A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 52

Author: Minard, John Stearns, 1834-1920; Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Alfred, N.Y., W. A. Fergusson & co.
Number of Pages: 1102

USA > New York > Allegany County > A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York > Part 52

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St. Paul's Episcopal Church .- Rev. Davenport Phelps, a missionary, was the first to hold Episcopal services in Angelica, and in 1821 the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., held services in the court house which was then quite new. Rev. Caleb Hopkins however was the first to establish regu- lar services. In 1827 the parish was duly organized with Philip Church and James Wilson wardens, during the ministrations of Rev. William W. Bost- wick. In 1828 he ceased his labors here and the same year Bishop Hobart preached in the court house confirming thirty persons. Rev. Bostwick was succeeded by Rev. M. P. Bennett, who resigned in 1830, and, in 1831, Rev. Mr. Bostwick laid the corner stone of a church edifice. In August, 1831, Rev. Lewis Thibou assumed the charge of the parish, and in August, 1832, Bishop Onderdonk visited the parish, confirming nine persons. In 1833 the church, partly completed, was damaged by lightning. August 30, 1834, the edifice being completed consecration services were held by Bishop Onder- donk, and May 1, 1835, Rev. Thibou resigned, after which for a time Rev. N. F. Bruce conducted services. Rev. Thibou again became rector May 1, 1838, continuing until the spring of 1857. Fire destroyed the church Feb. 10, 1847, and July 23, 1848, a new structure, the present one, having been completed it was consecrated, Right Rev. William H. Delancy, D. D., officiat- ing. Rev. Robert Horwood became rector in June, 1857, and resigned June 13, 1863. He was followed by Rev. M. Schofield, who resigned Feb. 10, 1867. From 1867 to 1870 Rev. Joseph Hunter was rector, and Rev. J. C. L. Jones officiated as rector from 1871 to 1872, followed by Rev. John Leech 1872-74. March 19, 1876, Rev. Schofield again took the rectorship, supplying Christ Church, Belvidere, half the time. In succession, since 1879, as their names occur, the rectors have been Revs. A. J. Warner, W. F. Shero, Dwight Galloupe, and F. W. Beecher, the present incumbent. During the pastorate

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of Mr. Galloupe, a society was organized at Belfast and a beautiful little chapel erected. The present officers of St. Paul's church are C. D. Buchan- an, senior warden; Lewis Branson, junior warden; A. T. Wilson, L. T. Hooker, Dr. H. E. Cooley, W. S. Gibson, W. G. Graham, N. H. Curtis, H. B. Warner, George Graham, vestrymen. In the flourishing Sunday school of this church, the singing, rendered by a child's choir organized by Mr. Galloupe, is exceptionally fine.

