  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  Dockitader's  force  having  been  overtaken  by  Colonel  U'lllett  and 
his  men,  they  prepared  for  battle  by  killing  and  scalping  their  prisoners. 
Jacob  was  seated  on  a  horse;  looking  back  and  seeing  them  kill  and  scalp 
his  fellow  prisoners,  he  placed  his  hands  on  the  forehead  of  the  horse,  and 
leaped,  striking  on  his  feet  on  the  ground.  He  ran  a  short  distance,  but 
was  overtaken  and  knocked  down  by  a  blow  from  a  tomahawk  upon  his 
right  shoulder.  Jumping  upon  him  with  his  knees,  the  Indian  who  had 
struck  him  cut  off  his  scalp  and  he  was  left  for  dead.  When  he  returned 
to  consciousness,  bleeding,  weak  and  trembling,  he  arose  and  tried  to  walk; 
hut  finding  his  strength  insufficient,  he  again  lay  down  and  partially  cov- 
ered himself  with  leaves,  expecting  to  die.  Colonel  Veeder  and  his  men 
passing  that  way  on  the  day  after  the  battle,  found  Jacob  lying  across  a 
tree,  insensible,  and  took  him  to  Fort  Plain.  There  his  wounds  were  dressed, 
and  he  was  placed  under  the  care  of  Doctor  Faught  of  Stone  Arabia, where 
he  remained  about  five  years,  but  the  scalp  never  permanently  healed  over. 
He  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age,  and  toiled  excessively  in  clearing  up  and  pre- 
paring the  virgin  soil  for  the  growth  of  the  life  sustaining  cereals.  Jacob 
Dievendorff  was  married  to  Margaret  Bellinger  May  12th,  iSor.  by  whom 
he  had  six  children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living,  the  only  ones  who 
•separated  from  the  parental  home  and  had  families — William  B.  the  only 
••'irvix-ing  son,  Mrs.  Hannah  Dockstader  and  Mrs.  Margaret  Snow.  Jacob 
Dievendorff,  with  his  denuded  scalp,  was  a  living  monument  of  the  atro- 
cious cruelty  practiced  by  the  Indians  upon  the  early  white  settlers,  with 
ind  by  the  aid  of  the  British  and  torie*^,  as  those  of  this  country  were  called 
^ho  espoused  the  cau^e  of  Great  Britain  during  the  Revolutionary  war. 
He  lived  and  amassed  a  large  fortune,  including  many  hundred  acres  of 
t'-nd;  died  October  8th,  1859,  being  85  years  old,  and  was  buried  in  the 
family  hurying-ground.  Thus  passed  away  from  earth  an  honest,  upright 
'^nd  just  man. 


■^     W' 


WILLIAM  B.  DIEVENDORFF. 

William  B.  Dievendorff,  son  of  Jacob  Dievendorff  of  Revolutionary 
memory,  was  born  in  Corry's  Town,  town  of  Root,  Montgomery  county, 
August  30th,  1805.  Of  German  descent,  he  truly  inherited  the  traits  of 
that  most  honest,  upright  and  industrious  people.  The  son  of  a  wealthy 
agriculturist  and  large  land  owner,  he  naturally  enough  took  to  an  agricul- 
tural occupation;  and  in  addition  to  his  raising  the  cereals,  became  a  manu- 
facturer of  cheese — one  of  the  first  to  engage  in  cheese-making  in  this 
country.  He  has  continued  to  follow  the  occupation  of  a  dairyman-farmer 
in  connection  with  his  other  business,  to  the  present  day,  and  having  kept 
pace  with  the  onward  movements  of  the  science  of  cheese-making,  he  now 
stands  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  largest  associations  for  the  manufacturing 
of  cheese  in  this  county.  Mr.  Dievendorff,  by  his  personal  position  and 
standing  in  society,  in  connection  with  his  large  wealth,  has  often  been 
called  to  occupy  positions  of  trust  and  honor  among  his  fellow  townsmen. 
During  the  war  of  the  great  Rebellion,  when  such  a  multitude  of  bonds 
and  securities  were  afloat,  there  was  a  seeming  security  in  those  to  which 
his  name  could  be  found  attached;  and  the  positions  of  trust  and  the 
amount  of  stock  which  he  held  in  two  banks  in  the  county,  namely, 
the  Spraker  Bank  at  Canajoharie,  and  the  Mohawk  River  Bank  at  Fond.i. 
lend  their  aid  in  giving  the  people  a  confidence  in  those  institutions.  Mr, 
Dievendorff  is  the  owner  of  a  very  large  landed  estate,  second  in  extent  to 
none  in  the  county,  which  he  so  manages  as  to  make  it  a  source  of  aid  .ind 
assistance  and  not  of  depression  to  those  depending  upon  him.  Taught 
by  his  long  life  of  ])rai  tical  financial  busmess,  he  foresaw  the  evils  that 
would  arise  from  our  inflated  currency,  and  the  fictitious  values  placed  m 
everything,  and  now.  when  ni.Tny  are  sinking  from  their  imaginary  height  of 
wealth.  e\en  to  want,  lie  p.isses  aiong  comparative!\  unharmed  b\  'lie 
financial  crisis. 


ST.  JOHNSVILLE  AND  ITS  REVOLUTIONARY  HISTORY. 


171 


THE  TOWN  OF  ST.  JOHNSVILLE. 


Si.  Johnsville  was  formed  as  a  town  at  the  divibion  of  Montgomery 
county/on  April  iSlh,  183S.  Previous  to  that  time  it  formed  a  jjart  of 
Opj>enheim,  Fulton  county,  which  joins  it  on  the  north.  Its  organization 
was  completed  at  a  special  town  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Christopher 
Klock,  about  one  miie  east  of  the  village  of  St.  Johnsville,  on  the  ist  day 
of  May,  1S38,  al  which  its  first  officers  were  elected,  "to  fill  the  vacancies 
occasioned  by  the  division  of  the  county,"  as  follows  :  Town  clerk,  Carney 
Becker;  justices  of  the  peace,  Peter  Klock.  Daniel  Ayers,  Josiah  l.omis  ; 
4  oiled  or,  Daniel  C  Fox ;  assessors,  Peter  Radley  and  Simeon  Klock  I 
commissioners  of  highways,  Joseph  W.  Ncllis  and  John  F.  Hellinger.  The 
number  of  votes  polled  was  271.  The  first  regular  town  meeting  was  held 
at  the  same  place  on  the  5th  day  of  March,  1K39,  at  which  a  uomplete  list 
of  officers  were  elected,  as  follows:  Supervisor,  John  \V.  Riggs  ;  town  clerk 
Jesse  R.  Ciirran  ;  justice,  (leorge  Lake  ;  collector,  Daniel  Failing  ;  asses- 
sors, George  Chaugo,  Peter  Radley,  Simeon  Klock  ;  commissioners  of  high- 
ways, Jacob  H.  Flander.  Jonas  Klock  and  Benjamin  (iroff  ;  commissioners 
of  common  schools,  Andrew  R.  Ciroot,  ("haunccy  NelHs  and  Martin  Wal- 
rath  ;  overseers  of  the  poor,  John  G.  Klock  and  Joseph  I.  Klock;  school 
mspector"*,  Jnhn  (\.  Edwards.  John  Wilson  and  Joseph  Hawes  ;  constables, 
James  Best,  Christian  Flander.  Hiram  Jennings,  John  P.  Staring. 

St.  Johnsville  is  situated  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Montgomery  county, 
on  the  north  bank  of  the  Mohawk,  East  Canada  creek  flows  along  its 
western  border.  The  Crum,  Klock.  Zimmerman,  Caldwell  and  Mother 
creeks  all  flow  in  a  southerly  direction  across  the  town,  and  are  absorbed 
by  the  Mohawk.  Upon  Exst  Canada  creek  there  is  a  succession  of  falls 
and  rapids,  descending  seventy-five  feet  m  as  many  rods.  The  surface  of 
the  town  consists  a  broken  upland,  descending  gradually  to  the  south,  and 
terminating  in  the  broad  river  flats.  The  soil  is  a  fine  ipiality  of  gravelly 
hiam,  well  adapted  to  grazing  and  farming,  and  very  productive  along  the 
river.  Three  distinct  mineral  veins  have  been  discovered  near  East  Can- 
ada creek,  in  the  western  jiart  of  the  town,  known  as  the  lower,  middle  and 


consists   prim  ii>.illy  of  It-ad,  with 


erv 


Minll  sprinklini!  of  golj  ;  the  middle  vein  is 

a  mivture  of  ccip|)er,  lead  and 

/inc  ;  and  the  upper  vein  is  niosily  i:op|ier. 

The  first  settlement  of  this  town  prohnMy 

liegiin  as  earlv  as  i7:!5,  though 

tlic  precise  d.-lte  is  not  known.      L'ntil  kSoS' 

t  iielc.nged   to  Palatine.     The 

e.irly  settlers  were  Cermnns.  from  whom  m: 

nv  of  the  present  inhaliitants 

hive  descended.      Aniim;;   thcin  were   f;iniili 

IS    nam.  .1  llellel.radt.  Waters, 

'ktman.  Van    Kiepen,  Ualrath    and   Klo.  k. 

The    first    selllement  at  the 

Mllaj^e  of  St.  Johnsville  was  made  in  177O,  h. 

l.uol,  /immernian,who  huilt 

the  first  grist-mill  in  the  town  soon  after.     ( 

eorge  Klock   liuilt  another  in 

i"<oi.     .As  earlv  as  1756  a  church  was  erectt 

d   in    the  eastern  part  of  the 

t.nvn.  hy   Chrisii.in    Klo<k.      The    Kev.    M 

r.   Kosenkrant/    was    the    first 

preacher,  and    |..hn    Ilenrv   Disl.ind    the   se, 

nnd.      .\  Cerman    school  was 

t.iMt;ht  liv  IlenVv  Haves   at    an  earlv  ,hy        I 

ot  Rvan,  an    Irishman,  taught 

ihe  first  Knghsh  school  in  I79_v      l.hrislopht 

r  Nelhskept  a  tavern  in  17.SJ, 

and  a  store  in  iSoi. 

THK   ri'.OI'l  K  (1 

■"  ';"■ 

lluring  the  Kcvolntion  the  house  ..f  Chris 

i.m  Kl.i.  k,  whi.h  stood  in  the 

c.islern   part   of  the    town,  was   stoc  k.uied,  . 

nd   named  "  l-ort  House,"  in 

honor  of  Christ, .in  House,  the   l.uilder.       \\h 

h..ii-e  ot   l.uol,  /iminerman 

».is  also  sto.  kaded,      llnth  of  these  fons  re| 

uUeil  repealed  all.u  ks  of  the 

enemy,  and    tliey  were    never    surrendered. 

Fort  Hiil.  will,:,  «as  silu.ited 

"11  an  eminen<  e  in  the  western   |iart   of   tin- 

nwn.  was    ere,  icil    , hiring  the 

1  rem  h  war.      It  «as  repaired  and  used  iliin 

:;  lilc   Revolution, 

Ihislnwn  VV.IS  ihev  ene  of  iiKuu   m,  id.  n 

s   an.l   cvciils.onne.  led  wilh 

"ieKe\olMlion.andit.inh.iliil.ini-    t.nik    ilu 

ir  sli.irr    ,,l    llie   li.irdship   .ind 

suffering  o,casi,,ned  Ihercl.v.       Ilu-   ImiiIc   I 

emccn  tlu    'no  cs  ..I    Sir  lolin 

.'"hnsnn  and  the  ad\.in.e  eii.ird  of  (,cii   Win 

l;riis„l.„r's  .mm.  under' Col. 

I'lil.uis,  was   fought   .It    "Kl...  ks    1  Kid,'  11. 

.ir    vvliere    furl    House   stood. 

"'  1,  iSilr,  1780. 

.\  Mr.  Crouse,  grandfather  of  the  present  Peter  Grouse,  was  for  a  time 
stationed  at  a  house  called  Fort  Klock.  Looking  one  day  at  some  Uritish 
troops,  who  were  passing  within  gunshot  of  the  fort,  he  jestingly  remarked, 
that  he  thought  he  could  "  hit  one  of  those  fellows  on  horseback  ;"  and 
suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  he  drew  up  his  gun  and  fired  at  one  of  the 
officers,  who  was  seen  to  fall  from  his  saddle,  T'he  horse  came  galloping 
up  to  the  fort  and  surrendered  itself  to  Mr.  Crouse.  Tied  to  the  saildle 
was  a  bundle  containing  an  old  brass  kettle,  and  other  articles  of  camp 
life,  which  were  kept  for  a  long  time  by  the  family  as  relics  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. The  horse  was  traded  off  for  a  lumber  wagon,  which  lasted  till 
within  the  recollection  of  the  present  generation. 

Henry  Smith  participated  in  the  battle  of  Oriskany.  During  the  battle 
an  Indian  had  concealed  himself  in  an  excavation  in  the  ground,  from 
which  he  had  been  picking  off  our  soldiers,  one  by  one,  with  his  rifle.  Mr. 
Smith  at  length  discovered  his  hiding  place,  and  watching  an  ojiportiinity, 
shot  him  just  as  he  was  raising  his  piece  to  fire.  Running  to  the  sp.it,  he 
drew  the  tomahawk  from  the  belt  of  the  savage  and  buried  it  in  his  head. 
He  took  the  Indian's  gun  and  powder  horn,  which  trophies  still  remain  in 
the  possession  of  his  grand-children. 

The  Bellinger  girls  were  living,  during  the  Revolution,  with  their  father, 
Philii)  Bellinger,  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Menzo  Smith.  I'liilip 
Helnier  had  been  paying  his  addresses  to  one  of  these  girls,  but  onaci  oiint 
of  his  tory  tendencies  the  suit  was  not  favored  by  the  young  lady's  parents. 
In  the  spring  of  17S0,  young  Helmer  deserted  to  the  enemy,  and  at  once 
formed  a  plot  to  kidnap  the  sisters.  Organizing  a  small  band  of  Indians 
for  the  purpose,  he  led  them  toward  the  house  of  the  Bellingers  ;  but  re- 
penting of  his  plot,  he  managed,  upon  some  pretence,  to  get  in  advance  of 
his  party,  and  going  to  fort  Ncllis,  he  informed  the  people  there  of  the 
design.  A  small  company  of  volunteers  was  at  once  collected,  an  ambus- 
cade formed,  and  Helmer's  whole  party  would  have  been  killed  or  capiu-cd, 
had  it  not  been  for  the  indiscretion  of  one  of  the  volunteers,  who  upon 
their  approach,  yelled  out  at  the  ton  of  his  voice  "  Lord  Cod  .Mmi^lily, 
boys,  here  they  are  :"  The  Indians  fled  with  the  loss  of  one.  It  1,  said 
that  Helmer  afterward  married  the  girl. 

Leonard  Panter  was.aptured  by  the  Indians,  when  only  eight  years  old, 
and  taken  to  Can.ul.i.  .\llcr  a  year's  captnuy  he  was  exchanged  and  -ent 
with  others  to  Schenei  tady.  His  father,  hearing  of  the  release  of  a  number 
of  boys,  .and  ascertaining  their  destination,  sent  an  older  .son  on  hor-ebai  k 
in  search  of  the  lo>t  one.  On  reaching  Schenectady  he  found  a  numher 
of  boys  drawn  up  in  line,  waning  to  be  cl.iimed.  The  brothers  failed  10 
recognize  each  other,  but  Leonard  seeing  the  old  horse,  knew  it  and  was 
thus  made  known   to  hi*  brother. 

Col.  Jacob  Klock,  .m  .ictive  and  zealous  patriot,  at  whose  house  the  I'.ila- 
tine  committee  of  safely  met,  June  lOih.  177^,  lived  where  his  grand- 
daughter, .Mrs.  Jon.as  .Snell,  now  residi-s,  marly  a  mile  below  the  vill.i.c  of 
St.  johnsville.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Trvou  Co.  Committee  of  .'silclv, 
and'in  September,  1775.  was  appointed  colonel  of  the  2nd  lutlalmu  of 
Tryim  countv  militia,  whi.  h  position  he  held  till  the  <  lose  of  the  w.ir. 

.Andrew  Helml.old.  w  hile  plowing  near  whcr,-  l-.ast  Creek  depot  n.ov 
stands,  was  surprised  bv  the  Indi.ins,  and  killed  in  a  h.ind-to-haud  fijit. 
He  is  said  to  have  dispalched  two  of  the  savages  wuh  a  |..iddle  v>liiih 
hecarriclon  his  plo.v.  belore  he  su, .  uinhed  to  tomahawks  and   knives. 

('apt.  Chnsti.iM  House  w.is  an  earnest  and  devoted  patriot  of  the  R.vo- 
lution.  He  was  living  at  that  time  ne.ir  the  west  line  of  St.  Johnseillr  lie 
converted  his  hoii,e  into  a  l.irt,  and  sio.  k.idcd  it  at  his  own  expense  (  ipl. 
House  served  Ins  ,  ouuirv  long  ,iiul  f.iiihliillv.  iicilher  asking  lor  nor  re. 
reiving  ,inv  rcmtiner.illon' therefor  lie  died' soon  afler  llie  iv,ir.  and  iiu 
remains  were  depo. lie. I  111  ,111  ol.l  buri.il  pl,in>,  »  hu  h  Is  si, II  111  e\i-,o  n.  , , 
near  the  former  silc  ol  fori  ll.iiisc,  .ind  where  repose  the  ashes  of  iii.iilv  .1 
g.illant  sol.lier  ol  the  Revoliiuon, 


172 


THE  HISTORY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


THE  VILLAGE  OF  ST.  JOHNSVILLE. 


The  village  of  St.  Johnsville  is  situated  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Mo-  | 
hawk,  near  the  mouth  of  Zimnternian  creek,  and  near  the  center  of  the  r 
town,  east  and  west.  It  is  astatioit  of  considerable  importance  on  the  New  i 
York  Central  Railroad  and  Krie  Canal.  The  .Mohawk  turnpike  also  runs  , 
through  it.  j 

Some  authorities  assert  that  the  village  deri\  ed  its  name  "  from  St.  John's 
Church,  erected  there  at  an  early  day."  This  is  incorrect,  as  no  St.  John's 
or  any  other  church  had  ever  existed  here  at  the  time  the  name  s  applied  ' 
to  the  place.  The  nearest  was  a  Dutch  Reformed  church  never  called  St. 
John's  built  about  1756,  nearly  a  mile  below,  which,  about  1818,  was 
torti  down,  and  the  present  Reformed  church  erected  in  its  stead.  The 
name  originated  in  this  wise  :  On  the  4th  of  .\[>ril,  iSi  t,  an  act  was  passed 
to  "lay  out  a  new  turnpike  road  from  the  house  of  Henrvtiross,  in  Johns- 
town, to  the  house  of  John  C.  Nellis.  in  the  town  of  Oppenheim."  termin.at-  i 
ing  in  the  ^fohawk  turnpike  near  St  Johnsville.  'I'he  commissioners  named 
in  the  act  were  "John  Mclntyre,  of  liroadalbin  :  .Mexander  St.  John,  of 
Northampton  ;  and  \Vm.  Newton,  of  Mayfield."  St.  John  was  a  surveyor 
of  good  repute.  He  not  only  surveved  the  road,  but,  as  commissioner, 
took  almost  the  entire  charge  of  its  construction,  and  being  much  at  "Tim- 
merman's  " — as  St.  Johnsville  was  then  called — he  became  familiarly  and 
favorably  known  to  the  leading  citizens.  When,  subseijuently,  a  post  otfice 
came  to  be  established  at  this  place,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Henry- 
Lloyd  and  Christian  Craff.  jr.,  then  merchants  here,  the  name  of  St.  Johns- 
ville was  given  to  it,  in  honor  of  .-Viex.  St.  John,  the  surveyor  and  commis- 
sioner. 

The  place  was  incorporated  as  a  village  -Aug  tst,  1857,  and  its  organiz- 
ation completed  at  an  election  of  officers  held  at  the  "  Franklin  House  " 
Aug.  :;oth,  1857,  which  resulted  as  follows  :  lioard  of  trustees,  \\m.  Kings- 
bury, Elisha  Fox,  .Absalom  Thumb,  Cordon  Hough,  and  Truman  Tabor  ; 
president.  Storm  R.  Haight  ;  clerk,  Peter  Heleger  ;  assessors,  Daniel  Von- 
ker,  Matthew  F.  Wilson,  and  George  .Adams  ;  collector,  John  B.  Church- 
ill ;  treasurer,  John  R  Fisher.  The  whole  number  of  inhabitants  at  that 
time  within  the  1  orporate  limits  of  the  village  w,is  7^0.  The  present  jiop- 
ulation  is  about  1,500.  St.  [ohnsville  cont.ams  ;  churches,  ;,  hotels,  a  grist- 
mill, a  woolen  .ind"  a  cheese  factory,  a  bank,  ,;  dry  goods.  :;  hardware,  2 
drug.  .5  furniture,  :  clothing,  ;  boot  and  shoe,  and  10  grocery  stores,  and  a 
proporti(mate  number  of  other  stores,  shops,  offices,  oc  cupations  and  pro- 
fessions. 

MILLS  .\N1)  M ANrFACToklKS 
Over  one  hundred  vears  ago  |ai  ob  /.uiimcriuan  1  omiueni  ed  tlie  first  set- 
tlement and  laid  the  foundation  for  a  village,  liy  crei  ting  a  grist-mill  near 
the  creek  which  still  bears  lus  name.  In  1.S01,  C.corue  Klock  built  another, 
and  Da%iil  Quackenlnish  erc.led  tlie  ihinl  griM-miirm  1S04  .m,\  oper.itcd 
It  until  1S52,  when  it  was  closed.  Six  \e.ii->  after,  11  vv  ,is  1  on\  erted  int-ian 
iron  foumirv  bv  .\d,im  Ihumbanil  olherv  It  « .,,  ,iil.-c.pientlv  re-iuo.lelcd 
into  a  saw  and'  planing-mill  bv  Tliumb  >V  riau.lers.  « lio  own  ami  operate 
It  IS  sii.  h  at  present.  In  183^,  lames  .\verill  buill  .1  st.,ne  gri-I-mill  and 
distillcrv.  These  were  twice  burned  and  rcbuiit,  and  .  onlinucd  to  be  oper- 
ated as  at  hr-t  li\  .Mr.  .\verill  .md  his  sm  1  es.,ors  for  twentv-two^ears,  after 
whii  h  the  mill  was  abandoned  and  ihe  whole  establi-huient  used  for  ilis- 
tilling  purposes.  It  wa-  thus  run  at  irretiil  ir  intervaU  for  nineteen  vear-., 
Messis.  .M,  Ned.  N.iL-el,  D.  C.  l'o\,  ,in.i  Stuart  folloiv  ini;  the  I.UHue,,  in  llle 
order  named.  1  he  |.roperl%  lalteriv  lell  nil.,  llie  h.inds  of  II,  II  llealv, 
ami  was,ilte;«.>rcl  (.in\erlc.i  into  apaper-mdl  l.v  1  >.  C.  Cox,  wh,,  still  ,  ,ui- 
tinues  the   business  of  mamifai  tiiring  board   |.aper  lor  boxes. 

The  St.  lohnsMlle  Woolen  Mills  are  lo.  aleil  on  Zimmerman  creek,  in 
the  north»esl  part  of  the  Mlla-je.  Thcv  were  erected  in  1S40  bv  Hough, 
Kiggs  \-  .\il.iiu-.  .mil  afterward  le.is.d  and  oper.ited  bv  Winegar  \  'ionker. 
In  1S57  Ihe  were  pill,  h.lsed  bv  Si.inev  Snillli.  the  prescnl  proprietor,  who 
isactuely  uig..g..l  111  the  in.niiif.u  lure  of  a  ^arlclv  of  «o,,leu  goods,  cx- 
cl•asi^elv  for  the  home  ui.akel. 


The  St.  Johnsville  .Agricultural  Works  are  owned  by  .M.  Williams  Mo. 
who  commenced  the  manufacture  of  threshers  and  horse-powers  in  i.Sd;. 
This  establishment  also  turns  out  a  variety  of  other  implements  useful  lo 
the  fanner.     M.  Walrath,  jr  ,  is  the  business  manager. 

L'pper  St.  Johnsville,  situated  on  Rlock's  creek,  about  one  mile  west  of 
St.  Johnsville.  contains  the  three-story  stone  flouring  and  custom  mill  ni 
Beekman  Brothers. 

In  1870  Conover  ^  Kent  commenced  the  manufacture  of  fifth  wheels 
for  carriages  at  St.  Johnsville,  continuing  till  1876,  when  Chas.  W,  Scud- 
der  I'i:  Co.  purchased  their  factory  and  succeeded  them  in  the  business 
The  firm  is  at  present  manufacturing  this  one  article  to  the  amount  of 
$i2,ooo  worth  annually,  employing  eleven  men,  and  using  seventy  tons 
of  .American  and  Norway  iron.  This  is  the  only  establishment  .  f 
the  kind  in  the  county,  and  there  are  but  few  others  in  the  Uniieil 
States. 

JOURN.ALISM— U.\NK.1NG— M.ASONRV. 

On  the  14th  of  July,  1875.  Tin-  fnLrwr  Xai<  Yorker,  edited  and  pub 
lislied  by  Wm.  L.  "aimer,  made  its  first  appeaiance.  Mr  I'aimcf  m.is 
succeeded,  at  the  end  of  six  months,  by  Wheeler  &  Haslett,  who  finishcl 
the  first  volume,  when  it  was  discontinued.  The  Weekly  Purtniil  soon 
after  sprung  up,  phucnix-like,  from  the  ashes  of  the  .^V7,■'  Yorker,  wui. 
Thomas  J.  Haslett  as  editor  and  proprietor,  who  still  publishes  it  success- 
fully. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  St   Johnsville  was  organized  in  June,    i8'ij. 
with    D.  C.  Cox  president,  and  .A.  Zimmerman  cashier.     Upon   the  de.ini 
of  Mr.  Zimmerman  in  1873,  J.  W.  Cronkhite  became  president  and   D  t 
Cox  cashier.     .Mr.  Cox  was  succeeded  in  1876  by  N.  C..  Dodge. 

The  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  611,  of  St.  Johnsville,  was  organized  In  isoi.. 
with  Charles  Buckingham  as  master,  which  position  he  still  holds  1  li, 
present  membership  is  .85.  Regular  meetings  are  heki  on  the  first  .i"-i 
third  Thursdays  of  each  month. 

CHCRCHES. 
The    "Christian"   .  Inirch    was   organized    in    1874,   by  the    Kev    (      I 
I'eake,  who  is  its  present  pastor.     The  membership,  which  was  but  tluri. . 
ori-in.illv.    now    numbers   sixtv   persons.        The   Sumlav -school    .vmm.  ..  - 
with   thii  chur.  h  was  organized   in  1875  \n  C.  M,  Knox       It   now  has  ■.■: 
scholars  in  regular  attendan.  e.  and  a  library  of  500  volumes,      M.  W  ilb.i'- 
is  the  siiperinfeiulent. 

The   Union  church  was  built  in  1.S40.  prim  ipalU  bv  the   Liiilur.ni 
Methodist  denominations.       1  he  grounds  were  generouslv  donated  In    \ 
Hough,  with   the  1  ondillon  that  the  edifice,  when  completed,  should  '■ 
open  and  free  lo  the  use  and  o.  ca|iation  of  .I'.l  moral,  .  hrisli.in  and   r. 
ioiisdenoiilin,ilions."      I'he  first  trustees  were  .\dam  1.  Kl...  k,  Azel  ll-- 
Ni.  holas    |.  Smith.    Leonard   Wine-ar.   Lno,  h    Sneli,    Nelson    k...  k,.l      ' 
and  lames   H.  F.ai;an.      The  dedication   servii  es  took  pla.  e  Febrii.irv  ;i.  . 
1S5C,  Kev.  H.  I.,  bix    Lutheran    offi.  i.iling 

|'i:k.-si>n  \i   SKI-;  k  ii 

.Vlov/..   .V.  SvNiuusw.is  born   in    Minden.  Mont.gomerv  coiinl  v .  S    ^ 
liiU  1  1,  1840.      llial  town  «as  also  the  nat.il  pku  e  of  his  f.ulier  .md  ^'  ■ 
iallK-r.      In    1807  he   lemovedtoSt,   lohnsi  die.  and  embarked   inlhei..  t 
cant.le  busin,  -s  «nh  I..  C.  Km.  kerb...  ker.      In    M.ir.  h.  187-,  llu-  uriu   > 
.liss,,l%e.|,    Mr   San.Urs  ..mtiu.iing   th.-   business  alone.      In  .M.-ir.  I..  1  • .' - 
he  sulTered   ahn.isl  a  l.nal  loss   .,f    h.s  si,„  k    bv  fire,  but,  n..llimg  .launi- 
he    immediateiv  [uir.  hasc.l   a   fresh    si,„  k    .in. I  l.euan  business  anew,  b"    ' 
time  using   liisbarn  .is  a  store.      He  .11  on.  e  beuaii  ihe  ere.  lion  of  a  l.o- 
two-storv  st.TL    ..n    M.iin  street,  will,  h   ..n   the   first  ol    May  follo«  iiig  »  ■■ 
readvfor  ....  .ip,ili..n      Here  Mr  's.in.l.-r,  li.is  l.inll  up  an  exiensue  gr...  ■  "■ 
cro.  kerv  an, I  lumber  Ir.ule.  also  .le.iliui;  l,irg.-K    in    i-^r  .  uUiiral  iinplciii. '^•■ 
.in.l  here    larnurs    .  .m    aUsaVsfin.l    a  rea.lv. ash    market    for    their  bur.'. 


^l^-rits-^f.'Ji^wssi.-irtK:;.  .^^ 


Res.  of  AUGUSTUS  Sm  ITH  and  SON, Town  of  STJohnsvule, Montgomery  Co,  NY, 


5'^H;i^^J^ 


.  ":    "     ■  -r     "\'-  '  i-     ,x  .A.-  .^ad      i,/ii     "-j':-"^- — ^^!-''i--3"  ■,,,  :," 


rat 


''t'n'>;,~.T, 


Res. OF     MENZO     SMITH,  Town    of   S^  Joh  nsvi  lie  Mo  nt 


COM  ERr  Co  .N    r 


^ 


THE  FORMATION  OF  FILTON  COUNTY— ASSEMBLYMEN  AND  SHERIFFS. 


173 


THE    HISTORY 


OF 


FULTON    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  I. 


CAUSES  LEADING  TO  THE 
OFFICER* 


CREATION 
—SUNDRY 


OF  THE    CI 
.OINTV    IN 


UNTV — THE  sue 
iTITUTlONS. 


-ESSION    OF 


The  record  of  events  in  what  is  now  Fulton  county,  up  to  the  time  of 
iN  comparatively  recent  formation  from  Montgomer)',  is  a  part  of  the  his- 
t<jr)-  of  the  latter,  and  as  such  it  was  necessary  to  relate  It  in  an  earlier 
|Hjrtion  of  the  work.  The  experience  of  Fulton  county  has  been  one  of 
peace,  and  the  occurrences  of  such  a  period — the  impro\ement  of  the 
<  (juntry  and  the  de\elopment  of  population  and  industry — though  of 
transcendent  impor^lance,  make  less  show  in  the  pages  of  the  historian 
than  the  destructive  operations  of  war.  The  history  of  the  territory  em- 
braced in  the  county,  however,  like  that  of  all  this  part  of  the  Slate,  is 
long  and  eventful.  To  trace  its  earlier  stages,  the  reader  need  but  turn  to 
other  pages  of  the  work,  on  which  the  relations  and  connection  of  the 
events  to  be  narrated  made  it  necessary  to  record  them. 

The  formation  of  Ku'ton  county,  as  already  intimated,  was  caused  chiefly 
by  the  natural  dissatisfaction  felt  by  the  people  of  the  northern  part  of 
.Montgomery  upon  the  removal  of  the  county  courts  and  offices  from  their 
ancient  capital  to  an  upstart  village,  as  it  seemed  to  them,  with  no  adequate 
*"laims  to  the  honor.  Historic  Johnstown  had  been  the  county  seat  for 
nearly  seventy  years,  some  of  them  the  most  momentous  in  the  nation's 
annals,  and  was  a  settlement  of  some  importance  and  much  promise  four- 
^rure  years  before  it  was  proposed  to  transfer  us  honors  and  advantages  as 
a  judicial  centre  to  a  ri\al  just  springing  into  existence.  The  agitation  re- 
sulting from  such  natural  considerations  was  powerful  enough  to  i)rocure 
the  organization  of  a  new  county,  which  has  been  amply  vindicated  bv  the 
development  of  the  district  so  incorporated,  especially  by  the  prosperity  of 
J'lhnstown  and  the  notable  growth  of  Cloversville,  Fulton  having  now 
within  its  picturesiiue  and  fertile  domain  but  a  trifle  less  population  than 
the  parent  county. 

The  act  creating  Fulton  county  became  a  law  .\|iril  i8,  1838.  The 
'ounty  has  an  area  of  544  sipiare  miles,  and  the  population  at  the  census 
of  1875  was  30, 1 55,  over  half  of  it  in  the  town  of  Johnstown.  The  assessed 
^alii.ation  of  real  est,ite  was  §3,753,066,  and  of  personal  property  §460.328  ; 
'"'al,  S-t, 216.199.  The  first  l.iu-suit  tried  in  the  county  under  its  present 
"rganization  was  a  <  ase  of  ejectment,  brought  in  the  C\)urt  of  Common 
''leas,  by  Jabe/  K.  I'hillips  against  Stephen  Chase,  .\pril  i,  1839.  Joseph 
*'r.Tnt,  a  Scott  liman,  was  the  first  foreigner  who  applied  for  naturalization 
'n  the  county,  which  he  did  January  i,  1839.  .A.  I.amont  pledged  himself 
solemnly  under  oath,  in  .\pril,  1845,  to  perform  to  the  best  of  his  ability 
'he  duties  of  the  office  tl  inspector  of  sole-leather — no  laughing  matter  in 
■1  region  where  tanning  has  been  such  a  staple  industry.     The  details  in  the 


annals  of  the  county  not  already  given  wi 
and  village  histories  following. 


be  found  in   full   in  the  town 


ASSEMBLY.MEX   FRO.M  THE   DISTRICT. 

The  first   election  for  the  new  county  was  held   in  the  autumn  of  1S3S. 

The  .Assemblymen  chosen  from  this  district  (now  consisting  of  F"ulton  and 
Hamilton  counties)  at  that  time  and  since,  with  the  dates  of  their  election, 
have  been  as  follows  : 

James  Vanney,  1838 

Langdon  I.  Marvin,  1839 

Jenison  G.  Ward,  1840 

lohn  I'atterson,  1841 

John  I,.  Hutchinson,  1842 

James  Harris,  1843 

Garret  .A.  Newkirk,  1844 

Clark  S.  Grinnell,  _  1845 

Darius  Moore,  1846 

Isaac  Benedict,  1847 

lohn  Culbert,  1848 

Cyrus  H.  Brownell,  1849 

John  Stuart.  1850 

Alfred  N.  Haner,  1851 

Wm.  A.  Smith.  1852 

Wesley  Gleason,  1853 


Isaac  Lefever, 
Patrick  McFarlan, 
John  C.  Holmes, 


185s 
1856 
.857 


Henry  W.  Spencer, 
James  Kennedy, 
Jas.  H.  Burr, 

Willard  J.  Heacock, 
William  A.  Smith, 
Walter  M.  Clark, 
Joseph  Covell, 

Samuel  W.  Buell, 
Wm.  F.  Barker, 
John  F.  Empire, 
Mortimer  Wade, 
Samuel  W.  Buel, 
Willard  J.  Hcicock, 
John  Sunderlin, 
Geo.  W.  Fay, 
John  J.  Hanson, 
Geo.  W.  Fav, 
John  W.  Peek, 


1859 
i860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
186S 
1869 
1870 
.87, 
1872 
■873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 


SHERIFFS  OF  FCI.TON  COUNTY. 

The  following  gentlemen  have  served  as  sheriffs  of  the  county,  being 
elected  at  the  dates  attached  to  their  names: 

David  I.  Mctntvre.                       1838  I  Austin   Karson,  1859 

Kn.ipthaleeCline,                            1841     Jacob  P.  Miller,  1862 

Michael  Thompson,                       1844  I  James  Purson,  1865 

Daniel  Potter,                                  1847  1  William   P.  Brayton,  1868 

Ama-a  Shippee,                              1850  {  Oliver  Getman,'  1871 

Elisha  lientlev,                              1853    John  Dunn,  1874 

Bradford 'J'.  Simmons,                  1856  I  Hiram  I'raim,  1877 


CLERKS  OF    IHE  COUNTY. 

The  following  is  a  lis',  of  County  Clerks  of  Fulton  county,  with  dates  of 
election; 


174 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


Tobias  A.  Sloutenbe 

gh, 

1838 

Mortimer  Wade, 

1859 

Stephen  Wait, 

1841 
1844 
1847 

H                              U 

i86j 
1865 
1868 

Peter  W.  Plants, 

1850 

187. 

Archibald  Anderson, 

■853 
1856 

W 

lliara  S.  McKie, 

.874 
1877 

SUPERINTENDENTS  OF  THE  POOR. 


The  following  gentlemen  have  been  incumbents  of  the  several  county 
offices  mentioned,  the  dates  of  their  election  being  specified  in  connection 
with  their  names: 


JUDGES  OF  THE  COUNTY  COURT. 


John  Wells. 
Nathan  J.  Johnston, 
John  Stewart, 


1847  !|  -Mclntvrc  Fraser, 
1S51     A.  U.  L.  Baker, 
■855  I 


1871 
1S75 


Morgan  Lewis, 

,844 

Collins  Odell,          1 

William  0.  Wait,              ) 

A.  H.  Van  Amam,  [• 

1847 

John  P,  Clans.                [ 
Ephraim  A.  Campbell,  ) 

.845 

Aaron  Nellis,           ) 

John  P.  Claus,      ) 

Samuel  R.  Dudley,  J 

1 

George  Beach,      \ 

184& 

Morgan  Lewis,         {■ 

1846  j 

John  R.  Mitrhcl,  ) 

I.  B.  Yost,                  \ 

George  Beck, 

1849 

The  alms-house  at  West  Bush  was  established  in  1853.  Since  that  date 
the  superintendents  have  been  J.  B.  Levitt.  Richard  Fancher,  J.  D.  Foster, 
W.  W.  Washburn,  J.  H.  Washburn,  and  I.iibin  S.  Capron,  the  last-named 
having  been  elected  in  1874.  I'he  alms-house  stands  on  a  farm  of  nearly 
100  acres,  which  is  made  to  yield  a  considerable  revenue,  and  has  generally 
some  fifty  or  sixty  inmates.     The  children  attend  a  public  school. 


JUSTICES   OF   THE   COURT  OF  SESSIONS. 


Charles  A.  Baker,  ) 
Aaron  Bartlett,       )' 
Wm.  Spencer,        | 
David  Kennedy,  ) 
Aaron  Nellis,        /_ 
David  Kennedy,  ( 
Peter  R.  Simmons, 
Lucius  Rice,      I 
John  P.  Cline,  ) 
Lucius  Rice,       I 
Daniel  I.assell,  f 
Henry  C.  Jones.  ( 
Aaron  Nellis.        J 
Wm.  Spencer,    ) 
James  Stewart,  ) 
Henry  AV.  Spencer,  ) 
James  Stewart,  ) 

Ira  Beckwith,  ( 

Wm.  S.  Ingraham.  ) 
Jeremiah  S.  .\ustin,  ) 


David  (ietman, 
James  Stewart,  ) 
Seth  Cook,         ( 
James  Creighton.  i 
Seth  Cook,  ) 

David  Kennedy, 
Robert  Whitlock.  I 
Emanuel  Thumb.  )' 
Wvant  I.epper, 
Daniel  B.  Whitlock, 


John  W. 
Clark  S. 


Cadv. 
Cirinnell, 


John  W.  Cady 


L.  Wakefield, 
niton  Avers, 


Tho 
A    ILi 

Willi; 

I    H 

Jam. 


Willi.nm  Wait. 
E.  II.  Tomur. 
Ir.i  H.  V.in  Nc 
I.ucms  F.  Bun 


1847 
1849! 

.850  j 

i8:;i 

"  1 
1852  j 

■853  I 
1854 


1858, 

1859 

i860 
1861 
1S62 


Jenison  G.  Ward.  ) 
Peter  W.  Plantz.    )" 
Harley  Bartlett,  I 
Seth  Cook.  \ 

Henry  G.  Enos,  I 
Wm.  Spencer.      \ 
Morgan  Lewis.    / 
Henry  G.  Enos,  ) 
Rules  Eastman,         / 
Jeremiah  S.  .Austin,  J 
David  Kennedy,  I 
Morgan  Lewis.     ) 
Alonzo  J.  Blood.  I 
David  Kennedy,  ( 
[eremian  S.  Austin,  / 
John  J.  Hayes.  ) 

Watson  Turner,  I 

John  L.  Hutchinson,  )' 
Da\id  KcnnciU.    / 
Harvey  D.  Smith,  )' 
Wm.  J.  Robb.  I 

Terenuah  S.  .Austin.  ) 
Wm.  J.  Robb,  I 
Wm.  Sjjencer.  \ 
Ephraim  Bronk,  [ 

F^phraim  Van  Slyke,  ) 
Emerson  Brown,  I 
William  Cop[iernoIl,  )' 


DISTRICT  ATTORNEYS. 


1840 
1S40 

.845 
1S46 
1847 
1S48 
1S49 
185. 
185? 


SCHOOL   COMMISSIONERS. 


'  lo 

hn 

S.  E 

1. 

.\I 

Cjrr 

R. 

i  " 

H 

Ro 

1 

'r 

Kei 

Burnelt  II  1  tvu 
K..1I1HV  II  lulu 
Ar.  Inb.ilil  Amk 
Daniel  Ldw.ir.ls 


i,SOc     J..lin  M.  I)., 
186,;!,  Jan.Ls  H.  F. 


COUNTY  tri:asuri:rs. 

l!<4-^  "  Limcne  llcrrnn.l. 
I.S4'|    :  II    \ui  .\    Wilis. 
1.S.1;  I    BiiriKll   11.   I^^^c^ 
iS^S  ,  |.,iiK,  [\  .\,.,r„f, 
■^54  I      


1864 
1865 
i865 
1867 
1S68 


1S72 
'873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
.877 


1853 
1S59 
I, so  2 
1865 

I.S68 
1871 
1874 
■S77 


rS66 

..S7; 
■875 


'^57 
1.SO3 

'h75 


RAILROAD  ACCOMMODATIONS   INTRODUCED. 

The  first  organization  for  building  a  railroad  into  Fulton  county  was 
effected  in  1865.  The  road  was  to  run  from  Fonda  through  Johnstown 
and  Gloversville  to  Caroga.  Considerable  engineering  was  done  and  some 
stock  subscribed,  assurances  being  held  out  that  enough  capital  could  be 
obtained  to  build  the  road.  The  project  fell  through,  however,  for  want 
of  means,  and  the  balance  of  subscriptions  after  the  expenses  being  paid 
was  refunded  to  the  stockholders. 

The  second  organization  was  made  in  1866.  Considerable  stock  was  sub- 
scribed for.  but  not  enough  to  warrant  the  company  in  commencing  the 
work,  and  it  was  abandoned. 

.\  third  organiz.ition  was  brought  about  in  the  autumn  of  t866  by  a 
series  of  meetings  held  in  the  court-house  at  Johnstown,  which  were  largely 
attended,  and  at  which  a  good  deal  of  interest  was  manifested.  .As  the 
result  of  these  meetings  the  Fonda.  Johnstown  and  Gloversville  Railroad 
Company  was  organized  on  the  i6th  day  of  June,  1867,  and  its  articles  of 
association  placed  on  file  in  the  secretary's  office  on  the  following  day.  One 
of  the  resolutions  was  to  the  effect  that  the  road  was  to  be  built  mainly  by 
bonds  on  the  town  of  Johnstown.  The  town  was  finally  bonded  for 
§275, 60c.  The  commissioners  were  Daniel  Potter,  Edward  Ward  and 
John  Wells. 

A  contract  was  made  with  .Aaron  Swartz  for  constructing  the  road,  Sep- 
tember 3oih,  1867,  and  the  work  was  begun  soon  after.  Swartz  continued 
the  undertaking  for  a  time,  but  finding  the  material  to  be  moved  much 
harder  than  expected,  he  assigned  his  contract  to  Shipman  and  Middaugh, 
who  continued  the  work  until  November  21st.  1868,  when  they  abandoned 
it.  The  work  was  continued  by  the  company,  hiring  hands  until  the 
funds  which  were  obtained  by  subscription  and  from  the  sale  of  town 
bonds  were  exhausted,  when  the  wiirk  sloped,  late  in  the  autumn  of  1S69. 
.An  art  was  passed  during  the  winter  of  1869-70,  allowing  the  town  of 
lohnstown  to  sell  its  mortgage  of  §275,600  on  the  railrcid  for  $ioo,oco. 
which  was  accompli^hed  in  the  spring  of  1870.  On  the  proceeds  work  was 
again  resumed  on  the  5th  of  July.  1870,  and  prosecuted  with  vigor  until 
the  road  was  finished  and  ready  for  the  rolling  stock.  The  line  w.is 
ready  and  trains  started  on  the  29th  of  No\ ember,  1870.  Means  for 
finishing  the  work  were  obtained  from  the  saleof  bonds  on  the  road  to  the 
amount  of  §300.000. 

The  GIovers\ille  and  Nnrtluillc  Railroad  Company  was  duly  organized 
on  the  26th  of  June.  1872,  and  articles  of  association  field  with  the  Secre- 
tary of  Slate  ili.u  tla\,  llic  sur\e\s  Iteg.m  as  soon  as  possible,  and  were 
finished,  :ind  .t  map  anil  profile  filed  111  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  Fulr.m 
rountv.  on  the  25th  of  Scpienilier.  The  contract  was  let  for  grading  and 
fencing  the  road  on  the  njlh  of  September,  and  work  began  sixjn  alter 
The  means  for  construiting  the  line  were  obtained  by  stock  subscnption- 
and  In  lionds  nn  the  road,  the  latter  to  the  amount  of  §200.000.  'I  he 
town  of  Northampton  w.Ts  also  bonded  in  aid  of  the  enterprise,  and  took 
stock  therefor.    Work  progre^ 


■ipl 


id  l..ill.istcd  .inrl  readv  b. 


iUe  t"  NorthMlle 


ing  that  da 
xteen  miles 
I  ten   miles 


:ount  of  the  difficulty  in  ol- 

Ihe  track    was  laid   an.l  tl" 

IS  on  the  2.Slh  of  November.  1X75.  .uv' 

1  he  length  of  the  line  from  Cd.net- 

nd  that  of  the  Fonda,  Johnstown  .in^l 

The  officers  of  both   companies  ha>c 


FULTON  COUNTY  ORGANIZATIONS— ORIGIN  OF  THE  GLOVE  TRADE. 


175 


b«n  and  are,  W.  J.  Heacock,  president  ;  D.  A.  Wells,  vice-president  ;  and 
John  McNaL.  treasurer.  L.  Calen  was  engineer  during  the  construction 
of  the  roads  and  has  been  superintendent  since   they  came  into  operation. 

THE  COUNTY  AGRICULTUR.\L  SOCIETY. 

An  agricultural  fair  was  held  in  Johnstown  as  early  as  Oct.  i;,  1819,  by 
a  society  organized  in  that  year,  of  which  Henry  F.  Cox  was  president,  and 
James  Mclntyre  secretary.  Jacob  Boshart  won  the  society's  first  premium 
for  the  best  milch  cows  exhibited  $>''  :  the  best  heifer  (§7),  and  the  best 
pair  of  two-year  old  steers  ($S).  Each  premium  was  accompanied  by  a 
testimonial,  gotten  up  in  belter  style  than  many  similar  documents  of 
the  present  day.  Katrs  have  been  held  in  most  of  the  years  smce  this 
first  one. 

In  1865  the  society  bought  about  eighteen  acres  of  ground,  near  Johns- 
town, for  a  permanent  fair  ground,  on  which  a  half  mile  race-course  was 
laid  out.  The  necessary  fencing,  building,  etc.,  at  the  lime,  cost  between 
§j, 000 and  S3. 000,  and  a  show  building  was  erected  in  the  autumn  of  1877, 
at  an  additional  expense  of  about  jii.ooo.  .At  the  time  of  the  purchase  of 
the  fair  ground  EU^ha  Briggs  was  president  of  the  society,  Isaiah  Yauney 
(to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  these  I'acts)  secretary,  and  Mortimer  Wade 
treasurer.  The  present  officers  are :  President,  Nicholas  H,  Decker  ; 
secretary,  John  P.  Davidson:  and  treasurer,  James  I.  Younglove  ;  with  a 
number  of  vice-presidents  and  directors. 

THE  FULTON  COUNTY  COAL  COMPANY. 

This  organization  was  incorporated  May  12,  1871,  and  its  articles  of  as- 
sociation filed  three  days  later.  It  has  a  paid-up  capital  of  §18,000.  in 
shares  of  $100  each,  and  six  trustees,  namely  :  A.  Judso'n,  Gloversvilie 
president  ;  L.  Calen,  Gloversvilie,  secretary  and  treasurer  ;  W.  A.  Heacock. 
Gloversvilie  ;  D.  A.  Wells,  Johnstown  :  L.  Veghte,  Johnstown  ;  md  U.  E. 
Judson,  Kingsboro. 

THE  COUNTY   MEDICAL  SOCIETY. 

The  Fulton  County  Medical  Society  was  organized  June  16.  1S67.  by 
Drs.  W.  H.  Johnson.  Francis  Burdick,  P.  R.  H.  Sawyer,  P.  R.  Furbeck, 
Jehiel  Lefler.  W.  L.  Johnson  and  Eugene  Beach. 

An  election  of  officers  was  had.  which  resulted  in  the  choice  of  Dr  W. 
H.  Johnson  as  president;  Dr,  Sawyer,  \ice  president;  Ur.  Lefler,  treasurer; 
Dr.  VV,  L.  Johnson,  recording  secretary,  and  Dr.  Burdick,  corresponding 
secretary. 

Annual,  and  latterly  more  frequent  meetings  have  been  held,  usually  at 
Johnstown  or  Gloversvilie,  for  professional  discussion  and  social  inter- 
course. 


CHAPTER  II. 

ORir.lN,    GROWTH      AND     MF.THOPS     of     THF.     (.LOVF     .AND      MITIE.V     M.A.Sf- 
KACTLRF.  OF    FLLTON    CmxrV. 

-A  Stranger  entering  Glovcrsiille  or  Jnhnstown  c.innot  fail  to  notice  im- 
mediately ihat  he  i.-^  in  the  presence  of  a  remarkable  development  of  the 
glove  and  mitten  manufacture.  Sign  boards,  advertising  this  business,  con- 
front him  at  every  turn  and  almost  every  step,  even  among  private  rcsi- 
dcni  es  and  out  of  the  business  portions  of  these  villages.  A  considerable 
pro|)ortion  of  the  persons  and  vehir  les  he  meets  are  carrying  gloves  or 
mittens,  in  some  state  of  their  progress  from  the  whole  hide  to  the  nurkel  ; 
while  the  most  imposing  industrial  establishments  are  the  skin  mills,  with 
their  odoriferous  produi  I  ll.ipping  on  trellises  in  the  y.irds,  and  the  e\. 
tensive  f.actories,  of  which  illustrations  niny  be  seen  on  other  page.  The 
material  for  this  cha|>Ier  was  chiefly  taken  from  a  recent  number  of  tlie 
/■«//."/  C,'!iii/y   K.pMUan. 

The  origin  of  this  great  mannfacturing  interest  nf  the  cuuntv.  which 
has  grown  to  such  proporlions  .i>  to  oversh.iilow  ,ill  in  other  industries, 
is  shrouded  in  some  um  crt.iinly.      .\iilliorilics  differ  as    to  the   person  to 


whom  is  due  the  greater  portion  of  the  credit  for  establishing  the  business, 
owing  to  the  variance  in  tradition,  and  family  rivalry  ;  but  the  follow  in" 
account  is  believed  to  be  as  correct  as  can  be  obtained.  The  business 
started  first,  as  such,  at  Kingsboro,  in  the  year  iSog.  That  village  and  the 
surrounding  country  were  originally  settled  by  people  from  New  Kii-|jii,|. 
many  of  whom  were  skilled  in  the  manufacture  of  tin.  They  were  ..1  the 
genuine  Yankee  slock,  cute  and  industrious,  and  unlike  their  Dui<  li  neigh- 
bors along  the  Mohawk,  took  more  naturally  to  manufa(  tures  aad  trade 
than  to  fanning.  Hence  they  were  accustomed  to  manuf.n  ture  tin.  !.,.ii!  ,1 
horse  with  it,  and  leading  the  beast  up  the  Mohawk  and  '•  Cheiiangu 
country,"  as  it  was  then  called,  would  exchange  the  tin-ware  for  iilic.it. 
peltry,  and  almost  any  products  which  they  needed  or  could  reathlv 
sell.  The  deer  skins,  one  of  which  they  generally  bought  for  a  tuediein 
sized  tin  basin,  were  sometimes  rather  a  burden,  for  they  were  nm  uscil 
for  much  else  than  jackets  and  "breeches,"  being  prized  more  pariit  ularlv 
lor  the  latter  purpose,  because  of  their  lasting  qualities,  no  small  coiiMder- 
tion  in  those  days  of  comparative  poverty,  economy  and  hard  work. 

The  inhabitants  had  learned  to  tan  the  skins  for  clothing,  according  to 
the  Indian  process,  using  the  brain  of  the  deer  itself,  when  convenient,  but 
at  this  time  often  substituting  the  brains  of  hogs  for  that  purpose.  It  is 
said  that  the  brain  of  a  deer  will  tan  the  hide,  containing  as  it  do^^  iIk- 
same  elements  as  the  soda  ash  "  fat  liquor"  in  use  at  the  present  day. 
Occasionally  a  little  of  what  purports  to  be  the  genuine  Indian  leather 
strays  into  Gloversvilie  and  is  cut  into  gloves,  which  sell  at  fancy  prices, 
more  as  a  curiosity  than  anything  else,  as  the  material  is  really  much  in- 
ferior to  the  leather  produced  by  modern  and  civilized  processes.  Kzekiel 
Case,  and  perhaps  others,  made  mittens  from  this  "  Indian  tanned  "  leather, 
as  it  was  called,  which  must  not  be  confounded  with  the  leather  bearing 
the  same   name  of  which  large  rjuantities  are  now  made. 

.\bout  1S09,  Tallmadge  Edwards,  father  of  Daniel  Edwards  of  Johns- 
town, formerly  a  leather-dresser  in  England,  once  well-to-do  but  then  in 
reduced  circumstances,  moved  from  .Massachusetts  to  Johnstown.  In  that 
year  James  Burr  father  of  H.  L.  .V  T  H  Burr  and  W,  C.  Mills  f.i:;.>.ror 
D.  C.  Mills  hired  Edwards  to  come  to  Kingsboro  and  teach  them  !i:>  art 
of  dressing  leather.  Mr.  Burr  in  1809  made  up  a  i<i\\  pair  of  mi-tens, 
which  he  took  up  the  Mohawk  and  bartered  off.  In  the  billowing  vear  he 
made  a  considerable  number  and  sold  at  least  part  of  tliem  by  the  do/en, 
the  first  transaction  of  the  kind.  He  subsequently  made  material  improve- 
ments in  the  process  of  dressing  skins,  the  most  noticeable  of  which  was 
the  invention  of  the  "bucktail."  for  which  he  received  a  patent.  The  ap- 
paratus is  still  in  use,  but  the  invention,  like  many  others,, proved  rather  a 
loss  than  otherwise  to  the  inventor. 

At  this  time,  and  much  later,  nq  gloves  were  mar^ufoct^jfetl,  bui  imly 
rough  heavy  mittens,  which  w^m  needed  to  protect  the  hanvls  of  farmers 
and  woodmen  in  cold  and  he.xvy  laboi.  Even  the  leather,  which  wa?  pro- 
duced up  to  quite  a  recent  date  was  unfit  for  the  pianu.fa^tute  of, gloves, 
being  too  heavy  and  stiff.  As,  lately  ,16  about  thirty  years  .ago,  it  )-  viid, 
gloves  were  seldom  cut,  except  an  occJsion,al  jiair,  takeu  from. the  tJiinnest 
and  most  pliable  parts  of  the. skins.  .  <ilovcs.were  uirigin^lly,  cut,  it.i--  s.iid. 
by  laying  a  pasteboard  pattern  .qii  the  Icttlver.  antl  tollo.vvii^g  .it  with  rlie 
shears.  But  very  indifferentipjogresfi.couJd.be  jaiavle  in  tha.^  way  vvitii  the 
elastic  leather  now  in  use,  and  this  favt,,  shovvs;  the  diilvirence  ip  v|i:.iiily 
quite  distinctly.  E.  P.  Newton  started,  in  1859.  the  fir^t  general  in.n  nine 
works  in  Fulton  county  for  the  manufacture  of  glove  and  mitten  i  lining 
machines.  He  is  it  prtsfrit  c'llgag'ed-iri  lilie  lni,sin>ss.at  C.lDversville-  I  he 
goods  made  in  earlier  dav>.  however  unrouth,  furnished  a  gond  means  .,( 
disposing  of  surplus  deer  akins,  vvhn  h.  instead  of  being  .a  drug  in  ilii-  ni  r- 
ket.  were  eagerly  sought  for.  and  when  made  up,  were  reliiriKd,  \i.illi  liie 
next  parcel  of  tinware,  to  be  re-bartered  to  jiariies  from  uln.iu  the  -;^:a- 
h.ad  been  obtained,  besides  being  put  upon  the  niarktl  lor  sale  lo  jiiv  .-.;.■> 
wished  to  purvhase.  Klisha  Judson.  father  of  1).  i;,  Jiid.svin.  it,i.s  said,  ...r- 
ried  east,  about  1825. the  first  loadnf  gloves  ever  driven  iuto  Boston  llic 
trip  took  SIX  weeks.. 

Up  to  quite  a  recent  date  the  nietchaials  were  .in  iistuiiKil  lo  rciv.ve 
gloves  and  inillens  in  p.iyment  lor  ilieir  goods,  verv  Imle,  mmiev  pis-ng 
in  exchange.  .Vt  lengiU.  when  aci  nuuts  1  auie  to  be  settled  vmiIicjj!'.  a 
year's  uredil.,was  eslabli^slied.  ?nd  ijic  inaiuif,H  mrers  uiily  .(uavle  a,ljii.il  'vt- 
tleuK-nt  fcir,  the  year,  »vl>».n  theyihi'i  lurnmbllH-ir  i^fnuis  aiv<i  .fr.i  mK^d.^l'vir 
pay.i  Muanwiiilo  tluvy  and,a|l,nf  tin  ir  .(jpil'luyees  lrddcd,iiiih|tlie  ly/.al  uier- 
ch»iit.(Hpou  live  !i«i«iii|l.ivliirffS  >  crln!n,,,.ii|il,,,lipnvn  ..iiusc  ,i()e  ,ivdi,k|iK.,wn 
'■',/i/at.'  of  lAouar)."oKsiemTVJu'. l*!  4(  W?».i/.Wf  e.,r»i|().  A^''^.)"^'':*  '•\'>\\*''-.«^ 


176 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


for  the  convenience  of  the  manufacturers.  The  war  of  the  Rebellion  gave 
the  glove  interest  a  wonderful  impetus,  as  the  price  of  skins  for  a  time  did 
not  advance  in  the  same  ratio  as  the  price  of  gloves.  Scarcity  of  stock, 
however,  raised  the  price  of  skins  to  very  high  rates,  and  a  fall  in  prices 
entailed  losses. 

A  history  of  (iloversville  and  the  glove  business,  published  by  Horace 
Sprague  in  1859,  ascribes  an  earlier  date  than  we  have  given  to  the  origin 
of  the  trade.  N!r.  Sprague  says:  "  In  the  year  1806.  Ezekiel  Ca^e  brought 
from  Cincinnati  a  knowledge  of  manufacturing  leather  from  deer  skins, 
and  was  engaged  for  some  time  in  the  business,  on  a  limited  scale,  at 
Kingsboro.  In  the  year  1805,  William  C  Mills  commenced  his  annual 
trips  to  the  Holbnd  purchase  to  buy  wheat  for  flouring  purjjoses,  and  also 
deer  skins  for  manufacturing.  From  four  to  five  hundred  skins  consti- 
tuted his  yearly  purchase.  Tallmadge  Edwards,  of  Johnstown,  and  Eze- 
kiel  Case  were  first  employed  to  dress  them,  from  whom  William  F.  Mills, 
the  son,  and  James  Burr,  the  son-in-law  of  William  C.  Mi  Is,  learned  the 
art  of  manufacturing.  For  many  years  subsequent  thereto,  Mills  and  Burr 
were  the  most  extensive  and  noted  manufacturers.  Mills  died  early  in  hfe, 
while  Burr  continued  to  extend  his  operations,  to  invent  and  adapt  ma- 
chinery, to  simplify  and  improve  the  various  processes,  and  to  give  the  busi- 
ness that  character  and  currency  which  have  conferred  upon  him  the 
distinction  of  being  considered  the  true  founder  of  the  buckskin  manufac- 
ture in  this  region  of  country.  About  the  year  r8io.  John  Ward,  of  Kings- 
boro, engaged  in  the  business.  He  made  annual  trips  to  Pennsylvania  for 
skins,  and  became  a  manufacturer  on  a  scale  nearly  as  extensive  as  Mills 
and  Burr.  He,  however,  died  in  early  manhood,  in  the  year  1815."  The 
writer  of  this  work  estimated  the  capital  invested  in  the  business  in  1859 
at  from  $500,000  to  §1.000,000  in  Gloversville  and  Kingsboro  alone.  It 
is  judged  at  this  date  to  be  four  or  five  times  that  amount  in  those  places. 
The  rapid  extension  of  the  business  throughout  the  country,  and  the  im- 
mense proportions  it  has  attained  since  Mr.  Sprague  wrote,  are  facts  fami- 
liar to  most  of  the  people  of  tins  section. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  making  of  gloves  and  mittens  is  not  all 
of  the  trade  in  this  county.  There  are  tanneries,  and  skin-mills  and  box- 
factories  in  operation,  employing  many  workmen,  and  involving  a  large 
amount  of  capital,  all  of  which  are  subservient  to  the  one  great  leading 
pursuit.  Nor  is  the  business  confined  to  (Iloversville  and  Johnstown.  In 
private  houses  throughout  the  county  sewing-machines  stare  one  in  the 
face,  with  their  packages  of  gloves  near  by,  sewed  or  unsewed.  That  a 
branch  of  industry  which  had  its  origin  here  in  the  small  dickering  of 
Yankee  tin-pedlars  should  have  attained  so  much  importance  in  a  little 
more  than  half  a  century,  is,  perhaps,  without  a  parallel  in  the  history  of 
the  great  American  industries.  "Thousands  of  laborers  are  employed, 
millions  of  dollars  are  invested,  a  great  contmcnt  is  sui)plied  with  a  needed 
article  of  wearing  apparel,  and  all  this  is  the  result  of  an  exchange  of  a  few 
tin-pans  for  a  few  paltry  deer  skins." 

It  has  been  stated  that  the  early  manufacturers  gave  their  exclusive  at- 
tention to  heavy  work,  and  that  fine  work  for  a  time  was  not  thought  of. 
This  order  has,  however,  been  reversed  in  late  years,  and  in  no  direction 
is  greater  progress  made  than  in  the  attainment  of  as  delicate  workmanship 
as  can  elsewhere  be  produced  in  this  or  other  countries.  The  success  of 
the  effort  is  believed  to  be  at  hand. 


THE  RAW  MATERIAL  OF  THE  TRADE. 

The  leading  varieties  of  skins  used  in  the  manufacture  of  gloves  and 
mittens  are  the  deer  skm  and  domestic  sheep  skin,  though  several  other 
kinds  work  in,  partly  as  a  curiosity,  jiartly  as  a  matter  of  accident,  and 
perhaps  partly  from  occasional  scan  ity.  The  manufacturers  are  souutinus 
charged  with  substituting  sheep  skin  for  buck,  on  the  ground  that  there 
are  apparently  not  enough  deer  skins  obtained  to  produce  all  the  alleged 
buckskin  glovts.  Itut  there  are  really  a  great  manv  more  deer  skins  pro- 
duced than  the  uninitiated  suppose.  Fultun  county  draws  a  supply  of 
deer  skins  from  the  entire  United  States.  Mexico.  Central  and  South 
America.  It  is  believed  that  about  1,000,000  pounds  of  deer  skins  annu- 
ally come  to  the  New  York  market,  and  that  the  United  States  produces 
about  one  <]uarter  of  this  amount,  with  an  average  weight  of  three  p<Hinds 
per  skin.  Of  these,  the  larger  part,  of  course,  comes  to  the  glove  manu- 
facturers of  this  section,  thuugh  not  all  ;  some  of  them,  for  example,  find- 
ing their  way  to  the  piano  manufacturers,  where  they  are  used  to  cushion 


the  little  hammers  used  in  those  instruments,  while  a  portion  of  these  skins 
also  go  to  the  shoe  manufacturers.  A  comparatively  few  skins  are  also 
purchased  by  the  Fulton  county  glove-men  from  the  Boston  market.  The 
hides  are  usually  known  by  the  name  of  the  State  or  country  from  which 
they  are  gathered,  the  port  from  which  they  are  shipped,  or  the  name  or 
trade-mark  of  the  dealer.  For  instance,  "domestic  deer  skins" — a  term 
applied  to  distinguish  them  from  imported  stock — are  known  as  Wisconsins, 
Mi<  higans.  Missouris,  etc..  and  these  again  divided  into  general  classes, 
indicating  the  time  of  year  the  animal  is  killed,  which  makes  a  great  dif- 
ference in  the  value  of  the  skins.  Thus  there  are  western  "  reds  "  and 
"grays,"  the  former  being  skins  taken  in  summer,  quite  thick,  but  having 
short,  thin,  reddish  hair,  while  the  latter,  taken  in  winter,  are  thin  skins. 
with  very  long  thick  hair.  It  is  the  rule  in  regard  to  all  skins,  that  the 
warmer  the  climate  where  or  .season  when  the  skin  is  taken,  the  thicker  will 
be  the  skin,  and  the  shorter,  thinner  and  more  worthless  the  hair.  The 
heaviest  and  most  valuable  skins,  therefore,  come  from  under  the  e(juator. 
A  large  number  come  from  the  mouth  of  the  .Amazon,  and  are  commonly 
known  as  "Jacks."  From  nearly  every  port  between  Texas  and  the  Ama- 
zon, and  even  further  south,  skins  are  sent,  named  from  the  port  at  whii  h 
they  are  shipped.  From  the  Central  American  ports,  or  "Mosquito  coast." 
are  obtained  skins,  hence  called  "  Mosquitos."  The  surface  of  many  of 
these  hides,  when  dressed,  has  a  pitted  appearance,  much  resembling  that 
produced  on  the  human  skin  by  small-pox.  These  pits  are  said  not  to 
effect  the  wear  of  the  leather,  but  they  seriously  impair  its  appearance. 
All  deer  skins  come  to  market  in  a  hard,  dried  stale,  folded  together  with 
the  hair  inside,  and  pressed  in  bales  of  from  too  to  300  pounds  weight- 

The  most  important  skin  in  the  market,  after  that  of  the  deer,  is  the  do- 
mestic sheep  skin.  Of  these  in  all  forms  it  is  estimated  that  1,200,000  are 
used  annually.  Probably  not  more  than  one  quarter  to  one  third  of  thcsu 
are  finished  as  kid,  the  grain  side  being  used  and  colored,  the  remainder 
being  consumed  for  gloves  finished  after  the  manner  of  buckskin,  and 
aijo  making  the  split  sk'ns  or  "  fleshers."  which  are  the  flesh  side  of  thL* 
skin  after  the  grain  has  been  removed  and  are  used  for  bindings  and  the 
like.  The  "  fleshers"  used  in  this  country  are,  however,  mostly  imported 
from  England  and  Ireland.  In  sheep  skins  the  best  leather  is  said  to  I>c 
produced  from  the  coarse-wooled  sheep,  as  they  produce  the  finest  gram; 
the  same  rule  holding  good  here  as  in  deer  skins,  that  the  coarser  the  comt- 
ing  of  the  skin,  the  finer  the  grain.  The  sheep  skins  vary  as  much  m 
quality  as  the  deer,  and  depend  as  much  upon  the  section  from  which  thc> 
come.  Californian,  Mexican,  and  even  Australian  sheep  skins  reach  our 
market,  but  are  not  considered  first  rate  stock.  The  coarse-wooled  shctp 
of  this  country  are  said  to  furnish  about  as  good  a  ijuality  of  skin  lor 
glove  purposes  as  any  in  the  market,  having  an  excellent  grain  for  kid,  and 
great  elasticity,  though  the  latter  property  much  depends  upon  the  metii'id 
of  tanning. 

Probably  the  deer  and  domestic  sheep  furnish  eight  or  nine-tenths  of 
all  the  skins  used  for  gloves.  A  few  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  shicp 
skins  are  used,  but  only  a  very  limited  number  now,  whereas  formerlv  liny 
were  quite  extensively  used.  The  leather  from  this  skin  is  very  dur.ii'if 
indeed,  but  lacks  proper  elasticility. 

Of  the  deer  branch  there  are  the  antelope  skins.  Of  the  "  domesf.r 
antelope"  hides,  obtained  on  our  western  plains,  the  annual  produriK'n 
is  said  to  be  about  80,000  pounds,  of  which  a  large  portion  is  dresscil  m 
this  section.  They  produce  an  excellent  leather,  perhaps  fully  ecpial  t" 
deer  skins  of  the  same  weight,  for  they  are  a  small  light  skin,  very  -"". 
but  tenacious,  and  much  of  the  nature  of  the  well  known  chamois  -kin 
There  have  latteriy  been  introduced  into  this  market  a  considerable  n^;u' 
ber  of  blesbok  skins,  taken  from  a  fine  large  African  antelope,  but  in  (pi.ii'"- 
resembling  the  deer  rather  than  the  antelope.  S(>me  difficulty  was  ''^^ 
|)erienced  at  first,  in  dressing  these  skins  so  as  to  make  them  soft  antl  |  '>■■* 
ble.  but  that  trouble  is  now  about  overcome,  so  that  they  promise  to  be<  "'"' 
an  important  item  in  the  supply. 

There  is  also  a  South  American  water  hog  skin  dressed  here  to  qui'i-  '>> 
extent.  They  come  from  Buenos  Ayres,  and  are  a  good  skin  for  glov< - 
Besides  these  there  are  some  Patna  or  Cah  utta  row  hides,  goal  skins,  .ii'<l 
even  buffalo  skins,  coming  into  market  and  dressed  with  success  by  s-mic 
of  the  most  enterprising  and  inventive  manufacturers. 

These  various  kinds  of  foreign  and  hitherto  unknown  and  unused '^kins 
are  coming  into  use  for  the  reason  both  that  the  domestic  deer  skm--  i" 
annually  growing  more  scarce,  and  also  because  they  promise  to  the  '!''■ 
coverer  of  a  serviceable  new  skin,  an  extra  remuneration  before   odior* 


THE  MANUFACTURE  OF  GLOVE  LEATHER. 


177 


shall  have  taken  advantage  of  it.  One  party,  during  the  war,  invested  in 
hog  skins,  a  rather  untried  experiment  at  that  time.  He  manufactured 
20,000  of  these  bkins  in  one  year,  and  cleared  on  ihem  an  average  of  one 
dollar  per  skin.  Others  have  heen  proportionately  successful  m  their 
tfxperinicnts  in  buffalo,  blesboks  and  other  new  varieties  of  hides,  and 
thus  circumstances  vouchsafe  a  reward  to  the  discoverer,  without  the 
necessity  of  a  patent.  Besides  the  various  skins  there  are  annually  large 
(|uantilies  of  cloth  manufactured  into  gloves,  amounting  In  1873  to  $400,- 
000  worth. 

PREPARINC;  THE  SKINS. 

Dressing  the  skins  gives  employment  to  a  large  number  of  hands.  There 
are  in  the  county  about  twenty-five  "skin  mills"  employing  twelve  or 
more  bands  each  where  the  entire  process  is  completed.  These  mills, 
though  not  very  showy,  have  an  estimated  value  of  from  five  to  fifteen 
thousand  dollars  each,  which  with  the  money  annually  invested  in  labor 
in  them  amounts  to  a  very  large  sum.  The  manufacturers  are  wont  to 
divide  the  expenses  of  their  product  into  three  parts,  viz.:  First,  the  cost 
of  the  raw  skins  and  materials;  second,  the  tanning  process;  and.  third, 
the  cutting  and  making  up.  The  skms  are  generally  bought  for  cash,  or, 
at  most,  on  four  months'  time;  the  dressing  is  done  almost  entirely  on 
**  first  of  January  "  credit;  the  arrangement  for  cutting  and  making  is  cash 
or  credit  as  the  parties  can  agree,  but  the  tendency  seems  to  be  toward 
cash  in  this  direction,  many  of  the  manufacturers  paying  their  hands 
monthly  now.  a  thing  never  thought  of  formerly.  Many  of  the  large  manu- 
facturers own  mills,  and  thus  control  two  branches  of  the  business,  em- 
ploying their  mills  to  dress  leather  for  others  when  not  occupied  with 
their  own  stock.  A  considerable  amount  of  buck  and  sheep  skin  is  annu- 
ally dressed  in  Fulton  county,  and  taken  elsewhere  for  manufacture;  some 
for  gloves,  some  for  the  shoe  manufacturers,  some  for  saddlerv.  and  occa- 
sionally a  lot  for  piano-makers.  Much  improvemenc  has  been  made  within 
twenty  years  in  dressing  buck  skin  and  also  skins  heretofore  mentioned, 
which  were  formerly  considered  valueless  for  the  glove  business.  The 
leather,  as  formerly  dressed,  was  apt  to  be  too  stiff  and  unyielding,  and 
whenever  a  new  kind  of  skin  is  introduced  into  market  it  is  likely  to  he  at 
first  condemned  because  it  presents  these  bad  qualities;  but  the  dressers 
are  learning  that  each  kind  of  skin  needs  its  peculiar  treatment,  and  in 
this  way  many  skins  have  been  rendered  valuable  which  would  otherwise 
be  worthless,  and  more  v.-ill,  doubtless,  some  day  be  added  to  the  list. 

The  glove  manufacturers  in  this  section,  only  a  decade  or  two  since, 
did  not  essay  the  making  of  gloves  from  any  material  other  than  buck  and 
sheepskin;  the  latter  tanned  and  finished  the  same  as  the  former,  which 
it  then  closely  resembles,  and  from  which  it  cannot  be  distinguished  bv  a 
novice.  The  same  goods  in  both  buck  and  sheep  as  formerly,  though  of  a 
better  qualitv,  are  still  manufactured;  but  sheepskin  now  takes  a  great 
many  forms  which  are  an  addition  to  former  branches.  One  of  these  is 
that  known  as  "  kid."  Formerly  all  kid  gloves,  so  tailed,  were  imported 
from  France,  Germany  or  England,  as  a  large  i>roportion  of  the  liner  or 
lighter  kids,  made  up  with  an  over-and-o\er  stitch,  still  contmue  to  be  ; 
but  even  the  latter  kind  are  now  being  made  by  a  few  manufacturers  here, 
and  it  may  safely  be  expected  that  the  manufacture  of  this  kind  of  goods 
will  increase.  Oisastrous  failure  was  predicted  by  the  old  fogies  when 
kid  manufacture  began,  but  now  Fulton  county  competes  with  the  world 
on  heavy  kids,  and  is  likely  to  do  its  proportion  of  the  lighter  kid  trade. 
"  Kid,"  as  known  in  this  market,  is  divided  into  two  leading  (lasses. 
termed  "  im[»orted  "  and  "  domestic."  Ihey  are  all  alike  sheep  nr  l.inib, 
and  not  goat  skins,  .is  their  name  would  indicate;  but  the  former  are  -.kins 
imported  from  Fran*  e  or  (lermany,  already  dressed  and  brimght  hereto 
l»e  made  up,  while  the  latter  are  skins  produced  on  our  own  soil,  gathered 
fr.ini  every  State  in  the  L'nion  and  brought  here  to  be  dressed.  The  F"ul- 
ton  county  kid-dresscrs,  it  is  said.  e\<  el  the  foreign  workman  in  dressing 
the  same  kind  of  stock,  but  our  native  skins  are  of  a  different  kind  of 
texture  from  the  foreign,  hence  the  ditferencc  in  the  leather.  The  foreign 
sheep  is  a  coarse-wooled  animal,  ni.iiiv  tinn-s  h.ning  ili  wool  nii\cd  with 
hair  more  like  the  goat,  while  our  siKcp  are  hncr-HiH.kd,  antl  it  i>  said  to 
hol<!  true  that  the  coarser  the  wnol  the  <  ln>cr  and  tdUj^hcr  u  ill  i)e  the 
h-ather. 

The  glove  nianuf.n  turcrs  probablv  <  nl  up  jo.ooo  .lo/en  domesii.  skins 
annually,  and  more  than  as  iuaii\  nmrc  nl  the  inipcrtcd  ("ertam  parties 
in  New  York  and  Albany  "pull  and   beam  "  the>e  skin.  ;   pa.  k   tluni  in  a 


salt  pickle,  from  seventy-five  to  eighty  dozen  in  a  cask,  and  sell  them  in 
this  state  to  the  manufacturers  in  this  section.  The  finer  and  greater  part 
of  these  are  Iamb  skins,  but  the  process  is  the  same  for  lamb  and  sheep 
skins.  When  thus  received  to  be  dressed  for  kid.  they  are  first  '*  drenched  " 
or  washed,  to  extract  as  thoroughly  as  may  be  the  "  pickle  "  from  the  skin. 
They  are  then  placed  in  an  alum  bath,  where  they  remain  about  twelve 
hours;  then  removed  and  "staked."  "Staking"  is  a  process  tjuite  fre- 
quently repeated  in  the  manufacture  of  gloves,  and  consists  in  stretching 
the  skin  and  removing  all  wrinkles  as  much  as  possible  by  means  of  a  thin, 
round-faced  iron,  placed  in  a  standing  frame  over  which  the  skin  is  re- 
peatedly drawn.  The  "arm-stake,"  mostly  used  by  manufacturers,  has  a 
similar  iron,  but  so  arranged  as  to  receive  ))ressure  from  the  shoulder. 
With  the  former,  the  skin  is  drawn  across  the  stake,  whereas  the  latter  is 
moved  over  the  skin,  the  effect  [troduced  being  the  same  with  each.  After 
being  removed  from  the  alum  bath  and  "staked."  the  skins  are  dried,  prin- 
cipally in  the  sun,  but  sometimes  in  rooms  heated  by  steam.  After  drying, 
the  same  process  of  washing,  staking  and  drying  is  repeated  with  as  great 
thoroughness  as  possible.  When  this  is  completed,  the  skins  are  sorted  for 
coloring,  the  more  perfect  ones  being  selected  for  lighter  colors.  They 
are  next  washed  again  and  are  then  ready  to  put  in  the  egg  bath,  composed 
of  the  yolks  of  eggs.  For  this  purpose  a  large  quantity  of  eggs  is  used  an- 
nually, taking  on  an  average  about  one  egg  to  each  skin.  The  yolk  of  over 
6,000  dozen  eggs  is  annually  used  by  some  mills,  the  whites  being  thrown 
away.  After  being  removed  from  the  egg  bath,  the  skins  are  ready  to  color, 
which  is  done  by  placing  them — now  a  beautiful,  clear,  white  color — flesh 
side  down  upon  zinc  or  lead  tables,  and  brushing  over  them  the  liquid  dye, 
composed  of  redwood,  lignum-vitje,  wood-citron,  Brazil  bark,  and  many 
other  articles,  according  to  the  color  to  be  produced,  and  afterward  brush- 
ing over  the  skin  a  mordant  of  some  kind  to  "set"  the  color.  This  mor- 
dant generally  consists  of  alum,  copperas  and  blue  vitriol.  After  coloring, 
the  skins  are  agnin  dried,  then  dampened,  and  then  rolled  up  in  separate 
parcels,  liesh  side  out,  and  packed  away  m  barrels  to  "season,"  that  is,  to 
render  every  portion  of  the  skm  equally  flexible  and  soft.  When  thorough- 
ly seasoned  they  are  again  "  staked  "  and  then  "shaved."  The  shaving  is 
done  with  a  thin  sharp  circle  of  steel,  set  at  a  slight  angle,  having  a  hole 
m  the  center  where  a  movable  handle  is  placed.  The  skin  is  held  at  one 
side  by  bars  like  those  used  for  the  arm  stake,  and  the  workman,  grasping 
the  other  side  of  the  skin,  draws  his  sharp  knife  over  the  flesh  side,  cut- 
ting off  all  superfluous  particles,  rendering  the  surface  smooth  and  soft. 
The  only  remaining  process  is  that  of  "  padding,"  or  rubbing  the  grain  side 
with  a  pad  made  of  woolen  cloth  or  something  of  that  sort,  which  polishes 
and  tends  to  soften  the  leather  ;  after  this  the  skins  are  ready  for  manu- 
facture into  gloves.  Some  of  these  skins  are  not  colored  at  all,  especially 
the  poor  ones,  being  used  for  "welts"  and  the  like. 

It  IS  claimed  that  Christian  i}.  Bach,  who  came  from  Germany  in  1836. 
and  settled  in  Fulton  county,  milled  the  first  sheep  skins  milled  in  the 
county,  in  the  mill  now  owned  by  Mcl-aren.  near  the  cemetery  in  Johns- 
town village. 

The  process  of  tanning  deer  skins  is  somewhat  different.  The  hides  he 
in  lime  liquor  for  three  or  four  days,  and  are  then  taken  out  and  dried, 
sav  twice  a  week,  for  tour  weeks  in  summer  and  six  weeks  in  winter,  lime 
being  added  each  week.  The  flesh  is  first  taken  off,  then  the  gram,  and 
then  the  hair,  which  is  called  frizzing.  Next  the  skins  are  parched  in  the 
sun.  Milling  is  the  next  operation,  a  process  which  thoroughly  permeates 
the  skins  witli  oil,  making  them  sup|ile,  and  opens  the  pores.  They  are 
then  taken  to  the  Iteam  shoji  and  subjected  to  a  jjroccss  called  "studding,  ' 
which  (onsists  in  shaving  oil  the  mucous  on  the  grain  side.  Tarching  or 
dr>.ng  doun  is  only  used  for  tiglitor  very  heavy  skins,  whuh  are  afterwar.l 
again  soaked  when  they  l)ecome  .soft  and  better  fitted  for  the  mill.  It  may 
be  remarked  that  the  refuse  of  the  skins  ])roduced  by  these  various  pn>- 
ce-es  IS  sold,  when  dry  by  the  pound,  and  when  wet  by  the  bushel,  lor 
making  glue.  The  skins  are  then  thrown  into  a  liquor  made  of  soda  ash. 
which  takes  the  oil  entirely  out  in  about  12  hours,  when  the  hides  are  said 
to  be  "  half  sc  oured."  This  liipior  is  saved,  and  with  an  addition  of  n<  i.i 
IS  sold  for  calf  skin  an.I  morocco  work.  The  skins  are  then  dried  and 
stoured  (  le.in  ;  tliey  are  next  taken  to  the  finishing  room,  dampened,  put 
iin  a  siretf  her  ,-\nt\  strcKhed.  If  very  heavy  or  uneven,  they  are  |«iit 
through  a  splitting  ma.  lime.  Ihen  they  are  taken  to  the  stakcroom.  « lure 
the\  are  still  further  .tret,  bed  and  all  remaining  unnklcs  taken  out  I'rv 
'Vhre  I-  now  rubbed  on.  or  the  skin  is  smoked,  as  desired,  A.  Simmons, 
who  began  the  business  in  1.S45.  is  said  to  have  been   the   first   man  m   the 


173 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


county  to  smoke  skins.  The  first  smoke-house  was  made  by  driving  four 
stakes,  and  surrounding  them  with  a  rag  car[)et  ;  it  would  smoke  two  or 
three  hundred  a  year,  whereas  Mr.  Simmons  now  smokes  from  150,000  to 
175,000.  The  skin  is  next  placed  on  a  rapidly  revoi\ing  emery  wheel, 
until  perfect  smoothness  is  attained,  when  the  operation  is  complete. 
The  skins  are  hung  out  on  the  lines  about  eight  times  during  the  process 
of  tanning,  and  are  handled  thirty  or  forty  times  in  the  course  of  their 
preparation  for  making  up.  No  formula,  recipe  or  jjatent  is  a  sufficient 
guide  in  the  process,  for  at  every  step  great  care  and  discretion  must  be 
exercised,  which  can  only  be  obtained  by  years  of  practice  and  ex- 
perience. 

The  "  bark-tanned  "  leather  is  also  n  prominent  item  in  the  business. 
The  same  stock  is  often  used  for  making  these  goods  as  for  making  kid, 
but  instead  of  completing  the  process  as  for  kid,  the  hides  after  being 
washed  are  treated  with  bark  liquor  until  tanned,  then  worked  over  ma- 
hogany tables  and  next,  stretched  to  their  utmost,  are  lacked  upon  boards 
to  dry,  and  finally  worked  until  soft  and  pliable.  More  \arieties  of  these 
leathers,  perhaps,  might  be  adduced,  but  this  is  probably  sufficient  to  show 
the  general  line.  The  imported  kid  is  furnished  by  nearly  all  dealers  in 
glovers'  findings  to  a  greater  or  less  e.xtent.  Step  by  step  these  new  kinds 
of  leather  and  different  branches  of  manufactures  have  crept  in  and  ad- 
vanced in  quantity  and  quality,  notwithst'^nding  competition  without,  and 
ridicule  from  old  fogies  at  home,  and  much  improvement  may  yet  be  made 
and  doubtless  will  be. 


CHAPTER  III. 

FUI.TON  county's  RECORD  IN   THF.   \V.4R   FOR  THE    VNION HISTORV  OF  THE 

I53D  NEW    VORK  VOLL'NTEERS. 

The  133rd  Regt.  N.  Y.  State  Vols,  was  rai.->ed  in  iS6j:  under  the  second 
call  of  President  Lincoln,  for  300,000  men.  Seven  of  its  companies  were 
from  the  counties  of  P'ulton.  Montgomery  and  Saratoga,  the  other  three 
from  Clinton.  Essex  and  ^^"a^^en.  The  regiment  was  mustered  into  ser- 
vice at  Fonda,  Oct.  i8th,  1S62.  and  left  for  Virginia  the  same  day.  On 
arriving  at  Washington,  Oct.  22d.  it  was  at  once  ordered  to  .\Iexandria, 
Va.,  and  there  encamped.  While  here  the  regiment  attained  a  high  degree 
of  discipline  through  the  efficient  attention  of  Col.  McMariin  and  his 
officers.  The  men,  however,  suffered  considerably  from  typhoid  pneumo- 
nia, measles  and  small-pox.  Col.  .McMartin  was  at  length  compelled  to 
resign  through  an  accident  and  failing  health.  By  his  generous  and  im- 
partial conduct  he  had  won  the  hearts  of  his  officers  and  men,  and  they 
bade  him  adieu  with  deep  regret.  Col.  .Vrmstrong  al>o  resigned,  and  Maj. 
E.  P.  Davis  was  promoted  to  the  colonelcy  of  the  regiment. 

At  th.it  time  .\lexandria  was  a  v.ist  depot  of  military  stores.  Its  forti- 
fications were  considered  of  but  little  a\ail  if  the  enemy  should  make  a 
siKlden  dash  upon  the  town  iintler  co\er  of  night.  The  troops  were  often 
aroused  from  their  slumber.-,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle,  across  ihe  dilfer- 
cnt  roads  leading  to  the  city,  remaining  under  arms  till  dawn,  to  repel  any 
att.u  k.  For  fourleen  <  onsecutive  nights  this  regiment  lay  behind  tempo- 
rary barriers  of  i|uartermasters'  w.igons.  in  the  open  air,  expecting  the 
enemy. 

On  the  20th  of  July,  1S63,  the  regiment  was  ordered  toCapit.il  Hill  bar- 
racks, Washington.  Its  duty  here  «ns  guarding  the  depot  of  the  lialtimore 
and  (il'.io  Railroad,  examining  travelers'  passes,  patrolling  the  city,  con- 
vojing  troops  to  the  front,  and  jirisoners  to  Point  Lookout,  and  guarding 
Contrabaml  Cam]..  Central  (liiard-house,  Carroll  and  (Jld  Capiioi  Prisons, 
Surgeon  Hen.lee  and  (lu.irlermaster  Livingston  resigned  while  here,  and 
I>r.  Snow,  1st  .\s-.i.stant.  became  surgeon. 

On  the  20th  of  February.  i.S(i4,  the  regiment  embarked  on  the  steamer 
Mississippi  for  New  Orleans,  where  it  arrived  Fcl.niary  iSth.  landing  at 
Algiers,  opposite  that  city,  and  .»  .  upying  the  H.llcville  In.n  Works. 
Tlien<e  it  proi  ceded  by  rail,  March  jil.lo  Hrashaer,  So  miles  di.^tant.  Cross- 
ing CIrand  Lake  at  l)r.ishaer,  the  troops  marched  up  the  beaiiiiful  \ alley 
of  the  bayou  Techc.  On  the  5lh,  they  arrived  at  Franklin,  and  reporting 
to  Ccn.  Franklin,  were  a-.-.igneil  to  the  1st  brigade,  ist  division,  I9ih  army 
L.rps.  On  the  I5tli.  they  were  ag.nin  on  the  mu\e  low.ird  .Mexandiia,  on 
the  Ked  river,  arri\ing  there  Mar.  h  24lh,  where  they  found  Cell.  Hanks 
awaiting  them.  On  their  w.iy  thither  Joseph  ILnvkins.  of  Co  K,  died  of 
exhaustion. 


On  the  28th  of  March  they  left  .Alexandria  for  Shreveport,  170 
miles  distant,  which  was  in  possession  of  the  enemy.  Gen.  Lee  led  the 
cavalry  division,  the  13th  cor[>s  followed,  then  the  ist  division  of  the  igih 
corps,  next  the  13th  and  19th  corps  trains  with  ten  days'  rations.  The  ist 
brigade  of  the  19th  army  corps,  to  which  this  regiment  was  assigned,  was 
commanded  by  Gen.  Dwight,  and  consisted  of  the  29th,  ii4lh,  ii6th 
and  153d  N.  Y.  regiments.  The  country  now  sujiplied  the  entire  army 
with  beef,  vast  numbers  of  cattle  being  secured  dailv.  After  a  march  of 
36  miles  the  army  came  to  Pleasant  Hill,  and  halttd  for  the  irain  to  conic 
up. 

On  the  Sth  of  .\pril,  the  153d  regiment  was  detailed  to  guard  the  divi- 
sion train,  and,  consequently,  in  rear  of  the  army.  On  that  day  the  cav- 
alry and  13th  corps,  being  in  advance,  were  met  by  the  enemy  at  Sabine 
Cross  Roads,  and  being  overpowered  by  superior  numbers,  fell  back  in 
confusion.  Gen.  Emery,  apprised  of  the  disaster  in  front,  drew  up  his 
(ist)  division  at  Pleasant  Grove,  three  miles  below  Sabine  Cross  Roads. 
The  rebels,  pressing  the  retreating  forces,  at  length  charged  upon  Emery 
with  great  im|ietuosity.  For  an  hour  and  a  half  he  gallantly  resisted  their 
repeated  onsets,  until  darkness  put  an  end  to  the  conflict.  The  Union 
troops  continued  on  the  battle  field  until  midnight,  when  they  were  ordered 
back  to  Pleasant  Hill,  this  regiment  covering  their  retreat.  The  next 
morning  the  enemy,  having  discovered  their  retreat,  folloived  them  to 
Pleasant  Hill.  Our  troops  took  position  to  resist  the  onset.  At  length 
the  enemy  drove  in  their  skirmish  line  and  made  an  attack  in  force  on 
their  left.  Five  times  they  charged  on  the  ist  brigade,  and  were  as  often 
driven  back.  This  was  the  first  battle  in  which  this  regiment  had  taken 
part.  In  his  report  of  it.  Col.  Davis  says:  ".My  men  behaied  nobly,  and 
I  attach  much  credit  to  the  noble  manner  in  which  my  line  officers  acted. 
Lieut. -Col.  Strain.  Maj.  Sammons  and  Adjut.  Davis  rendered  me  valuable 
assistance  in  keeping  my  line  together  and  maintaining  my  position."  F'or 
three  hours  the  conflict  r.iged,  when,  night  coming  on,  the  work  of  dcaih 
ended.  Our  troops  lay  on  their  arms  in  line  of  battle  all  night,  but  the 
enemv,  taking  advantage  of  the  darkness,  had  removed.  On  account  of 
the  scarcity  of  water  and  rations  the  army  began  to  retreat,  .Ajiril  10,  lu- 
ward  Grand  Ecore,  a  small  town  on  a  bluff  of  the  Red  river.  This  plj.e 
was  reached  the  following  dav. 

Gen.  Dwight  now  became  chief  of  staff  to  Gen.  Banks,  and  Col.  ileal, 
of  the  29th  Maine,  was  assigned  to  the  ist  brigade.  April  23d  the  army 
left  Grand  Ecore.  .\s  it  moved  out  the  town  was  fired.  This  was  said 
to  be  the  work  of  a  rebel,  and  done  to  apprise  the  enemy  of  the  arni\  's 
departure,  .\fter  a  forced  march  of  40  miles,  the  force  went  into  camp, 
at  midnight,  near  Cloutierville.  but  at  4  o'clock  the  next  morning  uas 
again  on  the  way  to  Cane  River  Crossing.  This  place  was  in  possession 
of  the  rebel  general  Ilee.  with  4.000  men,  who  were  fortifying  Monci's 
Bluff,  which  comm.ands  it.  At  this  point  the  situation  of  the  army  w.is 
indeed  critical.  The  enemy  was  closely  pursuing  them  in  the  rear;  i.eii 
Bee,  strongly  fortified,  was  in  front;  Cane  river  on  the  right,  and  a  ikiise 
swamp  and  forest  on  the  left.  The  1st  brigade  was  thrown  forwarti  into  a 
wood,  which  the  enemy  began  to  shell;  as  they  fired  too  high,  hiw,  v.  r. 
they  did  but  little  injury.  .\t  length  our  forces  made  a  siniiiltaneuns  .,;. 
tack.  The  enemy  replied  with  great  vigor  to  our  li.ilterKs.  I.iit  llir-c  ■  .ir- 
ried  the  Bluff  and  forced  them  to  retreat.  Our  troops  moh  hcin^;  ..r.lir,.! 
to  cross  the  river,  the  2d  Vet.  Cavalry,  the  1 16th  and  i^jd  pressed  iur«  jr.l 
and  were  among  the  first  to  occupy  the  heights. 

The  Cnion  troops  continued  their  retreat  toward  .\lc\,indri.i,  the  b.ise 
of  supplies,  which  pl.ue  they  reached  on  the  25th  of  .\pril,  .iv,\  en.  ,iiii|.vl 
near  our  gunboats  and  transports.      Here  they  remaineil  until  the  1  ;ili  '-■ 


May. 

the  n. 
broke  on 
tlagr.iti.i, 
on.  e  the 
Mansura 


ihen  th. 
et    leaM 


ngain  took  up  th. 


ig  .u   ih 


march,  now  1 
As  tl 


-.1  the 


I's  left  .\1, 


,i|.p. 


ik..-  It 


Ihere  was  some  skinnishi 
.t  the  enemy  m  force  It 
iirre.l.biit  it  wis  fought  pr 


On  Ihe  17th  of   May  th.j 
port.  where   the   transport- 
wi.le  at   this  point,  was  br 
on  the  iQth  the  troo] 
Margan/,i,;    Bend    on 
through  sickness  and 


Ivwul 
At.hafal, 


lite  ili.it  the  B.iii 
irtillcrv.in  the  I 


•c.i.  hcd  th, 

.irts  were    f.iund   awaiting   it.      The    river.  Ooo  IV.I 

;  bri.lged  with  19  transporls  fastened  together,  .iml 

and   trains  passed  over.     On  the  22d  they  rc.i<  he.l 

Mississippi.       Here    the    153. 1    siilfercl    inn.  h 

On  the  rst  of  July  the  i5.;d  ami  ii4rh  n- 


th 


ments  took  ihe  steamer  Cres.ent  for  .New  Orleans,  where  they 


BATTLES  OF  THE  153d  IN  THE  SHENANDOAH  VALLEY. 


179 


Ihe  ad,  and  the  following  day  moved  down  the  river  under  sealed  orders. 
They  soon  learned  they  were  destined  for  Fortress  Monroe.  Arnving 
there,  they  were  at  once  ordered  to  report  in  Washington,  which  they 
reached  July  nth.  1S64.  The  153d  took  position  in  the  rifle  pits  beyond 
Fort  Saratoga.  At  this  time  Gen.  Early  was  foraging  in  Maryland,  menac- 
ing Washington,  and  causing  our  troops  considerable  uneasiness. 

This  regiment,  with  the  6th  and  19th  corps,  under  command  of  den. 
Wright,  were  at  length  sent,  with  other  troops,  in  pursuit  of  Early.  After 
moving  from  place  to  place  for  several  days,  they  at  length  settled  tem- 
porarily at  Harper's  Ferry,  August  5th.  On  the  7th  of  August  t'.cn.  Sheri- 
dan was  placed  in  command  of  the  "Middle  Department,"  romjioscd  of 
the  late  departments  of  West  Virginia,  Washington  and  Susquehanna. 
On  the  loth  of  August,  1S64.  the  army  began  Us  march  up  the  Shenan-* 
doah  Valley,  passing  from  town  to  town,  and  occasionally  making  short 
stops.  While  camping  at  Charlestown,  Cadman,  of  Company  A,  and 
Charles  Thornton,  of  Company  H,  of  the  153d  regiment,  while  making 
some  purchases  for  the  mess  at  a  farm  house  near  by,  were  captured  by 
guerillas.  In  the  melee  the  latter  was  killed;  the  former  was  taken  to 
Richmond  and  conlined  in  Libby  Prison.  Both  were  highly  esteemed. 
Leaving  Charlestown.  the  army  returned  to  Harper's  Ferry,  camping  on 
the  ground  twice  before  occupied.  On  the  rSth  of  August  the  force  was 
ordered  up  the  Valley.  Again  marching  or  countermarching,  skirmishmg 
with  or  pursuing  the  enemy,  or  being  pursued  by  him,  was  the  order  of  the 
day.  It  soon  became  afiparent,  however,  that  the  army  was  about  to 
make  a  determined  advance.  On  the  iSth  of  September  all  surplus  bag- 
gage was  sent  to  the  rear,  and  early  the  following  morning  the  force  was 
in  motion. 

Early  held  the  west  side  of  the  Opequan  creek.  Sheridan  was  in  his 
front  and  on  his  right.  The  cavalry-  had  driven  the  enemy  and  cleared 
the  passage  of  the  Opequan.  This  was  now  forded  by  the  infantry,  who 
advanced  along  the  turnpike  through  a  deep  ravine  about  a  mile  in  length. 
Early  had  honed  to  prevent  their  entering  this  ravine,  but  in  this  he  failed. 
It  now  remained  for  him  to  seize  the  upper  opening  and  prevent  our 
troops  from  forming  in  line  of  battle;  or,  failing  in  this,  he  hoped  after  the 
Union  troops  had  formed  to  mass  his  whole  strength  against  them,  and  by 
holding  the  gorge  to  cut  off  their  retreat. 

The  battle  of  Opequan  creek  or  Winchester,  was  fought  to  gain  posses- 
sion of  this  ravine,  the  key  to  Winchester.  At  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  6th 
corps  left  the  ravme,  and  filing  to  the  left,  advanced  on  the  open  plain 
in  two  lines  of  battle,  the  first  of  which  carried  one  of  the  enemy's  rifle 
pits.  The  19th  corps  closely  followed  the  6ch,  Gen.  Grover's  division  join- 
ing them  on  the  right.  Dwight's  division,  to  which  the  153d  belonged,  was 
bent  as  Grover's  supi>ort.  While  their  brigade  was  forming,  it  received  re- 
peated volleys  from  the  enemy,  who  were  behind  and  protected  by  a  ledge 
of  rocks.  The  burden  of  the  conflict  in  the  early  ]tart  of  the  day  came 
ii[)on  the  iQth  coq>s  and  Rickctt's  division  of  the  6th  corps,  who  for  hours 
held  the  approaches  to  the  ravine — while  the  8th  corps  was  swinging  around 
the  enemy's  flank — Early,  in  the  meantime,  having  massed  his  forces 
against  them.  At  3  o'clock,  the  cavalry,  with  the  Sth  corps,  charged  the 
enemy's  left  fl:ink.  The  entire  army  now  advanced.  The  wood  in  which 
the  enemy  had  concentrated  was.(piickly  carried,  and  the  foe  fled  from  it 
in  great  haste,  leaving  behind  their  guns  and  accovitrements.  The  retreat 
soon  became  a  disa.strous  rout.  The  enemy  fled  through  Winihester  in 
ennfusion.  Col.  Oavis,  of  this  regiment,  was  in  command  of  the  ist  brig- 
ade. In  the  hottest  of  the  fight,  he  was  at  the  front  cheering  his  troops. 
At  one  time  he  sei/cd  one  of  the  regimental  color  standards,  and  bearing 
it  aloft,  pressed  forward,  inspiring  his  men  with  new  enthusiasm. 

The  victory  was  complete.  It  was  believed  that  the  19th  corps  sufft-red 
most  severely  in  this  battle,  having  lost  1940  in  killed  and  wounded. 
Capls.  DcWandilaer  and  Jaroh  C.  Klock,  of  this  regiment,  were  found  m 
the  house  of  a  rebel  Congressman.  Capt.  Klock  was  severely  wounded. 
He  was,  however,  enabled  to  return  to  his  home  in  St.  Johnsville,  where. 
•Tftcr  being  promoted  major,  he  died,  Oct.  4.  1S64.  Post  Klock,  No.  70, 
G.  A.  R.,  of  Fort  Plain.  N.  V.,  was  named  in  honor  of  this  gallant  oftiter. 
After  the  battle  of  Opeipian  creek  or  Winchester,  the  enemy  wcreimrsued 
R  niilcs  M,uth.  to  Fisher's  Hill,  uhcre  they  ut-re  found  strungiy  b.riiiicd  be- 
tween twr^  mountain  ranges.  From  this  stronghold  iIkv  were  (  (•luplrlcly 
r'MUcd  on  the  2:rd,  giving  Sheridan  [los^c^^io^  of  Fishers  Hill,  the  in..>t 
f'Tinidable  natural  barrier  in  the  valley.  Following  u]i  this  vuiorv.  the 
'.''nion  forces  pursued  the  enemy  night  and  day.  harr.issing  and  <lri\  ing 
Ihem    through    Woodstock,    Mt.    Jackson,    Mt.    Crauford    and    Stauntun 

21 


to    Waynesborough,    destroying    flouring    mills   and    vast    quantitii 


of 


While  in  the  valley,  22  of  the  men  were  captured  by  Moseby.  Seven  of 
them  he  decided  to  hang,  because  Custer  had  executed  se\en  of  his  guer- 
illas at  Fort  Royal.  The  number  having  been  selected  by  lot,  it  was  or- 
dered that  they  be  put  to  death  half  a  mile  west  of  Berryville.  Four  of 
the  condemned  escaped,  yet  not  till  they  had  been  severely  wounded  ;  the 
other  three  were  hanged.     One  of  these  was  a  member  of  the  153d. 

On  the  30th  of  September,  the  troops  started  down  the  valley,  and  on 
the  roth  of  October  crossed  Cedar  creek  and  encamped.  October  iSth 
the  ist  and  part  of  the  2d  division  proceeded  on  a  reconnoisance,  nearly 
as  far  as  Strasburg.  They  found  the  rebels  encamped  here,  and  aKo  dis- 
covered thai  the  enemy  were  again  strongly  entrenched  at  Fisher's  Hill. 

On  the  15th  Sheridan  made  a  flying  visit  to  Washington,  lea\ing  Gen. 
Wright,  of  the  6lh  corps,  in  command.  Early,  aware  of  Sheridan's  absence, 
and  having  been  reinforced  by  I.ongstreet's  corps,  attacked  our  army  in 
force  at  daybreak  on  the  19th.  The  Sth  corps  was  surprised  and  driven 
back  in  confusion.  The  6th  and  19th  corps  were  soon  ordered  to  re- 
tire from  the  position.  The  enemy  captured  our  guns  and  turned  them 
upon  our  soldiers,  who  checked  this  onset  and  then  fell  back.  Sheridan, 
returning  from  Washington  and  learning  of  the  disaster  hastened  to  his 
army,  which  had  retreated  several  miles.  He  at  once  formed  a  line  of 
battle,  and  as  he  dashed  along  the  ranks,  said  :  "Never  mind,  boys,  we'll 
whip  them  yet."  The  air  was  rent  with  responsive  cheers  from  his  men. 
.\t  one  o'clock  the  pickets  of  the  19th  corps  were  vigorously  attacked  and 
driven  in  by  the  enemy.  Our  line  now  pressed  forward  on  a  double  quick 
and  soon  received  a  severe  fire,  but  continued  steadily  to  advance,  when 
the  enemy  opened  fire  upon  the  right  flank,  the  line  swinging  to  the  right 
to  meet  it.  It  was  soon  found  that  the  rebels  were  retreating  to  the  left, 
when  the  line  was  immediately  turned  in  that  direction,  and  the  enemy 
were  driven  in  confusion  from  behind  a  temporary  breastwork.  Their  re- 
treat now  l)ecame  a  rout,  and  was  follov.-cd  up  by  our  troops,  unld  tliey 
retook  the  breastworks  from  which  they  had  been  driven  in  the  morning, 
the  153d  regiment  being  among  the  first  to  occupy  the  works.  Following 
the  pursuit  almost  to  Strasburg,  the  Union  forces  encamped,  and  on  the 
2ist  returned  to  their  old  quarters  near  Cedar  creek.  Col.  Davis,  of  the 
153d,  was  made  Brigadier  General  by  brevet  for  his  bravery  at  this  battle. 

On  the  gth  of  November,  the  army  left  Cedar  creek  and  encamped  near 
Newtown.  Here  the  troops  remained  until  December  29th,  when  they 
broke  camp  and  marched  to  Stevenson's  depot,  the  terminus  of  the. 
Harper's  Ferry  and  Winchester  railroads  ;  here  they  began  to  erect  winter 
quar-ters  near  the  depot  in  a  grove  of  oak  and  black  walnut.  On  the 
23d  of  March,  1S65,  this  regiment  was  sent  across  to  Snicker's  gap,  but  re- 
turned the  following  day  without  advepture.  At  midnight,  April  9th, 
the  booming  of  cannon  announced  the  surrender  of  Lee.  April  nth  the 
regiment  moved  to  Summit  Point,  and  on  the  20th  they  left  this  place  by 
cars  for  Washington.  While  passing  Harper's  Ferry,  Fink,  of  Company  C, 
was  killed.  On  the  following  day  this  regiment  encamped  near  Fort 
Stevens,  at  Washington,  and  took  part  in  the  grand  review  of  veterans  at 
that  place,  .\pril  23d  and  24th. 

On  the  6th  of  June,  1S65,  the  r53d  embarked  on  the  steamer  Oriental, 
for  Savannah,  Georgia,  where  it  arrived  on  the  13th.  Colonel — now  Brig- 
General  by  brevet — Davis  was  in  command  of  the  city,  which  this  regiment 
now  guarded.  Dr.  A.  L.  Snow  was  here  promoted  Brigade-Surgeon,  and 
was  afterward  assigned  the  position  of  health  officer  of  the  distri(  t  and 
city  of  Savannah. 

Major  Charles  F.  Putnam  died  here,  after  a  severe  but  brief  illiie>s. 
This  brave  officer  had  been  with  the  regiment  from  the  first.  On  the  gth 
his  remains  were  borne  by  his  comrades  to  the  beautiful  Laurel  Grove 
cemetery.  They  were  brought  north  at  the  time  of  the  return  of  the  regi- 
ment, and  interred  in  the  cemetery  at  Fultonville,  near  his  former  home. 
Adjutant  A.  V.  Dav.is  was  now  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major,  an  honor 
richly  merited. 

On  the  5th  f)f  Octrjber,  this  regiment  took  the  steamer  "  Emilie  "  for  the 
north  by  the  way  of  Hilton  Head,  which  place  was  reached  the  same  day. 
On  the  7th  the  153.I  left  by  the  steamer  "McLellan"  for  New  York, 
arriving  there  on  the  loih  of  Oc  lolier,  and  on  the  iiih  took  the 
•■  Mary  Benton  "  for  Albany.  Here  a  large  number  of  the  sick  were  taken 
to  the  "  Ira  Harris  "  Hosjutal.  Of  them  twelve  or  fourteen  died,  several 
at  Albany,  the  others  after  reaching  their  homes.  On  the  I'jthof  Oitober. 
1865,  the  men  were  mustered  out  of  the  service  and  paid  off. 


180 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


The  two  guidons  of  the  regiment,  of  white  silk,  with  "  153  "  in  the 
centre,  were  presented  by  Mrs.  Joseph  Strain,  at  Albany,  and  carried 
through  the  campaign  in  the  southwest.  The  regimental  banner  is  of  blue 
silk,  bearing  the  arms  and  motto  of  the  United  Stales  and  the  legend 
"  isjd  N.  Y.  Vol.  Regiment  Infantry." 

Subjoined  is  a  list  of  the  men  from  Fulton  and  Montgomery  counties 
who  enlisted  and  served  m  the  153d  regiment,  of  three  years  men,  together 
with  the  places  of  their  enrollment. 

REGIMENTAL  OFFICERS. 

Coltmrl,  Duncan  McMartin.      Resigned  .April  25,  1863, 

Colontl^  Edwin  P.  Davis.       Mustered  out  with  regiment,  Oct.  2,  1S65. 

Lieutenattt-Cohml,  Thomas  .\.  .Armstrong.      Resigned  Feb.  18,  1863. 

lAiutfnant-Ct>hnfl,  W.  H.  Printup.     Resigned  November  17.  1S63. 

UeuUnant-Colonel,  .\le.\ander  Strain.     Discharged  January  4.  1865. 

Arajor,  E.  P.  Davis.     Promoted  to  Colonel  March  26.  1S63. 

Major^  .Alexander  Strain.      Promoted  to  I.ieutenani-Colonel  Dec.  1,  1863. 

Major,  Stephen  Sammons.      Resigned  .August  27.  1S64. 

Afajor,  George   H.   McLaughlin.       Promoted    to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jan. 

26,  1865. 
Major^  C.  F.  Putnam.      Died  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  Sept.  9,  1865. 
Adjutant,  Stephen  Sammons.     Promoted  to  Major  Dec.  2,  1S63. 
Adjutant,  .Abram  V.  Davis.     Mustered  out  with  regiment  Oct.  2,  1865. 
Qiiartertnasttr,  I).  C.  Livingston.      Resigned  .Aug:;sl  22,  1S63, 
Quartermaster,  John  D.  Hlanchard       .Mustered  out  with  regiment. 
■Surgeon,  H.  S.  Hendce.      Resigned  Feb.  18,  1864. 
Assistaiit-Siiri^eon,  J.  L.  .Alexander.     Resigned  .August  19,  1863. 
Assistant-Surgeon,  N.  L.  Snow.      Promoted  to  Surgeon  .April  14,  1S64. 
Assistan^Surgeon,  J.  Sweeny.     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 
Chaplain.  J.  Henry  Enders.     Nfustered  out  with  regiment 


COMPANY  A,   ENROLLED  AT  JOHNSTOWN. 


Captain,  David  Spaulding. 
1st  Lieutenant,  James  Barr. 
zd  Lieutenant,  Jiihn  D.  Brownell. 
\st  Sergeant,  James  .A.  \'eeder. 
2d  Sergeant,  James  Lasher. 
3d  Sergeant,  .Alfred  F.arl. 
i^th  Sergeant,  Lee  .M.  Wooster. 
5M  Sergeant.  William  C.  Peake. 
\st  Corporal,  James  C.  Kelley. 
2d  Corporal,  George  C.  Potter. 
id  Corporal,  William  J.  Gnffis. 
4//1  Corporal,  Robert  H.  Hynian. 
5M  Corporal,  Charles  R.  Wright. 
6tli  Corporal.' Weiton  W.  I'cakc. 
7M  Corporal,  Chas.  M.  Ballantine. 
8C/4  Corporal,  Frederick  A.  Harman. 
Musician,  Rufus  B.  Mcintosh. 
Musieian.  Jacob  \\"ilde. 
Teamster.  David  P.  .Mills.' 


Ferdinand  .Ackernecht. 

John  .Ancock. 

John  Busick. 

Abija  Bruicc. 

John  C.  liillinghaiu. 

EdMin  A.  l!is,fl. 

01i\er  liinlsall. 

William  K.  Crislie. 

JohnCossleman. 

'I  iniothy  Cossleman. 

Williatn  Cossleman. 


Leslie  Kinsman- 
Archibald  Kelley. 
Cassius  Lloyd. 
John  E.  Li.nghcnry. 
Klea/er  Morgan. 
Stephen  Millgate. 
(leorge  R.  Miller 
WillLiin  H.  I'ulscr. 
Chatles  II    Powell. 
Ilarim.n  II.  pMin.iin. 
John  S.  I'addn.  k. 


Benjamin  Cossleman. 
Stephen  Cadman. 
Patrick  Dom. 
Aaron  P.  Day. 
John  K.  Dye 
George  Duell. 
Elihu  F.  Enos". 
George  D.  Fuller. 
John  E.  Furguson. 
Lawrence  P.  Frederick. 
Wilbur  Farthing. 
Josiah  Farthing. 
Dudley  S.  Gorton. 
Wm.  Goodenough. 
William  H.  Gulic. 
Charles  Graff. 
Wm.  Green. 
David  Haggart. 
Mathias  Hurtz. 
Joseph  Hayner. 
Daniel  A.  H,and. 
William  G.  Hulett. 
William  A.  House. 
David  Hatmaker. 
John  Johnson. 
Elisha  Judson.  jr. 
Hugo  Knoff. 


John  H.  Place. 
Horace  B.  Potter. 
George  E.  Reymor. 
Victor  Rufin. 
James  F.  Redshaw. 
George  E.  Radford. 
James  Radford. 
Joseph  Reynolds. 
Philip  Snyder. 
Elipas  Stearns. 
John  Sloner. 
John  Tuttle. 
Solomon  Tuttle. 
Charles  Tiedman. 
James  Van  Vliet. 
Coonrad  Van  Sickler. 
John  Van  Sickler. 
.Andrew  J.  Van  .Alter. 
Henry  Van  Wormer. 
.Abram  Van  Nostrand. 
Joshua  Van  Atter. 
Daniel  Van  Done. 
Henry  C.  Welmuth. 
Alexander  Wenchel. 
David  Wiggins, 
Joseph  Wells- 
John  H.  Weldin. 


COMPANY  B. 


