Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 255

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 255

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179

THE TOWNSHIP OF DUANESBURGH.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DUANESBURGH.

Concerning the origin of the First Presbyterian Church of Duanesburgh, usually designated the Mariaville Presbyterian Church, the records show that on May II, 1842, an appli- cation was made "TO THE REV'D CLASSIS OF MONTGOM- ERY," by the following named persons, for the organization of a church agreeably to the Constitution of the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of North America. George Lasher, S. H. Marsh, J. D. Brown, J. M. Lasher. Daniel Nellis, James Haver, James Frost, Hiram Hansett, F. J. Quackenbush, Alex. McGaugh, Jacob M. Pulver, Henry Pulver, Philip Bronk, James Love, Thomas Gifford, Jere- miah Murray, Charles Dorn.

An entry in the records relates that,

" Whereas, by virtue of an act entitled 'An Act making such alterations in the Act of Incorporating Religious Socie- ties, as to render the same more convenient to the Reformed Protestant Dutch Congregation,' passed the 7th day of March, 1788, we, the subscribers, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, or Congregation, formed or established in Duanesburgh, in the County of Schenectady, having assembled together at the school-house in Mariaville, on the 19th day of July, 1842, by virtue of the said act, do by these presents certify that the Trustees of said Church or Congregation, and their successors forever, shall, as a body corporate, be called, distinguished and known by the name, style and title of the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church at Mariaville, Duanesburgh, in the County of Schenectady.

" In witness whereof, we, the Elders and Deacons, have hereunto set our hands the day and year above mentioned. "George Lasher, Philip Bronk, Elders; Henry Pulver, Hiram Hansett, Deacons.

"The above-named consistory were ordained to their re- spective offices after a sermon was preached from Phil. 2: 15, by Rev. James Stevenson, of Minaville, Montgomery County, on the 19th day of July, 1842."

George Lasher was elected President of the Consistory, and Philip Bronk, Stated Clerk.

It appears that the movement toward the erection of a house of worship somewhat preceded the petition to the Classis of Montgomery asking the organization of a church. A record of the proceedings of the Building Committee is preserved, and opens as follows:

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of Mariaville and vicin- ity, held at the school-house on the 24th day of June, 1841, convened for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety and necessity of erecting a church edifice in said village, Silas H. Marsh was called to the chair and James M. Lasher appointed secretary.

"On motion, it was resolved that a committee of six persons be appointed to ascertain the terms upon which an eligible site can be procured, and to report to the next meet- ing; and that said committee consist of the following named persons, viz. : Silas H. Marsh, James Frost, Daniel Nellis, Jeremiah Murray, Henry Pulver and James M. Lasher."

This committee reported, at a meeting held soon after, that one of their number, Mr. James Frost, had tendered them a square half acre in a locality so suitable that they thought it unnecessary to make farther inquiry. Where- upon the donation of Mr. Frost was gratefully accepted by the meeting At a meeting held in the same place five days later, July 2, 1841, a committee of eight were appointed to solicit subscriptions. This committee pursued their work with varying success until they had secured sufficient to warrant the commencement of the work.

"Whereupon Silas H. Marsh, James M. Lasher and Daniel Nellis were appointed a building committee, with authority to contract for the erection of an edifice upon the best model they could find."

November 10, 1841, the committee entered into a contract with Mr. Thomas Gifford for the erection and completion of an edifice 38 x 50 feet, containing a gallery on three sides, and furnished with pulpit and pews of the best style of such country churches of that time.

The corner-stone was laid in June, 1842, and the building completed in November following. The house was dedi- cated December 7, 1842.

Rev. James Donald, a minister of the Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Presbytery of Albany, was

called, and by the Classis of Montgomery duly installed as pastor of this church on Wednesday, June 7, 1843. The Rev. Charles Jukes preached the sermon and gave the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. James Stevenson gave the usual charge to the people. The first communion service of the church was held June 11, 1843. Previously to this the communion roll had been prepared, and was as follows:

Received by certificate, from the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Florida (the Minaville Church), Helen Lasher, Margaret Pulver, Ann Hansett, Margaret Pulver, Charlotte Pulver, Catherine Wiggins, Jemima Patterson, Elisabeth Bronk, Mrs. Catherine Bronk, Miss Catherine Bronk, Dorothy Dorne, Jesse Platt, Elsy Platt, Hannah Conklin, Israel Scriver, Rebecca Green, Dorothy Conklin.

