USA > New York > Dutchess County > General history of Duchess County from 1609 to 1876, inclusive > Part 23
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Doctor Prosser was quite a character in early times. He was of part Indian blood ; his medicines consisted mostly of roots and herbs of his own gathering ; and he was usually spoken of as the Indian Doctor. The site of his house may yet be distinguished on lands of David Baker, Esq. He was not versed in the materia medica as taught in the schools ; but he acquired a great reputation as a successful physician. It is said he was in the habit of experimenting with animals and birds, in order to observe the effect of medicines. He was called upon to visit a man who lay at the point of death in Beekman. His attendant physician had given him up to die ; and the poor fellow had himself lost all hope of recovery- When Prosser reached his bedside he enquired of him how he was. "Oh," said he, despairingly, " I am dead, dead !" The Doctor without further ceremony got up, left the house, and proceeded on his way. When questioned as to how his patient did, he replied that he was dead. As the man was poor, the neighbors took upon themselves the task of providing: for his burial. The undertaker soon arrived at the house with a shroud and coffin, where he was met with the information that the man was yet alive. Prosser was again sent for, and questioned as to his purpose in circulating such a falsehood. " Why," said he, "I had the sick man's word for it, he told me he was dead !" He then set himself to the task of treating the man, and succeeded in restoring him to health.
Elder John Lawrence, a pioneer Baptist, began to preach in this town about the year 1770, six years before the Revolu-
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tion. In 1775, a few members were organized into a church, which flourished under his care for about ten years. They were destitute of a pastor for a time, and then Elder Phineas Clark came among them, continuing his labors here about three years. One year afterward, Elder Nehemiah Johnson began to preach ; he was ordained their pastor, and served them thirty years; during which time peace and harmony prevailed. They owned a house of moderate size, situated on the top of the mountain. They found it " easy breathing in prayer on this high ground where they worshiped." The church prospered, and increased to ninety members. In 1841 they were visited and revived by Elder Thomas Stokes, a county missionary. In the minutes of 1843, we read of this church : " They worship in a union meeting house one half the time, and in a schoolhouse the other half. The venerable Father Johnson still lives; and now at the advanced age of eighty- three, visits among them as a father among his children. He has always been an example of Christian piety, and universally beloved. His head is blossoming for the grave, and he himself ripening for a glorious immortality."
The Johnson meeting house was situated, as before observed, on the summit of the mountain, near the "Dug- svay" road. It was a plain edifice, built of wood, and was never painted. A gallery extended around three sides of it; the pulpit, which was about as high as the gallery, occupied the remaining side. There were never any pews-only benches, and planks laid across Johnson Meeting IIouse. supports. At first it had no stove ; the people brought along their foot-stoves in very cold weather and sat out the services in the cold and cheerless church.
In favorable weather it was not unusual to see two hundred people present at the regular Sabbath services. Some came from Dover, Beekman and Patterson, walking a distance of six miles and more. Part way down the west side of the
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mountain a path branches off north from the turnpike, which led, in former times, through the woods to the Johnson Meet- ing House. This was called the "Christians' Walk," as the early worshipers from the southwest part of the town took this path when going to and from church.
The meeting-house stood in the borders of the wood, and was partially shaded by venerable forest oaks and chestnuts ; from among whose branches, of a quiet summer's day, the noise of the locusts and wood-birds would issue, and mingle with the sounds of prayer and praise within the little sanctuary. And ever, as the audience was dismissed, groups of people could be seen, all attired in their Sunday best, threading their way in every direction down the mountain sides, separating into pairs and single travelers as they neared the foot, each seeking his place of abode. This church and society is now known as the First Pawling Baptist Church, at Whaley Pond.
There is a lack of authenticated material touching the early history of the Methodist denomination in this town. A Rev. Mr. Thatcher of Poughkeepsie, is believed to have been the first of that sect that preached here; the first sermon was preached in the old Haynes house, *- near the time of the Revolution, which stood, until within a dozen years, about half a mile west of the village of Pawling. He sent out the appointment by Col. Wm. Pearce; a large and attentive congregation came to hear him. This was the germ of the Methodist church here. Meetings were kept up from that time forward ; a great revival was the result; and it was not long before they built a church. It stood at the intersection of the highways, south of the residence of Wm. H. Chapman, Esq .. this, too, was constructed of wood; never was painted, nor finished on the inside ; and never was furnished with pews. It was removed about twenty-five years ago into Putnam County, where it is used as a dwelling house.
