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 5
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ARGYLE ACADEMY.
This Institution was incorporated in 1841. The Academy build- ing is a handsome structure, built of brick .
The names marked thus * constitute the present Board of Trus- tees, Principals, Teachers, &c. since its organization.
Ransom Stiles,* James Savage,*
George Mairs, jr .*
Anthony McKallor
Jesse S. Leigh, *
Thomas N. Clark,
James Stewart,*
Gideon Gifford,
John Robertson,* Edward Dodd, *
Samuel Donaldson,*
George Gillis,*
James M. Hall,*
Joshua Selfrage,
Edward Riggs,* Levi Hopkins,* Wm. H. King,*
John A. Pattison .*
- Larkin,
PRINCIPALS.
Daniel W. Wright, (dead)
Archibald M. Rowan,* Joseph Rouse,* John Bishop,
.55
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
Charles H. Taylor, Joseph McCracken,'
ASSISTANTS.
Miss Maria McLean, Miss Mary Lourie,
" Phebe A. Wilson, " Juliette Buchanan,
" Jane M. Jones, " Abby Perry,
Miss Sarah A. Pettis .*
No. of students at the date of last report, 123.
Value of Academy and lot, $3150. .I call penal.
Value of Library, $198.
Value of Philosophical Apparatus, $154, Jo admug Inying
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first record of this society dates in 1836. The church build- ing was forinerly owned and occupied by a Presbyterian society, which broke up in 1840. The house has been thoroughly repaired, and is a handsome building .... The society has recently erected a parsonage house.
The following are the names of Ministers who have had the charge of this society since 1836, viz:
Rev. Daniel Brayton, Rev. S. Young,
' David P. Hulburd,
" Wm. P. Graves,
" Ezra Sprague, Wm. Henry,
" Paul P. Atwell,
" Ensign Stover,
" Thomas Dodson, 66 Wm. A. Miller,
66 J. L. Cook,
" Aaron Hall,
Rev. Amos Osborn, is the present minister, who preaches at this place every Sabbath morning, and every Sabbathafternoon at Bil- cher's, in Hebron.
The following persons constitute a portion of the official members at the present time:
1
John C. Rouse,
Wm. Pollock,
James Pollock, Cornelius Sharp,
James Carl, George Taylor. IWc John C. Rouse has been the church clerk for the last 8 years, Value of church property, $2,200.
56
TOWN OF ARGYLE,
ARGYLE LODGE, I. O. OF O. F.
This lodge was organized in 1848-its first officers were
Allen Gibson, N. G .. George C. Harsha, V. G.
John A. Walker, R. S. H
Joseph Kinney, T.
Present Officers.
James D. Gourlay, N. G.
Pierce S. Milliman, V, G.
James Ross, R. S.
Joseph Kinney, T.
Allen Gibson, P. S.
Present number of members, 30.
ARGYLE DIVISION, S. OF T.
This division was instituted in 1848-its first officers were
John Wellman, W. P. Hezekiah Whitney, W. A.
Allen Gibson, R. S. John Anderson, F. S.
Present Officers.
Robert Perry, W. P. John Anderson, W. A.
Abraham Stewart, R. S. Noble W. Blanchard, F. S.
Archibald Patten, T.
Present number of members, 60.
THE ALPHA FRATERNAL, NO. 1. .
OF THE ORDER OF MONADIC RUELLIANS.
(Being the first Circle instituted of said Order. )
The Order of Monadic Ruellians, is a secret association, the ob- ject of which is strictly literary and scientific.
The Order is formed of Circles, Priories, Temples, Preceptories, and a Prime Council; which has jurisdiction over the whole United States. Each Temple has jurisdiction over an extent embracing a- bout 200 miles square.
The Mohican Temple, which holds its meetings annually at the village of Argyle, embraces a jurisdiction over the counties of Wash- ington, and those adjacent, about 12 in number.
The following is a list of Officers of Mohican Temple, No. 1.
