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 29
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NICHOLAS, born July 11, 1811; died October 2, 1893; married May 5, 1836, Lydia Mowry, of Oxford. Lived and died on the farm where he was born.
JAMES, born June 5, 1814; died October 4, 1853; mar- ried Phoebe Carhart.
WILLIAM, born December 27, 1816; died April 1, 1871; married Zeurah Mowry.
SARAH, born April 15, 1819; died April 13, 1885; mar- ried William Beardsley.
HANNAH, born December 29, 1821; living in Iowa; mar- ried Helam Barstow.
WILLIS, born April 19, 1824; died June 4, 1892; married Mary Ann Bowers.
DANIEL, born April 12, 1827; died December 13, 1903; married (1) Frances Adelia Main; died February 19, 1864; married (2) Eliza Parker.
JULIA, born August 14, 1829 ; died March 30, 1887 ; mar- ried George Lamphere.
WILLARD, born March 5, 1832; died June 26, 1893; mar- ried Hannah Mary Main, born August 24, 1834; died Jan- uary 12, 1904.
My voice is still for war. Gods! can a Roman senate long debate Which of the two to choose, slavery or death?
-ADDISON.
Throop Family.
Major Dan Throop, a native of Connecticut, and for many years a resident of Hudson, N. Y., came to Oxford
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in 1800. He was for a time proprietor of the hotel, now known as the Hotchkiss House, and for many years a mer- chant in this village. When in possession of his health and vigor he was a useful citizen and an active officer in his civil and military capacity. The disease which termin- ated his life was of several months standing, in which period he was a great sufferer. A soldier of the Revolu- tion, he met sickness and death with characteristic firm- ness and resignation. He died at his residence on Fort Hill, May 19, 1824, and was buried in the old cemetery on State street. Mary, his widow, also a native of Connecti- cut, died at Nineveh, N. Y., October 13, 1843.
Simon Gager Throop, born at Kinderhook, N. Y., Jan- uary 4, 1790, came from Hudson with his father, Major Dan Throop, in 1800. He was for a time a student, after- wards a partner, of Henry Van Der Lyn, Esq., and was the first lawyer that practiced in Bainbridge. For several years he was a member in the family of Martin Van Buren, with whom he also studied law, and became quite a suc- cessful criminal lawyer.
A member of " the Unadilla Hunt, or Oxford Chase," he became very popular with the masses. He married September 4, 1814, Asenath Burr, daughter of Theodore Burr, the famous bridge builder, who died in Scranton, Pa., October 18, 1877, aged 85. Mr. Throop had a resi- dence on Fort Hill, near the site of the Memorial library, with an office near by, which was the headquarters for the citizens on particular occasions to discuss politics and on Saturday evenings to amuse themselves with cards and dice. Chauncey Morgan, Gen. Peter Sken Smith, and many others took part in these convivial sessions.
Mr. Throop's social qualities were of the most bril- liant and genial order. Unrivalled in wit, humor and caricature, he was the life and soul of the social circle,
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and " kept the table in a roar " wherever his mobile and expressive countenance appeared. When the strife be- tween Oxford and Norwich over the county seat was in progress he was sent to Albany as a lobby member in the interest of Oxford. When he returned the citizens gave him a reception, which was held in the afternoon and even- ing at the residence of Chauncey Morgan. A numerous company of ladies and gentlemen assembled, and among the good things prepared for the feast was a large turkey, and in some way it fell to Mr. Throop to do the carving. Taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeves he seized the carving knife and fork and went to work, at the same time keeping the company in good humor by his witty jokes. The carving finished, he wiped his fingers with a napkin, put on his coat and striking a parliamentary attitude, said: "Gentlemen and ladies, I submit this subject to your immediate consideration," which was received with great laughter and applause.
Mrs. Chauncey Morgan, assisted by her sister, Mrs. Samuel S. Sherwood and Miss Harriet Bessac, of French descent, and Mrs. Throop, a lady of splendid appearance, richly dressed and wearing a profusion of jewelry, did the honors and lent their vivacity to the pleasures of the even- ing. At a late hour the reception came to a close.
Under the first constitution of our State, in 1818, Mr. Throop was member of Assembly from Chenango county. His associates in that assembly were Tilly Linde, then of Sherburne, and Perez Randall of Norwich, for many years a popular county clerk. From June, 1818, to April, 1822, Mr. Throop was district attorney of the county. The early records of St. Paul's church for more than ten years from 1816 are inscribed by him as secretary. In 1832 he left Oxford, and in 1871, at the age of 82, was appointed As- sociate Judge of Monroe county, Pennsylvania. He died
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in Stroudsburg, that State, February 17, 1877. Mrs. Throop died in Scranton, October 18, 1877, aged 85. Mary Gager, their only daughter, married Edward L. Wolf of Honesdale, Pa.
