Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 262

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 262

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).

ENDOWMENT .- The city of Schenectady sold cer- tain lands, the proceeds from which were devoted to the support of the Gospel in the local churches. This church received its share, $3,806.54, Febru- ary 5, 1820, which it solemnly covenanted to keep unimpaired and for the sole purpose of the sup- port of the Gospel. Of this sum $1,000 is now out at interest at six per cent. About $2, 500 was used in building and completing the parsonage, and the balance has been lost.

August 7, 1883, Dr. Andrew Truax, druggist, of Schenectady, presented the church with $5,000; the income to be used for the support of the minis- try. This is now in a mortgage bearing interest at five per cent.

SABBATH-SCHOOL .- The Sunday-school was first commenced under the pastorate of Rev. Joshua Boyd. Since 1870 it has been especially prosper- ous. Its report for 1884 was six officers, six teachers, seventy-eight adult scholars, and thirty- two primary; total, one hundred and eight. Average attendance, sixty-four. Superintendent, John K. Tullock; Assistant, John C. Perry; Secretary, Miss Minnie V. Schermerhorn; Treasurer, Miss Mary E. Robinson; Librarian, Mr. John Schermerhorn; As- sistant, Mr. William Marlette.

PRESENT OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH .- Rev. Lauren Vandeveer, Pastor; Robert Schermerhorn, John C. Perry, Simon J. Schermerhorn, and Peter W. Ham, Elders; J. Frank Sager, John Van Epps, Albert Miller, and Abram P. Van Dyke, Deacons.

THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF ROTTERDAM.

This was organized in 1784 by the Classis of Albany under the title of Second Reformed Dutch in the Patent of Schenectady, with John Wemple, Martin Van Slyck, Harmanus Vedder, and Chris- topher Peek as the Elders,

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

It is impossible now to tell just who or how many the first original members were, or how many were received into the communion of the church during the period before the first pastorate. Sev- eral names of families, however, who were then prominent in the church are still represented in it. Such are the Wemples, Vedders, Peeks, Van Slyks, Bradts, and Veeders.

Tradition says that the first place where worship was held was in the upper part of an old frame building, the basement of which was used as a par- sonage, or as a residence for the sexton when not occupied by the pastor. It was situated on the north side of the Mohawk River, a short distance back of the hotel at Hoffman's Ferry, on the road leading to Glenville. The room was unfurnished, without walls or pews, rough boards or benches being placed around the sides of the building. In this room services were held probably every three or four weeks, as the same ministry supplied Mina- ville and a church in the town of Duanesburgh.

After some years this building was sold and re- moved to a farm now owned by Latin Johnson. After standing there for a short time it was taken down and some of the timbers are now in a shed belonging to Aaron B. Bradt, one of the Elders of the church at the present time, near Hoffman's Ferry.

The congregation began at once to build the present church edifice, which is a plain wooden structure with a tower, and located on the sonth side of the Mohawk, about a mile east of where the old building stood, on a fine lot donated by the Veeder family, some of whose descendants are still members of the congregation. The church was not, however, finished until about the middle of 1823, when a committee was appointed, con- sisting of Nicholas A. Bradt, Gavet Quackenbush, Aaron Spitzer, and John W. Peek, to solicit funds to complete it. During seven years the congrega- tion worshipped in it in this unfinished condition. Like the former, this building had neither walls nor pews, and was supplied only with benches brought from the old place of worship.

During 1845 this building underwent quite ex- tensive repairs. The galleries were lowered, the pulpit changed from the rear of the church to the front, the upper and lower windows being united and the building new roofed, and painted inside and out. And again in 1856, and also in 1864, some slight changes and improvements were made.

The first settled pastor of whom there is any record, was the Rev. Thomas Romeyn. He was pastor of the church, in connection with that of Minaville and Duanesburgh, from 1800, to Janu- ary 1, 1806, when the pastoral relation was dis- solved, and he took charge of the churches of Nis- kayuna and Amity, where he labored until 1827. After leaving Niskayuna and Amity he retired to his farm in Glenville, where he lived until his de- cease, 1857.

