USA > New York > Delaware County > Delaware County, New York, history of the century, 1797-1897, centennial celebration, June 9 and 10, 1897 > Part 38
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The year immediately following the organization of the town
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TOWN OF WALTON.
license was granted by the town board to seven places for the sale of liquor, viz: James Howard, George Yendes, John Bells, Thos. W. Griswold, Nathan Kellogg, Clark Cannon, Elias Butler. In 1846 a special town meeting was held at which 192 votes were east against license to 82 for license. At a special town meeting in 1896 to vote upon the question of license, 416 votes were cast for license and 480 against. The law known as the Raines law went into effect March 1896.
Walton has been, and is one of the leading towns in the county in all that pertains to agricultural interests. Her location pcenl- iarly fits her for dairying and kindred agricultural pursuits. The river Hats of the East. West. and Third brooks produce an abun- dance of grain and hay; while the hills which rise on either side from which bubbles cold, pure water in great abundance, produce rich. sweet pasturage, so necessary for the production of the butter, the fame of which has become world wide. The number of cows in the town at present is estimated at 6,000. The amount of butter produced is not as large as formerly owing to the growth of the milk trathe, which began to be developed upon the open- ing of the Ontario & Western railroad in 1872. Large quantities of milk are produced in that portion of the town adjacent to the line of the railroad, which is shipped direct to New York city. thus diminishing in some degree the product of butter. The farms which produce the milk are so managed that the production ex- tends through the winter months, at which time the price is ad- vanced, making the production more profitable. Owing to increased railroad facilities from the west and the consequent cheapness of grain, large quantities of feed are purchased by the farmers and the number of cows upon their farms has been largely increased. Formerly the farmer depended entirely upon his own farm for the feed for his stock. Now the great grain belts of the west assist in making the dairy of the eastern farmer.
The first town meeting was held in the log church of the Union society in April, 1797. Prior to that time the town meetings were
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
held at the house of Major Root, near the present division line. of the towns of Franklin and Walton.
From the town records a few extracts may not be uninteresting: " April 3rd, 1798, at a town meeting hekl at the meeting house at Walton, the following persons were elected into office, to wit: Isaac Darrow, collector; David St. John, town clerk; Robert North, supervisor; Isaac Darrow, John Eells, and Clark Cannon, assessors; Benajah MeCall, Thaddeus Hoyt, overseers of the poor: Aziel Hyde, Michael Goodrich, Reuben Crosby, commissioners of high- ways; Lewis Seymour, constable and collector; Thomas Dennis, Joseph Adams, constables; Hilliard Burrhus, Andrew Craig. Dr. Win. Maxfield, Samuel Teed, Asa Gears, John St. John, Thomas W. Griswold, Moses Hanford, Josiah Cleveland, Dr. Isaac Goodrich, Iziel Hyde, David Smith, Nathaniel Emerson, Samuel Frisbee, overseers of highways; Benajah McCall, Isaac Darrow, Samuel Johnston, King Mead, James Bradt, Joseph Webb, Jonas Parks, fence viewers; John Eells, pound master; Benajah McCall. Aziel Hyde, James Durfee, commissioners of schools."
At a town meeting in 1803 the following resolution was passed: "That any hog or hogs, running at large without a sufficient yoke and ring, the fence viewers to be judges of the yokes, shall be liable to be taken and shut up in any man's enclosure. The owner of said hogs, after being notified to take his hogs home, which notification shall be made within twelve hours, shall be liable to a fine of fifty cents for each hog so found running at large with- out yoke and rings, after the first notification, from the first day of April to the first day of December."
