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 92
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Farmers' turnpike, at what was known as Whitlock's gate. R. H. Van Rensselaer's farın was the present place of Allen Miller. Nicholas Ten Brocck lived on the present Farrell farm. John Tompkins in the south part of the town, on the road to Catskill Ferry. William Woods lived in what is now Stockport. George Coventry and Abram I. Har- dick also. The name of Everts, both Charles and Jacob C., appears in the list of the common council. The present Henry Ten Broeck farm is understood to have been the Everts place. Frederick D. Gardner, a member of the last common council before the division of the city, is still living in Greenport (1878). Jonathan W. I. Race kept the tavern on the southeast corner of the town.
Among the early assessors may be mentioned Cornelius Benham, who lived on the present Dr. Sabine farm ; Ansel Mckinstry, at the present Mckinstry place ; Ezekiel But- ler, who lived on what is known as the Butler farm ; and James I. Morrison, in the south part of the town.
Oliver Wiswall was a public man of great energy and activity. He was mayor of the city of Hudson in 1827 and 1828. His old homestead was located on Mount Merino, and most beautifully situated. The mansion is a solidly-constructed building, erected for use and domestic comfort rather than for show. In the rear of it rise the cedar-crowned heights, southward is the garden, and beyond the garden are the spacious barns. In front of the man- sion is a fine billiard-parlor, mistaken by many for a rural Episcopal chapel. A little sonth and opposite the garden is a deep glen, through which a small rill tumbles to the Hudson. Below the bank is the railroad track, noisy with rattling trains. Beyond the river, westward, the slopes of the opposite shore rise in quiet beauty, and blend with the loftier heights of the Catskills.
The Wiswall estate is now somewhat neglected, and its fine buildings scarcely occupied. Wm. J. Wiswall, the present owner of a part of the farm, is said to be the oldest living steamboat captain on the river, as his father before him was the first to command a steamboat making regular trips.
The present Hollenbeck tavern, near the " Fountains," on the Colombia turnpike, is a very old place. The tavern was kept nearly or quite a hundred years ago by James Bedell.
The tavern in the southeast corner of the town was es- tablished, too, as early as 1800, and was known for many years as the Hydorn place. The old tavern at the ferry, already spoken of, opened by John R. Hollenbeck a hun- dred years ago or more, was continned by Peter I. Hollen- beck, his son, for a few years, and after his death by his widow, down to about 1855 or 1856, when it ceased to be a public-house. Another carly tavern was at the Mckinstry place, near the Reformed church.
A very carly blacksmith-shop was kept by John Plass on the present place of Mrs. Miller.
Town-meetings have been held the most of the time at the " Fountains."
ORGANIZATION.
The name is supposed to have been determined by Oliver Wiswall, who assisted in procuring the act authorizing the formation of the town. Its significance arises, perhaps, from the beautiful appearance of Mount Merino, as it projects,
363
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
with its rounded summit, to the view of boatmen coming from the north; its slopes and its heights, covered with green verdure, marking from a long distance above the en- trance to the port.
The town was formed May 13, 1837, and was composed of the ontlying territory of the city of Hudson, leaving to the latter only a narrow tract beyond the compactly built portion of the city. The people in the remoter portions of the city territory had for many years been opposed to sharing the heavy financial burdens incident to the city government. The cost of paved and lighted streets-of public buildings -of city improvements generally, was being paid in pro- portion to their assessments by the citizens four and five miles distant equally with those in the city proper. This became very burdensome, and the movement for a town or- ganization acquired finally a controlling power, and was suc- cessful in procuring the authority of the Legislature to organize.
There is no doubt that there was some reasonable argu- ment on both sides. It is true that perhaps nine-tenths of the people of Greenport-weekly and many of them daily -enjoy all the city improvements, and therefore it was argued that they might justly be required to pay for them. Yet there was danger that useless and unnecessary expenses would be voted by the compactly settled portion of the city despite the protests of the " rural districts." The farmers were successful in releasing themselves from this danger. The movement, too, had an immediate practical result. Charles Hollenbeck states that the taxes went down nearly one-half the next year after the town was organized.
