USA > New York > Columbia County > History of Columbia County, New York. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73
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On the Wilson corner was an old-time inn, built in the long rambling way peculiar to the taverns of that day,- before the Revolution,-in which Ira Gale was a kceper after 1808. The house stood until after 1825 ; but its use- fulness had been superseded by another tavern, erected farther down the street, by Cyrus Capron, who kept a store in part of the building. Other landlords were Peter and Elias Smith, Charles King, and Wm. McGill. The old house was removed in 1852, and the present spacious hotel erected by Captain Eliakim Littell, a native of the south, who was accustomed to spend several months a year in this
place. Alexander Coon was the first landlord, and kept a famous house. Wm. Hurd, Abram Potts, Joseph Shirtts, Horatio Plank, and Reuben Van De Bogart have since kept this house, the latter since 1871. A Masonic hall is in one of the upper stories of the hotel.
In 1800, Samuel Ten Broeck, M. Livingston, and Wm. Wilson were excise commissioners of the town, and granted licenses to keep public-houses to George J. Best, Ira Gale, Jacob Salspaugh, Bernard Creamer, Maria Whitman, John Cooper, John Moore, and Philip D. Rockefeller, living in different parts of Clermont. Near the last stand -a farm- house now occupied by Allen Coon-J. W. Coon opened a store and tavern in 1854, which has been carried on since 1859 by W. L. Fraleigh.
The Clermont post-office is one of the three first estab- lished in the county,-July 31, 1792,-and had Wm. Wil- son for its first postmaster. He was succeeded, in 1820, by Wm. H. Wilson, who held the appointment until 1852. Since then the postmasters have been Levi Le Roy, Iloratio Plank, Joseph Shirtts, and Martin Williams since 1862. The office has a daily mail from Hudson.
It is said that a Dr. Thompson was the first physician in town, living here at an early day. In 1784, Dr. Wm. Wilson located here permanently, and remained in active practice many years. Ile died in 1828. Before 1790, Dr. Thomas Broadhead was also a resident physician, and was one of the ablest practitioners in the county. A short time before his death, in 1830, his son, John, also a very able physician, was associated with him, and shortly after Dr. Peter Van Buren followed in this, practice, he having been a son-in-law of Dr. Broadhead. A Dr. Robert Clough, in practice at Clermont, met with an accidental death from the use of poison. Dr. Philip H. Knickerbocker is well remembered as a worthy physician, as well as his successor, Dr. Thomas Broadhead, a grandson of old Dr. Thomas Broadhead. For many years Dr. Rensselaer Platner has ably represented the profession in Clermont.
As an attorney, Cornelius P. Van Ness was here a short time, and Elisha Holley at a later period. Wesley R. Gallup was the last resident lawyer in the village, and Eras- tus Coon in the eastern part of the town, the law having at present no representative in Clermont.
THE MILITARY LIST,
embracing the names of those who took part in the late civil war in defense of the Union, may be found at the close of the town histories.
CHATHAM.
THIS is the largest town in the county, having an area of thirty-one thousand seven hundred and three square acres. It was erected from Canaan and Kinderhook, March 17, 1795, with bounds which have been reduced to the present limits by the formation of Ghent and Aus- terlitz in 1818. The general shape of the town is rectangu- lar, having its length from north to south. It is bounded on the north by Rensselaer county, and partakes in that part of the characteristics of that county. The surface is considerably elevated and undulating. The eastern part has a mountainous aspect, but westward the country becomes more level, with occasional ridges of slaty rock extending north and south, having broad intervals of surpassing rich- ness and beauty. Nearly the entire surface is tillable, and there is but little waste land in the town.
The soil is a loam, or a mixture of loam and clay, or gravel. Along Kinderhook creek are some alluvial flats which are extremely fertile. All the soils are rich and produce abundantly the cereals, especially rye. Grass is a staple crop, and potatoes are extensively cultivated.
