Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 195

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 195

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Among the members who were active in the organization of this society, and largely through whose efforts the building was erected, were Ebenezer A. Fitch, Alanson Van Auken and An- drew J. Smith.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Clarksville was organized in the year 1860 by the Rev. S. S. Stillman, as pastor, and a house of worship erected the next year, at an expense of $4,000. The structure is of wood, with a finished basement. The seating capacity is 300. The present year (1884) the trustees of this church sold their parson- age and lot to Peter H. Flagler, and will build a parsonage in the rear of the church. The present

901

THE TOWNSHIP OF NEW SCOTLAND.

membership is 40; number of families, 35. The Rev. C. Warrick is now serving the society and congre- gation as pastor. The church officers are: Robert Mclaughlin, Hiram Ingraham, S. P. Simmons, A. Van Wie, Jacob Miller, Lucian Haight, Silas Wright.

VILLAGES.

New Salem is a post village at the foot of the Helderbergs, on the old Beaverdam road, now the Albany and New Scotland plank road. It is pleasantly located in the valley formed by the Helderbergs on the west and a range of hills on the east. The mountain just back of this village has an elevation of 1,700 feet above tide-water.

The place was settled as early as 1770, and among the first who came here were Seth Price, Bashmanger, Christian Bradt and Van Valkenberg, or Valick. These were followed by John Stalker and family, John Wamp, or Wemple, Obadiah Cooper, Benjamin Van Zandt, Crousler and others. Alexander Stather built a large house in 1807 for a tavern, which has been used continuously for the same purpose, and is now occupied by William Southard and owned by Abram Mann. This property was in the possession of David G. Seger for many years. There was an inn kept by Johan- nes Markle, a half mile south of Salem, as early as 1792. The Beaverdam road passed through the Hendrickson and Markle farms, but in 1806 its course was changed so as to run down the hill, as now. From this time Salem dates its progress ; several houses were built and a church erected. Buildings and a yard for a tannery were the first en- terprise by Beriah Chesebrough, which were contin- ued as a tannery until bark became scarce. It was then converted into a saw-mill, with water power, and now is used as a feed and saw-mill, with a 30-horse-power engine. The property is now owned by John H. Mathias. A saw-mill was erected about 1800, on the Spring Creek above the village, on what was part of the Winne farm.

In 1829-30 Aaron Van Schaack built a large house for a store and tavern. Soon after the town was formed a post-office was established here, and the name adopted as " New Salem." Previous to this it was " Punkintown." Van Schaack was the first postmaster. The mail was carried by John W. St. John, with a coach and four horses, from Berne to Albany, on Monday and Friday, and returned on Tuesday and Saturday. Mail is now received daily. Early blacksmiths: Gordon, Hendrickson, Albright. The first schools were taught in private houses. The school-house was built about 1823. Teachers : Hoyt, Woodberry, Rogers, Lathrop, Earl and Wesley Dollar. The last, a dread to all scholars, taught in the old school-house which stood on the road opposite the cemetery gate. In 1839 David C. Segar erected a building, which was rented by Thomas D. Bennett for a store. This is now used as a shoe and harness shop. The present store building was erected in 1875, and is owned by J. M. Erwin, who is postmaster. The village contains no manufacturing establishments beyond those necessary for home supply. The

property of Aaron Van Schaack is now owned by Abram Mann, for hotel purposes.

The village is twelve miles from Albany, on the plank road, three miles north of Clarksville, four miles south of Voorheesville Station, and three miles west of New Scotland P. O. It contains 42 dwellings, 47 families and 200 inhabitants ; a Re- formed and Methodist church, school-house, two hotels, one store, two harness shops, one shoe shop, two blacksmith shops, a wheelwright and carpenter shop, tin shop, one paint shop, fruit evaporator, a milliner and dressmaking rooms ; and the professions are represented by one physi- cian, Dr. Hiram Becker, and one clergyman, Rev. Abram G. Lansing, of the Reformed Church.