Captain,  Robert  R.  Meredith,  Mohawk. 
ist  Lieutenant,  John  A.  De  Wandelaer,  Palatine. 
2{i Lieutenant,  Mason  H.  Stewart,  Mohawk. 
ist  Sergeant,  Richard  Loucks,  Palatine. 
Sergeant,  Herman  A.  Foster,  Palatine. 
Sergeant,  Martin  Coolcy,  Mohawk. 
Sergeant,  Edward  Doherty,  Mohawk. 
Sergeant,  Charles  S.  Woodworth,  Mohawk, 
Corpordl,  Oscar  Lasher,  Palatine. 
Corporal,  Hamilton  D.  Seaman,  Mohawk. 
Corporal,  David  H.  Quackenbush.  Palatine. 
Corporal,  Ezra  \'an  Slycke,  Palatine. 
Corporal,  Abram  Van  Heusen.  Mohawk. 
Corporal,  Andrew  Ciuplif.  Palatine. 
Corporal,  James  Fancher,  Mohawk. 
Corporal,  Henry  P.  Searles,  Mohawk. 
Musician,  John  W.  Bander,  Mohawk. 


James  Ash,  Mohawk. 
George  H.  Austin,  Mohawk. 
Jerome  B.  Austin.  Palaiine. 
John  liarringer,  Mohawk. 
Peter  Baj-ringer.  Root. 
Phineas  Brigham,  Palatine. 
Shadrack  Brower,  Palatine. 
Reqa  Carajja.  Mohawk. 
NichoKT^  Coon^.  Mohawk. 
John  Coppernoll,  Palatine. 
John  Colson.  Palatine. 
Charles  Cromwell.  M..hawk. 
William  Ciuplif,  Palatine. 
David  Docnbcrg.  Pal.itme. 
Jno.  H.  Dork^ta.ler.    Mohawk. 
Thomas  Uonnelly.  Mnhawk. 
Ama7iah  Ka(  kcr.  M.-hawk. 
John  Kacker,  I'alatinc 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  153d  NEW  YORK  INFANTRY. 


181 


Smith  Galloway,  Mohawk. 
Edward  Gales,  Mohawk. 
E.  Adam  Glenar,  Mohawk. 
Isaac  Graff,  Palatine. 
Lewis  Grape,  Palatine. 
Gabriel  Henry,  Mohawk. 
Conrad  Hinkle,  Palatine. 
Richard  Hart,  Mohawk. 
David  Haverly,  Mohawk. 
Maus  Haverly,  Palatine. 
Harmon  Haverly,  Root. 
Hermen  Hime,  Mohawk. 
John  Hoffman,  .Mohawk. 
James  Hopkins,  Mohawk. 
Andrew  Lampman,  Mohawk. 
Cornelius  P.  Lansing,  Mohawk. 
Henry  Leitt.  Mohawk. 
Byron  Lefler,  Mohawk. 
Frederick  Linde,  Palatine. 
Frederick  Luck,  Palatine. 
William  R.  McGee,  Mohawk. 
Martin  Neilan,  Mohawk. 
Joseph  Pciler.  Palatine. 
Georam  Piatti,  Mohawk. 
Simeon  Phillips,  Florida. 
Michael  Regali,  Mohawk. 
Joseph  Reistle,  Mohawk. 
Peter  Reijja,  Mohawk. 
Anthony  Sheridan,  .Mohawk. 
Henry  Smith,  Palatine. 
Lewis  Thompson,  Palatine. 
Samuel  Tomlinson,  Mohawk. 
Jno.  P.  VoUmar,  Palatine. 
Hiram  Vanderworker,  Palatine. 
Jacob  Van  Allen,  Palatine. 
James  H.  Van  Dusen,  Mohawk. 
Brower  Van  Wie,  Palatine. 
John  S.  Veeder,  Mohawk. 
Jno.  D.  Vrooman,  Mohawk. 
Joseph  Van  Nest,  Mohawk. 
William  S.  Waffle,  Palatine. 
George  Wakeman,  Palatine. 
Simeon  W'ateman,  Palatine. 
James  Welsh,  Mohawk. 
John  White,  .Mohawk. 
Abraham  Wich,  Palatine. 
George  Wilder,  Mohawk. 
David  Wilder,  Mohawk. 
James  J.  Williams,   Palatine. 
Henry  Young,  .Amsterdam. 
Garret  Yo'ungjohn,  Mohawk. 

COMPANY  C. 


Caflain,  Wm.  H.  Printup. 
\st  lAeuttnant,  Peter  E.  Houck. 
id  Lieutenant,  Charles  F.  Putman. 
Sergeant,  James  B.  Neill,  Glen      Promoted  to  Captain. 
Sergeant,  William  J.  Munsell.  Florida 
Sergeant,  Cornelius  T.  Bums,  Glen. 
Sergeant,  John  Conway,  Root. 
Sergeant,  Martin  Wood,  lilen. 
•  Corporal,  William  H.  U'lcrs,  Glen. 
Corporal,  Hiram   H.  Camji,  Florida. 
Corporal,  Patrick  H.  Lynch,  Glen. 
Corporal,  John  W   Si  onp,  Honda. 
CVr/^.,,/,  Jay  L.Huganin,  Glen. 
Corporal,  Lorenzo  I.i/dell,  Florida. 


Corporal,  Milan  Pierce,  Glen. 
Corporal,  George  (;.  Grimshaw,  Florida. 
Musician,  .Alfred  S.  Davis,  Glen. 
Musician,  James  Uavis,  Glen. 
IVagoner,  Daniel  J.  McLaughlin,  Mohaw 


Ezra  T.  Austin,  Glen. 

Charles  F.  Bowman,  Glen. 

Samuel  Brum,  Charleston. 

James  L.  Callen,  Florida. 

Christopher  B.  Clute,  Glen. 

John  Chambers. 

Alexander  Cornell,  Glen. 

Jacob  P.  Cogshall,  Glen. 

John  B.  Cogshall,  Glen. 

Peter  Carson,  Glen. 

S.  M.  Carle. 

John  Carson,  Root. 

Delos  Clark. 

John  Cronin,  Florida. 

Walter  Cleaver,  Florida. 

John  Carr,  Florida. 

A.  P.  Dewell. 

Abram  Dinehart,  Florida. 

James  Davis,  Florida. 

John  C.  Davis,  Florida. 

William  Foody,  Glen. 

Jas.  Fancher. 

Daniel  Fisher,  Florida. 

Wade  Getman,  Glen. 

John  Graff,  Florida. 

John  Guile,  Florida. 

John  Hunt,  Glen. 

F.  Holden. 

Amst  Hugo.  Glen. 

E.  Holden. 

Henry  Hawkins,  Glen. 

Charles  H.  Hammon,  Charleston. 

John  Hills,  Florida. 

Andrew  J.  Hare,  Florida 

William  Hazard,  Root. 

Michael  Hynds,  Root. 

David  Huganin,  Florida. 

Arthur  O.  Jones,  Glen. 

A.  F.  Johnson. 

George  Kyle,  Florida. 

Peter  J.  Keller,  Root. 

Walter  Lasher. 

Peter  Leighton,  Glen. 

Benjamin  F.  Lisdell,  Florida. 

Lorenzo  Lisdell,  Florida. 

Abram  F.  Lewis,  Florida. 

P.  P.  Lynch,  Glen. 

William  Lawyer,  Florida. 

Patrick  McGarvin,  Glen. 

John  C.  Mctuiire,  Glen. 

R.  A.  McClain. 

John  Murray,  (ilen. 

Samuel  M.  Murdock,  Glen. 

A.  H.  Mott. 

Timothy  Morris,  Glen. 

George  Miller,  Glen. 

John  M.  Mitchell,  Florida. 

William  A.  Miller,  Florida. 

Martin  Minch,  Root. 

George  Minrh.  Root. 

Andrew  New  kirk.  Glen. 

James  Ncwkitk,  (Wen. 


182 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


John  S.  Putman,  Glen. 

Melvin  Peck,  Florida. 

James  W.  Peck,  Florida. 

Benjamin  Pangburn.  Florida. 

Valentine  Polhammcr,  (ilen. 

William  Quinn,  (ilen. 

W.  E.  Quackenbush,  (flcn.    Transferred  to  the  navy. 

Myndert  Quackenbush,  Root. 

Frederick  Quackenbush,  Root. 

J.  C.  Quackenbush. 

John  H.  Reese,  Florida. 

D.»niel  Paris  Reese,  Florida. 

Weber  W.  Roive,  Root. 

Jacob  Stewart,  Glen. 

Henry  J.  Soules,  Glen. 

John  Sharron.  Glen. 

Abraham  B.  Swan,  (Hen. 

John  H.  StilKvell,  Glen. 

Jacob  Smith. 

Charles  Smith,  (ilen. 

Daniel  Smith,  Root. 

William  H.  Starin,  Charleston. 

Solomon  H.  Sharp,  Ch.arleston. 

Moses  J.  Tompkins,  Root. 

C.  P.  Van  .-Vntwerp. 

Cornelius  H.  Van  Sickler,  Florida. 

Lewis  D.  Van  .Alstine.  (lien. 

John  J.  Van   Derveer,  Root. 

Peter  Vischer,  Glen. 

Martin  Wagner,  Glen. 

Christian  Wesscls,  Glen. 

Lewis  Wessels,  Glen. 

James  H.  Wilson,  Florida. 

W.  H.  Wires. 


COMPANY  D. 


loicd  1st  Lieutenant,  Co.  L 


Washington. 


Captain,  J.  J.  Buchanan.     Entered  as  ist   Lieuti 

Sept.  14,  1863. 
\st  Lieutenant,  B.  H.  Burns.     Enrolled  as  Serge 

tenant  Oct.  27th,  1863. 
td  Lieutenant,  .\bram  V.  Davis. 
\st  Sergeant,  William  S.  Norton. 
2ii  Sergeant,  Barney  H.  Burns.     Promoted  ist  L 
id  Sergeant,  William  M.  Harris. 
4th  Sergeant,  Hiram  .\rgersinger. 
ith  Sergeant,  Samuel  J.  Hell,      Died  in  Ni 
ut  Corporal,  William  G.  Butler,  .\la>  field 
2d  Corpora/,  John  Fulton,  Johnstown. 
T,d  Corpora/,  Richard  Bums,  Johnstown. 
4M  Corpora/.  Charles  Bell,  Johnstown. 
5M  Corfora/,  John  G.  Richardson,   Johnslown. 
6M  Corpora/,  Daniel  Gustin,  Johnslu«n.      Died  in  Vii 
^t/l  Corporal,  Charles  H.  I'eake,  Johnstown. 
8M  Corporal,  I  haddeus  M.  Scoutcn.      Died  in  \'irgini 
Corporal,  Thomas  Farrell.     Wounded  and  dis.  harged 
Corpora/,  Yost  Grebe.     Wounded  and  discharged. 
Musieian,  James  German,  Johnstown.     I)ied  in  \'irgir 
Musieian,  Abram  \\  iley.  Perth. 
IVaganer,  Daniel  McCall,  Johnstown 


John  F.  Arms,  Johnstown. 

William  11,  Adams,  .Mayfield.      Hud  at  W.i.hington. 

Lucius  C.  Allen,  Johnstown.      Wounded  and  disc  harged. 

Willard  .Mien.  JohnsK.wn,      Died  lu  Virg.ni.i. 

Joseph  H.  Alien,  Johnstown.      Promoted  4th  Sergeant. 


Promoted  Captain 
Promoted   ist  Lieu- 


Nelson  Argersinger,  Johnstown.     Wounded  and  discharged. 

John  H.  .\rgersinger,  Johnstown. 

James  F.  .\rms,  Johnstown. 

Hiram  Buchanan,  Florida, 

John  Bedingham,  Johnstown. 

W.  C.  Baker,  Mohawk.     .Missing. 

James  H.  Carlisle,  Johnstown,      Died  at  New  Orleans. 

Henry  M.  J.  Coe,  Johnstown.     Died  in  Louisiana. 

Lucius  Daniels,  Johnstown. 

.^bram  Davis,  Johnstown.     Transferred  to  Co.  B.     Died. 

John  H.  Dewey,  Johnstown.      Promoted  to  ist  Sergeant. 

John  K.  Elliot.  Johnstown.     Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  Virginia. 

Thomas  Earl,  Johnstown. 

John  Fulton,      Promoted  Quartermaster. 

John  Frank,  Johnstown.       Promoted  Corporal.       Wounded  and  dii 

charged. 
Giles  Fredrick,  Root.     Missing. 
John  Friedel,  Johnstown.     Died  in  Maryland. 
James  M.  Gilchrist,  Johnstown.     Promoted  3d  Corporal. 
John  Ciluckner,  Johnstown. 
Yost  (irebe,  Johnstown. 

William  Hale,  Johnstown.      Promoted  5th  Sergeant. 
Willam  M.  Harris.      Promoted  7th  Corporal, 
Michael  Hart,  Johnstown. 
John  C.  Hastings,  Johnstown. 

Henry  B.  Henry,  Johnstown.     Promoted  6th  Corporal. 
Peter  Hio,  Johnstown. 
John  Hio,  Johnstown. 

Luther  Holman,  Johnstown.     Died  in  Virginia. 
David  Hallenbeck,  Johnstown. 
Marcus  King,  Johnstown. 

Gotlibb  Kcbow,  Johnstown.     Died  in  New  Orleans. 
William  Kirk,  Johnstown. 
John  Lippert,  Johnstown. 

Frederick  Lippert.  Johnstown.     Died  in  Virginia. 
Richard  Lary,  Johnstown. 

Alexander  Martin,  Johnstown.     Died  in  Virginia. 
Gandus  Lippert,  Johnstown.     Died  in  Virginia. 

Harvey  Martin,  Johnstown. 

Phillip  McGraw,  Johnstown. 
James  H,  McCall,  Johnstown 

John  M,  Miller,  Johnstown 

William  .McMiUer,  Johnstown, 

Mathias  Molty,  Johnstown, 

Charles  H.  Moore,  Johnstown 

John  .Myers,  Johnstown. 

John  Murphy,  Johnstown.     Promoted  4th  Corporal. 

Hiram  Nash,  Johnstown, 

James  H.  Nickloy,  Johnstown. 

William  Nickloy,  Johnstown,     Wounded  and  Discharged. 

Peter  Noonen,  Johnstown. 

Wni.  S.  Norton.     Promoted  2nd  Lieutenant,  Co.  L 

Lot  Ostrom,  Johnstown.     Promoted  3rd  Sergeant. 

Henry  Paris,  Johnstown.     Promoted  5th  Corporal. 

Oliver  H.  Perry,  Johnstown.      Transferred  to  Reserve  Corps. 

Samuel  Perry,  Johnstown. 

Joseph  H,  Pierson,  Johnstowr 

Nathan  Reed.  Johnstown.     P 

Edmond  Rirketts,  Johnstown. 

Matthew  Richardson,  Johnstown,     Died  in  New  Orleans, 

Joseph  H.  Kiley,  Johnst 

John  (;,  Ki(  hardson,  Jol 

Peter  Reinhart,  Johnstown, 

Nicholas  Reinhart,  Johnstown. 

David  Robertson,  Johnstown,      Died  in  Pennsylvania 

Henry  Roll,  Johnstown, 

John  K.  Stearns,  Johnst.iwn      Died  in  Virginia. 

Edward  A    Slociimh,  Johnst. .wn.      Promoted  (,)iiartei 

Alfred  Smith.  Perth. 

Willi.im  Sti.lU-r,  Johnstown. 

Nicholas  Shoup,  Johnstown.      Died  in  New  Orleans. 


noted  Corporal. 
Died  at  Washington. 


Promoted  :st  Corporal. 


noted  2nd  Corpor, 


ansferred  to  Reserve  Corps, 


COMPANIES  E  AND  F  OF  THE  153d. 


183 


Richard  C.  Suits,  Johnstown. 

Robert  Turner,  Johnstown.     Died  in  Pennsylvan 

Peter  Van  Buren,  Johnstown.     Died  in  Virginia. 

William  Van  Dusen,  Johnstown. 

Job  Warren,  Johnstown. 

Marcus  H.  Wiley,  Johnstown. 

Abram  Williams,  Johnstown. 


COMPANY  E. 


Captain,  Jacob  C.  Klock.  Fonda. 

\st  Lieutenant,  Harvey  C.  Ward,  Fonda. 

zd  Lieutenant,  Ansel  W.  Porter,  Fonda. 

IS/  Sergeant,  George  H.  Hagadorn,   Minden. 

zd  Sergeant,  John  H.  Howard,  Minden. 

id  Sergeant,  Henry  .\.  Nellis,  Minden. 

4tt  Sergeant,  James  C.  Bullock,  Minden. 

5M  Sergeant,  Benoni  R.  Dolan,  Minden. 

1st  Corporal,  .Adam  Getman,  Minden. 

zd  Corporal,  James  Walrath,   Minden. 

^d  Corporal,  Andrew  Gordon,  Minden. 

^h  Corporal,  George  Swarts,  Minden. 

Ith  Corporal,  Arnold  V.  Lasher,  Minden. 

6M  Corporal,  David  Rose,  .Minden. 

tth  Corporal,  Martin  V.  B.  Ashley,  Minden. 

%th  Corporal,  Jacob  Caslcr,  Minden. 

Musician,  George  Morey,  St.  Johnsville. 


George  Armstrong,  Minden. 
Martin  Bopple,  Minden. 
Joseph  Bopple,  Minden. 
Henry  Bigelow,  Minden. 
Charles  Brammer,  Minden. 
Joseph  Crook,  St.  Johnsville. 
Byron  Cole,  Minden. 
Alonzo  Coppernoll,  Minden. 
John  Donoley,  Root. 
John  Dysling,  jr,  St.  Johnsville. 
Joseph  Dunn,  .Minden. 
Nicholas  Ecker,  St.  Johnsville. 
John  H.  Empie,  Minden. 
Earl  Farrell,  Minden. 
James  Graham,  Minden. 
John  C.  Grabenstine,  St.  Johnsville 
-Paul  Gaul.  Minden. 
Jacob  Geesler.  Minden. 
William  B.  Hokirk,  .Minden. 
Charles  B.  Hubbell,  .Minden. 
J.  Elbert  Hubbell,  Minden. 
John  E.  Heilcg.iss,  St.  Johnsville. 
Christian  Hutritz,  Minden. 
Patrick  H.  Howard.  St.  Johnsville. 
Warren   Headlcy,  Root. 
William  Knowles,  .Minden. 
Henry  C.  Keesler,  Minden. 
Peter  Kirsh,  Minden. 
Adam  Keesler,  Minden. 
John  Klinkhart,  St.  Johnsville. 
Enoch  H.  Lashky.  Minden. 
James  Lynch,  Minden. 
John  P.  Miller,  Minden. 
William  Miller,  St.  Johnsville. 
George  M.ig.idue,  Minden. 
Charles  Martin,  .\lin.lcn. 
Mulford  ,M^U(h,  .Minden. 


Leonard  Miller,  Minden. 
John  Morce,  St.  Johnsville. 
William  H.  North,  Minden. 
Marvin  Plank,  Minden. 
John  Phenas,  Minden. 
Enoch  Perrine,  Root. 
Sylvester  Ritter,  St.  Johnsville 
Wesley  Spore,  Root. 
Henry  Smith,  Root. 
Levi  Sillenback,  Root. 
William  Sheffield,  Minden. 
Frederick  Sanger,  Minden. 
Charles  P.  Salsbury,  .Minden. 
Charles  Slae,  Minden. 
Stephen  Stehle,  Minden. 
Ferdinand  Smith,  Minden. 
Henry  H.  Sanders,  Minden. 
James  Smith,  Minden. 
Christian  Svvartz,  Root. 
Charles  Sharp,  Canajoharie. 
Matthew  Smith,  Root. 
Thomas  W.  Tweedle,  Minden. 
Jacob  H.  Walrath,  St.  Johnsvil 
Charles  Wendt,  Minden. 
Marvin  F.  Wilsey,  St.  Johnsvil 
Frederick  Walster,  Minden. 
Levi  Winne,  Minden. 
Albert  Waufle,  Minden. 
Christian  Walster,  Minden. 
John  C.  Waterman,  .Minden. 
Edward  Wagner,  Minden. 
Conrad  C.  Winne,  Minden. 
John  H.  Gordon,  Minden. 
Lyman  Zimmerman,  Minden. 
David  Smith,  Root. 


COMPANY  F. 


Captain,  Isaac  S.  Van  Woerts,  Fonda. 
\st  Lieutenant,  Frank  W.  C.  Fox,  F'onda. 
2d  Lieutenant,  John  H.  Lasiel,  Fonda. 
Sergeant,  John  P.  Jennings,  Ephratah. 
Sergeant,  George  Matthewson,  Ephratah. 
Sergeant,  John  G.  Porter,  Canajoharie. 
Sergeant,  Harman  Rulifson,  E[ihratah. 
Sergeant,  Elnathan  McFee,  Canajoharie. 
Corporal,  William  Benchley,  Ephratah. 
Corporal.  Robert  R.  ,\bling,  Can.ijoharie. 
Corporal,  James  Donley,  Oiipenheim 
Corporal,  Sephus  Ladew,  Oppenheim. 
Corporal,  Sylvanus  Stowell,  Oppenheim. 
Corporal,  Henry  Eberhardt,  Oppenheim. 
Corporal,  Joseph  Stone,  Canajoharie. 
Corporal,  James  Etig,  Lasselsville. 
Musician,  Andrew  F.  Johnson,  Mohawk. 
Musician,  William  H.  Roberts,  Canajoharie. 
Teamster,  John  Strough,  jr.,  Oppenheim. 


Harrison  .\beling,  Canajoharie. 
John  .\beling,  Canajoh.irie. 
William  R.  Briggs,  Ephratah. 
Henry  Bohne,  Can.ijoharie. 
Martin  Brown,  Oppenheim. 
John  Brown,  Oppenheim. 
Robert  Boyd,  Canajoh.irie. 


1S4 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


George  W.  Bundy,  Root,  died  m  Va. 

Harvey  Browncll,  Ephrat.ih. 

Richard  Hierman,  Canajoharie. 

Jerome  Claus,  Oppenheim. 

John  demons,  Oppenheim. 

Anthony  Connoly.  Ephratah. 

Thomas  Casey,  Root. 

John  Denure,  Oppenheim. 

Benedict  Deatsh,  Ephratah. 

Helam  Denure,  Oppenheim 

Phelix  Donley,  Oppenheim. 

Henry  Dockstader,  Oppenheim. 

William  Dingman,  Canajoharie. 

James  R.  Fical,  Ephratah. 

John  Fit/.  Simmons,  Canajoharie. 

Horatio  C.ilbert,  Ephratah      Hospital  steward. 

Levi  Grey,  Ephratah. 

John  W.  Guile,  Oppenheim. 

Oscar  Getman,  Ephratah. 

Augustus  Hilkey,  Canajoharie. 

Samuel  E.  Hoxie,  Oppenheim. 

Adam  F.  Hart,  LassellsviUe. 

John  N.  Hanes,  Ephratah. 

Daniel  Hase,  Oppenheim. 

Anton  Keller,  Canajoharie. 

Frederick  Lutter,  Canajoharie. 

Oliver  La  Dew,  Ephratah. 

Albert  La  Dew,  Oppenheim. 

John  Lee,  Root. 

John  Marcellus,  Ephratah. 

William  W.  Mosher,  Oppenhi^m. 

William  Mosher,  Oppenheim. 

Solomon  Mosher,  Ephratah. 

Daniel  Merssey,  LassellsviUe. 

Daniel  Merrit,  Oppenheim. 

Philo  Monk,  Oppenheim. 

Henry  Muers,  Canajoharie. 

George  Mosher,  LassellsviUe. 

William  Nudick,  Ephratah. 

Andrew  Ryne.  Florida. 

Jo^n  Stehle,  Canajoharie. 

Charles  V.  Stell,  Oppenheim. 

Harvey  Shoudy.  Canajoharie. 

Levi  Stcanbiirgh,  Ephratah. 

Alexander  Steanburgh,  Eiihratah. 

Stephen  Schram,  Ephratah. 

Lorenzo  U.  Snell,  Oppenheim. 

Wm.  Shearer.  Oppenheim. 

George  \V.  Turner,  Canajoharie. 

John  Ward,  Canajoharie. 

John  Ward,  jr.,  Oppenheim. 

Henry  Wangor,  F^phratah. 

Daniel  Weare,  Oppenheim. 

COMPANY  G. 


Captain,  George  H.  Mrl.aughlin,  Fonda. 
11/  Lifuteiianl.  F^dward  Parkinson,  Fonda. 
id  Litiitttuint,  George  W.  Hazard,  Fonda. 
Afuskian,  Joseph  L.  Richie,  Root. 


Samuel  Allen,  Stratford. 
Peter  MrRea,  Fonda. 
James  MrNeil,  Canajoha 
Elam  Potter,  Johnstown. 
Stephen  \\'ile>,  RodI. 
Lyons  Wakeman,  Root. 


COMPANY  K. 


Joseph  W.  Rested,  Mills  Corners. 
Oscar  Martin,  Gloversville. 
James  Mcintosh,  Gloversville. 
Charles  P.  Mcintosh,  Gloversville 
David  Mosher,  Middle  Grove. 
William  H.  Miller,  Gloversville. 
John  Northorp,  Gloversville. 
James  Obryan,  Ciloversvilie. 
Monroe  Place,  Gloversville. 
Dyer  Peck,  Gloversville. 
Taylor  Peck,  Gloversville. 
Yale  A.  Pool,  Gloversville. 
Charles  Phelps,  Gloversville. 
Charles  E.  Place,  Gloversville. 
Jacob  Pung,  Bleecker. 
Lorenzo  Phillips,  Bleecker. 
Francis  Ried,  Gloversville. 
Edward  Sutliff,  Gloversville. 
Oliver  Sutliff,  Gloversville. 
Richard  H.  Shaffer,  Gloversville. 
John  T.  Sawyer,  Mills  Corners. 
Erastus  Sharp,  Gloversville. 
Elias  G.  Smith,  Gloversville. 
George  A.  Scott,  Gloversville. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


THE    RECORD    OF    SEVERAL    COMPANIES    IN 
FOUGHT    FOR    THE 


VHICH     FULTON 
ATION. 


JOUNIV     M^.^ 


The  97th  Regiment  New  York  Volunteers  was  organized  in  Boonevjli 
N.  Y.,  under  command  of  Col.  Chas.  Wheelock,  and  was  mustered  into  ih 
service  F'ebruarv  i8th,  1862.  The  regiment  left  Booneville  for  WasI; 
ington  March  12th,  but  remained  in  .Albany  for  one  week,  and  "iil 
arrived  in  New  York  March  i8th,  where  the  troops  received  the  F"nl:il 
rifled  musket.  The  97th  arrived  in  Washington  .March  joth.  In  .M.i 
the  regiment  was  assigned  to  Gen.  Uuryee's  brigade.  Gen.  Rickett's  Jiv^ 
ion,  and  was  under  Gen.  McDowell's  command  during  the  advance  in  iti 
Shenandoah  Valley,  in  June,  1862. 

The  regiment  was  engaged  in  ten  battles  and  suffered  great  loss,  bein 
reduced  to  less  than  too  effective  men  before  the  close  of  the  war.  Dm 
ing  the  months  of  September  and  October,  1863,  it  received  a  large  hiki 
ber  of  conscripts.  The  regiment  was  attached  to  the  2d  brigade,  .-il  ■! 
vision,  1st  army  corps,  in  December,  1863.  It  took  part  in  the  followm 
engagements  :  Cedar  Mountain,  .August  9,  1862  ;  Rappahanock  Siaiun 
.\ugust  23,  1S62  ;  Thoroughfare  Gap,  .August  28.  1862  ;  second  l!i' 
Run,  August  30,  1862;  Chantilla,  September  1,  1862;  South  Mouni.m 
Md.,  Sei)tember  14,  1862:  Antietam.  Md.,  September  17,  1862:  lii- 
Fredericksburg,  December  13,  1862;  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  May  1,  ■■'''■l 
Gettysburg.  July  1-3,  1863. 

The  men  from  Fulton  county  in  this  regiment  are  named  below,  to^eihr 
with  the  officers  of  the  regiment: 

RFX.I.MENTAI.  OFFICERS. 

Colonel,  Charles  Wheelock.     Taken  prisoner  at  tiettysburg,   Jiilj    1,  "^ 

escaped  July  5,  1863. 
LiruUmi'il-Coloiut.  J.  P.  Spofford.     Taken  prisoner  at  Gettysburg. 
Major,  Charles  .Vorthui>. 

Adjutant,  Charles  Buck.     Resigned  March  25,  1862. 
Adjutant,  Geo.  D.  Foster,  jr.      Resigned  Sept.  10,  1862. 
Adjutant,  i)enis  J,  Downing.      Promoted  from  2d  Lieutenant,  Co  H:  l.il'' 

prisoner  at  second  Bull's  Run.      Promoted  to  Captain  (..'0.  H,  J.m   •' 

■  863. 


FULTON  COUNTY  HEROES  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


185 


AdjutanS^  Joseph  H.  Smith.     Promoted  from  jd  Lieutenant.  Co.  E.     Pro- 
moted to  Captain,  Dec.  6,  1863. 
.,^<^«f/li/»/,  Willard  B.  Judd.     Promoted  from  ist  Lieutenant,  Co.  F. 
Quartermaster,  Joe!  T.  Comslock.      Discharged  Sept.  12,  1862, 
Quartermaster,  Lewis  H.  Rowan.      Promoted  from  ist  Lieutenant,  Co.  C. 
Surgeon,  N.  D.  Ferguson.     Transferred  to  5th  U.  S.  Cavalry. 
Surgeon,  L.  J.  Marvin.      Resigned  July  2d,  1862. 
Surgeon,  Franklin  B.  Hough. 
Surgeon,  Wna.  B.  Chambers.     Appointed  May  16,  1862. 

.•:i:,t  Kt  Surgeon,  \iirin  CoTVi\s\\.     Dismissed. 
Assistant  Surgeon,  Nelson  Isham.      Discharged  for  disability. 
Assistant  Surgeon,  Geo.  S.  Little      Appointed  OcL  13th,  1862. 
Chaplain,  John  V,  Ferguson. 

OFFICERS   OF  COMPANY  F. 

Captain,  Stephen  G.  Hutchinson,  Lassellsville.     Discharged  Sept.  22,  1862. 

tst  Lieutenant,  E.  Gray  Spencer,  Brockett's  Bridge.  Wounded  at  Antietam: 
discharged  Dec.  29.  1862. 

Corporal,  Olaf  Peterson,  Lassellsville.     Transferred  to  Co.  D. 

Corporal,  Augustus  Johnson,  Brockett's  Bridge.  Promoted  tst  Sergeant, 
October,  1862;  veteran. 

Corporal,  Wallace  McLaughlin,  Lassellsville.  Died  of  disease,  Sept.  26,  1862. 

Corporal,  Henry  Fical,  Lassellsville.  Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  discharged 
Dec.   21,  1872. 

Corporal,  William  B.  Judd,  Brockett's  Bridge.  Promoted  Commissar)'  Ser- 
geant: to  2d  Lieutenant:  to  ist  Lieutenant;  to  Adjutant,  Dec.  29,  1863. 

Musictan,  Henry  F.  Butler,  Lassellsville.      Discharged  Sept.  26,  1S62. 

Musician,  Geo.  F.  Dempster,  Lassellsville.      Died  of  (Jisease,  Sept.  26,  1862. 

PRIVATES. 


)unded  at  .\ntietam;  died  Oct.  18,  1862. 

Discharged  March  21,  1863. 

lie.     Wounded  at  Antietam;  died  July 


ged 


James  Adsit,  Lassellsville. 
Malvin  C.  .-Vustin,  Stratford 
Albert  Argersinger,   Lassell 

29,  1863. 
I^rabert  Bellinger,  Brockett's  Bridge.      Discharged  Nov.  i,  1862. 
Casper  Brock,  Lassellsville.     Discharged  February  10,  1863. 
Daniel  Bleekman,  Stratford.      Discharged  February  14,  1862. 
James  A.  Bolster,  Lassellsville.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg. 
William   Campbell,    Lassellsville.     Wounded  at  Fredericksburg  ;   dis 

charged  July  29,  1863. 
John  S.  Dalr\mple,  Stratford.     Discharged  Nov.  28.  1862. 
Rufus  Doxtader,  Brockett's  Bridge.      Discharged  June  12,  1862. 
Wm.  H.  Edwards,  Lassellsville.     .Appointed  Corporal  Nov.  i,  1863. 
Nathan  Fical,  Lassellsville.      Killed  at  Ciettysburg. 
Cieorge  Kring,  Lassellsville.     \\'ounded  at  .Antietam;  promoted  to  Ser 

geant  Oct.  1,  1862. 
Asa  C.    Lamphere,   Stratford.     Taken    prisoner   at    Bull    Run  ;    diS' 

charged  Oct.  5,  1862. 
John  Luther,  Brockett's  Bridge.     Wounded  by  accident;  d 

Aug.  1,  1862. 
August  Manga,  Brockett's  Bridge.     Discharged  June  14,  1862. 
Abner  Millard,  Stratford.     Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  died  Oct.  6,  1862 
Vernon  B.  Mosher,  Oppenheim. 

Christian  Rosseter.  Ephratah.      Killed  at  South  Mountain. 
Daniel  Slrobeck,  Lassellsville.      D'scharged   March  14,  1S63. 
Samuel  Stall.  Brockett's  Bridge.  Wounded  at  .\ntietam,  and  discharged 
Gilbert  Satterley.  Stratford      Discharged  Jan.  3,  1S63. 
Geo.  Sipperly,  Caroga.     Killed  at  .Antietam. 
Alex.  Snell,  Lassellsville. 

Sylvester  Stall,  Lassellsville.      Discharged  Aug.  25,  1862. 
Emanuel  Smith,  Lassellsville.      Discharged  Sept.  26,  1862. 
Theodore  Thompson.  Stratford. 
Harvey  S.  Valentine,  Bri.ckctt's  Bridge. 
David  H.  Walrath,  Lassellsville      Wounded  .ii  Hull  Run 
Lyman  Zinimerntan.  Lassells\  ille. 

MKMin.KS  OF  (IIHKR  COMP.VNIES. 

Sfrf;e,ti,l.  C.  A.  Slarin,  St.  Johnsville,  Co.  L 
Geo.  WcaNcr,  Lassellsville.  Co.  L    ■ 


J.  P.  SpofTord,  Brockett's  Bridge,  Co.  K. 

Willard  Avery,  Stratford,  Co.  G. 
&th  Corporal,  Patrick  Kellcy,  St.  Johnsville,  Co.  D. 
id  Corporal,  Richard  Bullock,  Stratford,  Co    D 

A.  J.  Avery,  Stratford,  Co.  D. 

W.  Bullock,  Stratford,  Co.  D. 

H.  H.  Bullock,  Stratford,  Co.  D. 

W.  Colwell,  Stratford,  Co.  D. 

E.  Edwards,  Stratford,  Co.  D. 

H.  Doxtader,  Stratford,  Co.  D. 

E.  Dunning,  Stratford,  Co.  D. 

A.  B.  Farrell,  Stratford,  Co.  D. 

W.  McGowen,  Stratford,  Co.  D. 

J.  J.  Newell,  Stratford,  Co.   D. 

H.  S.  Perkins,  Stratford,  Co.  D. 

COMPANY  I,   lOTH    N.  Y.   CAVALRY. 

Fulton   and    Montgomery   counties  were   represented   in  the  loth  New 
York  Cavalry  by  Company  \,  a  roll  of  which  is  appended  : 

OFl-ICERS. 

Captain,  David  Getman,  jr.  Mayfield. 

1st  Lieutenant,  Stephen  Dennie. 

2d  Lieutenant,  Charles  H,  Hill. 

isl  Sergeant,  H.  H.  Boyd,  Broadalbin,      Killed. 

Quartermaster  Sergeatil,  .Asa  Capron,  Broadalbin. 

Sergeant,  John  W.  Abernathy,  .Mayticld.      Killed. 

Sergeant,  Nicholas  D.  Case,  Mayfield.     Died  in  hospital,  Dec.  r6.  1863, 

Sergeant,  David  N.  Haines,  Mayfield.     Transferred  to  navy,  April  10,  1864. 

Sergeant,  Dorwin  W.  Close,  .Mayfield. 

Sergeant,  Jacob  C.  Case,  Mayfield.      Discharged  May  12,  1864. 

Corporal,  Chester  L.  Berry,  Mayfield. 

Corporal,  Henry  Belts,  Broadalbin. 

Corporal,  .Augustus  NL  Brown,  Mayfield. 

Corporal,  Hosea  Davis,  jr.,  Broadalbin. 

Corps,  May  2,  1864. 
Corporal,  Darius  S.  Orton,  Broadalbin. 
Corporal.  A.  H.  Van  Dyke,  .Mayfield.     Discha 
Corporal.  Peter  Phillips,  Broadalbin. 
Corporal,  Harvey  Becker,  .Mayfield. 
Corporal,  Henry  Piper.  Mayfield. 
Corporal,  Daniel  Saterlee.  Broadalbin. 
Farrier,  Charles  Thayer,  Broadalbin. 
Farrier,  Harry  .A.  Lane,  Broadalbin. 
Saddler,  George  Riddle,  Northampton. 
Wagoner,  James  L.  Mercer,  Broadalbin. 


Transferred  to  Veteran   Reserve 


April  5,  1S63 
Killed. 
Discharged  Feb.  24,  1863. 


Discharged  Nov.  8, 


■  Elias  Blowers,  Mayfield. 
Charles  S.  Barlet,  Broadalbin 
William  Brower,  Mayfield. 
.Abram  H.  Blowers,  .Mayfield. 
John  Blowers,  Mayfield.     Killed. 
Wm.  H.  Blowers,  .Mayfield. 
Jas.  H.  Brown,  .Mayfield.      Discharged 
Nathaniel  W.  Brown,  ^L^yfield. 
Christopher  Brower,  Mayfield. 
John  T.  Bohanan,  Fonda. 
Wm.  R.  Briggs,  Johnstown. 
Philip  Canning,  Bro.adalbin 

.May  22,  1863, 
Thomas  Canning.  Kroadalb 
John  W.  Clute,  .Mayfield. 
Geo.  W.  Close,  Broadalbin. 
Thomas  T.  Crouch,  Fonda. 
George  Davis,  XLiyficld.     Killed. 
Asa  Dye,  Broadalbin.     Discharged  Oct.  28,  1 
Julius  B.  Day,  .M.ivfield. 
James  Karle,  Brn.idall.in.      Died  of  typhoid  f 


Killed  while  on  a  scout,  Nov.  18,  1864. 


d  by  guerillas,  near  Bento 
scharged  Jan.  9,  1864. 


Died  Fell. 


Sept.  20,  1S63. 


1S6 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


serve  Corps,  Oct. 


.S63. 


1863. 


ged  J.me  11.  1863. 
ctl  May  8.  1864. 


Died  in  Andersonville  prison,  Aug.  14, 
ischarged  at  Albany,  N.  Y. 

)ied  in  hospital  at  Philadelphia,  July  14, 

charged  March  4,  1863. 


William  Foster,  Broadalbin.      Killed. 

Daniel  C.  Forbes,  Broadalbin.     Killed. 

Francis  Forbes,  Broadalbin.      Killed. 

R.  Norman  Fox,  .\Iayficld. 

Miner  Fox,  Broadalbin. 

Seneca  Fox,  Mayfield.     Tran^lcrred  to  \'eteran 

31,  i86j 
Alva  Freeman,  Mayfield.      Died  March  14, 
Geo.  D.  Ferguson,  MayC.cld.      Died  July  : 
Mollis  Fox,  Broadalbin. 
Wm.  A.  Goodermoot,  Mayfield. 
John  Hall,  Mayfield.      Discharged  Nov.  17 
Joseph  W.  Honeywell,  llroadalbm.      Klllei 
John  Hammond,  Broadalbin. 
John  Handy,  Mayfiebl.      Disi  liargcd  June 
James  Hall,  Mayfield.     Dk 
Wm.  D.  Hager,  Fonda. 
Albert  Hall,  Mayfield. 
Wm.  H.  Jones,  Broadalbin 

1864. 
James  A.  Laird,  ^[ayfield. 
Jacob  Lepper,  Perth. 
Thomas  Lee,  Broadalbin. 
Peter  R.  Murdock,  Fonda. 
Barney  McCabe,  Mayfield. 

1863. 
John  Marlet,  Mayfield. 
John   McCormick,  Mayfield. 
Ephraim  D.  Mosher,  Northampton 
Hiram  McCleary,  Mayfield. 

William  O'Bryan,  .Mayfield.     Disch.rrged  Nov.  17,  1S62. 
Lorenzo  Phillips,  Broadalbin.     Died  at  Aqua  Creek,  Feb.  6,  1S63. 
Edward  Patterson,  .Mayfield.     Killed  in  action,  June  9,  1S63. 
George  Peck,  Broadalbin.      Discharged. 
Marcus  Richardson,  Ma\field. 
John  Reynolds,  Mayfield. 
Jesse  Reynolds,  Mayfield. 

Wm.  P.  Rhodes.  Mayfield.      Discharged  May  29,  1S63. 
Daniel  Richardson,  Mayfield. 
John   H.  Richardson.     Killed. 
Joseph  A.  J.  F.  Sanborn,  Mayfield. 

Ran-.son  Stoddard,  Brcidalbin.     Discharged  Jan.  8,  1864. 
Ja.s.  H.  Sanford,  Broadalbin.     Promoted  to  Captain,  Jan.,  1S64. 
Geo.  E.  Sanford,  Broadalbin.     Died  of  disease,  March  ;8,  1865. 
Geo.  Stewart,  Mayfield. 
John  Shaw,  Mayfield. 
Daniel  W.  Schernierhorn.  Mayfield. 

Geo.  W.  Schermerhorn,  Broadalbin.      Died  of  disease.  Nov.  6.  1S63. 
Abram  Satterlee,  Broadalbin. 
Geo.  H.  Smith,  Broadalbin.      Discharged. 
Zacock  Satterlee,  Broadalljin. 

Andrew  J.  Terrell,  M,u  field.      Died  Dec.  15,  1863. 
Thos.  B.  Tatlock,  Broadalbin. 
Alexander  Wescot,  Nurihamplon. 
James  H.  Waile,  Ma\  field. 
Martllon  Warner,  .\la>  field. 
William  Wands,  Broadalbin. 
Jas.  W.Wells,  M.iy  field.      Died. 
Francis  R.  Uhitiiev,  .M.ivfield.     Discharged  Dec.  31,  1S63. 


MST    OF    KN';.\GF.MENTS    P  \RTICIP.\TF  t»    IN 


Louisa  Court  house,  Va.,    May   4,  1S63  ;    Brandy  Station,  Va..  June  9, 
1863;  Aldie,  Va.,  June  17,  1863;  Middleliurgh,  June  19,  1,^^.3;  Upperville,     [ 
Va.,  June  lo,  1SO3  ;  f.etlj^burg.  Pa.,  July  2  and  3,  1.S63  :    Shephcrdsinwn, 
V.I.,  July  16,  1.S63  ;  Sulpiuir  S|, rings.  Va,  ().  ti.ber  i^  1SO3  ;  Little  .\ubiirn 
and    Brestoe   Station,    ( I,  iMbcr    14.    1.^03;     Mill    Run,  Va.,   N.nember   24,      | 
1S63;    The   Wililernos.  W,,,    M  ly    5,  (1.  7  and  .S,  1864  ;     C.round  S  iiiirrel      ; 
Clitirch,  Va.,  May  .  1.  1S04  ;     iHfcu.  es  cf  kuhmond,  Va..  May  .2.   1864  :     j 
Hanover  Town,  Va.,    .May    2S,    1,S64  ;    Cold    Harlior,    Va.,    June  I,  1SO4  ;      i 


Trav  Station,  Va.,   June    11,    1864;    White   House  Landing,  Va., 

June  22,  1S64;  St.  .Mary's  Church,  \a.,  June  24,  1864;  Gravel  Church 
Hill,  Va.,  July  28,  1864  ;  Lee's  Mills,  Va.,  July  30,  1864  ;  Deep  Bottom, 
Va.,  August  14  and  15,  1864;  Fisher's  Hill,  Va.,  August  18,  1864;  Wd-' 
don  Rail  Road,  Va.,  August  21,  1864  ;  Ream's  Station,  Va.,  August  23, 
1864;  Vaughn  Road,  Va.,  September  30  and  October  i,  1864  ;  South' 
Side  Rail  Road,  Va,,  October  27,  1864  ;  Despritanna  Station,  Va.,  Nov- 
ember 18,  1S64  ;  Stony  Creek,  Va  ,  December  i,  1864  ;  Belfield  Station, 
Va.,  December  9,  1S64  ;  Janett's  Station,  Va.,  December  10,  1864  ;  Din- 
widdle Court  House.  \a..  .March  31,  1865  ;  grand  ca^alry  charge.  Sailor's 
Creek,  Va.,  April  6,  1S65  ;  Jettersville,  \'a.,  April  5,  1S65  ;  Fannville,  Va., 
.A.pril  7,  1865  ;  .\ppomattox  Station,  Va.,  April  9,  1865. 


77TH  N.  V.   INFANTRY. 


ORTHAMPTON. 


Erskine  B.  Branch. 
Chas.  E.  Deuel. 
Wm.  N.  French. 
Lewis  Mackay. 


.■^masa  N.  Morgan. 
Jonathan  Morgan. 
Henry  Royce. 


Lyman  Cole. 
James  Cole. 


COMPANY    E — FO.NDA  5    BfSH. 

James  B.  Hines. 


COMPANY  F BLEECKER. 


5M  Corporal,  Cornelius  Van  Slyke. 
Jonathan  Dean,  jr. 
Henry  Franc. 
Nicholas  Geltylahter. 
George  Hess. 
John  L.  Kenitly. 


Cornelius  Quinn. 
John  A.  Rerchler. 
Ernest  Smidt. 
Frederick  Strancher. 
Joseph  Swartz. 


Joseph  Jamp. 
Chas.  A.  Hull. 


COMPANY  G AMSTERDAM. 


COMPANY  H. 

James  Knights,  Amsterdam. 


Offia 


Captain,  Nathan  S.  Babcock. 
\it  Lifiitt-nant,  John  W.  McGregor 
2d  Lu-iitenant.  Philander  A.  Cobb, 
ist  Strg^taiit,  .-Vnsil  Dennison. 
2d  S^rgeatit,  Edgar  W.  Dennison. 
3(/  Sergeant,  Wm.  Stewder. 
4///  Sergeant,  Henry  Allen. 
5///  Sergeant,  ,\rthur  Scott. 


3LOVER5V1I.LE. 

ist  Corpora/,  Calvin  B.  Allen. 

2d  Corpora/,  Stephen  Redshaw. 

3</  Corpora/,  John  Dance. 

4//1  Corpora/,  John  A.  Walrath. 

5//;  Corpora/,  John  Lee. 

6M  Corpora/,  George  Glass. 

7//;  Corpora/,  Wm.  Henry  Wright. 

%t/i  Corpora/,  Hiram  M.  Bisscll. 


Prh 

ales. 

James  F.  Austin,  Broadalb 

n. 

Michael  Fancher,  Gloversv 

John  .Mien,  Gloversv 

lie. 

James  A.  Farthing,         " 

Mar>in  D.  Bowen.     Killed 

Chas.  R.  Fi.her, 

Lewis  Burk,           GIo 

versv 

He. 

Robert  Gingill, 

Peter  Birdsell, 

Hiram  B.  Gilford,  Brcndall 

Edwin  Bissel, 

John  W.  Hines,     Gloversv 

John  Bame, 

Wm.  Hawley, 

Edward  NL  Bailey, 

Wm.  E.  Johnson,             " 

James  W,  Clurry, 

Chas.  Johnson, 

Samuel  Clark, 

Peter  Kehoe,                    " 

Sanford  E.  Campliell, 

" 

Jacob  King.            Bleecker 

Chas.  E.  Chcedell, 

0>car  .Martin,         Glovers% 

Daniel  H.  Cole, 

J.imes  .Mcintosh, 

Chas.  S.  Cole, 

" 

Chas.  P.  Mcintosh, 

Elias  Coon, 

Wm.  H.  Miller, 

Andrew  P.  Deuel, 

" 

John  Northorp,                " 

COMPANIES  FROM  FULTON  COUNTY  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR. 


187 


James  O'Bryan,     Gloversville. 
Monroe  Place,  " 

Dyer  Peck,  " 

Taylor  Peck,  " 

Yale  A.  Pool, 
Oias.  Phelps. 
Chas.  E.  Place, 
Jacob  Pung,  Bleecker. 

Lorenzo  Phillips,  " 

Francis  Reid,         Gloversville. 
Edward  Sutliff, 
Oliver  Sutliff, 


Richard  N.  Shaffer,  Gloversville. 

Erastus  Sharp,  '* 
Elias  W.  Smith, 
Geo.  D.  Scott, 

.\ndrew  Spring,  *' 

Harion  A.  Thomas,  *' 

Bradley  Vanderburgh,  " 

Seneca  Van  Ness,  " 

Peter  E.  Van  Nulla,  " 

Krinier  Wilcox,  '* 

Chas.  E.  W'etherbee,  " 

Joseph  Welch,  " 


13TH  REGIMENT  ARTILLERY. 


COMPANY    E. 


2J  LuutenanI,  C.  Cook,  Ephratah. 
W,  Avery,  Johnstown. 
S.  H.  Adriance,  Ephratah. 
W.  H.  Brate,  Ephratah. 

D.  VV.  Brate,  Ephratah. 
J.  S.  Brate,  Ephratah. 

J,  A.  Brown,  Oppenheim. 
L.  Clement,  Ephratah. 

F.  Christopher,  .Amsterdam. 
L.  Copely,  Johnstown. 

H.  Cole,  Florida. 

G.  Cook,  Ephratah 
A.  Cook,  Oppenheim. 
P.  H.  Cool,  Ephratah. 
J.  F.  Cooley,  Ephratah, 
L.  Conrad,  .Amsterdam. 
J.  Dempsey,  Ephratah. 

E.  Dittrick,  Johnstown. 
T.  Doras,  Johnstown. 
J.  H.  Ellis,  Florida. 
Chas.  Fields,  Johnstown. 
T.  S.  Finch.  Oppenheim. 
J.  J.  Fraley,  Ephratah. 
G.  H.  Hardy,  Ephratah. 

F.  Hout,  Amsterdam. 

H.  C.  Judson,  Oppenheim. 
J.  H.  Kinnicvitt,  Ephratah. 


J.  Lousbarge,  .Amsterdam. 
N.  Ladue,  Oppenheim. 
N.  H.  Murray,  Oppenheim. 
J.  D.  Maxaw.  Oppenheim. 
D.  H.  Nothawav,  Florida, 
S.  H.  Pullen,  Perth. 
W.  H.  Palmateer,  Ephratah. 
M.  Palmateer,  Ephratah. 
\,  E.  Palmateer,  Ephratah. 
J.  Rivenburgh,  Ephratah. 
D.  Rooney,  Johnstown. 
C.  Rooney,  Johnstown. 

C.  D.  Righter,  Oppenheim. 

D.  Smith,  Ephratah. 

G.  H.  Smith,  Ephratah. 
J.  Smith,  Ephratah. 
W.  Sullivan,  Johnstown. 
J.  Swart,  Johnstown. 
L.  Sponable,  Ephrat.ih. 
P.  Tiemay,  Johnstown. 
H.  G.  Topping,  Palatine. 
L.  T.  Weaver,  Johnstown. 

B.  W.  Watson,  Palatine. 

C.  Whitlock,  Ephratah. 

D.  Whitlock,  Ephratah. 
P.  S.  Whitlock,  Ephratah. 
L.  Warner,  Johnstown. 


CO.MPANV    F. 


Nicholas  Bernard.  .Amsterdam. 

Nicholas  Barrel,  Broadalbin. 

P.  H.  Becker,  Root. 

G.  Buchanan,  Florida. 

J.  Bradv,  Palatine. 

W.  B.  Bowdish,  Charleston. 

S.  BIyth,  Palatine. 

Jas.  J.  Basscth,  Charleston. 

A.  Bates,  Broadalbin. 

M.  C.  Barlow,  Charleston. 
J.  Coniton,  .Amsterdam. 
W.  H.  Colgrove,  Charleston. 
M.  Cornell,  Broadalbin. 
Pelos  B.  Dcnise.  Charleston. 
John  Dingman,  Broadalbin.      . 
C.  Forbes,  Palatine. 

B.  \V.  Gilbourne,  Root. 


D.  B.  Hall,  Broadalbin. 
Henry  Hall,  Broadalbin. 
J.  H.  Houghtalm^,  Johnstown. 
B.  H.  Hulm,  Johnstown. 
J.  E.  Heimstrcet,  Charleston. 
P.  McGuire,  Charleston. 
S.  Orton,  St.  Johnsville. 
David  Pier,  Charleston. 
M.  H.  Phelps,  Broadalbin. 
W.  H.  Russell,  Root. 
T.  Sterling,  Florida. 
Geo.  Stewart,  Florida. 
•  .A.  ,M.  Scott,  Charleston. 
F.  Styles.  Florida. 
Z.  Smith,  Glen. 
.A.  W.  Vanderwerken,  Charleston. 


COMPANY    C. 

Geo.  Harvey,  Johnstown.  E.  Underwood,  Johnsto' 

\V.  H.  Lawrcn<.e,  Johnstown.  J.  E.  Wiggins,  .Amstertia 

N.  J.  Schermerhorn,  Mayfield.  David  Yost,  Johnstown. 

14TH   REGIMENT  ARTILLERY. 

COMPANY   C. 

H   C.  Furguson,  .Amsterdam.  W.  Keep,  Amsterdam. 

W.  Hayes,  Amsterdam. 


COMPANY    M. 


H.  Ballou,  Carng.! 

F.  I>.  Brown,  Johnstow-n. 
W.  Cole,  John^lown. 

G.  N.  Evans,  Johnstfiwn. 
F.  Hudson,  Mayfield. 

F.  Hausman,  Amsterdam. 


S.  Lake,  Johnstown. 

S.  McDougal,  Johnstown. 

J.  Perry,  Caroga. 

J.  Snvder.  Joiinslown, 

L  -M.  \'an  Naticr,  |i.hnstowii 

ira  H.  Vosburgh,  Perth. 

22 


COMPANY   D,  93D  REGI.MENT    INFANTRY. 


Captain^  Geo.  M.  Voorhees,  Northampton. 
1st  Lieutenant,  Henry  P.  Smith,  Northampton. 
zd  Lieutenant,  Philemon  B.  Marvin,  Northampton. 
\st  Serjeant,  .A.  Burr  Beecher.  Northampton. 
id  Sergeant,  Wm.  W.  Clark,  Fonda's  Bush. 
4tA  Sergeant.  Edward  Van  Slyke,  Northampton. 
1st  Corporal,  .Major  Colory,  Northampton. 
2d  Corporal,  Wm.  Ellithorp,  Northampton. 
id  Corporal,  Alexander  Case,  Northampton. 
5M  Corporal,  Emmet  Brown,  .Northampton. 
6th  Corporal.  Abel  |.  Potter,  Northampton. 
7M  Corporal,  Gordon  D.  Colson,  Northampton. 
8M  Corporal,  Geo.  L.  Schermerhorn,  Northampton 


Chas.  .Armstrong,  Northampton. 

Desman  Bowman,  " 

Nathaniel  Bentlev, 

Clark  A.  Bentlev,  jr., 

Cordenio  Bass,  ' 

John  Burns, 

George  Bentley,  *' 

Urial  C.  Buck, 

Andrew  J.  Cook, 

John  Costello, 

Waldron  G.  Evans,  " 

Wm.  J.  Evans,  " 

Joseph  Foutier,  " 

John  H.  Flinn, 

John  Gardiner, 

Royal  A.  Harris, 

Franklin  Holden, 

Michael  Harrigan,  " 

John  Hodson,  " 


Noah  L.  Johnson,  Northville. 
Charles  Jaggs,  Northampton. 
Joseph  .Morrison,  Northampton. 
Ehas  P.  Newton,  Fonda's  Bush. 
Thomas   Purcell,   Northampton. 
Justin  Poscoe,  " 

George  Royce,  " 

Wm.  H.  Rhodes, 
Henry  A.  Rice,  " 

Edward  Rickerson,  " 

Jefferson  Sleezer,  " 

Clinton  Schermerhorn,     " 
Eleazer  Slocum,  Northville. 
Benjamin  Sweet,  Northampton. 
Hayden  Shew,  " 

Francis  E.  Soul, 
Orlin  Van  Buren, 
Wm.  P.  Wells, 
Joseph  A.  Ulmstead,  Northville. 


2D  REGI.MENT  CAVALRY. 

COMPANY    C. 

4/v4  Corporal,  C.  L.  Clark,  Gloversville. 


COMPA 

Captain,  W.  H.  Shaw,  Mayfield. 

\st  Lieutenant,  D.  Getman,  .Mavfield. 

1st  Sergeant,  J.  L.  Haines,  .Mayfield. 

Sergeant,  J.  W.  .Abernethy,   Mayfield. 

Sergeant,  N.  D.  Case,  Mayfield. 

4//i    Corporal,    G.    M.    \'an    Rausler, 

Gloversville. 
5//<  Corporal,  D.  N.  Haines,  .Mayfield. 
;//;  Corporal,  J.  C,  Case,  Mavfield. 
8//;  Corporal,  I..  Fav,  Mavfield. 
Butter.  A.  J.  Lansing,   .Mavfield. 
ll'at;oner,  R.  lohnson,  .Mavfield. 

A.  O.  Brown,  .Mavfield. 

M.  Bowers,  Gloversville. 

C.  L.  Berry,  .Mavfield. 

A.  Brower,  Mayfield. 

compa; 
Wm.  Harris, 


NY    F. 

W.  R.  Berry,  Mayfield. 
W.  Bronson,  Mayfield. 
.A.  .M.  Brown,  .Mayfield. 
.A.  Brower,  Broadalbin. 
I.  Bixby,  .Mavfield. 
A.  Culbert,  Broadalbin. 
A.  Eddv,  Mayfield. 
M.  Fox,  Broadalbin. 

C.  V.  Hall,  .Mayfield. 

D.  Howland,  .Mayfield. 
J.  Jintzy,  (;loversvillc. 
N.  Shearer,  .Mayfield. 
W.  H.  Tring,  .Mayfield. 
J.  Wells,  Mayfield. 

E.  G.  Waite,  .Mayfield. 


Johnstown, 


3D  REGIMENT  CAVALRY. 
J.  H.  Harris,  Johnstown,  Co.  D. 
Geo.  W.  Peck,  Johnstown,  Co.  D. 

OTHER   REGI.MENTS  REPRESENTED. 

L.  S.  Hillabrandt  enlisted  at  Saiiimonsville  as  private  in  the  44th  '"Ells- 
worth "  regiment.  He  served  his  full  term  and  was  discharged  as  ror- 
poral. 

Jerome  Van  .Antwerp  enlisted  at  Fultonville  in  the  44th.  J.  Anihnny 
also  enlisted  in  the  44ih. 

Charles  Smith  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  C,  32d  N,  \'.  \'"liin- 
teers,  and  afterward  re-enlisted  as  2d  Lieutenant,  ^\m\  was  promuteil  tii  i^t 
Lieutenant.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Fort  Fisher  When  the  prisnncrs 
were  being  moved  from  Columbia,  S.  C,  he,  with  another  prisoner,  I>. 
Getman,  jr.,  from  Mayfield,  made  a  hole  through  the  bottom  of  rlie  1  ar 
with  a  case-knife  and  e^ca[ictl. 

James    McEwen   enlisted    in   the   jzd   for   the  term  of  two  years.     He 


served  his  time  and  re-enlisted  in  the  104th  regii 
disease,  from  which  he  d'ed  in  the  .\lbanv  hnspii 

Jonah  Hcs,  enlisted  M.irch  22,  1.SO4,  .is  corp, 
He  was  discharged  September,  1.S64. 

James  A.  Plaits  enlisted  in  November,  1861,  in 
lery  ;  discharged  June  26,  1.S&5 


He 

April, 


I  .S60 


ral  in  the  lyid  tLgiiiicnl. 
the  3d  N,  Y.  light  .iiiil- 


188 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES  OF  FULTON  COUNTY, 


JOHNSTOWN  VILLAGE. 


The'greal  name  in  the  early  annaU  of  this  village  is  that  of  it^  founder. 
Sir  William  Johnson.  After  a  residence  of  twenty-four  years  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  present  county  of  Monlgomer}-,  duri  which  he  had 
gained  an  immense  estate  by  the  profits  of  trade  and  the  generosity  of  his 
Indian  neighliors,  and  had  won  a  baronetcy  by  his  successful  campaign 
against  the  French  and  their  savage  allies  in  1755.  Sir  William  removed  to 
a  stately  mansion  finished  by  him  in  the  spring  of  1763,  and  still  standing 
in  good  preservation  on  the  northwestern  border  of  the  village,  the  chief 
historic  landmark  of  the  surrounding  region.  The  motive  assigned  for 
the  Baronet's  removal  to  this  neighborhood  is  the  promotion  of  settle- 
ments^on  his  large  domains  hereabouts,  on  which  he  bad  already  settled 
over  one  hundred  families,  generally  leasing  but  sometimes  selling  the  land. 
Among 'those  to  whom  he  leased  land,  with  the  suppuscd  purpose  ui" 
establishing  a  baronial  estate  for  his  descendants,  were  Dr.  William 
Adams;  Gilbert  Tice,  innkeeper;  Peter  Young,  miller;  William  Phillips. 
wagon-maker;  James  Davis,  hatter;  Peter  Yost,  tanner;  Adrian  Yan 
Sickler,  Maj.  John  Little  and  Zephaniah  Bachelor. 

Johnson  Hall,  as  Sir  William  named  his  new  residence,  was  for  many 
years'the  center  of  events  for  the  new  settlement.  During  its  eleven 
years'  occupancv  by  the  Baronet,  it  was,  like  his  former  home  on  the 
Mohawk,  a  place  of  frequent  resort  of  his  Indian  friends  for  grave  con- 
sultation and  less  serious  intercour'^e,  the  proprietor,  among  other  things, 
having  [them  hold  annually  at  the  Hall  a  tournament  of  their  national 
games.  "  It  was  from  this  spot,"  says  Ex-Gov.  Seymour,  '*  that  the  agents 
went  forth  to  treat  with  the  Indians  of  the  West,  and  keep  the  chain  of 
friendship  bright.  Here  came  the  scout  from  the  forests  and  lakes  of  the 
North  to  lell  of  any  dangerous  movement  of  the  enemy.  Here  were  writ- 
ten the  reports  to  the  Crown  which  were  to  sha])e  the  policy  of  nations; 
and  to 'this  jjlace  were  sent  the  orders  that  called  upon  the  settlers  and 
savages  to  go  out  upon  the  war-path."  Among  the  more  illustrious  guests 
who  divided  with  the  Iro'piois  braves  the  hospitalities  of  Johnson  Hall. 
were  Lady  (")'Brian,  daughter  of  the  Rarl  of  Ilchester;  I,<»rd  Gordon, 
whom  Sir  William's  son,  John,  accomjianied  to  Kngland.  where  he  was 
knighted;  Sir  Henry  Moore.  Governor  of  New  York;  Gov.  Franklin,  ot 
New  Jersey,  and  other  colonial  dignitaries. 


i 


.lOlIN-MN    M*l  1  . 


W^^h 


'Ihe  engraving  of  this  famous  and  interesting  mansion,  and  the  portrait 
of  its  illustrious  builder,  presented  herewith  are  taken  from  Lossing's  KieW 
Booli  of  the  Revolution,  by  permission  of  the  pubhshers.  Harper  Brotheii, 
of  New  York. 

'I'he  Hall,  which  was  the  scene  of  so  many  stirring  events,  was  a  woode* 
building,  sixty  feet  in  length  by  forty  in  width  and  two  stories  high,  facinj 
southeastwardly  acro-s  lands  sloping  to  the  neighboring  creek,  on  the  higher 
ground  beyond  which  the  village  stands.  \  spacious  hall  fifteen  feet  wide 
crossed  it  in  the  center,  into  which  nn  each  floor  opened  large  and  loflj 
rooms  wainscotted  with  pine  panels  and  heavy  carved  work.  At  either 
end  of  the  northwestern  wall,  a  little  apart  from  the  house,  stood  a  square 
stone  structure,  loop-holed  to  serve  as  block-houses  for  the  defence  of  the 
Hall,  but  used,  the  one  jj  the  business  office  of  the  estate,  and  the  oilier  as 
the  proprietor's  study.  They  were  part  of  the  fortifications,  including  J 
stockade,  thrown  around  the  Hall  in  1763,  in  apprehension  of  an  attack  by 
the  western  tribes  under  Pontiac. 

Whatever  time  Sir  William's  official  duties  left  him  was  actively  employed 
in  the  improvement  of  his  estate  and  of  the  condition  of  agriculture  in  thr 
settlement.  We  find  him  obtaining  superior  seed  oats  from  Saybrool. 
Conn.;  scions  for  grafting  from  Philadelphia;  fruit  trees  from  New  Lon- 
don, and  choice  seed  from  England.  He  delighted  in  horticulture,  and  haii 
a  famous  garden  and  nursery  to  the  south  of  the  Hall.  He  was  the  lin-i 
to  introduce  sheep  and  blooded  horses  m  the  Mohawk  valley.  Fairs  wcir 
held  under  his  supervision  at  Johnstown,  the  Baronet  paying  the  premi- 
ums. His  own  farming  was  done  by  ten  or  fifteen  slaves  under  an  over 
seer  named  Flood.  They  and  their  families  lived  in  cabins  built  for  them 
.across  Cayadutta  creek  from  the  Hall.  They  dressed  very  much  like  the 
Indians,  but  wore  coats  made  from  blankets  on  the  place.  Sir  Williams 
legal  affairs  were  conducted  by  a  secretary  learned  in  the  law,  named  I.tf- 
fertv,  who  it  seems  was  the  surrogate  of  the  county  at  the  time  of  his  em- 
ployer's death.  .A  family  physician,  named  Daly,  was  retained  by  the  Bar- 
onet, serving  also  as  his  social  companion  in  numerous  pleasure  excursions  ; 
and  a  butler,  a  gardener,  a  tailor  and  a  blacksmith  were  among  the  em- 
ployees at  the  Hall,  across  the  road  from  which  the  last  two  had  sho|is. 

Sir  William  took  a  constant  and  lively  inle'- 
est  in  the  welfare  of  his  tenants,  not  only  ei- 
tending  his  bounty  to  their  material  needs,  hut 
providing  for  their  spiritual  and  inlelleciun 
wants  in  ways  mentioned  hereafter  under  inf 
ap|iropriate  heads.  One  of  his  dcM' e-  l<" 
their  entertainment  was  the  institution  "' 
"sport  days  "  at  the  Hall,  at  which  the  ii-" 
manry  of  the  neighborhood  competed  in  ih' 
lield  sports  of  Kngland,  especially  bdvin.i;  •""' 
foot  racing.  In  the  latter  the  conte-i.""* 
sometimes  ran  with  their  feet  in  bai;'.  ■""' 
more  amusement  was  afforded  b\'  horse  r.i'«* 
I  kward  ;  by  the  chase  of  the  greased  pit:  ■'"" 
d  pole  ;  and  by  the  efforts  of  another  class  ol '  "'" 
.•St  face  and  sing  the  worst  song,  the  winner  hcmn 
1  jacket  or  a  few  pounds  of  tobacco. 


in  which  the  riders  fan 
the  climbing  of  the  grea 
petitors  to  make  the  wr 
rewarded  with  a  bearsl 


SIR  WM.  JOHNSON'S  DEATH— OWNERSHIP  OF  THE  HALL— GROWTH  OF  JOHNSTOWN. 


189 


The  Baronet's  death  occurred  on  the  nth  of  July,  1774,  in  his  sixtieth 
year.  He  had  long  been  liable  to  attacks  of  dysentery.  In  combating 
his  disease  he  had.  in  X767,  visited  and  drunk  of  the  spring  now  famous 
as  the  High  Rock  of  Saratoga.  He  is  believed  to  have  been  the  first 
white  man  to  visit  this  spring,  whose  medicinal  virtues  had  been  reported 
to  him  by  the  Mohawks,  a  band  of  whom  accompanied  him  to  the  spot. 
bearing  him  part  of  the  way  through  the  wilderness  on  a  litter.  His  cure 
was  only  partial,  but  even  that  becoming  known  was  the  foundation  of 
the  popularity  of  the  Saratoga  springs.  At  the  time  of  Sir  William's  death, 
the  Indians  were  exasperated  over  the  outrages  committed  upon  them  by 
the  Ohio  frontiersmen,  including  the  butchery  of  the  famous  Logan's 
lundred.  The  Iroi|uois  had  come  with  an  indignant  complaint  to  Johnson 
Hall.  On  the  day  that  the  Baronet  died,  he  addressed  them  for  over  two 
houi^  under  a  burning  sun.  Immediately  after,  he  was  taken  with  an  acute 
attack  of  his  malady  and  shortly  died.  The  suddenness  of  his  death,  to- 
gether with  his  pro[)hecics  that  he  should  not  live  to  see  the  anticipatefl 
war  between  the  colonies  and  the  home  government,  in  which  he  must 
have  been  arrayed  against  his  adopted  countrvmen  and  lost  his  property, 
or  against  the  power  that  had  bestowed  on  him  wealth  and  position,  led 
to  the  suspicion  of  suicide.  Sir  William's  biographer,  Mr.  Stone,  however, 
giTes  strong  reasons  for  believing  the  suspicion  groundless. 

The  Baronet's  funeral  took  place  on  the  Wednesday  following  his 
death.  The  pall  bearers  included  Gov.  Franklin  of  New  Je  -v  and  the 
judges  of  the  New  York  Supreme  Court,  .•\mong  the  cortege  of  about 
two  thousand  persons  that  followed  the  remains  to  their  burial,  under  the 
chancel  of  the  stone  church  which  Sir  William  had  erected  in  the  village, 
were  the  si.\  hundred  Indians  who  had  gathered  at  the  Hall.  These,  on 
the  ne.xt  day,  performed  their  own  ceremony  of  condolence  before  the 
friends  of  the  deceased,  presenting  symbolic  belts  of  wampum  with  an  ap- 
propriate address.  On  the  rebuilding  of  the  church  in  which  the  Baronet 
was  buried,  after  its  destruction  by  fire  in  1836,  its  location  was  slightly 
changed  so  as  to  leave  the  tomb  without  the  walls,  and  its  precise  location 
WIS  lost.  It  was  discovered,  however,  in  tMj,  by  Mr.  Kellogg,  then 
rector,  and  found  in  good  condition,  except  that  a  few  bricks  of  the  roof 
had  fallen  in.  A  plain  gold  ring  bearing  the  date  "June  1739.  16,"  and 
supposed  10  have  been  Lady  Johnson's  wedding  ring,  worn  by  the  baronet 
aftei  her  death,  was  found  in  the  vault  :  also  the  bullet  which  he  received 
in  the  battle  of  Lake  George.  Portions  of  the  skeleton  remaining  were 
sealed  in  a  granite  sarcophagus,  and  restored  to  the  tomb  June  7,  1862, 
with  appropriate  services,  conducted  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Potter,  of 
the  State  of  New  York.  One  authority  says  that  Sir  William's  mahogany 
cof&n  was  enclosed  in  one  of  lead,  which  was  made  into  bullets  by  the 
patriots  during  the  Revolution,  and  that  the  lid  of  the  coffin  proper, 
marked  with  the  Baronet's  name  in  silver  nails,  was  removed  and  sus- 
pended in  the  church. 

.Sir  William's  title  and  most  of  his  estate  passed  to  his  son.  Sir  John 
Johnson,  whose  connection  with  the  history  of  the  county  is  elsewhere 
traced.  The  property  having  been  confiscated  by  the  Revolutionary  author- 
ities, under  the  .act  of  attainder  passed  by  the  Legislature  in  1779,  cover- 
ing Sir  John  and  about  sixty  others,  the  Hall  ,nnd  seven  hundred  acres  of 
land  were  sold  by  the  commissioners,  Henry  Oothout  and  Jeremiah  Van 
Rensselaer,  to  J.imes  Caldwell  of  .Albany,  in  1778  or  1779,  for  ^'6,600,  in 
worthless  colonial  securities.  He  subse(|uently  sold  the  property  for 
^1,400.  Shortly  before  being  carried  captive  into  Can.ida  by  Sir 
John  Johnson  in  1780,  Jacob  Sammons  was  working  the  farm,  which  he 
had  leased  from  the  committ'*e  of  sequestrations  for  ^^300  per  annum 
most  of  the  time  since  the  Baronet's  flight  in  1776.  Benjamin  I)e  I.ineand 
Joscjih  .S<ott,  who  were  liiing  in  the  Mall,  were  captured  and  taken  to 
Canada  at  the  same  time  with  the  Sammonses.  This  was  their  second  ex- 
perience of  the  kinfl  during  the  war.  Sammons.  while  at  tlie  Hall,  made 
considerable  money  by  furnishing  hotel  arcomnuxlations  .ind  sdlng  refresh- 
ments to  the  throngs  that  attended  various  gatherings,  at  this,  the  usual 
place  of  public  assembling.  This  is  stated  in  his  memorial  to  Congress, 
asking  that  he  be  reimbursed  for  repairing  arniv  muskets  at  his  own  ex- 
pense, which  the  Johnstown  gunsmith,  being  "  .1  r.ink  tory,"  would  not  do 
for  the  colonial  government.  In  1796  the  Hall,  with  740  acres  of  land, 
<  ame  into  the  possession  of  Kdward  .\iken,  grandfather  of  the  [irescnl 
proprietor,  Mr.  J.  f^.WelU.  One  of  the  sttuie  towers  was  destroyed  b^  fire  in 
1866,  and  the  addition  of  a  cupola,  bay  window,  and  a  wing  has  modified 
Ihe  simple  outlines  of  the  Hall,  but  the  inlcrior  is  siibslnnti.illy  uii<  hinged. 
The  visitor  is   shown  a   series  of    notches  on    the  baliistr.-.ile  of  the  wiilc 


stairway,  and  told  they  were  made  by  the  hatchet  of  Brant,  as  a  sign,  that 
would  be  respected  by  the  savages,  not  to  destroy  the  building  during  the 
absence  of  Sir  John.  It  is  more  probably,  as  suggested  by  Mr.  Stone,  the 
vandal  work  of  a  colonial  soldier  disappointed  at  not  being  allowed  by  his 
superior  to  destroy  the  whole  structure. 

GROWTH   AND   IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  VILL.\GE. 

Sir  William  deserved  the  title  of  founder  of  Johnstown,  not  only  by  at- 
tracting to  the  new  settlement  its  first  inhabitants,  but  also  by  the  i  are  whii  h 
he  continued  to  bestow  upon  the  growing  village.  During  the  winter  and 
spring  of  1760  he  was  busily  engaged  in  establishing  the  settlement.  Soon 
after  locating  at  the  Hall  he  built  six  houses  near  where  the  court-house 
now  stands.  They  were  about  thirty  feet  in  front  by  eighteen  or  twenlv 
deep,  and  one  and  a  half  stories  high,  with  two  S()uare  rooms  on  the  fioor, 
and  were  painted  yellow.  During  1770  the  village  was  reinforced  byeightv 
families,  and  received  its  present  name  in  honor  of  the  Baronet.  In  the 
spring  of  1771  several  new  streets  were  laid  out  and  the  signs  of  numerous 
business  places  swung  conspicuously  over  their  doors.  The  inhabitants  oh- 
tained  lumber  from  the  Baronet's  saw-mills,  and  pearl  ashes  from  a  factorv 
on  his  estate,  built  to  furnish  them.  In  this  year  also  Sir  William 
built  the  first  Episcopal  church,  on  the  lot  where  the  present  building 
stands. 

The  Revolutionary  period  wrought  a  revolution,  indeed,  in  Johnstown. 
The  numerous  tenants  of  Sir  John  and  many  of  their  neighbors,  adhering 
to  his  fortunes  and  the  royal  cause,  left  the  couutry,  and  but  few  ever  re- 
turned. Little  inducement  to  return  was  left,  to  be  sure,  for  the  lands  f)f 
Sir  John  and  other  tory  proprietors  had  been  divided  into  small  lots,  and 
sold  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures,  and  were  occupied  by  a  new 
po[)ulation  from  abroad.  Among  those  residing  in  the  village  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war  were  Daniel  Claus,  John  Butler,  Gilbert  I'ice. 
Robert  Adams,  Hugh  Frasef,  Bryan  Lcfferty,  Hugh  McMonts  and  William 
Crowlev,  the  last  two  of  whom  were  killed  at  the  battle  near  the  Hail,  and 
the  first  two  were  attainted  with  Sir  John.  After  the  close  of  the  w.nr  the 
population  of  the  village  included  Zephaniah  Bachelor,  .Amaziah  Rust. 
John  Little,  Thomas  Read,  John  B.  Wemple,  John  McCarthy,  (iarret 
Stadts  and  John  Egan.  The  scanty  narrative  of  those  times  is  adorned  b\ 
a  romantic  episode,  whose  hero  and  heroine  were  residents  of  Johnstown. 
A  paper  published  in  London  in  17S5  thus  relates  it : 

"Died  at  Hammersmith,  .Mrs.  Ross,  celebrated  for  her  beauty  and  hi  r 
constancv.  Having  met  with  opposition  in  her  engagement  with  C.ipi.iin 
Charles  Ross,  she  followed  him  in  men's  clothes  to  .America,  where  after 
such  a  research  and  fatigue  as  scarce  any  of  her  sex  could  have  under- 
gone, she  found  him  in  the  woods,  lying  for  dead  after  a  skirmish  with  ihe 
Indians,  and  with  a  poisonetl  wound.  Having  previously  studied  surgtr)- 
in  England,  she,  with  an  ardor  and  vigilance  which  only  such  a  passuui 
could  inspire,  saved  his  life  by  sucking  his  wound.  During  this  time  she 
remained  unsuspected  by  him  until  his  recovery,  when,  as  soon  as  she 
found  a  clergyman  to  join  him  to  her  forever,  she  appeared  .as  herself,  the 
priest  accompanying  her.  They  lived  for  a  s|iace  of  four  years  in  a  fond- 
ness almost  ideal  to  the  present  age  of  corrujition,  and  that  could  only  in- 
interrupted  by  her  declining  health  in  consequence  of  the  poiscm  not  be 
ing  expelled  which  she  had  imbibed  from  his  wound.  The  knowledge  he 
had  of  it,  and  piercing  regret  at  having  been  the  occasion,  affecting  him 
still  more  sensibly,  he  died  of  a  broken  heart  at  Johnstown,  in  New  Vork. 
She  lived  to  return  and  obtain  forgiveness  of  her  family,  and  died  in  .  cm- 
sequence  of  her  grief  and  affliction  at  the  age  of  twenty-six," 

In  March  1778,  Johnstown  was  honored  by  no  less  a  presence  than  ili.ii 
of  the  Marcpiis  de  Lafayette,  who  wrote  from  here  to  (."olonel  Canst  \ci(.ri. 
urging  him  to  take  every  possible  measure  for  the  capture  of  Colonel  (  .irlc  - 
ton,  who  was  supposed  to  be  in  this  part  of  the  country  as  a  spy. 

Among  the  replies  to  invitations  sent  out  by  the  committee  in  ch.irgc  d 
the  centennial  celebration  of  the  building  of  the  court-house,  whic  h  w.is 
held  in  1872,  was  a  letter  from  the  venerable  Ex-Gov,  Enos  T,  rhrc.o|.. 
who  was  once  a  student  in  the  Johnstown  .Academy,  and  whose  IionIiocicI 
was  passed  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kingsboro.  In  that  letter  the  lollcii- 
ing  interesting  st.itenient  is  made  in  regard  to  the  condition  of  Jcilinsl<i«  11 
in  1790: 

"The  year  1772  was  but  twelve  years  before  my  birth,  .\t  sis  yens  d 
age  I  had  a  perfcc  t  knowledge  of  the  town  and   the  people,  and  my  im m 


190 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


Ofy  retains  it,  uiih  the  incidents  of  that  day.  Johnstown  at  that  day,  be- 
sidcrs  what  was  then  considered  the  palatial  edifice  erected  bv  Sir  WilliDm 
Johnson  as  his  residence,  consisted  of  the  Adams  house,  the  Read  house. 


the  Kawlins  [Rollins?]  house  (the  tavern 
stoae  churt  h,  and  a  few  small  dwellings  uhit  h  it 
erected  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  a  few  additi.m 
modate  the  business  and  domestic  comforts  of  th 
pitched  their  tents  there." 

The  brick  building  on  the  southeast  corner  of  M 
was  put  up  during  the  war  of  1812  by  Dr.  "  P.illy  " 
prominent  physician  in  the  village.  "  Hemlock  J 
Judge  Stewart,  was  the  boss  mason,  and  his  work 


ourt-house,  the  jail,  the 
it  ^\as   understood  were 


idents  who   had 


n  .ind  Willi.im  streets 
icid.  who  was  then  a 
n  ■■  Stewart,  father  of 
still  sound  and  firm. 


The  erection  of  so  mostly  and  large  a  sirm  lure  (36  feet  by  56,  and  two 
stories  high,  at  that  time  was  generally  regarded  as  rash  and  foolish. 

The  Rev.  John  Taylor,  who  made  a  missionary  tour  through  the  Mo- 
hawk and  Black  river  country  in  July,  1802,  kept  a  journal  in  which  he 
made  the  following  entry,  illustrative  of  the  condition  of  the  \illage  at  that 
time: 

"JoHNsrowN,  west  of  Amsterdam  on  the  .Mohawk — extent  11  bv  8 
miles.  It  contains  one  Scotch  Presbyterian  congregation,  who  have  an 
elegant  meeting  house.  Simon  Hosac  k  Pastor  of  the  Chh,  a  gent,  of  learn- 
ing and  piety,  educated  at  Edinburgh.  This  is  a  very  respectable  con- 
gregation. The  town  contains  an  Episcopal  congregation,  who  have  an 
elegant  stone  church  with  organs.  John  Urquahart  curate.  Congrega- 
tion not  numerous.  There  is  also  in  this  town  one  reformed  Dutch  chh. 
M'  Van  Horn,  an  excellent  character,  pastor.  A  respectable  congrega- 
tion. Further,  there  is  one  large  Presbyterian  congregation — vacant — the 
people  principally  from  New  England." 

Under  the  head  of  "General  Remarks,"  Mr.  Taylor  elaborates  some 
parts  of  his  diary,  making  further  reference  to  Johnstown  as  follows: 

''27th — Left  .\msterdam  and  traveled  5  miles  to  Johnstown — a  very 
pleasant  village — containing  one  Dutch  presbvterian  chh  and  an  Episco- 
palian. The  village  is  tolerably  well  built.  It  is  a  county  town — lies 
about  4  miles  from  the  River  and  contains  about  600  inhabitants.  In  this 
town  there  is  a  jail,  court  house  and  .in  academy,  .\bout  3-4ths  of  a  mile 
from  the  center  of  the  town  we  find  the  buildings  erected  by  Sir  William 
Johnson." 

Interesting  evidence  of  the  growth  of  the  village  in  population  and 
wealth  is  afforded  by  its  first  tax  lists.  The  earliest,  dated  December  19, 
1808,  included  155  persons,  whose  taxable  property  was  assessed  at  $80,000. 
The  tax  and  collection  fees  aggregated  §157.50.  In  iSio,  §85.26  was  col- 
lected on  §103.740  from  1 16  proprietors.  In  the  next  list  the  valuation 
was  §112,720;  the  tax,  §150.  In  1814,  valuation  §134,550  ;  tax,  §256.60; 
payers,  139.  The  tax  list  of  1877  named  1,110  persons,  530  of  them  pay- 
ing only  the  poll  tax  of  §1.  The  taxable  property  was  assessed  at  §586,797, 
including  §40,500  personal  property,  and  §21,512  owned  by  three  corpor- 
ations— the  Kond.a,  Johnstown  and  Gloversville  Railroad  ;  the  Johnstown 
and  Kingsboro  Horse  Railroad,  and  the  Cayadutta  Plank  Road.  The 
amount  of  taxes  was  §7,129.98,  as  follows  :  General  fund,  §2,932.49  ;  streets, 
$3.03J-49  ;  poll  ^^^'  S1.033  ;  dogs,  §131. 

William  street,  at  the  pointopposite  the  Episcopal  church,  was  paved  in 
1815.  The  street  now  known  as  Church  street  was  laid  out  and  the. ad- 
jacent land  divided  into  building  lots  in  1826. 

The  Rural  R^poiitory  of  .April  20.  1S44,  described  the  village  as  con- 
taining "  a  bank,  an  academy,  4  churches —  I  Presliyterian.  r  Episcopalian, 
I  Dutch  Reformed,  and  i  Methodist — and  about  250  dwellings,"  and  said 
that  it  was  "  regularly  laid  out  by  Henry  Outhoudt,  Jeremiah  Van  Rens- 
selaer and  Christojjher  P.  ^'ates.  State  Commissioners,  in  1784." 

The  rectangular  jilan  of  streets  which  would  seem  to  haie  been 
adopted  near  a  century  ago,  when  the  village  had  but  a  few  hundred  in- 
habitants, has  been  generally  adhered  to  during  its  growth  to  a  town  of 
nearly  five  thousand  |ieople.  Along  its  broad  highways,  as  they  have  been 
laid  out  from  time  to  time,  trees  have  been  planted,  which  have  grown  to 
the  noble  ranks  of  elms  and  maples  that  now  line  the  streets,  casting  their 
shadows  upon  the  picturesque  houses  of  former  generations,  as  well  as  on 
the  stylish  mansions  of  more  recent  comers. 

In  1810,  the  legislature  passed  an  act  incorporating  a  company  to  sup- 
ply the  iillagc  with  water.  Pump  logs  were  l.iid  in  the  streets  for  that 
purpose,  but  the  attempt  was  a  failure.  In  October,  1877,  a  similar  en- 
terprise, but  on  a  far  more  liberal  si  ale  and  with  more  flattering  |>r(isperts, 
was  authorized  by  a  vote  of  the  taxpayers   of  the  corporation,  ini  hiding 


six  ladies,  of  whom  Mrs.  John  R.  Stewart  was  the   first  woman  who  ever 
voted  at  an  authorized  election  in  Johnstown. 

INTERESTING  OLD  HOUSES. 

The  \illage  of  Johnstown,  as  might  be  expected  of  so  old  a  place, 
contains  many  houses  interesting  from  their  age  and  associations.  Coi»- 
mon  among  these  old  fashioned  dwellings,  are  the  long  double  houses 
standing  side  to  the  street  and  close  to  the  walk,  with  the  doors  of  tie 
respecti\e  ends  adjoining  each  other  in  the  center.  These  buildinp 
seem  to  have  been  depri\ed  of  front  yards  by  the  choice  of  the  builders, 
as  those  in  crowded  cities  are  b\'  sad  necessity  ;  the  effect  is  injurious  to 
the  appearance  of  the  village.  Some  of  the  oldest  and  most  interesting 
houses  in  this  ancient  town  are  about  the  intersection  of  William  and 
Clinton  streets.  No.  46  William  street  is  pointed  out  as  having  been 
built  pretty  well  toward  a  century  ago,  by  Richard  Dodge,  a  surveyor  atsd 
merchant,  a  Brigadier-General  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  also  remem- 
bered as  the  husband  of  .Anna,  a  sister  of  Washington  Irving.  The  il- 
lustrious author  visited  here  in  the  years  1800  .when  he  was  seventeen)^ 
1802,  1803  and  1808,  the  last  time  on  the  occasion  of  his  sister's  dealt 
On  his  way  from  New  York  to  Johnstown,  he  sailed  up  the  Hudson,  whose 
impressions  on  his  youthful  mind  he  has  described  with  characteristic 
grace.  The  northern  rooms  on  the  second  floor  are  said  to  have  been  oc- 
cupied by  Irving.  The  northeast  room  on  the  ground  floor  was  Di. 
Miller's  office  during  his  occupancy  of  the  place.  The  next  house  to  tic 
south  we  are  informed  was  once  a  part  of  this  one. 

It  has  often  been  asserted  that  Mrs.  James  Mclntyre  brought  from  Scot- 
land the  first  piano  seen  in  this  town.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  oik 
which  Mr.  .\maziah  Rust  bought  for  his  daughter,  afterwards  Mrs.  Dt. 
James  Miller,  preceded  it.  There  was  a  spinet,  a  very  old  instrument,  in 
i  the  Sadler  family,  and  it  is  believed  to  be  still  extant.  It  was  nearly  lii- 
I  angular  in  form,  with  key  board  across  the  end,  and  was  altogether  a  cun- 
osity,  being  a  half-sister  or  so  of  the  harpsichord. 

EARLY  VILL.AGE  ORDINANCES. 

The  village  was  incorporated  April  i,  1808.  December  6,  of  that  year, 
was  held  the  first  meeting  of  freeholders  and  inhabitants  to  choose 
trustees.  The  five  elected  were,  Daniel  Cady,  Daniel  Paris,  Danid 
Holden,  Caleb  Johnson  and  Caleb  Grinnel.  One  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars was  voted  for  purposes  contemplated  by  the  act  of  incorporation. 
Joseph  Cuyler  was  appointed  clerk.  \  resolution  was  adopted  to  nica 
next  day  to  appoint  firemen,  and  at  that  time  twenty-four  were  ap- 
pointed. The  villagers  were  resolutely  determined  not  to  be  burned 
out  if  it  could  be  prevented  by  the  faithful  use  of  even  the  most  prim- 
itive means;  as  witness  the  following  "rules,  orders  and  regulations," 
"  ordained,  constituted  and  established,"  "  at  a  meeting  of  the  free- 
holders and  inhabitants  of  Johnstown,  on  the  15th  day  of  Decembn, 
1808." 

"  First,  That  every  house  keeper,  shop  keeper,  and  store  keeper  in  said 
village  shall  once  in  two  months  hereafter  clean  each  chimney  and  stovi:- 
pipe  in  his  or  her  house,  shop  or  store,  either  by  having  them  sweeped  01 
burned,  and  each  offender  against  this  rule  shall  forfeit  fifty  cents  for  e.icfe 
offense  ;  provided  that  this  rule  shall  extend  only  to  such  stoves  and  chim- 
neys in  which  fire  is  usually  kept. 

"  Sfconii,  That  any  house  keeper,  shop  keeper  or  store  keeper,  who  shall 
permit  any  one  of  his  or  her  chimneys  or  stove  pipes  to  be  so  foul  that  they 
shall  take  fire  in  the  night  time,  so  as  to  bla^e  out  of  the  top  of  the  chim- 
ney, shall  forfeit  .ind  pay  five  dollars. 

"  ThirJ,  That  the  owner  of  every  dwelling  house  in  said  village  shall 
within  twenty  days  after  passing  this  rule,  provide  and  keep  xs  many  pails 
or  leathern  buckets  as  there  are  fireplaces  or  stoves  in  said  house  ;  on 
which  pails  and  buckets  the  initial  letters  of  the  name  of  the  owner  shall 
be  marked,  and  everv  such  owner  who  shall  neglect  to  procure  and  keci* 
such  pails  or  buckets  shall  forfeit  and  pay  twenty-five  cents  for  each  wed 
which  he  or  she  shall  be  guilty  of  such  neglect,  provided  no  owner  shall  1* 
compelled  to  provide  and  keep  more  than  six  pails  or  buckets  for  eacli 
dwelling  house. 

"  FiHirth,  That  every  owner  of  a  dwelling  house  in  the  village  of  Johns- 
town shall  within  six  months  furnish  their  respective  dwelling  houses  with 


t'i0U^tR0HOi}P 


EARLY  ORDINANCES  OF  JOHNSTOWN  VILLAGE— THE  COURT  HOUSE. 


191 


good  and  sufficient  leathern  fire  buckets,  containing  ten  quarts  each,  in  the 
following  pro(>ortion,  to  wit  :  each  house  having  not  to  exceed  three  fire- 
iilaces  shall  be  provided  with  two  buckets  ;  for  houses  having  four  or  five 
fireplaces,  three  buckets  ;  for  those  having  six  fireplaces,  four  buckets, 
and  one  additional  bucket  for  every  two  fireplaces  which  such  house  may 
contain  over  the  number  six.  And  that  c\cry  owner  of  such  dwelling  house 
shall  forfeit  and  pay  five  dollars  for  every  neglect  to  procure  and  keep  such 
buckets  as  aforesaid,  on  which  said  buckets  shall  be  marked  the  initial  let- 
ters of  the  name  of  such  owner,  ihey  hanging  u])  in  .t  convenient  i)lace 
near  the  front  door  of  such  house.  That  each  owner  of  such  dwelling  house 
shall  forfeit  and  pay  after  the  recovery  of  such  penalty,  the  further  penalty 
of  twenty-five  cents  for  each  week's  neglect  to  furnish  and  keep  such 
buckets." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees,  March  21.  1S09.  Caleb  Johnson  was  author- 
ized to  make  a  seal  for  the  village,  with  the  device  JVC'S.  Two  hundred 
dollars  was  voted  for  the  purposes  of  the  incorporation.  Caleb  Grinnel^ 
and  Daniel  Holden  were  appointed  a  committee  to  contract  for  building 
an  engine-house.  Amaziah  Rust  and  John  Yost  were  elected  trustees  in 
place  of  the  first  two  of  the  former  board. 

May  28  the  trustees  ordered  a  suit  against  Daniel  Bedford  "for  his 
chimney  blazing  ojt  in  the  night  time,"  and  fined  each  of  their  number 
who  did  not  attend  the  meeting  u  1-2  cents. 

At  the  next  meetmg,  which  was  at  the  house  of  Phineas  Leach,  Daniel 
Holden  was  authorized  "to  put  up  hooks  or  pins  in  the  avenue  of  P.  A. 
Vosburgh,  under  the  second  loft  of  his  store,  sufficient  to  hang  up  the 
hooks,  spuds  and  three  ladders."  "Also  Uziah  Crosby,  Michael  R.  .Mor- 
gan, Rufus  Mason  and  Henry  F.  Vates,  and  any  four  4)  others  to  asso- 
ciate with  them  to  form  a  fire-hook  com[)anv,  and  they  be  ready  at  cry 
of  fire  to  attend  at  the  place  with  hooks,  spuds  and  ladders."  The  treas- 
urer was  ordered  to  proceed  against  the  collector  if  he  did  not  settle  his 
account. 

August  5,  two  wells  were  ordered  to  be  sunk;  one  on  the  southeast  cor- 
ner of  the  court-house  lot,  the  other  on  the  southeast  corner  of  John 
Yost's,  10  feet  deep  and  wide. 

At  a  tpeeting  of  freeholders,  September  9,  it  was  resolved  that  a  fine  of 
50  cents  be  imposed  upon  all  housekeepers  who  failed  to  place  lights  in 
their  windows  in  the  night-time  when  a  fire  occurred.  .Also,  that  people 
should  form  themselves  in  ranks  tn  carry  water  to  the  engine  in  case  of  fire. 

May  15,  1810,  H.  V.  Yates,  William  A.  Reid,  H.  B.  Henry,  U.  Crosby 
and  William  Middleton  were  appointed  trustees. 

Clement  Sadleir  is  the  first  justice  mentioned,  May  21,  1810. 

August  27,  the  office  of  superintendent  of  streets  and  walks  was  created; 
Daniel  Holden  was  the  first  incumbent. 

September  24,  1814,  a  market-house  was  ordered  to  be  built  on  Johnson 
street.  It  was  also  voted  that  2,  j.  6,  12  1-2  and  25  cent  bills  be  emitted 
to  the  amount  of  $3°°^  ^^"^  '"'"*  '°  I"-'  'Signed  by  William  A.  Reid,  and 
countersigned  by  the  treasurer,  at  whose  office  they  were  payable.  It  was 
ordered  that  St.  John's  church  bell  be  rung  at  such  times  as  directed  by 
the  board. 

May  15,  1815,  the  stalls  in  the  market-house  were  ordered  sold;  the 
house  itself  was  ordered  sold  in  1S18,  and  in  1820  removed  and  made  into 
an  ordnance  house. 

May  22,  the  size  of  a  loaf  of  bread  was  regulated  as  follows  :  Weight  of 
a  b.arrel  of  flour,  4,032  ounces  ;  price,  72  shillings  ;  making  up,  28  shillings  ; 
total,  100  shillings,  or  §12.50.  "Divide  4,032  by  100,  the  c]uotient  will  be 
40  ounces  and  i«,oz.,  being  the  ounces  the  shilling  loaf  must  weigh  when  a 
barrel  of  flour  costs  72  shillings  or  9  dollars;  and  when  the  fractional 
parts  are  less  than  half  an  ounce  in  the  above  calculation,  such  parts  shall 
be  rejected  ;  and  when  half  an  ounce  or  more,  then  one  ounce  shall  be 
added  to  the  loaf  on  account  of  sui  h  fractional  part  ;  and  the  above  cal- 
culation, and  the  same  proportion,  should  be  observed  in  all  cases,  as  well 
for  the  sixpenny  as  for  the  shilling  loaf,  always  allowing  28  shillings  for 
baking  one  barrel  of  flour  into  bread." 

The  village  was  divided  into  three  wards. 

June  8,  1816,  the  treasurer  reported  that  the  amount  of  bills  issued  by 
the  corporation  was  §3,365. 

In  hebruary,  181S,  a  shilling  loaf  from  superior  flour  was  made  to  weigh 
2  lbs.  2  oz,;  from  conmion  flour,  2  lbs.  6  oz. 

March  25,  1822,  the  Legislature  was  petitioned  to  license  grocers  and 
viduallers,  the  proi  eeds  to  support  the  fire  department  The  first  charge 
for  a  grocer's  license  was  §10;  afterward  $5.  and  still  later  $12.50.  A 
new  engine  w.ts  ordered  m  1S24  at  a  cost  of  §500. 


THE  COUNTY  BUILDINGS. 

The  court-house  and  jail,  which  have  served  the  purposes  of  justice  for 
three  counties  and  more  than  a  century  of  time,  have  an  interesting  his- 
tory of  their  own.  On  the  formation  of  Tryon  county  from  Albany,  in 
1772,  a  measure  which  Sir  William  Johnson  was  very  prominent  in  pro- 
moting. Gov,  Tryon  naturally  named  Johnstown  as  the  county  seal.  The 
act  creating  the  new  count)'  authorized  its  justices  and  supervisors  "  to 
raise  a  sum  not  exceeding  ^'1,000,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  jail  and 
court-house."  They  were  begun  toward  the  end  of  May,  1772,  which  wxs 
a  season  of  great  activity  in  building  and  road-making  in  the  village  and 
neighborhood.  The  bricks  for  the  court-house  were  brought  from  Eng- 
land, reaching  .Albany  by  boat,  and  being  carried  the  rest  of  the  way  In 
wagons.  The  neat  building  which  was  made  from  them,  although  the 
oldest  court-house  in  the  State,  is  still  perfectly  sound  and  well  preserved, 
showing  hardly  a  sign  of  its  venerable  age  except  in  Its  quaint  outlines, 
especially  its  low  walls  and  steep  roof.  In  the  tower  surmounting  the 
latter  a  great  iron  bar,  bent  into  a  triangle,  has  for  more  than  a  hundred 
years  served  the  purpose  of  a  bell. 

The  centennial  anniversary  of  the  laying  of  the  comer  stone  of  the 
building  was  made  the  occasion  of  a  most  interesting  celebration,  June  26, 
1872,  at  which  the  Hon.  Horatio  Seymour  delivered  one  of  his  valuable 
historical  addresses,  to  a  multitude  gathered  In  and  about  the  court-house 
green.  Many  of  his  auditors  were  from  abroad,  including  delegations  of 
Knight  Templars  from  Utica  and  Gloversville.  In  pointing  out  the  signifi- 
cance of  the  occasion  celebrated,  Mr.  Seymour  said  : 

"  The  edifice  and  Its  objects  were  in  strange  contrast  with  the  aspect  of 
the  country.  It  was  pushing  the  forms  and  rules  of  English  jurisprudence 
far  into  the  territories  of  the  Indian  tribes,  and  it  was  one  of  the  first  steps 
taken  in  that  march  of  civilization  which  has  now  forced  its  way  across 
the  continent.  There  is  a  historic  interest  attached  to  all  the  classes  of 
men  who  met  at  that  time.  There  was  the  German  from  the  Palatinate, 
who  had  been  driven  from  his  home  by  the  invasion  of  the  French,  and 
who  had  been  sent  to  this  country  by  the  .Ministry  of  Queen  Anne  ;  the 
Hollander,  who  could  look  with  pride  upon  the  struggles  of  his  country 
against  the  powers  of  Spain  and  in  defence  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  ; 
the  stern  Iroquois  warriors,  the  conquerors  of  one  half  the  original  terri- 
tories of  our  Union,  who  looked  upon  the  ceremonies  in  their  quiet, 
watchful  way.  There  was  also  a  band  of  Catholic  Scotch  Highlanders, 
who  had  been  driven  away  from  their  native  hills  by  the  harsh  policy  of 
the  British  government,  which  sought  by  such  rigor  to  force  the  rule  of  law 
upon  the  wild  clansmen.  There  were  to  be  seen  Brant  and  Butler,  and 
others  whose  names  to  this  day  recall  in  this  valley  scenes  of  cruelty,  rapine 
and  bloodshed.  The  presence  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  with  an  attendance 
of  British  officers  and  soldiers,  gave  dignity  and  brilliancy  to  the  event, 
while  over  all  the  group,  asserting  the  power  of  the  Crown,  waved  the 
broad  folds  of  the  British  flag.  The  aspects  of  those  who  then  met  at 
this  place  not  only  made  a  clear  picture  of  the  state  of  our  country,  but 
it  came  at  a  point  of  time  in  our  history  of  intense  interest.  *  *  *  All  in 
that  mingled  crowd  of  soldiers,  settlers  and  savages  felt  that  the  future  was 
dark  and  dangerous.  They  had  fought  side  by  side  in  the  deep  forests, 
against  the  French  and  their  Indian  allies  ;  now  they  did  not  know  how 
soon  they  would  meet  as  foes,  In  deadly  conflict." 

A  portrait  of  Sir  William  Johnson  was  hung  outside  the  front  wall  of  the 
court-house,  and  over  It  was  suspended  the  British  flag  with  the  inscrip- 
tion :  "One  Hundred  Years  Ago."  Resting  upon  the  railing  near  the 
entrance  was  a  massive  iron  casting  of  the  English  coat  of  arms,  imported 
by  Sir  William.  The  celebration  ended  with  the  re-laying  of  the  corner 
stone  of  the  court-house  with  appropriate  ceremonies. 

The  committee  having  charge  of  the  celebration  received  a  number  of 
highly  interesting  letters  from  eminent  gentlemen  In  different  parts  of  the 
State,  whom  they  had  invited  to  be  present  on  the  occasion.  In  his  re- 
sponse to  the  committee's  Invitation,  .Mr  John  Frey  wrote  as  follows  : 

"The  eminent  jurists— Rent,  Piatt.  Spencer,  Van  Ness  and  their  com- 
peers, who  adorned  the  bench  of  the  State  in  an  early  period  of  our  history 
and  whose  names  will  ever  be  identified  with  legal  science  and  jurispru- 
dence, have  all  presided  in  this  ancient  tcmjile  of  justice  ;  and  the  elo- 
quence of  all  the  great  lawyers  of  the  State— Emmett,  Burr,  Hamilton, 
Henry,  Van  Vechten,  Cady  and  others  who  were  their  contemporaries,  has 
resounded  within  its  walls.     To  myself  there  are  many  pleasant   memories 


lae 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


associated  with  that  relic  of  a  past  age.  I  bhall  be  excused  for  alluding  to 
a  single  one  :  The  first  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  peace — if  not  the 
^:j/ court — was  held  in  the  new  courl-house  on  the  Sth  day  of  September, 
1772,  a  few  months  after  its  completion.  It  was  presided  over  by  Guy 
Johnson  as  chief  judge,  by  eight  assistant  judges  and  six  justices.  Among 
tfae  latter  was  my  esteemed  and  venerable  ancestor,  John  Krey,  who  sub- 
sequently became  identified  as  a  brigade  major  with  our  Revolutionary 
druggie,  and  was  wounded  and  taken  pri^)Oner  at  the  battle  of  (^riskany." 

Mr.  K.  C.  Benedict  of  New  Vork  wrote  : 

**  It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  rc-\isit  the  scenes  and  recall  the 
pjeasont  memories  of  my  earliest  professional  studies  and  experience  fifty 
years  ago,  when  I  derived  pleasure  and  profit  from  the  learning  and  ability 
of  such  lawyers  as  Daniel  Cady,  Marcus  I'.  Reynolds,  John  W.  Cady,\Vm. 
L  Dotlge,  Henry  Cunningham  and  others,  who  were  the  leaders  of  the  dis- 
traguished  bar  of  Montgomery  halt  a  century  ago,  and  to  whom  from  term 
to  term  I  had  the  opportunity  to  listen  in  the  'old  court-house.'" 

The  most  noted  case  tried  in  this  court-house,  in  recent  years,  was  that 
oi  the  people  against  Frederick  Smith,  charged  with  the  murder  of  Ed- 
ward Yost.  The  latter  kept  a  meat  market  adjoining  Hays  and  Wells' 
bank,  and  slept  in  a  bedroom  occupying  a  corner  of  the  hank  building. 
In  the  morning  of  March  6,  1875,  the  bank  was  discovered  on  fire,  and  a 
nomber  of  men  who  entered  and  extinguished  the  fiames  found  the  corpse 
of  Yost  lying  on  the  floor  of  the  bedroom,  charred  and  disfigured  bv  the 
fire,  which  had  burned  through  beneath  it,  aad  having  in  the  head  two 
ballet  wounds,  one  of  which  might  have  caused  instant  death.  The  gold 
watch  of  the  murdered  man,  worth  §190,  a  diamond  pin  worn  by  him,  and 
several  hundred  dollars  he  had  taken  from  the  market,  had  been  stolen, 
and  the  building  fired  to  obliterate  the  evidence  of  the  crime.  Suspicion 
fdl  upon  a  young  man,  named  Frederick  Smith,  who  had  been  in  partner- 
ship with  Yost,  but  had  separated  from  him  on  unfriendly  terms.  While 
in  business  with  the  deceased  Smith  had  >ltpt  with  him  in  the  bank,  and 
occasionally  afterward,  once  two  week^  before  the  murder.  He  was 
familiar  with  the  interior  and  fastenings  of  the  building,  and  with  Mr. 
Yost's  dog,  an  animal  fierce  and  dangerous  to  strangers,  kept  in  the  bank 
by  night.  He  admitted  having  been  about  town  until  between  one  and 
two  o'clock  on  the  fatal  morning,  but  denied  all  knowledge  of  the  crime. 
He  was  arrested,  however,  and  after  lying  in  jail  nearly  a  year  was 
brought  to  trial.  He  was  aci|uiiled  by  the  efforts  of  able  counsel,  and 
subsenuently  went  to  California.  Rewards  amounting  to  $6,000  were 
offered  by  the  sheriff  of  the  county,  the  friends  of  the  deceased  and  Gov- 
ernor Tilden.  for  the  detection  of  the  murderer,  hut  no  convi(_tion  for  the 
horrible  crime  was  ever  reached. 

One  of  the  first  murder  trials  in  the  court-house — perhaps  the  first — 
was  that  of  John  Adam  Hnrtman.  a  Revolutionary  veteran  ot  the  Mohawk 
valley,  for  killing  an  Indian,  in  1783,  in  the  present  town  and  county  of 
Herkimer.  They  had  met  at  a  tavern,  and  the  savage  had  excitcil  Hart- 
man's  abhorrence  by  boasting  of  murders  an<l  m  alpings  performet.1  b\  hun 
daring  the  war,  and  partii  ularly  by  displa\ing,  as  the  white  man  alleged, 
a  tobacco  pouch  made  from  the  skin  of  ihe  hand  and  part  of  the  arm  of 
a  white  child,  with  tlie  finger  nails  remaining  attai  hed.  Hartman  con- 
cealed his  feelings  at  the  momehi.  .\m[  tlic  twn  k-fi  the  ta\ern  to  traverse 
together  a  forest,  t'rom  which  the  red  man  never  returned,  and  in  uhi,  h  his 
ImxIv.  his  rifle,  and  some  baggage  he  was  carrying  were  found  a  \e.ir  later. 
Hartman  wa-»  ac  quitted  for  lack  of  legal  evidence. 

"  .\mong  the  interesting  trials  that  ha\e  taken  place  in  this  county,  \sas 
one  that  oc(  iirred  in  1S2S.  Henry  Garlm  k  brought  an  ai  tinn  for  tresp.i^s 
against  Henry  J.  Failing  to  re<  over  rhe  value  of  his  negro  sl.ne.  ]mI. 
whom,  it  was  alleged,  the  defendant  had  ^^  ron.ufully  and  mali<  inuslv  killed. 
JJarlock  had  a  deed  of  the  negro,  the  .  on-id^ration  being  S^^o  l-.ulmg 
admitted  killing  the  negro,  but  said  it  was  ihrnugli  a  misiakc,  llie  <  irruni- 
stames  as  they  were  proved  m  .  ourt  w  t  re  as  ri)llow.  :  (  )n  the  niL^ht  ..f  the 
homicide  the  negroes  had  a  g.itliering  near  the  ri\er  below  I  )iii.  htown. 
became  int.. \ii.Ued  ..ml  hn.ke  up  at  a  late  h.uir.  Jai  k  ..n<i  ..ne  of  his 
romitanions  started  fnr  home,  on  the  rna<l  passing  ilefciKlanl's  house 
Durmg  the  night  a  l.Luk  man  railed  at  Failing's  house  saying  that  he  had 
seen  a  bear  a  short  (hstam  e  froin  the  house.  Failing  took  his  rifle,  nnd, 
accompanied  by  his  di-g,  startcil  in  search  of  the  bi-ir.  uhi.  h  he  >uon  dis- 
covered sitting  upon  hi>  h.num  lus  about  ten  rods  dist.ml,  Ihe  <log  re- 
fused lo  :idv  am  e.  anil  Fnhn-  <"uld  sec  by  the  liim  starlight  liu-  eyes  of 
the  bear.  Taking  g....d  aim  between  the  eyes  he  firctl.  .\  terrible  gruan, 
a  struggle  mh\  all  v\.is  still.     A  light  was  pun  u red.  and  on  proceeding  to 


the  spot  there  lay  Jack,  stone  dead.  It  appeared  that  the  negro  had  taken 
a  keg  from  a  trough  where  it  had  been  placed  to  soak,  and  seated  himself 
upon  it  in  the  middle  of  the  road,  with  his  back  towards  Failing,  who  mis- 
took the  bright  buttons  upon  his  coat  for  the  eyes  of  the  bear.  Eminem 
counsel  were  employed  on  botn  sides,  and  the  result  was  a  verdict  for  the 
plaintiff  for  $250." 

Among  the  Johnstown  lawyers  to  whom  the  old  court-house  was  a 
forensic  arena  in  the  closing  years  of  the  last  century,  was  Cieorge  J. 
Eacker.  son  of  judge  Eacker.  of  Palatine,  and  nephew  of  (ien.  Herkimer. 
.\t  the  opening  of  the  present  century  he  went  to  New  York,  where  he  be- 
came associated  in  a  law  firm  with  Brockholst  Livingston,  and  took  a  high 
rank  at  the  metropolitan  bar.  He  bet  ame  a  friend  and  admirer  of  Aaron 
Hurr,  and  was  a  Jeffcrsonian  in  politics.  Party  feeling  ran  very  high,  ami 
Eacker  soon  began  to  quarrel  with  the  F'ederalists,  who  called  him  "  thr 
.Mohawk  Dutchman."  On  leaving  a  theatre  in  John  street,  one  evening  m 
1802,  some  of  the  latter  party,  including  Philip,  son  of  Alexander  Hamil- 
ton, encountered  him  and  addressed  to  him  offensive  words,  which  led  ro 
a  bloodless  duel  at  Weehawken  between  Eacker  and  one  Priest.  Young 
Hamilton  thereupon  challenged  the  former.  They  met  the  next  day  on 
the  same  ground,  and  Hamilton  fell,  mortally  wounded,  on  the  spot  where 
his  illustrious  father  was  destined,  two  years  later,  to  perish  in  the  same 
ignoble  way  at  the  hand  of  Eacker's  patron,  Aaron  Burr.  Eacker  fell 
into  a  decline,  and  died  about  two  years  after  the  duel.  He  never  mar- 
ried, but  the  descendants  of  his  kindred  still  live  in  the  region  of  his  native 
place. 

The  jail  was  begun  at  the  same  time  with  the  court-house.  An  appn*- 
priation  of  ^1,600  was  obtained  from  the  Legislature  in  1774  for  the  com- 
pletion of  both  buildings.  The  jail,  like  the  courl-house,  has  served  its 
original  purpose  from  that  day  to  this.  The  walls  were  built  four  feel 
thick,  of  stone.  Under  date  of  October  26,  1775,  the  Tr>on  County 
Revolutionary  Committee  inquired  of  Sir  John  John>on  whether  he  pre- 
tended a  prerogative  to  the  court-house  and  jail,  "  and  would  hinder  or 
interrupt  the  committee  to  make  use  of  the  same  public  houses  to  our  w.m: 
and  service  in  the  common  cause."  Sir  John,  in  reply,  claimed  the  build- 
ings as  his  property  until  he  should  be  refunded  ^700  which  Sir  Wi',- 
liam  had  advanced  toward  their  construction.  The  committee,  at  ihe 
time  respecting  this  claim,  fitted  up  a  private  house  as  a  prison,  and  sent 
some  convicts  to  Albany  and  Hartford  for  safe-keeping.  Congress,  how- 
ever, ftas  informed  that  Sir  William  had  conveyed  the  buildings  to  tr  e 
countv.  and  the  jail  was  used  as  a  fort  by  the  patriots  during  the  Rew>l..- 
tion.  being  fortified  with  palisades  and  block-houses.  In  1.S49  the  wood- 
work was  burned  out,  and  one  of  the  walls  so  much  injured  as  to  nctd 
rebuilding. 

Ihe  present  county  clerk's  ofhce  was  built   in  1867.       The  one  usee:   ..; 
t(.  I  Hi  5  was  a  little  building  near  the  Academy.      In  that  year  rhe  .^e.  <-■•: 
was  built,  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  court-house  lot.  whu  h  serve*,    ^i-i 
'replaced  by  the  present  structure. 

THE   DEVELOPMENT  OF   HL'SINESS. 

Themuliq.liiation  ot  business  pla.  cs  in  a  toun  m  it^  m.iturer  >r:ir-...''- 
for  only  a  pi-.sing  notii  e  in  its  annals.  Not  so  with  the  earlasi  srr|.-  ■■•' 
trade  and  manufacture  in  a  »  ommunity,  when  the  opening  ()f  a  new  m  '. 
store  or  shop  cuts  off  miles  from  the  distance  the  piimeer  miisi  go  Jor  tr  . 
ne<  essnries  of  life;  or  breaks  up  a  pre\ioiisly  existing  nii-nopob;  itr  w.u 
diues  a  new  industry  destined  to  liecome  the  absrtrbing  inleresi  ..f  :  < 
town.  The  beginnings  of  things  are  the  subject  of  the  hiMorian's  krti;.  ' 
stud\.  and  the  hr-i  \eniiires  of  business  in  its  \arions  .  hanncK  in  the  \ 
lage  i-f  Johiistc^wn  now  .  I.iim  onr  atleiilion. 

