USA > New York > Warren County > Queensbury > History and biography of Washington county and the town of Queensbury, New York > Part 52
USA > New York > Washington County > History and biography of Washington county and the town of Queensbury, New York > Part 52
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He was on the committee to draft a letter to the northern counties concerning invasion from Canada ; the committee to confer on the cap- ture of Ticonderoga; to organize troops and prepare military rules and regulations ; to de- vise plans for the adjustment of the quarrel with Great Britain ; on salt. By this congress he was appointed colonel of the First Char- lotte County regiment, and surgeon subject to requisition in the Continental service.
On the expiration of the Provincial congress, he was elected to the assembly of the New York legislature, its successor in 1781-82. He served with such acceptability that he was elected to three terms in the senate of four years each, from 1783 to 1795. In the legis- lature he was associated with and oft in controversy on the floor with the ablest law- yers, jurists, statesmen and financiers of the State, and he displayed surprising ability and knowledge upon the various subjects of legis- lation. This was specially manifested in the New York Constitutional convention held in Poughkeepsie, June 17, 1788, which ratified the Constitution of the United States, and con-
stituted New York a member of the Federal Union.
In that convention there were such men as John Jay, Richard Morris, Alexander Hamil- ton, Robert P. Livingston, Gov. George Clin- ton, Philip Livingston. Doctor Williams' speech followed that of Alexander Hamilton, whom he opposed. He administered a rebuke to Chancellor Livingston for his levity and sar- casm, saying " The question under discussion is a momentous one. The chancellor's speech is unworthy of notice in point of argument. I will not submit to have my own arguments misstated. I will not enter seriously into the subject with him until I hear serious answers to my argument."
That his rebuke was merited appears from the remark of Melancthon W. Smith, one of the greatest men in the convention. " The chancellor's speech is like a farce after a great tragedy."
A single extract from General Williams' remarks indicates his grasp of the subject under discussion and his patriotism : " The present difficulties are not attributable to de- fects in the confederation. Constitutions must not swallow up the State governments. I would not establish a bad government in the fear of anarchy." "No excise should be imposed on articles of growth and manufacture in the United States. No taxes, except-when a de- ficiency exists in money from imports and ex- cise, and these only under restrictions."
While a member of the New York senate, 1793, he was elected against determined op- position, to the United States house of repre- sentatives, and re-elected to the second term. Congress was then sitting in Philadelphia. The great men of the New Republic were in it. Great questions of government were to be settled, great questions of national and inter- national policy to be determined. General Williams showed himself to be a peer in knowledge and the science of government with those who had been educated to the law and in civil economy. A letter of Rev. Obed
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Warren expressed the sentiment of his con- stituents of his course in congress. He wrote : " You expect shortly to resign your seat in that honorable body and become one of the sovereign people to whom you have been a faithful servant." M. D. Woolsey, one of the most eminent lawyers of the district, and a former opponent of General Williams, wrote : " I thank you for the part you have taken in the Federal legislature, at least on all ques- tions of national importance."
Dr. Williams' legislative career comprised twenty-four years, from the provincial con- gress of New York through the congress of the United States. Beginning at twenty- three years of age, he assumed at once a prom- inent place in legislation and government. While in these bodies he was frequently called to render service in the field of battle, either in command of his regiment or as surgeon after battle and in hospitals, and ofttimes public affairs of his county and district, civil, social, and military, demanded his presence and direction. Notwithstanding this, when in the halls of legislation, he evinced a knowl- edge of the subjects of legislation, an appreci- ation of the problems which confronted the government, and a range of information that gave him prominence, not only on the floor, but at the head of important committees. Thus we find he was at times the chairman of the New York Convention of Safety, from the letter of Francis Livingston to him as such, thanking him for permission to visit New York. He was foremost in many measures for the encouragement and development of the agri- culture, commerce, and industries, both of the State and the United States-measures that required legal lore as well as judgment. Some of these were the inspiration of prospective wisdom, and have resulted in great and perma- nent wealth and enterprise to the State. Chief among these was canal communication between the Hudson river and the north and west by the lakes. He first introduced this scheme in the legislature, by offering a resolution in the
