USA > New York > Chenango County > Oxford > Annals of Oxford, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and early pioneers > Part 12
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-WHITTIER.
Husking and Paring Bees.
One of the few pleasures of our forefathers was the husking bee, which occurred in the fall of the year, an event looked forward to and long remembered when past. The corn having been gathered into the barn and sheds in great piles, neighbors and friends, sometimes to the number of a hundred, gathered by invitation in the even- ing, husking frequently three or four hundred bushels of corn. When red ears of corn were discovered the finder, whether male or female, was entitled to a kiss, which often created much merriment. Tin lanterns hung here and there furnished the light for the occasion. The chief course of the supper served was pumpkin pie, big fat ones in all their golden glory.
The principal method of preserving apples was by dry- ing. They were first pared, and quartered, then strung, and placed upon racks in the kitchen to remain until dry. This work made another evening of fun and frolic in the shape of a paring bee. When the company had assembled all sorts of devices were used in preparing the fruits and large quantities of apples would be placed upon the drying racks at one of these gatherings. Seeds of the apple were placed upon the hot bricks of the old fireplace, properly named, and eagerly watched until they snapped for either an ill or good omen. An unbroken paring was waved three times around the head then dropped to the floor, and the letter it formed was the
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first in the name of the future wife or husband. At the close of the work a substantial supper, one of the old time kind would follow, and often games and dancing ended the event. At the close of one of these bees on the East hill, as the boys and girls were returning through a piece of woods to their homes, a mischievious neighbor secreted himself with his dog near their path. As they approached he caused the dog to howl and the girls, as well as the boys, hastily took to the trees. After a few moments some of the bolder ones descended, where they found one of the boys, more timid than the rest, sitting on the ground with his feet and arms around the trunk of a tree, supposing himself in the branches safe from danger. His comical appearance brought on such a hearty laugh that all thoughts of fear were driven from their minds.
T HE ENGINE WAS HOUSED .- One summer's day in 1823, during the building of the river bridge by Jonathan Baldwin and Thomas Brown, Daniel Shum- way, foreman of the fire company, had the hand engine taken to the river for trial and placed it near where the Fort Hill mill now stands. Mr. Shum- way, who held the pipe, threw water on Mr. Brown, who was on one of the bridge abutments, where he could not readily escape. This act aroused the ire of Mr. Baldwin, well known for his quaint expressions and terrible wrath when provoked, who shouldered a broadax and confronting the foreman, exclaimed : "By - -, Daniel Shumway, you let a drop of water fall on
the hem of my garment and every man in town will have an engine!" Mr. Shumway threw no more water that day and the engine was immediately housed.
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See the Gospel Church secure, And founded on a Rock! All her promises are sure; Her bulwarks who can shock? -CHARLES WESLEY.
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Methodism in Oxford sprung up as it did everywhere in those early days, probably through the efforts of the circuit rider. As near as can be learned its beginning in Oxford dates about the year 1815, and that two years later an organization was effected in what is now known as the VanWagenen barn, and the building still remains on the premises of Mrs. Lemuel Bolles on Albany street. In this building, and at the homes of the members of the society, they gathered for worship until the society was incorpor- porated, September 24, 1831. The church records contain the following reference to the organization at that time.
" The male persons of full age belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church in the village of Oxford met at the Academy in said village, where they steadily attended for divine worship, ... for the purpose of electing nine dis- creet persons as trustees, to take charge of the estate and property of the said church and to transact all affairs rela- tive to the temporalities thereof."
The preacher in charge, Rev. James Atwell, presided at the meeting, and was assisted by William E. Chapman. Bliss Willoughby, Nathaniel Willcox, Caleb Sebury, Ever- ett Judson, Gardner B. Lewis, Elias Widger, William E. Chapman, George H. King, and Daniel Dudley were elected trustees.
000 000
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH VIEW OF CHURCH IN 1870 AT THE TOP
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Shortly after they purchased the old Academy building on the corner of Merchant's (street) Row and Greene street, long since destroyed by fire. They worshipped there until 1841, when the present edifice was erected under the pastorate of Rev. William H. Pearne, brother of Mr. B. M. Pearne of this village. Its cost was approximately $3500. The corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on June 24th of that year, and the church was formally dedi- cated to the service of Almighty God January 27, 1842.