The conformation of the surface of the town secures ex- cellent drainage. Kinderhook creek, the principal stream, enters the town from the north, a little east of the centre, and has a southwesterly course, passing into Kinderhook south of the centre of the western line of Chatham. In its course it takes the waters of numerous brooks and Steeny and Kline Kill creeks. The latter forms the south- western boundary of the town. Steeny creek flows from the east to the south line at Chatham village, thence takes an abrupt northwesterly course. It has a deep channel, with rocky banks and bed, affording many mill-seats, which have been well improved. For its volume it is the best stream in the county. Kinderhook lake, in the north- west, is partly in Chatham. Many springs abound, and in the eastern part, in the neighborhood of New Concord, are several possessing mineral properties.
LAND TITLES AND SETTLERS.
The western part of the town was covered by the great Kinderhook and other patents of that town, and was the first settled portion. Eastward were the domains of Patroon Van Rensselaer, but no special efforts were made to define his claims to the soil until many had possessed it by virtue of sovereign or " squatter" rights. A controversy in re- gard to the titles ensued without reaching any satisfactory results. His Majesty King George III. was finally peti- tioned to recognize the claims of the settlers who had peacefully and unhindered settled upon these lands. The memorial was dated May 15, 1774, and prayed for the appointment of Elijah Hudson, Joseph Wood, Samuel Wheeler, Barnet Dwyer, and Isaac Mills as attorneys to
treat with the royal commissioners to secure to the settlers titles for their homes. Among the signers appear the names of Joseph Hall, Sylvanus Hudson, Jacob Brockway, Stephen Finch, Benjamin North, John Roberts, Peter Goose, David Reynolds, Richard Hudson, Solomon Finch, Philip Philips, Seth Tubbs, Nathan Huntley, Joseph Pitts, Gilcox Sharp, V. V. Van Valkenburgh, David Pingley, Daniel Webster, David Root, Lawrence Van Valkenburgh, Jacobie Van Valkenburgh, Caleb Knight, Christopher Peak, Jesse Gould, Joseph English, Jabez Henry, Asahel Sal- mon, Reuben Burlingame, Joseph Howard, Joel Reynolds, Thomas Brown, Obadiah Wilbor, Abram Van Alstyne, Peter J. Vosburgh, David Reynolds, James Brockway, Ezekiel Thomas, John Graves, Martin Smith, and Joseph Knapp. These were also among the early settlers, and many of their descendants yet remain in town. It is probable that James Savage was selected to bear this peti- tion to the court of St. James; but the events of the Revolution, which so quickly followed, prevented attention to the matter, and relief was not afforded until many years after, when the Legislature of the State passed what is generally called the "Canaan Act," under which many titles were secured.
As already stated, the first settlers were Hollanders who had first taken up their abode in Kinderhook, and from there came to points farther up the creek, passing through that town soon after 1700. The rich alluvial lands and Indian fields along the water courses of Chatham offered them inviting homes, and many of the younger members of the old Kinderhook families came eagerly hither. Among others were the Van Alens, Van Hocsens, Van Burens, Sons, Van Ness, Van Alstynes, Mesicks, Vos- burghs, and Van Valkenburghs. Of the latter family there were four brothers,-James, Bartholomew, Lawrence, and Solomon. One of the sons of James, John J., yet resides at Chatham Centre, aged ninety-six years. He lives near the spot where he was born, and is said to be the oldest living ex-assemblyman in the State. A brother resides at Plymouth, Indiana, who is more than one hundred years old. During the Revolution the settlers along Kinderhook creek were much distressed by the incursions of roving bands of Torics and their Indian allies. On one such oc- casion Abraham Van Ness was brutally murdered at his father's door.
At a later period than the settlements in the western part were those in the south and the east of the town, made by immigrants from Dutchess county and the New England States. Many of those in the latter section were members of the Society of Friends, whose relations with the natives here, as elsewhere, were of the most amicable nature. It is related of one of them named Wilbor that he exercised
284
C
LITH DY L H EVERTS & CO PHILA PA.
RESIDENCE OF W. D. STEWART, CHATHAM, N. Y.