Within the past fifteen years a new pipe organ costing $1,300 has been put in, and extensive repairs to the church have been made. The edifice is beautiful and attractive within, and embellished by gifts from members and others. Mrs Schofield gave it a beautiful screen, and placed within it a memorial plate to her father, Rev. Lewis Thibou. The Sunday school has given a memorial window to the memory of "Mary Welsh, Mary Davidson and thedear departed of the Sunday school," and expects soon to have in place a window to the memory of Thomas C. Thornton, long its superintendent. Mrs. D. D. Gardiner put in a window to the memory of a niece, Miss Cald- well. Mr. W. C. Hooker left a fund to procure a memorial window for his father and mother. Mrs. Dr. Wakely placed a memorial window to the mem- ory of her mother, Mrs. Schofield. Mrs. Grover placed a marble slab to the memory of her sister, Miss Clara Whitmore. Miss Emily Whitmore placed a memorial window to Mrs. Emily Grover, and Mr. Lewis T. Hooker one to the memory of his wife. Richard H. Charles left $5,000, the interest of which is devoted to the support of the church.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The early records of this church have been lost. It is said that the society was organized as early as 1827, and the first house of worship, a wood structure, was dedicated in 1830. For many years this church was the center of a large circuit, but in 1879 the pastor had charge of but two outside appointments, where services were held on alter- nate Sundays. Since 1835 the following pastors have served this church, in succession: 1835-6, Rev. M. Kinney; 1836-7, A. Wright; 1837-9, Asa Or- cutt; 1839, Carlos Gould; 1841-2, M. St. John; 1842-3, Ira Brownson; 1843-5 T. M. McElhany; 1845-6, Milo Scott; 1846-7, S. Doolittle; 1847-9, Carlos Gould; 1849-50, V. Brownell; 1850-51, A. Barber; 1851-3, W. Haskill; 1853-4, M. Guernsy; 1854-6, G. J. Dubois; 1856-7, R. Harrington; 1857-8, E. D. Rosa; 1858-60, John Spinks; 1860-62, E. P. Huntington; 1862-63, J. B. Knott; 1863- 66, W. Cochran; 1866-7, L. T. Hawkins; 1867-69, William D. Taylor; 1860-70, W. C. Mathison; 1870-72, Azel Fillmore; 1872-75, L. S. Crittenden; 1875-77, J. L. Rusbridge and W. C. Wilbor; 1877, C. Dillenbeck; 1877-9, E. P. Hub- bell. Since 1879 the pastors have been Rev. E. P. Hubbell, Rev. Benjamin Copeland, Rev. E. B. Williams, Rev. Dr. I. T. Walker, Rev. M. C. Dean, Rev. C. G. Lowell, and Rev. M. E. Hedding. The present brick church edifice was dedicated in October, 1873. The society has a good parsonage adjacent to the church. The property is free from debt and the church in a flourish- ing condition.

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Angelica Baptist Church .*- This church was organized July 18, 1834, by members of the second church of Allen, and a few others having letters from other churches. Their names are: David C. Hammond, George Hammond, Josiah Whitman, Jr., Jesse Parmeter, Charlotte Whitman, Charlotte Whit- man 2d, Kaziah Whitman, Permelia Hammond. Jane McBride, Electa Par- meter, Orris Goodrich, Rachel Goodrich, Joel Fosdick, Sally Fosdick, Wil- liam Webster. Mrs. Sarah Webster was the only one of these living in 1890. The new church had no pastor but Elder John Evans was with them for counsel and advice, and was moderator of the meeting. A brother, H. E. Prosser was "licensed " by the church and preached to them for six months. In August, September and October, 1835, Eld. J. P. Evans labored for the church. In November Rev. James Salman a licentiate was engaged, and received $100 and "three months board " for a year's labor. In June, 1836, he was ordained as an evangelist. In May, 1837, the church voted to call Rev. E. T. Jacobs, with a salary of "$150 and wood furnished." Then came two years without preaching, when Rev. R. Sabin came and served them one year, from spring of 1840-41. In August, 1841, Rev. V. Bemis began his labors, and he was the first pastor to continue for more than a year. About this time the state convention aided the church by appropriating to it $100 per year. After Rev. Bemis' four years there was a vacancy of nearly a year, when Rev. C. G. Smith was called, and ministered for a year, succeeded by Rev. B. B. Call. In July, 1849, Rev. C. A. Newland was engaged and con- tinued until May. 1850. From this time until September, 1853, there was no pastor. In December, 1853, Rev. W. H. Randall began work, preaching here and at Belmont, but the records do not state how long he remained.

December, 1857, came Rev. C. B. Reed, and, during the ensuing year, work on a house of worship (which had been commenced) was considerably progressed, and Jan. 20, 1859, having received substantial assistance from the Tabernacle Baptist Church, New York, and Rev. Lispenard Steward, a member of that church, and his daughter, the church was dedicated. Prior to this the meetings had been held at private houses, the schoolhouse, the court house, and occasionally at the M. E. church. Rev. Orrin Munger suc- ceeded Mr. Reed in October, 1860. He died March 1, 1862. October, 1862, Rev. J. M. Shotwell began a pastorate of one year, then for seven years the church had no pastor, but was quite regularly " supplied." In 1870, Rev. J. R. Merriman began his labors as pastor, remaining three years. From April, 1873, to May, 1879, the church was without a pastor but was supplied part of the time by Rev. Mr. Howd and Rev. R. Sabin. Early in 1879 Rev. P. I. Meade began a pastorate which closed May 1, 1883. Then came three years more without a pastor, when Rev. R. K. Hammond labored for six months. In November, 1886, Rev. J. Hendrick the present pastor began his labors. The church is in a healthy condition and doing good work.

