USA > New York > Schoharie County > Gazetteer and business directory of Schoharie County, N.Y. for 1872-3 > Part 14
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The Old Stone Fort Cemetery takes its name from the stone church which was inclosed by pickets during the Revolution
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and is still standing in the inclosure. This association was in- corporated about ten years ago, but little was done to improve the grounds. About three years ago a new Board of Trustees was appointed, and under the the management of the President, Dr. Peter S. Swart, and Mr. Almerin Gallup, the Secretary and Treasurer, the grounds are undergoing great improvement and the place bids fair to become one of the most attractive points in this beautiful valley. The grounds embrace about seven acres, including the old cemetery, where rest the ashes of the actors in the Revolutionary struggle.
The first settlement was made in 1711 by a colony of Ger- man Palatinates who had previously settled on the Hudson. Bruna Dorf was near the present site of the Court House. The name is said to signify the "Town of Springs." John Lawyer was the principal man in this settlement. About a mile north of this was Smith's Dorf. Fox's Dorf was the next, and received its name from William Fox. It was in the vicinity of Fox's Creek, which still bears his name. Garlock's Dorf was the next on the north. Kneiskern's Dorf was on the east side of Schoharie Creek, opposite the mouth of Cobleskill. The descendants of many of the first settlers still reside in the County. The town includes parts of the Schoharie, Morris & Coeyman's, Lawyer & Bergh's, and the 2d Allotment of Lawyer & Zimmer's Patents. The first grist mill in the County was erected by Simeon Laraway, on a small stream that flows into Fox Creek about a mile above its mouth. A man named Cobel afterwards erected a mill on a small creek that flows into the Schoharie just below the bridge, about a mile from the Court House, and another near the mouth of the creek that still bears his name. Bolting cloths were not introduced until about 1760, by Henry Weaver.
When Johnson made his raid into the valley in October 1780, the Lower Fort, including the old stone church, was gar- risoned by about 150 or 200 men under the command of Major Becker. Hearing the firing at the forts up the valley, Major Becker dispatched Jacob Van Dyck, Anthony Brantner and Barney Cadugney, on the morning of. October 17, to learn its cause. They proceeded up towards the Middle Fort until they were met by the advance of the enemy and were pursued by seven Indians led by one who was known in those times as Seth's Henry. They were fired upon and one of the scouts was wounded by a splinter torn from the fence by a shot. When the firing ceased at the Middle Fort for the flag of truce to advance, Major Becker sent out another scout, consisting of George Snyder, Jacob Enders, John Van Wart and John Hutt, to ascertain whether the Fort was captured. The second scout
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met the first and joined it in the flight. They were hotly pur- sued and were obliged to separate, Enders and Snyder taking refuge behind a rock just as a volley of bullets spent their force upon it. They however arrived at the Fort in safety. Van Wart stopped at a house for a lunch and was surprised and killed. John Ingold with all his family was in the Fort, except his stepfather, Anthony Witner, who refused to leave the house. He had with him an old gun with which to defend himself. The house was burned and in the ruins were found the remains of two skeletons, that of Witner being identified by the silver knee-buckles. Ample time had been given to get everything in readiness for the defense of the Lower Fort. Several barrels of water were in readiness in case the church should be set on fire. The magazine, which was well supplied, was under the pulpit and in charge of Dr. George Werth, who acted as surgeon. In the tower of the church, under the com- mand of Ensign Jacob Lawyer, Jr., some fifteen or twenty good marksmen were stationed. A number of women stood at the pickets with spears, pitchforks and other implements, with which to greet the enemy. The enemy approached the Fort about four o'clock in the afternoon and were saluted with a discharge of grape and canister from a small cannon. This was called by Col. Johnson, the " grass-hopper." As many of the enemy were seen to fall when it was discharged, it was sup- posed to have done good execution, but they had only drop- ped down to escape the shot. When fired upon, the regulars under Johnson passed across the flats, west of the Fort, and crossed Fox Creek below the old saw mill. The Indians under Brant passed to the east and crossed the creek, a few only re- maining to burn the buildings. The wood work of Tunis Swart's tavern, the walls of which are still standing, was burned. The house now owned by Mrs. Deitz, a short distance south-east of the Fort, was built before the Revolution. An Indian was seen approaching the house with a fire-brand, when several rifles were discharged at him from the tower, causing him to take refuge behind a tree to escape from view. Five balls struck the tree, and the Indian made no further attempt to burn the house. Several shots from a small cannon carried by the enemy, were fired at the church, and two balls lodged in the roof. The hole made by one of them in the cornice is still to be seen. An Indian who was concealed behind a tree on the bank of the creek, lodged three balls in the tower of the church, but upon the shot being returned from the tower, he decamped in haste. A dwelling and grist mill, standing near the Fort, were set on fire, but were extinguished after the enemy left.
