USA > New York > Otsego County > Maryland > A concise history of the town of Maryland from its first settlement. Its geography, productions and striking events; also, the history of the first settlement of the village of Schenevus > Part 4
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The season previous to David Benedict taking posses-
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sion of the tavern he sent his son, Philor, a lad of some fourteen years, with his farm stock, and as the roads were mere bridle or cow-paths in many places through the woods, and particularly over South Hill, so-called, and often in close contact with wild beasts of prey, the undertaking can be better imagined than realized. A wolf story is told by a member of the family, and we give it as related :
As said before, wild beasts were numerous and troublesome, often making sad havoc among sheep and calves, and sometimes with full-grown horned cattle and hogs. There was a " chopping " of a few acres around the tavern, and in a portion of this and in the woods Benedict let his stock run in the day-time, but " yarded " them at night. Hearing one night a noise, which he at once attributed to the " varmints," he immediately sprang up, and discovered a wolf on the top of his yard fence on the point of springing on to an animal. This fence, although ten feet high, the wolf had by some means succeeded in mounting. Calling his son, the upper part of his bar-room door, a double door, was thrown open, and with a gun the best aim that could be, in the dim light, was taken, and a discharge made, when the wolf dropped dead to the ground.
Gershom Bostwick, a son-in-law of David Benedict, built a house and shop on the south side of the Schenevus creek and on the west side of the road running south and passing east from the Albany and Susquehanna railroad station. Probably the county has never pro- duced a man of more mechanical skill and inventive genius than Bostwick. He convinced his father-in-law
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a saw-mill would be a good investment, who, about 1811, in connection with Stephen Brown and Luther Follett, built a mill not far from his shop and raised a dam, making a pond, from which Bostwick drew water to turn a wheel at his shop.
He soon drew around him a knot of mechanics and machinists, among whom was Josiah Crouch, who built and dwelt in a house at the corner formed by the road that crosses the railroad and the road south of it. Bost- wick and Crouch opened a wheelwright and paint shop, also a shop for " wooding" cast iron plows, and the former being skilled in making wool-carding and various other machines, had much to do in that line of business, and was much abroad to " put up " and repair machinery. At an early day he made and put in use a wool-carding machine for himself, and afterwards he built machinery and commenced fulling and dressing cloth near his machine works. The first threshing machine was in- vented, patented and applied to use by him and Harry Spencer. The first cylinder and spike cider mill was invented by him. He invented a machine for fluting or corrogating boards for washing-boards, of suitable width, any length, at one operation. A machine for turning spokes for carriages, a machine for making shoe pegs, and one for turning shoe lasts, were all of his invention. The endless belt horse power was invented by him, but O. Badger, of Fly Creek, substituted chains for belts, which he claimed was an improvement, and on which, as Bostwick did not oppose him, he applied for and obtained a patent for the mere change of material. Bost- wick and Bradford Rowe invented and patented an
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" endless screw " horse-power of great power, so much so it was difficult if not impossible to make it of strength sufficient to sustain it or prevent its breaking. Num- erous other improvements that have greatly benefited the world were due to his fertile brain and active inven- tive ingenuity ; but, like thousands of others whose labors have been of incalculable value to their race, he received but little pecuniary reward. In old age his beloved shop, machinery and tools were swept away by water-a very great damage and loss, not only to him, but to many who needed labor and machine work which he alone could do.
Near the wool-carding and cloth-dressing works of Mr. Bostwick, James Tyler commenced similar business in 1833, but was soon burned out.
Peter Roman sold fifty acres on the east side of his farm to his son, Cornelius, and in 1810 they built a saw mill where the present grist mill now stands, on Race street, and a dam where the present dam is now ; and they also constructed a race to conduct the water to the mill.
In 1823, David Shellend built a blacksmith shop a little south of west from the place where J. A. Butts built his cabinet shop. After that he built a wagon shop nearly opposite to it.