*Chiefly condensed from Rev. J. Hendrick's historical sermon, delivered on the 59th anniversary of its es- tablishment.

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

Since 1879 nearly $3,000 have been expended in improvements. The only debt existing is a small one on the parsonage purchased.

Catholic Church .*- The early history of the Catholic church in Angelica is contemporaneous with the history of the church in Scio, Belmont, Bel- videre and Friendship. These were the first Catholic missions in Allegany county, and at first they constituted but one parish of which Rev. Michael O'Brien, now of Lowell, Mass., was the first pastor. Prior to his appoint- ment to this charge, which was in 1847, mass was frequently celebrated at the above mentioned place in private dwellings. The fifth Catholic service in the county was held at Angelica in 1844. Rev. Thomas McAvoy of Buffalo officiated. He said mass, and preached twice that year in the courthouse. In 1845 Rev. J. Meyers of Rochester held service three times in the same building for the Catholic families of Angelica. During the next year and till 1851 Rev. Michael O'Brien attended to the spiritual wants of the people. He lived, at first, in Greenwood, and having all of this county and a portion of Steuben for his parish, he could not have services at Angelica very often or regularly. In 1848 he removed to Hornellsville, built St. Ann's church there and became its first pastor. From here he attended all Catholic mis- sions in Allegany and many in Steuben county. He now held service about once a month in Angelica, saying mass sometimes in the courthouse and sometimes at the house of John Crosby, not far from the present home of Mrs. Margaret Ward in Collins settlement.

Father O'Brien had from the time he moved to Hornellsville been collect- ing money to build a church in Angelica. Philip Church, Jr., Richard Charles, Mr. Paxton, and the Angelica Catholic families (about fifteen) gave generous subscriptions. The edifice was begun in 1848, but it was not com pleted till late in 1850. Shortly after Rev. Michael O'Brien was transferred to other fields of labor. His successor did not come for about two months, and so the Angelica church was not used for sacred service till 1851, when it was dedicated by Rt. Rev. John Timon, Bishop of Buffalo. The first trustees were Messrs. John Crosby and Timothy Culbert, and prominent among its first members and supporters were: Patrick Cline, Daniel Sulli- van, Edward Howe, P. Keenan, John Haire, James Hunt and Michael Collins. Father Moore ministered to the wants of the Angelica people till 1855, when Rev. Terence Keenan was appointed rector. He remained till the latter part of 1860, when Rev. Edward McGlew assumed the pastorate. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. A. J. McConnel till 1869, when Rev. J. H. Leddy took charge.

The Wellsville parish had now been formed, and the residence of the pastor of the missions of Southern Allegany was now transferred to Bel- mont, and since then the pastor in charge of these missions has always lived in Belmont, attending Andover, Scio, Friendship, Belfast and Angelica at first, and, finally, as some of these places became separate parishes, limiting his charge to Scio, Belmont and Angelica. Father Leddy continued in the pastorate till 1873, and after him the pastors in charge of Angelica were:

* By Rev. J. J. Dealy.

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Rev. James Lannigan for about six months; Revs. E. McDermott, 1873-75; G. Dunbar, 1875-81; A. R. Barlow, 1881-82; J. Lasher, 1882-83; P. Berkery. 1883-90; J. J. Lafferty, for about six months; D. M. Reilly, 1890-92; F. J. Burns, 1892-95; and Jan. 20, 1895, J. J. Dealy, became pastor.