* It is related that during a meeting held at this house, two individuals proposed to each other to go out and have what they termed a " knock." They adjourned to the orchard hard by. where they enjoyed the privilege of beating each other until both were satisfied, when they returned to the meeting.
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Old residents speak of an ancient log church that stood just north of the Camp Meeting Woods. What was its denomination, or when it was built, we are at a loss to deter- mine. It is said the graves are still visible which were in the burial ground connected with this church.
There are now seven churches in town: two Quaker societies, two Baptist, one Catholic and two M. E. Churches. In addition to this we believe there is a small Episcopal Society, but they have no house of public worship. There is also a National Bank, a Savings Bank, and an Institute.
The Pawling Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1858. The following named persons loaned the association the money required to enable it to purchase and lay out the grounds : Jonathan Akin, Alexander Allen, Emery Cole, Asa. B. Corbin, Herman Ferris, Sherman Howard, Richard H. Chapman, and William Pearce. Since its incorporation the funds accruing from the sale of plots have been sufficient to liquidate this debt in full, with a surplus which is being used in beautifying the grounds. A number of elegant monuments have been erected within this beautiful rural cemetery ; and plot owners. evince a great deal of taste and interest in plant- ing flowers, and otherwise adorning the last resting place of departed friends.
About a mile north of Pawling Station, adjoining the old post road between Albany and New York, stood until recently the grove known as the Camp Meeting Woods. The following are the dates of the camp meetings that have been held there, of which we have any record. The dates include the Sabbaths preceding and following the week of the meeting. The first was held in 18to, which gave the name to the grove. Another was held in 1858, August 29 to September 5 ; one in 1859, August 14-21 ; 1860, September 2-9 ; 1862, September 7-14; 1866, September 2-9. A large war meeting was held, in 1862, in this grove ; Hon. George T. Pierce and a Mr. Lord, of Po'- keepsie, were the speakers. A brass band was in attendance,
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and considerable feeling was manifested. This beautiful grove, composed of oak and hickory of large growth, around which so many pleasing associations of the past were gathered, was cut down a year or two since.
There is an ancient deed in possession of a family in this town, covering a tract of land in " Philipses Upper Patent, in Pawiing Precinct," which was executed in 1772, four years before the Revolution, to Reed Ferris, by Beverly Robinson and Susannah, his wife ; - - Oglevie, and Margaret, his wife ; Roger Morris, and Mary, his wife, and others. It is closely written on a piece of heavy parchment, about three feet square, in a plain, bold hand; and bears the autograph of each of the above historical characters.
The " Pawling Riot,"-so-called by the N. Y. Herald- occurred in September, 1871, during which several persons were robbed and eight injured by some followers of a traveling circus.
Early in the season of 1872, Pawling was visited by in- cendiary fires. The Catholic Church and Elmore Ferris' lumber yard were burned, and an attempt was made to fire the depot building, but happily failed.
PINE PLAINS.
POPULATION, 1,410 .- SQUARE ACRES, 18,176.
INE PLAINS was formed from Northeast, March 26, 1823. Extensive plains covered with pines, where the village of that name now stands, suggested the name of the town. The surface is a hilly upland, the ridges being separated by broad valleys. Stissing mountain, so named after an Indian chief who lived in the "Notch," a short dis- tance below its northern extremity, is in the west part of the town, and is 400 to 500 feet above the valleys. Its declivities are steep, and it is crowned with a mass of naked rock. Roe- liff Jansens Kill crosses the northwest corner, and Shekomeko Creek flows north through near the centre. The principal bodies of water are Thompson, Stissing, Mud and Halcyon Ponds. The soil is generally a productive, gravelly loam. Upon draining a small pond one and a half miles southeast of Pine Plains village, a very deep bed of marl, covering six or eight acres, was found. Marl is also found in Halcyon Pond. The first settlements were probably made about 1740.
