History of Columbia County, New York. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 83

Author: Everts & Ensign; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 648

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 83

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On the 6th of May, 1783, the inhabitants put themselves on record as being still of the opinion that the Tories had forfeited their property :

" Voted, unanimously, that we will support to the extent of our ability the laws of this State which have been passed against those persons who have borne arms against this or either of the thirteen United States of America, any time since the Declaration of Independence, except those persons who have already received pardon from former proclama- tions.

" Voted, that no person who has borne arms against the said States, being a resident of, or in, America at the com- mencement of the said war, shall return, on any pretext whatever, to reap the advantages of Independence; and all property confiscated by law doth of right belong to said States.

" Voted, that no such person as aforesaid shall ever hereafter have any residence in this District, and that the members of the Assembly be instructed about the disposi- tion of the inhabitants of said District respecting the same."

The finances of the country also received attention in 1784: " A special meeting was held on Wednesday, ye 7th day of April 1st, Voted E. Grant be moderator. 2d,

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Voted, unanimously, that it is highly necessary that the Legislature of this State strike a Bank of Paper Currency for a circulating medium of this State. 3d, Voted, that the Clerk of said District give notice to the members of the District, now in the Legislature of the State, certifying them, by letter, of the opinions of their constituents re- specting a Bank of Paper Currency being made, and put on an equal footing with silver and gold."

On the 10th of July, 1792, an indignation meeting was held " to oppose every attempt to defeat, or impair, or de- stroy the free exercise or enjoyment of the inestimable right of suffrage."

The action of the last board of canvassers was strongly censured, and John Tryon, Eleazer Grant, Aaron Kellogg, Nathan Noyes, Hosea Bebee, William Babcock, Reuben Murray, and Abraham Van Der Poel were appointed a committee to act in concert with other committees through- out the State to secure a law which would prevent the abuse of the power reposed in a board of canvassers, as in the last election.

The people of Canaan were strongly opposed to a division of the town, and entered their protest in 1793 against such attempts. Nevertheless, Chatham was taken off in 1795, and Austerlitz in 1818, and in spite of the vigorous oppo- sition to such a movement the town was again shorn of its dimensions the same year by the formation of New Leb- anon, leaving Canaan with its present area of twenty thou- sand seven hundred and seventy acres.

We close these interesting extracts by producing verba- tim a copy of a notice to "any constable," showing how hard was the way of the transgressor in Old King's district : .

" COLUMBIA COUNTY, 88.

"To any Constable in said County, Greeting : forasmuch as Jesse Cole has been convicted of Pettelarsenea, before Mat. Adgate, Philip Frisbie, and Reuben Murray, Esqrs., and stands condemned to be whipp'd on the naked back fiftean Stripes, these are, in the name of the people, Command you forth to put the Judgment of this Court in Execution. Given under our hands and seals, at King's District, this 3d day of May, 1786.

" R. MURRAY, " PHILIP FRISBIE, { Justices." " MAT. ADGATE,

This document bears the following indorsement: " Al- lowed to E. Gridley, Constable, for the within service, 6 shillings."

THE PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES

of the town demand a passing notice. Attention was early paid to the improvement of the common highways by the appointment, in 1776, of the following pathmasters : Eben- ezer Benjamin, Aaron Buck, Aaron Calluck, Israel Osborne, Grixson Frisbie, Josiah Warner, Ebenezer Cady, Lodiah Moore, Dudley Adams, Daniel Thurston, Asa Preston, Gideon Skinner, Daniel Rowley, Nehemiah Fitch, Asa Douglas, Solomon Denon, Abraham Van Derpool, Ezra Allen, Elijah Hudson, John Stranahan, Jacob Vosburgh, Asa Doty, Jacob Brooker, Simon Lathrop, Isaac Soul, Elijah Skinner, Samuel Davis, Asahel Salmon, Solomon Barker, Joseph Mudge, Elisha Gilbert, Zebulon Andrews, Jacob Farrington, Thomas Bentley, Peter Goose, Solomon Finch, John Smith, Joshua Green, Isaac Buttolph, Titus Tolas, Jonathan Culver, Thomas Bebee.