The present membership of the Angelica church is about twenty fami- lies, or about two hundred souls. The church was the second Catholic edi- fice, and is now the oldest one, in the county. Besides helping to support its pastor it gives yearly $50 for the benefit of the charitable institutions of the diocese of Buffalo and $50 to educate young men for the ministry.

Angelica Academy .- May 12, 1836, an act was passed "to incorpo- rate Angelica Academy," and "George Miles, Richard Charles, Andrew C. Hull, Ransom Lloyd, Ithamar Smith, William T. Howell, Samuel Budd, Samuel C. Wilson, George Stevens, John B. Collins, Calvin T. Chamberlain, Asa S. Allen, John B. Church, Patrick Byrns, John Simons, Alexander S. Diven, James McHenry and their successors shall be body corporate by the name of Angelica Academy, to be located in the vil- lage of Angelica, in the county of Allegany, for the purpose of establishing, maintaining and conducting a seminary of learning for the education of youth of both sexes; and the persons above named shall be trustees of said corporation." This was the first of the kind pertaining to the county. No immediate results followed. Twenty years later, however, an academy was founded, which for a dozen years or more was the pride of the town. Its first principal was Rev. Samuel Center. D. P. Richardson was first assist- ant and B. B. Underwood the second. D. P. Richardson then became prin- cipal and was followed by B. C. Underwood, Haver, - Grunder, John C. Harkness and Chas. S. Richardson. The building was burned in November, 1867, and was not rebuilt. It stood on the south side of Main street a few rods east of the Presbyterian church. Twelve years followed during which Angelica had no school of academic pretensions, then, through the generosity of Col. William Wilson, Wilson Academy came into being.

Wilson Academy .- Col. William Wilson, a prominent citizen, who died early in 1879, "Desiring," as stated in his will, "to give expression to the cherished memories of a lifetime," bequeathed a portion of his estate, about $20,000 in amount, " to establish in the village of Angelica an academical in- stitution of learning to be and remain in all respects unsectarian." At the charter election, April 1, 1879, the electors of the village accepted this be- quest, and voted that the institution should be named the Wilson Academy. that the honored name of the donor might never be severed from the gift. In 1883 a board of 13 trustees was selected, with these officers: James T. Brown president, Charles P. Arnold secretary, I. L. Fisk treasurer, and the Academy was incorporated under a provisional charter from the Regents of the University of the State of New York. In the fall of 1885 the trustees engaged John P. Slocum, a graduate of Yale College, as principal, and the first term of the academy began Sept. 21st of that year. No building had

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been provided, and for the first year, its sessions were held in the court house. The circular announcing the opening of the school stated that it was "the design of the founder, and the purpose of the trustees, to estab- lish a school which will give a superior preparation for any college, and also offer a thorough course in common and higher English branches, and in modern languages."

In the summer of 1886, part of the estate of Rev. Lewis Thibou, consist- ing of 13 acres of land and a large brick dwelling house, was purchased of Mrs. M. Scholfield by thetrustees. The house was altered to fit it for school purposes, and has since been the Academy building. The same year the re- quirements of the Regents for books and apparatus having been met by pur- chase and by gift, a full charter was granted to the Academy. James T. Brown served as president until 1890, when he resigned and was succeeded by Charles d'Autremont. Mr. d'Autremont died in 1891, and Hon. David P. Richardson was chosen as his successor and is now the president.

During the ten years of its existence the Academy has maintained a steady and healthful growth. The number of its students has increased from 19 to nearly 100, and many of its graduates have entered college. An important feature of the school has been its Teachers' Training Class, in which a large number of teachers have been prepared for their work. The Academy is well equipped with philosophical and chemical apparatus, to which a fine telescope, made for the institution by John A. Brashear of Allegheny, Pa., has been recently added, a gift of the citizens of Angelica. The library now contains over 1,800 volumes, and has lately been recently opened to the public. This school offers exceptional opportunities for students.

CHAPTER XL.

THE VILLAGE OF ANGELICA.