The church building still stands, though many times re- modeled. The edifice was repaired and improved under the pastorate of Rev. Hiram Gee, in 1856; also during the pas- torate of Rev. S. F. Brown, in 1872, when over $1100 was expended ; in 1880, under the pastorate of Rev. L. W. Peck, D. D., when the basement and front was remodeled. The front elevated entrance was removed and an inside vesti- bule built, with steps at either side leading to the audi- torium. The cost at this time was about $1100. In 1886-7 the church was entirely remodeled. The exterior was mod- ernized by the removal of the steeple and the erection of a spire and tower. The front entrance was made convenient and artistic. A side entrance was also made on the east side, through the east tower. The old galleries were re- moved from the interior, and the church otherwise re-ar- ranged as it is to-day. The whole effect was to make it more convenient and to greatly improve the architectural beauty.
The beautiful cathedral glass windows are all memorials of those who have been identified with Oxford Methodism. They were made from designs specially made for this church. Entering the auditorium at the left the first win- dow bears the name of Phebe A. Roome and Margaret Roome, the gift of Mr. Henry C. Roome of New York, in memory of his mother and sister. The next window was
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provided by Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Mosier, and in addition to their own names it bears the names of two deceased sons. Since that time Mrs. Mosier has gone to her Heavenly home. The next bears the inscription, " In loving memory of Bliss Willoughby and his descendants," and was pro- vided by Mr. W. D. Willoughby of Oxford. The last on the east side was given by Mr. George P. York of Westfield, N. Y., in memory of his grandparents, " Isaac J. Strat- ton and Rachel, his wife." Passing across the room and returning toward the door, the first window is the gift of Mr. Charles B. Dudley of Altoona, Pa., in honor of his parents, Daniel and Maranda Dudley. The next bears the names of John and Mary E. Lord, and was the gift of Mrs. Irene Lord of Oxford. The next is a husband's tribute to the memory of his departed wife, and was the gift of Mr. George Rector of Blue Earth City, Minn., and bears the name of Sarah Rector. The last is in memory of the sainted colored sister, known as Aunt Sally Sannick. It was provided for by the income of a bequest she made to the trustees of the society.
What life was in the early days of the society is best described by Sister Eliza P. Eaton, the oldest member in both actual years of membership as well as age. Mrs. Eaton is now about eighty-eight years of age, but her mem- ory retains a strong grasp upon the events relating to the church in the period when she joined, about 1838. She said the Methodist revival meetings were usually dubbed " the crazy meetings." Owing to the strong antipathy her friends had to these meetings, she and her friends would steal into them. In this way she became converted and finally joined the church. In those days there were times of trouble with the ministers. One instance was that of Rev. John Bailey, who while preacher in charge of this church was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in Greene.
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Sectarian lines were very closely drawn in those days, and the discovery that the pastor was sureptitiously preparing for the Protestant Episcopal ministry caused a sensation. He was speedily discharged from his duties on the advice of Rev. Leonard Bowdish, pastor of the church at Norwich. Another pastor had certain eccentricities, which at times gave the female members of the congregation much concern.
One of the ablest men who had presided over the church was Rev. William Wyatt, pastor in 1847. Rev. Mr. Wyatt, in his memoirs, discourses interestingly about his experi- ences in Oxford. The most important incident was the conversion of Judge McKoon. The incident is best related in Mr. Wyatt's own words:
" Judge McKoon, one of the best and most prominent lawyers in the place, had formerly attended the Episcopal Church, of which his wife was a member. He now came to our church. One evening after preaching we gave an invitation to any who wanted religion to come to the altar for prayers. Five or six little boys came out and occupied the seat; no one else came. The Judge was in the congre- gation and deeply penitent. He had made up his mind to go forward that night and seek the Lord, but when he saw those little children take the place his resolution well nigh failed him. It was a matter of surprise and talk among all the people that he should leave the Episcopalians and join himself to the Methodists; it drew the attention of the whole community. He said to himself: 'An ex-judge of the county, where I have presided for a long time, a prom- inent lawyer at the bar, a man full fifty years old, and go forward and seek God with those little children.' This caused a great struggle. He had tried many causes, given judgment in intricate and difficult cases, but a case so dif- ficult, yet so important in its findings and issues had never been brought before him. He stood on trial before the bar
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of his own conscience. It was to him not a matter of dol- lars and cents to be estimated by the usual standard of loss and gain, but a matter of life and death. . . . Judge Mc- Koon went forward that night, found the Lord, and became a power in the church."
Mr. Wyatt, in his book, referred to Oxford as a village with one hundred and seventy dwellings, but they were eastern people brought up in the land of steady habits and all taught to go to church, which most of them did. The churches were all filled every Lord's day with a very in- telligent and well disposed people. He also preached at a place called " South Woods " (now South Oxford, or the Basswood Meeting House), and at " Norwich Hill " (now called North Guilford). Several young men were sent out from this church to preach the gospel, among whom were Otis Knight and Orville Mead, the latter being a grandson of Everett Judson, one of the first trustees of the church.
