USA > New York > Dutchess County > History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121
The Methodist society here referred to is evi- dently that which was organized soon after the set- tlement of Johannes Rowe in 1790, and whose first house of worship, built about the year 1800,
* About 1837, and, probably, for some years previous.
t This latter name is seldom used, the tendency being to shorten the name.
#Hist. Duchess County ; Philip H. Smith, p. 239.
* We give this succession of landlords as it was given us by old residents from recollection, not vouching for its entire accurateness.
217
TOWN OF MILAN.
stood near, if not on, the Rowe estate, a mile or two north of LaFayette. Among the early mem- bers of this organization were Philip Rowe, S. Rowe, John Rowe and Solomon Darling.
A substantial church edifice now stands near the site of the old building, and is known as the Rowe Methodist Episcopal Church. This building was erected in 1838, chiefly through the generosity of John Rowe, whose home was the stopping place of all the itinerant Methodist preachers. The par- sonage was built by John Rowe at his own ex- pense. The present membership of the church is seventy-five.
For the past twenty years the society has been served by the following pastors : Revs. O. Havi- land, O. B. Turner, N. Hubbell, T. Ellis, J. H. Phillips, H. B. Mead, F. J. Belcher, S. P. Gallo- way. The present pastor is Rev. Jesse Ackerman, who resides in Bangall, town of Stanford.
The First Christian Church .*- A gentleman of the name of Herrick, who owned a farm in the hollow or valley, which bore his name, built a con- venient house of worship not far from his dwelling, and gave the use of it to the Baptist church, he being at the time in strong sympathy with that people. Having become a member of that society he was raised to a deaconship in the church.
The " Christian Denomination," or "Christian Connection," as it is more frequently called, had its rise about the beginning of the present century. The denomination originated from three of the more popular sects of the time, the Methodists in the Carolinas and Virginia, the Presbyterians in the north-western portion of Ohio and the Baptists in New England.
Levi Hathaway and Daniel Call were among the first to break denominational ground in Milan. Deacon Herrick of the Baptist denomination, be- fore mentioned, was also among the first to declare for religious liberty and Christian union.
The church was organized in the autumn of 1820 by the last named elder and consisted of but four members-two husbands and their wives.
As the most of the ministers of this new order were revivalists, these men traveled into adjoining neighborhoods and towns, their meetings being at- tended by constant conversions. In less than two years, it is understood, the church had increased its membership to over one hundred names.
About this time Elder John L. Peavey, of New England, was called to the oversight of the church.
He was not only a talented man, but a kind and successful pastor. His friends assisted him in purchasing a pleasant home near Rock City, in the same town. His time was now about equally divided between pastoral work and itinerant labors. His circuit of labor embraced this and three other con- gregations, located in Stanford, Union Vale and Beekman. Dr. Joseph Hall, a physician and min- ister, settled in Union Vale in the winter of 1825-'6, and relieved Mr. Peavey of his labors in that region. The greatness of his labor, however, im- paired his health, consumption fastened upon him, and he died in the fall of 1829.
Dr. Abner Jones, of New England, the first min- ister of the regular Baptist denomination who declared for "Christian union, no name but Chris- tian, and no creed but the Bible," was next called to the pastorate in Milan. The church greatly increased under his ministration, which continued between four and five years, when he was recalled to New England. His successor was Rev. Joseph Marsh, who remained about the same length of time. He supplied the church at Herrick's chapel and also held monthly services with a branch of the church which had been organized at Stan- fordville, in an adjoining town. In 1842, Mr. Marsh was called to take editorial charge of the denominational organ, published at Broadalbin, Saratoga county, and the church then called to the pastorate the Rev. Horace V. Teall. Suc- ceeding him were Revs. John N. Spoor, Geo. N. Helton, R. B. Eldridge, E. B. Rollins, and many others.
During the pastorate of Mr. Spoor, the old, small chapel gave place to the present more com- modious house of worship. The old families, members and supporters of the church, embracing the names of Massanneau, Westfall, Lamoree, Cookingham, Wilson, Morehouse, Sherwood, Wiley, Boice, Husted, Stewart, Bentley, Hicks, Schultz, Wilber, Case, Crandell, Thorne, Rowe, and others not here mentioned, are now succeeded by their children and grand-children, who with some incom- ing strangers, make up a large congregation, who attend at the old place of worship.