Gilbert Small, Arch Elder. Allen Gibson, Deacon.
James D. Gourlay, Scribe. G. H. Robertson, Warden.
57
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
SOUTH ARGYLE.
This place is located three and three-fourths of a mile south of Ar- gyle village.
It contains two Stores, a Post Office, and several Mechanic's Shops The post office has been established twenty years, Rev. James P. Mil- Jer was appointed first Post Master; he kept the office at his dwel- ling house about one and a hilf mile east of this place; after which Wm. G. McMaster was appointed, and the office was removed to the present place where it is now located. The next Post Master was Wm. McNaughton, next William Congdon, next John H. Ferguson, who held the office until the present year, (1849,) when William Congdon was again appointed, and still holds the office.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
MERCHANTS. Aaron McCall,
Samuel Stewart, jr
BLACKSMITHS. Samuel Schermerhorn, Abraham Bain,
GROCERY.
SHOE MAKER. Daniel McQuera,
S
Alexander Bain,
WAGON SHOPS. William Congdon, William Christie,
TAILOR. Alexander Schermerhorn
MACK'S MILLS.
About two miles east of Argyle village is a small settlement cale led Mack's Mills.
The following are the names of the business operators.
GROCERY STORE. Charles Mack.
SHOE MAKER.
James B. Mathews,
COOPER SHOF. Oliver Shiland,
A short distance still farther east is a store kept by James Shan non.
4
.
58
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
COOT HILL.
This place is located three and a half miles north-easterly from Argyle village, and one mile from North Argyle post office, on the Hartford road, and is within a mile of Hartford line. The post office now called North Argyle was formerly located here. It was estab- lished in 1829, called Coot Hill post office, Samuel Danielson was appointed P. M.
The place contains a hotel, a store, and several mechanics shops.
DIRECTORY.
HOTEL. John Clark,
BLACKSMITH. Simeon Kilmer,
MERCHANT.
TAILOR.
John Clark,
Shields,
WAGON SHOPS.
SHOE MAKER.
John L. Lester,
George Smith,
David Harshaw, jr
NORTH ARGYLE.
This place is two and a half miles northeasterly from Argyle vil- lage, on the Hartford road. It was first settled as a business place by Daniel Stevenson. Itcontains a post office, store, a church and several mechanics' shops.
The village is surrounded by a rich farming territory, and the far mers are generally wealthy.
The Post office was established here in 1830, Daniel Steven- son, was appointed postmaster. He held the office until 1845, when William Stevenson, jr. was appointed, and held the office until the present year (1849,) when he resigned and Nicholas Robinson, was appointed, and holds the office at the present time.
DIRECTORY.
MERCHANTS. Stevenson & Stewart,
BLACKSMITH.
Simeon Williams,
59
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
WAGON SHOP. Oliver Selfrage,
TAILOR.
Hiram Ladd,
SHOE MAKER. Andrew McMillin,
HARNESS MAKER. Wm. McGeoch,
ASSOCIATE CHURCH.
This church is located at North Argyle. It was set off from South Argyle Church in 1830. It belongs to the Presbytery of Cam- bridge. Rev. Duncan Stalker, has officiated as pastor over this church since its organi zation. Mr, Stalker emigrated from Scotland in 1831.
George Lendrum and Daniel Stevenson were among the first offi- cers of this church.
Present officers are
DEACONS.
TRUSTEES.
Nicholas Robertson,
Benjamin Skelly, John Small,
Wm. Stevenson,
Oliver Selfrage,
Alexander McGeoch,
James Stevenson,
Daniel Maxwell,
George Keachie.
The church property consists of a neat and commodious house - cost about $1500.
The largest contributor towards its erection was, the late Dan .. iel Stevenson.
The whole number of communicants are 130, and 50 families.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION.
This church is known by the name of the First Presbyterian con- gregation of Argyle.
It was organised in 1793. Rev. George Mairs, was the first pastor and continued as such to his death in. 1842.
