USA > New York > Otsego County > Gazetteer and business directory of Otsego County, New York for 1872-3 > Part 12
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Exeter, (p. v.) near the center of the town, contains two churches, viz., Congregationalist and Methodist; a town hall. a store, two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, a shoe shop and about 20 dwellings.
Schuyler's Lake, (p. v.) in the east part of the town, contains two churches, viz., Baptist and Union ; two hotels, four stores. three shoe shops, three milliner shops, a harness shop, two blacksmith shops, a cheese factory, a cheese box factory, a steam saw and grist mill, a chair and cabinet shop, a tannery, a con-
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fectionery store, 55 dwellings and 233 inhabitants. There is a flourishing lodge of Good Templars and one of Masons in this village.
The Cheese Box Factory of Israel L. Veber, is a two-story frame building, 26 by 40 feet, and is run by a six horse-power engine, giving employment to four hands and turning out 500 boxes per week.
The Cheese Factory of H. J. Baker, is a two-story frame building, 30 by 80 feet, has a capacity for making 24 cheeses a day, using the milk of 600 cows.
The Steam Saw and Grist Mill of William Rose, now in process of erection, is a two-story frame building, 24 by 64 feet, with two wings 22 by 24 and 17 by 14 feet. The mill will be run by a 40 horse-power engine.
West Exeter, (p. v.) on the west border, contains a Methodist church, two stores, a hotel, a blacksmith shop, two saw mills, a shoe shop, a cheese box factory and 100 inhabitants.
The first settlements were made by John Tunnicliff, near Schuyler's Lake, and William Angel, on Angel Hill, in 1789. About the same time Asa Williams settled in the south part of the town; Joshua and Caleb Angel, on Angel Hill; Seth Tubbs and Bethel Martin, at West Exeter, and M. Cushman, on the Rockdunga Creek. Eliphalet Brockway kept the first inn, at Schuyler's Lake, and C. Jones the first store, in 1810. John Hartshorne erected the first grist mill, on Herkimer Creek.
The first religious society organized was the Presbyterian, at Exeter Center, in 1800. Rev. T. W. Duncan was the first regular preacher.
The Baptist Church at Schuyler's Lake was organized in 1808 by Humphrey Palmer and others, with 45 members. The first pastor was Rev. D. Haskell. The first house of worship was erected in 1808; the present house in 1841. It will seat 240 and cost $2,300. The present membership is 43; the pastor is Rev. Henry Gorlock, and the value of Church property is $5,000.
The Union Church at Schuyler's Lake was erected in 1839 by the Methodists, Universalists, Free Will Baptists, Episcopalians and Christians. It will seat 260 and its present value is $2,500.
The Congregational Church of Exeter was organized in 1806 with 19 members. Rev. William Graves was the first pastor. The first house of worship was erected in 1808; the present
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house in 1861. It will seat 200, and the value of the Church property is $2,000. The present membership is 26.
The First M. E. Church of Exeter Center has a membership of 33. Their house of worship will seat 200 and the pastor is Rev. W. R. Cochrane.
The Second M. E. Church of West. Exeter has a membership of 46. Their house of worship was erected in 1839; it will seat 250 and is valued at $3,000.
From the earliest records which we have been able to obtain, we find that in 1818 and 1820 the following names appear among the circuit preachers, viz., Revs. Abner Chase, George Gary, Charles Giles, B. G. Paddock, E. Whipple, Dan Barnes and Dana Fox. .
The population of the town in 1870 was 1,256, and its area, 18,496 acres, with an assessed value of $273.644.
There are 8 school districts, employing 8 teachers. The num- ber of children of school age is 395; the number attending school, 305 ; the average attendance, 160; the value of school houses and sites, $3,900.
HARTWICK, named in honor of Christopher Hartwick, the patentee of the Hartwick Patent, was formed from Otsego, March 30, 1802. Its north line was changed in 1803. It is the central town of the County. The surface is a hilly upland, the highest summits being from 200 to 350 feet above the valleys. The east part is drained by the Susquehanna, and the west part by Otsego Creek. The soil is chiefly a sandy and gravelly loam, with an occasional mixture of clay.