Out of the family of Crandell one was chosen to the ministry-C. B. Crandell. His ministry, though talented, was short. He died of consump- tion, surviving Mr. Peavey but three or four years.
The present pastor is the Rev. C. B. Haner, of Canada, recently a student of the Christian Biblical Institute, at Stanfordville.
* For this synoptical sketch we are indebted to Rev. Philetus Roberts, of Clinton, for years pastor of the Christian church in this County.
218
HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
MILAN IN THE REBELLION.
The services which Milan rendered in the war of the Rebellion, as far as concerned her ability, were second to those of no other town in Duchess County. Not only did the town respond gener- ously to the call for volunteers, but it kept, in a manner greatly above the average towns, a com- plete and interesting record of its proceedings re- lating to enlistments, and of the men who went forth to imperil their lives in defense of the com- mon flag.
The first meeting at which steps were taken to raise a war fund was held at the house of Nelson Motts on Saturday, November 29, 1862. At this meeting it was
" Resolved, That the sum of $2,265.66 be levied on the town, and the same be assumed as a debt upon the town and the taxable property therein.
" Resolved, That the sum of $900. oo be levied on said town, to be paid to the volunteers who en- listed previous to the 26th of August, 1862, the said $900.00 to be paid to John Ferris, Alonzo Carroll and Philo Sherwood, to be kept by them for the benefit of the volunteers who enlisted pre- vious as above stated."
At a special town meeting held at the house of Ambrose L. Smith, August 9, 1864, it was
" Resolved, That the Supervisor of the town shall have the power to borrow money on the credit of the said town sufficient to pay to volunteers to fill the quota of the town under the call of the President for 500,000 men.
" Resolved, That to every man who shall volun- teer and be mustered into the United States service for the term of three years shall be paid as a town bounty the sum of $500.00, and to every man that is drafted under this present call shall be paid, as a bounty from this town, the sum of $400.00.
" Resolved, That every man who is liable to a draft, and not taxable, shall pay to the committee appointed the sum of $25.00, on or before the 25th of August, 1864.
" Resolved, That any person who shall enlist for one year, or two, shall receive the same as a drafted man-$400.00, and that the Supervisor in procur- ing men for the quota shall have the power to pay to all enlisted by him for one year the sum of $400.00.
" Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to draw the money upon the order of the Supervisor to pay to those men who are drafted.
[Alexander Best, Nicholas Phillips, and John Ferris were appointed such committee.]
" Resolved, That the Supervisor * and H. B. Sherwood be appointed to procure volunteers to fill the quota of this town under the present call, and
that they be allowed for their time $3 per day each, and expenses.
HERRICK THORNE, Moderator. E. J. WRIGHT, Town Clerk."
On August 25, 1864, at a special town meeting, an additional sum of $100.00 was voted to be added to the $500.00 before raised to be paid to volunteers for three years ; and it was voted that all the one-year men credited to the town should be paid $500.00. It was also left discretionary with the committee to pay bounties for volunteers to fill the quotas of the town not to exceed $600.00 for one-year men, and $800.00 for three-year men.
" Resolved, That the money raised for bounties, together with the interest accruing on the same, be paid in three equal annual installments.
The first in fall and winter of 1864-'5.
second “ 66
66
1865-'6.
66 third 66
66
1866-'7.
The last installment coming due in 1867.
HERRICK THORNE, Moderator. E. J. WRIGHT, Clerk."
The proceedings of this meeting were ratified at a special meeting September 2, 1864.
Under the call of the President for 300,000 men of December 19, 1864, the town voted a bounty of $600.00 for one-year men, $700.00 for two-years' men, and $800.00 for those who entered the service for three years. It was also resolved to have this bounty remain uniform for all future calls to avoid the necessity for special meetings.
