USA > New York > Washington County > Gazetteer and business directory of Washington County, N.Y. for 1871 > Part 16
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The Welsh Presbyterian Church was organized by Griffith Jones and John Edwards in 1868. The church edifice, which will comfortably seat 150 persons, is valued at $2,000. No set- tled minister is connected with this Church ; the pulpit is gen- erally filled by the Welsh Presbyterian Churches of Middle Granville, N. Y., and Fair Haven, Vt.
The Holy Cross Church was organized by Rev. John W. Der- mot, who was the first pastor, with 100 members. The present house of worship was erected in 1858 ; it will seat 500 persons and its present estimated value is $6,000; it has 600 members and Rev. John Joseph Fedigan is its present pastor.
The First Incorporated Presbyterian Church was organized in 1769, and consisted at that time of fifty-two members. They erected a house of worship in 1774, but were unable for a long time to secure the stated ministrations of the Gospel. In 1927 the church was fortified by Capt. Joseph McCracken, and was soon after burned by the enemy. In 1787 Rev. John Warford, of New Jersey, came to this place as a Home Missionary, sent by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia to visit the desti- tute places in the northern part of this State. A way being thus prepared for him to settle here, a call was made out, bear-
he acknowledged unequaled Steck Piano Fortes, to be found at B. H. Hidley's, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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ing date September 24, 1787, and was accepted. Mr. Warford removed here the following year, and was installed first pastor of this Church in 1789. He continued his labors here until his death, which occurred May 19, 1802, in the fifty- seventh year of his age. Mr. Edward P. Sprague was ordained and installed pastor of this Church April 29, 1868, and con- tinues this connection at the present time. This Church has twice suffered the loss of its place of worship by fire ; the first, erected in 1774, was destroyed in February, 1836; the second was burnt in April 1840, within four years after its completion. Their third building, the one now in use, was dedicated in April 1841. The estimated value is $18,000. It will seat 500 persons. The number of members at present connected with the Church is 150.
Shushan Baptist Church was organized in 1790. The first house of worship was erected in 1800; it was repaired and modernized in 1845; it will seat 250 and is valued at $3,000. The first. pastor was Rev. Obed Warren ; the present pastor is Rev. E. Willard; the present membership is 87.
Shushan Methodist Church was organized in 1846 by Edward Noble, the first pastor, and consisted of 15 members. The present house of worship was erected in 1847; it will seat 250 and is valued at $3,000. Rev. J. B. Searls is the present pastor.
East Salem United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1820 with eleven members. The first house of worship was erected in 1822 and its present value is about $8,000. The first pastor was Rev. James Whyte ; the present pastor is Rev. J. B. Clapper- ton. The present membership is 70. The first pastor, Rev. J. Whyte, was ordained and installed in 1825 and died in 1827. Rev. David Gordon became the pastor in 1832 and officiated until 1845. Rev. D. W. French was pastor from 1847 to 1854; Rev. Hugh Brown from 1858 to 1867, and the present pastor was ordained and installed in 1869. The present elders of the Church are Robert T. Law, J. T. Law, Wm. T. Foster; and the trustees are A. B. Law, Wm. T. Foster and A. S. Foster.
The first death that occurred in the town was that of Solo- mon Barr.
The population of the town in 1870 was 3,536, and its area 31,892.
WHITE CREEK was formed from Cambridge, April 17, 1815. It received its name from the creek passing through the town, which received its name from the white quartz pebbles in its bed. It is the south-east corner town of the County. The surface of the south part is gently rolling, and the center and
Before purchasing a Plano, Organ or other Musical Instrument, e 11 on 15. M. Midiey, 12 Mansion House islock, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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north parts are occupied by the Taghkanic Mountains. The summits of these mountains are rocky and broken, and covered with forests, and their sides are bounded by abrupt declivities and perpendicular ledges. The principal streams are Hoosick River, Owl Kil, Pumpkin Hook, Center, White and Little White Creeks. The upper course of Owl Kil is through a deep and narrow valley abounding with picturesque views. A small vein of lead was discovered three-quarters of a mile east of Post's Corners. The soil is a fine quality of gravelly loam. Sheep are extensively raised in the town. Garden seeds are largely cultivated. Flax, corn and potatoes are the staple pro- ducts. The town contains two grist mills, two saw mills, two flax mills, a mitten factory, cheese factory, brick yard and one church.