Hartwick, (p. v.) on Otego Creek, in the north-west part, contains 3 churches, 6 stores, 2 hotels, a grist mill, saw mill, 2 shingle mills, an iron foundry and wood shop, 2 carriage shops, 4 blacksmith shops, 2 shoe shops, 2 harness shops, an undertaker shop, cabinet shop and about 500 inhabitants.
Hartwick Seminary, (p. v.) in the east part, contains a church, (Evan. Luth,) the Hartwick Theological and Classical Semi- nary, and about 20 houses.
The Hartwick Theological and Classical Seminary was incor- porated August 13, 1816, and endowed with a legacy of $80,000, by John Christopher Hartwick. The building has been recently remodeled at an expense of 823,000, and is one of the finest seminary buildings in. the State. It is well supplied with philo- sophical apparatus, maps, libraries &c. The Classical Depart- ment is open to students of both sexes, and is extensively patronized.
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South Hartwick, (p. v.) in the south-west part, on Otego Creek, contains a grist mill, saw mill, 2 stores, a shoe shop, a blacksmith shop and about a dozen dwellings.
Hyde Park, a hamlet, about a mile north of Hartwick Semi- nary, contains a hotel, store, shoe shop, 2 blacksmith shops, 2 carriage shops and about a dozen houses.
Toddsville, (p. v.) on Oaks Creek, in the north-east part, con- tains a church, cotton mill, paper mill, two stores, a carriage shop, blacksmith shop, jeweler's shop, shoe shop, saloon, chair and paint shop, and about 200 inhabitants.
Clintonville, a hamlet in the south-east part, on the Susque- hanna River and C. & S. V. R. R., is the seat of the Clintonville Cotton Mills.
The Hartwick Patent, including the greater part of this town, was granted April 22, 1761. Settlements were commenced before the Revolution. Lot Crosby and Stephen Skiff were among the first settlers at Hartwick village; Elijah and Rufus Hawkins, and N. Lyon, settled in the north-east part of the town. James Butterfield kept the first inn, and Daniel Laurens the first store, at what is called White House, in the north-west part. The first mill was erected at Hartwick village by Samuel Mudge.
The first church organization was that of the Baptist, in 1795.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hartwick, at Hartwick Seminary, was organized with 40 members, by Rev. J. D. Lawyer, the first pastor, in 1839. The house of worship, which will seat 300, was erected in 1840 at a cost of $1,600. The present value of Church property is 82,000. The present number of members is 25, and the pastor Rev. T. T. Titus. This Church is con- nected with Hartwick Seminary. Rev. G. B. Miller, D. D., was for many years the principal of the Seminary and pastor of the Church.
The Union Church (M. E.) at Toddsville was organized in 1865 by the Union Society with 25 members. The first pastor was Rev. H. V. Talbot. The house of worship was erected in 1865 at a cost of $2,300, and will seat 300. The present value of Church property is $2,400. The present number of members is 25, and the pastor is Rev. Geo. Parsons.
The Christian Church, near the north line of the town, was organized in 1820. The house of worship was erected in 1840 at a cost of $1,000, and will seat 150. The present value of Church property is $2,000. The pastorate is at present vacant.
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The Christian Church at Hartwick was organized, with 46 members, February 1st, 1853, by Rev. S. B. Hayward, the first pastor. The house of worship, which will seat 300, was erected in 1853 at a cost of $2,500. The present value of Church pro- perty is 83,000. The present number of members is 199, and the pastor, Rev. N. Brown.