285
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
great influence over the natives, and was frequently con- sulted by them. His services were especially sought after to divide the presents and whisky which the Indians re- ceived from the fur-traders, and his decisions were always deemed satisfactory.
After 1750 the settlement of the town was very rapid, and embraced hundreds whose names appear in the sketches of the villages and in the civil list. In 1875 the popula- tion was four thousand four hundred and ninety.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
The original town of Chatham was erected in pursuance of an act passed March 17, 1795, which provided that from and after the first Monday of April, certain parts of the towns of Canaan and Kinderhook should constitute a new town, "whose first meeting shall be held at the house of Ebenezer Crocker." The officers elected were : Supervisor, James Savage ; Town Clerk, James Palmer ; Assessors, Peter Van Alstyne, Martin Krum, William Gardner, Ho- sea Bebee ; Collectors, Ichabod Lester, David Bebee; Con- stables, Noah Westover, James Lockwood; Poormaster, Abraham Hogeboom ; Fence-viewers, William Chamber- lain, Seth Rowland, Rowland Gifford, Alexander Webster, Robert Gardner, William Davenport; Commissioners of Highways, Jason Lester, Daniel Smith, Jared Pratt; Cen- sus Takers, Peter Van Alstyne, William Gardner.
These reported, Oct. 12, 1795, that there were two hun- dred and ninety-nine electors in town of the value of one hundred pounds ; nineteen of the value of twenty pounds ; and sixty-two of the value of forty shillings ; three hundred and eighty voters in all.
The second annual meeting was held at Ebenezer Crock- er's house, April 5, 1796, in the presence of Esquire Adam Van Ness, Hosea Bebee, Samuel Wilbor, Jr., and Stephen Minton. The principal officers then elected, and from that period to the present, have been as follows :
Supervisors.
Town Clerks.
Collectors. 1865.
1796. Levi Stone.
Peter Van Alstyne. Samuel Hudson.
1797. " "
¥
44
Michael Durham.
1798. Peter Van Alstyne. Anson Pratt.
1799.
46
Peter B. Van Slyck. Abner Beckwith. .¢ Abel Eaton.
1800.
1801. Mathew Dorr. 1802. James Brebner.
1803.
1804. Matthew Dorr.
=
1805.
1806.
1807.
=
1808.
Peter Van Alstyne.
66
1809. Timothy Oakley.
Thomas Hoag.
Allen Bullis.
1810.
1811.
1812.
1813. Samuel Wilber.
1814. Mathew Beale.
1815. Aug. F. Hayden, 1816. 16
1817. Anson Pratt.
1818. Peter Van Alstyne. Hoze Hulbert.
1819.
1820. Isaac Mills.
Winthrop Phelps. Reuben Vau Alen. Peter Becker.
Supervisors.
Town Clerks.
Collectors.
1821. Isaac Mills. 1822.
Winthrop Phelps. =
John W. Pitts.
Philip Sours. Chas. C. Chadwick.
1825.
1826. Isaac Mills.
John Sutherland.
1827. Peter Van Alstyne. Winthrop Phelps.
1828. James II. Parke. John Sutherland.
1829.
1830. John W. Pitts.
John Patterson.
1831. Peter Van Alstyne.
Mathew Dorr, Jr.
John Milham.
1832. Mathew Derr, Jr.
Daniel Ray.
Garret M. Rowe.
1833. "
John Rogers.
Geo. M. Hotchkins. 66
1835. 16
A. P. Van Alsytne. John Mause.
1836. Levi Pitts.
Robert L. Dorr. Geo. N. Hotchkins. David Haight.
1838. Gates Clark.
William Ray. Waterman Lippitt.
William Pratt.
1839.
1840. Waterman Lippitt. George C. Clyde.
John W. Rider.
1842. " "
1843. William Kirk.
Jason L. Gifford.
1844. Jesse Crandell. "
1845. John Knight.
W. L. Van Alstyne. John C. Van Ness.
1846. Jesse Crandell.
1847. Adam J. Shaver.
Edward A. Lynn.
Russell D. Lester. Robert J. Allen.