After the removal of Mr. Romeyn in 1806, the church was destitute of a settled pastor until 1818, when the Rev. Peter Van Zandt took charge as

pastor or supply in connection with the First Church of the Fourth Ward of the City of Schenectady, now the First Reformed Church of Glenville.

He continued his labors with this church until 1822, when he took charge of a mission at Oak- hill, Green County, N. Y. The records show five persons received into the communion of the church on the confession of their faith, and seventy-one infants were baptized during his ministry of five years. Up to 1823 the church had borne the title of the Second Reformed Dutch Church of Sche- nectady, when it was changed to that of the First Reformed Dutch Church of Rotterdam.

During the year 1823 the Second Reformed Church of Rotterdam was organized, when that, together with the First Church, united in calling the Rev. Jeremiah Searl, who had just been licensed by the Classis of Albany to preach the Gospel. He held the pastorate of the two churches from April 26, 1823, to February 1, 1827. From these churches he was called to the First Church, Coxsackie, and continued there until 1851, being almost a quarter of a century. After an interval of a few months the two churches united in calling the Rev. Joshua Boyd, who had graduated from Union College in 1814; studied theology with the Rev. John McDowell, of Elizabethtown, N. Y .; and was licensed by the Presbytery of New Jersey in 1826. After staying for a short time at Herki- mer and Fallsburgh he was called to the pastorate of these churches, and continued with them until May 3, 1836, when the two consistories applied to the Classis of Schenectady for a dissolution be- tween them, and immediately after this Mr. Boyd was recalled to the Second Church, where he con- tinued to labor until 1840.

During the ministry of these devoted and faithful servants, for near half a century, there is no evi- dence of any marked revival of religion. There was, however, some ingathering under the labors of each. But the seed which they had sown was destined to spring up and yield a plentiful harvest during the period from 1837 to 1840, when the Rev. John Nott supplied the church, and eighty- two persons were received on confession of their faith. This was the most extensive revival of which there is any record in the history of this church. Now again the church was destitute of a pastor for about two years, but was supplied occasionally by Prof. Andrew Yates, of Union College, and a Rev. Mr. Callehan, of New York. On the last of October, 1842, the consistory resolved to employ the Rev. John Van Desolow, who continued to supply the church until 1844, when, in June of that year, Rev. Cornelius S. Mead, who had just graduated from the Auburn Theological Seminary, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Cayuga, was called to the pastorate of the church. He re- mained until December, 1849, when he received and accepted a call to the Reformed Church of Herkimer. In 1850 the Rev. Charles Jakes, of Stone-Arabia, was called, and on the 29th of Oc- tober of that year was installed by a committee of the Classis of Schenectady. His pastorate con- tinued until November 10, 1862, when the Master

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THE TOWNSHIP OF ROTTERDAM.

called him to his rest and reward. Since May 1, 1863, Rev. J. C. Lowe has been the pastor of the church. This church has been organized for nearly, if not quite fully, a century, and has had during that period seven pastors, the longest being that of the present and three stated supplies. It is impossible to tell the number of persons who have been received into the communion of the church during its existence, owing to the imperfect records which have been kept. At no time during the his- tory of the church has the membership been large. At the present time there are on the records one hundred and twenty-one. The oldest living mem- bers of the church at the present time are Jeremiah Schuyler, who is ninety years of age; Albert Ved- der, who is eighty-five; and Mrs. Eliza Bradt and Mrs. Seeley Patterson, who are both over seventy.

While the Rev. John Nott was supplying the church in 1840, it is probable that the first Sabbath- school was organized, with John Marlette, a prom- inent and useful member of the church, as its superintendent. His successors were Alexander Dow, Winslow Steeling and John Wiltsie. The number of scholars in the school at the present time is about one hundred and thirty. The pres- ent church property, consisting of a comfortable church building, lot and parsonage, is worth about seven thousand dollars.