The following is the record of enlistments :-
128th Regiment .- Henry K. Hicks, born in Milan, April 30, 1846 ; Co. C; enlisted August 16, 1862 ; served three years ; took part in battles of Port Hudson, Cedar Creek and Winchester ; discharged July 26, 1865.
Jacob S. Bowman, born in Milan, November 24, 1841; Co. C; enlisted August 14, 1862; was in hospital in Louisiana from April Ist to July 1, 1863 ; was in battles of Cane River, Halltown, and Alexandria ; discharged July 26, 1865 ; now a druggist in Pine Plains, N. Y.
William Millroy, Co. C; enlisted August 14, 1862 ; was in battles of Alexandria, Halltown and Cane River ; discharged July 26, 1865.
Elijah D. Morgan, born in Milan, April 1, 1847; Co. C; enlisted August 14, 1862; took part in battles of Port Hudson, Winchester and Cedar Creek ; was promoted corporal; discharged July 26, 1865.
Gilbert D. Morgan, born in Milan, Septem- ber II, 1839 ; Co. C; enlisted August 14, 1862 ; was in battles of Port Hudson, Winchester and
* Lewis M. Smith, 1864.'
219
TOWN OF MILAN.
Cedar Creek ; was promoted corporal ; discharged July 26, 1865.
David Feroe, born in Milan, April 6, 1832 ; Co. C; enlisted August 14, 1862 ; was in battles of Cane River, Halltown and Alexandria ; dis- charged July 26, 1865.
Isaac Burdick, Co. C; enlisted September 14, 1862; was in service four months and deserted, and afterwards enlisted in Co. E, 47th Pennsyl- vania Regiment.
Elansing G. Hicks, born in Milan, January 20, 1843; Co. C; enlisted August 16, 1862; took part in battles of Port Hudson, Cedar Creek, Win- chester and Fisher's Hill ; discharged July 12, 1865.
Robert Millroy, Co. C; enlisted August 14, 1862; was wounded at battle of Berryville, and was in hospital at Alexandria nearly three months ; returned to his regiment and was with it in battle of Cane River ; discharged July 12, 1865 ; now a tailor in Rhinebeck.
Hiram Couse, born in Milan, April 16, 1839; Co. C; enlisted August 16, 1862 ; was in battles of Port Hudson, Cedar Creek, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cane River ; was promoted corporal ; discharged July 12, 1865.
Gilbert Warner, Co. C; enlisted August 16, 1862 ; was wounded at battle of Port Hudson and carried to hospital where he remained from May 27, to August 29, 1863, when he was discharged ; re-enlisted August 4, 1864, and was again wounded at battle of Cedar Creek ; was carried to Sheridan Hospital, where he staid until February 6, when he was discharged ; now in Binghamton, N. Y.
George Wagoner, Co. C; enlisted August 16, 1862 ; was in battles of Port Hudson, Cedar Creek, Cane River and Fisher's Hill ; discharged July 12, 1865.
Hiram B. Eddy, Co. C; enlisted August 16, 1862 ; took part in battles of Cedar Hill, Win- chester and Fisher's Hill; now harness-maker in town of Amenia, N. Y.
Albert Feltz, Co. C; enlisted August 16, 1862; was in battles of Port Hudson, Cedar Creek and Winchester ; discharged July 12, 1865.
Norman Killmer, Second Lieutenant, Co. F; en- listed Aug. 16, 1862 ; now a mason in Pine Plains.
Thomas N. Davis, Co. C; enlisted August 21, 1862 ; was commissioned Second Lieutenant August 22, 1862, and promoted to Captain September 15, 1863 ; was engaged in eleven bat- tles ; now in Delhi, Delaware county, N. Y., pas- tor in the Christian denomination.
Walter Rockefeller, enlisted February 2, 1865.
150th Regiment .- John J. Killmer, born in Mi- lan, December 8, 1827 ; Co. F ; enlisted Septem- ber 3, 1862 ; was in battles of Gettysburg, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain; in hospital at Alexandria six months.
William H. Stickle, enlisted September 3, 1862; served three years and was discharged.
Alfred Wagoner, born in Milan, April 6, 1845; Co. C; enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 ; served his time and was honorably discharged.
