History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 58

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 868

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 58

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The Christian Church of Stanfordville, was or- ganized about the year 1837. This was a branch of the Milan Christian Church which was organ- ized in the fall of 1820, and was organized by Rev. Joseph Marsh, who at that time preached at Milan and held monthly meetings with this church in Stanfordville.

Amos Knapp and a Mr. Sherril were among the first members when the church was organized. About 1843 Amos Knapp gave the land upon which the church now stands, and it was deeded to the organization with this proviso :-

" That it was given to the First Christian Church of Stanfordville, to be used by them whenever they chose, and, when not in use by them the house could be used by worshippers of any denomination ; and in the event that the organization ceased to exist, the property was to revert to him or his heirs."

295

TOWN OF STANFORD.

Mrs. Abigail Roberts preached here after Elder Marsh. Rev. Philetus Roberts was pastor over this church for thirty years. Then came Elder Elias Jones, three years ; David I. Putnam, seven years ; William Lane, one year ; A. N. Henry, student of Christian Biblical Institute, four months, and Alva H. Morrill, the present pastor, now in his third year. The church edifice was built about 1843. The present membership is about 153.

The Society of Friends was organized here some time previous to the year 1800. The first meeting house was built in that year, and is still standing, the lower part being used as a tenement house and the upper part as a public hall. Among the early members of this denomination were the Hulls, Wings, Guernseys, Moshers and Uptons, Paul Up- ton being a zealous member, and his house the stopping place of the Friends at the time of Quar- terly meetings. At the Elias Hicks separation, in 1828, those who did not follow that dissenter built the house which is now used for worship, and which stands on the brow of the hill near the vil- lage of Stanfordville. This meeting has thirty- seven members.

Among old physicians of the town were, Dr. Leonard Barton, who practiced here previous to thirty years ago, and whose name appears on the town records as town clerk in 1797, and as super- visor in 1818, '19, '20 and '29 ; Dr. Buckman, who died nearly thirty years since at an advanced age, and who had practiced many years ; Dr. Guernsey, who also practiced here previous to thirty years ago ; and Drs. Benjamin and John Thorne, broth- ers, who, between thirty and forty years ago, were practitioners of some note. Benjamin died some four years ago, and John died in the town of Washington in 1879. 1

The physicians now residing here are :- Dr. Isaac M. Huntling, a native of Stanford, born in 1817, graduated from University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, in 1841, and began his practice in the town of Amenia, where he remained nine years. In the fall of 1863 he entered the United States service as contract surgeon, employed by the Freedman's Bureau, and was stationed at St. Helena twenty-three months. In the spring of 1866 he resumed his practice in Stanford, remained six years and went to Pine Plains where he lived five years, when he returned to Stanford, where he has since practiced.

Monroe Traver Pultz, M. D., was born in Rhine- beck in 1843, graduated from the College of Phy-

sicians and Surgeons, New York city, in 1868, in which year he began his practice in Stanford.

Dr. Augustus Angell, a native of Salt Point, Duchess county, born in 1854, graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College in 1881, and began his practice in this village.

BANGALL.

The village of Bangall lies near the center of the town, on the Newburgh, Duchess and Connecticut Railroad. It has a population of 154. The name of this place was derived from a Yankee phrase. At an early day, according to the older residents, a Yankee tin peddler, driving the attenuated horse peculiar to that traffic, passed through here plying his trade, and was made the sport of a crowd of mischievous boys, who, after badgering him awhile, concluded their fun by knocking his horse in the head. This was a climax of persecution for which he was unprepared, and, as he stood contemplat- ing his dead animal, he gave vent to the character- istic Yankee ejaculation, "Well, this does bang all !" The story, with its droll expression of the superlative in persecution, was handed around until the phrase became the appellation of this lo- cality.

Among the earliest settlers here at Bangall were the Sutherlands, who, in 1815, built the house in which John Bullis now lives .*

The postmaster here is John Bullis, who was appointed under Lincoln's first administration.