Cambridge (p. v.) lies partly in this town and partly in Cam- bridge, where it is more fully described.
White Creek, (p. o.) in the south-east part, about a mile from the Vermont line, is finely situated on the Little White Creek, a beautiful stream, flowing through a fertile country. It con- tains a flax mill, mitten factory, grist mill, two hotels, a harness shop, three stores, two wagon shops and two blacksmith shops.
Center White Creek, (p. o.) in the south-west part, on the line of the Rutland & Washington R. R., four miles south of Cam- bridge village, contains a hotel, saw mill, a store and blacksmith shop.
Ash Grove is the name of a locality about two and a half miles east of Cambridge village, chiefly distinguished as the earliest seat of the Methodist Church in this vicinity. It is situated on the Owl Kil, in a narrow valley formed by two ridges of the Taghkanick Mountains, and derives its name from an Ashton family, who were among the early settlers.
Pumpkin Hook, about one and a half miles south-east of Ash Grove, was formerly a place of considerable importance, but has deteriorated in a business point of view.
Martindale Corners and Post Corners are hamlets, the former about a mile north of White Creek village, and the latter about a mile east of Center White Creek.
Dorr's Corners is on the outskirts of the village of Cambridge, of which it may be considered a part.
The Walloomsac Patent, lying partly in this town in the south part, was settled by the Dutch. Among the other grants were the Bain, Embury, Grant and Campbell, and the Lake and Van Cuyler Patents. A colony of Irish Methodists settled near Ash Grove about 1770, and here was organized the second
PTusical Goods of all hinds, Wholesale and Retall, at B. H. FIID- LEY'S, 12 Mansion Siouse Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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Methodist Church in America, by Thomas Ashton and Philip Embury. Ash Grove was named in honor of Mr. Ashton. James and Thomas Morrison made the first settlement near White Creek. Among the other early settlers were Buel Beebe, Major John Porter, Ephraim, James and Robert Cowan, David Slarrow, Samuel Clark, John McClung, George Duncan, Robert and George Gilmore, William Eager, Wm. Selfrage, Samuel Ball and John Scott. The early settlers in the east part of the town were Thomas Ashton, Edmund Wells, John and Ebenezer Allen, David Sprague, Seth Chase, John Harroun, Thomas Mc- Cool, John Woods, Simeon Fowler, John Young, Josiah Dewey and John Corey.
John Rhodes built the first clothing works at Pumpkin Hook. The first inn was kept by - Whipple, and the first school was taught by the late Dr. Marsh, of Albany.
First United Presbyterian Church of Cambridge was organized August 7, 1793 by electing nine trustees. The number of members was 43 ; the first pastor was Rev. Gershom Williams, ordained June 25, 1794. The first house of worship was erect- ed in 1792 and rebuilt in 1832. . The present house will seat about 650 and is valued at $4,000. Rev. Henry G. Blinn is the present pastor. The society are about to erect a new and much larger church.
White Creek Baptist Church was organized in 1779 by Elder William Waite, the first pastor. The first house of worship was erected in 1783; the present house in 1855, which will seat 300 persons. The society is at present supplied by Mr. Dar- wood, a licentiate. Mr. William Waite continued his pastoral duties in connection with this Church about fourteen years, and died at the advanced age of 95 years and 9 months, March 20, 1826. He presented the society with the ground on which the house of worship was erected ; also an adjoining piece for a public cemetery.
The First Baptist Church of Cambridge was organized July 26, 1843 by a council of sister churches, and consisted of 26 members. Levi Parmly was the first pastor. Their house of worship was erected the next year and will seat 500. Its pres- ent value is 810.000. The present membership is 101; the present pastor is Rev. Jacob Gardner.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Cambridge was organized Sept. 23d, 1866, with about a dozen communicants. Rev. Clarence Buel was the first pastor. Their house of worship was erected in 1867 at a cost of $7,000. It will seat 200. The present membership consists of 43 communicants and 121 baptized persons. Rev. Gemont Graves is the present pastor. The cor-
ld Justruments of all kinds taken In exchange for New, at B. H. Sfid- ley's Music Store, 12 Mansion Mouse Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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ner stone of the church edifice was laid July 9,1867, by Rev. Geo. F. Seymour, D. D. The first services were held Nov. 24, 1867, and the church was consecrated Sept. 15, 1870, by Bishop Doane, of Albany, assisted by a number of other Clergy. Previous to this the whole debt upon the church had been paid. Nearly five-sevenths of the entire cost was contributed by friends out- side of the parish.