Peter Shoemaker, Co. C; enlisted January 23, 1865 ; discharged August 30, 1865.
John Allendorph, Co. C; enlisted August 31, 1864; was in service six months and was dis- charged.
John W. Myers, Co. F; enlisted September 5, 1864; after being in the service two months was taken to the hospital at Chattanooga, and has not been heard of since.
Charles B. Burdock, Co. F; enlisted Septem- ber 6, 1862 ; was in seven different battles and was discharged with his regiment June 1, 1865.
Peter Millins, Co. F ; enlisted October 11, 1862; was in battle of Gettysburg, and with Sherman in the campaign of 1864-'65.
Benjamin Dykeman, enlisted October 11, 1862; served his time and was discharged with the regi- ment, June 1, 1865.
Henry Millins, Co. F ; enlisted October 11, 1862 ; was in battle of Gettysburg, and in Sherman's cam- paign.
David H. Waltermier, Co. F; enlisted October II, 1862 ; in battle of Gettysburg and in Sherman's campaign.
Joel D. Hustis, Co. F; enlisted October 11, 1862 ; also in battle of Gettysburg and in Sher- man's campaign of 1864-'65.
20th Regiment .- Abraham Warner, Co. A; en- listed September 14, 1861 ; wasin battle of Gettys- burg ; discharged September 15, 1864; still living in Milan.
John R. Morgan, born in Milan, July 9, 1843; Co. A; enlisted September 12, 1861; was in battles of Bull Run and Antietam ; wounded in battle of Fredericksburg; in Washington hos- pital two months, was promoted to sergeant ; discharged September 14, 1864; now in Pine Plains, N. Y.
James Dykeman, born in Milan, April 6, 1843; Co. A; enlisted September 12, 1861 ; was in the battle of Bull Run, wounded in battle at Chantilly, and afterwards in battle of Gettysburg; discharged September 14, 1864; died in June, 1878.
220
HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
Duane S. Bush, born in Milan, April 20, 1839 ; Co. A; enlisted September 13, 1861 ; was in the battle of Bull Run, mortally wounded in battle of Gettysburg, and was buried on the field.
Alexander Millroy, enlisted September 12, 1861 ; was in service about two and one-half years when he deserted, subsequently arrested and taken back ; died in California in 1881.
Frank Hermance, Co. C; enlisted in September, 1861 ; died in Andersonville prison. .
Abraham See, Co. K ; enlisted September 13, 1861 ; re-enlisted Feb. 6, 1863.
32nd Regiment .- Curinias Hoffman, Co. D ; en- listed September 28, 1861 ; was in the battle of Harrison's Landing ; served fourteen months and re-enlisted in the regular service, December 12, 1862 ; served in nineteen engagements, discharged September 28, 1864.
Ephraim Wagoner, born in Milan, April 6, 1842 ; Co. D; enlisted in 1861 ; was in the battle of West Point ; wounded at South Mountain, and was in hospital six months ; returned to regiment and was discharged at the expiration of his term of service.
144th Regiment .- John A. Raymond, enlisted in 1861 ; was in battle of the Wilderness ; was taken prisoner at battle of Laurel Hill, afterward ex- changed and re-entered the service.
87th Regiment .- Freeman Myers, born in Milan, in 1846; Co. F; enlisted in October, 1861 ; was in battle of Fair Oaks; was taken to hospital June Ist, 1862, where he died ; buried at White House Landing.
Guerret Tobias Myers, born in Milan, in 1839; Co. F ; enlisted in October, 1861 ; was in the bat- tle of Williamsburgh, and in Seven days' fight before Richmond ; in hospital at Fortress Monroe six months; returned to regiment, and was dis- charged November 1, 1864.
9Ist Regiment .- Reuben R. Tanner, born in Milan in 1844; Co. K; enlisted November 10, 1861 ; was in battles of Indian Bend and Port Hud- son ; remained in the service two years and six months, and was honorably discharged ; re-enlisted in same company and regiment in April, 1864; was in Frederick City Hospital two months, and was discharged in July, 1865.
George TenEyck ; enlisted February 22, 1865 ; nothing further known of him.