The following is taken from the records in the Town Clerk's office in Pine Plains :
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At a meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Northeast Precinct, Duchess County, on Tuesday, the 5th of April, 1771, after choosing James Atwater, Esq., Moderator, made choice of the following officers : Charles Graham, Clerk; Morris Graham, Supervisor ; James Bryan and Hentice Couse, Assessors of County Taxes ; Hentice Couse and Israel Thomp- son, Assessors for the Quit Rent ; George Head, Constable and Collector ; Middle Constable, James Young ; East Divi- sion, Josiah Holley; James Hedding, Hentice Couse, and James Bryan, Overseers of the Poor; Lewis Bryan, Daniel Wilson, and Israel Thompson, Commissioners of Roads ; John Collins, Collector of Quit Rents.
April 2nd, 1776, the Town Meeting was held in the North- east Precinct at the house of James Young.
Town Meeting was held at the house of Cornelius Elmen - dorph, on the first day of April, 1783, for the Northeast Precinct.
Town Meeting was held at the house of Cornelius Elmen- dorph on Clinton Plains, for the Northeast Precinct, on the first day of April, 1788.
Voted, 1794, April Ist, that eighty pounds money be raised for the use of the poor the ensuing year. Voted, that all hogs have a right to run on the common if ringed and yoked.
April 7, 1795, voted that £6 bounty be paid by tax on the inhabitants of this town for every wolf's head that is killed in said town in the year 1795.
Recorded the 10th day of April, 1772, a Bill of Sale, dated April 3, 1772, given by John Hulburt to Joseph Ketchum, both of Oblong and County of DUCHESS, for and in considera- tion of the sum of £40 current lawful money of New York to the said John Hulburt in hand paid, in which bill of sale is mentioned seventy-eight acres of wheat, all which wheat is made over to the said Joseph Ketchum.
BYRON MORRIS GRAHAM, Town Clerk.
Recorded the 25th day of May, 1772, the ear mark of
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Uriah Davis, "which is a crop off the Right Ear, and a Slit in it, a half crop under the side of the left ear."
Ear mark of Joseph Peck, a space cut out on the under side of the left ear.
Ear mark of Morris Graham, a "crop and slit in the right ear, and a hole in the left."
Taken up, July 6, 1774, by Hentice Woolsey, "a black yearling colt, the near hind foot white, to the fet-lock-no mark or brand perceivable."
CHAS. GRAHAM, Clerk.
Nov. 25th, 1777 .- Came into the pasture of James Young, some time in the month of April last, a sorrel mare, two years old past, marked with the letter B on the near hind thigh, a. blaze in the forehead, with four white feet.
Record of Katy Jones, who was born May 27th, 1801, at the house of Martin Lawrence, in the town of Northeast. Her mother was a slave to said Lawrence, named Dinah. Re- corded December 30th, 1812. ISRAEL HARRIS, Clerk.
We, the subscribers, Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Northeast, in the County Duchess, do certify that Driss, a slave of Nicholas Row, of said Town of Northeast, appears to be under the age of fifty years, and of sufficient ability to provide for himself.
Northeast Town, JEPTHA WILBUR, Overseers of Poor.
Oct. 26, 1813. 5 PHILO M. WINCHELL,
The most important historical events connected with the present limits of the town of Pine Plains, in the order of time, are those relating to the Indian village of Shekomeko, which we now briefly lay before the reader.
MORAVIAN MISSION AT SHEKOMEKO.
It was under peculiar difficulties that the Moravian Missionary commenced his labors among the nomads of the western world; and it is by these difficulties that we should estimate the magnitude of his work, rather than by the results:
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growing out of his efforts .* He stood between the white man and Indian, the object of a two-fold suspicion, and yet the friend of both. His mission was to a dangerous people-to a race whose angry passions had been rendered fierce above control in the school of merciless oppression. He saw wife, children, and sisters fall beneath the tomahawk ; the crackling fires of burning dwellings were heard throughout the land, mingled with the shrieks of the bound and tortured victim at the stake. Yet, turning his back upon the luxuries of civiliza- tion, he leads the way into inhospitable wilds, that he may carry to the hearts of the untutored savages the tidings of a crucified Saviour.
The Moravian Mission at Shekomeko is remarkable as being the first successful mission to the heathen in North America ; and is among the first efforts of a body of men who above all others have distinguished themselves for missionary zeal, and whose efforts have been attended with extraordinary success. The good example, the generous conduct, the self- denying devotion for the good of others, that mark the lives of these early missionaries, not only serve as a theme with which to grace a page in history, but serve as a lesson which all may contemplate with profit.