In 1832, Alden Chester built the wagon shop on the north side of Main street, now occupied by L. T. Brown and L. Grassfield, and had water machinery. Joseph Carpenter, the first alopathie physician, settled in about 1812, and had a house and office about where now stands the house of R. C. Wilson, purchasing the place occu- pied by Luther Follett.
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A postoffice was established in 1829, called Jackson- boro', and Joseph Carpenter was the first Postmaster. This office was afterwards removed, but some time after re-established with the name of Schenevus, and S. H. Gurney for many years Postmaster.
In 1816, Peter Johns, of the city of Hudson, opened a store in the east room of David Benedict's house. Some matters in relation to the store, and some amusing and laughable anecdotes of himself, are told by Johns' store clerk, Isaac Slingerland, which we will here relate : " Five wagons brought the goods from the city, and himself, a lad of some fifteen years, had charge of the goods and of the store for some months afterward. Arriving at Todd's tavern, four miles east from their destination, near night, they were told by the tavern · functionary they were on the wrong road some twenty miles from Benedict's tavern, that it was over 'South Hill,' and the nearest tavern was twelve miles away. But, mistrusting it a falsehood to detain them, they drove on, and arrived at Benedict's in the evening, put- ting their wagons and goods in a yard for the night. A change from city to country life soon produced home- sickness, and a change of diet nothing bettered it. A standing dish at table was salt pork fattened on mast (beechnuts), and the landlady (four years after his mother-in-law) was unable to get it on the table in little better shape than rinds and grease." At sugar season he was told trees yield a sap that produced sugar, and on eating molasses made from sap his marvelousness was further excited, and to such a degree he enquired the process of obtaining the sap, and being informed
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and furnished with tools and implements to tap the trees; and vessels to catch the sap, he bounded forth in high glee, and in time returned and joyfully reported the number of trees he had tapped. But wet blankets sometimes dampen or put out the flames of joy. Philor Benedict, who had given him the molasses, and so greatly elevated his spirits and his joys, when he returned from the woods where his and the other trees were tapped, reported the fact that the trees tapped by Isaac were all hemlock, and dead and dry. Slinger- land, after his marriage, and for a short time had a store in Westford, but his mother bought a farm, (a piece of the Roman farm) built a house in 1825 at the corner formed by the Elk creek and Schenevus creek roads, and opposite the house of Peter Roman. In one room of this he for a time had a store of goods. " On this farm," he says, " I was intending to have a fine piece of corn, and when planting it Mary (his wife) came, and in a surprised way enquired how he planted, when he replied he put a handful of corn in each hill, she took the hoe, and putting four or five corns in a hill covered it."
Colonel Magher, of Cherry Valley, opened a store about 1830, nearly opposite the upper or east tavern, and in the building now occupied as a dwelling by E. E. Ferrey.
The Peter Johns store was sold to Daniel Houghton and removed in 1822.
Ezekiel Miller and Amos H. Brown opened a store about 1831 in a house on the south side of Main street and west of the M. E. church, built by Alexander Smith
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in 1822, on the Peter Roman farm, he being a son-in-law of Roman. Now I. Carpenter is in the house.
In 1832, Miller & Brown built a store on lands bought of A. Hotchkin, on the north side of Main street, on the east side of Thompson's stone store. Land then worth $100 per acre.
A cooper shop was built on Main street in 1826, about where the building of B. Manzer now stands. Willow baskets were made by G. Virgil soon after. John Wilcox opened a boot and shoe shop on Main street about this time, he and his cousin Josiah having bought C. Roman out, and he then bought the whole.
The first tin shop and hardware store was opened in 1844 by A. Hotchkin and A. Swartout, on Main street, where Cleveland's boot and shoe store is now.
In 1832, I. F. Romain had a tailor shop on Main street. In 1832, six buildings on Main street.
Eli Howe and Philor Benedict, in 1827, built a grist mill where the mill now is, and some time after, in con- nection with Mr. Belknap, built a stone rifle factory near the mill, and soon commenced the manufacture of rifles. The water-power was taken from the mill race. John Howe built a saw-mill south of the grist mill and a blacksmith shop near by.
