Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 199

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 199

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In 1798 Joseph Burchard, Jr., emigrated from Connecticut to this town, and erected a cottage in

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

the valley of the Catskill. His house was on the west bank of the creek. There is still standing an orchard which he set out, which remains to show where he lived. He died April 23, 1813, aged 66 years ; he left six sons and five daughters, viz., Daniel, Joseph, Elias, Dixon, Preserved, Ly- man, Elizabeth, Amy, Esther, Hannah and Dor- othy. His wife, Hannah, died in 1825, aged 74. Dixon located in Kalamazoo, Mich., where he built a hotel, which was still standing as an old relic in that city and seen by the writer thirty years ago. Elias was killed by an accidental blow from a wagon tongue. Daniel settled in Ohio, and reared a large family. Rutherford Burchard Hayes, ex- President, was a descendant of Daniel's family. Preserved lived most of his days upon a farm, at Franklinton, Schoharie County, from which he retired in his old age, and moved to Preston Hol- low, where he resided until his death, in 1873, aged 83. He was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, and was always respected for his uprightness and amiable character. His daughter, Julia A. Norwood, was the wife and is now the widow of Dr. Jacob H. Norwood, of Preston Hollow. Lyman purchased and settled on the old homestead, where he died a few years ago. The next settler was Teal Rockefeller, who at an early period carried on a blacksmith shop on the lands now owned by Edward P. Davis, where a nephew, Peter Rockefeller, kept a hotel, still standing, where Elias Scott lived and died. A short distance south of this, George Wait built a tavern The writer remembers yet the long, red tavern standing about forty-five years ago, which was afterward owned and kept by W'm. Goff, now deceased. Pullman succeeded Wait, and Goff Pullman ; then Irwin Tigner.

The present turnpike running through this valley from Schoharie to tide-water was originally char- tered in 1802, and led from Athens (formerly called Lunenburgh) to its intersection with the Great Western turnpike, at a point three miles this side of Cherry Valley. In 1807 it was divid- ed into eastern and western branches. The east- ern branch was once owned by Lawrence Faulk (the father of Lawrence Faulk, Esq., now a citizen of Preston Hollow), and afterward by Thomas P. Danforth, Esq., Middleburgh. It has since had portions of it cut off, until it now commences at the new bridge in Oak Hill, and runs to the bridge over Schoharie Creek in Middleburgh, and is now owned by Messrs. H. T. Devereux, of Preston Hollow, and James Layman, of Livingstonville, as far as that portion through Preston Hollow. The original road-bed ran on the bank of the creek where the tannery now stands, crossing its pres- ent bed and running up what is now the school- house street in the village, crossing Scrub Creek, up the "cheese hill " road to a point next above Devereux's orchard, thence west out to its present bed. This accounts for the fact that the Dever- eux mansion faced south and the original road, instead of east toward the present road. This turnpike road was the main outlet and thorough- fare, over which the farmers of Otsego and Scho-

harie, in early times, conveyed their butter and other farm produce to Catskill and Athens. At these early times, as will soon appear, the traveling public must have been well supplied with hotels, or taverns, as they were called in these days, there being no less than ten in the space of four miles, all upon this thoroughfare and in this time, which space included Preston Hollow, and two miles each way from this village. Each of these sold spirituous liquors, and nearly every family pos- sessed of sufficient means kept their private keg of whisky. First, on the south bounds of the town, Peter West's tavern was located ; following the turnpike north, was Henry Plank's hotel, on the present site of R. Arnold's house, while not a half a mile north of that was Levi Conyes' tavern ; then, another half mile brought us to a hotel kept by Jacob Rockefeller. This old house was still stand- ing about thirty years ago. It stood with its bar- room built over a deep ravine. Less than half a mile north was the tavern of Henry Mott, on the site of the present Murphy House, in the village, while, at the north end of the village, were two others, one by Levi Palmer, in the house now known as the Devereux mansion, the other, the old Tuttle tavern, on the present site of the Faulk mansion. Northward from the village, not over a mile distant, were the two taverns of Wait and Rockefeller, mentioned. These hotels, in their day, were patronized and filled with farmer guests from Otsego, Delaware and Schoharie counties, going to and returning from market with their produce.

In these early days, the Tuttle house, in the village, was the stage house, where the exten- sive stage proprietors kept a heavy stock of coaches and horses, and where they exchanged horses, this being a daily route and line from Catskill to Cana- joharie.