The population in 1870 was 2,900, and the area 27,266 acres.
WHITEHALL was incorporated by patent November 12, 1763, as Skenesborough. Its name was changed March 23, 1:86. It lies at the south extremity of Lake Champlain. The surface is mountainous in the west and level or undulating in the center and east. Saddle Mountain, upon the west border, is about 900 feet above the surface of the lake. The principal streams are Wood Creek, Pawlet and Poultney Rivers. A fall upon Wood Creek near its mouth interrupts navigation. The soil of the greater part of the town is a hard stiff clay, and is best adapted to grazing. Manufacturing is carried on to some extent.
Whitehall (p. v.) is situated on Wood Creek, at the head of Lake Champlain. The canal and lake afford communication with the Hudson River and with Canada. An extensive lum- bering business is carried on, an immense amount being brought from Canada and shipped to the Hudson River and all parts of the country. The village contains six churches, a fine union school building, two newspaper offices, two good hotels and several mills. The facilities for summer travel are ex- cellent, a branch railroad extending to Lake Station where passengers are transferred directly from the cars to steamboats passing through the whole length of the lake, and stopping at various points of interest.
The Adirondack Springs, located in this village, have gained considerable notoriety for their medicinal properties. The spring company have erected a fine building over the spring, on Canal Street, for the combined uses of an office, resort for patrons of the spring and as a bottling establishment.
This place was the scene of important events during the French War, and still later during the Revolution. A ledge of rocks, known as "Put's Rock," perpetuates the memory of one of the many incidents of the carly war. Major Israel Putnam, afterwards better known as a soldier of the Revolution, was stationed here with a force of thirty-five rangers to watch the movements of the enemy and prevent the passage of small par- ties, On a ledge of rocks about three-fourths of a mile north of
The acknowledged unequaled Steck Piano Fortes, to be found at 23. HI. Ilidley's, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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the village, he constructed a stone breastwork which he con- cealed by bushes. Soon after the work was completed, a party of 500 French under Molang, attempted to pass up the lake in the night on a secret expedition. As their boats were gliding smoothly along, Putnam and his band opened a destructive fire upon them which for a time threw them into confusion and caused a retreat. But Molang perceiving from the firing that the number of his assailants was small, landed a part of his men below with a view of attacking Putnam in the rear. Per- ceiving this, Putnam withdrew across the lake, with no loss and only two men wounded, while the French lost nearly half their number.
The first settlement was made by Major Skene with about 30 families, in 1761. Nominally associating twenty-four others with himself he obtained a grant of 25,000 acres, March 13, 1765, and 9,000 acres in the towns of Hampton and Whitehall, July 6, 1771, known as Skene's Little Patent. Soon after estab- lishing the first settlement he went to the West Indies, and on his return found only fifteen families remaining. He brought a number of slaves from the West Indies and employed them and a large number of discharged soldiers upon his works. About 1770 he built a massive stone house and barn, a forge and one or two saw mills. His house was 30 by 40 feet on the ground and two and a half stories high. His barn was 130 feet long with massive stone walls pierced with portholes. The other buildings in the settlement were a few frail houses be- longing to his tenants. Major Skene built a sloop upon the lake and opened a road through the wilderness to Salem, 30 miles, and known as "Skene's Road." He was a man of great energy of character and endeavored to secure solid and per- manent advantages to the infant settlement. Major Skene espoused the Royal cause on the approach of the Revolution, and his house was taken by the Americans in May 1775. He was very popular with the settlers and hence an object of fear and dislike by the patriots. His place was captured by a party of volunteers under Captain Herrick, and Major Skene's son, fifty tenants and twelve negroes were taken prisoners. The sloop was sent down the lake to Col. Ethan Allen, at Shoreham, Vermont. In the cellar of the house the soldiers found the body of Major Skene's wife, which had been preserved many years to secure to the husband an annuity devised to her " while she re- mained above ground." The Americans buried the body in rear of the house.
In 1776 an American garrison was stationed here and a small fleet was fitted out in the harbor and put under the command of Benedict Arnold. Upon the approach of Burgoyne's army
B efore purchasing a Plano, Organ or other Musical Instrument, call ou B. H. Hildley, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway. Troy, N. Y.