The present town is divided into forty-five road districts. The highways are but indifferently good. The Albany and Stockbridge turnpike, passing through the town in a nearly east and west course, was an important avenue of travel until the Hudson and Berkshire railroad was built, running almost parallel with its line. This in turn was abandoned soon after the construction of the Boston and Albany rail- road, north of the former route. This road has stations at Canaan Four Corners, and at Edwards, a short distance be- low Flat Brook. A more extended account of these rail- roads will be found in the general history of the county.

THE CANAAN CEMETERIES

are, with few exceptions, controlled by associations organ- ized under the rural cemetery laws of the State. One of the oldest is between Canaan Four Corners and the Centre. The location is favorable and pleasant, the grounds contain- ing about six acres, having an undulating surface. There are some fine monuments. Among others is one erected to the memory of Lieutenant Warner, of the United States topographical engineers, who was killed by the Indians while on duty in the Rocky Mountains.

THE CANAAN CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

was organized March 25, 1864, with the following trustees : L. W. Curtis, Henry J. Whiting, William Spier, William Laurence, John C. Clark, Daniel D. Warner, Chester Brown, Albert Pierson, Edmund Kellogg, Joseph R. Hemingway, Edwin B. Williams, and George B. Kinne. The present officers are : President, Joseph R. Hemingway ; Secretary, Chandler J. Parsons.

In the western part of the town is a quiet spot of three acres, sacred to the memory of the dead, known as the

WEST CANAAN AND EAST CHATHAM CEMETERY.

The controlling association was formed of fourteen per- sons, Sept. 1, 1849, and the following trustees elected : A. Palmer, William Pratt, Weston Kirby, Nicholas More- house, Samuel Gifford, A. J. Palmer, Calvin Herrick, Jesse D. Flint, and O. Palmer. The present officers are : President, John M. Barnes ; Secretary, O. Palmer.

The cemetery at Flat Brook is under the control of the Baptist society of that place; and the one at Red Rock, near the Christian church, has been cared for by a rural cemetery association, of which J. C. Ford was secretary. Besides these there are several other small burial-places in the town, and a number of private grounds.

THE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS

of Canaan have been limited by its water-power to a few of the commoner industries. Saw-mills and carding-machines were carried on in a small way in various parts at an early day ; but the most important mill was that erected on the outlet of Whiting's pond, or Queechy lake, by Colonel Wil- liam B. Whiting, before the Revolution. In their zeal to aid the royal cause the mill was destroyed by fire, while filled with grain belonging to the government, by some of his Tory neighbors. A new mill was afterwards erected, which is yet standing, though unused.

SAMUEL A. BARSTOW

MRS. BETSEY DOUGLAS BARSTOW.

PHOTOS BY JR ALLIS. CHATHAM VILLAGE N.Y

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

: Colonel Whiting also carried on a linseed-oil mill, which was changed to a plaster-mill, and a carding-machine.

About 1830, Daniel Haight began the manufacture of satinets and woolen goods at this point, increasing the capacity of his factory until he had an extensive business. In this building the manufacture of wrapping-paper is now carried on by the Queechy Paper Company. It is supplied with a sixty-two-inch machine and two engines, giving em- ployment to nine men.

A saw-mill, farther down the stream, has given place to a feed-mill ; and a fertilizer manufactory has been established on the site of a paper-mill which was burned a few years ago.

A short distance southeast from Queechy is a very good Inmber-manufacturing establishment, which has been oper- ated many years.

West of Canaan Four Corners is a paper-mill, on the site of an abandoned satinet-factory. It employs a loft-dryer, and has but a limited capacity.