Christian Henry Rauch arrived at New York from Germany July 16, 1740, where he was introduced to several influential persons from whom he expected to derive information concern- ing the Indians, and the best means of gaining an influence with them. They unanimously discouraged the attempt. All
* The Moravians claim to have descended from one of the earliest churches formed by the Apostle Paul, in Illyricum, (Rom. xv ; 9,) and by the Apostle Titus in Dalmatia, (2 Tim. iv ; 10,) viz., the Sclavonian branch of the Greek or Eastern Church. They have always adhered to their ancient faith, notwithstanding they have been subject- ed to a series of bitter persecutions. They became absorbed m the general movement of the Reformation, and are little known in the history of subsequent times except under the general head of Protestants The name of Unitas Fratrum, or United Brethren, was the result of a formal union in 1457-60, between the Moravians, Bohemians, and Waldenses. The Moravians, like all Eastern Churches, claim to have maintained an uninterrupted succession of Bishops from the Apostolic times. They were the first society who employ- ed the newly invented art of printing for the publication of the Bible in a living language. for general distribution among the people. Under the direction of Christian David and Count Zinzendorff, who had established themselves in Herrnhut, in Germany, the Mora- vians commenced their remarkable labors among the heathen :- first in Greenland, in 1733; then among the Creek and Cherokee Indians in Georgia, in 1735: and then, after establish- ing their Colony at Bethlehem, coming to the Mohegan and Wampaug Indians at Shekome- ko and its vicinity. This sect have from the first cor fined their missionary labors to the conversion of the heathen.
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efforts at their improvement heretofore had failed ; the Indians were of such a vicious and abandoned character that to go among them would be dangerous as well as utterly vain. Not at all discouraged, he proceeded to seek out an embassy of Mohegan Indians, who had lately arrived in New York on bus- iness with the Colonial Government.
At his first visit he found them in a state of beastly intoxi- cation, and terribly ferocious in appearance and manners. Carefully watching his opportunity to find them alone, he ad- dressed himself to two of the principal chiefs, Tschoop and Shabash, in the Dutch language, with which they had become slightly acquainted in their intercourse with the Dutch settle- ments along the Hudson River. Without ceremony he asked them whether they wished a teacher to instruct them in the way of salvation. Tschoop answered in the affirmative, adding that he frequently felt disposed to know better things than he did, but knew not how or where to find them. Shabash like- wise giving his assent, the missionary rejoiced and promised to accompany them at once, and visit their people, upon which " they declared him their teacher with true Indian solemnity."
They led him through the unbroken wilderness to Shekom- eko, the beautiful Indian name of. the region now known as Pine Plains. The site of the ancient Indian village was about two miles south of the present village near the " Bethel." It was located on the farm now occupied by Mr. Edward Hunt- ing, a most beautiful and romantic spot, such indeed as one who appreciates the nobler traits of the Indian character would be prepared to find a chosen Indian haunt ; and where a passing traveler might even now expect to be startled by the native whoop of the red man of the forest, or at least to be charmed by the sweeter music of the Christian hymns taught them by the faithful Moravians, who in their misssionary huts, or in the woods and groves by which they were surrounded, often called to mind the favorite lines sung by the ancient Bohemian brethren :-
' The rugged rocks, the dreary wilderness,
Mountains and woods, are our appointed place ;
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Midst storms and waves, on heathen shores unknown,
We have our temple, and serve God alone.' "'
This ancient Indian name is still retained in the pictur- esque stream* which runs near the ancient Indian village, and unites with Roeliff Jansens Kill in Columbia County.
Rauch arrived at the Indian settlement August 16th, and was received with true Indian hospitality. He immediately spoke to them on the subject of man's redemption, and they listened with marked interest. The next day when he spoke with them he perceived, with sorrow, that his words excited derision ; at last they openly laughed him to scorn. He was not discouraged ; he persisted in visiting them daily in their huts, representing to them the evils of sin, and extolling the grace of God revealed in Christ and pointing out the way of salvation. In these labors he encountered many hardships. He lived after the Indian manner, traveling on foot from one place to another through the wilderness. Suffering from heat and fatigue, he was often denied even the poor shelter of an Indian hut for refreshment and rest.