The following is a list of the Supervisors of the town of Rensselaerville from 1818 to the present time :

In 1818, Asa Colvard ; 1819-21, Eli Hutch- inson ; 1822-3, Nathaniel Rider; 1824, Isaac Gardiner ; 1825, Joshua Gardner ; 1826-7, Wheeler Watson ; 1828-9, Joseph Conner ; 1830- 31, John Niles ; 1832, Nathaniel Rider ; 1833, Nathaniel Rider ; 1834-5, Charles L. Mulford ; 1836, James Reid ; 1837, Samuel Niles ; 1838-9, Louis M. Dayton ; 1840, Joseph Conner : 1841, Benjamin E. Mackey ; 1842, Benjamin E. Mackey ; 1843, James G. Clark ; 1844, Shadrach R. Potter ; 1845-6, Valentine Treadwell ; 1847-8, S. M. Hallenbeck ; 1849, William Aley ; 1850, Wm. Aley ; 1851, Daniel A. Mackey ; 1852, William Aley ; 1853, B. Frank Sayre ; 1854, William Aley ; 1855-7, Norman A. Ford ; 1858-9, Andrew Felter ; 1860-1, James E. Mackey ; 1862- 1867, six terms, George H. Saraway held the office, and may be termed the war Supervisor ; 1868-70, Wm Magivny; 1871-72, Wm. R. Tanner ; 1873-5, Horace T. Devereux ; 1876- 80, Albert T. Moore ; 1881-3, Hercules W. Sayre ; 1884, Jacob B. Norwood.

The population of the town is about 3,000.

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THE TOWNSHIP OF WESTERLO.

We take pleasure in mentioning the names of the following citizens who, by their guaranteed support, have helped to insure the publication of this valuable work : S. M. Hollenbeck, Wm. Morrison, J. B. Norwood, M. Murphy, John Hess, V. Treadwell, John W. Couchman, W. O. Jarvis.

HON. VALENTINE TREADWELL is a farmer and merchant, located at Potter's Hollow ; was member of the Assembly in 1847, and elected to the Senate of New York in the same year, where he remained

for two years. Has twice been Supervisor and held other prominent offices. Has been postmaster of his village for twenty-four years.

HON. JOHN W. COUCHMAN, of Cooksburgh, farmer and notary public, a native of Scoharie County, New York. He represented that county in the Assembly in 1860 ; held the office of Assessor for twenty-five years ; has acted in many official ca- pacities and has been all through life an unyielding Democrat of the Jackson and Jefferson school. Is identified with the Methodist Church.

HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WESTERLO.

By J. S. MARKLE.

THE author takes this opportunity of returning - thanks to the many friends who so kindly ren- dered him important service in communicating val- uable information, and to those who freely assisted in collecting material for these pages. Special thanks are due Messrs. Thomas Saxton and Chas. La- paugh for brief church histories. It is much to be regretted that the proper persons authorized by law have failed or neglected to obtain a complete record of the soldiers or volunteers from this town who served in the war of the Rebellion. Efforts should be made to obtain this record, as a part of the history of this township and for future reference.

ALBANY, N. Y., 1884.

Westerlo, as a township, was formed from Coeymans and Rensselaerville, March 16, 1815, being the seventh in the order of division. The name is derived from Rev. Eilardus Westerlo, who came from Holland in 1760, and was pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Albany.

The geographical position is upon the south border of the county, near the center, and is bound- ed on the north by Berne and New Scotland, on the east by New Scotland and Coeymans, on the south by Greene County, and on the west by Rens- selaerville. The physical geography presents a surface of hills and dales, which gives it a diver- sified and undulating appearance. The hills and elevations rise gradually, with a general southern inclination, while the banks of the streams are somewhat steep and irregular, and the valleys are mere narrow ravines. The soil is a sandy and gravelly loam near the streams; the uplands are in- terspersed with small, flat stones and underlaid with clay and hard pan. There are no lofty moun-

tains or steep declivities- except along the streams --- the highest point being in the northerly part of the town, about 800 feet above tide.

The strata of stone is graywacke, and in a few locations quarries are opened, from which flagging stones are taken.

The streams are the Haanakrois Creek, which flows through the northeast corner, and at Dor- · mansville furnishes water power for the mills near by. Basic* Creek rises in the extreme northern part, flows south across the township, thence into Greene County midway on the south line, passing through Chesterville and South Westerlo. Wolf, Fly Creek and other small streams are tributaries. Eight-Mile Creek flows south through the western part of the town, thence into Rensselaerville, and empties into Ten-Mile Creek. In the northwest part of the township, near Van Leuven's Corners, is a small lake, the outlet of which is the source of the Switzkill. The Haanakrois and Basic creeks furnish the water power for the several mills in the town. Manufactures from raw material are lim- ited, and this industry does not receive much at- tention.