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The stone church, just mentioned, was erected in 1772, it is still standing and the walls remain as they were erected. It was sold to the State a few years ago for an armory, and a new roof put on and some change made in the interior. The names of many of the contributors to its erection were cut upon the walls and are still legible. The following are among them : Dennis Swart, 1772, Johannes Lawyer, Esq., Archibald Camell, Geo. Richtmeyer, Christian Richtmeyer, Maria Elizabeth Werth, Peter Schneider, B. M. 1772. Johannes Ball, Harmanes Sit- tenich, Wm. Dietz, B. M., Johannes Dietz, Johannes Enders, Jacob Enders, Jr., Peter Enders, Jacob Enders, Jacob Bar- tholomew, Philip Schuyler, Jacob Schneyder, Nicholas Rickard, John Eckerson, favor of the ground 1772 ; Lorrens Schulecraft, Peter Ball, Josiah Clark, Christian Lawyer, Gertruy Swart, Johannes Schuyler, V. D. M., Anna Schuyler, Anna Viellie, Christina Cambell, John Domnick, Wilem Edes, Johannes Becker, Jacob Zimmer, Adam Zimmer, Geo. Becker, Willem Brown, Josias Swart, Johannes Rickert, Marc's Rickert, Henrich Werth, Johannes Werth, Wilhelm Hammer, Barthollomeus Vroman, Bartho's Swart. Rev. Johannes Schuyler, V. D. M., was the pastor at the time the church was built, and Philip Schuyler was the builder. There are indications that certain names have been erased, and tradition says that the price for carving the names of those not contributors to its erection was a gallon of rum, and some whose names were cut upon the stones, failed to fulfill their part of the contract, and their names were erased. Upon a small headstone in the cemetery is the following inscription : " In memory of Col. Peter Vro- man who departed this life Dec. 29, 1793, aged 57 years, 9 months and 9 days." He had command of the Schoharie forts most of the time after their erection.
. The first town meeting of which any records can be found, was held at the house of Johannis Ingold, the first Tuesday in April 1797, and continued by adjournment till Wednesday. Henry Becker was chosen Town Clerk ; Jacob Beecker, Jacob Kniskern, P. Swart, Casper Rouse, Henricus Shafer, Assessors; David Sternbergh, Peter Swart, John Enders, Commissioners of Highways; Wm. Mann, Collector; George Tiffany, Jacob Gebhard, James Brown, Commissioners of schools ; Henricus Shafer, Henry Weaver, Overseers of Poor; Johannes J. Lawyer, Pound Master ; Richard Green, Jacob Smith, Wm. Schoolcraft, Constables; Marcus Shafer, Jacob Sidnigh, Peter Ball, Peter Enders, Fence Viewers. Fence Viewers were voted six shil- lings a day each, when in the performance of their duties. The next year their pay was slightly reduced, as they were voted " five shillings and eleven pence half penny, for each day
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he shall be employed in the duties of his office." In 1804, " Resolved that Every Crow Killed six Cents if Braugh to the Town Clark and the Town Clark Cuts of the head and gives a Certificate." Here is another of the same sort: "Eleven Dol- lars Bounty for killing Wolves in this Town by the Casting Vote at Town Meeting." In 1808, "Resolved that no hogs or cattle shall run at large in the winter season when slays are a going under a penalty of twenty-five cents for each offence to be recovered by any person who will sue for the same, one moie- ty to the prosecution and the other moiety to the overseers of poor of said town."