Clarksville is the largest village in the town, situated on elevated ground in the northwest part, on the old Delaware turnpike road, which forms the main street, while the Onisquethau Creek flows along the southern side. This was originally Bethlehem P. O., and Henry L. Mead, post- master; the mails were carried on horseback. The present name was given to it from Adam A. Clark, who came here about 1822. Joseph Webster carried mail from Albany to Rensselaerville.

The early settlers were William Bose, who lived in a log house; Samuel Ingraham, who kept tavern in the upper part of the village, not far from David McCullock's old store ; Joseph Bright, who kept a tavern where George Fuller now lives. Later, Henry L. Mead (Judge) became a prominent citizen and postmaster. He was a son of John, who settled at Tarrytown. Soon after 1800 many changes took place. Harmanus Bogardus, a car- penter, came here from Feura Bush, erected build- ings and kept tavern. He also built a house for Judge Mead, where Michael Flansburgh now lives. A man by the name of Jenkins also kept a tavern. The "Albany and Delaware Turnpike " was char- tered in 1805, soon after which the road was con- structed. This brought travel from Rensselaerville, and Clarksville, being half-way, was a convenient place for the traveler to take rest and entertain- ment. This accounts for the numerous public houses at that time. About 1822 Bogardus sold his property to Adam A. Clark, who continued the business for many years. It is now owned by Isaac Schermerhorn and kept as a hotel. The first log school-house stood opposite S. P. Simmon's shop, and was used occasionally for religious meetings.

Francis Seger and Mr. Taylor were early teachers. The present school-house is a fine building, erected in 1881, and located in the west end of the village; William Keenholts, teacher.

In the year 1841 Peter L. Houck built a saw- mill on the Onisquethau Creek, which furnishes the water power; it is now owned by Frederic R. Gardner. In 1845 Rushmore Bennett and John Murphy built a saw-mill and flour-mill containing three run of stone. At first only water power was used. Now a 40-horse-power engine is substituted in case of necessity. This mill now belongs to Robert Mclaughlin.

There are two caves here, which are visited by many persons.

902

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

The village contains a Reformed and Methodist church, 3 hotels, 3 stores, 2 harness shops, 2 wheelwright and 3 blacksmith shops, I bakery, 2 shoe shops, I stove and tin shop, 2 paint shops, 2 saw-mills, I grist-mill, I undertaker, meat market and dressmaking, 3 physicians, 4 lawyers; has 67 dwellings, 78 families, and 300 inhabitants. Clarksville is 12 miles west of Albany. Silas Wright, postmaster.

New Scotland, in the northeast, is a post-office and hamlet, with 15 dwelling, 17 families and 75 inhabitants. The Presbyterian Church is located here, to which is attached the New Scotland Cem- etery; contains some fine monuments. The name is derived from the many Scotch settlers who came here about 1765. There was a post-office here as early as 1820; Adam Holliday, postmaster; he was succeeded by Edmund Raynsford, who was a resident of the place for 50 years. Some of the early settlers were: Jacob Moak, Anthony Wayne, Henrick Bouse, William McCullock, who had a tannery near the plank road, south of Albertus Bucker's; Christie, Bellamy, Holiday and Wayne kept tavern; the present hotel and property were formerly owned by Ed. Raynsford; it is now kept by Mrs. Geo. Reid and son. A tannery was built by Peter Rushmore, on the premises now owned by Henry McMillen. A log school-house was the attraction for the boys and girls 80 years ago; now a more inviting and comfortable house, with pleas- ant surroundings and a bell, call them for im- proved facilities in gaining knowledge. The pres- ent house was built in 1866. The parsonage be- longing to the Presbyterian Church was burned in 1877. The barn and sheds of Derick V. S. Rayns- ford, also the sheds belonging to the tavern, were burned in 1878.

The business portion of the village consists of a hotel, one store, shoe shop, wheelwright and blacksmith shop, 2 harness shops. Dr. John H. Fitch is the resident physician and surgeon. The village is pleasantly situated 8 miles from Albany, on the plank road, and one-half mile from the New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad, and 2 miles from Slingerland Station, Albany and Sus- quehanna Railroad. George W. Coughtry, post- master.