In the early settlement of this township, when the hills and valleys were one dense wilderness of noble forest trees, the pioneer was anxious to clear the land, that he might use the soil, and to this end trees were felled in great piles, then burned, and the ashes gathered, which were taken to the ashery and sold or bartered for necessary family supplies.

Asheries were quite numerous, and the proprie- tor usually connected with the business that of general merchandise and groceries. These are

*Low, flat.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

now wholly abandoned, and with some other manufactures are industries of the past. Within a few years, so great was the demand, and the price of wood so high, the remaining forests have rapidly diminished, and at the present time only small patches of a few acres have been spared the woodman's ax.

The wealth of the township is in its agricultural resources, which are not yet fully developed. The people, generally, are engaged in the noble work of husbandry, an occupation of honest and honor- able antiquity, and one which, with diligence and economy, is a safe staff to lean upon. Indepen- dence is the reward of thrift when accompanied with the higher element of intelligence, and this is to be obtained only by careful and judicious train- ing of the mind in the knowledge and art of agri- culture. General farming predominates, with the cultivation of rye, corn, oats and buckwheat; hay is also a principal crop, and is of excellent quality. The soil, grazing land, water and variety of surface are decidedly favorable for dairy farming, and many are engaged in the production of butter and a few in the manufacture of cheese. The hills and uplands are utilized as pastures for sheep, and many farmers have fine flocks, and from the pro- duction of mutton and wool another source of profit is realized. The most serious objection the farmer has to contend with in this branch of farm- ing is the destruction of his sheep by dogs, which are permitted to run at large. There should be a State law enacted imposing a heavy tax upon all dogs.

Fruit is largely cultivated, and there are many fine orchards of mixed trees; apple, pear and plum predominate.

The learner in the school of experience has a power to obtain results through system and skill unknown to the mere plodder, and in no vocation is this fact more fully exemplified than in the various branches of farming. Intelligence, careful observa- tion and judicious reading mark the industry, thrift and prosperity of the farmers of this township, and they may well rejoice in the goodly possession of their fertile farms, pleasant surroundings and com- fortable homes.

The settlement of this township commenced pre- vious to the revolution, when a few daring men, full of youthful zeal and perseverance, wended their way through trails and by-paths to this (then) wilderness, to secure a home and the means for fu- ture livelihood. Many were the hardships and privations that beset them, yet with courage they overcame obstacles and discouragements that seemed like mountains, and in time came to glad-

den their hearts and strengthen their hands as a re- ward for their toil and sacrifices, in the waving fields of golden grain, in the herds of cattle and sheep upon the meadows and hill-sides, and the luscious fruit upon a thousand trees; and lastly, the disappear- ance of the log cabin, that sheltered them from the winter storms and wild beasts, for the primitive frame house, with added comforts and security; and now their descendants enjoy the increased con- veniences of modern skill and the luxuries that flow from well-earned prosperity.

Very important changes have transformed the past, and the present is subject to modern progress. Science, literature, religion, education, politics and other departments have their representatives, and from these sources emanate much of the pros- perity, temporal and spiritual, which is everywhere evident.

Originally Westerlo was included in the town- ships of Rensselaerville and Coeymans, and in the Van Rensselaer and Coeymans patents. The first settlers occupied land in Watervliet until 1788, and after 1790 and 1791 in the former townships, so the early or first settlers were not residents of Westerlo until 1815.

Among the early settlers were Philip Myers, born in Germany in 1744, and came with his father to America in 1753, landing at New Baltimore. Old Mr. Myers returned to Germany for the rest of his family, but was never heard of afterward. Philip remained with Andreas Witbeck, an early settler of Coeymans, until 1763, when he located on a farm at Chesterville, built a log-house, kept bachelor's hall for two years, then married a daughter of Nicholas Stoddard, who had previously settled here. It seems the Indians and Tories were somewhat troublesome in this vicinity, and Myers took his family to Dutchess County, but re- turned to his former possessions after the war closed, and died, April 12, 1813. The farm is yet in the possession of his descendants.

Andrew Hannay, a native of Galloway, Scotland, born 1733; came to America in 1774; soon after settled in Westerlo, on the farm now occupied by his youngest son, David. In 1777 he raised a com - pany of volunteers to join Gen. Gates, but on reaching Albany he learned that Burgoyne had surrendered, and they returned to their homes.

Jacob Ford came from Hillsdale District, Co- lumbia County, in 1795, and settled on lot 369, afterward on lot 318, now in possession of Henry A. Ford.

Adam St. John, of Scotch origin, came from Old Paltz to Westerlo in 1790, and settled at Lamb's

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THE TOWNSHIP OF WESTERLO.