The following is a list of the supervisors of Walton since its erection and the date of their first election: Robert North, 1797; David St. John, 1805; John Eells, 1809; Gabriel North, 1811: Isaac Ogden, 1813; Bennett Beardsley, 1815; William Townsend. 1823; William Merwin, 1827; Alan Mead, 1829; Samuel Eells, 1832; Peter Gardiner, 1836; John Townsend, 1839; Ambrose Ogden, 1842: John Mead, 1844; David More. 1845; G. S. Mead, 1848; Gabriel
TOWN OF WALTON
S. North, 1855; Benjamin I. Bassett, 1859; J. B. Eells, 1863; C. B. Wade, 1869; M. W. Marvin, 1870: A. D. Prake. 1876: (. 0). Mead, 1877: Charles B. Bassett, 1890; Joseph Harby, 1892; H. S Sewell, 1893.
As early as 1802 we find the early settlers of Walton combining their efforts toward securing the advantages of a public library. Nearly fifty shares at $2 per share were taken and with this fund the foundation of a valuable collection was commenced. In 1509 the Walton library was incorporated under the general act of the legislature. This organization was kept up and additions made to the collections until the number of volumes reached 658. On January 27th, 1852, the library was divided by lot among its mem- bers. By a provision in the settlement of the estate of the late Win. B. Ogden, a fund of twenty thousand dollars was set aside for the purpose of erecting a library building and furnishing the same with books. This building is now in course of erection upon the public square at the junction of North street and Gar- diner Place. Fifteen thousand dollars of the fund is being used in the construction of a building. The balance, with some liberal contributions of friends interested in the project, will supply the books and provide for the care of the building.
As early as 1813 the town was organized into school districts. Originally there were twelve districts: William Townsend, Alex- ander Ogden, commissioners of schools.
As at present organized, the town contains twenty-three dis- triets, the last organized being the Marvin Hollow district, which was organized in 1850. The necessity for more and better edu- rational facilities soon became apparent to the people of the town. and in 1852 the Rev. JJ. S. Pattengill, then pastor of the Congre- gational church, a large hearted and liberal minded man, began the agitation of more extensive educational facilities. He made the theme the subject of several sermons and lectures. Awakened by these appeals, a subscription paper was circulated and $3,300 was subscribed in sinns varying from $5 to $300. The subscribers
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
organized themselves under the name of The Academy Association. At a meeting of the association, February 3, 1853, the following persons were elected trustees, to wit: Col. John Townsend, D. H. Gay, Hon. John Mead, Dr. J. S. MeLaury, William E. White, Rev. J. S. Pattengill, Dr. T. J. Ogden, Gen. B. J. Bassett, S. H. White, J. H. St. John, Thomas Marvin, White Griswold, Nathaniel Fitch. The board was organized by the election of John Mead as presi- dent; Dr. MeLaury, secretary; Nathaniel Fitch, treasurer. J. S. Pattengill, Jolin Mead, and T. J. Ogden were appointed a building committee. The land was donated by John Townsend and J. Eells was appointed master builder. The frame of the building was erected June 23, 1853. The lower floor was divided into two apartments, one used as a chapel and the other for a primary department. The upper floor was divided into two school rooms, one for ladies and one for gentlemen. The entire cost of the building was about four thousand dollars. The academy was com- pleted December 14th, 1853, and incorporated by the regents February 10, 1854. The first principal employed was Mr. Eli M. Maynard, assisted by his sister Miss Lucy A. Maynard. Miss Ade- laide Gardiner was the first teacher in the primary department. Mr. Maynard resigned in March, 1857. Henry E. Ogden acted as principal during the spring term of 1857. M. N. Horton took charge as principal August 26, 1857. During the spring of 1859, an addition was built to the main building at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars, and the lower rooms of the main building were used entirely for a chapel. Mr. Horton resigned March 1861. In July, 1861, Sidney Crawford took charge as principal, assisted by the following corps of teachers: Miss Jennie S. Bostwick, Miss Charlotte Marsh, who filled the position of preceptress, Miss E. Maria Ogden, teacher of drawing and painting. Hon. John Mead resigned the presidency of the board March 30, 1863, and David H. Gay was elected to succeed him. Charles E. Summer was en- gaged as principal and began his duties August 21, 1864. He remained in charge three years and was assisted by Miss Lena F.