1848. John I. Silvermail. Horatio N. Wright. Russell D. Lester. 1849. William Kirk. 4
1850, 66
Philand. S. Gifford. =
1851. Daniel Reed.
H. W. Mcclellan.
1852. Jas. Sutherland, Jr. Mathew C. Wilber.
1853. H. W. MeClellan. Satul. W. Sutherland. =
1854.
E. D. Daley. Ilenry W. Rider.
1855. Oliver J. Peck.
Enos C. Penk.
1856. Waterman Lippitt. Waterman L. Brown.Peter W. Jewell.
1857. ¥
1858. 16
Edgar L. Rider.
1859. Daniel Reed. Waterman L. Brown. L. D. Gifford. =
1860. Hiram D. Ford.
1861. Sherman Van Ness. Abram Weiderwax.
1862. Perkins F. Cady. W. L. Brown. Jno. W. Van Valken- burgh.
1863. John D. Shufelt.
William II. Goold. John H. Shaver.
1864. Jonathan B. Rider. And. Van Alstyne. George H. Shufelt. John W. Carpenter.
1866. States D. Tompkins, Charles W. Hulbert. Henry W. Rider.
1867. Robert A. Bullis. And. Van Alstyne. William B. Collies.
¥
Charles M. Burrows.
1869. William H. Goold. J. A. Van Alstyne. Seymour Williams.
1870. Perkies F. Cady.
1871. Milton M. Tompkins. “
1872. Charles Houseman. John B. Wait.
1873. Perkins F. Cady.
1874.
J. A. Van Alstyne.
1875.
George W. Lay.
Edmund MeAllister.
1877.
George E. Burrows. Jonas E. Staats.
1878.
4
Miles S. Beach.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1796. Adam Van Ness.
Hosea Bebee.
Samuel Wilber, Jr.
Stephen Minton. James Brebner.
1798. Ilesea Bebee.
Samuel Wilbor, Jr. Levi Stone.
Isaac Webster. 1804. ITosea Bebee. John Darron. Samuel Wilbor, Jr. Timothy Oakley. Mathew Derr.
Thophilus Lockwood. Nicholas Kittle. 1808. John Darron. Joel Champion. Ezra Chadwick.
1801. Hosea Bebee.
Samuel Wilber, Jr.
1801. Peter Van Alstyne. Mathew Dorr. Ichabod Lester.
Calvin Pardee. A. F. Hayden.
John Powers. Job Northup.
Edmund Page. John T. Johnson. Robert Tompkins.
Winthrop Phelps.
Jabish S. Finch. Edmund Page.
Ezra Rowland.
Ebenezer Bassett.
1823. Winthrop Phelps. 1824. Pliny Hudson.
46
William Philips. Robert Tompkins. Philip Sewers. Isaac Shumway. Ezra Rowland.
1834. Chas. C. Chadwick.
1837. « R. P. Sutherland.
Joseph Roberts. Hiram Reynolds.
1841. John Rogers.
Horace Lockwood. David McClinch.
Ransom Winans. llenry Simpson.
H. Van Valkenburgh.
Samuel Beckwith. 66
David Beebe. = 66 1868.
Aaron Cady.
Samuel Drake.
James Welch.
Timothy Oakley. Ezra Derr.
And. Van Alstyne. James G. Wheeler. llenry A. Walker. Charles W. Ashley. Henry M. Haner. Harrison Clark.
1876.
16
66
Peter Becker.
286
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
1808. James Welsh.
1840. Cyrus L. Ford.
Malachi Gale.
1841. Jesse Van Ness.
1810. Richard Barnes.
1842. Henry Becker.
Samnel Wilhor.
1843. David S. Reynolds.
1844. Gates Clark.
1845. Joseph Barth.
1813. Hosea Bebee.
1846. Charles H. Collins. Henry Becker.
1847. Seth Daly.
1848. Ebenezer Backus.
1849. Solomon Crandell.
1850. Andrew H. Weiderwax. Alfred Nash.
Levi Stone.
1815. John Stearnes.
Jesse Gifford.