The Barnegat Paper-Mill, still farther down the same stream, occupies the site of a pioneer tannery. The manu- facture of paper was here begun about 1860. The mill is capacitated to produce forty large double reams per day, and is at present operated by E. G. Palmer.

At Canaan, Walter and Sylvester Arms established a satinet-factory at an early day, which was, in 1840, con- verted into a grist-mill, and is at present operated as such by A. Lape.

On the little stream in the southwestern part of the town, at Red Rock and vicinity, is a wadding-factory, by Hiram Hayes; a grist-mill, by H. Fowler ; and a saw-mill, erected by D. Wilcox, and now operated by Walter Kelsey.

CANAAN FOUR CORNERS,

a little east and north of the centre, is the largest village in the town, having a few hundred inhabitants. It is a sta- tion on the Boston and Albany railroad, and a point of con- siderable business. The location is in a pleasant valley, surrounded by high hills, which give it a secluded appear- ance. There are a Congregational church, several stores, and two hotels. One of the first stores was kept by Elihn Phinney, who removed to Otsego county in 1796. Eben- ezer Sutherland and Reuben Swift were also in trade early. The former had a tavern in his store building, which is yet used for this purpose, and for many years has been con- dneted by the Leavenworth family.

The post-office was established about 1812, with Reuben Swift, postmaster. C. S. Kinne is the present incumbent. In October, 1877, it became a postal money-order office, and now enjoys good mail facilities.

QUEECHY.

Near the outlet of a lake by the same name is this pleas- ant hamlet. It contains several manufacturing establish- ments and a Methodist church, which are elsewhere noted. In former days, Henry A. Brown and others transacted a mercantile business at this point, having a large trade, which has been diverted by the railroad.

South of this place, in the eastern part of the town, is

FLAT BROOK,

a hamlet of a few score of inhabitants. Edwards', a half-mile below, is its railway station. A little north is a silver mine, which has been abandoned. The Baptist church is located at this point. Here William Lusk began trade at an early day, having a store on the hill. He was succeeded, before 1797, by James Lusk, and he in turn, soon after 1800, by Uriah Edwards, a merchant for thirty-six years. Peter Van Vleck and William Woodworth also had stores. Wil- liam Lusk had a good tavern. The early settlers were members of the Curtis, Lusk, Dean, Olmstead, Smith, and Townsend families.

The post office was established abont 1830, with Wm. Woodworth postmaster. His successor was Mrs. Eva H. Woodworth, who still retains the office.

CANAAN CENTER

is a name applied to a cluster of houses on the turnpike and north towards the railroad. In early times considerable business was done here, there being stores, shops, and taverns. One of these was kept by Jonathan Warner, in the house now occupied by C. J. Parsons. Here the com- mittee of safety assembled, and here, also, were held the carly town-meetings. The Presbyterian church is located here, and a post-office, in charge of Asa S. Bates.

In the western part of the town is the old hamlet of

CANAAN.

Its location on the turnpike, in a rich farming country, caused it to be an important place in early times ; and here the first post-office in town was established somewhere about 1810. It was kept in a tavern built by Elijah Hulburt, and was generally in charge of the different land- lords. Since 1832 Samuel Frisbie has been postmaster, keeping it in his store. For the past forty years the Van Alstyne family have carried on the tavern. Harry Hold- ridge had a pioneer store. Subsequently the trade was represented by John Frisbie, Jesse D. Flint, and, from 1832 to 1858, by Samuel Frisbie. At his old stand a good store is now carried on.

The place contains about one hundred and twenty in- habitants, most of whom are retired farmers. North of the hamlet are the Ford slate quarries, from which are obtained some very fine specimens of this valuable material.

RED ROCK

is the name applied to an extended settlement along the creek, in the southwestern part of the town. The locality was formerly known as Pilfershire, but in 1825 a huge rock along the roadside was painted red, and crowned with a wooden column, to commemorate the change of name. In 1860 a marble shaft was placed on the rock by the inhab- itants and former citizens of the place, and dedicated with imposing ceremonies. It bears the time of erection, and the date of 1750, as the time of the settlement of the place.