ROTTERDAM METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Rotterdam was organized in 1846 by Presiding Elder Lindsey, and consisted of sixty members. Rev. S. Coval and William R. Brown were the first pastors. A house of worship was erected about the same time. The church was rebuilt and enlarged in 1846 at a cost of about $4,000. James Fisher, Sr., pur- chased the site for the church and burying ground of Daniel D. Campbell in 1844, and presented it to the society. Mr. Fisher came from England in 1818. He had a large and respectable family. He has now in the ministry one son-in-law, the Rev. William J. Sands, now stationed at Crescent, N. Y., and two grandsons, Rev. John C. Fisher and Rev. Martin L. Fisher. He was an honored citizen and an exemplary Christian. He died Feb- ruary 11, 1871, aged eighty-seven years four months and twenty-seven days, and is buried in the cemetery adjoining the church.

This society was up to 1867 connected with the church at Guilderland, and the Rev. E. E. Taylor served both churches, assisted by Rev. John N. Short. During this year, under the indefatigable

labors of Mr. Taylor, not only was this church re- built, but a new church was built at the State road at a cost of about $4,000, known as the Parker Church, Mr. Charles Parker, of the Dey street eating-house, New York, having his residence near by, and contributing largely toward the enterprise. The church at Guilderland (near Sloan's Hotel) was also rebuilt and enlarged at a cost of near $4,000, and a new church built, three miles east of Sloan's Hotel on the Plank road near McGowan's Hotel, at a cost of $3, 500; the result was the erection of two separate pastorates, Rotterdam and State road, three miles apart, both having sustained themselves uninterruptedly to this present time, and doing a good work in these communities. The Rotterdam Church is two and a half miles south of Sche- nectady.

The following are the names of the several pas- tors in the order they have served this church since 1867. 1867-8, Rev. Stephen Palmer ; 1869-70, Rev. Damos Brough ; 1871-72, Rev. Manly Witheral ; 1873-4, Rev. P. F. Youlen ; 1875-6, Rev. F. G. Rainy; 1877-79, Rev. P. P. Har- rower ; 1880, Rev. A. Lawrence ; 1881-83, Rev. E. E. Taylor ; and Rev. W. O. Tower, the present pastor, who is exerting himself in building for the society a beautiful parsonage on the corner near the church, which is nearly completed. There has al- ways been connected with this church a Sunday- school. The present membership of the church is 130 ; Sunday-school scholars, 100.

Colonel DANIEL D. CAMPBELL occupies a fine residence in Rotterdam about two miles from Schenectady. Mrs. Campbell, widow of Judge Daniel Campbell, made her will May 27, 1811, leaving considerable sums to her various relatives, but made her great nephew, Daniel David Camp- bell Schermerhorn, her residuary devisee and legatee on condition of changing his name Schermerhorn to Campbell, which, after her decease, was accom- plished by legislative enactment ; and that great- nephew, with many virtues, now resides among us, known and respected as Colonel Daniel D. Camp- bell.

PLANK ROAD.

The only remains of once extensive plank roads in various parts of this county, is a short piece of about one mile, starting from the city of Schenec- tady, running south to part of the former plank road to Duanesburgh. This road is now owned by the widow Pearson, and a toll of two cents each way is charged for one horse, and proportionately for more.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

ALITTLE

Hormon & Schemiestom

SIMON J. SCHERMERHORN was born in Rotterdam, N. Y., near the old Arant Bradt Place, Septem- ber 26, 1827, and is the seventh, and his children the eighth, generation who have lived in the place he now occupies. His ancestor, Jacob Janse Scher- merhorn, was one of the first settlers, who was born in 1662 in Waterland, Holland. He came to Beverwyck quite early in life, where he prospered as a brewer and trader. In 1648 he was arrested at Fort Orange, by order of Governor Stuyvesant, on a charge of selling arms and ammunition to the Indians. His books and papers were seized, and himself removed a prisoner to Fort Amsterdam, where he was sentenced to banishment for five years, with the confiscation of all his property. By the interference of some leading citizens the first part of his sentence was struck out, but his property was never recovered.