Feura Bush (Jerusalem P. O.), a hamlet two miles south of Unionville, near the line of Beth- lehem, is a station on the New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad, eight miles from Albany. The neighborhood represents some of the first settlements in the township by such names as Moak, Brate, Bradt, Sager, Creble, Bogardus and others. A Reformed church, school-house, store, tavern, wheelwright and black- smith shop, with a dozen houses and 50 inhabit- ants, make up the village. Hay and straw are extensively loaded at this station.

Unionville (Union Church P. O.), east of the Center, on the old Delaware turnpike, and a station of the New York, West Shore and Buffalo Rail- road, contains the Reformed Church, school-house, tavern, blacksmith and wheelwright shop, 15 houses and 60 inhabitants. Christian Houck was an

early tavern-keeper; also, David Chesebro. Among the first settlers were Bradts, Hallers, Longs, Wade- mans, Sigsbee and Radleys. Peter Stoner kept a tavern on Stony Hill, and Dr. Dennick kept a tavern between Union and Clarksville, on the Van Derpool farm; post-office discontinued.

Callanan's Corners is a post-office and small hamlet in the east corner formed by the angle of Bethlehem and Coeymans; the village is partly in each township. The post-office is in New Scot- land. The name is derived from two brothers, who settled here 50 years ago. There is a store, post-office, shoe shop, wheelwright and blacksmith shop, and the hamlet contains 50 inhabitants. James McWilliams, postmaster.

Voorheesville, in the northern central part, near the Guilderland line, takes its name from Alonzo B. Voorhees, a lawyer, who built the first house, in 1862, before the Albany and Susquehanna Rail- road was completed. This mansion and grounds are now the property of S. V. R. Hoes. Peter Wormer erected a building and kept the first store. William Spore built a fine dwelling a short dis- tance south of the railroad. In 1868 it was desig- nated as a post-office, and James A. Reid first postmaster. After the Hudson and Saratoga Rail- road was constructed, which crosses the Albany and Saratoga Railroad track at this place, a number of houses were built and a large hotel erected by Conrad Fryer. Connected with the hotel is a fine grove. Among the hotel proprietors have been John Stafford, Daniel Wormer and Conrad Fryer. In 1882 and 1883 the Athens Branch (or White Elephant Railroad) changed owners, and is now the New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad, usually designated West Shore. This road has been entirely reconstructed, and is now one of the most important roads in the State. Voorheesville is a station commanding unusual facilities for business ; being located at the crossing of these roads, affords many advantages for the transporta- tion of produce to the principal markets, as well as easy access to and from Albany and connections with other railroads. The distance from Albany is II miles, from New Salem 4 miles, and with pleasant surroundings and other inducements the place is rapidly improving. Many thousand tons of hay and straw are loaded here, which is brought by farmers from Knox, Berne, Guilderland and New Scotland. A steam saw-mill is now being built by Hotaling & Hicks. There are three blacksmith shops, one wheelwright shop, two stores, one tin and stove with general hardware merchandise, one hotel, depot and freight build- ings ; 32 dwellings, 38 families and 140 inhab- itants. William S. Swift, postmaster.

Wolf Hill, two miles west of New Salem, is a post-office ; John Haight, postmaster. There is also a post-office on the Beaverdam road, at the top of the Helderbergs, called " Helderberg post-office."

Onisquethau, locally known as " Tarrytown," about one and a half miles south of Clarksville, is a hamlet, containing a Reformed church and school-house. Stone was quarried here when the

903

THE TOWNSHIP OF NEW SCOTLAND.

