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 27
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The last of January, 1815, Garry went out with Daniel Perry in a sled to Kingston to remove mother to Oxford. Aunt Ann Master and Thomas G. Newkirk returned with him. Since this time I have been a housekeeper.
Mr. Van Der Lyn, finding in the place of his settlement an institution of learning, gave early attention to its wel- fare, and was for many years its zealous friend, trustee, and supporter. He never wearied in doing well for that institution, and Oxford Academy owes to him and a few other early supporters much of its high standing and use- fulness. He was also a liberal contributor to St. Paul's church, and interested himself in the circulation of a sub- scription to procure a suitable place of worship.
Mr. Van Der Lyn died October 1, 1865, in the 82d year of his age, after a life of activity and labor of more than fifty-nine years, and amid scenes so changed, beholding the growth of a prosperous village and the country about him changed from a wilderness to bright fields.
The term " Count " clung to him through life from his great suavity and gentlemanly manners. He was a con- firmed bachelor, possessing many genial peculiarities of character, which rendered him a great favorite in the social reunions of the bench and bar during term time. Numerous legends are current of his tact and readiness in extricating himself from occasional faux pas, induced by his excessive courtliness and desire to render himself agreeable to those with whom at the time he happened to be conversing.
The story is told that Mr. Van Der Lyn once owned a dog that robbed the meat market of a roast of beef and escaped. The proprietor reasoned that if he went to the owner and told him his dog had stolen the meat, that it would be denied, so he adopted another plan. Entering the " Count's " office, he told of the robbery committed and
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asked what he should do about it. He was advised to make out a bill and present it to the owner. The butcher promptly prepared the bill and found it amounted to five dollars, which he presented to the " Count," saying it was his dog that was the thief. " All right," was the reply, and the bill was paid. As the butcher was leaving the " Count " called and reminded him of a " strange coinci- dence." He said that five dollars was just the amount of his bill for advice. The butcher returned the five dollars he had just collected and retired without another word. He was rendered speechless.
O ENSUS OF 1825 .- Following is the census of the town in 1825, copied verbatim from the Oxford Gazette :
450 heads of families ;
1,410 males ;
1,391 females ; Total 2,801.
283 subject to militia duty.
532 voters.
19 aliens.
1 coloured persons not taxed.
2
do
do
taxed.
1 do taxed and qualified to vote.
333 married females under 45 years of age.
253 unmarried females between 16 & 45.
937 do under 16 years of age.
21 marriages-62 male births-46 female births-24 male deaths- 25 female deaths, within the past year.
14,184 acres of improved lands.
3,506 head of neat cattle.
537 horses.
12,317 sheep.
1,923 hogs.
6,725 yards of fulled cloth ;
10,423 do of flannel ; and
15,872 do of linen, manufactured within the past year.
3 Grist-mills-14 Saw-mills-1 Oil-mill-3 Fulling-mills-3 Card- ing machines-1 Woolen factory-1 Trip hammer-3 Distilleries -3 Asheries.
CENSUS OF OXFORD VILLAGE.
112 heads of Families-378 males-363 females .- Total 741.
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An honest man, close button'd to the chin, Broadcloth without, and a warm heart within.
-COWPER.
Austin Hyde.
Judge Austin Hyde, son of Benjamin Hyde, was born in Franklin, Conn., January 21, 1789, his father having been a soldier and afterwards a pensioner of the Revolu- tion. He came to this village when it was comparatively new and was the second of six brothers and two sisters, all of whom settled in this State, and the eldest, Bela B., was the first collector appointed for the Erie canal at the present city of Rome. Uri Tracy then was county clerk and Mr. Hyde became his deputy. Soon thereafter the office was removed to Norwich, where he went and re- mained several years, but returned and became a member of the mercantile firm of Mygatt & Hyde, doing business at the old store now removed, which stood in the corner near the residence of Joseph E. Packard.
Mr. Hyde was Supervisor of the town many years; twice a member of the State Legislature, in 1823 and 1833; the first collector appointed at this place for the Chenango canal in 1838; was soon after a judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas of the county; a trustee of Oxford Academy, and a long time its secretary and treasurer; a warden of St. Paul's church; appointed receiver to close up the affairs of the Chenango County Mutual Insurance Com- pany, and discharged other important trusts, public and private. Mr. Hyde, on his return from Albany after the passage of the Chenango canal bill, was met by a delega- tion of townsmen, who had procured a boat, placed it on wheels, and in this he was escorted to his residence, which
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is now occupied by A. D. Harrington. The town was illuminated and Mr. Hyde entertained a large company that evening. A severe thunderstorm came up and many were detained at the house till a late hour, and were finally carried home in a lumber wagon on account of the heavy downpour and condition of the streets.