From the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Sche- nectady, Daniel Nellis and Mary Nellis.

Received on confession of their faith and satisfactory evi- dence of their piety, Agnes Conklin, James Brown, Mar- garet Brown, Ann Maria Ryne, Margaret Templar, John Dougall, Hannah Dougall, Maria Dennison, Susan McMas- ter, Eliza Clark, James M. Lasher, Catherine Clogston, James H. Patterson, Prudence Patterson, making a com- munion roll of thirty-one members, exclusive of the four members of consistory -a membership in all of thirty-five.

The Rev. Mr. Donald closed his services on the last Sabbath of April, 1851. From this time until 1859 the church had no pastor, depending altogether upon such pul- pit supply as could be obtained from Classis and otherwise. At this point the records show the following:

"The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Duanes- burgh having obtained leave of Classis to change their ecclesiastical relation, made application to the Presbytery of Albany to be received under their care at their annual meet- ing in January, 1859.

"After this they obtained leave of the Court to be known by the title and to hold their property under the incorporate title of the ' First Presbyterian Church of Duanesburgh.'

"On June 15, 1859, said church was fully received and entered on the roll by the Presbytery of Albany.

"On February 13, 1861, the ecclesiastical name was, by Presbytery, for the sake of convenience, and without inter- fering with the corporate title, changed on Presbytery Roll to the church of Mariaville."

During the year 1859 the Rev. David Edgar served the church as stated supply. In 1860 the Rev. David Lyon was called, and remained until March, 1876.

In June, 1877, the church secured certain ministerial ser- vices of Rev. R. A. Hill, pastor of the Princetown Presby- terian Church. Mr. Hill retained his pastoral relation to the Princetown Church, and in addition preached at Maria- ville on Sabbath afternoons, and performed such pastoral services as lay in his power, continning for five years, and as long as he remained at Princetown. In June, 1882, he received a call from the Seventh Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Pa., which he accepted, and so sev- ered his connection with Princetown and Mariaville.

Again the church was dependent upon temporary supply until November, 1883. At this time Rev. J. W. Johnston became stated supply, and has so acted until the present time.

In the early part of the year 1885 an effort was made to repair the old church. $2,500 were raised by subscription. Rev. J. W. Johnston, J. W. Waddell and A. N. Bronk were appointed a committee to have charge of the work, which was completed in July of the same year, the church edifice having been thoroughly renovated and modernized.

At the present time the session consists of Rev. J. W. Johnston, Moderator; and Elders James M. Lasher, Joseph Green, George Lasher and John Turnbull.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF DUANESBURGH.

But little is known of the history of the Baptists within the bounds of this church previous to the commencement of the present century, no records having been preserved of an earlier date. But it is well understood that there were some Baptist brethren and sisters among the early settlers who came soon after the close of the revolution. One such emi- grant was Elijah Herrick, so well known fifty years ago as " Father Herrick." He had taken an active part in the struggle for independence, and soon after its termination

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

embraced Christianity, and subsequently entered the minis- try, beginning his labors with the sparse population by which he was surrounded. He was one of those who early proclaimed the truths of the Gospel to the inhabitants of Duanesburgh. Having been inured to the privations and rigid discipline of the camp, he was well prepared to meet the fatigues and undertake the responsibilities of his new vocation. To his military training is attributed a remark- able punctuality, which characterized him through life, for he fulfilled his engagements regardless of weather or dis- tance.

In 1800, according to the earliest record extant, there was a small society of Baptists in the northern part of Duanesburgh known as " Elder John Mudge's Church," but destitute of a pastor, and another in the adjoining town of Florida under the pastoral care of Rev. Reuben Mudge. These small churches being too feeble to support two min- isters, mutually resolved to unite in a common organization. This union was effected by the usual observances July 29, 1800, and the church of Duanesburgh and Florida was constituted with seventeen members, nine of whom were women.

The fifth year after the new organization, the number of the members had increased from seventeen to sixty-four, and the sixth year witnessed the conversion of so many that the membership was increased to nearly one hundred by baptism. In 1809 nineteen were received by immersion, and the total number amounted to one hundred and thirty.