THE VILLAGE OF ANGELICA was founded in 1801, but not laid out till TI 1805. Whether Moses Van Campen or Evart Van Wickle made the survey cannot now be with certainty stated. A map of the village, made in 1828 from the survey of 1805, is in the town clerk's office, but nothing ap- pears to tell who made either map or survey. The village contains nearly 1,000 population. It was incorporated May 2, 1835, with these boundaries:

Beginning at a stake in the southwest corner of William Neilson's lot, thence north twenty-one degrees east, nineteen chains and twenty links, to a stake ; thence north sixty-nine degrees west, ninety-nine chains, to a stake in John Lloyd's field ; thence south six degrees west, fifty chains and eighty-two links, crossing West street to a stake in John Robson's field ; thence south sixty-eight degrees east on the south line of John Magee's

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and Solomon Tracy's land, seventy-one chains and fifteen links, to a stake in the corner of said Tracy's lot ; thence north twenty-one degrees east, crossing East street thirty-one chains and thirty links, to the place of beginning.

The first officers were George Miles, president; Richard Charles, George Miles, Sam'l C. Wilson, J. Smith, Jos. B. Welch, trustees; James Lockhart, Henry J. Webb, assessors; Robert Haight, treasurer; Smith Davis, collec- tor; Wm. P. Angel, clerk; Edward Renwick, constable.

It lies in the valley of Angelica creek, and its main street, 100 feet wide, lies in direction nearly east and west. It is very regularly laid out but its most distinguishing and attractive feature, and the one which impresses the stranger so favorably is its public park. This is five acres in extent, and around it are pleasantly located the five churches, and, in the past, the court- house, jail and county clerk's office. In beauty and peculiarity it stands alone, and has no peer in any village of its size in the state. The land covered by this park was conveyed from Philip Church and Anna Matilda, his wife, to the "inhabitants of the town of Angelica " by deed bearing date Sept. 8, 1831, and is thus described:

" The premises hereby intended to be conveyed to the inhabitants of said town, is well known as the ' public square of the village of Angelica,' and is situated as follows : Beginning at the centre stone of said square, thence running in the direction of East, West, South and White streets, three chains and fifty links, to the centre of each of the aforesaid streets, thence at right angles therefrom in each direction, three chains and fifty links, containing four acres and ninety hundredths, agreeably to the original plan of said village ; excepting and reserving out of the above, three pieces, deeded to the county of Allegany, for a jail, clerk's office, and courthouse ; also a piece in the northeast corner, deeded to the Episcopal church. It is hereby understood that the aforesaid premises is to be used for no other purpose whatever than as a public place for the inhabitants of said town and village."

At the southeast corner of the park stood the old court house, now con- verted into a hall for public meetings, lectures, etc. Directly opposite used to stand in the old days the county clerk's office, and, near by, the Baptist church. On the north side is the widely-known Charles Hotel, and close by it on the east, St. Paul's Episcopal church, while the other churches are located so as to front the park, the Catholic church occupying the site of the first jail and court house. The people of Angelica have of late years held lawn fetes during the summer in this park which are made very pleasant occasions and have come to be an event as much looked forward to as the "Fourth of July " to the small boy.

Angelica has always been a center of culture. Founded and settled by people of education and wealth, and having the advantages given by the col- ony of French refugees whose home atmosphere was that of the courts of France immediately antecedent to the French Revolution, its original state of society was equal if not superior to those other centers of civilization in Western New York, Bath, Canandaigua and Batavia. Its location as the county seat attracted some of the most able and brilliant legal minds of that period to make their residence here, and as a result of these and other fav- oring influences, Angelica has maintained its high character as a social cen-

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ter and the county's chief seat of culture. Its citizens have stood and yet stand high in national, state and business circles and to-day it numbers some of the leading men of Western New York among its residents. Among its sons are many who have added dignity to the state.

