USA > New York > Delaware County > Delaware County, New York, history of the century, 1797-1897, centennial celebration, June 9 and 10, 1897 > Part 21
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TOWN OF BOVINA.
mg. The men were hardy and endured the discomfort as best they could. In 1824 this church building was furnished with pews and pulpit but was without any means of heating for a number of years. The congregation gradually grew in numbers and in influence in this congenial soil for Presbyterianism. Rev. John Graham succeeded Rev. Mr. Laing and was its pastor for twenty years. He in turn was succeeded by Dr. James B. Lee, who remained with this people for thirty-two years. The salaries of its clergymen have been gradually increased until the present gifted and popular young preacher, Rev. W. L. C. Samson, receives $1,500 per annum. The present membership of this congre- gation is 372. The contributions the past year for all purposes were over $3,300. A history of this congregation would scarcely be complete without further notice of the long and acceptable pastorate of Dr. Lee, who spent the better part of a life time in devoted service to the spiritual and material prosperity of Bovina. It every enterprising project and moral reform he was a leader. Difficulties did not discourage him, nor opposition intimidate him. He faithfully and fearlessly espoused that which he believed to be right, whether it was popular or not, and his ageney in the town's progress was marked in its prosperity and enlightenment.
The Reformed Presbyterian or Covenanter Congregation was organized in 1814. It is a church that is and always has been one of practical dissent from the Constitution of the United States, holding that the National Constitution is radically wrong and defective in failing to acknowledge the existence of God, the supremacy of Christ as King of Nations, and the Word of God as the supreme law. They do not vote, hold office, or take any part in the administration of the government, yet always recognize its authority in things lawful and right. They are somewhat exclusive, emphasizing the purity rather than the popularity of their denomination. The society numbers about 75 of our most enterprising and respected citizens. The present
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pastor of this people is Rev. T. M. Slater, very recently installed over them. The one immediately preceding, Rev. A. I. Robb, left this charge to become a missionary in China. Their first church building at upper Bovina was of stone, 24 by 34 feet, and was built in 1825. The present church building is a comfortable and commodious one in Bovina Centre. This congregation since its establishment has had eight different pastors.
The Methodist Episcopal Society was so far as preaching was concerned, the pioneer of all others. Alexander Brush, the second settler in town, was a local preacher, and often preached in his own house and that of others for years. He was followed by Rev. William Jewett about 1812, who was the first regular preacher. Services were held in houses, barns, school houses and groves until 1849, when they built a house of worship in Bovina Centre, which was dedicated August 22d, 1849. There was at one time some opposition manfested to Methodism which the historian scarcely cares to record. The incidents attendant upon that opposition are not of pleasant memory. But times have changed, and now the different churches of Bovina are in closest christian friendship and fellowship. The present pastor of this people is Rev. S. E. Myers.
It is frequently regreted that the old church buildings,-the landmarks of our civilization and religion, had not been preserved in all their original features; for the peculiar construction of them both inside and out would to-day be matters of interest.
Some occurrences of the long ago time are amusing. One rather peculiar character in Bovina whom I will call Billie Smith- more often called General Smith. He was well known throughout the county. He was som what short in stature and remarkable for his wit and presence of mind. He could take a joke as well as give one: but upon the occasion to be related he thought the trick was too much of a joke to be funny. One warm day in summer he was at church sitting in a pew with a door opening out into the aisle,. which was fastened with a button on the outside. Smith became drowsy during the long sermon and finally got sound asleep, lean-
-
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ing heavily against the door of the pew. A wag sitting immediately behind him, and watching the progress of his slumber, cautiously renched around and turned the button. Smith landed out into the aisle almost on the top of his head. His quick wit and rare pres- ence of mind came to his rosene and he lay as he fell all in a heap to suggest a faint. When he was carried outsido he gave his opinion of that joke and joker in language hardly fit for a week day, much less a Sabbath day. It was many years after this before Smith could be induced to attend church.