St. Pauls Church (Evangelical Lutheran) was the first organ- ized in the town. The precise time is not known, but it is sup- posed to have been soon after the settlement. Rev. Peter Nicholas Sommer, the first pastor, a native of Hamburgh, Ger- many, received a call from the Congregation on the 7th of Sept., 1743, while yet a candidate for the ministry. He arrived at Schoharie May 25, 1743, and on the 30th of the same month preached his introductory sermon and entered upon the per- formance of pastoral duties. The first vestry meeting of which there is any record, was held June 8, 1743, at which were the following officers : Abraham Berg, elder; Henry Schaeffer and Peter Loewenstein, deacons. It was re- solved to commence the erection of a parsonage as a place of residence for the minister and a place of worship for the con- gregation. On the 3d of July 1743 the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to 100 communicants, and on the 12th of September of the same year, their services were held for the first time in the new parsonage. The corner stone of the first church edifice was laid May 10, 1750, and it was dedi- cated on Whitsuntide, May 6th, 1751. It was'a stone structure, located on the present cemetery grounds. Mr. Sommer continu- ed as pastor until the close of the year 1780. He was succeeded by Rev. Anthony Theodore Braun, who was followed by Rev. Frederick H. Quitman, in the second year of whose ministry, 1796, the present house of worship was erected. It is a sub- stantial brick structure, seating about 600. It has been twice remodeled, and with suitable repairs will serve the congregation for many years. Ten settled pastors, including the present in- cumbent, Rev. J. H. Heck, have ministered to this congrega- tion since its organization. After becoming the mother of several churches in the County, this Church has a recorded membership of about 200 communicants. The original cost of the present church edifice was about $5,000, exclusive of con- tributions of materials and labor. The present value of the church and parsonage is about $20,000. Some of the stones in
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the first church edifice were used in the foundation of the pres- ent structure, some of the names originally cut upon them, still remaining legible. Among the more prominent is the following, "Johannes Lawyer, Diaconus & conditor Hujus Ec- clesiƦ Fund, D. 14, May 1750, consum 1751." Other names, Jacob Friederich Lawyer, Joh's. Schuyler, V. D. M., Johannes Lawyer Jr., Johannes Kniskern, Ludwic Rickert, Henrich Schaffer, Jost Borst, Margaretta Ingolt, Elisabeth Lawyer and Philip Berg.
The Reformed Church was organized about 1728, but the early records have been burned. The old stone church was erected in 1772; Rev. Johannes Schuyler was for many years the pastor. The present edifice was erected in 1844 ; it cost $5,500 and will seat 350. The present membership is 122, and the value of the church property is about $10,000.
The Methodist Church was organized in 1840 by Rev. Mr. Poor, with twelve members. Their house of worship was erected in 1842 ; it will seat 300 and cost $4,000. The present value of church and parsonage is $5,000. The membership numbers 110, and the pastor is Rev. O. Mott.
The African M. E. Zion's Church was organized in 1857 by Rev. R. T. Easter, with twelve members. The present mem- bership is 32. They worship in a house rented for the purpose. Rev. Zachariah Tyler is the pastor.
From copies of Schoharie newspapers of an early date, we give a few advertisements. In The True American, 1811, is the following:
"FOR SALE.
" A stout able bodied Negro Man, capable of doing any kind of Farmers Work, he is about 20 years of age and is sold for want of employ. For further particulars inquire of the printer. Schoharie, Jan. 1811."
In October of the same year, Jabez W. Throop advertised Fall and Winter Goods, Groceries, &c., " All of which will be sold as cheap as, can be purchased in the city of Albany, for Cash, Produce or Ashes."
Thomas Penfield advertised "Saddle, Harness, Cap and Hol- ster Making, &c."
" Webster's Spelling Book for sale at this office."
Benjamin Miles advertised " Groceries and Leather from his , own manufactory."
Chester Lasell wanted two apprentices at the Hatting busi- ness.
" Proposals for publishing by subscription a New and Com- plete Pocket Gazetteer."
A Paper Mill at Esperance was advertised, and a lengthy ex- hortation was given to save the Rags.
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The publisher of the American Herald advertised "A Treatise on Magic, or the intercourse between Spirits and men, with annotations by Frederick Henry Quitman."
In 1818, Nicholas Feeck informed the public that he was still carrying on the business of "Tayloring in the Village of Schoharie, a few rods south of the Court House."
The population of the town in 1870 was 3,207, and its area 15,830 acres.
The number of school districts in the town is 12, employing 23 teachers. The number of children of school age is 1,090; the average attendance, 297; the amount expended for teachers' wages during the year ending Sept. 30, 1871, was $2,467.51; colored school, $192.78 ; other expenses, $211.03.
SEWARD, named in honor of Wm. H. Seward, was formed from Sharon, Feb. 11, 1840. It lies on the west border of the County, north of the center. The surface is a hilly and broken upland, the highest summits being from 300 to 500 feet above the valleys. Westkill, the principal stream, flows south-east through near the center. The soil is a clayey loam. Hops and other products are raised to considerable extent. Dairying is also carried on. Round Head Hill, half a mile south-east of Seward Valley, is about 500 feet high. From its summit is a fine view of the surrounding country.