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in 1777, the Fort was blown up and the houses, mills &c., were burned to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. The Americans retreated to Fort Ann and subsequently to Fort Edward, obstructing the route as much as possible to retard the pursuit of Burgoyne, who remained here about three weeks while opening the road to Fort Edward. General Mattoon, who was a subaltern in the convoy, relates that they fled in haste from their boats and dispersed. There were only four or five houses in the place at this time. He entered one of these and called for refreshments, but before he could partake of them a cannon ball from one of the enemy's frigates entered the house, crushed the table and scattered the refreshments over the room.
The place was very unhealthy during the war, so much so that when the lands of Skene were offered for sale no competitor offered to bid and the whole was struck off at the first offer of £14 10s. The growth of the place was greatly retarded for several years on account of its unhealthiness. It was also not- ed forits wickedness. A clergyman who lived in the east part of the town about 1806, dreaded to go to the "Landing," as the place was then called, forhe seldom passed through the streets without being assailed with jeers and insult, simply because he was a minister.
In 1812 the blockhouse within the old Fort was furnished with artillery and garrisoned for the defense of the place, and barracks were erected on the brow of the hill west of Church Street. After the battle of Plattsburgh, Sept. 11, 1814, the naval armament of the lake, with the vessels captured from the British, were anchored in the harbor at this place.
The first steamboat on the lake was launched here in 1809. The Champlain Canal was constructed from Fort Edward to this place in 1819 and finished to Troy in 1824. A company had previously been organized under the name of the " North- ern Inland Navigation Company," for the purpose of uniting the waters of Lake Champlain with those of Hudson River. After expending large sums of money the project was aban- doned.
The timber for the Presbyterian church was collected by Gen. Williams in 1806, and deposited on the hill, two miles east of the village, that being considered the most eligible site in the vicinity. He died before its erection, and his widow and son, Col. John Williams, removed the materials to the spot now occu- pied as a burying ground on William Street, where the church was erected and presented to the society with a conditional grant of a lot of land from which the society realized $2,000. The church was taken down in 1826, and reconstructed on its
umieni Goods of all kinds, Wholesale and Retail, at B. H. HID- LET'S, 12 Mauvion Mouse Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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present site. It was enlarged in 1838 and the lecture room was added in 1842.
A church was organized about 1810 by the Associate Re- formed Presbyterians, and Rev. Mr. White was settled as pastor. It is said to have been composed of six male and ten or twelve female members. This society was disbanded after a few years and the present Church was organized by Rev. Dr. Blatchford, of Lansingburgh, Sept. 18, 1819. The new or- ganization embraced eighteen members, fourteen of whom were members of the old organization. The pastors of this Church have been the following, settled in the order of their names : J. R. Coe, J. Kennedy, A. Fleming, L. Kellogg.
The Methodist Church was organized in 1821 or '22 by the formation of a class consisting of one male and four female members, the circuit preachers visiting them regularly. Their church edifice was erected in 1832; its present value is about $12,000. The present membership is about 150 and the pre- sent pastor is Rev. G. W. S. Porter.
The Episcopal Church was organized about 1834. Their first house of worship was erected in 1837 but it was subsequently transferred to the Baptists. Their present house of worship was erected in 1843.
The Baptist Church was organized in 1840.
The First Congregational Church of Whitehall was organized in 1805 with twelve members, and James Davis as its first pastor. The first house of worship was erected in 1803, and the present one, which will seat between 200 and 300 persons. in 1838 at an expense of $2,000. The present number of mem- bers connected with the Church is 75, and the present pastor is H. Lancashire.
"Within the memory of some of our citizens, the whole brow of the hill east of Church Street and south of High Street was inclosed by an enbankment which formed the base of a picket fort, said to have been constructed during that war, [French War]. Within that inclosure was a large block house erected near the close of the last century, and furnished with portholes. Within that edifice some now among us have lis- tened to orations on the anniversary of our Independence, and occasionally to religious service on the Sabbath, conducted by some traveling missionary. It stood on or near the spot non- occupied by the residence of J. H. Boyd, Esq." -- Kellogg's His- torical Discourse, 1847. I .
Id Instruments of all kinds raken In exchange for New, at B. H. Did- ley's Music Store, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy. N. Y.