Mr. Hyde married in October, 1819, at New Milford, Conn., Elizabeth, a sister of Henry and William Mygatt, and died at his home in this village, now the residence of A. D. Harrington, February 25, 1850, leaving his widow, who died June 19, 1882, and four children, Caroline E., William H., Minerva H., who married Clark I. Hayes of Unadilla, Otsego county, and died January 9, 1904, and Mary E. The Misses Hyde are the last of the family, and still reside in Oxford.
William H. Hyde, son of Austin and Elizabeth (Mygatt) Hyde, was born in this village September 4, 1826. His early education was obtained at Oxford Academy, where he prepared for Yale College, but not finding student life there to his liking withdrew and entered Hobart College at Geneva, N. Y., graduating in 1848. Returning home he taught in the Academy for several terms and read law with Henry R. Mygatt. Admitted to the bar in 1854, he was for a short time a partner of James W. Glover. In 1857 he represented Chenango county in the Legislature.
June 16, 1859, Mr. Hyde married Miss Myra Bates Graves at Northampton, Mass., and soon after removed to Oconomowoc, Wis., where he practiced law. On the break- ing out of the Civil war, Mr. Hyde returned to Oxford, where he remained until his death, which occurred May 5, 1902.
In 1865 Mr. Hyde was elected Special County Judge, serving three years, and was Supervisor of the town for four years. In the year 1857 he was elected a trustee of
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Oxford Academy, resigned that year, was re-elected in 1873, made vice-president of the board in 1878 and presi- dent in 1881, an office he held up to the uniting of the Academy with the Union school district. He was thor- oughly conversant with the history of the institution, hav- ing prepared the historical address for the jubilee celebra- tion in 1854. Mr. Hyde was a warm friend of the Academy, did a great deal for its advancement, and his pen was ever ready to perpetuate its long and brilliant career. For several years, previous to and during the Civil war, he did the editorial work on THE OXFORD TIMES. His work was that of a scholar and polished writer.
Mr. Hyde was a communicant of St. Paul's church, hav- ing been confirmed May 23, 1848, by Bishop DeLancy, and for many years a member of the vestry, and at his death a warden of the church.
Mrs. Hyde and only child, Elizabeth Mygatt Hyde, are yet residents of Oxford.
The next best thing to being witty one's-self, is to be able to quote another's wit. -BOVEE.
Practical Jokes.
Among the practical jokers of the early days in the town's history were Ira and Luman McNeil, honest and industrious men, but fond of a joke. Not far behind them were William Moore, Lyman Hunnewell, Mark Sherwood, Noble Betts, and several others. They were a jolly set and enjoyed fun no matter at whose expense. About 1820 their fame as practical jokers became widely known throughout the surrounding country, and frequently trav- elers who came to Oxford spoke of the fact, and then were
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quite apt to experience some of their pranks. An old citizen used to relate that when a resident of Cooperstown he strayed into this vicinity while hunting and came to the top of the east hill, looked down on the village, but dared not enter; having heard of the jokes played on unsuspect- ing strangers.
One day a traveler stopping at the Stage house casually remarked to the landlord that he had heard of the sells and jokes that the villagers were noted for, and hinted that it would take a pretty smart man to get the start of him. At this one of the inmates left the barroom and the landlord replied evasively to the stranger's remarks. Soon after a man came rushing in and excitedly asked the land- lord for his crowbar and chain, as " a huge turtle had got wedged in the flume over at the mill and stopped the wheel." The mill stood on the site of Harrington's block, and the unsuspecting traveler, now greatly excited, fol- lowed the man and tools over to see the wonderful sight, but was soon back with dripping clothes, as the jokers had succeeded in getting him completely submerged in the water. He acknowledged the sell, and tradition relates that the receipts at the bar for the remainder of the day, owing to the liberality of the stranger, were very satisfac- tory to the landlord.
The dull season in town was alleviated by the practical jokes perpetrated on country customers, who were sent to Mygatt's tannery to see the big eel caught in the river. Their curiosity was usually satisfied, for a plank was so arranged that the victim in attempting to look into a vat would fall in, and on extricating himself would usually swear vengeance on the perpetrator.