The principal industry of this town is butter making. To pro- duce quantity and improve quality, and to give it a standing in the first markets of the State and out of it, neither effort or expense have been spared. The first Jersey stock brought into Bovina was by John Hastings and Andrew Archibald in 1863. The Hastings brothers were enthusiastic in their appreciation of that strain of cattle: while a majority of dairymen at that time were slow to acknowledge its superiority. But facts and figures became so con- vincing that the skeptical became believers, and Jersey stock was soon found to be profitable and popular. About 1870 William L. Rutherford, a farmer of considerable means, purchased a herd of twenty head from a Connectient stock dealer, paying $250 a head, or $5,000 for the herd. They were all registered thoroughbreds. For ten years the result of the transaction was highly profitable to Mr. Rutherford in sales of stock from that herd.
In 1880 William L. Ruff, purchasing the farm of Mr. Rutherford. also purchased the stock paying $6,300 for it alone. For eighteen years Mr. Ruff has given personal attention to this stock, of which he is justly proud. His transactions as a stock dealer during this time, independent of the butter produced by the herd, has exceeded $33.000. He has paid $1,000 for a single animal as a breeder. whose sire was sold for $12,000. Mr. Ruff has sold three months old calves for over $200, cows for $350 each, and upon one occasion he refused an offer of $2,000 for ten calves. His largest sales have been principally to dealers in pure blooded stock. To Mr. Pearson
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of Wayne county he sold a heifer which at five years of age pro- duced twenty-eight and three-quarter pounds of butter a week.
James E. Hastings, who may be said to be a pioneer in introduc- ing this stock into Bovina, also has one of the finest and most valuable herds of thoroughbred cattle in the county.
There are five or six pure Jersey dairies in town. Purchasers have come from Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and some of the Southern States, and made selections from these and other herds of Jersey cattle in Bovina. The entire dairies of the town are of high grade. As high as 360 pounds of butter per annum have been made from cach cow. Much of Bovina's prosperity in former years was due to this superior breed of cattle, and the excellency of the butter produced.
A conspicuous dairy of Guernseys is owned by T. H. Ludington of Lake Delaware. They are said to be a hardy and extraordinary milk and butter producing cattle. Mr. Ludington, a man of more than usual intelligence, speaks enthusiastically in favor of this. breed, claiming a production of over 300 pounds per cow.
During the civil war Bovina furnished seventy-one volunteers for the army.
Bovina is the possessor of a banner given by the Delaware county Sabbath School Association, entitling it to the honored distinction of being the banner Sabbath School town of the county. One of the Sabbath schools of this little town is the second largest in Delaware county. Its reports show a contribution of $100 cach quarter for benevolent and missionary purposes.
Connected with and under the management of the United Pres- byterian congregation is a large and well selected library of 500 or 600 volumes which is open to the general public. To this library Commodore Gerry of New York City has contributed $300.
The cemetery at Bovina Centre is one of the finest and best kept in this section of the State. Mr. Gerry has also aided in beautify- ing this resting place of the dead by presenting to its trustees massive iron gates of considerable value.
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Mrs. E. T. Gerry's summer residence is at Lake Delaware in Bovina. The estate surrounds a beautiful lake covering over 150 acres, which is stocked with finest trout. This wealthy and gener- ous family by deeds of charity and labors of love, have won grateful appreciation throughout the community in which for a few weeks during the summer they reside.
We ought not to close this brief history of Bovina, without. referring to some of its citizens who have become distinguished in professional life.
Judge William Murray of the Supreme Court of the Sixth Judicial District was born in Bovina, November 21st, 1820. His career was one of steady advancement from a boy working on his father's farm, to that of a Supreme Court Judge. His success was in no way a surprise to his fellow townsmen. He came of a family of brains, inheriting that persevering and determined ambition which always wins success.
Judge Murray began the study of law in the office of Samuel Gordon in 1848, and was admitted to the bar at a general term held in Albany. His progress was one of steady advancement. He was a Republican in politics and a firm believer in the principles of his party. His personal appearance was one of affable dignity, and his decisions as a jurist showed a deep knowl- edge of law. He died in 1887. Dr. David Murray now living, a brother of the late Judge Murray, attained eminence as Professor in Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J., and later as superin- tendent of educational affairs in Japan. He is a man of high scholarly attainments and his reputation and standing in highest educational departments is world wide.