Col. Benjamin Throop, with wife and daughter, came to Oxford from Kinderhook, N. Y., in 1818, at the urgent request of his son, Major Throop, to spend the remainder of his days among relatives. His health was poorly and mind impaired, and at the age of 80 years his death oc- curred at the home of his grandson on Fort Hill, May 16, 1822. In 1776, he led a hundred warriors of the Mohigan tribe to Canada, who chiefly fell in that unfortunate cam- paign victims to the enemy and smallpox. Subsequently he received a commission of captain in the line and was eventually promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Connecticut regiment. He was ordered by Washington to protect New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and served under Sullivan and Putnam through the war until peace prevailed. He was present and fought in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Saratoga and Monmouth, and also in many severe conflicts with the Indians. The name of Washington never failed to lighten a smile on his cheek and his eye for a moment would resume its origi- nal brightness. Col. Throop was buried with honors due to his rank and service, it being the first military funeral in the county. An appropriate sermon was preached by Rev. Leverett Bush, D. D., rector of St. Paul's church. The body was escorted to the grave by Capt. Wheeler's company of artillery, Capt. Smith's militia, soldiers of the Revolution, many in the uniform of officers, and a large concourse of citizens of Oxford and from every town in the county. The procession was headed by muffled drums with solemn music, and a horse with military saddle and bear skin holsters, and spurred boots fastened to the
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stirrups, led by a colored man. During the march to the old cemetery on State street minute guns were fired by the artillery. After the commitment service had been read the militia fired six volleys over the grave. Leaving the cemetery the dead march was changed to the familiar strains of Yankee Doodle, to which air the procession quickened its pace and made a much quicker trip back to the house on Fort Hill.
Dr. Benjamin Throop, son of Major Dan Throop, was born November 9, 1811, in Oxford. Educated at the Academy he was a student with Horatio Seymour, Ward Hunt, Charlemagne Tower, Henry R. Mygatt, and many others who in later life became noted throughout the State and country. Dr. Throop went to Scranton in the early days of that city, and investing in coal lands he be- came wealthy and was prominently identified with the city's growth and interests. He became president of the Scranton City Bank, and also of the Scranton Illumina- ting, Heat and Power Company. His death occurred in that city June 26, 1897. He married in 1842 Miss A. F. Mckinney of Schuylkill, Pa. Children :
MARY ELIZA. Residence, Scranton.
EUGENE ROMAYNE, died in 1852.
BENJAMIN HENRY, died in 1851.
WILLIAM BIGLER, died in 1852.
GEORGE SCRANTON, died in 1894.
Greater than genius, greater than power, greater than riches, is the ability to pour out one's life for the uplifting of others. -CLAYTON S. COOPER.
Henry Mygatt.
Henry Mygatt, son of Noadiah and Clarissa (Lynde) Mygatt of New Milford, Conn., came to Oxford in 1806,
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pursuing for a few years the occupation of a saddler. Afterwards he engaged in mercantile business for several years in company a portion of the time with his brother William, and brother-in-law, Austin Hyde. He finally transferred the business to his son-in- law, John Donnelly, who continued it till failing health compelled him to re- linguish an active life. The firm occupied a building which stood on the corner south of Washington Park. It then adjoined the residence of Joseph E. Packard, and was used many years by Dr. William G. Sands as an office. Mr. Mygatt was born November 7, 1783, in New Milford, Conn., and died May 5, 1835, in Oxford. He married (1) in 1809, Sarah S. Washburn of Oxford, who died September 26, 1818, in Meredith, N. Y. Married (2) Mrs. Susan Hosmer of Connecticut. Children by first wife :
HENRY R., born April 10, 1810, in Oxford; died March 31, 1875, in Oxford.
ORLANDO N., born August 24, 1812, in Oxford; died Au- gust 17, 1827, in Oxford.
CLARISSA A., married (1) John Donnelly, who died Oc- tober 30, 1838; married (2) Frederick A. Sands; died Au- gust 16, 1886, in Unadilla.
SARAH E., married Dr. William G. Sands.
Mr. Mygatt had three children by his second wife, all of whom died in infancy.