senate, of which he was a member, on Febru- ary 15, 1791, for a joint committee of the sen- ate and assembly, of which he was appointed chairman. The favorable report of his com- mittee having been referred to the land com- missioners, by them was favorably reported to both houses, January 5, 1792. On General Williams' motion, this report was referred to a special committee. On February 7, 1792, he introduced a bill for the construction of the proposed canals, which bill became a law Marclı 30, 1792. He became a stockholder and director in the Northern Inland Lock Navi- gation company, for connecting the Hudson river and Lake Champlain, and devoted much time and money to its construction. This action was of supreme importance to New York State and city. We know not who first suggested canal transportation in this country, but we know who formulated, framed and in- troduced the bill which did more than any other project for the material advance- ment and supremacy of New York among the States of the Union. It deserves more than a passing record. After the close of the Revolutionary war the west was being rapidly settled. The only mode of travel and traffic was by wagon. Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York became rivals for the rapidly growing trade of the west. Their commercial future and their maritime com- merce were to be materially determined by their western communications. Baltimore, at the head of the Chesapeake bay, was so far inland as to be the nearest to all points from the lakes southward from forty to two hundred and fifty miles. New York was the most distant even from her own western border. The only highway to the west was the National turn- pike from Baltimore across the mountains. With its large fleet of Conestoga wagons, Baltimore was securing the bulk of the western trade. It had become the entrepot for the foreign trade, and its fleet of Baltimore clip- pers whitened every sea. New York was losing this western trade and her commercial marine
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was seriously impaired. It would have been a permanent loss if the system of canal com- munication had not been effected. The water ways of the State were favorably located. Railroads were not then dreamed of. They were not within the range of scientific vision. The only solution was canals, and canals res- cued New York from defeat in the rivalry by overcoming her disadvantage in distance by a quicker, easier and more commodious method of transportation. The inception of canal en- terprise was one of the most momentous points in the history of this country, especially of New York, which was the pioneer. No enter- prise has done more for New York. Even the railroad has not supplanted it here as it has in other sections. The canal commission is to this day one of the great departments of the government of the State of New York.
General Williams could not foresee the re mote results of his act in introducing and se- curing this legislation. But that act alone should immortalize him in the annals of the State as one of its greatest benefactors.
GENERAL WILLIAMS AS A SOLDIER.
Having identified himself with the people in their controversy with the government on its aggressive policy, he began to arouse their pa- triotism to active resistance. He proceeded with other leaders to organize troops and pro- vide means of defense against incursions from the northern border. A county meeting of delegates was called. The Provincial congress was petitioned to authorize the organization of a Charlotte county regiment, with Doctor Wil- liams as colonel. This was donc, and Colonel Williams was chiefly instrumental in its organ- ization. This was in 1775.
During 1775 and 1776 his attention was di- vided between his duties in the congress and the military affairs of his district. The latter included the organization of troops, direction and disposition of the Charlotte County ran- gers, for guarding the frontier against the Brit- ish army and Indians ; devising means and
sustenance for the troops, and raising bounties to induce men to enlist. He was frequently called upon to furnish men for special service, as the orders of Generals Schuyler and St. Clair, preserved among the Williams papers, show.
In the midst of these absorbing occupations, General St. Clair ordered him to his relief at Fort Ticonderoga, remarking in the order, that with him and others specified, " he could laugh at all the enemy could do." When Col- onel Williams reached Skeensboro with his battalion, General St. Clair had abandoned the fort. The American forces were obliged to retire to Fort Ann, whither the British forces followed them, where occurred the first battle in Washington county, resulting in the defeat of the British. Colonel Williams with his battalion did effectual work in harrassing the enemy in its march and retreat. This caused Burgoyne to retire and mass his forces at Skeensboro. This sanguinary battle in Wash- ington county was of great importance. It was initial to Bennington Heights and Stillwater, or Saratoga Springs. Had the British won, they would not only have possessed Wash- ington county, but would have avoided Ben- nington, and carried out the plan of joining forces with General Howe at or north of Al- bany, and perhaps have suppressed the Rev- olution. This was the plan which was adopted by King George and his advisers with Gen- eral Burgoyne during his return to England to confer on the conduct of the war. We can now appreciate the immense importance of preventing Burgoyne from marching through Washington county, and the debt we owe to Colonel Williams and his patriot forces and associates in frustrating the design of the enemy. The defeat at Fort Ann necessitated General Burgoyne's sending a portion of his army to Bennington to capture the American stores. Near by occurred the disastrous bat- tle of Bennington Heights. This threw the scene of action back upon the Hudson river, at Stillwater and Schuylerville, where was
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fought the great battle of the war, that deter- mined more than any other the independence of the Colonies. In both of these Colonel Williams was engaged. He was doubtless aware of the plan of the enemy's campaign. As a member of the committee on the conduct of the war, he was necessarily furnished with all information obtainable of the movements and designs of the enemy.