Corners. He came with the Huguenots from Holland. He and four of his brothers were sol- diers in the Revolutionary war, and were at the surrender of Cornwallis. Many of his descendants are residents of the town.

Jehial Lamb came from Massachusetts, and settled in the southwest part of the town, about 1793; and Jacob Ingalls, from Rhode Island, settled here about the same time. Descendants of these two families are living in the vicinity of Lamb's Corners. Isaac Winston settled near Chesterville. He did service in the war for inde- pendence; was taken prisoner and held for eighteen months. Stephen and Solomon Mabey were early settlers. Stephen Mabey came from Rhode Island soon after the Revolution, and settled at South Westerlo. Samuel Mabey was born here 93 years ago, and lived and died on his farm. Dr. Jonathan Prosser, from Dutchess County, came in 1788, and settled on the farm occupied by his son. Lodowick and Jacob Hanes, Germans, came at an early date and settled on the Basic Creek, near Dormansville. Josiah Hinckley, also a Revolutionary soldier, settled in 1783 on the farm now owned by his grandson. At this time there were but eight fami- lies in the town. John Gibbons, born 1766, lived at New London, Conn., and during the Revolu- tionary war drove an ox-team and helped to re- move the military stores from New London in the night to a place of safety. After the war he re- moved to Rensselaer County, and in 1795 came to Dormansville. His son, Dr. Ransom H. Gibbons, born in 1802, resides at Dormansville.

Apollos Moore taught school in 1788; he after- ward became first Judge of the County. Robert O. K. Bennet taught a school in 1790.

Among the early settlers were William Haver- land, William Bird, James Arnold, Abram Becker, Rev. Reuben Stanton, who also was a surveyor, and received for his services one hundred acres of land; Jared Reynold, Daniel Lockwood, William Wheaton, Isaac Lobdell.

VILLAGES.

CHESTERVILLE ( Westerlo P. O.)-This hamlet is located about one mile north of the center of the township, on Basic Creek, and fifteen miles from Coeymans and twenty miles from Albany. It is named from Rev. John Chester, who was formerly pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Albany.

The post-office was established, among the first in the town, about 1827. Previous to this letters and papers were delivered by post-riders once a week. Esquire Brown and a man by the name of Peck, remembered by a few of the inhabitants, did

this service for the settlers and their families. Now the mails are received daily. Smith and Disbrow were early postmasters. The present postmaster is Hiram K. Jones.

The vicinity dates its settlement as the earliest in the town. It was here that Philip Myers located before the commencement of hostilities which brought independence for the colonies, and just south of the village Lobdell and Baker erected mills as early as 1795, while Grant and Eadie had an ashery and kept store in 1798. Moses Smith followed as a merchant, tavern keeper and manu- facturer of potash. Nicholas Lapaugh and Henry Pierce were also tavern keepers. Jeremiah Green operated a tannery. The hamlet contains 45 dwellings and 220 inhabitants; two churches, Re- formed and Baptist; school house, one hotel, Henry C. Latham, proprietor, and four stores; A. S. Green & Son, general merchandise; Perry Swartout, sundry merchandise; Hiram K. Jones, dry goods, groceries and sundries; Gilbert Ander- son, hardware and tin; three blacksmith and two wheelwright shops; one general undertaker, shoe shop, paint shop, millinery and dressmaking. The professions are represented by Alonzo Spaulding, attorney and counselor at law; Felix Weidman, J. B. Washburn and Cyrus Ecker, physicians and surgeons. About 1820 a Masonic lodge was located here, with the following persons as mem- bers: Col. James Sackett, Sylvester Ford, George Prindle and Nicholas Lapaugh. The Good Tem- plars instituted a lodge here in 1878, which has been abandoned.

SOUTH WESTERLO (P. O.), first called "Smith's Mills," from David Smith; name changed 1827, when the P. O. was organized. Thomas Saxton was postmaster for twenty-nine years. Mr. Saxton came here when 14 years old; served as clerk for his uncle, Thomas Smith, and continued in busi- ness until 1859. The mail was brought by Peck, on horseback, once a week. Among the early settlers and business men were: Thomas Smith, general merchant, distiller and manufacturer of potash; Bemet, Wheaton, Cross, Storer, Stanton, Reynolds, Lockwood, Slauson, Trowbridge.