60
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
, In June, 1823, Rev. George Mairs, jr. was ordained and installed as colleague of George Mairs, senior. Since the death of his father, all the pastoral duties of the congregation have devolved upon him.
The congregation is large, perhaps the largest Presbyterian branch of the church in the county.
The present number of members in full communion, is about three hu :dred. They are generally Intelligent, being thoroughly in - structed from their infancy in the leading doctrines of the Gospel, and are (with few exceptions,) descendants of parents who emigra- ted from Scotland and Ireland.
The place of worship is pleasantly situated in the heart of the village of Argyle. It is a beautiful edifice, large and well proportion- ed, and was erected in the year of 1845. Estimated value is a- bout $4000.
The beginning of this church was small. It was organized by a few devoted individuals from Scotland and Ireland at a time when the surrounding country was a perfect forest, but it flourished in the wilderness, and has resulted as above stated.
ASSOCIATE CHURCH, SOUTH ARGYLE.
The Associate Presbyterian Congregation is located in the South part of this town, two miles East of South Argyle Post Office, and one mile South of Argyle Lake .* The Church is located on the Glebe lot, set apart in the Duke of Argyle's original grant, for the use of the First Presbyterian Congregation that should be erected on that which is commonly known as the Scotch Patent. About one hundred and thirty acres of this Glebe lot, is still in possession of the Congregation.
*This beautiful sheet of water, surrounded by the most picturesque scenery in the town, or perhaps the county, we believe has hitherto been without a specified name, being usually designated " the Little Lake," to distinguish it from that other bocy of water, lying partly in Argyle and partly in Greenwieb, called in another place of this Gazeteer, "Cowan's Lake." But this Lake being the only one which lies wholly in the town, and being distinguished for the beauty of its water, the elegance of its scenery, and occupying, as it does, almost the height of land in the town, it is worthy of receiv- ing its name from that of the town.
61
TOWN OF ARGYLE
This Congregation has existed, in an organized state, since 1785. In 1789 it formed a part of the pastoral charge of the Rev. Thomas Beveridge, of Cambridge, three-fourths of Mr. B.'s time being em- ployed in Cambridge, and one-fourth in Argyle, until the time of his death in 1798. The congregation remained vacant-that is, with- out a fixed pastor, from the death of Mr. Beveridge until 1804, when they called the Rev. Robert Laing, who had been for some time settled in the Western part of Pennsylvania.
In 1807, a connection was formed between this Congregation and that of Hebron -- Hebron receiving one-fourth of Mr. Laing's minis- terial labors, and paying one-fourth of the salary.
About 1812, Mr. Laing resigned the pastoral charge of the con- gregation and removed to Bovina, Delaware Co., N. Y., where he died a few years since at an advanced age.
From the removal of Mr. Laing, until about the beginning of the year 1818, when the Rev. Peter Bullions was called, the congrega- tion was without a stated minister, but enjoyed pretty regular preaching during this and subsequent supplies.
Mr., now Dr., P. Bullions, was ordained and installed pastor of the congregation March 4th, 1818, and continued until 1824, when he resigned his charge and removed to Albany, where, until recently, he was Professor of Languages in the Academy.
From November, 1824 till September, 1329, the congregation was again without a fixed pastor. In this year the present incumbent, James P. Miller, was installed as pastor over this congregation ; hav- ing now occupied the place twenty years.
The Associate Church with which this congregation, and several others in the County are connected, has had a continuous existence in America, since 1754, when two Missionaries from the Associate Synod of Edinburg, were sent over to preach and organize churches. These were soon followed by others, who organized themselves into a Presbytery, under the name of the Associate Presbytery of Penna sylvania-since 1801, "The Associate Synod of North America."
62
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
Their ecclesiastical principles are contained in what are called the " Westminster Standards."
This body, soon after their organization in Pennsylvania, was in- troduced into the State of New York, particularly into Washington County. It is now extended over most of the States of the Union, except the Southern, (being Anti-Slavery in sentiment and disci- pline.) The congregations in the slaveholding states being few and small.