The parties now engaged in business are :- Thaddeus Knickerbacker, general merchant, who has been in business here seven years ; Charles H. Humphrey, general merchant, a native of Pough- keepsie, born in 1828, who began business here in 1865, succeeding Charles Gregory, who previously conducted the business for seven years ; John June, stoves and general tinware, who began business here in 1869 ; Henry Mills, a native of Stanford, born in 1851, cigars, tobacco and confectionery, in business ten years ; Edward Ham, t a native of Pine Plains, born in 1842, harness shop and horse furnishing goods, in business here four years.

Besides these, are the shoe shop of Isaac Clark, who has been in that business here thirty years ; the blacksmith shops of Colby & Condon, and Marvin ; the wagon shop of John Cassedy, and the painting rooms of Milton P. Badger.

Bangall has one hotel, an old stand, the memory

* Built by Colonel Sutherland.

t Volunteer from New York in 1862, in 5th N. Y. Heavy Art., served 3 years and 7 months.

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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

of the oldest citizen not being able to locate the precise date of its erection. It is superior to many hotels in much larger places than this. Erastus Hicks, who has been here three years, is the present proprietor.

The only physician at this place is Dr. Elmore Losee, a native of Saratoga County, born May 23, 1821, who graduated from Castleton Medical College, Vermont, November 25, 1846. In 1850, he came to Duchess County and practiced two years in Red Hook, then removed to Bangall where for thirty years he has been an attentive practitioner.

Daniel W. Guernsey, a prominent lawyer of the County, and whose home is in the village, was born in Stanford March 29, 1834. He was educated at a private school maintained by his father and Col. John Thompson, and at Newburgh Academy. He studied law at Buffalo with George W. Houghton, Judge of the Superior Court, and D. F. Clark, his partner, and was admitted to practice in March, 1856. From that year until 1861 he was in Kan- sas, when he returned home, joined the 47th Regt. N. Y. Vols., and remained in the army until the close of the war, enlisting as a private and pro- moted to a captaincy.

The village has three churches, the Methodist and First and Second Baptist.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in the year 1843. Previous to that year meetings were occasionally held in the neighboring school- house. As near as can be learned the Rev. Will- iam Thatcher was the first pastor; at any rate he assisted in organizing the society, and was chair- man of the first meeting held for that purpose.

The first meeting to effect an organization was held July 22, 1843, at the residence of Benjamin P. Myers, in this town. The first Board of Trus- tees were Leonard Winans, Samuel D. Rider, Jacob Davis, Benjamin Myers and Joseph Shelley. Leonard Winans gave all the timber for the frame of the church edifice, drawing a large portion of it from Poughkeepsie, boarded free of charge the workmen who built the house, and donated one hundred dollars. But for his exertions it is doubt- ful if there would ever have been a Methodist Episcopal Church in Bangall. Samuel D. Rider, Benjamin Myers and others, also did much toward the building of the church.

From the organization of the society until about 1860, it was united under one pastorate with the M. E. church at Pine Plains. In about that year this connection was severed, and this society was

united under one pastorate with the M. E. church at Milan, and so remains at this date.

From the organization up to about 1860, the list of pastors is incomplete,* but the following served as pastors during that period :- Mathew Van Dusen, S. M. Vail, Thomas Ellis, M. R. Lent, A. H. Ferguson, Mr. Murphey. From 1860, the following has been the succession of pastors: Revs. O. Haviland, D. B. Turner, N. Hubbell, Thomas Ellis, J. H. Phillips, H. B. Mead, F. J. Belcher, S. P. Galloway, and the present pastor, the Rev. Jesse Ackerman. t

The Second Baptist Church, at Bangall, was organized February 2, 1860, at the house of Isaac I. Wright.

The church edifice was erected in the fall and winter of 1860 and '61. The society was recog- nized by a council of the Baptist denomination April 18, 1861. The first officers were Phineas K. Sackett, Chapel Robinson, William Crandall, Deacons; Isaac I. Wright, Phineas K. Sackett, Chapel Robinson, Trustees ; Joel S. Winans, Clerk.

The pastors have been as follows: Rev. Mr. Perkins, as supply, six months ; Rev. G. F. Hen- drickson, from October 19, 1861, to 1866; Rev. Halsey Moore, 1866 to 1869; Rev. LaFayette Moore, March, 1870 to Sept. 12, 1872 ; Rev. James W. Grant, Sept. 19, 1874, to March 24, 1875. The last pastor was Rev. Mathew Johnston, who served three years and a half. The church was also supplied by the Rev. George B. Vosburgh. The present membership is 5 1.