Men who had music in their souls were sent to the Epis- copal rectory to borrow the rector's fiddle or drum; and the patience of the Rev. Leverett Bush was sorely tried in
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explaining to the numerous victims that it was meant for a practical joke, as he had no musical instruments of any kind.
Sometimes the jokes were returned by subjects who were not so green as they appeared to be. In those days there were what was called " tramping jours," journeymen seek- ing work. On a summer's morning there came to the Stage house an innocent looking young man, who in- timated that he was a blacksmith looking for work, and in the course of the forenoon called at McNeil's shop. He stated his business, and the shop hands, thinking him a good subject to practice upon, began plying him with ques- tions, among others whether he thought he could weld four pieces of iron together at one heat. He was not so sure about that and thought it a little difficult. When the noon hour arrived they left him alone in the shop instead of inviting him to dinner, and on their return found he had left practical proof of his skill as a blacksmith. He had taken two pairs of valuable tongs, placed their jaws into each other, welded them very firmly and departed to seek employment elsewhere.
On another occasion a man was hired to tear down a fence in front of the residence of Jonathan Baldwin, who then lived in a house on the premises now occupied by F. G. Clarke, with a tumbledown fence surrounding it. Wil- liam Moore was the bartender in the hotel on the opposite corner, and one day he stepped out, leaving Lyman Hunne- well in the barroom alone. A stranger came in looking for a job, and taking him for the landlord inquired if he wanted to hire a man. Lyman, who was quick-witted, thought he would have some fun with the " deacon," re- plied that he did, and going to the door pointed to Mr. Baldwin's house, saying: "I am going to tear that old house down and put up new buildings, and you may begin
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with the fence. An old crazy man lives, or stays, there who may object to your working, but pay no attention to him as he is of no account." Lyman then took the man into dinner, after which he gave him an ax, hammer, and a pan, charging him to save all the nails. The man went to work in earnest and soon had the fence knocked to pieces. Mr. Baldwin, hearing the noise, went out to see what it was about, and on his discovery of the destruction of his fence, rushed out and exclaimed: "What in h-1 and d-n are you tearing that down for?" The man paid no attention to him until Mr. Baldwin seized a handspike from the woodpile and threatened to spill his brains out; then he quit and went to the hotel, inquiring for the land- lord. Moore told him he was out, but Lyman was upstairs with a few of his cronies looking out of a window enjoying the sport. The landlord did not return, and finally the bartender put on a sober face and told the stranger that the crazy old fellow was after a warrant for his arrest, and the stranger hurriedly left town, never to return.
At another time the player of the joke had the tables turned on him. Bradford Church, a brother-in-law of Luman McNeil, who was noted as being quite dry in his jokes, but not so practical, was fatting a very large porker that became quite celebrated as the largest hog in the village. After it was killed one of the hams was hung in a smokehouse to make it the more palatable for table use. It was the town talk and the time for cutting the " big ham " was an event in the near future. When the time at last arrived Mr. Church went for the ham, but someone had been before him, and it was gone, creating considerable excitement, and all of the " west side " neighbors were very anxious to know what had become of it. Finally a search warrant was obtained, and Charles A. Hunt, the constable of twenty years service, employed to find the missing ham.
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A crowd soon gathered with all the habitual curiosity to see the outcome of the affair; but there was one among them who was becoming uncomfortable; he knew more about the ham than he wished he did, and matters were getting quite serious. Ira McNeil had removed the ham for a joke, and the question was how to get it back. After a while he saw the opportunity to edge away from the crowd, which were following the constable to search sus- pected premises, and getting the ham into a cornbasket attempted to return it unseen, but had scarcely reached the street when he was confronted by the officer and his solicitous followers. He stood convicted. The ham was found in the basket on his back ; what better proof of guilt? The affair had become a little too serious for a joke and too ludicrous for a crime, and the quickest and most satis- factory way in which to end the matter was to adjourn the crowd to the tavern and liquidate the constable's fees, which owing, to his several deputies present, were not light.
Life is labour and death is rest. -ARCHIAS.
Havens Family.
John Havens, a distiller by trade, came to Oxford as early as 1806. For a few months he found employment in a distillery in the village and then purchased and moved upon the land east of the village, which in the course of a few years he developed into a fine farm. He was the only child of his parents, and when but eight months old his mother died. His father was a patriot of 1776 and endured
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with others the hardships of Continental army life. Mr. Havens had very few advantages in early youth, and his first term in school was while in his eighteenth year. He always felt the lack of early schooling and gave his chil- dren the education which was denied him.