In 1782, when the coalescence of a part of the Associate Church and of the Reformed Presbyterians took place, which gave rise to the Associate Reformed Synod in this County, the greater part of the congregations in this county went over to the new organization. But many of them soon replaced themselves under the old body.
The first document shewing the distinct existence of the Asso- ciate Congregation of Argyle, is the copy of a petition to the Pres- bytery of Pennsylvania, to meet at Peguia, Pa., April 2d, 1785, pray- ing for dispensations of Gospel Ordinances. In the copy on file, the names of the subscribers are not attached.
The subscription list for the years 1788 and 1789, with the sums attached to each name, are still preserved. The meeting at which the paper for 1789 was agreed upon, was held March 20th. The following is a copy of the names, with the sums annexed, of the latter paper. The money was made payable to "John McKnight and John McNeil," who were at that meeting chosen Trustees of the congregation.
£. s. d.
£. s. d.
Archibald Campbell, 1 10 0
Archibald McNeil, 0 10 0
Archibald Livingston, 0 15 0
John McNeil, 0 12 0
John Ferguson, 0 12 0
Alexander McNeil, 0 08 0
Duncan Campbell, 0. 15 0 Malcom McNaughton, 1 00 0
John McQuin, 0 08 0
Wm. Robertson, 0 10 0
Robert McNabb, 08. 0
Henry Tinkey 16 0
John McFarlin, 06 0
Dan. Livingston, 12 0
.
Peter Christy, 08 0
William Reid, 2 00 0
James Mairs, 12 0
Robert McNaughton, 4 0
63
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
Alexander Mairs, 8 0
James Beaty, 15 0
John McKnight.
1 05 0
John Beaty, 8 0
Alexander McKnight, 1 00 0
John McDougal, 10 0
William Campbell,
10 0
John White, 12 0
Roger Reid, 60
Daniel McGilvrey, 8 0
Duncan McArthur,
1 10 0
Joseph Patterson,
16 0
William Bishop,
8 0
Allen McClane,
8 0
Archibald McKallor,
10 0
John Miller,
6 0
Widow Bain,
1 00 0
Cusparus Bain,
10 0
The first ruling elders [Deacons as now commonly called,] were William Reid, Esq., who died November, 1833, at the advanced age of 95 years and 7 months, and John McNeil, who died some 25 years since. He was a long time Clerk of the Session and of the Congre- gation. No papers are found among the records of the date of their election or ordination, or whether any others were chosen with them.
The second election of elders was held June 26th, 1800, when John Reid, Robert Robertson, George Dunn and John Harsha were chosen ; all of whom are since deceased. Maj. John Reid was the last survivor of this class.
John Stott, Gilbert Robertson, George Lendrum, Cornelius Me- Eachron, Samuel Dobbin, and William McNeil, are the present act- ing elders. But the two last named are set off to the new Congre- gation in Greenwich, which is to worship separately from the first of January next.
The average number of communicants in this congregation before the erection of the congregation of North Argyle, which was set off from this congregation in 1830, was a little above 300. The num- ber soon rose again to near the former amount, when a large emi- gration to Illinois, and other western states, about nine years since, reduced the number again, some forty or fifty. At the last enume- ration, at the beginning of the present year, the number of commu . nicants amounted to 280. About 40 of these have been since set off to the new congregation of Greenwich.
From June 1830, till June 1849, there has been received 270 com- municants in this congregation.
64
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
POOR HOUSE.
The Poor House of this County is located about two miles south: of Argyle Village. The first record was made June 22d, 1827. Previous to this time each town supported their poor.
The first Keeper of the Poor was Joseph Stewart of the town of Whitecreek, he held the office two years, when - Perine was ap- pointed and held the office three years, when David Thomas, of He- bron, was appointed and held the office five years, when - Hub- bard, of Hebron, was appointed, but died soon after, when Levi Hopkins was appointed and held the office ten years, after which Leonard Farr, of Fort Ann, was appointed and is the present keeper.