After the surrender of Burgoyne, Colonel Williams was engaged in various ways with his battalion. He divided it into six classes, each being required to be on duty a week at a time. This was necessary to enable the men to attend to their horses and farm affairs, and in the approaching spring to get in their crops for the coming season. His presence and management of affairs did much to allay ex- citement and enable those who had fled from their homes to return. He interested himself in behalf of those whose loyalty was doubtful, or who had tory sympathies, and were reputa- ble and worthy citizens, to secure their return to their families.
Thus we read in General Gates' reply to a letter of his on this subject. The date is CAMP BEHMER'S, September 29, 1777. He writes : " It does not remain with me properly to extend the time prescribed by my procla- mation for the return of the tories to the in- dulgent protection of the Government. But your letter shall immediately be sent to Eso- pus, to be laid before the legislature of this State now sitting, and if they are pleased to grant a longer day, I shall, .upon receiving their answer, immediately acquaint you there- with.
" I am, sir, your most obedient, humble ser- vant,
HORATIO GATES."
Colonel Williams was at times assigned special duty that required prudence as well as bravery, as the following order of General Heath shows :
" HEADQUARTERS, BOSTON, Nov. 9, '77.
SIR - You will please return back on the Albany road until you meet the British hos-
pital, with which you will come forward to Cambridge. You will hire such teams as may be absolutely necessary for the forwarding of the sick, baggage, etc., for which you will pay the usual rates, as you will also for such for- age as may be necessary, of which you will keep a particular account, which you will ren- der on your return.
I am, your ob't ser't, W. HEATH, M. G."
The complete defeat of the British plans in northern New York shifted the great battles to the middle and southern sections of the coun- try.
We next read of Colonel Williams at the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey. Whether he was in command of his regiments or not, we do not know. Charlotte county troops were engaged, for Maj. Joseph McCracken, of Salem, his intimate associate, had an arm shot off. Colonel Williams found him thus on the field and by his surgical skill and care saved his life. Shortly after this he was in hospital service, as he was a commissioned surgeon on the Continental line. Dr. Thacher, assistant to Dr. John Morgan, Surgeon General of the United States Army, mentions him in his Mili- tary Journal of the War, as his associate in the hospital. On one occasion they together re- ceived General Washington on the occasion of his visit to the hospital, and conducted him through the wards.
Dr. Williams was very jealous of his repu- tation as a surgeon and of his rights under his commission. Thus in a letter to the Provin- cial congress, remonstrating with that body for having sent a surgeon to his field without his knowledge, says : " As to my abilities, they are known well in this part of the country; my practice is very extensive, particularly in surgery. I have now a wounded man from Ticonderoga under my care, who has been given over by the surgeons there. I hope in a few days that I shall discharge him perfectly sound."
After the war, the military spirit of the men
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survived in the militia of the States, and this was exhibited in the " general training." Colo- nel Williams was appointed by Governor George Clinton, Brigade-General for Washı- ington county, in 1789, in which there were then two regiments.
GENERAL WILLIAMS AS A CITIZEN.
During his entire busy public life in the ser- vice of his country, in the halls of legislation, on the field of battle, in the hospital, General Williams never forgot nor was neglectful of the people of his town and county. He not only was interested in their concerns, but was active in originating and promoting enterprises and institutions for their welfare and advance- ment.
He was generally at the head of every effort and movement that meditated the growth of the town, or the development of the country. He was one of the originators of the Washing- ton academy in Salem, and obtained its char- ter, dated September 29, 1791. It had pre- viously been a school, kept for a while in the little fort called " Fort Williams," and in one of his own apartments, without rent. It was the first academy chartered north of Albany. It soon became, and continues to be, one of the best preparatory English and classical schools in the State. General Williams do- nated to it a parcel of ground and contributed a sum of money to the erection of the first building, which was destroyed by fire. Many distinguished scholars in science, law, and theology emanated from this academy. This institution is not among the least of the bene- fits that General Williams helped to bestow upon the county and State.