William Allendorph, Co. A ; enlisted September 1, 1864; discharged June 10, 1865 ; now in Milan.
Theodore Couse, born in Milan in 1847; Co. H; enlisted September 8, 1864 ; discharged June 10, 1865.
Ezra Couse, born in Milan, January 1, 1833 ; Có. H; enlisted September 8, 1864; discharged June 10, 1865 ; died in Milan in 1880.
159th Regiment .- Stephen Killmer, Co. I; en- listed September 9, 1862 ; was in nine different en- gagements, and in hospital two months; was dis- charged June 20, 1864, and died nine days after his arrival home.
William Moon, Co. I; enlisted September 7, 1862 ; was taken to the hospital May 15, 1863 ; discharged August 10, 1863, died in New York city on his way home, and was buried in Milan, N. Y.
Abraham Palmer, Co. I; enlisted September 7, 1862.
48th Regiment .- Pulaski Bowman, Co. G ; en- listed August 20, 1861 ; served one year and was discharged ; re-enlisted in Co. F, 150th Regiment, October 11, 1862; served as Second Lieutenant one year, and was promoted to First Lieutenant ; was in battles of Resaca, Dallas and Port Royal ; now in the town of Washington.
47th Regiment .- Cornelius Killmer, born in Mi- lan, February 12, 1847 ; Co. H ; enlisted February 7, 1864 ; discharged July 6, 1865.
Martin Killmer, born in Milan, April 6, 1841 ; Co. H; enlisted February 12, 1865.
William Killmer, born in Milan, April 6, 1843 ; Co. H; enlisted February 23, 1865.
Scattering .- Matthew Knickerbacker, born in Milan in 1819 ; 98th Regiment ; enlisted January II, 1864 ; discharged on account of physical dis- ability ; died about four years ago.
David Teator, 125th Regiment ; enlisted March 30, 1864 ; now in Pine Plains.
Jacob Frank, Veteran Reserve Corps; enlisted September 21, 1864.
Tom. Steele Sheepcott, 100th Regiment ; en- listed Febuary 3, 1865.
Alexander D. Hutson, 192d Regiment; enlisted February 7, 1865.
John Garvey, Co. I, 3d Infantry ; enlisted Sep- tember 6, 1862 ; was in battles of Chapin's Farm, Atlanta and Savannah ; discharged September 14, 1865 ; now in Bangall, N. Y.
CHAPTER XX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PINE PLAINS.
THE town of Pine Plains lies in the northern
T part of the county, east from the center. It is bounded on the north by Gallatin and Ancram (Columbia County) ; on the east by North East ;
221
TOWN OF PINE PLAINS.
on the west by Milan, and on the south by Stan- ford and North East. The town contains a popu- lation of 1,352. Its name was derived from the extensive plains in the vicinity of Pine Plains village, which at an early day were covered with forests of pine.
The town originally formed a portion of the Little Nine Partners Tract. A considerable por- tion of the land is still held by the heirs of the original owners, and is leased to the occupants. Efforts have been made to convert these remaining leasehold tenures into a freehold, but have thus far proved unsuccessful. The surface of the town is a hilly upland, the ridges being separated by broad valleys. The highest elevation is Mount Stissing, in the western part, which rises from 600 to 1,000 feet above the valleys. At the east foot of this mountain lie Thompson's, Stissing and Mud Ponds. Buttermilk Pond and several smaller ones lie in the southern part of the town. The prin- cipal streams are Roelaff Jansen's kill, which crosses the northwest corner, and the Sha-ca-me- co Creek, which flows north through near the center.
It is not definitely known who were the first settlers of this town. In 1740, John Rau, a Ger- man, lived on a hill northeast from what was then known as Sha-ca-me-co. The following were among the names of early settlers :- Gerardus Winans, John Tise Smith, Job Carban, Jacob Husted, David Winans, John Harris, Israel Harris, Isaac Smith, Caleb Reynolds, Hendrick Keifer, Abner Case, John Richter,* Hendrick Hoffman, Matthias Hoffman, Job Stephenson, Peter Husted, Wilhelmus Pulver, Jonathan Deuel, Henry Hiservelt, David Sheldon, Ebenezer Dibblee. The latter came here in 1781. The most of the others also came previous to the year 1800, some of them as early as 1789-90.