Henry R. Mygatt, son of Henry and Sarah (Washburn) Mygatt, prepared for college at Oxford Academy, then in charge of David L. Prentice, and graduated at Union College in 1830. Soon thereafter he commenced the study of law in the office of James Clapp, and was admitted at Albany in 1833. His professional toils and successes cov- ered a long term of practice in all the courts of this State, as well as in the Supreme Court of the United States. He was greatly beloved and respected for his excellence of
HENRY R. MYGATT
JAMES W GLOV ER
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character, was highly benevolent, his heart and hand were always open to whatever concerned the welfare of the community. Great as were his benefactions they were not bounded by the limits of his own town. He was not an aspirant for public office, and invariably declined all nominations therefor. He held successively the office of secretary, vice-president, and president of Oxford Acad- emy for a number of years. During that time he strength- ened it with his counsels, his labors, and with repeated and munificent gifts, placing during a portion of the time at its disposal free tuitions for worthy and needy scholars. To St. Paul's church he was also a bountiful benefactor, to which its records bear testimony. Mr. Mygatt received from Hobart College the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, a designation well and worthily bestowed, and was one of the corporators named in the act of Congress which created the Centennial Board of Finance for the Inter- national celebration of the hundredth anniversary of American Independence. Mr. Mygatt married December 2, 1835, Esther Maria Tracy, daughter of Hon. John Tracy, who died June 25, 1895, in New York city, Children :
JOHN TRACY, born November 29, 1836; married August 28, 1861, Mary Stevens, daughter of Hon. Daniel S. Dick- inson, of Binghamton. After passing his Freshman year at Hamilton College, Mr. Mygatt, second term Sophomore, entered Union, from which he was graduated in class of '58, being one of the Commencement speakers. While in Union he was a member of the Adelphi Literary Society, and held the office of President. He was admitted to the Bar in 1861, and located in Binghamton; but after a few. years' practice, finding this occupation too sedentary, abandoned it for the paper trade, and for many years was established in Duane street, New York city. He held at one time the office of President of the Binghamton Council
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of the Union League of America ; was also District Deputy, founded several councils of the organization, and was secretary of a large and important meeting of the League held soon af, er the draft riots of 1863 in New York. Mr. Mygatt is a Son of the Revolution, a Free Mason, and also a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity. He is a graceful and earnest speaker and wields the pen of a ready writer.
Child : D. S. Dickinson, born May 9, 1864, in Bingham- ton; died February 3, 1888, in New York city. Married Minnie H., daughter of Nicholas D. Clapp of New York city. (Children : daughter, Tracy Dickinson; son, Henry R.).
HENRY, died May 29, 1842, aged one year.
WILLIAM R., born April 20, 1851; married September 6, 1876, Agnes P., daughter of Andrew J. Hull of Oxford. Now residing at Chicago.
MAI, married September 27, 1881, James A. Brown. Residence, Fergus Falls, Minn.
Along the cool sequester'd vale of life, They kept the noiseless tenor of their way. - GRAY.
Whittenhall Family.
William Whittenhall, formerly spelled Wettenhall, an Englisman and a tailor by trade, came from Albany and built a frame house below the village in which he kept tav- ern for many years. The building is still standing and is the one next below the farm house of O. M. Westover. Mr. Whittenhall moved in 1808 to Smithville and subsequently to McDonough, where he died April 2, 1848, aged 89. He had three sons, all born in Oxford :
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URI, born in 1805, conducted a bakery in Oxford in 1829. He removed to Greene previous to 1850 and purchased the Chenango House in that village, which he conducted for a long term of years, and became personally known to the traveling public from the days of the stage coach to those of the railway car. Mr. Whittenhall died December 29, 1887, in Greene. Harriet, his wife died March 8, 1879, aged 71. Children :
SARAH JANE, married (1) James E. Thurber; married (2) John G. Brown of Utica, where she now resides.
HENRY F., married August 30, 1860, Arabella J. Race of Greene.
OTIS, married Eliza Kathan, and had many descendants in Steuben county.