His labors did not long continue without their reward. The Indians became gradually more attentive to his instruc- tions, evidently favorably inpressed with the devoted zeal he manifested for their good, which was so different from the ordi- nary conduct of the white man toward them. The first to show seriousness was Tschoop, the greatest drunkard and most atrocious villain among them. He asked of the missionary "what effect can the blood of Christ, slain on the cross, pro- duce in the heart of men ?" and thus he opened the way to a full explanation. Shabash also began to exhibit a similar interest. It was evident a work of grace had begun in the hearts of these two savages. Their eyes would overflow with tears whenever they conversed with their teacher upon the subject.
This effect upon the Indians, who were regarded by the white settlers as a horde of incorrigible wretches, soon attract- ed attention. And the missionary, who came to preach to the
* This name has also been given to a station on the Duchess & Columbia Railroad.
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heathen, was now invited to preach to the white settlers also, whose vices the degraded heathen had learned but too well.
The change which took place in the conduct of Tschoop was very striking, for he had been notorious for his wildness and recklessness, and had even made himself a cripple by his debauchery. Having become a preacher and interpreter among them, he related his experience in the following manner :
"Brethren, I have been a heathen, and have grown old among the heathen, therefore I know how the heathen think. Once a preacher came and began to explain to us that there was a God. We answered, 'Dost thou think we are so igno- rant as not to know that? Go back to the place from whence thou camest.' Then again, another preacher came and began to teach us, and to say, you must not steal, nor lie, not get drunk, &c. We answered, 'Thou fool, dost thou think we don't know that ? Learn first thyself, and then teach the peo- ple to whom thou belongest, to leave off these things, for who steal and lie, or who are more drunken than thine own people ?' And thus we dismissed him. After some time Brother Chris- tian Henry Rauch came into my hut and sat down by me. He spoke to me nearly as follows : 'I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven and Earth. He sends word that he is willing to make you happy, and to deliver you from the misery in which you now are. To this end He became a man, gave His life as a ransom for man, and shed His blood for him.' When he had finished, he lay down upon a board, being fatigued with his journey, and fell into a sound sleep. I then thought what kind of a man is this ? There he lies and sleeps. I might kill him, and throw him into the woods, and who would regard it ? But this gives him no concern. However I could not forget his words. Even while I slept I dreamed of that blood which Christ had shed for us. This was something different from what I had ever before heard. And I interpreted Christian Henry's words to the other Indians."
But now many of the white settlers, who, while they cor- rupted, abused, and vilified the Indians, at the same time lived upon them, and who made large gains especially by their drunkenness, conceived that their interests would be injured by the success of the missionary. They therefore stirred up the more vicious Indians, instigated them to threaten his life if he did not leave the place. And they even tried to seduce
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the two chiefs to their former wretched life, whose remarkable conversion had attracted so much attention.
In this extremity the name of John Rau should be men- tioned with honor for his noble defense of the persecuted Mora- vian. He was the steadfast friend of the devoted Missionaries through all their subsequent troubles, until they were driven from the province by an unjust act of the Colonial Government. With his assistance Rauch overcame, in a great measure, the obstacles placed in his way by his intriguing enemies. Several new converts were made, and the mission assumed an interest- ing and promising character. In 1741, it was visited by Bishop David Nitschman, the companion and fellow laborer of Count Zinzendorff.
About this time a companion and aid was sent to Rauch at Shekomeko, from Bethlehem. His name was Gottlob Buett- nor, a martyr to the work upon which he then entered, and whose grave at Shekomeko has brought to notice the memory of this noble effort of the Moravians, and whose brief history is of the greatest interest in connection with the mission. He preached for the first time to the Indians at Shekomeko, Jan. 14th, 1742, from Col. 1; 13. On the 11th of the following month Rauch and Buettnor were ordained deacons at Bethle- hem. On the same day Rauch baptized three of the Indian converts who had accompanied them from Shekomeko-the first fruits of this most remarkable Indian mission. Tschoop was not among them, he having been unable to undertake the long journey in consequence of his lameness. He was, how- ever, baptized at Shekomeko on the 16th of April following, receiving the Christian name of John .* The annexed is a portion of the letter dictated to the brethren on the occasion of the baptism of his companions :
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