These severe proceedings against Schermerhorn formed subsequently a ground of complaint against Stuyvesant to the States General. Nothing daunt- ed by his misfortunes he began anew, and before his death, in 1689, acquired a large property for

the times. He made his will May 20, 1688, and the year following died at Schenectady, where he had resided for some years.

The following is the pedigree to the present :

Ryer, son of Jacob Janse ; married Ariaantje, daughter of Arant Arentse Brodt, in July, 1676.

Jacobus, son of Ryer, born January 31, 1720; married Annatje P. Vrooman September 4, 1742. He died July 28, 1762 ; she died September 7, 1770. He was the great grand-father of S. J. Schermerhorn.

Annatje P. Vrooman was a daughter of Peter Vrooman, who was killed by the French and In- dians at the Beukendaal massacre in the town of Glenville in 1690.

Johannes, son of Jacobus, married Catherine Bradt November 13, 1778, daughter of Jacobus Bradt, the owner and occupant of the old Bradt House. He died January 7, 1814, aged 48 years II months and 8 days.

Jacob I., son of Johannes and father of Simon J. Schermerhorn, married Maria Vedder. He died April 20, 1849 in his sixty-first year ; she died

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THE TOWNSHIP OF ROTTERDAM.

August 19, 1832, in her forty-fifth year, leaving six children, two boys and four girls : John J., Simon J., Catherine, Anna, Sarah, and Alida.

Simon J. Schermerhorn was married February 4, 1857, to Helen, daughter of Harmon Veeder, who died in Wostina, July 31, 1850, aged fifty-two years and six months. Mrs. Schermerhorn is deserving of special mention as an efficient worker in all the church interests coming within the range of her proper relations ; and for her work's sake, and the spirit in which it is performed, is entitled to rank with "the honorable women." Their children are: Jacob Edwin, born October 12, 1858, and died January 12, 1861; Mary Veeder, born January 6, 1860; Sarah, born March 19, 1862; John, born July 12, 1863 ; Alice Augusta, born Jan- uary 23, 1865 ; Andrew Truax, born December 7, 1866 ; Jacob I., born June 7, 1870, died July 29, 1870 ; Simon, born April 3, 1874.

The homestead originally purchased by Jacob Janse Schermerhorn has been occupied down to the present by his descendants for seven genera- tions; and other lands of late have been purchased (about 50 acres) a part of which is from the Old Arent Bradt Estate, on which still stands, in an excellent state of preservation, the oldest building of the county, the Arent Bradt House, described in a separate paragraph in the history of this town.

The present farm is in a high state of cultiva- tion. The barns and out-buildings are new, ample and well constructed. The dwelling, built in 1857, is of brick, of modern construction, and stands about 300 yards east of the Old Arent Bradt House, on a rise of ground near the bluff that rises about 100 feet above it to the High- lands rising toward the south. From the house is an excellent view of the Mohawk Valley and the country beyond, while itself stands also in full view of the City of Schenectady.

The family burying ground of four generations is about 200 yards east of the dwelling, but the fine cemetery adjoining the second Reformed Church of Rotterdam is now generally used.

Mr. Schermerhorn has held several important positions in the gift of the people. He was a war Democrat of persistent loyalty. He was elected unanimously a member of the State Assembly, 1862, and evinced a commendable zeal for the welfare of his country in that eventful time. He has been a member of the Board of Supervisors for three terms, and has served one term as School Commissioner.

So popular is Mr. Schermerhorn with his con- stituency, that he never had any opposition when- ever he consented to be a candidate for office, and the people have sought and would have gladly given him many other positions of trust if he had consented, but his disinclination to office holding and love of home, has led him to decline many official honors. He has been an honored, and active and consistent member of the Second Re- formed Church of Rotterdam for twenty-five years, and is one of its elders, a faithful Christian, and an upright and highly respected citizen.