The First Baptist Church is the oldest in the town, and possesses considerable historic interest. Its first records are dated Great Nine Partners, Charlotte Precinct, N. Y.

. The first members appear to have emigrated from Massachusetts. The first record dates back to the year 1755, and reads as follows :-

" Whereas, there were a few of us, of the Bap- tist faith and order, settled in this wilderness as sheep having no Shepherd, being destitute of the glorious privileges which our dear Redeemer hath purchased for us, of having the gospel Preached among us and the ordinances administered under His law and Solemn cause, we thought it needful to meet together and to give up ourselves to God by prayer and supplication, with continuance.

"God was pleased to add unto us some more souls, which gives us great reason to hope God did own this our free-will offering, whereupon we con- tinued assembling together till in the year 1759,

* During the connection with Pine Plains, whose pastors also served here.

t To whom we are indebted for the history of this church.

297

TOWN OF STANFORD.

on the 15th day of October. Then we were em- bodied together here in Duchess County, and in the province of New York, and did make choice of two, viz .: Ephraim Bullock and Comer Bullock to be as under Shepherds over us, to preach the gospel, and administer the ordinances among us, which were established, and authorized, by the in- finite goodness of God.

" We had the presence and assistance of Elder Jabez Wood and Elder Robert Wheaton, who were Elders of the First Baptist Church in the town of Swansea, in the County of Bristol, and in the province of Massachusetts Bay, in New Eng- land."

The next record is dated June 6th, 1772, when the Church chose two brethren to draw lots for one to serve as deacon, which lot feil upon Richard Bullock, Jr., who some time after was authorized.

Then follows an account of a withdrawal of some members from the Mother Church because the latter " sang by rule Watts' Psalms," together with an account of the uneasiness which fell upon some of the withdrawing members, who afterwards desired to make recantation to the Mother Church, and were informed by the other seceding members that they " could not walk with us if we made our confession to them and allowed the singing of Watts' Psalms, which thing we find it our duty to do." Thereupon twenty-four brethren and sisters left assembling with them and for some time did not meet together for worship, but having a con- ference thought it their duty to attend the worship of God as soon as there was a door open. Soon after there was a fervent call in the neighborhood which they readily accepted, and appointed a conference for those scattered members, who, when assembled together, were found to be of one opinion, and who after several conferences thought it "our duty to give up ourselves to God and each other as fellow members, to walk together in visible communica- tion, which we entered into on this 9th day of May, in the year 1778." Then follows the names of twenty-four more, as being willing to walk together in the Order of the Gospel with singing of Psalms and Hymns as a part of Divine worship.

For fifty years from the first gathering of Baptists in this then wilderness, we find the church incul- cating its principles and establishing branches throughout the surrounding country. During that period they had organized branches in eight differ- ent places :- Kinderhook, Oswego, Noble Town, Dover, Daniel Jones', West Branch, South West Branch and Rhinebeck.

The first record of Elder Luman Burch is that

he closed a church meeting by prayer February 23, 1805. On the 30th of August the church proposed his ordination which he declined, but June 14, 1806, a council was convened consisting of Elders Leland, Wood and Johnson, and on the day follow- ing they ordained Luman Burch, the same time they ordained Comer Bullock, a son of Elder Co- mer Bullock, a deacon.

Among the first whom Elder Burch baptized were Samuel Sackett and Asa Thompson, who became a deacon and for nearly fifty years was a pillar in the church. Thus Elder Burch began his labors with the church, and most of his life as a minister of the gospel was passed here. A new house was raised in July, 1814, andin Aug. 1815, the church met in this house, which was located about one-fourth mile south of the first. Elder Burch followed to a great extent the example of his predecessor, Elder Bullock, in preaching in dif- ferent places, holding services at Fishkill, Amenia, Pleasant Valley and Pine Plains.