The Baptist Church at Hartwick was organized August 19, 1795, by Rev. James Bacon and John Bostwick, with 12 mem- bers. The first house of worship was erected in 1795; the pres- ent house, which will seat 350, in 1854-5, at a cost of $3,500. The present value of Church property is $6,000. The first pastor was Rev. John Bostwick. The present number of members is 102, and the pastor, Rev. Gould J. Travis. Since the organiza- tion of the Church the following pastors have successively offici- ated : Rev. Jno. Bostwick, Elder Robertson, Rev. Nathan Bundy, Rev. J. N. Adams, Rev. E. H. Bailey, Rev. J. B. Pixley, Rev. Jacob Grants, Rev. A. B. Earle, Rev. J. W. Hammond, Rev. Russell Spafford, Rev. A. Maynard, Rev. H. Fitch, Rev. H. H. Fisher, and the present incumbent. During the seventy- seven years the organization has been in existence, a large num- ber of members have been added to the Church, which good results were brought about by the examples and exertions of the several pastors, seconded by Josiah Maples, Ziba Newland, Isaac Burch, and many other good and faithful men.
The population of the town in 1870 was 2,343, and its area, 25.978 acres, with an assessed value of $423,190.
The number of school districts is 17, emploving the same number of teachers. The number of children of school age is 801 ; the number attending school, 579 ; the average attendance, 307; the value of school houses and sites is $6,090.
LAURENS was formed from Otsego, April 2, 1810. It 1 is an interior town, lying south-west of the center of the County. The surface is high and hilly, with the exception of the broad valley of Otego Creek. It is drained south by Otego Creek and several tributaries, among which are Harrison and Wharton Creeks. The soil is a sandy and gravelly loam, in some parts slaty, and generally productive. About a mile and a half west of Laurens is a sulphur spring.
Laurens, (p. v.) pleasantly situated on Otego Creek, was in- corporated April 22, 1834, and contains three churches, viz., Methodist, Presbyterian and Christian; a hotel, six stores, the Otsego Cotton Mills, a carriage factory, a grist and flouring mill, a saw mill, a planing mill, a cabinet shop, three blacksmith shops, two harness shops, three shoe shops, a wood turning shop,
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a tannery, two school houses, a lodge of Masons and one of Good Templars, and about 300 inhabitants.
- The Otsego Cotton Mills were erected in 1847 and for several years manufactured sheetings, but all now run on paper cam- bric, having a capacity for making about 14,000 yards per week. . The mills contain 72 looms, 2,700 spindles, and give employment to about 50 hands.
The Laurens Flouring and Custom Mill, erected in 1840, con- tains three . runs of stones and has a capacity for grinding about 600 bushels per day. The mill is situated on the east side of Otego Creek and is owned by Lewis S. Elwell.
The Circular Saw Mill of Elwell & Allen has a capacity for sawing about 1,500,000 feet of lumber annually.
Mount Vision, (p. v.) situated in the north-east part of the town, on Otego Creek, contains two churches, viz., Methodist and Baptist ; a select school, a hotel, five stores, a grist mill, a saw mill, a wagon shop, a shoe shop, four blacksmith shops, a harness shop and about 300 inhabitants.
West Laurens, (p. v.) in the west part of the town, on Harrison's Creek, is a hamlet.
The Steam Saw Mill of E. Tucker & Son, at West Laurens, has a capacity for sawing 6,000 feet of lumber per day. A lath, planing mill and matching machine are connected with the mill.
Butt's Corners, three miles west of Laurens, contains a saw mill, a tannery, a school house and 8 or 10 dwellings.
The first settlement of this town was made by Joseph Mavall, about a mile north-east of the village, in 1774. John Sleeper, a Quaker, from New Jersey, settled shortly after. Richard Smith and William Ferguson and his two sons, James and Thomas, settled within two years from the first settlement. Eastwood Allen and Samuel Gardner settled about the same time, having purchased one thousand acres about a mile south of the village.