About 1835, a Mr. Hoag had a harness shop, and in 1836 J. Cooley and E. E. Ferrey had it.
In 1834, Dr. George Hastings, a pupil of Dr. Delos White, of Cherry Valley, came into Jacksonboro'.
S. S. Burnside, the first counselor and attorney-at-law, and first resident Justice of the Peace.
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The Sparrowhawk road, leaving the Schenevus creek road a little east from W. Bennett's and west from A. Brownell's, and from thence running northerly up the hill, and east from the " old Elias Bennett house," was discontinued and closed about 1850, and the " Smoky avenue " street or road " laid out " and opened to travel.
Under an "act for the incorporation of villages," passed April 20th, 1870, Schenevus was incorporated, and received a charter the same year. Its present population is seven hundred and twenty-six, (726) with one hundred and forty-nine families. There 'are one hundred and fifteen dwelling-houses, and one hundred and twelve barns; whole number of buildings, three hundred and thirty. The assessed valuation of real and personal property is $87,735, $7,000 of which is railroad property. Within the corporation limits there are two churches, one a Baptist and the other an M. E. church, with each an organ and a singing choir.
Clergymen .- Rev. Mr. Wells, Rev. Mr. Hill, Rev. Mr. James.
Schools .- Free, graded-Mr. Lowell, Mr. Wickham, and Miss M. Kelly, teachers.
Writing .- P. R. Young.
Hotels .- I. Becker, P. VanEtten, D. Chamberlain.
Banking and Exchange Business .- J. T. Thompson.
Physicians and Surgeons .- E. E. Houghton, H. W. Boorn, P. Simmons.
Dentist .- H. Follett.
Attorneys and Counselors-at-Law .- J. R. Thompson, C. H. Graham, E. E. Ferrey and P. Benedict, George Spencer, W. C. Smith, Robert Bush.
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Dry Goods and General Stores .- J. M. Thompson,
J. McHarg, P. M. Hummell, I. Slingerland.
Drugs .- J. M. Thompson, J. McHarg.
Clothing Store .- W. H. Bennett.
Hardware Store and Tin, Copper, and Sheet-iron Shop .- Mills & Gleason.
Grocery Stores .- D. W. Stever, L. Cyphers.
Grocery, Books, Stationery and Fancy Store .- A. J. Bates.
Boot and Shoe Store .--- F. H. Cleaveland.
Newspaper, Book and Job Printing .- J. J. & M. M. Multer.
Justice of the Peace .- S. H. Gurney.
Notary Public .- J. R. Thompson.
School Commissioner .- N. T. Brown.
Watchmakers and Jewelers .- C. Dumont, G. W. Miller.
Marble Works .- A. Albert and C. M. Aylsworth, O. P. Toombs and H. Lake.
Cabinet, Furniture Dealers and Undertakers .- O. D. Walker, E. Butts and J. Ferry.
Bedstead Manufacturers .- G. Guy and E. E. Ferry. Mills .- Guy & Follett, E. E. Ferry, H. M. Hanor. Harness .- L. Waterman.
Boots and Shoes .-- George Holland Spencer, H. Wil- cox, E. Flynn.
Wheelright or Carriage Manufacturers .- P. Brown, T. L. Brown, F. T. Starr, H. E. Carpenter.
Carpenter and Joiner Builders .- J. Manning, John Chase, E. Chamberlain, F. Rurey.
Tannery .- H. R. Gleason.
Gun Making .- R. Seward.
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Photographers and Picture Gallery .- P. R. Young and E. E. Brownell.
Baker .- J. W. Sullivan.
Blacksmiths .- H. Follett. E. Seward, W. O. Mills, P. Brown, M. O'Brian.
Cooper .- P. J. Brady.
Meats and Vegetables .- T. J. Lewis.
Painters .- W. J. Merrihew, M. Kelley, W. Kelley. Livery .- C. H. Stever.