Hon. Isaac H. Maynard, a grandson of the first settler of the town, was born in 1838. He was graduated from Amherst College in 1862, studied law in the office of Judge Murray and was admitted to the bar at Binghamton in 1863. In politics he was a Democrat. In 1875 he was chosen to represent Delaware county in the legislature at Albany. In 1877 was elected to the
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office of County Judge and Surrogate in this Republican county by 1,355 majority. In 1883 he was a candidate on the State Democratic ticket for Secretary of State, but was defeated on account of his firm and uncompromising convictions upon the temperance question. In 1884 he was appointed First Deputy Attorney-General. He resigned this position and accepted the office of Second Comptroller of the United States Treasury to which he had been appointed by President Cleveland. In 1887 Mr. Maynard was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, and in 1892 Governor Flower appointed him Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals. He afterwards became a candidate for that position but was defeated. He died in 1895 at the age of 57 years.
Bovina cherishes with pardonable pride the memory of other citizens both living and dead which must be left for later rec- ords. To the ministerial profession it has given eleven young men; to the educational profession in colleges and seminaries, thirteen; to the medical profession six, and to the legal, six. The people are intelligent, industrous, frugal and God fearing. It is said there is not a family in town who does not attend religious church services. A quarter of a mile from the village of Bovina Centre, beautifully situated on a knoll in the Forrest Valley, is one of the finest cemeteries in the county. Many of the dead who slumber here have left behind them precious mem- ories. It was at one time a custom among the early settlers to bury their dead upon their own lands. There has been at least twenty of such burial places in the town. Now the dust of the fathers has been largely gathered into this beautiful cemetery, where it will remain until "this mortal shall have put on im- mortality."
Note by D. M .- The attention of the writer of this note has been called by Mr. Gilbert Tucker, the editor of the Country Gentleman, to a "Cow Census of the Town of Bovina, Delaware Co., N. Y.," which was taken by the Dairy- men's Association for the year 1891. It was published as a bulletin, dated 1892. He tells me that he knows of no other similar census that has ever
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been taken. The pamphlet is now before me from which I have compiled a few facts. The town was selected because it was conspicuous for the quantity and quality of its dairy products, and because its inhabitants are more uniformly engaged in butter making than any other town in the State.
From this important pamphlet the following statisties are derived :
1. Bovina contains 27,279 acres of land ; the assessed valuation of which in 1891 was $396,259. The average value of the land including woodland, swamp, etc., is $14.53 an acre. The value of the improved land may therefore he estimated at from five to seven times this sum.
2. The population of the town as given in the Census for 1890 was 1,007. As enumerated in this pamphlet there are 117 farmers engaged in dairying owning 2,668 cows thus averaging 23 rows to each. The cows are in large proportion Grade Jerseys ; although a number of farmers report part of their stock as "thoroughbred Jerseys," " registered Jerseys" or " full-blood
3. The total amount of butter made is reported as 66,988 pounds. Besides butter the farmers sold calves, pork, and other dairy products. The average earnings per cow varied between $101.13 and $30.18; and for the whole town was $63.99.
1. Mr. B. G. Gilbert, the secretary of the Dairymen's Association, in sum- ming up this census says; "The majority of these farmis pay their owners from six to eight dollars per acre for the whole acreage, over and above the entire expense of the dairy, with the exception of what labor may be required. This includes uncleared as well as cleared land ; and the labor is often done by the farmer and his family. The probability is that from the land under cultivation and available for cattle support the dairymen of Bovina obtain fully ten per cent net."
17
Colchester.
By Edward E. Conton.
T T HE town of Colchester was formed April 10, 1792, from the town of Middletown, and included the present town of Han- cock and a portion of the town of Walton. It was then in the county of Ulster. In 1799 a part was annexed to the town of Walton. Hancock was taken off in 1806, and a part of Walton was annexed to Colchester in 1827. Since which last the boun- daries of the town have remained unaltered. At the formation of the county of Delaware in 1797, Colchester was one of the seven constituent towns. The name of the town was suggested by Joseph Gee, an early settler, who came from Colchester, Conn. It is a matter of regret that the euphonious Indian name, Pawpacton, was discarded for this harsh sounding English name.