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TOWN OF WALTON.
Wheat as preceptress in 1861 and 1865, Miss Jennie Summer, 1865 and 1866, and Miss Jennie F. Barnes, 1866 to 1867. Miss Hattie A. Taylor had charge of the primary department. Mr. Simmer was succeeded by Strong Comstock. August 19th, 1867, and Miss Martha Atwood was preceptress. In the spring of 1868 a union school was organized, and the academy property transferred to the board of education. In 1870 the Rev. D. T. Barclay was chosen principal for the two following years. The diplomas were first awarded in 1871. The first class consisted of Ella Love, Hannah N. Benedict, Charlotte E. North, Cornelia F. White. Miss Laura Gay was engaged as preceptress in 1870 and held the position until 1886. Mr. Comstock was again called to fill the position of principal in 1872 and continued in charge until 1891, when Prof. Fairgrieve, of Fulton, N. Y., was chosen as principal. Owing to the rapid growth of the town, incident to the building of the Ontario & Western railroad, the oldl building soon became inade- qnate for the purpose for which it was intended, and a new build- ing was erected in 1892 at a cost of about forty-five thousand dollars. The new building is one of the tinest of the kind in the state, and was completed and occupied in the fall of 1892.
The brave and hardy pioneers who left their homes upon Long Island and Connectient to establish their future homes in the wilderness in the interior of New York, brought with them the principles and the faith which enabled them to bear up under and sustain the burdens incident to such a great undertaking. They were descendants of the men who centuries before had left their own country and braved the dangers of a stormy voyage of three thousand miles of ocean, in order that they might worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience.
As early as 1791 a log house was built upon Mt. Pleasant for the double purpose of a place of worship on the Sabbath and a school during the week. The church was formally organized Orto- her 12, 1793, by Rev. David Huntington, a missionary from the General Association of Connecticut. Mr. Huntington's stuy was
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
brief. David Harrower, a member of the church, now entered a course of study, and in two years was employed by the association as pastor. Three days after the organization of the church, Octo- ber 15, 1793, the ceclesiastical society connected with the church was organized in legal form. The first trustees were Daniel Root, Samuel Johnson, Chas. Marsh, Michael Goodrich, Gabriel North, James Weed. The first clerk was Robert North. A log meeting house was used for church purposes ten years. Mr. Harrower remained with the church as stated supply ten years, spending some portion of his time in visiting and ministering to the ont- Jving settlements. A new church building was commenced in 1800 and finished in 1803 upon the same site. The church was without a stove until 1816, and at the town meeting that year a resolution was voted to purchase a stove for the meeting house and assess the cost upon the town for the privilege of using the building for town meeting purposes.
The following are the pastors who have ministered to the -society: In 1807 the Rev. Archibald Bassett was called and re- mained until 1811. The Rev. Orange Seymour was stated supply for six months. In 1813 the Rev. Isaac Headley was called and remained until 1829. The Rev. Alva Lillian supplied for six months and Rev. E. D. Wells was called in 1830 and Rev. A. L. Chapman in 1831. The Rev. Jonathan Huntington supplied for six months, and the Rev. Fayette Shepherd was called in 1834 and remained until 1838, and the Rev. Wilton Clark from then until 1842. In 1840 the church was built upon its present site. The Rev. E. D. Willis supplied in 1843 and remained until 1847. The Rev. J. S. Pattengill was installed in 1848 and remained until April, 1868, The Rev. S. J. White was installed in 1869 and remained until 1875, and the Rev. H. M. Ladd was pastor from 1875 until 1881, when Rev. G. W. Nims came and has remained until the present time.
The first Methodist class was organized in 1802, and Seth Berray was chosen leader. The members were Anna Berray,
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ex teir ifr : e.
ยท 587
TOWN OF WALTON.