Sir  \\  illinin's  pro\ision  for  the  earliest  wants  of  the  vrllai^r  in  du  it(  ■■  - 
i»f  luinlier  and  prarl  ashes  has  already  been  noted.  To  the  north  <••  r  ' 
Hall,  on  the  neiglibor.ng  sircim.  stood  also  the  first  grist-inill  m  tin  r.«  •' 
settlement.  erc»  ted  by  the  Itanmet  in  1766.  An  old  road  Ani\  Indi.in  tr. 
passed  by  the  building.  "Peter  Young,  miller,"  mentioned  among  - 
William's  tenants,  probably  managed  the  concern. 

The  first  .anbng-mill  was  put  np  by  Edward  Aiken,  ami  w. is  a  ^;rt.ii 
ion\enien.  e  to  the  settler.,  who  universally  made  their  own  .  loih. 

Ihe  first  men  iianis  doubtless  sold  a  grL:iter  variety  of  arti(  Ics  than  is-  - 
be  b)und  in  the  viine  st.ire  at  present  in  our  larger  tonns.  0,ieK"l'<-' 
A.lams   was   on    hand    in    the    first   dajsof  John-tow  n,  and  the    foilow.r^' 


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ruLTON     CO.,  N.Y. 


FIRST  STORES,  SHOPS  AND  TAVERNS  OF  JOHNSTOWN. 


193 


ritract  from  his  day-book  shows  some  of  his  dealings  with  the  gentleman 
aho  must  have  been  his  best  customer: 

Johnstown,  4  July  1771. 
Sj  Sir  William  Johnson   Bt  Dr. 

To  White  Breeches  patterns,          -           -          -         20s.  ^2  o  o 

ij  yds.  White  I.inen, 4s.  6 

1-16  White  Broadcloth, 44s.  2  9 

1  Pairs  Knie  Garters,         -                   -         -                  3s.  6 

2  Skains  White  Silk, is.  2 

2  Sticks  do  Mohair, gd.  16 

2  do2.  Small  Buttons.    ------    gd.  i  6 

\  doz.  large  do.         ------  g 

£i  °  6 

Mr,  .Adams  is  said  to  have  built  a  house  on  the  present  site  of  the  Sir 
William  Johnson  Hotel,  moving  into  it  November  23,  1769.  Sir  William's 
will  contains  the  following  item  :  "  To  my  faithful  friend  Robert  .\dams, 
F.sq.,  of  Johnstown,  the  dwelling  house,  other  buildings  and  the  lot  and  one 
.iij-e  whereon  he  now  lives,  the  potash  laboratory  and  one  .icre  of  land 
with  it;  also  the  fami  which  he  holds  by  deed  from  me  ;  all  free  from  rent 
(luring  his  natural  life  except  the  (piit-rent."  L.  J.  Smith  began  busmess 
as  a  merchant  in  Johnstown  in  181S,  and  was  in  trade  in  the  village  for 
over  fift)-eight  years.     He  was  born  in  Rutland  county,  Vermont. 

"  William  Phillips,  wagon-maker,"  whose  name  occurs  among  the  first 
baronet's  tenants,  must  be  supposed  to  ha\e  been  the  first  in  his  line,  but 
one  of  the  pioneer  wagon-builders  in  the  country  was  William  Chauncey 
Hutchinson,  originally  from  Sharon,  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  who 
came  to  the  village  about  17S0.  and  earned  on  his  business  first  on  Perry 
street,  and  afterward  on  Market  street,  near  the  corner  of  Green,  and  still 
later  at  Garoga  in  the  town  of  Ephratah.  His  son  William  followed  the 
same  business  at  Ciaroga,  and  later  at  Lassclsville  in  the  same  town.  His 
wagons  and  sleighs,  though  less  stylish  than  those  now  made,  were  more 
serviceable,  and  iiained  a  wide  reputation  for  their  durability,  selling  in 
lefferson  county  and  even  in  Canada.  Some  of  his  carriages  made  for  old 
residents  about  Johnstown,  as  the  Yosts.  McEwens.  Cases  and  Hildreths, 
over  forty  years  ago,  are  still  intact.  C.  X.  Stewart,  born  in  Johnstown  in 
1810,  commenced  the  manufacture  of  wagons  in  1827,  in  the  building  now 
standing  at  the  corner  of  Market  and  (ireen  streets. 

One  Van  Sickler  is  thought  to  have  been  the  first  blacksmith  in  the  set- 
tlement, probablv  Sir  William's  tenant  of  that  name,  as  the  Baronet  is  said 
to  have  employed  a  blacksmith.  Nicholas  Stoner  used  traps  made  by  a 
Johnstown  blacksmith  named  .Mann. 

\  tanner  named  I'eter  \'ost  is  also  mentioned  among  Sir  William's  tenan- 
try-.    Uziel  Crosby  started  a  tannery  about  1810  and  operated  it  until  1826. 

The  Montgomery  County  Bank  was  chartered  in  1S31,  and  located  at 
Johnstown  through  the  influence  of  State  senator  Wm.  1.  Dodge,  a  resident 
of  the  village,  and  agamst  the  wishes  of  the  Mohawk  river  villages.  The 
bank  began  business  with  a  ca|iital  of  §100,000.  The  first  officers  were  : 
President,  Daniel  Potter ;  vice-president,  Daniel  Cady  ;  cashier,  Nathan 
P.  Wells.  On  the  death  of  Mr.  Potter,  Mr  Cady  succeeded  him.  Dr.  J.  W. 
Miller  taking  Mr.  Cady's  ])lace  Mr.  N.  P.  Wells  was  next  president,  and 
his  son  Edward,  cashier.  Dr.  .MiJIer  afterwards  succeeded  to  the  presi- 
dency, but  Mr.  Edward  Wells  subsequently  became  sole  manager.  Losses, 
incurred  in  speculation,  broke  down  at  once  his  bank  and  his  mind,  and 
he  died  in  the  Utica  asylum.  The  river  villages  patronized  the  bank  for 
a  number  of  years.  Mr.  N.  P.  Wells  is  remembered  as  a  shrewd,  careful 
and  obliging  bank  officer.  The  bank  building  was,  in  its  early  days,  nick- 
named the  "smoke  house."  In  this  building  Edward  Yost,  a  business  man 
of  the  village,  \vas  robbed  and  murdered.  In  1S67  the  institution  was 
<  hanged  into  the  private  banking  house  of  N.  P.  Wells  ^V  Co..  who  earned 
•m  the  buaines-.  until  1876,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Hays.'v-  Wells, 
itie  present  firm. 

The  first  lawyers  a. Imiltcd  to  the  bar  in  Fulton  county  "ere  John  W. 
Cidy,  James  T.  lltldrelh,  .X.m.n  Hcrnn-.  Thus,  l-rothinglhim,  Cl.irk  S. 
(irinnel,  James  McNicc,  John  Wells,  I  Icorge  Yost,  .Xbr.ihum  Moncll,  I'limeas 
Kindall.  Wni.  Kennedy,  T.  1!.  Mitchcl,  .\.  M.  1-arlan,  K.  H  Courlney, 
llenjaimn  Chamberlain  and  Ji.'hn  I'rothin-ham. 

THE   E.\RI,V    T.WKRNS 

"  C;ilbert  Tice,  inn-keeper,"  wa,  an  inluibitant  of  Johnstown  in  the 
founder's  time,  and    was,  doubtless,    the   first  of  his  calling  in  the  inf.int 


village.  If  there  were  other  taverns  than  his  and  Pickens's,  hereafter  re- 
ferred to,  before  the  Revolution,  it  is  impossible  to  learn  anything  about 
them.  But  a  number  are  known  to  have  been  in  existence  in  the  later  year* 
of  the  last  century,  and  tradition  has  preserved  some  of  the  many  stirring 
incidents  of  which  they  must  have  been  the  scene,  in  the  rude  times  «hen 
Johnstown,  as  an  outpost  of  civilization  and  a  depot  for  the  fur  trade,  w.is 
the  resort  of  hunters  and  trapi)ers,  Indian  and  paleface;  where  the  settler 
was  liable  to  meet  the  savage  who  had  wronged  him  or  his  in  the  border 
wars,  or  beside  the  lonely  waters  where  each  stro\e  to  jdy  e\LluM\el\  ilic 
trapper's  art. 

One  of  the  first  tavern  keepers  was  the  genial  and  attentive  Jean  lia|>tisic- 
Vaumane  de  Fonclaiere,  who  lived  in  New  England  for  some  lime  on  hi^ 
arri\al  from  France,  but  shortly  after  the  Revolution  opened  a  inibln  tunui 
in  Johnstown,  and  continued  in  the  business  for  many  years.  His  lirsi 
stand,  on  William  street,  a  little  south  of  Main,  was  still  a  tavern  ihiru 
years  ago.  Here  one  day,  soon  after  the  war.  half  a  dozen  Inib.ius 
gathered  in  the  kitchen  and  barroom  to  feast  and  drink  deep  on  the  pro 
ceeds  of  a  stock  of  furs,  which  they  had  gathered  in  the  northern  foresis 
and  sold  to  John  Grant,  then  a  trader  in  the  village,  .\nd  here  tliey  iiiei 
the  famous  trapper  Nicholas  Stoner,  who  hated  the  redskinned  race  with  .1 
fervency  to  be  expected  in  a  man  whose  father  was  tomahawked  and 
scalped.  The  inevitable  quarrel  was  hastened  by  libations  of  firewater,  ami 
precipitated  by  one  of  the  Indians  resenting  a  question  put  to  another  by 
Stoner.  Instantly  the  trapper  grappled  the  savage  and  threw  him  upon  .i 
table,  sending  it  with  a  load  of  bottles  to  destruction.  The  Indian  sprang 
up  and  rushed  upon  Stoner,  when  the  latter,  making  a  desperate  atteinitt  to 
throw  his  antagonist  into  the  yawning  fireplace,  only  succeeded  in  la>ing  hiiii 
in  a  great  platter  of  hot  lard  and  fried  pork  sizzling  before  the  fire.  The 
Indian  was  badly  burned  and  willing  to  give  in;  but  Stoner's  blood  was  up 
and  he  marched  into  the  barroom,  only  i)ausing  by  the  way  to  tear  a  large 
ring  from  the  ear  of  another  Indian,  who  Lay  drunk  in  the  hall.  .As  the 
trapper  entered  the  barroom,  a  third  half  drunken  savage  was  exhibiting 
his  scalping  knife,  which  bore  upon  the  handle  nine  notches,  for  as  many 
scalps  taken  by  its  owner  in  the  recent  war,  one  of  them,  as  he  bo.isted, 
being  the  scalp  of  "old  Stoner"  Young  Stoner  heard  the  speech  .ind, 
vowing  that  the  murderer  should  never  take  another  stalj),  snat'  bed  .111 
andiron  from  the  fireplace  by  the  ring  at  the  top,  and  hurled  it  at  tlie  In 
dian's  head,  striking  him  across  the  neck  with  the  red-hot  bar,  and  felling 
him  to  the  floor  more  dead  than  alive. 

For  this  feat  the  \enturous  frontiersman  was  lotlged  in  the  joluistown 
jail,  but  his  numerous  friends,  including  the  Sammonses,  Putnanis,  Weinj'Ics, 
F'ondas,  \'roomans,  Veeders,  Gardiniers,  and  Quackenbosses.  i  oiihi  not 
tolerate  the  idea  of  his  being  imprisoned  for  merely  assaulting  an  Iniii.ui 
who  was  boasting  of  the  butchery  of  the  trapjier's  father,  and  jiroi  eeiiin;; 
in  a  crowd  to  the  jail,  they  battered  down  the  door  and  liber.ited  tlieir 
hero.  This  was  considered  eminently  the  occasion  for  a  drink,  .iiid  ilu- 
party,  including  the  jailer,  repaired  to  a  tavern  in  the  center  of  l!ie  \ill.igc, 
kept  by  a  man  named  Tliroop.  Here  Stoner  consented  to  return  wii!i  ilic 
turnkey  to  the  jail,  but  being  missed  by  his  rescuers,  they  went  in  |uirsuii, 
again  took  him  in  charge,  and  saw  him  safely  home,  where  he  was  noi 
disturbed. 

The  following  less  sanguinary  tale,  related  by  Mr.  Simms,  from  whose 
book  "Trappers  of  New  York,"  written  in  1846,  our  anecdotes  ot  Stoner 
are  taken,  is  at  least  entertaining  : 

"There  stands  in  Johnstown,  on  the  east  side  of  the  street  f William),  .1 
few  rods  to  the  southward  of  the  first  inn.  kept  by  De  lorn  laiere.  an  anti 
([uated  building  with  a  gambrel  roof,  owned  and  oicujiied  before  the 
Revolution  by  .M.ij.  Gilbert  Tice.  The  latter  building,  after  the  w.ir,  was 
occupied  as  a  tavern  stand,  by  Michael  Rollins,  a  son  of  the  emeralil  is|. 
De  Fonclaiere  kept  a  span  of  mettlesome  horses,  ,ind  wlien  a  liicp  -mw 
had  spread  her  white  mantle  over  the  bosom  of  the  earili.  .ind  the  1..  IN  n"! 
belles  began  to  jingle  and  smile,  the  restless  steeds,  harne-sed  i"  1  ~i'ii.:i. 
to  give  his  ladies  an  airing,  were  brought  before  the  doer,  with  iluir  110-- 
trils  sniifting  up  the  wind  in  the  direction  of  the  .Muli.iwk, 

"  Left  only  i/ii  Irelh-  moment  to  their  own  wills,  the  gay  animaU  "t  M.in- 
De  Fonclaiere,  either  of  which  would  have  served  a  kinggnld  ,.r  a  M.n 
for  a  charger,  abused  the  confidence  of  their  master  and  dashcl  .ill  ,11  iIh 
top  of  their  spec. I.  In  front  of  the  ru.il  iiin  stood  a  ...w  dire.  Ilv  ui  lli. 
beaten  path,  whi.  h  belonged  on  the  premises.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  a- 
the  sleigh  passed  the  cow  she  was  thrown  iip.m  her  liaiimhos  and,  as 
chance  would  haie  it,  nilled  on  her  b.uk  plump  into  it.     1  he  parly  inleiul 


194 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


ing  lo  occupy  the  seat  instead  of  the  kine  came  to  the  door  in  time  to  see 
the  latter  drive  otf  in  triumph,  urging  on  the  horses  by  a  most  doleful  bel- 
lowing. The  horses  started  in  Wilham  street  and  ran  south  to  Cbnton 
street,  thence  east  through  Clinton  to  Johnson  now  Market  street,  south 
up  Market  to  .Montgomery  street,  west  through  Montgomery  to  William, 
and  down  the  latter  to  the  place  of  starlmg.  The  best  part  of  the  joke 
was  that  on  turning  into  William  street  from  Montgomery,  at  the  next  cor- 
ner above  and  only  a  few  rods  from  where  the  cow  was  taken  in,  she  was, 
iarti  ceremony,  thrown  out  again.  A  war  of  words  instantly  followed  this 
adventure,  l)etween  the  rival  landlords.  Said  Oe  Fonclaiere,  greatly  excited: 
"Keep  you  tarn  Irish  cow  out  von  my  sleigh!"  "You  French  booger," 
retorted  Rollins,  with  an  oath,  "do  you  kape  the  like  of  veer  fancy  horses 
away  from  me  cow!" 

De  Fonclaiere  s[>ent  his  later  years  in  managing  a  tavern  built  by  him  in 
1796,  in  the  angle  of  the  Tribes  Hill  and  Fonda's  Bush  roads  in  Johns- 
town. This  place,  which  was  long  known  as  Union  Hall,  was  bought  by 
Mr.  Vestus  Balch  about  1857,  and  ceased  to  be  kept  as  a  public  house. 

The  earliest  occurrence  mentioned  in  detail  in  connection  with  any  of 
the  village  hotels,  is  Sheriff  Whites  defense  of  himself  in  the  Pickens 
tavern,  which  stood  on  the  lot  between  the  houses  now  numbered  37  and 
39  William  street.  .Mexander  White  was  the  King's  sheriff  of  Tryon 
county,  and  as  such  committed  to  the  Johnstown  jail  John  Fonda,  one  of 
the  men  who  were  coming  into  prommence  as  the  people's  champions  and 
leaders  in  the  Mohawk  valley.  Mr.  Simms  says  the  trouble  between 
White  and  Fonda  was  "  their  hogs  and  cattle  breaking  in  upon  each  other's 
premises,  which  resulted  in  a  quarrel,  in  which  White  called  Fonda  a  d — d 
rebel,  and  the  latter,  provoked  to  anger,  did  not  scruple  to  give  his  .Majes- 
ty's peace  officer  a  severe  caning."  Maj.  Giles  Fonda,  a  brother  of  the 
incarcerated  patriot,  immediately  gathered  some  fifty  of  his  neighbors,  in- 
cluding Sampson  Sammons  and  his  sons  Jacob  and  Frederick,  who  pro- 
ceeded under  arms  to  the  jail,  and  without  \  lolence  procured  the  prison- 
er's release.  Not  satisfied  with  this,  the  party  repaired  to  the  Pickens 
tavern,  where  Sheriff  White  was  staying,  and  Sampson  Sammons  having 
stepped  to  the  door  and  called  out  Mr.  Pickens,  demanded  the  sheriff. 
Pickens  went  to  call  him,  and  returning  reported  that  White  was  dressing, 
and  would  be  down  immediately  to  speak  with  the  company.  Instead  of 
coming  down,  however,  the  sheriff  at  this  moment  opened  a  window  over 
the  door  where  Sammons  was  standing,  and  in<piired:  "  Is  that  you,  Sam- 
mons?" **Yes,"  said  the  patriot  leader,  whereupon  White  fired  a  pistol 
at  him,  the  ball  lodging  in  the  door  sill.  This  shot,  the  first  fired  in  the 
Revolutionary  struggle  west  of  the  Hudson,  was  answered  by  a  volley  from 
the  party  in  the  street;  but  the  sheriff  escaped  with  a  slight  wound  in  the 
breast.  Sir  John  Johnson  having  hastily  assembled  two  or  three  hundred 
of  his  tory  neighbors  by  the  firing  of  a  signal  1  annon  twice  as  many  1  ould 
be  summoned  by  the  same  signal  ,  the  p.ilriots  dispersed.  Sheriff  White 
and  one  Peter  IJowen  left  Johnstown  fcir  Canada  with  some  .Mohawk 
guides,  but  they  were  cajilured  at  the  hoii~e  of  a  Mr.  Jcsiip,  in  Saratoga 
lounty.  and  sent  to  .\lbany,  where  they  were  put  in  jail. 

Another  of  the  early  hotels  was  the  Holland  tavern,  which  stood  on  the 
southeast  comer  of  .Main  and  Market  streets,  across  Main  street  from  the 
Cady  mansion.  It  is  said  to  have  been  ke|it  by  Joseph  Hah  h,  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolution  grandfather  of  Sir.  Chester  H,  Case,  and  later  by  .\lleii 
Ca.sc. 

CHCktHK.S. 

ST.  jipiis'~  1  ci^i  nr.\i . 

Services  of  the  Kngli^h  1  hur.  h  arc  believd  t„  have  been  held  111  Joliiis. 
town  from  the  time  of  Sir  WillLims  rninAal  u,  the  pl.i<  e.  lliere  is  knc.wn 
to  have  been  a  thcrch  edihi  e  prior  l,.  1771,011  the  grnuml  w  hii  h  is  now 
the  old  graveyard  on  (irecn  slreet  TluTe  tile  earlier  inissnmaries  niusi 
have  officiated.  I'he  Ilaronel  wrote  of  this  fiM  ihiirih  in  1771,  that  it  n.is 
"small  and  very  ill  l.iiill,"  .nml  ihat  he  was  "|  rcimripg  slcme  and  materials 
for  erecting  one  miicil  sironger  and  larger,  that  would  .ic  oliiiniuiate  ne.ir 
one  thousand  souls.'" 

The  church  whi.  h  look  shaj  e  froi.i  ihu  r..iroiut's  "  si.,iie  and  nialenals  • 
in  1771,  stood  on  the  siteof  :lie  present  St  J.  l.n's,  but  «  ilh  us  ^idt  l.i  llie 
street  and  fronting  n"r;!iwarrl.  This  w.is  t!i.-  building  referred  in  bv  llie 
Rev.  John  Ta;,lor  111  tin  jounial  ,,i  his  i,Hv,;„„.,ry  lour  .is  "  .ni  ekganl 
stone  (hurt  h  .\it!i  organs" 


The  original  organ  in  this  church,  though  youthful  compared  with  iis 
elder  sister  in  the  little  chapel  at  Fort  Hunter  'erected  in  1710'!,  must  hav^- 
been  among  the  very  earliest,  probably,  in  the  State  west  of  Albany.  It  was 
imposing  in  size  ;  the  case  of  handsome  mahogany  had  by  time  become 
beautifully  dark  and  rich  in  color,  and  its  clusters  of  finely  gilt  front  pipes 
added  the  beauty  of  contrast,  and  the  harmony  of  color  It  had  but  one 
manualf,  with  perhaps  ten  registers,  but  its  full,  sweet,  solemn  tones,  it^ 
mellow  waves  of  harmony,  its  jubilant  swell  of  flute  like  notes,  made  all 
the  air  tremulous  and  vocal  with  solemn  praise.  It  had  the  reputaii.n, 
among  judges  in  such  matters  of  being  a  fine  instrument.  The  bellow ^ 
were  external,  filling  a  large  space  at  one  end  of  the  organ  loft ;  they  wcrw 
perhaps  three  by  nine  feet  each,  and  their  levers  stout  joists  extending 
some  feet  beyond,  upon  which  the  blower  sat  down  ;  the  supreme  deliglit 
of  budding  boyhood  was  to  be  permitted  to  throw  its  small  weight  upon 
those  rising  and  falling  beams.  The  old  organ's  "  Glorij"  and  "  Briiciu 
Aiiiuia,"  are  stilled  ;  "  Devises  "  and  "  York  "  and  "  Bridgewater  "  and 
"  St  Ann's  "  have  nearly  passed  to  the  oblivion  of  the  old  organ.  Bits  ..i 
opera  and  sonata  have  now  their  places,  themselves,  it  is  hoped,  soon  lo 
yield  to  some  other  phase  of  the  music  of  the  future. 

Under  date  of  May  18,  1772,  Mr.  John  Cottgrave,  of  Johnstown,  wrote 
to  Sir  William  suggesting  several  steps  that,  in  his  opinion,  should  be  taken 
for  the  improvement  of  affairs  in  the  village,  since  it  had  just  become  a 
county  seat.  "The  first  of  which  is,  for  the  immediate  finishing  of  the 
church  ;  for  as  the  church  now  remains,  your  Honour  and  family  can  not 
have  the  satisfaction  which  you  otherwise  would  have,  if  the  church  wjs 
finished,  the  children  for  instance,  mix  with  the  aged,  for  the  want  of  .1 
Gallary  ; — and  for  the  want  of  seats,  many  of  the  Grown  people  are  ven 
troublesome — The  next  thing  I  consider  of  the  utmost  importance  10  tiic 
General  wellfare  of  this  Patent,  is  the  Clothing  of  the  Poor  Children,  wiih 
something  low  priced  for  a  suitable  uniform,  to  be  worn  at  no  other  Time 
but  on  the  Sabbath — this  would  encourage  and  Command  the  Childrcns  .u- 
tendance,  and  engage  their  parents  :  and  when  Care  is  taken  of  the  Clul 
drens  Cloathes,  the  expense  of  Clothing  them  will  be  inconsiderable,  wli.ii 
a  pitty  is  it  therefore,  to  see,  so  great,  and  so  good  a  thing  as  this  is  nui 
to  take  place  ;  when  a  Boy,  to  ride  post  from  the  Hall  (who  perh.ips 
like  too  many  others  live  in  idleness  would  more  than  pay  the  sum  i\liii  f. 
the  before  recommended  Charity  will  require."  Mr.  Collgrave  closes  win. 
an  offer  of  ;^io  for  "  Cloathes." 

In  November,  1772,  Rev.  Richard  Mosely  arrined  in  Johnstown,  .mil 
took  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  church.  He  came  from  Litchfield,  Cui.'  . 
leaving  that  place  because  he  had  been  fined  ^ro  for  marrying  a  nuqiii. 
when  he  had  no  other  license  to  .act  as  a  clergyman  "  than  what  he  h.ul  o 
cei\ed  from  the  IJishoji  of  London,  whose  authority  the  Court  deiernmu.; 
did  not  extend  to  Connecticut,  which  was  a  chartered  go^erniMiir 
Thirty  families  of  dissenters  emigrated  at  the  same  time  with  Mr  Must  . . 
and  settled  within  fifteen  miles  of  him. 

In  a  letter  reporting  the  arrival  of  .Mr.  Mosely,  Sir  Wilh.ini  sayv  :   "  I'p.  ' 
this    occasion  I  ought    lo  observe    thai    the    Mission-   eM.il.li-lie.l    .11    ,<   : 
Sler.  p   Ann.,    are  found    b;    K\|iericn<e   inadei|ii.ile   to   ihe   posrir.    ...' 
Some  of  these   in   ihe  old  Seltlements,   near   the  Se.i,  where   ihi     lir.  i. 
staiK  es  and  Inclinations  of  ihe  l'eo|)le  are  more   f.uorable,  m.iv  e-i.iili 
Missionary  to  li\e   tolerably  well,  but  here  w  here  ihe    People  who  .;r.    1    ■ 
f»f  the    Low   Hutch  Communion  are  New  Settlers.  <^-  poor,  the  t  onin! 
tions  are  as  trifling  as  they  are  uncertain  ;  This  has  octasioned  the  Ki*' 
Mr.  .\ndrews  at  Schenectady,  to  have  recourse  to  the   keeping  a  ■"  it-- 
with  which  addition  to  his  income,  as  he  writes  me  he  is  not  able  u>  1.  - 
.are  .if  his  Faniil;.      In  -hort  the  state  of  this  part  of   the  Coiiiiir>  >  •■     ' 
ihor. Highly    known    in    ICiirope.       It    is  an    F^xlensive    and    111. 1^1    \.i!'..l   ' 
Ira.  t  in  whi.  h  the  in.ijority  of  ihe  Settlements  .and  the   Chur.  li   .'I    !>- 
I.md  .ire  111  iheir  lufani  y,  but  sui  h  an   Infancy  as  affords  the  most  I'-i"'  " 
ing  hopes  If  |ft..perly  nourished  and  imi.roved  for  a  httle  time  " 

111  health  oblige.l  Mr.  Mosely  to  resign  in  1774  Forsnme  v.. us  1,1.  ' 
an. 1  after  this  dale.  Rc\.  John  Stew.irt,  inissionar>  at  F.irt  ll.ii.t.  r.  .. . 
sion.illy  ofluiatcd  .at  Johnsi.iwn, 

In  ere.tmg  the  new  rhurch.  Sir  William  gave  the  two-acre  lot  on  wh"  '' 
It  stiioil,  and  also  a  glebe  of  forty  acres  on  the  southeast  side  of  the  v" 
l.'.ge.  He  scem^,  however,  never  to  have  conveyed  the  title  ti>  ihi  \<". 
eriv  ;  .11, .1  .it  hi,  sii.l.lcn  death,  in  1774,  it  reverted  to  his  s.,11  .Sir  Jol  "• 
In  the  .Mnlu.i,.;i  ..f  the  Kevoluti.Miary  peri<..l.  after  the  .onfis.atu.n  .'I  il 
J.ihn  ..n  estate,  in<  biding  this  propeily,  the  Presbyterians  onu|iied  b.''  • 
the  chur.  b  and  the  glebe       The  ICpis,  i.palians  obtained  p..-MSM.>i.  .'I   "  • 


T' 


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Mr 

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'  ^H'^py^'f'fff^  "'■■'.-,    ..■)..  j=Hl  ^^/> - 


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CHURCHES  OF  JOHNSTOWN  VILLAGE 


195 


church  years  after  with  difficulty,  but  the  Presbyterians  were  confirmed  by 
the  Legislature  in  the  possession  of  the  glebe.  That  body,  however,  so 
far  respected  the  claim  of  St.  John's  Church  as  to  vole  it  a  little  over 
$2,000  indemnity  for  its  loss.  When  the  church  was  recovered,  by  the 
t-xertions  of  the  rector,  Rev.  John  L'rquahart.  who  at  times  read  the  ser- 
vice from  the  desk  while  the  Presbyterian  mmiiter  was  trying  to  preach 
from  the  pulpit,  there  remained  with  it  but  one  acre  of  land.  The  society 
had  an  interest  in  a  body  of  land  at  Fort  Hunter,  whu  h  had  been  con- 
veyed by  the  Mohawks  to  l>r.  Barclay  ;  but,  like  the  real  estate  at  Johns- 
town, it  seems  to  have  been  captured  by  other  parties,  and  was  only  re- 
covered, in  1797  and  1799,  by  the  aid  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  which 
ten  years  later  also  advanced  $400  for  repairs  to  St.  John's  Church.  For 
many  years  the  business  transactions  of  the  vestry  related  chiefly  to  this 
Fort  Hunter  land,  including  a  i>etition,  in  1815,  to  Trinity  Church  for  per- 
mission to  sell  it  and  invest  the  proceeds  otherwise.  The  amount  realized 
was  about  $1,500. 

What  clergyman,  if  any.  was  rector  of  St.  John's  in  the  closing  years  of 
the  last  century,  cannot  be  ascertained.  In  1S02.  Rev.  John  Un]uahart 
held  the  position.  His  congregation  was  small.  He  was  followed  in  1806 
by  Rev.  Jonathan  Judd,  and  he  in  1815  by  Rev.  Eli  Wheeler.  He  resigned 
in  Feb.  1818,  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  in  the  following  November.  Rev. 
Alexis  P.  Proal  was  called  to  the  rectorship,  which  he  resigned  in  M,  ,  1821, 
and  removed  to  Schenectady.  It  was  part  of  the  contract  between  rector 
and  people  that  either  might  dissoKe  the  connection  at  six  months  notice. 
In  June,  1821,  Rev.  Parker  Adams  was  invited  to  become  rector,  and  held 
the  position  until  January,  1829.  From  July  in  that  year,  until  November, 
1832,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Treadway  was  rector,  and  from  May,  1833,  to  October, 
1835,  Rev.  U.  M.  Wheeler,  who  was  succeeded  in  July,  1836,  by  Rev.  Jo- 
seph Ransom. 

During  1836  the  church  was  burned,  but  with  the  insurance  and  funds 
collected  in  the  parish  and  in  New  York,  the  present  building  was  erected 
in  its  place,  being  consecrated  by  Bishop  Onderdonk,  Oct.  15.  1837.  In 
April,  1839,  Mr.  Ransom  resigned  the  rectorship,  and  in  that  year,  or  the 
next,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wheaton  assumed  it,  holding  the  position  until  April, 
1844,  In  June  of  that  year.  Rev.  Chas.  Jones  became  rector,  and  remained 
such  for  seven  years,  being  succeeded  in  July,  185  i,  by  Rev.  Geo.  Slight, 
who  held  the  place  for  two  years.  Rev.  Louis  P.  Clover  was  the  next  in- 
cumbent, holding  the  rectorship  with  acceptability  from  Sept.,  1S53,  to  Oct., 
1857.  From  November,  185S,  to  April,  1S60.  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Williams  was 
rector,  and  from  March,  r86i,  to  October,  1864.  Rev.  Chas.  H.  Kellogg. 
His  successor.  Rev.  James  Byron  Murray,  was  called  to  the  rectorshijt  m 
February,  1865.  Dunng  his  incumbency,  which  extended  to  Julv.  1S70, 
the  church  was  attached  to  the  Diocese  of  Albany  at  its  formation  from 
the  Diocese  of  New  York.  After  Mr.  Murray's  resignation,  the  church 
was  thoroughly  repaired  and  some  alterations  made,  including  the  removal 
of  the  old-fashioned  pews,  and  of  the  clock  from  the  tower.  From  May, 
1872,  to  July,  1875.  Rev.  Jas.  W.  Stewart  had  charge  of  the  parish.  He 
was  succeeded  in  September,  1875,  by  the  i)resent  rector.  Rev.  Chas.  C. 
Edmunds.  For  the  first  half  of  the  present  century,  the  parish  did  little 
more  than  hold  its  own,  but  since  1853  it  has  been  developing  in  strength 
and  self-reliance. 

ST.    PAyt's    LUTHFRAN. 

The  earliest  population  of  Johnstown  included  a  good  number  of 
Lutherans,  subscribers  to  the  creed  called  the  Augsburg  Confession.  Some 
of  them  may  have  come  direct  from  Germany,  but  the  majority  were  from 
Schoharie  and  the  settlements  along  the  Hudson.  Sir  William  Jnhnson, 
with  wise  liberality,  gave  his  Lutheran  neighbors  fifty  acres  of  land.  This 
property  has  always  been  known  as  the  "  glebe  lot."  Upon  it  formerly 
stood  an  old  church  and  a  school-house,  and  part  of  it  is  still  occupied  by 
an  ancient  burial-ground.  The  church  sold  its  land  in  1S57  to  Mr.  John 
N.  Gross,  and  from  his  hands  it  passed  into  those  uf  the  present  owner, 
Mr.  Henry  Gros.s. 

It  is  not  definitely  known  when  this  church  was  organized,  I  he  first 
instrument  of  incorporation  is  datetl  February  4.  iSoi.  The  name  therein 
given  to  the  society  was  "The  Reformed  Protestant  tierman  Lutheran 
Church,  or  Congregation  of  the  Western  .Allotment  of  Ringsburough." 
The  first  trustees  were  Jacob  Hillcbrandl,  Adam  PI. ink,  and  Charles  Roth. 
The  congregation   was  then  without  a  pastor. 

The  church  has  been  three  times  re-int  orporaicd  sinie  1801.      The  first 

23 


of  these  occasions  was  Dec.  16,  1810,  when  the  name  was  changed  to 
**  The  (ierman  Lutheran  Church  of  Johnstown."  Michael  Moore,  Peter 
Plantz,  and  Christian  Wert  were  at  this  time  elected  trustees.  Rev.  Peter 
Wilheim  Domier,  a  learned  divine,  had  pastoral  charge  of  this  congrega- 
tion, together  with  those  of  Minden,  Palatine,  and  Stone  Arabia.  Services 
were  held  by  him  in  the  F^piscopal  church,  which  his  congregation  was 
permitted  to  occupy  four  Sundays  in  a  year  until  they  erected  a  building 
of  their  own. 

The  narrative  of  the  building  and  management  of  the  first  church  edifice 
of  the  society  has  the  smack  of  primitive  times,  (^n  the  21st  of  (Kiober. 
1815,  .Michael  Moore.  Michael  Swobe,  Christian  Wert,  David  Algyre,  and 
Adam  Plank,  trustees,  entered  into  a  contract  with  builders  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  church.  The  builders  were  required,  among  other  things.  10 
copy  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the  item  of  "  Venetian  windows,"  while 
the  steeple  was  to  be  like  that  of  the  Episcopal  church.  The  superstruc- 
ture was  to  cost  §3.000,  and  be  completed  during  the  year  i8r6.  When 
the  church  was  finished  services  were  held  in  it  once  a  month.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  congregation  lived  in  the  two  settlements  of  Albany  Bush  and 
Johnson's  Bush,  and  each  section  had  its  own  part  of  the  church  in  which 
to  worship,  the  people  entering  by  the  eastern  or  western  door,  according  to 
which  Bush  they  hailed  from.  They  were  equally  particular  in  apportion- 
ing the  expenses  of  the  church,  the  Albany  Bush  people,  as  the  m«^)re 
numerous  wing,  paying  three-fifths,  and  the  other  end  of  the  church  two- 
fifths. 

On  Christmas  day,  1821.  the  society  was  again  reincorporated  under  the 
title  of  "The  Dutch  I.utherari  Church  of  Johnstown."  The  trustees  at 
that  time  were  Michael  Moore.  David  Algyre  and  Christian  Wert.  The 
final  reincorporation,  conferring  the  present  name  of  "St.  Paul's  Church 
of  Johnstown."  occurred  on  Dec.  1  r,  1826.  Rev.  John  Peter  Goertner  was 
the  pastor,  and  the  following  officers  were  chosen  ;  Trustees — Frederick 
Plank.  Michael  Hallenbeck  and  Michael  B.  Hengle ;  elders— .Michael 
Moore,  Frederick  Plank,  David  .\Igyrc  and  Michael  Svvobc  ;  deacons — 
Baltus  Hallenbeck.  Frederick  M.  Moore.  John  Argersinger  and  Abram 
Neifer.  At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  May  10,  1827,  the  committee 
on  a  constitution  reported,  and  the  constitution  by  which  the  churth  had 
been  governed  for  half  a  century  was  then  formally  adopted. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Goertner's  health  failing,  he  resigned,  to  the  great  regret 
of  his  people.  He  was  the  first  pastor  to  conduct  the  service  in  the  Eng- 
lish tongue.  Rev.  Thomas  Lape  was  called  to  supply  the  place  of  the 
retiring  minister,  and  on  the  death  of  the  latter  became  pastor,  in  whiih 
relation  he  served  the  church  faithfully  for  six  years.  His  successor  was 
the  Rev.  David  Eyster,  who  began  a  successful  jjastorate  of  twenty-one 
years  in  1834.  After  his  retirement,  the  church  was  without  a  pastor  for  a 
year,  when  Rev.  J.  B.  Senderling  assumed  the  charge  in  May.  1856.  In 
that  year  the  Sunday-school  was  organized.  Previously  most  nf  the  con- 
gregation lived  in  the  country,  where  they  had  Sunday-schooU  in  their  own 
districts.  The  original  number  of  scholars  was  twenty-one  ;  tlu  nuinbcr 
ship  IS  now  264.  John  Plantz  was  the  first  supcrinten<l(.nt  ;  P  Vuv- 
burgh  now  holds  that  office.  The  library  contains  about  tour  luindred 
volumes. 

Dr.  Senderling's  pastorate  continued  for  about  eleven  years,  and  he  was 
followed  in  1867  by  Rev.  M,arcus  Kling.  His  successor  was  the  present 
pastor.  Rev.  P.  Felts,  who  was  called  to  the  charge  in  March,  1870.  but  not 
installed  until  May  30,  1872,  the  day  of  the  consecr.ition  of  the  present 
church,  which  is  56  by  96  feet,  with  a  spire  146  feet  high,  and  645  sittings, 
and  cost  §33,000.     It  is  furnished  with  a  §3,000  organ. 

The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  273.  From  its  fold  five 
worthy  laborers  ha\e  gone  forth  to  i)reach  the  gospel,  viz.:  David  Swobe, 
John  Selmser.  James  Letler,  Nicholas  Wert  and  Joseph  Wert. 

PRhSllVl  hKTAN. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Johnstown  uas  formally  chartered  in  1785. 
having  probably  been  in  existence  for  the  previous  twenty  years.  This 
church  was  one  of  two  to  which  Sir  William  Johnson  gave  fifty  acres  '►f 
land  apiece.  In  1787  it  was  received  under  the  rare  of  the  Presbytery  ..f 
New  York,  and  for  some  time  thereafter  Rev.  James  Thompson  om  up.id 
the  i>ulpit.  In  17.JO  KevMmon  ibivu  k  l.e.-nne  past-.r,  and  .ontiniiL-l 
in  that  relation  uniil  his  death  m  1.S33.  In  1 799  the  old  Lliun  h  was  l.uiU. 
the  communicants  at  that  lime  numbering  180.  In  171^0  ihc  i're^I'Vicrv 
of  Albany  was  formed,  and   this  church  was  attached  to  it.     In  1S26  the 


19« 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


pastor  was  given  the  Rev.  C.ilbert  Morgan  as  colleague.  During  his  two 
yens'  connection  with  the  church  the  "old  session  house"  was  built,  and 
Watts'  version  of  the  Psalms  was  substituted  for  the  old  version  of  Mr. 
Rovse,  which  had  previously  been  "lined  out,"  as  was  customary  in  those 
davs.  Rev.  Hugh  Mair  was  called  as  a  colleague  to  the  pastor  m  1831, 
and  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  on  the  death  of  IJr.  Hosack  in  1833.  Rev. 
Hugh  N.  McLaren  supplied  the  pulpit  somewhat  less  than  two  years  be- 
fore November,  1845,  from  which  time  to  June,  1852,  it  was  occupied  by 
Rer.  James  Otterson.  Rev.  James  P.  Fisher  was  the  preacher  for  seven 
years  from  July,  1853:  Rev.  Daniel  Stewart,  D.  D..  stated  supply  from 
Apnl,  1861,  to  Apnl,  1869;  and  Rev.  Charles  H.  baldwin  pastor  from 
Jnhr,  1869,  to  Apnl,  1873.  Rev.  M.  E.  Dunham,  the  present  pastor,  began 
bis  pastorate  in  August,  1S73. 

The  church  edifice  of  the  society  was  built  in  1865,  at  a  cost  of  §33,000. 
It  is  a  fine  brick  structure,  60  by  110  feel,  and  133  to  the  top  of  the  spire, 
and  contains  an  excellent  organ.  The  present  membership  is  about  425. 
The  Sunday-school  was  organized  in  1828. 


About  1795,  a  few  Baptists,  some  of  them  from  England,  held  prayer- 
meetings  at  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Hardy  from  London,  on  William  street, 
and  at  the  house  of  a  Methodist  gentleman,  named  Brewster,  opposite  the 
Dutch  Refomied  church.  From  about  1803,  Elders  Finch,  Troop  and 
Lathrop  occasionally  preached  in  the  Methodist  church.  Dr.  Reed's  barn, 
and  elsewhere.  Most  of  their  hearers,  however,  removed  to  Kingsboro, 
and  in  1819  Mrs.  Lydia  Wells  was  the  only  Baptist  m  Johnstown.  Others 
came  about  this  time,  and  from  1821  to  1835  occasional  meetings  were 
beld  by  traveling  preachers. 

In  April,  1834,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \.  L  Leaton  came  to  Johnstown  from 
New  York,  and  Mr.  Leaton  worked  zealously  for  Baptist  interests.  In 
the  fall  of  1836,  Folders  J.  I.  Whitman,  Hutchins  and  W.  Groonie  were  ap- 
pointed by  the  State  Baptist  Convention  to  work  as  missionaries  in  Glov- 
ersville,  Johnstown,  .\msterdam.  Fort  Plain,  and  the  neighboring  ^  illages. 
Several  conversions  resulted  from  a  four  days'  meeting  held  at  Johnstown 
by  Elder  Whitman.  Prayer-meetings  were  maintained  until  1841,  in  which 
year  and  the  next  Rev.  David  Corwin,  of  Gloversville,  preached  occasion- 
ally in  the  court-house  and  Methodist  church,  holding  in  1S41  a  ten  weeks' 
protracted  meeting,  from  which  se\cral  con\ersions  resulted. 

Sept.  II,  1842,  Rev.  Lewis  Raymond,  of  Cooperstown.  arri\ed  in  re- 
sponse to  repeated  calls,  and  numbers  were  converted  under  his  preaching. 
On  Nov.  3,  1842,  a  council  of  delegates  from  the  Baptist  churches  of  .Am- 
sterdam, Gloversville,  Pleas.ant  Valley  and  Broadalhin,  met  at  Johnstown 
and  established  a  church  with  appropriate  religious  services.  The  number 
of  members  w.xs  about  60,  and  eleven  more  were  baptized  and  received  two 
days  later.  J.  H.  Murray  w.is  chosen  church  clerk,  and  .\bel  L.  Leaton 
treasurer.     Two  weeks  after,  the  Sunday-school  was  opened. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Joslyn  preached  during  the  last  two  months  in  1842.  The 
church  wxs  received  into  the  Bajitist  body  at  the  semi-annual  sitting  of  the 
Saratoga  Association  at  Gloversville,  Jan.  4,  1843.  Rev.  John  Duncan 
was  settled  as  pastor  Jan.  25.  Under  his  labors  the  church  grew  and  pros- 
pered spiritually.  F'eb.  21.  the  first  deacons  were  elected — Williams,  Pot- 
ter, Hedden  and  Leaton.  Elder  Duncan  resigned  in  June,  and  the  church 
was  without  a  p.istor,  except  for  two  or  three  periods  of  a  few  weeks,  until 
Feb.,  1854,  when  it  wasdisbanded,  and  the  church  edilic  e,  which  had  been 
built  in  1851  meetings  having  previously  been  held  in  the  court-house, 
was  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Saratoga  .Association.  In  Oct.,  1864,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Fisher  went  to  work  at  Johnstown  and  gathered  a  good  congre- 
gation, from  whi(  h  the  church  was  reorganized  in  June,  1865.  Mr.  Fisher 
continued  a  successful  pastorate  until  1870,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  \V.  H.  Hawley,  whose  three  years'  ministrations  added  some  seventy 
members  to  the  church.  The  present  pastor.  Rev.  Roland  D.  Grant,  took 
charge  of  the  society  in  October,  1S76.  Twenty-seven  persons  joined  at 
the  last  communion. 

METHODIST    EPISCOPAL. 

The  exact  date  of  the  organization  of  the  first  Methodist  F.piscopal  so- 
ciety in  Johnstown  cannot  be  determined,  hut  as  early  as  1814  il  formed 
a  part  of  what  was  known  as  Montgomery  Circuit,  comprising  fourteen 
towns  lying  between  the  Mohawk  and  Sacondaga  rivers. 


The  first  church  edifice  stood  on  the  north  side  of  Main  street,  between 
Market  and  Perry,  but  it  was  sold,  and  the  society  soon  after  disbanded. 
The  present  church  organization  was  formed  August  31,  1829,  and  the 
original  of  the  present  church  edifice  was  built  during  the  same  year 
It  has  since  been  rebuilt  four  times,  and  now  furnishes  about  400  sittings 

The  following  clerg)  men  have  served  the  society  in  the  order  named  ; 
John  D.  Moriarty,  Merrit  Bates,  J.  B.  Houghtaling,  Samuel  Covell,  Wm. 
D.  Stead,  James  Quinlan,  John  Haslam,  Elias  Crawford,  Albert  Cham))- 

lin,   Henry  L.  Starks,   Dillan  Stevens, Smith, Radley,  James  H. 

Taylor,  Thomas  B.  Piersons,  Wm.  GrifHn,  Richard  T.  Wade,  Stephen 
Parks,  Albert  R.  Spear,  .Myron  White.  Peter  M.  Hitchcock,  Benjamin 
Poraeroy,  Hiram  Chase,  Wm.  F.  Hurd,  Wm.  R.  Brown  Robert  R.  Thomp- 
son, H.  C.  H.  Dudley.  Tobias  Spicer,  Wm.  Tisdale,  .Merrit  B.  .Meade. 
Henry  T.  Johns,  Robert  Patterson,  Wm,  H.  .Maker,  Lorenzo  Marshall,  N. 
G.  Spaulding,  James  G.  Perkins,  Isaac  C.  Fenton,  Aaron  D.  Heaxt,  Wnt 
Clark,  L.  S.  Walker  and  T.  C.  Potter,  the  last  the  present  pastor. 

Unlike  other  churches  in  the  village,  that  were  old  and  strong  when 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  was  planted,  and  not  aided  as  thcjr 
were  by  grants  of  land  from  Sir  William  Johnson,  this  church  has  been 
supported  solely  bv  its  members,  few  of  whom  have  been  men  of  large 
means.     It  is,  however,  unencumbered  and  has  a  membership  of  292. 

ST.  Patrick's  p.oman  catholic. 


The 
the 


rch. 


This  society  worshiped  for  many  years  in  an  old  frame  building, 
services  being  conducted  by  various  priests  from  neighboring  towns, 
first  resident  pastor  was  Rev.  Bernard  .McManus,  under  whom 
present  brick  edifice  at  the  corner  of  Clinton  and  Glebe  streets 
built  in  1869.  Rev.  J.  F.  Lowery  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  in  M: 
1875.  and  now  holds  that  relation. 

The  membership  includes  one  hundred  families,  and  the  Sunday-sc 
is  attended  by  about  100  children.     Wm.  Holwell  is  the  superintendei 

The  church  seats  comfortably  500  persons.  The  first  mass  in  Jo 
town  was  performed  at  the  house  of  Mr  John  O'N'eil,  now  a  resideii 
the  village. 

UNITED    PRESBVTERIAS. 


The  United  Presbyterian  church  of  Johnstown  was  org.inized  in  M.in  h, 
1828,  with  twenty-three  members.  Public  worship  was  at  first  held  in  ili.- 
court-house  or  academy.  In  1830.  a  frame  building  was  put  up  in  M.irkc; 
street.     The  second  edifice  was  built  in  1869. 

The  pastors  have  been:  Revs.  J.  G.  Swart,  from  1830  to  1837  ;  .\lr\- 
ander  Gordon,  1S44  to  1845  ;  .Andrew  Thomas.  1S58  to  1863  ;  and  J.  -\ 
Williamson,  from  1864  to  the  present. 

SCHOOLS. 

Sir  William  Johnson's  well  known  interest  in  the  cause  of  ediir.ii;'  ■' 
was  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  elements  in  the  statesmanlike  chjr.i>  ••' 
of  that  eminent  man.  It  could  not  be  expected  that  he,  who  intcn■^^■■! 
himself  so  strongly  in  the  mental  wants  of  his  .Mohawk  wards,  shi'iiM  1- 
indifferent  to  the  educational  facilities  of  his  tenants  and  neighbui-  .-: 
Johnstown,  and,  accordingly,  we  find  him  the  patron  of  learning,  .is  »!■■ 
as  of  industry,  in  the  new  vill.ige.  In  1767  he  endeavored,  unsuccc^~f|ll'>. 
to  procure  the  removal  of  the  Moor  Charity  School  from  Lebanon,  C'"^  . 
to  his  vicinity.  In  1771  he  advertised  in  the  newspapers  of  New  >•■■> 
and  Philadeljihia  for  a  person  "proficient  in  reading,  writing  anil  ..r  :.■ 
metic,"  to  teach  a  free  school  he  was  .about  opening  in  the  ull.it;c  I ' 
teacher  engaged  was  an  Irishman,  named  Wall. 

"He  spared  not  the  rod,  and  he  kept  the  old  rule,"  except  "iih  '' ' 
Baronet's  children,  who  were  greatly  favored  and  indulged.  Simula  r,  I  iv  • 
that  this  original  pedagogue  exacted  the  utmost  deference  from  hi>  '  " 
happy  pupils.  Any  of  them  wishing  to  leave  the  house,  must  conu-  li  '•  '^ 
the  master  and  execute  an  obsequious  bow,  accompanied  by  a  \'M  I""  ' 
wave  of  the  right  hand  and  a  backward  scrape  of  the  right  foot  on  1  ' 
floor,  s.iying  at  the  same  lime,  "  Please,  master,  may  I  go  out  ?"  On  '■ 
turning,  the  child  had  to  repeat  the  bowing  and  scraping,  and  say,  "  Ph.':.' 
you,  sir." 

The  school-house  was  an  oblong  yellow  wooden  building.  sLindinu  •■'' 
the  south-east  corner  of  Main  and  William  streets.     In  the  street  1"  <■■'■ 


,-4-^t'^  ■" 


^«J'^_S_:'     ""  ^^''^'"  ' 


i      -iiiit 


f^cii 


ife^^^j 


j>f  5^'-,'<; 


=  tS   •', 


i.^'*^®*  msiS'r 


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>^ 


i  ^  I     i; 


I      cf 


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i^;/-^-^;;yr^ 


_^>af 


SCHOOLS  AND  MASONIC  LODGES  OF  JOHNSTOWN  VILLAGE. 


197 


stood  the  public  stocks  and  whippingpost,  in  the  former  of  whic  h  the  de- 
linquent scholars  sometimes  figured. 

Among  the  forty  or  fifty  children  who  attended  Sir  William's  school 
were  three  of  his  own  by  Molly  Brant  and  those  of  Mr.  Clodfrey  Shew, 
who  lived  for  some  time  a  mile  west  of  the  Hall.  Some  of  .Mr.  Shew  s 
neighbors  also  sent  to  this  school.  The  children  were  sometimes  fright- 
ened by  the  Indians,  who  were  commonly  lounging  about  the  Hall  ;  but 
Sir  Wlliam  stopped  this  by  reporting  it  to  a  chief. 

The  following  "  list  of  scholars  at  the  free  school,  Johnstown,"  is  given 
in  the  fourth  volume  of  the  nocumentary  History  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  with  nothing  to  show  its  date  : 

"  Richard  Young,  Peter  Young,  Hendrick  Young,  Richard  Cotter.  Hen- 
drick  Rynnion,  James  Mordon,  Daniel  Canimel,  Samuel  Da\  is,  Kencir 
Vansiclan,  Jacob  Veder,  Randel  .McDonald,  John  Foilyard,  Peter  Rynnion, 
Peter  Potman,  Jacob  Doran,  David  Doran.  Jeremy  Doran,  .Vdam  McDonald, 
Abraham  Boice,  Caleb  .McCarty,  Hendrick  Colinger,  Jacob  Servos,  John 
Servos,  John  Miller,  James  .McGregar.  George  Binder,  Christian  Rider,  Ber- 
nard Rider,  Simeon  Scouten,  Francis  Bradthau,  John  Evcroi,  Sarah  Connor, 
Leny  Rynnion,  Betsey  Garlick,  Baby  Garlick,  Rebecca  Vansiclan,  Caty 
Cammel,  Caty  Garlick,  Mary  .Mclntyre,  Peggy  Potman,  Eve  Waldroff,  Leny 
Waldroff,  Margaret  Senos.  Catherine  Servos," — 45. 

The  following  commendable  suggestions  are  part  of  a  memorial  to  Sir 
Wm.  Johnson  by  one  of  his  townsmen,  John Cottgrave,  written  immediately 
after  Tryon  county  had  been  formed  and  Johnstown  declared  the  county 
seat : 

"  The  next  thing  I  mean  to  refer  to,  is  the  Building  of  a  new  Free  School- 
house  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  Free  School-House  Lot,  in  the  form  of  an 
academy;  with  a  conveniency  at  the  top,  for  the  little  Bell  of  the  Hall  ;  if 
this  was  to  be  done,  the  present  School-House  might  be  removed  upon  one 
of  the  vacant  Lots  in  Town,  and  answer  the  End  of  a  dwelling  house — 
as  it  would  not  be  proper  for  to  have  the  New  Free  School  in  the  least  in- 
cumbered, but  to  have  the  whole  Lott  fenced  in  neatly,  and  Suitable  Trees 
planted  round  the  whole  s<|uare.  If  these  things  was  done  (which  is  of  far 
greater  Consequence  than  the  Building  of  Blockhouses  in  Town;  your 
Honour  would  then  engage  the  attention  of  people,  and  perhaps  them 
who  live  in  the  remotest  parts  of  his  present  Majesty's  Dominions." 

THE    ACADEMY. 

It  would  seem  that  the  Baronet's  school  did  not  meet  the  growing  wants 
of  the  community,  for,  ere  long,  an  academy  sprung  up,  which  for  many 
years  enjoyed  a  wide  reputation,  and  gathered  students  from  all  o\er  the 
State.  In  January,  1794,  the  Regents  of  the  L'niversity  received  it  under 
their  visitation,  in  compliance  with  an  application  signed  by   the   following 

trustees  :  .\maziah  Rust,  Simon  Hosack,  Dedenck  C.  R.  Peck, Cruts, 

Frederick  Fisher,  Silas  Talbot,  Thos.  Read,  Richmond  Dodge.  Daniel 
Miles,  Daniel  Mclntyre,  Geo.  Metcalfe,  Lewis  Dubois,  David  Cady,  H. 
Beach.  John  C.  Van  Epps,  John  McCarthy  and  Matthew  Fairchilds.  The 
Regents,  in  their  circular  approving  the  incorporation  of  these  gentlemen 
as  '*  the  trustees  of  Johnstown  .-\cadeniv,"  mention  that  they  are  "founders 
and  benefactors  "  of  the  academy,  ha\ing  contributed  more  than  half  its 
property.  The  Regents'  circular  is  signed  by  George  Clinton,  chancellor, 
and  DcWitI  Clinton^  secretary. 

In  1795  the  Legislature  granted  the  land  on  which  the  building  stands, 
and  shortly  after  its  erection  in  1796,  the  trustees  procured  for  it  the  old 
l>ell  of  Queen  .-Vnne's  Chapel,  at  Fort  Hunter,  which  the  Queen  had  sent 
over  to  call  the  Mohawk  heathen  to  worship  at  that  place.  In  the  earliest 
days  of  the  academy,  when  Johnstown,  as  the  county  seat  of  Montgomery 
county,  was  the  most  important  place  in  the  State  west  of  .\lbany,  it  had 
niore  than  its  present  local  reputation,  and  was  a  place  of  resort  from  all 
the  inhabited  parts  of  the  State  to  students  preparing  for  college,  or 
finishing  their  education. 

In  September,  1S69,  the  trustees  declared  their  office  vacant,  the  acad- 
emy having  been  adopted  as  the  academic  department  of  the  Union  school. 
Since  1859  the  following  persons  have  taught  in  the  academy  :  Rev.  P. 
Smeallic,  .Miss  M.  A.  Davidson,  Miss  H.  Candee,  Julia  Harmon,  .Miss 
Foster,  .Mrs.  J.  Smeallic,  .Mr.  Peck,  Miss  Leavenworth,  .Mr.  Whigam,  Mrs. 
Whig.im,  the  .Misses  Freeman,  Louise  Larcher,  Miss  Wentworih,  Anna 
Mcl.eish  and  Nettie  C,  Smith. 

THE    PRESENT    SCHOOL    SV5TEM. 

'Ihe  first  division  of  the  village  into  school  districts  made  it  consist  of 


two,  Market  street  being  the  dividing  line.  The  district  west  of  that  street 
was  numbered  4,  and  the  other  13.  The  school  building  on  .Main  street 
was  erected  in  1S56,  at  a  cost  of  $.',500.  The  teachers  since  1857  have 
been  :  J.  Ripley,  Wm.  S.  Snyder,  Hannah  Fitch,  .Miss  Maloney,  Alice  W. 
Card,  .Mr.  Abrams,  Mr.  Wilson,  Eli/.a  Yost,  L.  P.  Burr,  .Maggie  .McQueen, 
Elizabeth  A,  McDcrmid,  Ada  A.  Card,  .Mary  J.  Evans,  and  Jennie  Calder- 
wood. 

The  Montgomery  street  school-house  was  built  in  1860,  and  cost  $^,000. 
The  teachers  at  this  building  have  been  :  .Asa  Baker,  Gertrude  .McKwen, 
John  M.  Dougall,  Miss  Manchester,  .Maggie  Grey,  Amanda  Pierson,  .Mag- 
gie Evans,  Libbie  Sconll,  Jane  AS'alker,  Miss  Hudson,  Emma  Bennett, 
Elizabeth  A.  McDermid,  Jennie  Sutliffe,  .and  Mary  B.  Stewart. 

'I'he  village  schools  were  organized  under  the  general  act  of  1S69  into  a 
Union  school,  though  they  were  not  graded  and  put  under  one  head  until 
1873,  when  Wm.  S.  Snyder  became  principal  and  superintendent,  which 
position  he  still  holds,  after  a  coimection  of  seventeen  years  with  the 
village  schools. 

Thirteen  teachers  are  employed  beside  Mr.  Snyder,  namely:  Mrs.  G. 
McKelley,  and  Misses  S.  K.  Baker,  Lou.  F.  Blampied,  N.  L.  Collins,  Ali<:e 
W.  Card,  Ada  A.  Card,  Jennie  Caklenvood,  Maggie  Evans,  Mary  Evans, 
Elizabeth  A.  McDermid,  Ella  McDermid,  N.  C.  Smith,  and  .Mary  B. 
Stewart. 

The  number  of  pupils  at  present  is  1,000,  being  double  the  number 
attending  in  1S60.  The  number  of  grades  is  seven;  of  departments,  four- 
teen. A  library  of  some  1,500  volumes,  and  apparatus  illustrative  of  the 
natural  sciences,  are  connected  with  the  school.  The  Board  of  Ediuaiion 
annually  expends  about  $7,500.  The  teachers'  salaries  average  $43''. 
against  $670  in  1869. 

LODGES  AND  ASSOCI.YTIONS. 


The  Masonic  fraternity  in  Johnstown  was  another  of  its  early  institu- 
tions that  profited  by  the  patronage  of  Sir  William  Johnson.  Having 
taken  the  past  master's  degree  in  1766,  he  fitted  up  a  lodge-room  at  his 
own  expense  at  Johnson  Hall,  and  St.  Patrick's  Lodge,  No.  4,  was  con- 
stituted by  warrant  from  the  Provincial  Grand  Master  of  New  York,  dated 
May  23  of  that  year,  with  Sir  Willi.am  as  master;  Guy  Johnson,  senior 
warden,  and  Daniel  Claus,  junior  warden.  The  lodge  as.sembled  at  iho 
Hall  Saturday,  .\ugust  23,  when  the  gentlemen  named  were  invested  with 
the  badges  of  their  respective  offices,  and  duly  acknowledged,  and  the  war- 
rant was  read.  The  records  of  the  lodge  from  that  time  are  ipiite 
complete. 

Sir  William  presented  to  the  lodge  a  set  of  silver  jewels,  which  Sir  John 
Johnson,  who  was  the  last  Provincial  Grand  Master  of  the  province  of 
New  York,  took  with  him  in  his  flight  to  Can.ida  at  the  opening  of  the 
Revolution.  These  jewels  were  5ubsei|uently  sent  to  the  lirand  Lodge  of 
New  York,  and  by  it  returned  to  their  rightful  owner,  St,  P.itriik's  I  ndgp, 
by  which  they  are  highly  prized  and  venerated. 

The  last  meeting  of  the  lodge  before  the  Revolution  w.as  held  on  May 
5,  1774.  The  books  were  then  taken  to  Canada  and  there  kept  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  when  they  were  returned  and  the  lodge  was  reniieneil 
July  30,  17S5.  The  original  number  enrolled  was  42  ;  at  the  first  niceiiiig 
after  the  Revolution  there  were  but  16  pjrs..ns  present. 

The  present  officers  are  as  follows  :  W.,M.,  W.  V.  Pierson  ;  S.W.,  J.  W, 
Uhlinger;  J.W,,  Philip  Keck;  Treasurer,  E.  W.  Edwards;  Se.ret.iry,  B. 
E.  White;  Senior  Deacon,  T.  E.  Ricketts  ;  Junior  De.icon,  Wm.  Sim- 
mons  ;  Cha|ilain,  Rev.  P.  Felts;  Senior  Warden  of  Ceremonies,  Eugene 
Moore  ;  Junior,  C.  H.  Argersinger  ;  Organist,  W.  H.  Raymond  ;  Tyler,  I.. 
G.  Hill  ;  Trustees,  S.  Hopgood,  P.  G.  Ferris  and  J.  P.  Argersinger. 

Johnstown  Ch,iptcr  of  Knighis  Temiilar  was  organized  in  1823.  Ihe 
present  officers  are  :  H.P.,  S.  Hopgood  ;  King,  J.  H.  Pike  ;  Scribe,  T.  E. 
Ricketts;  Captain  of  the  Host,  J.  P.  .\rgersinger  ;  Principal  Sojourner, 
W.  C.  Case;  R.A.  Capt.,  J.  W.  Uhlinger  ;  Master  3d  Vail,  Levi  I.eller  ; 
.Master  id  Vail,  Eugene  Moore  ;  Master  1st  Vail,  W.  E.  Simmons;  Trea- 
surer,  E.  W.  Edwards  ;  Secretary,  B.  E.  White  ;  Chaplain,  Rev.  P.  Felts  ; 
Organist,  W.  11.  Raymond;  Tyler,  L.  G.  Hill. 

CUD    IKI.LIIVVS. 

Cayadutta    Lodge,    No.    JiS,  was    instituted    by  D.D.G..M.    David   He 


198 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


Forest,  July  28,  1869,  by  special  dispensation  from  G.M.,  G.  J.  Gardner, 
July  21.  The  lodge  was  chartered  Aug.  19,  having  as  charter  members  : 
Wm.  G.  Miller,  A.  Thompson,  V.  Wilbur  I)  C.  Livingston.  \Vm.  Russ, 
David  Smith,  A.  M.  Stewart  and  I)    H    Heagle 

The  first  officers  were  :  N.G.,  David  Smith  ;  V.G.,  Truman  Wilbur  ; 
R.S.,  R.  Van  Nostrand  :  PS.,  D    H.  Hvagle  ;    l'rea.surcr,  W.  G.  Miller. 

The  present  officers  are  :  N.G.,  Godfrey  Moore  :  V  G.,  W.  H.  Colgrove  ; 
/R.S.,  Chas.  Frost;  P.S ,  A.  M.  Young;  Treasurer,  .Morris  Baumgartle  ; 
D.D.G.M.  for  Fulton  and  Hamilton  counties,  Sidney  .Vrgersingcr. 

Cayadutta  Encampment,  No.  55,  was  chartered  .^ug.  23,  1S71,  and  in- 
stituted in  the  following  month  by  1).  1).  G.  P.  David  De  Forest.  The 
charter  members  were:  D.  H.  Heagle,  M.  K.  Van  Sickler,  Thos.  Farl, 
Henry  Stollcr,  Sidney  Argersinger,  A.  M.  Young,  Wm.  A.  Mcl.ane,  and 
Lot  Ostrom. 

The  first  officers  were  :  C.  P.,  W.  A.  McLane  ;  H.  P.,  D.  H.  Heagle  ; 
S.  W.,  Lot  Ostrom  ;  J.  W.,  Sidney  Argersinger  ;  S.,  .\.  M.  Young  ;  Treas- 
urer, M.  A.  Van  Sickler. 

Present  officers  :  C.  P,  B  F.  Jeffers  ;  H  P.,  W.  H.  Doubleday  ;  S.  W., 
Chas.  F.  Ehle  ;  J.  W.,  W.  J.  Reid  ;  S.,  A.  M.  Young  ;  Treasurer,  Morns 
Bauiigartle. 

JOHNSTOWN    CORNET    BAND. 

The  organization  occurred  in  February,  1870.  The  band  consists  of 
fifteen  pieces.  G.  L.Stevens  was  the  leader  until  1876,  when  he  resigned, 
and  was  succeeded  by  J.  L.  Gartland,  the  present  leader. 

YOUNG    men's   christian    ASSOCIATION. 

The  association  in  Johnstown  was  organized  Oct.  14,  1873.  Its  first 
president  was  D.  H.  Van  Heusen  ;  vice-president,  C.  H.  Mills  ;  and  treas- 
urer, J.  M.  Dougaii.  The  present  otticers  are  :  President,  A.  B.  Pomeroy  ; 
vice-president,  John  Sclmser  ;  secretary',  Albert  Penny  ;  treasurer,  J.  ^L 
Dougall.  The  rooms  of  the  association,  including  a  reading  room,  with  a 
Hbrar)'  of  200  volumes  attached,  are  at  60  Main  street.  Prayer,  praise 
or  promise  meetings  are  held  Monday  evenings  and  Sabbath  afternoons. 
A  service  of  song  is  held  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  each  month  at  one  of  the 
churches.  During  the  summer  months  Sabbath-school  work  in  the  sur- 
rounding countrv'  takes  the  place  of  association  work  in  the  village.  The 
membership  is  about  100. 

KNIGHTS    OF    PYTHIAS. 

Sir  William  Johnson  Lodge,  No.  136,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  instituted 
July  2,  1875,  with  a  charter  membership  of  fourteen  persons.  The  first 
four  principal  officers  were:   L.  E.  Trumbull,  C.  C;   L.  F.  Northrop,  V.  C; 

C.  C.  Henry,  P.  C;  W.  P.  Vrooman.  P.  The  lodge  is  slowly  increasing  its 
membership,  which  now  includes  some  of  the  best  young  men  of  the  vil- 
lage.    Its  present  officers  are:  F.  B.  W.ide,  C.  C;  Philip  Keck,  V.  C;  W. 

•  P.  Vrooman,  P.  C;  E.  B.  Thayer,  P.  Meetings  are  now  held  Monday 
evenings,  in  the  lodge  room,  at  1 13  .Main  street,  third  floor. 

GAME    PROTECTION    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Johnstown  (ianic  Protection  .\ssociation  adopted  on  .\pril  10.  1877, 
a  constitution  reported  by  a  committee  ajipointedat  apreliminarv  informal 
meeting,  hekl  .March  31.  I'he  charter  members  were  :  J.  M.  I'ierson.  Rev. 
J.  A.  Wllliam^on,  A.  (leorge,  Hiram  Argersinger.  Rev  P.  Kelt,.  W  F. 
Young.  .Ma\  Maylcnder,  A.  J.  Cook,  J.  P.  A^ger^inger.  T.  E.  Rickctts.  J.  H- 
Pike,  G.  E.  .Argersinger.  A.  Livingston.   M.  S.  Northrup,    L.  F.  Northrup, 

D.  Fraser,  D.  C.  McMartin,  W.  Potter.  M.  Beartraft,  J.  J.  Yost,  H.  W. 
Potter,  J.  A.  Dennison.  W.  I..  Johnson,  and  C.  H.  Wiggins. 

At  a  subseiiuent  meeting  the  following  officers  were  elected  ;  President. 
Archie  George;  vice-president,  M.  S.  Northrup;  secretary,  J.  H.  Pike; 
treasurer,  Hiram  Argersinger;  counsel,  J.  A.  Dennison;  executive  com- 
mittee N.  P.  Wells  and   I).  Fraser. 

Article  2  of  the  constitution  states  the  object  of  the  association,  as 
follows: 

"This  society  has  for  its  object  the  propagation  and  protection  of  game 
and  g.ime  fish,  and  the  enforcement  of  all  laws  against  the  unlawful  taking, 


killing  or  selling  of  the  same,  and   to  confer  and  co-operate  with  kindred 
associations  of  this  and  other  States." 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The  history  of  journalism  in  the  village  of  Johnstown  covers  the  ups 
and  downs  of  more  than  a  dozen  newspaper  enterprises  and  a  period  of 
over  eighty  years.  The  early  journals  would  be  considered  sad  affairs  in 
these  days,  with  their  antiquated  typography,  meagre  news,  heterogeneous 
arrangement  and  scanty  editorials;  but  they  were  more  faithfully  perused 
than  even  the  artistic  and  admirable  productions  of  the  press  to-day;  to 
which  result,  indeed,  their  very  meagreness  contributed. 

Johnstown's  first  paper  was  the  Gazftte,  started  in  1796. 

In  that  year,  also,  was  published  The  Montgomery  Advirliser,  by  Jacob 
Dockstader,  who  soon  sold  it  to  James  Smith,  and  he  to  Romeyn  &  Clark. 
It  was  subsequently  published,  for  several  years,  by  Daniel  Holden. 

The  j\fontgomery  Republican,  an  organ  of  the  Federal  party,  was  started 
in  1806  by  \N"illiam  Child,  whose  brother  .Asa  soon  after  became  editor. 
William  Holland  came  into  possession  of  the  establishment  in  1823,  and 
published  the  paper  two  years,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Peter 
Mi.x.  Mr.  Mix  conducted  the  paper  for  nine  years,  until,  in  1834,  the 
concern  was  burned  out.  The  paper  survived  this  disaster;  but  a  second 
conflagration  in  November,  1S36,  finished  it. 

The  Montgomery  Intelligencer  was  commenced  in  j8o6,  but  discontinued 
in  the  next  year. 

In  1808  Robbins  &  .Andrews  began  the  publication  of  The  Afontgomery 
Monitor,  but  sold  it  shortly  to  Russell  Prentice,  and  he,  in  1824,  to  Dun- 
can and  Daniel  McDonald;  who,  in  1828,  removed  it  to  Fonda,  and  after- 
ward to  Canajoharie  and  Schoharie. 

In  1824  The  Montgomery  Herald  was  removed  from  Amsterdam  to 
Johnstown,  taking  the  name  of  The  Johnsto7un  Herald.  In  1834  it  was 
remo\ed  to  F'onda,  where  it  was  known  as  The  Fonda  Herald. 

The  Montgomery  Freeman  was  published  for  a  time  by  Yates  &  Co. 

The  Fulton  County  Democrat  is  the  outcome  of  three  previous  publica- 
tions, the  first  of  which  was  The  Northern  Banner,  a  paper  started  at 
Union  Mills,  in  the  town  of  Broadalbin,  by  John  Clark;  but  remo\ed  in  a 
few  months  to  Johnstown,  where  it  took  the  name  of  The  Northern  Banner 
and  Montgomery  Democrat.  In  1837  this  name  was  changed  to  The  Mont- 
gomery Republican,  and  soon  after  the  concern  was  sold  to  William  .S. 
Hawley.  He,  in  1S3S,  named  the  paper  The  Fulton  County  Democrat, 
under  which  name  it  has  been  published  from  that  time.  F"or  a  time  it 
was  in  the  possession  of  A.  T.  Norton;  but.  in  1842.  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Walter  N.  Clark,  who  conducted  it  until  his  death  in  October,  1S77. 
when  his  son,  Walter  N.,  assumed  the  proprietorship.  The  paper  has  lon^ 
been  edited  by  William  H.  Doubleday. 

To  the  foregoing  series  of  weeklies  was  added,  in  1836,  a  semi-monthly, 
called  The  Christian  Palladium.  It  was  removed  to  Albany  about  1840. 
Another  semi-monthly,  The  Garland,  was  issued  a  short  time  at  Johns- 
town, having  been  previously  published  at  Union  Mills. 

One  of  the  next  weekly  enterprises  was  The  Johnsto^i'n  American.  <nin- 
menced  in  January.  1856.  by  N.  J.  Johnson.  A  year  later  it  was  sold  i«' 
J.  D.  Houghtaling.  and  its  name  was  subsei^uently  changed  to  The  ln.lr- 
pemient.  In  1865  it  was  bought  by  George  W.  Heaton.  proprietor  of  /'''■ 
Glmemille  Standard,  and  conducted  by  him  until  1875,  when  it  was  di- 
continued. 

The  Fulton  County  Kepubtican\i3.i  started  in  1870  by  George  M.Thomp- 
son, who  then  owned  The  Ghn'ersfille  Intelligetuer  and  the  Hamilti 
Count\  Journal.  \  paper  of  the  same  name  had  been  started  by  Darin* 
Wells  in  1S38,  sold  to  .\.  U.  Wells  in  1840.  by  him  to  George  Hcnrv  "^ 
1842,  and  discontinued  in  1S60.  Mr.  Thompson  brought  the  first  p""' ' 
press  into  the  county,  setting  it  up  at  his  Johnstown  office,  and  |iriniiiiK  '  " 
it  the  three  journals  conducted  by  him.  Early  in  1877  Mr,  Fl  W.  Cj|"""- 
a  gentleman  of  wide  jtnirnalistic  experience,  bought  a  share  in  Mr.  1  Ii"ml'- 
son's  jmblications,  and  shortly  after  .Mr.  Hiram  L.  Ward  took  the  reni.'in 
der  from  the  assignees  of  Mr.  Thompson,  who  had  failed.  Bv  thes''  c'^ 
tlemen  the  three  papers  are  now  ably  conducted.  The  Johnstown  J^''''*''^' 
started  by  W.  M.  Ireland  in  December,  1873,  was  consolidated  «i'li  '  ' 
Rrpu/'luan  in  the  spring  of  1877. 

.    CEMETERIES. 

The  burial   grounds  of  Johnstown   combine  evidences  of  the  tasic  jr.' 


u^  &, 


o 


"^  *^ 


THE  JOHNSTOWN  CEMETERIES— BUSINESS  MEN  OF  THE  VILLAGE. 


199 


lire  wbich^havt  been  lavished  on  the  cities  of  the  dead  by  the  present 
jjeneraiion  with  the  charm  that  attaches  to  an  ancient  graveyard,  where, 
after  founding  and  long  sustaining  the  community  in  which  they  dwelt,  the 
"forefathers  of  the  hanilet  sleep."  The  old  burying  ground  on  (ircen 
>treet,  with  its  border  of  tall  elms  and  its  pleasant  outlook  northward 
across  the  valley  to  the  historic  Hall  and  the  highlands  beyond,  is  one  of 
the  most  interesting  localities  in  the  village.  The  dates  of  its  monumental 
slabs  are  scattered  through  almost  a  century,  and  their  styles  correspond- 
ingly differ,  from  the  leaning  and  moldering  stone  whereon  the  conven- 
tional weeping  willow,  accommodating  itself  neatly  to  the  rounding  projec- 
tion of  the  top,  droops  all  but  one  of  its  boughs  over  a  classic  urn  ;  to  the 
well  planted  ,and  fresh  looking  memorials  erected  within  two  or  three 
\ears,  with  their  brief  and  simple  inscriptions.  On  the  former  may  be 
read  several  names  that  have  occurred  in  these  pages  in  prominent  con- 
nections, and  some  of  immigrants  whose  arrival  was  an  important  accession 
to  the  village  in  its  day  of  small  things. 

The  association  managing  the  present  village  cemetery  was  organized  in 
1849,  and  two  purchases  of  land,  of  seven  and  eight  acres  respectively,  were 
made  in  that  year,  as  was  also  the  first  burial,  that  of  Mr.  Peter  McKee. 
The  laying  out  of  the  grounds  began  in  the  following  season.  Subsequent 
purchases  of  one  and  one-half  acres  in  1S52  ;  five  and  a  fraction  in  i860  ; 
one  and  a  fourth  in  the  ne.xt  year  ;  eight  in  1873,  and  a  plot  of  some  six 
hundred  feet  in  1876,  have  increased  the  area  of  the  cemetery  to  between 
thirty  and  thirty-one  acres.  Its  favorable  natural  features  have  been  so 
treated  by  the  landscape  gardener's  art  as  to  render  it  a  lovely  and  attrac- 
tive spot.  The  Cayadutta,  curving  symmetrically  just  w  ithin  the  gates,  gives 
opportunity  for  a  handsome  bridge  ;  and  its  placid  current  mirrors  its 
grasiy  and.u'ooded  banks,  and  the  clouds  floating  above  it ;  while  through- 
out the  portions  of  the  ground  appropriated  to  burials,  covered  with  a 
pleasant  grove  or  smooth  sod,  many  striking  and  costly  monuments  mani- 
fest the  praiseworthy  care  for  the  abodes  of  the  dead  that  is  everywhere  an 
accompaniment  of  civilization. 

BUSINESS  MEN  OF  TO-D.AY. 

The  glove  manufacture  is  the  leading  business  interest  of  Johnstown, 
though  it  does  not  so  overtop  all  other  branches  of  trade  and  industry  as 
at  Gloversville.  The  principal  manufacturers  of  gloves  and  mittens  in 
the  village,  with  the  number  of  dozen  pairs  annually  made  by  them,  re- 
spectively, are  as  follows  :  M.  S.  Northrup  began  the  business  in  1869  and 
continued  it  until  1872,  when  W.  S.  Northrup  joined  him,  forming  the 
firm  of  \V.  S.  &  M.  S.  Northrup,  to  which  M.  B,  Northrup  was  added  in 
1875,  the  firm  taking  the  style  of  W.  S.  &  M.  S.  Northrup  &:  Co.  They 
employ  about  ninety  hands,  and  produce  some  12,500  [lairs  of  gloves  an- 
nually, making  a  specialty  of  fine  goods.  They  took  a  first  premium  at 
ihe  Centennial  Exhibition.  In  their  works  every  part  of  the  operation  is 
performed,  the  skins  being  dressed  at  their  mill  on  Mill  street  run.  which 
i>  operated  by  a  len-horsc-power  Baxter  engine.  The  firm  sell  to  jobbers 
.ind  wholesale  dealers  only.  L.  Bertrand  ^:  Co.,  34  Market  street,  com- 
menced the  business  as  E.  Bertrand  \:  Co.  about  1846.  and  made  the  first 
kid  gloves  manufactured  in  Johnstown.  They  make  a  specialty  of  light 
goods  :  annual  product  3.000  dozen  ;  John  H.  Decker,  27  Market  street, 
2, 000  dozen  ;  S.  G.  Hutchinson  &  Co,  27  Market  street,  3,000  dozen  ;  L. 
Jeannison  &  Son,  2  McMartin  street,  who  took  the  highest  medal  for  fine 
goods  at  the  Centennial  Exhibition,  5,000  dozen  ;  Henry  Knoff,  Market 
street,  1,000  du/en  ;  Henry  .Moore,  48  Perry  street,  1.140  dozen;  J.  I). 
I'arrish,  14  St.itc  street.  3.500  dozen  ;  T.  H.  Rowles.  59  Market  street, 
,■,,000  doccn  :  W  H.  Rowles,  145  Main,  3.500  dozen  ;  M.  B.  Vosburgh.  24 
Melrher  street.  Soo  dozen  :  William  Mister.  59  Market  street,  i.ooo  dozen  ; 
k.  Pommer,  52  M.ukct  street,  1,200  dozen  :  \Vm  J.  Pyne,  and  V.  .\.  Kitton. 
122  Main  street,  tioo  dozen.  Some  fifty  other  manufacturers  might  be 
named,  produ'  ing  about  106.000  dozen  pairs  annually. 

There  are  three  paper  box  f.ictories  in  the  village,  which  furnish  t>oxes 
for  packing  the  glo\e  jirodurt.  Much  skill  and  taste  is  bestowed  upon 
them.  .Among  them  is  that  of  Z.  C.ilbert.  too  Main  street.  There  arc 
■ilso  two  or  three  establishments  devoted  to  glove-lmishing.  as  many  fur- 
nishing glovers'  materials,  and  a  factory  of  glove-cutting  machines. 

rhe  principal  leather  dressers,  manufacturers  and  dealers,  arc  :  Fcrdi- 
n.ind  Ackernecht.  dresser  of  and  jobber  in  kid.  20  State  street  ;  J.  y. 
.\dams,    manufacturer    of    and    d'.aler   in    Indian-dressed    leather,    skins 


colored,  split,  &c.,  rear  of  No,  4  Green  street  ;  Mark  Hull,  Main  street ; 
W.  H.  Van  Sickler,  kid  leather  dresser  and  jobber,  4  State  street  ;  John 
E.  Wells,  Water  street,  and  Argersinger  and  Miller.  More  than  a  dozen 
others  are  in  the  same  line. 

The  leading  membersof  the  bar  are  Martin  McMartin.  100  Main  street  ; 
William  Waite,  40  William  street  ;  Dudley,  Dennison  &  Dudley,  15  and  17 
William  street  :  John  Wells,  same  address,  and  J.  Keck  &  Bro.,  on  .Main 
street.     .\s  many  more  have  offices  in  the  village. 

The  grocery  trade  is  represented  by  Argersinger  &  Eraser,  wholesale 
and  retail  dealers.  Main  street,  comer  of  Perry  ;  W.  F.  Young,  69  Main 
street,  and  some  fifteen  other  firms  and  individuals. 

The  hardware  stores  are  those  of  Ferres  &:  Dewey,  dealers  in  hardware, 
iron  and  steel,  agricultural  implements,  &c.,  88  Main  street  ;  Martin  Ken- 
nedy, dealer  in  stoves,  crockery,  tin  ware,  &c.,  no  Main  street,  and  two  or 
three  others. 

Among  the  half  dozen  hotels  in  the  village,  Scott's,  Rosa's  and  the  Sir 
Wm.  Johnson  are  prominent. 

Frederick  Meyer  and  half  a  dozen  other  parties  represent  the  boot  and 
shoe  trade. 

Wm.  P.  Vrooman  has  an  insurance  and  real  estate  agency  at  47  Market 
street  ;  Walter  N.  Clark  was  conducting  one  at  the  time  of  his  death  at  108 
Main  street ;  it  is  still  maintained.  There  are  two  or  three  others  in  the 
village. 

Seven  or  eight  physicians  represent  their  profession  in  Johnstown,  among 
them  Dr.  W.  L.  Johnson,  whose  oftice  is  at  55  Main  street,  and  Dr.  Chann- 
cey  C.  Joslyn,  who  has  an  office  on  Market  street. 

The  Johnstown  Gas  Light  Company  was  organized  March  10,  1S67.  with 
a  capital  stock  of  $iS.ooo  in  360  shares.  The  directors  are  Edward  Wells. 
M.  Gilbert,  J.  Clemens.  P.  W.  Case.  B.  G.  Shults,  J.  I.  McMartin.  J.  M. 
Dudley,  Geo.  P.  Davis,  and  D.  Stewart.  President,  J.  M.  Dudley  ;  secre- 
tary, J.  J.  Davidson  ;  superintendent  and  treasurer,  J.  W.  Case. 

Dain  &  Wagner,  51  Perry  street,  and  D.  Smith,  are  carriage  makers  and 
blacksmiths.     There  are  two  or  three  other  similar  establishments. 

Hess  &  Mover,  carpenters,  contractors  and  builders,  have  a  shop  on 
Perr\-  street,  in  the  rear  of  Dain  »s;  Wagner's  blacksmith  shoi).  Three  other 
parties  carry  on  the  same  business. 

The  drug  trade  has  four  representatives  in  Johnstown,  including  Wig- 
gins ^'  Cahill,  119  Main  street. 

Barney  Vosburgh  ^:  Co.,  58  Main  street,  and  another  firm  are  furniture 
dealers  and  undertakers. 

A.  A.  Burnett,  8r  Mam  street,  manufactures  and  sells  Havana  t  ig.irs, 
tobacco  and  smokers'  supplies  gener.ally. 

Henry  Stollers  keeps  a  livery  stable  at  ^;^  Market  street,  open  at  .ill 
hours. 

In  1855  Levi  Stephenson  opened  a  manufactory  of  carpenters'  tool-i,  the 
first  of  the  kind  in  the  county.  It  was  closed  in  1861,  and  Mr.  Sicphun- 
son  in  187  i  opened  his  lumber-yard  on  Mill  street.  In  1873  he  built  On- 
planing  mill  and  box  factory  now  operated  by  him  at  4  State  street. 

Marble  and  granite  works  are  carried  on  at  45  Perry  street,  by  Jas.  V. 
Fulton,  and  two  stone  yards  elsewhere. 

The  jewelry  store  of  Geo.  E.  Camm  is  at  103  Main  street. 

E.  C.  Norton  is  a  dealer  in  wall  paper  and  window  shades  at  1:5  M.iin 
street. 

Hats,  caps  and  gents'  furnishing  goods  are  sold  by  Wm.  Argersinger  at 
77  Main  street,  and  by  four  or  five  others. 

Chester  H.  Case,  resuiing  at  the  corner  of  the  Tribes  Hill  an. I  I-.md.i's 
Hush  roa(is.  is  a  dealer  in  milk,  selling  36,000  quarts  yearly  in  Johns- 
town. His  farm  is  that  known  as  the  old  Snow  farm.  The  ori-in.d  I'.irt 
of  the  house  is  said  to  have  been  built  by  Sir  William  Johnson.  .Mr. 
Case  is  a  grandson  of  Joseph  HaKh.  a  soldier  m  the  Kevolutionarv  war. 

John  H.  Hale  began  business  at  his  skin  null  in  1S73.  lis  <  .ipa.  iiy  1- 
35,000  skms  per  annum.  NLi\  Maylender's  kid  factory,  started  in  1S68,  h,is 
a  ca[iacity  of  72,000  skins. 

The  business  concerns  of  Johnstown  not  already  mentioned  include  a 
grist-mill  with  three  run  of  stone,  and  a  capacity  of  about  1,000  bushels 
per  day  ;  three  bakeries,  two  banks,  the  history  of  the  oldest  of  which  has 
been  given  ;  three  book  stores,  three  dentist  ofilJces,  five  dry-gnods  stores, 
a  gun  shop,  four  hair  drc:isers  and  dealers  establishments,  three  harness 
shops,  five  millinery  shops,  five  meat  markets,  two  tlour  and  feed  stores, 
and  six  jiaint  shops,  including  that  of  J.  E.  Bruce. 


200 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


JUDGE  DANIEL  CADY. 

Second  to  no  name  in  the  history  of  Johnstown,  if  we  except  that  of  it* 
titled  founder,  is  the  name  of  the  eminent  jurist  and  admirable  citizen 
Daniel  Cady.  He  was  Ijorn  in  Canaan,  Columbia  county,  in  April,  1773. 
Going  forth  at  an  early  age  to  carve  out  his  fortune,  he  turned  tow  ard  that 
land  of  promise,  the  Mohawk  valley.  Accident,  it  would  seem,  possibly 
only  sameness  of  name,  brought  him  to  Judge  Da\id  Cady's,  in  the  town 
of  Honda,  where  he  found  a  hospitable  home,  taught  a  school,  studied 
hard,  and  earned  the  lasting  friendship  of  the  gentleman  at  whose  house 
he  lived.  It  is  said  that  the  latter  once  asked  him  how  he  hapjiened  to 
,  come  to  his  house  in  seeking  a  home,  and  that  the  younger  man  replied. 
"  I  didn't  know  that  I  should  be  able  to  earn  my  board,  and  I  felt  you 
could  afford  to  lose  it.  "  .^fter  studying  law  in  .Albany  during  1794,  and 
being  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  following  year,  he  began  his  practice  in 
Florida,  but  soon  removed  to  Johnstown,  of  which  village  he  was  for  the 
remainder  of  his  life  the  most  illustrious  and  useful  citizen.  By  industry, 
ability  and  integrity  he  rapidly  gained  professional  reputation,  and  in  179S 
managed  his  first  Supreme  Court  case.  In,iSi2  he  was  associated  with 
Aaron  Burr  and  Ebenezer  Footc  in  the  defence  of  Solomon  Southwick, 
charged  with  attempting  to  bribe  .\le.xander  Sheldon,  member  of  the  As- 
sembly, to  vote  for  the  incorporation  of  the  Bank  of  America,  '"'lief  Jus- 
tice Kent  presided,  and  the  prosecution  was  conducted  by  Thomas  Addis 
Emmet.  The  accused  was  act[uitted.  .Mr.  Cady  was  an  old-fashioned 
Federalist  in  politics.  Though  not  a  politician  in  the  uncomplimentary 
sense  of  the  tenn,  and  no  office-seeker,  he  repeatedly  represented  his  dis- 
trict in  the  national  and  State  Legislatures.  What  was,  perhaps,  still  more 
honorable  and  grateful  to  him  was  his  promotion  in  his  profession.  He 
was  elected  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  1847,  reversing  the  usual 
Democratic  majority  of  from  1,800  to  2,000  in  the  district,  being  supported 
by  the  bar  generally:  and  again  in  1849,  beating  the  same  opponent,  the 
popular  Judge  Fine.  .\s  judge  he  rode  the  western  district  of  the  State, 
including  Onondaga,  Cayuga,  Seneca  and  .Monroe  counties.  He  held  the 
judgeship  until  Jan.  i,  1S55,  when  he  resigned  and  retired  from  the  duties 
of  the  profession  with  an  exalted  reputation  and  the  highest  testimonials 
of  esteem  from  his  brethren  of  the  bar. 

Judge  Cady  was  far  from  being  entirely  absorbed  in  his  professional  la- 
bors, arduous  as  they  were.  He  owned  much  land  about  Johnstown,  and 
took  great  plea.sure  in  agricultural  operations,  especially  the  reclaiming  of 
waste  lands.  His  mansion  at  Johnstown  was  a  common  resort  of  the  elite 
of  society,  and  his  daughters  formed  matrimonial  connections  in  the  promi- 
nent walks  of  life.  As  force  of  mind  and  character  ever  wins  the  most 
solid  distinction,  the  most  famous  of  Judge  Cady's  family  is  the  illustrious 
advtKate  of  woman's  right  to  vote,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Cady  Stanton. 

NICHOLAS  H.   DF.CKER. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  sketch  is  an  illustrious  example 
of  the  class  whom  the  world  honors  as  self-made  men,  and  is  also  one  of 
the  smaller  number,  wlio.  in  making  their  own  fortunes,  have  contributed 
gre.ltly  to  the  m.iterial  prosperity  of  their  country. 

Mr.  Decker's  great-grandf  ther  emigrated  from  Holland  to  Ulster  county. 
New  V'ork,  in  1700.  His  mother  was  a  member  of  the  famous  Hoffman 
family,  from  whom  was  descended  the  eminent  counsellor  Ogden  Hoff- 
man of  New  York,  whose  sister  was  the  affianced  of  Washington  Irving, 
but  died  during  their  engagement,  leaving  the  great  author  to  mourn  her 


loss  throughout  a  celibate  life.  The  grandfather  of  Mr.  Decker,  on  his 
father's  side,  fought  in  the  patriot  army  through  the  Revolutionary  war 
with  the  rank  of  captain.  Mr.  Decker's  mother  died  a  few  years  since, 
aged  seventy-eight  ;  but  his  father  was  killed  by  a  horse  running  away, 
when  the  son  was  but  five  years  old. 

The  lad  worked  until  he  was  sixteen  on  his  father's  farm,  which  re- 
mained in  the  possession  of  the  widow.  During  the  winters  of  these 
years  he  obtained  his  only  school  education.  On  leaving  the  farm  he 
learned  the  trade  of  a  tanner  and  currier,  and  followed  it  until  becoming 
of  age.  when  he  abandoned  it  for  more  promising  enterprises  which  sug- 
gested themselves  to  his  active  and  energetic  mind. 

He  spent  a  year  in  the  service  of  the  engineers  engaged  in  constructing 
the  Chenango  Canal,  learning  what  he  could  of  engineering,  and  display- 
ing an  executive  talent  which- obtained  for  him  the  management  of  some 
300  men,  and  later  the  post  of  general  superintendent  for  a  very  extensive 
contractor. 

.\fter  a  time  he  took  a  contract  of  his  own,  and  made  a  successful  entry 
upon  the  business  in  which  he  has  been  winning  fame  and  fortune  ever  since. 
He  began  his  career  by  building  a  part  of  the  Erie  railroad,  near  Sher- 
bank.  on  the  Delaware  River,  and  sub-e(|uently  constructed  the  Worcester 
and  Springfield  ;  the  .\lbany  and  Stockbridge  ;  the  Providence  and  Wor- 
cester ;  the  road  from  Worcester  to  Burlington,  Vt.;  portions  of  the  Hud- 
son River  line  ;  the  Albany  and  Eagle  Bridge  ;  the  Union  Railroad  of 
Troy :  several  western  roads,  including  the  Michigan  Southern  and 
seventy  miles  of  the  Peona  and  Hannibal  line  ;  the  Staten  Island  road  ; 
the  North  Shore  road  from  Flushing  to  Manhasset,  L.  I.;  and  the  Spuy- 
ten  Duyvil  and  Port  Morris  road,  finishing  the  last  in  November,  1871. 
Beside  these  railroads,  Mr.  Decker  built  the  railroad  bridge  over  the  Con- 
necticut at  Willimanttc,  and  others,  including  the  bridges  and  bulkheads  of 
the  Worcester  and  Hudson  River  railroads  at  .Albany,  all  characterized  by 
a  strength  and  solidity  which  leave  them  still  firm  and  in  good  condition. 
His  later  enterprises  include  the  construction  of  the  third  and  fourth 
'through  freight)  tracks  of  the  New  York  Central  Railroad  between  Schen- 
ectady and  Fort  Plain  in  1S73-4,  and,  on  the  completion  of  this  important 
work,  of  the  horse  railroads  between  Johnstown  and  Gloversville  and 
Fonda  and  FultonviUe  ;  the  building  of  the  immense  "sheep-house"  of 
the  New  York  Central  and  Hudson  River  Railroad,  at  Fifty-ninth  street 
and  North  River,  New  York  city,  and  some  four  hundred  thousand  yards 
of  filling  and  four  or  five  acres  of  paving,  in  connection  with  it — this  latter 
contract  involving  about  half  a  million  dollars.  He  is  at  present  engaged 
in  the  construction  of  Riverside  avenue,  from  Seventy-second  to  One 
hundred  and  thirtieth  street.  New  York,  part  of  an  extensive  system  of 
works  for  the  improvement  of  the  Hudson  River  front  of  the  up-town  pur- 
tion  of  the  metropolis.  His  well  nigh  infallible  judgment  of  the  cost  of  a 
proposed  work  has  made  his  labors  as  profitable  to  himself  as  they  are 
satisfactory  to  the  capitalists  who  have  availed  themselves  of  his  serviics. 

Mr.  Decker  married,  in  1S45,  a  daughter  of  .Mr.  J.  B.  .Mathews  of  Johns- 
town, where  he  has  built  a  s|ilendid  country  seat,  at  which,  and  at  ,Sarat:i.L;.i, 
he  spends  his  summers,  living  the  rest  of  the  year  at  his  house  in  Filih 
avenue,  New  York.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  him,  neither  o( 
whom  is  now  living. 

Mr.  Decker  is  characterized  in  person  by  a  musi  ular  form  of  incil.;:m 
height,  excellently  preserved  in  advanced  years;  in  the  expression  of  Ins 
countenance,  by  intelligence  and  firmness  ;  in  his  manner,  by  conli.il 
courtesy  ;  in  his  tastes,  by  simplicity  and  rcfinemcni,  and  in  his  char.icicr, 
by  uprightness  and  benevolence. 


LLE. 


201 


rom  1845  to  1856,  managing  a  blacksmith  shop  in  the 
In  1857  he  built  the  first  planing  mill  in  the  county, 
rst  block  of  plank  similar  to  those  now  used  for  cut- 
first  buffalo  coat  made  in  the  county. 

-  of  this  century  there  is  said  to  have  been  a  tavern  kept 
Kisite  the  northeast  corner  of  Prospect  Hill  Cemetery. 
as  a  public  house  about  1807. 

te,  William  C.  Mills  built  grist  and  fulling  mills,  near 
luse  now  stands.  The  grist-mill,  indeed,  is  said  to  have 
section  of  the  country,  though  there  is  a  tradition  of 

\  by  J.  Mathews.  Both  would  doubtless  have  been 
t  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  near  Johnson  Hall.  The 
liam  C.  Mills  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  son  i'hilo, 
tterwas  killed  in  1S35  by  the  overturnmg  upon  hun  of 
which  he  was  traveling  to  Schenectady.  I'he  grjst- 
the  possession  of  his  son  Sidney,   who    sold  •!    to 


ned  the  first  store  in  Gloversville  i 
site   the  site  of  the  Alvord    House. 
,  the  mercantile  business,  which  hi. 
^^1  there  were  still  but  two  stores  in  thi 
ij^'^-ar  one  of  them,  kejit  by  J.  K.  Sexton 


[8j8,    in  a  sm; 

In    iS.'9   Hen 

■onlinuc.l  abi) 

llage,  .,nd 

3S  burned. 

Boston   to   GloversMJle,  and  o|icne 

He  continued   in   the  busmcss  the 


removed  fron 
>3^  in  the  village. 
iJ^isT'Ut  twenty  years. 

"3^!.  hich  Gloversville  has  grown  seems  to  have  borne  no 

)'  '  fS^"  "''^'  ''^"  Jonathan   .Sedgwick  pro]iosed  that  it  he 

A  ..^"^'''he  name   is  said  to  have  commended  itself  iniin.di- 

j^i_sense  of  the  fitness  of  things,  and  was  ado|itcd.     The 

.'^.^  illage  may  be  suj.posed  to   have  bristled  with  pine 

:'   '  ner  of  the  hills   on   its  present  southern  border.     If 

^■.  of  the  name  will  not  be  questioned,  whatever  ni.iy 

/]  ^  In   the   latter   respect  improvement  seems  to  h.i\e 

;  and  when  a  post-ofifice  was  established,  and   Henry 

jstmaster,  in  iS;S,  the  present  name  was  adr)pteil  ^^ 

id   by   Jennison    (.;iles.     Gloversville   thus  presents 

.illage  twice  named  from  its  most  striking;  char.irler- 

ling  already  been  sufficiently  developed  in  i8;3  to 

chosen. 

$place  gave  no  promise  of  its  recent  rapid  growth     It 

-_^^—    lame  before  its  first  christening  in  1S16,  for  in   iSjo 

■uses,  and  but  two  were  .added  in  the  next  two  ye.irs. 

^en  became  more  rapid.      The  village  was  incorpor- 

d  the  next  t«o  years,  one  hundred  and  fourteen 

ising   the  number   in    the   village  to  abtuit  fi\c 

^(  hree    thousand    inhabitants.     The   .Mills     now  the 

;      It  in  1S56-7,  and  its  erection  is  spoken  of  by  Mr. 

he  building  operations  of  the  village."     The  eslab- 

It  was  heated  by  steam  and  lighted  with  gas.  fiir- 

^^  :    Lir  the  illumination  of  the  churches,  business  places, 

amuel  S.  Mills  was  the  proprietor. 

■-;;-res — occupied  by  the  ai)proi)riately  named  l'ros|)e(l 

-      chased  for  its  present  purpose  in  1855  at  a  cost  of 

--  r-       I...  ^  /."l-on  it  was  that  of  Lewis  Meade.   In  thisccmelery 

-.jtOWn  ,^F  U  ItO  n    O0.,N,  a  veteran  of  18.2,  who  settled  nc.ir  Kmgsboroin 

ck  maker.      For  more  than  twenty  years  before  his 


■nr:^ 


•v^jhg£AJ^--dv^^>-^^;'^'-^^'^ 


THE  FOUNDERS  OF  GI.OVERSVILLE. 


201 


GLOVERSVILLE. 


The  growth  of  Gloversville  presents  a  phenomenon  in  viiiage-building. 
From  a  hamlet  of  a  dozen  houses  in  1830,  remote  from  all  important  chan- 
nels of  communication,  with  no  advantage  of  location  but  the  water-power 
afforded  by  a  small  stream,  it  has  outgrown  neighboring  villages  that  were 
old  when  it  was  only  fairly  started;  and  almost  at  its  doors  in  some  direc- 
tions the  forest  is  now  giving  way  before  its  rapid  expansion.  And  this 
mainly  by  the  almost  accidental  development  of  a  peculiar  industrv',  which 
now  draws  its  materials  from  ever)'  quarter  of  the  globe,  and  sends  its  pro- 
duct abroad  well  nigh  as  widely,  giving  support  to  most  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  village,  and  a  name  to  their  enterprising  town. 

The  earliest  settlements  from  which  the  village  has  grown  were  made 
about  the  close  of  the  last  centurv',  at  the  eastern  and  western  extremities 
of  the  corporation  as  now  bounded,  namely  about  the  four  corners  north- 
east of  Prospect  Hill  Cemetery,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  McNab's  Mills.  At 
the  latter  location  settled,  as  enumerated  by  Mr.  Horace  Sprague  in  1857: 
"Janoes  Lord,  a  magistrate  and  a  jwrson  of  some  note;  Job  Heacock,  an- 
cestor of  the  Heacocks  of  Kingsbnro;  Jehial  (iriswold;  Benjamin  Cresset, 
a  loyalist  of  the  Resolution;  Koberi,  Charles  and  John  Wijson,  brothers, 
with  whom  lived  their  mother,  the  widow  Wilson,  and  their  grandmother, 
the  widow  Greig,  whose  oldest  son.  Captain  Creig,  was  an  officer  in  the 
American  army,  whose  capture  by  the  Indians,  as  narrated  in  the  story  of 
*  The  Faithful  American  Dog,'  was  familiar  to  every  school-boy  thirty 
years  ago;  Thomas  Mann,  father  of  William  and  John  Mann,  afterward 
favorably  known  in  the  community;  Asa  Jones,  grandfather  of  Col.  Harvey 
Jones;  Rev.  John  Lindley,  minister  of  the  church  at  Kingsboro  Center; 
Samuel  Giles  and  William  C.  Mills." 

At  the  eastern  settlement  Daniel  Bedford  kept  a  store  and  tavern.  The 
principal  residents  at  this  point  were  two  families  of  Throops;  one  that  of 
Rev.  George  Throop,  whose  adopted  son,  George  B.,  was  afterward  the 
father  of  Governor  Knos  T.  Throop;  and  the  other  that  of  Col.  Josiah 
Throop,  whose  son.  William,  was  the  Baptist  preacher  at  West  Kingsboro. 
Between  these  hill-and-valley  hamlets  but  two  houses  then  represented  the 
large  village  of  the  present  day.  One  of  them,  occupied  by  William  Ward, 
sen.,  stood  just  west  of  the  spot  now  covered  by  the  Congrega:ional  church. 
Mr.  Ward.  Samuel  Giles.  William  C.  Mills  and  James  Burr,  with  their  im- 
mediate descendant.s,  are  spoken  of  as  the  founders  of  Gloversville. 

The  oldest  dwelling  now  standing  in  the  village  is  believed  to  be  the 
brick  house  on  Main  street,  near  Day  ^:  Steele's  mill.  It  was  built  prior 
to  1800  by  John  Mathews;  sold  by  him  to  S.  Livingston,  and  by  him  to  Joab 
Phelps.  It  passed  into  the  hands  of  K.  Hulbert,  the  i)resent  owner,  May 
I.  1835- 

James  Hiirr,  bom  I)ecL'ml)cr  ir,  !779.  in  West  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
moved  In  Fulton  county  with  his  father  four  years  later.  In  iSio  he  es- 
taldislied  in  what  is  now  (llovers^ille  the  first  glove  manufactory  in  the 
vilhagc.  His  further  contrilnitiims  to  this  branch  of  business  are  mention- 
ed in  connection  with  its  fidl  history  given  elsewhere.  On  establishing 
himself  in  (lloversville,  he  budt  a  brick  house  where  the  .Alvord  House 
now  stands.  Here  he  lived  until  183O.  when  he  moved  into  a  hotel  called 
the  Tenii>cranrc  House,  built  for  him  by  his  son,  H.  I,,  linrr.  in  the  pre- 
vious year.  This  building,  a  wooden  structure,  was  the  first  hotel  in  the 
village.  It  stood  on  the  west  side  of  Main  street,  near  Fulton,  and  was 
kept  by  Mr.  Hurras  a  public  house  about  twelve  years.  It  was  mentioned 
by  Mr.  Sprague  in  1S57,  as  then  standing  "opposite  the  old  liaptist 
church."  James  linrr  had  seven  children,  Caroline.  Horatio  I...  James  H., 
William  H.,  Selina,  Francis  and  David  M.  The  List  three  died  on  "  the 
old  place."     Horatio   I,,    llurr,  born  in    iHio,  manufactured    gloves  from 


1836  to  1842,  and  from  1845  to  1856,  managing  a  blacksmith  shop  in  the 
intervening  years.  In  1857  he  built  the  first  planing  mill  in  the  county. 
He  also  made  the  first  block  of  plank  similar  to  those  now  used  for  cut- 
ting gloves,  and  the  first  buffalo  coat  made  in  the  county. 

At  the  beginning  of  this  century  there  is  said  to  have  been  a  tavern  kept 
by  Horace  Burr,  opposite  the  northeast  corner  of  Prospect  Hill  Cemetery. 
It  ceased  to  be  kept  as  a  public  house  about  1S07. 

.\t  a  very  early  date,  William  C.  Mills  built  grist  and  fulling  mills,  ne.ir 
where  the  .Alvord  House  now  stands.  The  grist-mill,  indeed,  is  said  to  have 
been  the  first  in  this  section  of  the  country,  though  there  is  a  tradition  of 
one  built  previously  by  J.  Mathews.  Both  would  doubtless  have  been 
much  later  than  that  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  near  Johnson  Hall.  The 
mill  property  of  William  C.  Mills  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  son  i'hilo, 
about  i8oo.  The  latter  was  killed  in  1835  by  the  overturning  upon  him  of 
a  loaded  sleigh  with  which  he  was  traveling  to  Schenectady.  The  grist- 
mill then  came  into  the  possession  of  his  son  Sidne)-,  who  sold  it  to 
Frederick  Steele. 

Simon  M.  Sill  opened  the  first  store  in  Gloversville  in  1S28,  in  a  small 
building  nearly  opposite  the  site  of  the  Alvord  House.  In  1S29  Henry 
Churchill  went  into  the  mercantile  business,  which  he  continued  about 
thirty  years.  In  1S39  there  were  still  but  two  stores  in  the  village,  and  in 
the  autumn  of  that  year  one  of  them,  kept  by  J.  K.  Se.vton.  was  burned. 

In  1828  D.  S.  Tarr  removed  from  Boston  to  C.loversx  ille,  and  o|iened 
the  first  cabinet  shop  in  the  village.  He  continued  in  the  business  there 
and  at  Kingsboro  about  twenty  years. 

The  hamlet  from  which  Glovers\ille  has  grown  seems  to  have  borne  no 
name  before  1S16.  In  that  year  Jonathan  Sedgwick  rirojiosed  that  it  be 
called  Stump  City.  The  name  is  said  to  have  commended  itself  inum-di- 
ately  to  the  villagers'  sense  of  the  fitness  of  things,  and  w.is  a<loptcd.  The 
site  of  the  growing  village  may  be  supposed  to  ha\e  bristled  with  pine 
stumps,  after  the  manner  of  the  hills  on  its  present  southern  border.  If 
so,  the  appropriateness  of  the  name  will  not  be  ipiestioned,  whatever  may 
be  said  of  its  beauty.  In  the  latter  respect  iuipro\ement  seems  to  h.ive 
been  thought  possible,  and  when  a  post-office  was  established,  and  Henry 
Churchill  ajtpointed  postmaster,  in  1S28,  the  present  name  was  adopted  at 
his  suggestion,  seconded  by  Jennison  Ciiles.  (lloversville  thus  presents 
the  singular  case  of  a  village  twice  named  from  its  most  striking  char.icter- 
istic,  glove-making  having  already  been 
dictate  the  name  then  chosen. 

For  many  years  the  place  gave  no  [>ro 
probably  deserved  no  name  before  its  fir 
it  had  only  fourteen  hou-sts,  and  but  two  were  added  in  the  next  two  ye.irs. 
Progress  in  buikbng  then  became  more  rapid.  The  village  was  incorpor- 
ated in  1851.  In  1S55,  and  the  next  tuo  years,  one  hundred  and  fourteen 
dwellings  were  put  up,  raising  the  number  in  the  village  to  about  five 
hundred,  with  some  three  thousand  inhabitants.  The  Mills  [now  the 
Mason  House  was  built  in  1S5O-7,  and  its  erection  is  spoken  of  by  Mr. 
Sprague  as  "  an  era  in  the  building  operations  of  the  village."  The  estab- 
lishment cost  5165,000.  It  was  heated  by  steam  and  lighted  with  gas,  fur- 
nishing the  latter  also  for  the  illumination  of  the  churches,  business  places, 
and  some  dwellings.     Samuel  S.  Mills  was  the  proprietor. 

The  land — twenty  acres — occupied  by  the  appro]iriately  named  I'rosjicct 
Hill  Cemetery,  was  purchased  for  its  jiresent  pur[)ose  in  1855  at  a  cost  of 
.51.000  The  first  buri.-il  upon  it  was  that  of  Lewis  Meade.  In  thisccmelery 
is  buried  Othniel  C.orton,  a  veteran  of  1812,  who  settled  near  Kingsboro  in 
1819  as  a  watch  and  clock  maker.      For  more  than  twenty  years  before  his 


sufficiently  develojied  in  1828  to 

lise  of  its  recent  rapid  growth    It 
t  christening  in  1S16,  for  in    1.S30 


202 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


deaths  in  1873  aged  77  ,  he  lived  in  Ciloversville.  Another  veteran  of  181 2, 
James  Whittakrr,  was  still  living  in  1877,  in  his  86th  year,  with  his  son,  E. 
V.  Whittaker.  in  Fremont  street. 

When  Mr.  Horace  Spra^ue  wrote  of  Gloversville,  in  1857,  the  business 
places  comprised  four  dry  goods,  three  clothing,  three  grocer)',  three 
"  flour,"  one  drug,  one  jewelry,  and  two  "  fancy  "  stores;  two  stove  and 
tinware  shops;  two  lawyers'  and  three  physicians'  offices.  That  gentleman 
also  made  the  following  interesting  reference  to  the  relative  prices  of  real 
estate  in  the  village  at  several  dates: 

"All  the  land  lying  north  of  t'ulton  and  west  of  Bleecker  streets,  and  all 
lying  between  .Main.  Fulton  and  Water  streets  and  owned  by  \Vm.  T. 
Mills,  was  sold  in  1825  to  Samuel  (iiles  for  ,9500.  Wm.  Ward,  sen.,  owned, 
previous  to  the  year  1808,  all  the  land  east  of  HIeccker  and  north  of  Ful- 
ton streets,  and  all  south  of  Fulton  street  from  nearly  opposite  the  Congre- 
gational church  to  the  eastern  limits  of  the  vdlage.  That  portion -called 
the  Hardy  plai  e,  including  all  west  of  Main  to  Bleecker  street  and  north 
of  Fulton  street,  was  sold  in  the  year  i8jo  for  S500  ;  and  all  the  remain- 
ing lands  of  Wm.  Ward,  sen.,  owned  by  Dea.  .\braham  Ward,  were  sold  in 
'1833  for  S800.  Thirty  acres  lying  south  of  Fulton  and  east  of  Main 
streets,  and  owned  by  Jennison  Giles,  were  sold  to  Jennison  G.  Ward  in 
1836,  for  $r,8oo.     Their  present  value  would  reach  $5,000." 

The  population  of  the  village  is  not  far  from  4,000.  Officers  in  1877  : 
President,  H.  Z.  Kasson  ;  clerk,  \.  Wetherwax  ;  treasurer,  '  hn  R.  War- 
man  ;  collector,  P.  F.  Everest  ;  street  commissioner,  J.  R.  Cadman  ;  trus- 
tees, H.  Z.  Kasson,  P  Van  Wart,  Geo.  W.  Nickloy.  Daniel  Lasher, 
J.  Sunderlin,  A.  D.  .Simmons,  C.  McDougal,  L.  F.  Marshall  and  J.  H. 
Johnson  ;  assessors,  A.  Bruce,  E.  C.  Burton  and  W.  Case. 


METHODIST    EPISCOPAL. 

Methodism  in  Gloversville  is  an  outgrowth  of  a  society  organized  north 
of  Kingsboro,  in  1790,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Keff.  That  was  in  the  heroic  age 
of  the  church,  and  the  planting  of  this  outpost  of  Christianity  was  one  of 
the  labors  of  the  ne\er-to-be-forgoiten  circuit  riders.  It  was  the  pioneer 
church  of  its  neighborhood,  .\mong  its  members  "  the  names  of  Easter- 
ly, Edwards,  Clancy,  Carpenter,  Port,  Northrop.  Porter,  Hartshorn,  Powell, 
Phelps,  Smith,  Sutliff,  Edwards,  Johnson,  Flood,  H.a1stead  and  Wait  will 
long  be  remembered  with  affection  and  respect  a.s  pillars  in  the  church  and 
community."  In  1791  Rev.  Freeborn  Garretson,  then  presiding  elder  of  the 
Saratoga  district  of  the  New  York  Conference,  was  able  to  report  that  the 
society  had  secured  a  lot  and  building  materials,  and  that  a  chapel  was  in 
process  of  erection.  From  1790  to  1801  servit  es,  it  is  believed,  were  con- 
ducted by  the  Rev,  Mr.  Keff,  Aimer  Chase,  Samuel  Draper.  Samuel  I.ucky. 
Daniel  Ostrander,  Samuel  How  and  Samuel  Eiglimy.  From  the  latter  date 
forward  the  preachers  included  T.  Seymour,  H.  Stearns,  N.  Levings,  J. 
Beeman,  S.  Miner,  J.  Co\ell,  C.  Pomcroy,  J.  I).  .Moriarty,  Jesse  Lee,  J.  Demp- 
ster, A.  Schofield,  -M.  Bates,  S.  Stebbins,  D.  Stevens,  J.  B.  Stratton,  J.  Alley, 
T.  Spicer,  H.  Fames,  S.  Coleman,  V.  R.  Oshorn,  J.  McCreary,  J.  B.  Houghtal- 
ing  and  others,  .\mong  the  names  thus  far  mentioned  are  some  very 
prominent  in  the  history  of  the  denommation  at  l.irge.  Freeborn  tiarret- 
son,  Jesse  Lee  and  John  Dempster  are  among  the  leading  men  in  the 
whole  annals  of  Methodism. 

