USA > New York > Washington County > Gazetteer of the county of Washington, N. Y. : comprising a correct statistical and miscellaneous history of the county and several towns from their organization to the present time > Part 4
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John Wilbur Jr. was chosen Clerk at the organization, and has continued to act in that capacity to the present time.
The meeting house is located a few rods north of the residence of Francis Tobey' s,and is built of brick. The lot was given by John
41
TOWN OF EASTON
Wilbur for church purposes. Building and fixtures cost ab out $1 000.
Unlike most other religious societies the Quakers do not "c'all' or employ a Pastor to officiate in their assemblies. But if any of their members, male or female, deem it their duty to communicate› anything in their meeting, they are at liberty to do so.
As the peculiar tenets of this society is but little understood by the mass of community, we make rather copious extracts from their printed Discipline, believing that it will be a subject of interest to all.
MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
"Meetings for Discipli ne are subordinate and accountable in the following manner; preparative meetings to the monthly meeting; monthly meetings to the quarterly meeting; and quarterly meetings to the yearly meeting.
WOMEN'S MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
Preparative, monthly, quarterly, and yearly meetings, of women have been established, and are held at the same times and places as meetings of the same description of men Friends. They are to make seasonable collections for the relief of the poor of their Sex .- The same rules of government and method of proceeding are to be adopted by them as for the regulation of male meetings, except in regard to keeping records.
This society is opposed to Public Scandal, Wars, Oaths, Slavery, using Distilled Spiritous Liquors, unnecessarily frequenting taverns, and other places of public resort; that they may not be exposed to noisy company, or betrayed into the use of strong liquors.
They are opposed to hiring ministers; as service is freely and faith- fully to be performed, without any view to reward from man. They are opposed to gaudy dress and the vain extravagant fashion of the world &c., &c.,
They are also opposed to the observance of the days, and times, and calling the days and months by Heathen names.
42
TOWN OF EASTON.
On Marriage, the first duty is to acquaint their Parents and Guar- dians with their intentions and wait for their consent. Proposals of *marriage are to be presented in writing, to the preparatory meeting, of which the woman is a member, signed by the parties.
In order to prevent marriages between persons of too near a kin, first cousins, or any as nearly related, are prohibited. Proposals of marriage are not permitted to be made sooner than a year after the ec case of the husband or wife of the parties.
If a member of this Society shall marry one not in membership with them the overseers are to visit him on the account, and if such connection appear to them likely to bring reproach upon their reli- gious profession, they are to forward the case to the monthly meet ing, for further care therein and shall it appear to the monthly meet- ing that the testimony of Truth require it he is to be disowned.
In Trade, they particularly advise that none "make haste to be rich" by engaging in hazardous enterprises. It is recommended that Friends annually inspect the state of their affairs, and keep accounts so clear and accurate, that they may at any time easily as- certain whether they live within bounds of their ci cumstances.
When any find that there is danger of there not being property enough to discharge their just debts, they immediately consult with some judicious Friend, and if they advise it, without loss of time, make their circumstances known to their creditors, being careful to make a just and careful distribution, avoiding the too common and injurous practice of paying those who stand as securities, in pref- erence to other creditors.
Let all consider well the ground on which they become endorsers, or joint securities; lest for want of due consideration, any involve themselves and families in ruinous circumstances."
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
(Continued from Page 32.)
By the affairs of Bennington, and that of Fort Schuyler, it ap. peared that fortune began to smile upon the cause of the Americans. These successes produced the more happy effect upon their minds, the more they were unexpected ; for since the fatal stroke which de- prived them of Montgomery, they had found this war of Canada but one continued series of disasters. Their late discouragement and timidity were instantly converted into confidence and ardor. The English, on the contrary, could not witness without apprehension, the extinction of those brilliant hopes, which, from their first ad- vantages, they had been led to entertain ..