Mr. Mayall was an Englishman by birth, but his sympathies were with the Colonies. After the close of the Revolution, while Mayall was engaged in hunting, he was accosted by three men who requested him to pilot them to the fording place on the Susquehanna. He did so, and the men then took his gun from him, and having taken off the lock, returned it, inform- ing him, at the same time, that he must accompany them to Canada. He remonstrated, saying that peace had been declared and they had no right to take him prisoner. Finding all
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argument unavailing, he concluded to go with them and await an opportnity to escape. While crossing a branch of the Susquehanna, one of the party passed to the opposite side, another stationed himself in the middle of the stream, while the third was to accompany Mayall. Taking advantage of this, Mayall struck his companion over the head with his gun felling him to the ground, then quickly seizing his gun, discharged it at the one standing in the stream, wounding him. The third fired at Mayall and missed him, then fled. Mayall returned to Cherry Valley, bringing the guns of the two men and his own, which he deposited with Mr. Campbell. The barrel of Mayall's gun was bent almost to a semi-circle by the blow.
Just before the memorable massacre at Cherry Valley, Capt. Robert McKean and five others were on a scout and came to the house of Mr. Sleeper, who informed them that Brant had been at his house the day before with about fifty men, and was expected to return that night; and advised Mckean and his party to leave, as they would surely be killed or taken prisoners in case Brant returned. Mckean proposed to remain and make Sleeper's house his fortress, as it was a substantial log one; but as Sleeper wished to remain neutral and avoid all cause of complaint on the part of the enemy, Mckean with- drew and took possession of a facant house, a mile or two distant.
The day previous to the massacre of Cherry Valley, Mr. Sleeper started to return to New Jersey, leaving his family. At Cherry Valley some of his friends tried to induce him to remain, but being impressed to go on, he went to Bowman's Creek, seven miles distant, and thus escaped the destruction that fell upon that settlement. The next day a party of Indians passed through Laurens, robbing the family of Mr. Sleeper of all their personal property and destroying the build- ings, allowing the family to escape with the clothes on their backs. Mr. Sleeper returned in 1784 with his family, rebuilt the mills which had been burned by the Indians and Tories, and again enjoyed the blessings of peace. He had been sent here to commence a settlement, preparatory to the arrival of a colony of Friends from England.
Erastus Crafts kept the first inn, about 1812; Erastus and Ezra Dean, the first store, and Daniel Johnson built the first factory.
Mr. Isaac Powell, the father of Erastus D. Powell, came to this town in 1800, with his father, who purchased the farm upon which Joseph Mayall settled, and which has ever since been in the possession of the family. Mr. P. is now 93 years
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of age and enjoys to a good degree the use of his mental and physical powers.
Smith Hall, now owned by Isaac G. Briggs, was commenced in 1865, by Richard Smith, one of the first settlers, and was the first framed building erected in the town. William Ferguson settled in 1774, where his grandson William now resides, about a mile and a half south of the village.
During the late Rebellion, Laurens sent out a noble band of patriots, twenty-five of whom sealed their devotion to their country with their lives. Of these, eight belonged to the 121st Regiment, viz., Samuel G. Snediker, killed at Spottsyl- vania, May 10, 1864; Richard Bennett, killed June 3, 1864, at Cold Harbor; James C. Gardner, killed May 10, 1864, at Spott- sylvania; William Gardner, killed May 3, 1861, at Salem Church ; James F. Hall, died of fever, December 23, 1862, near White Oak Church; Robinson F. Fox, killed May 3, 1863, near Fred- ericksburgh ; Samuel A. Fenton, killed May 3, 1863, at Salem Church; Samuel A. Babcock, killed on skirmish line, near Winchester, Va., Angust 26, 1864. The five following were members of the 152d Regiment, viz., Galen H. Lull and Francis Ripley, died in Andersonville Prison in 1864; James Hubbard, killed on picket in 1864; Augustus Steere, died of sun stroke, May 4. 1864; Jacob H. Christman, died in New York City, May 13, 1863. The following four were members of the 2d New York Heavy Artillery, viz., James Haynes, died May 11, 1865; B. Erastus Brightman, wounded in battle at Deep Bot- tom, and died in November 1864; Henry Ackley, died from a wound, July 1864 ; Daniel Gile Smith, died at Alexandria, Va., June 17, 1864. Harvey Straight, accidentally killed by a mem- ber of his own company, in the second battle of Bull Run. He was a member of Co. E, 101st Regiment. Wm. Seward
Hablard and Wright, of the 76th Regiment, killed; Willis Hillsinger, 43d Infantry, killed May 3, 1863, at Fred- ericksburgh, and John Herring, of the same, was killed in May 1864 in the battle of the Wilderness; Benjamin B. Comstock, Co. A, 12th Wisconsin, died July 16, 1862, in Tennesee. A son of Almon Y. Johnson was killed, and a son of Almanzo Green died of measles. Alonzo Jenks, Co. C, 61st Infantry, was killed at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1802.