Erie Canal was being constructed, and a large force of men employed. At that time there was a large building here, called the " Castle," part of which was used as a tavern, the barroom of which afforded the idle a place for lounging, drinking whisky and recounting stories till late at night, and on the morrow return and " TARRY " till night- as usual ; from this the name is derived. William Latta was a blacksmith here 75 years ago. John Mead and David De Long and - Lamphere were first settlers. John Mead kept tavern and sold the farm to Thomas Austin, and this farm is now owned by Mr. Winston. Robert Mayhew kept store and tavern in the old "Castle." He dug the

channel to drain Lawson's Lake. John J. Hooga- bome, Tom Austin and Sol. Russel kept tavern. The present church was mostly built of stone that was rejected as too small for the canal. Many years ago a mill was on the creek at Delong's.

There are nine post-offices in the township, as follows : Callanan Corners, James A. McWilliams, postmaster ; Clarksville, Silas Wright, postmaster ; Jerusalem, J. M. Peck, postmaster ; New Salem, J. M. Erwin, postmaster ; New Scotland, George J. Coughtry, postmaster ; Union Church ; Voor- heesville, Wm. S. Swift, postmaster ; Wolf Hill, John Haight, postmaster ; Helderberg, John F. Van Schaack, postmaster.

VILLAGE.

MONUMENT.

LATITUDE.

LONGITUDE.

Clarksville.

State Monument

42°

34'

31"

73°

57'

39"

New Salem.

Reformed Church.

Feura Bush

Reformed Church ..

New Scotland

Presbyterian Church

Union Church ..

Reformed Church .. .

Helderberg.

U. S. C. S. Monument.

Albany .

City Hall. .

Knowersville.

Luthern Church.

New York City

City Hall

As per "New York State Survey."

SCHOOLS.

The schools of New Scotland are sixteen in number, and are under the supervision of a com- missioner, who is elected for a term of three years, and represents a district composed of the following townships : Bethlehem, Coeymans and New Scot- land, the schools of which are under his charge.

The present commissioner is Samuel F. Powell, of Coeymans, and his duties are to examine and license teachers, visit the schools of the district, make reports to the State Department and super- vise for the general interests of the schools.

Teachers are employed by one or three trustees in each district, who are elected at the annual meeting.

The history and formation of the several dis- tricts cannot be ascertained with any certainty, owing to the imperfection of the records. Previous to 1800 the school houses were mostly of logs; the population being sparse, but few schools could be supported. Frequently the school was in a private house, often in that of the teacher, and he was paid by a few families. As population increased and prosperity attended the settlers, districts were formed, composed of a number of families, and the teacher paid by a tax upon those who sent to the school.

Another change came, and the State became in a measure the support of the schools by appro- priating a certain sum to cach district from the public fund, the balance to be collected by rate bill. The school money so apportioned was in the custody of three School Commissioners, and teachers were examined and licensed by three School Inspectors.

Then came the State tax, which appropriates to each district a certain sum, based upon the number of persons between five and twenty-one years old and the general average of attendance for the year of twenty-eight weeks. The deficiency is collected by a tax upon the real and personal property of the district, thus rendering the schools of the State free to all.

The condition of the schools is far in advance of those of an earlier period, and, with the liberal aid from the State, higher qualifications of teachers and new methods of imparting knowl- edge and organized systems of instruction, rapid progress has been made in the past twenty years. The law of obedience by force with the ferule and rod has been superseded by that of love and kind- ness, treating the pupil as a rational being, sub- ject to discipline, which is enforced by the law of ethics.

There has been very little change in the original location of school-houses, most of those now in use being near where the first ones were erected. The school-house for the neighborhood of Salem was on the Sharp farm, now owned by Wm. J. McMillen, on the old Beaverdam road, and oppo- site the cemetery gate ; at Clarksville it was for- merly in the village, on the location of S. P. Sim- mons' blacksmith shop.

The names of teachers previous to 1800 cannot be learned with certainty; a few who taught in the early part of 1800 are appended: Charles McCul- lock, Wesley Dollar, Harmanus Van Huysen, Ed- mond Raynsford, Francis Seger, James Wands, 2d, Horace Emery, William Hooster, James Patteson, Miss Hoyt, Ann Lawson, James McElroy, Peter De Long.

904

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

STATEMENT

Of the number of children, amount of public money received, amount collected by tax, wages paid per week and valuation of each School District in the Town of New Scotland for the year 1883.