The following list includes all the pastors of the church since 1827 : Henry Peck, 1828; - Mansfield, 1829; John Snyder, 1830; James Atwell, 1831; William Bowdish and -Stowell, 1832; Henry Halstead, who was the first sta- -
tioned pastor, 1833-4; John Bailey, 1835; Lyman Sperry, 1836-7; George Harmon, an eccentric yet powerful man, 1838-9; Jared C. Ransom, a great revivalist in his day, 1839-40; William H. Pearne, D. D., 1841-2; Lyman Sperry, 1843-4; William Bixby, 1844-5; L. L. Knox, 1846; William Wyatt, 1847-8; Bostwick Hawley, D. D., 1849; Zechariah Paddock, D. D., 1850; Solon Stocking, 1851-2; A. S. Graves, 1852-3; J. T. Wright, 1854; Hiram Gee, 1855-6; L. H. Stan- ley, 1857; A. T. Mattison, 1858-60; William R. Cobb, 1860-1; Dwight Williams, 1862-3; William C. Bowen, 1864-5; William G. Queal, 1866-7; T. P. Halstead, son of Henry Halstead, a former pastor, 1868-70; S. F. Brown, 1871-2; F. L. Hiller, 1873 ; H. V. Talbot, 1874-6; J. K. Peck,
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A. B., 1876-8; S. C. Fulton, Ph. B., 1878-9; L. W. Peck, D. D., 1880-2; J. W. Mevis, 1883-5; A. W. Cooper, 1886-91; William G. Simpson, William C. Frisbie, A. H. Littell, Henry Kilpatrick, I. N. Shipman, and Frederick A. Len- drum have been pastors since 1891, in the order named.
The church benefited from time to time from several bequests, from those who had prized it as a church home, and desired to perpetuate its power and influence.
Perhaps it would not be amiss to insert here a reference to the pure life and holy character of the colored sister, Aunt Sally Sannick. Although a former slave, she was one of the most devout and self-sacrificing members. She was one of the earliest members and died in 1882.
J OHN HARRIS, formerly a sea captain, was an early resident of Norwich, and it was he who surveyed the road from Oxford to Sherburne.
Kind reader! take your choice to cry or laugh. -BYRON.
Memorial Verses.
An old custom in which to perpetuate the memory of a deceased friend or relative was for some one who thought they had a poetical turn of mind to describe the manner of death in verse. These memorials were sometimes twenty or more stanzas in length, were printed on slips of paper and distributed among relatives. The following lines were
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written by Daniel Holdridge on the accidental death of Abner Starkey, which occurred in Oxford March 2, 1847 :
Look, friends and neighbors, one and all, How sudden death may on us fall; We are not safe, nor yet secure, Nor shall be while our lives endure.
A dreadful scene of late took place, And now I will relate the case : Himself and wife to Oxford went, 'Twas there he met the accident.
His horse was standing in the shed, He went to get him as 'tis said ; The horse took fright and out he came ; He tried to hold him, but in vain.
Upon the horse's neck he hung ; Against the sign-post he was flung ; 'Twas there he met the fatal blow Which caused him pain and death also.
They took him up and then with care, To a physician did him bear ;-
Upon examination found
That he'd received a mortal wound.
Then for his friends they quickly sent, Without delay with speed they went, But oh! alas! they could not save Their friend from an untimely grave.
His parents and companion too Were striving something for to do For this dear man, and give some aid That would relieve his aching head.
The funeral sermon then was preached By a good man-'twas Elder Leach ; The rites performed, and all things done, They then consigned him to the tomb.
His name to you I'll now make known, 'Twas Abner Starkey, John's own son : In Smithville town he did reside; In Oxford town, 'twas there he died.
J ONAH MOORE, a settler of McDonough, was drowned in the Chenango river at Oxford about the year 1815, under circumstances which induced the belief that he met a violent death at the hands of parties unknown.
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Men, some to business, some to pleasure take ; some to quiet, some to public strife, -POPE.
Selah H. Fish.