Dressmaking .- Mrs. M. A. Kelley, Mrs. B. S. More- house, Mrs. I. L. Bulson. Mrs. Wm. Howe.
Milliners .- Mrs. G. E. Guy, Mrs. G. Wright, Miss A. D. Gilland.
Tailoresses .- Mrs. C. Ham, Mrs. A. H. Rathbone, Mrs. H. C. Cooley.
Music Teachers .- F. E. Page, Milo Kelley, Mrs. J. Mills, Mrs. H. C. Cooley.
Town Hall .- A. Chase, W. H. Bennett.
Cabinet and Variety Shop .- I. L. Bulson.
Barber .- T. W. Ennies.
Postmaster .- S. H. Gurney.
Organizations .- Schenevus Valley Silver Cornet Band. Lodge of F. & A. Masons. Lodge of I. O. of Good Templars. Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Circulating Library. I. O. of O. F.
A great number of names of families press forward and claim a place, and the task would greatly please us, could we give some written record of remembrance of those who, in our early days, were called "our people"; but we fear it would so swell the size of this little vol- ume and increase the price, it would not be approved by
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the general public : yet we feel a laudable desire to give the names that come to mind of those who were in town three-fourths of a century "agone"-a little more or lit- tle less, the most of whom left worthy descendants.
In the western portion of the town the Burnsides were quite numerous, and of whom Gen. S. S. Burnside prom- ised to furnish us a chapter, but failed to redeem it. The Barnes, for some years there, were first, and for many years residents of the south-eastern portion. Coons, West, Tallmadge, Howland, Aylesworth, Gur- ney, Palmer, Platt, Walling, How, Wilbur, Youmans, Jones, Peebles, Peterson, Peaslee, Dibble, Barber ; and now presses forward names of families of the Dutch per- suasion ; Vandusen, Vandenburg, Vandeboe, Vanalstine, Vanzant, Hoose, Hacket, Havens, Ketchum, Swift; and again those of early in the seventeen hundred and nine- ties come forward : Andrew Willard, Elijah Smith, Daniel Wright, Roger Kelley-a little later, Stephen Brown, Porter Seward, Elisha Sperry, Moses Bennett, Crippens, Griswolds, Wilder, Worden, Wickham, Wheeler, Weston, Chapel, Hubbard, Tubbs, Cass, Steele, Gunn, White, Lewis, Simmons, Holbrook, Wilsey, Wilson, Wells, Dunham, Preston, Lawrence, Benson, Bennet-but memory must be held in abey- ance, probably final check.
In conclusion : The writer is not the "oldest inhab- itant" in town, but can distinctly remember events that have transpired in town in "three-score" and five con- secutive years, which, it is thought, is more than any other one can. In going back over life's beaten track, to commence with earliest dates for the return, necessi-
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tates us to recall babyhood's orphanage ; persons and things known in infancy, in boyhood, youth and middle age ; and much during a whole life. Recollections of the dear old log school house, of our A B C days come crowding forward. Those who cared for us in infancy and childhood, our childhood and earliest boyhood mates, and our earliest school mates-where are they? gone ! is the response. Not one that we are aware is living ! Our grand parents, our parents, our uncles and aunts, and all our earliest relatives are gone ! all that was once familiar, and that was near and dear is gone ! Hundreds of scenes and views, and of childish and innocent amuse- ment and pleasure-hundreds of things-of animals and of birds-and of human faces and forms; of more than half a century ago, are as distinctly in recollection as if the time was yesterday, but now passed away-gone. Painful, indeed, is the panorama ! The reader may im- agine, but cannot realize. But gone will be said of us all ; and to the writer the prospect of being gone is grat- ifying. Death seems a friend, that relieves us from the ills, the pains and sorrows of earth, that we may enter Elysian fields and enjoy perpetual youth.
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
YOUNG & BROWNELL, SCHENEVUS, N. Y.,
PORTRAIT LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHERS, Dealers in and Manufacturers of
Frames and Framing material of every description,
Chromos, Albums, Stereoscopes, Stereoscopic Views, &c.