SUMMER RESIDENCE OF DR. BACKUS .- Rev. J. Trumbull Backus, D. D., of 6 Union street, Sche- nectady, has a beautiful summer residence in Rot- terdam, less than two miles southwest from the city. Its commanding position excites admiration. It stands upon the top of the bluff and near its edge, surrounded by a thin forest. The bluff rises about one hundred and fifty feet from the valley of the Mohawk, and is about half a mile from the river. It affords one of the finest natural pros- pects in the whole country. It has a fine view of the Mohawk Valley each way for several miles, and takes in the whole of the City of Schenectady. The view stretches out also across the river over Glenville and a part of Saratoga County; and, turn- ing the gaze southward, the vision sweeps over the plains of Rotterdam and Guilderland beyond, and takes in the Grand Old Helderberghs and Cats- kill Mountains, while to the left loom up the Green Mountains of Vermont, and to the north a spur of the Adirondacks.

Dr. Backus was installed Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Schenectady December 6, 1832, and remained its popular and successful pastor until June 18, 1873; and now, like a shock of corn with golden hue, in the grand majesty of life's success, he waits "The Harvest Home."

DISTRICT SCHOOLS .- There are in the town of Rotterdam 14 school-houses, 14 districts, and as many teachers employed. The average cost of school-houses is $600. There are annually taught 822 scholars (beside many who attend the schools in Schenectady, that have superior advantages). The average price paid to teachers is $7. 50 per week. C. W. Van Santvoord is School Commissioner.

.TOWN OFFICERS. - Supervisor, John C. Myers; Justice of the Peace, Peter McGee; Assessor, Anthony Wallard: Collector, John J. Van Patten; Town Clerk, Willis Burdick; Coroner, Dr. Alex. Ennis, Pattersonville.

COUNTY OFFICERS .- (See Officers. )

THE BRADT FAMILY.

Nicholas A. Bradt was born in the old Arant Bradt House, near the first lock of the Erie Canal west of Schenectady, August 18, 1773, and died July 8, 1850. He married Margaret Mabee and they had two children: Abraham N., born August 16, 1793, who married Maria Vedder in 1819. They had six children: Margaret, Jemima, Nicho- las, Simon, Sarah, and Harmanus.

Cornelius, the second son of Nicholas A., mar- ried Nancy Kerns in 1830, and they had six children: Margaret, Susan, Gazena, Nicholas, Rebecca, and Cornelius.

Nicholas, son of Abraham N., was born Sep- tember 14, 1824, and married Hester Bradt in 1857, and lives on the old Woe-Stina Place, seven miles west of the City of Schenectady, near the round-house of the West Shore Railroad. Farm consists of one hundred and ten acres. He has seven children, named Maria, Helen, Abram, Frank, Maggie, Lizzie, and A. Vedder. Abram,

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

the last named son, owns the old family homestead of one hundred and fourteen acres, formerly owned by his great-great-grandfather, which adjoins that of his father's.

Francis Bradt was born in Niskayuna January 3, 1833, and was brought to Rotterdam by his parents and is a descendant of John A. Bradt, born March 9, 1770, and died July 14, 1846. He married Wilmot Mabee January 20, 1793, and she died in the eighty-seventh year of her age. They had six children: Cornelius, Abraham, Hester, Aaron, Sarah, Catherine and Frederick, the latter being the only one of the six now living. Aaron Bradt was born August 12, 1800, and died in the fifty-third year of his age. He married Eliza C. Vedder, February 15, 1832. Eliza C. Bradt is the sole survivor of a family of nine children and is in the seventy-ninth year of her age. Has had five chil- dren: Francis, Hester, Helen, John and Aaron.

Francis Bradt was born January 3, 1832. He married Maggie Veeder, November 18, 1874; had one child, Aaron J. Bradt, now in the seventh year of his age. Hester Bradt was born November 13, 1834, and married Nicholas Bradt November 28, 1857. Helen Bradt, born May II, 1837, and died at the age of twenty-one years. John Bradt, born October 6, 1839, married M. Elenor Dorn December 28, 1871. Aaron B. Bradt, born May 24, 1841, married Catherine E. Gregg, 1867; had one child, Cora Bradt, now in the seventeenth year of her age.