Esther Berray, John Heath, David Heath, Eleanor Heath, Mrs. Filkins, Elizabeth Orr, Quartus Merrick, Lucia Merrick. The cele- brated Nathan Bangs held preaching services in Warren Tavern as early as 1808, and afterwards a preacher named Richards came into town on business and preached a few sermons. The Rev. Asa Hall, while visiting his father, preached in the house of Cyrus. St. John. That was about the year 1810. The first regular appointment was January 1, 1819, when A. S. Scofieldl was appointed to take charge of the church, since which time there has been regular preach- ing.
The following have been the appointments: In 1834, David Terry and James Benson: 1835, M. VanDusen and D. B. Turner; 1836, S. M. Knapp and T. Bangs; 1837, S. M. Knapp and Arad Lakin: 1838, H. Frost and Arad Lakin; 1839-40, B. Wakely: 1841-42, Aaron Rogers; 1843, Sanford Washburn; 1844, J. Tippet, W. C. Smith, and A. H. Mead: 1845, B. M. Gerrung; 1846, M. S. Pendell: 1847, George Kerr: 1848 George Kerr and Elias Rogers; 1849, David Gibson: 1850, D. C. Drake: 1851, Meto Conchman: 1852, George Palmer; 1853-54, John Davie: 1855, William Hall; 1856-37, Richard Deeker: 1858, Charles Sitzer: 1859-60, Edwin Clement: 1861-62, John F. Richmond; 1863-64, Richard Decker; 1865-66, John W. Gorse; 1867-69, A. R. Burroughs; 1870-72, J. J. Dean: 1873-74, J. M. Burgar; 1875, Joseph Eliot; 1876, J. G. Slater: 1877-79, Edward White; 1880-81, Rev. W. A. Chadwick: 1882-84, Rev. George Hearn; 1885-87, Rev. L. S. Brown; 1888- 90, Rev. O. D. Ramsay; 1891-92, Rev. J. W. Bohhuan: 1893-95. Rev. E. H. Roys; 1896, Rev. Robert Knapp.
The first Methodist church was built in 1811, and it cost $1,600. The first board of trustees was composed of the following persons: Sanford Ferguson, John McCall, Gersham H. Bradley, Hiram Fitch. Cyrus St. John. A new church was built in 1869 at a cost of $10,000. This church was used until 1892, when the present structure was commenced and built af a cost of $20,000. It is said to be the most beautiful church structure in the county.
30
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
The first services of the Protestant Episcopal church were held in Walton about the year 1830 by Rev. Mr. Johnson.
The first vestry was composed of the following named persons: James Noble and Everett Guild, wardens; Isaac Ogden, Robert North, Jr., James Smith, W. B. Ogden, Peter Gardiner, Joshua Pine, Bennett Beardslee, Benajah Hawley, John F. St. John, Adam Mallory, Rufus Smith, vestrymen. In 1831 the church edifice was commenced, and completed in 1834. The clergymen connected with the early history of the parish were the Rev. Mr. Adams of Unadilla, Rev. Orange Clark of Delhi, Rev. Russell Wheeler of Butternuts, Otsego county, and Rev. E. K. Fowler of Monticello, N. Y. The first installed rector was the Rev. John F. Messinger, who supplied. here in 1834; in 1837, Rev. Amos Billings Beach; 1839, Rev. Rob- ert Campbell; in 1840, Rev. Asa Griswold; in 1842, Rev. David Huntington; in 1846, Rev. William G. Heimer; in 1847, Rev. John Creighton Brown; in 1860, Rev. Charles Canfield; in 1861, Rev. F. S. Compton; in 1863, Rev. Frederic Sisson; in 1865, Rev. Gurdon Huntington, who died November 29, 1875; in 1876, Rev. Theodore A. Snyder; in 1877, Rev. Mr. Searing; afterward Rev. Mr. Rathbun, Rev. Reeves Hobbie, Rev. J. R. L. Nisbitt, Rev. Richard Searing, and Rev. Charles Temple at the present time, have been the rectors.