Hyndsville, (p. v.) in the south part, is a station on the Sharon & Cherry Valley R. R., and contains a Methodist church, three stores, two blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, an undertaker shop, three hotels, a grist and flouring mill, two saw mills, a harness shop, a tin shop, a cooper shop, a milliner store and about 200 inhabitants.
The Flouring Mill of John C. McChesney contains four runs of stones and has a capacity for grinding 300 bushels daily. It was erected in 1850 by G. Miller and Tobias Warner. The saw mill of Mr. McChesney was erected in 1866 by Wm. Snyder, and has a capacity for sawing 5,000 feet daily.
Seward, (p. v.) known as Seward Valley, in the west part of the town, contains two churches, viz., Methodist and Baptist ; a store, a hotel, three blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, a cabinet shop, a shoe shop, a cooper shop, a foundry, a brick yard and about 200 inhabitants.
Seward Station is about a mile north-east of the valley, on the railroad, and contains a hotel, a store, a grist mill, a saw mill and about a dozen houses. The store and hotel were erected by Clark B. Griggs in 1870, and under his enterprising man-
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agement, the place bids fair to become an important business point. ,
Seward Grist Mill was erected between 1790 and 1800. It contains three runs of stones and has a capacity for grinding 150 bushels daily. H. A. Warner is the present proprietor.
Seward Valley Cheese Factory was erected in 1867 by an asso- ciation of eight men. It is located near the station and has a capacity for the milk of 500 cows. Gilbert France is the president of the association, James Hagadorn, secretary, and Austin France, treasurer.
Seward Cornet Band was organized in 1868 with fourteen members.
Gardnerville, in the north part, a mile and a half from the station, contains a Lutheran church, a store, a school house, two blacksmith shops, a saw mill, a cheese factory, a cider mill and about 75 inhabitants.
The Saw Mill at this place was built in 1862 by M. Letts and has a capacity for sawing 2,000 feet daily.
Gardnerville Cheese Factory was erected by an association of twenty men. It cost $3,000 and has a capacity for using the milk of 400 cows.
Clove is situated about a mile west of Hyndsville, and con- tains a brewery, a cooper shop, a school house and about a dozen dwellings.
Seward Center Cheese Factory was erected in 1867 and makes about 60,000 pounds of cheese annually. It is located near Hyndsville. H. Sexton, L. M. Diefendorf and J. Patrie are the officers of the association.
Janesville, situated about half a mile north-west of Hyndsville, contains a Methodist church, a saw mill, several mechanic shops and about twenty dwellings.
The first settlement of the town was made in 1754 by a col- ony of Germans. Their settlement was known as New Dorlach. The first settlers were Sebastian France, Michael Merckley, Henry Hynds and Ernest Fritz. Among the other early set- tlers were Caleb Crospot, Wm. Ernest Spornhyer, Conrad Brown, William Ripsomah, Henry France, Henry Hanes, Geronimus Chrysler, and John, Peter and Martin Sommer, sons of Rev. P. N. Sommer, the first pastor of the Lutheran Church in Schoharie. The first German school was taught by a man named Phaughwer; the first inn was kept by Thomas Almy, and the first store by Wm. E. Spornhyer. Wm. Hynds built the first saw mill, and Henry Hanes the first grist mill. The first child born in the town was Christopher France.
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When the Revolutionary War broke out, three brothers, named Wm., John' and Philip Crysler, who lived in New Dor- lach, were Tories, and went to Canada in 1777. Philip Crysler, whose family remained at New Dorlach, was desirous of re- moving to Canada, and for that purpose had a party assigned to him in 1780, just before Johnson's invasion of Schoharie. The party, consisting of eighteen Indians and three Tories, first made their appearance at the house of Michael Merckley. They captured his two daughters, a son and two other boys, the rest of the family being absent from home at the time. When Mr. Merckley returned home, he saw the Indians, and while dismounting from his horse, was shot dead and scalped. Miss Catharine Merckley, a niece of the one just mentioned, was also shot and scalped. Bastian France, on hearing the firing, took his gun and started for the Schoharie Fort. One of his children was killed and several were taken prisoners. Those who escaped, concealed themselves in the woods until the enemy were gone and it was considered safe to come from their con- cealment. The descendants of Mr. France are now quite nu- merous in this town.
Christopher France, who was at the Schoharie Fort at the time of this attack, was afterwards taken prisoner by the In- dians and escaped on the second day of his captivity, by running, being one of the swiftest runners of the country. He was pur- sued in his flight, and coming to a stream with high banks and a deep swift current, he seized a pole and placing one end in the water, leaped across, to the great astonishment of his pur- surers, who gave up the chase. At another time his feet saved him from capture by an unarmed band of Indians.