It is due to the citizens of Hudson to add that they made no very determined nor prolonged opposition to the formation of the town. Those friendly to the organization of the town and active at Albany in supporting the meas- ure were, besides Mr. Wiswall, Jacob R. Hollenbeck, Michael W. Hollenbeck, Jones H. Miller, Christian Happy, John Tompkins, and probably there were others.
The first town-meeting was held at the house of Jacob R. Hollenbeck, now the Mckinstry place, June 6, 1837, and the following town officers elected : Hugh McClellan, supervisor ; Zachariah Bush, town clerk ; Jonas H. Miller, Ezra Doane, John J. Vandenburgh, assessors ; James Hol- lenbeck, John V. Deucl, John T. Van Deusen, commis- sioners of highways; Abraham T. Van Deusen, Jacob Rockefeller, overseers of the poor; Peter Vandenburgh, Jacob R. Hollenbeck, William Van Deusen, commissioners of common schools ; Robert Thomas, Peter E. H. Plass, Jonas R. Delemater, inspectors of schools ; Jacob Traver, John W. Hollenbeck, John Weeks, Peter Ham, constables ; Neil McNeil, sealer of weights and measures, and also poundmaster. Voted, that the next town-meeting be held at the house of Zachariah Bush.
The town was divided into fourteen road districts, with the following pathmasters : No. 1, Abraham J. Hardick ; No. 3, John E. H. Plass ; No. 4, Isaac Shaw ; No. 5, Nicho- las Ten Broeck ; No. 6, William Van Densen ; No. 7, John T. Van Densen ; No. 8, Jacob R. Hollenbeck ; No. 9, Jonas II. Miller ; No. 10, John P. Kipp; No. 11, Jacob Happy ; No. 12, David R. Bunker. The names for three districts are not obtainable from the records.
Of the town officers elected at this first meeting, 1837, the following brief memorandum may be of interest, though it relates to a comparatively modern date : Hugh Mcclellan, the first supervisor, lived not far from the toll-gate on Co- lumbia turnpike, his place being the present Brownell farm. Zachariah Bush, first town clerk, lived near the " Fountain," and kept the tavern now the Hollenbeck place. Jonas II. Miller's place was the farm now owned by William Coons, between the Reformed church and the ferry. Ezra Doane lived on what is still known as the Doane farm. John J. Vandenburgh on what has been known as the Curry place, now owned by James Storm. James Hollenbeck's place was the present farm of John E. Gillette. John V. Duel lived in the north part of the town, somewhat away from the road, near the Claverack creek. John T. Van Densen was east of Becraft's mountain, near the creek, on the farm now owned by Brownell. Abraham T. Van Deusen lived Dear his brother John, above mentioned. Jacob Rocke- feller lived in the MeKinstry neighborhood, on the present farm of Richard Hollenbeck. Peter Vandenburgh was the father of John J., mentioned above. William Van Densen lived on the creek, near the stone mills on the present farm of Peter P. Groat. Robert Thomas owned the present farm of Mervin Best at Becraft's mountain. Peter E. H. Plass lived in the south part of the town. Jonas R. Dele- mater's place was the farm now owned by Henry Delemater. Jacob Traver lived in the north part of the town. John W. Hollenbeck kept the old tavern across Sonth bay from Hudson, at the foot of Mount Merino, known as " First Honse." John Weeks lived near Becraft's mountain, and furnished the stone for the court-house. Peter Ham lived near the mountain also. Neil MeNeil's place was just on the east line of the city.
Of these twenty named, Jacob R. Hollenbeck is still living. He has been in office all the time from that date to the present, and is now serving as justice of the peace in the twenty-third year. There are also still living Neil McNeil, John P. Kipp, Jacob Happy, and Robert Thomas.
The following list contains the names of four of the town officers from 1837 to 1878, inclusive :
TOWN OFFICERS.
Supervisors.
1837. Hugh MeClellan. 1838. 1839. Jonas H. Miller. 1840. Hugh Mcclellan. 1841. J. R. Hollenbeck. 1842. « =
Town Clerks.
Zachariah Bush. Jacob Van Dousen.
Philip P. Groat.
Corn. Elmandorph.
John Delamater.
John W. Race.
Charles Potts. Jonathan Plass.
1843.