The first religious organization in the town was that of the Friends, who erected a meeting house about 1800. /
The Christian Church of Laurens was organized in 1836 by Rev. Charles I. Butler, the first pastor, with 36 members. Their house of worship will seat about 250 and is valued at $3,000. The present pastor is Rev. Henry Brown.
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The First Presbyterian Church of Laurens was organized in 1844 by Rev. Horatio Pattengill. The first pastor was Rev. E. Vine Wales, and the first house of worship was erected in 1822, as a Union Church. It will seat 300 and is valued at $4,500. The present membership is 35.
The Baptist Church, located at Mount Vision, was organized in 1844 by Rev. Lemuel C. Pattengill, the first pastor, with 32 members. Their house was erected in 1844 and-cost origin- ally, 82,000; it is capable of seating 250. The present value of Church property is 84,000.
The population of the town in 1870 was 1.919, and its area, 26,027 acres, with an assessed value of $398,750.
There are 12 school districts, employing 13 teachers. The number of children of school age is 529; the number attending school, 429; the average attendance, 220; the value of school houses and sites, $3,140.
MARYLAND was formed from Worcester, March 25, 1808. It lies on the south line of the County, east of the center. The surface is a hilly upland, broken by the deep ravines of the streams. The principal stream is Schenevus Creek, which flows south-westerly through the south part of the County, receiving in its course several tributaries from the north and south. South Hill is a steep unbroken ridge. 350 to 500 feet above the valleys, and extends along the south bank of the creek, through the town. From its summit the surface spreads out into a rocky and broken upland, extending to the south border. The soil is chiefly a sandy loam and is best adapted to grazing. Grains of various kinds, hops and fruits, are raised extensively. There is a sulphur spring in the town. Lead was found by the Indians and one or two white men, but the place has never been made public. Traces of zinc and cop- per have been detected, and iron ore of various kinds is found. A specimen of magnetic ore, found near Crumhorn Lake, con- tained ninety per cent of iron.
Maryland (p. v.) is a station on the Albany & Susquehanna Railroad and contains two churches, two hotels, a dry goods store, a grocery and saloon, a grist mill. a steam saw mill, a school house, several mechanic shops of various kinds, and about 250 inhabitants.
Schenevus, (p. v.) incorporated in 1870, is a station on the A. & S. R. R., in the east part of the town, and contains two churches. two district schools, two select schools, a newspaper printing office, three hotels, seven dry goods stores, two hard- ware stores, two drug stores, two groceries, three saloons, two
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grist mills, a saw mill, a plaster mill, a sash, blind and door manufactory, a cheese factory, three carriage shops, four black- smith shops, two cabinet shops, a marble shop, two undertakers, a bank, a tannery, various other mechanic shops and about 700 inhabitants. There are also Lodges of Good Templars, Odd Fel- lows and Masons.
The Schenevus Tannery, of Morse & Gleason, turns out about 14,000 sides of leather annually, using 12,000 cords of bark and giving employment to 22 men.
The Sash and Blind Manufactory of Lane & Hotchkin usually employ ten hands and use about 15,000 feet of lumber per month. The works are run by a fifteen horse-power engine.