In  1838  a  great  revival  occurred  at  Gloversville.  under  the  labors  of  J. 
H.  Taylor  and  I..  W.  Bradley,  asMMed  l.y  (,:harles  Sherman,  who  was  pre- 
siding elder  at  the  time,  (iloversville  was  thenceforward  the  center  of 
Methodist  influence  in  the  northern  ])art  of  the  town,  and  the  Kingsboro 
society  declined,  though  a  new  building  was  subse(piently  erected  and 
services  maintained  at  the  old  place.  The  first  Methodist  Episcopal 
society  in  Gloversville  was  organized  in  1838  with  69  members,  and  a 
church  edifice  begun,  which  was  tinish 
summer.  The  society  spent  §0.500  u| 
parsonage.  In  1840-1,  T-honias  B.  Pea 
1842-3,  Stephen  Parks;  1844.  I'lKmi.i 
1846-7,  C.  Barber;  184S-9,  J.iiues  (,)i 
In  1851  the  churi 
fit  Bates  was  pa' 


'    folluH 


rd  and  dedicated 
m  this  building,  and  S'.6oo  for 
M.n  was  pastor  of  the  new  (  liurcl 
Kis  .Vrmilagc;  1845.  Dillon  Steven 
,iumljn;  1850-1,  Ri,  hard  T.  Wad 
las  enlarged  and  redcdicated.  In  1852-3,  Rev.  .Mc 
,  and  in   1H54-5,  Stephen   Parks.      During   .Mr.  Park 


pastorate  the  church  was  again  enlarged  and  rcdedicated. 
ceeded  by  Rev.  11.  Hawley.     lu    1.S57,  the  last  year  of  his 


He 

pasln 


number  of  communicants  was  270.  The  subsequent  pastors  have  been  as 
follows:  l85,S-9,  N  G.  Spaulding;  1860-1,  E.  Watson;  1862-3.  I>r.  I. 
Parks;  1864-6,  T.  Griffin;  1867-9,  (J  S.  Chadbourne;  1870-2.  I).  W. 
Dayton;   1873-5,  H.  C.  Sexton;   1876  to  the  present,  O.  A.  Brown. 

The  present  elegant  church  edifice  of  the  society,  64  by  141  feel,  with  a 
spire  rising  153  feet,  was  built  in  1869.  The  estimated  cost  was  $55,000, 
but  the  actual  expense  was  largely  in  excess  of  that  sum. 

Scores  of  conversions  annually  swelled  the  membership  of  the  church, 
until,  in  1875.  it  had  reached  1,200.  The  Fremont  street  church  was 
formed  from  the  F'irst  in  that  year. 

The  Sunday-school  was  organized  in  1838  with  some  fifty  scholars  and 
teachers.  J.  G.  Ward  held  the  position  of  superintendent  for  over  thir- 
teen years,  and  his  successor,  A.  E.  Porter,  who  was  appointed  in  185J, 
served  for  more  than  eighteen.  .\t  his  appointment  the  school  numbered 
150  scholars  and  20  teachers.  Mrs.  E.  G.  Ward  was  assistant  superintend- 
ent, and  superintendent  of  the  infant  department,  for  thirty-four  year.s. 
In  1S70  Mr.  G.  M.  Powell  was  made  superintendent.  During  his  incum- 
bency the  number  of  scholars  was  6S0.  He  was  followed  in  1872  by  J.  1). 
Clark.  He  held  the  post  for  three  years,  during  which  the  membership 
of  the  school  increased  to  900.  It  w.-is  then  divided,  one-third  going  to 
the  new  church  in  Fremont  street.  Mr.  E.  Olmstead  is  now  superintend- 
ent, having  been  elected  in  L)ecember,  1876. 

The  presiding  elders  of  the  district  covering  Ciloversville  have  included 
Freeborn  Garretson,  .Abner  Chase,  J.  B.  Stratton,  S.  Miner,  Charles  Sher- 
man, E.  Goss,  John  Lindsley,  John  Clark.  T.  Seymour,  William  Griftin,  H. 
L.  Stark,  E.  Watson,  L.  Marshall  and  D.  W.  Davton. 


FIRST    BAPTIST. 

This  is  another  church  which  had  its  origin  in  Kingsboro,  where  in  1799 
a  Baptist  society  was  organized  with  Rev.  William  Throop  as  pastor.  The 
membership  in  1800  was  forty-four.  .Mr.  Thrnon's  successor  was  Rev,  J. 
Lathrop,  who  was  pastor  for  six  years  between  1812  and  1827.  The 
places  of  meeting  were  "Coon's"  and  "  McDougal's  "  school-houses. 
The  church  is  said  to  have  been  disrupted  by  the  anti-masonic  sentiments 
of  the  pastor. 

In  1S38  Rev.  Erastus  Miner  formed  a  brant  h  church  of  the  Pkasani 
\'alley  society,  at  Gloversville.  In  January,  1839,  the  church  voteil  itM-Ii 
indejiendent,  and  in  the  following  June  was  so  recognized  by  the  Sar,U"L:i 
Association  of  Baptist  churches.  There  were  nineteen  constituent  iiuiii- 
bers.  some  of  whom  arc  to  this  day  pillars  in  the  church.  By  Septcuilut 
18,  1839,  a  neat  and  comfortable  house  of  worship  had  been  built,  .iiul  I'U 
that  day  it  was  dedicated.  The  cost  was  §3,200  This  building  is  ni'» 
used  for  business  purposes,  and  known  as  F'ox's  block.  The  pre^cni  ^:il 
stantial  and  commodious  church  was  dedicated  January  22,  1S57.  Ii  '  "-' 
$16,000.  The  society  has  now  a  harmonious  and  prosperous  menilitrsjn;- 
of  over  600.  It  has  enjoyed  the  services  of  the  following  pastors  :  1'K'i-i 
183910  1854,  David  Corwin  ;  1855-9,  Isa.ac  Westcott  ;  1859,  Su|l<" 
ReminL'ton  ;  1X59-67,  Conant  Sawyer;  1S67-8,  (.'harles  V.  Swan  ;  iN'")  71 
George  Cooper  ;    1873  to  the  present,  C.  N.  Pattengill. 

The  Sabbath-school  was  organized  in  .March,  1839.  A.  S.  Lcaioii  \v..s 
the  first  siiperintenilent  ;  Charles  P.  Brockway  is  the  present  im  iiiiil'i  n' 
The  number  of  stholars  is  561.  The  first  sewing  society  in  the  regm"  "i* 
organized  to  aid  in  furnishing  this  chun  h.  It  still  continues  in  a  il.-  't- 
ishing  condition,  having  for  manv  years  supported  a  native  Kaern  mi--:"''' 
ary  in  Burmah.  and  latterly  given  substantial  encouragement  and  .r.A  i" 
young  men  studying  for  the  minist.''y  and  engaged  in  other  bencvolvni  •  '■ 
terprises. 


The  Congregational  1  hiirch  of  Gloversville  isstillanolheroff-sho.it  tf 
a  Kingsboro  soiiely.      ]^ti.  21,  1852,  seventy-eight  persons  askcii   '"' 
ters  of  dismission  from  the  Presbyterian  church  at  that  pl.u  e  for  ih.   ; 
pose  of  forming  one  at  tdover.sville.      Jiilv  2.  the  Congreg.Uinn.il  <  Id" 
Gloversville  w ,is  organized  with  Charles  .Mills,  !l.  Seth  Smilli.  I    ^     I' 
and  E.  L.  Burton,  dea.  ons.      Ihc   Mist    pa-tor.    Rev.  llouicr    N.  D  ■   •'  ' 
began  his  ministry  immcdiatclv.      By  a  revival  in  the  auliinin  ol  185.-  '  ^ 
Ih.in  liftv  ..inverts  were   adilc.l   I.)  the   ihurih.      In    I  )c. 


the 


Dunning  resigned,  and 


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MOMT«OMERY  CO.  COURT   HOOSE    ANO    JAIi.  . 

rONDA      N.    Y.    


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A.a.WASHBORfl    GLOveRSVIt-te  .NY, 
rULTON     CO. 


HARDWARE    STORE  Of  THE  HON  J.J   HANSON  . 
GLOVERSVILLE  ruLTON  00.  N   V 


CHURCHES,  SCHOOLS  AND  NEWSPAPERS  OF  GLOVERSVILI.E. 


203 


of  Cleveland,  O.,  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  whic'i  he  held  until  August, 
iS68.  In  January,  1X69.  Kcv.  \V.  A.  McCJinlcy  accepted  a  call  to  become 
pastor.  He  resigned  in  May,  1874.  Rev.  Wm.  E.  I'ark,  the  present  pas- 
tor, began  his  ministrations  in  .March,  1876. 

The  church  edifice  was  built  in  1852.  It  is  of  brick,  47  by  88  feet,  «.ih 
a  conference  room  47  by  ^56.  Its  tost  was.  §10,000.  The  niember-.hi|)  is 
300,  against  266  in  1857.  The  present  deacons  are  ;  Wm.  Deniarest,  Itan- 
icl  S.  Tarr,  A.  Judson,  and  I.  V.  Place.  The  Sabbath-school  was  organised 
with  the  church.  Elisha  Burton  was  the  first  superintendent,  holding  the 
ufiice  until  his  death.     G.  M.  Ballcntine  is  now  superintendent. 

FIRST    FRKSHVTERI.AN'. 

The  first  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  .-Vug.  6,  18O4,  the  mem- 
bers having  previously  worshiped  with  the  Congregationalists  of  the  \  iUagc, 
and  the  Presbyterians  of  Kingsboro.  Fourteen  persons  withdrew  from  the 
former  body,  and  nine  from  the  latter  to  form  the  new  society,  and  were 
joined  by  three  each  from  the  Presbyterian  churches  of  Johnstown  and 
Mayfield,  and  four  from  other  places,  and  one  joined  on  profession  of  faith, 
making  thirty-four  members,  who  held  their  meetings  in  the  hall  in  the  rear 
of  the  Washburn  property.  Rev.  J.  .\.  Priest,  the  first  pastor,  conducted 
the  services  in  this  place  until  May  22,  1866,  when  the  present  ch  h  edi- 
fice was  dedicated.  .Although  it  cost  §36,000,  such  was  the  liberality  of 
the  members  that  it  was  entirely  paid  for  before  dedication.  It  seats  about 
six  hundred  persons.  The  church  has  always  been  prosperous,  and  has 
now  a  membership  of  about  375. 

The  first  pastor,  Mr.  Priest,  held  his  jjosition  from  1864  to  186S.  Rev. 
M.  L.  P.  Hill,  from  Little  Falls,  was  installed  in  June,  1868,  and  resigned 
in  November,  1870.  Rev.  .\.  S.  Walker,  the  present  incumbent,  began  his 
pastorate  with  the  first  Sabbath  in  July,  187 1.  The  Sunday-school  was 
organized  immediately  after  the  church.  W.  J,  Heacock  has  been  super- 
intendent since  that  time. 


ST.   MARY  s  ROMAN  CATHOLIC. 

This  society  purchased,  in  an  unfinished  state,  its  present  church  on 
Pine  street,  in  1874.  Father  (lillem,  the  first  pastor,  only  held  that  relation 
for  a  short  time.  Rev.  W.  Kempen  succeeded  him,  and  procured  the  com- 
pletion of  the  church.  He  resigned  in  .April,  1876,  and  a  year  .ater  the 
present  pastor.  Rev.  Michael  Killeen,  took  charge  of  the  society.  The  at- 
tendance at  church  is  about  330. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school-house  in  Ciloversville  was  built  of  slabs  in  1800.  It 
stood  in  Broad 'street,  near  its  intersection  with  Fulton.  It  was  removed, 
about  1811,  to  a  spot  on  the  grounds  of  James  Burr,  opposite  the  site  of 
the  .\ivord  House.  In  1814,  a  second  school-house  was  built  of  brick  on 
the  northwest  corner  of  Main  and  Fulton  streets.  It  was  a  commodious 
building,  and  was  used  until  1836,  when  it  gave  way  to  a  business  block. 
The  third  school-house  was  a  two-story  wooden  building,  on  the  north  side 
of  F'ulton  street,  at  the  corner  of  School  street.  It  is  now  used  as  a  glove 
factory. 

In  1854  the  Union  Seminary  was  built,  at  an  expense  of  §21.000.  It  h.id 
.1*  cominodations  for  sixty  boarders  and  two  hundred  other  pupils. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  school-house  of  District  No.  16.  Feb.  25,  186.S, 
it  W.-IS  voted — 169  to  3,3 — to  change  the  system  of  the  village  schools,  by 
1  ombining  them  into  a  graded  school.  .Vt  a  meeting  m  the  same  place. 
March  2,  J.  H.  Seymour,  J.  S.  Heacock  and  Seymour  Se.\ton,  were  elected 
trustees  for  three  years  :  U.  .M.  Pl.ice,  P.  R.  Furbeck  and  E.  Leavenworth, 
for  two  years,  and  Daniel  Hays,  W.  H.  Place  and  W.  A.  Kassim,  for  one 
year.  L.  M.  Place  was  sub-eipicntly  elected  president,  and  P.  R.  Fur- 
beck  clerk  of  the  Board  of  Education.  In  the  latter  |.art  of  1868,  the 
seminary  building  was  purchased  for  §16,000  for  the  purposes  of  the  pro- 
posed graded  school.  Hy  1874  this  building  had  proved  too  small,  .and  in 
that  year  another  was  built,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  first,  at  a  cost  of 
$10,000.  The  popularity  of  this  school  has  been  shown  from  the  first,  by 
the  constant  and  increasing  attendance.  .Mr.  H.  ,\.  Pratt  has  been  prin- 
cipal from  the  beginning.     1  he  other  teachers  are:   .Mrs.  .M.  A.  Kelley. 

24 


Alfarata  Cliite,  Miss  O  Merriam,  Emma  C.  West,  Louisa  Jackson.  1. 
Agnes  .Merrum.  l.uuis,i  .\oyes.  .Ml^^  \.  A.  Lansing,  .Miss  F.  Carroll,  Maggie 
Davidson,  Miss  ().  A.  Chase,  .Miss  .M.  .M.  Snediker,  Nellie  Eggleston,  .Mrs. 
A.  Woodward,  Laura  (ileason,  .Miss  E.  J.  Creswell,  .Mary  .\  Rogers  ancl 
Adolph  Peck.  The  number  of  pupils  exceeds  1,200.  The  school  h.is  a 
library  of  about  230  volumes. 

The  trustees  are  :  J.  I>.  Foster.  A.  D.  L.  Baker,  J.  Ferguson.  P.  k.  Fur- 
beck,  S.  Jeffers.  W.  H.  Place,  E.  Ward,  E.  Veeder,  J.  H.  Hale.  Presideni. 
J    D.  Foster  ;  clerk.  E.  Ward. 


JOURNALISM   IN   CLOVERSVILI.E. 

TAe  GhntrnilU  Stiunlant.  the  first  newsjiaper  published  in  the  village, 
was  started  in  December.  1856,  by  W.  H.  Case.  In  .March,  uSfto,  A.  I'lir- 
son  took  control  of  the  |iaper,  but  retained  it  only  until  January,  i.V(,  1, 
when  (ieorge  W.  Heaton  purchased  the  concern.  J.  R.  .\rrowsmith  shortly 
became  associated  with  Mr.  Heaton  in  the  management,  and  at  the  deaih 
of  the  latter  became  sole  proprietor.  I'he  jjaper  became  an  exponent  of 
the  Liberal  Republican  principles  in  1872,  and  remained  such  until  June. 
1S75,  when  it  was  sold  to  Hervey  Ross,  the  present  proprietor,  who  pub- 
lishes it  as  a  Democratic  journal. 

The  GUTersville  /iilt/lignicer  vm  started  in  January,  1867,  by  Charles  H. 
Kelly,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  assisted  by  citizens  of  the  village.  It  was 
a  folio  sheet,  with  a  si.x-column  24  by  36  inch  page.  In  politics  it  was 
independent,  and  so  continued  under  Mr.  Kelly's  supervision  for  the  first 
si.x  months  of  its  history.  The  office  was  in  a  small  upper  room  of  the  two- 
story  wooden  building  133  .Main  street.  This  room  contained  the  eniirr 
material  of  the  business,  including  the  hand-press  on  which  the  paper  was 
at  first  printed.  July  27,  1867,  the  establishment  w.is  purchased  by  (ieo 
.M.  Thompson,  a  native  of  Ticonderoga.  By  him  the  paper  was  consider- 
ably enlarged  and  made  a  pronounced  Republican  sheet.  LInder  Mr 
Thompson's  management  it  became  the  leading  Republican  journal  of  the 
county  in  circulation  and  influence.  In  1877  The  /iite/ligfihir,  lo-^e^hvr 
with  The  Fulton  County  JiepuHuau,  of  Johnstown,  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Capron  &  Ward,  as  .already  mentioned. 

The  Gloversr,-ille  Advertiser,  a  small  penny  sheet,  begun  in  .March,  1-^73. 
by  \  S.  Bottsford.  was  published  as  a  daily  for  thirty-four  days,  when  u 
was  changed  to  a  weekly,  and  issued  by  Bottsford  and  J.  H.  Bunch  for  .i 
short  time,  when  Burtch  became  sole  proprietor,  and  continued  its  public.i- 
tion  until  about  July  i,  1875.  when  it  was  discontinued.  It  was  rc\i\cd. 
however,  after  the  lapse  of  two  years,  and  is  now  published  bv  liurtch  \ 
Peake. 

-Amos  S.  Bottsford,  long  a  prominent  figure  in  Cloversville  ioiirnalisin. 
was  born  in  Hartwick,  Otsego  Co.,  N.  \',  .August  25,  1824.  When  al  .mi 
twelve  years  of  age,  his  parents  having  died,  he  went  to  Cherry  Vallev. 
and  became  employed  by  his  uncle,  Charles  McLean,  who  was  then  editor 
of  The  Cherry  Viilley  Gitutle.  and  postmaster  of  that  place.  Here  youui; 
Bottsford  applied  himself  assiduously  to  learning  the  jirinter's  art,  win.  I\ 
he  followed  in  the  .same  office  for  ten  years,  when,  in  January,  1846.  Mr. 
McLean  h.uiug  been  ele.  te.l  coiinly  .  lerk.  Mr.  Bottsford,  at  the  age  of  2;. 
w.is  lustailc.l  ,is  e.lil.ir  .111.1  pnlilishcr  nf  the  (;,i:,ll,.  uliich  he  1  .inliiiiic.!  I. . 
publish,  «ith  var;nig  siuicss,  uiuil  10O3.  The  Goulle  maten.il  uas  th.n 
taken  by  Mr.  lloUsford  10  Hoosltk  Falls,  Rensselaer  county,  where  he  piic- 
lished  the ///</'■/>.•/;,/,//('.■  but  there  was  not  enough  patronage  to  gue  the 
paper  a  healihy  siip|iort.  and  he  relumed  to  Cherry  Valley  in  July,  i.'ii'''. 
and  resumed  the  publi.  alion  of  The  Cherry  Valley  Gnielle.  E.irly  in  l.So.s 
he  removed  from  Cherry  Valley  to  Cloversv  ille,  where  he  established  The 
Glorenrill,  Demoerol.  a  weekly  Journal,  whii  h  he  .  ondui  ted  «ith  niarki.l 
ability,  being  reuar.lc.i  uuli  a  lil.er.il  p.ilr.inage.  not  only  from  1  Iciu...  r.iis 
the  luulilv  ...inpriscl  ..nl\  a  han.llul  of  |ieiii.i<  rats  at  that  tunc  .bill  fr..ni 
the  other  party  also,  .\t  the  end  of  the  fourth  year  of  the  Democi.u  v 
existence.  Mr.  Bottsford  w.is  induced  to  start  adaily  in  c-onnection  with  ins 
weekly  publication.  The  daily  was  a  large  quarto,  28x42,  and  was  ably 
conducted,  but  the  people  were  not  educated  up  to  the  iioint  of  sup].ori- 
ing  such  a  costly  enterprise,  and  it  was  abandoned  in  about  two  monihs. 
The  weekly,  however,  was  continued  several  months  longer,  when  thai,  too, 
suspended  for  want  of  sufficient  patronage.  Mr  Bottsford,  after  his  retire- 
ment from  the  Aikerliser,  became  an  attache  of  The  GiireenvilU  SlanJai.i. 
While  in  this  [lositioii  he  contracted  a  severe  cold,  and  took  to  his  bed.  His 
malady  developed  into  llriglu's  disease  of  the  kidneys,  and  after  a  lingering 


204 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


and  painful  illness  he  died  June  23,  1S73.  aged  52  years;  his  remains  were 
interred  in  the  Cherry  Valley  Cemetery.  He  was  a  genial,  large-hearted 
man,  a  thorough  practical  printer,  a  witty,  versatile  writer,  and  "  a  Democrat 
at  all  times,  and  under  all  circumstances." 

Tie  Century  was  established  in  February,  1876,  by  C.  J.  Johnston,  but 
continued  only  five  weeks. 

The  Glin-trsxilte  Times  was  started  in'  October,  1876,  by  Hallcck  & 
Sinclair,  but  in  five  weeks  it  was  merged  in  The  SlaniijrtI,  passing  into 
the  hands  of  Hervey  Ross. 


LODGES  AND  ASSOCIATIONS. 


Gloversville  Lodge,  No.  335.  I.  O.  O.  F.  was  instituted  by  D.  D.  G. 
M.  Lindsey,  March  13,  1848,  with  the  following  charier  members  :  .\ugus- 
tus  Cheadel,  .\ugustus  Campbell,  Richard  Dyer,  Sherwood  Haggart, 
Henry  H.  Leonard,  William  Ward,  jr .  and  Rufus  Washburn,  jr.  The 
first  two  were  rcsijecti\cly  N.  G.  and  V.  G.  ;  Wm.  Ward,  recording  secre- 
tary ;  H.  H.  Leonard,  permanent  secretary;  and  Sherwood  Haggart. 
treasurer.  In  June,  1S50,  five  members  w-ithdrew  to  form  a  lodge  at 
Northville.  Next  month  the  number  of  the  Gloversville  lodge  was  changed 
to  84.  In  May,  1857,  the  lodge  surrendered  its  charter  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  northern  New  V'ork.  December  23,  1869,  a  dispensation  was 
granted  to  former  members  of  Lodge  No.  84.  who  had  applied  to  the  R.  W. 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  New  York,  for  the  restoration  of  their  char- 
ter, January  12,  1S70.  Gloversville  Lodge  was  instituted  by  D.  D.  G.  M., 
David  DeForest,  of  .Amsterdam,  N.  Y.,  presiding  over  the  district  com- 
prising Montgomery,  Fulton  and  Hamilton  counties,  called  since  1873 
the  district  of  Fulton.  The  first  officers  after  the  reorganization  were 
John  Drake,  N.  G.  ;  John  S.  Green,  V.  G.  ;  Albert  W.  Gorton,  secretary  ; 
Alexander  J.  Kxsson,  treasurer.  The  officers  for  the  term  ending  June 
30,  1877,  were  Walter  J.  Burling.  N.  G.;  John  Kean,  V.  G.;  .Mark  P.  Ward, 
recording  secretary ;  E.  S.  Day,  permanent  secretary ;  John  S.  Green, 
treasurer;  Wm.  .\ncock  is  D.  D.  G.  M.  of  the  district.  None  of  the  origi- 
nal charter  members  remain,  and  but  four  of  those  of  the  new  lodge;  three 
of  the  former — Ward,  Leonard  and  Haggart,  and  one  of  the  latter — James 
Berry — having  died  and  the  rest  mo\ed  auay. 

May  31,  1870,  patriarchs  George  Van  Kleeck,  John  W.  Peek,  Alexander 
Baker,  George  W.  Marley,  Orlando  Cady  and  John  H.  Drake  formed  Van 
Kleeck  Encampment,  No.  49,  a  higher  order  of  Odd  Fellowship.  The  en- 
campment was  instituted  June  3.  and  the  following  officers  installed  by  D. 
D.  G.  P.,  David  I)e  Forest;  Oriando  Cady.  C.  P.;  George  W.  Marley,  H.  P.; 
John  H.  Drake.  S.  W  ;  John  W.  Peek,  J.  W.;  Alexander  Baker,  treasurer; 
A.  W.  Gorton,  scribe.  The  olficers  for  the  term  ending  June  30.  1S77 
were:  John  Kean,  C.  P.;  Walter  Buriing.  H.  P.;  Henry  E.  Krause,  S.  W., 
John  N.  Face,  J.  W.;  William  Ancock.  treasurer;  .Mark  P.  Ward,  scribe. 


Gloversville  Lodge,  No.  429,  F.  &  .\.  .M.,  was  constituted  July  27,  1857. 
The  members  who  organized  the  lodge  were:  Timothy  W.  Miller.  .Moses 
S.  Adams,  William  Ward.  John  Siinderlin.  Daniel  Potter  and  George  W. 
Hogcboom,  of  St.  Patrick's  Lodge,  No.  4.  Johnstown;  W  illiam  S.  Ingr.aham 
and  Flavcl  P..  Sjirague,  of  Fish  House  Lodge,  .\o.  298,  Northampton;  and 
John  Hyman  of  Temple  Lodge,  No.  14.  Troy.  W.  .M..  John  L.  Lewis, 
then  grand  master  of  the  State,  appointed  brothers  Miller.  ..\ilanis  and 
Ingraham,  respectively,  worshipful  master  and  senior  and  junior  vvarden. 
The  lodge  while  under  dispensation  received  into  membership  by  initia- 
tion, passing  and  raising:  Nathan  J.  Burton,  .-Mbert  \V.  Ciorton.  Harvey 
C.  Jones.  J.  S.  Green,  John  Reddish,  Se>mour  Sexton  and  .\.  C.  Kasson; 
and  after  the  granting  of  the  warrant,  the  first  full  set  of  officers  were 
choscti  and  installed,  as  follows:  W.  M..  Timothy  W.  Miller;  S.  W..  William 
S.  Ingraham;  J.  W,,  Nathan  J.  Burton;  treasurer.  John  Sunderlin;  secre- 
tary, Albert  \V.  Gorton;  S.  D..  William  Ward;  J.  D.,  John  Hym.an;  stew- 
ards, S.  Sexton  and  .\.  C.  Kasson;  tiler,  John  S.  Green.  The  worshipful 
mxstcrs  of  the  lodge,  with  their  number  of  years  incumbency,  have  been 
as  follows:  T.  \V.  Miller,  two  ycdrs;  N,  J.  Burton,  one;  G.  J.  Newton, 
seven;  S.  Sexton,  one;   .M.  Brown,  one;  J.  S.  King,  one;   K.  P.  Fox,  three; 


J.  M.  Kennedy,  two;  .K.  R.  Bruce,  two.  lieorge  H.  Hilts,  the  present  in 
cumbent,  was  elected  December  19,  1876.  The  lodge  has  received  in  ull 
306  members,  and  now  has  190.  The  present  officers  are:  W.  M.,  (;.  |i 
Hilts;  S.  W.,  A.  D.  Comrie;  J.  W.,  E.  Beach;  treasurer,  G.  W.  Fay;  secre 
tary,  A.  W.  Gorton;  S.  D.,  J.  M.  Kennedy;  J.  D.,  H.  T.  Cole;  stewards. 
E.  Beach  and  F  T.  Kittson;  chaplain,  Rev.  E.  Potter;  organist,  E  1' 
Fox;  marshal,  F.  E.  Hotchkiss;  tiler,  H.  R.  Hall. 

Holy  Cross  Commandery.  No.  51,  Knights  Templar,  stationed  at  Glo\- 
ersville,  was  instituted,  by  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Commandery  01 
the  State  of  New  York,  January  27,  1871,  A.O.  753.  Members  of  Temple 
Commandery,  No.  2,  of  .Albany;  L'tica  Commandery,  No.  3,  of  Utuj. 
and  St.  George's  Commandery,  No.  37,  of  Schenectady,  had  joined  in  the 
petition.  Sir  Knight  James  M.  Dudley,  of  Utica,  No.  3,  was  appointed 
eminent  commander;  Sir  Knight  William  P.  Brayton,  of  Temple,  No.  2 
generalissimo;  and  Sir  Knight  Nicholas  Wemple,  of  St.  George's,  No.  37 
captain  general. 

The  commandery  was  instituted  by  the  officers  of  .\pollo  Commanderv. 
No.  15,  of  Troy,  at  the  request  of  the  R.  E.  Gr.  Com.,  George  Babcoa 
Twenty-six  companions  received  the  orders  of  the  Red  Cross  and  of  the 
Temple  on  the  night  of  opening.  In  April  following  Sir  Knight  Brayton 
sent  his  resignation  to  the  Grand  Comm.inder.  and  Sir  Knight  George  J. 
Newton  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

.\t  the  annual  conclave  of  the  Grand  Commandery,  held  in  .Albany  the 
same  year,  a  warrant  was  issued.  At  the  first  annual  conclave,  held  in 
.April,  1872,  Cyrus  Stewart  was  elected  eminent  commander,  and  he 
was  re-elected  in  1873.  George  0.  Eddy  was  elected  in  1874;  E.  I', 
Fox  in  1875  and  1876;  and  -Alexander  D.  Comrie  at  the  last  election,  m 
1877. 

The  Commandery  reported  to  the  Grand  Commandery  in  October.  1S77. 
a  membership  of  98.  It  occupies  rooms  built  and  fitted  up  expressly  lur 
Masonic  purposes  in  the  third  story  of  the  Stewart  &  Rooney  block  on 
Fulton  street.  The  rooms  are  elegantly  furnished,  and  are  amon"  the 
finest  and  most  convenient  in  the  State. 


TEMPLE    OF    HO.NOR. 

Crystal  Fount  Temple  of  Honor.  No.  10,  was  instituted  .April  to.  i.^i'j;, 
with  eighteen  charter  members,  namely:  Geo.  W.  Heaton,  A.  W.  Gonon, 
D.  C.  Mills,  L.  D.  Nickerson,  D.  Scidmore,  F.  B.  Sprague,  G.  M.  Thomp 
son,  J.  S.  Green.  H.  M.  Ward,  C.  H.  Gorton,  I.  V.  Place,  I.  Parks,  Jam., 
Hosmer,  W.  F.  Burton,  E.  W.  Spencer,  J.  W.  McGregor,  C.  D.  Beers  :m,l 
.A.  Simmons.  The  membership  shortly  became  numerous  and  inllucnii.vl. 
and  has  so  continued  in  spite  of  many  removals  of  members  who  Ium 
founded  and  recruited  temples  elsewhere,  and  the  death  of  others,  some 
of  them  in  the  civil  war.     The  membership  is  now  about  60. 

Eureka  Council,  No.  2,  was  instituted  .April  20,  1865.  It  has  six  dcprrrj 
— love,  purity,  fidelity,  tried,  approved  and  select,  calculated  to  proin.'tf 
the  mental  and  moral  welfare  of  those  taking  them.  None  are  admiiicJ 
but  Templars  of  Honor. 


YOUNG    PEOPLE  S    ASSOCIATION. 


The  first  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  in  the  chapel  of  the  Pre^ 
terian  church,  in  the  evening  of  the  first  Monday  in  September,  1S7J. 
the  following  officers  were  electeil:  President.  Cyrus  Stewart;  vice-prcsid 

E.  .A.  M.  Smith;  secretary,  Edgar  .A.  Spencer;  treasurer.  Wavl.""! 
West ;  managers:  for  three  years — H.  M.  Ward,  Irving  D.  Clark  ;  f"' 
years— L.  D.  Holly,  I).  F.  Cowles  ;  for  one  year— M.  F.  Button.  I> 
Stewart. 

The  following  are  the  present  officers:  President,  C.  T.  Brockway;  ^ 
president.  H.  D.  Fonda ;  secretary,  J.  A.  Van  .Auken  ;  treasurer,  J 
Warman  ;  librarian,  Mrs.  M.   Fairbanks;   managers— C.    T.    Brock»a>. 

F.  Cowles,  H.  A.  Pratt,  M.  F.  Button,  W.  D.  West,  J.  A.  Van  Auken.  J 
Roseboom  and  ICugene  Beach. 

The  association  has  its  rooms  at  132  Main  strtet,  which  arc  open  '' 
1  to  9:30  P.  M.  It  maintains  a  free  library  and  reading-room,  and  .<■' 
nual  course  of  lectures. 


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GLOVERSVILLE  ORGANIZATIONS  AND  BUSINESS  ESTABLISHMENTS. 


205 


GRAND    ARMY    OF    THE    REPLBLIC. 

Canby  Post,  No.  12,  G.  A.  R.,  consisting  of  honorably  discharged 
soldiers  and  marines  of  the  United  States,  who  served  in  the  civil  war, 
was  organized  September  4,  1S73,  with  eighteen  members,  namely:  D.  H. 
Cuyler,  L  D.  Holly,  Joseph  Daly,  Thos.  Pursell,  D.  S.  Gordon,  J.  Van 
Rensselaer,  Thos.  Lepper,  W.  M.  Harris,  E.  Van  Slvke  and  S  Le  Valley. 
The  original  officers  were:  G.  C.  Potter,  commander;  E.  Van  Slyke.  senior 
vicc-commnnder;  D.  S.  Gordon,  junior  vice-commander;  .\.  B.  Pearce,  ad- 
jutant;  J.  H.  Lassels,  officer  of  the  day;  E.  H.  Eisenbrey,  M.D.  surgeon; 
C.  M.  C.  Lloyd,  chaplain;  S.  Le  Valley,quartermascer;  \Vm.  M.  Harris,  ser- 
geant major  ;  J.  Daly,  quartermaster  sergeant ;  J.  H.  Van  Rensselaer,  of- 
ficer of  the  guard. 

The  post  is  finely  uniformed  with  dark  blue  regulation  officers'  single 
breasted  frock  coat,  and  light  blue  pantaloons  with  gold  cord  for  officers, 
and  scarlet  cord  for  comrades  ;  regulation  G.  A.  R.  caps,  wreaths  and 
belts. 

Present  officers:  Post  commander.  \Vm.  M.  Harris;  senior  \ice-command- 
er,  George  C.  Potter  ;  junior  vice-commander,  Henry  Welch  ;  chaplain,  C. 
M.  C.  Lloyd;  surgeon,  E.  H  Eisenbrey;  quartermaster,  J.  K.  Dye;  adjutant, 
C  Hagadom;  officer  of  day.  J.  H.  .Allen;  officer  of  guard,  J.  Van  Rensse- 
laer; sergeant-major,  E.  .M.  Bailey;  quartermaster-sergeant,  E.  C.  Morgan. 

KNIGHTS    OF    PYTHIAS. 

Silver  Cross  Lodge,  No.  133.  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  organized  and  the 
first  officers  installed  October  13.  1S74.  Twenty  members  were  installed 
at  the  first  conclave.  The  following  were  the  first  officers:  \V.  W.  Van 
Slyke,  chancellor  commander  ;  -\.  B.  Pearce.  vice-chancellor  commander  ; 
Edward  Potter,  prelate  ;  .\lbert  Stowe.  master  of  exchequer  ;  Eugene  Guy. 
master  of  finance  ;  W'ra.  M.  Harris,  keeper  of  records  and  seals  ;  C.  M.  C. 
Loyd,  master  at  arms  ;  L.  P.  Davis,  inner  guard  ;  Albert  Ladue.  outer 
guard  ;  J.  F.  Cormie,  Frank  Anderson  and  Edward  Van  Slyke,  chancellors; 
John  Stewart,  W.  M.  Easterly  and  Thomas  Gardner,  trustees. 

The  present  membership  is  89.  Officers:  W.  M.  Harris,  post  chancellor; 
S.  B.  Wheeler,  C.  C.  ;  Wm.  .\ncock,  V.  C.  ;  Joseph  Young,  prelate  ; 
Andrew  McCall,  M.  of  F.  ;  J.  E.  Hemstrett,  M.  of  E.  ;  S.  .M.  Bassett,  K.  of 
R.  and  S.  ;  C.  P.  Buschman,  M.  at  A.  ;  Stephen  Johnson.  I.  G.  ;  George 
Hilley,  O.  G.  ;  Thomas  Gardner.  John  Gloning  and  William  .\ncock.  trus- 
tees. 


The  Gloversville  Silver  Comet  Band,  of  twenty-five  pieces,  was  organized 
in  185S.  l,eader,  C.  W.  Swett  ;  secretary.  R.  B.  Hyman  ;  drum-major, 
William  .\.  ICasson  ;  steward,  Surrey  Herring. 


PRESENT  BUSINESS  INTERE.STS. 

The  following  summary  r.I  the  m.iniifa<- taring,  nurcnnulo  and  profes- 
sional establi.shnienls  of  tjlovcrsvill^  will  afford  a  \i\;d  ide.i  of  the  growth 
of  the  village  from  the  sinaU  beginnings  noted  on  a  preceding  page.  The 
plove  and  mitten  manufacture  and  allied  industries  tail  for  first  niciuion. 
There  are  nearh  one  hundred  establishments  eng;iged  in  ihi.-»  branch  of 
Iiiisiness,  which  produce  annually  about  250,000  (lo.?e:i  pairs,  relirtscnting 
a  value  of  about  $2,500,000.     The   principal   inan-.il'acturcrs  are  the  fol- 


ing: 


Frank  .Xnderscin,  23  Washington  street,  wiio  ui.ikes  buck  goods  a  special- 
ly ;  N.  J.  Brotkway.  15  School  street  ;  J.  H.  Bruwnell.  4S  BkeLkcr  street; 
I'ay  and  Steele.  30  Main  sireet ;  Win.  Easterly,  S  Elm  street  ;  D.  C.  F.ar- 
ihing,  177  Main  street — making  kid  goo<ls  a  specially — a  son  of  James 
Farlhing,  who   came  from    England  about   1837.  and  was  the  first  in   the 

■      '-'lunly  to  manulacturc   frt'iu   im|M)r;eJ   stock  ladie>'   unlined   gauntlets  ; 

j      l-iwrcnce   Fay,  33  Fremont  street  ;  John  Fulton,  31   ISleecker  street — fine 

i     fcOods  a  speci.ally  ;  Deacon  llaggart,  14  School  street;  Stewart    Haggarl. 

'  "*S  W.  Fulton  street— kid  and  cloth  ;  John  H.  Hale,  5  First  avenue— 
'■uck  goods  a  siK.'iially  ;   E.  Hulbert.  .Main  sireet  ;  .\.  Judson  \-  Co.,  Ful- 

1  'on  street,  comer  Fremont;  .lolomon  JlIuk,  Co  Si  houl  streel — special 
'ttenlioii  lu  kid  good.s  ;  H.  E.  Krau-.e,  21  Klin  direct — a  manufacturer  of 


fine  goods,  who  came  from  Germany,  in  1848,  to  New  York,  removed  10 
Northville,  Fulton  Co.,  in  1850,  and  to  Gloversville  in  1854,  where  he 
worked  fourteen  years  for  Alanson  Judson  before  going  into  business  for 
himself;  V.  L.  Locklin,  Cayad-tta  street,  corner  of  Vine — fine  goods; 
Crosby  McDougall.  corner  W.  Fulton  and  School  streets,  who  employs 
about  ninety  hands  in  a  general  manufacturing  line,  producing  some  6.000 
dozen  annually  ;  Chas.  McEwen,  76  Main  street  ;  James  McKee,  39  Main  ; 
John  MtNab.  215,  and  Parsons  &  Smith,  119  W.  Fulton  street;  Place 
\:  Levy,  6  High  street — buck  goods  a  specialty  ;  Plummet  &  Wells,  44 
Bleecker  street  ;  Vrooman  Quai  kenbush.  59  Fulton  street;  C.  W.  Rose, 
corner  Fulton  and  Main  streets;  E.  V.  Whittaker,  22  Fremont  street;  E. 
Barton  Whitney,  16  School  street  ;  W.  M.  Zimmer,  Bro,ad  street,  and  J. 
-M.  Stockley. 

In  this  connection,  though  not  strictly  in  place,  may  be  mentioned  D.  U. 
Judson  and  O.  Brown  S:  Son.  of  Kingsboro,  the  former  of  whom  began  the 
manufacture  of  gloves  in  1850,  and  is  now  the  most  extensive  manufac- 
turer in  the  L'nited  States,  employing  in  his  shops  about  one  hundred  per- 
sons, and  giving  work  to  twice  as  many  outsiders,  and  turning  out  an  an- 
nual product  of  20,000  dozen. 

The  most  extensive  manufacturers  of  glovers'  materials  are  Rent  &  Co. 
James  Kent,  the  head  of  the  firm,  was  bom  in  England.  He  came  to 
Gloversville  in  1866.  and  after  fifteen  months  in  business  with  S.  Dodge 
&  Sons,  set  up  for  himself.  With  dift'erent  parties  he  has  since  pursued 
the  manufacture  of  leather  and  the  sale  of  glovers'  materials,  enlarging  his 
establishment  until  it  is  the  leading  one  in  its  line.  It  employs  about  a 
hundred  men.  and  does  an  annual  business  of  about  §500.000.  The  manu- 
factory proper  is  a  four-stor)'  brick  building  42  by  56  feet,  with  a  three- 
story  wing  32  by  64.  There  is  also  a  salesroom,  storehouse  and  office 
building  of  brick,  46  by  62  feet  ;  and  a  wooden  dryhouse  and  storeroom, 
22  by  125  feet.  The  firm  have  also  a  tannery  at  Mayfield.  and  have  in- 
vested altogether  in  buildings  and  stock  about  §300,000.  They  are  the 
sole  manufacturers  of  kangaroo  shoe  kid,  and  make  a  specialty  of  .African 
chinchilla  and  antelope.  They  make  as  fine  goods  as  are  to  be  found  in 
the  country.  Wm.  Ancock  &:  Co.,  corner  of  Spring  and  West  streets,  are 
also  kid  dressers  and  finishers  ;  and  John  M.  De  Ronde  is  engaged  in  pre- 
paring buckskin.  Day  it  Steele  are  in  the  kid  line,  and  Barnum  &  F'ry, 
and  half  a  dozen  other  concerns,  furnish  glovers'  materials. 

Gloves  are  laid  off  by  steam  by  L.  P.  Davis  &  Co..  No.  5  Bleecker 
street,  and  several  other  finishing  establishments  might  be  named. 

E.  P.  Newton  adds  the  manufacture  of  glove-cutting  machines  to  th.atof 
gloves.  Mr.  Newton  has  taken  a  number  of  first  premiums  at  State  and 
county  fairs,  and  one  at  the  Centennial  Exhibition. 

There  are  five  or  six  firms  and  individuals  employed  in  the  business  of 
hair  dressers  and  dealers. 

-\niong  the  leading  groceries  of  Gloversville  is  that  of  the  seven  Cohen 
brothers — Isaac,  Simon,  David,  Sidney,  Charles,  Alon^o  and  Fred — who 
have  stores  also  in  Troy  and  Albany.  They  ofiened  business  in  Glovers- 
ville in  18O7.  and  in  a  few  years  bought  the  old  Methodist  church,  at  the 
corner  of  Main  and  Church  streets,  for  §22.000,  and  established  themselves 
on  the  site.  Their  stock  is  complete,  their  methods  enterprising  and  their 
tr.ide-mark — "  Happy  Home  " — is  very  widely  know  n.  Other  leading  gro- 
cers are:  George  R.  Bander,  proprietor  of  .Vmeric.i's  Centennial  Il.izaar, 
No  88  Main  street;  Getinan  \-  Olmstead,  No.  17  Bleecker  street;  Kent  S: 
Co.,  Washburn  street;  Mrs.  George  M.  Pur.sell,  193  1-2  .Main  street;  Sey- 
mour Sexton,  wholesale  and  retail.  97  Main  street;  Warren  P.  Sweet,  .S6 
M.iin  street,  and  A.  P..  Washburn  >V  Co.  Mure  than  a  do/en  others  might 
be  enumerated.  .\nKing  ihein  is  Henry  M,  W  artl,  who  i.s  also  a  paper-box 
manufacturer. 

Ihe  Fulton  County  Bank,  the  lirst  institution  of  lis  kind  m  the  village, 
was  e^tabllshed  in  1S32  with  a  ca|.ital  of  §100.000,  The  lirst  board  01 
directors  were  James  W.  Miller,  F.  W.  Miller.  Jolm  M,  L.iren.  jr..  K.  P. 
Clark.  W.  N.  Clark.  Juse].h  Bl.iir.  I'ay  Smitll.  ll.uiiel  Chns;ie.  Daiiici  Pot- 
ter, Duncan  M.Martin.  D  I.  .\K  .Martin,  John  .Mi  Nab.  Ai,in,on  Judson. 
Henry  Churchill,  and  .Manson  Hosmcr.  Isaac  Lefevre  was  the  first  pres- 
ident, F.  W.  Miller,  vice-president,  and  John  .McLaren,  cashier.  In  1S53 
the  capital  stock  was  increased  to  §150,000.  There  is  now  a  surplus  of 
§100,000.  Henry  Churthill  was  elected  president  in  185.S.  In  1SO5  the 
eslai.lishment  was  changed  from  a  Slate  to  a  national  bank,  with  the  title 
of  tiie  National  Fulton  County  Bank.  John  Mc.Nab  was  eleited  president 
in  i,-/i7.  \\'.  D.  West  was  appointed  tashicr  in  i,S72.  lliesc  gentlemen 
still  hold  the  places  named.     D.  B.  Judson  is  uce-jiresident,  and  Charles 


206 


THE  HISTOKY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


J.  Mills,  teller.  'Ihe  directurs  are:  John  M<  N.ib.  I).  H  Iud^on.  A.  Jud- 
son.  C.  Sexton,  H.  C.  Thomas.  U  i.  Hearock.  A.  C  Churchil!,  H.  Z. 
Kasson.  j.  R.  Berry,  C.  M.  Ballanline,  John  McLaren,  I.  V.  Place,  F.  M. 
Young  and  W.  I>.  West.  The  National  Bank  of  (lloversMlle  was  orti:an- 
ized  in  1872,  with  a  capital  of  $150,000.  It  was  suspended  in  March. 
1877,  but  started  again  in  the  following  May.  with  a  capital  of  $100,000. 
Howard  Burr  is  president,  and  ti.  W.  Fay,  cashier. 

The  leading  hotels  of  (doversville  are  the  Mason  House  and  the  Alvord 
House.  The  former  was  built  in  1S56-7  by  S.  S.  Mills,  and  kept  by  him 
for  a  year  as  a  temperance  hotel,  with  the  title  of  the  Mills  House.  J.  C. 
Holmes  being  the  actual  manager.  In  the  second  year  Mr.  Holmes  began 
the  sale  of  liquor.  This  was  interfered  with  by  the  temperance  crusade  of 
1859,  and  since  then  the  hotel  has  changed  hands  several  times.  In  1866 
it  was  purchased  by  J.  J.  Mason,  the  present  proprietor,  who  gave  it  his 
name.  It  is  a  first-ciass  establishment.  The  Alvord  House  is  a  handsome 
four-stOF)-  brick  building,  erected  in  1866-7  t'y  '^^  jtresent  proprietor,  and 
opened  to  the  i>ublic  in  the  latter  year.  It  is  a  first-class  house,  contain- 
ing sixty  guests'  rooms.  A  livery  stable  is  attached.  There  are  several 
minor  public  houses  in  the  village. 

Among  dry  goods  dealers  E.  A.  M.  Smith,  in  the  Veeder  Block,  Main 
street,  maintains  a  large  stock  and  has  an  extensive  and  well  deserved  pat- 
ronage. L.  R.  Van  Ness  &  Co.,  108  Fulton  street,  deal  heavily  in  fancy 
and  staple  dry-  goods  of  all  descriptions.  Ten  or  twelve  other  dealers  might 
be  named. 

The  leading  sewing  machine  makers  all  have  agencies  in  Gloversville, 
selling  largely  to  the  glove  manufactories  as  well  as  to  individuals.  The 
first  machine  used  on  gloves  was  a  Singer,  bought  in  185 1  by  A.  C.  Churchill 
&  Co.  The  Singer  agency  was  established  the  next  year,  and  has  main- 
tained an  increasing  sale  to  the  |)resent.  It  is  at  103  Main  street,  in  charge 
of  Mr.  E.  D.  Cummings,  and  employs  a  capital  of  $45,000.  The  Wheeler 
&  Wilson  company  sells  annually  at  its  salesrooms,  No.  115  Main  street, 
under  the  management  of  Mr.  W,  T.  Lintncr.  about  375  machines.  Jan. 
I.  1877,  this  agency  took  the  management  of  the  Cayadutta  shirt  manufac- 
tory, which  was  started  in  the  preceding  October.  It  employs  about  100 
hands  and  turns  out  100  dozen  shirts  per  week. 

The  leading  druggists  are;  Furbeck  &  Van  Auken.  125  Main  street; 
J.  J.  Mason,  117  Main  street;  J.  B.  Stone,  107  W.  Fulton  street,  and 
Warren  P.  Sweet,  86  Main  street. 

Clothing,  hats,  caps,  &c.,  are  sold  by  Bellinger  &  Johnson,  merchant 
tailors,  121  Main  street  ;  G.  W.  Fay  &  Co.,  119  Mam  street,  and  two  or 
three  others. 

C.  R.  Bellows  &  Son,  86  Main  street,  manufacture  and  deal  in  furniture, 
of  which  they  maintain  a  large  and  well  patronized  stock.  The  business 
was  started  in  1851.  Bellows  &  Son  are  also  undertakers,  and  as  such 
kept  the  first  hearse  in  the  village. 

D.  F.  Cowles  &:  Co.,  112  Main  street,  are  dealers  in  books,  stationery, 
wall  papers,  window  shades,  pictures,  frames,  &c. 

Barney  Khie,  206  Main  street;  Wm.  Take  Judson.  below  Fulton  street, 
and  some  fifteen  others  are  carpenters  and  builders. 

George  Naylor,  corner  Main  and  N.  Kim  streets  ;  and  Wm.  Smith,  Forest 


and  blJicksmiths.     There  are  nine 


:)lhers 


street,  are  carriage  i 
in  the  business. 

Livery  stal)les  are  kept  by  M.  R.  Van  Sicklcr.  .nt  02  Main  stre. 
Washburn.  21  Middle  street,  and  two  or  three  other  i)ariies. 

The  principal  hardware  dealer,  are  J.J,  Hanson.  131  Main  -tr 
ufacturcr  of  and  dealer  in  stove-^.  tin,  sheet-iron  and  glas^.  ware 
other  hardware  ;  and  .Sexton   i^  Co. 

Geftrge  W.  Fay  .V  Co.,  119  .Mam  street.  .->nd  four  or  five  olht 
reprocnt  the  boot  and  >hoe  trade. 

A.  H.  Avery,  importer  of  and  wholesale  dealer  in  china.  -Ia>s. 
&c.,  has  at  no  Main  street  the  first,  :iud  what  is  said  to  be  n(jw 
complete  store  «if  its  kind  in  the  county.      He  began  the  business 

William  Muddle's  book-bindery  was  established  in  February 
the  first  in  the  county. 

A.  I>.  Norton,  109  Main  street,  and  four  or  five  others,  deal  in 
and  jewelry. 

H,  A-  Kasson  ha-'  an  insurani  c  and  real  estate  agency  over  the  National 
Bank,  Main  street.     There  are  scleral  others  in  the  village. 

Meat   markets  are   kept  by  W.  H.  Miller,  and  by  .Michael  McDonough, 
III  Main  street.      There  arc  also  a  number  of  oilier^. 

John   B.    Pool    is  a   farmer,    and   cngage.l   in   supplying  the  village  with 
milk.     Egbert  Jlowe  is  in  the  same  business. 


I.  nian- 
ind  a41 


the  only 
in  1S69. 
,    187.- 

w.uches 


Robert  Gaingell  manufactures  harness  at  143  Main  street,  and  two  or 
three  others  at  different  places.  Among  ihem  is  Mr,  Henry  C.  Thomas, 
who  is  also  in  the  glove  business.  Mr.  Thomas  was  elected  sergeant  of 
militia,  under  Col.  P.  H,  Fonda,  in  1838.  He  has  been  a  deacon  in  the 
Baptist  church  thirty-nine  years,  and  a  director  of  the  Fulton  County  Hank 
twenty-six  years.  He  was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  Cemetery  .'\ssocta- 
tion,  of  which  he  has  been  a  trustee,  as  also  of  his  church  and  of  the  free 
school;  of  the  latter  he  was  treasurer  for  nine  years.  He  has  also  been  a 
trustee  and  president  of  the  village  corporation, 

George  1..  Wood,  19  E.  Fulton  street,  is  the  proprietor  of  marble  and 
granite  works. 

The  lumber  trade  is  represented  by  William  Lake  &  Son,  who  are  also 
builders,  and  proprietors  of  saw  and  planing  mills  in  Montgomery  street. 
Two  or  three  others  carry  on  a  similar  business. 

Nelson  \'an  \'ranken,  comer  of  W,  Fulton  and  Cayadutta  streets,  is  one 
of  some  half-dozen  painters. 

One  of  the  manufactures  connected  with  that  of  gloves  is  that  of  paper 
boxes.  It  is  carried  on  by  E.  H,  Mills,  at  59  Main  street,  and  by  four  or 
five  others  elsewhere. 

The  cigar-makers  and  tobacconists  of  the  village  include  A.  McCall, 
4  and  6  Bleecker  street,  and  three  others. 

The  legal  and  medical  professions  are  well  represented.  Among  the 
leading  members  of  the  former  are:  A.  D,  L,  Baker,  comer  of  Main  and 
Fulton  streets;  Ralph  Glasgow,  over  the  Fulton  County  National  Bank; 
H,  S,  Parkhurst,  corner  Main  and  Fulton  streets;  and  Edgar  A,  Spencer. 
1 17  W,  Fulton  street. 

Prominent  physicians  are:  Dr,  P,  R,  Furbeck,  a  graduate  of  Union  Col- 
lege in  1854,  who  settled  in  Gloversville  in  1865,  and  has  his  residence  and 
office  at  157  Main  street;  and  Dr,  Eugene  Beach,  who  graduated  at  the 
Long  Island  Hospital  College  in  1S66,  and  has  since  practiced  at  Glovers- 
ville, 

Bayard  McGuire's  foundry,  opposite  the  F,  J.  &  G.  depot,  where  he  manu- 
factures stoves,  sinks,  caps  and  sills,  ic,  was  established  in  1874,  being  the 
first  in  the  county,  except  one  at  Northville,  where  plows  are  made, 

,\mong  business  places  not  already  enumerated  are  two  bakeries,  two 
dentists'  offices,  a  glue  factory,  steam  dye-works,  an  .American  Express 
office,  three  flour  and  feed  stores,  a  plumbing  and  gas-fitting  concern,  a  steam 
laundry,  an  office  of  Dun's  mercantile  agency,  photograph  gallery,  two  or 
three  restaurants,  and  a  music  store. 

HON,  JOHN  J.  HANSON, 

Hon,  John  J.  Hanson  was  born  on  his  father's  farm,  near  Tribes  Hill, 
Montgomery  county,  N,  V,,  September  4th,  1835,  His  ancestor,  Nichol.is 
Hanson,  a  prominent  man  in  his  day,  was  the  first  settler  at  Tribes  Hill, 
having  emigrated  thither  with  his  family  from  Albany  about  the  year  17:5 
The  family  originally  came  from  Holland,  During  the  Revolutionary  con- 
flict several  of  the  Hansons  served  in  the  continental  army,  and  I'ctcr 
Hanson,  the  grand-father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  taken  capli>i 
by  the  Indians  and  carried  to  Canada,  where  he  was  confined  as  a  prisom  r 
for  three  years.  The  father  of_^Mr,  Hanson  reared  a  large  family,of  whci" 
John  J,  was  the  eldest  son,  L'ntil  he  had  attained  the  age  of  eighteen, 
young  Hanson  was  brought  upon  the  homestead  farm.  His  opportun'tn  •• 
for  education  were  restricted  to  the  common  school,  which  he  attended  i-r 
the  most  part  only  during  thcwinter^terms  ;  but  by  earnest  application  !■> 
the  common  branc  hes  of  study  within  his  reach,  he  laid  a  solid  found.ui'  n 
for  the  attainment  of  that  practical  business  knowledge  he  has  so  lhoroii:;i-> 
.acquired,  and  which  is  charai  tcristic  of  him  as  a  man.  He  c  .ime  i" 
Gloversville  in  1S53,  having  just  attained  his  eighteenth  year.  Soon  ,il''' 
his  arrival  here  he  engaged  as  an  apprentice  at  the  tinner's  trade  »-'■ 
.Messrs,  H,  G,  &  J,  I'helps,  He  remained  with  the  Messrs,  Phelps  i»' 
years,  and  then  removed  to  Johnstown,  where  he  staid  one  year,  workir:*; 
at  his  tr.ide.  From  Johnstown  he  went  to  -Albany  and  worked  a  year.  ■•■>■" 
then  returning  tn  Gloversville,  set  up  in  the  tin  and  sheet-iron  manufactum  .: 
business  for  himself,  at  the  establishment  of  his  former  employers  In  ''•' 
course  of  a  few  years  he  purchased  the  Messrs,  Phelps'  warehouse  and  !■  '• 
and  subsequently  other  real  estate  in  the  village. 

Politically,  .Mr,  Hanson  has  ever  been  an  earnest  and  consistent  I'''"' 
crat.  He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  in  the  fall  of  1875  by  a  li.in.l-""" 
majority.  His  course  as  a  legislator  received  the  unqualified  coninu"''' 
tion  of  his  (oustituents. 


laa^yri  v.;  -  ',  -^  -  '    -4  ffi  Swt  m  >Sit ,, 


^ '^' Ir  ■' ^  i#v^^^^^=^^^^ " 


■"-V-W^^^rjiVitJif  ^ 


.rii 


-Res- of    EL.r  J.  DORN  ESQ.,  Town  of  Johnstown, 


LEADING  MEN  OF  GLOVERSVILLE— ALFRED  B.  WASHBURN  AND  HENRY  C.  THOMAS. 


207 


Mr.  Hanson  has  by  perievering  industr)'  and  strict  integrity  established 
a  large  and  prosperous  business.  Though  a  sufferer  by  the  conflagration 
that  devastated  Clloversville  in  1877,  he  has  since  erected  the  massive  and 
handsome  brick  warehouse  with  tower  on  the  site  of  his  old  establishment, 
comer  of  Main  and  Church  streets,  and  has  built  on  Church  street  the  sub- 
stantial bnck  edifice  which  he  now  occupies  as  his  place  of  business.  He 
is  noted  for  his  genial  good  humor  and  unassuming  benevolence.  No 
citizen  of  Gloversviile  has  a  larger  number  of  sincere  personal  friends,  or  is 
more  respected  and  esteemed  by  i)eople  at  large. 

ALFRED  B.   WASHBURN. 

Eliphalet  Washburn  was  bom  in  Hardwick,  Mass.,  in  June  1799,  where 
he  resided  until  about  18  years  of  age,  when  his  father,  Rufus  Washburn, 
with  his  family,  emigrated  westward,  and  became  one  of  the  pioneer  set- 
tlers in  the  town  of  Hope,  Hamilton  county,  N.  Y.  Here  Eliphalet  in  the 
course  of  time  married  Parmelia,  a  daughter  of  William  Hall  of  that  place, 
by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  viz  :  William,  Lucy,  Maria,  Reuel,  Alfred 
B.,  Catharine  M.,  Calvin  and  Mary. 

Alfred  B.  Washburn  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hope  (now  Benson), 
Hamilton  county.  New  York,  August  19th,  1834,  where  his  minority  was 
passed  with  his  father's  family,  the  youth  receiving  such  education  as 
the  advantages  of  a  country  district  school  afforded.  In  the  spring  of  1856 
he  parted  with  home  and  friends  and  went  to  Minnesota,  where  he  worked 
by  the  month  for  a  short  time.  In  the  following  autumn  he  went  to  Wino- 
na City,  where,  with  a  cash  capital  of  only  $40.  but  an  abundance  of  energj- 
and  enterprise,  he  formed  a  co-partnership  with  a  Mr.  Sherman  from  Con- 
necticut, purchased  the  furniture  and  lease  of  a  hotel,  and  at  once  began 
hotel  keeping.  This,  his  first  business  venture,  proved  very  successful.  At 
the  end  of  three  years  he  became  sole  proprietor,  continuing  the  business 
alone  for  nearly  two  years,  when  his  building  was  destroyed  by  fire,  together 
with  a  large  portion  of  the  city.  He  was  next  engaged  in  buying  wheat 
from  wagons  and  shipplr.g  cast,  Winona  City  being  at  that  time  the  princi- 
pal wheat  market  for  a  large  section  of  country.  After  an  absence  of  nine 
years  he  returned  to  his  natire  State,  and  located  in  Gloversviile  in  1865, 
where  he  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  the   grocery  and  provision  trade. 


In  iSji  he  purchased  a  location  on  Main  street,  erected  a  frame  building 
for  his  accommodation,  and  thither  mo\'ed  his  slock.  Here  he  a^ain  suii-rd 
a  heavy  loss  by  fire  in  June,  1877.  But,  nothing  daunted,  he  at  once  '  ■mi. 
menccd  the  erection  of  a  fine  three-story  brick  block,  which  was  com|ikird 
in  December  following.  The  structure,  which  is  40  by  70  feet  in  si/c,  .  ■m 
tains  two  high  and  airy  basements,  the  rear  of  which  is  entirely  .ih..M- 
ground.  On  the  first  floor  are  two  large,  light  and  convenient  stores 
finished  off  in  ash  and  black  walnut,  with  all  the  necessary  conveniences  ; 
the  second  floor  is  divided  into  light,  high  and  roomy  offices  ;  on  the  third 
floor  is  a  spacious  opera  hall,  finished  in  the  most  modern  style,  seated  »  iih 
chairs  and  lighted  with  gas,  the  gorgeous  chandeliers  and  fixtures  for  win,  h 
were  made  to  order  by  Thackara,  Buck  &  Co.,  of  Philadelphia.  The  l.uiM- 
ing  is  known  as  "Washburn's  Opera  House  Block."  .Mr.  Washl>iirn 
now  occupies  the  south  store  for  his  mercantile  business. 

On  the  i2thof  Dec,  1859,  Mr.  \Vashburn  united  in  marriage  with  l.ii,  y 
A.  Nation,  a  native  of  London,  England,  but  at  that  time  a  resident  of  Wino- 
na county,  Minn.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  se\'en  children,  to 
wit :  Neoka,  born  in  Minnesota,  Sept.  20th,  i860  ;  Lyona,  born  Dec.  loth, 
1862,  died  Jan.  i6th,  1863  ;  Ettie  A.,  bom  Jan.  25th,  1865  ;  Walter  Iv, 
born  Dec.  i6th,  1867  ;  Alfred  B.,  jr.,  born  May  14th,  1870;  Lura  L.,  born 
Feb.  9th,  1872  ;  Lena  T.,  born  June  7th,  1874. 


HENRY  C.  THOMAS,  ESQ., 

was  born  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  Jan.  6th,  1814.  His  father,  Cornelius 
Thomas,  was  lost  at  sea  the  same  year.  The  son  passed  most  of  his  boy- 
hood and  early  youth  in  the  family  of  his  uncle,  Elisha  Cotton,  at  Broad.il- 
bin,  N.  Y.  In  1835  he  came  to  Kingsboro,  where  he  married  Mary  It. 
Johnson,  Jan.  3d,  1838,  who  bore  him  a  daughter,  Sarah  H.  Tholll.l^, 
born  Dec.  5th,  1839.  In  1847  he  located  in  Gloversviile,  where  he  still 
resides.  He  has  been  prominently  identified  with  many  of  the  publir-  en- 
terprises of  the  place.  To  the  interests  of  education  he  has  always  given 
his  efiicient  support  and  influence,  and  he  has  ever  been  a  warm  and  zeal- 
ous advocate  of  temperance  and  religion.  His  many  good  (jualities  have 
won  for  him  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  his  acquaintances. 


206 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


THE  TOWN  OF  JOHNSTOWN. 


The  history  of  this  town  properly  dates  back  to  a  time  when  its  present 
territory  was  but  a  spot  m  the  vast  hunting  ground  of  the  Mohawks,  when 
its  hills  were  clothed  with  the  unbroken  forest,  and  its  streams  wound  their 
waj  through  its  shady  valleys  unvexed  by  human  devices.  But  a  century 
and  a  quarter  have  rolled  away  smce  then,  and  m  that  time  much  of  the 
materia]  that  would  be  demanded  for  a  comiilete  history  of  the  town  has 
bees  lost.  The  earliest  pioneers  have  been  in  their  graves  a  hundred  years, 
and  the  stirring  tales  they  had  to  tell  of  toils  and  perils  on  the  savage 
frontier,  while  they  wrought  out  farms  from  the  forests  and  pU.-.cd  mills 
on  the  woodland  streams,  have  faded  from  the  memories  of  men.  A  few 
of  their  descendants  cherish  the  traditions  of  the  past,  and  to  them  the 
historian  is  chiefly  indebted  for  his  knowledge  of  civilization's  struggle 
with  savagery'  on  the  territory  now  smiling  under  careful  cultivation,  and 
thictly  dotted  with  happy  homes. 

The  land  bounded  by  the  present  outlines  of  Johnstown  consisted  prior 
to  its  settlement  of  parts  of  four  grc.it  properties — the  Stone  .\rabia 
Patent,  12,700  acres,  granted  to  John  Christian  Garlock  and  twenty-six 
others,  Oct.  19.  1S23  ;  Butler's  Patent  4.000  acres,  granted  to  Walter 
Butler  and  three  otners,  Dec.  31,  1735  ;  the  Sacondaga  Patent,  28,000 
acres,  granted,  to  Lendert  Ganscvoort  and  others,  Dec.  2,  1741  ;  and 
the  Kingsborough  Patent.  20,000  acres,  granted  to  .\rent  Stevens  and 
others,  June  23,  1753.  The  last  covered  the  larger  i)art  of  the  present 
town,  the  others  occupying  an  irregular  territory  in  the  southern  part. 
From  the  proprietors  of  these  grants.  Sir  William  Johnson  bought  his 
possessions  in  what  is  now   Fulton  county. 

Montgomery  county  was,  by  legislative  enactment,  divided  into  towns 
March  7,  1788.  The  law  to  that  effect  specified  that  "all  that  part  of  the 
county  of  Montgomery  bounded  northerly  by  the  north  boundary  of  this 
State;  easterly  by  the  counties  of  Clinton,  Washington  and  .\lbany  ;  south- 
erly by  the  Mohawk  river,  and  westerly  by  a  line  running  from  the  hill 
called  '.Anthony's  Nose,'  north  to  the  north  bounds  of  the  State,  be  and 
hereby  is  erected  into  a  town  by  the  name  of  Caughnavvaga."  The  western 
boundary  of  the  immense  town  thus  defined  must  have  furnished  also  the 
western  line  of  Johnstown,  when,  on  M.!rch  12,  1793,  the  latter,  together 
with  .\msterdain,  Mayfield  and  liroadall.. 11,  «, is  tunned  fioni  Cauglmauaga. 
These  new  towns  occupied  the  entire  soutliern  part  of  the  original  Caugh- 
nawaga,  and  if,  .is  one  authority  state.-..  Caui;hnawag,i  was  w holly  di\ided 
among  the  four  new  towns  of  Amsferdam,  Johnstown.  Mayfield  and  liroad- 
albin,  the  lost  three  must  have  extended  northward  to  the  Canadian  line, 
and  they  continued  to  do  so  until  P'eb.  16,  1791,  when  the  formation  of 
Herkimer  county  gave  .Montgomery  the  present  northern  limit  of  Fulton. 
Bleecker  was  formed  from  the  northern  part  of  Johnstown  .\pril  4.  i.'<3i, 
part  of  it,  however,  being  re-anne\ed  to  the  latter  ten  years  later.  .\s  none 
of  the  towns  to  the  east  of  Johnstown  drew  upon  its  territory  for  their 
formation,  its  eastern  line  must  have  renia.ned  undisiiirbcd  lri.im  1793. 
Its  southern  boundary  wa>  then  the  .Mohawk,  but  the  town  of  that  name 
was  taken  from   Johnstown  in  1S3;.  leaiing  the  latter  in  its  jirtsent  form. 

T'he  town  is  highly  favored  in  its  natural  features.  .\  lofty  range  of  hills 
occupies  the  northern  part  and  another  the  western,  delighting  the  eye  with 
picturesque  s<  enery.  and  the  remainder  of  the  town  is  of  a  rolling  surface 
and  full  of  pleasant  landscapes.  Prominent  puints  <ommand  noble  views 
of  mountain  slopes  and  summits  in  neighboring  counties,  Cayadiitta  creek 
flows  southwcstwardly  through  the  eastern  and  soiiihim  p.irt  of  the  town, 
and  Garuga  creek  passes  through  its  n.iriliweAtern  roni'.r.  The  soil,  a 
clayey  and  sandy  loam,  responds  readily  to  the  i  .ireful  •  imiv.iiiun  bestowed 
upon  it  by  its  thrifty  owners,  and  their  pr.i-.|ieriiy  is  .i].par<.iit  111  tl.eir  broad 
smooth  field,  and  excellent  buildings. 


EARLY  SETTLERS. 

The  first  settlers  of  any  number  in  the  town  were  doubtless  those  whom 
Sir  William  Johnson  had  attracted  to  his  lands  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
Hall  in  the  years  prior  to  the  building  of  that  edifice.  They  would  seem 
to  have  come  largely  from  the  German  element  that  peopled  the  banks  of 
the  Mohawk,  but  included  also  a  body  of  Scotch,  who  settled  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  the  town,  which  was  from  the  Revolutionary  period  until  .after 
the  war  of  181 2  called  Kingsboro  ;  and  the  settlement  was  constantly  re- 
inforced by  emigration  from  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut. 

One  of  the  first  settlers  was  John  Hollenbeck,  grandfather  of  .Mr.  Philip 
HoUenbeck.  It  is  claimed  that  he  was  the  first  man  to  fell  a  tree  in  his  part 
of  the  town. 

Three  acres  of  the  farm,  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  Sammonsville, 
now  occupied  by  William  Wert,  and  originally  by  his  great  grandfather, 
Johannes  Wert,  were  the  first  land  cleared  in  that  section  of  the  town. 

John  Boshart  bought  from  Sir  William  Johnson  a  farm  on  what  is  now 
the  Fonda  plank  road.  M  his  death  he  bequeathed  the  property  to  hi, 
son  Jacob,  and  he  in  turn  to  his  son  of  t'ne  same  name,  who  now  owns  it. 
Mr,  Boshart  has  the  musket  that  his  grandfather  used  in  the  Revolution- 
ary war     It  was  made  at  Dublin  Castle. 

Henry  Gross  was  another  very  early  settler.  On  his  arrival  from  Ger- 
many in  his  youth  he  was  bound  out  to  pay  for  his  passage,  as  the  custom 
once  was.  On  becoming  of  age,  he  began  to  sell  Yankee  notions.  In  this 
mercantile  pursuit  he  was  very  successful,  and  accumulated  a  large  pro- 
perty.      He  was  a  grandfather  of  Henry  Gross. 

Douw  Wemple,  grandfather  of  .Mr.  William  Wemple  .-.nd  Mr.  W.  Rupon. 
was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  town.  He  served  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  and  was  the  owner  of  one  of  the  first  grist-mills  in  the  county.  It 
was  burned  by  the  Indians. 

Nathan,  father  of  James  Burr,  removed  from  West  Hartford,  Conn  . 
about  1783,  and  settled  on  a  farm  at  Kingsboro,  where  he  lived  until  lu^ 
death  in  1822.  Having  much  mechanical  ingenuity  he  made  his  own 
wagons,  sleighs,  etc.,  shod  his  own  and  his  neighbors'  horses,  and  built  and 
carried  on  one  of  the  first  saw-mills  in  the  county,  about  17S5,  when. 
Day  .V  Steele's  mill  now  stands.  His  children  were  Horace,  Bissel,  i;iij.ih, 
Nathan,  James  and  Levi. 

J.icob  Hartshorn,  whose  remains  rest  in  Prospect  Hill  Cemetery,  -n 
Gloversville,  was  a  private  soldier  in  the  Revolution.  He  was  a  native  "i 
Rhode  Island,  where,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  he  married  Lucy  Larcher,  .1 
daughter  of  Capt.  John  Ijrcher,  a  naval  officer  under  the  celebrated  Paul 
Jones.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  emigrated  with  his  wife  to  a  farm  nc.ir 
Kingsboro,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  in  1835,  at  the  age  of  75. 

Daniel  .Meeker,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  settled,  in  1795,  about  a  mile 
and  a  half  west  of  the  present  village  of  Gloversville.  There  is  said  >■• 
hi\e  been  a  battle  fought  on  the  .Meeker  farm,  about  the  same  time  «iih 
the  engagement  near  Johnson  Hall.  Mr.  Meeker,  when  sixty  years  oM. 
planted  the  seeds  from  which  grew  what  is  claimed  to  have  be.n  the  iir-'- 
orchard  m  that  part  of  the  country.  He  lived  to  see  a  wagon  load  gathen.l 
from  a  single  tree. 

John  Kdwards  was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  in  17S1,  and  went  with>  - 
father  to  Johnstown  when  two  years  old.  He  was  jailor  from  aliolit  iSiO 
1  Congress  to  which  he  was  elected  in  iS;'' 
1  Connecticut  to  Johnstown,  about  1790.  lb 
Ifennett's  Corners  and  Johnstown  mII.ii;' 
some  (lolitical  affair  he  did  not  we.ir  a  li't. 
shave  01  «ash  his  iai  e  lor  about  lour  )ears,  including  the  war  of  1S12. 


to  1.S12.     He  served  a  term 

Llias  Dawley  removed  fro 

lived  for  many  years  betwet 


l[es.or"jXiVI  ES    ST^HOSMER   Town   or'johnstown,  FulTo 


1  ,s] 


a.  Co 


-^■ft^CJL^'. 


r  ResoF  MAX  P^AYLENDER   Town  oF    JOHNSTOWN,   Fulton    Co. 


'  :^ 


FIRST  ROADS  IN  THE  TOWN  OF  JOHNSTOWN— KINGSBORO. 


20» 


Abraham  Van  Wart  removed  from  Westchester  county  to  West  Bush  in 
1795,  and  lived  there  until  his  death  in  i860.      He  was  a  mechanic. 

Charles  Rose  removed  at  an  early  day  from  Rensselaer  county  to  Johns- 
town, and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  grantUon,  S.  S.  Rose. 

Iteniel  McMartin  was  bom  in  Johnstown,  in  17S5.  He  scr%ed  in  the 
war  of  1812  as  sergeant  in  Capt.  Hates's  company  of  New  York  militia. 

Benjamin  Peckham  moved  into  what  is  now  Kulton  county,  about  1816. 
He  m;idc  the  first  ca.st  iron  plow  made  in  the  county  The  first  plows 
brought  into  the  county  were  made  by  John  Merrill,  about  1807.  They 
were  of  the  Peacock  patent,  very  heavy,  and  others  soon  took  their  places. 

One  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  neighborhood  known  as  Albany  Bush 
was  Barney  \osburgh. 

Gflbert  Van  Sickler  was  born  in  Johnstown  in  1828,  and  opened  a  black- 
smith shop  at  Bennett's  Corners  m  1843,  which  he  kept  until  1869,  when 
he  opened  a  country  store  at  that  place. 

Hale's  grist-mill,  some  two  miles  east  of  Johnstown  village,  is  one  of  the 
oldest  in  the  county,  having  been  built  some  time  before  1795,  and  always 
used  as  a  mill.  Its  capacity  is  12,000  bushels  per  year.  The  proprietor, 
Mr.  James  Hale,  was  bom  in  Johnstown  in  1821. 

ROADS  AND  POST  ROUTES. 

Among  the  earliest  records  in  the  county  clerk's  office  is  the  certificate 
of  the  commissioner  of  highways  for  the  laying  out  of  a  highway  from  John- 
son Hall  to  Stone  Arabia  ;  also  one  from  the  house  of  Gilbert  Tice,  in  the 
village  of  Johnstown,  to  the  highway  leading  through  the  Caughnawaga 
patent  to  East  Canada  creek.  The  former  is  dated  .\ugust,  176S,  and  the 
latter  April  2d,  1770.  These  must  have  been  among  the  very  first  roads 
leading  out  of  Johnstown,  though  one  to  the  southward  was  [irobably  ofiened 
at  a  still  earlier  date — perhaps  the  same  on  which  was  located  the  farm 
bought  of  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  by  John  Boshart,  now  the  Fonda  plank  road. 
The  line  of  the  Mohawk  river  was  in  the  earliest  times  as  now  the  route 
from  the  east  to  Johnstown  ;  and  the  fact  of  an  emigration  from  New  Eng- 
land and  the  Mohawk  valley  for  the  settlement  of  this  town  implies  com- 
munication in  that  direction  earlier  than  in  any  other  Sir  William  John- 
son laid  out  a  carriage  road  fourteen  miles  long  from  the  Hall  to  his  sport- 
ing residence  built  in  1772,  at  Summer  House  Point  on  the  Vlaie,  in  the 
present  town  of  Broadaibin.  In  17S6,  and  for  years  after,  the  only  road 
from  Johnstown  to  Kingsboro  was  a  foot-path  through  the  woods,  and  the 
guide-boards  were  marked  trees. 

During  the  Revolution,  Lambert  Clement  carried  the  mail  on  horseback 
from  Johnstown  to  Cherry  Valley.  On  one  of  his  trips  his  horse  was  shot 
through  the  neck  by  one  of  a  party  of  tories  and  Indians,  but  not  being 
disabled,  carried  his  rider  the  more  speedily  into  safety. 

Long  before  the  day  of  railroads  Johnstown  was  an  important  point  on 
the  line  of  emigration  by  wagons,  as  appears  Ijy  the  following  extract  from 
Mr.  N.  S.  Benton's  history  of  Herkimer  county: 

"  March  26,  1803,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  certain  great  roads  in 
this  Slate  to  be  opened  and  improved,  and  for  that  purpose  $41,500  was 
directed  to  be  raised  by  lottery.  The  State  road,  so  called,  from  Johns- 
town to  the  Black  River  country,  passing  through  parts  of  Manheim  and 
Salisbury,  and  the  towns  of  Norway  and  Russia,  in  this  county,  was  laid 
out  and  surveyed,  and  probably  opened,  by  commissioners  appointed  by 
the  Governor,  pursuant  to  the  authority  conferred  by  the  above  act.  This 
road  Wis  used  a  good  deal  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century,  when 
the  eastern  emigration  vvas  flowing  towards  the  present  counties  of  Lewis 
and  Jefferson,  the  western  portion  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  the  northern 
partsofOncidaand  Herkimer.  »  »  *  An  opinion  ]irevailed  at  an  early 
day  that  the  n,.rihcrn  travel  would  leave  the  Mohawk  \allcy  at  East  Creek 
or  Little  Kails,  and  turn  towards  tlie  Black  River  country,  but  the  project 
of  opening  and  improving  a  road  from  Little  Kails  in  that  direction  was 
never  carried  into  effect.  The  people  of  Johnstown.  Ttica.  Whitestown, 
and  Rome  were  too  much  alive  to  llicir  own  interests  to  allow  such  a  pro- 
ject to  get  the  start  of  them.  The  route  from  Johnstown  through  the 
northern  parts  of  Montgomery  and  Herkimer,  crossing  the  East  Canada 
Creek  at  Brockett's  Bridge,  and  the  West  Canada  Creek  at  Boon's  Bridge, 
near  Prospect,  in  Oneida  county,  was  much  the  shortest,  and  the  best 
ada[iled  to  emigrant  travel" 

The  fiist  stage  route  was  organized  by  H.  Jolin'inn.  about  1815,  to 
Fonda's  Bush.  He  kept  a  hotel  where  the  Sir  William  Johnson  now 
st.and$. 


About  the  same  time  a  Mr.  Leroy  conducted  a  mail  route  as  far  as  the 
"  Fish  House,"  on  the  Sacondaga. 

Asa  Tiffany  carried  the  mail  from  Johnstown  to  Denton's  Corners  twice 
a  week,  on  an  old  white  horse,  about  1831  or  1S32. 

In  1839  stage  lines  ran  eastward  to  Broadaibin,  and  westward  to  St. 
Johnsville. 

The  plank  road  from  Johnstown  to  Clloversville  was  built  in  1S49,  on  a 
thirty  years  charter,  granted  in  the  previous  year.  The  plank  road  from 
Johnstown  to  Fonda  was  built  by  another  company  at  the  same  time. 

The  Johnstown  and  Gloversville  Street  Railroad  Company  was  organ- 
ized November  11,  1873,  and  its  track  was  laid  in  the  following  year  The 
first  directors  were:  D.  B.  Judson,  Jonathan  Wooster,  Daniel  Potter,  Ira 
Lee,  H.  L.  Burr,  A.  Simmons,  W.  H.  Place,  C.  J.  Alvord,  John  McLaren, 
C.  E.  .Argersinger,  William  .\rgersinger,  and  R.  Fancher.  President, 
Nicholas  H.  Decker,  Esq.;  secretary  and  treasurer,  John  McLaren. 


THE  SMALLER  VILLAGES. 

The  chief  village  in  the  town  after  Johnstown  and  Gloversville  is  Kings- 
boro. The  name  at  first  covered  quite  a  region  of  country,  part  of  which 
was  settled  by  Scotch  Highlanders,  who,  remaining  loyal  to  the  British 
crown  at  the  Revolution,  were  obliged  to  leave  the  country.  The  first 
settlement  on  the  site  of  the  present  village  was  made  in  17S6.  The  set- 
tlers were  niostlv  from  New  England,  but  included  some  Scotch  and 
Dutch,  .\mong  the  New  Englanders  was  Samuel  Giles,  thirty-eight  years 
a  member  and  thirty-two  years  a  deacon  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  His  ■ 
father  died  the  next  day  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  in  which  he  h.ad 
participated;  but  his  place  in  the  ranks  was  taken  by  Samuel,  who  served 
from  his  twentieth  to  his  twenty-fifth  year,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  at 
Trenton,  Hubbardton,  Saratoga  and  .Monmouth,  and  endured  the  terrible 
winter  at  \'alley  Forge.  He  died  in  1841.  Other  Revolutionary  heroes 
were  .\mos  Beach  and  Elijah  Cheadel. 

In  1S44  Kingsboro  was  spoken  of  as  containing  a  Presbyterian  church, 
I     an  academy  and  forty  or  fifty  dwellings.     Glove-making  is  the  principal 
I      industry.     Frederick  Steele  is  said  to  have  kept  the  first  store  in  Kings- 
boro. 

The  society  from  which  the  Presbyterian  church  has  grown  vvas 
organized  in  December,  1793.  .-V  site  for  a  church  building  was  selected 
"just  north  of  the  burying-ground  at  the  head  of  the  present  park,  on  land 
bought  of  F'rederick  Steele  and  Darius  Case."  Mr  Steele  was  paid  at  the 
rate  of  ^5  jier  acre,  and  Mr.  Case  ^4.  The  church  vvas  not  finished 
until  late  in  1796.  It  vvas  a  small  wooden  building,  furnished  with  high 
square  box-pews,  in  which  a  good  fraction  of  the  congregation  vvas  lost  to 
sight,  and  but  a  quarter  of  the  seats  faced  the  preacher.  The  only  pro- 
vision for  warmth  in  cold  weather  vvas  the  foot-stoves  of  those  who  were 
fortunate  enough  to  own  them.  Thus  housed  and  provided,  the  congrega- 
tion underwent  two  long  sermons  each  Sunday  with  but  a  recess  between 
them.  For  the  first  two  or  three  years  Rev.  John  Linsley  was  the  pastor. 
He  vvas  to  have  $375  per  annum  for  the  first  two  years,  and  a  house  and 
fuel;  after  that  the  cash  part  of  his  salary  was  to  be  reduced  $25.  The 
house  furnished  him  would  seem  to  have  contained  one  room,  as  he  found 
it  necessary  to  study  at  Deacon  Giles's,  where  there  were  two.  Mr.  Lins- 
ley's  departure  was  hastened  by  a  contention  in  the  church  as  to  whether 
it  vvas  Congregational  or  Presbyterian.  There  seems  to  have  been  a  society 
of  the  latter  name,  which  united  with  the  Congregational  church  in  1804. 
.\  year  previous  Rev.  Elisha  Vale  had  assumed  the  pastorate,  which  he 
held  for  the  remarkable  periorl  of  forty-eight  years  and  seven  months.  He 
remained  connected  with  the  ihunh  more  than  a  year  longer.  During 
this  whole  |)eriod  he  exerted  a  most  powerful  influence  for  good,  and  won 
.ind  retained  the  highest  respect  and  esteem.  No  less  than  628  persons 
were  received  into  the  tluirch  during  Ins  ministry,  more  than  two-thirds  of 
them  converted  through  his  preaching.  Seventeen  of  his  parishioners 
entered  the  ministry.  The  Sunday-school  was  opened  in  1821.  Up  to 
1853  the  government  of  the  church  was  Congreg.itional  in  form,  "but 
really  Presbyteri.an  in  spirit;"  and  in  that  year  the  society  was  re- 
reived  into  the  Albany  Presbytery,  where  it  remains.  The  church  early 
had  to  t.ikc  a  stand  against  intemjie ranee,  as  there  were  three  distilleries 
"within  the  then 'limits  of  this  congregation,  and  liquor  flowcil  like  water." 
.\  temperance  society  was  formed  in  1S14,  and  a  reform  begun  which  was 
prosecuted  until,  in  1857,  li(pior  was  not  publicly  sold  in  the  town  north 


210 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


of  Johnstown  village.  Mr.  Vale  received  but  §25,000  for  his  fifty  years 
work  at  K-ingsl)oro.  His  successors  in  the  jKistorate  have  been:  Rev. 
Edward  Wall,  1852-6-;  William  Bannister,  l>.L)..  1S63-9;  Rev.  Cieorge 
Harkness,  from  July,  1869,10  November,  1877.  The  church  building  now- 
used  cost  §H,ooo  in  183S.  when  it  was  dedicated.  In  1K70  it  was  repaired. 
and  a  Sunday-school  chapel  built,  at  an  e.\[iense  of  over  $j.ooo.  There 
are  now  six  "  Protestant  houses  of  worship  within-the  former  limits  of  Or. 
Yale's  coDgrej^ation,"  which  built  the  first. 

The  Kingsboro  Academy,  as  an  outgrowth  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
calls  for  mention  at  this  point.  The  first  meeting  of  the  friends  of  such 
an  enterprise  was  held  at  the  house  of  Abncr  Johnson,  lanuary  4,  1831. 
Among  them  was  Daniel  Potter,  who  offered  a  lot  and  §200  on  condition 
of  $j.ooo  more  being  raised.  That  sum  was  subscribed  within  a  week,  and 
the  building  was  finished  in  the  latter  part  of  1S31.  It  was  of  wood,  three 
stories  high,  and  built  upon  a  stone  Ijasement  arranged  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  principal  and  his  family  as  a  dwelling.  An  addition  14  by 
64  feet  was  soon  after  built  and  the  grounds  fenced.  The  total  cost  up  to 
this  point  was  $2,950.  beside  the  value  of  the  lot.  which  was  considered 
worth  $500.  The  building  was  formally  opened  December  i,  1S31.  A. 
Mr.  Waldo  was  engaged  xs  principal,  and  the  first  term  began  early  in  1832. 
In  February',  1839,  the  institution  was  incorporated  by  the  Regents  of  the 
University.  In  May.  1S37,  Horace  Sprague  became  principal  and  Mrs. 
Sprague  one  of  the  teachers.  Mr.  Sprague  was  a  man  of  considerable 
ability  and  very  popular.  Although  not  a  college  graduate  he  received  the 
degree  of  A.  M.  from  Union  College  in  1S36.  In  .May,  1S42,  he  resigned 
the  principalship,  and  was  immediately  followed  by  H.  M.  Robertson, 
recently  graduated  from  L'nion  College.  He  remained  until  April,  1845. 
after  which  the  academy  was  without  a  principal  until  December,  1846, 
when  Mr.  Sprague  again  took  the  position,  which  he  held  until  within  two 
years  of  his  death  in  May,  1S61.  The  academy  has  within  half  a  dozen 
years  become  the  public  school  of  the  district.  It  has  three  departments, 
with  as  many  teachers. 

Kingsboro  was  represented  in  periodical  literature  in  1843  by  The 
Literary  Journal,  published  by  S.  R.  Sweet. 

McEwen's  Cor.vers  is  a  hamlet  about  two  miles  west  of  Gloversville. 
Here,  for  many  years,  lived  Nicholas  Stoner,  whose  eventful  life  has  been 
sketched  by  Mr.  Simms.  He  removed  to  this  place,  then  called  Scotch 
Bush,  from  the  vicinity  of  Johnson  Hall,  where  he  lived  for  two  years 
after  the  Revolution.  From  this  point,  in  his  hunting  and  trapping  excur- 
sions, he  ranged  a  wide  section  of  the  great  northern  wilderness,  which 
must  have  extended  to  his  very  doors.  Indeed,  most  of  the  town  was 
probably,  little  better  than  a  wilderness.  It  was  while  living  near  Johnson 
Hall  that  Major  Stoner  had  his  fields  of  ripening  corn  and  wheat  devastated 
by  a  bear.  After  protracted  nightly  vigils,  the  hunter  got  a  shot  at  the 
marauder,  but  owing  to  darkness  only  wounded  him,  and  the  animal  es- 
caped on  so  easy  terms  that  he  ventured  back  next  day  and  was  reported 
in  a  neighboring  orchard.  Stoner  snatched  his  ritle  and  repaired  to  the 
scene.  His  first  shot  did  not  disable  the  bear,  and  the  latter  would  have 
climbed  a  tree  but  for  the  hunter's  dog  |)ulling  him  back  as  often  as  he 
tried  it.  The  exasperated  beast  turned  on  the  dog  and  managed  to  catch 
one  of  his  paws  in  his  mouth.  Stoner  had  been  hindered  in  reloading  by 
the  stopper  of  his  powtler  horn -breaking  otf  short,  and  before  he  was 
ready  for  a  final  shut,  was  almost  distracted  by  the  agonized  yelps  of  his 
canine  ally.  Rushmg  up  to  the  bear,  he  thrust  the  muzzle  of  his  rifle  into 
the  animal's  mouth,  getting  in  the  act  a  blow  from  bruin's  paw  that  tore 
off  a  leg  of  his  i)antaIoons  and  gashed  the  tiesh  with  the  marks  of  claws. 
The  di>chargc  of  the  rifle  blew  the  bear's  brains  out.  The  trajiper  was  so 
long  away  on  one  of  his  northern  excursions  that  he  was  suspected  of  being 
engaged  in  smuggling  goods  from  Canada  to  Johnstown.  The  sus[)icion 
involved  Ainaziah  Rust  and  Cornelius  Herring  as  the  receivers.  Stoner 
stoutly  denied  the  i  harge.  though  he  said  he  had  seen  goods  tn  ttansttu 
in  the  forest  in  the  hand-,  of  pcrMnis  unknown  to  him.  It  seems  that 
squaws  got  the  men  handise  across  the  bonier  and  delivered  it  to  men  who 
completed  the  transfmrration.  .\k  Kwen's  Corners  was  so  named  from  the 
father  of  J.  I>.  and  D.  McEwen,  who  established  in  1816  a  grist-mill, 
which  is  now  operated  by  his  sons.  It  is  now  run  only  half  the  vear.  dur- 
ing which  time  its  cajjaciiy  is  about  15,000  bushels.  These  gentlemen  in 
1847  built  a  skin-mill,  whu.h  in  the  six  months  of  each  year  in  which  it  is 
run  dresses  16,000  skins. 

S^MM^'NsvIM  K  i'.  an  enterprising  village  of  about  two  hundred  inhabi- 
tants, on  the  southern  border  of  the  town  and  county,  pmfiting  by  the 
water  power  afft)rdcd  by  Cavadutta  creek.  In  1819  Myndcrt  Starin 
went  into  business  here,  where  lie  built,  in  course  of  tune,  a  hotel,  a 
potash  factory,  a  distillery,  a  flour-milt,  bla<  ksrnitli  and  maehme  siiops 
■  and  other  buildings.      In   1826  he  closed  out  his   business   here   and   re- 


moved to  what  is  now  Fultonville.  where  he  started  similar  industrial  e> 
tablishments.  The  sirawboard  mills,  furnisliing  material  for  paper  Ijoxl- 
are  the  chief  industrial  features.  They  include  those  of  Joseph  Hill,, 
brandt,  commenced  in  1847,  and  having  a  capacity  of  125  tons  a  year 
William  Wemple,  200  tons  ;  John  Moore  begun  in  1873  ,  100  tons  ;  .ih, 
one  or  two  others.  Eli  Wcni[)le.  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  oldest  famili. 
of  the  town,  carries  on  a  vinegar  and  cider  factory,  which  he  opened  !! 
1873.  G.  H.  Sholtus  is  postmaster,  and  one  of  the  merchants  of  the  vil 
lage,  where  he  began  business  in  184S.  Edward  H.  Sammons  keeps  . 
store  and  hotel.  Jacob  Martin  is  another  storekeeper.  He  was  for  thini 
years  one  of  the  leading  carpenters  and  builders  of  the  region.  His  gran.; 
father,  Philip  Martin,  was  an  early  settler  and  a  Revolutionary  soldur 
There  are  also  in  the  village  a  cheese-box  factorv,  jiroducing  15,00c 
year;  a  saw-mill,  cutting  250,000  feet  annually,  and  a  church  and  schti.il 
house. 

Keck's  Center  is  a  hamlet  about  four  miles  and  a  half  west  of  John- 
town.  Joseph  Keck  opened  a  store  and  hotel  here  in  1849,  and  in  i.^i.i 
a  strawboard  mill,  which  has  a  capacity  of  roo  tons  per  year.  He  hasben 
postmaster  since  1856,  when  a  post-office  was  first  established.  His  grand 
father.  George  Reck,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution.  Robert  Smith  1 
one  of  the  leading  carpenters  and  builders  in  the  county.  He  began  ilu 
business  in  1867.  J.  D.  Wert  carries  on  the  old  Coughnet  farm,  one  ■■ 
the  first  settled  in  the  town. 

Several  cheese  factories  represent  the  great  dairy  interest  in  the  tow.n 
The  Johnstown  Cross  Roads  factory,  about  two  miles  west  of  Johnstown 
was  incor])orated  in  1863  with  a  capital  of  §3,000,  and  had  a  capacitv  m 
120,000  lbs.  annually.  The  first  directors  were  :  Nicholas  Dorn,  Freden-  k 
Wert,  Daniel  J.  Walker,  Henry  Gross  and  E.  E.  Buggs.  The  prest  m 
capital  of  the  factory  is  $5,000,  and  it  produces  60,000  lbs.  per  annum 

The  Cold  Spring  Cheese  Factory,  two  miles  east  of  Johnstown,  man. .1:1.  ■ 
by  R.  W.  Rogers,  began  business  in  1871.     It  makes  70,000  lbs.  per  anniin 

POPULATION,   ETC. 

The  population  of  the  town  of  Johnstown  has,  for  a  quarter  of  a  ccntur\ 
increased  much  more  rapidly  than  that  of  the  county  at  large.  Sever. i 
censuses  have  given  the  following  results  :  1840,  5,409  ;  1845,  5,408  ;  i^f-" 
6,131  ;  1855,  7,912  ;  i860,  S,8ii  ;  1865,  9,805  ;  1S70,  12,273  ;  'S75'  'S-'''"' 
The  population  of  the  town  has  ail  but  doubled  since  1855,  while  th.ii  '■' 
the  county  has  only  increa.sed  from  23,284  to  30,155.  The  actual  incre.^--. 
in  the  town  since  1855  is  7,777,  against  6.861  in  the  wholecounty  ;  indicaim, 
a  removal  from  other  towns  of  the  county  to  this,  which  is  further  o 
denced  by  the  fact  that  the  population  of  some  of  the  other  towns  ;>  ;• 
been  diminishing  for  several  years.  The  present  population  of  Johnsi'.. 
is  over  half  that  of  the  county.  The  number  of  taxable  inhabitani-  1 
1876  was  2,492,  and  the  assessed  valuation  of  real  and  person, il  jiropLi;.. 
§2,605,348. 

A  CENTENARIAN. 

The    cases   of    persons    uhose    lives    span    a    <  entury   arc    r.irc    in    .  ■  ^ 
county.      Fulton   county   presents  that  of  Mrs.  Jeremiah    Dorn  of  Julu 
town,   her   one    hundredth    birthday  being   on    the    15th  of    Man  h.    i^;- 
She  was  born  at  Niskayuna,  Schenectady  county,  where  her  father,  a    ^' 
Carnkrose,  lived  until  he  came  to  reside    about   three   miles  cast  of  \y>^> 
town.      Mrs.    Dorn   was  one  of  a  family  of   fourteen    children,   nl    uic 
besides  herself,   there   are  now  living   .Mr.    Nu-IhjUis  Carnknt-^r   ,ind  M 
Veghte.      .Mrs.  Dorn's  own  children   nuinltered    ten.      It   is    now    -,  w  ;  ■ . 
nine    years    since  her  marriage.      Almost  as    remarkable    as    her  e\ir' 
length  of  days  is   the    fact    that  during  hanlly  one  of   ihem    h.is  sliv  :  ■ 
under  the  power  ot  disease. 

Mrs.  Dorn  remembers  to  ha\e    heard    her  inuther-in-l,iw  tell  ni    s.r  V. 
liarn  Johnson,  particularly  of  his  funeral,  at  wiiu  h  at  <.<ir<ling  to  Ik t  n  ■ 
lection  most  of  the  niuurners  were  Indians.       The  red  men  are  .lU'-  l.n. 
associated  with    the  memories   of  our  subject.      .\  «  ousm    of  her  inoi 
called  "the    beauty   of  Sclioharie,""  was    shot   by  a    savage.      .\  prim 
Indian  trail  ran  through  the  Dorn  farm.      .\  brother  of  Mrs.  Dorn  in  p- 
times  used  to  carry  apples  to  the  Indians  at  a   point  thirty    inile-^  l't\ 
Ulica,  and  was  always  well   treated.     She  formerly  attendeil   ihc  C.i    _   - 
nawaga  stone  church,  and  riften  saw  theie  Colonel  \'isscher,who  w.i- s.  .1,,  - 
dunng  the  Revolution  in  his  house    in  the  luwn   of   Mohawk,  .ind    kn  ' 
dead  by  the  savages.      He  wore  a  handkerchief  on  his  head   uhi.  Ii  <■■■ 
ceaied  the  wound. 

Mrs,  Dorn's  husband,  who  v.as  born   in    1760.  was  a  patriot  soldur 
the   Revolutionarv    war,  as   were  also   two  of  his  brothers,  one  ot   wl.-i-- 
named  Peter,  was    at  the  battle    of  ( (riskany.      Mrs.    Dorn   rcmeml.i: 
time  when   the  village  of  Johnstown   h.i.i   but   tuo  stores,   one    plivsi.    - 
and  one  grist-mill,  that    built   by   Sir  William  Johnson,  near  the  Hall 


Vv 


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*"  \  l-i  vj_j',  '■>'—^&r'V-^\'h  ■  ii/]v':v'^^d--'r;  ;iLJr#r 'i-'r-i:'-  ^l''^3 
■-■■A    ■  ti;    -:m,.-/. 


'S-^V'-^' 


GLOVE        MAr^UFACTURER  S^     MAR^KET       ST.,  J  O  HN  STOWN,  rl.  Y. 


N  p  RTH  XI  U  P    B  KOTHKHS  -^^-r^r  W.  S.  &  M.  S.  AIORTimUP  &  CO. 


'^^^^^:^^^^^&Ssri^ikim^.^_ 


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#--^;>"— 


.       <fe:r      O' 


"^^v'kRESiDENCE      or     jrUDGK     ILKVI    jl'AU  8  Oa^VS,    Kingsbourough,    Fulton      Co.,  N.    Y.V'^ 


PEDIGRtt   OF    I  HL   KINGSBORO   PARSONS   FAMILY. 


21 L 


JAMES'  PARSONS,  a  Ue-tcnilani  .,1  Thum.!,'.  ol 
(Jreat  Milion,  near  Oviorii.  EnglanJ.  through  I)cacon 
Benjamin',  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  S|)ringfield. 
Mass.,  was  horn  at  Windsor,  Conn.,  9  Oct..  174.S.  He 
married,  25  Jan.,  1770,  Hannah  Phelps,  dan  of  Charles 
of  Windsor,  where  their  eight  children  were  liorn  ; 
seven  of  whom,  in  1792,  accompanied  their  parents  to 
Ringsboro,  Johnstown  township,  then  'I'rvon  county, 
now  Fulton  county,  N.Y.  From  the  Kingsboro  records 
of  [)ubiic  ineetmgs,  30  Dec,  1795,  and  of  subscijuent 
dates,  we  find  he  was  acti\-e  in  measures  tor  building  ;i 
naeeting  house;  and  on  the  6  N'o\-.,  1796,  was  chairman  of  the  meeting. 
■Chen  ii  was  voted  to  give  the  Rev.  John  Lindsley  a  call  for  settlement 
Other  records  of  the  society  and  town  show  that  Mr.  Parsons  was  an 
;  died  ;.•  Jan.,  iSio.*  Of  his  chddren. 
,  d.  28  July,  1775;  2.  Mercy'  m.irneil' 
,e  descendants  .ire;  CHILD,  PRICE, 
ADAMS,  CHRISTIE, 
VI.  h.  .111.., n-    «-ho-e   de- 


active  and    influential   citizc 

»-   Hannah*  was  born  5    Fel 

Ephraim   BURDtCK,   ."irnnn-    whose    descendant- 

BWXLL,  WORRELL.    ROBERTS,    SCOFIELD, 

GARDNER,   ELDRED;    ;     l.n,,-- .n    11,1, hi.    B, 


■-ctndants  arc:  JUDSON,  DEMAREST,  GLOYD  ..nd  BARLOW;  y^^^,.  the 
families  of  Dca.  Chauncey'  and  .\lvin  Beach'  Parsons;  4.  John' m.  Charm - 
I>aytoo  Johnson,  leaving  families  of  sons  Homer  J",  Hiram  .\.'.  and 
daughiCT  Amelia-T'.  WARNER  ;  0  Oliver'  m.  Clannda  Beach,  leaving 
sons  Richard',  Goodwin'.  Myron',  Fdward',  Hun-Harringtun\  W  illiam- 
Beach'.  James-Oliver,  anil  daughters  Mary-B'.  BUCK,  Martha'  HOSMER 
and  Oliie-Tlarinda  MILLS;  7  Hannah  m.  James  HALL,  leaving  .\lmira' 
NWRTIN  and  Hmnal.  CHRISTIE,  of  I.e  Ray.  \.  V.  ;  8.  I.inda  m.  Daniel 
BOWEN,  lejxing  M.ns  Rev.  Henry'  and  Willard'  and  daughters  Caroline' 
NEVINS  and  Mana'  GRAHAM;  5.  Gordon'  b.  4  July,  17S0.  m.  11 
.\^arch,  1801,  Sally- Pamelia  Leavenworth,  b.  at  .Stratford.  Conn.;  she  d. 
30  Pec,  1824.  He  m.  :nd.  Helen  Demarcst.  an.i  died  at  K..  5  Oct.  184^. 
The  children  uf  GURDON"  i'ar-i.ns  ivcre:  1.  Infant  son  b  and  d.  II 
March,  1802;  2.  Mary-.\nn'  ni.  Joseph  WOOD;  j.  Dr.  Ciirdon-I.cster' 
b.  28  Aug.,  1810,  d.  17  .Sept..  1S40;  4.  I'allmadge-Leavenworth' b.  13  Jan. 
1813,  m.  21  Sept.,  1841,  Jane  Mcfiregor,  b.  8  .\iig.,  1814,  dan.  of  Duncan 
ai&d  C'atharine  Carmichael  ,  of  Comrie,  Perthshire,  Scotland.  They  had 
one  child,  Tallmadge-I.ester,  b.  2  July,  iS43,whoin  1872  Msited  Europe  in 
company  with  his  uncle.  Judge  Levi',  and,  1878,  resides  at  Kingsboro  ; 
5.  Caroline'  m.  Edward  Parsons  of  Chit  ago;  6  John-Randolph'  m.  Caroline 
Mead;  7.  Jane  Almira' m.  David  WILSON  ;  Judge  Levi' was  b.  i  July. 
1S22;  in  1844  entered  the  law  office  of  Judge  Vost  of  Johnstown,  who 
removed,  1846,  to  Fort  Plain.  In  1847  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  and 
fonned  a  co-partnershiij  with  Lauren  Ford,  Es«]-,  of  Little  Falls. 

In  1848  the  discoveries  in  I'alifornia  ga\e  rise  to  the  gold  fever  in  the 
Sta^s,  and  the  \alley  of  the  .\Iohawlc  was  not  exempt.  .Among  the  first 
viccrms  was  Levi'  Parsons,  who  on  the  4th  March,  1S49,  the  day  of  Presi- 
dent Taylor's  inauguration,  left  New  "S'ork  on  a  schooner  for  Brazos  San- 
tia^,  about  ten  miles  north  of  the  Rio  Grande;  thence  by  mule  route  ai 
that  date  unknown  to  New  N'orkers  ,  through  Monterey,  Saltillo,  Parras 
and  Durango  to  Ma/atlan  on  the  Pacific  .  whence  by  a  sailing  vessel  he 
rea<:hetl  San  Francisco  .Aug.,  1849,  Me  rose  rapidly  in  his  profession,  and. 
3otSa  March.  1850.  was  elected  by  Legislature  Judge  of  the  Fiiurth  Judicial 
nisatrict  of  California,  comprising  the  City  and  County  of  San  Francisco — 


t.ffi. 


*-omniis 

ion 

from  Gov 

Peter 

H 

Burn 

.C  whirl 

he 

resigned 

to  altt 

nd 

to  ih 

^e.p.ent 

^  • 

. me  wall  .1 

ortiin 

'•' 

New 

ing  dated  2d  Apr.  1850, 
tux-  lii  liis  profession. 


ip,.i  p, 


ilr.vid   bmit  lo   r> 


region  of  evtrtliie  ignor 

.me  and  ba.  kwarc 

prin.  ipal  trunk  line  liel 

ween  Chiiago  and 

St.  F^.uisandlheS<Mith 

-\e-.t  and  S..Mth. 

On  the  3d  Sept..  i86f 

.he  in.,  at  Fort  PI 

1834.  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  i 

lu.  of  Ama/i.ih    R 

JuJpo  Vcrtt,  of  Fort  Pl.i 

n.  N    \        He  res 

takes  a  dvc\i  anil  ipiiet 

nterot  in  .dl  that 

the  nplfare  of  the  entire 

I  ni..n. 

dency  of  sev- 
nd  President 
les  m  length, 
i/ation  into  a 
isl  re....i.n  the 
;enerally.  and 


JUDGE  LEVI'  PARSONS  is  of  the  eighth  generation  from  THOMAS- 
PARSONS  of  (.reat  .Milton,  O.xfordshire.  England,  who  married  in  that 
place  19  October,  1555,  Kathcrine  Hester,  of  Sydenham,  near  Thames,  in 
the  same  lounty.  He  was  buried  at  Great  Milton  23  .May,  1597.  H.> 
will,  dated  1  July,  1584,  was  proved  at  London,  by  his  eldest  son,  Thomas. 
14  June,  1597.  The  overseers  of  the  will  were  John,  Thomas  and  William 
Hester,  probably  brothers  of  his  wife.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable 
wealth,  as  evinced  by  his  bequests.  He  left  a  certain  sum  for  the  poor  o( 
Great  Milton,  and  also  for  the  reparation  of  the  church;  mentioned,  be- 
sides his  wife  and  sons,  Thomas,  Hugh,  Richard  and  Francis,  his  nejjhews 
Thomas  Parsons  and  Robert  Newcomb.  His  widow  was  buried  at  Sand- 
ford,  near  Oxford.  3  Oct.,  1608.  Their  five  children  were  baptised  at 
(.Ireat  Milton,  \ii.:  Thomas,  Hugh",  Richard.  Francis  and  Joanc. 

Their  second    child,    HUGH",   bap.   27   Nov.,  1563;  m.   Coventry, 

who  died  ;  m.  ,2    Elizabeth    Bagshawe    Thomkins,  of  the  Parish  ol 

St  Magnus,  London.  His  will,  dated  24  Jan.  1642-3,  was  proved  at  Ox- 
ford, Eng-.  20  May,  1643.  Removed  from  Great  Milton  to  Sandford, 
uhere  entries  respecting  his  children  are  found  [63]. 

By  2nd  w.  he  had  ten  children  ;  viz.:  i  Robf.rt,  b.  22  -April,  1610,  Sand- 
ford,  Eng.  His  will,  dated  29  Jan.  1652-3,  was  proved  at  London,  by  his 
iirother  Benjamin,  26  May,  1653.  Probably  died  unm.  [63.]  2  Sar.mi,!. 
22  June,  161 1,  Sandford;  was  unm.  29  Jan.  1652-3,  the  date  of  her  broth  r 
Robert's  will.  [64.]  3  M.akie,  b.  20  Nov.  161 2,  Sandford  ;  was  named  in 
her  father's  will,  but  not  in  that  of  her  brother  Robert.  [65.]  4  f  \mi:s, 
b.i[i  22  Sept.  1614,  Sandford;  was  bur.  there,  28  Sept.  1614.  5  Hci.ii, 
b.  II  March,  1615-16,  Sandford  ;  emigrated  to.Araerica  ;  married.  Sprin;;- 
field.  Mass.,  27  Oct.  1645,  Mary  Lewis.  Hewas  mentioned  in  his 
father's  will,  dated  20  Jan.  1642-3.  [73].  6  Katherinf.  b.  i  \ov.  r6i7. 
S.andford  ;  probably  died  before  1643.  7  J.*mf.s.  bap.  22  .\pr.  i6iy,  Sand- 
ford ;  was  buried  there,  i6  Mar.  1628-9.  *  -AxNE,  tap.  5  .Aug.  1622.  Sand- 
ford ;  was  buried  there,  7  Dec.  1622.  9  Anne,  bap.  6  No\'.  1623,  San,-'- 
tord  ;  was  buried  24  Sept.  1647,  Great  Milton,  ne.  24.  She  was  unmarried. 
[71.]     Dea.  BENJAMIN',  Lap.  17  Mar.  1627-S,  Sandford,  Eng.:  d.  24  Aug. 

1689,  Springfield,  Mass.  ;  m.  Windsor,  Ct.,  6  Nov.  1653,  Sarah  Vorc.  d. 
of  Richard,  of  W.  She  d.  i  Jan.  1675-6,  Springfield.  He  m.  '2)  in  S.,  2t 
Feb.  1676-7,  Sarah    Heald  ,  [Leonard],  w-id.'  of  JoKn.     She  m.  '3''  3   Nov. 

1690,  "The  Worshipful  Peter  Tilton,"  of  Ffadley,  Sfass.;  and  d.'  23  Nov: 
17U.  From  the  time  of  his  marriage  to  that  of  his'cTeafh,  Dea.  Parsons 
held,  with  the  cxcejition  of  four  years,  some  office  of  ^niblic  trust  m  the 
town  of  Springfield.  On  the  26  May.  1653.010  was  in  "London  aart  proved 
his  brother  Robert's  will.  I74.]  The  children  of  1  >ea.  iieni.imiiil.iind  .'vir.ih 
Parsons  were  nine,  of  whom  SAMUEL,  b.  to  Oct,  i66ci,;S)irini;Jicil,  „\Lis.v, 
d.  17  Feb.  1735-6.  x.  70,  Enfield.  Ct;m.  i.s  Mar.  j^Xj.  H.in'n.nh"  Hm  hi  o.  k. 
b.  10  Sept.  l66"8.  S.,  dau.  of  lohn  an,1  Hannah  Cliapiri'  of  S'."'  Slic  d.  in 
E..  17  July.  1748.  He  inherited  his  father's  HSwe+'hoii'seiToi  in'Siirlh^field; 
removed  from  that  town  to  Fmfield.*  168.3.. -rv    ""''  ''""  -     "-:' 

'They  had  ten  children,  of  whonvthe  rhirdiisas  JOHN',  (>.  21;  (iitv.  lOo-;, 
Fjnfield,  Ct.  ;  d.  intestate,  in  Sonicr»,  Ct,  ami  ilt-tters,  i^i  ddminisirj,tiun 
were  granted  to  his  brother  NathanKi'.  i_Mar. .l7,;6-7.  .  I^c  m.  ui  T'..,  20 
lune,  1716.  TH.^NkFii,  ROUT,  a  native  of 'iv,  b.  12  No\ '^16^3.  d.ni,  .1 
THnM.\s  and  Sarah  (Di'miii  e  niN  (Lfo'^  X1;ii'l'of''\Vc;triefd  She  .1  in 
E.  4  July,  I7.'i9-  ["6-']  They  haff  seven  r'hiMren;-nf  whom  JOHN'.  w..s 
born,  29  .April.  1724,  d.  14  March,  r769.i  He  married  ;o  \pr .  1747. 
Eli,cabeth  Harnett,  of  Windsor  Conn.,  hy  whom  he  had  1,  JAMES  1.  0 
Oct.,  1748,  first  above  named;  2  l-:lizabi;th',  h.  12  Aii^;.,  1.750,  m.  b.l.ri 
YOUNG;  •,.  SiLa'b.  9Ap..  1752.  m.  Joshua  LEACH  ;'  4.  |..lm\  1. 'lan 
26,  1754;  5,  Olive',  b.  4  Oct.,  1755;  6,  Oll'ver'\  b.  22  Nov  i7;'6.  JOHN'  m 
2nd  w.,  Ruth  Ward,  [Parsons|  bv  whom  he  had  lohn".  b  0  \''ril  fjtjc. 
and  Lucy",  b.  3  Aug.  1762.  who  m.  iJr.  Christopher  WOLCOTT,' grind- .n 
of  Gov.  Roger  Wolcott.  of  Conn. 