Thus the face of things had experienced a total change ; and this army, of late the object of so much terror for the Americans, was now looked upon as a prey that could not escape them. The ex- ploit of Bennington, in particular, had inspired the militia with great confidence in themselves ; since they had not only combated, but repulsed and vanquished, the regular troops of the regular army, both English and German.
They began now to forget all distinctions between themselves and troops of the line, and the latter made new exertions and more strenuous efforts to maintain their established reputation for superi- ority over the militia. Having lost all hope of seizing the maga- zines at Bennington, general Burgoyne experienced anew the most alarming scarcity of provisions. But on the other hand, the suc- cesses of the Americans under the walls of Fort Schuyler, besides having inspirited the militia, produced also this other happy effect, that of enabling them, now liberated from the fear of invasion in
44
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
the country upon the Mohawk, to unite all their forces on the banks of the Hudson against the army of Burgoyne. The country people took arms in multitudes, and hastened to the camp. The moment was favorable; the harvests were ended, and the arrival of general Gates to take the command of the army, gave a new spur to their alacrity. ( This officer enjoyed the entire esteem and confidence of the Americans ; his name alone was considered among them as the presage of success. The congress, in their sitting of the fourth of August, had appointed him to the command of the army of the north, while affairs still wore the most lowering aspect ; but he had not arrived at Stillwater till the twenty-first.
General Schuyler was promptly apprised that a successor had been given him ; but this good citizen had continued until the arrival of Gates to exert all his energies to repair the evil. Already, as we have seen, his efforts had not been fruitless, and victory inclined in whis favor. He bitterly complained to Washington, that the course his fortune was interrupted, and that the fruit of his toils was given to another, who was about to enjoy that victory for which he had prepared the way. But the congress preferred to place at the head of an army, dismayed by its reverses, a general celebrated for his achievements. Moreover, they were not ignorant that if Schuyler was agreeable to the New Yorkers, he was nevertheless in great dis- repute with the people of Massachusetts, and the other provinces of New England.
This necessarily counteracted that alacrity with which it was de- sired that the militia from that quarter should hasten to reinforce the army of the north, which was then encamped on the islands situated at the confluence of the Mohawk with the Hudson.
Another and very powerful canse contributed to excite the mass of the Americans to rise against the English army. which was the cruelties committed by the savages under St. Leger and Burgoyne, who spared neither age nor sex nor opinions. The friends of the royal cause, as well as its enemies, were equally victims to their in- discriminate rage. The people abhorred and exccrated an army which consented to act with such ferocious auxiliaries. Though too true, their deeds of barbarity were aggravated by the writers and
45
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
+
orators of the patriot party, which carried the exasperation of minds to its utmost height. They related among others, an event which drew tears from every eye, and might furnish, if not too horrible, an affecting subject for the dramatic art.
A young lady by the name of M'Crea, as distinguished for her virtues as for the beauty of her person and the gentleness of her manners, of respectable family, and recently affianced to a British officer, was seized by the savages in her father's house, near Fort Edward, dragged into the woods, with several other young people of both sexes, and there barbarously scalped and afterwards murdered. Thus, this ill-fated damsel, instead of being conducted to the hyme- neal altar, received an inhuman death at the very hands of the com- panions in arms of that husband she was about to espouse. The recital of an atrocity so unexampled, struck every breast with hor- ror, as well in Europe as America, and the authors of the Indian war were loaded with the bitterest maledictions.