The Grist Mill of Guy Brothers has three runs of stones, capable of grinding 450 bushels per day. The mill is run by a thirty horse-power engine, and last year ground 30,000 bushels.
The Feed and Plaster Mill of Mr. Ferry has three runs of stones and grinds about 200 tons of plaster annually.
The Marble Shop of Oscar P. Toombs is doing an extensive business in monuments, headstones &c.
The Schenevus Fair Grounds contain eighteen acres, well fenced and with suitable buildings.
Chaseville, (p. v.) about two miles west of Schenevus, contains a church, a flouring mill, a saw mill, a dry goods store, several mechanic shops and about 200 inhabitants.
Elk Creek, (p. v.) in the north part of the town, contains a church, a dry goods store and several mechanic shops.
In 1790, Israel, Eliphas and Phineas Spencer, and Elisha Chamberlin, from Columbia County, settled near Maryland Station. Nathaniel Rose, Eli Rose and Samuel Hotchkin, all from Columbia County, settled near the same place soon after. About 1:91, Daniel Seaver, Josiah Chase, Edward Godard and Nathaniel Hazen, settled near the present site of Schenevus. About 1793, Col. J. Houghton, Caleb Byington, Wilder, Ezekiel and John Rice, and Jotham Houghton, settled near Chaseville, and Joseph Howe settled on Elk Creek. In 1794, Thomas and John Thompson, and J. Morehouse, from Columbia County, settled about a mile west of Maryland Station, near what has been called the "foot of Crumhorn."
The " Spencer Mills," erected by Israel Spencer, abont 1794, were the first erected in the town. Jotham Houghton bad an interest in the saw mill. Settlements were made in the east part of the town soon after. Phineas Spencer was the first stone mason, carpenter and joiner, cabinet and chair maker in
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town, and for many years made all coffins used for many miles around. He made plows also until cast iron plows came into use. The first tavern was kept by Josiah Chase at Schenevus : the first clothing mill was erected by Stephen G. Virgil. The first death was that of John Rice, who was killed by the fall of a tree near the present site of the Schenevus Depot. He was buried where the Schenevus Cemetery now is. The first marriage was that of Samuel Hotchkin and Polly Spencer, in January 1804. They were the parents of Ashley Hotchkin. Esq., of Schenevus. It is believed that Miss Spencer taught the first school, in 1802. The first post office was kept at the center of the town, and for several years Jared M. Chamberlin was the post master. The first building burned in the town was the blacksmith shop of Allen Ainsworth, and the first dwelling house destroyed by lightning was that of William Bowdish, about 1821. The first town officers were Edward Godard, Supervisor; John Chase, Town Clerk ; D. Houghton, Justice of the Peace ; J. Houghton and Heman Chamberlin, Commissioners of High ways.
The town embraces portions of several different tracts, among which are the "Crumhorn Mountain Tract" and Spencer's, Franklin's and Fitch's Patents. The first settlers, Eliphas and Israel Spencer, settled on Franklin's Patent, and Phineas Spencer on "States Land." Nathaniel Rose opened a tavern near Maryland Station, about 1806, and his brother Eli opened another near the same place. The remains of the first settlers and many of their descendants lie in the cemetery at this place.
The following incident shows the veneration of the early settlers for the dead. Samuel Chase's first wife, a step daughter of Phineas Spencer, after her death, was borne on a bier (team conveyance being considered sacrilegious,) seven miles, on a sweltering day, and deposited in this cemetery. One of the bearers is still living and over 91 years old.
Among the humorous incidents handed down from an early day is one that occurred at the raising of Israel Spencer's mill in 1:93. One of the workmen, not overstocked with wisdom of the love of work, complained of thirst and kept up a continual cry for water. Phineas Spencer, a powerful man and ready for any emergency, seized the fellow by the nape of the neck and plunged him into the pond where the water was ten feet deep, with the sharp exclamation, " Get some water and bed-d."
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