ELIHU, born in 1808, was interested in the bakery with his brother Uri. He died at Sabetha, Kan., December 1, 1881. Married Eliza A. Shumway, who died August 23, 1866, at Albany, Kan., aged 57. Their eldest son, Captain Daniel S. Whittenhall, died at the Soldiers' Home in Dan- ville, Ill., November 27, 1904. He was born in Oxford, June 12, 1829, where his boyhood days were spent and his education obtained in the Academy. In early manhood he went West and at the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, enlisted April 19, 1861, claiming the distinction of being the first volunteer to be sworn into the service, a claim that was well borne out by a documentary letter that appeared in the Topeka, Kansas, Mail, December 11, 1901. Captain Whittenhall served three months with the First Illinois Cavalry and was captured with Col. Mulli- gan's men at Lexington, Mo., in September, 1861. Later he was made Captain of Co. E, Second Kansas Cavalry, and served until January 1, 1863, when he was discharged for disability.
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I can't but say it is an awkward sight To see one's native land receding through The growing waters.
-BYRON.
Freshet of 1842.
We copy a description of the freshet of February 5, 1842, contributed to the " Mirror," a paper read before the Ladies' Conversational Society at that time. The water gods are supposed to have played many mad pranks with buildings and vegetables, also floating off a slaughter- house.
Such a sight as greeted the vision on last Friday morning seldom meets the ken of habitants resident within our little vale. From hill to hill, with the exception of a few favored spots, occupied by some, who, more fortunate than their neighbors, had become somewhat ele- vated in the world, one vast sheet of water met the eye. Its surface covered with masses of floating ice and timber, with here and there a boat endeavoring to rescue from the embracing flood some portion of its spoils. Old Neptune had taken possession of the valley; the water gods were holding a jubilee and, 'mid their revelry, strange pranks they played us poor mortals. One of their mad freaks was to gift with power of locomotion fields of ice, miles of fences, scores of barns, bridges, and things inanimate, too numerous to mention, and these latter, ap- parently right well pleased, eagerly sought to exercise their newly acquired faculties, without regard to the care and attention which had been bestowed upon them by those to whom they had heretofore been faithful servants ; indeed, several barns were guilty of a breach of trust and Swartouted * with the people's deposits to parts unknown. One, also, of which a better example might have been expected, it hav- ing been located within a stone's throw of a sanctuary, has committed a grievous act of trespass by occupying, without license, a portion of an adjoining meadow. These same mischievous personages have had the bare-facedness to enter in a sly way the cellars of some of our most notable house-wives, and, without regard to the loss and inconvenience occasioned thereby, have upset pork barrels and pickle tubs, made beef
* Swartout was one of the earliest New York defaulters and ab- sconders.
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fresh, which once was salted, set ashes to leaching, before the old ladies had dreamed of making soap, used the latter article by the barrel, whenever they had occasion to wash their hands, prepared a cold bath for the old gentleman who was in the nightly habit of drawing the spiggot from the cider barrel, and, as for pumpkins and onions, boxes and casks, these fresh water imps turned their heads completely. They were all in motion, elbowing this one, nodding to that, cross over here, right and left there. It was a most hetrogeneous assemblage. Here might be seen a spruce squash offering his crook to a matronly pump- kin; there an onion endeavoring to draw tears from the already pink eyes of a potato; here a 'cabbage with head downcast and countenance suffused with tears; and still another with head erect viewing with dismay the riotous acts of his sauce-y brethren. Apples with blushing cheeks, beets that looked as if the scene had caused a rush of blood to the head ; despairing parsnips, as yellow as if in the last stage of the jaundice; aristocratic carrots, red with rage at being thus' uncere- moniously jostled by the crowd; turnips, which, if their countenances were any indication of their feelings, felt flat; in short, many a pale faced esculent was placed in a position not to be coveted, and which would have brought a blush to their cheeks, had they not had so many companions in their misery. It may well be said that such a row among the occupants of basement stores has not been kicked up this many a day. But cellars were not alone the scene of their labors; many a proud tree, that had reared his crest on high for ages, and spread his protecting branches far and wide, was by their agency up- rooted, prostrated and borne along by the resistless flood, with scarce time allowed for saying,
What oft is said, To me it seems I have a swimming within my head.
The shrine, on which many a fatling had poured out its life cur- rent, together with its blood-stained walls and floors, as trees came against it astride chargers of ice gave way with a crash, and far above the din of the elements, was heard a voice saying, "I .can't stand the pressure of these times." "Make thy escape," said the barn to the horse, " for every joint in my frame speaks of approaching dis- connection, and warns me that soon I, like my neighbor, must be added to the amount of floating capital." See that being yonder, with countenance most rueful, and altered mien, the whilom occupant of that vast domicile, located below the arches that span the noble river. Hear him exclaim, " Othello's occupation is gone, and now is the dis- content of my winter made perfect." Alas! poor fellow, these inter- meddlers had given his wheels an overdose of cold water; and for the time being he is deprived of the privilege of putting his hands into his neighbor's meal-bags. And hark! what sounds are those that salute the ear, borne by the winds across the troubled waters? Ah, 'tis an unavailing cry for help from a band of fugitives attempting to escape the water-spirits' cold embrace. Vain hope, useless endeavor; their agent, the flood surrounds and overwhelms them; they sink and sink to rise once more-a mass of wool and mutton.