The place contains several mills and churches, and numbers about one hundred inhabitants. The store and post office is kept by James J. Powell. Other merchants were Cyprian Powell, Daniel G. Thorpe, and J. W. Vincent.

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FIRST PHYSICIANS.

Among the first physicians in active practice was Dr. Isaac Averill, but nothing concerning his antecedents has been learned. A Dr. Stewart, living at the Four Corners, was probably the next in point of settlement. Drs. John Merriman, Thomas Seas, and David Leavenworth followed soon after, and were long known as eminent practitioners. Dr. John Lusk engaged in the practice of medicine at Flat Brook at an early day, and yet resides there, although re- tired. Contemporary with him was Dr. Lorenzo Gile, at Canaan Four Corners, also retired. Dr. Joseph Bates, of Lebanon Springs, was many years a prominent physician in town, and Dr. M. L. Bates is at present an able practitioner at the Four Corners.

Members of the legal fraternity have resided in the town. Among the foremost was Judge Whiting. Several natives of the town have attained prominent positions as attorneys and jurists in other localities, and a few are noted in the history of the bar in this work.

SCHOOLS

were taught at an early day, but no authentic account of the teachers or those in attendance has been obtained. In 1795 the board of supervisors assessed the town £97 8s. and 6d. for the support of schools, pursuant to the general act of April 9, 1795. In 1820 there were nine whole and five fractional districts, having six hundred and nineteen children between the ages of five and fifteen years. The amount paid to teachers was $306.

There are at present ten districts, besides several part distriets, having nearly six hundred children between five and twenty-one years of age, and supporting the schools at an expense of about $2500 per annum.

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANAAN, AT CANAAN FOUR CORNERS .*

On account of the loss or absence of the proper records, the history of this body is somewhat obscure. But there is a strong probability that the church was organized as early as 1772. In 1800 it comprised among its thirty five members Jonathan Warner, Elijah Bostwick, Mathew Adgate, Nathan Baldwin, Aaron Parsons, Naomi Fuller, Thomas Crosby, Hezekiah Pease, Lucy Lord, Abigail Whiting, and other females from the foregoing families. The first meetings of the church were conducted by a Rev. Todd, but who does not seem to have been a settled pastor. Previous to the close of the Revolution, Rev. John Camp assumed the pastorate of the church, and sustained that re- lation several years. Unfortunately for the good of the congregation, his teachings and practices did not promote its spiritual welfare, and alienation ensued, resulting in the dismission of the pastor in 1794. From that period until 1807 the pulpit was supplied by various persons who had come as candidates for the pastoral office. No less than twenty persons had applied before the Rev. Azariah Clark was selected as the permanent minister. He was a graduate from Amherst College, and had received his theological education under Alvan Hyde, D.D., of Lee, Mass. He rc-

mained with this people from March 18, 1807, for a period of more than twenty-three years. About this time, 1830, the congregation was divided on the question of building a new house of worship, and a portion withdrew to form the " Presbyterian Church of Canaan."

In 1831, Rev. Cyrus Hudson became the pastor, re- maining until 1834. The Rev. Joseph Baldwin succeeded to the pastorate in the fall of 1834, and served the church three and a half years. In 1838 the Rev. J. Jay began his labors as a stated supply, and served until 1840, when he was regularly inducted to the pastoral office, which he filled until 1848. The Rev. John Wicks was installed as the next pastor Oct. 16, 1848, and presided over the spiritual interests of the church until 1856. He was the last pastor that was regularly installed. Those who have since min- istered in holy things have served as stated supplies, or upon the basis of an annual contract. Those thus connected with the church have been Revs. John E. Baker, Albert V. Powell, John Whiting, Lupton W. Curtis, and George W. Warner, who serves the church in connection with the Presbyterian church of Canaan.