Eider Burch lived in the community for a num- ber of years, and by industry and economy secured a small farm, thus in a great measure supporting himself. He received from the church but a meagre compensation for his services, and, fore- seeing that his successor in the pastoral office must necessarily have a scanty support, and feeling that he himself was responsible for not having educated the church to give more liberally for ministerial sup- port, proposed to the church June 26, 1852, to raise the sum of $1,000 to build a parsonage, drew up a subscription for the same, and headed it with his own name for $100. The money was raised, and the parsonage built, owing mainly to his sug- gestions and through his influence. He was a worthy successor to the former pastor. The two were the only pastors for the space of a century from 1755 to 1855, when Elder Luman Burch closed his labors as pastor, having been stricken with palsy. He lingered until November 17, 1858, when he died, aged 81 years.

Elder Elijah Lucas was his successor, beginning his labors Sept. 23, 1855. In January, 1859, a difficulty occurred in which the pastor was involved. At a special meeting held to consider the matter, February 2, 1859, it was found that the charges against Elder Lucas were not sustained by the evi- dence. On the 13th of March, 1859, the pastor asked for a letter of dismission, which was granted.

Efforts were made to settle the difficulties, even to calling a council of the Baptist churches in the county, but without avail. As a result a number

298

HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

withdrew from the church, and afterwards organ- ized what is now the Second Baptist Church, whose history, in brief, has been given.

Elder Lucas' successor was John Vassar, who labored for the church several months. October 29, 1859, Elder J. Holman's name appears on the record as moderator in the church meetings. He labored with the church as a supply until the last of March, 1860, when he became the duly elected pastor, sustaining that relation until November 25, 1865, when he tendered his resignation which was accepted, to take effect January Ist, 1866.

The church then invited Elder E. C. Ambler to supply them until the first of April, and on the first of January he began his labors. On the 24th of February the church extended a call to him to become its pastor, and on the first of April he moved his family and took charge of the church. The second house of worship was occu- pied for about fifty-three years.

In the fall of 1867, a survey was made for the Duchess & Columbia Railroad, which passed through the pulpit, so that subsequently they were obliged to move the house a little more than the width of it to give way for the work on the road. In December the agents for the road met the trus- tees and a committee of the church, when a prop- osition was made to give the church $1,650, which was accepted, when they proceeded to build the present house of worship. This is a fine edifice, 65 by 38 feet, and, with the parsonage, is free from debt. The last service in the old house was held December 20, 1867. The new church was dedi- cated May 26, 1869. This house is located about half a mile south of the first church building, and one-fourth mile south of the second, and cost $12,000.

Rev. E. C. Ambler remained as pastor of the church seven years, and then resigned. Rev. W. R. Connelly, his successor, came in June, 1874, and remained until April, 1880. He was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. Jabez Marshall, who began his labors in September, 1880. The present membership (1881) is 115.

STANFORD IN THE REBELLION.

In the War of the Rebellion, Stanford sent quite an array of soldiers to the battle-fields of the south, but in no town records, or other official docu- ments, were kept either the names or the number of the volunteers.

From a citizen of the town* who kept a partial record, we gather the following names :-

47th Regiment .- Peter Schoonover . (dead), Joseph Cox, George B. Kirby, Daniel W. Guern- sey, Joseph C. Gildersleeve, Cyrus E. Hofftail- ing, Henry Cox, Gardener Morris (died in service), John Risedorph, John Manion, Walter Powers, John Broaderick, Henry Phillips, James Coyle (died in service), Norman Cornelius, Michael Wager, James Brady, George Traver, James Dun- bar, Harvey Schoonover, Franklin Risedorph, Josiah A. Stringham (died in the service), William Pendergrass, Peter Wilsey.

20th Regiment .- Ory S. Payne, Hiram Sackett, George T. Tripp, Amos Travis (killed at Antie- tam), Edgar Risedorph, George Mead (died in the service), John W. Ferris.

Ira Harris' Cavalry .- Adam See (killed in the service), Charles Waldron, John Teator, Philip Fulton, Morgan Striet, Byron Sackett, Kelly Braley, Benjamin Briggs.