PARTICULAR ATTENTION GIVEN TO COPYING OLD PICTURES, AND FINISHING IN INDIA INK, OIL, CRAYON OR WATER COLORS.
"Engraving and Fine Pen work done to order, at Low Rates. P. R. YOUNG, E. E. BROWNELL.
T. J. LEWIS,
Dealer in FRESH AND SALT MEATS, VEGETABLES,
FISH, LARD, TALLOW, AND CANNED FRUIT.
CASII PAID FOR HIDES,
Nellis Block, Main St.,
SCHENEVUS, N. Y.
GENERAL INSURANCE AGENCY,
WESTFORD, N. Y.
ESTABLISHED IN 1869. ASSETS REPRESENTED, $30,000,000.
Our experience and familiarity with the principles of the business, together with the character and standing of the companies represented. enable us to offer all that is valuable in
LIFE AND FIRE INSURANCE,
at the lowest adequate rates. Prudent business men seek undoubted security and reliable Insurance at a fair rate of premium ; and will have no business intercourse with insurance quacks or with weak. reckless, inexperienced institutions. We make insurance a business, and present the record of our business career as our credentials.
J. K. TYLER.
FRED E. PAGE, Teacher of
Piano, Reed Pipe Organ, Harmony Thorough Bass.
TERMS OF TUITION :
1 Term, (24 Lessons,) } hour each on Piano, $12 00
1 Term, (24 Lessons,) }% hour each on Reed Organ. .. 12 00
1 Term, (20 Lessons,) 34 hour each on Grand Pipe Organ, 20 00
1 Term, (20 Lessons,) 1 hour each on Harmony of Thorough Base, 20 00
TUITION PAYABLE QUARTERLY.
Mr. Page has studied six years with the best teachers of New York and Boston, and the system of instruction is the same as that of the Conservatories of Leipsic, Germany. and Boston, Mass. Lessons on Pipe Organ given at Cobleskill, or at other places where access can be had to Pipe Organs. Training of the hands for Piano made a specialty.
SCHENEVUS, N. Y.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
ALBERT & AYLESWORTH, Manufacturers of and dealers in
ALL KINDS OF AMERICAN ITALIAN MARBLE. MONUMENTS, HEADSTONES, ETC., on hand and made to order of best quality and latest designs. Oğ" All orders promptly attended to and satisfaction guaranteed in all cases. Sutherland Falls Marble and Low Prices a Specialty. Works in basement of Butts building, Main Street, SCHIENEVUS, N. Y.
ANDREW ALBERT, C. M. AYLESWORTH.
A. J. BATES,
Dealer in FANCY GOODS, BOOKS AND STATIONERY,
Groceries, Fruits and Nuts, TOBACCO, CIGARS, &c., Walker Block, Main St., SCHENEVUS, N. Y.
IRA L. BULSON, Manufacturer of Desks, Wardrobes, Book Cases and Extension Tables, SHOW CASES, ETC. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED, BOTII IN STYLE AND FINISH. Extension Tables at Wholesale a Specialty. JOBBING AND REPAIRING PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO AT MODERATE RATES. Shop over Cleveland & Wright's Boot and Shoe Store, Main St., SCHIENEVUS, N. Y.
J. M. THOMPSON,
Dealer in
ORY GOODS GROCERIES,
CROCKERY, WALL PAPER, DRUGS AND MEDICINES, PAINTS, OILS. DYE STUFFS, ETC.,
Stone Store, Ma n St.,
SCHENEVUS, N. Y.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
SUBSCRIBE NOW, FOR
THE SCHENEVUS MONITOR ;
The Livliest, Spiciest Twenty-four Column Sheet Published in Otsego County.
ONLY $1.25 PER YEAR, IN ADVANCE.
JOB PRINTING. - Our facilities are ample for the execution of good work on short notice, at very moderate rates. Commercial Printing a Specialty.