The Americans represent the fact as it is stated above, other writers relate it differently. According to their account, young Jones, the British officer, fearing that some ill might betide the object of his love, as well in consequence of the obstinate attachment of her father to the royal cause, as because their mutual passion was already publicly talked of, had, by the promise of large recompense, induced two Indians, of different tribes, to take her under their escort, and conduct her in safety to the camp. The two savages went accordingly, and brought her through the woods; but at the very moment they were about to place her in the hands of her future husband, they fell to quarreling about their recompense, each con- tending that it belonged entirely to himself ; when one of them, trans- ported with brutal fury, raised his club and laid the unhappy maiden dead at his feet. General Burgoyne, on being informed of this horrid act, ordered the assassin to be arrested, that he might suffer the punishment due to his crime. But he soon after pardoned him upon the promise made him by the savages of abstaining for the future from similar barbarities, and of strictly observing the conditions to which they had pledged themselves upon the banks of the river Bouquet. The general believed that this act of clemency would be
16
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
more advantageous than the example of chastisement. It even ap- pears that he did not think himself sufficiently authorized, by the laws of England, to try and punish with death the murderer of the young lady ; as if there existed not other laws besides the English, which bound him to inflict a just chastisement upon the perpetrator of a crime so execrable. But if he was warned by prudence to . abstain from it, then he was to be pitied for the state of weakness to which he was reduced, and the weight of censure and detestation must fall exclusively upon the counsels of those who had called these barbarians into a civil contest. However the truth was, the condescension of general Burgoyne recoiled upon himself; for the saveges, finding they were no longer permitted, as at first, to satiate their passion for pillege and massacre, deserted the camp, and re- turned to their several homes, ravaging and plundering whatever they found in their way. Thus terminated, almost entirely, this year, the Indian war ; a war impolitic in principle, atrocious in execution,and bootless in result. "The Canadians themselves, and the loyalists who followed the royal army, terrified at the sinister aspect of affairs, deserted with one consent ; so that Burgoyne, in his greatest need, was left nearly destitute of other force except his English and Ger- man regular troops.
Such was his situation, when a party of republicuns undertook an enterprise upon the rear of his army, which, if it had succeeded, would have entirely cnt off his provisions and retreat towards Can- ada ; and at least demonstrated the danger to which he had exposed himself, in having advanced with so small an army to so great a dis- tance from the strong posts upon the lakes.
General Lincoln, with a strong corps of the militia of New Hampshire and Connecticut, conceived the hope of recovering for the confederation the fortresses of Ticonderoga and Mount Indepen- dence, and consequently the command of Lake George. He knew that these places were guarded only by feeble garrisons. He ad- vanced from Manchester to Pawlet. He parted his corps into three divisions ; the first, commanded by Colonel Brown, was to proceed to the northern extremity of Lake George, and thence to fall by sur- prise upon Ticonderoga ; the second, led by Colonel Johnston, was
47
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
destined to scour the country about Fort Independence. in order to make a diversion, and even an attack, if occasion should favor it; the third, under the orders of Colonel Woodbury, had it in view to reduce Skeenesborough, Fort Anne, and even Fort Edward. Colo- nel Brown, with equal secrecy and celerity, surprised all the posts upon Lake George and the inlet of Ticonderoga, Mount Hope, Mount Defiance, and the old French lines. He took possession of two hundred batteaux, an armed brig, and several gun boats ; he also made a very considerable number of prisoners. Colonel John- ston arrived at the same time under the walls of Fort Independence. The two fortresses were summoned to capitulate. But brigadier Powell, who held the chief command, replied that he was resolved to defend himself. The Americans continued their cannonade for the space of four days ; but their artillery being of small caliber,and the English opposing a spirited resistance, they were constrained to abandon the enterprise, and to recover their former positions.
Meanwhile, general Burgoyne continued in his camp, on the left bank of the Hudson, where he used the most unremitting industry and perseverance in bringing stores and provisions forward from Fort George. Having at length, by strenuous efforts, obtained about thirty days' provision, he took a resolution of passing the river with his army, in order to engage the enemy, and force a passage to Al- bany. As a swell of the water, occasioned by great rains, had car- ried away his bridge of rafts, he threw another, of boats, over the river at the same place. Towards the middle of September, he crossed with his army to the right bank of the Hudson, aud encamp- ed on the heights and in the plain of Saratoga ; Gates being then in the neighborhood of Stillwater, about three miles below. The two armies of course faced each other, and a battle was expected soon to follow.