The hamlet is situated in the southern central part of the township, between Basic and Fly creeks, twenty-four miles south west from Albany and sixteen miles from Coeymans. Here are located the mills of D. M. Wooster and the woollen factory of D. W. Calder & Son. There are 25 dwell- ings and 125 residents. There is a Christian church, school-house, public hall and select school rooms, harness shop, wheelwright and blacksmith shop. G. W. Robins, postmaster, general mer- chandise and post-office ; L. S. Lockwood, dry goods, groceries, etc. ; J. Reynolds, drugs and bottling establishment ; Edwin Haines, physician and surgeon. The Good Templars have a work- ing lodge.

DORMANSVILLE P. O. is in the eastern cen- tral part of the town, and named in honor of Daniel Dorman, who was first postmaster, in 1832. The hamlet is nineteen miles southwest from

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Albany and twelve from Coeymans Landing. Among the first settlers were Jacob Dorman, 1802; John Gibbons, 1795; W. Tomkins, William Ward and Lewis Husted, who kept a public-house. Here is still standing a frame school-house-square-which is the first one built in the town. It served in the past for school and religious purposes ; it is now used by Mr. J. W. Gale as a storehouse. For- merly Hiram and Erastus Gibbons were proprietors of the Dormansville Hotel, and dealers in dry- goods, groceries and general merchandise. The hotel business has been abandoned, but the other branches are continued. Mr. Erastus Gibbons is the present postmaster. Near here on the Haanakrois Creek, are the grist, saw and plaster mills of William A. Dickson & Son. The hamlet contains ten dwellings, Methodist church, school-house, store, wheelwright and blacksmith shop and paint shop. A tannery was formerly operated here by Mr. Gale. Ransom H. Gibbons, physician and surgeon, was born here in 1802, and located as physician in 1826.

VAN LEUVEN'S CORNERS, in the northwest part of the township, is a small hamlet on the old Dela- ware turnpike road, and in former times had a church, taverns, mills, tannery, and other business enterprises. All of these are now abandoned, and the place has settled into rural quietness. Isaac Van Leuven was an early settler, and from him the place derived its name. A Reformed church was organized here in the early history of the town, but is now abandoned. William Beardsley, John Preston and James Sackett were tavern keepers. Here John Preston had his tannery and curry shop, which is continued on a moderate scale by Luther Preston. Mr. Preston was a school-teacher and the author of " Every Man His Own Teacher, being an introduction to arithmetic, by John Preston, Philo. Math. Albany: Printed by G. J. Lomis, 9 Washington street, 1834. Inscribed to the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer."

James Sackett was a colonel in the war of 1812, a prominent business man and a mason. He was buried from the church at Van Leuven's Corners, July, 1821, with military and Masonic honors, and was interred in the Snyder cemetery. The place was first called "Sackett's Corners," then " Pres- ton's Corners," and now " Van Leuven's Corners." Here William Beardsley kept tavern, who, after moving to Albany, was elected sheriff. Many years ago a man by the name of Gideon Wood made spinning wheels where Peter Van Leuven lives. Josiah Jones came to this neighborhood when fourteen years old with his father from Claverack. Then there was very little cleared land. Mr. Jones is 87 years old and has clear recollec- tions of former days. A few years ago a steam saw- mill was operated here, which was burned down. The names of the residents in this neighborhood are those of the early settlers, and their progress is characteristic of their ancestors. Jacob Ford settled near here in 1788.

LAMB'S CORNERS, a small neighborhood in the southwest part of the township, was settled by Jehial

Lamb, Adam St. John, Jacob Ingalls, Hezekiah Boardman, Thomas Jencks, and descendants of the first three families are quite numerous. They were New Englanders and came about 1790. Others followed who became permanent residents in this part of the town, and the well-managed farms, with fine residences, ample and commodious out-buildings, attest the thrift and prosperity of their surroundings.

Here is a Methodist church and society, school-house, store and blacksmith shop.

WESTERLO CENTER, or Thayer's Corners, is a small hamlet, containing a store of general mer- chandise, T. W. Ingalls, proprietor. D. Boice, blacksmith shop. Formerly a man by the name of Thayer kept store and tavern Residents in the vicinity are several families of Winegards, Atkins, Hanes, Wiltsey, Lockwoods, Stanton, Reynolds.

MILLS AND MANUFACTURES .- In the early his- tory and settlement of the township these were few, as the wants of the people were limited and sup- plied from the most economical sources Asheries, grist and saw-mills, with carding and cloth-dressing mills, met the demands and requirements. The first mills were those erected by Lobdell and Baker as early as 1795. The location of these mills was a short distance south of Chesterville, on the Basic Creek, on lots 328 and 200 of Van Rensselaer's patent, where are now the mills of Jacob Burgher & Son, occupying the same privileges and nearly the same ground as the original mills.

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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 199

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