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 95
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Carl Steurwald, and Jacob Christman. The present officers are Philip Steitz, John Krick, Carl Steurwald, Conrad Usner, Valentine Steitz, and Weruer Spengler.
The ministers who have preached at this point are Revs. P. Seuel, Carl J. Renz, Fr. Leddin, U. Berne, and C. A. Stoepel, the present pastor, who has ministered to this people since 1876. The present membership is about twenty-two, and the Sunday-school has a membership of about forty.
HILLSDALE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Owing to the fact that this church was one of the earliest of this denomination in the county its history possesses an added interest, aud indicates some of the trials, hardships, and stubborn opposition which marked the infancy of Methodism in America. Other denominations either were coldly indifferent or in open opposition, and the way seemed hedged about with impassable barriers and obstructions that could not be removed or overcome. But through all the church has passed successfully, and achieved a promi- nent rank among other denominations.
The first meeting in this vicinity was held by Rev. Wil- liam Swaze, in the house of Mr. Isaiah Esmond, a short distance south of Hillsdale village, in the present town of Copake. This was in the year 1807. This first meeting was followed by two others, at which Rev. D. Ostrander and Rev. W. Fradenburg preached, but secmed to produce no effect upon the people, but a few of whom came to at- tend the service.
From the published " Narrative" of William Swayze, which he prepared and published in 1839, we make the following extract, which gives his account of the subsc- quent meetings which resulted in the formation of a church. He says, " I made a second trial, when the enemy arrayed in formidable phalanx around the house. We were sud- denly attacked by a volley of stones dashing against the house. One of the company stood at the window near me hallooing, repeating, ' You are a liar !' However unpleas- ant at the time, I considered it as a favorable symptom. I therefore gave out another appointment, which was attended by a large, respectable congregation from the neighborhood of the Hudson turnpike. I named as a text, ' And the door was shut.' Matt. xxv. 10. All was decp attention. I closed, dismissed, and took my seat. Having no diree- tions to leave an appointment for my colleague, and being rather at a loss to know my own duty, having abundant work elsewhere, I sat a few minutes thinking this matter over, when I discovered the congregation remained on their seats. I named to them my hesitancies, and concluded by saying I would come again if there was a prospect of doing good ; and I knew of no better way to test this matter than for such as felt desirous to seek religion to come forward and give me their names, and I would pray for them. A Colonel Peaksly's lady then came through the crowd, and said, ' Sir, will you take my name?' She then addressed tbe congregation, and said, ' Come, my neighbors, it is high time we changed our manner of living; not a professor among us, raising families without the fear of God. Let us set an example. You are only waiting one for another. Let us now set out together.' These statements were
PHOTO BYJ R ALLIS,CHATHAM VILLAGE .NY
J. P. DORR
LITH BY L H EVERTS & CO. PHILA PA
RESIDENCE OF J. P. DORR. MILLSDALE, NEW YORK.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
in a style of native eloquence which would seem self-suffi- cient to wake up the sympathy of angels, when her dangh- ter and sister, with some eight or ten of her most respectable neighbors, came forward and gave me their names. In conclusion I gave out another appointment. On my ar- rival I found six of the number happily converted. I remained with them, preaching every night, about ten days, and organized a class of thirty members."
The lady here mentioned was Anna, wife of Colonel John Pixley, not Peaksly.
From this extract we learn some of the circumstances surrounding the introduction of Methodism among the rough and somewhat lawless people who then inhabited this region. After the class was formed it continued to worship in private houses till the summer of 1811, when the first church was built, on lands donated by Parla Foster. It was a frame building, unfinished on the inside, and supplied with seats formed of slabs laid with their ends resting upon logs laid upon the floor. This chnreh stood upon the hill back of and a little northwest of the present sehool-honse. In this rude structure the voices of the pioneer itinerants resounded among the uncovered rafters, and woke the slumbering echoes, as well as the conscience of many a hard- ened sinner into activity and life. This continued until 1845, when the present church was built, under contract, at a cost of $3000, exclusive of the site and foundations. The site was donated by Seymour Foster. It has been re- paired once at a moderate expense. In 1836, Parla Foster gave a lot on the corner of South and Cold Water streets as a site for a parsonage, and a commodious house was erceted thereon, by the gift of the members of the church. In 1842 this house was burned, and another one was erected in its stead. This building remained in use until a year or two since, when the new one, adjoining the church lot on the south, was built and presented to the society by Mrs. Flavia Bristol, she takiog in exchange the old parsonage. The cost of the new one was abont $4000, and included the furnishing of the entire house. The present valuation of the entire church property is placed at $10,000.