In  1634,  in  the  lifetime  of  THOMAS"  PARSONS,  ihe  llcraKK  ma.e 
their  visitation  of  Oxfordshire,  and  liis  pedigree  was  altesled  ..nd  -l.ii.  .. 
by  him,  .accepted  bv  the  Her.il.ls  and  pLi.  clupon  re.  ord  ;  while  lii^  ri;,!,; 
to  bear  arm-.,  tricked  U])on  the  pedigree,  -nas  thus  legally  recngni/ed  :  and 
as  the  iicdigree  so  recorded  cvmtained  the  names  of  his  father  ami 
brothers,  their  right  and  that  ol'  their  descendants  to  be.ir  amis  w.is 
acknowledged.  It  is  proper  to  ,ldd  that  in  a  later  Msitalioii,  lli.it  ol 
1669,  of  which  only  the  original  exists  al  the  Heralds'  College  in  l.onih.n. 
the  pedigree  and  arms  are  repe.tted.  "I  his  matter  lna\.  llRTcfore.  be  re- 
garded as  definitely  settled.  A  cnpv  of  the  shicM  and',  rest  is  seen  .lUive. 
[For  full  re.  ords  of  all  the  .lescen.lants  i.t  Deai  on  Itcniainin  l'ar.-.ons. 
early  sclller  ..1  s,,riivjfiel,l,  NL.ss,.  w  male  .md  female  lines,  see  the  inaiiu. 
scrii.t  PARSONS  MtMORIAL„l:ilK  leady  bar  miblicati.m.  1..  ih.-  scri.iJ 
numbers  of  uhh  h  the  lie.. rts  ...  l.r.i.'k. Is  refer.l  '      ' 


Rhim-iI  index 


t  Windanr,  Conn, 


212 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BLEECKER. 


BItecker  is  the  central  of  the  northern  tier  of  towns  of  Fulton  county. 
It  was  taken  from  Johnstown  on  the  4th  of  April.  1831;  a  portion  was  re- 
annesed  in  1841.  and  in  1842  a  part  was  taken  oft'  and  annexed  to  Caroga, 
on  the  west,  leaving  the  town  nearly  square.  The  surface  is  a  mountain- 
ous upland,  with  ledges  of  rocks  cropping  out  m  almost  every  section  of 
the  towTL  Some  of  the  highest  pomts  rise  to  the  hei<;ht  of  two  thousand 
five  hondred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  Stony  creek  is  the  principal 
stream  of  the  town,  taking  its  rise  in  the  south-western  part,  and  running 
in  a  north-easterly  direction  into  Hamilton  county.  It  is  fed  by  smaller 
streanis,  and  is  used  by  lumbermen  for  the  purpose  of  floating  logs  to  the 
Sacoodaga,  into  which  it  empties,  and  by  which  they  are  earned  to  the 
lumber  mills  at  Glen's  Falls  and  Fort  Edward  on  the  Hudson.  There  are 
seven  lakes  or  ponds  in  the  town,  the  prmcipal  of  which  are  Chase's  lake,  in 
the  northern  part,  Woodworth's,  in  the  south-eastern  corner,  and  what  is 
called  Peck's  Pond,  in  the  south-western  corner  of  the  town. 

For  many  years  lumbering  and  tanning  have  been  carried  on  very  exten- 
sively, until  at  the  present  time  the  forests  are  comparatively  stripped  of 
valuable  timber;  two  nr  three  firms,  however,  still  do  (^^uite  an  extensive 
business  in  both  tanning  and  lumbering.  There  are  at  present  eleven  saw- 
mills and  two  tanneries  in  the  town.  There  are  also  two  hotels,  four  stores, 
and  two  small  establishments  dealing  in  wet  groceries. 

Six  school  districts,  with  competent  teachers,  compnse  the  educational 
de[)artment  of  the  town.  Its  religious  interests  are  cared  for  by  the  Meth- 
odist, Lutheran,  Roman  Catholic  and  "Christian  "  denominations.  A  large 
majority  of  the  population  are  Germans;  for  a  few  years  past  they,  with  a 
few  others,  have  turned  their  attention  to  farming,  which  to-day  is  taking 
the  place  of  the  leading  industries  of  former  days.  The  town  comprises 
an  area  of  36,898  acres  of  land,  according  to  the  assessor's  report  for  1877, 
and  the  assessed  value  of  the  real  estate  for  the  same  year  was  $55,155. 
The  aggregate  tax  raised  for  1877  was  $1,731.57.  Bleecker  derives  its 
name  from  Parent  Bleecker.  who,  in  company  with  Messrs.  Glen  and  Lan- 
sing, purchased  a  tract  of  land  covering  a  large  portion  of  this  town,  April 
4,  1793.  Chase's  and  Mayfield  patents  cover  the  rest  of  the  town,  the 
former  dated  March  23,  1792,  and  the  latter  June  27,  1770.  Of  Chase  and 
his  purchase  Mr.  Simms  speaks  as  follows  in  his  "  Trappers  of  New  York  "  : 

**Wm.  Chase,  the  patentee,  was  in  early  life  a  sea  captain,  and  in  the 
Revolution  became  an  American  privateer.  He  was  captured  and  taken  to 
Europe,  and  while  there  visited  France.  After  the  war  he  removed  from 
Providence.  Rhode  Island,  lo  Hoosick,  New  York.  .\t  the  latter  place  he 
built  a  bridge,  by  constructing  which  he  was  enabled  to  purchase  some 
12,000  acres  of  land  in  the  western  part  of  Fulton  county.  A  large  tract 
of  land  adjoining  his,  and  which  Chase  intended  to  buy,  was  subsequently 
sold  in  Albany  by  auction,  and  was  purchased  by  Harent  Bleecker.  Corne- 
lius Glen  and  Abraham  G.  Lansing.  It  was  known  as  Bleecker  and  Lan- 
sing's patent.  Failing  to  secure  this  tract  of  land,  on  which  he  seems  to 
have  set  his  affections,  Capt.  Chase  was  heard  to  exclaim,  with  an  oath,  '  I 
would  rather  have  lost  my  right  in  heaven  than  a  title  to  this  soil."  " 

An  Indian  trail  ran  through  the  town,  from  south  to  north,  passing 
through  what  is  now  Bleecker  village,  past  Pine  tannery  in  the  north,  and 
so  on  into  Hamilton  county.  F'or  a  number  of  years  Lindley's  Corners, 
near  the  centre  of  the  town,  was  also  the  business  centre.  Subsetjuently 
the  Bleecker  tannery,  near  the  south  line  of  the  town,  wa.s  built  by  a  Yan- 
kee firm,  Richards  &  Co.,  and  gathered  around  it  the  hamlet  known  as 
Bleecker  village,  which  attracted  the  business  ui  the  town  lo  that  point, 
EARLY    SETTLERS 

The  pioneers  of  Bleecker  settled  in  the  territory  of  the  town  while  it  was 


a  pan  of  Johnstown.  Among  those  who  found  themselves  in  Bleecker 
when  the  division  was  made  were  James  Morse,  William  Rood,  Hiram 
Lindsley,  William  Eglan.  Gad  Hamilton  and  others,  mostly  from  New 
England.  They  settled  here  about  the  year  eighteen  hundred.  Soon  after 
others  began  to  make  this  their  home,  being  the  prominent  men  of  the 
town  in  their  day; — John  Donaldson.  William  Bowler,  Henry  Lippart.  and 
a  few  others,  form  the  link  between  the  first  settlers  and  the  present  inhab- 
itants of  the  town. 

INDUSTRIAL,  RELIGIOUS  AND  EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS. 

The  first  grist-mill  was  built  by  William  Chase  soon  after  his  patent  was 
granted.  It  was  located  a  little  east  of  Lindley's  Corners,  on  a  branch  of 
West  Stony  creek,  and  went  to  decay  many  years  ago. 

At  present  there  is  no  custom  grist-mill  in  the  town,  and  the  inhabitants  are 
under  the  necessity  of  going  to  Gloversville  for  their  milling.  Mr  John 
Peters,  one  of  the  principal  lumbermen  in  the  town,  has  a  feed  mill,  run  for 
his  own  accommodation. 

The  first  house  of  unhewn  logs  in  the  town,  according  to  tradition,  was 
built  by  early  settlers  at  Lindley's  Comers.  The  first  hewn  log  house  was 
built  by  Martin  Hopfield,  on  the  old  Caroga  road,  west  from  Lindley  .> 
Corners.  The  first  frame  house  was  built  where  John  M.  Peters  now 
lives,  at  Lindley's  Corners.  The  first  brick  house,  and  the  only  one  in  the 
town,  was  built  in  1874,  by  Joseph  Holier,  in  the  western  part  of  the  town, 
near  the  Caroga  line. 

The  oldest  grave-yard  in  the  town  is  on  the  flat  just  north  of  Lindley's. 

The  first  school-house  in  the  town  was  built  at  or  near  Eastman's,  near 
the  line  of  Hamilton  county,  in  1824,  chiefly  through  the  influence  of 
Joseph  Eastman. 

The  first  saw-mill  was  built  on  a  stream  that  empties  into  Stony  creek 
above  Lindley's  Corners,  and  called  "  Barlow's  mill." 

The  town  is  divided  into  six  school  districts,  and  the  school-houses  are 
located  as  follows  :  number  one,  at  Lindley's  Corners  ;  number  two,  near 
the  hotel  of  Michael  Heintz,  south  of  the  center  of  the  town  ;  number 
three,  at  Bleecker  village,  where  the  first  teacher  was  Nancy  Foot  ;  number 
four,  on  the  western  side  of  the  town — here  the  first  teacher  was  Ascncih 
Greenfield;  number  five,  at  Pine  Tannery,  and  number  six,  at  Smith  \- 
Deming's  tannery. 

The  first  tannery  in  the  town  was  built  by  William  I.  Bellinger  and 
others,  at  what  is  now  called  Bleecker  village,  and  went  to  decay  twcniy 
years  ago. 

Burr  &  Co.  built  a  cabinet-ware  factory  on  the  stream  below  the  tan- 
nery at  the  village,  and  operated  it  for  several  years,  when  it  was  abandoned 
and  fell  into  decay. 

The  first  store  in  the  town  was  built  and  managed  by  Richards  ^:  H.nn- 
lin,  in  connection  with  iheir  tannery  at  Bleecker. 

The  first  tavern  was  kept  by  S.  S.  Eastman,  near  the  south  line  of  llu 
town,  where  Mr.  Bussey  now  keeps  a  hotel. 

The  first  blacksmith  >hop  was  built  and  operated  by  Gad  Hamilton, 
north  of  Lindley's  Corners. 

Mrs.  Hamilton,  Mrs.  King,  and  Mrs.  Whitney,  were  the  first  ladies  m 
the  town  who  made  a  l)usincss  of  weaving  for  their  neighbors. 

The  first  preachers  in  the  town  were  Rev.  Messrs.  Goss  and  Hurd.  who 
ministered  to  the  old  Northampton  Methodist  circuit,  which  is  now  m  the 
Saratoga  district  of  the  Troy  Conference.  They  preached  at  Lindley's 
Corners  once  in  two   weeks,  alternating.      They    traveled  on  horsebat  k,  .1* 


CHURCHES  OF  BLEECKER— OFFICERS  OF  THE  TOWN. 


213 


at  that   date  buggies,  plank  roads,  and  even  turnpikes  were  not  in  fashion. 
There  is  only  one  post  office  in  the  town  ;  it  was  established   about  1844 
at  Bleecker  village,  with  E.  A.  Campbell  as  postmaster.     Hiram  Vanden- 
burgh  is  the  present  incumbent. 

VILLAGES. 

Bleecker  is  the  only  village  deserving*  the  name.  Mr.  Isaac  Van  Nos- 
trand  formerly  owned  the  land  upon  which  it  stands.  The  village  contains 
a  hotel,  a  brewery,  a  church,  a  school-house,  two  saw-mills,  a  store,  a 
broom  handle  factory,  six  blacksmith  shops,  and  twenty-three  dwellings. 
The  men  who  have  lived  here  longest  are,  John  Donaldson  and  Hiram 
Vandenburgh. 

There  is  a  little  hamlet  at  Heintz's,  near  the  center  of  the  town,  and 
another  at  Smith  &  Deming's  tannery,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the 
town.  Pine  tannery,  and  Smith  &  Deming's,  are  the  only  ones  now- 
doing  business  in  the  town. 

CHURCHES  IN   BLEECKER. 

The  "Christian"  denomination  owns  no  church  property  in  the  town, 
but  its  members  hold  their  ser\-ices  in  the  school-house  of  district  No.  i, 
at  Lindley's  Corners.  The  society  is  very  small,  and  depends  largely  upon 
assistance  from  the  outside  for  support.  Re\'.  Mr.  Styles  is  e  present 
very  efficient  pastor. 

The  "  Evangelical  Methodist  church  "  is  the  oldest  in  the  town,  having 
been  organized  in  1850.  The  church  edifice  is  a  frame  building,  about 
thirty  by  forty,  and  located  some  three  miles  north  of  Bleecker  village,  on 
the  old  plank  road.  The  societv  is  composed  of  Germans,  and  is  self-sup- 
porting. 

A  Presbyterian  church  was  built  in  1855  at  Bleecker  village,  with  Rev. 
Abijah  Green  as  pastor.  The  church  edifice  was  of  wood,  about  thirty  by 
fifty,  neatly  and  substantially  finished,  and  furnished  in  modern  stvle. 
After  struggling  for  nineteen  year*  against  obstacles  and  discouragements, 
the  society,  in  1874,  leased  the  church  property  to  Hiram  Vandenburgh, 
for  a  term  of  ninety-nine  years,  and  for  the  sum  of  one  dollar;  it  was  soon 
turned  over  to  and  occupied  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  society. 

A  Roman  Catholic  church  stands  four  miles  northwest  of  Bleecker  vil- 
lage. It  was  built  of  wood.  30  by  40  feet,  in  1858.  Services  are  held 
monthly. 

The  Lutheran  church,  located  two  miles  northwest  of  Bleecker,  on  the 
old  plank  road,  an  edifice  of  wood,  about  twenty-five  by  thirty-five  feet, 
was  built  in  1862.  The  society  is  small,  and  has  preaching  only  once  a 
month. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  society  which  worships  at  Bleecker  village 
owns  and  occupies  the  church  property  formerly  held  by  the  Prcsbvterians. 
It  is  valued  at  $^,500.  The  membership  is  thirty-live.  Rev.  Edwin  Genge 
was  the  first  pastor,  and  was  followed  by  Revs.  Messrs.  Coons,  Powell, 
Taylor,  and  Amos  Osborn,  the  present  pastor.  The  Sunday-school  con- 
nected with  this  church,  under  Ihc  lead  of  Hiram  Vandenburgh,  is  in  a 
prosperous  condition.  The  a^■er.lge  attendance  is  about  fiftv;  there  are 
one  hundred  \oluines  in  the  library.  .Another  school,  at  Lindley's  Cor- 
ners, under  the  auspices  of  this  society,  is  largely  attended  both  summer 
and  winter. 

TO.WN   RECORDS. 

The  records  of  this  town  are  in  a  fair  condition,  and  from  them  we  cull 
a  few  items  of  interest: 

September  8th,  1H31,  James  Leslie  gave  a  deed  of  one  acre  of  land  to 
Nicholas  Stnncr,  John  Mead, 'and  Jacob  Mead,  trustees  of  school  district 
No   4,  for  school  purposes. 

Road  district  No.  i  was  laid  out  to  begin  "  at  the  west  line  of  John 
Bovee;  thence  east  to  Uriah  Bierd's  bars,  in  front  of  his  house.  District 
No.  t  begins  at  Briah  Bierd's  bars,  and  thence  westerly,  and  ends  at  Elijah 
l.indsley's  bam" 

The  first  road  laid  out  by  the  commissioners  of  highways  was  defined, 
November  uth,  1831,  .as  beginning  at  the  State  road,  "  four  chains  north- 
erly from  Isaac  Van  Nostrand's,  and  running  to  the  road  laid  out  by  Mr. 
Burr's  house."     This  ro.ad  changes  its  course  about  twenty-five  times. 

The  expenses  of  the  supervisor  for  the  town  in  1832  were  $7.42. 

The  record  of  the  first  town  meeting  held  in  Itlec.  ker  sets  forth  that  : 
"  at  a  town  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  tiad  Hamilton,  on  the  first  Tuesday 


of  .May,  1831,  in  and  for  the  town  of  Blcekcr,  pursuant  to  an  act  to  erect 
the  town  of  Bleecker,  in  the  County  of  Montgomery,  passed  the  4th  day  of 
April,  183 1,  the  following  persons  were  severally  elected  to  the  following 
offices,  to  wit  :  To  the  office  of  supervisor,  Isaac  Van  Nostrand  ;  town 
clerk,  Jonathan  Dean  ;  justices  of  the  peace — Jonathan  Dean,  Willi, im 
Lindsley,  John  Mead,  Joseph  Eastman  ;  assessors — .\masa  Stevens,  Eph- 
raim  Lindsley,  Joseph  PLastman  ;  commissioners  of  highways — John  Mead, 
Elijah  Lindsley,  Othniel  Allen  ;  overseers  of  poor — Richard  Hart,  Josepn 
Eastman  ;  collector,  Daniel  Mead  ;  conimissioners  of  common  schools — 
Lodewick  P.  Stevens,  Rilas  Eastman,  Eli  R.  Burr  ;  inspectors  of  schools 
— .\masa  Stevens,  Joseph  Eastman,  Elijah  Lindsley  ;  constables — James 
Leslie,  jr.,  Daniel  Mead,  Elijah  Lindsley,  Adam  Long." 

It  was  resolved  that  fence-viewers  have  75  cents  per  day,  and  that 
S30  be  raised  for  school  money.  This  opening  record  closes  as  follows  : 
"  Given  under  our  hands  the  first  Tuesday  of  May  ;being  the  third  dav  , 
in  the  year  1831.  Jonathan  Dean,  town  clerk  ;  Aaron  Hasing,  justice  uf 
the  peace  of  Johnstown." 

The  following  is  a  full  list  of  supervisors  and  town  clerks,  from  the  or- 
ganization of  the  town  to  the  present  time. 

SUPERVISORS. 

1831,  Isaac  Van  Nostrand  ;  1832-4,  Artois  Hamilton  ;  1835,  William  J. 
Bellinger  ;  1S36-7,  Garret  A.  Newkirk  ;  1838,  Jonathan  Dean  ;  1839-41. 
Garret  A.  Newkirk  ;  1842-4,  Benjamin  K.  Eaton  ;  1S45,  David  Eoote  ; 
1846,  Wdliam  Bowler;  1847,  David  Foote ;  1848-9,  William  Bowler; 
1850-1,  Samuel  W.  Odell;  1852,  Truman  Enos;  1853-4.  Eugene  W.  Enos; 
1855,  Robert  Campbell;  1856,  Z.achariah  J.  Smith;  1857,  Eugene  W.  Enos; 
185S,  Theron  .\.  Hamlin;   1859,  Eugene  W.  Enos;   i860,  Joseph  C.  Zeyst; 

1861,  George  A.  Burr;  1862-4,  -Marshall  G.  Hunt;  1S65-7,  John  .\I.  Peters; 
1S6S,  MarshallG.  Hunt;  1869,  John  M.  Peters;  1870-1,  M.  G.  Hunt; 
1872-4,  Hiram  Denning;   1875-8,  Charies  Bowler. 

rOWN  CLERKS. 

1831,  Jonathan  Dean;  1832,  Jacob  Spaulding:  1833-4,  William  J.  lid- 
linger;  1835-6,  William  W.  Collins;  1837,  Jonathan  Dean;  1S38,  Jainc-. 
McK.inlay ;  1839-40,  William  Conine;  1841,  Willard  C.  Wright;  1S42. 
Robert  A.  Van  Nest;  1843,  W.  C.  Wright;  1844-5,  Ephraim  A.  Campbell; 
1846-7,  W.  C.  Wright;  1848-9,  John  D.  Venney  ;  1S50,  W.  C.  Wright  ; 
1851,  Z.  J.  Smith  ;  1852-3,  John  Rychen,  jr.  ;  1854,  P.  O.  Belding  ;  1855. 
M.  Van  Steenburgh  ;  1856,  John  .'VIeyer  ;  1S57-8,  Isacher  R.  Kurd  ;  1S5.1, 
Joseph    Zeyst;   i860,  M.   Van   Steenburgh;   1861,    Hiram   V.Tndcnburgh  ; 

1862,  John  H.  Smith  ;  1863,  John  Meyer  ;  1864.  Daniel  Doice  ;  i,S65,  .\I. 
G.  Hunt;  1866-9,  John  Meyer;  1870-1,  Hiram  Vandenburgh:  1S72,  W.il- 
laceVost;  1873,  J.  H.  Smith;  1S74-5,  August  Ernst;  1S76,  John  Mcvcr; 
1 87  7-8,  Francis  L'nger. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Hiram  Vandkmh'Rch  is  a  native  of  Northumberland,  Sar.iti:ga  Co, 
N.  v.,  and  w-as  btirn  in  the  year  1832.  He  is  now  the  largest  lunit-cr 
dealer  in  this  lumber  district.  He  employs  a  large  number  of  men  .ind 
teams  the  year  round.  He  has  two  mills  near  his  residence  in  Bleecker 
village,  where  he  manufactures  nearly  or  quite  one  and  a  half  million  feel 
of  lumber  and  timber  annually,  which  is  nearly  all  drawn  to  (iloversviilc. 
and  shipped  to  different  jiarts  of  the  State.  He  also  m.anufactures  large 
quantities  of  lath  and  broom  handles,  which  find  ready  sale  in  the  distri.  ts 
where  they  are  used.  He  [lays  cash,  thereby  giving  his  men  the  advantage 
over  credit  customers  at  the  stores.  He  has  held  important  tow  n  ofii'  c^, 
among  them  the  supervisorship  of  the  town.  He  bears  a  large  share  uf  the 
burdens  of  the  .Methodist  church,  to  which  he  belongs, 

Hiram  Df.minc.  was  born  in  the  town  of  Day,  Saratoga  county,  about 
the  year  1S40.  His  early  education  was  limited  to  the  common  si  IiomN  ot 
that  day.  In  1867-8  Mr.  Deming  located  in  Bleecker,  and  eng.iged  in 
lumbering  and  tanning.  He  is  doing  a  very  large  business,  espci  lally  in 
the  tanning  of  sole  leather.  Against  his  wishes  he  has  served  three  terms 
in  the  board  of  supervisors  of  this  county,  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
his  constituents. 

Wii.i.iAM  H.  Binvi.EK  is  a  tanner  by  trade,  and  was  l.'orn  in  Bleei  ker  in 
or  about  1841.  He  has  worked  his  way  up  through  all  the  grades  of  tan- 
ning, until  he  has  become  an  expert  in  the  business  and  has  a  high  repu- 
tation in  the  art  of  converting  the  raw  material  into  first  class  sole 
leather. 


3Sf 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BROADALBIN. 


Broadalbin  is  one  of  the  first  towns  organized  in  the  present  county  of 
Fulton,  having  been  formed  from  a  portion  of  Caughnawaga,  March  12th, 
1793.  To  Daniel  Mclntyre.  an  ante-revolutionary  pioneer,  who  re>ided 
near  what  is  now  Perth  Center,  i^  ascribed  the  honor  of  naming  it.  after 
his  native  place  in  Scotland.  It  originally  embraced  the  town  of  North- 
ampton and  the  northeastern  part  of  Perth;  the  former  being  taken  off 
February-  ist,  1799,  and  the  latter  February  r7th,  1S42.  It  is  bounded  by 
Northampton  on  the  north,  Saratoga  county  on  the  east,  Perth  on  the 
south,  and  Mayfield  on  the  west.  It  contains  an  area  of  24, 104  acres, 
most  of  which  is  susceptible  of  cultivation.  The  principal  part  of  its  sur- 
face is  gently  undulating.  The  northern  portion  of  the  town  is  embraced 
in  the  "Sacondaga  Vlaie,"  a  tract  of  level,  marshy  land  containing  about 
12,000  acres,  which  is,  every  spring,  overflowed  with  water  from  three  to 
eight  feet  deep.  The  soil  is  mostly  a  light  sandy  loam.  It  is  abundantly 
watered  by  numerous  creeks  and  small  streams  flowing  in  all  directions 
throughout  the  town,  chief  among  which  is  Kennyetto  creek — often,  incor- 
rectly, called  Flv  creek.  Fonda's  creek,  and  sometimes  the  Little  Sacon- 
daga.  The  name  "Kennyetto"  is  of  aboriginal  origin;  the  literal  mean- 
ing of  it  is  said  to  be  **  Snake  trying  to  swallow  its  tail."  The  creek  was 
thus  named  from  the  fact  that,  after  rising  in  Greenfield,  Saratoga  county, 
near  Maxon  hill,  and  running  across  Broadalbin  into  Mayfield,  it  returns 
and  enters  the  S.icondaga  river  at  the  Fish  House,  not  more  than  three 
miles  from  its  source.  The  Chuctenunda  creek  crosses  the  southeast 
comer  of  the  town,  and  Mayfield  creek  the  northwest  corner.  French- 
man's creek — so  called  because  a  Frenchman  named  Joseph  De  Golver 
located  at  an  early  day  on  its  banks,  near  North  Broadalbin — flows  in  a 
northwesterly  direction  nearly  across  the  town,  and  discharges  into  Ken- 
nyetto creek.  Hons's  creek  aUo  flows  across  the  northeastern  part  of  the 
town.  This  stream  received  its  name  from  the  following  circumstance,  as 
related  by  Simms  in  his  "Trappers  of  New  York:"  "Sir  William  Johnson 
and  John  Conyne  were  fishing  for  trout  in  the  mouth  of  this  stream,  when, 
as  Conyne  was  standing  up,  an  unexpected  lurch  of  the  boat  sent  him 
floundering  in  the  water.  He  shinptrd  a  sea  or  two,  as  the  sailor  wuuid 
say,  before  he  was  rescued  by  hi>  (  ompanion  from  a  watcrv  grave.  Sir 
William  not  only  had  a  hearty  Ij'i-li  o\cr  it  then,  but  utten  afterwards 
when  telling  how  Conyne  plunged  inio  the  water  to  seek  for  truut.  Hons 
being  the  Dutch  fi^-r  John,  and  the  familiar  name  by  which  Sir  Williain 
called  his  companion,  in  relating  the  incident."  the  stream  has  ever 
since  been  called  by  th.it  name. 

This  town  is  embraced  in  the  Kayaderosseras,  Sarondaga  and  (ilen 
patents,  the  former  of  \\  Inc  h  wa^  among  the  fir^t  granted  bv  the  Knglish 
colonial  government  in  this  pan  nf  the  State,  having  jjeeii  i^-iied  to 
Nanning  Hermanse  and  ..iher>  N..\ember2d,  170S.  Daniel  Campbell. 
of  Schenectady,  ramc  into  pO-v>es-sinn  of  <everal  thousand  acres  "t  the 
Kayaderosseras  and  Glen  patents  in  thI^  town,  which  he  duided  into 
small  tracts  ami,  in   the   I.Uter  jvirt  of  the   last  century,  granterl  perj-elual 


ettWr 


lamis  ..re 
ve   iH.r.h. 


leases  to  actual 
farm.     Some  of  tli 
of  the  oci.upnius 
farms  in  fee  simjilo. 

The  (wpulalion  of  the  I 
inhabil.ints  in  1X76  was  5 
1877  ».is  §.'4.-.X6o.  The 
was  S'9.95°- 

ORC.ANIZING  TIIK  TOWN 


n.:.\\  rental  aetording  to  the  si/'e  "t  th'j 
till  htl.l  under  the  origin::!  lease,  l.ul  nln^t 
ed    the    lea^ellold    inlcresl    and  oiui  their 


aUiili 


2.420.  Tlie  nu 
^ed  valuation  o 
n  of  personal   | 


It  appears   from  the  early  records   that  the  first  town  meeting,  on  ac- 


count of  some  informality,  was  decided  to  be  illegal:  consecjuentlv  the 
names  of  those  elected  at  that  time  were  not  recorded.  The  first  tu»n 
meeting  considered  strictly  formal  was  held  at  the  house  of  Daniel 
Mclntyre,  on  Tuesday,  .\pril  ist.  1794,  and  resulted  in  the  election  of  the 
following  officers:  Peter  V.  Veeder.  supervisor;  .Alexander  .Murray,  town 
clerk:  John  McN'iel,  James  Kennedy  and  Joshua  .Maxon,  assessors;  Cal- 
vin Voung,  .Allen  Whitman  and  .Alexander  .Murray,  commissioners  of  high- 
way; Daniel  Mclntyre  and  John  Blair,  overseers  of  the  poor;  James  Ken- 
nedy, Joshua  Briggs  and  Aaron  Olmstead,  constables:  James  Kennedy, 
collector  ;  John  .McNeil,  Esq.,  and  Nathaniel  Perkins,  pound  nla^ter^; 
Moses  Ehvell,  hog  reeve,  and  28  overseers  of  highway.  The  excise  com- 
missioners for  that  year  were  Peter  \'.  Veeder,  Daniel  .Mclntyre  and  Alex- 
ander .Murray,  who  granted  licenses  "for  keeping  inns  or  taverns"  to 
Samuel  Demarest,  .Alexander  Murray  and  14  others,  each  paying  the  sum 
of  ^^2.  On  April  6th,  1S13,  James  Ford,  Duncan  Mc.Martin.  jr.,  and 
Thomas  Bicknallwere  elected  as  the  first  school  commissioners,  and  James 
Sumner.  Edmund  G.  Rawson,  John  Thompson,  ir.,  and  lames  Moffit,  jr., 
the  first  school  inspectors  of  Broadalbin.  By  the  above  board  of  school 
commissioners  the  town  was  divided,  December  29th,  iSij,  into  11  school 
districts,  one  of  which  was  fractional.  Two  additional  districts  have  sim  e 
been  created,  making  the  present  number  13,  with  12  school-houses  in  the 
town,  and  S56  scholars  who  draw  public  money.  The  present  town  oiii- 
cers  are:  James  T.  Bradford,  supervisor;  F.  G.  Hawley,  town  clerk;  Wil 
liam  Smith  and  D.  M.  Reddish,  justices  of  the  peace;  .Archibald  Robert- 
son, James  P.  McFarlan  and  S.  D.  Demarest,  asses-sors;  Oliver  P.  I.eni. 
William  H.  Halladay,  James  B.  Chapm.in,  town  auditors;  John  Cli.ise. 
collector;  Nicholas  Smith,  commissioner  of  highway;  and  five  constable-, 

BROADALBIX'S   PIONEERS. 


The  first  white  man  who  located  m  the  territorv  now  known  as  Bn 
bin  was  Henry  Stoner,  a  (.'lerman.  who  emigrated  to  .America  as  e.i 
1760,  and  after  several  years'  residence  in  New  \'(>rk  ciiv  ami  Mar 
tame  west  with  his  family,  and  lo.  .ued  j.wt  west  of  the  present  vill 
Broadalbin  about  1770.  Here,  in  t!ie  wilderness,  many  miles  froni  ai 
ticment,  he  erected  a  log  cabin,  the  site  of  which  may  yet  be  identii' 
a  farm  formerly  owned  by  Judge  Weston,  deceased.  While  in  Ma\f: 
married  Catharine  Barnes,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons,  Nicholas  and 
the  former  being  well  known  to  the  people  of  the  past  generation  as.i 
braled  hunter,  tripper  and  Indian  hater.  In  the  summer  of  177 
Stoner  removed  his  f.imily  to  John-t.iwn.  and  he  and  his  iu,i  s„ns  ,1 
.in  the  .\meri.:an  armv,  llie  sons  going  as  , bummers,  .\ftcr  three  vc.;i 
vice  Mr.  Stoner  re.  eued  his  ciis,  har-,.  but  so,m  re-cnli-lcd  l-r 
months,  jt  the  end  ..f  «hi,  h  lime  i.e  ri  t  irned  li..me.  In  ihe  -■,1:111 
17S2  he  W.IS  living  on  a  f.iriii  near  Iribcs  Hill  in  Amsterdam.  (  Mu- 
ing,  while  hoeing  corn  in  a  field,  he  was  surprised  by  a  sm.ill  parly  ■ 
di.ms.  killed  and  scalped  and  his  dwellini;  plundered  and  burned. 

Nearly  three  years  afterStontr  l-.aled  in  Broadalbin  Philip  IKiiner 
and  fixed  his  residence  about  two  miles  farther  cast.  Just  pre\ious  ! 
Revolution  a  small  settlement  was  begun  on  the  present  site  of  IJro.u 
village,  by  .Andrew  Bowm.an,  John  Putnam,  Herman  Salisbury,  C 
Cady  and  one  or  two  others.  Early  in  the  summer  of  1777.  feanii 
scalping  knife  of  the  hostile  Indians  in  this  exposed  locality,  all  bm  ' 
two  families  abandoned  their  new  houses  and  removed  to  John- 
Among  the  first  to  take  up  iheir  abode  in  this  vicinity,  after  ihe  dan 
border  warfare  had  jiassed,  was  Samuel  Demarest  a  native  of  Holl.ini 


THE  FIRST  SETTLERS  OF  BROADALBIN. 


215 


after  a  few  years  residence  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  came  up  the  Hudson  on  a 
sloop  and  settled  in  Broadalbin  about  1783  on  lot  No.  14  of  sub-division 
No.  3  of  the  zisl  allotment  of  the  Kayaderosseras  patent.  He  was  a  Revo- 
lutionary soldier,  and  is  said  to  have  kept  the  first  hotel  in  the  town.  He 
was  soon  followed  by  Alexander  Murray  from  Scotland,  who  located  at 
Broadalbin  village.  He  was  a  prominent  and  influential  man  in  his  time 
and  held  many  town  offices.  William  Chalmers  was  the  first  settler  on 
what  is  known  as  the  Dyer  Thompson  farm,  locating  there  as  early  as  1789. 
Ezra  Wilson  secured  a  perpetual  lease  of  100  acres  of  land  from  Daniel 
Campbell  of  Schenectady  Sept.  7th,  1792,  and  located  on  "Lot  No.  5  in 
the  Sub-division  of  lot  No.  4,  in  the  21st  allotment  of  the  Kayaderosseros, 
allias  Queensboro  I'atent."  Abraham  Manchester,  from  Rhode  Island,  set- 
tled soon  after  on  thir  farm  now  o»  cupied  by  his  son  Abraham,  about  two 
miles  east  of  Broadalbin  village.  John  IJlair,  Benjamin  Earl,  Ezckicl 
Olmstead,  Nathaniel  and  Niel  Fearse,  Walter  C.  Rathbone.  J.  Campbell. 
W,  Demarest  and  Wm.  Stewart  ol>tained  leases  and  settled  on  portions 
■  of  Daniel  Campbell's  purchase  of  the  Kayaderosseras  and  Glen  patents  as 
early  as  1795.  Nathan  Brockway,  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  where  he  was 
bora  in  1764,  removed  uiih  his  family  from  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  to  Broadal- 
bin in  1796,  his  wife  performing  the  entire  journey  on  horseback  and  carry- 
ing an  infant  daughter  in  her  arms.  He  look  up  his  residence  on  "  the 
Ridge,"  about  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of  Hawleys"  Corners,  where  he  re- 
mained until  his  death,  in  1S44.  The  place  is  now  known  as  the  "  old 
Babcock  farm."  Richard  Van  Vranken,  from  Schenectady,  located  in  1798, 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  east  of  Broadalbin  village,  where  his  son  now  re- 
sides. John  Roberts  came  from  Connecticut  in  1799  and  settled  in  the 
same  neighborhood,  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  James  Norkett. 

Reuben  Burr  emigrated  tram  Litchfield  to  this  town  in  the  fall  of  1799, 
using  as  a  team  an  ox  and  a  cow  yoked  together,  with  which  he  moved  his 
family  and  household  effects,  the  i)rincipal  part  of  the  latter  being  a  loom 
and  a  chest  fdled  with  crockery  and  bedding.  Upon  his  arrival  here  he 
moved  into  a  rootless  log  cabin,  which  had  previously  been  erected  near 
the  line  between  Broadalbin  and  Mayfield.  supplying  with  his  own  hands  a 
roof  of  poles,  bark  and  brush.  The  following  year  he  made  the  first  im- 
[>rovement,  and  located  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Isaac  Mariam.  about 
one  mile  exst  of  Broadalbin  village.  He  remained  a  resident  of  the  town 
until  his  death,  in  August,  1S59.  His  son,  the  present  Allen  Burr,  was 
bom  June  29th,  iSoi.  At  the  age  of  16  he  came  to  Broadalbin  village, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  and  where,  for  16  years,  he  held  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  was  for  8  years  postmaster,  under  Jackson's  ad- 
ministration. 

James  Sumner,  from  Vermont,  settled  previous  to  iSoo  on  the  farm 
known  as  the  Deacon  Teller  ]»lace.  He  was  a  tanner  and  currier  by  trade, 
and  as  early  as  1805  built  the  first  tannery  in  the  town,  on  his  farm,  about 
two  miles  northeast  ol  the  village  of  Broadalbin.  Nicholas  Van  Vranken 
built  and  kept  a  store,  about  1800,  one  mile  east  of  the  village. 

Duncan  McMartm,  Ksq.,  located  as  early  as  iSioon  what  is  commonly 
known  as  the  Spencer  farm,  near  North  Broadalbin.  where  he  erected  a 
^st-miU  and  a  saw-mill  soon  after.  He  was  a  sur\eyor  of  good  repute, 
and  laid  out  many  of  the  roads  in  this  and  adjoining  towns.  He  was  a 
man  of  wealth  and  respectability,  a  master  m  chancery,  and  in  181S  was 
appointed  a  judge  of  the  Common  Pleas.  He  was  also  at  one  time  a 
State  senator.  Through  his  influence  a  stock  company  was  formed  and  a 
uoolen  factor)' erected  on  his  place  in  1813.  The  directors  of  the  company 
were  I^uncan  McMnrtin,  Tiffany  Brockway,  James  Sumner,  John  Fay  and 
John  K.  Hawley.  The  manufacture  of  woolen  goods  were  succesbfullv 
prosecuted  until  the  sudden  close  of  the  war  of  1S12  caused  a  wonderful 
reduction  in  the  price  of  woolen  goods,  which  so  embarrassed  the  company 
that  the  shareholders  abandoned  their  stork,  and  left  the  mill  property, 
with  all  the  encumbrances,  on  the  hands  of  the  directors,  who  had  become 
individually  re-^ponsihlc  for  the  company  debts.  They,  however,  succeeded 
in  clearing  the  indebtedness,  retained  the  factory,  and  resumed  busine>s. 
After  a  few  years  the  property  was  sold  to  John  Culbert  and  Thomas 
keddi'^h,  who  continued  to  operate  it  with  great  success  for  a  series  of 
years.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Reddish,  u  ho  outlived  his  partner,  the 
business  has  been  conduced  by  his  two  sons,  John  and  Daniel  M. 
Reddish. 

Paul  Karl.  .\  n.itive  of  Rhode  Mand.  emigrated  to  Broadalbin  about 
iSoo,  and  took  up  his  resideme  near  MilU's  Corners,  un  the  farm  uuw  m  - 
copied  by  Harvey  Berry.  His  son,  Stephen  Karl,  was  born  here  in  181  j, 
remaining  a  resident  and  resjtected  citi/en  of  the  town  until  his  death,  in 


September,  1869.  Melvin  Earl,  the  fourth  son  of  Stephen,  was  born  in 
this  town  September  i9lh,  1839.  He  has  been  for  many  years  engaged  m 
the  hotel  business,  and  is  at  present  the  owner  and  manager  of  "Earl's 
Hotel,"  in  Broadalbin  village,  where  his  pleasing  ways  must  win  for  him  the 
esteem  of  the  traveling  public. 

SUMMER  HOUSE   POINT. 

On  the  Sacondaga  vlaie,  or  marsh,  toward  its  upper  or  western  end,  is  a 
little  knoll  or  table  of  hard  land,  elevated  some  ten  or  twelve  feet.  It  is 
oblong  in  shape;  its  summit,  which  is  perfectly  level,  being  about  six  hun- 
dred feet  long,  by  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  wide,  and  gently  sloping  all 
around.  It  is  connected  with  ihe  main  land  by  a  narrow  strip  uf  arable 
ground,  which,  in  very  high  water,  is  covered,  making  an  island  of  tlie 
point.  Precisely  in  the  centre  of  this  knoll  Sir  William  Johnson,  as  early 
as  1761,  erected  an  elegant  one-story  summer  villa,  conferring  upon  it  the 
name  of  *'  Castle  Cumberland,"  in  honor  of  the  vanquisher  of  the  Pre- 
tender. To  this  spot  he  afterward  opened  a  carriage  road  from  Johns- 
town. Here  he  placed  a  j)air  of  his  slaves,  who  cultivated  a  garden,  dug  a 
well,  set  out  fruit  trees,  and  made  many  other  improvements;  and  here  Sir 
William  spent  much  of  his  time  in  summer,  until  his  death.  In  the  early 
part  of  the  Revolution  Castle  Cumberland  was  fortified,  under  the  impres- 
sion that  the  enemy  from  the  north  might  possibly  attack  that  point  by 
water.  Part  of  a  regimerit  of  troops,  under  Colonel  Nicholson,  was  sta- 
tioned here  most  of  the  summer  of  1776.  An  intrenchment,  six  feet  wide 
and-several  feet  deep,  was  cut  across  the  eastern  end  of  the  point.  At  the 
end  of  the  summer  it  was  abandoned  as  a  military  post.  In  1781  the  sum- 
mer house  was  burned,  probably  by  some  of  the  emissaries  of  Sir  John 
Johnson,  who,  abandoning  all  hope  of  ever  repossessing  it,  resolved  upon 
its  destruction.  This  spot  has  ever  since  been  called  Summer  House  Point. 
No  traces  of  the  castle  remain. 

On  the  15th  of  June,  1876,  a  grand  centennial  celebration  was  held  on 
this  point,  at  which  a  large  multitude  of  people  participated.  An  oration 
was  delivered  by  Hon.  R.  H.  Rosa,  of  Broadalbin.  Dinner  was  served;  an 
address  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Mr.  .Moody,  of  Troy,  followed  by  an  alle- 
gorical representation  of  the  last  council  of  Sir  William  with  the  chiefs  of 
the  Six  Nations.  \  large  collection  of  ancient  and  Revolutionary  relics 
was  also  displayed. 

VILLAGES  OF  THE  TOWN. 

Bro.adaliun,  situated  near  the  west  line,  on  Kennyetto  creek,  is  the 
principal  business  place  of  the  town.  It  contains  a  grist-mill,  a  saw-mill,  a 
planing-mill,  a  skin-mill  and  kid-dressing  establishment;  three  glove  and 
mitten  factories,  three  general  stores,  two  drug  and  two  hardware  stores, 
two  hotels,  three  churches,  a  printing-office,  and  a  fine  two-story  bri<  k 
school-house,  where  three  teachers  are  employed,  with  261  scholars  in  the 
school  district.  The  population  of  the  village  is  about  800.  It  is  said  th.it 
the  few  families  who  located  near  each  other  previous  to  the  Kevulution 
gave  to  their  little  settlement  the  name  of  Kennyetto,  after  the  i  reek  111*1  m 
whose  banks  it  was  situated;  but  this  settlement  having  been  entirely  brokt  n 
up  during  the  war,  and  none  of  the  original  inhabitants  returning,  the  name 
was  lost.  "  Fonda's  Bush,"  the  name  by  which  it  was  subsequently  known, 
originally  applied  to  all  the  country  in  this  immediate  locality,  so  called 
after  Major  Jelles  Fonda,  wh(\  some  years  previous  to  the  Revolution,  ob- 
tained a  title  to  several  hundred  acres  of  land,  embracing  this  site,  whii  !i 
was  then  covered  with  a  dense  forest  bush  meaning  the  same  as  wnofi- 
To  all  the  inhabitants  in  this  vicinity  the  village  is  still  known  as.  and  bv 
many  called,  Fonda's  Bush;  and  Vail'.  Mills,  a  little  village  a  mile  west.  '.^ 
often  called  the  West  Fonda's  Bush.  When  a  post  office  was  e-iablish^d 
at  Fonda's  Bush,  about  1804,  the  Scotch  element  succeeded  is  securing  f.^r 
it  the  name  of  Broadalbin.  In  1S15,  through  the  iniluence  of  t'le  Diiti  ii. 
who  had  located  here  (juite  plentifully,  the  village  was  incorporated  by  an 
act  of  the  Legislature,  under  the  name  of  Rawsonvilic.  in  honor  of  Dr.  K 
G.  Rawson,  but  no  action  was  ever  taken  under  this  charter,  and  the  name 
never  obt.iined  a  permanency. 

Dr.  Rawson  was  the  first  ph\sician  to  locate  in  Broadalbin.  He  came 
from  Connecticut  about  1805,  and  contracted  with  Nicholas  Van  Vr.in- 
ken,  a  carpenter,  to  furnish  all  the  material  and  erect  for  him  a  dweil:nL'. 
the  entire  ( ost  of  which  when  completed  was  to  be  $5.  It  was  con- 
structed of  slabs,  and   was   located    nearly  opposite    Karl's    Hotel.      The 


216 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


doctor  » as  a  vtry  popular  man  and  a  successful  pract  t.oner.  The  rtrst 
merchants  at  this  place  were  Joshua  (Ireen  and  Thomas  Bicknal.  The  first 
tavrm  keepers  were  Samuel  Deinarcst  and  Alexander  Murray,  both  of 
whom  were  engaged  in  the  business  in  1793-  A  Mr.  Herring  erected  a 
grist-mill  here  as  early  as  180S,  the  first  in  the  town.  It  was  located  on 
the  site  of  Benjamin  Chase's  present  mill,  near  which  he  also  built  a  saw- 
mill. A  plank  ruad  from  this  point  to  the  Fish  House  and  another  to 
Amsterdam  went  into  operation  in  1849,  over  which  a  vast  amount  of 
teaming  and  tra\el  was  done,  but  upon  the  construction  of  the  (}lovcrsville 
and  Northvillc  railroad,  this  plank  road  was  abandoned.  .\  daily  stage,  of 
which  Melvin  Earl  is  the  very  accommodating  proprietor,  connects  this 
place  with  Amsterdam  and  the  New  York  Central  railroad,  ten  miles  dis- 
tant There  are  also  daily  stage  communications  between  here  and  May- 
fieJd,  and  a  tri-weekly  stage  from  (ireen's  Corners  in  Saratoga  county, 
through  this  place  to  (Hoversvilie. 

Thr  Broadalhin  Hcral,l\i,  a  new  eight-page  paper,  started  by  Rev.  R.  G. 
Adams,  November  29th,  1S77.  The  office  material  is  entirely  new,  com- 
prising a  Gordon  pilcr  and  a  Phceni.x  job  press,  and  a  job  department  of 
sufficient  capacity  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  town. 

Union  Mills,  on  Frenchman's  creek,  near  the  east  line  of  the  town, 
contains  a  general  store,  kept  by  J.  W,  Bogart,  a  peg  factory,  a  rake  factory 
and  about  twenty  dwellings,  and  one  hundred  inhabitants.  '  t  first  man 
to  locate  here  was  Seymour  Carpenter,  who  erected  a  saw-mill  at  this 
point  as  early  as  182-.  In  1828  John  Carpenter,  John  Schoonmakcr, 
John  Clark  and  Richardson  P.  Clark  built  a  paper  mill,  and  commenced 
the  manufacture  of  print  and  book  paper,  which  they  continued  until  1840, 
when  the  mill  wa.s  burned  down.  In  1841  it  was  rebuilt  by  John  Clark, 
and  again  destroyed  by  fire  in  1867.  The  same  year  X.  W.  Bacon  erected 
the  third  mill,  which  in  1874  was  purchased  by  W.  H.  Whitlock,  who  oper- 
ated it  successfully  until  December  22d,  1 87  7,  when  this,  too,  suffered  the 
fate  of  its  predecessors. 

John  Schoonmakcr  buili  and  kept  the  first  store  In  1828  or  1S29.  The 
first  printing  ofiice  in  the  town  was  established  here  about  1833  by  the 
Christian  General  Book  .Association.  Rev.  Joseph  Badger  was  the  man- 
ager, and  in  addition  to  compiling  and  publishing  se\eral  books  for  the 
use  of  the  "Christian"  denomination,  published  The  Christian  Palladium, 
a  weekly  paper,  devoted  to  the  Interests  of  that  church.  After  a  few  years 
The  PaUadium  was  discontinued,  and  the  office  passed  into  the  hands  of 
John  and  William  Clark,  who  commenced  the  publication  of  a  political 
paper  called  The  Banner,  \\\ui:\\  was  at  length  changed  to  a  religious 
journal  under  the  title  of  The  Visitor.  This,  for  the  want  of  proper  support, 
was  finally  abandoned,  and  a  new  family  newspaper,  called  The  Garland, 
issued  in  its  stead.  The  publication  of  the  latter  was  suspended  about  the 
year  1845,  and  the  office  sold  and  removed  to  Johnstown. 

North  Broadalbi.n,  or  BtNKDicr's  Corxkrs,  contains  a  hotel,  grist- 
mill, saw-mill  and  store,  with  a  union  church,  woolen  factory,  and  i)ost 
office,  about  a  mile  southwest  of  the  Corners. 

■Va.m  V'rankkn's  Cor.skrs  so  called  after  G.  Van  Vranken,  who  at  one 
time  carried  on  the  hotel  and  mercantile  business  at  this  place,  is  situated 
in  the  extreme  southeast  corner  of  the  town,  and  contains  a  grisl-mlll, 
store  and  hotel,  and  about  seventy-fi\e  inhabitants. 

CHURCH   HISTORY. 

THE  BAPTIST  CHIRCH   OF  HKOADALUIN   AM)  .MAVFIELD. 

Undoubtedly  the  first  religious  society  formed  In  the  present  town  of 
Broadalbin  was  in  connei  lion  with  the  Baptist  denomination.  The  meet- 
ings were  held  in  dwellings  and  b.irns,  as  occasion  reipiired.  But  little, 
however,  is  known  of  this  society  previous  to  October  18,  1792,  on  which 
date  a  chtirch  organization  was  effected,  under  the  name  of  the  Baptist 
Church  of  Mayfield  and  Broadalbin.  Phe  following  is  a  copy  of  the  record 
made  at  that  time  : 

"Oct.  f8th,  1792. 

"K  Number  of  Members  as  Delllgates  from  Northgalloway  Baptist 
Church,  being  convened  al  the  hou~e  of  Caleb  Woodworths  In  .Mayfield 
together  with  KIder  Butler  and  Br.  french  in  a  single  cap.acity,  form  into  a 
council  to  hear  the  Recpiest  of  a  Number  of  .Members  in  Jesus  Christ 
which  is  to  Be  feloshipt  as  a  chun  h  in  gospil  order.  Members  of  Council 
Elder  Butler  Ur.  french  Klder  finch  Samuiel  Halsted  Lemuel  Cavil  Stutson 


Bjn^o.v  after  g.ilning  an  aLi|ualn:ancc  of  the  adoption  (Jifis  and  qualifi- 
cation of  the  above  said  Members  we  Do  feloship  you  as  a  church  in  Gos- 
pil order.     Joel  Butler  Md.  Stutson  Benson,  Clerk." 

The  records  do  not  disclose  the  names  or  number  of  the  original  mem- 
bers, but  a  large  proportion  of  them  were  residents  of  Broadalbin.  On 
Dec.  15,  1792,  Robert  Ryan  and  Scth  Pettit  were  chosen  the  first  deacons 
The  first  additions  to  this  church  were  made  on  Jan.  5th,  1793,  when  .Mrs 
Rebecca  Marsh  and  Mrs.  Daniel  Mory  united.  The  next  addition  was  on 
Aug.  3,  1793,  when  .Alex.  .McQueen  and  Isaac  Gurner  and  his  wife  Susan, 
nah  were  received.  Rev.  Jon.athan  Finch,  who  was  then  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church  of  Providence,  Saratoga  county,  was  the  first  to  minister 
to  this  society,  which  he  did  as  circumstances  permitted.  On  the  15th  of 
December,  the  church  voted  "  to  give  Klder  F'inch  five  pounds  In  grain,  meat, 
flax,  wool  and  cloth,  and  forty  shillings  In  work."  He  had  been  a  Revolu- 
tionary soldier,  and  had  a  crippled  hand,  the  effect  of  a  gunshot  wound 
received  in  that  service.  Hezeklah  Gorton  also  supplied  the  pulpit  In  those 
early  days.  He  was  one  of  the  first  members  of  this  church,  and  was  ctm- 
stituted  a  licentiate  at  early  as  1 795,  for  on  Jan.  2d,  1 796,  the  church  agreed 
to  raise  "eight  pounds  by  the  first  day  of  June  next  "  for  his  services.  He 
was  ordained  Jan.  31st,  1798,  by  a  council  consisting  of  delegates  from 
the  Baptist  churches  of  Galway,  Providence  and  Stephentown,  and  .Alex. 
McQueen,  David  Gorton,  and  Caleb  U'oodworth  from  this  church.  In 
June.  1796,  this  church  united  with  the  Shaftsbury  Association,  the  first 
delegates  to  which  were  Hezeklah  Gorton  and  Consider  Fox.  The  num- 
ber of  members  at  that  time  w.as  33.  In  September,  1797,  a  meeting  of 
the  church  and  society  was  held  at  Fonda's  Bush,  at  which  it  was  decided 
to  "  build  a  meeting-house."  .Alex.  McQueen  and  Nathan  Brockway  were 
appointed  a  building  committee,  and  the  erection  of  a  frame  church  edlfii  e 
was  soon  after  commenced  in  the  village  of  Fonda's  Bush  now  Broadalbin, 
on  the  site  now  occupied  by  R.  H.  Rosa's  law  office.  .A  report  from  Na- 
thaniel Perkins,  Alex.  McQueen  and  Caleb  Woodruff,  who  had  been  ",ip- 
polnted  trustees  by  the  fitai  church  and  society  of  Baptists  in  Mayfield  and 
Broadalbin,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  in  trust  the  meeting-house  and 
other  temporalities  belonging  to  the  said  society,"  shows  that  up  to  May 
17th,  1798,  the  sum  of  ^261  13s.  3d.  had  been  expended  on  the  structure. 
Prominent  among  those  who  first  contributed  toward  the  erection  of  the 
building,  as  shown  by  a  statement  made  Dec.  30th,  1797,  were  Nathaniel 
Perkins,  Jacob  Parcels,  Isaac  Brown,  Caleb  Woodworth,  Nathaniel  Horse- 
well,  Nathan  and  Tlff.my  Brockway,  James  Tyler,  Joshua  Green,  and  .\lev 
McQueen.  It  was  Inclosed,  furnished  with  rude  seats  and  temporary 
pulpit,  and  occupied  as  a  place  of  worship  in  the  summer  of  1798,  but  11 
was  not  until  the  latter  part  of  1S06  that  the  building  was  fully  completed. 
The  Saratoga  Baptist  .Association  was  formed  from  a  part  of  the  Shafts, 
bury  .Association,  Aug.  Sth,  1804,  by  a  convention  of  churches  held  at 
Milton. 

Its  first  regular  meeting  occurred  .it  Battenklll,  Saratoga  county,  .August 
2ist,  1805,  at  which  time  the  Broadalbin  church  united  with  it,  sendm);  .i« 
delegates  Rev.  Hezeklah  Gorton,  Nathaniel  Perkins  and  James  Sumner 

.Although  Klder  Gorton,  after  his  ordination,  remained  with  and  minis- 
tered regularly  to  this  congregation,  he  did  not  assume  the  p-astoral  char>:r 
of  the  church — notwithstanding  repeated  and  unanimous  solicitations — imiii 
January  3d,  1807,  when  he  became  the  first  regular  pastor,  which  relaii"" 
he  maintained  until  1813.  He  then  removed  to  the  western  part  of  the 
State,  where  he  remained  until  his  death;  caused,  it  is  said,  by  a  c.ini  cr 
on  his  tongue.  In  .August,  1813,  the  chtirch  employed  Rev.  Ji'n.ith-m 
Nichols  as  preacher,  retaining  him  for  about  three  years.  He  was  an  .A'- 
minian  In  faith,  and  succeeded  through  his  Influence  In  causing  the  cbiir^  h 
to  withdraw  from  the  Saratoga  .Association  June  ist,  1816;  but  upon  ihe 
installation  of  his  successor.  Rev.  William  Groom,  in  1S18.  the  soi  iciv  re- 
united with  that  body. 

On  the  24th  of  January.  1833,  the  erection  of  a  new  frame  church  cdif"  '• 
43x60  feet  in  size,  was  begun,  about  2c  rods  to  the  eastward  of  the  fitst 
one,  on  land  purchased  by  the  society  from  Dr.  E.  G.  Rawson.  P.!'!'*^ 
Roberts  was  the  contractor  and  builder.  On  the  6th  of  .Augu-t  follcwmt 
the  trustees,  Gideon  Tabor.  Chauncey  G.  Alvord  and  Ephraim  WeilurlMf. 
obtained  leave  from  a  court  of  chancery,  held  at  .Saraloga  Springs.  I"  'i  " 
the  old  church  and  apiily  the  proceeds  towards  the  coniplciiim  ol  (lie  '""* 
building,  which  was  finished  and  dedli  ated  in  1835. 

F.lder  Groom's  pastorate  continued  until  July  9lh,  1836,  when  hr  Irr- 
dered  his  resignation,  which  was  accepted;  but,  by  request,  he  rcmaim  d 
as  a  supply  until  January  ist,  1837.    After  being  released  from  this  1  liar^' 


BROADALBIN'S  CHURCH  HISTORY. 


21T 


he  never  again  assumed  a  like  responsibility,  but  retired  to  private  life,  re- 
siding for  several  years  in  the  vicinity  of  Broadalbin,  from  whence  he 
removed  to  Balston  Spa,  and  afterward  to  Amsterdam,  where  he  lived 
with  his  son.  In  1873  he  returned  to  his  old  home  m  Broadalbin,  where 
he  died  in  the  summer  of  1876.  On  February  ist,  1837,  James  Delany,  a 
licentiate  from  the  church  at  Hamilton,  came  as  a  supply.  He  was  or- 
dained and  installed  as  pastor  of  this  church  January  loth,  1838.  His 
labors  here,  however,  were  of  short  duration,  he  being  succeeded  in  June 
following  by  Re\'.  William  B.  Curtis,  of  Norway,  who  remained  until  .April, 

1842.  Iluring  his  pastorate  of  less  than  four  years  i?o  united  with  the 
church  by  bajttism.  On  February  15,  1841,  this  church  adopted  the  re- 
vised constitution  of  the  Saratoga  Association.  Rev.  Mr.  Curtis  was  fol- 
lowed by  Rev.  Lodowick  Salisbury,  of  U'est  Winfield,  who  came  June 
20th,  1842,  and  left  in  September  of  the  same  year,  after  which  the  con- 
gregation was  supplied  for  about  fifteen  months  by  Rev.  G.  C.  Baldwin, 
of  Hamilton,  at    the   rate   of  $5  per  Sabbath.     On  the  23d  of   December, 

1843,  Rev.  Charles  A.  Chandler,  of  Elba,  Genesee  county,  .\.  V.,  accepted 
a  call  from  this  church  at  a  salary  of  $4°°  P*^^  annum,  but  did  not  com- 
mence his  pxstoral  labors  until  the  first  of  .April  following.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Rev.  H.  H.  Rouse.  Rev.  .\Ir.  Chandler 
remained  until  .\pril,  1S49,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  William  W. 
Smith,  from  Jersey  City,  who  continued  three  years,  resigning  in  April, 
1852.  During  his  stay  here  the  additions  to  the  church  by  baptism  were 
90.  In  May  following,  the  Rev.  William  Garnett,  from  Providence,  Sara- 
toga county,  became  the  pastor  and  continued  his  very  satisfactory  labors 
until  August  i8th,  1855,  when  on  account  of  impaired  health  he  was  ob- 
liged to  resign,  after  which  the  church  was  supplied  for  a  short  time  by 
Rev.  E.  Wescott.  The  next  regular  pastor  was  Rev.  G.  W.  .Abrams,  from 
the  Oppenheim  church,  who  came  in  March,  1856,  and  remained  about 
six  months.  He  was  followed  in  the  early  part  of  1857  by  Rev.  Frederick 
S.  Park,  who  remained  over  five  years,  preaching  his  farewell  sermon  Feb- 
ruary loth,  1863.  His  successor  was  Rev.  Joseph  L.  Barlow,  a  native  of 
New  England,  who  began  his  labors  in  the  following  .-Vpril  and  continued 
until  October,  1868. 

In  the  fall  of  1868  and  the  spring  of  1869  the  church  edifice  was  re- 
modeled internally  and  repaired,  at  a  cost  of  nearly  §2,400.  In  .Apni. 
1869,  Rev.  W.  F.  Benedict  assumed  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  church,  and 
continued  in  the  position  until  the  latter  part  of  July,  1872.  He  was  fol- 
lowed January  ist,  1873,  by  Rev.  Hardin  Wheat,  who  remained  for  one 
year  only.  The  ne.xt  pastor  was  Rev.  J.  K.  Wilson,  from  Philadelphia, 
who  came  in  June.  1874,  and  resigned  March  20th,  1875,  returning  to  his 
former  place.  On  .\pril  13th,  1875,  a  unanimous  call  of  both  church  and 
society  was  extended  to  Rev.  .\.  K.  Batcheldor,  of  Schenevus,  Otsego 
county,  N.  Y.,  which  he  at  once  accepted,  commencing  his  labors  in  .May 
following  and  continuing  until  May  29th,  1877,  when  he  removed  to  Burnt 
Hills,  Saratoga  county. 

On  November  18th,  1877,  nearly  six  months  after  the  resignation  of  the 
la-sr  pastor,  the  church  building  was  accidentally  destroyed  by  fire,  which 
caught  from  the  burning  of  adjacent  dwellings.  The  building  was  insured 
for  $5,000,  but  the  loss  was  adjusted  for  about  S4.300.  The  church  and 
society  have  already  taken  the  initiatory  steps  toward  the  erection  of  a  new- 
edifice  on  the  site  of  the  old  one.  On  January  22d,  1878,  a  building  com- 
mittee was  appointed,  consisting  of  Reuben  Halsted,  Lewis  Phillips  and 
Denton  Smith  on  the  part  of  the  church,  and  James  L.  Hagidorn  and 
William  Vail  on  the  part  of  the  society.  The  size  of  the  new  structure 
will  be  about  45  by  70  feet. 

The  present  active  membership  of  the  church  is  270. 


FIRST    PREsBVTERIA.N    CIIIRCH    OF    BRO.ADALBIN. 

As  early  as  1798  a  religious  organization  w.as  effected  by  the  Rev.  Coan- 
rod  Ten  Eick,  under  the  name  of  "  The  Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  Fonda's 
Bush  iir  New  Harlam,  "  now  Vail's  .Mills,  where  a  building  was  erected  for 
its  accommodation,  in  the  early  part  of  the  preient  century,  .\niong  the 
original  members  were  Ashbal  Cornwell.  Is.itc  and  Abraham  Cole,  Ja.  nbus 
and  I'eter  Dcm.irest.  Thomas  Vickory,  David,  Peter,  Abraham  and  Garnet 
Westervell,  Dirk  llant.i.  I'eter  Van  Nest,  John  Bant,  and  S.imuel  Dcniarest. 
The  first  consistory  was  composed  of  Rev.  Coanrod  Ten  Kick,  moderator; 
Dirk  Banta  and  Samuel  Dcmarest,  elilers  ;  and  AbrahamVVestcrvelt  and 
Peter  Demarcst,  de.icons.     This  rhiin  h    was   under  the  fostering  care  of 


the  Classis  of  Montgomery,  to  which  it  belonged.  Rev.  Coanrod  Ten  Eick 
remained  in  charge  until  the  end  of  181 1,  after  which  the  church  was  des- 
titute of  a  pastor  for  nearly  four  years,  during  which  time  the  meetings  of 
the  consistory  were  suspended,  until  Sept.  2d,  1815,  when  Rev.  Sylvester 
Palmer  appears  as  moderator.  He  continued  to  have  the  pastoral  care  of 
the  church  until  1818,  the  last  consistory  meeting  at  which  he  officiated 
being  held  in  January  of  that  year.  On  Oct.  ist,  1822,  Rev.  Alexander 
McFarlan,  from  the  .\lbany  Presbytery,  was  engaged  to  preach  every  other 
Sunday  for  six  months.  On  the  ijih  of  January,  1S23,  this  church  was 
incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mayfield. 
The  trustees  named  in  the  charter  at  that  time  were  Lucas  Demarest,  Peter 
Carmichael,  Samuel  H.  Munro,  Samuel  Bant,  William  Woodworth  and 
Chauncey  Foot.  In  .-^ug.,  1823,  the  1  hurch  withdrew  from  the  Dutch  Re- 
formed Classis  of  Montgomery,  and  the  following  October  united  with  the 
Presbytery  of  .Albany,  conforming  to  the  discipline  of  that  bodv  and  chang- 
ing its  name  to  "The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mayfield."  The  first 
officers  after  this  change  were  .\shbal  Cornwell.  Ira  Benedict  and  Enoch 
Cornwell,  ruling  elders  :  and  Samuel  Root,  Isaac  S.  Thompson  and  J.  M. 
Benedict,  deacons,  who  were  ordained  Dec.  17th,  1823,  by  the  Rev.  Holsey 
\.  Wood.  In  Feb.,  1824,  Rev.  John  K.  Davis,  of  Troy,  N.  V.,  was  em- 
ployed as  the  first  pastor.  The  sacrament  was  administered  for  the  first 
time  on  .May  23d,  1824.  On  Oct.  24th,  1824,  Samuel  Root  and  John  M. 
Benedict  were  elected  ruling  elders.  On  Sept.  ist,  1827,  Wm,  Monteith, 
having  been  a  member  of  the  session  of  the  .A.ssociate  Reformed  Church  of 
Broadalbin  now  at  Perth  Center),  was  received  into  this  church  as  a  ruling 
elder.  On  the  19th  of  .\ug.,  1828,  the  Presbytery  of  .\lbany  met  with  this 
church.  Rev.  Mr.  Davis,  after  eight  years'  service,  concluded  his  ministry 
here  in  March,  1832,  and  w,is  succeeded  on  the  15th  of  June  following  by 
Rev.  Loring  Brewster,  of  Potsdam,  St.  Lawrence  county,  N.  Y.  On  May 
30th,  1834,  Duncan  McMartin,  jr.,  Esq.,  and  Peter  Carmichael,  were  elect- 
ed and  ordained  ruling  elders.  On  .\pril  ist,  1S35,  the  Rev.  .Mr.  Brewster 
resigned  his  charge,  but  he  did  not  remove  until  Mav  7th  following.  F'or 
two  years  thereafter  the  congregation  was  without  a  minister,  but  through 
the  efforts  of  the  elders,  meetings  vvere  held  regularly  every  Sundav,  and 
there  was  occasional  preaching  by  ministers  from  other  churches.  In  .May, 
1S37,  Rev  Lot  B.  Sullivan  was  engaged  to  preach  here  and  remaineil  one 
year.  He  was  succeeded.  July  ist,  183S,  by  Rev.  Wm.  J.  Monteath,  who 
was  publicly  installed  as  pastor  of  this  church  Oct.  4th  of  the  same  year. 
Rev.  Dr.  Goodale,  Rev.  Mr.  Chester  and  Rev.  Jeremiah  Wood  officiating 
at  the  installation.  In  Oct.,  1838,  Daniel  Cole  was  elected  and  ordained 
as  a  ruling  elder. 

On  the  21st  of  June,  1839,  the  church  and  society  obtained  a  deed  from 
Dr.  E.  G.  Rawson  to  a  lot  on  Main  street,  in  the  village  of  Broadalbin, 
and  immediately  commenced  the  erection  of  a  frame  church  edifice  ujion 
it,  which  was  completed  and  dedicated  January  7th,  1840,  the  Rev.  Hugh 
Mair,  of  Johnstown,  conducting  the  services,  preaching  from  Psalms,  nth 
chapter,  and  4th  verse. 

On  the  Sth  of  February,  1850,  the  church  obtained  a  new  charter,  chang- 
ing its  name  to  "The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Broadalbin."  The 
trustees  elected  at  that  time  were:  Enoi  h  Cornwell  and  Hiram  Van  ,\rnam, 
for  one  year;  John  E.  Hawley  and  Jeremiah  V.  .Marcelis,  for  two  years; 
and  Samuel  E.  Curtis  and  James  L.  Northrup,  for  three  years.  On  October 
5th,  1S5  I,  John  E.  Hawley  and  Peter  .McFarlan  were  elected  and  ordained 
ruling  elders.  Rev.  William  J.  Monteath  remained  as  pastor  for  nearly 
eighteen  years,  preaching  his  last  discourse  June  22d,  1856,  when  he 
removed  to  \\'isconsin.  His  successor  was  Rev.  Charles  Milne,  who  was 
installed  as  pastor  June  .Sth,  1857;  Rev.  Dr.  Goodale  and  Rev.  Jeremiah 
Wood  conducting  the  ceremonies.  His  pastoral  relations  with  thisrhurch 
were  dissolved  July  loth.  1858,  after  which  the  pulpit  was  sup|ilied  by  dif- 
ferent ministers  until  January  ist,  1859,  when  the  Rev,  James  Ireland  was 
employed.  His  services  were  continued  for  over  four  years,  his  farewell 
discourse  being  preached  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  February,  1S63.  He  wa.-. 
followed  in  .\pril  by  Georgje  A.  Miller,  who  remained  but  one  year.  In 
July,  1864,  Rev.  .Mr.  Ingals  became  the  minister  here,  and,  after  a  stay  of 
a  year  or  more,  was  succec^ded  by  John  Garrotson,  a  licentiate,  ulio  was 
publu  ly  ordained  and  Instjilled  as  pa>tor  in  October,  1868,  at  a  meeting  of 
the  presbytery,  railed  for  that  purpose.  He  remained  until  his  ile.ilh, 
which  occurred  September  6th,  1S69.  The  church  was  next  supplied  by 
Rev.  R.  Knnis,  who  came  jianuary  i  ith.  1870,  and  was  released  .May  1  ith, 
1871.  He  was  immediatelly  followed  by  J.  G.  Cordell,  from  S.  hcncuady, 
who  was  emjiloyed  at  a  saLary  of  ^800  per  annum,     t^n  the  5lh  of  Novein- 


218 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


ber,  1871,  John  A.  Richards  and  Arthur  Smith  wtre  piiblitly  ordained 
ruling  ciders.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Cordell  remained  until  January-  ist,  1873, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Cyrus  Offer,  who  after  about  two  years' 
ser\'ice  resigned,  and  was  followed  by  Rc\'.  P.  J.  Kurnham.  He  officiated 
until  October,  1S76,  after  which  the  church  was  supplied  by  \anous  minis- 
ters, among  whom  was  Wiliard  K.  Spencer,  for  sixteen  weeks.  The  present 
supply  is  H.  L.  Hoyt,  a  licentiate  from  Saratoga  county,  who  commenced 
his  labors  in  November,  1877. 
.    The  present  membership  is  85. 


William  S.  Pease,  J.  D.  Moriaty,  Jacob  Heeman,  Samuel  Covell,  —  Mc- 
Crcary,  E.  Goss,  S.  Meeker,  J.  Taylor,  —  Smith,  O.  Emerson,  R.  Relley, 
J.  .\mes,  J.  Squires,  J.  Quinlan,  William  .■Vmes,  S.  Coleman,  —  Parker,  — 
Smith,  —  Spraguc.  R.  Patterson,  J.  Parker,  C.  Pomcroy,  E.  O.  Spicer,  P. 
P.  narrower,  —  Phillips,  J.  G.  Perkins,  Alexander  C.  Reynolds,  and  — 
Leonard.  Among  those  who  have  been  stationed  here  since  1855  are:  Rev. 
Messrs.  Wright,  Hall,  Ro,e,  Perkin-,.  Wade,  and  R.  G.  Adams.  The  latter, 
from  Chatham,  Columbia  county,  N.  V.,  commenced  his  labors  here  in 
May,  1877,  and  still  continues. 


THE    METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH    OF    BROAD.^l.HIN. 

Quite  a  large  society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination  had 
existed  in  this  town  for  some  time  previous  to  the  formal  organization  of  a 
church,  which  occurred  on  the  9th  of  March,  18:4,  at  the  house  of  Trustum 
Dunham,  in  the  village  of  Broadalbin.  It  was  incorporated  the  same  day, 
under  the  name  of  *' The  Second  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  of  Broad- 
albin." The  trustees  then  elected  were:  Charles  Mitchel,  Trustum  Dun- 
ham, Dodridge  Smith,  Reuben  Thayer,  and  William  Chambers,  .-^mong 
the  original  members  were:  Stephen,  .\sa,  and  Fitch  Fenton,  Fernando 
Mudge,  Reuben  Thayer,  Ralph  Mead,  Josiah  Hunt,  William  C.-mbers, 
Chauncey  North,  Derrick  Banta.  Dr.  Rosa,  Edwin  Wilco.x,  C.  B.  and  C.  S. 
Wait,  Isaac  Osborn,  and  John  Ciordon.  The  society  at  once  commenced 
the  erection  of  a  frame  church  building  on  North  street,  on  a  lot  obtained 
from  Dodridge  Smith.  The  structure,  which  was  35  by  40  feet  in  size,  was 
completed  and  dedicated  in  1825.  In  1840  it  was  repaired  and  enlarged, 
and  in  1S68  it  was  raised,  and  a  commodious  lecture  room  formed  in  the 
basement.  Its  present  size  is  40  by  60  feet,  and  it  is  \ahied  at  5I6.000. 
Adjoining  it  is  a  parsonage,  valued  at  $1,500.  Rev.  William  S.  Pea,se  was 
the  first  minister  stationed  here  bv  authority  of  the  conference,  being 
appointed  in  1825.  The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  pastors  from 
that  time  until  1855,  named  in   the  order  of  their  coming:  Rev.   Messrs. 


THE    FlRSl         LHRISIIAN        CHLRCH    AND    SOCIETY    OF    BROADALBIN. 

On  the  5th  of  June,  1814,  a  religious  society,  denominated  "Christians," 
was  formed  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  of  Broadalbin,  by  Elder  Jona- 
than S.  Thompson,  who.  on  the  same  day,  administered  the  ordinance  of 
baptism  to  a  large  number  of  candidates.  Occasional  meetings  were  held  in 
dwellings,  and  baptisms  performed  from  time  to  time  by  different  ministers, 
until  May  9th,  181S,  when  a  church  was  regularly  organized  by  Rev.  Jabez 
King  as  pastor,  and  Jacob  Capron  as  deacon.  The  original  members  were 
James  and  Joseph  Clark.  Philip  Wait,  Isaac  G.  Fo-\,  James  and  Joseph 
Sowle,  John  Clark,  Salathial  Cole  and  41  others.  On  March  19th,  1825, 
this  church  was  incor()orated  under  the  title  of  "The  First  Christian  Church 
and  Society  of  Broadalbin."  The  trustees  elected  at  that  time  were  Sala- 
thial Cole,  John  Clark  and  Clark  Wait,  .\mong  the  first  deacons  were 
Salathial  Cole  and  John  Schoonmaker.  :\  ta.sty  frame  church  edifice  was 
erected  by  this  church  and  society  in  1826,  about  one  mile  west  of  Union 
Mills.  It  is  impossible  to  give  a  1  omplete  list  of  the  pastors  in  the  order 
of  their  coming,  but  among  them  were  Revs.  Messrs.  Jabez  King,  Jacob 
Capron.  John  (.iardner,  Joseph  Badger,  Joseph  .Marsh.  G.  W.  Burnham, 
Harvey  V.  I'eai.  iames  .\iidre«s,  Hiram  Pratt.  Stephen  B.  Fanton,  John 
Showers.  .Ma\on  Mosher.  Ch.as.  I.  Butler  and Warner. 


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COL.  TIFFANY  BROCKWAY 
wjs  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  most  prominent  citi- 
zens of  Broadalbin.  He  was  bom  at  Stephentown, 
Rensselaer  county,  NY,,  March  6th,  1774.  His  father  was 
Nathan  Brockway,  and  his  mother's  maiden  name  was 
Elizabeth  Tiffany.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  came 
alone  to  Broadalbin,  to  prepare  for  the  removal  of  his 
father's  family  to  lands  previously  purchased,  about  a 
mile  northeast  of  the  village  of  Fonda's  Bush.  There 
was  then  neither  road  nor  settlement  north  of  that 
place.  Here  he  made  a  clearing,  sowed  a  piece  of  wheat, 
built  a  log  house,  and,  on  his  eighteenth  birthday,  wel- 
comed his  father's  family  to  their  new  home  in  the  forest. 
On  April  iith,.i799,  he  married  Lucy  Alvord.  In  1805 
he  located  on  a  farm  near  his  father's,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death.  He  was  noted  for  industry,  economy, 
temperance  and  integrity,  which  qualities  gained  for  him 
both  competence  and  influence.  He  served  as  major  in 
the  war  of  1812,  and  was  for  many  years  therea'fter  colo- 
nel of  militia  He  was  the  first  outspoken  abolitionist  in 
his  town,  and  lived  to  see  his  cherished  hope  realized. 
His  homestead  was  a  well-known  station  on  the  "  under- 
ground railroad "  during  fugitive  slave  law  times.  AT 
the  advanced  age  of  sixty  he  united  with  the  Broadalbin 
Baptist  church,  of  which  he  was  a  valued  and  influential 
member  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  health  and 
vigor  were  wonderfully  preserved.  The  spring  that  he 
was  eighty  he  chopped  several  cords  of  wood  for  pastime. 
His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Mary  G.  Owen,  whom  he  sur- 
vived several  years.  He  was  the  father  of  four  daughters 
and  two  sons,  one  of  whom.  Tiffany,  jr.,  inherited  both 
his  name  and  homestead.  In  the  latter's  family  he  tran- 
quilly spent  his  last  years,  beloved  and  venerated  by  his 
children  and  children's  children.  Without  pain  or  dis- 
ease  he  went  peacefully  to  his  reward  December  jd,  1866, 
at  the  age  of  nearly  ninety-three. 


"LOCUST     GROVE"  Res  op  TIFFANY  BROCKWAY  JR,,Broajiia  lbin. 

-  "v^n,    FULTON  C0.,N.y.CJ^O  ' 


^^'< 


w»W'^iraii3 


l>>f/--^ 


''\>^.  --. 


■i    -  ■-* 


f^ES.    OF     F.    FISH,   FuLTONViLLE    N.Y.    Cor.  Main&Ann    Sts. 


TWO  PROMINENT  CITIZENS  OF  BROADALBIN. 


•Jl'J 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


IbAAL    R.    ko>A. 

Isaac  R.  Rosa  was  born  at  Srln.nc-Ltad>,  September  Slh,  1797.  His 
father,  a  Hollander  of  considerable  means,  in^csted  largely  in  wild  lands 
contiguous  to  the  present  village  of  Kroadalbin.  and  immediately  removed 
with  his  family  to  his  ijurt  ha^e.  whu  h  [iroved  to  be  an  unfortunate  one. 
He  became  discouraged,  lost  his  health  and  |)ro|ierty.  and  in  1S09  died, 
leaving  a  widow  and  seven  t  hildren. 

Isaac  R.,  then  being  about  twelve  year-  of  age.  was  apprenticed  to  learn 
the  tanner  and  currier's  trade.  .\t  the  .ige  of  tweni\-one  he  was  dis- 
charged, with  a  trade  which  he  detested,  and  .1  ruined  1  i.nsimiiion,  the  re- 
sult of  that  system  of  sla\ery  facetiously  denominated  "  appreniu  eship." 
Soon  after  he  became  priipnelor  of  the  principal  hotel  in  liroad.iUiin,  in 
which  position  he  remained  until  1849,  when  he  died,  lea\ing  a  comfortable 
competence  and  the  fragrancu  of  .1  good  name. 

He  was  a  ipiiet,  unostentatious  man,  but  he  undoubtedly  1  ontrihuied  as 
much  as  any  other  person  lo  the  growth  and  prosperity  ot  liie  mIKi.c  No 
man  in  the  .  oinmiiimy  w.i-  more  iinners.illv  beloved  an.l  c-teenud.  I  .u 
years  he  was  known  as  •■  In,  le  Ike,  Ihe  I'ea,  e-m.iker,  •  Iron,  the  l.i.  t  thai 
he  wa,  .s,.  oltcn  called  u;.o„  to  all.n  diss,,ls,ons  aiuo,,-  Ins  nei-hbors. 
which,  by  a  pc.  ub..r  t,i.  1  ..-ui  kno^K.l^c  oi  buiiiin  n.iture.  he  »as  jim.jsi 
always  enabled  to  d.,  to  tii.    sati-la.  tion  ol  all  .on.  erned. 

His  «ido>v,  I'bcI.e  .Ann  \Kord,  siill  si.rMM-.  Ii.ile  and  M;:orous,  having 
in  KSjt,,  with  the  cor.li.il  .ipproi,.,t,on  ot  Ikt  .  Ii.ldren.  iii.irncd  J.niics  1', 
Rosa.  .M.  II-.  an  emnunl  plusi,  ;  .n.  an,!  broil,,  r  ..1   her  de,  ease,l    iiii-l.ind 

He  left  four  .  hll.lren.  m/.  :  Khh.ird  H.  K,.sa,  ,  ,.iiiis,  Hor-.H-Luv,  of 
Broadalbin,  N.  V,.  born  Jnlv  ..5th.  iS;;-.  Naa,  .\  K,,sa.  pr,.pnetur  ,.f  the 
Fonda  Hotel,  at  1  ,.n,la.  N.  V..  l.,,rM  N..v..nil.er  .;,!,  i.S;«,;  l.lii.ih  .\.  K„sa. 
proprietor  ,.f  R.-sis  lb. id,  al  |,,hnsi,.„n.  ,\  N^  ,  l„,rn  .\pril  otli.  i->4.-; 
James  1'.  K,.-i.  jr.  ii,Lr,h.,u  .11  \  nls  \l,lis.  N.  N  ,  b,.rn  M.x  i,lh,  iSjS— 
all  ,if  whom  .ire  llMllg.  .\n,l  i.ne.  uilli  l,.n,l  alli.  Ii,,i,,  the  be.iutiful  IuiIcmI- 
l.lge  of  Kroadalbin,  «here  they  «erc  b,,ri 

26 


I  VMl-s    RliHVRls,i\ 

Ja.mes  RoHERrs.iN  »-as  born  in  Kroadalbin,  N  \'..  May  uili.  179.-. 
was  of  Scottish  descent — the  son  of  Peter  and  Catherine  M,  Intyre 
erlson.  He  received,  in  his  youth,  su,  h  education  as  ,i,ul,|  be  obi 
from  the  public  schooU  of  those  days.  He  had  a  clear  ami  sir,,ng 
which  retained  its  vigor  to  a  remarkable  degree  He  ".is  ,1c,  ulcllv  ) 
s|)irited,  taking  a  deep  interest  m  national,  "state  an,l  i,Mvn  .iif.nts 
sanl  he  never,  during  the  period  of  6;  years,  laileil  t,j  \,,te  .it  an  el,-,  1 
n.m.inal.  .Stale  or  coumy— and  that  he  failed  to  v,,te  al  ,.nly  ,.nc 
meeting  in  all  those  years  He  was  deeply  interesteii  in  tlic  su, ,  ess  , 
free-sih,.,.l  svstem,  .ami  use,i  all  his  mlluen,  e  in  its  bch.ill.  When  .1 
,.f  nr,,a,lill,in  hj-  .innevcl  to  Perth,  in  1  .S4:,  his  iiiorts  preveiitc, 
propose,!  ,livisi,,n,  whi.  h  he  believe.l  w<uil,l  ui.iieriaiK  injure  his 
town,  an, I  an,.ther,  m,>r4;  cpiitable,  «.is  sulisluuted,        lie  rc|,rescnle, 


I  1-1 
I    :he 


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IK 


■,1  uiih  astr, 

ng  I  onstitution. 

lie  uas  ,ibh 

lo   perlorm  ., 

It   ,.1    i.ibor. 

iml   at  Ihe  .age  , 

f  S;  Lonl,l 

i-e  tile  li,ie  .is 

men  11,  the  i 

g.,r  (.f  life.      IVr 

s,m.ill>  lie« 

asverv  p,.piii 

jhiiii.      .Mill 

li^h    he  h.id  la 

,,re,l    har,l 

\e   lilKr.ilh  t 
.nsisii.„t  ,  lir 

.  evrry  g,i,„l   ,. 
stiaii  :   his  hiimi 

u-e.     r,i  , 
lU   wassu,  I 

,mn   .ill.  he   V 
th.it    he  «,,u 

.,.,s    .,    !,,;■ 
1.1   11,. I   a, 

t!ic  ,.fti,e  ,.1  r.ilin,.  ..Kk-.r  in  his  ,  Imr,  li  until  he  h.i,i  been  el,  ,  1,  ,1  l,,t 
Ihiril  time  Ills  sill,  erilt-y  was  so  re,  ,.gni/ed  that  those  from  «h,.m  h. 
fercd.  and  «li,.ui  he  ni.iy  have  admop'shed,  loved  and  respei  ted  hmi. 
«as  useful  in  the  ,  hiirch  an.l  world  .iml  the  community,  in  his  de.itli. 
one  »ho-e  pl.u  e  «i!l  n,)t  rea.lily  be  lillcl.  He  ,lie,l  June  5th.  i.S7(.,  01 
farm  on  «hi.  h  he  ».is  b.  ,rn.  in  the  .s^th  ye.ir  of  his  .ii;,-.  ,ia>  ing  bi, 
that  per,.,, I  .in  the  s.nnc  p.la.  e,  ami  IciMiig  beliiml  him  that  most  pre, 
of  .ill  leg-i,  les  i,>  his.hihl.rcn.  the  hciu.ige  of  a  g,)od  ii.ime. 


220 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CAROGA. 


By  an  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  April  i  ith,  1S42,  Caroga  was  formed 
from  portions  of  Johnstown,  Stratford  and  Blcctker.  Its  organization  was 
fully  completed  at  its  first  town  meeting,  held  nt  the  house  of  G.  A.  New- 
kirk,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  February,  1843,  at  which  Garret  A.  Ncw- 
kirk  was  elected  supervisor  and  Nelson  Brookins  town  clerk.  The  first 
justices  of  the  peace  were  A.  Van  Nest.  Silas  June  and  James  TimmHrman 
The  town  derived  its  name  from  its  principal  stream,  but  custom  has  a[j- 
plied  the  name  "  Caroga  "  to  the  town  and  "  Garoga  "  to  the  stream.  It 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Hamilton  county,  east  by  Bleecker,  south  by 
Johnstown  and  Ephratah,  and  west  by  Stratford,  and  has  an  area  of  29,952 
acres.  It  has  a  high,  rolling  surface  in  the  southern  part,  and  in  the  north 
it  is  broken  by  high,  sharp  mountain  peaks.  In  some  parts  the  surface  is 
covered  with  huge,  irregularly  shaped  rocks  from  five  to  forty  feet  in 
diameter.  The  soil  is  generally  light  and  sandy,  and  only  a  small  portion 
of  it  is  susceptible  of  profitable  cultivation.  The  northern  and  central 
parts  of  the  town  are  dotted  with  numerous  lakes  of  various  sizes,  in  most 
of  which  the  water  is  clear  and  cold,  and  abounds  with  trout  and  other 
fish.  Chief  among  these  lakes  are  Garoga,  Easi  (iaroga.  West  Canada, 
East  Canada,  Mud.  Green,  Pine,  Otter,  Prairie,  Bellows,  Indian,  Stewari, 
Nine  Corner,  Goose  and  Stink  Lakes.  The  latter  unpoetic  name  is  ap- 
plied to  two  crystal  sheets  of  sparkling  water  in  the  northern  part  of  ihe 
town,  from  the  fact  that,  at  one  time,  when  Nicholas  Sloner  and  a  com- 
panion were  hunting  in  this  vicinity,  they  discovered  large  quantities  of 
fish  which  had  got  over  a  beaver  dam  in  a  freshet,  and  being  unable  ro 
return,  had  perished  on  the  recession  of  the  water,  to  the  great  annoyance 
of  those  hunters,  who  thus  named  the  lakes.  The  principal  stream  is 
Ciaroga  creek,  which  is  the  outlet  of  Garoga  lake.  It  flows  rapidly  in  a 
southwesterly  direction  through  Fulton  county  to  the  Mohawk. 

This  town  was  once  covered  with  an  abundant  growth  of  timber,  chiefly 
beech,  birch,  maple,  hemlock  and  spruce,  and  some  pine,  a  good  portion 
of  which  has  been  worked  up  into  lumber  of  various  kinds.  The  principal 
occupation  of  the  inh.abitants  has  been — and  is  still  to  quite  an  e.xtent — 
lumbering  and  collecting  hemlock  bark  for  tanning.  Ten  years  ago  there 
were  eight  large  saw-mills  in  the  town,  but  this  number  has  recently  been 
reduced  to  five. 

The  population  of  Caroga  in  1875  was  881.  The  number  of  taxable 
inhabitants  in  1876  was  115.  The  equalized  valuation  of  real  estate  in 
1877  was  $37,582  ;  of  personal  estate,  nothing. 

VILLAGES. 

Newkirk's  Mii.i.s.  situated  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town,  on  Garoga 
creek,  contains  a  store,  a  saw-mill,  a  hotel,  a  Protestant  Reformed  I>ut(  h 
Church,  a  si  hool-house,  and  about  twenty  dwellings.  It  took  its  n.ime 
from  Crarret  A.  Newkirk.  wim  ere»  'cd  a  saw-mill  at  this  [loint  about  1S40. 

Whkki  KHVii.i.K,  near  the  tenter  of  the  town,  contains  a  store,  an  M.  K. 
Church,  a  saw-mill  and  a  large  tannery,  one  hotel,  and  a  \ery  fine  •>»  h....|- 
hnuse.     It  has  a  populatiiui  of  .ibout  125. 

Candida  Lake,  a  summer  re-'ort  on  .n  (  oiint  nf  its  rnmantii:  >'  ener\,  «  nnl 
breezes,  limpid  w.iters,  uml  the  -ood  trout  fi.hing  in  the  Munity.  h.i^  a 
hotel  for  the  ao  ..mmod.Uion  ol  pleasure  seekers.  There  is  also  a  hotel  at 
Caroga  Lake. 


URsi    SKITLKRS 


Two  Indian  villages,. 
lirior  to  the  Revolution, 


ent^,  are  s.iid  tohn\c  existed  in  this 
broken   up  and   abandoned  in  the 


part  of  the  war.  One  of  them  was  located  at  Garoga  lake,  and  the  other 
near  Slink  lakes.  Flint  arrow  heads  and  other  Indian  relics  are  ocea- 
sionally  found  in  the  vicinity  of  these  places. 

The  first  settlements  by  whites  were  commenced  immediately  after  the 
close  of  the  Revolutionary  struggle.  Isaac  Peckham,  one  of  the  verv  first 
pioneers,  located  as  early  as  1783  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Jaeob 
Dorn.  He  was  a  grandfather  of  the  Hon.  Isaac  Peckham  Christiam  v, 
now  United  States  senator  from  Michigan,  who  was  born  in  this  town, 
where  his  minority  was  spent. 

Reuben  Brookins  settled,  about  the  same  time  with  Mr,  Peekham,  on 
the  place  where  Wm.  Harden  at  present  resides. 

James  McClclIan  secured  a  title  to  1,000  acres  of  Innd  and  became 
a  resident  of  the  town  about  1785.  His  purchase  is  now  owned  by  twenty 
different  individuals. 

Cornelius  Van  .Alien  located  about  1790,  and  soon  after  built  the  first 
saw-milt  in  the  present  town  of  Caroga. 

Daniel,  Robert  and  Solomon  Jeffers  settled  here  in  1798. 

Samuel  Gage,  Wm.  Jefferson,  Abram  Cariey,  Anthony  Stewart,  Nathan 
Lovelace,  Elijah  Gardner,  Ira  Beach,  John  Mead.  Titus  Foster,  Lemuel 
Lewis  and  Daniel  Goff  were  among  those  who  settled  here  prior  to 
1800. 

Nicholas  Stoner  took  up  his  abode  in  this  town  in  the  early  part  of  the 
present  century-  .\  daughter  of  his.  Mrs.  Mills,  now  in  her  S6th  year,  has 
resided  here  since  she  was  9  years  old. 


I  LEADING  INDUSTRIES. 

I 

!  Garret  A,  Newkirk  and   John    Litticjohn   built    the  first   tannery  in  the 

'  town  in  1S43.  Lewis  Rider  was  the  fir^t  tanner  and  currier.  He  rent<  d 
I  this  new  tannery  building,  stocked  it,  and  carried  on  the  business  for  the 
I      first  two  years,  when  (i.  .\.  Newkirk  became  sole  proprietor  of  both  biiihl- 

ing  and   business,  ojierating  it   until    1857,  when  he  suspended.     William 

Clartin.  ex-Governor  of  Massat  husetts,  is  proprietor  of  the  only  tanner)  now 

in  the  town.      He  also  owns  two  large  saw-mills  here. 

r>aniel    Francisco,  of    Ncwkirk's    Mills,    is  one   of    the   [irincipal   lain- 

Iter  manufacturers    and   men  hants    of    the    town,    owning  and    operating 

two   large  saw-mills  and  a  store.     He   is  also   the   present  supervisor  ol 

Caroga. 

Giles  Polniateer.  a  native  of  Fulton  county,  born  in  1812,  located  on  his 

present  farm  in  1S3S.      His  gramllather,  (;iles  Miller,  was  a  soldier  in  ihe 

Revolutionary  war. 

SCHOOL  .\ND  CHURCH. 

The  fir-t  srhool-house  was  ere.  ted  at  North  Hush.  The  town  now  ^nn- 
tams  n-.L-  s.h.H.j. hnii.es, 

A  Meliio.h.t  FpiMop.il  smiely  was  orpani/ed  at  (.laroga  Lake  in  O.  io!-r. 
1X4.^  I,v  -StLphen  farks,  then  of  ( ilo\  er^ville.  John  Mead  was  cho-cu  >is 
lir-t  .  Li.s-lr.ukr,  In  i-Sj.i  S.  M.  \-n.{^r.  uuc  of  the  first  members  n)  :his 
societv,  bcMuea  In  cnsed  eviiorler,  an.l  in  that  .  .ipa<  it>  served  thecoi._t'- 
gation  until  1850,  when  he  was  granted  authority  h>  the  conference  to  pre,.'  ii. 
and  has  since  sustained  the  relation  of  pastor. 

In  1872  this  so.ietv  ere.  tetl  a  .  hiin  h  e-lihce  at  Wheeleudle,  nhi-h  -m- 
.ledi.ate.l  the  same  \car  bv  Rex.  DC,  Davton.  It  is  a  frame  building  m 
the  g..thic  style  and  J7  l->  51  teet  m  si/e. 


THE  FORMATION  OF  EPHRATAH— EARLIEST  SETTLERS 


221 


THE  TOWN  OF  EPHRATAH. 


On  the  27th  of  March.  1S27,  !>>'  le-i^Litive  enactment,  the  town  of  Pala- 
tine was  divided  into  two  parts,  forming  from  its  northern  portion  a  new 
and  independent  town,  the  naming  of  which  was  submitted  to  Anthony 
Btfck,  an  old  resident,  who  gave  to  it  the  appellation  of  Ephratah.  a  Bible 
aame,  meaning  abundance — bearing  fruit.  Mr.  Beck  was  believed,  by 
some  o(  bis  aoiuaintances,  to  possess  the  power  of  foreseeing  events.  He 
U5ied  to  as'sert  that  he  once  saw.  at  mid-day.  from  "Spook  hill  "" — an  emi- 
nence about  a  mile  east  of  Ephratah  village — as  distinctly  as  th'  :',i  real, 
a  large  and  opulent  city,  teaming  with  busy  life  ;  and.  although  many  years 
prior  to  the  invention  of  locomotives  or  the  application  of  steam-power, 
he  also  claimed  to  have  seen  and  used  to  describe  something  resembling 
modem  railroads,  and  "smoking  wagons"  rushing  headlong  through  the 
city.  Ep'iratah  village  now  occupies  the  site  of  this  visionary  metropolis. 
and  there  are  those  still  living  who  have  heard  him  prophesy  great  things 
concerning  this  locality,  and  verily  believe  they  will  yet  prove  true. 

The  same  legislative  act  which  made  two  towns  of  l^alatine.  also  pro- 
*ided  that  the  officers  elected  just  previous  to  the  division  should  continue 
to  serve  in  the  same  capacity  for  the  portions  to  which  thev  belontred. 
Thus  it  occurred  that  Ephratah  had.  at  the  time  of  its  formation,  Thos.  R. 
Benedict  for  supervisor,  Edward  Burdick  for  clerk,  and  Chauncey  Hutch- 
inson, Joseph  Getman,  Peter  Smith  and  Edward  Burdi(  k  for  justices  of 
tiie  peace.  On  the  last  Tuesday  in  April.  1827.  a  spe<  lal  town  meeting  was 
held  at  the  house  of  Philip  Empie,  at  whichth  e  organization  was  fully  com- 
pleted by  the  election  of  the  following  officers  to  fill  vacancies  :  Joseph 
<!it:tman,  Henry  Souls  and  David  C.  Everest,  assessors  :  John  F.  Erapie. 
sr..  and  CaJcb  Johnson,  overseers  of  the  poor  ;  Geo.  Beck,  collector;  Jas. 
Caldwell  and  Chauncy  Orton,  commissioners  of  highway  ;  Peter  \V.  Salts- 
man  and  John  McLaughlin,  commissioners  of  schooU  ;  Samuel  R.  Dudley. 
inspector  of  schools  ;  Michael  Dorn.  jr.,  Joseph  Dennis  and  Philip  Voung, 
[joiind  masters  and  fence  viewers  ;  and  rr  o\erseers  of  highwavs. 

The  first  regular  town  meeting  occurred  at  the  house  of  Philip  Empie 
itn  the  first  Tuesday  in  March,  1828,  at  which  the  following  full  corps  of 
olticers  were  elected  :  Supervisor,  Thos.  R.  Benedict  ;  clerk.  Charles 
<  it."  I  man  :  a.ssessors,  Henry  Souls,  Daniel  S.  Gray  and  David  C.  Everest  ; 
oxcrseers  of  poor.  John  V.  Empie.  sr,,  and  John  Shaver  :  collector,  Joseph 
Sf-oulen  ;  commissioners  of  highway,  Peter  W.  Saltsman,  Edward  Burdick 
and  James  Hall  ;  commissioners  of  schools.  James  C.  Ott.  Philip  Kring  and 
S.imuel  R.  Dudley;  inspectors  of  schools,  Henry  Edwards,  taleb  Johnson 
and  Solomon  L'ummings ;  with  eight  constables,  sixteen  fence  viewers, 
pound  masters  and  damage  appraisers,  and  thirty  overseers  of  highway.  A 
[►art  of  this  town  was  re-annexed  to  Palatine  April  iSth,  1838,  the  time  of 
the  formatir.n  of  Fulton  county 

Ephratah  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Stratford  and  tlarnga.  east  by 
Johnstown,  south  by  Palatine  Montgomery  Co.  and  west  by  Oppenheim. 
'Ihe  surfate  is  a  hilly  upland  from  fuur  hundred  to  fifteen  hundred  feet 
al>ove  the  Mohawk.  Ihe  ^uil  in  the  central  and  southwestern  portions  is 
a  sandy  loam,  mixing  wiih  <  b\  in  the  southeast,  and  light  sand  in  the  north- 
WL-',!.  with  rocky  hills  in  the  northeast.  It  is  abundantly  watered  by  Garoga, 
KU>ck.  Tiinmerman.  North,  Sprite  and  Sponable  creeks,  and  their  numerous 
tributaries,  (iaroga  creek  is  the  principal  stream,  flowing  very  rapidly  in  a 
southwesterly  course  a»  ross  the  town,  in  a  dee])  valley  bordered  by  hills 
rising  from  j;oo  tu  800  feet  above  its  bed. 

Eumbcring  «  .is  tunnerly  i  .irricd  <>n  to  fpiite  an  extent  in  connection  with 
fanning,  but  this  branch  of   imhistry   has  ceased   to  I 
the  inhabitants  in  the  agru  ultural   distrutsare  now  p 
the  dair\  busines..  the  soil  being  belter  adapted   to  gi 
'ing  of  cereals. 


This  town  has 

an  area  of  2i..'S6  a 

cres,  a  large  proportion  of  whii.h  is  mi- 

proved, except  i 

1  the  northeast.     It 

ls  divided  into  41   road  districts  for 

highway  purpose 

5,  and  12   school  d 

slricts  for  educational  purposes,  with 

i::  school-houses 

within  its  borders, 

and  777  scholars  between  the  ages  of 

5  and.,  years. 

The  population  in 

1875  was  2,102.     The  number  of  tax- 

able  inhabitants 

in   1876  was  433. 

The   assessed  \aluation  of  real   estate 

was  §.-07,569  ;  c 

f  personal  property 

S41.010. 

■emunerative.  and 
ijially  engaged  in 
ng  than  the  rais- 


FIRST  SETTLERS. 

The  fir-.t  land  grant  in  this  town  was  the  Stone  Arabia  patent,  whiih  in- 
cluded nearly  all  the  land  south  of  Garoga  and  Sponable  creeks.  Settle- 
ments were  begun  in  the  southern  part  of  the  present  town  about  1720,  by 
Frederick  Getman.  Johannes  Bearman,  Frederick  Empie,  John  Shoemaker. 
Johannes  Schell  and  Honnas  Reed,  who  came  from  Germany,  .\nnmg 
those  who  followed  them  and  settled  in  other  parts  of  the  town  previous 
to  the  Revolutionary  war  uere  Jaroh  Frey,  flerrit  Marreili-s.  Mich-iv! 
St  raver.  Christian  Blopper,  Nicholas  Rector,  Lodowick  Herring.  John 
Herdick,  Philip  Kreitzer,  William  Cool,  Henry  Hart,  Zechariah  Tripp. 
John  Casselman.  Peter  Schutt.  Nicholas  and  Henry  Smith.  \'>Un  Sponable. 
Richard  Young.  Richard  Coppernoll  and  William  Duesler. 

Frederick  Cietman  at  that  time  written  Kittman  and  Johannes  Bear- 
man  together  bought,  in  1743,  from  Hendrick  Sic,  lots  9::.  94.  96  and  98 
of  the  Stone  Arabia  patent.  Mr.  Getman  subse«iuently  purchased  Bear- 
man's  interest  in  the  property.  He  had  four  sons  bom  here — Frederick, 
jr.,  George,  John  and  Christian,  all  of  whom  participated  in  the  Iren'h 
war  previous  to  1757.  Christian  Getman  was  also  captain  of  a  <  oinpany  oi 
Rangers  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  George  Cietman  succeeded  his  fatlur. 
Frederick,  in  possession  of  the  homestead.  He  raised  five  sons,  all  c.i 
whom  served  the  patriot  cause  during  the  Revolution,  One  of  tluui. 
lieorge,  jr.,  held  a  lieutenant's  commission  and  was  under  t'ol.  W  ilU  11. 
He  inherited  the  old  farm.  His  five  sons  were  all  soldiers  in  the  war  "i 
1812.  One  of  them,  Frederick,  is  now  living  on  the  homestead,  wlu-re  ;k 
was  born  eighty-six  years  ago.  and  is  still  active  and  vigorous  m  bodv  .md 
mind.  He  is  the  father  of  ex-Sheriff  Oliver  (ietman,  of  Ephratah  \ill.ii:e 
There  is  yet  growing  on  the  old  farm  a  noble  maple  tree,  shown  in  liie 
engraving  of  the  place,  from  which  Frederick  (ietman  m.idc  suu.ir  i'»c 
years  ago.  and  which  has  since  yielded  its  sweets  to  the  successive  ;;ener.i- 
tions  of  the  family.  It  is  eighteen  feet  in  circumference,  and  prodund 
sixty-seven  gallons  of  sap  in  the  spring  of  1877. 

Frederick  Empie  settled  in  1743  on  lots  86  and  8S  of  the  M<-ne  Ar.ii'i.i 
patent.  This  farm  has  passed  from  father  to  son.  having  been  aiw.i\^ 
owned  by  a  member  of  the  Empie  family.  It  is  now  in  the  pns>es-.ion  ot 
John  F.  Empie,  who  was  born  here  in  i8zi.  His  grandf.ulK-r.  Joiiii 
Emjue.  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution.  Philip  Empie  was  taken  prisoner 
by  the  Indians,  who  started  with  him  for  Canada.  At  night  he  was  bound 
with  a  rope  and  made  to  lie  down  with  a  row  of  the  savages,  those  "U 
either  side  of  him  lying  on  the  ends  of  the  rope.  Notwithstaiulin^  iluir 
precautions  he  succeeded  in  loosening  his  cords  without  awaking  his  «  ap- 
tors  and  made  his  escape. 

Nicholas  Ret  tor  settled  just  north  of  Garoga  village,  on  the  farm  n.-w 
owned  by  Sanford  Snell.  He  was  a  captain  of  militia  during  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  and  his  family  were  at  one  time  attaf  ked  by  Indians,  .nid  a  111,111 
named  Eberly  u.is  shot  and  s.  alped.  A  sun.  who  had  been  ai  w(,rk  in  liu 
sugar  bush,  ignorant  of  the  ;.rcsen<  e  o(  the  savages,  returned  to  the  house 
and  was  also  killed.      Mr.  Re  tor  re.  eived   .i   gn-.-shot  \vound  in   liic  »n^I. 


222 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


but  escaped  without  further  injury.  His  wife,  after  being  vvouniicd  in  the 
leg,  got  away  and  walked  to  the  fort  near  Stone  .\rabia.  On  her  way 
thither  she  found  the  body  of  a  man  whom  the  same  parly  had  killed  and 
.scalped,  and  taking  off  his  shoes,  wore  them  to  the  fort.  Mr.  f-:iicrlr.  be- 
fore his  death,  succeeded  in  killing  one  of  the  Indians,  who  was  afterwards 
buried  under  a  spruce  tree  oiij'Osite  the  house. 

Heniy  Herring  located  where  Benjamin  .Snell  lives.  Philip  Kreitzerand 
AVilliam  Cool  settled  about  two  miles  northwest,  and  Henry  Hart  about 
two  miles  northeast  of  Ephratah  village.  Nicholas  Smith  settled  where 
Wallace  McLaughlin  lives,  and  Henry,  his  brother,  where  Daniel  Smith  re- 
sitles.  Both  were  soldiers  of  the  Revolution.  John  Sponable  located 
where  ,V  fVal  now  lives.  He  was  iu  the  Revolutionary  war.  and  for  a 
time  a  pnsoner  in  Canada.  Richard  \'oung  settled  on  the  farm  now  occu- 
pied by  Hiram  IJghthall,  and  Richard  Co]ipcrnoll  where  Stephen  (Iray 
lives.     They  both  participated  in  the  Revolution. 

Francis  Lighthall,  grandfather  of  Hiram  Lighthall,  was  in  the  battle  of 
Oriskany.  He  was  captured  by  the  Indians,  taken  to  Canada,  and  remained 
a  prisoner  three  years.  Richard  Putnam,  the  grandfather  of  John  P.  Put- 
nam, was  first  lieutenant  under  Captain  Davis.  He  stood  by  the  side  of 
that  officer  when  he  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  and  avenged  his 
death  by  killing  the  Indian  who  fired  the  fatal  shot.  Henry  "saltsman, 
grandfather  of  Penjanim  Saltsman,  and  James  Keith,  grandfather  oi  George 
Keith,  both  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 

Sir  William  Johnson  owned  a  large  tract  of  land  lying  south  of  Garoga 
and  Sprite  creeks,  and  as  early  as  1770  built  a  stone  grist-mill  at  what  is 
now  Ephratah  village,  on  the  site  occupied  by  ^Vade's  tannery.  During 
the  Revolution  this  mill  was  attacked  by  Indians  and  tories  and  burned. 
William  Cool,  vvho  was  at  the  mill  at  the  time,  was  killed  and  scalped. 
The  miller,  Ozias  Krep,  was  taken  prisoner  and  carried  to  Canada.  Pre- 
vious to  his  capture,  he  had  concealed  a  quantity  of  specie  in  the  stone 
walls  of  the  mill.  After  the  war  he  returned,  and,  in  company  with  George 
Getman,  repaired  to  the  ruins  and  recovered  his  hidden  treasure,  an  amount 
sufficient  to  support  him  the  remainder  of  his  life,  which  he  spent  in  this 
neighborhood. 

Johannes  Winkle  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  James  Vauney. 
He  erected  a  grist-mill  prior  to  the  Revolution  on  the  jtresent  site  of  Vau- 
ney's  woolen  mills.  This  grist-mill  was  burned  during  the  war,  afterwards 
rebuilt  by  a  Mr.  Shull.  and  subsequently  purchased  by  Henry  Vauney. 

William  Duesler  was  a  carpenter  by  trade.  .\  barn  built  by  him  previ- 
ous to  the  Revolution  is  still  standing  on  the  farm  of  James  Vauney. 

Isaac  Everest,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  settled  in  1794  about  two  and  a 
half  miles  south  of  Garoga,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Andrew  Chrisman. 
His  son,  David  C.  P-verest,  who  came  with  him,  remained  on  this  place  till 
1856.  A  man  by  the  name  of  Klander  made  the  first  settlement  at  what  is 
now  Lassellsville,  some  time  before  the  Revolution,  He  was  subsequenilv 
followed  by  Daniel  and  Henry  Phye. 

John  .\rgersinger,  a  fanner  of  Ephratah,  was  about  seventeen  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  in  which  he  took  a  part.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  the  fight  near  Johnson  Hall  vvith  Ross  and  Butler,  and  was  sliglutv 
wounded  in  the  hand  by  a  sliver  struck  from  the  fence  by  a  bullet.  He 
died  about  1S30. 

FIRST   EVENTS. 

The  first  survev  for  a  road  vvas  made  with  a  pocket  compass,  by  (_'hris- 
tian  Getman,  under  the  direction  tif  .sir  Wiiliant  Johnson.  The  road  ran 
from  near  Johnson  Hall,  westward  through  the  central  part  of  the  town  to 
Lassellsville. 

The  fir,t  store  in  the  town  was  kept  bv  Jiih.innes  W  mkle.  at  what  i,  now 
Ephratah  village.  .\n  iiuentnry  ol  hi-  cifcHs,  t  iken  .liter  hi-  death,  i-  now 
in  the  possession  of  Oliver  C.etinan,  and  bear-  the  date  17.S1;.  John  ICmpie 
kept  the  first  tavern,  where  hi-  sen,  Jnhn  V.  Eiilpie,  n..w  resides.  The  ol.l, 
unique  sign  which  then  allured  the  we  irv  tr.ivcler  to  ihi,  pli.  e  of  enter- 
tainment is  still  in  e\i-len.  e.  ind  a  d.itc  ..n  11  -lunv,  it  to  have  been  e\e. 
cuted  in  1S09.  Tile  !lr,l  |.i.-t  roiile  est.ibli-hcd  in  llic  lawn  w.i-  fnuii  Cau- 
.ajoharie,  .Montgomery  county,  to  Ephr.iljh  village,  Christ. i|i!ier  (Jetman 
being  the  first  po-tma-ter.  The  first  German  school  in  the  tow  n  was  taught 
by  Hounas  .Moot,  aboiii  a  mile  -cnilh  of  Ephratah  village.  .\  man  by  the- 
n.ime  of  McLean  kept  the  filst  I'.nglish  s,  hool. 

Among  the  early  marriages,  if  not  the  first  in  this  town,  was  that  of 
Christian  Getman  to  .\nna  Timmerman,  a  widow  l.idy,  who,  previous  to  her 


marriage  with  (ietman,  had  been  shot  and  scalped  by  the  Indians  during 
the  F" tench  war,  but  survived  her  wounds  and  raised  a  family  of  four 
athletic  sons.  The  first  lumber  mills  were  built  by  John  Snell  and  tko. 
Getman,  on  Kriim  Kil  Creek. 

VILLAGES  OF    THE  TOWN, 

In  1.^03,  Henry  Vauney,  vvho  then  owned  and  wa-  operating  a  grist. mill 
on  (laroga  creek,  purchased  one  hundred  .acres  of  land  adjoining,  and  hail 
a  portion  of  it  platted  into  small  lots,  thu»  laying  the  foundation  for  the 
present  village  of  F^PHR.v  I  .\H.  In  iScS  he  built  a  saw-mill  here,  and  in 
1X31,  having  previously  removed  his  gri-t-mill,  he  erected  a  woolen-iiiill 
on  the  same  site.  He  was  a  captain  in  the  war  of  1S12,  and  had  command 
of  the  "Tillaborough  Company"  of  about  eighty  men.  He  was  afterwanU 
major  of  New  Vork  State  militia. 

In  iSio  Thos.  .-S,  Benedict  built  a  store  here  and  began  the  mercantile 
business.  In  1812  Geo.  Cletman  and  Stephen  Cogswell  erected  a  distillery 
and  also  opened  a  store.  Peter  Schrani  built  the  first  inn  at  the  village,  in 
1815.  The  first  tannery  in  the  town  was  built  here,  at  an  early  date,  by 
Nicholas  Gray.  John  Gray  built  the  first  blacksmith  shop.  This  village 
now  contains  two  churches — Methodist  and  Reformed — a  hotel,  a  woolen- 
mill,  a  saw-mill,  four  stores,  a  tannery,  a  cheese  factory,  and  about  400  in- 
habitants. 

The  woolen-mill  of  L.  &  D.  Vauney  is  a  large  stone  structure,  40  by  So 
feet  and  4  stories  high,  with  a  dye-house  attached,  38  by  40  feet.  It  was 
erected  in  1865  by  the  present  proprietors,  who  commenced  the  manufac- 
ture of  woolen  goods  the  following  year.  The  building  is  conveniently 
arranged,  the  first  floor  being  used  as  a  finishing  department,  the  second 
for  war])ing  and  weaving,  the  third  for  carding,  and  the  fourth  for  spinning. 
It  is  furnished  with  three  sets  of  cards,  920  spindles,  and  all  other  ma- 
chinery in  due  proportion.     It  is  run  by  water  power  and  heated  by  steam. 

The  Ephratah  Cheese  F.actory,  located  on  the  east  border  of  the  village, 
was  erected  in  1S70  by  a  stock  company,  and  was  operated  by  them  for 
about  three  years,  when  it  became  the  individual  property  of  Darius  Get- 
man. In  1876  it  was  purchased  by  the  jirescnt  j.roprietor,  Ralph  Sexion, 
who,  during  the  season  of  1877,  manufactured  over  130,000  lbs.  of  chee-e. 
using  the  milk  from  an  average  of  420  cows,  producing  one  pound  of  c  heese 
for  every  ten  pounds  of  milk,  and  receiving  an  average  of  about  §12  |.er 
cvvt.  for  his  product.  The  building  is  30  by  70  feet,  two  stories  high  and 
covered  with  a  tin  roof.  It  contains  two  vats  of  the  O'Neil  patent,  and 
twenty  screw-power  presses,  with  a  capacity  of  making  twenty  cheese-,  oi 
65  pounds  each,  per  day. 