J. J. & M. M. MULTER.
D. W. BRAINARD, Builder and manufacturer of
Bracket Moulding FLORING, CEILING, Dressed Lumber, Etc., Etc., Also, Dealer in Sash, Blinds, Doors, &c.,
MAIN STREET, Oneonta, N. Y.
JOIIN BURT, JR.,
SEYMOUR SCOTT. BURT & SCOTT,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW. 9
FRITTS BLOCK, MAIN ST., ONEONTA, N. Y.
ONEONTA CIGAR MANUFACTORY, C. A. SMITH & CO., PROPRIETORS, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
MEERSCHAUM & BRIAR PIPES, STEMS, AMBER TIPS, ETC., ETC.
Fancy Chewing and Smoking Tobaccos, ONEONTA, N. Y.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
J. Mc HARG, Jr.,
DEALER IN
Dry Goods, Groceries, Drugs and EMedicines,
Crockery, Boots and Shoes, &c.,
Main Street,
Schenevus, N. Y.
IRA E, CARPENTER, Manufacturer of Open &. Top Buggies, Democrat Wagons, &c. Repairing promptly attended to. Stone Shop, Main St., SCHENEVUS, N. Y.
E. D. SEWARD, General Blacksmithing and Horseshoeing, Stone Shop, Main St., SCHENEVUS, N. Y.
HENRY FOLLETT, DENTIST, GIVES SPECIAL ATTENTION TO FILLING WITH GOLD, SILVER, ETC. ALL WORK WARRANTED. SCHIENEVUS, N. Y.
P. M. HUMMELL,
Dealer in
READY-MADE CLOTHING, Foreign and Domestic Fabrics,
General Merchandise, Etc., Etc. SCHENEVUS, N. Y.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
N. I. E. R. FORD, ONEONTA, N. Y.,
Are Selling Drugs, Medicines, Dye Stuffs, Toilet Articles,
Etc., Etc., in fact everything pertaining to a First-class Drug Store, AT BOTTOM PRICES.
PAINTS AND OILS AT TIIE LOWEST MARKET RATES.
We have the largest stock of
PAPER HANGINGS
in this section of the county,
WHICH WE ARE SELLING AT LOWER PRICES THAN EVER BEFORE.
Pure Liquors for Medicinal purposes.
HENRY SAUNDERS,
(Successor to Dye & Saunders,)
oohseller, tationer and
ONEONTA, N. Y.
SINGING BOOKS A SPECIALTY.
G. D. SCRAMBLING,
GENERAL FIRE AND LIFE INSURANCE AGENT,
Oneonta, N. Y.
Policies written in First-class Companies.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
FERREY & BUTTS, Manufacturers of and Dealers in FASHIONABLE FURNITURE consisting in part of Parlor Suits, Brussels Couches, Extension Tables, MATTRASSES, SPRING BEDS, BEDSTEADS,
LOOKING GLASSES, MARBLE AND WOOD TOP TABLES. PCHAMBER SUITS A SPECIALTY.
Chairs in great Variety. Also UNDERTAKERS, and Agents for the Celebrated "STEIN CASKETS." SCHIENEVUS, N. Y.
H. P. SKINNER,
Dealer in
WATCHES, CLOCKS, JEWELRY, Solid Silver and Plated Ware, Spectacles, Fancy Goods, Etc., Etc. ONEONTA, N. Y. Gold and Silver Plating and Repairing done Promptly,
W. H. WOODEN,
DEALER IN
Sash, Blinds, Doors, Mouldings, Brackets,
LUMBER, ETC. Estimates Carefully made. ONEONTA, N. Y.
WING & LUTHER,
Manufacturers of and Dealers in
FURNITURE. フ
MOULDINGS, PICTURE FRAMES, Parlor Sets, Chamber Sets, Mattresses, Spring Beds, COFFINS, CASKETS AND SHROUDS CONSTANTLY ON HAND. ONEONTA, N. Y. Undertaking in all its branches, promptly atlended to.
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