He was very efficient in the religious and ecclesiastical life and enterprises of his day. He was at first identified with the Presbyterian or " Brick " church in Salem. He contributed liberally to its support and work. That he was personally and intimately engaged in it, appears from his presence on committees, and his personal letters to the Presbytery in ref-
erence to the settlement of pastors. After the marriage of hisdaughter to Rev. Alex. Proud- fit, pastor of the Associate Reformed, now the United Presbyterian church, he transferred his connection to it. He and his wife on leaving executed a " deed of confirmation " of the lot on which the Presbyterian church stood, and thus secured to it perpetual pos- session. The other church greatly increased under Dr. Proudfit's ministry, and a larger building was demanded. The present " White Church " is the result of the demand. In the erection of this unique and noble sanctuary on its beautiful site, General Williams was greatly instrumental. His active exertions in settling the controversy concerning the site, in raising material for its construction, and providing the finances, have given to Salem a building of simple and antiqe beauty, and a basis on which has grown a congregation and pastorate that have become prominent in the United Presbyterian denomination, and whose good works and influence extend to distant lands. Some of his descendants have been, and are now, among the most devoted work- ers and supporters of this church. He also contributed to other churches in the towns of the county.
The three things he considered essential to the country, as well as to the individual, as his letters and papers show, are education, morality and religion. His influence and means were ever bestowed in advancing these. Doubtless the high position that Salem holds to-day,in these respects, is in part the result of his work at the laying of the foundation of its social and civic life.
By his private and public enterprises Gen- eral Williams probably did more than any other for the trade and agriculture of this section of the State.
He was one of the originators and directors of the Northern Turnpike company, which constructed a road from Lansingburg, through Cambridge, Salem, Hebron and Hampton, to the State line, connecting with a turnpike to
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Burlington, Vermont. It also built a road from Salem northeastward to the State line, and one from Granville to Whitehall. At this latter place General Williams had large posses- sions, and a mill and other enterprises. He originated or encouraged the opening of roads and the improvement of rivers, so as to facili- tate the transportation of crops and develop- ment of the country. He was the largest land- holder in the county, and conducted a num- ber of farms, cut timber from his forests, and shipped grain and lumber to England and Can- ada, and thus brought industry and wealth to his section.
During his career as a statesman and soldier, he was personally superintending his business and agricultural affairs and real estate interests. Among the other official positions he held were those of one of the council of appoint- ment, January 2, 1789; regent of the State university, May 1, 1784; justice of the peace in Salem, four times ; and judge of the county court. His care and conscientiousness in the discharge of duty are seen in his preparation in writing of his charges and instructions to the grand and petit juries, some of which are preserved.
General Williams was twice married. His first wife was Mrs. Susanna Turner, the mother of his children : Susan, the wife of Rev. Alex- ander Proudfit, for forty years the pastor of the Associate Reformed, now the United Presby- terian, church in Salem ; Elizabeth, who mar- ried Ebenezer Proudfit ; Maria, who married Hon. Anthony I. Blanchard, a distinguished lawyer, and first judge of the county court ; and John Williams, who was appointed by Governor Morgan Lewis, second lieutenant of the first squadron in the third division of the State cavalry, and by Governor De Witt Clinton, col- onel of the 7th regiment of the State cavalry, and subsequently aid-de-camp to the brigadier- general of the 16th brigade of infantry.
General William married, the second time, Mrs. Mary Townley, of New York city, who died without issue. He died July 22, 1806,
aged fifty-three years and ten months. Col- onel John Williams, his son, married Miss Ann Wray and had two children : John, who mar- ried Miss Harriet B. Martin, and Mary, mar- ried to the Rev. Dr. George W. Bethune.
The children of the last John are : Mr. John M. Williams, who married Miss Frances Schriver ; and Miss Harriet M. Williams and Miss Fanny H. Williams. These, with Miss Marion, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Williams, reside in the colonial mansion, the " Williams home."
There is missed from this home the latest and youngest male descendant of General Williams, bearing his name, the late Prof. John Francis Williams, Ph. D., the son of John M. Williams. He died November 9, 1891, universally lamented. His carly death was a serious loss to the scientific world, in which he had acheived great distinction, and had wrought valuable works. Every one who knew him felt that the world was made poorer and heaven richer by his departure.