Rocicwooo,  situated  on  Garoga  creek,  near  the  east  line  of  the  town, 
has  a  ])opulalion  of  about  300,  and  contains  two  .  hutches — Methodist  .111. 1 
union  ;  three  stores,  the  principal  one  being  owned  by  .\.  L.  Benjamin, 
who  is  also  deputy-|iostmasier ;  an  unusually  large  and  commodious  h.itel. 
kept  by  .-X.  P.  Loonier;  the  paper  mill  of  Stahl  &  Voung,  who  maiiiil."  ■ 
tiire  strawboard  e\c  lusively  ;  two  saw-mills,  a  peg  factory,  a  tannery  .iml  a 
glove  f.lctory.  This  place  was  formerly  called  Pleasant  Valley,  bu!  ii|."ii 
the  establishment  of  a  post  oftic  e  here  in  1S50,  the  name  was  changed  lo 
Rockwood. 

The  first  settlers  in  this  immediate  vicinity  were  families  named  I'em. 
Herrington,  Garfield  and  Nicloy.  who  located  as  early  as  iSoo.  .\iii..im 
those  who  came  in  soon  after  were  persons  of  the  name  of  (Trton.  Simniin-. 
Halsted,  Potter,  Philli].s,  Dye,  Durfee  and  Dennis. 

Mr.  Halsted  built  the  fir-t  -.iw-mill  at  this  viil.ige,  .il t   1.S05.     .M.in.i 

Durfee  and  Ira  Simmons  ere.  ted  the  first  carding  mill,  m  1.S15.  Jos,  ph 
Dennis  built  the  first  grist.mill,  in  iSiO  .\/cl  llougli  ..i.encd  ih.  first 
store  .ibout  i.S.'ti,  and  Ihcmas  Simmons  built  and  kept  llic  lirsi  li,ji,  i  <■: 
i.S;i.  Dr.  Whitney  was  the  first  |,hvsici.in  in  this  p.irt  of  the  town,  li.r.  1"., 
settled  ,1  mile  or  ni..re  snrthwest  of  Ple.is.int  \',illey  in   1.S07 

I.V--HSV1MI    Is  siiii.ilcd  ne.ir  the  west    line  of  the    town,    .ilid  c.nl.in- 

three  si,,res.  tvv  0  .  hut.  he Melho.lisi  .,nd  11111, .n—,i  hotel.  .1  .llecse  I.h  i    iv 

and  .ibniil  two  h, Ml, bed  iiihabil.inls. 

GvK,i..v  IS  a  small  vill.i-e  l,„.ite.l  in  the  cistern  ]iart  of  the  town,  ••n 
Garoga  creek,  from  win,  h  11  t,i,.k  its  name.  It  ,  , .mains  three  small  si.,r,  -. 
a  hotel,  a  first  class  grist-mill,  ,.wn,d  bv  I.  M.  Ilverest,  a  s.iw-mill.a  ,  Iu  < -'- 
factory  and  about  a  do/..-n  dwellings. 

In  the  spring  of  1S75,  Iran,  is  O.  D.irn  purchased  a  large  building  win,  h 
h3,l  been  o, ,  iipie,!  as  a  h,.tel,  ,  .inverted  it  into  a  cheese  factory,  and  cm 
menced  the  manufacture  of  cheese.      He  m.ade  the  first  year  but  42,000 


HISTORY  OF  THE  EPHRATAH  CHURCH. 


223 


pounds;  in  1876  the  product  reached  61,000  pounds,  and  for  the  season  of 
1877  the  amount  produced  was  over  90,000  pounds,  reijuiring  the  milk  from 
an^average  number  of  246  cows.  In  1876,  10.15  pounds  of  milk  made  on 
an  a\'erage  one  pound  of  cheese,  and  dairymen  patronizing  this  factory 
realized  a  trille  over  §1  t'or  each  100  pounds  of  milk. 

.\l)out  a  mile  southwest  of  (iaroga,  on  the  same  creek,  in  a  rom.intic 
spot  called  Jenks's  Hollow,  stands  the  paper-mill  of  .\.lonzo  1).  Trumbull. 
.Mr.  Jenks  first  built  a  paper-m.ll  here  in  1857,  which  was  pun  based  by 
Mr.  Trumbull  in  1S71,  who,  m  1S73,  erected  a  new  mill  and  is  now  exten- 
sively engaged  in  the  nianuf.icture  of  stravvboard  paper,  produi  iug  on  an 
average  too  tons  annually.  .Mr.  Trumbull  also  owns  and  operates  a  saw- 
mill at  this  place. 

CHURCH   HISTORY. 

THE     1ILI..4BOROU1.H    CHLRCH    1,1  iT. 

.\bout  two  miles  north  of  Ephratah  \illage  lies  a  lot  of  one  hundred 
acres,  known  as  the  "*  Tillaborough  church  lot."  This  name  is  a  cor- 
ruption of  "  DiUenburgh,"  a  place  m  Germany  from  whence  most  of  the 
early  settlers  are  said  to  have- come.  This  lot  (No.  13  of  Magi-'s  pur- 
chase was  given  by  "Rev.  John  Ogilvie.  clerk,  and  Isaac  Lowe,  merchant, 
both  of  the  City  of  New  York,"  by  deed  in  trust,  to  Johannes  Winkle, 
Jury  Frey,  Hendrick  Herring  and  Philip  Cool,  for  church  and  school  pur- 
poses, Sept.  1st,  1757,  on  condition  that  ''a  church  edifice  be  erected 
thereon  within  seventy  years,  for  the  worship  of  God  according  to  the 
usage  of  any  of.  the  reformed  Protestant  denominations  in  Euroi>e  or 
these  provinces;"  otherwise  the  land  was  to  revert  to  the  heirs  of  the 
donors. 

On  .\prd  7th,  1823,  a  meeting  was  held  at  a  school-house  which  had 
previously  been  erected  on  this  lot,  at  which  a  religious  society  was  formed, 
under  the  title  of  "The  United  Reformed  Dutch  and  Lutheran  Church  of 
Tillaborough,  in  the  Town  of  Palatine."  Nicholas  Smith,  Philip  Cool,  Jacob 
Cool,  Jacob  Duesler  and  Peter  .Smith  were  elected  trustees.  In  1S27  a 
small  church  was  built  on  the  lot,  which,  through  neglect,  is  now  in  ruins. 
For  the  first  few  years  this  society  was  supplied  by  the  Lutheran  and  Re- 
formed ministers  of  Stone  .■\rabia.  From  about  1S30  to  1840  Rev.  John 
I.  \Vack  preached  to  them  and  had  the  rentals  of  the  land,  but  at  the  end 
of  that  time  he  was  ejected,  and  for  years  the  church  was  used  but  little, 
and  the  rents  amounted  to  nothing.  Trustees,  hou  ever,  were  elected  every 
year  by  the  people  of  the  neighborhood.  C>n  Feb.  ist,  1866 — the  original 
society  having  bet  ome  inactive — a  new  united  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
Church  was  organized,  which  attempted  to  take  the  control  of  these  lands 
from  the  former  elected  trustees.  This  produced  a  la\\  suit,  which  resulted 
in  the  tru.stees  holding  the  lot,  and  the  new  church  soon  after  died  out  as 
an  organization.  On  March  t3th,  1876,  the  trustees  obtained  a  permit 
from  the  Supreme  Court  of  this  State  to  sell  the  lands,  invest  the  proceeds, 
and  expenil  the  interest  therefrom  for  religious  services  in  the  school-houses 
in  districts  number  4  and  it  of  the  town  of  F^phratah.  The  lot  is  not 
yet  sold,  but  the  income  from  rents,  is  used  to  support  preaching  in  the 
abo\e  named  school-houses.  Trustees  continued  to  be  elected  annually. 
on  the  second  Tuesday  in  .\pril.  The  [tresent  board  consists  of  Henj.  and 
Edward  Duesler,  Henry  Cretscr,  Philip  Cool  and  Wall.ace  -McLaughlin. 
Treasurer,  Soloman  (iray  ;  clerk,  Nathaniel  Chrisnian. 

THK    "six    I'Kl.M.ll'I.K    ICAIMlsl    "    SOClF.lV. 

Probably  the  first  organi/.itDii  of  a  religious  .harai  tcr  «  ithin  the  pre-ent 
limits  of  the  to«n  of  l-.phr.il..!i  «,i,  th.u  of  .1  ,e.  I  kno«  n  as  the  "  Sis 
Princi|.le  !l.ipti.,ls,"  nlinvi-  ,  reed  was  the  six  ilim-s  n.i.iu.l  in  llcbre«s  vi. 
1-2,  VIZ.:  Rcpentjn,  e  fnim  dc.ul  norks.  t.inh  i.iu.ir.l  Gii,!,  the  doctrine  of 
bapti^inr.,  of  rcpcnlan.  c.  lire  .111, 1  siiITl  nui:;  I.imiiu.mi  of  li.iii.l,,  rLMirrcclion 
of  the  de.id.  and  eurn.il  ju.I-nienl.  Ihey  origiu.Ued  in  Rhode  Kl.ind 
abiuil  the  year  .700  At  one  lime  ihev  h.id  thirly-ninc  .  hur.  he^  in  ihi, 
<:ountry  live  in  N.  \  .  but  in  1.SO7  tlicv  reported  oulv  eighteen  .  Iiur.  he-. 
an. I  3,000  meiiilier~,  .iiid  .lu-  ,iill  m,,re  redu.  i  d  .it  the  prciciu  Inue  .\ 
soiiety  of  this  persu.i.inii.  (  ouip,,.,,,!  .,f  tinrn.niu  uUMib.i-,.  «,i-  lorm,  d  .11 
Pleasant  Yalley  lu."  Ro.  kw..,,d  Miv  .-d,  i.SiS,  ,is  ;Ir-  "  P.il.itiue  Dr.ni.  h  ■ 
of  a  .hunh  of  like  f.iilli  .It  \iii -urd.im;  .111, 1  Inr  sucrnl  >c.ir,  «.is  i,iini>- 
tered  to,  at  mlervai.,  only,  by  Rev.  K/ra  .\llcn.  Rev.  J.iiues    P.  Josliii,  and 


Rev.  William  Groom.  On  the  loth  of  June,  1830,  they  w.-re  re-orgnni/ed 
as  an  independent  church,  having  thirty-nine  members,  under  the  title  of 
"  The  Six  Principle  Baptist  Church  of  Christ."  The  Rev.  William  Thoiup- 
son  became  their  first  regular  pastor  January  29th,  1831. 

It  ajjpears  that  soon  after  this  many  of  the  members  of  this  society  beg. in 
to  entertain  the  views  of,  and  grow  into  s\in|)athy  with,  the  regular  liapli^t 
denomination;  for  upon  the  formation  of  the  Otsego  Baiitist  .\ssoci.ition,  on 
March  20th,  1.S34,  the  Six  Principle  baptist  church  of  Pleasant  \'.ill,y 
almost  unanimously  (there  being  but  two  dissenters  joined  that  body, 
changing  their  name,  creed,  and  articles  of  faith  in  conformity  therewiih. 
The  society  has  since  been  known  as 


THK    B.APrisl     CHtkCIl    OF    Pl.F.ASAN  l    V.ALl.KV. 


hui 


In  December,  1835,  F^ 
first  pastor  of  thi 
different  pastors,  with  the 
time  to  the   present:   Re- 
McColluni,  May  ist.  1S42 


Miner  was  ordained  and  installed  as  the 
The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the 
date  of  their  coming,  from  Re\.  .Mr.  Miner's 
Daniel  Robinson,  .\pril,  1839;  Rev.  James  S. 
Rev.  E.  G.  R.Joslin  (supply  ,  Augustjth,  1.S43; 


Rev.  Jos.  K.  Barry,  March  3d,  1844;  Rev.  Homer  Clark,  May  ist,  1S45 
Rev.  E.  D.  Towner,  .\ugust  loth,  1846;  Rev.  George  W.  .\brams,  .May  1st 
1861;  Rev.  Hezekiah  West,  .\ugust  1st,  18O3;  Rev.  William  Brown,  M:i: 
ist,  1867;  Rev.  Roswell  Collins,  May  ist,  1870;  Rev.  R.  D.  Pierce,  .\pri 
5th.  1872;  Rev.  David  Peck,  July  6th,  1874;  Rev.  George  W.  .Mir.iius 
November  3d,  1S77.  This  society  occuiiied  the  Union  church  building 
alternating  with  the  Methodist  society,  until  1842,  since  which  time  it  li.r 
been  kept  in  repair,  improved,  and  occupied  exclusively  by  the  Ba[Jtl^^s 
The  present  membership  is  70. 

THE    UNION    SOCIEIV     OF    l*Lt.\S.\NT    V.\L1.EV. 

This  society  was  organized  January  24th,  1S34,  by  the  election  of  Jo>c  pi 
Dennis,  Rouse  Simmons.  Dutee  Joslin.  Robert  Weaver,  Chauncey  ( )rloi 
and  .\zel  Hough  as  a  board  of  trustees,  and  was  soon  after  incorpor.iKc 
under  the  above  title.  The  religious  denominations  rejireseiited  in  ilu 
union  were  the  "Six  Principle  ILipti^t,"  Methodist  Episcopal,  B.ipti- 
regular  and  Presbyterian.  In  1833  the  present  Union  church  of  R.w  k 
wood  was  erected  by  this  society,  and  the  records  of  that  date  ^liovv  .11 
.amicable  allotment  of  time,  whereby  the  Six  Principle  Baptists  were  !■ 
have  the  privilege  of  occupying  the  building  every  Sunday  forenoon;  ilu 
balance  of  the  time  meaning  Sunday  afternoon  being  apportioned  as  lol 
lows:  to  the  M.  E.  society,  22  Sundays;  to  the  Baptist,  iS;  and  to  ih. 
Presbyterian,  12  Sundays  in  the  year.  This  arrangement,  however,  be 
came  inoperative  years  ago,  as  the  Presbyterian  society  ceased  to  cxi>i 
the  Methodists  built  a  church  of  their  own  and  the  Six  Prim  i|ile  llapii-'i 
merged  into  the  regular  Bajjlists.  The  title  to  the  church  properly  n- 
mains  unchanged,  but  the  building  is  at  present  occupied  exclusively  bi 
the  Baptists,  there  being  no  other  church  organization  in  the  place  exc  ep 
the  Methodist. 

THE    M.    E.    CHIRCH    OF    ROCKWODIl. 

The  history  of  this  chiin  h  is.  to  a  great  extent,  identic  .d  wiih  th.u  o 
the  M.  E.  church  of  Ephratah  village,  both  having  alw.ays  been  under  ili. 
same  charge;  in  other  word^  they  are  but  two  branches  of  the  -.11111 
church.  .\l  an  early  day  the  people  thr.iughout  the  town,  .idhering  1..  ih. 
tenets  of  thi>  dcnoi,iinali..n.  were  .1,  1  ii -fined  to  ,i,-.cinblc  "i.  ihc  .>,ilil.Ml 
in  private  dwelling-  for  r.-ligiou-  «nr-hip.  and  iiuni-tcrs  In  ,111  Johii-lM>>  1 
and  Gloversville  prc.i.  bed  n.  ihcm  at  irrcgul.ir  iiilcrv  aK  iinlil  1.S3;  li 
that  vc.ir  the  Union  .  hur.  h  at  Plea-.uu  Willcy  vv.i-  built,  after  ulu,  h  1,  .1 
l.ir  servl.es  were  hcl.l  lun.'  in  .  onnc  l...n  with  the  .  hur.  Ii  ,it  J..iiil-I.  »  n 
Their  first  pastor  w.is  Kcv  Stephen  I'.irks,  who  als.,  lilled  .ip|...iutiu.  :ih 
at  Ephratah  village,  Ke.  k  -  (  enter.  ( i.m.g.i  L.ike  and  North  P.iisli. 

On  the  2411-.  of  Jaiiu.irv.  i,S4;,  a  .  ..luplcle  and  permanent  ..rg,iiii.Mi...i 
vv.ns  die.  te.l,  vvilh  a  incinberdiip  of  45  The  f.. II., King  p..r-..ii-  wcr,  .  .1 
die  -.line  liuic,  el.-,  i.-.l  .,-  tru-tces;  Lcirgc  JcllVr-,  Gile-  ''  lUv,  IM' 1 
Siinm..ns  aii.l  IVlcr  R  Siiniu..n-  llii-  -..  icty  vv.k  uiiiiic.li.ilelv  in.  ..ip'r 
aled  .IS  "Ihc  .\lclli...list  I  4.1-.  ..pal  (  Inir.  h  of  Plc.i-.inl  WilKv  ■  ll  .11  .."•. 
.ommenccd    the   ere.  tlon    of    a   chur.  h    edlli.  e.  whlc  h  was   .  .,iu|ilele.l    ilu 


224 


THE  HIsrORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


same  year  and  consecrated  by  ihc  Rev.  S.  I..  Siilliiun  of  Alli.iny.  The 
first  pastor  of  the  new  church  was  Re\.  James  Connor,  who  was  followed 
successively  by  Dillon  Stevens,  M.  Tounsend,  J.  Quinlan,  A.  Mosher.  B. 
Isbell,  O.  E.  Spiccr,  Henry  Williams,  James  Tubbs,  C.  A.  Anderson,  N. 
Whitman,  L  Warner,  J.  C.  Walker.  A.  Robins,  T.  F.  Hann.ih,  E.  E.  Tay- 
lor, William  J.  Sands,  Henry  White.  Milton  Taylor,  M.  D.  Jump,  H.  Har- 
ris, Joel  Hall,  Legrand  Jones  and  D.  M.  C.  Shell,  the  present  incumbent. 
This  circuit  retained  the  name  of  "  Pleasant  \'alle\'  "  until  the  erection,  in 
1861,  of  the  M.  E.  church  edifice  at  Ephratah  village,  when  it  was  changed 
10  the  '■  Rotkwood  and  Ephratah  Charge." 


THE    LASSELLSVILI.E 


LHL'RCH. 


The  M.  E.  church  at  Lassellsville  was  built  in  1839.  Services  are  held 
here  once  in  two  weeks  by  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Valkenburg.  of  St.  Johnsville,  to 
which  circuit  this  church  belongs. 

LASSELLSVILLE    UNION    CHURCH. 

The  Union  church  of  Lassellsville  was  erected,  in  1859,  by  the  united 
efforts  of  the  Presbyterian,  Lutheran,  Dutch  Reformed,  Baptist  ^  1  L^ni- 
versalist  societies,  and  dedicated  January  nth,  1840.  It  is  at  present 
occupied  exclusively  by  the  "Christian  "  denomination. 

THE    REFOR.MED    CHfRCH    OF    EPHRATAH. 

The  beginning  of  this  church  was  the  organization  of  a  religious  society 
March  17th,  1823,  at  the  school-house  in  District  No.  9  of  the  town  of 
Palatine,  by  the  election  of  the  following  trustees:  Peter  G.  Getman,  Thos. 
Davies.  James  Getman,  Philip  Kring,  William  Lassell,  Jonathan  Selter, 
Timothy  Kiggs,  Channcey  Hutchinson  and  Caleb  Johnson:  clerk,  James 
W.  Johnson.  This  society  was  duly  incorporated,  one  week  later,  under 
the  name  of  "The  First  Presbyterian  Church  and  Society  of  the  Town  of 
Palatine."  The  Rev.  Elisha  Yale,  of  Kingsboro,  who  had  been  the  prime 
mover  in  its  formation,  preached  to  the  congregation  occasionally  for  the 
first  year.  Rev.  Caleb  Knight  became  their  first  regular  pastor,  June  20th, 
1824.  His  first  meeting  was  held  in  the  school-house  at  Lassellsville.  His 
stipend  was  fixed  at  S-75  P"  annum  for  three-fourths  of  the  time:  the 
highest  subscription  to  which  was  $10;  the  lowest,  a  bushel  of  rye.  He 
remained  two  years,  preaching  in  the  various  school-houses.  Upon  his 
removal  the  society  became  inactive,  and  at  length  the  meetings  ceased 
entirely,  the  last  one  being  held  in  September,  1827.  In  1829  Dr.  Solomon 
Cummings,  the  last  clerk  and  a  leading  member  of  the  late  society,  together 
with  a  few  others,  commenced  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice  at  Ephratah 
village. 

On  July  2d,  1832,  a  new  organization — composed  largely  of  members  of 
the  former  society — was  effected,  under  the  title  of  "  The  Presbyterian  and 
Reformed  Dutch  Church  of  Ephratah."  John  S.  I.asher,  John  Jacob 
Snell  and  Christian  Suits  were  elected  elders:  and  Peter  I'utnain  and 
Moses  Suits  deacons.  Rev.  Isaac  S.  Ken  ham.  of  Sume  .Arabia,  became 
their  first  pastor,  prcachin-  eicry  Siind.n  .iitern....n  He  remained  till 
•September,  1836.  and  was  followed  in  KS3;  by  Ke\.  li.  li.  Westfall,  who 
officiated  one  year  only.  Rev.  John  Rolib  came  next,  in  1S41,  and  con- 
tinued .about  eighteen  months.  In  1.844  Kev.  Charles  Jukes  was  called  to 
the  charge,  in  conjunction  with  the  Stone  .\rabia  church.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded in  1S50  by  Rev.  John  C.  Van  I.ie».  In  April  of  that  year  this 
society  was  incorporated  as  "  I'he  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of 


Ephratah."  The  consistory  at  that  time  was  composed  of  James  G.  \'.in 
Voast,  Peter  G.  Getinan,  and  Peter  Putnam,  elders:  and  James  Vauncy 
and  James  Edwards,  deacons.  Mr  Van  Liew  remained  until  1S56,  ami 
was  followed  the  next  year  by  Rev.  John  P.  Westervelt.  who  continued  nil 
1S59,  after  which  the  church  was  without  a  pastor  for  five  years,  but  was 
served  occasionally  by  Revs.  George  H.  Henlings,  Miles  G.  Merwin,  and 
James  .\bell.  In  1864  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Smith  took  charge  of  the  congrega- 
tion, being  succeeded  in  1868  by  Rev.  G.  -M.  Compton.  The  present 
pastor.  Rev.  W.  B.  Van  Benschoten,  A..\I.,  entered  upon  his  Labors  May 
ist,  1872.  He  is  a  native  of  Dutchess  county,  N.  V.,  and  a  graduate  of 
Rutgers  College.  In  1876,  under  his  ministrations,  eighty-seven  new  mem- 
bers were  added  to  the  church.  The  present  membership  is  144.  The 
Sabbath-school  numbers  97  scholars.  Present  consistory:  W.  B.  Van  Ben- 
schoten, pastor;  James  Getman,  Oliver  Suits,  James  E.  Van  Voast,  and 
James  H.  Hager,  elders;  Hiram  Lighthall,  Benjamin  F.  Snell,  John  1. 
Fraley,  and  Daniel  Vauney,  deacons.  Board  of  trustees:  John  F.  Empie, 
Solomon  Gray,  Peter  Dockstader,  John  F.  Putnam,  and  Philip  Sponable. 

PERSONAL  SKETCHES. 

Abram  Durfee,  born  in  Rhode  Island,  July  8th,  1 789,  settled  at  Pleasant 
Valley  in  1815,  and  the  same  year,  in  company  with  Ira  Simmons,  erected 
the  first  carding-mill  at  this  place:  shortly  after,  he  bought  the  entire 
interest  in  this  mill,  and  continued  the  business  alone  until  his  death.  May 
10th,  1842,  On  February  27th,  1817,  he  married  Jane  McBeath,  who  was 
bom  in  Perthshire,  Scotland,  June  27th,  1795,  ^nd  died  .\ugust  17th,  1874. 
Daniel  M.  Durfee,  a  son  of  Abram  Durfee,  was  born  in  Pleasant  Valley, 
Fulton  county,  N.  V.,  February  i6th,  1S31,  and  in  1852  succeeded  his 
father  in  business.  February  22d,  1S66.  he  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  uf 
Judge  J.  L.  Hutchinson,  of  Pleasant  Valley.  Mr.  Durfee  is  at  present 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  gloves  and  mittens. 

Eli  Dennis  was  a  son  of  Joseph  Dennis,  who  removed  with  his  family 
from  Saratoga  county  to  Pleasant  Valley  in  1816.  The  same  year  he 
erected  the  first  grist-mill  at  the  place,  and  soon  after  built  a  saw-mill.  He 
remained  here,  in  active  business,  until  his  death  in  1846,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  son,  Eli  Dennis,  who  was  born  in  Galway,  Saratoga  couni\, 
N.  v.,  November  7th,  1815,  coming  to  this  place  with  his  father  in  1S16. 
where  he  resided  nearly  his  entire  life,  an  influential  and  respected  citizen. 
He  died  March  26th.  1871.  When  it  became  necessary,  in  1850,  to  change 
the  name  of  Pleasant  Valley,  many  of  the  inhabitants  wished  to  call  it 
"  Dennisville,"  in  honor  of  Eli  Dennis  and  his  father  Joseph,  but  to  this 
Mr.  Dennis  modestly  objected,  and  proposed  the  name  of  Rockwood,  whi<  h 
was  afterwards  adopted.  On  the  6th  of  May,  1844,  he  married  Marv  \. 
Kennedy,  w  ho  was  born  at  Clifton  Park.  Saratoga  county,  .V.  V.,  Augu-i 
loth,  1817.  Mrs.  Dennis,  with  her  amiable  and  accomplished  daughter, 
still  resides  at  the  old  homestead.  A  view  of  their  beautiful  residence  mav 
be  seen  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

loHN  E.  Bt-RDKK,  M.D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Johnsl.iwn.  Fiilt'>n 
county,  N.  Y.,  October  29th,  1838.  His  rudimcntal  education  was  ob- 
tained at  the  West  Hush  district  school  and  Johnstown  .\cadeiny.  .\ii.  r 
teaching  a  few  terms  in  his  native  town,  he  entereil  his  name  .\pril  1-1. 
1S5S,  as  a  medical  student  with  his  uncle.  Dr.  Burdii  k  of  Johnstown.  ..11. i 
graduated  from  the  Albany  Medi.  al  College  May  2Sth,  1S63,  when,  aiicr 
eleven  months'  scr\i<ewiih  his  former  tutor  at  Johnstown,  he  ^ettlcil  u 
Rockwood  in  .\i.ril,  1.S64.  and  began  in  e.irncst  the  |.ra.  tice  of  his  |ir,.u- 
sion.  where  he  still  remains,  the  leading  pli>sician  and  surgeon  ol  die 
place. 


PHYSICAL  FEATURES  OF  MAYFIELD— ITS  FIRST  INHABITANTS 


225 


THE  TOWN  OF  MAYFIELD. 


Mayfield  was  set  oft'  as  a  town  from  Caughnawaga,  March  i^th,  1793, 
and  became  fully  organized  as  such  on  the  first  day  of  April.  1794.  when 
it  elected  its  first  officers,  and  set  the  wheels  of  town  government  in  motion. 
The  town  of  Wells,  which  is  now  a  part  of  Hamilton  couniv,  was  taken  off 
from  Mayfield  in  1S05.  and  in  1812  another  portion  was  annexed  to  that 
town,  and  in  1842  a  part  of  the  south  end  was  anne.xed  to  the  town  of 
Perth.  The  surface  of  Mayfield  is  very  broken  in  the  northern  part  by 
mountains  rising,  some  of  them  to  the  height  of  nearly  or  quite  2,000  feet. 
The  central  and  southern  section  is  rolling  and  susceptible  of  cultivation, 
and  has  some  very  fine  farms.  Kennyctto  creek  runs  through  the  south- 
east comer  of  the  town,  and  Anthony  creek  from  the  west  line  to  near  the 
centre,  where  it  empties  into  the  Mayfield  creek,  which  takes  its  rise  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  town,  runs  down  through  the  centre,  across  the  line, 
and  empties  into  the  Satondaga  Vlaie  at  Summer  House  Point.  Stony 
creek  runs  through  the  northeast  comer  of  the  town,  and  Cranberry  creek 
along  the  east  line  into  the  Vlaie.  The  Mayfield  patent  was  granted  June 
27th,  1770,  and  from  this  the  town  derives  its  name.  It  contains  a  part  of 
the  Mayfield,  Glen,  Bleeckcr  and  I.ansinir.  Kingsboro.  Sacondaga.  Kaya- 
drosseras,  Claus  and  McLeod  patents.  The  town  contains  a  little  over 
38,000  acres  of  land. 

The  principal  products  of  the  town  are  lime,  buckwheat,  potatoes,  hay 
and  lumber.  The  limestone  quarries  are  owned  by  a  few  individuals,  and 
the  lime  produced  from  them  is  said  to  be  eipial  in  value  to  any  in  the 
State.  From  fifteen  to  twenty  thousand  dollars  is  about  the  annual  average 
receipts  for  this  product.  Large  i|uantitiesof  buckwheat  are  annually  sold 
to  flour  dealers  outside  of  the  town.  Hay  is  shipped  in  considerable 
quantities  to  New  York  and  elsewhere  each  year.  Potatoes  are  raised  to 
tjuite  an  extent,  and  raisers  find  ready  sale  at  good  prices  in  the  large 
villages  to  the  southwest.  The  lumber  business  is  not  as  extensive  as  it 
h.as  been  in  years  past,  yet  it  furnishes  employment  and  support  for  a  large 
number  of  men  and  their  families. 

This  town  has  no  battle  fields,  forts,  legends,  or  Indian  mementoes, 
other  than  the  trails  which  led  through  the  town,  and  along  which  the 
first  white  settlers  located.  There  were  two  main  trails,  one  from  Johns- 
town, leading  through  Riceville  to  Dennie  Hollow,  Cranberrv  Creek,  and 
so  on  north  to  the  upper  S.icondaga  ;  and  the  other  crossing  the  town  a 
little  south  of  its  center,  and  known  afterwards  as  the  Sacondaga  road, 
over  which  Sir  William  Johnson  traveled  from  Johnstown  to  Summer 
House  Point.  During  the  Revolutionary  war,  many  depredations  were 
committed  by  Indians  and  tories  alnnj,'  these  roads,  causing  women  and 
children  to  suffer  the  penalty  for  a  loyal  husband  and  father  defending 
his  country. 

SEITI.INC.   THK  TOWN. 

The  first  settleUKiit  «as  m.ide  about  1760,  under  Sir  Willi.uu  John-i.n, 
on  the  old  road  from  Iril.cs  Hiil  to  ihc  Sacon.l.ig.i.  .ind  wj-  tlun  1  .illcl 
Phil.idclphia  Ibi-h— one  or  more  of  ihe  L.iriic-:  lnll..l■ll.lnt^  l,.;Mng  <.irnc 
from  Phil.i.lclphia  ..r  m,  inity.  The  nanus  ,,f  s.uiie  ..I  the  lir-i  uliitc  su- 
tlers in  the  t..«n  arc  DimlKim,  Uood«..rth,  Hisliop.  (Irowr.  Kiuiicnn, 
M.Nill.  lloMucr.  WclK,  WilliimM.n.   .M>(,lueni,  Crcm.  P.ir-cll-.  D.ivennr, 

(  hrislic  .111(1  l)vn-i;c,      S..niu  of  lli.  -e  were-  fr Scil.m.l.  .111. 1  s,,.,ie  imm 

tonnciliiiit  I  lie-  mil  ibil.iiits  .iflcr  the  n.nr  i\  ere  dc-.  end.inl  >  of  llie 
,il,,ne-n.iMud,  !.v-cllier  with  famibc,  of  (■..^nnc^,.  P.mun,.  .\n.lc  r-..n,, 
>li:i, Kicks.  Duliov-cs.  M,K.,nl.i>s.  Scvm.nirs,  purrs.  N\»i,,n,,  \  ,„i 
Hurcns,  i;..l..rs,  J.i.  ksni.s.  Vails,  llvnulscs,  M,  1  Inngils.  Kii.q.|.s.  .ind 
others.      .Most  (if  the  settlers  were    f.iniicrs,  l,.|i    some  ucre  more   or  less 


accustomed  to  different  trades,  and  were  enabled  to  accommodate  their 
farmer  neighbors.  In  most  instances,  the  deeds  given  to  early  settlers  are 
lost,  or  they  never  had  any.  Few  can  be  found,  and  in  the  davs  of  the 
settlers  but  very  few  deeds  were  recorded  as  at  the  present  day.  The 
oldest  deed  accessible  relates  to  the  lands  sold  by  the  State,  and  was 
given  by  the  Commissioners  of  Forfeiture  to  Gershom  Woodworth,  in 
1786.  It  is  the  deed  of  the  farm  first  occupied  by  Truman  Christie,  and 
now  owned  by  H.  H.  Woodworth,  where  also  the  first  log  house  was 
built,  as  well  as  the  first  orchard  set  out  by  Christie.  Tradition  says  this 
is  one  of  the  earliest  settled  farms  in  the  town,  it  being  upon  one  of  the 
Indian  trails.  Col.  A.  J.  Banks,  living  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  May- 
field  village,  owns  another  that  was  on  the  same  trail,  and  then  occupied 
by  Nicholas  Dennie.  Micah  Hegeman  owns  another  farm,  just  north  of 
the  village,  which  was  on  the  same  trail,  and  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Dun- 
ham, where  the  Indians  and  tories  committed  some  of  their  most  cowardly 
and  inhuman  outrages. 

Malcom  Stewart  early  opened  a  tailor's  shop  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
building  known  as  Titcomb's  row,  in  Mayfield  '.iliage.  Malcora  was  a 
jolly  Scotchman,  fond  of  hunting,  fishing,  and  trying  to  see  himself  in  the 
bottom  of  a  drinking  cup. 

The  first  land  grant  or  patent  lying  in  this  town,  was  a  tract  of  14,000 
acres  granted  to  .Achilles  Preston  and  others,  a  portion  of  which  is  the 
farm  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Francis  Bishop,  about  two  miles  north 
of  the  village  of  Mayfield.  This  tract  was  granted  on  the  lothday  of  June, 
1770,  and  surveyed  by  Alexander  Colden,  surveyor-general.  Nov.  8th, 
1S06,  this  Bishop  farm  was  deeded  by  James  Reynolds,  of  Columbia  coun- 
ty, N.  v.,  to  Luke  Woodworth,  of  Mayfield.  Nov.  15th,  1796,  Cyrenus 
Woodworth  and  wife  gave  a  deed  to  Luke  Woodworth  of  the  farm  now 
owned  by  P.  N.  Gray,  supposed  to  be  a  part  of  the  above  14,000  acre  tract, 
as  it  adjoins  the  Bishop  farm. 

Solomon  Woodworth  was  born  in  the  State  of  Connecticut  in  1730,  or 
two  or  three  years  later.  He  came  to  Mayfield  with  his  brother  Sclah,  .ind 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  southeast  of  what  is  now  the  village  of  Mayfield, 
which  contained  the  farms  now  owned  by  Jefferson  Brooks  and  B.  B.  \'an- 
denbiirgh.  His  brother,  finding  the  Indians  and  tories  a  little  too  trouble- 
some for  his  quiet  nature,  tried  to  get  Solomon  to  return  with  him  to  Con- 
necticut until  the  war  was  over.  But  Solomon  was  not  to  be  driven  away 
so  easily.  He  located  his  residence  on  the  Brooks  farm,  and  on  the  other, 
but  a  short  distance  from  his  house,  he  built  a  log  stockade  for  defence, 
into  which  himself  and  wife  retired  when  threatened  by  the  enemy.  He 
was  soon  known  as  the  leader  of  the  little  band  of  patriots  that  gathered 
around  him,  and  his  bravery  won  for  him  the  most  intense  hatred  of  the 
tories  in  this  town,  as  well  as  the  ardent  esteem  of  the  few  who  loved  free- 
dom more  than  British  gold.  The  allies  of  British  oppression  soon  became 
quite  troublesome,  and  Mr.  Woodworth  took  the  precaution  to  stay  in  hi^ 
little  fort  during  the  night  time.  Herein  the  winter  of  1780  he  was  at- 
t^ick(  d  by  a  party  of  Indians.  He  was  likely  to  run  short  of  bullets,  and 
Ills  f.iithful  wife  laid  her  little  child  by  the  fire,  and  with  the  spirit  that 
I  li.irai  terized  heroines  of  that  time,  ran  bullets  as  fast  as  her  husband  could 
shoot.  The  result  was  the  retreat  of  the  Indians  and  lories  with  one 
wounded.  K.irly  in  the  morning  Capt.  Woodworth  rallied  a  few  of  his 
band,  billowed  the  retreating  |Mrty  for  three  days,  and  at  length  surprised 
and  killed  thei-;  all. 

Imuiedi'atcly  after  this  sin  <  cssful  expedition,  Woodworth  was  nppoinled 
lieutenant  in  a  company  of  nine  months  men,  .Vt  the  expiration  of  this 
teriu,  in  the  ye.ir  i7,Si.  he  was  appointed  captain  for  the  purpose  of  binn- 
ing a  company  of   Rangers   to  explore   the  woods.      He   at   om  e  raiseil  a 


226 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTOM  COUNTY. 


companT  of  able-bodied  soldiers,  all  well  armed  and  eiiuipped.  From 
Fon  Dayton — now  the  vilLige  of  Herkimer — he  started,  at  the  head  of  his 
liltie  band,  in  a  northerly  direction  to  range  the  woods  and  make  discov- 
eries. Biit  he  had  been  out  only  a  few  hours  when  one  of  his  foremost 
men  discovered  an  Indian  in  ambush,  and  fired  upon  him.  They  instantly 
found  themselves  surrounded  by  a  band  of  redskins,  outnumbering  them 
two  to  one.  .\  short  but  bloody  and  decisive  conflict  ensued.  Cajjtain 
Woodworth  was  killed,  and  out  of  the  41  men  only  15  escaped;  all  the  rest 
were  either  killed  or  taken  pnsoners.  Mr.  Dunham,  who  then  lived  where 
Mr.  Hagaman  now  lives,  was  one  of  Woodworth's  men  who  escaped.  He 
lived  many  years  after  to  tell  of  '*  the  times  that  tried  men's  souls." 

The  first  bI^ck  buildmg  erected  in  this  town  is  the  one  in  which  .Me.x- 
ander  McKinlay  has  always  lived.  It  was  built  by  his  father,  John 
McKinby,  in  1805.  and  is  still  as  good  as  new. 

Wheal  was  first  raised  in  the  town  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Francis 
Wells,  Esq.,  on  the  south  side  of  the  village  of  Mayfield,  on  the  hill  in  the 
rear  of  Mr.  S.  B.  Mercer's  place,  and  tradition  says  that  this  was  one  of 
the  first  clearings  in  the  town.  Wheat,  corn,  beans  and  potatoes  were  the 
principal  crops  in  the  dajs  of  Sir  William  Johnson. 

Agricultural  implements  were  scarce  and  poor.  Wooden  plows,  har- 
rows of  wood,  teeth  and  all,  and  a  wood  sled,  were  the  outfit  of  a  well-to- 
do  farmer  in  those  days.  Very  soon  after  the  war,  when  farmers  were  no 
longer  afraid  of  tories  and  Indians,  they  began  to  improve  their  farms  and 
stock,  and  have  at  the  present  day  as  good  stock  and  implements  as  any 
in  the  State. 

■   ■  FIRST  TOWN   MEETING. 

The  following  ofiiicers  were  chosen  at  the  first  town  meeting  in  the  town 
of  Mayfield,  held  at  the  log  meeting-house  about  three  miles  south  of 
Mayfieia  village,  on  the  first  Tuesday,  being  the  fir>l  da>,  tn  .April,  I7y4: 
Supervisor,  Sclah  Woodworth  ;  assessors,  John  Grover,  Robert  Jackson 
and  Josci>h  Newton  ;  collector,  Caleb  Woodworth  ;  constables,  Caleb 
^Voodworth  and  .\dam  Backer. 


ROADS  AND  BRIDGES. 

The  first  survey  of  ro,ads  was  made  on  the  15th  day  of  .April,  1794,  and 
sanctioned  by  the  commissioners  of  highways  on  the  7th  of  May. 

Bridges  were  also  built  during  1794,  and  previous  to  that,  one  was  built 
across  the  Mayfield  creek  at  what  is  now  Shawville.  and  one  at  Vail's 
Mills. 

Luke  Woodworth  was  the  first  resident  surveyor  in  this  town,  and  was 
employed,  soon  after  coming  to  Mayfield,  by  its  officers  in  the  sur\ev  of 
roads  and  town  boundaries.  He  was,  about  that  time,  employed  by  the 
State  as  deput)  surveyor  under  Simeon  DeWitt,  surveyor-general. 

GR.WEVAKDS. 

There  are  about  fifty  burial  grounds  in  Maytield,  main  of  uhich  show 
cvidenve  of  having  been  occupied  in  the  early  history  of  the  town  ;  the 
oldest  i,  on  the  farm  owned  and  occupied  by  \V.  D.  Woodworth,  at  Wood- 
worth's  fomers.  Tlicre  is  but  one  ceuielery  in  the  town  organized  under 
thel.iwsof  Nc«  York  for  i,S47.  It  is  known  as  the  "  Inion  KiiraUemLicr>  " 
and  lor.ited  just  south  of  the  vill.ige  of  -M.t;  held.  Ihe  oiti,  ers  of  i!ie  .issc.. 
ci.uion  .ire  el.it.d   .uinu.illy.     The    first   i.fticcrs  were   .  iu.scn   or.  the  1 4ih 

d.iyol    <_'.-lobcr.  1.S7;.  .,s  full.ms;    I'resulent.  Kc  i .  Jcrcini.iii  U i  .  ci,  c- 

president,  Janic-  Denuie  ;  treasurer.  John  (  .  1  11.  .nub  ;  secret. irv.  Willi. ini 
11.  Sh.iu  ;  trustee.  .\lon/o  J,  n.inks.  \\  illi.iui  J.i.  kscii,  Jcremi.ih  \\\nn\. 
J.imcs  Itennie  ;  John  l  .    I'ltciui.  .ind  Will, mi  li.  ^ha«. 

SCHOOI.S 


The  schools  of  this  town  previous  to  1794  «i 
Only  three  school-houses  are  mentioned  111  llu  I 
One  was  on  the  f.irni  lu.w  occupied  bv  .Mrs.  I'.il 
the  town,  and  ancitlu-r  soniew  here  in  the  smilli 
situ.ited  .11  or  near  what  is  now  known  .is  U.«. 
school  w.is  taught  by    .\llen  Fr.iser  about  the    ; 


'e  but  few  and  scattering. 
.«n  rei  nrds  of  th.Tl  il.itc. 
erson.  n.Mrthe  .enter..! 
rn  p.iri  llu-  thiol  »,is 
lvv,.rlli's(„riurs.  ,i,„l  ihc 


pupils  attending  this  school  were,  Sarah  Woodworth,  Eliza  Romyne,  John 
Romyne  and  Rosannah  Woodworth.  The  last  named  is  the  only  surviv.ir 
Soon  after,  other  district  schools  were  established,  and  there  are  no» 
seventeen  districts  in  the  town.  In  1797,  July  5,  the  school  money  allotted 
by  the  county  of  .Montgomery  was  $1(17.57,  while  in  1S77  it  was  nearl\ 
§1,800.  The  early  school-houses  were  made  of  logs,  notched  together  .it 
the  comer  of  the  building,  with  a  door  in  the  middle  of  one  side,  a  sni.ill 
window  in  each  end,  and  the  cracks  between  the  logs  filled  in  with  mud. 
The  school-houses  of  Mayfield  village  at  the  present  day  compare  favorably 
with  those  of  other  towns  of  its  size  in  the  State. 


SUNDRY  BUSINESS  BEGINNINGS. 

The  earliest  grist  or  flour  mill  erected  in  this  town,  according  to  old 
records  and  tradition  of  reliable  character,  was  on  the  site  now  occupied  b\ 
Edward  .\.  El|>hie's  grist-mill.  It  was  erected  in  1773  by  Sir  William 
Johnson,  and  during  the  war  it  was  no  doubt  burned.  The  mill  property 
was  confiscated  during  the  war,  and  sold  at  its  close  to  a  son  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Romeyn,  who  rebuilt  the  mill  and  put  it  in  operation.  It  was  known  as 
Romeyn's  mills,  on  the  Romeyn  creek,  as  late  as  1795,  about  which  time 
the  property  passed  into  the  hands  of  one  Bogert,  who  kept  it  a  number  of 
years,  and  from  him  to  one  Zule,  then  to  a  Mr.  Stanley,  then  to  Sidney 
Chase,  and  from  him  to  the  present  owner.  This  mill  has  two  run  of  stone, 
one  bolt,  and  all  the  latest  improvements  for  making  a  first  equality  of  fluur, 
meal  and  feed.  It  is  located  near  the  center  of  the  town,  on  Mayuel.l 
creek,  at  what  is  now  known  as  Shawville,  half  a  mile  south  of  the  village 
of  Mayfield. 

Each  of  three  saw-mills  is  claimed  to  have  been  the  first  in  the  town  ; 
Hathaway's,  at  Shawville;  Vail's,  at  Vail's  Mills,  and  one  formerly  standing 
at  Woodworth's  Corners.  Records  of  road  districts  in  1796,  or  thereabouts, 
as  well  as  tradition,  indicate  the  first  named  as  the  earliest. 

Oliver  Rice  was  the  first  to  build  a  clothier's  mill  in  this  town.  It  w.is 
at  Ricevillc,  where  he  lived,  located  on  the  Mayfield  creek  and  built  in  ..r 
about  the  year  1795.  Mr.  Rice  conducted  the  business  until  about  iS;o, 
when  it  was  given  up  bv  him  and  the  property  went  to  decay.  No  other 
mill  of  the  kind  has  been  built  in  the  town. 

Josiah  Wood  built  and  operated  a  foundry  at  Riceville  in  1815.  He 
did  quite  a  large  business  ;  he  w.as  an  active,  energetic  man,  not  easily 
daunted  by  obstacles.  Mr.  Wood  also  built  a  grist-mill  at  the  same  time 
and  place,  together  with  a  saw-mill,  over  all  of  which  he  had  a  person. il 
oversight.  But  at  last  lie  had  to  succumb  to  the  terrible  financial  ami 
business  crash  caused  by  the  litigations  between  Messrs.  Clark  and  (.'l.iii- 
cey,  owners  of  most  of  the  property  at  Riceville  in  their  time. 

There  was  also  a  skin  mill  there  at  the  same  time  with  theestablishmeiiis 
mentioned,  and  for  several  years  later,  but  it  finally  went  to  decay.  In 
i,S66  or  1867  Moses  Rinney  built  a  skin  mill  on  the  site  of  the  old  clothier's 
mill.  About  1S68  or  1869  .Mr.  George  C.  .Allen  built  a  skin  mill  on  the  -11. 
of  the  first  mentioned,  south  of  the  highn.iy.  Each  mill  has  two  set  "i 
double  stocks.     They  are  operated  by  their  respective  owners,  and  are  d"- 


bus 


I79.N 


the 


Klavcl  Kartlett  is  acknowledged  by  all  to  have  been  the  first  to  start  tin- 
tanning  business  m  this  io«n.  His  little  tannery  was  on  the  lot  nowo»iu'l 
l.v  Mrs.  Eli/abeili  l;,irileit  in  the  village  of  Mayfield.  It  w.as  built  ab.uii 
tile  \e.ir  171)5.  -"'il  .lis.  i.nlinued  about  1SJ5.  From  that  little  beginnin.. 
l.iiUcT  t-t.iliiishnients  have  grown  up  and  had  their  day.  ].i'  ks.m  Siimin' 
tinncrv  I'.is  been  closed  for  two  years,  as  well  as  the  one  at  Nail's  Mill- 
l;..ih  'lies..  Ii.ive  clone  .n  l.irge  business.  There  are  but  two  in  opcr.ili.u  ■■■ 
pr.-cui.  Willi. nil    Keiinadas.  Ill  the   northeast  part  of  the  town.  an. I  K.  ••: 

.V  ('..  s  .11  W berth's  Corners.     In  1859  Josiah  M.  Danfi.rth  biuli  a  t.,n- 

iK-i>  Jl  \\. ..i.'.w.. nil's  frirners  lor  tanning  upper  leather.  He  si, ..11  s..:.i  :1 
t-.  W, II, ,1111  W.ill.H  e.  «ho  afier  running  it  two  years  sold  to  K.iss..n  .o"! 
Ii.hr,-. n,  and  tliev  afura  year  or  more  to  Kent  cV  .Meicns,  "I...  i.oh"  ■! 
9.000  .l./en  slucj.  skills  bv  a  new  po.cess.  an,l  in  one  vear  sold  to  K.nt 
.V  Co..  wh..  are  si, II  .,|.cr.ilmg  the  cum  em. 

The  first  store  was  opened  in  this  town  about  the  year  1800.  by  Willi  mi 
M.C.innell.  sou,,'  t».)  miles  southwcsl  of  .Mayfield,  at  Wilkms  Corii.r-. 
m  llu  h..use  iio«  .„  ,  iipie.l  by  J..hn  J.  W  ilkins.  M,  Cmneli  kepi  .p.il.  1" 
,is„,rli,i.iil  ,.f  eo..,ls  l'.,rtli.,-e. lays,  and  of  .ourse  the  ever-present  ^^hl-^.^ 
phuL.l  an  iiii|,..rl.iiu  part.  So.iii  after  .\lr  Otis  sl.irle.l  a  store  at  die  >:l 
lage  of    MaylieM,  as  it  is  no«  called,      .McConnell   kept   ii|i   his  store  uiiiil 


* 


? 

z: 

<: 

Si 

11 U: 


J 


INDUSTRIAL  BEGINNINGS  IN  MAYFIELD— VILLAGPIS  OF  THE  TOWN. 


227 


al)ont  1830.  Previous  to  lis  oiicnirii;  ihi-  miKiljitanIs  wcrf  oljligcd  to  (jo  to 
lohnstown  for  all  their  trade,  mo-.tly  cm  luot.  or  har^eli.uk.  as  there  was 
no  road  Imt  Indian  and  tory  trails. 

Al  the  present  tunc  there  arc  nine  stures  in  the  town,  all   doing  a  pro^- 

In  the  early  sctlkiiicnt  of  thi>  town,  laicrns  were  iinkn.jwn  a^  a  plate 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  pnhlie.  and  not  until  the  \e.ir  iScS  do  we 
lind  any  record  of  snch  an  institution.  In  that  \ear  the  town  meeting  was 
held  at  the  inn  of  William  Van  lluren  Tradition,  which  seems  to  be  reli- 
able, aays  that  Kbene/er  Woodworth  kept  the  first  Ia\ei  n  in  the  town,  in 
the  Uuildin';  now  occupied  by  David  ("letman,  Ksip.  in  the  village  of  May- 
I'leld.  Elisha  Stone  kept  a  tavern  near  the  centre  of  the  town  for  several 
vears,  but  it  was  closed  about  1SO3.  There  are  at  present  two  hotels  in 
the  town,  one  at  Mayticld  Corners  and  the  other  at  Vail's  Mills. 

John  McKinlay  was  the  first  blacksmith  of  whom  there  is  any  authentic 
record.  He  came  from  Scotland  in  17S3.  and  commenced  business  imme- 
diately. In  a  few  years  after.  William  Williams  worked  at  the  trade  at 
Wilkins  Comers.  Mdward  Kinnicutt  lame  into  Maylicld.  from  Pittstown, 
N.  v.,  in  x8ol,  and  opened  a  blacksmith  shop  about  a  mile  and  a  half 
north  of  the  village,  .\mong  the  early  blacksmiths  were  the  firm  of  Smith 
&  Billinghani.  who  carried  on  i|uite  an  e.Mcnsive  business  at  .\Iayheld  vil- 
lage, and  such  was  the  phvsiipie  of  Hillinghani  that  he  was  named  by  the 
earlier  settlers  and  known  through  life  as  "Old  \'ulcan."  There  are  now- 
three  blacksmiths  in  the  town. 

The  first  .and  only  distillery  ever  erected  in  this  town  was  built  in  or 
about  the  year  1805,  at  Riceville,  by  Clark  &  .Clancey,  who  did  a  large 
business  for  a  few  years,  buying  up  all  the  grain  used  in  their  business  in 
this  and  adjoining  towns.  .\l  that  time  all  the  wheat  and  corn  needed  for 
home  use  was  raised  on  the  spot,  while  at  present  nearly  or  ipiite  all  the 
llour  used  is  imported.  Clark  &■  Clancey's  distillery  went  to  decay,  sharing 
the  fate  of  other  property  in  Ric:ville  at  that  time. 

Weaving  in  early  times  was  mostly  done  by  the  "gude  housewife"  and  the 
grown-up  daughters:  but  in  iSoo  a  Mr.  Snyder  came  into  the  town,  whose 
wife,  Eveline,  was  a  professional  w-eaver.  and  could  ply  the  shuttle  a  little 
better  than  the  best.  She  soon  had  all  the  work  she  could  do,  and  in  this 
way  supported  a  large  family,  as  her  husband  was  unable  to  contribute  any- 
thing for  their  support.     They  lived  on  the  hill  south  of  .\nthonyx  illc. 

The  first  physician  who  settled  in  the  town  was  l.a/ariis  liu  kcr  He 
lame  from  Connecticut  about  1790.  and  located  on  the  place  where  |.jhn 
I.aird  now  lives,  in  the  village  of  Mayfield.  He  was  of  the  old  sc  hool.  as. 
in  those  days,  st  ience  had  not  de\*eloped  any  thing  better.  His  siici  ess.irs 
have  been  ipiite  numerous,  and  at  pre-en;  Mayfield  bo.isls  of  three  well- 
known  .M.n.'s — Johnston.  \'andcrpool  ami  Drake 

Of  early  lawyers,  there  were  David  and  William  Kenncdv.  John  Stewart 
and  Willi.im  (1.  Waite.  1  he  first  two,  wh..  arc  brothers,  si, 11  lneilear 
where  thev  were  born,  in  the  south  end  ■•(  the  town. 


POST  OFITiKS   .\Mi   KOI    1  I.S 

between  M,n  field  .Ul.l  lir,, 
r,  .1.1.1  .arnc.l  ihc  ni.iils  lor 
w,.  pli.es,  Inr  fifty  .cms  |„ 


iiberrv  ("reck. 


I. .hi 


week 
viinucl 
1    lish 


\  post  route  was  est.tblished  in 
Collin,  o.lell  was  appointc.l  postmaster.  .1.1. 
two  vears,  on  horseback,  between  the  Iw..   p 
Soon  after  a  post  olli<  c  was  established   at 
.A.  Gilbert   |>ostmaster.  and  then  the   r.nit..-   r.in 
House.  Cranberry  (.reek,  Mavfici.i  village,   in.l  a 
Previous  to  this  time,  the  tnail   hc.i.l-.piar-i  rs  «  .1 
store,  and  the  neighbors  woiiUl   t  ike  turn-  ...,n: 
mail.     Wh.-n  H.  11.  Woo.lworth  rca.  he.l  iwcKe 
in  pl.i.e  of  his  father.      Me  went   ..11  fo..l.  ;  ;;ic  11 
trail,  .as  n..  w  igon  n.ad  w.is  built  at  lliat   !  in..-   ,1 
ness  m.pst  of  the  way.      .\  i.'.st  ,.;ti.  e  wa-    illcrw 
viUc,  bat  s,,on  rem.ocd  t..  M.ivfi-.  i.l  C..r|-.cr-       o 
a  p.isi  ..ifi.  e  w.is  est.blish, ,!   at    I.i.  k-..n   ^iiiiiini 
master— the  mail  t..  be  ,  arncl  between    ll.al    pla 
Iwueaiveek.  with.mt  <  ..ii.pens.iii.in.       1  he  i.tfi. 
the  close  of  the  w,ir,  in  iSl.y 

TheC.loversville  aiul  Niirthville  K.iilroad  runs  through  ihe  center  nf 
the  town.  It  h.is  but  ,,ne  station,  half  a  mile  south  of  M.iyficl.l  villag.'.  .it 
Shawville.  Ironi  this  sialion  the  m.iils  are  dclivereil  to  ..intra,  tors.  an. I 
taken  to  Mavfiel.l  village  twelve  limes  l.cr  wc.l,  .ib.,  |.,  I'.r.iadalbiii,  Vail's 


of  .igc,  he  h 

.1  f.  g. 

wil.ler 

csl.il,li-li.,l  . 

1    Ki.e 

h    W     11    >!i. 

w     |,..-l 

1.1   Mivh.ld 
,lis.  ..nlinue 

1   ab.iU 

.Mills  and  Perth  Center.  The  road  is  doing  a  fair  business,  .About  two 
hundred  and  fifty  tons  of  coal  were  sold  at  this  station  in  1.S76,  to  .011- 
sumers  in  .Mayfield  and  liroadalbin. 


J  CS  TICKS  OF    THK   Pi:.\CK 


Prev 


the  >e,ir  i,S;o,  the  justices  of  the  pea.  c  were  named  bv  .1 
..luntil  of  appointuieut  of  the  Supreme  Court,  held  in  -\lbanv  ,\bm, 
Romyne  and  .\le\.  Murrav  were  the  first  justices,  appointed  in  i;.,,S.  1„ 
1S30  the  first  election  for  justice  of  the  peace  occurcd,  when  Samuel  .\, 
llilbert  was  chosen.      The  present  justice  is  John  M,  lUichanan, 


Ml 


iKIKI.Il    CoRNKks 


vii,i,.\(;i-.s. 

chief  village,  a 


orth  of  th. 


the 


elah 


Woodworth,  who  came  from  Salisbury,  Connecticut,  two  or  three  vears 
before  the  Revolution,  with  his  brother  Solomon.  Selah,  according  to 
•Mr.  Simms,  purchasetl  from  Sir  Wni.  Johnson  one  hundred  acres  at  .May- 
field,  while  his  brother  bought  and  settled  upon  an  equal  tract,  most  of 
which  is  now  known  as  .Miinsonville.  Others  are  said  to  have  settled  in 
the  same  neighborhood  at  the  same  time  named  Cadman,  Jonathan  Can- 
field  and  Captain  Flock.  The  Indians  and  tories  being  rather  troublesome. 
Selah  Woodworth  returned  to  Connecticut  until  after  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  war,  when  he  returned  to  Mayfield  and  settled  u|ion  the 
farm  on  the  west  side  of  the  village,  now  owned  by  John  Green,  F^s.p,  and 
known  as  the  Servis  farm.  .Some  buildings  began  to  be  erected,  such  as 
a  church,  hotel,  stores,  tannery,  blacksmith  shops,  dwellings,  etc.  .\t 
jiresent  the  village  contains  two  churches,  two  blacksmith  shojis,  a  carriage 
and  sleigh  manufactory,  six  stores,  a  hotel,  a  harness  shop,  a  shoe  shiip, 
a  cider  mill,  four  mitten  and  glove  shops,  two  cooper  shops,  a  i»rinting  of- 
fice, a  school-house,  and  55  dwellings,  w  ith  70  families. 

RicKvn.i.K,  about  one  and  a  half  mi  es  southwest  of  Mayfield  Milage, 
and  situated  on  the  Mayfield  creek,  was  settled  about  the  same  time  as 
Mayfield  Corners.  Between  the  years  17S5  .and  1830,  Riceville  was  a 
rtourishing  little  village,  containing  at  one  time  two  taverns,  four  stores,  a 
grist-mill.\.aw-mill,  foundrv,  distillery,  ..lolhier's  mill,  skin-mill,  school- 
house  and  several  dwellings.  The  owners  of  the  real  estate,  .Messrs.  (_l.irk 
and  Clancey,  became  invoKed  in  lawsuits  with  e.acli  other  to  such  an  ex- 
tent that  in  a  lew  years  th.;  business  of  the  |ila.  e  h.i.l  entirely  left  it,  thi- 
mills  and  machinery  went  to  .lecay,  and  Ricev  ille  remained  a  desolate  pla.  c 
until  a  change  of  owners,  when  it  trie.l  to  regain  its  lost  fortune,  but  111 
the  meantime  Mayfield  Mil, !ge  grasped  the  opportunity,  and  be.  aiiic  .mil 
remains  the   business    .enter    of  the    town.      Riceville   now   .  ontaiiis    two 

skin  .Iressing   nulls,  a   gr.,,  c^^    store,   a   s.  h.H.l-hoiise    ind  al t    1.^  or   .-o 

dwellings. 

\'vll,'s  Mills  ,s  .1  h.uiilc'  with,!  |iosi  ..t"fi.c.  Ill  lhes,.,itheasi  part  of  the 
town,  and  was  settled  from  171,0  1..  i-ii;  hv  llaniel  I.Ofcrts  who..wnr.l 
the  first  saw-mill)  .in.l  .ithit-  .  In  1  S04.  W  illi.ini  \' ul.  gran.lf.uhcr  ..f  ihe 
present  ..wner,  .ime  In.in  loime.  Ii.  lit  .in.l  ...in  hascl  the  pn.pcrlv  11. .w 
.iwnc.l  bv  Is. 1.1,  George,  F.-.|  ,  t.wether  uith  lli.ii  now-  .luiie.l  bv  his  grand- 
s.in.  WiiT,  Mills  I  ontains  a  hotel,  s,  ho,,l-h.,iise,  store  .iii.l  p.ist  ,il"fi.  c,  grist, 
null,  saw-mill  and  pl.ining  null,  w.igon  shop,  tin  sh,,p.  lannery,  mitten  sli..,,, 
ki.l  sh.,p,  bla.  ksmith  shop,  and  about  thirtv  duellings 

Ckvmi.kkv  Ckh  k  Is  ab...it  five  miles  norllieast  of  Mayfield  villi-c  and 
near  the  east  line  . if  lliet..»n,  nn  .1  sin.ill  -ircam  trom  whii  h  the  h.imlct 
takes  ,t  n. ,111c  It  w.is  scllic.l  so,.n  .iller  ilic  Ko  ..lmi..nar\  ,i.ir  It  i.m- 
tams  .1  |,.,-l  ,.ni.  e,  csLibli-'!.  ,1  ,il,.i,,t  i.sio,  a  si,, re  .in.l  hotel,  saw -null, 
,  i.ler-mill.  s.  h.  ,o|.h.,iis,-  ,11,. i  .,b.,„t  filic.  11  ,lw  i  ll,,i_'s. 


Mr    ITi 


ll,,.,-l  p.,rt  of  ihel 
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It    W.,s    s.lllc.l 

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It    W.lssclll 
Ul.     l,.,.llLC 

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south    .,f 

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ing-mill.  Ill 

■    fir 

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prol 

2» 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


paised  into  the  hands  of  John  M.  Anthony,  who  carried  on  (luiiean  exten- 
sile business  as  an  iron  worker.  Orrin  A.  Anthony  is  thtr  present  owner 
ofahc  property-  He  manufactures  axes  and  most  kinds  of  edge-tools. 
He  is  also  the  patentee  and  manufacturer  ol  the  American  lifting  jack,  a 
washing  machine,  churn,  etc.  The  hamlet  contains  at  present  the  iron 
woeks,  carpenter  and  paint  shops,  and  about  eight  dwellings.  The  G.  & 
N.  Railroad  crosses  the   highway  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of    the 

MfNSMNVii-i-K.  on  the  Sacondaga  ruad.  about  two  miles  southeast  of 
Mayfield  village,  was  settled  by  Solomon  Woodworth  just  before  the  Revo- 
lution. He  was  soon  joined  by  other  pioneers  nanie^i  McLaren,  Snyder, 
Goodmaster.  et» .  After  a  itw  years  the  real  estate  i)a:ise(l  into  the  hands 
of  Messrs.  \'andenburgh,  Leversee  and  others,  and  is  now  owned  bv  Messrs. 
Vmdenburgh  and  Munson,  from  the  last  of  whom  the  place  takes  it  name. 
E.  B.  Munson,  Esq.,  is  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  carries  on  the  wagon  and 
sie^h  making  bu>iness  extensively.  Ihis  is  the  only  manufacturing  done 
al  this  place.  The  hamlet,  besides  Munson's  establishment,  contains  a  post 
oftce,  school-house,  and  twelve  dwellings. 

Woodwokih's  Ci'RNERS,  about  a  mile  west  of  the  village  of  Mayfield. 
was  settled  about  the  year  1790.  The  deed  given  to  Selah  Woodworth 
conveyed  the  land  now  occupied  by  this  hamlet,  and  the  farm  owned  and 
occupied  by  W.  D.  Woodworth.  from  whom  the  place  takes  its  name,  is  a 
portion  of  it.  The  buildings  are,  one  tannerv,  one  grist-mill,  one  carpenter 
sliop,  and  about  twenty  dweilmgs. 

jACKSf>N  Summit,  a  hamlet  about  three  miles  north  of  .Maylield  village, 
on  Mayfield  creek,  was  at  one  time  quite  a  flourishing  place,  conlaming  a 
tannery,  two  saw-mills,  a  measure  and  wooden-ware  factory,  a  clothes-pin 
shop,  shoe  shop,  store,  post  office,  school-house,  blacksmith  shoj).  and 
about  twenty  dwellings.  It  was  settled  about  the  year  1816  by  James 
Bogart.  The  first  saw-mill  was  built  in  1S16,  and  the  second  in  1S32  by 
Degolia  t^  *>  Th^-  tannery  was  built  in  1835  by  Christie  &  Buchanan. 
who  operated  it  until  1S45,  when  it  passed  mto  the  hands  of  Isaac  Jackson 
frCo.,  and  then  to  D.  S.  Decker  in  1S69.  In  1S72  it  was  burned,  and  im- 
mediately rebuil:  and  stocked.  It  Avas  closed  in  the  spring  of  1876.  The 
w«jden-ware  establishment  was  run  for  two  or  three  years  by  H.  C  Whit- 
nty  Sc  Co.,  when  the  machinery  was  removed  to  Fayville.  The  saw-mill 
kaown  as  the  Jackson  mill  is  now  owned  and  operated  by  Jacob  Lairrh. 
jr^  who  is  doing  a  ver}'  extensive  business.  Several  other  mills  have  been 
built  at  this  place,  but  were  short  lived. 

Shawvilie,  near  the  center  of  the  town,  and  on  Maylield  creek,  was 
settled  in  1773,  when  Sir  William  Johnson  erected  the  first  grist-mill  ever 
barlt  in  the  town.  The  place  was  laid  out  in  lots  in  1875.  It  contains  a 
grist  and  saw-mill  and  several  dwellings. 


CHURCHES. 

The  log  meeting-house  in  which  the  first  town  meeting  for  Mayfield  was 
h«}d,  three  miles  south  of  the  village,  was  a  Baptist  church,  organized  in 
IJ92.  and  called  "The  Mayfield  and  Broadalbin  Baptist  Church."  Jacob 
Parcells,  Solomon  Knapp,  sen.,  .\llen  Kennicutt,  Jacob  Woodworth  and 
about  twenty  others  were  the  original  members.  The  church  was  located 
about  half  a  mile  west  of  what  is  known  as  the  nine  mile  tree  nine  miles 
from  Johnson  Hall,  on  Sir  Wilham's  ro.id  to  Summer  House  Point  .  the 
stomp  of  which  is  btill  to  lie  seen.  The  first  pastor,  Hezekiah  Gorton,  was 
followed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Nicliols,  and  he  by  Elder  William  Groom,  who  was 
pastor  for  seventeen  years.  During  his  pastorate  the  log  building  was 
abandoned,  and  the  society  built  iheir  new  thurch  in  the  village  of  Broad- 
albin, about  four  miles  to  the  southeast.  The  names  of  ^nme  of  the  early 
members  were  Putney.  Gurnee.  Marsh,  Canary,  Rasson,  Sunderlin,  Sumner, 
Tabor  and  Sherman. 

The  Quaker  church,  or  Eriends'  meetmu-house.  was  located  .^bout  half 
a  mile  west  of  the  village  of  Ma>fieUl.  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  W,  1). 
Woodworth.  Welcome  Capron.  Orion  Capron.  Daniel  Mead.  I.evi.  Hardy. 
and  Martin  Se\mour,  Mr.  .Simmons,  .\brain  Cole,  Benjamin  .\nthnn\.  Jun- 
athan  Brown  and  (»lhers  were  among  the  original  and  prominent  Micmber^ 
of  the  society.  Ab.>ut  the  year  1840  the  lot  on  whuh  the  nieeting-huuse 
iUood  was  sold  by  <  >rion  Capron  to  John  Servis,  whit  ji  \irtu.illy  t  h.sed  up 
all  public  meetings  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in  this  town.  The  building 
used  as  a  chuuh  is  now  used  by  Dr.  J,  S.  Drake  as  a  barn. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  this  town  is  about  seventy-five  years 


of  age.  The  exact  date  cannot  easily  be  ascertained,  but  the  first  Method- 
ist class  was  formed  about  1800  or  1805.  Among  the  first  itinerants  who 
found  their  way  through  this,  then,  wilderness,  were  Revs.  Willis,  1790. 
Woolsey,  1795,  Rnowlton,  1804,  Levings.  Clark,  Selick,  Miner,  Draper  and 
Howe,  men  who  went  about  doing  good,  braving  the  storm  of  all  oppo^iIil,n. 
seeking  the  salvation  of  souls,  instead  of  the  most  comfortable  places  for 
themselves  and  horses;  sharing  with  the  early  settlers  the  most  frugal  meal, 
composed,  at  times,  of  a  crust  of  bread  and  cup  of  cold  water.  Iluv 
feared  no  danger,  believing  that  He  who  had  sent  them  on  their  niisM<in 
would  fulfill  His  promise  and  be  with  them,  "even  unto  the  end."'  In 
January,  1823,  Selah  Woodworth  and  his  wife,  Rebekah,  gave  to  Pari^  (i, 
Clark,  \\illi.im  McC<mnell.  Samuel  Woodworth.  John  Co/xens  andja.  ob 
Woodworth  trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  their  sutt  t-s- 
sors  in  ofiice,  a  warranty  deed  of  the  lot  now  occupied  by  the  .MLihodi-.t 
Episcopal  church  and  sheds.  Previous  to  1S23  the  Methodists  were  obliged 
to  hold  their  meetings  in  barns,  i)rivale  houses,  or  any  where  thev  i  ould 
get  a  hearing:  but  at  the  present  time  they  have  a  very  neat,  comfortable 
house  of  worship,  free  from  debt.  The  society  has  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty  members.  Rev.  F.  R.  Sherwood  is  pastor.  Edward  Keniiu  uit. 
Jacob  Woodworth,  Jonathan  Canfield,  Samuel  Woodworth,  John  <"o//cns, 
sen.,  John  Cozzens,  jr.,  William  Cozzens.  Jabez  Foote  and  Hardy  Bartlttt 
were  among  the  early  members. 

About  the  year  1868,  the  sect  or  denomination  known  as  "Christians." 
organized  a  society  at  Jackson  Summit,  under  the  leadership  of  Elders 
Evans  and  Brown.  Some  of  the  original  members  were  Daniel  Temjileton. 
Josiah  and  John  Dunnirig.  David  D.  Bishop,  Philip  Kring.  and  otherv 
Their  very  peculiar  doctrines  soon  led  to  disruptions,  and  to-day  the 
society  is  extinct  at  that  place. 

The  Germans  organized  a  society  at  Jackson  Summit  about  1S55.  known 
as  the  German  M.  E.  Evangelical  Association. 

Some  of  their  early  members  were  Jacob  Eairch.  sen..  Jacob  Lairih,  jr.. 
Barney  Lairch,  John  Vost,  John  Behlen,  John  Brunce  and  Jacoh  Rivers. 
They  still  have  quite  a  flourishing  society  and  Sunday-school.  Scrviie- 
are  held  on  alternate  Sundays  in  the  school-house. 

The  Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church  was  organized  in  1793,  with  (  .>n- 
radt  Ten  Eyck  as  pastor,  and  the  following  members:  ResoUent  \'.tn 
Houten  and  wife,  Abraham  Romeyn,  Abraham  Wells,  Lucas  Brinkerlu.H. 
Peter  Snyder,  David  Becker,  ?.)lizabeth  Ternuer  and  Mary  Van  BtirLU. 
Their  church  was  built  about  the  same  time,  and  located  on  the  hii^lu^t 
spot  in  what  is  now  the  old  burying-ground  south  of  the  village,  adjoining 
the  Kennicutt  farm.  It  was  a  frame  building,  25  by  42  feet,  and  newr 
painted.  l"he  church  was  never  finished  inside,  excejjting  the  pulpit, 
which  was  of  the  upstairs  order,  with  a  sounding-board  overhead.  The 
seats  were  rude  benches,  made  of  material  easiest  procured.  In  this  rou::h 
building,  such  men  as  Ten  P'yck,  Ammerman,  Palmer  and  Wood  dispen^id 
the  Gospel  to  hungry  audiences.  During  the  pastorate  of  Messrs  Ammer- 
man and  Palmer,  who  were  colaborers  in  this  field,  a  difference  of  -'pinion 
arose  between  them,  and  about  the  year  1816  or  1820,  Mr.  Palmer  .ind  ln^ 
followers  withdrew  from  the  mother  church,  reorganized,  and  built  auuihcr 
church  at  the  four  corners  west  of  MunsonviUe,  and  about  two  miles  -Miuth 
of  the  original  church,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Jefferson  Brook-  lin-- 
was  known  as  the  "  Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  Mayfield."  Rev.  SvK.mu^ 
Palmer  was  pastor,  and  there  were  about  30  members.  Their  chunh 
building  was  of  wood,  about  30  by  45  feet,  with  no  galleries;  but  ».i'- 
lathed,  plastered,  and  painted  inside,  and  presented  a  much  better  .qipt.ir- 
ance  than  the  church  they  h.id  left.  The  worshipers  at  this  pla.  e  w- re 
soon  known  as  "  Palmerites."  In  a  few  years  the  building  was  left  to  ihc 
bats  and  moles,  and  about  1S67,  or  1S6S,  it  was  taken  down  and  <  -irrud 
to  Anthonyville.  where  it  is  now  used  as  a  barn. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ammerman  continued  to  officiate  as  pastor  of  the  Lou  !)ut«  h 
Reformed  Church  at  the  old  plat  e.  to  the  great  sntisfaction  of  .iH  <  on- 
cerned;  his  membership  increasing  and  strengthening,  while  the  I'.dnier- 
ites  were  dying  out.  The  age  of  the  [lastor,  together  with  his  iL-cbh- 
health,  began  to  call  for  assistance,  and  in  1825  Rev,  Jeremiah  \\o>^>\.  O^n 
a  young  man  lately  gr.idtiated  at  Princeton,  was  sent  on  ai  a  nii--.ioM.ir^ : 
when  Mr.  .Ammerman  gave  up  his  pastorate,  Mr.  Wood  stepped  in.  .ind.-:^ 
September  27th,  1826.  the  church  was  rc-organized,  assuming  the  n.iinc  ■  t 
"  i'he  Central  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mayfield,"  by  which  name  it  i-  -"'I 
known.  Mr.  Wood  was  duly  installed  as  pastor  by  authority  of  the  .Mbnn 
Presbytery.  Revs.  Ebsha  Vale  of  Kingsburo,  John  K.  Davis  ol  Bro.id 
albin,    John    Clancey   of    Chariton,    and    (Albert    Morgan    of   Johnstown 


,l«,--!rT--|r.-      ■        ' 


''■■4i 


'■■'■j^5iSS:= 


^S^^^^-^^ 


^^J 


i"'  Jo- 


"^h'II^^  « 


MAYFIELD  SUNDAY-SCHOOLS— GLOVE  FACTOKIES— LEADING  CITIZENS. 


229 


officiaied;  and  also  set  apart  for  their  work  Barent  \'an  Buren  and  Barent 
Wells,  as  elders;  and  Harmon  T.  Van  Buren,  as  deacon.  This  new  society 
continued  to  worship  in  the  old  church  in  the  gra\'eyard  until  1828,  when 
ther  built  their  present  very  commodious  and  comfortable  church  edifice. 
In  1850  the  society  repaired  or  reliuilt  their  chun  h.  making  it  one  of  the 
finest  looking,  internally,  m  this  part  ul  the  cmintry. 

SIND.W-SCHOOI.S 

The  first  Sunday-school  in  the  town  was  organized  at  the  old  Riceville 
school-house  in  1822,  by  Kldcr  ('.room,  a  Baptist  minister,  who  afterwards 
jireached  at  Broadalbin.  The  enterprise  was  soon  abandoned.  Since  that 
time  several  like  efforts  ha\e  been  made  at  the  same  place,  with  similar 
results.  The  Sunday-schools  at  MayfieUl  \illage  have  continued  in  active 
operation  -lince  their  first  organization 

.\bout  the  year  1855  a  Sunday-s<  hool  was  or;^.ini/cd  at  Jackson  Summit, 
with  about  fifty  scholars  and  teai  hers,  and  I'eter  \'an  Huskirk  as  superin- 
tendent. This  school  flourished  for  a  number  of  >cars,  and  not  until  the 
population  had  almost  entirely  changed  was  it  discontinued.  The  (iermans 
soon  organized  a  school  of  their  own,  and  have  succeeded  in  keejiing  it  up 
during  the  summer  season  for  the  last  five  or  si\  year.s. 

At  times,  during  the  last  twenty  years,  there  «as  a  flourishing  school  at 
Carey's  Corners,  under  different  superintendents,  iiut,  for  the  last  four 
years,  jealousy  in  the  communit)  has  in  a  great  degree  prevented  any  per- 
manent organization 

For  about  twenty  years  Mr.  John  A.  Wells  has  very  successfully  con- 
ducted a  "  union  "  Sunday-school  at  the  school-house  at  Mayfield  Center, 
during  the  summer  season.  The  average  attendance  is  about  thirty  scholars 
and  teachers. 

In  1826  the  Sunday-school  connected  with  the  I'reshyterian  1  hurch  at 
Mayfield  Corners  was  organized,  with  30  or  40  -Mholars,  and  Ke\  Jere- 
miah Wood  as  superintendent.  Since  then,  lienjainin  F.  IJennie  and 
James  H.  Koote  have  been  at  the  head  of  the  m  liool.  For  the  last  two 
years  .Mr.  Daniel  Fooie  has  been,  and  now  is,  superintendent  of  the  school. 
The  average  attenda..ce  at  present  is  about  55:  volumes  in  library,  100. 

The  school  connected  with  the  .Methodist  Kpiscopal  church  was  first 
organized  by  Harley  Bartleit.  as  superintendent,  and  Jacob  Woodworth. 
assistant  superintendent,  with  about  20  scholars.  It  continued  for  a  few 
years,  during  the  summer  season:  but  the  enterprise  w  a^  finally  abandoned 
for  want  of  a  siifli.  leni  number  of  s,  holars.  In  1S52  the  -chnol  wa,  organ- 
ized with  about  40  ^.  hulars,  .in.l  H.irlcy  l'..irtlcii  a.,  Mii.cnntendent.  He 
continued  at  the  head  of  the  school,  ami  kepi  it  in  a  healthy  condition, 
until  a  few  weeks  before  his  death,  whii  h  oci  iirreii  in  1S72.  .Mr.  James 
H.  Roberts  was  then  superintendent  unlil  .\pril  or  .May.  1876.  «hen  W. 
H.  Sha«-,  the  present  ~iipcrinleudcnt,  was  clc  leil.  The  present  average 
attendance  of  the  school  1^  about  70:  volumes  m  library,  about  100. 

FKKl-.   M.VSONS, 

Constellation  lod^ic.  .No.  103.  F.  .ind  .\.  M..  iv.is  organized  in  this  town 
on  the  7th  of  Man  h,  1S04.  with  the  following  officers:  Oliver  Ki.  e.  W  .  M  : 
Ripley  -Merrill,  J.  W:  Kiifus  .Mason,  treasurer:  Horace  Burr,  se.  rctar>  . 
IJavid  .\dani,,  J,  D:  Ihoiiuis  (ll.l^e.  tiler:  John  .\nderson  and  Jonathan 
Fisk,  stewards  Ibcir  place  of  meeting  was  lir-t  in  the  old  house  that 
-stood  on  the  lot  west  of  S.piire  l.elman's  ofri.  e.  and  in  later  vear^  in  the 
house  now  o,  .iipied  by  F.  Vandcrpnol.  For  over  thiriv  vears  this  was 
one  of  the  mo-1  llourishing  lod-es  in  the  St.ile.  anil  dunn;.:  that  time  Mich 
men  .1-  Mc-rs  Maihew-.  Ddcil.  Manin,  lleniley.  M.C.Mineil,  iMvand 
Fisk  were  11,  mjMer,  \1  the  annual  election  De.  emb-.-r  igth.  iS;j,  the 
f.illovviiigortircr,  were  lie.  t.,1  Diner  Ri.  e.  W  M.:  licniamm  H..\e"v.jr., 
S  W  :  I  1;  Ii,.v.  J  W  :  (  olbii-  M.lell.  ,e.  rel.iry:  Nathaniel  Fi-.s.  treas- 
urer: Jesve  llovell.  -■  1 1  :  lam,  ,  R  Marlui,  J.  H  :  John  Howe.  >.cr,hom 
Rust,  stew.inU.  \llcr  tlu  iii-Mll.inon  ot  otti,  er,,  ihc  Lodge  was  ,  .died 
from  labor  10  relreMiiiu  in.  sin.  e  whi,  h  time  ihe  mister's  gavel  has  not  been 
heard. 

MIllKN    AND  lilnVI.    M  AN  I  KACH  iRl  FS. 

rrcvious  10  1.S60  there  was  .oiiipar.itiv  eh  iuiledoiie  in  tills  !iiu  The 
principal  ni.umfjcturer,  John  W     Hrown,  did  .|irile  an    extensive   business, 


employing  several  men  and  women,  at  the  same  time  running  three  or  four 
stores  at  different  points  in  the  county,  .\bout  the  year  1858  he  failed, 
and  gave  uj)  business. 

In  1867  James  H.  Brown  commenced  the  manufacture  of  gloves  in  one 
corner  of  his  brother's  wood-shed,  on  the  side  of  the  mountain,  near  Jack- 
son Summit,  on  a  capital  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  his  first 
year's  business  amounted  to  $2,000.  In  1871  he  moved  to  the  village,  in- 
creasing his  business  i|uite  extensively,  until  at  the  present  time,  1877,  he 
has  the  largest  shop  in  the  town,  having  19  cutting  blocks,  and  employing 
nearly  500  hands  at  different  times  during  the  process  of  turning  raw 
material  into  neatly  fitting  gloves.  His  business  now  amounts  to  $125,000 
per  year,  and  is  still  increasing. 

.\braham  B.  Close  commenced  the  glove  business  in  1869,  in  the  village 
of  Mayfield.  During  the  years  since,  he  has  increased  his  trade  from  a 
few  small  orders  the  first  year  to  a  sale  of  about  $40,000  worth  last  year. 
He  employs  six  cutters  by  the  year. 

Harmon  E.  Van  Buren  went  into  the  glove  business  in  .Mayfield  village 
in  the  early  part  of  1876,  on  a  very  small  capital,  and  by  a  close  attention 
to  business  has  picked  up  a  trade  amounting  to  several  thousand  dollars 
annually. 

Wilkins  &  Van  Buren  started  the  glove  trade  at  Mayfield  in  the  spring 
of  1877. 

Edwin  Busby,  at  Vail's  Mills,  has  been  in  the  glove  manufacturing  busi- 
ness for  the  last  six  or  seven  years.  He  started  on  a  small  capital,  and  has 
been  steadily  increasing  his  business  and  sales  from  year  to  year,  until 
at  the  present  time  he  is  doing  quite  a  prosperous  business. 

PROMINENT  MEN  OF   MAYFIELD. 

Wit. MAM  CozzF-Ns  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pittstown,  Rensselaer  county, 
N.  v.,  November  3Clh,  1796.  He  canie  to  this  town  with  his  parents, 
John  and  I.ydia  Cozzens,  in  the  spring  of  iSoo,  when  this  part  of  the  town 
was  nearly  a  wilderness.  They  settled  about  one  and  a  half  miles  north 
of  Mayfield  village,  where  they  lived  out  their  useful  and  honorable  lives. 
They  had  eight  children,  one  of  whom  was  William,  who  lived  at  home 
and  inherited  the  real  estate,  consisting  of  a  small  farm.  He  sold  his  farm 
in  1862  .and  moved  to  the  village.  He  has  been  an  official  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  this  town  for  nearly  fifty  years.  By 
occupation  he  is  a  farmer,  blacksmith  and  carpenter. 

CciiiiNs  Odki  1  w.is  born  in  Ballston.  N.  V.,  March  31st,  1793.  His 
father,  \Vm.  Odell.  born  in  1756,  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  enlist- 
ing in  1775,  going  with  the  .\merican  troops  toward  Canada,  and  after- 
ward to  New  \'ork  and  New  Jersey,  and  was  taken  prisoner  and  confined 
in  the  New  Bridewell,  New  York  city.  He  died  at  B.allston,  N.  Y.,  July 
8th,  1X05.  Collins  removed  to  Mayfield  in  February,  1816,  and  on  the 
14th  of  the  following  November  was  married  toCvnthia  Dixon,  of  Mayfield, 
by  Rev.  .Mr.  Palmer.  In  March,  iSiS,  he  went  into  the  tavern  business  at 
the  village,  anvl  in  February,  iSi9,was  instrumental  in  establishing  the  first 
post  office  in  town,  .and  was  appointed  postmister,  which  office  he  held  for 
thirty-one  years  in  succession.  During  the  first  two  years  he  carried  the 
mail  between  Mavfield  and  Broadalbin.  for  50  cents  [ler  week.  In  182 1 
he  was  aiipointed  justice  oi  the  peace  by  the  council  of  ap]iointment  at 
.\lbany.  and  when  the  ofiSce  became  elective,  was  elected,  and  held  the 
position  until  1.S36.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Legislature  in  1834, 
was  supervisor  of  the  town  from  1831  to  1834,  and  inspector  of  schools 
from  1837  to  1.S41.  He  joined  Franklin  Lodge.  F.  &  A.  M..  at  Ballston, 
Saratoga  Co..  N.  Y.,  in  November  1817,  and  afterwards  affiliated  with 
Constellation  Lodge,  No.  103.  located  at  M.iv  field.  He  also  joined  .Mont- 
gomery Chapter,  No.  45,  R.  .\.  .M..  at  llroadalbin,  N.  Y.,  November  4, 
iSiS.  Mr.  ()..  although  in  his  S51I1  year,  is  as  full  of  vigor  as  ordinary 
men  of  50       He  was  county  superintendent  of  the  poor  for  1847-8-g. 

b»HN  .Mi  Kim  vv  was  born  in  St  otl.xnd  in  i75i.caine  to  .\merica  in 
17s;,  and  settled  vm  the  farm  now  owned  and  occupied  by  his  son  Alex- 
ander McKiniay.  John  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  soon  after  settling 
built  a  slio|.,  .ind  worked  at  the  trade  more  or  icss  while  he  was  able  to 
work.  In  1S05  he  built  a  brick  house,  two  stones  high,  whuh  is  at  pres- 
ent as  good  as  new.  The  material  for  the  brii  k  was  found  upon  the 
farm,  and  ni:ide  up  by  .Mr.  Mi  Rinlay  ;  the  stone  from  which  the  lime 
used  in  the  lonstruction  of  the  house  was  burned  w:isdrawn  troin  near  the 
village  of  .Miiyfield,  and  burned  U|.oii   the   f.irm,  in  a  kiln  which  .McKini.iv 


2» 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


b^.  Alexander,  who  was  bom  in  iSo8,  and  was  the  youngest  of  four- 
te^  children,  now  owns  and  occupies  the  old  homestead,  living  in  a  house 
thne  years  older  than  himself.  He  has  held  the  office  ')(  su|itrr- 
VTssr  for  four  terms,  also  the  offices  of  commissioner  of  highways  and  in- 
sptctor  of  sthools  for  several  terms,  scrvin;;  his  constituents  with  the 
strictest  fidelity. 

David  Kksvuiv  lives  in  the  south  end  of  the  town.  He  was  horn  in 
ftstfi,  in  this  lounty,  of  Scotch  i^arenis,  in  1S03.  Soon  after  his  birth  his 
psents  came  to  this  town,  settling  on  the  farm  where  David  now  lives,  and 
h»  lived  for  over  seventy-four  years.  His  early  education  was  such  as 
tJK common  sihools  of  those  days  afforded,  and  in  later  years  a  ^luii  k  |icr- 
cr?-tion  of  men  and  things  around  him,  and  an  enlarged  business  cviieri- 
axe,  fitted  him  for  the  future  active  duties  of  life.  He  was  admitted  to 
pnetice  law.  in  all  the  courts  of  the  State,  at  the  bar  of  Fulton  county,  in 
ifco.  Law,  however,  was  not  his  forte,  and  he  continued  a  tiller 
cd'the  soil.  He  has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  for  thirty-two 
yeK9  in  succession;  commissioner  of  highways,  si.v  years;  assessor,  six 
y«Hs;  and  supervisor,  for  the  last  two  years. 

David  Gf.tman,  sen.,  was  bom  in  Palatine,  Montgomery  couniv,  July 
rfA,  1807.  In  1835  he  removed  to  Mayfield.  He  staid  but  a  short  time, 
anrf  went  to  Ephratah.  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  busint  In  1846 

he  returned  to  Mayfield,  and  conducted  the  hotel  for  about  three  months, 
vlen  he  opened  a  dry  goods  and  grocery  store  in  the  place  now  owned  and 
ocrapied  by  J.  C.  Titcomb.  In  1S51  he  purchased  and  moved  into  the 
biding  he  now  occupies.  He  continued  in  trade  until  about  1S61,  when, 
bnag  left  cntirelv  alone  by  his  only  son  going  into  the  army,  he  soon 
leiuced  his  stock  of  goods  to  a  mere  skeleton,  and  gave  up  the  business. 
H«  occupies  his  store-room  as  a  justice's  office,  as  he  still  holds  that  honor- 
aHe  position.  He  has  been  justice  of  the  pe.ace  eight  years  previous  to  the 
present  term.  He  was  postmaster  for  five  years,  and  has  been  a  notary 
(rtitic  for  the  last  eight  years.  His  father,  George  G.  Gctniar.,  who  died 
in  E820,  was  a  captain  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  latter's  father.  George 
Gesnan,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution.  Mr.  Getm.m  has  always  been  a 
mzK  of  temperate  habits,  and,  although  past  seventy,  he  has  nut  employed 
ap&ysician  for  himself  more  than  two  or  three  times  m  all  his  life. 

•'ILLIAM  Vail  w.is  born  at  Vail's  Mills  in  February,  iS.'5,  in  a  house 
tha  stood  on  the  site  of  his  present  residence.  .\t  the  age  of  21  vears 
he yurchased  the  grist  and  saw-mill  at  that  |ilace.  In  1S57  he  built  the 
brkk  grist-mill  that  he  now  occupies.  It  has  four  run  of  stone,  and  all 
the  modem  appliances  for  doing  a  large  business,  which  was  tlone  by  him 
unta  the  G.  A;  N.  K.  K.  cut  off  the  Hamilton  coiintv  trade.  In  1S69  he  re- 
baSt  the  saw-mill,  and  put  it  on  nn  ei|u,ility  with  any  mill  in  the  county  for 
CBBi'ng  cajiacity;  and  also  .idded  a  pl.tiiing-null.  Mr,  \jil  h.is  been  super- 
visor of  the  town  four  tenns.  He  has  always  been  highly  esteemed  for 
his.  industrv,  perse\er.ince.  and  regular  business  habits.  His  enterprise 
haidone  more  th.an  all  other  things  to  keep  up  the  village  of  Vail's  Mills. 

William  H.  Shaw  was  born  in  Hoosick,  N.  V'.,  in  1S29.  living  left  an 
orphan  at  the  age  of  ■-<  vears.  he  went  to  live  with  his  gr.mdp.irents.  who 
ktjt  a  tavern.  He  .mended  distrii  t  si  hool  a  while  and  then  went  one  term 
toDruri- -\cadeiuy,  -Nririh  .\ilains.  Keturning  home  in  1.S44  lie  .issi-icd 
()ii  grandparents  about  llie  tavern.  From  i.'i44  to  iS^C'  he  filled  several 
l»iilions  for  dilferenl  ['urties,  and  then  moved  to  .\Ia>  field  with  his  fainiK 
piBiuing  the  voc.ntion  "f  farmer  until  iSfii.  When  southern  hearts  were 
filfcd  with  rebellion,  liis  w,is  imbued  with  patriotism  He  raisid  ,1,  ,,nip,iny 
of  men  and  turned  tluiu  over  to  the  4.Stli  regiment  ;  then  raised  a  lomp.iny 
for  the  Bl.i.  k  Horse  ..iv.iiry.  He  was  mustered  into  the  United  Slates  ser- 
vice and  commissioned  js  captain;  went  to  Washington,  rem.iined  iiinil 
I»2,  was  mustereil  out  ..f  scrvi.  e.  went  home  .in,l  r.iised  a  ,  nmp.inv  .if 
raoi  for  Hodge's  1st  Mounted  Rubs.  He  tnriied  tlieiu  over  to  ( '.ipt.  M,;-- 
len,  raised  .another  comp.iny  for  the  i.sth  N.  \'.  v.ihinleers.  ,,nd  wiih  it 
was  mustered  into  the  service  and  rei  eivi.l  .1  .  oiumisMon  as  ,  ,ipi,iiii.  .\ii- 
gaa.  iSfts.  He  served  with  the  regiinenl  until  ihe  .  |..se  of  ihe  iv.ir.  He 
coiomanded  the  regiment  several  times  in  the  abseni  c  of  the  proper. .fli- 
ctt  He  was  injured  In  the  explosion  of  a  maga/ine  near  Fort  1  i-her. 
N.  C,  .and  sent  to  a  hnspu.il.  where  he  rem.lined  for  five  weeks,  vv  lien  he 
renmcd  to  hi.s  reginuni  He  was  nuistered  out  in  iSf.5.  went  home  and 
has  since  been  engaged  in  faruiing 

.Abraham  11.  Clkm  w.is  born  in  .Mavfield  in  1S27.  His  witeis  a  grand- 
dlHghterof  Selah  Woodworth.  the  original  owner  of  the  land  where  \l.iy. 
fldd  village  stands.  He  g.ivc  a  farm  to  eaeh  of  his  twelve  1  hildren.  Mis. 
Clone's  mother,  who  received  one  of  lliem,  outlived  all  the  olii.r,  ,111. 1  died 


in  1876,  aged  eighty-eight.  She  was  one  day  surprised  by  the  Indians 
while  baking,  and  fled  to  the  woods.  The  visitors  plundered  the  house  and 
set  fire  to  it,  which,  however,  fortunately  went  out. 

Fki  F.K  VANDKkUKRO  came  into  this  town  in  1803  from  tireene  county 
and  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  at  Munsonvillc. 

.\iiKAM  F'kank,  now  82  years  of  age  and  one  of  the  oldest  inhabitants  of 
the  town,  was  also  one  of  its  first.  He  cleared  his  farm  from  the  wilder- 
ness and  has  largely  aided  in  building  up  the  churches  of  the  town. 

Hakkison  Howlani)  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mayfield  on  the  iSth  day 
of  .March,  1842.  on  the  farm  now  owned  and  worked  by  him.  He  has 
always  followed  the  occupation  of  farming,  and  has  one  of  the  finest  farms 
and  some  of  the  best  buildings  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town.  His 
father.  Frost  H.  Howland.  was  born  January  22d,  179S,  at  Stillwater,  Sara- 
toga county,  N.  V.,  and  moved  to  Mayfield  in  1S32,  locating  on  the  farm 
now  occupied  by  his  son. 

Jldf.dhh  R(ihf.rts,  probably  the  oldest  active  farmer  in  the  town, was  born 
September  27ih,  1S05,  in  the  town  of  Broadalbin.  His  father's  name  was 
John.  Mr.  Roberts  has  abv.ays  followed  the  occupation  of  farmer  and  wall 
layer,  and  now  prides  himself  upon  having  built  the  heaviest,  handsomest, 
and  probably  the  best  stone  wall  in  the  town,  on  his  farm,  along  the  high- 
wav,  and  this  after  he  had  outlived  the  three  score  and  ten  years  allotted 
to  man.  He  located  originally  on  the  farm  he  now  occupies,  one  mile  west 
of  Mayfield  village.  His  motto  as  a  farmer  has  always  been,  "  He  who  by 
the  plow  would  thrive,  himself  must  either  hold  or  drive.".  He  is  now 
holding  the  office  of  commissioner  of  highways  for  the  fourth  term. 

James  H.  Knapp,  who  is  a  farmer  and  lime  manufacturer  and  dealer, 
was  born,  August  5th,  t825,  in  this  town.  His  father,  Solomon,  was  a  son 
of  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  town,  and  was  born  here  in  or  about  the 
vear  1801.  James  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  when  in  his  younger 
days,  but  on  account  of  poor  health  w.as  obliged  to  give  up  the  business 
and  fall  back  upon  farming,  whicli  occupation  he  first  pra.-:ticed  under  the 
direction  of  "  Uncle  Sol,"  as  he  was  familiariy  called.  Mr.  Knapp  located 
on  the  farm  he  now  owns  and  works  in  1856,  since  which  time  he  has  very 
successfully  carried  on  farming  and  lime  burning  together,  finding  a  reaily 
market  for  several  thousand  dolbars'  worth  per  year.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  commissioner  of  highways  for  three  terms. 

.MicAH  Hkofman,  son  of  John  Hegeman,  Escp,  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Clifton  Park,  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y..  May  13th,  1833.  He  espoused  the 
cause  of  the  Republican  party  when  it  was  called  into  existence,  an<l  h.as 
maintained  its  principles  ever  since.  He  has  held,  among  other  offices  in 
this  town,  that  of  commissioner  of  highw.ays  since  he  located  here,  whii  h 
was  in  1.S51.  He  holds  several  important  positions  in  the  M.  E.  church 
in  this  town.  His  occupation  is  that  of  a  farmer.  He  is  also  engaged  in 
the  lime  business  .juite  extensively.  He  owns  and  operates  a  large  cpiarry 
and  kiln  upon  his  farm,  and  his  sales  amount  to  several  thousand  dollars 

W.U.TFR  1).  WooDwiiRiH,  a  grandson  of  Selah  Woodworth,  one  of  the 
first  settlers  in  this  town,  was  born  on  the  farm  first  purchased  by  his 
grandfather,  and  now  owned  by  P.  N.  Gray,  on  the  24th  of  June,  1S16. 
His  early  years  were  spent  upon  the  farm  and  at  the  district  school.  His 
father.  Luke  Woodworth.  was  a  practical  surveyor,  and  for  many  years 
depute  surveyor  of  the  State,  and  from  him'  he  learned  surveying  and  has 
followed  that  occupation  ever  since.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  as-essor 
and  justice  of  the  peace  each  two  terms.  He  located  at  Woodworth's 
Corners,  where  he  now  resides,  in  i860. 

[iiiiN  fjRKKN  was  born  a  short  distance  south  of  the  historic  old  "nine- 
mile  tree,"  near  the  center  of  the  town.  October  22(1,  1S18.  By  on  iip.'- 
tu.n  he  IS  a  manuf.teturer  He  has  held  the  office  of  sui.ervisor  ..I  ihi- 
town  for  three  terms.  He  located  at  Woodworth's  Corners,  where  he  now 
resides,  in  1.S55. 

(;i..t;r.K  W.  l.EK  was  horn  in  Johnstown  vill.ige  .\pril  12th.  1.S24,  .mil 
loiateil  on  his  farm  at  Wo.idworth's  Corners  in  1857.  Mr  Fee  is  a 
men  h.mt   as   well   .as  a   farmer,  rarrving  on  a    general   grocery  store  but  .1 


He 


:d  hi 


|.iii\   W11S17  was  b.-rn  in    the   town  of   Monroe,  Dr.inge  county.  New 
Vork,  SepleiiiI.er   2.s|.  i.S;,,        He  lo,  ated  in  Mayfield  in  November,  is'",. 

and  IS  liv palion  a  fruit  farmer.     He  enlist.d  in  Comiuny  h,  56lh  .V.  » 

Nork  \'..l  luf.iutrv,  S,  pleliiber  12.  1 S6 1 .  Ihe  regiment  w.i-  known  .is 
Colonel  Van  Wj.k's  lolli  legion.  Mr.  Weinlz  w.is  dis.h.irged  from  ihe 
service  (letnber  I7'h,   li-i'.S. 


^.i^ 


^S 


5^^ 


•i^. 


!>•.. 


\  1(1 


Si?^'-'- 


TENEMENT      HOUSE. 


-"rO.r-GO  R^s    of    HARRISON    HOWLAND,  Town   oF    MayField,  Fulton    Co,  N.    Y. 


■  M  ■ 


5^ 


PROMINENT  CITIZENS  OF  MAYFIELD. 


231 


Bknjamin  B.  Vandesblrgh  was  born  in  Maylicld,  a  short  distance 
•east  of  where  he  now  liies,  on  the  i8th  of  July,  1834.  He  is  a  farmer 
aad  breeder  of  fancy  stock.  He  located  upon  the  farm  he  now  owns,  at 
Munsonville,  in  i860. 

E.  B.  MtNsD.N  was  born  in  Wilmington,  Vermont,  February  4th,  1S15. 
When  young  he  learned  the  bbcksmith  trade,  and  when  in  1840  he  located 
upon  the  farm  he  now  owns  and  works  he  atlded  to  his  farniin;;  a  gene- 
ral blacksmith  and  wagon  and  -leigh  raakingc-.Iablishn>cnt,  all  of  which  he 
his  successfully  carried  on  ever  sim  e.  He  established  a  po-,t  otfit  e  at  the 
hamlet  which  bears  his  name,  and  a  mail  route  from  Fish  House  through 
Munson\ilIe  to  (.llover^vdle,  and  is  now  holding  the  office  of  jtostmaster 
at  his  place.     He  is  also  a  dircf  tor  in  dillerent  banks. 

W11.LIA.M  Jacksdx  was  bom  in  this  town  in  1826,  and  has  resided 
here  nearly  his  whole  h'fe.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  commissioner  of 
highways  and  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  engaged  several  years  in 
the  tanning  business  at  Jackson  Summit,  after  that  in  a  hotel  at  May- 
field,  and  for  the  l.xst  few  years  has  been  a  stage  proprietor,  having  started 
the  pioneer  mail  route  from  Glo\ers\  ille  to  Northvilie.  He  has  interested 
himself  in  fish  prci|iagation  ;  in  1SO5  betook  65.000  trout  to  Lake  Pleasant, 
Round  Lake  and  Poceco  Lake,  and  in  1877,  165,000. 

Reuben  Husteh  was  bom  Xovember  lath,  1831,  in  Saratoga  county. 
New  York.  He  located  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  in  southwest  Mayfield, 
two  miles  west  of  Vail's  Mills,  in  1S6S,  and  has  been  and  is  at  present 
interested  in  raising  fine  long  staple  merino  wool,  having  some  of  the  best 
blooded  sheep  in  the  country. 

Harvey  Peterson  was  bom  in  Broadalbin,  January  J4th,  1825.  In 
•early  life  he  ac'iuired  a  good  common  school  education,  and  from  his 
teens  followed  teaching  as  an  occupation  until  1873,  when  he  located 
■on  his  farm  just  west  of  Mayfield  Center,  which  he  superintends  during 
spring  and  summer,  and  teaches  in  winter. 

Isaac  CIeorce  was  bom  in  .Montpomerv' county,  in  1817,  His  f.^\ther, 
William,  was  born  in  Dutchess  coimty,  N.  V,  in  1761.  Mr.  George  came 
to  this  town  in  1S65,  and  located  at  Vad's  Mills.  His  farm  is  pleasantly 
situated  on  the  north  side  of  the  village,  and  adjoining  his  residence.  He 
has  held  the  office  of  commissioner  of  highway »  for  two  terms.  In  1877  he 
purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  tannery  at  \'ail\  MilLs,  which  is  in  success- 
ful operation. 

John  I'.i  vnciukh  was  bom  in  Johnstown  in  1833.  His  education  was 
limited  to  a  country  school.  He  has  followed  farming  for  years,  and  has 
added  to  it  a  wholesale  butchering  business.  He  located  on  his  j^resent 
farm,  west  of  Mayfield  Center,  in  1S65. 

.\iiK\\i  I.AN-isi.  owns  and  carries  on  the  "Brick  House"  farm,  just 
west  of  V.nl-  MilU.  where  he  located  in  1.S6S.  He  was  born  in  Johnstown 
on  the  oih  of  1 1,  lol.er.  i.>^i7.  His  father,  Isaac  Lansing,  was  bom  in  the 
town  of  L.ms.ngbiiigh.  Rensselaer  .  i.iinly.  in  1770. 

Mrs.  Mvrv  J..SI.IN  |.apil.ili,t  .  (I.nimluer  r,t  \  P.  Howl.ind.  was  born 
in  Kingsbury,  Washington  cniinly.  N.  N  .,  „n  llie  12th  of  March.  1S2X. 
She  has  a  ne.at  resideme  and  small  farm  adjoining  the  village  of  \"ail', 
.Mills.      Her  cnil.lren  are  afforded  the  best  fa.  ililies  lor  education. 

James  P.  K..s  x,  jr.,  has  workcl  lus  w,,y  up  fr.nn  small  be-innings  to  a 
position  of  r.iiik  .iinong  the  first  biisnuss  men  .,1  hi,  town  and  couiuv.      He 


commenced  the  mercantile  business  in  1866  at  Union  Mills,  and  .\ugust 
6th,  186S,  removed  to  Vail's  Mills,  where  he  is  at  present  doing  a  business 
of  over  §18,000  per  year.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Broadalbin,  May 
6th,  1848.  His  father,  Isaac  R.  Rosa,  was  bom  in  Schenectady  September 
8th,  1797.  James  P.  has  held  the  office  of  town  collector,  has  been  a  notary 
public  for  several  years,  and  is  postmaster. 

John  .M.  Bichanan  was  born  in  .Mayfield.  in  1814,  and  is  a  farmer  by 
occupation.  His  father,  John  liuchan.in,  was  born  in  Scotland  about  1779. 
Mr  Buchan.in  h.is  held  several  minor  oftices  in  the  town,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1877  was  elected  a  justice  of  the  peace,  which  office  he  now  holds.  He 
located  at  V.iil's  Mills  about  the  vear  1S72. 

E[>wi\  iiisiiv,  father  of  ten  children,  was  bom  in  Yeovil,  Somersetshire, 
F.ngland.  in  1834.  He  came  to  .\merica  May  28th,  1S65,  and  located  at 
Vail's  Mills  in  1867.  He  is  a  glove  cutter  by  occupation,  and  is  doing  a 
good  business  in  the  glove  trade.  His  father,  Mark  Busby,  was  born  in 
1S07,  in  Oxfordshire,  England. 

Sylvester  Feki;uson  was  born  in  .Mayfield,  in  .May,  1831.  His  earlier 
days  were  spent  upon  a  farm.  .A.  little  later  in  life  he  was  engaged  in  the 
butcher  business  in  Gloversville,  where  he  had  a  large  trade  and  accumu- 
lated some  means.  In  1 867  he  became  proprietor  of  the  line  of  stages  then 
running  between  Gloversville  and  Northvilie,  but  in  1869  sold  his  interest 
in  other  business,  purchased  and  moved  on  to  the  farm  he  now  occupies, 
about  half  a  mile  west  of  the  railroad  depot  at  ShawviUe. 

EnwARD  Christie,  youngest  son  of  Parent  Christie,  who  was  among 
the  early  settlers  of  this  town,  was  born  September  28th,  1836,  about  three 
miles  north  of  Mayfield  village.  He  was  a  farmer  only  until  1873,  "ben 
he  purchased  and  occupied  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives,  south  of  the 
village,  on  what  is  known  as  Butter  street.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  lime 
business  cpiite  extensively,  having  one  of  the  oldest  quarries  in  town  upon 
his  farm.  His  lime  sales  amount  to  several  thousand  dollars  per  year. 
Mr.  C.  has  held  the  offices  of  constable,  collector  ar.d  supervisor,  une 
term  each. 

Henry  G.  Shaffer,  son  of  Jacob  Shaffer,  who  was  bom  in  1742  and 
was  one  of  the  earlv  settlers  of  Schoharie  Co.,  N'.  V.,  I  purchased  and  nc- 
cupied  his  present  farm  at  Closeville,  in  the  southeast  ijart  of  the  town,  in 
the  year  1866.  He  was  born  in  the  tow  n  of  Sharon,  Schoharie  Co  ,  X.  V., 
July  3d,  1S16.  He  is  an  official  member  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
at   Broadalbin. 

Baltis  W.  Dixon  was  born  in  this  town  January  5th,  1S27,  and  w.is  a 
farmer  until  January  ist,  1877,  wlien  he  located  in  the  village  of  Ma>  field 
and  engaged  in  m.inuf.actiiring  and  general  mercantile  business. 

Daniel  FonrK  was  born  in  February,  1829,  tm  the  farm  he  now  owns  and 
carries  on.  silu.itcd  about  two  miles  west  of  >Lu iield  \ill.lge,  just  in  the 
town  of  Johnstown.  This  farm  was  purchased  iinmedi.Uely  after  the  Reso- 
lution by  the  grandfather  of  .Mr.  Foote.  and  has  been  in  possession  nf  the 
family  ever  since. 

Joseph  Riddle,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  was  born  at  Cranberry  Cre.  k  in 
iliis  coiinty,  on  the  27th  of  January,  1S24.  In  1S50  he  purchased  ilie 
farm  he  now  lives  on.  located  about  one  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Cr.in- 
berry  Creek  post  ofh.  e.  .Mr.  Riddle  has  hel.l  the  om.  .■  of  justice  ..f  tile 
peace  for  one  term,  and  lias  been  town  a-scssor  for  two  terms. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


THE  TOWN  OF  NORTHAMPTON. 


Northampton  is  the  northeastern  town  of  Fulton  county,  and  bears  the 
name  of  a  patent  of  six  thousand  acres  of  land  issued,  or  granted,  to  Jacob 
Masc  and  others,  October  17th,  1741.  The  town  is  ofjiung  in  shape,  and 
conSains,  according  to  the  last  report  of  the  town  assessors,  17,332  3-4 
acres.  Its  surface  is  hilly  in  the  northern  part,  while  the  southern 
portion  is  somewhat  rolling.  The  Sacondaga  river  flows  in  a  southeast- 
erly direction  through  the  eastern  half  of  the  town,  and  when  near  the  line 
turns  gently  to  the  east  and  northeast,  forming  in  shape  the  lower  end  of 
an  oxbow,  and  flowing  off  into  Saratoga  county.  The  valley  of  the  Sacon- 
daga is  from  half  a  mile  to  two  and  a  half  miles  wide.  Some  portions  of 
the  valley  are  a  rich  alluvium,  and  other  portions  a  sandy  and  gravely 
loam.  The  "Sacondaga  Vlaie,"  a  marsh  occupying  several  thousand 
acres,  lies  mostly  m  the  southern  part  of  this  town.  The  Vlaie  creek. 
formed  by  the  junction  of  Mayheld  and  Kennyetto  creeks  at  Summer 
House  Point,  runs  through  this  extensive  marsh  m  an  easterly  direction, 
and  emoties  into  Sacondaga  river  above  Fish  House. 

The  hill  portions  of  the  town  are  covered  with  forests,  only  dotted  here 
and  there  by  small  cleanngs,  with  neat  and  convenient  farm  buildings. 
Other  portions  can  be  used  only  for  grazing  purposes.  Some  of  the  highest 
hills  rise  to  the  height  of  twche  to  hfieen  hundred  feet  above  the  lexel  of 
the  sea.  In  the  valleys  may  be  seen  some  of  the  finest-looking  farms  in 
the  county,  yet  the  soil  is  not  of  that  character  that  would  permit  the 
growth  of  the  croi)s  raised  in  other  portions  of  the  county. 

This  town  wai  formerly  a  part  of  Rroadalbin.  and  was  taken  off  Febru- 
ary 1st,  1799.  The  first  town  meeting  was  held  May  24th  of  the  same 
year.  This  town  takes  in  the  whole  of  some,  and  parts  of  other  patents 
and  purchases.  First  is  the  Northampton  patent,  aiter  uhich  the  town  is 
named.  .\  part  of  Bergen's  jiurchase  is  also  included.  His  warrant  bears 
date  October  7th,  17S5;  the  tract  begins  at  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
Northampton  patent.  .\  portion  of  Norman  .McLeod's  grant  of  3,000 
acres,  dated  September  29th,  1770,  is  in  this  town;  also  31  lots  of  Jere- 
miah Van  RensseLter's.  The  Baptist  church  at  Northville  is  supposed  to 
stand  upon  I.ot  No.  4  of  this  patent.  The  Sacond.iga  patent  also  covers  a 
portion  of  the  southwest  part  of  this  town. 

F,.\RI.V  SETTI.KRS. 

Godfrey  Shew  was  the  first  permanent  settler  in  this  town,  tho-.igii  .ac- 
cording to  tradition  and  history  S;r  William  Johnson  was  the  first  white 
man  who  built  a  house  in  the  town,  which  he  did  in  1762. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  .Mr.  Shew  who  came  from  Johnstown  and 
settled  here  on  Sir  William  Johnson's  lands  at  the  latter's  solicitation  , 
others  began  prospecting  for  future  residences,  and  finally  located  at  Fish 
House,  .\niong  those  early  settlers  were  John  F^iklcr,  I.,  and  N.  Servis. 
Robert  Martin,  Zebulon  .\lj:er,  .Messrs.  Kelt  hum  and  Chadwick,  .^sahcl 
I'arkes.  John  Trumbuil,  J..hn  Rosevelt,  John  lay.  .Mev.tnaer  St.  John 
and  others,  who  distinguished  themselves  during  the  fir^t  struggles  fur  the 
liberties  of  our  country. 

Shortly  after  the  Revolution,  the  earlv  selllers  were  joined  by  others 
in  i)ursuit  of  lands  and  home-,  some  of  whom  went  up  the  Sacond.igi 
and  lor-i!cd  at  what  is  now  Norlluille,  on  the  left  b.iiik  of  the  river 
Zadoc  Sherwood  and  Samuel  Olm^leil  «ere  ihe  first  li.  g.i  up  the  ruer. 
They  built  their  liiits  in  17.SS,  just  below  wh.it  is  now  ihc  Northville 
bridge,  at  what  i,  known  .ts  the  old  ford,  on  lands  now  o«ncd  by  C.iptain 
.\aron  C.  Sloi  iim.  NeM  came  Daniel  l.obdell  and  a  Mr.  liryant,  and 
soon  after  Thomas  Foster,  Daniel  and  Timothy  Resseipiic,  Caleb  l.obdell. 


John  Van  Zant,  .Abram  Van  .\rnam,  Nathan  Hull,  John  McNeil,  Cahiri 
Young,  .\dam  Olmsted,  Cornelius  Richardson,  F.lihu  Coleman,  Sylvanus 
Sweet,  Robert  Palmer.  John  Randall,  Elihu  Sprague,  (Ireen  Wells,  Cor- 
nelius Haring,  Felix  Porter,  John  IJennison  and  others,  mostly  from  New 
England.  The  two  pioneers,  Sherwood  and  Olmsted,  went  up  the  ri\er 
in  a  canoe  ;  the  others  probably  went  by  land.  The  early  settlers  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  town,  not  in  the  vicinity  of  Northville,  were  Daniel 
Ressequie,  Isaac  Penny,  John  Dennison,  Justus  Olmsted,  Garret  Van  Ness. 
.\aron  Olmsted,  Felix  Porter,  Eli  Stone,  Jere  Oimsted,  Zadock  liih-., 
Jeremiah  Bass,  Paul  Hammond,  .\aron  Case,  .Matthew  Edmunds,  Joseph 
Slocum,  Caleb  Meeker.  Joseph  Servis,  Timothy  Giff^ord  and  others. 