Francis and John Bradt are now living on the farm purchased by their great-great-grand- father, Abraham Bradt, in 1765, of Peter Daniel Van Antwerp, containing about sixty acres, for $2,500. A few years after the purchase, prod- uce brought a high price, but had to be sent to New York for market. Wheat was from $3 to $4 per bushel ; peas, $2; etc.

The barn built by Abraham Bradt is still standing and in use, and stands as firm and solid as ever ; the timbers and siding are of yellow pine, the shingles of white pine, three feet long and three- quarters of an inch thick and are still of good ser- vice ; the nails were all made by hand, and are of wrought-iron. The barn is 40 x 60 and was built in 1775 and has cost the owners but a very small amount for repairs. The place is seven miles west of the City of Schenectady, in the Valley of the Mohawk.

THE DE FOREST FAMILY.

Jacob De Forest was born in Greenbush, Rens- selaer County, N. Y., May 28, 1771, and died in Rotterdam, June, 1854.

He married Anna Lansing February 2, 1784, by whom he had five children : Cornelia, Jacob, Tennetta, Sarah, and Obadiah L.

He came to Rotterdam in 1807 and soon after his wife died. He married for his second wife Mary Wiley, July 30, 1808, by whom he had four children : Anna, John, Martin, and James.

Jacob De Forest, Jr., was born October 23, 1777, and married Ann Schermerhorn. They had nine children, four daughters and five sons. These

five sons all enlisted in the Union army of the late civil war, and by their valor gained marked distinc- tion. They are Colonel Jacob J. De Forest, now of Duanesburgh ; S. De Forest, Quarter-master, now in Cleveland, Ohio; John De Forest, Lieu- tenant, deceased; William F. De Forest, now of San Francisco, Cal .; and Martin J. De Forest, now in the New York Post-office. He lost a leg in the war.

Martin De Forest, son of Jacob De Forest, of Rensselaer County, N. Y., whose residence is 31 Church street, Schenectady, is the agent of Hon. D. D. Campbell, of Rotterdam. His wife was Elizabeth M. Schermerhorn, danghter of Hon. Bartholomew Schermerhorn (deceased), late of the town of Rotterdam. They have had five children, two sons and three daughters. But two survive, viz., Mary, wife of Chas. N. Yates, and Catherine A., wife of Robert Moir, who is regarded by the community where he resides as a respectable and honorable business man.

Obadiah L. De Forest has been sheriff of Sche- nectady County, and his son Jacob has also held the same office. Another of his sons, Henry S., is at present Recorder of the City of Schenectady.

The De Forests are a highly respected family.

HALSTED CLOSE is a farmer and speculator known widely here and in the City of Schenectady. He was born in Clifton Park, Saratoga County. For five generations past the Close family have been prominent in the social and business inter- ests of that town. Mr. Close was born in the year 1817. His father's name was Benjamin Close and his mother's maiden name was Sarah Morehouse. He came to Schenectady County in 1861, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He established the present business of Stearns & Co., and sold to them in 1868. He opened the pres- ent business of Losee B. Close in State street-a flour and feed store, with a steam power for grind- ing. In this business he was financially success- ful. He married Phebe, daughter of Abram G. Losee, of Clifton Park. They have had four chil- dren: Mary E., deceased, who married Abram Vedder, of Glenville, and after her death Mr. Ved- der married Mr. Close's second daughter, Saman- tha; Losee B. Close, grain merchant in State street; and Smith Close, Schenectady. Besides city property he owns farms in Rotterdam and in Saratoga County. Mr. Close's farm, where he lives, is in South Schenectady, and he is now taking an active part in developing a village at this point. He has founded a large hay barn beside the track of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad for buying and transportation, and he also has a coal- yard at the same place.