Among the prominent members in the first years of the church's existence may be mentioned Parla Foster, Phoebe Foster, Ruth Collin, Quincy Johnson, Jolin Jones, Mrs. John Jones, Duncan Thompson, Mrs. Duncan Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Eighmy.
The great revival connected with the history of the church occurred in 1832. It was sweeping in its nature, and reached every class of the community. About fifty were converted.
The pastors of the church, as near as can now be ascer- tained, in the order of their service, were, commencing with the year 1832, Revs. Elbert Osborne, Richard Hayter, Ed- ward S. Stont, S. L. Stillman, D. B. Ostrander, J. Carley, W. Lull, Richard Wymond, Oliver V. Amerman, Thomas Edwards, Charles C. Keyes, Thomas Bainbridge, W. W. Brewer, John A. Sillick, David L. Marks, Lucius II. King, William Ostrander, Alexander H. Ferguson, Henry Cox, Marvin R. Lent, H. B. Mead, James N. Shaffer, Charles S. Brown, L. W. Walsworth, Oliver V. Amerman, Henry H. Birkins, William S. Bouton, Abraham Davis, Alfred Coons, and W. E. Clark, the present pastor, who is now
commencing the third year of his pastoral labors in connec- tion with this church. Previous to 1832, the pulpit was supplied by the preachers on the Salisbury circuit, except the years 1830-31, when it was an appointment on the Ghent cirenit. The preachers from 1821 to 1831, inclusive, were Revs. Coles Carpenter, Lucins Baldwin, Timothy Benedict, Parmelee Chamberlain, David Miller, John Lovejoy, Samuel Eighmey, Phineas Cook, Billy Hibbard, Noah Bigelow, Q. Stewart, Arnold Scholefield, Elbert Osborn, and John Alley.
The present membership is about one hundred and twenty.
The officers are as follows, viz. : Trustees, H. G. West- lake, Leonard Johnson, Owen Bixby, William Coon, Geo. Burton ; Stewards, H. G. Westlake, William Coon, Alan- son D. Apley, Winthrop Tipple, John Williams, Henry Loring, Frank Johnson, A. F. Park ; Exhorter, Philip Becker.
There was a Sabbath-sehool established in 1828-29, with the following officers: Rev. Noah Bigelow, president ; Adonijah Bidwell, vice-president ; Harry Trucsdall, secre- tary ; Parla Foster, treasurer ; and three managers. It is now in a flourishing condition, having a membership of one hundred scholars, and twenty-two officers and teachers. It has a fine library of choice and well-selected books, number- ing about three hundred volumes. The present officers are Noyes Bristol, superintendent ; William Coon, assistant superintendent ; Flavia Bristol, temporary superintendent ; Frank Johnson, secretary ; George Johnson, treasurer ; Al- den Williams, librarian ; Thomas Miller, assistant librarian.
NORTH HILLSDALE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This class is supposed to have been formed about 1810- 11, though it is possible it may not have been earlier than 1815. It consisted of about ten members, among whom were Richard Bartlett, M.D., Abraham . Overhiser, Aaron Shaw, Mr. Burtiss, and Peggy Pierce.