NO. OF DISTRICT.

No. of Children of School Age.

No. in Attend- ance.

Amount of Public Money.

Amount Collected by Tax.

Total Amount used in District.

Wages Paid, Summer Term.

Wages Paid, Winter Term.

Assessed Valu- ation of each District.

$104 61

$138 99

$282 84

$5 00

$6 So

$73,300

118

194 65

178 10

395 55

7 50

10 00

78,600

94 06

37 94

132 00

6 00

6 75

30,000

200 55

385 55

586 10

II 00

11 00

104, 100

155 86

106 00

306 86

7 00

7 50

141,400

87 12

40 00

237 78

7 00

7 50

57,750

7 ..

100 15

125 00

232 15

5 00

150,500

138 03

209 75

462 02

8 00

10 00

165,500

67 91

75 00

241 23

7 50

6 50

115,500

IO.

108

175 09

184 64

361 59

10 00

156,450

11.

91 30

134 34

228 46

4 50

5 50

69,300

12.

107 70

175 00

345 50

7 00

7 50

85,050

13.

155 84

336 51

492 35

7 00

10 00

141,675

14.

125 00

21 41

206 50

5 75

5 25

20,450

15 ..

92 68

58 32

223 00

4 50

5 25

27,950

16.1

III 30

120 00

231 30

9 00

10 00

58,675

Total.

993

741

$2,001 85

$2,326 55

$4,965 23

$1,476,219

417,394 5,863

Licensed Teachers, 27; Males, 17; Females, 10.

SOCIETIES.

The New Scotland Mutual Association was or- ganized May 26, 1854. Robert Taylor, Chair- man ; F. C. Van Wormer, Secretary. The follow- ing directors were elected : Peter L. Houck, Rushmore Bennett,* James H. Loucks, * David G. Seger, * Frederic C. Van Wormer, Joseph Hilton, Abram Mann, Vise Henry Crounce, Robert Taylor, Thomas Bullock. David G. Seger, President ; Robert Taylor, Secretary.

September 26, 1859, this company reorganized by act of the Legislature, and changed the name to "New Scotland Mutual Insurance Company," and elected the following directors and temporary officers : John Reid, Chairman ; Robert Taylor, Secretary. Directors-Alanson Van Auken, John Reid,* Robert Taylor, Jacob Van Olinda, * George W. Bender, D. V. S. Raynsford, Robert Moak, Thos. Bullock, Abram Mann. Alanson Van Auken, President; Robert Taylor, Secretary and Treasurer.

Business of the company for 1884 : Number of policies issued, 527 ; total amount of risks, $985,- 928 ; amount of bonds on premium notes, $43,- 058 ; paid for losses, past five years, $12,000. Most destructive fires were in the year 1878, amounting to $4,000.

Directors for 1884-William I. Spore, President ; Samuel Patton, Secretary and Treasurer ; Henry Creble, Henry H. Mead, Isaac Winston, Robert B. Taylor, Andrew McHarg, Henry Crounce, Charles Wood.

Three directors elected annually, who serve for three years.

As early as 1794 a Masons' lodge was in exist- ence at New Scotland village, and continued its organization until about 1820. No records or transactions of the lodge can be found. Mr. Peter Furbeck remembers being at the funeral of Dr. Clark, who was buried with Masonic honors in the year 1813.

The following are some of the persons who were members : Adam Holliday, John Wands, William Warren, James Warren, James Dickson, Gloud Wands, Thomas Lloyd, William Wayne, James Wands, William Dickson. The house in which this lodge held its meetings is still standing. None of the members are living.

The first Odd Fellows lodge in the town was organized in 1848, located at New Scotland, and occupied the same rooms in which the Masons had held their meetings many years previous. The lodge was abandoned in 1858 and reorganized, March 4, 1872, and by the consent of the Grand Lodge it was removed to Slingerland, October, 1883, at which place the lodge now holds its meetings.