The first Baptist church was organized in the year 1866 from the various outlying branches. Rev. Jenkins Jones was stated supply during the first year. In November, 1869, Rev. L. M. Purrington was called as pastor, and remained until 1877. The church edifice was erected in 1869 at a cost of $5,000. In 1878, Rev. A. J. Adams was called; in 1881, Rev. E. B. Glover; in 1882, Rev. W. N. Thomas; in 1882, Rev. J. A. Hungate; in 1886, Rev. W. P. Chipman; in 1887, Rev. C. A. Stone; in 1895, Rev. A. J. Whalen; in 1895, Rev. W. A. King; in 1896, Rev. J. T. Barber.
The Reformed Presbyterian church was organized September 5, 1861. The first church edifice was built on East brook, about five miles from Walton village. The first pastor was Rev. David McAllister, who remained until 1884. In 1874 a new church was
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TOWN OF WALTON.
ereted in Walton village. In 1885 Rev. S. G. Shaw was called to the pastorate and remained until 1896. The present pastor is Rev. R. C. Reed.
The United Presbyterian church was organized October 19, 1865. The elders elected were John W. Smith, William Kilpatrick, Thomas MeLaury, P. M. Doig. The church edifice was built in 1868 and the Rev. W. R. Crow settled as pastor. In 1873 Rev. S. W. Meeks was chosen, and in 1878 Rev. W. M. Howie was called and remained until 1892, when Rev. Thomas Park, the present pastor, was called. A new church edifice was erected on the corner of North and East streets in 1891 at a cost of about six thousand dollars. The number of members is 280.
The following persons have served as town clerks of Walton: David St. John, date of election April 4, 1797; William Townsend, 1801; Robert North, 1806; David St. John, 1828; Platt Townsend, 1829; David H. Gay, 1848; Henry E. St. John, 1857; Charles B. Wade, 1861; Orson J. Ells, 1863; George W. Fitch, 1864; David H. Gay, 1865; George O. Mead, 1867; John S. Eells, 1877; Jomm Ol- stend, 1883; John S. Eells, the present clerk, 1884. Within a period of one hundred years, twelve men have served as town clerks.
The War of Independence was brought to a successful termina- tion and a treaty of peace with the mother country was signed the year prior to the first settlement of the town. Among the early settlers of the town were many who braved the dangers and bore the sufferings in the patriot army under Washington during the eventful struggle. From the best information the following persons, early settlers of the town, served in the Revolutionary war either as soldiers of the line, levies or militia: Matthew Marvin, Jared Hoyt, Daniel Nichols, Captain James A. Marvin, James Adams, Roger Case, Jonathan Weed, Reuben Bartow. These men were enlisted largely from the state of Connectient, and after the revolution moved into the state of New York.
The following is a list of the residents of the town who per- formed military service for the state during the war of 1812:
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTI.
Benjamin E. Eells, Mead Eells, John Marvin, Stephen Berray, MIr. Smith, Jonathan Beers, Samuel Morehouse, Nathan Nichols, Gabriel North, John Patrick.
The following is a list of those who were drafted in the service in. 1814: Jonas Walker, William K. Seeley, Eliphalet Seeley, Syl- vanus Seeley, Seeley Benedict, Silas Benedict, Nathan Benedict, Tenas Ogden, John Raymond, Samuel Eells, Levi Hanford, Amasa Hoyt, Chauncey Hoyt, Billy Benedict, Alfred Bradley, Gersham H. Bradley, Captain Harmon Sawyer, Ebenezer Steele, Smith St. John, John Hess, Thomas Marvin, Platt Richards, Thomas Keeler, John Olmstead, Bueld Case, Hanford Wakeman, Hezekiah Vanderburg, Alfred Nichols, William Cable, Simon Cable, Nathaniel G. Eells, Lieutenant Gabriel North, Benjamin North, Quartermaster Gabriel Honeywell, William Seymour, Cook St. John, sutler; Richard W. Stockton, sergeant; Tunis Brazee, Harry Bedell, John Barlow, Ebenezer Hanford.