Henry Becker, Jr.
Joel Beckwith.
1852. James Sutherland.
Joel Champion.
1853. Russell D. Ashley.
William Beney.
1854. Henry Becker. Henry M. Wetherel.
1818. Timothy Rodgers.
John Stearnes.
1855. Seth Daly.
David W. Patterson. Augustine F. Hayden.
1857. Russell D. Ashley.
· Winthrop Phelps.
1858. Henry Weiderwax, Jr.
1859. Seth Daly.
1860. (No choice.)
1861.
1862. Jesse Crandell. John M. Barnes.
1827. Gates Clark.
Peter Van Alstyne.
1863. Seth Daly.
1864. John M. Barnes.
James H. Park. David Carshore.
1865. Elijah Haodson.
1866. Henry Weiderwax.
1867. Hiram D. Ford.
1868. llenry D. Jones. 1869. Herman C. Rand.
1831. Simon Richmond.
1870. Moses Thomas.
1832. David Carshore.
1871. Abram Ashley, Jr.
1833. Solomon Crandell. George Bain.
1872. William W. Saxton. Isaac M. Pitts.
1834. Jesse Van Ness.
1873. Chauncey A. King.
1835. Ezra Rowland.
1874. Charles S. Weiderwax.
1836. Rensselaer I. Hoag.
Solomon Crandell.
1875. Abramo Ashley, Jr. Wm. M. Doty.
1837. Jesse Van Ness.
1876. Win. M. Doty.
Joseph R. Coleman.
1877. Arthur Hammond.
1838. HIosea Bebee.
1878. Aarou Traver.
Joho S. Van Buren.
Charles E. Barrett.
1839. David S. Reynolds.
EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS.
1801 .- " June ye 6th. Last night a frost remarkable for posterity to read of."
1825 .- A special meeting was held Jan. 29, to consider the propriety of forming a new county, to be composed of the northern towns of Columbia and the southern towns of Rensselaer counties. A motion favorable to the movement was carried by a large majority, and the following were ap- pointed a committee to confer with other committees upon the matter : Isaae Mills, Thomas Hoag, Richard S. Peck, Archibald Campbell, George Bain, and James Sutherland.
In this connection, it will not prove uninteresting to note some records bearing upon the institution of slavery in Chatham. In 1800, Peter Van Slyck certified that a negro child, born of a slave-woman belonging to him, ete. Entries of slave-births were also made the same year and the years following by John I. Miller, Mathew Dorr, Elsie Fisher, Jacob Van Hoesen, Daniel Troop, Josiah Rich- mond, Samuel Wilbor, Abraham Van Alstyne, and Hosea Bebee. Most of these afterwards recorded the birth of
negro children in whom they did not desire to maintain the right of property. Samuel Brockway manumitted his slaves, June 28, 1808; and Samuel Wilbor and Jesse Stevens theirs a few months later. Some of these negroes remained in town, and became very useful citizens.
PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES.
Provision was made to work the highways of the town, by forming six beats, at the first meeting. A number of new roads were located in 1795, and some of the old roads changed to more favorable locations.