Open temperance societies were formed as early as 1839, and the moderate pledge adopted. This was followed by the Washingtonian pledge, which inaugurated an advance movement in the cause ; a new impetus, through public lectures and the publication of temperance literature, educated the intelligent masses to a higher consideration of this great subject. It is now freely discussed, and the advocates of temperance are no longer classed as fanatics, but proclaim prohibition as the only remedy for this social evil. Several secret societies have been organized in the township, which, after

* Dead.

Whole number of days' attendance for the year.

weeks'

905

THE TOWNSHIP OF NEW SCOTLAND.

a few years of usefulness, were abandoned, and others, both secret and open, have taken their place.

New Salem Division, No. 254, Sons of Temper- ance, was organized in November, 1867, with the following officers and members : Wm. J. Reid, P. S. Markle, J. M. Erwin, Jacob Albright, Andrew J. Smith, I. B. Erwin, J. H. Flansburg, Wm. J. Spore, William M. Young, Nathan Ward. The society had a large membership, and held their meetings weekly in the upper room of a building owned by Alexander Reid; from here they were transferred to the hall over the new store of J. M. Erwin, and the society abandoned in the year 1880.

Clarksville Division, No. 25, Sons of Temper- ance, was organized in November, 1867. The following constituted their first officers, viz. : Samuel Marshem, Frederic R. Gardner, S. P. Simmons, Silas Wright, P. H. Flagler, Wm. H. Wright, A. B. Wright, Ed. Hotaling, Robert Mc- Loughlin, D. Schermerhorn. This society sur- rendered its charter in 1872, and in the year 1874 instituted a lodge of Good Templars, with Peter H. Flagler as Worthy Chief Templar and Barent Staats as Deputy. This organization was abandoned in 1878.

New Scotland Division, No. 192, Sons of Tem- perance, was organized, March, 1870, and held their meetings in rooms connected with the M. E. church at " Black Creek." Rev. D. B. Mc- Kenzie, Worthy Patriarch. This society was abandoned in 1881. In 1878 the temperance cause was revived, and under the auspices of the " Women's Christian Temperance Union," the town was visited by Mrs. Courtney, who organized societies and lectured in many of the churches. Her work in the town was followed with good results.

February 28, 1883, Fidelity Lodge, No. 667, of Good Templars was organized at New Salem, with 22 charter members, Mr. Carr acting as Dep- uty Chief Templar. James Markle was installed as W. C. Templar, and Mrs. Mary Winne, W. V. T. ; A. Eugene Bogardus, Secretary ; Miss Ella Hurst, A. S. ; John L. Van Olinda, Treasurer ; Miss Cora E. Young, F. S. ; William A. Winne, Chaplain ; Milton Earl, Marshal ; Mrs. Margaret Young, A. M. ; Miss Minnetta Markle, I. G. ; John B. Young, O. G. ; J. M. Erwin, D. C. T. The lodge hold their weekly meetings in the hall over J. M. Erwin's store at New Salem.

In 1860 a "Young Men's Christian Association" was formed at New Salem, which continued for two years ; among the active members were Rev. A. G. Lansing, Frederic Widmer, Alanson Van Auken, James Markle, Andrew Smith.

A division of Sons of Temperance at Feura Bush was organized, and soon after shared the fate of others. The destructive element in the several divisions was want of harmony and personal jealousies.

" Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association " was organized, March 6, 1864, with the following officers : Nathan N. Ward, President ; John E.

Taylor, Vice-President ; Robert Taylor, Secretary ; Robert Moak, Treasurer. The cemetery is located a mile east of New Salem, on the old plank road, and occupies a commanding site, with beautiful landscape scenery and dis- tant views. The Helderberg Hills are seen from here in their varied beauty, while the village of New Salem lies in the valley below. The sur- face of the land is much diversified and irregular, giving to it many natural attractions, to be im- proved by the landscape gardener. It contains twelve acres and is laid out with geometrical exact- ness. The present officers are : President, Philip Luke ; Secretary, Wm. J. Reid ; Treasurer, John H. Hallenbeck.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 195

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452