The lineal descendants of General Williams number about three hundred, comprising fam- ilies of honorable station, and many who have become prominent in social and professional ranks.
R. JOHN MONEYPENNY, M. D.,
a well known physician of the village of Cambridge, and surgeon in the United States army in the late Rebellion, is a native of the city of New York, where he was born April 3, 1825, and is a son of John and Mary A. (Hill) Moneypenny. He received his education at the Trinity school and Columbia college, both of New York city, and was graduated from the latter institution in 1847. After having finished his literary education, he took up the study of medicine under Dr. John H. Whit- taker, of No. 510 Broadway, who was at that time a professor of anatomy in the medical college of that city, and after taking the re- quired course of study here, Doctor Money- penny, in 1850, was graduated from the Col-
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lege of Physicians and Surgeons of the State of New York. After his graduation, he served as house surgeon in Bellevue hospital, New York, for a period of twenty months, then he studied one year in Paris, and after serving as physician to the New York Dispensary, and as substitute in the Lying-in hospital, he com- menced private practice in his native city, where he remained until 1862. In that year his family removed to the village of Cambridge, New York, and he enlisted on September 10th of the same year, in the 123d New York vol- unteer regiment as surgeon. He remained with this regiment until the following year, when a severe attack of the typho-malarial fever compelled his resignation. In the fall of 1863. he accepted a position as surgeon in the United States army, in the general hospi- tal at Hampton, Virginia. In August, 1864, there was an outbreak of yellow fever at New Berne, North Carolina, when Doctor Money- penny was one of four physicians who volun- teered to go and care for the sick. Two of the number died, but Doctor Moneypenny re- mained until the epidemic subsided, and was the last of the physicians to take the fever, and the only one that survived it. After regaining his health he returned to Hampton and re- mained until the close of the war, and for a while afterward was held there for the purpose of examining soldiers for pensions. He then soon returned to his family at Cambridge, where he has ever since resided, practicing some, mostly in the capacity of a consulting physician. In addition to the work in his pro- fession, he has dealt some in real estate in New York city and the west. He is a Mason, and Psi-Upsilon, Larnda Chapter, Col. Call, and is a vestryman of the Episcopal church.
On June 22, 1854, he was married to Mar- garet, a daughter of Peter Hill, a farmer of the town of Cambridge. To them have been born three children : John and Fred, who died in boyhood, and Marion, who is the wife of the Rev. F. H. T. Horsfield [see sketch], rector of the Episcopal church of Cambridge.
Dr. John Moneypenny's father, John Money- penny, was born in the town of Enniskillen,. County Fermanagh, Ireland, and migrated to New York city in 1819, where he afterward owned one of the leading dyeing establishments of that city ; but his greatest success was in- troducing the process and machinery for water- ing silk in this country. Ile was also an ex- tensive dealer in real estate in the city and some sections of the west. John Moneypenny (great-grandfather) was a potter by trade, a native of, and lived and died in Ireland. He was the father of eight children : Thomas, who came to America when a young man ; James, who joined the English army, and was killed at the battle of Waterloo ; William, who died in New York ; Anna, Martha, Mary and Jane. This John Moneypenny died while yet a young man, and as the eldest son had come to America, and the next elder had joined the British army, the responsibility of looking after the remain- der of the family fell on John Moneypenny (father). The family he brought to this country with him and assisted in their support. He was very successful in his business under- takings. He was well known in business cir- cles in many of the leading cities of this country at that time. Before leaving his native country, he was baptized in the established church of England, and after coming to New York he became an official member of the Methodist Episcopal church ; and was a demo- crat in politics. In 1823 he married Mary A. Hill, who was a native of County Antrim, Ire- land, and a daughter of William Hill, who mi- grated to this county, where he followed farm- ing for many years, but the latter part of his life was spent in the city of New York. To that marriage were born nine children, only two of whom are living, the subject of this sketch and Rosina Hillis, who is now the wife of George H. McFarland, of the town of Jack- son. John Moneypenny (father) died in New York city, February 14, 1859, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and his wife passed away Jan- uary 24, 1862, in the fifty-sixth year of her age.
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