Selah H. Fish was born May 8, 1812, in Springfield, Otsego county, N. Y., and came to Oxford in 1847. He was first married June 6, 1833, to Maria Brown, born October 14, 1811; died July 19, 1834. Mr. Fish's second marriage was March 12, 1837, when Amy Brown of Fly Creek, Otsego county, N. Y., became his wife. She was born June 27, 1817, and died December 10, 1893, in Neenah, Wis. Mr. Fish was a shoemaker and worked at that trade for many years in Oxford, and was also deputy sheriff, which office he effectually filled for several terms. He took much in- terest in the Oxford Band, of which he was a member, and was often referred to as the father of that organization. On September 20, 1861, Mr. Fish, with seven members, en- listed in the Regimental Band of the Anderson Zouaves, then encamped near Washington, but returned home early in the following spring, having been discharged on account of ill health. Mr. and Mrs. Fish left Oxford in 1885 to reside with their children at Neenah, Wis., where he met an accidental death April 7, 1887, on the Wisconsin Cen- tral railroad. Child by first wife :
EDGAR A., born July 12, 1834. In the U. S. Navy during Civil war. Died November 27, 1871, in South Oxford.
Children by second wife:
MARIA L., married Luke M. Robinson of South Oxford.
HENRY C., died February 14, 1845, in Cooperstown, N. Y.
JOHN J., married Chloe M. Bradley of Mogadore, Ohio. Now County Clerk of Winnebago county, Wis.
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A brave man struggling in the storms of fate. -POPE.
Edward A. Roome.
Edward A. Roome was born October 26, 1802, in New York City, and for a number of years was a commission merchant. He was an ardent Henry Clay Whig and, while acting as marshal of a political procession, was knocked from his horse and sustained a fracture of the skull, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. During the spring of 1846 he and his partner undertook a journey to what was then considered the far west, in order to pro- cure each of them a farm. After visiting the extreme west- ern part of the state they returned east through the Che- nango valley. Being captivated by its beauties, they con- cluded to purchase farms adjoining each other in this town. Subsequently Mr. Roome bought the farm of An- drew McNeil, now owned by Mrs. Alice McCall, while his partner engaged to purchase the Brush farm adjoining, now owned by O. M. Westover. Returning to New York, he removed his family to Oxford in the fall of that year. As the Erie railroad was not at that time completed the family and goods were transported via Erie and Chenango canals, in a boat commanded by Captain George Balcom, afterwards the famous Baptist evangelist. Henry C. Roome, the eldest son, in speaking of the trip, says : " How well I remember my first impression of Oxford as I entered the village, tramping along the towpath by the side of the horses towing the boat. How dark and gloomy the ' hole in the wall ' appeared ; how tall and massive the steps lead- ing up to the office of THE OXFORD TIMES in the building
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which stood on the site of the First National Bank edifice; and with what awe and wonder I gazed upon, to me at that time, the ponderous elbow-jointed printing press, and with what feeling of supremacy, born of my superior years, I looked upon the youngster engaged in play with a news- paper on the counter." Mr. Roome and family took board with Colonel Otis J. Tracy and the following spring re- moved to the Brush farm, having paid forfeit to Mr. Mc- Neil for not completing the purchase of his farm. After an experience of three years in farming he became tired of it and sold to William E. Chapman, moving into the vil- lage so that he could educate his children at the Academy. Mr. Roome occupied with his family the old Ingersoll house, which stood on the corner above Riverview ceme- tery, and which was demolished in 1903. After a year or two he purchased a house on Mechanic street. The effects of his injury becoming more and more severe, he was trans- ferred to the Bloomingdale Asylum, New York, where he died April 18, 1855. Mr. Roome married, in 1833, Phebe Hyer of New York City, born in 1811, and died March 28, 1874, in Oxford. Children :
SARAH, born May 1, 1836, in New York City; died May 5, 1874, in Blue Earth City, Minn .; married April 20, 1856, George C. Rector.
HENRY C., born in New York City, married March 1, 1864, Mary J., daughter of Dr. Austin and Jane (Perkins) Rouse. Residence, Jersey City, N. J. Mr. Roome enlisted during the Civil war in the 89th N. Y. S. V., was promoted to be captain, and finally became major. While endeavor- ing to save his regimental colors in a charge made against the enemy's works on September 27, 1864, he was taken prisoner and placed in Libby prison. Afterwards he was transferred to Salisbury, N. C., from whence he was re- leased in February, 1865.
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ANGELINA, born March 7, 1840; died March 25, 1902, in Hastings, Neb .; married July 22, 1875, George C. Rector. BENJAMIN F., resides in New York City.
MARGARET H., born in 1847, in Oxford; died October 11, 1869, in Oxford.
A T THE TOWN MEETING held in 1796 Ephraim Fitch was chosen supervisor, and it was
Voted. That Nathan Carpenter and James Phelps be pound keepers and that their yards be pounds the year ensuing.