The church at present, 1878, numbers eighty-five mem- bers, of whom sixty maintain an active relation. It is believed that Colonel William B. Whiting and Elijah Bost- wick were the first deacons of the church. Upon Deacon Whiting's death, Aaron Parsons was elected, and served until his death in 1815. Nathan Whiting became a deacon in 1812, but removed to New Haven in 1814. In 1815 Jonah D. Fuller and John Whiting were elected to fill these vacancies. Deacon Bostwick died in 1825, and Dea- con Fuller was dismissed to a church in Troy. He was succeeded by Heury Warner, who gave his office faithful service seven years, when death ended his connection with the church militant. His brother, Joseph L. Warner, be- eame his successor. Deacon Whiting resigned his office in 1840, and. Joshua A. Lord was elected to his place the same year. William S. Davis became a deacon in 1847, but the following year removed. In May, 1848, James Hamilton and Orren Fuller were ordained as deacons, and in 1866 Abel J. Bristol became the associate of Deacon Fuller. The deacons at present are A. J. Bristol, H. L. Warner, Silas B. Hamilton, and John H. Mattoon. Most of the foregoing have also served the church as trustees.

As near as can be determined the first meeting-house was erected about 1785. It was a frame building, and occupied an eminence eighty rods north from Canaan Four Corners. It was capacious enough to accommodate the large congregations that came from ten miles around to worship. There was a high pulpit, a high gallery, and large family pews, after the pattern of those days. This house was abandoned in 1829, and the present edifice crected in its stead the same year. It occupies an eligible site in the village, and in its outward appearance and inter- nal arrangement presents an attractive and inviting place of worship. There are sittings for three hundred persons, and the church is estimated worth $6000.

THE FLAT BROOK BAPTIST CHURCH.

It is traditionally reported that a meeting-house, in which Baptists worshipcd, was erected at Flat Brook as early as

# From a sketch by the pastor, Rev. George W. Warner.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

1776. But the present church was not constituted until Nov. 8, 1793. The following year it united with the Shaftsbury association, reporting a membership of thirty- five. Rev. Elijah Barnes was ordained the first minister in February, 1795, and did effective service until his death, Ang. 6, 1806, baptizing ninety-six persons. After being supplied for nine years, Rev. Nathaniel Otis succeeded as pastor of the church, continuing five years. Rev. Ira Hall was the next pastor, and served seven years. A number of short pastorates now followed in the following order : Revs. Edwin Saynds, F. Tueker, D. Ford, H. Spencer, S. Hatel, A. A. Russel, and I. S. Gifford. In 1858, Rev. S. Pomroy was settled as pastor, and remained until 1871. Subse- quently the pastoral office has been filled by Revs. A. W. Ashley and J. W. Stark weather. The church has had an aggregate membership of more than five hundred, and at present numbers eighty. The present meeting-house was erected in 1830, at a cost of $2000, and repaired in 1870. It is now a handsome structure, whose estimated value is $5000. Since 1832 the church has been connected with the Stephentown association.

THE CANAAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

About 1804 Methodism was introduced into the northern part of the town. Among the first who entertained this faith were Truman Norton's family, who held prayer-meet- ings, at which Lewis Pease and others were converted. In later years Mr. Pease became a minister, and served the church as pastor. In 1806 this territory was joined to Pittsfield eircuit, and preaching provided every two weeks. These services were usually held at the house of Jeremiah Norton. From 1812 to 1827 there were frequent revivals, which increased the membership to such an extent that measures were taken to ereet a church. For this purpose a society was formed Aug. 18, 1828, with Timothy Buels, Truman Norton, Jeremiah Norton, Azariah Winegar, and Henry Starks, as trustees. A building committee was ap- pointed Oct. 16, 1828, who purchased a site for a church, a short distance east from Queechy. The following year a plain house was erected, costing $1500. It has lately been placed in good repair, and is worth $2000.