Jacob France served during the war and was one of the most daring and effective actors in this County.
During the same season, previous to the events already nar- rated, a party consisting of seven Indians, a squaw, and Adam Crysler, a Tory, arrived in the settlement and put up at the house of Michael Merckley. Their object was to capture Bas- tian France, but he being absent, it was suggested that the fam- ily of Wm Hynds would serve as a substitute. The next day, while at dinner, the family of Hynds, consisting of himself, wife and seven children, were surprised and taken prisoners. Four horses were taken; the plunder was placed upon the backs of three of them, and upon the fourth Mrs. Hynds and several of her small children were placed. The party were three weeks in going to Niagara. On passing Indian villages they were much abused by squaws and children. Mrs. Hynds and four of the children died while in captivity. After suffer- ing the hardships of their captivity for two years and a half,
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Mr. Hynds and two of his remaining children returned home, with nearly three hundred other prisoners. One daughter remained in Canada nearly three years longer.
The Lutheran Church of Gardnerville was organized in 1837 by Rev. P. Wieting, the first pastor. The first house of wor- ship was erected in 1849 at a cost of $3,000. The present house was erected in 1861; it will seat 500 and is valued at $5.000. The present membership is 285. The first pastor con- tinued with this Church until his death. Rev. P. H. Turner was his successor, and after serving the Church for a little more than two years, he died suddenly, leaving the Church without a pastor. .
The population of the town in 1870 was 1,766, and the area, 19,701 acres.
The number of school districts is 12, employing 7 male and 12 female teachers. The number of children of school age is 596; the number attending school, 484; the average attend- ance, 217; the value of school houses and sites, $4,750, and the amount expended for school purposes during the year ending Sept. 30, 1871, was $3,450.92.
SHARON, named from Sharon, Connecticut, was formed from Schoharie, March 17, 1797, as Dorlach. Its name was subsequently changed. Seward was taken off in 1840. It is the north-west corner town of the County. The surface is a rolling and hilly upland. The highest summits in the south- west corner are about 500 feet above the valleys. Westkill is the principal stream and flows south through the west part. The soil is a gravelly loam. Hops are raised to a considerable extent. The underlying limestone contains numerous caves.
Sharon Springs, (p. v.) located a little north-west of the center of the town, is noted for its sulphur and chalybeate springs, which have a high reputation for the cure of cutaneous diseases. The hotel accommodations are increasing annually to meet. the demands of the visiting community. The im- provements, added to the natural attractions of the place, render it unsurpassed in the number of its visitors, except by Saratoga. The Sharon & Cherry Valley Railroad passes within half a mile of the village, affording all needed facilities for transportation. It contains two churches, nine hotels, several stores and mechanic shops, and about 1,000 inhabitants. The springs are so strongly impregnated with sulphur that chips, leaves and pebbles, exposed to the action of the water for a short time, become coated with a thin whitish coat of sulphur. A short distance below the springs is a fine cascade. The view
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from the Pavilion is one of the finest in this region. It stands upon the summit of a hill, that overlooks a landscape of rare beauty.
Rockville, about a third of a mile from Sharon Springs, con- tains two churches, two hotels, a store, a blacksmith shop, two wagon shops, and about thirty dwellings. It is situated between the railroad station and the Springs.
Sharon Hill, (Sharon p. o.) situated about three miles from the Springs, contains a church, a school house, a hotel, a store, a blacksmith shop, an iron foundry and about 25 dwellings.
Leesville, (p. v.) in the west part of the town, on the Sharon and Cherry Valley Railroad, contains two churches, a wagon shop, a blacksmith shop, a carpenter shop and about thirty dwellings.
Sharon Center, (p. v.) about two miles east of Rockville, con- tains a hotel, a blacksmith shop, a wagon shop, a cheese factory and about a dozen dwellings.
Engellville, in the south-west part, contains a grist mill, a blacksmith shop and ten dwellings.
Beekman's Corners is a hamlet.
Col. Calvin Rich, from New England, is said to have been the first settler in this town. He was afterwards at Sackets Harbor as Colonel of drafted militia in Gen. Richard Dodge's brigade. Calvin Pike, William Vanderwarker, Conrad Fritche, Abraham and John Mereness, John Malick and Peter Courment, were early settlers and were obliged to flee to Schoharie or Fort Hunter for safety during the war. William Beekman kept the first store ; John Hutt built the first saw mill, and Omeo La- grange the first grist mill. The first tannery was built by Frederick & Crouck, and the first clothing works by John Hutt.
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