This measure of passing the Hudson was by many censured with great vehemence ; it was considered as the principal cause of the unfortunate issue of that campaign. Some were of the opinion that after the affairs of Bennington and Stanwix, Burgoyne would have acted more wisely, considering the daily increase of the American army, if he had renounced the project of occupying Albany, and
48
WASHINGTEN COUNTY.
made the best of his way back to the lakes. It appears, however, to us but just to remark for his excuse, that at this time he had not yet received any intelligence either of the strength of the army left at New York, or of the movements which sir Henry Clinton was to make, or had made, up the North river towards Albany. He calcu- lated upon a powerful co-operation on the part of that general. Such was the plan of the ministers, and such the tenor of his own peremptory instructions. And to what reproaches would he not have exposed himself, if, by retiring towards Ticonderoga, he had abandoned Clinton to himself, and thus voluntarily relinquished all the advantages that were expected from the junction of the two armies ? We may, however, consider as vain the apology which was advanced by Burgoyne himself, when he alleged, that if he had returned to the lakes, Gates might have gone to join Washington, who, falling upon Howe with the combined armies, must have over- powered him, and decided the fate of the whole war. Gates would never have abandoned the shores of the Hudson, so long as the army of Burgoyne was opposed to him, whether in the position of Sara- toga, or that of Ticonderoga. It is, besides, to be observed, that as a great part of the army of Gates consisted in the New England militia, these, at least, would not have followed him, even if he had marched upon the Delaware. But though we think that Burgoyne committed no error in resolving to prosecute his expedition, it never- theless appears that he ought not to have passed the Hudson. By continuing upon the left bank, he could retire at will towards Ticon- deroga, or push forward towards Albany. It was evidently more easy to execute this movement, while having between himself and the now formidable army of Gates, so broad a river as the Hudson. The roads above, from Batten Kill to Fort George, were. much easier upon the left than those upon the right bank ; and in going down towards Albany, if they were not better, at least they were not worse. But either confiding too much in his army, which was, in truth, equally brave and flourishing, or not esteeming the Ameri- cans enough, notwithstanding the more favorable opinion of them which the actions of Bennington and of Stanwix should have given him, resolved to quit the safer ground, and try the fortune of a battle. (Continued in the next Number )
A
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Fort Ann
North
Aigyle
Edward
Argyle
Fort
Foot House
Seu bourguie
Greenwich
MAP OF ARGYLE.
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
capelliy langewiorders
ARGYLE.
U
This town was organized in 1771. It then embraced the territo- ry of the present town, and also the towns of Greenwich and Fort Edward. It derived its name from the Duke of Argyle, of Scotland, and was granted to eighty-three families, consisting of one hundred and forty-one Scotch emigrants, who came out in three ships under command of Capt. McLaughlin Campbell, and landed at Tappan. The grant contained 46600 acres of land, and near the centre of the present town, a street was laid out from the Hudson river, east across the town, twenty four rods wide, on both sides of which were lots of thirty acres each. Each emigrant drew a lot, and a farm of from 150 to 600 acres.
Among the grantees we find the names of Duncan Reid, Gillis, McNeil, McKallor, McEwan, Gilchrist, McKalpin, and Lensey, and some of their descendants are the principal landed proprietors of the town.
The soil is a mixture of loam and clay, intermixed with gravel and slate, and is generally productive. The surface of the township is uneven and in some places rather mountainous. The principal stream is the Moses Kill, which passes through it a south-westerly direction, and enters into the Hudson river above Fort Miller vil- lage. This stream affords power sufficient for milling purposes, &c. On the east side of the town there is a body of water called Cowan's Lake, about three miles long and from a half to three-fourths of a mile wide, and near South Argyle is a mineral spring, called Reid's Spring, which partakes much of the character of those at Saratoga. According to the last census, this town contained a population of 3241, of which 1609 were males, and 1632 females. The products for one year are set down as follows :- Wheat 8317 bushels ; Corn
50
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
41929; Rye 17179; Barley 1778; Potatoes 104647; Buckwhe ..; 3048; Turnips 558; Beans 883 ; Peas 7100.