In  the  central  par  tof  the  town,  at  or  near  Denton's  Corners,  or  Osborn's 
Bridge,  the  early  settlers  were,  John  Esseltyne,  John  Shoecraft,  Elisha 
Coleman,  Joseph  Brown,  Elisha  Foote,  Nathaniel  Meade,  Henry  King, 
.Abel  Scribner  and  a  few  others. 


FIRST   EVENTS. 

The  first  school-house  was  in  what  is  now  District  No.  i,  at  Fish  House, 
and  nearly  or  quite  on  the  site  of  the  present  one. 

Thomas  Foster  built  the  first  grist-mill  in  the  town,  on  Hunter's  creek,  in 
what  IS  now  the  village  of  Northulle.  .Mr.  Fuller  has  a  mill  now  upon 
the  same  site. 

The  first  clothier's  store  was  also  on  Hunter's  creek,  within  thecor])orate' 
limits  of  Northville,  It  was  built  by  a  .Mr.  Potter,  and  long  ago  went  to 
decay. 

The  first  marriage  in  the  tow  n  was  that  of  .Alexander  St.  John  and  Martha 
Scribner,  in  179S.  The  first  child  born  in  the  town  v.'as  Godfrey  Slie\i . 
The  first  death  was  that  of  (lideon  Olmsted. 

The  brick  store  opposite  the  Osborn  House,  at  Fish  House,  and  built 
by  Hon.  John  Fay,  is  probably  the  oldest  brick  building  in  the  town,  a^ 
it  was  built  in  1S09.  The  brick  house  owned  by  Mr.  Spiers,  in  Nortii- 
ville,  was  built  in  1S20:  and  the  ".Marvin  House,"  at  Fish  House,  in  1^24. 

The  first  frame  house,  after  Sir  William's,  was  built  by  John  Nj-Ii, 
near  the  outlet  of  Vlaie  creek,  in  the  vicinity  of  Fish  House;  also  a  black- 
smith shop. 

Tradition  says  that  the  first  log  house  in  the  town  was  built  near  the 
south  end  of  Fish  House  bridge,  on  the  north  side  of  the  road,  and  in 
after  years  owned  by  a  Mr.  McNutt, 

FROM  THE   RECORDS. 


are  partial 
nam  aci  es 

md  Cahin 
I  795.   '-■■il^ 


-  lost,  but  a  few 


re   recorded 
,  .Alexander  : 


The  records  of  the  to 
may  be  gleaned  from  the 

In  1797,  Elijah  Sheldi 
sioners  of  highways;  and 
Peter  Hubbeil. 

In  1795,  the  first  road  was  laid  out,  from  the  bridge  at  S  1 
the  best  ground,  to  the  Hog's  Back,  at  Hunter's  creek.  Wi 
two  years  roads  were  laid  out  through  other  parts  of  the  town 

In  1.S05  it  wa-.  voted  that  John  Porter  be  excused  from  p.u 
killing  deer  out  of  season,  and  that  hogs  be  free  commoners.  | 
were  sufhcicnlly  yoked.  The  next  year,  a  suflicient  yokew. 
one  "  in  length,  the  width  of  ihe  ne.  k  above  the  nei  k,  and  h 
of  the  neck  below  the  neck." 


Corey 
hin  the 


s  ilefine 
ilf  the  « 


BRIDGES  IN  NORTHAMPTON— OFFICIALS— NORTHVILLE 


233 


The  town  treasury  must  have  been  in  a  singular  condition  in  1808, 
when  it  was  "  voted  that  the  money  now  on  hand  be  put  at  good 
•double  security." 

In  1814^80  was  raised  for  the  poor. 

In  1813  the  first  school  districts  were  laid  out,  eleven  in  all;  now 
there  are  fourteen. 

In  1817  it  was  voted  that  the  "supervisors  and  others  should  liuild 
-suitable  buildings  for  the  poor,  "  for  whom  S300  was  reported  raised. 

In  1818  it  was  voted  to  allow  John  Fay  §6  for  transporting  guns  and 
ammunition  from  this  tu»n  to  .Mbany. 

In  1821  it  was  "resolved,  by  a  great  m,'ijority,  that  the  town  meeting 
be  held  at  J.  Van  Arnam's,  near  the  meeting-house." 

In  1826  the  supervisor  was  instructed  to  vote  agarnst  the  |>oorhousc 
system. 

BRIDCIES. 

The  Fish  House  bridge  was  built  in  181S,  by  Daniel  Stewart.  The 
then  wide  awake  spirit  of  the  little  hamlet  known  as  F^ish  House,  and  the 
rich  farming  countr)'  Iving  beyond,  together  with  the  prospect  of  Fish 
House  being  one  day  the  great  center  of  trade  for  this  northern  region,  in- 
cited the  dwellers  therein  to  Use  every  effort  in  their  power  to  lize  their 
hopes.  The  inhabitants  petitioned  the  legislature  for  and  received  an  ap- 
proiiriation  of  $5,000  for  the  building  of  the  bridge.  To  this  the  citizens 
added  by  subscription  1^:500.  The  bridge  is  now  in  the  best  possible  con- 
dition, well  covered  and  protected  from  decay.  Before  it  was  built,  the 
Sacondaga  was  crossed  by  canoe  and  bv  fording.  During  the  spring  and 
fall  freshets  the  people  were  \ery  much  inconvenienced,  as  they  could  not 
cross  with  teams,  and  many  times  it  was  unsafe  for  canoes.  The  old  ford 
was  from  a  few  rods  below  where  the  south  end  of  the  bridge  now  is,  to  a 
short  distance  abo\  e  the  north  end.  The  \'laie  creek  was  crossed  in  the 
same  way,  at  or  ne.ir  its  mouth,  a  short  distance  .ibove  Fisli  House. 

N'orthville  Bridge,  which  sp.ins  the  .S.icond,iga  at  NorthMlle,  was  built  in 
i860,  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,500,  and  is  as  good  as  new. 

OFFICI.VI.S   FROM   N()R'IH.\.\I  P  ION. 

This  town  has  furnished  its  full  ipiota  of  national  and  Stale  legislators, 
including  John  Fay,  M.  C,  elei  ted  in  iS.-o  and  .\le.\.  St.  John,  C.  S.  Grin- 
nell,  Joseph  Spier,  Darius  Moore,  William  .A.  Smith,  —  Hayner,  L.  I.  Mar- 
vin, John  I'attcrson,  Joseph   Cov  ill, (deason,  William  Cojipernoll  and 

William  F.  Barker,  members  of  the  State  Legislature.  This  town  has  also 
furnished  county  officers  as  follows  :  .\masa  Shippee,  elected  sheriff  in  1840  ; 
superintendent  of  the  poor,  Sanford  ;  superintendents  of  schools,  Ja- 
son Bacon,  F'iooil  B.  Sprague  and  Ira  H.  Win  Ness. 

R.-\ll.RO.\D   INVF.STMF.NTS. 

In  1S75  the  Ciloversville  and  Nnrth\ille  Railroad  was  completed  to  its 
present  terminus  opposite  Northville  at  the  town  bridge.  The  town  issued 
its  bonds  in  1S72  to  the  amount  of  §;o.ooo  to  aid  in  the  construction  of 
the  road,  and  about  §80.000  w  as  invested  in  the  line  as  individual  subscrip- 
tions by  citizens  of  the  town. 

TOWN  OFFK.KRS 

The  following  is  a  correct  list  of  supervisors  and  town  clerks  from  the 
first  town  meeting,  held  M.iy  rj'.h,  1799: 


1799-1803,  .Mexander  St.  John:  1804-5,  .'"hn  Nash;  1S06,  .Minim  Van 
.\rnam;  1807-13,  John  lay;  i.M  ,t-.-2.  Jos^.ph  .Spier;  i.S.M-,r,,  N.itli..inel 
Wescott;  1837-41,  John  I'.ittcr-on;  i84.--j,  N.iihan  B.  I.oImIcII;  1844-5, 
Abram  H.  Van  Arnam;  184O-7,  William  Slocuui;  1848-9,  Cyrus  Sto! 
1850-1.  Fay  Smith;  1852,  Willi.im  A.  Smith;  1S53-4,  William  Sloi  11 
1855-6,  Morgan  Lewis;  1S57-S,  Seth  took;  1859-60,  William  F.  Hark 
1861-2,  II.    U.   Smith;    1863-4,   (lilbert    I.e    Fever;    1865-6,  H.    1).  Sini 


1867-8,  A.  Newcomb  Van  Arnam;  1869-72,  Thomas  H.  Rooney;  1873-5, 
A.  Newcomb  Van  Arnam ;  1876,  George  M.  Gifford ;  1877,  Robert 
Humphrey. 

TOWN    CLERKS. 

1800-3,  John  Dennison;  1804-5,  -\bram  Van  .\rnam;  1S06,  J.  A.  Van 
.\mam;  1S07,  Daniel  Hrownell;  1808-9,  Jacob  \'an  Arnam;  1810-12,  J. 
Lobdell;  1813,  William  Hammond;  1814-15,  Godfrey  T.  Shew;  1S16-20, 
Nathaniel  Lobdell;  1821,  .Xbram  Van  .Arnam,  jr.;  1822-8,  Joseph  F. 
Spier;  1829-30,  C.  S.  Grinned;  1831-3.  Flavel  B.  Sprague;  1834-5,  John 
I'atterson;  1S36-7.  Wright  Newt,.n;  i.^;,S.  W  ilh-im  H.  \'an  Ness;  1839-40, 
Seth  Cook;  1S41,  D.  R.  Smith;  1842-3,  M.  W.  Newton;  1844,  Peter  I). 
Gifford;  1845-6,  Harvey  1).  Smith;  1847-8,  lienj.imin  Smith;  1849,  Wil- 
liam H.  Van  Ness;  1850-1,  Seth  Cook;  1852,  John  W.  Cook;  1853-4, 
Morgan  Lewis;  1855,  Joseph  M.  GitTord;  1856-7,  H.  D.  Smith;  1858-9, 
A.  J.Smith;  i860,  S.  B.  Benton;  1861,  Charles  A.  Baker;  1S62-3,  John 
W.  Cook;  1864,  J.  H.  Smith;  1865,  A.  Pulling;  1866,  B.  N.  Lobdell; 
1867-8,  A.  Pulling;  1869-70,  P.  Conkling;  1871,  R.  S.  Gifford;  1872, 
Amos  H-  Van  .Arnam;  1873,  Theodore  Scribner;  1874,  C.  E.  Manning; 
1875,  Jonathan  Baker;  1876,  George  N.  Brown;  1877,  George  \'an 
Arnam. 


VILLAGES   IN    THE  Tt;)WN. 

N'oR'iHvn.i.t,  the  largest,  located  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town,  on 
the  left  bank  of  the  Sacondaga  river,  on  the  bosom  of  the  broad  valley 
stretching  out  between  the  river  and  the  Edinburgh  hills,  is  surrounded  by 
most  beautiful  scenery.  In  1807  there  were  only  si.x  families  at  what  is 
now  Northville,  The  main  street,  which  is  straight,  runs  nearly  north  and 
south,  is  about  one  mile  m  length,  and  was  laid  out  by  the  commissioners  of 
highways  in  1797.  Previous  to  this,  the  main  road  was  on  the  hill  east  of 
the  village,  and  ran  nearl)'  parallel  with  what  is  now  Main  street.  It  was 
laid  out  in  1794.  On  the  7th  of  .August  in  that  year,  a  road  was  laid  out, 
beginning  at  the  t>Id  fording  place  at  ihe  river,  and  running  easterly,  cross- 
ing Main  street  where  the  Methodist  church  now  stands.  About  this  time 
the  land  which  is  the  site  of  the  village  was  owned  by  the  proprietors  of 
Bergen's  purchase.  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  and  others,  and  a  iew  years 
later  by  Samuel  Olmsted,  Joseph  Spier.  .Abram  Van  Arnam.  and  Joseph 
Slocum.  The  first  house  a  log  one  at  this  place  was  built  by  Samuel 
Olmsted,  on  the  flats  now  owned  by  .Aaron  C.  Slocum.  In  1S07  there  were 
two  log  houses  in  the  village,  one  at  the  lower  end  of  the  street,  and  Ihe 
other  in  the  rear  of  the  present  site  of  W.  F.  Barker's  store.  The  first 
grist-mill  at  this  place  was  built  in  1790  by  Thomas  F'oster.  who  also  built 
the  first  saw-mill.  The  same  site  is  now  occupied  by  Jacob  Phillips's 
measure  factory.  In  iSoo  .Abram  Van  .Arnam  h.ad  a  small  tannery  on  the 
property  now  owned  by  his  great-grandchildren  on  Main  street.  About 
this  time,  wheat  was  (|iiite  e.Mensiiely  raised,  as  well  as  other  cereals.  I  Ir- 
chards  were  planted,  and  various  improvements  began  to  make  the  place 
look  like  a  village. 

The  first  school  at  Northville  was  kept  in  iSoo.  The  first  tavern  at  this 
place  was  opened  by  Abram  Van  .Arnam  in  the  same  year.  He  also  opened 
a  store  at  the  same  time  and  place.  Joseph  Spier  soon  followed  with  an- 
other store,  a  little  further  ilown  .Main  street.  The  first  clothier's  establish- 
ment was  started  about  1800,  by  .\.  Van  .Arnam.  who  was  succeeded  by  a 
Mr.  Brewster,  and  he  in  turn  by  Joseph  Slocum  in  1815.  The  buildings 
have  gone  to  de..ay,  .and  the  sileiso«ned  by  W,  L.  Wright,  ul  Hudson, 
N.  V. 

The  first  1.1a.  ksmith  at  tins  point  was  Caleb  .Meeker,  who  opened  a  sli.i|i 
at  the  upper  en. I  ol  the  \  illage,  near  the  present  site  of  G.  C.  \'an  Dvke's 
shop    ■ 

Dr.  Mitchell  loi:ated  about  this  time  at  the  lower  end  01  .M.iin  street,  and 
for  several  years  was  the  imly  resident   p'hysKian. 

The  post  ofli.e  was  esiablishe.I  at  this  pl.u  e  in  1824,  with  J.iseph  F. 
Spier  as  postmaster.  The  first  mail  route  was  from  Fish  House  to  North- 
ville, a  distance  of  about  >i.\  milcs.  This  continued  for  a  year  or  so,  when 
the  route  was  ch.ingetl  and  mail  matter  mostly  came  from  Johnstown  ria 
Ma\lielil;  th.nigh  .luring  1825,  in  .  .msc.pien.  e  of  a  1  hange  of  route,  the 
mails  were  very  irregular,  and  were  brought   througli   by  cliiferent  persons. 


234 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


Aboat  1840  a  rejriilar  route  was  established  from  Amsterdam,  viit  Kroad- 
albifi  and  Fi^h  Huusc,  to  this  place  ;  also  one  t'rom  Johnstuun  iia  Kinu's- 
boro  and  MayficM,  j;ivin^  a  daily  mail.  Now,  the  ("iloversviUe  and  North- 
viHe  railroad  delivers  the  mails  to  the  Northville  office  tweUe  times  |)er 
wcet.  and  the  office  is  domi;  a  large  and  |,rolit.ible  business.  William  K. 
Barter  is  the  present  p.>stmasler. 

I'p  to  1S30  the  xillayc  grew  very  slowly.  ISctwecn  lh.it  d.nte  and  1S7; 
its  groirth  was  <)uite  rapid,  and  in  the  latter  year  u  was  incorporated  under 
thelatvsof  the  State.  S  B.  Benton  was  the  lirst  prcM.lent  of  the  mII.i^c, 
which  was  |>ro\ided  with  a  full  .set  of  officers  and  a  lock-up.  In  1875  it 
became  the  terminus  of  the  ti.  &  N.  R.  R.  It  is  also  the  tlnjiicial  1  cnire 
for  an  imiDense  log  trade  carried  on  in  Hamilton  count),  all  the  logs  ha\  • 
ing  to  pass  down  the  S.icondag.i  to  the  mills  on  the  Hudson,  at  (den's 
FaDs  and  Fort  Kdward. 

The  village  at  present  contains  about  one  thoiis.ind  inhabitants.  It  has 
one  union  free  school,  graded,  with  aw  average  attendance  of  about  two 
hundred  scholars  ;  three  churches,  four  hotels,  si.x  dry  goods,  six  grocery, 
one  hardware,  one  drug,  and  two  wholesale  flour  and  feed  stores;  two  mar- 
kets, four  harness  shops,  five  blacksmith  shops,  two  cabinet  shops,  two 
dentists,  three  merchant  tailors,  two  boot  and  shoe  shops,  one  barber  shop, 
one  je»elry  store,  one  measure  factory,  one  foundry,  three  li\'ery  stables, 
two  saw-mills  and  one  grist-mill. 

Samuel  Heron  oj^ened  a  job  printing  office  in  this  village,  which  he  con- 
ducted from  1S58  to  1S67. 

The  presidents  of  the  viUage  have  been  as  follows:  1873,  S.  B.  Benton; 
1874,  John  Ressequie;  1875,  Thomas  H.  Rooney;  1876,  Aaron  C.  Slocum; 
1877,  Giles  C.  Van  Dyke. 

The  Xonhville  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  1S02,  with  sixteen 
members.  The  church  edifice,  in  which  both  the  Baptists  and  Methodists 
at  first  morshiped,  stood  a  few  rods  in  the  rear  of  the  present  Baptist 
house  of  worship,  and  was  built  as  a  union  church.  The  Methodists, 
after  a  few  years,  withdrew  from  joint  occaiiancy,  and  held  their  meetings 
in  the  school-house  where  they  had  formerly  worshiped,  leaving  the 
Baptists  in  full  pos.session  of  the  building,  and  afterwards  used  it  only  on 
quarterly  meeting  occasions.  During  all  this  time  the  building  was  un- 
finished. For  quite  a  number  of  years  the  upper  windows  were  covered 
with  boards.  During  the  early  years  of  the  old  church,  the  swallows  were 
co-worshi|>ers  with  both  congregations  during  the  summer  season,  .\aron 
Sinuuons  was  the  first  ordained  [ireacher,  commencing  his  labors  with  the 
organi/alion  of  the  Baptist  society,  and  remained  up  to  1S36.  In  181 1  a 
licentiate,  by  the  name  of  Bartlett  I  )akc,  officiated  as  preacher,  while  Elder 
Sinunons  acted  in  the  capacity  of  pastor.  In  1837-S,  Rev.  Timothy  Day 
was  the  officiating  clergyman.  He  was  followed  by  F.lder  Simmons,  who 
again  preached  until  i.'s44.  .\  licentiate  by  the  name  of  Negus  succeeded 
him.  In  June,  1.S46,  came  Rev.  B.  K..  Barber,  who  remained  until  sonic 
time  in  1.S49,  when  Rev.  O.  F.  .\.  Spinning  assumed  the  jjastorate,  which 
he  held  until  185a.  In  that  ye.ar  Rev.  N.  ().  Coombs  was  installed,  and 
staid  abtiu!  one  ye.ar.  In  1S53  Rev.  deorge  Fisher  became  pastor, 
and  remained  until  1S57.  Rev.  C.  Hivcn  closed  a  pastorate  of  eighteen 
months  in  1859,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Charles  D.  Lewis,  who 
finished  his  libors  at  this  place  in  i.S6i.  Rev.  F.  W.  Brownell  was  then 
pastor  until  early  in  the  autumn  of  1S67.  Rev.  Joshua  Day,  a  licentiate, 
was  ordained  soon  after  and  installed  as  pastor  of  this  church  ;  he  re- 
mained such  until  December,  1.S72.  Rev.  C.  F.  Hull  came  in  1873,  and 
closed  his  labors  in  1.S75.  Re\.  J.  (i.  Shrive  had  charge  from  some  time 
in  1875  10  i.'<77,  when  Rev.  .\1,  W  Dillingliam  be.  anu-  p.istor.  The  Sun- 
dav-school  connc.ted  «ith  the  .  h;ir.  h  li.is  .,ne  liundrcd  ^  linl.irs,  enrolled 
in  nine  classes,  and  an  average  .ittcn.l.m.  e  of  abmii  iilt\.fi\c.  Tlu-  lil.rar\ 
contains  one  hundred  and  fifty  vnhimes.  The  1  hun  h  was  rebmli  in 
1867-8.  at  a  lost  of  about  eight  lhoiis.ind  dollars,  and  redcdicatcd.  In 
size  it  is  aixjut  36  by  71  feet,  and  has  all  the  modern  improvements.  The 
society  was  incorporated  in  Septeniber,  1S77,  uniler  the  n.imc  of  "The 
)Ja|itis't  Chur.  h  of  Northville." 

The  Methodist  Fpis,  ,,p.il  ,  hun  h  of  N.,rth»  ilie  w.is  „rg,ini/ed  fir,t  .is  .i 
clas.s.  about  the  year  t.'^JO,  wilh  s.uiu-  tv.cntv  nicnilicr^.  rlicir  lirst  meet- 
ings were  hehl  in  the  ..Id  -.  hn,,|.hou,c,  ,it  prn  .He  rcM.lenccs,  or  in  l.irns. 
asc.casion  and  the  niin!l<cr-  present  might  require.  .\iur  a  \Miile  they 
held  their  senices  in  the  ~amc  building  .is  llie  IVipli^ts.  but  .liter  a  few 
years  the  Mctho.li.ts  «enl  b.u  k  I.,  tlie  s.  hM„l-h..ii~e,  uIktc  they  i  ..minued 
to  hold  meetings  until  i.Sj.v  .\  grcal  rcMi.ii..!  rch.Mou  oc ,  urrcl  .ill  <ner 
this  region  of  I  oiintry  m    i8.'i,  through  the  pouerlul  pre.ichiiig  oi  Metho- 


dist Itinerants,  which  resulted  in  strengthening  most  churches,  and  espec- 
ially the  Methodist  church  at  .Vorth\ille,  so  that  in  1822  the  society  was 
strong  enough  to  build  a  church  edifice  for  itself  The  dedication  services 
were  held  on  the  14th  of  December.  This  was  now  one  of  the  best  charges 
on  the  old  Northampton  1  in  uit.  nliich  mnipied  the  time  of  four 
preachers,  who  followeil  each  other  m  their  two  or  three  hundred  mile 
tours.  Such  men  as  the  Revs.  .Messrs.  Bradley  Selek,  John  Clark,  S. 
Howe,  and  Sherman  Miner  were  the  jiioneers  of  Methodism  in  the 
northern  wilds  of  Montgomery  county,  now  Fulton  and  Hamilton.  Wend 
ing  their  way  through  dense  forests,  over  hills  and  valleys,  fording  streams 
and  following  trails,  with  none  but  their  trusty  horses  as  companions,  and 
their  saddle-bags  serving  as  their  hotels,  they  carried  the  bread  of  life  to 
the  scattered  settlers  in  their  lonely  huts,  until  the  woodman's  axe  had 
cleared  the  way,  and  the  lowing  of  the  cow  and  the  o\  had  superseikd 
the  howl  of  the  panther  and  the  wolf.  In  1.S49  the  society  rebuilt  and 
enlarged  their  church  edifice,  while  Revs.  Puuteroy  and  Richards  were 
]ireachers  in  charge,  and  Ephraim  Goss  was  presiding  elder  ;  and  contin- 
ued to  hold  service  in  it  until  1S71.  Then,  grown  strong  and  powerful, 
they  removed  the  old  wooden  structure,  and  built  in  its  stead  one  of  the 
finest  brick  churches  in  northern  New  York,  under  the  supervision  of  Rev. 
Cabot  M.  Clark,  who  was  then  their  pastor,  at  a  cost  of  $22,000.  The 
dedicatory  services  were  held  December  31,  1872,  by  Bishop  J.  T.  Peck. 
assisted  by  Dr.  B.  I.  Ives.  Rev.  Messrs.  Patterson,  Pegg,  Perkins,  Withc- 
rell,  Clark,  Stark,  Spiers  and  others  have  been  pastors  of  this  society.  Rev. 
(leorge  C.  Thomas  is  the  present  minister.  The  Sunday-school  connected 
with  this  church  is  the  most  prosperous  in  the  place.  It  was  organized 
early  in  the  history  of  the  church,  .and  among  the  first  superintendents 
were  Joseiih  Foot,  J.  \V.  Slocum,  and  Joseph  F.  Spier.  The  present  super- 
intendent is  William  F.  Barker,  who  has  held  the  position  for  the  last  ten 
or  fifteen  years.  There  are  about  one  hundred  .ind  twenty-five  scholars  cui 
the  rolls,  and  an  average  attendance  of  about  se\enty-fi\e.  There  are  one 
hundred  and  fifty  volumes  in  the  library. 

The  iVcsbyterian  church  oi  North\illc  was  organized  in  1S49,  uilh  14 
members,  namely:  Darius  Moore  and  wife,  S.imuel  Duncan  and  wife.  Dr. 
.\vers  .and  wife,  Bar/ilia  tiilbert  .and  daughter,  (leorge  Colbert,  Mrs.  Buck- 
alow,  Sarah  Duncan,  Helen  Duncan,  Susan  Duncan  and  .-Mexandcr  H. 
.\vres.  The  meeting  for  the  organization  of  the  society  was  held  in  the 
B.iptist  church.  The  late  Rev.  Dr.  Jeremiah  Wood,  who  was  then  pastor 
of  the  Presbvterian  church  at  Mayfield,  and  Rev.  David  I, yon  were  firesent; 
and  the  latter  was  inst.illed  as  pastor  of  the  new  church.  Dr.  Wood  preach- 
ing  the  sermon.  In  the  same  \e:ir  the  society  built  its  present  church 
edirt<  c,  whiih  IS  of  HMod.  40  by  50  feet,  very  neatly  finished  insiile  and 
out,  and  will  seat  about  300.  The  Sunday-School  connected  with  this 
church  was  organized  in  1849,  with  about  30  scholars  and  Darius  Moore 
as  superintendent.  The  a\er.ige  attendance  at  present  is  about  30.  The 
librarv  cont.lin  150  volumes. 

Eureka  I.od.ge.  No.  ,-,05,  I.  (I  of  C.  1'.  was  org.inized  .it  N.irtluillc 
Februarv  Sth,  1854,  with  the  following  othi  cis;  W  .  C.  l'.,  .Morgan  I.cvms; 
W,  V.  r.,  Norman  Satterlee;  W  >,.  .V  K.  ViM.ani;  W  1  .,  1.  Van  Dyke: 
W.  F.  S.,  .\.  Partridge;  W.  (>.(;,.  .\.  \.  C.irpenter.  The  u.ime  of  the  organ - 
iziti.m  was  (h.inged  to  Northville  Lodge.  It  .  losed  its  labors  Julv  .-.i. 
iS;;.     Morgan  Lewis  was  Deiuity  C,  M.  .it  the  lime  of  its  org.inization. 

Northville  Diiision.  No.  (i22,  .Sons  of  Tempcr.mce  was  organized  111  1.S50. 
and  closed  in  .\pril,  1.S54.  In  disposing  of  the  property  of  the  division, 
Morgan  Lewis  purchased  and  now  owns  the  Bible  used  bv  ihe  orgini- 
zation.  «hi,  h  was  presented  by  the  l.ulies  of  N..rthville, 

NorthMllc  Lodge  I  <  I  of  (I  K  u.is  ,,rg.iu.zcd  in  i.S;.-,  «iih  \l,,rg,iii 
Lewis  as  N.  (i        I'hc  lodge  suspended  Us  l.ib.us  m   1.^51, 


I  Ik 


-  C' 


.ill 


if  ll.e 


llii 


r«, 


.nil    hi 


LU   N..itlnillc 


settlers  .It  this  pl.i,  c,  .ind  bdh 
t.mn  N.ilur.illy  a  rn.dry  spn 
Hon  .'f  their  lespecliic  l.imily 
vill.me  is   ne.irlv  or  omu-   h.ilf 


niineiit  in  the  .ilf  iirs  of  this  p.irt  of  liie 
up  between  the  Iwo,  for  the  perpetiia- 
les.  hence  the  lilies  ,.1  the  pl.ice.  Ihe 
iilc  fr.ini  the  bridge  .tossing  the  S:i,  ..11- 


di.M  at  lliis  poinl,  ,ind  I  icntnn  loin-  .11  the  higiin.iy  .  ro-s,iigs  s,-,  urcd  ll 
nunc  of  "  Dcnlnn's  C..rncrs"  i,,r  the  pr.scnt  siu  of  llic  Mllm,  wliilc  1  ' 
born  perpclu.ilid  his  nunc  lo  h.i%nm  ihc  bridge  named  .iflcr  liim  «  In 
a  pi.st  olli,  e  vv.is  esl.il.lislu-d  ,u  ihis  pl.i,  c  11  « .is  ilignified  bv  the  n.iiiic  ■ 
■•(Isborus  L.ndgc,"  "hi.  h  n.iine  the  oHi.  c  still  bc.irs,  «liilc  llic  m 
l.ige  IS  widely  known  .is  "  Dentmrs  C, rials"      It  .ont.iins  one  ,  hiir.  li.  t.v 


FISH  HOUSE  AND  ITS  HISTORY. 


235 


Stores,  one  shoe  shop,  two  cooper  shops,  two  blacksmith  shops,  one  cab- 
inet shop,  one  school-house  and  about  fifty  dwellings.  Messrs.  Denton 
and  Coleman  were  the  owners  of  the  first  frame  houses  in  or  near  the 
village. 

The  Methodist  E|)i-.>  opal  i  hun  h  of  Denton's  C'orncr^  was  first  organ- 
ized as  a  class  or  society,  prohaidy  fifty  \ears  ago,  and  has  increased  in 
numbers  and  wealth  until  a  neat  church  edifice,  built  of  wood,  about  35  by 
45  feet,  is  one  result  of  the  eilorts  put  forth  at  that  place.  The  Sunday- 
school  connected  with  this  chun  h  has  an  average  attendance  of  about 
thirty-five,  and  one  hundred  volumes  in  the  library.  C.  S.  Tanner  is  the 
superintendent. 

Cranmkrrv  Crkkk,  a  small  \  dla^e,  with  post  office,  located  on  the  (i.and 
N.  R.  R.,  on  the  west  line  of  the  town,  contains  one  cluirch.  a  store,  a 
post  office,  a  school-house,  a  railroad  depot,  and  about  twenty-fi\e 
dwellings. 

The  "Christian  "  church  at  tranberr>  t'reek  was  organized  in  1822. 
The  first  meetings  ivcrc  held,  in  1S20,  in  a  hall  attached  to  the  hotel 
then  kept  at  the  place,  jai  ob  C.ipron  was  the  first  preacher,  and  through 
his  labors  an  organization  «as  effected,  with  Thomas  R.  Tanner  and 
Samuel  Spaulding  as  deacons,  ,ind  the  former  as  clerk  of  the  society.  For 
about  twenty-three  year^  the  society  held  its  meetings  at  different  places. 
In  1845  money  was  subscribed  to  build  the  present  church  edifice,  which 
is  of  wood,  about  26  b\  40  feet,  neatly  finished  inside  and  out,  and  was 
dedicated  in  that  \ear.  The  i  ost  of  the  church  property  was  about  $1,000. 
Up  to  1S40,  eighty-three  persons  h.id  enrolled  their  names  as  members  of 
this  organization  I'lie  ministers  who  ha\e  ser\ed  this  church  ha\e  been 
Rev.  Messrs.  Capron.  King,  .\ndrews,  Haight,  Haywood,  Cofiin,  F.vans, 
Bowdish,  I'eal,  Warner,  and  I'rait;  the  last  named  is  the  present  pastor. 
.\  Sunday-school  was  organized  m  1S40,  with  an  average  attendance  of 
twenty-fi%c  scholars,  and  Ke\.  .Mr.  Haywood  as  superintendent.  It  was 
kept  up  until  1876,  when  it  closed;  Williani  .\rmstrong  was  then  superin- 
tendent; the  average  attendani  e  »as  about  thirty  scholars,  and  there  were 
one  hundred  volumes  in  the  library. 

Fish  HuL'sk  is  the  oldest  Milage  in  the  town;  a  house,  from  which  the 
place  was  named,  having  been  built  here  in  1762  by  Sir  William  lohnson, 
and  a  settlement  made  s.K»n  after  b\  the  pioneers  heretofore  mentioned  in 
the  history  of  this  town.  It  is  located  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  town, 
and  so  near  the  line  that  a  portion  of  the  village  reac  hes  over  into  the 
adjoining  town.  It  is  at  that  point  of  the  .Sacondaga  ri\er  where  it  makes 
a  gradual  turn  from  a  southeast  to  a  northwest  direction,  the  village  lying 
on  the  outside  of  the  1  urve,  and  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river.  The  post 
office  at  this  place  is  unwisely  named  after  the  town.  The  village  con- 
tains three  churches,  two  hotels,  two  harness  shops,  one  blacksmith  shop, 
one  carriage  shoji,  one  dry  goods  and  groi  ery.  and  one  clothingand  grocerv 
store;  one  shoe  shop,  two  phy>ii  lans.  and  about  250  inhabitants. 

The  Methodist  Kpi-.  ..p.il  .  hiir,  h  at  Fish  Mouse  was  organized  in  i.S^y, 
under  the  [lastorate  of  Rc\  .Mr  i^iiiinlan,  with  about  fifteen  members.  Dur- 
ing that  year  and  the  ne\l,  tlie  so,  letv  built  a  wooden  ihiirih,  about  55  bv 
50  feet,  with  all  the  impr.u  eincnt-  of  the  day,  on  a  lot  deeded  to  it  bv 
William  Slocum  and  wife.  I  lie  building  cost  about  $2,000,  and  sheds 
have  been  |nit  up  also,  m.iking  llic  present  \alue  of  the  1  hun  h  properlv 
§2,500.  In  the  autumn  of  i.Soo.  the  chun  h  was  dedicated  by  Rev,  S.imuel 
Meredith,  presiding  elder  of  the  district,  assisted  by  Rev,  Samuel  McKean 
and  Rev.  Hannibal  Smith.  The  pastor>  of  this  church  have  been  Rev. 
Mes.srs.  (Juinlan,  Patterson,  W.ird,  .Munsee.  Williams,  Slocum,  Stewart, 
Untcher,  .\rmstrong,  C.enge.  Sherwood  and  llruwn.  The  last  named  is  the 
Iiresent  pastor.  Ibe  Sund.iys,  h,,,,l  w.i-  nrg.inized  m  iSf)i.  with  about 
thirty  scholars,  and  Henry  W  .-si,.,  um  .is  superintendent.  I'he  pastor, 
Kcv.  Jesse  lirown.  is  now  the  -;iperiiitendenl,  an.l  there  are  about  fifty 
scholars.  The  membership  of  the  i  hiir.  h  ha,  m.  reased  from  lilteen  m 
185910  forty-seven  m  1.S7.S 

The  I'resbyterian  .  hun  li  .it  I  i-ii  Hon,,-  i,  llie  ..Idest  at  that  pl.ue,  and 
probably  one  of  the  oldc-t  in  the  t..wii.  I  l,e  s,„  letv  h.is  a  beautiful  church 
edifice,  but  is  now  with..  1;  .1  p,i,t.ir 

The  I'nilcsMnl  F.pis...p.il  .  hiirrli  at  1  isli  H.iiisc  w.is  ..rg.iiiized  as  j 
parish  in  1.S55,  1111. kr  the  n.  l..r.lii|.  of  the  Rev.  Mr  liclls.  with  15  .  oni- 
muniran!,  llv  .Hg.mi  ,111011  held  il,  mcclini;s  f.ir  some  tune  in  a  hall 
over  the  siore  n..w  ...  .upicl  by  J.  II   .■siniili.  but  in  i  .S54  pun  based  a  bla.  k- 

sniith  ,.n.l  per  shop,  will,  h  formed   th,-    nil,  kiis  of  the   present    1  hiin  h 

edifice.  It  was  moved  to  die  rear  a  few  feet,  repaired  ,ind  filled  up  for 
a  chunh  ..nh.ipcl.  ai  a  ,..-t  „f  ab.iiil  $1,000.  .111. 1  in  i,S7i  w  is  dcdi.  aied  as 

28 


such,  free  from  debt.  The  present  membership  is  about  the  same  as  when 
the  church  was  organized.  The  Sunday-school  was  organized  in  1855,  with 
about  twenty-five  scholars,  the  rector  acting  as  superintendent.  Rev.  Messrs. 
Betts,  Marvin,  Johnston,  Johnson,  F^astman  and  Fidsley  have  held  the 
rectorship  of  the  church,  and  Rev.  .Mr.  Brockway  has  charge  of  the  parish 
at  present.  There  are  no  regular  serv  ices  held  in  the  church,  and  the  Sun- 
day-school is  a  thing  of  the  past.  This  society  once  conducted  a  parish 
school  in  the  upper  part  of  the  building  opposite  J.  H.  Smith's  store. 

Golden  Rule  Lodge,  No.  384,  F.  \-  .\.M.,  located  at  Northville,  was  or- 
ganized December  25th,  1823,  and  worked  under  dispensation  until  June 
1st,  1827,  when  it  was  duly  chartered.  The  first  officers  were  :  Nathan  B. 
I.obdell,  W.M.;  Samuel  Duncan,  S.W.;  Simon  Van  .\rnam,  J.W.;  William 
Pamienter,  treasurer  ;  Daniel  R.  Potter,  secretary  ;  and  A.  Hawley,  ti- 
ler. The  following  were  the  other  members  :  Thomas  H.  Brown,  Hiram 
Lewis,  .Morgan  Lewis,  Samuel  Dorrance,  Thomas  Eglin,  Ebenezer  V.  (iif- 
ford,  F.  Van  Steenburgh,  Samuel  L.  Dorrance,  R.  Merril,  I..  Copeland,  E. 
Oakley,  Simon  Walker,  Joseph  Spier,  John  Sherwood,  Caleb  R.  Nichols, 
J.  Corey,  J.  L.  draves,  J.  R.  Mitchell,  W.  Hamilton,  Samuel  Riddle,  Samuel 
W.  (Iroat,  Timothy  Spier,  and  Reuben  Slocum.  The  lodge  was  held  in 
the  house  of  Daniel  R.  Potter,  which  stood  on  the  site  now  occupied  by 
W,  K.  Barker's  store.  On  the  28th  day  of  .\pril,  1830,  the  lodge  suspend- 
ed labor,  and  did  not  resume  until  after  the  anti-masonic  uprising  created 
by  Morgan's  disappearance.  On  June  nth,  1853,  the  lodge  was  re-chartered 
and  resumed  labor  at  Fish  House,  aliout  six  miles  down  the  Sacondaga  river, 
under  the  name  of  "Fish  House  Lodge,"  No.  298,  with  the  following  offi- 
cers: Henry  W.  Spencer,  W.  M.;  Isaac  Elithoriic,  S.W.;  and  James  Par- 
tridge, J.  W.  Langdon  1.  Marvin,  Harvey  D,  Smith,  George  Van  Slyke, 
.\  Newcomb  \'an  -\rnam.  Sands  C.  Benedict,  Cyrus  Sumner,  and  Dr.  Darius 
S.  Orton,  served  each  one  year  or  more  as  master  until,  in  1871,  A.  Burr 
Beecher  was  elected  master  of  the  lodge,  who  served  for  five  years  in  suc- 
cession. Harry  C.  Thome  vvas  master  for  the  year  1877,  and  for  the  pres- 
ent year  A.  Newcoinb  \'an  Arnam  holds  that  office  :  ,A.  Burr  Beecher  is 
S.W.;  Wright  Olmsted,  J.W.  .\11  the  old  records  of  this  lodge  were  burned 
in  1S66  while  stored  during  the  building  of  a  new  masonic  hall.  The 
lodge  at  present  has  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  members.  The  building 
.occupied  for  m-sonic  purposes  is  owned  by  the  lodge.  The  lower  floor  is 
rented  for  a  store,  and  the  basement  for  a  saloon. 

Sacondaga  Chapter  R..\.M.  was  chartered  February  9th,  1826,  and  lo- 
cated at  Northvilie,  at  the  same  |)lace  as  the  lodge.  For  the  same  reason 
that  the  lodge  suspended  labor,  the  chapter  did  so  until  February  24th, 
1853,  when  it  vvas  re-chartered  and  located  at  F'ish  House.  L'ntil  Decem- 
ber 14th  in  that  year,  Nathan  K.  I.obdell  was  H.P.;  Samuel  Duncan,  K.; 
and  Ely  Beecher,  S.  The  present  officers  are  ;  E'.  Tanner,  H.P.;  I.  Par 
tridge,  K.:   Rev.  .A.  Cook,  S. 

Fish  House,  like  so  many  other  interesting  points,  owes  the  preservation 
of  its  earliest  history  to  the  industry  of  Mr.  Simnis.  Writing  his  "Trap- 
pers of  New  Vork,"  in  1S50,  he  spoke  of  this  locality  as  follows  : 

"Traversing  the  forest  in  the  F'rench  war  from  Ticonderoga  to  Fort 
Johnson,  his  then  residcu,  e.  no  doubt  ni.ade  Sir  \\illiani  Johnson  familiar 
with  the  make  of  the  .  oiintry  adjoining  the  Sacondaga  river  ;  and  soon 
after  the  dose  of  that  war  he  erected  a  lodge  for  his  convenience  while 
hunting  and  fishing,  on  the  south  side  of  the  riv  er,  nearly  eighteen  miles 
from  his  own  dwelling.  The  lodge  vvas  ever  after  called  the  Fish  House. 
It  vvas  an  oblong  sipiare  framed  building,  with  two  rooms  below,  and  walls 
sufficiently  high  one  and  a  half  stories  to  have  afforded  jileasant  cham- 
bers. Its  site  was  on  a  knoll  within  the  present  garden  of  Dr.  Langdon 
I.  Marvin,  and  about  thirty  rods  from  ihc  river.  It  fronted  the  south. 
Only  one  mom  in  the  building  was  ever  finished:  that  vvas  in  the  west 
end,  and  had  a  1  himne\  and  fire|ila,  e  1  he  house  was  never  painted,  and 
in  the  Revolution  it  vvas  biirni  clown  :  but  by  whom  or  whose  authority  is 
unknown.  The  ground  from  w  here  the  building  stood  slopes  very  jirettily 
to  the  river.     .No  visible  tra.  c  of  the  building  remains,     ♦     *     • 

".\boiit  the  Fish  House  Sir  William  Johnson  reserve.l  one  hundred 
.a.  res  of  land,  which  was  confiscated,  willi  his  son's  estate,  in  the  Revolu- 
tion Wlun  sold  by  the  se.picstr.iliug  .  .imiiiitlee,  it  was  purchased  by 
M.Mor  Nicholas  Fish  (he  was  a.liutaut-geucr.il  ,.l  iniluia  after  the  war)  for 
one  hundred  pouniis.  Major  lish  s..|il  it  at  the  ,  lose  ol  the  war  to  .Asahel 
Parker,  of  Shaftesbury,  Vermont,  wli,)  resule.l  several  years  upon  it.  He 
built  a  dwelling  upon  ihe  low  gniuii.l.  ,i  few  mils  from  the  mouth  of  Vlaie 
creek,  and  the  billowing  spring  he  w.i,  driven  out  of  it  by  s,,me  four  feet 
of  water,       Ira,  es  of  this  building  .ire  still  to  be  seen  west  of  the  road,  just 


236 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


above  the  river  bridge.     Parkes  sold  the  Fish   House   farm   to  Alexander 
St  John.     The  village  has  since  been  built  upon  it." 


BIOGR.\PHIC.\I.  SKETCHES. 

The  following  are  among  the  prominent  men  of  the  town  of  North- 
ampton who  have  t.iken  and  are  still  taking  an  active  part  in  its  interests. 

Capi.  ■■V-aron  C.  Sloclm  is  a  grandson  of  one  of  the  very  early  settlers, 
and  was  born  at  N'orthville  in  1823.  He  served  his  county  well  and  faith- 
fully during  the  civil  war,  and  has  since  then  held  important  town  offices, 
and  also  been  president  of  the  village  of  N'orthville. 

VViLLUM  F.  BikkKR,  for  many  years,  up  to  1876  or  1877,  the  leading 
dealer  in  general  merchandise  in  the  town,  was  born  in  1823.  He  has 
served  his  town  in  several  positions,  and  this  .\ssembly  district  one  term  in 
the  State  Legislature. 

\ViLLi.\M  .\.  SvitiH  was  born  in  Norfolk  county,  Massachusetts,  in  1S07, 
of  Revolutionary  stock.  He  came  to  F'ulton  county  in  1839,  and  has  been 
engaged  largely  in  the  tanning"  as  well  as  mercantile  business.  He  was 
supervisor  of  the  town  in  1852,  and  member  of  .Assembly  in  1853,  and 
again  in  1S64.  Mr.  Smith  has  also  been  postmaster.  .Although  past  the 
allotted  age  of  man,  he  is  still  hale  and  hearty,  and  an  active  supporter  of 
the  Baptist  church,  of  which  he  is  a  member. 

F.  F.  Olmstfii  was  born  in  Onondaga  county.  N.  Y.,  in  183S. 

Darius  Moore  was  born  in  Bennington  county,  Vt.,  in  1795.  of  Revolu- 
tionary ancestry.  He  came  here  in  1840,  and  served  this  district  in  the 
Legislature  in  1847.  He  is  upright  and  honorable  in  all  his  transactions, 
and  a  consistent  official  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Nathan  B.  Lobuf.li.  was  born  in  Brookfeld,  Conn.,  July  15th,  1795. 
He  came  to  N'orthville  earl\-  in  life,  and  has  since  then  resided  there.  He 
has  been  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county,  and  still  takes  a  deep  in- 
terest in  its  welfare.  He  has  been  deputy  sheriff  three  years:  superintend- 
ent of  the  countv  poor  three  years,  before  Fulton  county  was  set  off  from 
Montgomery,  and  four  years  in  this  county;  contractor  for  transcribing 
records  when  the  county  was  divided;  i)ostmaster  at  N'orth\  ille  Ihirteet^ 
years,  and  justice  of  the  peace  twelve  years. 

Morgan  Lf.wi>  was  born  in  Northampton  in  1801,  of  Revolutionary 
stock.  His  grandfather  was  a  captain  in  the  army,  and  while  he  was  doing 
duty  for  his  country  the  tories  drove  his  family  from  their  homes,  and  they 
were  obliged  to  take  shelter  in  the  forests.  Mr.  Lewis  is  [>rominently  con- 
nei:ted  with  mnnv  enterprises  in  his  native  town,  and  es[)ecially  in  the 
village  of  N'orth\ilie,  where  he  has  always  resided.  He  has  been  thirty- 
four  years  justice  of  the  peace;  justice  of  sessions  five  years;  county 
superintendent  of  the  poor  four  years:  supervisor  four  years:  town  clerk. 
and  is  now  notary  public  and  commissioner  of  e.xcise. 

Giles  C.  Van  DvKt  is  a  descendant  of  Revolutionary  heroes,  and  was 
bom  in  Schenectady  county.  N.  V.,  in  1S15.  His  grandfather  on  his 
father's  side  was  a  ca|>tain  in  the  Revolution,  and  his  grandfather  on  his 
mother's  side  was  sheriff  of  .Srhenei  t.idy  county,  also  mayor  of  the  city  of 
Schenectady.  Mr.  Van  I  >yke  came  to  N'orthville  in  1840.  He  soon  after 
joined  the  Baptist  chun  h;  was, elected  deacon  in  1844,  and  has  served  as 
such  to  the  present  time.  He  has  been,  and  still  is,  engaged  in  a  general 
blacksmithing  business,  employing  several  men.  He  is  also  president  of 
the  village. 

JosF.PH  F.  SriKK  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  N.  ^'..  in  1799.  His 
father  moved  to  N'orthville  m  1807.  Mr.  ."^pier  was  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  from  iS:!j  to  1S56;  and  was  postmaster  at  N'orthville 
twenty  years,  assessor  of  internal  revenue  for  eight  years,  and  is  now  a 
notary  piibln  . 

.\.  Nt.WL..Mi:  \'4N  .\RN  \M  Has  |...rn  m  Nurlluiilc  in  1.S31.    He  his  hccn 

a  f.iriner. 

NukMAN  Svi  uut^^  w.is  l„.rn  in  FnlKm  .  .iiiulv  m  1S.S4.  His  an.  estors 
were  Rhode  M.mdcrs,  and  his  i;r.in(h,uhcr  «js  m  the  KeM.hit.onary  war. 
Mr.  S,  is  engaged  in   the  foundry  business  at  .Nortluille,  and  has  .pule  an 


extensive  trade.     He,  too,  is  among  the  first  and  foremost  in  all  progres. 
sive  movements  in  his  town  and  village. 

Isaiah  Sweet  was  bom  in  Northampton  in  1829,  and  has  always  resided 
in  the  town.  He  owns  and  conducts  a  fine  farm,  and  is  a  breeder  of  suiiie 
of  the  best  stock  in  his  part  of  the  county. 

John  Bl-shnfli.  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1821.  His 
uncle,  Walter  Bushnell,  was  in  the  Revolution,  and  was  wounded  He 
lived  in  Poughkeepsie.  Mr.  B.  came  to  Northampton  in  1867,  and  is  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  farming,  stock  raising  and  lime  burning. 

John  F.  Blake,  M.D.,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  N.  Y,  in 
1822.  He  received  an  academic  education,  graduating  with  high  honors, 
at  Castleton,  Vt.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Saraio-a 
county,  N.  \'.,  in  1S45.  where  he  practiced  two  years,  and  then  iv\i. 
years  with  Ur.  E.  L.  Chichester,  of  New  York  city,  then  two  years  m 
Sacramento,  Cal.,  and  finally  settled  in  Northville,  Fulton  county,  in 
1852,  where  he  now  resides,  and  has  acquired  a  large  practice.  He  is 
also  a  prominent  member  of  the  Fulton  County  Medical  Society,  which  lie 
joined  in  1S56. 

.\nson  J.  .-VvERV,  .\LD.,  was  born  in  Norway,  Herkimer  coiiniv. 
N.Y.  He  passed  through  the  different  grades  of  study  at  Fairfield  .1.  .1- 
demy,  and  graduated  with  honor  at  Pittsfield,  Mass.  He  commciuei! 
the  practice  of  medicine  in  1867,  and  in  1870  permanently  located  ai 
Northville,  where,  by  close  attention  to  business,  he  is  having  a  large 
practice. 

John  Patterson,  Esq.,  was  born  in  1843  at  N'orthville.  His  educa- 
tional advantages  were  only  such  as  were  afforded  by  a  cheap  pedagogue 
and  a  country  school-house.  Having  graduated  at  the  old  school  on  ihe 
comer  of  the  roads,  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  study  of  law.  and  in 
1870  commenced  practice  in  his  native  town,  where  he  is  now  one  of  the 
leading  lawyers. 

John  McKnic.ht,  attorney,  was  born  .\pril  17,  1817,  in  Washingiun 
county,  N.  Y.  He  graduated  at  Salem  .\cademv,  becan  the  practu  e  of 
law  in  1856,  and  settled  in  N'orthville  in  1871. 

LtNN  L.  Bovce,  Esq.,  was  bom  in  New  Berlin,  Chenango  coiint\. 
N.Y.,  in  1S51.  He  received  an  academic  education,  commenced  the  pru  - 
tice  of  law  in  1875,  and  settled  in  North\ille  in  1877. 

Thii.mas  H.  RiiiiNEv  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1834.  lie 
came  to  Northville  in  1S53,  eng.iged  with  .Mr.  McEachron,  a  large  lumber 
dealer,  and  has  by  honest  industry  worked  his  way  up,  until  he  took  the 
place  of  his  employer,  and  is  now  the  leading  lumberman  of  this  luiulu  r 
district.  In  connection  with  his  other  business  he  carries  on  a  wholes. ile 
flour  and  feed  store.  He  has  ser\'ed  his  town  four  terms  as  super\'isor.  .iiui 
his  adopted  village  one  term  as  president.  His  business  amounts  to  ahotii 
half  a  million  dollars  yearly. 

Darius  S.  Orton,  M.  D.,  was  born  January  7th,  1841,  at  Fair  Haicn, 
Rutland  county,  \'ermont.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and 
also  attended  the  Hudson  River  Institute  at  Cla\erack,  Columbia  counu, 
N.  Y.,  from  1856  to  the  commencement  of  the  civil  war.  He  was  in  the 
service  of  the  Cnited  States  from  .\ugiist  2Sth,  1S61,  until  the  close  nf  ihe 
war  in  18O5,  most  of  the  time  in  the  hospital  department.  He  atteiuled 
four  courses  of  lectures  in  the  metlical  department  of  the  Georgetown  i"I- 
lege,  W.ashington,  D.  C.  and  graduated  and  received  the  degree  of  .M.  I' 
at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  in  the  class  of  1S66.  He  settled  at  Fish  House,  Fulton 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1S69,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine. 
He  was  appointed  I'nited  States  examining  surgeon  for  in\  alid  pensions  in 
j  June,  1869,  which  position  he  now  holds.  He  is  also  one  of  the  coroners 
I  of  Fulton  county. 
I  R.lKFRl  S.  V 

tionarv  St...  Ic,  .1 


.  bor 


a  loiinty.  in  1822,  and  i 
.f  the  laic  Senator  Cha 
Fish  H,. use  in  1842. 


of  Re 


lA   \\....r,.  .M.  |i 
ttled  at  Fish  111. 


list  of  retired  phy 


orn  111  M..ntg.)mery  county,   N.    Y., 
.'ijs.  an.l  coinnien.  ed    the    practice  e 
mil  uld    ,ige    placed   hun    upon   the  I 


I  %w::y  ■ 


';miji  -i 


^//>;,3oi^^ij5:;^. 


~^^ 


■/MM 


.-i^^^s^^i 


xi^V 


L     ■      ?iSS    'V-U 


7-y^ 


-„f — 


"'iRp B5^j  V2SC 


•^  ..  ^-  :ii/^  Ua 
^>.j-:'iiij    111. 


■•"111        1"'  ^;/ 


):« 


Ki^>Ci;  ■■'■'?.  ,i'^,  .-'-^  ''-  V  \  It- 


'/^t?;  ,$"  •^;/'C£^^^^^I^ 


^.^ 


^r<^ 


^^ 


ORGANIZATION  OF  OPPENHEIM— FIRST  SETTLERS--REVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS. 


237 


THE  TOWN  OF  OPPENHEIM. 


The  toan  of  Oppenhcim  was  set  off  from  Palatine,  Montgomen'  county, 
March  i8th,  1808,  and  its  organization  completed  at  a  town  meeting  held 
at  the  house  of  Jacob  Zimmerman,  April  5th.  1808,  by  the  election  of  its 
first  officers,  as  follow  s  ;  Super\  isor.  Andrew  Zabriskie  ;  town  clerk,  John 
C.  Nellis;  assessors.  Peter  I.  Xellis.  Jacob  I.  Failing,  and  Richard  Hewett; 
coiDinUsioners  of  highway,  Rufus  Rallard,  Jacob  G.  Rlock  and  Daniel 
Guile  :  overseers  of  the  poor,  John  I>.  Bellinger  and  John  I.  Kiock  ;  col- 
lector, John  Tingue  ;  constables,  Samuel  Frame.  Joseph  B.  Grover,  Corne- 
lius Wanwout,  David  Lyon  and  Joel  Daniels  ;  pound  masters,  Thomas  T. 
Ballard  and  Christopher  F"ox  ;  viewers  of  fences,  Conrad  Hellingas  and 
Jacob  Frey.  The  above  election  of  officers  is  certified  to  by  Henry  Beek- 
manand  Jacob  G.  Klock,  justices  ol  the  peace.  St.  JohnsviUe,  Montgomery- 
county,  which  bounds  Oppenheim  on  the  south,  formed  a  part  of  it  until 
April  18th,  1S38,  when  it  was  taken  off. 

Oppenheim  is  situated  in  the  southwest  comer  of  Fuiton  county,  lying 
south  of  Stratford  and  west  of  F.phratah.  East  Canada  creek  flows  in  a 
southerly  direction  along  its  western  border.  It  is  well  supplied  with  mill 
seats,  and  abundantly  watered  by  several  considerable  streams  and  their 
numerous  tributaries.  Fish  creek  flows  across  the  northwest  corner.  The 
Little  Sprite  runs  from  east  to  west  across  the  northern  part.  The  Fox, 
Crum,  Klock  and  Zimmerman  creek.>  all  flow  in  a  southwesterly  direction 
toward  the  Mohawk.  The  surface  is  moderately  uneven,  gradually  as- 
rending  to  the  north  ani.1  east.  In  the  northern  part  some  of  the  hills 
rise  to  a  height  of  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred  feet  above  the  Mohawk,  The 
soil  is  principally  a  strong  clay  loam,  light  sand  and  gravel  in  the  east  and 
north,  and  clay  in  the  southwest.  In  some  parts  bowlders  are  scattered 
over  the  surface  in  profusion  ;  primary  rocks  appear  in  the  north,  and 
limestone  in  the  southwest  ;  the  latter  was  at  one  time  extensi\ely  quar- 
ried. The  soil  is  well  adapted  to  the  raising  of  coarse  grams  and  to  graz- 
ing. But  very  little  wheat  is  raised  m  the  town,  and  that  on  the  southern 
border.  The  town  has  an  area  of  32.050  acres,  nearly  two-thirds  of  which 
is  under  cultivation. 

PIONEERS  OF  OPPENHEIM. 

The  early  history  of  this  town  is  so  interwoven  with  that  of  ['.datine — 
which  until  1808  included  all  the  territory  embraced  within  the  present 
limits  of  Oppenheim.  F.phratah  and  St.  JohnsviUe — that  it  is  difficult  to 
separate  and  localize  it.  The  first  settlers  of  Cippenheini  were  Germans, 
who  sometime  jirevioiis  to  the  Ke\nlution  located  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  town.  Rodolph  Vonkcr  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  settler,  and  to 
have  beer  followed  in  time  by  John  Shaffer,  Jacob  Coram,  Iianiel  Dike- 
man,  Henry  Burkdorlf.  Freden.  k  Bellinger  and  Simeon  Schinlcr.  David 
Davis  settled  during  the  Rcioluiion  in  the  southeastern  part  of  ilie  town. 
where  lienjamiii  ('rouse  now  lives.  The  population  had  inc  reased  consid- 
er.ibly  up  to  the  time  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution,  but  was  con- 
fined pnniipalU  tn  the  soutlicrn  portion  of  the  town.  .After  the  close  of 
the  war.  settlements  began  to  be  made  in  other  parts  of  the  town.  In 
1791  Jacob  Baum  located  in  the  en-tern  part,  where  Jacob  T.  Maum  now 
lives,  having  pur.  based  one  hundred  a.  res  of  ilie  Klock  and  Nelli-  p.iteiit. 
at  $1,25  per  acre,  H.irvcy  Nellis  l.«  .iicd  ne.ir  hiiii  in  1792,  D.iniel  Inger- 
soll,  from  >araii>:.;a  lounu.  -ettled  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  town  in 
1794.  where  Charles  Ingersoll  lives.  Moses  Johnson,  from  New  Mam|ishire, 
moved  into  the  town  Janu.iry  21st,  1794.  with  his  family,  and  settled  about 
two  miles  west  of  the  r  enter,  on  the  farm  owned  at  present  by  E  Johns.m. 
He  bought  219  a.  res  at  $-'.50  per  ai  re.  anrl  had  been  un  the  previous  sum- 


mer and  erected  a  log  house,  covering  it  w  itii  bark  and  slabs  split  from 
trees.  He  brought  two  horses  with  him  from  New  Hampshire,  but  was 
obliged  to  sell  one  of  them  to  [jurchase  provisions  for  the  first  summer. 
In  1795  Peter  Mosher  settled  a  little  south  of  the  center  of  the  town, 
where  Leonard  Mosher  now  lives,  and  Marcus  Dusler  located  in  the 
southeastern  part,  where  David  Dusler  resides.  James  Johnson,  Jacob 
Ladiew,  William  Bean,  Richard  Hewitt  and  Randall  Hewitt,  from  New 
England,  settled  in  the  western  part  in  1796  and  1797.  John  Swartwout 
and  Peter  Cline  came  into  the  town  in  1797.  Swartwout  located  about 
one  and  a  half  miles  east  of  the  center  and  Cline  about  three-fourths  of  a 
mile  east,  where  his  son  Knapthalee  still  resides.  Benjamin  Berry  also  came 
in  that  year  and  settled  about  one  and  a  half  miles  east  of  the  center  of  the 
town.  In  1798  Daniel  Guile  settled  on  the  farm  owned  at  present  by 
Peter  Yost.  Mr.  Guile  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  from  Saratoga  county. 
-\ndrew  Claus  and  Jacob  Rarich  came  the  same  year,  the  former  locating 
where  Jacob  A.  Claus  now  lives,  and  the  latter  where  H.  Turner  resides. 
The  closing  year  of  the  eighteenth  century  brought  with  it  several  new 
settlers,  among  whom  were  Christian  House,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution, 
who  settled  v.hcrc  Charles  Schuyler  lives,  and  his  son  John  C.  House,  who 
located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town  ;  Jacob  Claus,  who  settled  about 
one  mile  south  of  the  center  ;  Gordon  Turner,  who  found  a  home  farther 
north,  and  Henry  H.  Hayes,  who  located  where  Elias  Hayes  still  Hies. 
Peter  Claus,  from  Rensselaer  county,  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr. 
Hoffman,  in  1801.  He  purchased  one  hundred  acres  of  \\'aggoiier  at 
$2.20  per  acre.  Josejih  Hewett  was  born  here  in  1796,  and  still  lives  where 
his  father,  Richard  Hewett,  first  settled.  Knapthalee  and  John  P.  Cline, 
sons  of  Peter  Cline,  were  born  here  in  1797  and  1800  respecti\el\'.  Knap- 
thalee lives  on  the  old  homestead  and  John  P.  .about  half  a  mile  west. 


REVOLL^TI(JN.\RV   HEROES  AND  SUFFERERS. 

The  inhabitants  of  Oppenheim  suffered  proportionately  with  those  of 
other  towns  of  this  region  from  the  ra\ages  of  the  Indians  and  tones  dur- 
ing the  Revolution.  The  following  persons  who  partiiipatetl  to  a  greater 
or  less  extent  in  the  great  struggle  for  freedom  were  citi/ens  of  Oiiiicnlieim 
at  that  time,  or  have  lineal  descendants  now  livnig  in  the  town  : 

Amos  Bro(  kett  was  among  those  detailed  to  uuard  the  forts  along  the 
coast  of  Long  Island  .Sound. 

James  Plant  was  a  ship  builder  by  trade;  he  was  taken  [irisoner  hy  the 
Uritish  while  at  work  in  the  shipyard  at  New  Haven,  Ct. 

Martin  Nestle  lost  one  of  his  eyes  during  the  war, 

Henry  ll,i>es  taught  s,  hool  at  erne  of  the  forts  along  llie  .Mohawk  at  the 
time  of  the  Ke\oliuion, 

Henry  ll,,se  and  Henry  l'.urkd..rlf  came  m  .\incri.  .1  as  Hntish  sol- 
diers with    Cell,    r,iirg..yne.      Neither  uf  them    returned    to    iheir   iiiolher 

Freden.  k  liauui  was  emphiyed  as  mail  carrier  His  trips  were  usiiaMy 
made  in  the  night,  ihil  he  might  the  more  safely  pas,  the  ambus,  .ides  of 
die  Indians 

.Vnilrew  Dusler  « as  1  apliircd  by  the  Indians,  and  kept  by  them  as  a 
prisoner  till  the  1  lose  of  the  war, 

Man  us  Dusler  enlisted  when  only  sixteen  years  old.  and  |iarticipaled  in 
the  battle  of  Sharon  Springs. 

J.ihn  Flandcr  hist  his  life  in  the   Kevolution, 

Peter  S.  llidleman  was  stationed  at  Fort  Plain 


238 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


Jacob  V'edder  was  a  teamster, 
tacked  by  a  small  party  of  India: 


On   one  occasion   he  was  suddenly  at- 
s,  who  sprang  out  of  a  thicket  upon  him 


self 


with  uplifted  tomahawks.     He  defended  h 
ceeded  in  making  his  escape. 

Jacob  Vonker  was  captured  at  the  battle  of  U 
Canada,  where  he  enlisted  in  the  British  army,  with 
retuimed  to  near  Little  Kails,  where  he,  together  wit? 
their  escape,  and  concealinj;  themselves  among  the  i 
the  fl^ce,  suc(  ceded  in  reaching  their  friends. 

Join  Si>onahle  was  captured  by  the  Indians.  While  held  by  them  as 
a  prisoner,  a  young  squaw  became  enamored  with  him,  and  upon  his  re- 
fusifig  to  inarrv  her.  fie  was  struck  on  the   head  with   a   club  and   left  for 


u   spade  and  suc- 

kany  and  taken  to 
huh  he  afterwards 
:  few  others,  made 
ks  till  the  armv  left 


nd  found  hi: 


to  the  Hrili' 


■  of  .Stone  .Arabia,  and   his   son,  John 

tmster  during  the  war. 

oldier  through  the  war. 

lunded  in  a  skirmish  while  under  Cien. 


dead.     He  soon  recovered  liis  > 
whew  he  was  sold  to  a  French  r 

Join  H.  Broat  fought  in  the  battle 
H.  Biwat,  jr.,  then  a  mere  lad,  \ 

Jason  Phipps  served  as  a  reg 

Cspt.  Elijah  Clo\  cs  was  mort; 
Sullnran's  command. 

P«er(^traan  served  during  the  war.  When  only  sixteen  years  of  age. 
he  went  with  a  company  of  nuliiia  in  search  of  a  band  of  Indians  and 
tories  who  had  been  committing  depredations  in  the  neighborhood.  Just 
preTOUs  to  this  the  Indians  had  called  at  the  house  of  the  Rector  family 
and  asked  for  something  to  eat.  They  were  told  to  help  themseUes,  which 
they  proceeded  to  do  in  such  a  lawless  and  extravagant  way  that  Mr.  Rec- 
tor remonstrated  in  no  very  gentle  terms.  .At  this  they  became  angry,  and 
as  tfcey  were  moving  away,  they  turned  upon  the  house  and  fired  a 
volley  of  musketry  through  the  upper  half  of  the  door,  which  stood 
open.  Mrs.  Rector  seeing  them  raise  their  guns  to  fire,  held  up ' 
her  frying  pan  to  protect  her  husband,  who  was  standing  in  the 
door.  One  bullet  passed  through  the  frying  pan  and  shattered  the  arm 
of  Mr.  Rector;  but  the  Indians,  seeing  no  one  fall,  were  not  satisfied,  and 
reluming  to  the  house,  knocked  .Mrs.  Rector  down  with  a  tomahawk,  scalped 
her,  and  lelt  her  for  dead.  LHiring  this  time  an  old  grandfather  escaped  to 
the  »oods  with  two  of  the  children,  but  one  little  boy,  six  years  old,  who 
was  eating  bre.id  and  milk  outside  the  door,  when  the  Indians  came  up, 
was  tilled,  and  his  body  thrown  into  a  creek  near  by.  When  found  he 
still  grasped  the  spoon  with  which  he  had  been  eating.  .Mrs.  Rector  soon 
recovered  consciousness,  dressed  her  OAvn  wounds,  and  walked  to  Stone 
.\rabia,  where  she  remained  in  the  fort  till  she  entirely  recovered. 

Peter  Davis  was  killed  by  the  Indians  while  at  work  in  his  field.  His 
wife  escaped,  but  his  daughter  was  taken  prisoner,  with  a  man  named 
Pring.  They  were  carried  to  Canada,  and  after  suffering  imprisonment 
for  some  time,  escaped  and  were  married. 

Wm.  Fox  participated  as  captain  in  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  and  in  the 
last  battles  with  liurgoyne. 

John  Keam,  Isaac  Kegg,  (leorge  Cook,  Wm.  Rowland,  Frederick  Baum. 
Jacob  Dusler,  David  n.irker  and  John  Pier  were  all  more  or  less  identified 
with  the  scenes,  incidents  and  battles  of  the  Revolution. 

Vn.I..M;F,S'OF  THE  TOWN'. 


Oppfsheim,  situated  on  Crum  crei 
principal  vilbige.  It  contains  a  chin 
about  a  do/en  houses.  Peter  Ciine  i 
urged  to  do  so  by  the  citi/ens  of  the 


i,  near  the  center  of  the 
h,  hotel,  two  stores,  one 
[lened  the  first  hotel  in 
proi  ured  h 


town,  is 
,aw.mill 

1S05.  b 
first   li. 


the 
and 


and  presented  it  to  him 
for  several  year-  was  ih 
This  was  run  by  him  an 
the  stream  ujion  whith 
and  the  building  i>cnt  t 
sawmill  in  i.Soh.  ,in.l  lU 
was  kept  in  operation  fur  IweiUy  )e 
doan  and  at  length  abandnncd.  Si 
Osttom  erei  ted  the  first  store  about 
after,  but  this  proved  an  unfortunali 
building  was  converted  to  other  usi 
The  first  churcn  iinioni  biiill  her 
occasionally  for  several  >enrs,  but  \ 
nally  sold  and  removed.      The  prose 


le  also  built  a  tannery  about  that 
rgest  estiiblishment  of  iis  kiml  in 
,  Sim  Kn.ipihalee  !ili  .1I..1111  tiu-  ve.i 
IS  located  failed,  tlie  i.uMness  w.is 
.-..ly.  Henry  Cline.  a  bMlher  ..f  I 
.Miller  ere.  led  .1 -ri-l-niill  l«  nv  c.ir- 


I  iu-n 
.ned 


.«e,l  to 
,.      Hcnr 


He  .il-.i   liuilt  a  dislille 
ment.  and  .liter  a  few  vi 


ereited  in  lS;io.  Il  « 
ever  fully  cumpleled 
ion  ihiir.  hw.s  built 


iipied 


and  wav 
n  1.S34. 


is  of  wood,  about  30x40  feet  in  size.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  society 
hold  meetings  here  regularly  once  in  two  weeks.  Meetings  were  held  at  an 
early  day  in  a  wagon  house  which  is  siill  standing  in  the  village.  The  Rev. 
Jacob  Trisband  held  the  first  religious  services  in  the  town,  about  1800, 
There  are  three  other  churches  in  the  town — one  union  and  one  .Methodisl 
Episcopal  church  at  Crum  Creek  and  a  Dutch  Reformed  church  in  die 
southeast  pan. 

The  first  post  office  in  the  town  was  established  in  1812,  but  it  was  not 
located  at  the  village  of  Dppenheim  till  1S4;. 

Bkockf.tt's  Bruk.e,  on  East  Canada  Creek,  lies  mostly  in  Herkimer 
county.  It  contains  a  large  cheese  box  factorv  on  the  Ojipenheim  side  uf 
the  creek. 

M11111LK  Spritk,  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town,  contains  a  store,  a  saw  - 
mill,  a  butter  tub  factory  and  about  a  dozen  dwellings. 

LoTTviLLE,  in  the  northern  part,  and  Crl'M  Creek,  in  the  southern  pan 
of  the  town,  are  mere  hamlets  with  post  offices. 

The  principal  occupation  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Oppenhenn 
is  farming  and  stock  raising.  The  manufacture  of  cheese  is  carried  on 
to  a  considerable  extent,  but  the  business  is  done  almost  exclusively 
by  cheese  factories,  of  which  there  are  seven  in  the  town,  manufactur- 
ing from  50,000  pounds  to  150.000  pounds  each,  aggregating  500.000 
lbs.  annually  produced  for  foreign  markets.  The  Willow  Sjiring  Factorv. 
situated  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  east  of  Oppenheim  village,  was  built 
in  1867  by  a  stock  company  and  operated  by  them  till  the  beginning  of 
1875,  when  it  was  leased  to  James  P.  Bennett  fo'  one  year,  at  the  expira- 
tion of  which  time  Mr.  Bennett  purchased  it  and  is  at  present  sole  proprie- 
tor, superintending  the  business  in  person.  This  factory  has  two  large  vats 
for  heating  the  milk  and  making  the  curd,  one  of  them  holding  six  thousand 
pounds  of  milk,  which  is  heated  by  steam.  From  the  ist  of  June  to  the 
1st  of  September,  this  factory  uses  about  7,500  pounds  of  milk  daily,  mak- 
ing fourteen  cheeses  of  fifty-five  pounds  each.  It  produces  annually  over 
100,000  pounds.  For  the  last  three  \ears  the  average  quantity  of  milk  re- 
quired by  this  factory  to  produce  one  jiound  of  cheese  has  been  less  than 
9. 87  pounds.  The  average  price  received  for  cheese  in  1876  was  $11.15 
per  cwt.  The  Fulton  Cheese  P'actory.  situated  about  three-fourths  of  a 
mile  west  of  Oppenheim  village,  was  built  in  the  spring  of  1S65  by  Bean  \- 
Gibson.  Bean  became  sole  jjroprietor  in  1S67  and  sold  in  1S69  to  Mr.  Ward, 
whose  widow  still  owns  the  factory,  leasing  it  to  G.  H.  Bacon,  who  is  the 
present  manager.  This  factory  made  135.420  pounds  of  cheese  in  1S75, 
and  116,452  pounds  in  1876.  The  average  quantity  of  milk  used  to  make 
one  pound  of  cheese  was  10.155  pounds  in  1876.  and  the  average  price  re- 
ceived for  cheese  was  $10.98  per  cwt.  During  June.  July  and  .August,  the 
patrons  deliver  their  milk  to  the  factories  night  and  morning.  .After  the 
isl  of  September  it  is  only  deli\*ered  mornings,  the  previous  night's  milk 
being  skimmed  before  coming  to  the  factory.  During  the  winter  months 
it  is  delivered  only  once  in  two  or  three  da\s.  each  milking  except  the  Ki-t 
being  skimmed  before  delivery.  The  usual  mode  of  managing  this  busi- 
ness is  to  credit  each  customer  with  the  number  of  pounds  of  milk  deli\- 
ered.  It  is  then  manufactured  into  cheese  and  sold  ;  the  factory  price  fur 
making  is  deducted  from  the  amount  of  sales  and  the  balance  distributed 
pro  rata  among  the  patrons.  Sales  are  made  as  often  as  once  a  month.  .\ 
large  proportion  of  the  cheese  nianiif.ictiired  in  this  town  is  shipped  to 
European  markets. 

The  population  o!  Oppenheim  in  1S75  was  1,870.  The  number  of  tax- 
able inhabitants  in  1S76  was  395.  The  value  of  taxable  real  estate  in  1076 
was  S-99>9J'.  ■''"'J  "5f  |)ersonal  property  $9.61)5;   total,  $309,626. 

PERSON. \l    SKETCH 

S.ui.Mns  CK.VMtR  was  bom  at  M.inbcini,  Herkimer  .  ounlv,  N.  V..  I  k- 
reml.cr  7th,  1.S04.  His  father.  Phili]..  moved  to  Fult.m  county,  and  settled 
m  the  niirtluvest  part  of  Oppenheim  in  iSoS.  «  here  he  resided  at  his  dealh. 
S,.lonmn  remained  on  the  old  homete.ul  till  1S67.  when  he  removed  with 
his  f.imily  to  the  village  of  Oppenheim  and  there  eng.iged  in  the  mercantile 
business,  which  pursuit  he  continues  to  follow.  Mr.  Cramer  once  held  a 
commission  as  lieutenant  of  an  imlependent  company  of  infantry,  abmil 
the  years  1825  and  1826.  His  son,  John  D.  Cramer,  enlisted  in  the  Srjih 
regiment  of  New  York  volunteers  at  IClmira.  N.  Y„  was  mustered  into  ser- 
viie  September  5th,  1.S61,  served  till  the  close  of  the  war,  and  died  soon 
after  of  disease  contracted  while  in  ilie  south. 


FORMATION  AND  SETTLEMENT  OF  PERTH. 


239 


THE  TOWN  OF  PERTH. 


The  creation  of  Perth,  as  an  independent  town,  took  i)lace  at  the  time 
of  the  fomiation  of  Fulton  county,  April  i8th,  1838.  Previous  to  this 
date  it  was  a  part  of  Amsterdam,  Montgomery  county.  The  town  was 
nan.e<l  by  \Vm.  RoMi,  one  of  its  early  settlers,  a  native  of  Perthshire, 
Scotiand.  "Agreeably  to  the  requirements  of  an  act  of  the  Legislature, 
the  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Robb,  innkeeper,"  at 
Perth  Center,  on  the  first  day  of  May,  1S38.  and  the  following  officers  were 
elected;  William  Robb,  super\isor  ;  John  .M.  Benedict,  clerk  ;  Stephenson 
T.  Bostwick,  .\rthur  Smith,  Henry  Banta  and  Jacob  B.  Heagle,  justices  of 
the  peace  ;  Jacob  Banta,  .Arthur  Smith  and  James  Robb,  assessors  ;  God- 
frey Swobe,  Geo.  S.  Joslyn  and  Henry  Banta,  commissioners  of  highways  ; 
John  B.  Heagle,  John  .McQueen,  jr.,  and  Henry  J.  Van  Nest,  school  com- 
missioners ;  Peter  .McLaren.  Stephenson  T.  Bostwick  and  John  ^L  Bene- 
dict, school  inspectors  ;  .\braham  Mosher,  jr.,  collector  ;  Abel  Dunning  and 
Peter  Vosburgh,  overseers  of  the  poor  ;  .Abraham  Mosher,  jr.,  Francis 
Snyder,  Isaiah  McNeil  and  Jacob  .^[.  Coon,  constables. 

The  northern  limits  of  the  town  were  extended  February  17th,  1842,  by 
small  annexatinns  from  M.nyfield  and  Brnadalbin.  which  towns  now  bound 
Perth  on  the  north,  with  John>to«n  on  the  west.  Situated  in  the  south- 
east corner  of  Fulton  county,  Saratoga  coimty  lies  east  and  Montgomery 
county  south  of  the  town.  It  has  an  area  of  16.305  acres.  The  soil  is  a 
yellowi^h  sandy  loam  in  most  parts.  The  surface  is  but  slightly  undulat- 
ing. The  principal  occuiiation  of  the  inhabitants  is  stock  raising  and 
growing  the  coarse  grains.  The  town  is  watered  by  the  Chuctenunda 
creek,  which  flows,  in  a  southerly  direction,  across  the  east  end  :  the  Flv  ' 
and  Kees  creeks  in  the  southwestern  part,  and  several  smaller  streams, 
mostly  flowing  in  a  southerly  course. 

The  town  is  divided,  for  highway  purposes,  into  33  road  districts.  It 
includes  four  entire  school  districts  and  portions  of  si.x  lying  partly  in  other 
towns,  with  six  school-houses.  The  number  of  scholars  who  draw  public 
money  from  the  town — being  those  between  the  ages  of  five  ahd  twenty — 
is  291  ;  but  this  includes  some  in  the  fractional  districts  who  live  in  other 
towns.     The  population  of  the  town  in  1875  was  1.095. 

The  present  town  officers  include  :  Supervisor.  Geo.  Clark  :  clerk,  H. 
B.  Goodemote  ;  justices  of  the  peace,  James  Starks,  Robt.  Caldewood, 
\Vm.  A.  Barber  and  \Vm.  J,  Robb  ;  assessors,  \Vm.  Palmatier,  Orren 
Hart  and  Thomas  Stairs  ;  commissioner  of  highway,  (ieo.  Donnan  ;  col- 
lector. Menzo  Simmons. 

Perth  CF.NXf.R,  near  the  middle  of  the  north  line  of  the  town,  contains 
a  church,  hotel,  store,  saw-mill,  si 
principally  residence>  of  farmers, 

Wfst  Pi- km  is  a  mere  hamlet, 
the  town. 


Ih  a  p, 


e  and  ,i 
St  offi, 


a  ted 


WfST  Gaiwu 
lying  in    Broadalbin.  and  another    p.irt   in    Sarat 

three  chun  he: Presbyterian.   I'niled    I'rcshytei 

copal  ;  two  stores,  a  hotel,  and  the  tannery  of  G 


few  scattered  dwellings, 

e,  in  the  western  part  of 

hcast  corner,  part  of  it 
;a  county.  It  contains 
n,  and  .Methodist  Kpis- 
'rge  Donnan. 


The  fir 


cttle 


KARI.V  SF.ITl.KRS. 
cnts  within  the  |. resent  limits  , 


ts  of  Perth  were  made  pre- 
vious to  the  Ke\oliitii.n,  prnl..il.iy  as  early  as  1772  or  i77i,  bya  nunilier 
of  families  from  the  highl.inds  of  Scotland,  among  whom  were  Dan'el  and 
Duncan  Mclnlyre.  David  tValker.  a  .Mr.  McGl.i\l,an,  Duncan  MrCarty, 
James  McLaren,  Cli.iries  Merencs,.  and  Man  us  Reese.  .Among  those  who 
settled  at  or  near  what   is   now   Perth  ("enter,  were   Daniel  Mtlntyte,  who 


located  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Leonard  Sweet;  his  brother,  Duncan 
Mclntyre,  who  settled  on  the  farm  next  east;  David  Walker,  who  lived 
where  John  Gentz  resides;  and  James  McLaren,  who  located  where  James 
Creighton  now  lives.  In  those  troublous  times  they  were  exposed  to  the 
ravages  of  the  Indians  and  tories,  and  on  this  account  Daniel  Mclntyre, 
David  Walker,  and  others  moved  to  .Albany,  and  remained  during  the 
Revolutionary  struggle,  after  which  most  of  them  returned. 

The  settlement  at  West  Galway  was  begun  previous  to  the  Revolution 
by  the  arrival  of  ten  families  from  Galwayshire,  Scotland,  among  whom 
were  James  Ford  and  a  .Mr.  .McMartin.  Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war 
the  population  began  to  increase  rapidly;  numerous  families  came  over 
from  Scotland  and  settled  in  various  parts  of  the  town,  and  people  from 
elsewhere  moved  in.  John  Mcintosh  and  Daniel  Creighton  emigrated  from 
Perthshire,  Scotland,  in  17S3,  and  located  at  Perth  Center.  William  and 
Peter  Robb,  from  the  same  place,  settled  just  west  of  them.  .\Iexander 
McFarlane  and  .Archibald  McQueen,  also  from  Perthshire,  settled  still 
furtherwest;  the  former  in  1790,  the  latter  in  1-93.  Ira  Benedict  arrived 
in  1790,  and  James  Canary  in  1795,  and  est.iblished  themselves  in  the  same 
neighborhood.  Henry  Van  Derbogert  settled  just  west  of  the  Center  in 
1793.  Lawrence  E.  Van  .Allen,  Conrad  and  Francis  Winne,  Derby  New- 
man, and  Peter  Vosburgh  were  also  among  the  first  to  take  up  their  abode 
in  this  town  after  hostilities  ceased. 

Michael  Swobe  came  to  this  country,  from  Germany,  in  1766;  he  settled 
in  this  town  in  1776;  and  his  son,  Michael  Swobe,  jr.,  located  in  1796  on 
the  farm  next  adjoining  the  one  now  occupied  by  his  grandson,  J.  H. 
Swobe. 

William  Fairbanks  was  living,  during  the  Revolution,  on  the  Isle'of 
Prudence,  R.  I.,  where  his  house  was  burned  by  the  British  troops.  He 
soon  after  removed,  with  his  family,  to  this  county,  sojourning  for  a  time 
at  what  is  now  Amsterdam  village,  then  containing  but  three  dwellin"s. 
He  subsequently  settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his  grandson 
William  Fairbanks. 

Col.  James  Kennedy  came  from  Saratoga  county  into  Perth  with  his 
parents,  in  1792.  when  a  year  old.  He  lived  in  the  town  until  his  death, 
in  1S74.     He  served  in  the  war  of  1812. 


CHURCH   HISTORY. 

"  The  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Broadalbin  "  was  first  organized 
in  that  town  under  the  name  of  "  The  .\ssociate  Reformed  Church  of 
Bro.idalbin,"  it  being  located  in  that  section  which  was  taken  from  Broad- 
albin and  added  to  Perth  in  1S42.  Its  denominational  name  was  after- 
wards changed,  but  the  aftix  "of  Broadalbin  "  has  always  been  retained. 
This  will  account  for  the  i  hurch  being  located  in  one  town  while  bearing 
he  name  of  another.  The  first  measures  were  taken  towards  the  forma- 
tion of  a  religious  organization  about  the  year  1700.  The  Rev.  John  .Mc- 
Donalil  was  sent  out  1.)  the  Presbytery  ot  .Mbanv  io  form  into  societies  all 
those  who  were  alia.  Iie.l  to  Prcsl.ylenanism  in  \\  est  G.iluuy,  Broadalbin, 
and  other  pLices  In  this  region.  .\n  .nformal  religious  organi/.ttion  was 
thus  created  at  the  house  of  Daniel  .\Iclnt\re,  in  what  is  now  Perth  ("enter, 
and  from  that  time  services  were  occasionally  conducted  by  ministers  from 
the  .Albany  Presbytery  When  there  was  no  su|)piy  the  people  were  accus- 
tomed to  assemble  for  s.icial  worship,  on  Sunday,  at  the  house  of  D,aniel 
Mclntyre,  who  .  omliir  ted  theserviccs.  presiimahiy  in  the  Gaelic  tongue,  a.s 
all,  or  nearly  all,  of  the  cnngrcgalion  were  natives  of  Scotland,  and  many 
of  them  unable  to  speak  or  understand  F.nglish.     A  church  building  was 


24» 


THE  HISTORY  OF  FULTON  COUNTY. 


erected  and  enclosed — though  not  completed — a  short  time  previous  to 
1800,  though  at  what  date  is  not  definitely  known.  At  the  beginning  of 
180C  this  society,  in  conjunction  with  the  church  at  West  Galway,  was  sup- 
plied by  a  licentiate  from  Irelaml,  who  remained  two  ye.irs.  In  1803  it 
was  by  rcijue^t.  taken  iirnlcr  the  care  of  the  .A^tociate  Reformed  Presby- 
tery ot  U"ashin,i;ion,  and  by  thai  body  furnished  with  ocLJiional  supplies, 
among  whom  was  the  Rev.  Robert  Kaston.  from  Scotland. 

Oo  the  loth  of  April.  1804,  Rev.  Robert  Proudfit.  a  licentiate  from 
Penasylvania.  was  ordained  and  furmally  mstalled  pastor  of  this  congre- 
gation. On  Mav  loth.  1^04,  lames  Robb,  Daniel  Mclniyre,  jr.,  Peter 
McClashan,  John  Cameron,  Peter  Robertson  and  Duncan  Stewart  were 
chosen  trustees  of  the  church.  Their  election  was  duly  recorded  in  the 
office  of  the  cuunty  clerk  at  John>to\vn.  May  19th.  1804.  The  election  of 
elders  was  postponed  till  September  20th  following,  at  which  time  John 
Mcintosh,  sen.,  John  Walker  and  J.  McBeath  were  elected,  ordained  and  in- 
stalled as  ruling  elders,  and  the  church  formally  organized  by  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Presbyter)'  of  Saratoga,  under  the  name  of  the  "Associate 
Reformed  Church  of  Broadalbin."  The  following  Sabbath  the  Lord's 
Supper  was  dispensed  for  the  first  time,  of  which  about  90  members  par- 
took. About  this  lime  the  society  found  their  title  to  the  church  lot  inse- 
cure, and  the  buildmg,  which  then  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  edifice, 
was  moved  directly  across  the  street,  to  a  piece  of  ground.  73  by  100  feet, 
deeded  to  the  trustees  by  Daniel  Mclntyre,  without  compensation  or  con- 
dition. This  structure,  though  erected  and  inclosed  several  years  previous, 
had  never  yet  been  completed,  but  had  been  used  all  these  years,  through 
summer's  heat  and  winter's  cold,  with  only  a  rude  floor  and  ruder  seats, 
without  pulpit  or  plaster,  and  with  no  means  of  warming  it.  While  in  this 
condition  it  was  moved  without  being  turned  around,  thus  leaving  the  only 
entrance  to  it  in  the  rear.  In  1805  it  was  finished  inside  bv  John  Cameron 
at  a  cost  of  $550,  still  leaving  the  door  m  the  back  end  of  the  building. 
Rev.  Robert  Proudfit  remained  with  this  church  till  October  i8th,  i8r8, 
when  he  resigned  to  take  a  profe'^sorship  of  Latin  and  Greek  in  Union 
College,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  James  Otterson,  who  was  ordained 
and  installed  September  12th,  182 1,  and  continued  as  pastor  till  May  17th, 
1827.  He  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Malcolm  N.  McLaren,  November  2d, 
1827,  the  latter  resigning  in  Apnl.  1833.  During  his  pastorate  the  present 
brick  edifice  was  erected,  being  completed  in  the  summer  of  1S31.  The 
parsonage  was  built  two  years  later.     The  next   pastor  was  Rev.  David 


Cow,  from  Scotland,  whu  was  installed  February  12th.  1834,  and  rele.i-rd 
from  his  charj^e  May  14th,  1845.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  M. 
Graham,  from  Ohio,  in  the  summer  of  1847.  Mr.  Graham  resigned  in 
August.  1857.  and  on  May  lolh.  1858,  Rev.  J.  L.  Clark  accepted  the  p.i>- 
torale  of  this  congregation,  which  he  retained  until  June  loth,  1872.  In 
1858  a  union  of  the  .\ssociate  and  Associate  Reformed  Churches  was  con- 
summated, forming  "The  United  Presbyterian  Church,"  since  which  this 
I  hunh  has  been  known  as  "The  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Hr().i(U 
albin."  In  1861  improvements  were  made  inside  the  church  building  to 
the  amount  of  §600;  and  in  1867,  S700  was  expended  in  repairing  i!ie 
parsonage.  The  present  pastor.  Rev.  Andrew  Henry,  commenced  his 
labors  in  July.  1S73.  The  present  number  of  members  is  about  130.  The 
Sunday-schoul  was  organized  May  15th,  1834. 

A  beautiful  cemetery,  the  original  ground  for  which  was  purchased  liv 
the  trustees  of  this  society  from  Daniel  Mclniyre  in  1S07.  is  situated  nearly 
opposite  the  church.  It  has  been  enlarged  from  time  to  time.  In  March, 
1874,  it  was  duly  incorporated,  and  subsequently  inclosed  with  a  substan- 
tial iron  fence  and  stone  wall. 

The  L'niled  Presbyterian  church  of  West  Galway  was  organized  in 
March,  1S67,  with  26  members.  Their  present  church  edifice  was  erected 
in  1868. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  West  Galway  was  formed  upon  the  Congre- 
gational plan  in  the  year  1790,  by  the  Rev.  John  Camp,  of  Xew  Cinaan. 
In  1793  it  adopted  the  Presbyterian  form  of  government,  and  in  1795 
erected  the  first  church  building  in  the  place. 

INSURANCE. 

The  Fulton  and  Montgomery  Fire  Insurance  Company  was  organized  at 
Perth  Center,  August  9th,  1853,  and  incorporated  April  13th,  1855.  The 
names  of  Patrick  McFarlan  and  thirteen  other  citizens  of  Perth  appear  as 
charter  members.  The  first  officers  of  the  company  were  James  Canarv-. 
president,  and  Daniel  M(  Farlan,  secretary.  Patrick  McFarlan  was  elected 
president  in  1856,  which  office  he  has  held  since  that  time.  Hugh  B. 
Major  is  secretary  of  the  company,  having  held  that  position  since  1S58. 
The  present  capital  is  $5,690,000.  The  board  of  fifteen  directors  meets 
monthly  at  Amsterdam  and  Perth  Center,  alternately. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  STRATFORD. 


241 


THE  TOWN  OF  STRATFORD. 


The  first  recorded  mo\ement  toward  a  settleinenl  of  this  town  was  that 
of  Clarence  Brookins,  who,  in  the  year  1799,  contracted  with  the  Slate  to 
cut  and  build  a  passable  road  from  Johnstown  to  Salisbury,  Herkimer 
county.  This  road  ran  through  Palatine  district,  as  it  was  called  at  that 
time,  crossing  the  East  Canada  creek  at  Hart's  Bridge,  now  called  F^m- 
monsburg. 

The  town  was  erected  in  1805,  from  the  north  end  of  Palatine,  and 
named  after  a  town  in  Fairfield  county.  Conn.  It  is  supposed  to  have 
been  settled  by  pioneers  from  that  section.  The  first  settler  is  supposed  to 
have  been  one  John  Wells,  who  located  on  what  is  now  the  Mallett  farm. 
He  was  followed  by  Samuel  Bennett,  .\biel  Kibbe  and  Levi,  Eleazer  and 
Samuel  Bliss,  who  settled  in  1800.  locating  themselves  on  the  Johnstown 
road.  Other  pioneers  took  uj)  farms  m  other  |jarts  of  the  town,  among 
whom  were  Isaac  Wood,  Ebenezer  Bliss,  Joseph  .Mallet,  Nathan  Gurney, 
Amos  Kinney,  Silas  and  .\bijah  Phillips,  Chauncey  Orton,  Eli  Winchell, 
Peter  Buckley,  Daniel  Shottenkirk,  Jesse  and  Ephraim  Jennings,  Daniel 
Bleekman  and  Hezekiah  Warner,  the  latter  of  whom  settled  prior  to  1S05. 
All  were  of  New  England  origin,  but  most  of  the  names  are  now  extmct. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  lirst  officers  ot  the  town,  part  of  them  being 
elected  by  a  show  of  hands  ;  Samuel  Bennett,  supervisor ;  Nathan  Gur- 
ney, town  clerk  ;  David  Orton,  Jonathan  Gillett  and  \\'m.  Deans,  super- 
visors ;  James  Odell,  Ebenezer  Bliss  and  Silas  Phillips,  commissioners  of 
highways  ;  Joseph  Mallett  and  .-Vmos  Kinney,  o\erseers  of  poor  ;  Samuel 
Bliss,  constable  and  collector ;  Chauncey  Orton  and  Daniel  Bleekman, 
■constables  ;  Chauncey  Orton  and  Eli  Winchell,  fence  viewers  ;  Jose])h 
Mallett  and  Samuel  Vanscriver,  pound  masters.  The  name  of  Bliss  is  rep- 
resented in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  twenty-five  years — Wm.  Bliss 
holding  that  jiosition  for  ten  years,  .\bijah  Phillips  w,is  town  clerk  for 
twelve  years.  Silas  Phillips  was  .\ssemblynian  for  one  year.  Voting  and 
training  were  of  yearly  nccurreni-c  in  the  \i(:inityof  the  "old  stone  church," 
which  is  still  standing  m  the  town  of  Palatine. 

During  the  early  settlement  of  the  town  the  people  were  rarely  troubled 
with  Indians,  who  occasionally  called  for  food,  but  always  conducted  them- 
selves in  a  peaceable  manner.  The  houses,  in  those  days,  were  often  built 
without  floor  boards,  the  bare  earth  answering  the  purjiose  of  floors.  But 
.as  the  people  could  gain  time  from  their  other  labors,  they  in  some  cases 
split  poles  in  haUes  and  hewed  them  for  lower  floors,  and  used  basswood 
bark  for  upper  floors.  The  howl  of  the  wolf  and  the  cry  ol  the  bear  for 
her  cubs  were  common  sounds  during  the  early  days  connected  with  the 
settlement  of  the  town. 

.\biel  Kibbe  h.id  the  reputation  of  being  a  fearless  and  most  successful 
ght  as  many  as  fifty  bears  and  eleven  wolves.  On  one 
le  trip;  on  an- 
111  h  a  position 
Iirouglu 


man 
occasion  he  and  Eben  Beekinnn  caught  three  bears  during 
other  occasion  they  caught  a  large  wolf,  which  Kibbe  pot  1 
as  to  hold  bv  the  ears  while   Bcekman   bound   him.  and   ll 


him  out  and  exhibited  hiin  at  a  tr 
Kich.ird  P.nllock  and  William  . 
which  is  worth  noting.  Ketllrnin^ 
trail  of  a  panlher.  whi.  h  lliev  folio 
what  mi.ght  he  in^de.  and  only  ha> 
the  best  shot,  rem.iineil  ,it  the  en 
crawled   into  the  .  ave.  and,  ,is  he 


which  was  being  hekl  at  Kibbe' 

h.id  an  adventure  with   .1  panther 

their  line  of  traps,  thev  struck  the 

II  a  cave  it  had  left.  Not  knowing 
ne  gun  between  them,  A\erv,  being 
.  while   lluliock   sharpened'a  stick. 

III  the   darkness,  saw  eves  claring 


upon  him.  living  posse-^ed  of  a  liitle  of  "the  old  Putnam  grit,"  he  dete 
mined  to  finil  out  what  they  belonged  to.  .\very  soon  heard  cries  within, 
then  all  was  .|iiirt;  upon  entering  to  ascertain  the  state  of  things,  he  found 
Bullock  with  three  voiing  p.niuhers  as  trophies  of  his  daring.  Kearing  some 
might  (lis,  redit  their  storv,  thev  brought  out  two  of  the  hea<ls  and  one 
whole  care  ass  as  evideni  e  of  their  exploit. 

The  first  grist-mill  was  built  in  i.S  10,  by  Sanders  Lansing,  one  of  the 
patentees,  on  I-ish  creek.  There  was  but  little  biiMness  ever  tr.insacted 
there.     The   first   saw-inill   was   built    in    iSoO,   by  .Martin   Nichols,  where 


Livingston's  mill  now  stands.  He  also  built  the  first  frame  house  in  1807, 
located  where  the  lodge-room  is.  The  second  grist-mill  was  also  built  by 
Nichols,  as  well  as  the  first  blacksmith  shop.  The  place  was  then  called 
Nicholsville,  but  the  name  was  changed  to  Whitesburg,  then  to  Emmons- 
burg,  being  named  after  the  persons  who  owned  the  tannery  and  surround- 
ings. The  first  tannery  was  built  in  1812,  by  Daniel  Cross.  The  first 
school-house,  built  of  logs,  formerly  stood  on  the  farm  of  Henry  Leavitt. 
Stephen  P.  Cady  kept  the  first  store  and  post-ofiice,  opposite  the  lodge- 
room.  David  Potter  was  the  first  mail-carrier.  In  1809  the  first  bridge 
was  built  across  the  east  Canada  creek  in  Stratford,  connecting  Nichols- 
ville and  Devereux. 

This  town  comprises  parts  of  Glen  and  Bleecker  &  Co.'s  patents,  one 
tier  of  lots  of  Lott  &  Low's  patent,  and  a  part  of  the  Jerseyfield  patent 
granted  to  Henry  Glen  and  others  -Vpril  12th,  1770.  The  widely  known 
"  Royal  Grant  "  of  Sir  William  Johnson's  days  corners  in  this  town  at 
Stratford.     Part  of  Caroga  was  taken  from  Stratford  in  1843. 

The  first  male  birth  was  that  of  Lansing  Wells,  in  1800.  The  first  fe- 
male child  born  was  Betsey  Bliss,  whn^e  stint  it  was  at  five  years  of  age  to 
spin  five  knots  of  tow.  The  first  death  in  this  town  was  that  of  Jesse  Wilson, 
who  was  killed  by  a  tree  falling  upon  him,  December  25th,  1S02.  Samuel 
Bennett  kept  the  first  tavern. 

The  earliest  marriage  was  that  of  Samuel  Ellis  to  Polly  Ciurney.  The 
Gurney  family  in  those  days  were  inclined  to  be  somewhat  ari-.tocratic,  and 
thought  their  daughter  must  be  married  by  a  magistrate  outside  of  the 
town.  Col.  Drake,  of  Salisbury,  Herkimer  county,  was  accordingly  in- 
wted  to  perform  the  ceremony,  but  out  of  respect.  Squire  Thomas  Bennett, 
of  Stratford,  was  also  invited  to  be  present.  Wine,  which  in  those  days 
and  upon  such  occasions  was  always  indulged  in,  was  so  freely  imbibed  by 
Colonel  Drake,  that  when  the  time  approached  for  the  marriage  cere- 
mony, it  became  necessary,  finally,  to  call  upon  Siiuire  Bennett  to  tie  the 
knot: 

The  first  burying  ground  was  the  one  known  as  the  Mallett  burial 
place. 

The  business  of  the  town  is  principally  lumbering,  there  being  sixteen 
saw-mills,  five  tanneries,  and  a  clothes-pin  factory  at  Foster's  mill  .  D.  W. 
Grossman  also  manufactures  butter  tubs  at  Stratford. 

The  Stratford  and  Salisbury  cheese  factory,  and  the  F. 
factory  furnish  some  business  for  the  farmers. 

Bliss,  Kibbe  \-  Co.  have  the  only  general  store  kept  it 
a  flourishing  business. 

The  oldest  inhabitant,  Willys  Bennett,  died  on  the  13th  of  September, 
1877,  aged  99  years.  He  came  from  Connecticut,  and  lived  in  the  town 
from  nis  emigration  until  his  death.  .Veres  of  forest  have  fallen  before 
bis  axe.  and  for  sixty  years  he  furnished  choice  hemlock  to  piano 
manufacturers  for  sounding  boards.  Piano  makers  in  New  York  and  B<is- 
ton  credit  their  best  efforts  to  his  hemlock. 

The  surface  of  the  town  is  rolling  and  hilly  upland,  from 
feet  above  the  .Mohawk,  and  in  the  extreme  north  the  land  i 
is  2000  feet  above  tide  water,  with  a  general  inclination  tow.i 
west.  E.ist  Cm. Ida  creek  pa-ses  through  the  western  part 
and  forms  p.trt  of  the  weskrii  boundarv.  Other  princip.d  ^tre;lnlsare  Fish 
creek,  .\yres  creek,  and  Nnrih  creek,  aUo  the  Sprite  and  Spectacle  streams. 
There  are  19  small  lakes  in  the  town,  among  them  Pleasant,  .\yres,  North 
creek.  Spec  t.a<  le.  Dexter  and  Long  lakes,  furnishing  .abundance  of  sport  for 
the  angler 

In  1810  the  population  of  the  town  was  353,  the  number  of  taxable  in- 
habitants 306,  the  number  of  polls  60,  and  the  whole  amount  of  taxable 
personal  property  $1,735,  ^"'^  °'  '^'^^  estate  S2!;9,ii5.  In  1S75  the  popu- 
lation was  1047.  the  number  of  taxable  inhabitants  J13;  \alualion  of  real 
estate  and  personal  property  $576,470. 


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the  town,  and  do 


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243 


i^^^Ti^oi^s    OIF    Tsiis    "w^os,:k: 

IN 

MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


TOWN  OF  AMSTERDAM. 

Akin,  E.,  r.*  Fort  Johnson;  p.  o.  Amsterdam. 

Arery,  C.  A-,  wholesale  dealer  m  china,  Lrockery,  glassware,  lamps  and 

cutlery,    and    manufaLturer  of    pure    lead,    flint    lamp 

chimneys,  lamps,  fly  traps,  etc..  Main  St.,  .Amsterdam;  b. 

in  N.  Y.;  s.  1S75. 
Baker,  .-Vsa,  teacher,  .Main  St.,  .\msierdam;  b.  in  N,  Y.;  s.  1864. 
Bartley,  James,  agt.  .\tlantic  and  Pacific  Telegraph  Co..  railrc       and  steam- 
boat tickets,  and  real   estate  and  insurance,  Main  St., 

Amsterdam;  b.  in  Canada;  s.  1872. 
Becker,  C.  W.,  dealer  in  drugs,  paints,  oils,  crockery,  glassware,  window 

glass  and  groceries.   Main  St.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y. ; 

s.  1868. 
Bergen,  John  H.,  dealer  in  groceries,  provisions,  etc..  Main  St.,  .\msterdam; 

b.  m  Ireland;  s.  1865. 
BbcH,  J.  P.,  dealer  in  lumber,  lath,  shingles,  etc..  Pear!  St.,  .Amsterdam;  b. 

in   N.  Y.;  s.  185  i. 
Bhin,  Wm.  J.,  pastor  Presbyterian  church  at  Manny's  Corners  ;  p.  o.  .Am- 
sterdam ;  b.  in  .N.  \ .:  5.  1863. 
Bcve,  Waiter,  mfr.  of  carriages  and   .sleighs,  and  does  horse-shccing  and 

general  blacksmithing  ;  Church  si.,  -Amsterdam  ;  b.  in 

Ireland  ;  s.  1868. 
Breeden,  Wra.,  knitting  machine  needle  mfr..   Market  St.,  .Amsterdam  ;  b. 

m  England;  s.  1.S64. 
Bionson,  E.  D.,  broom  mfr.,   .Main  si.,  .Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1835. 
Bronson,  G.  \\'.,  broom  mfr..  Cedar  st..  .Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  X.  Y.  ;  s.  1844. 
Bmnson,  J.  H.,  farmer  ;  r.  Main  st.,  .Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Bassing,   J.  W.,  fashionable  halter  and  furrier,  .Main  St.,  .Amsterdam  ;  b. 

in  N.  Y.;   s.  i8;o. 
Cady,  D.,  cashier  First  National    Bank.  Main  si.,  .Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  town 

of  Florida. 
Caldwell,  John,  contractor  and   builder  and  mfr.   of  sash,  doors,  blinds, 

mouldings,   etc.;   Mill   corner  Canal  st..    Port  Jackson  ; 

r.  Park  st.,  .Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  Canada;  s.  1864. 
Carmichael,    Daniel,   paper  mfr.    Stewart  v"^   Carmii  hael  ,  (»rove  St.,    .Am- 
sterdam ;  b.  in  .V.  ^■.:  s.  1.S61. 
Cass,   .Abraham,   proprietor  of  planing  null.    Pearl  st ,  .Amsterdam  ;  b.  in 

England  ;  s.  1871. 
Chambers,  J.  C,  farmer  and  grower  of   (iuernsey  slock  ;  r.    northern  part 

of  the  town  ;  p.  o.  Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1S67. 
CJjrk,  A.,  with  I.  C.  Shuler  .S;  Co.;  p.  o.  Amsterdam. 
Qizbc,  M.  \V.,  farmer;  r.  north  side   of   the  town  ;  p.  o.  .\mslerdam  ;  b 

in  X.  Y. 
Cooney,   J.  V..  dealer  in  iieriodu  als.  bonks,  music,  stationery,  ete..  .Main 

St.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1868. 
Crowe,  P.  .v.,  tanner.  Main,  si.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  Ireland;  s.  1873. 
Dean,  L.  L.,  dealer  in  gen'l  hardware,  stoves,   tinware,  steam  and  gas  fi.\- 

lures,  etc.,  .Main  st.,  .Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1842. 
De  Forest,  David,  jr,  proprietor  of  Inerv  stable.  (;rove  St.,  Amsterdam. 
De  Graff,  .A.  H.,  bookseller  and  dealer  in  wall  paper,  musical  instruments, 

etc.,  .Main  st..  Amsterdam;   b.  in  .N.  Y.;  s.  1846. 
De  Graff,  Jacob,  farmer  ;  r  east  end  of  the  town  ;  ]i.  o  Cranesville  ;  b   in 


.V.  Y. 


1S05 


De  Graff,  John  G..  jr.  farmer;  r  river  road;  p  o  .\mstcrdam  ;  b  in 
N.  Y.;  s.  1S52. 

De  Graff,  John   T  ,  fanner  ;  r  river  road  ;  p  o.  Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  N.  Y. 

De  Graff.  .Magdalen,  farmer ;  r.  river  road  ;  p.  o  Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  N.  Y. 

De  Graff.  Nicliot.is  I.,  farmer;  r.  river  road;  p.  o.  .Vnisicrdnm  ;  li  m 
N.  Y.  in  1805. 

De  C-.raff,  .\.  J.,  wliolcalc  and  retail  dealer  in  boots,  shoes,  and  rubbers, 
-Main  St.,  Amslerd.im  ;  b,  in  N,  \.:   s.  1842. 

Dcston,  J.,  overseer  in  \V.  K.  Green's  .Son  \-  Co.'s  mill,  Kimball  st.,  Am- 
sterdam ;  b.  in  I'.ngland  ;  s.  184; 

Direndorf,  C.  A.,  physician.  Market  st.,  .\m,terdam  ;  b   in  N.  \. 

DodJi,  C,  farmer  ;  r.  east  end  of  the  town  ;  p  o.  .\insierdam  ;  b.  in  N,  N'  ; 
s.  1,844. 


Dolen,  James  E.,  carpenter  and  builder,  M 

s.  1848. 
Donnan,  James,  farmer  ;  r.  north  side  of  the  town  ; 

in  N.  Y.  ;  s.  i85o. 
Dicvendorff,  Geo.  S.,    First  .N'ational    Bank,    Main  st 


N.  Y 


Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  N.  Y. ; 

a  :  p.  o.  Amsterdam  ;  b. 

lerdam  ;  b.   in 


Dwyer,  John  F.,  steam,  gas  and   water  filter,  and  dealer  in   all   kinds  of 
pumps,  etc.,  Chuctenanda  st.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  Ireland; 
s.  i860. 
Dunlap,  D.  S.,  dealer  in  dry  goods.   Main  st..  .Amsterdan.;  b.   in    N.  Y. ;  s. 

1870. 
De  Forest,  A.  .A.,   of  the  Riverside  Hosiery  Mills,  also  teller  in   Farmers' 
National  Bank,   Main  st..   .Amsterdam.;  b.   in   N.  Y.;  s. 
1854. 
Ecker,  J.    H.,  farmer  and    market  gardner  and  milk  dealer;  r.   Manny's 

Corners;  p  o.  .Amsterdam.;  b,  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1868. 
Ecker,  D.  W.,  farmer  and  dealer  in  ice    Crystal    Ice   Co.  ;  r.  east  end  of 

the  town;  p.  o.  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  5.  1865. 
F'aulds,  James,  with  Warner,  De  Forest  &  Co.,  mfrs.  of  knit  goods;  r.   on 

river  road,  east  end  of  the  town  ;    p.  o.  .Amsterdam. 
Filkins,  .Almon,  master    mechanic   at   S.   Sandford's  carpet  mills.  Park  st., 

.Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1S57. 
Finehout,  James,  glove  mfr.;  r.  near  Fort   J.thnson;    p.  o.   .Amsterdem;  b. 

in  N.  Y.;  s.  1863. 
Firth,    James,  superintendent    of  the  .\mstcrdam  Linseed  (Jil  Mills,  Cor- 
nell St.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  England;  s.  1S62. 
French,  S.  H.,  physician.  Church  st.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1872. 
Greene,  Henry  E.,  mfr.  of  knit  goods,  .Market  st.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y. ; 

s.  1849. 
Hagaman,  .A.  J.,  pastor  of  Reformed  church;  r.  Hagaman's  Mills;  b.  in  N. 

J.;   s.  1863. 
Hagaman,  Francis  M.,  farmer;  r.  Hagaman's  Mills;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Hannett,  W.  B.,  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  R,  C.  church,    Main   st.,  .Amsterdam; 

b.  in  Ireland;  s.  1S74. 
Harvey,  Thomas,  mfr.  of  knit  goods,  Livingston  St.,  .Amsterdam. 
Heagle,  Wm.  M.,  bookseller  and  dealer  in  musical   instruments.    Main  st., 

.Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  \'.;  s.  1849. 
Herrick,  I).  I).,  retired  farmer:  r.  C.rove  st..  .\msterdam;  b.    m   N.    \.;    s. 

1865. 
Herrick,  M.  V.,  proprietor  of  >a\v  and  grist-mill;   r.  Hagaman's  Mills;   b.  in 

N.  Y.;  s.  1S40. 
Hewett,  1).  C.  \-  N.,  dealers  in  all  kindsof  budding  stone,  limestone.  ste|is, 
ashlars  for  bridges,  el.  ,;   r,  Ro,  k  Citv:   p.  o.  Amsterdam; 
b.  in   Pennsylvania. 
Howgate,  John  .A,,  foreman  at  Stejihen  Samlford's  carpet    mill.    High  st., 

.Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1865. 
Inman,  Geo.  K.,  mfr.  of  wire  for  bailing  hav,  Main  st,,  .Vmsterdam;  b  in  N. 

Y.;  s.    1851. 
Inman,  Horace,  proprietor  of  the   .Amsterdam  paper   box  factory.  Spring 

St.,  .Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  N.  ^'  ;  s.  1859. 
Irish,  Wm.  N.,  pastor  of  St.  .Ann's  F^pis'l  chun  h.  Division  st.,  .Amsterdam; 

b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1876. 
Jackson,  Is,iac,  jr.,  farmer;  r.  Spring  st.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y  ;  s.  1838. 
Johnson,  ¥..  W  .  farmer  and  milk  dealer;  r  northeast  part  of  the  town,  [1.  o.  • 

,\nisierdain;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1S67. 
Jones,  James    V..   farmer;   r.    east  of   H.igam.in's    Mills;   p.    o.    Hagaman's 

.Mills;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Kavanagh,  John,  riealer  in  boots   and   shoes.   Mam   st,.    .\msterdam;  b.  in 

Ireland;   s.  18:;  i. 
Kellogg,  lolin,  oil  mfr,,  Chun  h  st,,  .Vuislerdun;   b    in  N,  V  ,  s    1851. 
Kennedy.'   Thomas  F.,  dealer  in  groceries  .in.i  prin  isions,  .Main  St.,  Amsler- 

<lam;  b   in  N.  Y.;  s.  1.S68. 
Kline,  Adam  W.,  banker  and  mfr.  of  knit  g...id>;  r.  Amsterdam. 
Kline,  Wm.  J.,  editor  of  the  /hmncia/  and  postmaster;  r.  .Amsterdam, 
Lewis,  P.  I.,  attorney  at  law.  Main  st.,  .\mstcrdaiii, 
Lewis,  S.  i),  phvsician,  Chun  h  st.,  .\inslerd,im;   b,  in  N,  \'  .  s    187O 
Lingenfelter,  Abram,   fariiur;  r.    north  of  Fort  Johnson;  p   o.  .\nisier.lam; 
b,  in  N,  Y.  in  1817. 


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:2VV 


OUR  PATRONS  IN  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


Majoi,  W.  M.,  farmer  and  agt.  for  Wood's  moiver  and  reaper;  r.  north  part 

of  the  town;  p.  o.  Amsterdam;  h.  in  N.  V. 
Maxwell,  John,  proprietor  of  the  Amity  Knitting  Mills;  r.  Rock  City;  p.  o. 

Amsterdam;  b.  in  Scotland;  s.  1H57. 
McClampha,  J.,  jr.,  wholesale  and  retaiH  grocer,  .Main  St.,  .Amsterdam;  b. 

in  N.  v.;  s.  1852.. 
McDii^e,  R.  A,,  aitorncy-at-law.  Main  st.,  .\msterdam;  b.  in   N.  Y. ;   s. 

1875. 
McE!»ain,  A.,  shoe  mfr,  Livingston  st ,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  X.  V.;  s.  1844. 
&!cE]«rain,  H.  S.,  pro[)rielor  of  foundry,  Livingston  St.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in 

.v.  v.;  s.  1842. 
McMartin,  L>uncan,  farmer;  r.  east  of  Hagainan's   Mills;  p.  o.  Hagaman's 

.Mills:  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1S16. 
McMartin,  John,  fanner;    r  east  of  H.ig.imnn's  Mills;   p.  o.   Hagaman's 

Mills;  b.  in  Scotland  in  1809. 
Miller,  James  A.,  of  Kellogg  iV   Miller,  oil  mlrs,.  Church  st..  .Amsterdam; 

b.  in  Scotland. 
Moat,  Charles,  brew-er  of  pale,  amber  and  stock  ales,  Washington  St.,  .Am- 
sterdam; b.  in  England;  s.  1868. 
MoatgDmery,  Geo.,  bookkeeper  at    D.  W.  Shuler's,  Wall   St.,  Amsterdam; 

b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1867. 