The keeper receives a salary of $350 beside board for himself and family, which is a small pay for the services performed.
According to the last annual report of the Superintendents, made December, 1848, the aggregate expenses, including temporary relief, $11,013 77; the amount for temporary relief was $6,510 04.
Paid Superintendents, -
- I $363 39
Keeper and help, 468 00
Supplies, 3,176 39
Transporting Paupers,
179 50
Physicians, -
91 45
Miscellaneous expenses, - 225 00
Total Expense, - 4,503 73
The estimated expense for each Pauper in the Poor House for the last year was 52 cents per week, including board and clothes.
According to the record kept by the Keeper, the cause of becom- ing a charge to the county, was, in almost every instance, intempe- rance, except in cases of old age or idiocy. The town of Whitehall furnishes the greatest number of foreign, and Greenwich the most American paupers. There are two persons in the Poor House who entered the first year.
PRESENT SUPERINTENDENTS.
Robert G. Hall, Argyle. John E. Newcomb, Whitchall.
Samuel Bennett, Fort Edward,
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
(Continued from Page 48.)
In like manner as the British ministers, erroneously estimating the constancy of the colonists, had persuaded themselves that they could reduce them to submission by rigorous laws, the generals, deceiving themselves as strangely with respect to their courage, had no doubt that with their presence, a few threats and a little rattling of their arms, they could put them to flight. From this blind confidence in victory resulted a series of defeats, and the war was irretrievably lost from too sanguine an assurance of triumph.
But let us resume the course of events. The nineteenth of Septem- ber was reserved by destiny for an obstinate and sanguinary action, in which it was at length to be decided whether the Americans, as some pretended, could only resist the English when protected by the strength of works, woods, rivers & mountains, or if they were capa - ble of meeting them upon equal ground, in fair & regular battle. Gen Burgoyne, having surmounted the obstacles of thick woods and bro- ken bridges, by which his progress was continually interrupted, at length arrived in the front of the enemy, some woods only of no great extent separating the two armies. Without a moment's delay, the English formed themselves in order of battle; their right wing rested upon some high grounds which rise gradually from the river; it was flanked by the grenadiers and light infantry, who occupied the hills. At some distance in front, and upon the side of these, were posted those Indians, Canadians and loyalists who had still remained in the camp. The left wing and artillery, under generals Phillips and Reidesel, kept along the great road and meadows by the river side. The American army drew up in the same order from the Hudson to
66
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
the hills; Gates had taken the right and given the left to Arnold Smart skirmishes immediately ensued between the foremost marks. men of either army. Morgan, with his light horse, and colonel Dur- bin, with the light infantry, had attacked and routed the Canadians and savages; but the latter having been supported, they were both in their turn compelled to resume their place in the line. Meanwhile, Burgoyne, either intending to turn the left flank of the enemy, or wishing to avoid, by passing higher up, the hollows of the torrents which fall into the Hudson, extended his right wing upon the heights, in order to fall upon Arnold in the flank and rear.
But Arnold was, at the same time, endeavoring to execute a similar maneuver, upon him, while neither of them was able, on account of the woods, to perceive the movements of his enemy.
The two parties met: general Frazer repulsed the Americans. Finding the right flank of the enemy's right wing so well defended, they left a sufficient guard to defend this passage, made a rapid | movement to their right, and vigorously assailed the left flank of the same wing. Arnold exhibited upon this occasion all the impetuosity of his courage; he encouraged his men with voice and example. The action became extremely warm; the enemy, fearing that Arnold, by cutting their line, would penetrate between their wings, as was manifestly his intention, hastened to re-enforce the points attacked. General Frazer came up with the twenty-fourth regiment, some light infantry and Breyman's riflemen; he would have drawn more troops, from the right flank, but the heights on which it was posted, were of too great importance to be totally evacuated. Meanwhile, such was the valor and impetuosity of the Americans, that the English began to fall into confusion; but general Philips soon appeared with fresh men and a part of the artillery; upon hearing the firing, he had rap- idly made his way through a very difficult wood to the scene of danger. He restored the action at the very moment it was about 'being decided in favor of the enemy.