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- Major Skene's lands were confiscated and sold by the State. The purchasers were John Williams, of Salem, Joseph String- ham and John Murray. General Williams subsequently became the sole proprietor.
In 1795 Mr. Isaac Weld, Jun., viewing the frightful progress of anarchy in Europe, was desirous of "ascertaining whether in case of future emergency any part of the United States might be looked forward to as an eligible place of abode." Ac- cordingly he made a tour of the United States and Canada, but found very little to his taste. It will doubtless amuse the present residents of Whitehall to learn what formidable mos- quitoes inhabited the place at that early day, and may, perhaps, have a tendency to reconcile them to the trifling annoyances of the present day. He says :
"Skenesborough is most dreadfully infested with mosquitoes ; so many of them attacked us the first night of our sleeping there, that when we arose in the morning our faces and hands were covered all over with large pustules, precisely like those of a person in the small pox. This happened too, notwithstand- ing the people of the house, before they went to bed, had taken all the pains possible to clear the room of them by fumigating it with the smoke of green wood, and afterwards securing the win- dows with gauze blinds ; and even on the second night, although we destroyed many dozens of them on the walls, after a similar fumigation had been made, yet we suffered nearly as much. These insects were of a much larger size than any I ever saw elsewhere, and their bite was uncommonly venomous. General Washington told me that he never was so much annoyed by mosquitoes in any part of America as at Skenesborough, for they used to bite through the thickest boot! Mosquitoes appear to be particularly fond of the fresh blood of Europeans, who al- ways suffer much more the first year of their arrival in America than they do afterwards. The people of the country seem quite to disregard their attacks. Wherever they fix their sting a little tumor or pustule usually arises, supposed to be occasioned by the fermentation when mixed with blood, of a small quantity of liquor, which the insect always injects into the wound it makes with its spicula, as may be seen through a microscope, and which it probably does to render the blood more fluid. The disagreeable itching this excites, is most effectually allayed by the application of volatile alkali ; or if the part newly stung be scratched and immediately bathed in cold water that also affords considerable relief. But after the venom has been lodged for any time, scratching only increases the itching, and it may
he acknowledged unequaled Steck Piano Fortes, to be found at B. H. Hidley's, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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be attended with great danger. Repeated instances. have oc- curred of people having been laid up for months and narrowly escaping the loss of a limb, from imprudently rubbing a part which had been bitten for a long time. Great ease is also de- rived from opening the pustules on the second day with a lancet and letting out the blood and watery matter."
The population of the town in 1870 was 5,406, and its area 31,509 acres.
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Before purchasing a Piano, Organ or other Musical Instrument, call on B. H. Hldley, 12 Mausion Mouse Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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WASHINGTON COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
EXPLANATIONS TO DIRECTORY.
Directory is arranged as follows: 1. Name of individual or firm. 2. Post office ad- dress in parenthesis. 3. If a farmer, the lot number indicates his residence. 4. Busi- ness or occupation.
A Star (*) placed before a name, indicates an advertiser in this work. For such ad- vertisement see Index.
Figures placed after the occupation of farmers, indicate the number of acres of land owned or leased by the parties.
Names set in CAPITALS indicate subscribers to this work.
The word Street is implied as regards directory for the villages. .
For additions and corrections see Errata, following the Intro- duction.
ARGYLE.
(Post Office Addresses in Parentheses.)
ANDREW, JAMES H. REV., (South Ar- Bain, Hugh, (South Argyle,) lot 26, farmer gyle,) pastor United Presbyterian 127%. Church.
ARMITAGE, JOHN, (Argyle,) general merchant.
ARMITAGE, WM. J., (Argyle,) lot 119, wool dealer and farmer 15.
ARMSTRONG, ARCHIBALD, (South Ar- gyle, ) lot 24, farmer 100.
Bain, James H., (South Argyle,) lot 46, far- tner 82.
Bain, James W., (South Argyle.) lot 46, far- mer 1.
Bain, Jesse L., (South Argyle, ) laborer.
Bain, John D., (South Argyle.) cooper. Bain, John F., ( Lake,) lot 75, farmer 50.
Bain, Philip. (South Argyle,) Street lot 38, farmer 109.
Bain, Philip J., (South Argyle, ) blacksmith. BAIN, W.M. A., (South Argyle,) carpenter end joiner. Bain. Wm. II., (South Argyle,) house painter.
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