In 1801 the town contained forty-one road beats, and the number of men assessed was five hundred and forty- seven, yielding on the property assessment two thousand one hundred and seventy-seven days of work, or an aver- age of nearly four days to a man. The appended list gives' the names of all who were assessed five days or more, and is here produced to show the names and position of the early settlers : John Son, 5; Abram Macy, 9; Timothy Bunker, 10; Zepheniah Coffin, 5; Amos Serrien, 14; Henry Clark, 5; Isaac Clark, 7; Jared Pratt, 10; E. Mosher, 8; Joseph Pitts, 7 ; Morris Murphy, 8; Thomas Williams, 5; Abram Johnson, 5; Abram Hogeboom, 10; John Cornelius, 5; Jacob Stevens, 7; Bencjah Slack, 10 ; William Wagner, 5 ; Sheldon Curtis, 6 ; Ichabod Lester, 5; Peter Roberts, 7 ; William Palmer, 6; Obediah Wilbor, 8; Joseph Phillips, 7; Reuben Moore, 7; Russell Crocker, 5 ; William Clark, 10; Abel Eaton, 10; Aaron Cade, 8; Eli- jah Stevens, 7; Abner Beckwith, 6; John I. Miller, 9; John Van Derburgh, 6; Richard Stevens, 6; Jonathan Chapman, 12; Frederick Ham, 5; William Sutherland, 6 ; widow Krum, 11; Samuel Hunt, 10; Dennis Harder, 9; Joel Champion, 7 ; James Van Valkenburgh, 9; widow. Mills 8; Israel Phelps, 6; Nicholas Van Horsaw, 6; Ne- hemialı Reynolds, 6; Nehemiah Finch, 8; Amasa Pitts, 5; Joseph Allen, 5 ; Anson Pratt, 6; Abraham Vosburgh, 5; Caleb Knight, 7; Samuel Thompson, 7; Samuel Crocker, 9; Reuben Lay, 5; David Wiekham, 6; Asa Stark- weather, 6; Daniel Bebee, 5; Nathaniel Halsey, 10; An- drew Markus, 8; Andrew Weiderwax, 9 ; Andrew Calner, 7; B. L. Van Valkenburgh, 6; Jacob L. Schermerhorn, 5 ; Conrad Rouse, 5; Phineas Knapp, 6; Ebenezer Burger, 10; Mathew Dorr, 13; John Johnson, 7; Robert Maey, 12; David Haight, 6; William Steves, 7; Solomon Van Valkenburgh, 6; Josiah Richmond, 6; James Brebner, 10; Seth Rowland, 14; Gaylord Hawkins, 7; Abel Smith, 7; Benjamin North, 8; David Reynolds, 8; Calvin Eaton, 6; John Darrow, 9; Gershom Babcock, 5; Isaac Webster, 5; Elijah Cade, 9; Samuel Mott, 5; Rowland Gifford, 8; Edward Dorr, 6; Samuel Wilbor, 18; Joel Talmadge, 8; Joseph Smith, 6; James Savage, 13; Philo Bebee, 6; Ebenezer Cade, 9; Ebenezer Lovejoy, 5; Daniel Morris, 6; Jabez Person, 5; Isaae Hammond, 6; John Clark, 6; Frederick Tobias, 9; A. A. Van Alstyne, 12; Tunis Sow- ers, 5 ; Peter Van Slyke, 5; Gershom Reed, 9; Isaac Van Ness, 5; Peter Becker, 6; James Hudson, 8; John Ro- berts, 6; Cornelius Van Ness, 6; Juatus Betts, 6; S. Fitch, 8; Oliver Parks, 5; William C. Elmore, 7; E. Hudson, 14; James Loekwood, 7; Daniel Troop, 5; Hosea Bebee, 6; Elisba Hallister, 5 ; Thomas Wilson, 10; Robert
David W. Patterson. Abiel Mosher.
Richard Barnes. Nathan Halsey. Augustine F. Hayden. John Van Valkenburgh. Arivistus Pardee.
1851. Seth Daly.
1856. Richard Marvin.
1821. Peter Van Alstyne.
Pliny Hudson. David W. Patterson. Caleb Hill.
1830. Peter Van Alstyne. David Carshore. Gates Clark. Ezra Rowland.
LITH, BY L. H.EVERTS &CO., PHILA, PA.
G.S. BULLIS A. H. BULLIS.
BULLIS BROTHERS PAPER MILLS & PROPERTY, CHATHAM CENTER, COLUMBIA COUNTY, N. Y.
.
SUMMER RESIDENCE OF GEORGE CHESTERMAN, NEW CONCORD, N.Y.
LITH BY L.H. EVERTS & CO.PHILA, PÅ.