Voted. To give four pounds for each wolf's pate killed in this Town.
Voted. That hogs be free commoners yok'd and ring'd.
In the same year we find the record of "Marks of Creatures " :
Isaac Snell's mark is a square crop off the right ear and a slit in the end of the same
David Shapley's mark is a half penny the underside of the right ear.
Samuel Hunt's mark a half penny under side the right ear and under side the left ear a half crop.
Joel Sprague's mark a square crop off the left ear and half penny underside the same.
Anson Cary's mark is a swallow's tail on the right ear.
Shubel Coy's mark is a smooth crop off the right Ear and a half penny under it.
Jonathan Baldwin's mark for creatures is a hole in the right ear. Green Hall's mark is the end of the right ear cut off square apply'd for this 7th June, 1796. Sign'd Elihu Murray, Clerk.
D AVID AND HANNAH SHAPLEY came to this town in 1800 and began the construction, in the then unbroken wilderness, of the home where they lived and died. Their son, John, born May 5, 1810, married Naomi Wheeler, and died July 18, 1882.
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Consider, man; weigh well thy frame, The king, the beggar, is the same; Dust formed us all. Each breathes his day Then sinks in his native clay. - GAY.
George Douglas, M. D.
The Douglas family dates its origin as far back as the eleventh century. The first Douglas that settled in Amer- ica was one William Douglas, who landed in Boston, Mass., but later moved to New London, Conn., where he built the first frame house, which stood until 1865. Wil- liam Douglas, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a captain of a military company during the Revolu- tionary war.
Dr. George Douglas, long a practicing physician in Oxford, died at his home on Washington park October 9, 1906. The doctor had been in feeble health for several months. He stood high in his chosen profession, and was a member of the Congregational Church.
Dr. Douglas was the son of Hon. Amos and Miriam (Wright) Douglas, and born at Franklin, N. Y., May 7, 1823. He married February 17, 1858, Ada E. Frink of Fabius, N. Y., who died March 8, 1864. His second mar- riage occurred June 14, 1866, when he married Jane A., daughter of William Mygatt of Oxford, who died November 24, 1894.
Dr. Douglas was educated at the Delaware Literary In- stitute at Franklin, graduating in 1840. He read medicine with Dr. Francis Hine in his native town and later with
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Dr. Clark at Smithville Flats, and in 1842 entered Geneva Medical College, and in 1844 the medical department of the University of the City of New York, graduating April 14, 1845. He began the practice of his profession at Smith- ville Flats, and in 1846 came to Oxford and entered into copartnership with Dr. S. R. Clarke in the drug business, which was dissolved in June of the following year. In August, 1860, he, with William H. VanWagenen, pur- chased the stock of drugs and medicine of Dr. Clarke, his former partner, retiring from the firm after a few years. Dr. Douglas still continued the practice of medicine in Oxford until his removal to Brooklyn in 1877, where he remained two years, and then returned to this village, and in 1887 purchased of William H. VanWagenen the resi- dence on Washington Park.
Dr. Douglas, in July, 1864, was appointed Surgeon of the Board of Enrollment of this Congressional district. During the year 1887, accompanied by his daughter, he spent several months in Europe. He was a member of the New York State Medical Association, and the Chenango County Medical Association. In 1871 he was elected an honorary member of the California State Medical Society, and was a member of the Centennial International Medical Congress held in 1876 at Philadelphia. He was ex-presi- dent of the Rocky Mountain Medical Association, a mem- ber of the World's Medical Congress held in 1887 at Washington, in 1890 was a delegate from the American Medical Association to the World's Medical Congress, which assembled in Berlin, Germany, and was also a mem- ber of the first Pan-American Medical Congress held in 1893 at Washington.
Dr. Douglas was survived by one daughter, Mrs. Ellen McDonald, who had been his companion and attendant at home and abroad for many years.
,
JUDSON B. GALPIN
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Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way .- GOLDSMITH.
Judson B. Galpin.
Judson Benjamin Galpin was a descendant of Benjamin and Rebecca Galpin, who settled at Woodbury, Conn., in 1680. The family has been traced back to the Huguenot war in the early part of the sixteenth century, when the De Galpins were driven from Paris, some went to Switzer- land, others to Germany and England. Those who fled to the latter country dropped the "De," and the Galpins in America came from that line. Philip and Caleb Galpin, sons of John Galpin of Bristol, Somerset county, England, came to New Haven, Conn., in 1650, and were the first of that name in America. The Galpin coat of arms consists of a Bear " passant," on a field argent mounted upon a banner of ermine, which in turn is surmounted by three fleurs-de-lys.
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