Moore,  A.  H-,  mfr.  of  and  dealer  in  ready-made  clothing,  gents'  furnishing 

goods,  hats,  caps,  trunks,  etc..  Main  st.,  Amsterdam;  b. 

in  N.  Y.;  s.  1868. 

Moore.  H.  J.,  attomey-at-law,  NLain  -t.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  .V.       ;  s.  1876. 

Moore,  Staller,  dresser  of  sheep  skins;  r.  north   of   Fort   Johnson;  p.  a 

Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y. ;  s,  1840. 
Neff,  A.  Z.,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Riconier,  .Main  St.,  .Amsterdam. 
Neff,  Joseph,  farmer;  r.  Spring  st.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1827. 
Ostrom,  Daniel,  dealer  in  groceries,  Hour,  feed,  etc..  Main  St.,  Amsterdam 

b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1870. 
Paton,  John,  boss  carder  at  Sanford's  carpet  mills,  Cornell  St.,  Amsterdam 

b.  in  Scotland;  s.  1867. 
Pawling,   H.  H.,  mfr.   of  knit   goods;  r  Hagaman's    Mills;  b.  in   N.   Y. 

s.  1849. 
Pawling,  Wm.  \V.,  mfr.  of  knit  goods;  r  Hagaman's  Mills;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Peck,  J.  E.,  dealer  in  choice  family  groceries  and  provisions.  Main  st.  cor. 

Market,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1844. 
Peck,  Richard,  attomey-at-law,  .Main  st.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1876. 
Peckham,  J.  M.,  superintendent  at  the  Forest  Paper   Mills.  Park  St.,  Am- 
sterdam; b.  in  England. 
Pettengill,  W.  T.,  dealer  in  groceries,  fruits  and  canned  goods.  Bridge  St., 

Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  A'.;  s.  1855. 
Pollock,  Charles,  farmer;  r.   east   of   Hagaman's   .Mills;   p.   o.    Hagaman's 

Mills;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  iSoS. 
Potter,  Allen,   retired   farmer;    r    Spring  St.,   Amsterdam;    b.    in    N.  Y.; 

s.  1861. 
Putnam,  Wilson,  stone  cutter;  r  near  Tribes  Hill;  p.  o.  Tribes  Hill;  b.  in 

N.  Y.  in  181 7. 
Reid,  J.  A.,  farmer;  r.  Church  st.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y,;  s.  1843. 
Reid,  James  B.  ^of  M.  Reid  &  Son,   Farmers'  E.xchange),  groceries,  flour, 
feed,  fish,  salt,  etc.,  Church  st..  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.; 
s.  1833. 
Reid,  Myron  W.,  druggist   business  established  in  1870  ,  Main  St.,  .Amster- 
dam; b.  in  N.  Y. 
Reid.  W.  Max,  with  L  C.  Shulcr  &  Co..  Spring  st.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Robb,  W.  H.,  physician.  Main  st.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  V.;  s.  1862. 
Romeyn    B   J.,  farmer;  r.  cast   end  of   the  town;  p.  0.  CranesviUe;  b.  in 

N.  Y. 
Saltsman,  H.  W.,  with  Wendell  &  Becker,  Main  St.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.Y.; 

s.  1873. 
Sanford,  Stephen,  carpet  infr.,  church  st.,  .Amsterdam. 
Schuyler,  J.  H.,  Chuctenunda  Knitting  Mills,  Market  St.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in 

N.  Y.;  s.  1864. 
Schuyler,  Winslow,  retired  farmer;  r.   Main   St.,  -Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.; 

s.  1865. 
Scoon,  James  H.,  physician.  Market  St.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N'.  Y.;  s.  1867. 
Seaman,  J.  W.,  private  school.  Main  St.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Servis-s,  L.  .A.,  attomey-at-law,  Main  st.,  Amsterdam;  b.  m  N.  Y. 
Shuler,  \.  C.  wholcs.ile  undertaking  good.s  32  Market  st,.  Amsterdam. 
Shuler.  Uavis  W.,  mfr.  of  springs,  Amsterdam. 

Snell,  J.    .A.,  wholes-ile  dealer  m   china,   crockery,   glassware,  cutlery  and 
mfr.  of  pure   flint   lamp   chimneys,   flytraps,   lamps,  etc.. 
Main  St.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1876. 
Smith,  Edward  S.,  same  business  as  last  named.  NLiin  st..  .Amsterdam. 
Snell   James  R  ,  proprietor  of  livery  stable,  Railroad  st.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in 

N.  Y.;  s.  .857. 
Stanton,  L  B.,  photographer,  Main  st..  Amsterdam;  b.  in  Mass.;  s.  1868. 
Stewart,  John,  justice  of  the  p.cice,  Main  St..  .Amsterdam  ;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Stratton.  C.  J.,  broom  mfr.,  Main  st..  .\insterdam  ;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1869. 
Sugden   J.  T.,  of  the  Riverside   Hosiery  Co..  .Market  st.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in 

England;  s.  1863. 
Swart,  l5a.ac  W.,  farmer  and   broom   mfr;   r,  river   road;   p.  o.  CranesviUe; 

b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1803. 
Swart   Henry  J.,  farmer;  r.  cast  end  of  the  town;  p.  o.  CranesviUe;   b.  in 
N.  Y.  m   1832. 


Sweet,  Lansing  W.,  farmer  and  surveyor;  r  near  Fort  Johnson;  p.  o.  .Am- 
sterdam; b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1840. 

'I'erwilleger,  Orville.  contractor  and  builder,  Bridge  st.,  .Amsterdam;  b  in 
N.  Y.;  s.  1855. 

Timmerman,  Chas..  and  1  immerman.  W.  A.,  mfrs.  of  and  w-holesale  and 
retail  dealers  in  coffins,  caskets,  furniture,  etc,  .ami 
undertakers,  .Main  St..  .Amsterdam;  b.  in   N.  Y.;  s    i.sdo 

Thompson,  Wm,  \\',.  principal  of  the  .Amsterdam  Academy.  .Acadenn  >i  . 
.Amsterdam. 

Tilton.  C.  H,,  dentist.  NLiin  St.,  cor.  Market.  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N  II,; 
s.  1S65. 

Van  Derveer.  Harnette  E,.  Amsterdam  vllla^e, 

Van  Derveer.   1',  H,.  farnier;   r.  Locust  ave.,  Amsterdam;  b,  in  \    Y, 

Van  Heusen,  .A.  T.,  dealer  in  furniture  and  upholstery,  feathers,  etc.  .Main 
St.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1862. 

Van  Wormer.  Delancy;  r   Schuyler  st..  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N,  Y.;  s.  1-^51 

Van  Wormer.  Henry,  farmer;  r  east  end  of  the  town;  p.  o.  Cranesvilie;  b. 
in  .\.  Y.  in  1807. 

Visscher,  John  N.,  dealer  in  general  hardware,  cutlery-,  agricultural  im|ile- 
ments.  wagon  wheels,  etc..  Main  St.,  .Amsterdam;  li.  in 
N.  Y.  in   1S24. 

Waldron,  H.  B.,  with  L  C,  Shuler  &  Co.,  Market  St.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N. 
Y.;  s.  1 868. 

Ward,  Samuel,  overseer  in  knitting  mill,  Kimball  St.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in 
England;  s.  1S43. 

Warner,  John,  Riverside  Hosiery  Mills,  Market  St.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  Eng- 
land; s.  1856. 

Warnick.  John  K..  mfr  of  knit  goods.  Market  St.,  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y. 

Warnick,  NL,  druggist  business  established  in  1870),  Main  St.,  Amsterdam; 
b.  in  .v.  Y.;s.  r845. 

Westbrook,  Z.  S.,  attomev-at-law  and  county  judge.  Main  st,,  .Amster- 
dam; b.'in  N.  J.;  s.  1871. 

Wilde,  C,  farmer;  r.  north  of  Fort  Johnson;  p.  o.  Amsterdam;  b,  in  N'. 
Y.;5.  1845, 

Wilde,  James  L.,  farmer;  r  north  of  Fort  Johnson;  p.  o,  .Amsterdam;  b,  in 
N. Y,  in  1825. 

Wilde,  O.,  farmer;  r.  nortn  of    Fort  Johnson;  p.  o.  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  'v. 

Wilde,  S.,  farmer;  r.  north  of   Fort  Johnson;  p.  o.    .Amsterdam;  b.  in  \,  Y. 

Williams,  C.  W.,  dealer  in  hardware,  stoves,  furnaces,  steam,  water  and  gas 
fittings,  Main  St.,  .Amsterdam;  b,  in  X.  \'  ;  s.  1S55, 

Winegar,  C,  P.,  attorney,  Main  st.,  .Amsterdam. 

Wood,  P.  D.,  tax  collector.  Main  St.,  .Amsterdam. 

White  J.  X.,  physician,  r.  14  Division  St.,  .Amsterdam. 

Young,  Almarin,  formerly  postmaster.  Main  St.,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  X,  Y.; 
s.  1859. 

Zeller,  John  L.,  horse  shoeing,  carriage  ironing  and  general  blacksmitliing. 
Main  St.,  .\msterdam;  b.  in  X.  Y.;  s.  1854, 


TOWN  OF  C.\X.-\jOIl.\RIE. 

Arkell  &  Smiths,  paper  bag  mfrs,,  Canajoharie;  5.  1859. 

.Allen,  L.  F.  &:  Co.,  publishers  of  the  Radii,  Canajoharie;  b,  at  Schenei 

Barnes,  C.  G.,  president  of  the  Can.ajoharie  Bank,  Can,ijohanc;  b.  in 

gomery  county  in  1817. 
Barnes,  C.  C,  attorney,  Canajoharie;  b.  in  Palatine. 
Barnes,  L.  C...  farmer:  p.  o.  Ames;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1S3 
Bergen,  Geo.  C,  farmer;  p.  o.  Canajoharie. 
Betts,  Philip,  proprietor  of  meat   market.  Canajoharie;  b.  in   Montg 

county;  s.  i85i. 
Bierbauer.  Louis,  brewer.  Canajoharie;  b.  in  Germany  in  1S30. 
Blair,  Seeber.  farmer;  p.  o.  Buel;  b.  in  Montgomery  county;  s.  1S41 
Bowm.an.  Elisha  L.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Buel;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county;  s. 
Burnap,  P.  H,.  physician.  Can.ljoharie;  b.  in  Montgomery  county;  s. 
Burbcck.  Jo^-eph.  j.hysician.  Can.ljoharie;  b.  in  X.  H. 
Button.  I'lielps,  farmer;  p,  o.  Ames. 
Ben/e.  H.  C.  dealer  in  hats  and  caps,  Canajoharie. 
Clark,  Edward,  merchant,  Ames. 

Cook,  James  H.  attorney.  Canajoharie;  b.  m  Palatine. 
Countryman,  Willi.ini,  farmer;  p.  o.  Canajoharie. 
Dcvoe,  D,  A,,  farmer;  p,  o.  Canajoharie;  b.  in  Herkimer  county;  s. 
Diefendorf,  L.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Canajoharie. 
Dunckel,  H.,  attorney,  Can,ajoharie;  b.  in  Mc 
Dunkel,  Henry,  farmer;  p.  o.  Frcysbush;  b.  ir 
Dunckel,  I'etcr.  farmer;   p,  o,  Ames. 
Dunlaii.  .\.  C,  merchant,  liuel;  b.  in  Montgo 
Ehle.  Abraham,  farmer;  p.  o.  Mapletown. 
Ehlc,  Henry  >V  Son.,  farmers;  p.  o,  M.iplctown. 
Failing,  Harvey  S..  farmer;  p.  o.  M.ipleiuwn, 
Field,  S.  A,,  proprietor  of  livery  stable  an^  blacksmith  shop,  Canaj 

b.  in   Mass.  in  1827, 


itgomery  county. 
.Montgomery  county  m 


cry  county. 


OUR  PATRONS  IN  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


245 


Finehout,  J.  &:  Son.,   grocers,  Canajoharie;  b.   in    Montgomery  county. 
Frost,  James,  cashier  of  the  Spr,iker   National    Bank,   Canajoharie;  b.  in 

Montgomery  county. 
Fox,   O.    G.,  farmer;    p.  o.   Sprout    Brook;    b.  in  Montgomery  county. in 

1826. 
Freeboldt.  Mrs.  .\..  farmer;  p.  o.  Buel;  b.  in  Germany;  s.  1851. 
Furmin,  \V.  R  .  farmer;  p.  o.  Buel;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1822. 
Oarlock,  B..  farmer;  p.  o.  .Marshville;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1804. 
Garlock,   \Vm.,   farmer;  p.    o.    Marshville;    b.   in    Montgomery-  county  in 

1827. 
Garlock.  L.  S.,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Mapletown. 

Gilbert,  Horatio,  physician,  C.majoharie;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 
iiilman,  K.  Bryant,  photographer,  Canajoharie. 
Hall,  Robert  C..  farmer;  p.  o.  Canajoharie. 
Halligan,  James,  dealer  in   hidc^,  Icither  and   wool.  Canajoharie;    b.  in 

N.  V. 
Hammond,  J.  M.,  carpenter  and  proprietor  of  saw-mill;  p.  o.  S[)rout  Brook; 

b-  in  .Montgomery  county;  s.  1S5J. 
Hatter,  William,  clothing  merchant;  p.  o.  Sprout  Brook;  b.  in  Germany. 
Hees,  .\.,  attorney  and  lounseller-at-law,  p.  o.  S[)roul  Brook. 
Henneman,  J.  F.  \\'.,  farmer,  p.  o.  Canajoharie;  b.  in  Germany;  s.  1S58. 
Hodge,  .\ug.  M.,  druiigist,  Canajoharie;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county. 
Hiller,  George  F.,  grocer,  Canajoharie;  b.  in  Schoharie;  s.  1870. 
lUe,  F. 
Koucher,  Benjamin,  farmer;  p.   o.    Marshville;  b.   in   Montgomery  county 

in  1S14. 
Kocher,  Peter,  apiari.in;   p.  o.   Marshville;   b.  in  Montgomery'  county  in 

1822. 
Kelly,  George,  farmer;  p.  o.  Canajoharie. 
Mereness,  J.  M. 
Mesick,   Peter  A.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Ames;   born  in  Montgomery  county;    s. 

1S55. 
Mills,  D.  F.,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Ames;  b.  in  Montgomery  county;  s.  1855. 
Morrel,  D.  S.,  attorney;  r.  Palatine  Bridge;  p.  o.  Canajoharie;  b.  in  Mont- 
gomery county. 
Mull,  Abraham,  cheese  factorv;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county; 

s.  1867. 
Mosher,  E.  C,  carriage  mfr..  Canajoharie;  b.  at  Schenectady  in  1824. 
Neiiis,  A.,  hotel  proprietor,  Canajoharie;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county. 
Norton,  James  M..  farmer;  p.  o.  Buel:  b.  in  Conn,  in  1825. 
Nellis,  J.  H.,  dealer  in  Italian  bees,  Canajoharie. 
Putman,  P.  W'.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Mapletoun. 
Putman,  \V.  W.,  dressmaker,  Canajoharie;  b.  at  Troy  In  1826. 
Richmond,  .\.  ().,  cashier  of  the  Canajoharie  Bank,  Canajoharie. 
Roberts,    E.,   machinist,   Canajoharie  ;    born   in    Montgomery   county   in 

1828. 
Rice,  George,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Canajoharie. 
Robison,  Chas.  H.,  proprietor  of  the  "  Cottage  Hotel,"  Canajoharie  ;  b.  in 

Schenectady  county  in  1S22. 
Sammons,  S.  G.,  farmer  and  po-.tm3ster,  Buel  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county 

in  1815. 
Sanders,  Ervin,  farmer ;  p.  o.  Canajoharie. 
Shaper,  Charles,  dealer  in   lime,  cut  stone,  etc.,  Canajoharie  ;  b.  in  Ger- 

many;  s.  .S56. 
SL  John,  D.  .M..  farmer  ;  p.  o,  Canajoharie. 
Shinneman,  .\.,  farmer  ;  jj.  o.  Canajoharie  ;  born  in  Germany. 
Shinaman,  H.  E.,  fanner ;  p  o.  Marshville  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  ;  s. 

■853- 

Spraker,  James,  president  of  the  Spraker  Bank,  Canajoharie  ;  b.  in  Mont- 
gomery county. 

Spraker,  David,  attorney,  Can.ijoharic  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Spraker,  Frasier,  attorney.  Canajoharie  ;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county. 

Settle,  A.  P.,  druggist,  Canajoharie  ;  b.  in  Fulton  county. 

Stafford,  B.,  insurance  agt.,  Canajoharie;  b.  in  Mass. 

Stafford,  J.,  deputy  U.  S.  marshall,  Canajoharie  ;  b.  in  Monroe  county. 

Smith,  J.  C,  farmer  and  hop  grower;  p.  o.  Canajoharie;  b.  in  Otsego 
county;  5.  1848. 

Sticht,  Christopher,  boot  and  shoe  de.aler,  Canajoharie;  b.  in  Germany. 

Sloan,  Peter,  demist,  Canajoh.irie. 

Scharff,  Win.  J.,  kecjicr  of  restaurant,  Canajoharie. 

'J'aylor,  K.  Cv  Son.  fanners;   p.  o.  .Mapletown. 

Taylor,    Mrs.    Harriet.   Canajoharie;  b.    in   Montgomery  county,  in    1813. 

Van  Buren,  M.,  fanner;  p.  o.  .Mapletown. 

Van  .\lstine,  \\  .  K  ,  farmer;  p.  o.  .\mes;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Van  Ness,  H  ,  fanner;  p.  o.  Buel;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1834. 

Williams,  E.  Kmerson,  lariner;  p.  o.  Canajoharie. 

Wells,  G.  E.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Ames. 

Wetmore.  P.,  attorncv;  Can.ijoharie;  h.  in  Conn,  in  1798 

White,  John.  farmer;|i   o.  Ames;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1829. 

Wheeler,  C.  W.,  jublicc  and  insurance  agt.;  p.  o.  .\mes;  b.  in  Montgomery 
county. 

Wiles,  .Abraham,  farmer;  p.  o.  Buel;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1823. 

Wohlgemuth,  .\.,  farmer;  p.  o.  .\mes;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county  in  1S28. 

Winsman,  H.  li.,  dciler  in  boots  and  shoes,  Canajoharie;  b.  in  (.Icrmany  in 
1836. 

While,  Abijah  D.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Ames, 


White,  Dr.  Joseph,  physician,  Canajoharie. 

Yates,  E.  L.,  maltster,  Canajoharie;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1811. 


TOWN  OF  CII.VRLESTON. 

Baird,  J.  M.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Charleston. 

Barlow,  W.  C,  general  storekeeper;  p.  o.  Oak  Ridge. 

Biggam,  W.  H.,  physician  and  surgeon;  p.  o.  Charleston. 

Bell,  W.  H,,  farmer;  |i.  o.  Burtoniille. 

Bowdish,  John  .M.,  farmer  and  bee  r.aiser;  p.  o.  Charleston  Four  Corners. 

Bowdish,  Thomas  W.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Charleston  Four  Corners. 

Butler,  James  P.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Burtonville. 

Chase,  D.  C,  postmaster,  fruiterer,  justice,  and  teacher;  p.  o.  Burtonville. 

Davis,  Hosea,  farmer;  p.  o.  Oak  Ridge. 

Egleston,  Chester  B.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Burtonville. 

Hoag,  Francis,  farmer;  p.  o.  Charleston  Four  Corners. 

Hoag,  Isaac,  farmer;  p.  o.  Charleston. 

Lansing,  G.  G.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Charleston. 

McDuffee,  Judson,  hay  dealer;  p.  o.  Charleston  Four  Corners. 

Mereness,  J.  W.,  proprietor  of  grist-mill;  p.  o.  Burtonville. 

Miller.  Mrs.  J.  J.,  physician;  p.  o.  Charleston  Four  Corners. 

Overbaugh,  Nelson,  farmer;  p.  o.  Mill  Point. 

Pierson,  Wm.  N.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Esperance. 

Quick,  Wm.  J.,  teacher,  Burtonville. 

Randall,  J.  .\.,  mfr.  of  woolen  goods.  Burtonville. 

Ross,  Rev.  John,  minister  and  farmer.  Charleston  Four  Comers. 

Scott,  A.  -M.,  blacksmith,  Charleston  Four  Corners. 

Smith,  John  H.,  hotel  proprietor,  Charleston  Four  Corners. 

Staley,  Eugene  \V.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Charleston  Four  Corners. 


I  TOWN  OF  FLORIDA. 

I 

Barney,  Z.  H.,  physician,  Minaville;  b.  in  Vermont  in  1826. 
I      Bowman,  Frederick,  farmer;  p.  o.  Port  Jackson;  b.  in  Germany;  s.  185 1. 
j     Conover,  Leslie,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Minaville;  b.  in  X.  Y.  m  1832, 

Casey,  W.,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  .\.  Y.  in  1S33. 
I      Davis,  Richard,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Minaville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1818. 
j      De  Groif,  Wm.  H.,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Minaville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1820. 

Devendorf,  H.  A.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Hunter;  b.  in  N.  Y. 

Eldrett,  J.  .A.,  carriage  mfr..  Port  Jackson;  b.  in   England. 
I      French,  Uavid,  farmer;  p.  o.  Minaville. 
I      Howard,  E.,  Fort  Hunter. 

I      Hartley,  John  B.,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1856. 
j      Hartley,  R.  M.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Port  Jackson;  b.  in  N.  Y. 

Herrick,  Jas,,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Minaville. 

Hubbard,  W.  H.,  retired  farmer;  p.  o.  .Minaville;  b.  in  N.  Y. 

Hubbs,  Hiram,  farmer;  p.  o.  Port  J.ickson;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1819. 
I      Hubbs,  John,  farmer;  p.  o.  Port  Jackson;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1817. 

Howe.  Wm.  H.,  proprietor  of  hotel.  Port  Jackson;  b.  1840. 

Johnson,  John  Q.,  farmer  and  justice  of  peace,  .Minaville. 

(Ceachie,  Andrew,  farmer;  p.  o.  Scotch  Bush;  b.  1810. 

Kelly,  John,  farmer,  dairyman  and  fruit  grower;  p.  o.   Scotch   Bush;  b.  in 
N.  Y.  in  1820. 

Luke,  G.  B..  farmer;  p.  o.  Port  Jackson. 

Laurie,  Geo.,  marble  works;  p.  o,  .Amsterdam;  b.  in  Scotland;  s.  1871. 

McClumpha,  C.  W.,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Minaville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in   1837. 

McClumpha,  \V.,  farmer  and  breeder  of  swine;  p.  o.  Mina'ille,  b.  in  N.V.; 
s.  1S57. 

McClumpha,  P.  H.,  farmer;  p.  o   Fort  Hunter. 

McClum|)ha,  Robt.,  farmer,  p.  o.  .Minaville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1830. 
i      .McClumpha,  .V.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Port  Jackson;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
f      Milmine,  W.  A,,  farmer;  p.  o.  Amsterdam;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
j      .Munsell,  Chauncey,  carpenter  and  builder.   Port  J.ickson. 
I     Perkins,  Thos.,  agt.  m.icliine  shop.  Port  Jackson;  b,  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1072. 
I     Perkins,  J.  W.,  proprietor  of  foundrv  and  machine  shop.  Port  Jackson;  b. 

in  N.  Y. 
^      Phillips,  Lewis,  farmer  and  grocer.  Port  Jackson;  b   in  N.  V.  in  1827. 

Phillips,  A,  C,  farnur;  [1.  o.  Port  J.ickson;  b  in  N,  Y. 

Putman,  J.  C  .  proprietor  of  store  hi.iusc  and  dealer  in  llour,  feed  and  grain. 
Port  Jackson;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1R61. 
,      Reese.  Nelson  &  Hiram,  farmers;  p.  o.  Fort  Hunter;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1827. 
■      Ruff,  Wm.  H.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Scotch  Mush;  b.  m  N.  V,  in  1827. 
I     .Serviss,  Alex.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Minaville;  b.  in  N.  V.  in  1S18. 
I     Staley,  Jacob,  farmer;  p.  o.  Minaville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1832. 


246 


OUR  PATRONS  IN  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


;  b.  in  N.  1 
ch  horses: 
b.  in  \.  V 


,  in  1S20. 


1845. 


Jacks 


.85  7. 


StaJcy,  John  H.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Minaville 
Stewart,  Daniel  J.,  tarnicr,  boardinj;  coi 
Sweet,  David,  farmer:  p.  o.  Am^^tcrdam; 
Schuyler,  Daniel  D  ,  fanner;   p.  o.  Minaville. 
Thayer,  Geo,  \\'..  farmer:  p.  o.  Port  Jarkson;  b.  in  > 
Van  Vechtcn,  J.  H..  farmer;  p.  o.  Scotch  Church;  b. 
Van  Ilorne,  Daniel,  farmer;  p.  o.  Minaville;  b.  m   N.  V.  in  iSoi. 
Voorhees,  J.   H.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Arribterdam. 

Ward,  J.  H.,  superintendent  of  gas  works  at  .Amsterdam;  p.  o.  Port  Jack- 
son; b.  in  .\.  v.;  s.  1S67. 
Young,  Ann,  Minaville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1803. 


TOWN  OF  GLEN. 


B«U,  J.  H.,  fanner  ;  p.  o.  Glen  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Chapman,  W.  R.,  merchant.  Fultonville. 

Cross,  Walter,  insurance  agt.  and  survevor,  Fultonville. 

Conover,   Seely,  school  commissioner  ;  p.  o.  Fultonville  ;  b     n  Jefferson 
county. 

Donaldson,  H.  J.,  owner  of  the  Starin  House,  Fultonville  ;  b.  in  Washing- 
ton county. 

Backer,  Wm.  E.,  Fultonville. 

Edvards,  J.  V.  S.,  merchant.  Glen  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Edwards,  Wm.  H.,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Glen. 

Elkland,  John,  merchant  tailor,  Fultonville. 

Faulkner,  Jas.  J.  &  Son,  merchants  and  millers,  Mill  Point. 

Faulkner,  Benj.  A.,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Glen. 

Frank,  Isxic,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Glen  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Freeman,  C.  B.,  proprietor  of  steam  mills,  Fultonville  ;  b.  in  Herkimer  in 
1800. 

Garber,  Martin,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  (ilen. 

Horton,    T.    R.,    attorney    and   editor,    Fi 
county. 

Hubbs,  John  E..  hotel  proprietor,  Glen. 

Hjmey,  Jno.,  farmer  ;  p.  o   Glen. 

Kip,  Rev.  F.  M.,  minister,  Fultonville  ;  b.  ir 

Leach,  A.  M.,  physician,  Glen. 

Mabee,  Peter  H.,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Auriesville. 

Manning,  E.  J.,  harness  maker.  Glen. 

Morrison,  Jno.  H.,  merchant,  Fultonville  ;  t 

Mound,  Benj.,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Glen. 

Noxon,  Jay  C,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Glen  ;  t 

Oslrom,  Stephen,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  (;ien. 

Oslrom,  John  H.,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Glen  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Palmer,  Jno.  R.,  school  teacher,  Glen  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Perkins,  Jno.  A.,  hotel  proprietor,  Fultonville. 

Pierce,  .Milan,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Glen. 

Pniyn,  Chas.,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Glen. 

Putman,  John,  miller,  (.lien  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Putman,  V.  A  .  farmer  :  p.  o.  .Auriesville. 

Schuyler,  John  D.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Glen;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county. 

Schuyler,  G.  S-,  farmer;  p.  o.  Glen:  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Shelp,  James  N.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Glen;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county. 

Shutts.  C.  farmer;  p.  o.  Auriesville. 

Silmser,  M.,  farmer. 

Sizar,  Edwin,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fultonville. 

Starin,  Abraham,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fultonville;  b.  in   Montgomery  county 
1803. 

Shelp,  Mount,  farmer;  p.  c   Glen. 

Tallmadge,  W.  H..  miller.  Glen;  b.  in  .Montgomery 

Tallmadge,  I.  N.,  blacksmith.  Glen. 

Van  Epps,  Lewis,  farmer;  p.  0.  Kultonnlle;  b.  in 


ultonv 


in    Montgomery 


Dutchess  county  ; 


Montgomery  county. 
Montgomery  county. 


iinty. 
)ntgomery  1 


aunty  in 


l8.M- 
Vanderieer.  John,  tanner;  p. 
Vandcrvcer.  Tunis,  farmer;  p 
Vedder,  John  O.,  farmer;  p.  c 
Van  Home,  J.imes,  farmer;  p 
Van  Home,  .\bram,  farmer;  ] 
Vrooman,  Gilbert,  farmer;  p. 
Voorhee-s,  I.  N.,  f.inncr:  p.  o. 
Van  Home,  S.  huyler,  farmer: 
Winne,  Richard,  farmer;  p.  c 

lS',o. 
Wemple,  F.rlward,  mir.,  Fiiltoi 
Wemiile,  Ni.  lii.l.i-.  wlr,  i-ulm 
Weniplc.  R.,  f.irmer;  p.  .v  I'liu 
Wood,  Charles   I,  llulcl  keeper. 


0,  Glen. 

0.  Glen. 
Fultonville. 

0.  Glen. 
.  0   Mill  Point. 
0.  Fultonville. 
.Mill  I'uint. 

p.  n.  Mill  Puin 
FullonMlle;  1 

villc:  b.  in  Mor 
mile;   l>,  in  .\l< 

"i; 

Montgomery  county  i 


■S34. 


TOWN  OP  .MIXDHN. 

Aradt,  .Alfred,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  V.  in  1831. 

Adams,  R..  insurance  agt..  Canal  st..  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1S05 

Benett,  J.  K.,  dentist.   Fort  Plain;    b.  in  N.  Y.;s.  1863. 

Bellinger.  C.  P..  farmx-r;  p  o.  Fort   Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s  1847. 

Brookman,  James  L,  farmer;   p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1831. 

Bush,  P.  (;.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Freysbish;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1816. 

Bauder,  J.  G.,  farmer;  |i.  o,  Freysbush;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1827. 

Bauder,  N.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  \. 

Bauder,  Benj.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N,  Y.  in   1836. 

Bauder,  G.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  .N.  Y.  in  1837. 

Bauder,  J.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Hallsville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1814. 

Brookman,  John  H.,  farmer  and  cheese  mfr.;  p.  0.  Fort  Plain;   b.  in  N.  V 

in  1817. 
Bellinger,  Jacob  P..  farmer:  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1847 

Bellinger,  (lideon,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y. 

Bush,  David  A.,  farmer:  p.  o.  Salts|iringville;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1858. 

Gary,  .Alfred,  insurance  agt..  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y, 

Canning,  .A.  D.,  dealer  in   sewing  machines,   corner  Canal   and    Mohawk. 

sts.,  Fort  Plain;  b.  m  X.  Y.;  s.  1868. 
Cook,  .Ambrose  G..  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1822. 
Crouse,  Seward,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville:  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Crouse,  Wm.;  r.  Prospect  St.,  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1815. 
Cronkhite,  G.;  r.  Prospect  St.,  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1811. 
Casler,  Peter,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  Y   in  1829. 
Dunckel,  John  .A.,  clothier.  Canal  st..  Fort  Plain. 
Dunn,  Andrew,  jeweler,  Canal  st..  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  Scotland;  s.  1851. 
Diefendorf,  S.,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1807. 
Davis,  .A.  J.,  propietor  of  livery  stable,  Fort  Plain. 
Diefendorf,  Mrs.  B.  F,  farmer;  p.  o.  Freysbush;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1810. 
Dunckel,  Daniel,  farmer;  p,  o.  Freysbush;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1829. 
Diefendorf,  George,  farmer;  p.  o.  Freysbush;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1837. 
Dingman,  A.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Freysbush;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1846. 
Dunckel,  Ervin,  farmer;  p.  o.  Freysbush;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1847. 
Diefendorf.  James  .A.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Freysbush;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1822. 
Diefendorf,  J.  C,  wines  and  lii]uors,  .Main  St.,  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Dunckel.  .Adam,  farmer:  p.  o.  Fort  Plain. 
Dunckel,  E.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain:  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Dunckel,  .Mrs   Aaron,  farmer:  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N",  Y. 
Dillenbeck,  James,  farmer:  p.  o.  Fort  Plain. 
Edick,  J.  .A.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Saltspringville;  b.  in  .V.  Y. ;  5.  1847. 
Edwards.  James  K.,  furniture  mfr.  and  undertaker.  River  St.,  Fort  I'bin. 
Edwards,  C.  C,  dealer  in   gents'  furnishing  goods,   Canal  St.,  Fort   I'lain;. 

b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1850. 
Ehle,  J.  E.,  farmer,  b.  in  N    Y.  in  1830. 
Fox,  Calvin,  farmer;  p.  o.  Starkville,  Herkimer  county. 
Fuller,  E.  W.,  pastor  of  Universalist  church,  corner  of  Center  and  Home 

sts.,  Fort  Plain;  s.  1875. 
Frisbie,  E.  W.,  physician,  corner  of  Center  and  Division  sts..   Fort   Plain; 

b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1872. 
Failing,  Reuben,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1817. 
Fake,  Peter,  farmer;  p.  o.  Freysbush;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1823 
Flint,  D.  C,  farmer;  p.  o.  Saltspringville;  b.  in  .M.  Y.  in  1816. 
Fake,  Isaiah,  farmer;  p.  o.  Minden;  b.  in  N.  V.  in  1834. 
Glaessel  Brothers,  boot,  shoe   and   leather  dealers.  Canal   st..    Fort   Plain; 

b.  in  X.  Y.;  s.    1855. 
Green,  Horace  I..,  editor  A/,i/i,i7C'i  Vatley  Register,  Canal  st,.    Fort  Pl.im 
Glaessel,  W.  .A.,  proprietor  of  The  Cuuiilv  StandarJ,  Canal  st.,  Fort   Plain; 

b.  in  X.  Y.;  s.  i860. 
Gibson,  D.  C,  harness  mfr.,  Canal  st.,  Fort  Pl.iin;  b.  in  X.  Y. 
Haslett,  J.  B.,  hitter.  Canal  St.,  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1827. 
Hoke,  Harvey,  farmer;  p.  o.  Starkville,  Herkimer  county. 
Hall,  Robert  G.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1845. 
Hall,  Robert,  farmer  and  postmaster,  Hallsville;   b.  in  .X.  \.  in  1820. 
Hawn,  Guilford,  baker,   .Main  St.,  Fort  Plain. 
Jenkins,  Geo.    W.,  groi  er    and    undertaker;  p.    o.    .Minden;    b.   in    X.  Y.; 

s.   1868. 
Lighthall,  Peter,  farmer;  p.  o.  Starkville,  Herkimer  countv;   b.  in  X    V.  in 

1811. 
Lipe,  Rufus,  grocer  and  house  furnishing  goods,    Main   St.,  Fort   Plain;  l>. 

in  X.  Y.  in  i82<:, 
Lipe,  Seeber.  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  .X.  Y.  in  181S. 
Lipe,  John  K.,  farmer;  p.  o   Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  Y   in  1S26. 
l.inntner,  A.  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1814. 
Li^ing^ton,  (1,  H..  lumber  dealer.  Fort  Plain. 
La>her,  John,  agt.  for  Sprout's   Hav  Fork;   p.  o.    Freysbush;  b.  in   X.  Y.; 

s.    1847. 
Lipe.  JoMa'i,  farmer;  p.  o.  Frevsbush;  b,  in  X.  Y.  in  1S23. 
Lambert,  M.i-es,  farmer;  p.  o. 'Frevsbush;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  i.Sjo. 
Martin,  H.  G..  (lrug^ist;   Canal  st..  Fort  PUin;  b    ui  X,  Y,;  s.  i8.;4. 
Muencb,  c;.,  |.arlor  fiiinitiire  mfr.,    Division   m..    1  ..rt    Plain;  b.  in    X    V.: 


Miller,  C.  f,i 
Miller,  IVle 


irl  Pl.iiii;  1..  in  X.  Y, 
Min.lcn;  b    m  X.  V 


OUR  PATRONS  IN  MONTGOMERY  COLN  TY. 


247 


Moyer  &  Geeiler,  farmers;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in   N'.  V. 
Mojer,  Jacob  A.,  fanner;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  181H. 
Moyer,  Marty,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  V.  in  1833. 
Matbias,  Abrara,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1S18. 
Matliee,  A.,  principal  of   Fort    Plain  Seminary,    Fort    Plam;  b. 

s.  1873. 
Mover,  P.  B.,  miller.   Mam  »t..  Fort  Plam;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  iSd.v 
Nei'lis,  G.  G..  lumber  dealer,   U  illet  ^t..  Fun  Plam;  b.  in   N.  Y.  1 
Norton,  Solomon,  ;,'rnrer.   Main  st,.  Fort  Plain;   b.  in  X.  \'  in  18. 
PetilS:   Rcid,  »-holesale   druggists  Canal    M.,    Fort    Plain;  b.    ii 

s.   1S74. 
Potter,  [).,  physician,   Main  st.  Fort  Plain;  h,  in   X.  Y.  in  1838. 
Pickard.  M.  A.,  cheese  box  mfr;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  \    in 
it.  luhn: 


835- 


b.  in  X.  Y. 
1  X.  \".  in  1S33. 
,  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  ^'. 


&4- 


1  X.  Y.  in  1S04. 

L-:  b.  m  X\  Y.  in  1S30. 

in  X.  Y.;  s.  1SO9. 


Platls.  \Vm,  lontraclor's  foreman;  p.  o. 

Pickard,  /.  A,  farmer;  p.  a.  |-.,rt  Plain; 

Reid,  John  E,  hardware  merchnnt,  Cai 

Roof,  Josiah,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fori  Plain; 

Readies,  \V..  farmer;  p.  o.  Frcysluish;  I. 

Ripple,  Xelstm,  f.irmer;  p.  o.  Saltsprini; 

Sanders  J.  H,  farmer:  p.  o.  Hall>ville; 

Simms,  J.  R,  historian.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  Conn. 

Shearer,  R.  H.,  dry  goods  dealear,  C.inal  and  Market  sts..  Fort  Plain. 

Snell,  Jacob,  retired  farmer;  p.  o.  Fun  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1861. 

Snyder,  Mrs.  Jacob,  farmer;  p,  o.  Hallsville;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1822. 

Snyder,  Jonas,  miller,  Hallsville;  b.  in  N.  Y.;  s.  1S48. 

Smith,  Joseph,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville:  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1S17. 

Smith,  S.  F.,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  in  N'.  Y.  in  1S3S. 

Smith,  John,  farmer;  p.  o.  HalKville;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1834. 

Sanders,  H.  C,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  m  X.  Y.  in  1S14. 

Stichel,   Henrv,  carriage  mfr..   Canal  st..   Fort  Plain;   b.  in  Germanv;  s. 

1856. 
Snell,  H.,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1837. 
Smith,  Sidney  R..  farmer;  p.  o.  Saltspringville;  b.  in  \.  Y.;  s.  1845. 
Snyder,  P.  W.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Saltspringville;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1810. 
Sparks,  Nathan,  proprietor  of  stone  quarry;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  V. 

in  1838. 
Sponable,  David,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  h.  in  X.  Y.  in  1817. 
Tingiie.  Simeon,  retired  merchant.  Fort  Plnin;  K.  in  X    Y. 
Timmerman,  I).  T.,  fanner;   p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1803. 
Thumood,  Charles,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;   b.  in  X.  Y.;   s.  1853. 
Van  Camp,  D.  C,  proprietor  liverv  and  sale  stable.  Center  St.,  Fort   Plain; 

b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1.S25. 
Van  Slyke,  D.  S.,  farmer  and  owner  of  saw-mill  and  cheese  factorv;  p.  o. 

Fort  Plain. 
Walrath,  J.  A.,  merchant.  Fort  PLiin;  b.  in  X.  Y. 
Wendell,  J.  D.  Oi:  F.  F.,  attorneys,  Fort  Plain. 
Wagner,  P.  J.,  retired  lawyer.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  \'.  in  1795- 
Webster,  C.  W.,  postm.aster.  Canal  st..  Fort  Plain,  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1817. 
Wood,  E.  W.,  grocer  and  miller,  also  mfr.  of  springs  and  axles,  corner  Or- 
chard and  Center  sts  .  Fort  Plain';  b.  in  X.  Y. 
Wagner,  A.  J.,  grocer.  Canal  St.,  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X   Y.  in  1S2S. 
Winning,  John,  tanner.  Canal  and  Orchard  sts.,  Furt   Plain,  b.  in  -Mass.;  s. 

1860. 
Wilkes,  M.,  farmer;  ji.  o.  St.  lohnsville.  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1S19. 
Walrath,  Abr,im,  farmer:  p.  ,',.  Hallsville;  b.  in  X.  Y. 
Wiles,  Jacob,  fanner;  p.  ...  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  i,><o7. 
Wieting,  C.  S..  farmer:  11    o.  Starkville.   Herkimer  countv;  b.  in   .X.  Y.  in 

1827. 
Walrath,  A.,  farmer;   p.  o.  Fort  Pl.iin;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1S36, 
Wellcr,  Edwin,  farmer;  p.  o.  SaltspringMlle;  b.  in  X.  Y.;  s.  1847. 
Wormmh,  J.  -M.,  Sprout  Brook;  b   in  X.  V.  in  1S15. 
Weber,  J.  H.,  pastor  of  Lutheran  rhuri  h.  Mindcn;  b.  in  X.  Y.;  s.  1871. 
Walrath,  John  A..  Fort  Plain. 

Walrath,  Jacob,  farmer:  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1815 
Walrath,  C.  A.,  fanner;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b   in  X   Y.  in  1S31. 
Wagner.  E.,  farmer,  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1823. 
Witter,  J.  J.,  princip.il   public  school,  corner  of  Webster  and  Willit  sts.. 

Fort  Plain:  b.  in  Conn.;  s.  1873. 
Wcller,  Jordon,  proprietor  of  planter  null,  .Main  st..  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  .X.  \. 
in  .8.9 

,  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  Y. 

.■r;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain:  b.  in  X.  Y. 

r;  p.  o.   Fre>,lmsh;  b    in  X,  Y 

or  of  the  /.oiler  House,  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  V 


Yost,  George,  aitor 
Yonng.  Xorm.in,  l.i 
Young,  Marvin,  far 
Zoller,  Josiah.  pro] 
Zoller,  John  A  .  proprietor  of  lumber,  saw  and  pi. 

Plain;  b.  m  X.  Y.  in  1.S19. 
Zimmerman,  Willi.im,  farnier:  p.  o  Fort  Plain;  b 
Zimmerman,  J.,  fanner:  |..  o  Fort  Plain;  b  in  X 
Zoller,  John  1.,  fanner;  p.  o.  .Miudcn;  b.  in  X.  ^■. 
Zoller.  Solom..n.  fanner;  p.  o.  Hallsville.  b.  in  X. 
Ziclly,  Charles,  proprietor  coal  yard  and  mfr.  of 

Fort  Plain;  b.  in  N.  Y,  in  183S, 


,  Uillit  >t.  lort 


Y.  in  ,8.-3. 
iS;o. 


TOW.X  OF  MOHAWK. 


Ashe,  lohn  E.,  attomev  and  editor.  Fonda;  b.  in  Ontario  county;  5.  1870. 

Bailey.' J.  B.,  merchant.'  Tribes  Hill;  b.  in  Conn,  in  1839. 

Bennett,  Mrs.  l-jimia.  Fonda;  b.  at  Schenectady  in  1822. 

Brower,  .Mrs.  \V.  H.,  Fonda;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county. 

Brower,  H.  T.  E.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county  in  1824. 

Brower,  r)avid,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonila;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  r8o8. 

Bunch,  .\.  H.,  insurance  agent,  Fonda;  b.  in  Saratoga  county  in  1844. 

Case,  E.  L,  farmer;  p.  o.   Tribes  Hill;  b.  in  Montgomerv  countv  in  1826. 

Cushney,  E.  B..  grocer,  Fonda;  b.  in  Johnstown  in  1837. 

Coolman,  Peter,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1814. 

Colgrove,  P.,  harness  mfr.,  F'onda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county;  s.  1873. 

Havis,  John  I.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fond.i:  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1810. 

Davis,  Is.-iac  ^I..  merchant,  Fonda;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county. 

Dockstadcr,  Daniel,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in  .Montgomery. 

Dockstader.  John  J.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in  Montgomery  lounty  1S14. 

Dockstadcr,  Henry,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1.S16. 

Dockstadcr.  John,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county;  s.  185 1. 

De  Graff,  .\lfred,  farmer:  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1836. 

Feltis,  J.  S.,  agent  for  Fisher's  ales  and  president  of  village,  Fonda. 

Fisher,  Richard,  proprietor  of  the  Union  Hotel,  Fonda  ;  b.  in  .Montgomery 
county  in  1S33. 

Fisher,  Japhet,  livery  stable  keeper,  Fonda  ;  b.  in  .Montgomery  countv  in 
1841. 

Fisher,  James,  proprietor  of  restaurant,  Fonda ;  b,  in  Montgomery 
county. 

Fisher,  Frederick,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Tribes  Hill  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county 
in  1813. 

Fonda,  Stephen,  sheriff.  Fonda  ;  b,  in  Montgomery  county. 

Fo.x.  Julian,  farmer:  i>.  o.  Fonda:  b.  in  Montgomcr\-  county  in  1841. 

Frothingham,  Washington.  Fonda  ;  b.  in  Fulton  county. 

Graff,  Peter  A.,  justice  of  peace,  Fonda;  b.  in  Montgomerv  counn  in 
'835. 

Gardinier,  J.  P.,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Tribes  Hill  ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in 
1835. 

Graft',  Stephen,  agent  of  the  Fulton  Co.  Coal  Co.,  Fonda  ;  b.  in  .Mont- 
gomery county  in  1839. 

Gillett,  E.  S..  cashier  of  the  Mohawk  River  Xat.  Bank,  Fonda  ;  b.  in  Ful- 
ton countv  ;  s.  1856. 

Hall,  Wm..  merchant,  Fonda;  b.  in  X.  Y.  city;  s.  1855. 

Johnson,  W.  X..  county  clerk.  Fonda. 

Johnson.  D.  W.  C,  proprietor  of  the  Johnson  House,  Fonda  :  b.  in  Ot- 
sego county  ;  s,  1859, 

Jones,  T.  W.,  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Church.  F'onda ;  b.  in  Saratoga 
county  :  s.  187 1. 

Jones.  C>eo.,  grocer,  Fonda  ;  h.  in  Columbia  county  ;  s.  1869. 

Lansing,  Jas.,  farmer  :  p.  o.    Fonda  ;  b.  in  Montgomerv  county  in  1S05. 

Lewis,  James,  contractor.  Tribes  Hill ;  b.  in  Onondaga  county  ;  s.  185S. 

Lotridge,  Robt.,  farmer ;  p.  o.  Fonda ;  b.  in  Montgomery  county ;  s. 
1850. 

Lotridge,  Richd.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Honda:  b.  in  Montgomer)  county;  s. 
1849. 

Lotridge.  Cornelius,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Fonda  :  h.  in  Montgomery  countv  in 
1805. 

Mills.  G,  F..  Miller,  Mill  st..  Fonda;  b.  in  Fulton  county;  s.  1849. 

Martin,  P.  S..  rectifier,  Fonda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Mclntyre,  M.,  druggist,  Fonda;  b.  in  Fulton  county  in  1835. 

Mclntyrc.  Donald,  farmer;  p.  0.  Fonda;  b.  in  Scotland  in  1S22. 

Nellis,    Benj.,  farmer  and    cheese   mfr.;  p.  o.    P'onda;  b.    in    Montgomery 

county  in  1835. 
Nellis,  Jeremiah,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county  in  183S. 
Putman,  George  F.,  wagon  mfr.  and  blacksmith,  Fonda;  b.  in  .Montgomery 

county  in  1S23. 
Richards,  E.  >L,  paper  mfr.,  Fonda;  b.  in  Mass.;  s.  1870. 
Sanford,  D.  H.,  farmer:  p.  o.    Tribes    Hill;  b.   in   Montgomerv  countv  in 

Sammons,  Simeon,  farmer;  ]^  o.  Honda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 

.Samnion-,.  Thomas  S.,  farnier  anti  cheese  mfr..  Saminons\ille;  b.  in  .Mont- 
gomery county  in   i8;o, 

Schuyler.  'Thomas,  farmer;  ]i.  0.  Samm.msville:  b.  in  .Montgomery  county 
in  18(5. 

S,  huvler,  Hamilton,  farmer;  p.  o.  F<mda:  b.  in  .Montgomerv  countv  in 
■8.,V 

.schuvlcr.  Richard  .\.,  farnier;  p.  o.  Honda;  b.   in    Montgomerv   countv  m 

■839- 

Sihenik.  Mvn.ird.  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in  Montgomerv  countv  in  1S3;. 

Siver.  Henrv.  proprietor  of  marble  works.  Fonda;  b.  in  .\'lbanv;  s.  1871 

Si/er.  Henry  I.,  and  J.  I'.len,  dealers  in  dry  go.nU.  Fonda;  b.  in  .Mont- 
gomery I  ounly. 

Shan.ih.in,  J.uucs,  conlr.iclor.  Tnbes  Hill;  b    in  Ireland;  s.  1855. 

Sliouerm.in.  K.,  farmer:  p.  o.  Canajohane:  b.  la  .Moiilgcmicry  countv  in 
rSi.i. 

Spraker,  Daniel.  |iresident  of  the  Mohawk  River  Bank,  Fonda. 

Striker,  .Mrs.  Sar.ah  ^L,  Tribes  HIill;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1812. 


248 


OUK  PATRONS  IN  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


Sponenburgh,  Simeon,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.   in  Montgomery  county  in 

Stoller,  J.  R.;  p.  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1S17. 
Tiffany,  Henrv  F,,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda. 

Tiffany,  David,  fanner;  p.  o    Fonda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1837. 
Thompson,  I..  R.  I'.,  farmer;  ]>.  o.   Fonda;  b.   in    Montgomery  county  in 

1826. 
Thompson  &  Richards,  paper  mfrs.;  p.  o.  Fonda. 

Veeder,  J.  H.,  farmer;  p.  o.  F^onda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  i8ji. 
Van  Dusen,  M.,  farmer;  p.  o.    Fonda;    b.  in   Montgomery  county  in  1816. 
Vrooman,  li.  H-,  cider  and  \inegar  mfr.,  F"ondj 

in  1835. 
Vrooman,  S.,  proprietor  of  the  Ca 

s.  1S69. 
Van  Antwerj>,  M.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fi 
Van  Home.  (;.  H.  F.,  farmei 
Veeder,  Simeon  J.,  jr.,  farmer  and  carpenter. 

gomery  county  m  iSio. 
Veeder,  H.  D.  F..  farmer;  p.  o.  F'unda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1815. 
Whitmorc.  Jolin.  fanner;  p.  o.  F'onda. 

Wcmple.  Barney,  farmer;  p.  o.  F'onda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1826. 
Wilson,  Henry,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in   Montgomery  county  in  1830. 
Yerdon,  I..,  principal  Union  School,  Park  I.awn.  F'onda;  s.  1S73. 
Young,  E.  B.,  farmer.  Tribes  Hill;  li.  in  Montgomery  county  in   1835. 
Young,  Jacob,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fonda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1832. 
Zieley.  Garret,  fanner;  p.  o.  Tribes  Hill. 


b.  in  Montgomery  county 

adutta  Hotel  and  livery  stable,  F'onda; 

nda;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  i8jo. 
nda;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county. 

Tribes  Hill;  b.  in   Mont- 


TOWX  OF  l\\L.\TIXn. 


184". 


iSoo. 


h.  m  .N.  V. 
luri    Plain 


1S30. 
in    F^ngland; 


Booth,  Edgar  W.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  III.;  s.  1864. 
Beach,  J.   E.,  vof  Beach  &   Cory),   mfrs.  of  champagne  cider,  and  pure 

cider  vinegar,  Palatme  Bridge;  h.  in  N.  Y.  in  1834. 
Beck.  Peter  A.,  farmer:  p.  o.  Ephratah:  b.  in  .\.  Y   in  1S32. 
Christman,  Morris,  fanner;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1833. 
Cook,  Jacob  C,  farmer;  p.  o.  Palatme  Bridge;  b.  in    1S22. 
Christian.  I'hilip,  farmer;  p.  o.  Sjiraker's  Basin;  b.  in  \.  Y.  in  1S23. 
Cor)',  .\.  C.  (of  Beach  &  Cory  ,  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  X.  J.  in  1S39. 
Dillenback,  I.ysander,  farmer;  [1.  o.  Stone  .\rabia;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1S19. 
Dillenback,  David,  farmer;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1837. 
Dillenback,  l.uther.  farmer;  p   o.  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Dillenback,  Chas.  .\.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  .\.  Y.  in  1834. 
Dillenback,  Josiah  &  Son,  fanners;  p.  o.  Palatine    Bridge;  b.    in   \   Y    in 

18.5. 
Davis,  W.  H.,  merchant;  p.  o.  New  York  and  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  N.  Y 

in  1825. 
Dotkstader,  Wm.,  cheese  mfr..  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in 
Dygert,  J.  Edward,  farmer;  p.  o.  F'ort  Plain;  b,  1826. 
Eacker,  J.  G.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  .\.  V.  in  iSii. 
Ellithorj),  John  I..,  commercial  traveler;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge. 
Ehle,  Peter,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  V.  in  1S32. 
Failing,  John  A.,  retired  fanner;   Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  X.  Y.  i 
Fuller.  Chas.  W.,  f.irmer;   p.  o.  St. me  .Ar.ibia 
Fox,  H.  Clay,  farmer:  b.  in  X.  \' 
Floyd,  John  D.  E.,  apiarian  and  farmer;  p.  i 

s.  1845. 
Fox,  Jacob  P.,  farmer;  jc  o.  Fori  Plain;  b.  i 
Gray,  Hyron.  farmer;  p.  o.  .--tcme  .\rabia;  b. 
Grotf,  I.  Krwin.  farmer;  p.  o.  M.me  .Xrabia; 
Kilts.  .Albert,  farmer;  ]\  o.  .Stone  Arabia;  b. 
Lohman.  .\.,  Palatine  Bridge. 
McCabe  J.  W.,  freight  agt..  Palatine  Brid_-e; 
Marcellus.  1...  carpenter  and  builder,  I".)  hral 
Xcahr.  D.nid  .\..  farmer;   p.  o.  Palatine  Bn.lue, 
Nellis.  Peter  I  .  larmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain:  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1.S34. 
XcWi-.  luniel  1)..  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Pla.n;  b   m  N    V. 
Xci'.is.  F.dw.ird  I..  larmer    p.  o.  F..n  P:.n:n:  I.   m  N    Y  ;  s    i,S;;o. 
Xellis.  lohn  .\..  farmer;  p.  o.  F..rt  Plain:  b.    in    N    X',  m  1S3V 
Xellis.  !\ndre\v.  firmer;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge;  1.    m  N.  Y. 
Xcllis.  lames,  f.irmtr;  i:  o.  Palatine  Bri, '....■:  b.  i„  N,  Y.  in  1S16. 
Rice.  lohn.  farmei;  p.  o.  P.ilatine  I'.n.lu-c:  1..  in   X.  \'.  in  1S26. 
Rice,  l^nas  farmer:  ji   •).  P.iiaime  Hri.l:_e:  b.  in  N    Y.  m    .836. 
Sallsman  Jarob  H..    farmer;  p.  o.  hurt  Pi.iin;  1.    111  X.  V.  in  1825. 
Sallsman.'lolin  \V..  farmer;  p.  o.  Stone  .\rabia:  b,  in  X.  V,  m  l.Soo. 
Saltsman.  !\dam.  f.-rmtr;  p  o.  Stone  Arabia;  b   m  N.  Y.  111  1831, 
Snltsmnn,  Il.Tiinibal,  fanner;  Stone  .Vr.ibia:  b.  in  \.  X'.  in    1X3,^      • 
.Schenck.  Martin,  farmer;  p.  o.  Palatine  P.ridge:  b.  m    N.  Y. 
.Sh,iver.  K.  II  .    farnirr:  o.  o   Palatine  ilr.d-e:  t-    m  N.  Y.  in  i.'^u 
Shults.  Cbrlslopher  W  .,  farmer;   p.  ..   St..ne  .\r.;ln.i;  b  m  X.  V." 
Shtill,  Nellis  |.,  fanner:  p.  o.  Fort  Plain:  b.  in  N    \   ;  v  1.SS4. 
Shull,  Alfred  W.,  farmer;   p.  o.  Stone  Arabia;  1.    in  X.  \'.  m  1836. 


England  in  1797. 
in  X.  Y.;  s.  1850. 
b.  in  X.  Y.;  s.  1S45 
in   N.  V  in  .840. 


X.  Y.  in 
>-  in  X.  ^". 


819. 


Sitterly,  Isaiah,  farmer;  p.  o.  Stone  .Arabia;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1S32. 

Sitterly,  Josiah,  farmer;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge;  b.in  .V.  Y.  in  1825. 

Sncll,  Jacob,  farmer;  p.  o.  Stone  .Arabia. 

Snell,  David,  farmer;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  18 18. 

Smith,  J.  Harvey,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  PLiin:  b.  in  N.  \'.  m  1S39. 

Smith,  D.  D.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  in  X.  \'.  in  1839. 

Suits,  R.  C,  farmer;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  \.  Y.  in  1830. 

Snell,  C.  P.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.in  X.  Y.  in  1835. 

Stevens,  A.  H.,  miller;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge. 

Spraker,  Joseph,  retired  farmer;  p.  0.  Spraker's  Basin;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  kSoS. 

Spaker,  James,  Canajoliarie. 

Van  Uie,  Jerome,  farmer;  p.  0.  Palatine  Bridge;  b  in  X   Y.  in  1831. 

Wagner,   Webster,  State   senator,   proprietor  of  drawing-room  cars;  p  o 

Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1817. 
Wagner,  L.,  freight  agt..  Palatine  Bridge:  b,  in  X.  V,  in  1X16. 
Wagner,  X'athan,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fort  Plain;  b.  m  .\.   V.  in  1817. 
Walrath,  R.  H,  farmer;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1S18. 
Wohlgemuth,  L.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Palatine  Bridge;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1818. 


TOWN  01-  ROOT. 

Allen,  Byron,  farmer;  p.  o.  Rural  Grove. 

Bowdish,  John,  merchant.  Rural  Grove. 

Bundy,  E.,  merchant,  Flat  Creek. 

Carr,  Ira  J.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Rural  Grove. 

Crosby,  Obadiah,  farmer;  p.  0.  Carlisle. 

Dievendsrff,  William,  farmer;  p.  o.  Flat  Creek. 

Dievendorff,  C,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Spraker's. 

Dievendorff,  J.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Rural  Grove. 

Dievendorff,  R.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Rural  firove. 

Finkell,  J.  J.,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Argusville. 

Gordon,  J.  H.,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Argusville. 

Hubbs,  C.  H.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Charleston  Four  Corners. 

Hiibbs,  Charles,  Rural  Grove. 

Lounsbery,  Mrs.  M.  A.,  Randall. 

Link,  C.  &  A.,  farmers;  p.  0.  Rural  Grove. 

.Moulton,  F.  P.,  Flat  Creek. 

.Mitchell,  J.  S.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Spraker's. 

Mitchell,  E.  G.,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Spraker's. 

Olmsted,  Rulof,  farmer;  p.  o.  Rural  Grove. 

Ressegieu.  D..  farmer;  p.  o.  Flat  Creek. 

Spraker,  Daniel,  jr,  insurance  agt.  and  correspondent,  Sprake 

Snow,  J.  D.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Rural  Grove. 

Stowits,  Jacob  M.;  p.  o.  Rural  firove. 

Spencer,  A.  B..  farmer;  p.  o.  Flat  Creek. 

Van  Wie,  Fletcher,  farmer;  p.  o.  Fultonville. 

Van  Buren,  Henry,  hotel  proprietor.  Rural  Grove. 

Van  Evera,  John  P.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Randall. 

Van  Evera,  Peter,  farmer:  |i.  o.  Randall. 

Yates,  Miles,  farmer;  p.  o.  Randall. 


TOWN  OF  ST.  JOIIXSVILLE. 


;  b,  1846. 

1S50. 
.yille;  s   ,875. 

o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  1S42 


AUter,  Wesley,  grocer,  St.  John 

Baker,  H  .  attorney,  St.   lofinsvi 

Knggs,  Xale,  hotel.  St.  Johnsville:  s    , 

Briggs.  J.  W.,  farmer;   p.  o.  St.  Johnsvi 

Bates,  Edward,  farmer  and  cheese  mfr. 

Croiisc.  Peter,  farmer,  St.  lohnsMlle;  1 

Ciiinmings.  J.  J..  R.  R,  .-.ectlon  m.aster.  St.  Jnlinsviile;   b.  1S22. 

Chawgo,  J.icob,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsviilc;  b.  1S32. 

F'gan.  [.  H,.  postmaster,  St.  lohnsviile. 

Failing.  Daniel.  St.  Johnsville:  b.  1S26, 

Hasletl.  Th.mijs  J.,  editor  of  n.-   tlWi/r  I'.'rt, ,„l.  St.  Johnsville:  < 

Horn.  .\dam,  pro|inetor  of  Hour  and  plaster  null,  St.  lolinsMlIc;  b.  1 

many;  5.  1850. 
Hill.  Stephen,  farmer  and  shoemaker;  [i.  o.  St.  lohnsviile;  b.  1825. 
Klo,  k,  .Amos,  hardware  dealer,  St.  lohnsviile;  ii.  1834. 
King.biirv,  F.  F.,  freight  agt.,  St.  lohnsviile;  s.  1853. 
Kvser,  |,  R.,  hotel  and  livery  stable  keeper,  St.  lohnsviile;  5.  1S66. 
Kio.k,  Meii/o,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  [..hnsviMe;  b.  1S55. 
Klock,  .Morris,  farmer  and   insurame  agi.;  r.  Cpper  St    Johnsville 

St.  Johnsville :   b.  l.SlS. 
l.ampman,  M.,  pro|irietor  of  billiard  ball.  St.  Johnsville. 


iS7<i. 


OUR  PATRONS  IN  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


249 


Loadwick,  G.  H.,  newi^paper  rc[Jorter,  St,  Johnsville;  b.  1848. 

Maftell,  J.  H  .  niuncv  loaner,  .St.  Johnsvilie;  b.  1822. 

Miner,  S.,  St.  Johnsville:  b.  1S19. 

Ndlis,  J.,  retired  fanner,  St.  Jolinsville;  b.  1809. 

Nellis,  J.  D.,  farmer  and  cider  mfr.;  p.  o.  St.  Johns\illc;  b.  1826. 

Powell,  .\bncr,  St.  John-^ville:  h.  1S09. 

Pitcher.  (ieorj;e  O.,  hotel  keeper,  St.  Johnsville;  s.  1875. 

SneSI,  A.  L.,  dealer  in  dry  goods  and  groceries,  St.  Johnsville;  5.  1854. 

Smith,  Sidncv.  woolen  mfr..  St.  Johnsville. 

Scudder,  C.  \V..  mfr.  of  5th  «hc'els.  St.  Iohns\ille;  s.  1S66. 

Schram,  .Mrs.  C.  G.,  St.  Johnsville;  b.  i'829. 

Smith,  Henry,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  1815. 

Smith,  .\Ienzo.  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  1832. 

Sndl,  E.  S.,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.   Iohns\illc. 

Snell,  J.  G.,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville:  s.  1S49. 

Sneil,  Enoch,  farmer;  r.  Upper  St.  Johnsville;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville. 


Starin,  Miss  S.  Jane,  milliner;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville. 

Smith,  .-Vlonzo.  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  1825. 

Snell,  Myron,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville. 

Smith,  Aug.,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  18 13. 

Sanders,  A.  .\.,  merchant,  St.  Johnsville;  s.  1846. 

Thumb,  E.  W.,  grocer  and  proprietor  of  grist  and  lumber  mill,    St.  John 

ville;  s.  1857. 
Tefft,  Danl.,  farmer;  p.  o.  E.ist  Creek,  Herkimer  county;  b.  1825. 
Van  Neste,  Geo.  J.,  pastor  of  Reformed  church,  St.  Johnsville;  s.  1S75. 
Vossler,  G.  A.,  dealer  in  sewing  machines,  St.  Johnsville;  s.  1S60. 
Veeder,  G.  T.,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  1816. 
Walrath,  M.,  jr.,  business  m.inager  of  the  St.  Johnsville  .\gricultural  Man 

facturing  Company;  b.  1S40. 
Walrath,  Martin,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville:  b.  1S14, 
Whyland,  \V.  H.,  ticket  agt.,  St.  Johnsville;  s.  1853. 


I'^^Tiionsrs    OIF    this    ^^TT'oms: 

IN 

FULTON   COUNTY. 


TOWN  Ul'  IJRO.VD.VLBIN. 


Adams.  R.  G..  editor  ot  the  //^i 
Blair,  E.,  attorney,  Broadalbin. 
"Earl,   Mclvin,  hotel    proprietor 


o,  Hro.idalhin;  b   in  Broadalbin. 
Broadalbin  ;    b.   in   Broadalbin 


Bogart,  J.   W.,  merchant;  p.   o.   Union  Mil 

.852. 

Brockway,  Tiffany,  farmer;  [>.  o.  Hroadallim 
Gcrthy,  Jas.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Broadalbm;  b.  m 
Grinnell,  U'm..  farmer;  p.  o.  Broadalbin;  b. 
Rosa,  R.  H.,  attorney;  p.  o.  Broadalljin;  b.  i 
Robertson,  Archd.,  fanner;  p.  o.  Broadalbin 
Smith.  W'm.,  carriage  maker;  p.  o.  Broadalbi 
Thompson,  S.  R.,  paper  mf 

i8i8. 
Thome,    J.    R.,    physician  ; 

1S42. 
Whitlock,  W.  H.,  paper  mfr.;  p.  o.  Union  M 


la  ;  b.   in  Saratoga  county 

;  b.  in  Broadalbin  in  1813. 
Broadalbin  in  1S25. 
in  Xorthampton  in  1823. 
n  Broadalbin  in  1835. 
,  b.  in  Broadalbin  in  1843. 
i;  b.  in  Amsterdam  in  1824. 
n   Fulton  county  1 


Broadalbin 

Broadalbin  ;    b.   in   New   York  City  in 

b.  in  Broadalbin  in   1856. 


TO\V.\  ()!• 


K.\T.\1I. 


Benjamin,  A.  L.,  merchant,  Rockwood:  s.  1855. 

Burdick.  John  K.,  physician,  Kockwood. 

CooIn»an,  A.,  farmer:  p.  o.  Kphratah;  b    1823. 

Dorn.  Francis  O..  cheese  mfr.;  ]).  o.  Garoga. 

Dorn,  Dcwitt,  farmer;  p.  o.  Garoga:  b.  1832. 

Dtirfee,  Daniel  .\t.,  Rockivood. 

Pennis.  Mrs.  M    A.,  Rockwood;  b.  1S18 

Kmpie,  J.  K.,  farmer;  p.  o.  E|ihratah;  b.  1821. 

Everest,  Isaa<  M..  G.iroga. 

Fanchcr.  Nicholas,  hotel  keeper,  Ephratah;  b.  1S29. 

Getman,  Oliver.  f.irnuT;  p.  o.  Ejihr.itah;  1S29. 

Gray,  Solcmian.  farmer;  ji.  o.  Ivjihralah;  b.  1S32. 

Hager.  James  H.,  carpenter,  Kphratah;  b    1S24. 

Keith,  George,  f.irnier;  p.  o.  G.irogn;  b.  iS;6. 

I.ighthall.  H.,  f.irnar;  p.  o.  Kplirauh;  1.    1825. 

I.oomer,  A.  hotel  propricior.  Rockwood. 

.\ellis,  .\lph.i.  teai  her.  Kpliral.ih. 

Pulinan,  John  1'.  I'armcr:  p.  .,,  Kphratah:  b   i8ri;. 

Saltsnian.  H..  f.-.rmer;  p.  o.  iCjihratah;  b.  1817. 

Sexton,  Rali.h.  .  hcese  mfr,  lOphratah. 

Smith,  Willi.im  K.,  f:irmer;  p.  o.  Kphr.itali;  b.  1S29. 

Slahl.  I,e-i,  |.r,.|Tielorof  saiv-mill  .ind  p.ipermill,  Rockwoo.l;   b.  1838. 


Trumliull,  H.  I).,  proprietor  of  Jcnks'  Hollow  p.iper-niill,  G 


iroga. 


Underwood,  I.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Ephratah:  b.  1S29. 

Van  Benschoten,  M.  B..  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Church.  Ephratah. 

Van  Voast,  J.  E.,  merchant  .md  postmaster.  Ephratah;  b.  1829. 

Wever,  S.  M.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Garoga;  b.  182 1. 

VVhitlock,  Stephen,  farmer  and  lumberman;  p.  o.  Ephratah;  b.  1816. 

Yanney,  L.  &.  D.,  proprietors  of  Yanney's  woolen  mill,  Ephratah. 


TOWN  OF  CAROG.\. 

Bradley,  Thomas,  tanner  and  deputy  sheriff.  Rockwood;  b.  in    England  ir 

1837. 
Barnes,  Milton,  lumberman.  Pine  Lake;  b.  in  Mass.;  s.  1866. 
Francisco,  Daniel,  merchant,  postmaster,  farmer  and  lumberman,  Newkirk'5 

mills;  s.  1851. 
Foster,  S.  M.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Pine  Lake. 


TOWN  OF  JOHNSTOWN. 


Ackernecht,  F.,  leather  dresser,  20  State   St.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Germany: 

s.  1849. 
Adams,  John  Q.,  leather  dresser,   4  Green  St.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Saratoga 

county;  s.  1861. 
Alvord,  C.  G.,  proprietor  of  the  Alvord  House,  (lloversville:  b.  in  Saratoga 

county:  s    1866. 
Ancock,  William,  leather  dresser,  corner  North  Klni  and  West  sts.,  Glovers- 

ville;  b.  in  Oregon. 
Anderson,  Frank,  glove  mfr,  23  Washington  St.,  (lloversville;  b.  in^Sara- 

toga  county;  s.  1864. 
.\rgersinger,  C.  E.,  grocer.  I'erry  St..  Johnstown;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 
.-Vrgcrsinger.  Hiram,  grocer,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Johnstown. 
Argersinger,  J.  P.,  glove  mfr,  William   St.,   Johnstown;  b.  in   Montgomery 

county  in  1S34. 
Argersinger,  William,  ilealer  in   li.its  and  ca])s,    ^5    tireen  St.,  Johnstown: 

b,  in  Fulton  county;  s.  iH;i. 
Averv,  A.  H.,  dealer  in  cr,..  kerv  and  glassware.   68    DIcecker  St.,  C.lovers- 

ville;  b.  in  Vermont;  s.  1S66. 
liarh.  Mrs.  A  ,  owner  of  steam  dve  works,  Montgonierv  st  .  lohnstown 
liaker,  A.  I).  1..,   atlomey-al-law,'  Washington  st.,  GJovcrsviile;  b.  in  ( Is- 

wcgo  county;  s.  1867. 


2S0 


PATRONS  OF  THIS  WORK  IN  FULTON  COUNTY. 


BaOantine,  C.  M.,  lumber  dealer,  North  Klin  St.,  C.lovcrsville;  b.  in  Kulton 

county. 
Barker,  Isaac,  farmer  and  butcher,  Kingsboro;  b.  in  England;  s.  1S57. 
Bander,  G.  R.,  grocer,  88  Main  St.,  Gloversville;  b.  in  Montgomery- countv: 

s.    1876. 
Bamett,  A.  A.,  cigar  merchant,   Burton  St.,   Johnstown;  b.   in  EnL;land; 

5.  1864. 
Bamuni,  E.  M.,  dealer  in  glove  materials,  31  Spring  St.,  Gloversville;  b.  in 

Conn.;  s.  1S71. 
Beach,  Eugene,  M.I>.,  physician,  156  Main  st,  tllovcrsville;  b.  in  Greene 

county;  s.  1S66, 
Bclcl,  John,  farmer;  p.  o.  Keek's  Center;  b.  in  Germany  in  18^8. 
Beilons,  C.  R..  furniture  dealer.  Marshall  avc.,  Gloversville;  b.  in  .Mass. 
Bdlinger,  J.  H.,  1  luthing  merchant,  43   lUeecker  St.,   Gloversville;  b.  in 

Herkimer  county;  s.  1:570. 
Bennett,  John,  farmer;  p.  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  England;  s.  1874. 
Bertrand  I.ucien.  glove  mfr.,  3;  Market  St.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Frame. 
Boshart,  Jacob,  farmer;  p,  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  .Montgomery  count\  in  1814. 
Botsford,  Edward  C,  sewing-machine  agt.,  Gloversville:  ^.  1S5IJ. 
Brockway,    N.  J.,  glove    mfr.,    35    School    St.,  (Jloversville;  b.  in    Fulton 

county;  s.  1S63. 
Bowers,  L.,  owner  of  stone  yard.  Green  St..  Johnstown;  b.  in  Germany. 
Brown,  Or\  ille.  glove  mfr..  Kingsboro. 
Bronnell.  J.  H..  glove  mfr.,  5;  Bleecker  St..  Gloversville;  b.  in  Montgomery 

countv  in  1831. 
Brommell,  Mrs.  Willard,'  Johnstown;  b.  in  X.  Y.  in  1S28. 
Bruce,  J.  E.,  painter,  38  Main  St.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Ulster  county;  s.  1S53. 
Burdick,  Henrv,  fanner;  p.   o.   Johnstown:  b.   in  Montgomerv  coimty  in 

Burdick,  Jason,  farmer;  p.  o.  Gloversville:    b.   in  Montgomerv  countv  in 

Burr,  H.  I..,  Main  st.,  Gloversville;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1810. 

Cadman,  j.  B.,  commissioner.  Second  a\e.,  (iloversviile. 

Cahill,  J.  F-,  druggist,  1 19    Main  St.,  Johnstown;  b.   in   Fulton  county;    s. 

>855- 
Camm,    George    E.,    jeweler,    50   Clinton   St.,  Johnstown;  b.  in   Canada; 

s.  1868. 
C^pron,  I..  S  ,  superintendent  of  poor,  Johnstown;  b.  1821, 
Fui'-on,  John,  glove  mfr,  39  Bleecker  St..  (Hoversville;  b.  in  Scotland. 
Furbeck,  P.  R.    .M.D.  ,  physician,  157  Main  St.,  Gloversville;  b.  in  .\lbany 

county  in  1865. 
Green,  Melvin,  grocer,  7  Prospect  St.,  Glo\ersvillc. 
Gaingell,    R.,    harness    mfr.,    143    Main    St..    Gloversville;    b.    in     Fulton 

county, 
Geary,  George.  glo\e  mfr.,  43  Clinton   St.,  Johnstown:  b.    in    Montgomery 

county  in  1S65. 
Getman,  .^.t  grocer,  17  Prospect  St.,  Gloversville:  1).    in   Fulton   countv;  s. 

1867. 
Gilbert.  Z..  glove  box  mfr.,  85  Perry  St.,  lohnstown;  b.  in    Fulton   countv; 

s.  1S74. 
Glasgow,  R.,  attomev-at-la\v.  West  St.,  Cilo\ers\  lUe;  b.  in  Lewis  countv;  s. 

>875- 
Gross,  S.  S.,  proprietor  of  market,  Clinton  st.,  Johnstown. 
Grewen,  F.,  merchant  tailor,  Johnstown. 
Griswold,  I.evi.  sewing  machine  agt.,  lohnstown;  b.  in   Chatauipia  countv 

in  1S30. 
Grose,   Henry,  farmer ;    p.   o.  Johnstown;  b.   in    Montgomerv  « ouniv  in 

iSio. 
Gulick,  John,  farmer:  p.  o.  Gloversville;  b.  in  Fulton  county  in  171)7. 
Grose,  P.  C,  fanner;  p.  o.  lohnstown;  b,  in  .Montgomerv  countv  in  1S20. 
Haggart.  S.,  glove  mfr.,  iSS  \V.  Fulton  St.,  Gloversville.  ' 
Hag'.;art,  I).. 'glove  mfr.,  i.S  School  st.,  Gloversville. 
Hale.  James,  proprietor  of  grist-mill;  [>.  ti.  Johnstown;  b.  m   .\iontgonijr-. 

countv  in  1S21. 
Hale.  lohn  H..  ghive  mfr.  6  First  ave.,  (lluversviile. 
Harr.s'W.  M.,  m.ichinist.  65  Washington  st.  Gloversville:  li.  in  Mont^-om  tv 

countv;  s.  1872. 
Hart,  Richard,  leather  dresser,  lohnsto^ni;  I.   in  Ireland 
Hanson,  j.  J.,  hardware  men  hant;  .or.  \l.iin  .ind    Pme   sis .  (Ihncr^v  ille: 

b.  in  Monti:onvjrv  (  uuiiiv;  s.  1.S5.S. 
Ilea.   .ck.    W.   J.,    presi.lcnt   .".i    ihj    F.    I.  '.V  (i.    R.    K,    '.;     blec.  kcr    st  , 

Gloversville;  b.  in  .M.)nli;..merv  roanlv  m  iS.-,, 
H -.Men,  I".,  farmer;  p.  ...  lohnstown;  b.  in  M.mig.mien  .  .>iin:v  in  i.So:;. 
Hcll.ng,  .\.  .\..  |..hns(.,«n. 
Hevvet'l,  G.  S.,  glove  mfr.  Mel  her  st.,  |..hnsl..un;  b    111  Kulton  .oiinlv;  s. 

l8s8. 
Hess.  I. 

Hildreth,  G.  W. 
HilLibraniit.  Joseph,  siriwl.i.aid  mfr..  S.immoiisv  ille;  1.    in    .Mo  i!;.,inerv 

county  in  I  .Si  I 
Harnett.  ('.  ,  painter.  Lin.  oin  st,.  ( ;ioversulle:  I.,  in  F,n:;l.ind;  s.  1.S71 
H.ismer.    J      S,,    mfr.    of     sewing    m.uhines,    ( .h.versv  ille  ;     b.    in     Fiill..n 

countv, 
Hoisc,  Philip,  firmer;  p,  o,  J.,hlistnwn;  b    in  \    \  , 
Howe,  F:gbert,  in  Ik  ..i.aler  a -.1  fanner;  p   ..,   ( .l.jvcrsville:   li.   in   Jelferson 

county;  s.  1S67. 


Hulbert,    Edward,  glove   mfr.,  32   Main  st.,   Gloversville;  b.    in  Columbia 

county. 
Hulett,  Silas,  glove  mfr,  71  First  ave.,  Gloversville;  b.  in  Vermont. 
Hull,  Mark,  leather  dresser;  Chesnut  st„  Gloversville;  b.  in    England-  s 

1849. 
Hutchinson.  S.  G.,  glove  mfr.,  56  Montgomery  st.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Fulton 

county. 
Hunt,  .M.  G.,  grocer,  15S  W.  Fulton  St.,  Gloversville;  b.  in  .Mass. 
Hosning.  J.  G.  druggist,  52  Market  st.,  Johnstown:  b.   in  Fiihon  countv; 

s.  1S57. 
Jeannisson,   L.,   glove  mfr.,   Mc.Martin   St.,  Johnstown  ;  b.    in   France-    s 

1S56. 
Jeffers,  G.  W..  grocer.  73  Perrv  st.,  lohnstown:  b.  in  Montgomerv-  i-ountv 

s.  1S71. 
Jeffers,  S.  glove  mfr.  33  Spring  st,.  (Iloversviile:  b.  JS30. 
Joslvn.  C,  C,   M.D.  ,  |.hysi.  ian.  Sir  William  Johnson  Hotel,  lohnstown:  b. 

in  .M.adison  county:  s.  1S74. 
Johnson,  W.  L.,    .M.D.  ,   physician,  U  illiam   st.,   Johnstown;  b    in   Fulton 

county. 
Judson.  .\lanson,  glove  infr.,  S3  E.  Fulton  st..  Gloversville;    b.  in  .Mont- 
gomerv- countv  in  1S06. 
Caleb.  .M.  M.  ;  p.  o.  New  York.' 
Case.  Chester  H..  fanner ;  p.  o.  Johnstown  ;  b.  in  Montgomerv-  countv  in 

1831. 
Case.  Purdy  F.,  student,  Johnstown  ;  b.  in  N.  Y. 
Case.  J.  W. 

Clark,  \\ .  N'.,  editor,  54  W  illiam  st.,  Johnstown  ;  b,  in  Fulton  county. 
Cline,    J.    W..    glove  mfr.,    179    Main   St.,    (iloversviile  ;  born  in    Fulton 

county. 
Cohen   Bros.,  grocers,  .Main  St.,   Gloversville  :  b.  in  Montgomery  countv  ; 

5.  1S67. 
Coughnet,  J.   N.,  farmer  ;  p.  o.  Johnstown  :  born  in   .Montgomery  county 

in  1800. 
Cross,  C.  O.,  grocer,  1S4  Main  st..  Johnstown  ;  born  in  Fulton  county. 
Cowles,  D.  F.,  dealer  in  books  and  stationerv.  1 1 2  Main  St.,  Gloversville  : 

b.  in  Saratoga  county  ;  s.  18^4. 
Cummings,  E.  R.,   agt.  of  the  Singer  sevvins:  machine.  26  Washington  St., 

Gloversville;  b.'in  ColunTl.ia  county  ;   s    1S75. 
Dain.  M.,  wagon  mfr.,  16S  Main  St.,  Johnstovvn;  b.  in  .Montgonien- county; 

s.  1874. 
Davis,  L.  P.,  gloves  laid  off  by  steam.  West  ^t.,  Gloversville:  b.  in  N.  V.; 

s.  1873. 
Dav.  H.  C.  glove  mfr,.   Broad  st.,  Gloversville;  b.   in    Fulton  countv;  s. 

1S52. 
Decker,  J,   H.,  glove  mfr.,  68  Montgomery  st..  Johnstown:  b.  in  Mont- 
gomery county  in  1826. 
Decker.  N.  H.,  contractor.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Ulster  countv:  s.  i860. 
De  Ronde,  J.  M.,  dressing  buckskin,  Kingsboro:  b.  in  .Mayficid,  N.  Y.;  s. 

1865. 
Dorn,  K.  J,,  farmer;  p.  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county  in  1S21. 
Dorn,    Nicholas,  farmer;  p.   o.   Johnstown;  b.   in    Montgomerv  county  in 

181S. 
Diidlev.  J.   M.,  attornev-at-law,  4   Melchcr  st.,  Johnstown;  h.   in   Vt.:  s. 

.,S54.' 
Dunham.  Rev.  M.  F.,.  pjsinr  of  Presbvterian  .  hun  h.  57  Mel.  Iier  St..  Johns- 
town: b.  in  Herkimer  c..i:n;v:   s.  1S75, 
Dav  ies,  Thomas,  glove  nifr,,  ,5  M.mtgoinerv  -t..   lohnstown:   Lj.  in   Fult.in 


D.i.lge,  S,  \  S.in.  glove  ll.frs.,  Gl.,v  ersv  ille;  i 
l-;.lsterlv.  .M.,  glove-  mfr,,  18  Muldle  st.,  (ll.ivt 
Easterlv.  W,    .M.,  gl.jve  mfr.  (.    Kim   st.,   CI... 


1  IVnn 

ille;   li,  in  G 


in    .M.»ntgonie 


;;dmunds.  Rev.  C.  (,',.  pastor  of  l-;pis. opal  .hiirch,  I.ihnstown 

K.lwards.  J..    -M.D..    plusiccin,  K.ist    Fulton  st.  Clnversville:   li.  in  Fult.in 

Kllsworih,  I',,  gh.ve  mfr,'.  (.3  S.  h.i..l   st,.  Gloversville;  b.  in    Fr.lton  countv: 

s.  i,S;6. 
Khle.    P.aniev.   .  arpenter.   206    M.iin   St..   Gloversville;    b.   in    Montgomerv 

..iiintv;  s    i,S7o 
l-'.vans.  R    1  ,  u-Imvc  mir  ,'  |ohnsi,..vn;  b.  in  I   ilfii  .  riiintv, 
linlinu,  D    (1.  -l..ve  i.ilr..  Gl..versville;   I.,  ,n  Me,:   s,  i,S;, 
F.irthn.-.  D    C,  line  glove  mIr.  170  .Mam   -:  ,  I  dov  ersville:   i..  in    Full..n 

...iintv;  s.  1S54. 
l-.iv,  I..  -I..ve  iiilr.  ■,!  Iremonl  st  .  Cloversv  ille:  b.  in  Irelan.l:  s.  i86v 
l-ear,  S.  2l..ve  iiitr,.'-,;  Illee.  kcr  s|.,  ( ilov  ers,  ,1k-;   b.  in  England:  .s.  i.St..),   . 
Fell-.  Rev     1'  ,  |,.is|.,r  i.f   i.iither.m  1  hiir.  h,  12.S  Main  st.,  lohnstown;  b,  m 

(  olumbia  .oiintv;  s.  i.>i7i 
Ferris,    bilin   1...   hardware  .lealer.    .S    .\l.irkel  st,,   Johnstown:   b.   in    New  ' 

York  .  itv;  s.  1S6;. 
F.mda.  H.  D..  gl.ive  mfr  .  37  1-2  M.im  st,,  (Iloversviile:   b   in  .Montgomery 

..iuntv:"s,  iStih 
1..V.  Charles,  fanner:  p   .1    |..linsi,.w  n;   1.    in  Montgomerv  countv  in  1S27 
Fraak,  .\     I  ,  firmer;  p   o,  ( il.iv  ersviile;   I.    |S2., 
Freileri.  k,    .\.laiii,   s.iw-inill.   Ke.fs   (.enter:  b.  in    Montgomery  coiinu  m 

1S23. 
Hullon,  lame,  V  ,  111  irl.Ie  yard,  Johnstown. 


PATRONS  OF  THIS  WORK  IN  FULTON  COUNTY. 


251 


Fay,  G.  W'.,  clothing.  East  Fulton  St.,  Glovcrsville;  b.  in  Mass.;  s.  1S54. 
Judson,  n.  n.,  glove  mfr.  Kingsboro;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1828. 
Johnson,  J.  H.,  dealer  in  glo\ers'   materials,  Washington  st.,  Glovcrhville; 

b.  in  Montgomery  lounty;  s.  1869. 
Kasson,  H.  A.,  real  estate  agt.,  102    Main  St.,  Gloversville;  b.   in   Fulton 

county. 
Keck,  Jern-,  district  attorney,  O3  State  st.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Fulton  county. 
Keck«  Joseph,  merchant,  foreman,  strawboard  mfr.  and  hotel  proprietor, 

Reek's  Center;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1820. 
Kibbe,  W.  H..  photographer,  6  Fast  Slate  street,  Gloversville;  b.  in  Fulton 

county. 
Killeen,   Rev.    M.,  pastor  of  St.   Mary's  R.  C,  church;  r.   Alvord   House, 

Gloversville;  b.  in  Ireland;  s.  1S77. 
Kent,  James,  leather  mfr.  and  dealer,  73  lUeecker  street,  Gloversville;  b.  in 

England;  s.  1866. 
Krause,  H.  Iv,  glove  mfr..  23  Flm  St..  Gloversville;  b.  in  Germany;  s.  1854. 
Knoff,  Henry,  glove  mfr.  24  Mclcherst..  Johnstown;  b.  in  Prussia;  s.  1850. 
Kennedy,  Martin,   hardware   merthant.   .Montgomery  st.,  corner  WiUiam, 

Johnstown;  b.  in  Fulton  county;  s.  1S52. 
Lake,  William,  carpenter,  contractor  and  builder,  Judson  st.,  Gloversville; 

b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1827. 
Langenbach,  H.,  leather  mfr.  and  dealer,  East  P'ulton  st.,  Gloversville;  b.  in 

Germany;  s.  1S76. 
I-ocklind,  A.  \V.,  nS  West  Fulton  St.,  (ilo\ersville;  b.  in  Jefferson  county; 

s.   1865. 
Locklin,  A.  L..  glove  mfr;  r.  Alvord  House.  Gloversville;  s.  1S57. 
Limner,  W.  T.,  agt.  Wheeler  ^    Wilson    sewing-machines.    115    Mam   St., 

(iloversville;   b.  in  Montgomery  county;  s.  1877. 
Ixtridge,   Robert,  farmer;   |).  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in   .NIontgomery  county  in 

1798. 
Ix»wery,  Rev.  J.  F..  priest,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Oneida  county  in  1S41. 
L}'naugh,  P.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Ireland. 
Martin,   Jacob,    country   storekeeper,    Sammonsville;    b.    in    Montgomery 

county  in  1818. 
Mason,  J.  J.,  druggist.  East  Fulton  street.  Gloversville. 
'  Mathews,  J.  B.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Johnstoun;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1799. 
Mavlender,  Max,  kid  mfr.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Hungary;  s.  1853. 
McCall,  A.,  dealer  in  cigars,  4  Dleeckcr  st.,  GlovtrsMUe;  b.  in  Del.;  s.  1S73. 
McDonough,  P.,  proprietor  01   meat  market,  Washmgton  st.,  (iloxersviUe; 

h.  in  Fulton  county;  s.  1S59. 
McDougall,  C.,  glove  mfr.,  corner  of   Lincoln  and   Bleecker  sts.,  Glo\ers- 

McEwen.  Charles,  glove  mfr..  76  Main  st..  Glovers'  ille;  b.  in  Montgomery 
county;  s.  1S52. 

McEwen,  J.  I).,  owner  of  grist  and  skin  mill.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Montgomery 
county  in  1818. 

McKee,  James,  glove  mfr.,  39  Main  st.,  (iloversuile;  b.  in  .\lbany  county; 
s.  .850. 

McLaren,  E-,  Kin^-.l)nro;  b.  at  King^l  nro  in  1818. 

McMirtin.  Dnncin;  p.  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Fulton  .ounty  in  1817. 

McManin,  Martin,  attorncy-at-lan,  Mclc  hur  st.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Fulton 
ronntv  in   l,S;4. 

McNab,  John,  glo>e  mfr..  [.n-sidcnt  Fulton  County  Hank.  West  Fulton  st.. 
Clcucrsvillc;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1S15. 

McCuirc.  li..  prnpriclor  of  foundr\.  West  Fulton  st..  (lloversville;  b.  in 
Jelferson  mtinty;  s    1S64. 

McVean,  F'dv.ard.  tanner;  |>.  o.  Johrsioun;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county  in 
1.S13. 

McVean.  J.  .-\.,  farmer;  p.  o,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Fulton  county. 

Miller.  W.  H.,  projirictor  of  meat  market.  Cns  st..  c;io\crsulle. 

Mills.  E.  H..  glove  box  infr..  50  Main  st.,  (ilovcrsville:  b.  in  Fulton  coun- 
ty; s.  1S5,;, 

Mister,  William.  glo\c  mfr..  47  Montj;ouiery  st..  Johnstown;  b.  in  F.ngland; 
s.  1.^57. 

Moats,  lames,  tarnier;  p.  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  (iermanv  in  183;. 

Moore,  F,.,  glove  mfr..  151  .Mam  st..  Johnstown;  b.  in'Fulton  county. 

Moore,  (;..  mfr.  of  wagons  and  gineral  blacksmiih,  14;  .Main  st.,'john5- 
town;  b.  in  Fulton  county;  s.  1.S31, 

Moore,  Henry,  glove  mfr..  .jS  IVrrv  si.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Montgcmery 
lounty  in  i.S;:6. 

Moycr.  (.".  M..  .  arpcnter,  Johnstown. 

.Moore.  John,  strawboard  mfr.  ami  farmer;  p.  o.  Sammonsville;  b.  in  .Mont- 
gomery ( ounty  in    iS-,5. 

Muddle,  William,  bookbinder.  Judson  si..  Cloversville;  b,  in  .Mbany  coun- 
ty; s.  1S71. 

Meyer,  F.,  I...0I  ami  shoe  de.iler,  JohnMown. 

.Vavlor,  r.eorgc.  blacksmith.  144  M.iin  st..  Cdoversville;  b.  in  England; 
s.  r.S66. 

Newton.  F;.  C.  dealer  in  wall  paper.  Main  St.,  Johnstown ;  li.  in  Mont- 
gomery .rninty  in  iS:;7. 

Newton.  F..  1'.,  m...  hinist,  51  U.ishingl.m  st..' (Iloversuile;  b.  in  Conn.; 
s-  1865. 

Northrup.  J.  C,  glove  mfr.,  5.S  Monlgomerv  si..  Johnstown;  b.  in  Fulton 
I  ounty;  s.  i,S64. 

Northrup,  M.  .S.,  gloveuifr.  ;,S  .Montgomery  st.,  Johnstown;  b.  m  Fulton 
rounly;  s.  1.SO9. 


Norton,  A.  A.,  jeweler,  109  W.  Fulton  St.,  Ciloversville;  b.  in  Oswego  coun- 
ty; s.  1869. 
Olmstead,    A.,  grocer,    LJIeecker   st.,    Gloversville;  b.    in    FuUon    county; 

s.  1S62. 
Pyne,  William  J.,  glove  mfr.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  F^ngland. 
Park,  W.  E..  pastor  of  Congre-gational  Church,  163  Main  st.,  (Ilovcrsville; 

b.  in  Mass.;  s    1S76. 
Parke,  C.  M.,  attorney  at  law.  23  Prospect  st.,  C.loversville;  b.  in  Saratoga 

county;  s.  1871. 
Parkhurst,  H.  S.,  attorney  at  law,  ai  School  st..  Gloversville;  b.  in  Oswego 

county;  s.  1867. 
Parrish,  J.  D.,  glove  mfr.,  14  Stalest,,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Washington  county; 

s.  1S60 
Peckham,  C.  E.,  glove  mfr.,  E.  State  st.,  Johnstown;  b.  in    F'ulton  county 

in  1826. 
Peck.  0.,  proprietor  of  wood  yard,  to  E,  State  st.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Mont- 
gomery county;  s.  1850. 
Parsons.  T.  I,.,  farmer;  p.  o.  (lloversville;  b.  in  Fulton  county. 
Parsons,  Hiram  .\..  mfr.,  Kingsboro;  b.  in  tulton  county  in  1S09. 
Perkins.  .\.  J.,  ice  dealer  and  farmer;  ]).  o.  Johnstown. 
Persse,  T.  B.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Ireland  in  1821. 
Pierce,    E..  glove   mfr..    12  Washington    st..  Gloversville;    b.  in    England; 

s.   ,870. 
Place,  J.  W.,  glove  mfr,  6  High  st..  Gloversville;  b.  in  Montgomery  county 

in  1831. 
Pommer,  R.,  glove  mfr..  .Mc.Martin  st.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  (iermany;   s.  1S69. 
Polmaleer,  Ciiles.  farmer;  p.  o.  Garoga;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1842. 
Pool,  J.  B.,  farmer  and  milk  dealer;  p.  o.  Gloversville;  b.  in  Fulton  county 

in  1819. 
Porter,  A.  E.;  r.  34  Fremont  St., Gloversville. 
Potter,  William,  drover.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Fulton  county. 
Prindle,  E.  W.;  r.  Main  St.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Dutchess' county  in  180S. 
Putman,    .\aron,    farmer;  p.  o.   Johnstown;    b.  in    Montgomery  county  in 

1819. 
Pursell.  G.,  glove  manuf.  and  dealer  in  groceries.  193  1-2  Main  st.,  Glovers- 
ville; b.  in  England;  s.  1S50. 
Pyne,  William  J.,  glove  mfr.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  F.ngland;  s.  1S62. 
Quackenbush,  David  S.,  meat  market,  22  Main  st..  tlloversville. 
Quackenbush,  V.,  glove  mfr..  Washington  St.,  Gloversville;  s.  1850. 
Ritton.  V.  A.,  glove  mfr,  Johnstown. 

Rosa,  E.  .\..  hotel  keeper,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Fulton  county;  s.  1872. 
Rogers,  R.  \\'.,  cheese  mfr.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Herkimer  county;  s.  1871. 
Rose,  S.  S..  farmer  and  dairyman;  p.  o.  Gloversville;  b.  in  Fulton  county. 
Rose,  C.  W.,  glove  mfr,  Gloversville;  b.  in  Johnstown  in  1S33. 
Ross,  H.,  editor,  Gloversville;  b.  in  Canada  West;  s.  1S74. 
Rowles.  T.  H..  glove  mfr.,  Johnstown;  b.  in   England;  s.  1S57. 
Ruport,  .Mrs.  .M.;  r.  Sammonsville;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  in  1S07. 
Ruport.  William,  farmer;   [).  o.  Sammonsville;  b.  in  Montgomery  county. 
Rowles,  W.  H.,  glove  mfr.  Johnstown;  b.  in  England;  s.  1S5:. 
Sammons,  E.  H.,  keej^er  of  country  store  and  hotel,  Sammooaville;    b.  in 

Montgomery  county. 
Sammons,  Mrs.  H.;  r.  Sammonsville;  b.  in  Columbia  county. 
Scoville,  J.  W.,  hotel  and    livery  proprietor,  Gloversville;    b.   m   N.  V.;    s. 

•854. 
Schuyler,  J.  R.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Sammonsville;  b.  in    Montgomery  county  in 

1810. 
Scott,  J.  !>..  hotel  proprietor,  Johnstown;  b.  in  I^ngland;  s.  1S75. 
Sexton,  Seymour,  grocer,  Gloversville;  b.  in  Wayne  county;  5    1850. 
Sholtus.  ].  H.,  i)roprietor  of  country  store.  Sammonsville;   b.  in    Madison 

county. 
Smith.  Will,  blacksmith.  Gloversville;  b.  in  Johnstown. 
Smith,  t)e  Witt,  glove  mfr,  Gloversville;  b.  in  Johnstown  in  1S14. 
Smith,  E.  A.  y\..  dry  goods,  Gloversville;  b.  in  t)svyego  county. 
Smith,  E.  M.,  dry  goods  dealer,  Gloversville;  b.  in  N.  V.;  s.  i36S. 
Smith,  Robert,  carpenter.  Keek's  Center;  b.  in  Dutchess  county  in  1S35. 
Snyder,  (ieorge,  farmer;  p.  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1816. 
Snyder,   William    S..  teacher   Johnstown;    b.   in    .Montgomery  county;    s. 

i860. 
Spencer,  E.  .A.,  attorney,  Gloversv  ille;  b.  in  Otsego  county. 
Standring.  J.,  farmer;   p.  o.  Johnstown;  I),  in  N.  V.  in  1S32. 
Stalcy,  George  H.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Rockvvood;  b.  in  Fulton  county  in  1S22. 
Ste|ihenson,  Fevi,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Mass.  in  i;;29. 
Stewart,   .Alexander,  farmer;  [1.  o.  Johnstown;   b.  in    .Montgomery  county; 

s.   1S7.. 
Stewart.  C.  N,,  mfr,.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Johnstown  in  1809. 
Stewart.  C,  W,  boot  and   shoe  dealer,  Gloversville;  b.  in  N'orlham|iton;  5. 

1870. 
Stewart,  James,  farmer;    p.  o.  Johnstown;    b.  in   Montgomery  county  in 

Stocklev.  I.  M.  glove  mfr,  Gloversville. 

Stoller,  Henry,  proprietor  of  liverv  stable,  Johnstown;   b.  in  Johnstown. 
Stone.  F  P...  druggist.  (Ilovcrsville;  b.  in  Essex  county;  s.  1875. 
Sutliff,  I,  H,,  superintendent  I.  (i.  -V  K.  R.  R.  Co..  Johnstown. 
Sweet,  W,  1',,  grocer  nnil  druggist.  (Jloversville;   b.  at  .Mbanv;  s.  1867 
Thompson.  G    .M  ,  editor,  Gloversville;    b.  .it    I  11  ondcroga;  's.  1S63. 
Thorne,  Uilliam,  glove  mfr,  Johnstown;  b.  in  England;  s.  1867. 


252 


PATRONS  OF  THIS  WORK  IN  FULTON  COUNTY. 


Thoms,  H.  C,  harness  infr.,  Gloversville;  b.  at  New  Haven. 

Van  Rasken,  J.  A.,  druggiit,  ("ilovcrsville;  b.  in  Alljany  county. 

Van  Skkler,  G.,  country  storekeeper;  p.  o.  Gloversville:  b.  in  Montgomery 
county  in  1S2S. 

Van  Sickler,  William  H..  leather  dresser.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Johnstown. 

Van  Sickler.  M.  R.,  Johnstown. 

Van  Vtanken.  N..  [laintcr,  ClloversviUe. 

Van  Wart,  Piirdy,  glove  mt'r,  lO;  Main  St.,  Johnstown;  b.in  Johnstown  in  1S21 

Vosburg,  M.  B.,  glove  mfr..  Jtihnsiown;  b.  in  Saratoga  county;  s.  1871. 

Vosburg,  M.,  farmer;  f».  o    Johnstown;  b.  in  .Montizomerv  county  in  1S21. 

Van  SljLe,  Edward,  jeweler,  Gloversville:  b.  in  Mayfield';  s.  1865. 

Vfooman,  W.  P.,  insur:ince  and  real  estate  agt.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Mont- 
gomery county. 

Van  Xess,  L.  R.,  &  Co.,  dry  goods  merchants,  Gloversville;  b.  in  Fulton 
county:  s.  1S56 

Vosburg,  B.  &  Co.,  furniture. 

Visscher,  F.  J..  96  Wall  St.,  New  York. 

Wade,M.;  r.  Montgomep.' St..  Jolm^town;  b.  in  Montgomery  county:  s.  1S60. 

Wait,  William,  attorney,  Johnstown:  b.  in  Ephratah;  s.  1869. 

Wallace,  John  Ci.,  farmer;  \:>.  o.  (.ilovcrsville;  b.  1S18. 

Walker,  Uuncan.  farmer:  p.  o.  Johnstown:  h.  in  Montgomery  county. 

Warman,  J.  R..  clerk.  Gloversville;  b.  in  Johnstown;  s.  1S54. 

Ward,  H.  M..  paper  bo.x  mfr.,  groceries,  etc.,  139  W.  Fulton  St.,  Gloversville. 

Ward,  James,  blacksmith,  (iloversviUc;  b.  in  Oneida  county;  s.  1S74. 

Weare.  Charles,  glove  mfr.,  Johnstown;  b.  in  England;  s.  1873. 

Washburn,  B.  F.,  livery  stable  keeper,  Glo\■e^s^  ille:  b.  in  Hamilton  county. 

Wells,  E.  M.,  leather  dresser,  Johnstown:  b.  in  Johnstown;  s.  1S53. 

Wells,  John,  attorney,  Johnstown;  b.  in  Jolinstown  in  1817. 

Wells,  j.  E.,  real  estate  agt..  Johnson  Hail,  Johnstown;  b.  1S2;. 

Wells,  W.  S.,  glove  mfr.,  GloversMlle;  b.  at  K.ingsboro  in  1S34. 

Wemple,  Eli,  cider  and  vinegar  mfr.  Sammonsville:  b.  in  Montgomery 
county:  s.  1.S63. 

Wemple,  William,  straw  board  mfr.,  Sammonsville ;  b.  in  Montgomery 
county  in  1835. 

Wert,  Christian,  farmer;  p.  o.  Johnstown:  b.  iSiS. 

Wert,  Daniel,  farmer;  p.  o.  Johnstown:  b.  in  Montgomery  county 

Wert,  J.  D.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  Montgomery  county  i 

WerttUIIIiam,  farmer;  p.u.  Sammonsville;  b.  in  Montgomer)-  county 

Whitakcr,  F,.  V.,  ^love  mfr.,  (iloverbviUc;  b.  at  Scliciicciaily. 

Whitney,  E.  B  ,  glove  mfr.,  tiloversville;  b.  in  Vt. 

Wilde.  A.  J.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Johnstown;  b.  in  .Monlgomerv  count\-: 

Wood,  G.  r..,  marble  work.s",  Gloversville;  s.  iS-o. 

W^ood,  Mrs.  loseph:  p.  o.  Kingsboro;  b.  in  .Montgomery  county  m  1S06. 

Wretz,  Hcnrv,  farmer;  p.  o.  (iioversviUe;  b.  in  Prussia:  s.  1856. 

Young,  William  J.,  grocer,  Johnstown. 

Zauney,  H.;  r.  Johnstown:  b.  m  Johnstown. 

Zimracr,  W.  N'.,  glove  mfr.  Broad  St..  Glovers\ille;  b.  in  Schoharie  county. 


TOWN"  OF  M.WFII'LI). 

Buchanan,  [ohn  M..  farmer;  p.  o.  Vail's  .Mills;  b,  in  Fulton  countv  in  1814; 

s.  1872. 
Busby.  Edwin,  mfr.,  Vail's  Mills;  1).  in  England  in  1834;  s.  1.^67. 
Rianchard,  John,  farmer  and  batrher:  p.  o.  Kingsboro:  b.  in  Fulton  countv 

in  1S33:  s    1S65. 
Brown.  J.  H..  general  merchant  and  mfr  of  gloves  and  mittens,  Mayficid; 

[>.  in  Fulton  county  in  i.\;i. 
Christie,  Edw.trd,  farmer  and  lime  dealer.  .Nlav  field;  b.  in  Fulton  county  in 

Close,  A.  R,  general  men  h.int  and  m;'r  of  gloves  and  mittens,  Mavtlcld; 

b.  in  Fulton  countv  in  iS.'?, 
Dixon,  R.W..  general  merchant.  Mayfield:  b.in  Fulton  county  in  1S27:  S.1S77. 
Foote.  l)aniel.  farmer;  p.  o.  Mj\lield:  b.  in  Fulton  county  in  1829. 
Ferguson,  S,  farmer:  p.  o.  .Mavfield;  b.  in  Fulton  countv  in  1831;  s.  1869. 
Green,  John.  mfr..  Mayfield:  b'.  in  Fulton  county  in  iSi'S;  s.  1S55. 
Gilbert,  John  R..  farmer;  ji  o.  Cranberry  Creek;  ii,  in  Fulton  county  in  1S27. 
George,  Isaac,  f.-irnier  and  tanner:  p.  o.  Vail's   .Mills:  b.   in   Monigomerv 

county  in  1817;  s.  1S65. 
Hcgeman,  Micah,  farmer  and  lime  dealer:  p.  o.  Mayfield;  b.  in  Saratoga 


■  824. 
1  1821. 


.S74. 


>3j: 


18:;  1 


Husted,  Reuben,  farmer  and  s-,„:k  breeder:  p.  o    Vail's  .Mills;  1,    11,   Sara- 

Howland,  Harrison.  ?jrnier:  j..  o  V.i'il'',  Mills;  b.  in  Fulton  countv  in  1842. 
Joslin.  .Man. <apitalist.\'ail's. Mills;  b.in  W.ishingl.mrouniv  in  iS2.S;s.  1872. 
Jackson,  William,  stage  pr..prietnr.  M.tvheld:  Iv'in  Fulion'coiinfv  m  iS;6. 
Kn.npp,  J.  H..  farmer  and  lime  dcii'..-r;  p.  o    M  ivficid;  b   in  Fulu.n  ■  ounty 

in  1S25;  s.  185'). 
I.ans;ng,  A.,  farmer:  p,  o?  Vail's  Mills;  b.  in  Fullon  county  in  1S17:  s.  iS63. 
Lee,  George  W.,  farmer  and   merchant,  .M;n field;   b.  in   Fulton  county  in 

1S24;  s.  18:7. 
McKinlav,  Alex.,  farmer;  p.  o,  Mavfield;  b.  in  Fullon  countv  in  1S08. 
Munson,!'..  H.  farmer,  mfr  and  l..inkcr..Miins,Mnillc:b.in\l.  in  1815;  s.  1840. 
Peterson,  Ilar%ey,  tctchcr  an.l  farmer,  .Ma\field:  b.  in   Fulton  countv  in 


Riddle,  foseph,  farmer;  p.  o.  Cranberry  Creek;  b.  in  Fulton  county  in  1824- 

s.  1S50. 
Rosa,  J.  P.,  jr.,  merchant   and   mfr.  Vail's    Mills;  b,   in    Fulton  county  in 

1848:  s.  186S. 
Shaw.William  H,  farmer,  Mayfield:  b  in  Rensselaer  county  in  1829;  s.  iSc6, 
Shafter.H.C;,  farmer;  p.o.  Broadalbin;  b.  in  Schoharie  county  in  i8i6;s.  i8"66 
Vandenburgh,  B.  B.,  farmer  and  stock  raiser;  p.  o,  .Mayfieid;  b.   in  Fullon 

county  in  i8-!4:  s.  1S60. 
Vail,  William,  miller,  Vail's  .Mills;  b.  in  Fulton  county  ,i»i  1825. 
Woodworth.  W.  D..  surveyor,  .Mayfield;  b.  in  Fiiln.n  county  in  1816. 
[      Weint/..  John,  fruit  farmer;  p.o.  Mayfield  ;b.  m  Orange  county  in  1839;  s.  1S09 


TOWN  OF  HLFFCKFR. 


Bowler,  W.  H.,  farmer,  Bleecker;  s.  1869. 
Denning,  Hiram,  merchant,  Bleecker. 
Van  Denburgh,  Hiram.  Bleecker 


TOW.X  OF  ()PPFXIIEL\F 


Brockett,  J.  P..  farmer;  post  master  lirockett's  Bridge:  b.  181 
Bellinger,  Da\  id.  farmer:  p.  o.  Crum  Creek. 
Bacon,  W.  H.,  cheese  mfr.,  Oppenheim;  s,  1S50. 
Brown,  Augustus,  farmer;  p.  o.  Oppenheim:  b.  1814. 
Brown,  C.  .\..  farmer;  p.  o.  Oppenheim:  b.  N.  H. 
Dusler,  David,  farmer;  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville;  b.  1827. 
Fl.ander,  C,  farmer:  p.  o.  St.  Johnsville,  b.  180S. 
Handy,  Dennis,  farmer;  p.  o.  Crum  Creek;  b.  r825. 
Hose,  Isaac;  St.  Johnsville;  b.  1829. 
Ingham  H.,  Ingham's  .Mills,  Herkimer  county;  b.  1827. 
Johnson,  E.  P.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Ingham's  .Mills,  Herkimer  coun 
Livingston.  William,  farmer;  p.  o.  I.ottville;   b.  1S28.     - 
Phipps,  E.  C.  farmer:  r.  Phipps  Corners;  p.  o.  I.ottville;  b.  in  C 
Stewart,  William  S..  farmer;  p.  o.  Oppenheim;  b.    1810. 
Walrath,  .Matthew,  farmer;  p.  o.  Crum  Creek. 
Vonker,  J.  P..  farmer:  p.  o.  Ingham's  .Mills.  Hcrkir 
Zimmerman,  C,  farmer;  p.  o.  Crum  Creek;  b.  1827 


nty  ;  b.  1827. 


TOW.X  OF  STRATFORD. 


Bleekm.nn.  N.  O..  farmer  and  himberman;  p.  o.  Stratford;  b.  iSi?. 

Grossman.  D.  W.,  mfr.  of  butter  tubs  and  merchant;  Stratford. 

Hclterline,  H.  D..  lumber  mfr..  Stratford. 

Kibbe,  Bliss,  merchant,  Stratford. 

Livingston,  J.  C,  luml)erman.  Stratford;  s.  1869. 

Stewart,  Thomas  B.,  farmer;  p.  o.  Stratford;  b.    1831. 

TOWN  OF  PERTH. 

Baird,  Robert,  merchant  and  postmaster,  Perth. 

Bania,  J.  D.,  farmer  and  stock  dealer;  p.  o.  Perth;  b.  in  N.  V.  in  1829. 

Clark,  George,  farmer:  p.  o.  .\msterdam;  b.  in  N.  V.  in  1S18. 

Donnan,  George,  farmer;  p.  o.  West  Cialway;  b.  in  N.  Y.  in  1807. 

Fairbanks,  William,  farmer;  p.  o.  .Vmsterdam;  b.  in  N.  V.  in  1822. 

Goodemote,  H.B..  merchant. town  clerk  and  postmaster, Perth  Center;  s.  1854 

Johnson.  I).  B.,  farmer;  p.  0.  Tribes  Hill. 

Major.  Hugh  B..  farmer  and  insurance  agt.,  Penh  Center:  b.  1S35. 

Mclntvre.  I.  D..  Perth  Center;  b.  in  Illmois, 

MrFarlnn. "Patrick,  farmer;  p.  o.  Vail's  Mills;  b   'r,  N.  V   m  1801. 

Mann.  S.  B..  merchant  .and  postmaster;  p.  o,  \^'est  Galwav;  s.   1852. 

Mosher.  J,  H..  farmer;  p.  o.  Amsterdam. 

Stark,  James,  farmer;  p.   o.  Vail's  Mills;  b.  in  .s.otland  in  1832. 

Sviobc.  John  H..  farmer:  West  Penh;  b.  in  N.  \  .  in  1830. 

Stearns,' William  C.  farmer;   p.o.  Penh  Center;  b.  in  .N.  V.  in  1817. 

TOWX  OF  XORTII.V.MPTOX. 

Avery.  A.  J.,  physi,  ian,  Northville:   b.  in  lUrkimcr  county. 

J.  F..  phys:' lan  and  surgeon,  Norihvillc;  b.  in  Washington  couniy 


lilake 


1821 


S'orlhvillc 
,  o  Cranln 


inColumlu 


182; 


Roberts,  Jedcdiah,  farm 


Mayfield:  b   in  Fulton  county  in  1805, 


Riishnell,    John   >V   W.  F.,  farn 

county  in  182  i, 
Lewis.  Anna  M. 

(Irion.  D.iriiis  S..  physician  and  surgeon.  Northampton:  b.  in  Vt. 
l'ai;e.  Robert  S.,  farmer;  p.o.  Northainpion;  b.  in  Saratoga  countv  in  1822. 
P.itlcrsc.n    Inhu,  atturnc\ -at-l.iw.  N.irthMlle:   b.  :n  Kiilton  countv. 
KcsMguie,  11    I  ,  himl.crman,  NortliMile:  b.  in  lukon  countv  in  1833. 
Rooncy.   riiomas  H,.  fiour  and   feed.  Northviile:  b.  in  Rensselaer  county 

in  1834. 
Sattcrlie,  N  ,  mfr.  of  stoves,  plows,  \-c  ,  NorthMlle;  b.  in  Fulton  coupty  in 

1S24 
Swcel,  Mrs.  .Mmira 

Smitli.  W.  .\..  retired  farmer;   Nonhvil!e;  b.  in  .Mass.  in  1807. 
I'haver,  S.  W..  lumberman,  Nnrthville;  b.  m  Warren  county. 
Van' Dyke,  (;.  C.  &    Sons,  carri.ige    mfrs.,    .NorthMlle:  b.   in   Schenectady 

couniy  in  1815. 


44  6  9 


Hf.ckman 


JUNE  02 

N.  MANCHESTER,  INDIANA  46962  j