Conversions occurred nearly every year subsequent to this, varying in general from one to six and amounting in the aggregate to about ninety in thirty years. But deaths, removals and exclusions more than counterbalanced these and reduced the number more than one-half in that period of time. For many succeeding years but little transpired that is worthy of notice. There was a union meeting-house which the Baptists might occupy a part of the time, but which was little used on account of its unfavorable location, and in 1834 they were yet holding their meetings in school- houses and private dwellings at different places as expe- dieney suggested. In 1835 a house of worship was erected sufficiently commodious for all ordinary occasions at that time. In 1840 there were only sixty communicants in the church, and but sixteen male members who could be relied upon to aid the organization steadfastly with their presence and substance. Nearly all of these had passed the merid- ian of life, and the most efficient laborers had before them but a few of their allotted "three-score years and ten." Fears were entertained that the church might be disrupted, but during the winter of 1842 and 1843 sixty-two converts were added to the church membership by baptism. A large number of these were between the ages of fifteen and twenty- five, the extremes being twelve and seventy. In the winter of 1853 another revival brought an accession of forty-nine members, all but ten of whom were heads of families.

Previous to 1857 no rupture had occurred in the church, but at this time internal dissensions arose. But in the midst of these difficulties a revival began which resulted in the addition by baptism of a number of new recruits greater than that of those who had withdrawn. Those who had not entirely departed from the church united hand in hand in working for the common good. In 1864 a parson- age was purchased which had long been needed, and in 1868 the old meeting.house was sold and a larger and hetter one was erected. Some slight repairs have been put on them from time to time. Following is a list of the succes- sive pastorates:

Reuben Mudge, 1800-1805; Elnathan Finch, 1805- 1810; Rev. Mr. Bolton, 1810-1811; Reuben Mudge, 1812- 1813; Rev. Mr. Longworthey, 1813-1814; Bartimeus Braman, 1814-1819; Charles Howe, 1823-1833; Calvin Herrick, 1833-1843; Joseph Earl, 1843-1856; G. W. Abrams, 1857-1859; David Corwin, 1859-1861; W. F. Benedict, March, 1861, to November, 1862; D. B. Collins, 1863-1867; J. W. Starkweather, 1867-1870; E. Ashton, 1870-1871; J. S. Johnson, 1871-1872; I. Powers, 1873; Leonard Smith, April, 1878, to the present time.

THE TRUE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH.

The church at Mariaville known by the above name, orig- inated about forty years ago with persons living in that

vicinity who were members of the church at Charlestown under the pastoral care of Rev. Henry V. Wyckoff. They met first as a reading society of worship at the house of Mr. Henry I. Smith. After some time had elapsed, they called Rev. Marcus Bellinger as their minister, and he preached in a school-house for a number of years. About 1858 or 1859 Rev. Perry Devenburgh assumed the pastoral care, and re- mained about twenty-five years, till his death in December, 1882.

The present house of worship was built about 1864 or 1865, and services have since been conducted therein. Since the death of Rev. Mr. Devenburgh the church has been con- nected with the Classis of Hackensack of the True Reformed Dutch Church, and has been supplied by ministers of that Classis.

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF QUAKER STREET.

The Christian Church of Quaker Street was organized after a series of meetings extending through February and March, 1859, under the labors of Revs. Henry Brown and B. F. Summerbell. Quite a number of persons united in the organization, under a covenant declaring that Christian character should be the test of their fellowship, and the Bible their rule of faith and practice. The name Christian was applied as pointing directly to Christ as the head of the Church.

Rev. Henry Brown was pastor until July, 1859, when, at his urgent request, the church obtained the services of Rev. Thomas Holmes, who remained until April, 1861. Since that time the pulpit has been filled by a number of different ministers, prominent among whom was Rev. Charles E. Peake, who served two terms, aggregating seven years. He was a victim of the wrecked steamer Narragansett, on Long Island Sound. Among others may be mentioned Revs. Philip Couchman and Henry Brown, and the present pas- tor, Rev. W. Jay Reynolds.

The church building was erected in 1859-60, and was dedicated in June of the latter year. Rev. B. F. Summer- bell preached the dedicatory sermon, and was assisted in the services by Rev. John Ross, Rev. Henry Brown and Rev. Thomas Holmes, the pastor. The house underwent repairs about five years ago at an expense of about $1,500, and was rededicated by Rev. Austin Craig.

THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER.