Argyle, North Argyle and South Argyle, are the principal villages which will be found more fully described in another part of this number. There are three Scotch Presbyterian Churches, and one Methodist Church, an Academy, two Divi-ions of the Sons of Tem- perance, a Lodge of Odd Fellows, a society denominated the Alpha Fraternal of the order of Monadic Ruellians, the County Clerk's Office and the Poor House; all of which be found more particularly alluded to on future pages.
Below we give a list of the principal town officers from its organ- ization to the present time.
SUPERVISORS.
Duncan Campbell,
1771.
John Hay, 1801.
do.
1772.
Wm. Reid, 1802.
do.
1773.
Alexander Cowen, 1803.
do.
1774.
do. 1804.
do.
1775.
Alexander McDougall, 1805.
do.
1 776.
do. 1806.
do.
1777.
Neal McConnellee, from to 1809 inclusive.
1807.
do.
1778.
do.
1779.
Neal McConnellee, 1810.
do.
1780.
John Reid, 1811.
Roger Reid,
1781.
do
1812.
do.
1782.
do.
1813.
James Beaty,
1783
do.
1815.
Peter Pierce,
Alexander Gillis,
1816.
Duncan McArthur,
1784
John Robinson,
1817.
James Beaty, do.
1785.
Wm. Reid, Jr.,
1819.
James Beaty,
do.
1820.
Duncan McArthur,
1786
do.
1821.
John McKnight,
do.
1822.
Adiel Sherwood,
Ransom Styles, 1823.
Wm. Reid,
1787
do.
1824.
William Reid, from
1788,
do.
1825.
to 180), inclusive.
do.
1814.
John McNaughton,
do. 1818.
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
51
do. 1826.
Jesse S. Leigh, 1837.
do. 1838.
Ransom Stiles, 1839.
Freeman Hopkins, 1840.
do. 1841.
Anthony McKallor, 1830.
do. to 1832.
John Robertson, 1842.
do. 1843.
Wm. Boyd, 1844.
do.
1845.
James Savage, 1835.
do.
1836.
James Stewart,
1846.
do.
1847.
William Congdon, 1848. and 1849.
TOWN CLERKS.
Archibald Brown,
1771.
John Ross, from
1823,
Archibald Campbell, 1772. to 1826, inclusive.
do.
1773.
Allen Campbell,
1774.
Charles McKallor, 1827.
do.
1828.
Edward Potter, from
1775.
to 1777, inclusive.
John Ross,
1829.
John McNeil, from
1778, Duncan Taylor, from 1830.
to 1832 inclusive.
James Carl, from
1833,
to 1780, inclusive, Duncan Gilchrist, from 1781, to 1784, inclusive. Alexander McDougal, 1785.
to 1836, inclusive.
Freeman Hopkins,
1837.
do.
1838.
Henry K. White,
1839.
do.
1840.
Lucius Cottrell,
1841.
do.
1842,
to 1804, inclusive.
Archibald M. Bowan, 1843.
do.
1844.
Alexander McFadden, 1845.
do.
1846.
Wm. S. Ashton,
1847.
do.
1848.
to 1822, inclusive,
John C. Rouse,
1849,
GENEALO OF THE CHURCH OF JESUSCHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 33289
APR 9 1947
John McNeil, from 1786, to 1792, inclusive.
John White, Jr .. from 1793,
to 1796, inclusive.
John McNeil, from 1797,
Edward Briggs, 1805.
Peleg Bragg, 1806.
Anthony M. Huffman,from 1807. to 1814, inclusive.
David McNeil, from 1815,
ST
do. 1727.
do 1828.
do. 1829.
David Sill,
1833.
do. 1834.
52
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Wm. Reid, Jr.,
Jesse S.' Leigh, 1839.
John Ross,
Wm. R. Mills,
1840.
Henry Shipherd,
Anthony McKallor,
1841.
Benjamin Clapp,
Wm. Congdon
1842.
John Robinson,
1831.