Mr. Havens was born January 18, 1784, in Hinsdale, Columbia county, N. Y., and died June 10, 1862, in Ox- ford. He married November 9, 1806, Sally Newcomb, who was a school teacher in Oxford. She was born May 30, 1778, in Lebanon, Conn., and died December 5, 1858, in Oxford. They were the parents of eleven children, all born in Oxford, three of whom died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity were:
GEORGE N., born October 16, 1809; died January 21, 1887, in Oxford; married February 21, 1836, in Oxford, Lucretia Willoughby, daughter of Bliss and Fanny (Pat- tan) Willoughby. Children: Ann Lee, married Peter J. Conover of Oxford; (adopted child, Lily Belle, married Walton Bennett and resides in Columbus, O.). John K., born April 6, 1839, in Oxford; died March 3, 1887, in Guil- ford; married September 24, 1860, Julia A. Burton of Oxford; (children, Minnie Lee, born in Oxford, married Edgar B. Stansell of Syracuse, who died November 7, 1888; George B .. born in Coventry, married Belle Burton and resides in Guilford; Leroy N., born in Guilford, mar- ried Grace M. Murray and resides in Syracuse). Mar- garet, married William Manning, deceased; (child, Fanny, married Rev. A. W. Burke). Fanny, born in 1844, died in 1861, married Andrew Burton; (child, Orrie, resides in Newark, N. J.).
SALOME B., born June 13, 1811; died February 28, 1890; married December 27, 1840, Garner Wade. Children : Clarence, Harris, died in Illinois.
BRADFORD, born September 24, 1815; died July 25, 1898,
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in Guilford; married Sally Ann Harrington. Children : Leroy N., enlisted during Civil war in Co. A, 114th Regt. N. Y. S. V .; shot in temple and instantly killed at battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. Sarah C., married Cornelius Whitcomb of Guilford.
ABIGAIL, born June 7, 1817 ; married December 15, 1836, Solomon C. Mowry.
THEODA, born May 23, 1819; died August 15, 1882, in Oxford; married October 7, 1846, Gilbert Bowers, born February 12, 1820, in Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y .; died December 15, 1886, in Oxford; enlisted during Civil war in Co. E, 89th N. Y. S. V. Children: Worthington N., mar- ried Lizzie Wackford. Luther E., married Cora Collyer. Ann Marie, died in infancy. James E., born September 10, 1853; died January 14, 1876. Mary S., born June 15, 1856; died April 12, 1861. John H., died in infancy.
MARY B., born April 24, 1821; died January 15, 1902, in Oxford; unmarried.
MORILLA E., born August 10, 1823; died February 5, 1855, in Bainbridge; married Hiram Davis.
CORNELIA R., born June 26, 1825; married James Hart- well, who died October 23, 1884, in Oxford. Children : Sarah C., married Delos R. Eells; (children, Mabel C., Marion A., married Clarence Hitt; Juliette, married Ches- ter Bartle; Ruby C.). Morilla, married (1) George Hovey; married (2) Hiram Hovey; married (3) David B. Gordon; (children by first husband, Luella, married Homer Padgett; Frank, married Bertha Gilbert; Ethel M., married Alvin Stead of Guilford). Albert L., unmarried.
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Here shall the Press the People's rights maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain ; Here patriot Truth her glorious precepts draw, Pledged to Religion, Liberty and Law.
-STORY.
Journals of Oxford.
During the past ninety-nine years Oxford has had seven distinct journals or newspapers published within its bor- ders. Many made heroic efforts to live, but died in in- fancy; two or three were merged into other papers and have thus lost their identity.
But one now remains, THE OXFORD TIMES, which in its seventieth year, has nothing of senility in its appearance, but like old wine improves with age. A large increasing circulation proves this to be a positive fact, and its success comes simply because it has reflected the happenings and championed the interests of Oxford and the county of Chenango. As a writer states: " The scrupulousness with which THE TIMES has adhered to the cause of local in- terests has not always been to its immediate pecuniary advantage, but its publishers have the satisfaction of knowing that its stand is approved by its home advertisers and that it is therein strengthening its foundations for future permanency."
The first journalistic enterprise launched in Oxford saw the light of day in the month of October, 1807. It was owned and edited by John B. Johnson and bore the name of THE CHENANGO PATRIOT. It existed but three or four years, and then died a natural death. The issue of October 17, of that year, contained extracts from the New York Gazette of October 4 and 7. Among other interesting
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items were: " By the arrival of the British brig 'Tom Barry,' in the short passage of 36 days from Scotland, the editors of the New York Gazette have received London and Glasgow papers to the 27th of August."