The first church building was erected in company with the Baptist society, and stood on the site of the Baptist church. In 1837 it was decided to erect a separate house of worship. The site was chosen near the North Hillsdale cemetery, and the present church building erected. It was dedicated late in the fall of 1838, Rev. Benjamin Griffin, presiding elder, preaching the discourse. The work was done by Philip Becker, and the cost was about $3500. In 1859 it was repaired and enlarged by the addition of a porch and tower, at a cost of about $1500. The present valuation is $4000. The society was incorporated under the general statute, Jan. 22, 1838, as the " Wesleyan Chapel of North Hillsdale." The first trustees were Nicholas C. Tyler, Barnett Overhiser, Allen Gildersleeve, Barnett Bur- tiss, and Levi Pierce. In 1859 the church passed through a wonderful period of refreshing, in the course of which upwards of eighty persons professed couversion, and the membership of the church was largely increased. The present membership is about fifty or sixty.
The pastors since 1839 are known, but previous to that time cannot be ascertained. The following is as perfect a list as we have been able to obtain, viz .: Revs. Albert Nash, George Brown, William McK. Bangs, Charles C. Keys, Thomas Bainbridge, W. W. Brewer, John A. Sillick,
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
David L. Marks, Lucius H. King, William Ostrander, Al- exander H. Ferguson, Henry Cox, John W. Jones, Marvin R. Lent, Josiah L. Dickerson, W. L. Winans, E. B. Shurter, Henry B. Birkins, W. J. Ives, David B. Turner, Edward Ashton, Nathan Hubbell, J. H. Champion, William Hall, E. H. Roys, J. H. Lane, O. P. Crandall.
The present officers of the church are Peter B. Hollen- beck, Jackson Palmer, John S. White, Henry W. Down- ing, David A. Nichols, Austin Morey, John S. Shutts, Allen B. Downing, Homer Trafford, trustees ; David A. Nichols, Austin Morey, Jackson Palmer, John S. White, Homer Trafford, stewards; Homer Trafford, class-leader and clerk.
For a number of years a Sabbath-school has been main- tained, with an average attendance of about twenty-five. The present officers are Homer Trafford, superintendent ; John S. Shutts, assistant superintendent; Mary Downing, female superintendent; Frank Downing, secretary ; Dorr Mitchell, librarian and treasurer.
WEST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF HILLSDALE.
Previous to the organization of a class there was occa- sional preaching in the west part of the town by preachers from Hudson, Hillsdale, and other places.
These early meetings were held at different places, among others at Knapp school-house and the residences of Augustus Reed and Thomas Heywood.
The class was a small one, and was formed about 1835. It was an outgrowth of the church at Hillsdale village. Among the prominent members were Joseph Morehouse, Benjamin Snyder, William Higgins, John Higgins, Josiah Knapp, Titus Simpson, D. Higgins, Joseph D. Goodsell, and Andrew Higgins, who was the first class-leader, and held that office from 1835 till his death, in 1875.
The church building was erected in the summer of 1854, and was finished in 1855. It is forty-two feet long by thirty feet wide, and the posts are twenty feet high. It was built by Robert L. Burdick, who received as his remuneration the sum of $1495. The bell cost about $260, and the fur- niture about $50. The total cost of the structure was nearly $2100. The site, consisting of one acre of land, was given by Milo and Amanda Bissell, and the lot was surveyed by Hezekiah Van Dcusen, May 7, 1853. The deed bears date May 31, 1853.
The society became incorporated April 3, 1855, and elected Jos. D. Goodsell, Moses Becker, Milo Bissell, trus- tees. Alanson D. Apley and Josephi D. Goodsell presided at the meeting, and Andrew Higgins acted as secretary. Rev. Daniel Wager, of Ghent, a local preacher, was one of the earliest preachers ; also Rev. Timothy Benedict. Since 1850 it has been supplied in connection with the Methodist Episcopal church in Hillsdale village until 1875, since which time it has been connected with the North Hillsdale church. The pastors since 1850 have been Revs. Lucius H. King, William Ostrander, Alexander H. Ferguson, Henry Cox, Marvin R. Lent, H. B. Mead, James N. Shaffer, Charles S. Brown, L. W. Walsworth, Oliver V. Amerman, Henry H. Birkins, William S. Bouton, Abram Davis, Alfred Coons, E. H. Roys, J. H. Lane, O. P. Crandall.
HARLEMVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. .
Previous to the year 1822 stated religious meetings were held in the vicinity of Harlemville in barns, school-houses, and private dwellings. About 1822 a class was formed, among whom we find were Zedick Knapp, Eben Mallery, Eben Soule, William Sawyer, Abraham Winn, Daniel Down- ing, David Downing, Elias Downing, John Richmond, Peleg Richmond, Perez Richmond, George Richmond, Harry Richmond, Martin Spencer, Martiu Terry, and Thomas Palmer.
The funeral of Presiding Elder Moriatty, who died very suddenly on Friday morning previous to an appointed quarterly meeting, was held in the barn of Daniel Downing, one of the oldest Methodists of this vicinity.
In the year 1822 the first church was built, on lands do- nated for the purpose by Stephen Richmond. It was built by Alexander Rowley, and stood about two miles east of Harlemville. It was a Union church, owned in part by the Baptists, and was called the " Downing Church." It was a frame building, thirty-six by forty feet, and cost about $1000. The dedication was held in the fall of 1822, the ceremonies being conducted by Rev. George Coles.
The society became incorporated Jan. 4, 1854, at a meet- ing presided over by Aaron Hunt, Jr., and Joseph Rich- ards. The first board of trustees elected at that meeting consisted of Messrs. Ebenezer Goodsell, George W. Rich- mond, Philip Wiltsie, Joseph P. Downing, Riley S. Palmer, Ira Palmer, and William D. Mercer.
During the following summer a Methodist Episcopal church was built in Harlemville. It was thirty-two by forty-six feet, cost about $2500, and was dedicated in the fall of 1854, by Rev. Lucius H. King. The building com- mittee was Messrs. Fayette M. Blunt, Riley S. Palmer, William D. Mercer. Richard Simmons was the builder. This church is still in use by the society.
From a diligent search of the records, and from the recol- lection of members of the society, we are able to give the following list of ministers who have acted as pastors of this church. They were Revs. Lewis McK. Pease, D. Starks, Arnold Scholefield, Phineas Rice, - Griffin, Edward S. Stout, Adee Vail, George C. Bancroft, John Campbell, Denton Keeler, John Davies, David Hervy, Jr., Aaron Hunt, Jr., David Lyman, James Y. Bates, De Loss Lull, Amos N. Mulnix, Oscar Haviland, Edward Ashton, D. Gibson, J. O. Kern, J. H. Lane, and E. B. Pierce.
At the old " Downing church" Elders Abel Brown and - Leland, ministers of the Baptist denomination, frequently preached. The latter was quite eccentric in his ways. It is told of him that he once, when over eighty years of age, prefaced his sermon by quoting the familiar lines, --
" You'd scarce expect one of my age To speak in public on the stage," ctc.
David Wager, of Ghent, and three men of the name of Soules, were local preachers, and often officiated at the meetings.
A very extensive revival occurred under the preaching of Rev. Elbert Osborn in 1831 or 1832, and another in 1845, under the ministry of Rev. Adee Vail. The present num- ber of communicants is eighty, and the following are the
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
present officers, viz. : George W. Downing, Davis Disbrow, Jacob Iless, Norman Becker, Isaac Coons, Wesley Hoge- boom, Madison Downing, trustees ; Joseph P. Downing, Wesley Hogeboom, Isaac Coons, William Washburn, stew- ards; Joseph P. Downing, class-leader. The Sabbath-school was organized in 1823 or 1824, with Abraham Winn as superintendent.
The present officers are James R. New, superintendent ; Mrs. F. A. Mercer, assistant superintendent ; T. Dean, sec- retary ; Norman Becker, treasurer; Wesley Hogeboom, librarian ; William Gardiner, chorister; Samuel Downing, Mrs. F. A. Mercer, Sunday-school committee ; J. P. Down- ing, D. Vincent, C. Vincent, Sarah Krum, Mrs. Norman Becker, Mrs. William Washburn, Mrs. Davis Disbrow, Mrs. I. Downing, teachers. The present membership of scholars is one hundred.