The Church of the Redeemer (Universalist) was organized December 16, 1875, with sixteen members, as follows:

Dr. Joseph Braman and wife, Daniel Van Henn and wife, George Lester and wife, Fayette Peek, Murray Peek, De- Witt C. Chase, DeWitt C. Lester, Ida Belle Lester, Saxton M. Cheeney, Eunice Cheeney, Benjamin K. Elton, William Broeffle and Susannah Broeffle.

The organization was effected at the house of Dr. Joseph Braman, under the ministrations of Rev. D. C. Davis. The growth of this church was rapid and steady during the next few months. The membership was soon increased to thirty, and January 17, 1875, three persons were confirmed by bap- tism. For a time the interest continued unabated, but at length, owing to causes over which those most deeply inter- ested had no control, it abated until services were held ir- regularly, and then ceased altogether.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF MARIAVILLE.

The Mariaville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about twenty-five years ago. Solomon Pulver, Henry Mickle, Evert Van Anken, and others were among the early members. The ground upon which the church was erected was given to the Society by Messrs. Marsh and Delamater. During a portion of the time this church has been connected on one pastoral charge with the Methodist Episcopal Churches of Minaville and Fort Hunter. It has not for some time had a regular pastor, and is at present supplied.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF QUAKER STREET.

At Quaker Street there is a flourishing Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which Rev. Mr. De Vol is the pastor. This organization owns a good-sized frame house of wor- ship, located at the foot of the rise of ground separating the two parts of the village. Early meetings were held on the hill.

THE TOWNSHIP OF DUANESBURGH.

181

Jisby Wilbur

KIRBY WILBER.

This well-known and highly-respected citizen of Quaker Street was born in that village September 25, 1820, a son of Kirby and Mercy (Allen) Wilber. His father came from Dutchess County about 1812, and was for a time engaged in tanning on a small scale. Soon, however, he opened a small custom shoe shop. In this shop, and with their fa- ther as an instructor, the Wilber brothers, R. P. U., E. G., W. K. and Kirby, gained their first knowledge of that busi- ness with which they were destined to be so prominently identified in after life.

Kirby Wilber was educated sparingly in the public schools of the time and place, and taking more naturally to business than to mechanical pursuits, at the age of fourteen he be- came a clerk in the old time store of Job Cleveland. Two years later he went to Schenectady, and was for a short time a clerk in the store of John Ohlen. Returning to his native town, he became a salesman in the store of James E. O'Neill in July, 1837. In the spring of 1840 he removed to Brainard's Bridge, Rensselaer County, and entered a store belonging to a manufacturing company, in which Seth Hastings, late of Albany, was one of the partners. There he was employed most of the time for about eight years, at the expiration of which time he bought the stock

of goods of his former employers and engaged in trade for himself, continuing during the succeeding five years.

In the spring of 1853, Mr. Wilber disposed of his interests at Brainard's Bridge and returned to Quaker Street to take an interest in the boot and shoe manufacturing business which had been established by his brothers, his successful connection with which is noticed elsewhere. The present store of Wilber & Co. was opened in 1860 and was owned in connection with the factory until 1867, when the firm dissolved and was reorganized. The successive owners of the store since that date have been Kirby & E. G. Wilber ; Kirby, E. G., E. & Charles C. Wilber ; Kirby, E. G. & Charles C. Wilber ; and Kirby & Charles C. Wilber. E. Wilber withdrew in the spring of 1874, and E. G. Wilber in the spring of 1884, since when Kirby Wilber and his son, Charles C. Wilber, have conducted the business under the style of Wilber & Co.

In 1843 Mr. Wilber married Lucy Ann Crego, of Chat- ham, Columbia County, N. Y. She died in 1877. In 1880 Mr. Wilber married Mrs. P. J. Auchampaugh, of Quaker Street, who is still living. He has five children-a son and four daughters-by his first marriage. The son is Mr. Charles C. Wilber, his partner, mentioned above. Mr. Wilber is a Democrat, and a staunch and conscientious de- fender of the principles of his party, but he is not, except

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

in the best and truest sense, a politician. Not an office seeker nor a vociferous campaigner, he yet takes a proper interest in the public welfare, and, politically and otherwise, he has ever been actively interested in all measures calcu- lated to advance the public good. Since 1859 he has been a member of the First Christian Church of Quaker Street.