The Americans, however, renewed their attacks with such perse- vering energy, that night only parted the combatants. The royalits
67
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
passed it under arms upon the field of battle; the republicans re tired. They had lost from three to four hundred men in killed and wounded; among the former were colonels Adams and Coburn. The English had to regret more than five hundred, and among others, captain Jones, of the artillery, an officer of great merit.
Both parties claimed the honor of victory. The English, it is true kept possession of the field of battle; yet, as the intention of the Americans was not to advance, but to maintain their position, and that of the English not to maintain theirs, but to gain ground, and as, besides, it was a victory for the republicans not to be vanquished, it is easy to see which had the advantage of the day. On the other hand the English were now convinced, to the great prejudice of their hopes, and even of their courage, that they would have to grapple with a foo as eager for action, as careless of danger, and as indifferent with res- pect to ground or cover as themselves.
The day following, general Burgoyne, finding that he must aban don all idea of dislodging the enemy by force, from his intrenched positions, endeavored to console himself with the hope, that time might offer him some occasion, to operate with more effect.
He was, besides, in daily expectation of news from general Clinton, with respect to whose movements he was still entirely in the dark. Resolving, therefore, to pause, he pitched his camp within cannon shot of the American lines. He threw up numerous intrenchments, both upon his right, the part which had been attacked, & upon his left, in order to defend the meadows near the river, where he had estab- lished his magazines and hospitals. An English regiment, the Hes- sians of Hanau, and a detachment of loyalists, were encamped in the same meadows for greater security. General Gates continued to oc- cupy his first position, taking care, however, to fortify himself strongly on the left. With the return of success, his army was continually re-enforced by the accession of fresh bodies of the militia. General Lincoln joined him with two thousand men, well trained and disci- plined, from the New England provinces. The English exerted the greatest vigilance to avoid surprise; and the Americans to prevent
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
them from going out of their camp to forage. The skirmishes were animated and frequent.
The British general had for a long time been expecting news from New York; and his impatience was at its height, when, the twentieth of September, he received a letter of the tenth, written in ciphers, by general Clinton, informing him that about the twentieth of the month, he should with two thousand men attack Fort Mont. gomery, situated on the right bank of the Hudson, and upon the declivity of the highlands. He excused himself upon account of weak- ness for not doing more; and even declared, that if the enemy made any movement towards the coasts of New York, he should be forced to return thither. Burgoyne immediately dispatched an emissary, tivo officers in disguise, and some other trusty persons, by different routes, to general Clinton, with a full account of his present situation, urging him to a speedy execution of the diversions he had proposed, and informing him that he was provided with sufficient necessaries, to hold out in his present position till the twelfth of October. Although the assistance promised by Clinton was much less effectual than Bur- goyne had kept in view, nevertheless, he still cherished a hope that the attack on Fort Montgomery, and the apprehension that the Ei. - glish after its reduction might make their way up the river, would induce Gates either to change the position of his camp, or to send large detachments down the river, to oppose the progress of Clinton, and that in either case, some occasion would be offered him to gain a decisive advantage, and open his passage to Albany. But whoever considers the great superiority, in spirit as well as number, of the army of Gates over that of Burgoyne, and that the former was con- tinually increasing in force, will readily perceive how vain were the expectations of the British general. It appears, therefore, that the mere survey of his own weakness, of that of Clinton, and of the pre- ponderant force of Gates, should have determined him for retreat, if, however, retreat was still in his power. For to cross the river in sight of so formidable an army, would have been too perilous an enterprise; and here it is again perceived how imprudent had been the measure of passing it at first, since from that moment it became alike impossi ble to advance or recede.
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