HILLSDALE LODGE, NO. 612, F. AND A. M.
The first Masonic society in Hillsdale antedates the cen- tury, though the exact date of its organization is not now known. It was called Mount Vernon Lodge, and flourished until the anti-Mason excitement swept over the country, when it was wrecked by that storm. Prominent among its members were John B. Sharts, Samuel Judson, Artemus Johnson, John Collin, Joel Blackman, David Persons, Thaddeus Reed, John Pixley, and James Bryan. Several years afterward another lodge was instituted, known as Friendship Lodge, No. 125. It was chartered with seven members, and the first officers were David G. Woodin, Master ; Samuel Judson, S. W .; Jefferson B. Bingham, J. W .; James W. White, Sec .; Alfred G. Bidwell, Treas. ; Philip Becker, S. D. ; John P. Sharts, J. D.
IIenry A. Collin was the first initiate, and among the other prominent members were Richard H. Bartlett, Allen Sweet, John Miller, and Frelin Van Deusen. The Masters were Philip Becker, Henry A. Collin, William Elton.
The lodge met in Hillsdale for some time, and flourished to a marked degree ; then the place of meeting was changed to Copake for two or three years, and returning again to Hills- dale, it flourished for a time, and in 1858 surrendered its charter.
The present lodge was instituted in 1867, but had been working under a dispensation for some months previous. The first officers were Philip Becker, M .; David C. Baird, S. W .; Martin J. Wagner, J. W .; Eliphalet Dimmick, Sec. ; John B. Sharts, Treas .; Samuel Judson, S. D. ; Walter Shaver, J. D.
The Masters who have passed the chair are Philip Beeker, Philip Becker, Jr., George M. Bullock, and Charles M. Bell. The present officers are Platt Rogers, M .; Theo- dore P. Melius, S. W .; Gilbert A. Deane, J. W .; Gros- venor A. Knox, Treas. ; Jacob L. Spade, Sec .; George M. Bullock, S. D .; Latting Bixby, J. D .; David Brusie, S. M. C .; William Atkinson, J. M. C .; William Coons, Chap. ; Ezra J. Beardsley, Tyler ; H. G. Westlake, F. Vandensen, Charles M. Bell, Trustees.
The lodge has fitted up the hall at an expense of sev- eral hundred dollars, meets regularly twice each month, and is in a prosperous condition, with a membership of ninety- six.
The places of historic interest in Hillsdale are not nu- merous. The south western part of the town was in early times called " Nobletown," and apparently received its name from one Robert Noble, who was a leader of the anti-renters during the troubles in the middle of the last century. Where he lived cannot now be ascertained. There was a gore of land in the south part of the town which was in dis- pute between Van Rensselaer and Livingston, but a line was finally agreed upon between them. In 1791, Sheriff Hogeboom, while on his return from serving some processes in this section, was assailed by a band of disguised men, and was killed by a musket-ball. The scene of this tragedy was near the town line of Claverack, in the Jordan neighbor- hood. The surrounding hills here huddle together and open out into a broad vale looking to the westward and ex- tending for some miles into the town of Claverack. No one was convieted of the crime, but one Jonathan Arnold suspected, fled, was arrested, tried, and acquitted. On the trial it was proven that he had loaded his gun with a ball, while the others were loaded with blank cartridges.