The official board is at present composed of Trustees William Spier, E. S. Hall, and John Wagner ; Stewards A. S. Bebee, J. R. Hemingway, S. H. Thompson, Leonard Wagner, and M. P. Bailey.

In 1834 the church became a separate charge, and has since that period been served by the following pastors : Revs. T. Sparks, E. S. Stout, Joseph B. Wakely, Aaron Rogers, Charles Stearns, Alonzo J. Shears, Asa Bushnell, Jr., E. A. Young, Goodrich Horton, Levi Warner, Stephen J. Stebbins, Nathaniel Mead, Lewis Pease, George C. Ban- croft, Z. D. Seoby, George Kerr, Edmund A. Hill, Jason Wells, George Daniel, Osear Haviland, Benjamin Wilson, William S. Bouton, T. Elliott, George B. Clark, J. H. Phillips, Charles Sager, S. P. Galloway, J. Ogden Kern, W. A. Dalton, and (1878) A. F. Palmer.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CANAAN

was formed in 1829, with fifty-seven members, and Ruling Elders James Warner, Clinton Kellogg, John Lusk, Ro-

dolphus Graves, John E. Warner, and W. W. Janes ; Deacons, John E. Warner and R. Graves. Fifty-five of the constituent membership had a connection previously with the old church, which was at this time divided into Congregational and Presbyterian branches.

A comfortable house of worship was erected at Canaan Centre, which was dedicated, Dee. 31, 1829, by the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, of Austerlitz. Feb. 2, 1830, the trustees elected were Jesse Bristol, George W. Brown, and Richard Graves. The present board is composed of Daniel W. Curtis, Samuel Brinton, and C. J. Parsons. The meet- ing-house has been thoroughly repaired, and, with the par- sonage in this neighborhood, is worth $6000.

The Rev. Caleb Traey was installed as the first pastor, Sept. 8, 1830. He was succeeded, Jan. 1, 1837, by Rev. Solomon J. Traey, and two years later by Rev. Brainerd Kenly, who remained until 1850. The pulpit has since been occupied by the following pastors and supplies : Revs. T. S. Brown, W. J. Belain, J. Whiting, L. W. Curtis ; and sinee 1868 by Rev. George W. Warner, who is also the pastor of the Congregational church at Canaan Four Cor- ners.

The church has at present sixty-five members, and Ruling Elders Dwight Carpenter, Le Roy L. Brown, M. L. Bates, Edward Kellogg, and Asa S. Bates; Deacons, George W. Brown, Samuel Brinton, and Asa S. Bates.

A Sunday-school is maintained by the church, number- ing fifty members, and is superintended by Le Roy L. Brown. The school has a good library.

THE TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CANAAN, AT RED ROCK.

Although Methodist services were held in the southern part of the town as early as 1800, no formal organization was effected until Dee. 1, 1829, when a society was formed with the following trustees : Martin Parker, Israel North- rup, Ebenezer Jenkins, Joseph Jenkins, Jr., and Jesse Ford. A plain but substantial meeting-house was erected soon after, which is still used by the society. The church forms a part of the East Chatham circuit, and is served by pastors in that connection. Since 1835 the ministry have been Revs. E. Denniston, Alonzo G. Shears, Thomas Ellis, Nathaniel Mead, Alexander H. Ferguson, Thomas Gerald, Wm. G. Browning, Peletiah Ward, William Brush, Philip L. Hoyt, Thomas W. Chadwick, Amos N. Mulnix, James G. Bates, Marvin R. Lent, Aaron Rogers, William S. Bouton, Abraham Davis, W. F. Harris, Wm. A. Maekey, George Daniel, and (1878) George Townsend.

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History of Columbia County, New York. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 83

Author: Everts & Ensign; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Ensign Number of Pages: 648

Author: Everts & Ensign; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 648