1844. Jonas H. Miller. 1845. J. R. Hollenbock. 1846. «
1847. Chancellor Snyder.
1848. Neil MeNeil.
1849. Jonas 1I. Miller. 1850.
Seth T. Elting. Arnold Wise.
1851. Wm. E. Heermance. Wm. P. Snyder.
Jonathan Plass.
1852. Jas. Van Deusen.
Wm. II. Race.
John II. Bunt.
1853. Jas. A. Farrell.
1854. Neil MeNeil.
1855. Peter Van Deusen.
Robert Weeks.
Corn. Hollenbeck.
1856. John Mckinstry. 1857. J. R. Hollenbeck.
Collectors.
John J. Weeks.
Jonas R. Delamater.
Jacob Van Deusen. (No record.)
Seth T. Elting. Alexander Plass.
Philip P. Groat. Jonath'n W. I. Race.
De Witt Hollenbeck. Charles Potts.
Harmon Hollenbeck. M. J. Hollenbeck.
Martin Cooper.
Seth T. Elting. Matthias Plass.
Robert Cooper.
Jacob Hollenbeck.
Wm. 11. Shuites.
364
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Supervisors.
1858. J. R. Hollenbeck. 1859.
1860. James A. Farrell.
IS61. J. R. Hollenbeck.
1862. 66
1863. Richard Becker.
1864.
Jacob Hollenbeck.
1865. Richard Hollenbeck. "
66
1866.
1867. John W. Coons.
Wm. H. Fleming. Myron Wheeler.
1868. Philip H. Lambert. Thomas Berridge.
1869. Henry A. Du Bois. John II. Wilson.
1870. S. T. B. Heermance. Thomas Berridge.
187I.
Robert V. Noble.
Jeremiah Beneway. John Morrison.
1872. Jacob Hollenbeck.
Thomas Berridge.
1873. Thomas Berridge.
Robert V. Nohlc.
Henry A. Ham. Geo. F. Foland.
1874. Richard Becker.
Morris N. Miller.
Lorenzo Betts.
1876. "
66
Daniel II. Link.
1877. John W. Coons.
16
Charles E. Plass.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1837. Jacob Traver.
Charles Harris.
Michael Delamater.
1858. Harmon Hollenbeck. Peter B. Hollenbeck. Richard Baker.
Robert Thomas.
1859. Peter B. Hollenbeck.
1838. Peter Van Deburgh. Jonas H. Miller.
1860. Jacob R. Ilollenbeck. John M. Smith. 1861. Philip H. Lambert.
1840. Augustus Fleming. Harry Niver.
1862. Ilarmon Hollenbeck. 1863. Richard Hollenbeck.
1841. Michael Delamater.
1864. Jacob R. Hollenbeck.
1842. Jonas H. Miller.
1865. Philip H. Lambert.
1843. (No record.)
1866. Philip P. Groat. 1867. Henry Niver.
1845. Jacob Ten Broeck.
IS68. Jacob R. Hollenbeck.
1846. Michael Delamater.
I869. Philip H. Lambert.
1847. Queder P. Schuyler.
1870. Harmon Hollenbeck.
1848. De Witt Holleobeck.
1871. Richard Hollenbeck.
1849. Jobn Mckinstry.
1872. Jacob R. Hollenbeck.
1850. Michael Delamater.
1873. John H. Hlaws.
1851. Jonas H. Miller.
1874. Harmon Hollenbeck. Philip HI. Lambert.
1852. Clinton Marshall.
1853. John Van Deusen, Jr.
1875. N. B. Van Rensselaer.
1854. Joshna 1. Bragg.
1876. Jacob R. Hollenbeck.
John Mckinstry.
1877. Myron R. Hollenbeck.
1855-56. Jacob R. Hollenbeck.
1878. Frederick W. Joncs.
VILLAGES-HAMLETS-NEIGHBORHOODS.
The town of Greenport, peculiarly situated as it is, has but little material for remarks upon this topic.
CATSKILL STATION,
so called, on the Hudson River railroad, is the point where passengers from and for Catskill cross the river by the ferry. This is frequently called Oak Hill, but Oak Hill is really the old steamboat landing a little below, within the town of Livingston. Within a few years a post-office has heen es- tablished at the station ; until then the town of Greenport had no post-office.