From the organization of the county until 1859 the village of Angelica was the sole county seat. From 1859 to 1892 it was a half-shire, and since the latter date no courts have been held in its court house, which, when abandoned as such and for some years before, was the oldest court house in the state. The village has been incorporated for many years, receiving its charter May 2, 1835, and recently by a vote of more than two to one it authorized her board of water commissioners consisting of M. S. Blair, Wm. Weaver and A. K. Fletcher, to bond the village "for a sum not to exceed $30,000," for a system of water works and it is to-day the southern terminus of the C. N. Y. & W. railroad, the machine shops being located here .* For history of this railroad see page 130.

Among the early settlers of Allegany county was Marie Jaene d'Ohet d'Autremont, widow of Hubert d'Autremont, and her sons Alexander Hubert d'Autremont and Aguste Francois Cecile d'Autremont. Madame d'Autremont was born in France in 1745, was married to Hubert d'Autremont, Feb. 5, 1770. He was a royalist and lost his life amid the storms of the French Revolution. In 1792 his widow, her three sons and sister Marie Genevieve d'Ohet LaFevre, and her sister's husband, Antonine Bartholemy Louie LaFevre with other refugees sailed from Havre, having previously purchased a large tract of land on the Chenango River in New York. She and her sons remained a short time on this land and then removed to a colony on the Susquehanna river in Bradford county, Pa., called Asylum or French Town, peopled en- tirely by royalists fleeing from the French Revolution and planters from the French West Indies. [Among these refugees and their visitors were some of the most noted royalists of France, namely, Duke d'Orleans, Prince Talleyrand, Duke de la Rochefoucald de Liancourt, Mancy Colin Abbe Sevigne, Viscount de Noaillies, Aristede Ambert du petite Thour, Marquis Anto- nine Omer Talon, Baron de Montule, Marquis Lucretius de Blancons, Duke de Montepensier, Count Beaujolais, and others.] When Napoleon, about 1800, granted amnesty, that quaint col- ony was broken up, nearly all of them returning to France. In 1795 her son Louis Paul d'Au- tremont returned to France with Talleyrand as his secretary. Although he never came to Allegany county until 1832 he was one of its early land owners. On the breaking up of the colony Madame d'Autremont and her two younger sons returned to Chenango, where they lived until 1806 when they removed to Angelica having purchased land of Mr. Church on the Genesee River, which was called the " Retreat," where Madame d'Autremont died Aug. 29, 1809, aged 64. January 28, 1810, her unmarried sister, Marie Claudine d'Ohet, who had been a nun in France and after the destruction of her convent had joined her sister in this country, died here Jan, 10, 1810, aged 52. Madame d'Autremont and her sons were followed by Victor du Pont de Nemours and the Baron Hyde de Neuville, who purchased lands adjoining those of the Retreat. Victor was a son of Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours, and one of the most dis- tinguished Frenchmen of that time, and after residing here for a few years joined his brother in Delaware where, as Irenne du Pont de Nemours & Co., they and their descendants have been engaged in manufacturing gunpowder without change of firm name, and, under various titles, control 28 out of the 32 of the manufactories of gunpowder and explosives in the United States. In addition the family has furnished to this country distinguished sailors, soldiers and states-

* Mitchell S. Blair, the popular superintendent of the C. N. Y. & W. R. R., was called to the station of the company in this city Jan. 27, 1896, ostensibly to see to an engine which was said to be out of repair. Mrs. Blair accompanied him. On their arrival they found there a large delegation of employees of the standard gauge division of the road, together with a number of friends from Angelica and intermediate places. Among them was Hon. D. P. Richardson of Angelica, who in his able manner made a neat presentation speech and in conclusion presented Superintendent Blair with a handsome gold watch and Mrs. Blair with a beautiful gold ring set with diamonds and rubies, as a token of the esteem in which Mr. Blair is held by the employees of this portion of the road. The affair was a complete surprise and it was with difficulty that Mr. Blair was able to say a few words in reply .- Hornellsville Times.

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 52

Author: Minard, John Stearns, 1834-1920; Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Alfred, N.Y., W. A. Fergusson & co. Number of Pages: 1102

Author: Minard, John Stearns, 1834-1920; Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Alfred, N.Y., W. A. Fergusson & co.
Number of Pages: 1102