So frequent mention is made of the name of the late R. P. U. WILBER in these pages, that some reference to the per- sonal characteristics which made him so successful and so popular seems to be demanded. He was a man of industry and originality; a man of enterprise and perseverance; a man of great public spirit, and an almost unconquerable de- sire to do something which would benefit the community in which he lived. He was the originator of the business which has made Quaker Street so well known, and an early and liberal employer of skilled labor. It was his part to pave the way for the triumphs which came after he was gone from earth, and well and earnestly, and with wonder- ful forethought, did he perform his allotted task. During his busy and useful life it is doubtful if there was one good public interest that did not receive his moral support, his kindly encouragement and his financial aid. A more pub- lic-spirited man never lived in Duanesburgh, his means and opportunities considered. It has been nearly a third of a century since he died, but he is remembered with kindly regret by nearly every old resident of the town.

E. G. and W. K. WILBER's names will be long known in Duaneshurgh as those of men who nobly did their part in the work of human progress as it came to their hands.

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.

The villages and hamlets of this town are Quaker Street (Village and Depot), Mariaville, Duanesburgh, Braman's Corners, Patterson's Corners and Green's Corners.

QUAKER STREET.

This village is divided by a somewhat steep ascent into two parts, known generally as Quaker Street and Quaker Street Depot, though during late years the terms Old and New Quaker Strcet have obtained some popularity. One post-office, located at Quaker Street proper, suffices for both villages. Their combined population is not far from 600. Evidences of thrift and enterprise are to be seen in all directions.

Quaker Street on the hill was early settled by the Briggses, Moshers, Hoags, and others, and was so named because the residences of numerous members of the Society of Friends were scattered along the road running through what is now its center. Quaker meetings were held there early in the present century. For many years there was only one store there, one of the first buildings erected after a few dwellings having been a Quaker meeting-house. The sec- ond store was built at least forty five years ago. A prom- inent merchant in the old store (now Wilber's) was Lewis Freeman. Thomas Barnes, James Gale and Asa Marshall were among its earlier keepers. It later had many occu- pants, one of whom was Daniel T. Hoag, now of New York, till it passed into the hands of the Wilbers. The second store was occupied by Job) Cleveland, Seneca Enders, Thomas Rushmore and Kirby Wilber, among others, and has been open only a few months during the past twenty- five years. The present store of Wilber & Co. has been in the management of the family and firm with which they have been connected since 1860.

Robinson P. U. Wilber began making shoes at Quaker Street for the retail trade in 1845. Three years later he be- gan manufacturing for wholesale orders, employing about twelve men, and continuing until 1854, when he died. While he was on his death-bed the sale of the enterprise to his two brothers-Edwin G. and W. K. Wilber-was ar- ranged and consummated. In 1857 Messrs. DeWitt Duane McDonald, Milton R. Iloag and Kirby Wilber became part- ners in the business, the firm name being changed to Wil- bers, Hoag & Co. Mr. McDonald withdrew two years later, but re-entered the firm in 1861. In 1863 W. K. Wilber re- tired, but resumed his interest in 1865. There were no fur-

ther changes in the style or personnel of the firm until 1867, when Mr. Hoag sold his interest. About this time the gen- eral store, which had been run in connection with the factory for about ten years, was taken into the building now owned by Kirby and Charles C. Wilber, Kirby and Edwin G. Wil- ber purchasing that and W. K. Wilber and D. D. McDon- ald retaining the ownership of the factory under the style of Wilber & McDonald. In 1872 the factory passed to the pro- prietorship of Mr. McDonald and William H. Davis, the fırın name being McDonald & Davis. Mr. Davis retired in 1875, when Mr. McDonald and his son (Seward McDonald) became owners, under the firm name of D. D. McDonald & Son. Thirty to thirty-five men find constant employment in this factory, making heavy boots and shoes for men and women. Twelve hundred cases are manufactured yearly, and the monthly wage-list foots up to $600. In connection with their factory the firm conduct a retail boot and shoe store and a general grocery and flour and feed store. The store proper is a frame building, two stories high, 22 x 55 feet, and the factory is a two-story frame building, 35 x 40 feet. The products of McDonald & Son are placed mostly in Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie, Delaware, Otsego, Greene and Ulster Counties, though large shipments are made to Ohio. Mr. McDonald also owns a store at Quaker Street Depot.

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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 255

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