The vicinity of the Reformed church, in the south part of the town, is a thickly-settled neighborhood, marked on some of the maps as MCKINSTRYVILLE. It is a pleasant rural place, with several fine residences.
THE ELISHA HOTEL PLACE
is a point of very early location. There has been a hotel there for eighty years or more. It is favorably situated at
the intersection of several roads. There are a number of shops and residences near by.
STONE MILLS
is a small hamlet on the Claverack creek, lying partly in Greenport. The post-office is on the Greenport side of the creek. The mills are very old.
THE GREENPORT QUARRIES,
elsewhere described, have been the means of creating a thickly-settled neighborhood at that point. At times, con- siderable business has been done in and near Becraft's mountain. Besides the tool-shops and buildings of the marble-works, there is also a chair-shop and a harness- shop. Farther south, on the Ancram road, is a glue-factory, in the Hall neighborhood. At this, a business of consider- able importance has been carried on.
THE " FOUNTAIN,"
east of the city limits, is the place of the springs alluded to by ancient writers two centuries ago or more. Here is located the old Hollenbeck hotel, a very ancient tavern- stand.
The hamlet around the toll-gate, still farther east, con- sists of twenty or thirty dwelling-houses, some of them very old. Across the fields, near the railroad track, is the ancient house alluded to elsewhere.
In the toll-gate house there is still posted a torn and wasting handbill, nearly ninety years old, giving the rates of toll. The piece of paper is worth being framed and pre- served under glass by the directors of this ancient corpo- ration.
" REGULATIONS.
" For a score of cattle, and in the same proportion for a greater or lesser number, West gate, nine cents; Middle gate, eighteen cents ; Toll-Gate, Eighteen cents. For a score of hogs or sheep, at the same gates, in the same order, four conts, five cents, five cents. For a horse and rider, a led or driven horse or mule, two cents, four cents, four cents. For a sulkey, chair, or chaise and one horse, five cents, ton cents, ten cents; two cents for every additional horsc.
"For a coach, coachec, chariot, Phacton, and other fonr-wheeled pleasure carriages, ten cents, eightcen cents, eightcen cents. For every stage-coach or stage-wagon, eight cents, sixteen cents, six- tecn cents. For every wagon or Cart drawn by two horses or two oxen, five cents, ten cents, ten cents ; and one cent more for every ad- ditional horse or ox.
" For every sleigh or sled drawn by two herses or two oxen, two cents, fonr cents, four cents ; and one cent more for every additional borse or ox.
" For every other carriage, two cents, four cents, four cents."
William Carpenter is the present gate-keeper, and has held the place for the last five years. Before him, for twenty-two years, was Stephen A. Coffin, and still earlier was John Macy.
The vicinity of the springs and the beautiful Claverack valley just east, has connected with them many historic incidents.
North from Hudson city is the Higgins neighborhood, and still farther north, on the line of Stockport, is the Park Hotel.
SCHOOLS.
The names of the first commissioners and inspectors are given in the record of the first town-meeting; subsequently
Amos C. Macy.
Collectors. Geo. Thornton, Jr. Wm. Bunt. Geo. C. Hollenbeck.
Seth T. Elting. Robert McNeil.
Robert A. Decker. Marvin Best. Peter J. Like. C. S. Van Deusen. Egbert H. Banrhyte. Wm. Niver. Dedriek Van Deusen. A. C. Van Deusen. Alexander P. Cole. Seth T. Elting.
1875. John E. Gillette.
P. A. Hollenbeck.
1878. Jobn E. Gillette.
Town Clerks. P. B. Hollenbeck.
1857. Michael I. Hollenbeck.
1839. James McGiffert.
1844. Harman Hollenbeck.
M. J. HOLLEN BECK
ELIZABETH HOLLENBECK
PHOTOS BY F FORSHEW HUDSON NY
LITH BY LIN EVERTS & CO PHILA PA
RESIDENCE OF MRS. ELIZABETH HOLLENBECK, GREENPORT, COLUMBIA CO.N.Y
365
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the following served one or more years, each as commis- sioner, down to 1843 : Aaron Van Vleck, Jonathan Plass, Harvey Rice, James McGiffert, John D. Moore, Chancellor Snyder, Harmon Hollenbeck, and Jacob Bogardus. During the same period the following persons were inspectors of schools one or more years cach : E. Atwell, Charles Hollen- beck, Mark Hollenbeck, Philip P. Groat, James McGiffert, and Wm. E. Heermance.