During the War of 1812. a large number of men were drafted or enlisted from this town, but no record of their names has been preserved.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
HON. JOHN F. COLLIN,
the subject of this biographical notice, was born in Hills- dale, Columbia Co., in a house which stood on the site of his present residence, on the 30th of April, 1802. Paul Collin, a French Huguenot, married Judith Vallean, and emigrated from France, settling at Narraganset, Rhode Island, in 1686. He was the original ancestor of the Collin family in this country. He had a son, John, born in Rhode Island, who, about 1730, was employed by John Merwin, of Milford, Conn., to command a vessel called the " Swan," engaged in the West India trade. Subsequently, while in command of that vessel, he married Hannah, daughter of John Merwin, the proprietor. He was lost, with his vessel, at sea in 1746, leaving two sons, John and David Collin, the former the grandfather of the subject of this biography. He married Sarah Arnold, and settled in Dutchess Co., N. Y., whenee he subsequently removed to Hillsdale, Columbia Co. Ilis oldest son, Antony Col- lin, was made a prisoner in the War of the Revolution, and died on board the prison-ship at New York, in 1777. John Collin died in 1809, leaving a son, John, and daugh- ter, Hannah, the former being the father of John Francis Collin. He (John Collin) was born in Amenia, Dutchess Co., Sept. 19, 1772, and died in Hillsdale, in Decem- ber, 1833. He married Ruth Holman Johnson, Oct. 23, 1798, was by occupation a farmer, and reared a family of seven children, who survived him.
John Francis, the second son, was reared on the home- stead, and bred to the occupation of his father. Being of a studious turn of mind, he pursued his education chiefly
48
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
at home, adding to the advantages of the common schools a thorough course of self-culture, embracing the branches usually taught in academies. He has followed the habits of study thus early begun all his life, and has a firm con- viction of the truth of the adage that a man is never too old to learn something useful. He is well informed in classical and general literature, and has an accurate knowl- edge of history, especially that relating to his own country.
. In polities he has always been a Demoerat, and has been called to fill several important positions of responsibility and trust in his town and county. Besides holding many of the minor town offices, he was a member of the board of supervisors for many years, a member of the Legislature in 1834, and a representative in the Twenty-ninth Con- gress, from 1845 to 1847.
In local affairs his life has been an active one, being em- ployed in many cases as an arbitrator and in the settlement
of many estates, his sound judgment and practical knowl- edge eminently qualifying him for such duties. He is a man of more than ordinary intellectual capacity, strict in- tegrity and uprightness of character, and is liberal in the distribution of his means for the promotion of all worthy objects.
In 1827 he was married to Miss Pamelia Jane Tullar, of Egremont, Mass., by whom he had four children, all of whom are living. She died in 1870. In 1871 be mar- ried for his second wife Miss Jane Becker, of Hillsdale, and by this marriage has one child, Frank B. Collin. His eldest son, John F. Collin, is a farmer, residing with his father. Quincy J. Collin is a clergyman, residing at Santa Clara, Cal. The elder daughter, Pamelia Lorania, mar- ried Rev. John Brayden, who resides in Nashville, Tenn. Frances Amelia married Sylvester Barbour, Esq., an attor- ney-at-law, residing in Hartford, Conn.
AUSTERLITZ
THIS town lies on the east border of the county, north of the centre. It is bounded on the north by Chatham and Canaan, on the east by Canaan and by the town of Al- ford, Mass., on the south by Hillsdale, and on the west by Ghent. It contains twenty-seven thousand seven hundred and ninety-two aeres, about one-quarter of which is unim- proved lands, and ranks fourth in size among the towns of this county. It is centrally distant a little north of east from Hudson about fifteen miles. In population it now ranks as the sixteenth town of the county, having a population of thirteen hundred and eighty-eight,-a loss of five hundred and one in fifteen years, and of fifty-four in the last five years previous to 1875.
The surface is hilly and broken. Along the east side of the town the range of the Taghkanic mountains stretches in a series of high, rounded peaks, and at their foot the beauti- ful valley of the Green river winds along. West of this valley the surface rises in a series of high, irregular hills, again descending a little west of the centre to the valley of Punsit creek. To the westward of this the country is un- dulating. Most of the hills are arable to their summits, but in the north centre of the town they are rocky, barren, and sterile. The soil is generally composed of a slaty or gravelly loam of varying fertility. In some parts traces of clay are found. The principal and almost sole occupation of the inhabitants is agriculture, the main crops being rye, oats, corn, potatoes, and buckwheat. Stock-raising and dairying are carried on to a considerable extent, and con- siderable hay is shipped.
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