The East Branch of the Delaware river runs south-westerly through the north-central portion of the town. The Indians called this river Pawpacton. The Beaverkill river flows west through the southerly corner of the town. The Indians called this river Whelenaughwemack.
In the year 1766, Timothy Gregory, then a young man twenty- three years of age, came from Westchester county, and erected a log house on the flat on the east side of the river about one- fourth of a mile above the present river bridge at Colchester, where he lived until the Revolutionary war. This was the first house ever erected within the bounds of Colchester, and stood midway between the highway and the binnekill, opposite a little spring that flows across the highway at a point a few rods above a small hill in the highway. In the succeeding years a few other settlers located farther up the river, and at the
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TOWN OF COLCHESTER.
commencement of the Revolution there were nine houses in this settlement. Frederick Miller's was farthest up the river and stood near where the Shufelt Shaver house was afterwards erected; Mr. Parrish lived at the mouth of Cole's Clove, Russell Gregory just below Brock's bridge on the east side of the river, William Rose on the west side of the river below Downsville, near Rock Eddy. The other persons who are known to have resided here prior to the Revolution are, Thomas, and John Gregory, James, und S. Shaver, Silas Bowker, Peter, Harry and Nehemiah Avery, Jacob Barnhart and Daniel Parrish.
In 1778 these settlers, on account of the hostility of the In- dians, were compelled to abandon their homes and seek safety within the settlements along the Hudson, but at the close of the war many of them returned and began life anew.
The first school was established in the town in 1784, by Daniel Parrish. The school house stood at the northerly base of the gravel knoll at the entrance to Cole's Clove.
The first marriage occurred Dec. 14, 1788, the contracting parties being Abraham Sprague and Mary Parrish, who was a sister of Daniel Parrish. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Bezaleel Howe, a Baptist minister. Sprague was twenty- two years of age and his bride twenty-one. Sprague was a member of the Washington Gnards during the Revolutionary War, and was present at the execution of Major Andre. He resided for many years after his marriage on the farm across the river from Downsville, and cleared the first land there. His house stood between the present highway and the binnekill and above the road leading to Downsville.
The first birth, which is recorded, was that of Catherine Rose, daughter of William Rose, born Dee. 24, 1784.
The first death was that of Thomas Gregory, who died Dec. 31, 1788, aged twenty years, and is buried in the Phelps burying ground at Colchester.
Abraham Sprague and Daniel Bowker ran the first raft down
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
the river that went from above Shehawken, (Hancock), it con- sisted of spar timbers for the Philadelphia ship yards. Upon this trip they gave to many of the turns and islands along the river the names which they still bear.
The first saw mill stood on the binnekill below the residence of S. O. Shaver.
The first grist mill erected in Delaware county was erected by William Horton, and stood on the west side of the river, about one- half mile below Colchester, on the farm of E. D. Horton. The people brought their grain to this mill in eanoes from a distance as far down the river as Equinunk, and for many miles in all directions it was brought on horseback. In the early part of the present century as many as 7,000 bushels of wheat were ground at this mill in a single year.
The Phelps burying ground at Colchester is the oldest in town, named from David Phelps, whose residence stood near by. In this burying ground only three graves are marked by lettered head- stones, which are common field stones. Besides that of Thomas Gregory mentioned above, are the following:
Josiah Gregory, died Dec. 14, 1796, aged 25 years.
Timothy Gregory, died Dec. - , 1821, aged 78 years.
In the year 1798 the first tax was levied in Delaware county, and the total assessed valuation of real and personal property in the town of Colchester, which then included the town of Hancock, was $14,803.75. The present valuation of such property is $578,815.
The official records of the town begin in 1793 and the record of every town meeting, and all official acts, are carefully recorded in the town clerk's office down to the present time. From these records it appears that the first town meeting in the town of Col- chester, county of Ulster, was held at the house of Lazarus Sprague, in April, 1793, "Where the following officers were duly elected viva vore by a majority, namely, for the ensuing year: William Horton, Supervisor; Peter Ten Broeck, Jr., Clerk."