Following this system was that of town superintendents, and that commenced in 1844. The following were the several incumbents of that office : 1844, Wm. E. Heermance; 1845, Jacob Avery ; 1846-48, James McGiffert. Bien- nially : 1850, Philip H. Groat ; 1852, John Mckinstry ; 1854-56, James A. Farrell. The office was abolished in June, 1857.
Previous to 1837 the schools were, of course, a part of the general school system of the city of Hudson. The follow- ing apportionment by the school commissioners of the As- sembly district for March, 1878, shows the condition of the schools at the present. time :
Number of Children
between the ages of
five and twenty-one.
Eqnal Quota of the
Public Money accord-
ing to the number
Public Money accord-
ing to average at-
tendance.
Library Money.
Total Public Money.
No. 1
142
$52.14
$97.60
$54.16
$4.70
$208.60 171.56
101
52.14
69.41
46.64
3.37
3
50
52.14
34.36
35.64
1.67
123.81
4
56
52.14
38.50
38.16
1.90
130.70
349
$208.56
$239.87
$174.60
$11.64
$634.67
PROTESTANT REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF GREENPORT.
In the territory lying along the Hudson river in this portion of Columbia connty, the earliest church interests were at Linlithgo. From the South bay, at Hudson, down the river to the borders of the Palatines, and from the river eastward to Claverack creek, the territory was all comprised within that parish.
From the time of organization, far back in the early days of the manor, down to about 1814, church services were continuous at that point. When that society removed to Johnstown, and the house itself was taken there also, then the people from the south part of Greenport went there to church, as they had previously done at Linlithgo. This continued until about 1828, when the first house of wor- ship was erccted for Greenport, at an expense of about $3500. The then pastor of the Linlithgo church at Johnstown officiated at Greenport every Sunday afternoon. This was Rev. Edwin Holmes. This first house stood on the site of the present one, the land having been donated by Sturgin Sloan. It is a high and beautiful location. In 1836 a complete church organization was effected, though a collegiate connection was still maintained with the church at Johnstown, of which Rev. John H. Van Wagenen was then pastor.
The first officers chosen for the Greenport church were
Henry Plass, Peter Benham, Michael Plass, elders ; and John E. H. Plass and Wilhelmus Miller, deacons. Other members of the church at that time were Jonas II. Miller, Frederick Gardner, widow Sarah Hollenbeck, Maria Hollen- beck, Sophia Hollenbeck, Anna Maria Rockefeller, widow Deborah Hollenbeck, Margaret Fore, Maydale Elliot, Sarah Benham, Mrs. Rachel Ferguson, widow Hannah Heermance, widow Incretia Gardner, Lena Hollenbeck, Emeline Ray- nor, Catharine Raynor, Sarah Raynor, Mrs. Catharine Cole, widow Christian Hollenbeck, Mary Ann Mckinstry, Charity Benham, and Gertrude Rockefeller. The only members on this list now living (April, 1878) are Sarah Benham, Mary Ann Mckinstry, and Frederick Gardner. Charity Benham died March 30, 1878, at the age of ninety-one.
Rev. John H. Van Wagenen, of Johnstown, served as pastor of the Greenport church until 1841, when he removed to Kingston. Rev. Jacob D. Fonda commenced his services under a call dated March 10, 1842, and con- tinucd until April, 1848, and with his removal the colle- giate connection of this church with that of Johnstown terminated.