" Pope Pius VII., by the authority of Almighty God, and of the Saints Peter and Paul, has executed sentence of excommunication against the Emperor Napoleon, for want of due reverence to his majesty, and other acts of usurpation and violence."
But notwithstanding all this the village of Oxford was moving on in the full tide of successful settlement. The age of pot and pearl ashes, and black salts, had arrived; and the columns of the President, a village journal that appeared shortly after the Patriot, and soon went hence, published by Theophilus Eaton, announced :
" The trustees of the Associated Presbyterian Society, Uri Tracy, Stephen O. Runyan, and Amos A. Franklin, notwithstanding the rumors of war, and the excommunica- tion of the emperor, will receive subscriptions to the new church, without further delay."
The Oxford Gazette was started in 1814 by Chauncey Morgan, who published it until March 5, 1823, when George Hunt became proprietor. June 23, 1824, Ebenezer Noyes became associated with Mr. Hunt in its publication. In February, 1825, it was sold to Howard & Carlisle, and shortly after Mr. Morgan again became proprietor, who sold to William G. Hyer, in 1826. In September, 1826, Benjamin Corry came into town, from some place south, astride a pair of saddle-bags and riding a very fine gray horse. He was emphatically a business man, and pur- chased the Gazette, editing it very acceptably for a few years, when the publication was discontinued. Mr. Corry. married Leafa Balcom, daughter of Francis Balcom, and
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soon after moved to Watertown, N. Y., where he continued his editorial career for several years.
The Chenango Republican was started in 1826 by Benj. Corry, who sold to Daniel Mack and Wm. E. Chapman Dec. 10, 1828, and on Sept. 22, 1830, Daniel Mack became sole proprietor. March 3, 1831, Wm. E. Chapman and T. T. Flagler commenced a new series, and soon after changed its name to the Oxford Republican. In 1838, Mr. Chapman became sole proprietor. During the next few years it was successively published by J. Taylor Bradt, Benj. Welch, Jr., and R. A. Leal. In January, 1843, Charles E. Chamberlain became associated proprietor with Mr. Leal, and in August of the same year Mr. Leal again became editor and proprietor, Wm. M. Lewis doing the printing. R. A. Leal died in January, 1844, and his brother LaFayette became proprietor. In 1847 it was merged with the Norwich Journal, and published as the Chenango Union.
The Chenango Whig was published a short time in 1835, by Denison Smith Clark.
The Miniature, a small monthly, was issued from the same office.
THE OXFORD TIMES was founded in the fall of 1836 by a joint stock company, and was for some time con- ducted by H. H. Cook, a lifetime resident of Oxford. In 1841 it passed into the hands of E. H. Purdy and C. D. Brigham, from whom it was in turn transferred to Waldo M. Potter, in 1844. The following year Judson B. Galpin became associated proprietor with Mr. Potter. In 1848 Mr. Galpin assumed entire control of the paper and con- tinued its publication till his death, February 20, 1893, marking a continuous connection of forty-eight years with THE TIMES. The paper then passed into the hands of his eldest son, Theodore B. Galpin, who has been connected
THEODORE B. GALPIN
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with the establishment from early youth. In January, 1894, Mr. Galpin disposed of one-half interest to Welling- ton Alexander, who retired from the firm in September, 1899, and commenced the publication of the Oxford Press. July 1, 1906, C. Edward Snell, foreman of THE TIMES, purchased the Press and merged it with THE TIMES, under the firm name of Galpin & Snell. THE TIMES was then enlarged to an eight page journal and many improvements made in its make up.
The Oxford Transcript, commenced in 1853 by George N. Carhart, was published about six months.
The Chenango Democrat was commenced November 19, 1863, and published but a short time.
T HE FORT HILL HOUSE, a noble looking three- story structure, with large columns in front, and one that would now do credit to any city, which stood on the site of the residence of William M. Miller; together with the store of Rufus Baldwin, hat store of Peleg Glover and cabinet shop of John Y. Washburn, extending nearly to the river, burned on the morning of May 13, 1839, making the largest fire Oxford ever experienced. Charles H. Cur- tis was proprietor of the house and shortly after the fire went west, finally settling in Chicago at a time when he could count every man in that city. He accumulated a for- tune which at one time was estimated at $3,000,000. Dur- ing the summer of 1885 he lost heavily in speculation, and on January 12, 1886, his lifeless body was found in the lake, and it is supposed that he committed suicide.
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