The next military event following the war of 1812, was the so-called " Anti-Rent war" of 1845. From the fact that there was little or no leased land in the town, Walton had consequently less sympathy for the " Anti-renters" than there was in those parts of the county where the land was largely lease lots. The soldiers called out to aid the sheriff in the discharge of his duties were taken largely from the town of Walton and those towns where there was little or no anti-rent sympathy. Major James Marvin, of Walton, was in command of the troops or the sheriff's posse, as it was termed in those days, during the period that the county was under martial law, by a proclamation of the governor of the state, Silas Wright.
The great civil war of 1861 to 1865 made large demands upon the patriotism and the purse of the loyal North, and the part which the town of Walton bore in that eventful struggle will always be a source of pride to her patriotic citizens. The limits of the present historical sketch will not permit the recording of all the names of those who enlisted and served in that memorable struggle. Our
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TOWN OF WALTON.
records will therefore be confined to a list of the organizations in which there were enlisted men from the town. The following list and the battles in which they were engaged is taken from the adjutant-general's report of the state of New York published in the venr 1868:
The 72d Infantry, Company 1, Captain Johnson; engagements Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Bristow Station, Bull Run.
The 71st Regiment; this regiment was mustered into the service of the United States from June 20 to November 19, 1861. On the expiration of its term of service the original members ( except the veterans ) were mustered out and the veterans and recruits trans- ferred to the 120th New York Volunteers.
The 71st Regiment, Company I, Captain Elwood, mustered into the service of the United States, August 4th, 1861, and mustered out of service July 30th, 1864, and the recruits transferred to the 120th New York Volunteers. Engagements, Stafford Court House, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Bristow Station, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburgh.
Third New York Cavalry, Company E, Captain Jacobs. Mus- tered into the service of the United States, from July 17th to August 27th, 1861. On the expiration of its term of service, the original members ( except the veterans ) were mustered out and a regiment composed of veterans and recruits retained in service. It was united with the First Mounted Rifles, July 22d, 1865, and was ealled the Fourth Provisional Cavalry. Engagements, Youngs Cross Roads, Williamsburgh, Kingston, White Hall, Goldsborough, Balls Bluff, Weldon Railroad, Edwards Ferry, Stony Creek, Peters- burg, Malvern Hill, New Market, Johnson's House.
The Sth New York Independent Battery, Captain Fitch, was raised principally in the county of Delaware and mustered into the service of the United States, October 30th, 1861. On the expiration of its term of service, the original members ( except veterans ) were
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
mustered out and a battery composed of veterans and recruits retained in service until June 30th, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with the orders of the war department. Engage- ments, Malveru Hill, Fair Oaks, Seven Pines.
The 51st New York Infantry was mustered into the service of the United States from July 27th to October 23d, 1861. The original members ( except veterans) were mustered out on the expiration of the term of service and a regiment consisting of veterans and recruits retained in service until July 25, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders from the war department. Engagements, Roanoke Island, Newburg, Manassas, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church.
The 89th Infantry, Company I, Captain T. L. England, mustered into the United States service December 6th, 1861, mustered out August 3, 1865. Engagements, Suffolk, Camden, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg.
The 101st New York Infantry, Colonel George F. Chester. Mustered into the service of the United States September 7th, 1861. It was united with the 37th regiment of New York Volunteers, December 24th, 1862, and the officers mustered out of service. Engagements, Seven Pines, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Chicka- hominy, White Oak Swamp, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Groveton, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg.
The 144th New York Infantry, Colonel Lewis. This regiment was organized at Delhi, New York, to serve for three years. The companies of which it was composed were raised in the county of Delaware. It was mustered into the service of the United States, September 27th, 1862, and mustered out of service June 25th, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department. Company B of this regiment was raised in the town of Walton, M. W. Marvin Captain. Engagements, Honey Hill, John's Island, James Island, Siege of Wagner, Deveaux Neck, Honey Hill.
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