WILLIAM H. FOGERTY, of South Schenectady, is the proprietor of the Thompson House, a large and commodious hotel. He erected the Thomp- son House in the fall of 1883, and in the fall of 1884 added a hall for public purposes. It is used for religious services once in two weeks. Mr. Fogerty is a native of Montgomery County, born at Port Jackson, and is a son of James Fogerty,

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THE TOWNSHIP OF DUANESBURGH.

deceased, and was for many years an employee of Colonel D. D. Campbell, He married Eliza, daughter of James Lockwood. His father, James Fogerty, married Maria, daughter of David J. Wil -. liams (deceased), of Montgomery County. He served in the war of 1812 under General Scott. He was at the battle of Plattsburgh in 1813. He was captured by the Indians and carried into Canada, but eventually returned. Mr. and Mrs. Fogerty have one daughter, Bessie.

ELIAS VAN WORMER, farmer, in the town of Rot- terdam. He was born in the town of Guilderland, and is a son of Frederick Van Wormer and grand- son of Abram Van Wormer. Frederick Van Wormer came to Rotterdam in the year 1828, and located on what is now the H. Veeder Farm. He brought with him four children: Harriet, Elias, Elizabeth and Abraham, who were born in Guild- erland. Jacob, Frederick, Sarah J., Alexander and Mary were born in Rotterdam. He died in 1876. His wife's maiden name was Catharine Smith, of Rotterdam. She died in 1854.

JOHN M. VEEDER, near Pattersonville, is a farmer and fruit culturist. His farm of 150 acres adjoins the property of the First Reformed Church. The place was formerly owned by Mr. Veeder's father- in-law, Daniel Johnson, who for several years kept a hotel at this place. Mr. Veeder was four years Supervisor of his town. The West Shore Railroad and Erie Canal pass through his farm, which is bounded on the north by the Mohawk River. He is a descendant from the old Dutch families, as is indicated by his name.

JOHN M. QUICK was born in New Scotland, Al- bany County, November 20, 1809, and married March 24, 1836, to Martha M. Bradshaw, who was born in Duanesburgh December 29, 1809. He was a son of Gratus and Mary (McCoftry) Quick, natives of Rhinebeck, N. Y., who were of Scotch parents. He located and spent his life on the farm now owned and occupied by his son, George G., in Rotterdam, and died April 15, 1864. His wife died June 14, 1877. He had five children: George G., born December 25, 1843, who married Miss Sarah Thayer, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., June 7, 1848. They had three children: Martha M., Jennie M., and John C. Mary married E. Shu- felt; Samuel W., born 1849, married Miss Hattie Darrow, born June 10, 1852, daughter of H. B. Darrow, who died in 1875. He owns and occu- pies the old Darrow homestead in Rotterdam. Has one son, Andrew, born July 20, 1878. John M. had three children, now deceased-William, Char- lotte and James. Ruth married J. W. Clark, of Jackson County, Michigan.

SEBASTIAN PUTNAM is one of the thrifty farmers of Rotterdam, living on the road leading to Prince- town, on the corner where the Fort Hunter road crosses, three miles from Schenectady. It is one of the situations ever admired by the passer. by. He is a son of John and Maggie (Vrooman) Put- nam. John was born in the city of Schenectady August 31, 1780, and died May 1, 1881. His wife was born in Niskayuna March 17, 1787, and

died December, 1830. They had seven sons and three daughters, of whom Sebastian, Oliver and Clarissa are all who now survive. Sebastian Putnam married Margaret, daughter of David Waddell (deceased), of Duanesburgh, and they have five children living: Mary A .; Maggie A., now Mrs. Franklin Schermerhorn, of Rotterdam; Sarah A., who is Mrs. Schermerhorn; Philip; Fordelia E. Other children-Erastus, David and Mary-are deceased.

Mr. Putnam's grandparents, Aaron and Eliz- abeth (Spinster) Putnam, were among the first set- tlers of Rotterdam; and his grandfather Vrooman, of Niskayuna.

PROMINENT RESIDENTS.