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No reckoning made, but sent to my account With all my imperfections on my head.
-SHAKESPEARE.
Death of a Burglar.
A series of daring burglaries were perpetrated in the Chenango valley in May, 1862. Hamilton, Earlville and Norwich were successfully visited within three nights by the bold intruders, who gathered in several watches and considerable cash. As the burglars followed the telegraph line down the valley, messages were sent ahead, warning the people of the probabilities of a visit from the unwel- come guests. Not much attention was paid to the warning by the several localities except Oxford, when on Tuesday night, June 3, watchmen were stationed on several streets. Shortly after 2 A. M., a mysterious individual made his appearance in front of the residence of J. B. Galpin on Clinton street, and when accosted by Selah H. Fish as to his business and destination, said his name was Jones and represented himself as on the way to Chenango Forks to take charge of a canal boat. He was armed with a crutch and a cane, and affected the cripple. The watch, like a good Samaritan, kindly offered him accommoda- tions for the night, which he seemed inclined to accept, but when near F. G. Clarke's residence he bade farewell to crutch, cane, overcoat and attendant and started on a keen run towards Fort Hill, passing Jack Coats on the canal bridge. The latter being unable to stop the sup- posed burglar threw a club at him as he disappeared in the direction of the river.
Early Monday morning, June 9, persons passing over the river bridge discovered the body of a man floating from
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above, which was secured and Coroner T. J. Bailey of Norwich summoned. The facts in brief elicited by the examination before the jury were, that the body had been about one week in the water, and was that of a man ap- parently between 35 and 40 years of age, of strong muscu- lar development. On his right shoulder blade was a bruise apparently recent, on his left leg above the knee was a slight wound, which might have been caused by a small bullet or blunt instrument, and through his pants was a hole corresponding thereto. On the fore leg below the knee was a bad bruise tied with a silk handkerchief. The property, other than clothing, found upon the body were two pocket knives, a pair of lady's rubber shoes, a railway guide, a map of New York, a six-shooter, loaded, a pair of hollow forceps, well adapted to turning keys in doors, two gold watches, one recognized by Mr. Samuel Ham- mond, as but a short time before taken from his room at the Noyes House, Norwich, money in current bills, $495, and coin in amount about $18. Among the coin was a piece much worn, recognized by Mr. Hammond as having been in his possession as a pocket piece for more than fif- teen years. Paint was discovered on the soles of the rub- bers similar in color to that with which the stairway of the Noyes House had recently been painted. A promissory note, as follows, completed the list :
FACTORYVILLE, Feb. 1, 1862. $100 .- Due Dr. Johnson, or bearer, One Hundred Dollars, borrowed money. (Signed, )
C. C. & W. BROOKS.
The hands of the watches had been arrested at a little past two o'clock. The attending circumstances furnished strong evidence that this was the same person, or one of a party, who had committed the burglaries up the valley, and was afterwards seen at night in the streets of our
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village. Evidently he had crossed the bridge, jumped the fence and run up the east bank of the river into the cove. Without the intervention of judge or jury, or the law's delay, the quiet waters of the Chenango sealed his fate.
A few days later, a lady accompanied by a gentleman, came to our village and made inquiry concerning the drowned man. She came from Factoryville and had been married about four months previously to Dr. Johnson. He had been absent three weeks from home and was last heard from at Syracuse. With much feeling she described the overcoat and other articles of the deceased with con- siderable accuracy. After remaining a short time she left town, apparently well persuaded that she had discovered the truth of her husband's death. The body was buried in the old cemetery on State street, and a stone with a plain inscription marked the grave.
And while a paltry stipend earning, He sows the richest seeds of learning. -LLOYD.
David Fiske.
David Fiske was born in Temple, N. H., in 1797, came to this town and settled in East Oxford on a farm in 1820, where he did well his part in prostrating the forest and turning the wilderness into fruitful fields. He and his wife often went to Jericho, now Bainbridge, on horseback, following a path through the heavy timber marked by blazed trees. For a man of his time he was well educated and taught district school for ten winters, also devoted
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