Henry Shipherd,
1842.
Martin Mason,
1832.
John A. McNeil,
1842.
Samuel F. Tomb,
1832.
James Tilford,
1843.
William Pierce,
1833.
Wm. H. King,
1844.
Henry Sshipherd,
1934.
Henry K. White,
1844.
Wm. Peirce,
1835.
John A. McNeil,
1845.
Wm. Hall,
1836.
James S. Coon, 1846.
James Tilford,
1837.
Nicholas Robertson,
1847.
Henry Shipherd,
1838.
Wm. H. King,
1848.
James Tilford,
1839.
John A. McNeil,
1849.
TOWN SUPERINTENDENTS OF COMMON SCHOOLS.
Martin Mason,
1843.
Archibald Gow, Jr.,
1845.
Allen Gibson,
1847.
ARGYLE VILLAGE.
This village was first settled by George Kilmer, who was the own- er of the village site, and also a large tract of land adjoining; which he purchased on speculation. Some time prior to the Revolutionary war, Kilmer erected a Grist Mill near this place, which was resorted to by settlers from a surrounding district of fifty miles in extent.
Argyle has at present a population of between seven and eight hundred. It is a thriving place, finely situated, and contains two Churches-one Scotch Presbyterian-one Methodist-a Lodge of Odd Fellows-a Division of Sons of Temperance-an Academy-a Society of the Alpha Fraternal of the Order of Monadic Ruellians- a Grist Mill-Woolen Factory, Post Office, &c. The first Postmas- ter was Joseph Rouse, who was appointed in 1807, and held the office 34 years. In 1841, John C. Rouse, was appointed, and was succeeded by Wm H. Rouse in 1845, who was removed during the pre sent year, (1849,) and John A. Pattison, the present incumbent ap- pointed. The County Clerk's Office is located here, as the most cen tral village of the county. Distant from Albany 44 miles, from Sandy Hill 8 miles .--
Below we give a list of the business operators at this place.
1830
58
TOWN OF ARGYLE
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
5 MERCHANTS.
Edward Dodd, John C. Rouse, James Stewart.
Ransom Stiles. Wm. H. Rouse,
GROCER.
BOOK STORE.
Boyd Madden,
Robert Hall,
PHYSICIANS.
James Savage, - . George Gillis,
Hugh P. Proudfit, John C. Sill,
Wm. H. Kilmer, (Dentist,)
HOTELS.
Joseph Rouse,
George C. Dennis,
FURNITURE STORE.
HARNESS MAKER.
George S. McFadden, James M. Hall,
TANNERY. Archibald M. Rowan,
GRIST MILL.
John Reid,
LAWYERS.
William H. King,
James S. Coon,
BLACKSMITHS.
John Ketchum, John Mickel,
Benjamin Carswell,
SHOE MAKERS.
Michael Demars,
J. Noland,
TAILORS.
Robert G. Clark,
Cornelius Sharp,
John Bidwell,
CABINET MAKERS.
Wm. S. Ashton,
James Ross,
STOVE AND TIN SHOP,
WOOLEN FACTORY.
Isaac K. Gorham & Brother
Nelson Keefer,
8
51
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
COOPERS. CARPENTER.
Howland & Hastings,
Wm. Lendrum,
MILLINERY SHOPS.
Miss Sarah J. Taylor,
Miss Eliza Stewart.
COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
This office was located in this village in 1806, Daniel Shipherd was then clerk, and he held the office 16 years, when John Crary was appointed and served one year. He was removed, and Mathew D. Danvers appointed and held the office 3 years. Jesse S. Leigh succeeded Danvers, and held the office 9 years. He was succeeded by Edward Dodd, who held the office 9 years. Henry Shipherd, the present clerk was next elected and has held the office nearly 6 years. Philander C. Hitchcock, is the present deputy clerk. Previous to lo- cating the office at Argyle, Daniel McCrea, - Honeywood, and Garret Wendell, severally held the office of county clerk.
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