Pattersonville and vicinity, whose post-office is Pattersonville :

Rev. J. C. Low, Dr. Alex. Ennis, physician and surgeon; Thomas L. Marlette, grocer, etc .; Jacob Swart, wagon-maker; Jonathan Staley, farmer; William Staley, farmer; J. W. Briggs, farmer and grocer; John M. Veeder, farmer and Supervisor; Simon Veeder, farmer; Oliver Putnam, farmer; Thomas H. Trumbell, farmer; Nicholas Brodt, farmer; Francis Brodt, farmer; John Brodt, farmer; D. Schemerhorn, farmer; Tilfair C. Rynex, farmer, Rynex Corners.

Post-office in Schenectady:

J. Crawford, hotel and grocer; H. M. Aken, farmer, Supervisor, Justice of the Peace twenty years, a School Commissioner six year, and Justice of Sessions two years; John J. A. Schermerhorn, farmer; Aaron Becker, farmer; John P. McCue, farmer; N. M. F. Clute, farmer; A. J. Gregg, farmer; Harmon Van Slyck, farmer; Jno. S. Van Slyck, farmer; William Swanker, farmer; Edward S. Santer, farmer; John V. Van Patten, farmer; N. H. Van Potten, farmer; S. J. Schermerhorn, farmer, has been School Commissioner and Member of Assembly; John J. Schermerhorn, farmer; J. S. Schermerhorn, farmer; Ebenezer Schermerhorn, farmer; Daniel D. C. Schermerhorn, farmer; John. A. Van Epps, farmer; William Phillips, farmer; Robert Schermerhorn, farmer; J. L. Coun- termine, farmer; John Putnam, farmer; John D. Ladd, clerk; John Valkenburgh, farmer; Samuel A. Brodt, farmer, has been School Commis- sioner and Supervisor; Willliam A. Wasson, farmer, has been Commissioner of Highways three years; William Osborne, hotel-keeper, five miles west of Schenectady; Adam Masser, hotel-keeper, two miles west of Schenectady; Hon. John D. Campbell, two miles west of the city; L. S. Hutch- inson, hotel, two miles south of city; D. D. C. Van Pattan, hotel, two and one-half miles south of city; George W. Sigsbee, hotel, three miles south of city; W. H. Fogerty, hotel, South Sche- nectady; Spencer Moore (G. Westonhouse & Co.), one and one-half miles south of city; Thomas Bullock, farmer, two miles south of city; William Chambers, commercial traveler, two miles south of city; Colonel D. D. Campbell, gentleman and landholder, two miles south of city; Henry M. Chrisler, two and one-half miles south of city;

218

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

Nicholas I. Clute, two miles south of city; James Countermine, two and one-half miles southwest of city; George Fisher, three miles south of city; James Fisher, three miles south of city; George S. Hunt, three and one-half miles south of city; Sol- omon R. Bradshaw, three and one-half miles southwest of city; William Phillips, three and one- half miles southwest of city; James A. Rynex, four miles west of city; William T. Radcliffe, one mile south of city; George B. White, four miles south of city; William Scrafford, two miles south of city; James Turnbull, four miles west of city; William Vandyke, three miles south of city; H. C. Weast, five miles southwest of city; S. W. Quick, farmer, Rynex Corners.

We take pleasure in making mention of the fol- lowing well-known citizens, who by their guaran- teed support have helped to insure the publication of this valuable work: Nicholas Bradt, Francis Bradt, Abraham Bradt, Walter Bradshaw, D. D. Campbell, J. L. Countermine, N. M. F. Clute, Wm. H. Fogerty, Andrew Gregg, J. C. Low, John. D. Ladd, T. L. Marlett, Sebastian Putman, W. H. Patterson, S. W. Quick, Tilfair C. Rynex, Simon J. Schermerhorn, Daniel D. C. Schermerhorn, John J. A. Schermerhorn, John J. Schermerhorn, John S. Schermerhorn, Robert Schermerhorn, Edward S. Santer, Jonathan Staley, William Staley, J. S. & H. Van Slyck, John M. Veeder, John A. Van Epps, Elias Van Wormer.

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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 262

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