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A complete list of town officers follows, and among the resolu- tions adopted at the meeting is the following: " Resolved that hogs may run commoners with a two foot yoke and ring through the nose."
Upon the formation of the county of Delaware in 1797, William Horton, who had been supervisor since 1793, was again re-elected to that office. The following is his oath of office duly recorded m the town clerk's office:
1, William Horton, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will in all things to the best of my knowledge and abilities, faithfully and impartially execute and perform the trust reposed in me as supervisor of the town of Colchester, in the county of Delaware, that I will not pass any amount or any article thereof wherewith I shall think the said county is not justly chargeable, nor will I disallow any amount or any article thereof wherewith I think the said county is justly chargeable. WILLIAM HORTON.
The following is from the official records of the town clerk's office:
At a special town meeting held in the town of Colchester, for the purpose of dividing said town, convened at the house of Abraham Sprague, on ye 28th of December, 1805, Unanimously agree-
Ist. Resolved, that the said town be divided.
2nd. Resolved, that the line between the two towns cross the Papakunk river at the upper end of the long flat that Abram Sprague now lives on.
3rd. Resolved, that the bounds be such beginning at the upper end of the farm that Abraham Sprague now lives on where the road crosses the river running easterly in a direct line to strike the county line at right angles; thence starting from the place of beginning and continue the same line west- erly to the line of Walton.
4th. Resolved, that William Wheeler. Jonas Lakin and Solomon Miller be a committee to bring the above resolutions into effect.
At the annual town meeting, March 13, 1813, it was " Resolved, that the sum of seventy dollars be raised for the support of schools."
The following are correct transcripts from the records of the town clerk's office:
Born on the 28th of September. 1810, a male child of a black slave to John Hitt. Recorded November 10th, 1810.
A negro boy named Tom belonging to Alexander Cole was three years okl the fourth of March, 1813.
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Born of a black slave belonging to Alexander Cole, a male child named Benjamin, born the second day of January. 1813. Recorded the 2d day of July, 1813.
Born to a black slave belonging to Alexander Cole, a female child named Gin, the twentieth day of January, 1815. Recorded 13th January, 1816.
Born of a black slave belonging to Alexander Cole, a female child named Harriet, the twentieth day of December, 1816. Recorded the 28th February, 1818.
The oldest building in the town is the barn now standing on the Jason Gregory farm at Gregorytown. It was erected by Timothy Gregory in 1789; the original frame is still sound, and the building gives promise of standing yet many years.
William Holliday was the oldest person who ever died in the town; his age was 104, and he is buried in the old cemetery at Downsville.
The town has furnished the following members of the Assembly: William Horton, elected 1798; John H. Gregory, elected 1821; Hezekiah Elwood, elected 1852; Barna R. Johnson, elected 1859, served three terms; Robert Beates, elected 1879; James W. Knapp, elected 1836.
John H. Gregory was elected Sheriff of the county in 1831.
William Horton was also one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, when that court was first organized in the county in 1798.
David Phelps was one of the six attorneys admitted and sworn, at the first session of the Court of Common Pleas in 1798. Phelps resided many years in the town, was a man of scholarly attainments, and always a true friend of Colchester. He made an earnest effort to have the county seat located on the East branch,-a movement which was successfully opposed by General Root and others. David Phelps died at Deposit, at a ripe age, and in obedience to his wish expressed in life his remains were taken back to his beloved town of Colchester, where the best of his life had been spent, and he rests in the old cemetery at Downsville. Horton and Phelps were the leaders of their respective parties for many years in the town of Colchester, but Horton's party was far in the ascendancy in the
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town and county, and he was honored many times with office, while Phelps remained in private life.
At present there are six post-offices in the town, Popacton. Downsville, Colchester, Shinhopple, Horton and Butternut Grove. The two last named are on the Beaverkill. Downsville was so named in honor of Abel Downs. Pepacton is a corruption of the Indian name, Pawpacton, and is live miles up the river from Downs- ville. Colchester is the oldest post-office in town, that having been the principal settlement in the town for many years; it is two miles down the river from Downsville. Shinhopple is at the mouth of Trout brook, five miles below Downsville, and received its name from the large number of hobble bushes which grow on the flats in that vicinity.
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