The first sole pastor of the Greenport church was called Oct. 16, 1848,-the Rev. Polhamus Van Wyck. He was disabled by illness, and resigned his charge Sept. 23, 1851. He was succeeded by the Rev. Jacob Voorhis, Jan. 28, 1852. His pastorate continued until July, 1856. HIe was followed by Rev. Horace W. Finch, who com- menced his labors in September, 1857, and remained until April, 1861, preaching his closing sermon the last Sabbath in that month. As a supply the pulpit was occu- pied the next Sabbath by Rev. John S. Himrod, and his services were continued. A call was extended to him Nov. 30, 1861, and he was installed the following February. Mr. Himrod's earlier labors had been in this county, as he had preached at Mellenville (the second church of Cler- mont) for seven years. Subsequently he went to Brooklyn, and engaged actively in a missionary enterprise on Bush- wick avenne. Out of this movement there grew up the Reformed church now existing upon that avenne. His health failed in the midst of these arduous labors, and he returned to Columbia county with very little prospect of ever being able to preach again. He, however, commenced as he was able to preach for this church,-just vacated by the Rev. Horace W. Finch,-and his health and strength improving, he has remained pastor until the present time, -sixteen years.
The church has a present membership of two hundred and fifty-eight, comprising ninety-eight families, and a regular congregation of about three hundred. The Sunday- school at the church has an attendance of one hundred and thirty to one hundred and fifty, with a library of two hun- dred and fifty volumes. Another school is maintained at Red Hill, numbering nearly as many, while from some fami- lies of the congregation the children attend Sunday-school at IIndson, Claverack, and Johnstown.
The present organization (April, 1878) consists of Gil- bert Plass, Richard Hollenbeck, Peter Van Iloesen, and Cornelius Hollenbeck, elders; John C. Hollenbeck, J. Wesley Kipp, Wm. B. Walker, and William H. Best, dea- cons ; Morris N. Miller, superintendent of Sunday-school ;
District.
Public Money.
of Children.
366
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
William H. Best, assistant; and Mrs. Andrew Hollenbeck, teacher of the infant department. John E. Gillette is the superintendent at Red Hill.
The present house of worship was erected in the summer of 1869, and cost about $14,000. Of this, the Ladies' Aid Society had previously raised by quiet and steady work, the sum of $3000, waiting for the men to " arise and build." The house is eighty feet by forty-four, having a fine au- dience-room, and an additional lecture-room twenty by forty- two feet. The spire pointing heaven ward from this beautiful hill is a conspicuous object for miles around. The society have a parsonage not far from the church, the dwelling having been erected in 1852.
BURIAL-PLACES.
These are numerous. The principal cemeteries in and around the city of Hudsou have always been used largely by the citizens of what is now Greenport for the burial of their dead. The other principal burial-place is the ground near the Reformed church, in the south part of the town. Other places of burial may be mentioned as follows : On the present Harmon Hollenbeck farm,-a few stones still left. On the Robert R. Hollenbeck farm, where a large num- ber were undoubtedly buried in very ancient times,-some stones are still left there ; on the Richard Hollenbeck farm,- one or two stones still mark the spot ; on the line of the Ham and the New farms there is a cemetery which has been somewhat used for burial in later years; on the farm of widow Lucretia Weed,-the old Plass homestead ; on the Von Hoesen farm ; on the farm of widow Nicholas Miller : on the Henry Wilson farm ; near widow Philip Kells'; on the Robert Mckinstry farm ; on the Van Deusen farm ; in the Lambert neighborhood. There were burials, too, near the old honse owned by C. J. Ludlow, elsewhere described.
INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
The people of Greenport are mostly engaged in farming. For this a large portion of the town is finely adapted. The valleys are fertile and productive, and the hill-sides are largely tillable or capable of excellent pasturage. There is very little waste land in town. The soil is clayey along the river, and a sandy, gravelly loam in the interior. All the productions common to this section of country are raised, and farmers have a convenient market in the city of Hud- son, or by easy shipment down the river.
Considerable attention was given at one time to shecp husbandry. During the era of fine-wool speculation, 1812 to 1820, a large and valuable flock-some stating it at 600-was introduced and kept on what was afterwards the Wiswall farm, on Mount Merino, and the eminence takes its name from that fact. We have obtained no very com- plete information as to this noted flock,-its introduction or its dispersion.
The productions of the town of Greenport are shown by the following facts from the reports of the census of 1875. There was produced in 1874, of buckwheat, 1560 bushels; Indian corn, 8136; oats, 16,922; rye, 14,279; winter wheat, only 35 ; beans, 90; potatoes, 19,914; apples, 23,- 415 bushels, and 403 barrels of cider; grapes, 11,400 pounds. There were upon the farms 432 head of horses,
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