287
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Garnier, 5; Eleazer Davis, 6 ; Daniel Benjamin, 6 ; Gilbert Van Allen, 10; A. J. Van Alstyne, 19; Elkanah Briggs, 10; Samuel Drake, 5; Jacob Van Hoesen, 8; Edward Upton, 7 ; Peter Pulver, 5; John R. Bullis, 6; Robert Simms, 8; John Walker, 7; Timothy Babcock, 6; Uriah Coffin, 9; Nathaniel Gillet, 6.
"Spafford's Gazetteer," of 1813, thus speaks of the roads of that time: " The roads are rather too numerons to be good, although improving very fast since the introduction of turnpikes, of which there are three or more in this town." The turrpikes referred to were at that time and are yet the principal highways in town. They will be more particularly noted in the general history of the county. All are at present used as public highways, and are gen- erally in good condition. The streams of the town are all spanned by substantial bridges, whose aggregate cost has been forty-six thousand dollars, and from twenty to forty dollars per lineal foot. There are at present seventy-nine road districts.
The railway system of the town is comprehensive, and affords the best shipping facilities at the five stations on the different lines. The Boston and Albany railroad enters the town near the centre of the eastern line, and passes to the southern bounds at Chatham village, thence northwest to near the centre of the western line, having eleven miles of double-track in Chatham. The Harlem Extension rail- road was completed through the town in 1869. Its general course is northeast from Chatham village, having nearly ten miles of single track in town and stations at Chatham and Rayville.
THE CEMETERIES
of Chatham have received considerable attention the past twenty years, and the town now boasts several very fine grounds, saered to loved ones gone before. One of the finest is
THE CHATHAM VILLAGE RURAL CEMETERY,
The grounds are located within the corporation limits, on an elevation overlooking the village and surrounding country. They have been tastily improved with drives and graveled walks, and adorned with evergreens and other trees, making the cemetery an attractive spot, and one well fitted to woo the mind to solemn thoughts.
The cemetery is controlled by an association organized on the 21st day of October, 1856. The first trustees were Elijah M. Thomas, Thomas F. Mesick, Ebenezer Backus, Peter Reasoner, Horatio N. Wight, Edward G. Robinson, James F. Shufelt, John D. Shufelt, and Staats D. Tompkins.
The present officers are President, J. Wesley Jones ; Secretary, William Ashley, Jr. ; and Treasurer, James E. Traver.
THE CHATHAM UNION CEMETERY
embraces abont six acres situated nearly midway between Chatham and Malden bridge. Some substantial improve- ments have been made, and others are contemplated. The controlling body is an association organized Dec. 30, 1858, with the following trustees : P. F. Cady, George Huested, Samuel Wilbor, Waterman Lippitt, Sherman Van Ness, and Jonathan B. Rider, Jr.
THE CHATHAM CENTRE CEMETERY
is located on the public highway, half a mile north from that hamlet. The association which formed and now con- trols this ground was organized Jan. 8, 1859, with fourteen persons, who chose as trustees Jacob Tobias, Daniel Harris, Barton Hnested, Jr., Elihu Clark, Jesse Crandell, and William Van Alstyne. Four acres of ground were pur- chased and improved in a very fine manner. The cemetery contains some handsome monuments. John J. Van Val- kenburgh was for many years the president of the associa- tion. That position is now filled by Jesse Crandell.
THE NORTH CHATHAM CEMETERY
is the oldest cemetery in town controlled by an association formed under the rural cemetery laws. The organization was effected March 6, 1852, with eighteen incorporators. The first trustees were Henry Wiederwax, Henry Hiel, Cornelius Coon, George L. Rowe, O. J. Peck, Peter Pack- man, John Wiley, Henry N. Smith, and John Schermerhorn. Bradley Nichols is the present president, and Aaron Traver secretary.
The grounds are located east of the village, and contain about two aeres. The improvements give the cemetery a neat and attractive appearance.
THE NEW CONCORD CEMETERY
was enlarged from an old burying-ground to its present area,-about two acres. The location is pleasant and favorable, on a high tract of ground, north from the hamlet. The association was formed Oct. 25, 1866, with C. L. Ford, H. H. Lovejoy, Ira Smith, H. S. Pratt, J. D. Clark, and O. B. Allen, as trustees.
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