Probably the earliest and most important his- torical event in the history of Pine Plains was the settlement of the Moravian Missionaries at Sha-ca- me-co,-or "Little Mountain," -- one of the ranges of hills three miles south of the village of Pine Plains.
As an integral portion of the history of the country, and being the first successful mission established by the Moravians in North America, the record of the missionary settlement here is both important and interesting.
The name of the locality made famous by the settlement and labors of the Moravian Christians,
has, since 1859, been generally believed to be cor- rectly given as "Checomeco," or "Shecomeco ; " but after an investigation it is discovered to be in- correctly spelled. The correct rendering would appear to be that previously given-Sha-ca-me-co .* The authority for such spelling is found in a col- lection of names which the Lenni Lenape or Delaware Indians gave to rivers, streams, and localities within the States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia, with their signifi- cations, prepared from a MS. of John Heckewel- der, by William C. Reichel.f Mr. Reichel has also drawn from an " Essay of a Delaware Indian, and an English Spelling Book for the use of the Christian Indians and the Muskingum,"# for the purpose of confirming and illustrating Heckewelder's interpre- tation.
In this collection Heckewelder gives the word " Sha-cha-meek "-an eel.§ Zeisberger confirms it, saying-" Scha-cha-meek, an eel, compounded of Scha-chach-ge-u, straight, and na-mees, a fish-the straight fish." Scha-chameki, or Shachameko, signi- fies "where there are eels, or, the place of eels," the suffixes i, o, ink, or ing, not changing the sig- nification, either one being correct. Putting the word in our modern orthography, it would properly be given as Sha-ca-me-co, the place of eels, the accent being given on the penult. The stream to the east of the mission site, rising at the " Federal Square," and emptying into the Roelaff Jansen kill, is properly rendered Sha-ca-meek-hanne, the eel stream. At the forks of the Susquehanna in early times the place was called Schachameki, the place of eels, and the creek was known as Scha- chamekhan, the eel stream. It was afterwards called Shamokin, and now Lunburg. That the English settlers gave it this pronunciation appears from the proceedings against the Moravians in 1744, as published in the Documentary History of New York, Volume III : " His Excellency also communicated to the Board a letter from Col. Beekman, that there were four Moravian priests and many Indians at Shacomico." Again. "Eight other persons were at Shacomico." In the sheriff's return, "he went on ye 17th to Shacomiko." And again, "Budner [Büttner] is chief preacher at Shacamico." The slight variation of the orthog- raphy from the original word, in these instances, does not change the pronunciation materially, if at all. Lavina Carter, of Scaticoke, near Kent, who
* A family name now known as " Righter."
* From Isaac Huntling on Indian Words and their Significance. t The full work from Heckewelder was published in 1822. # Published in Philadelphia, 1776.
§ Sch, according to the rule given, has the sound of Sh.
222
HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
is now ( 1879) over seventy and nearly the last of the race, learned the word from her grandmother, Eunice Mawesema, the daughter of Choose, alias Joseph, or Jo, the son of Capt. Gideon Choose, who was living at the time the missions at Sha-ca- me-co and Scaticoke were established, she, there- fore, had the word as given by the Indians at the time, through her grandmother. Her musical pro- nunciation settles the origin of the word as given by Heckewelder and Zeisberger. The topography of the country embracing the site of the mission also makes its name and signification singularly appropriate. Within a mile northwesterly are three lakes, and a mile further in the same direction is the chain of Stissing lakes at the base of Stissing mountain, all of which were noted for their eels, as well as other kinds of fish. The outlet of the Stissing lakes passed through the lowlands a mile west of the mission town, on its way southward to the valley of the Wappinger, and furnished eels in abundance. East of the missionary site, within a mile, is the Shacameek, or eel stream, noted even in modern times for its numerous and excellent eels. It would be impossible to find in any country a locality more appropriate for the name-Sha-ca- me-co.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.