128th Regiment, Co. B .- Rensselaer Mosher, George C. Payne, Curtiss L. Porter (died at Port Hudson,) John E. Anderson, William H. Snyder, Landon P. Rider (died in the service,) Edgar George (died at Baton Rouge,) John M. McIntyre, Sherman H. Williams, Barton [or Bartlett] H. Bishop, Henry V. Wood, Isaac T. Winans, Charles Travers (died in the service), William B. Sackett (dead,) Oliver J. Walters (killed at Winchester,) John H. Palmatier, George A. Drury and John H. Payne.

Company C .- Robert D. Dykeman, Benjamin T. Churchill, Samuel G. Morgan, William Porter, William C. Millroy, Gilbert H. Warner, W. E. Churchill.

Scattering .- L. Van Wagoner, Co. D; Adam Waldron, Co. F; Philetus Teator (died in the service,) William Teator, John H. Hoshier and Alfred Shaffer.

150th Regiment .-- Cornelius N. Campbell, Thos. Wallace, Tallmadge Wood (died in the service,) Alexander Worden, Nicholas Whiteley, Reuben A. Husted, Henry Sigler (died in the service,) Thos. Bullis, Jesse B. Foster, Henry Hicks, Alfred Seeley, William Briggs, John Briggs, Rensselaer Worden, James Newman, Albert Knapp, George Lovelace (died in the service,) William Gurney, George Dunbar, James Horton, (died in the service,) Henry T. Smith, (died in the service,) Nicholas Hickey, William Ackert, John Schoon- over, (died in the service,) Albert Allen, Patrick Griffin, Alonzo Vanderburgh, Robert Wagoner, (deserted,) Walter L. Allen, (died in the service,) Sidney D. Boughton, (died in the service,) Abraham

* William Tripp.

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299

TOWN OF HYDE PARK.

N. Hull, (deserted,) Henry Teator, Joseph Mc- Dowell, William Cash, Oscar Parks, (died in the service,) Philander Wordon, (died in the service,) William Barton, Richard N. Hapeman, (died in the service,) and H. F. Roberts.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

HON. ISAAC S. CARPENTER.

Isaac Smith Carpenter, son of Morgan and Maria Bockee Carpenter, resides in Stanford, at the homestead formerly occupied by his father and grandfather, where he was born June 24, 1828. He was liberally educated, having pursued an academic and classical course of study for six years.

In 1851, he married Julia Wilson, daughter of Hiram Wilson, Esq., of Pine Plains. She having died May 22, 1858, he was married Sept. 5. 1861, to Sarah R., also a daughter of Hiram Wilson. He has six children, three from each marriage, viz .: Eliza, Maria B., Morgan, Wilson, Julia and S. Louisa.

Originally a Whig he joined the Republican party at its organization. He was Supervisor of Stanford in 1859, and from 1877 to '79 inclusive, and chairman of the Board in 1878-'79. He was elected to the Assembly 1879, and again in 1880, receiving each year a very large majority, and serv- ing each term as a member of the Committee on Ways and Means. He is a member of the Pres- byterian church and has for many years taken an active interest in whatever pertains to the moral elevation and spiritual welfare of the community. In 1880 the desire was very generally expressed by the Republicans of Duchess County, that he should be their candidate for State Senator, but he would not consent to the use of his name at the conven- tion. Probably no citizen of the county possesses to a greater extent the confidence and respect of the people.

CHAPTER XXV.

HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HYDE PARK.

W HEN we look back through the misty past to reflect upon the scenes and in- cidents peculiar to the early settlement and pros- perity of a locality, we find much that to the matter-of-fact inquisitor, is left in obscurity through the absence of documents to verify the truth. It is then that tradition steps forward, though a fickle chronicler, and relates her pleasing

reminiscences, that far too often are found to be exaggerated.

In the early days of our country the extreme poverty of the pioneers and other uncontrolled circumstances, made it impossible for them to leave a record of their business and social transac- tions. It was enough for them to leave their native land where royal exactions kept them in poverty and ignorance, and brave the labors at- tending the removal of the forest and the rearing of homes, while struggling on in the rut of dis- advantage to eke out a livelihood. While thus battling, their industry and perseverance gave to them an independence that was sweet to their burdened souls, and awoke at last their spirits to cry liberty, and nerved the arms of their children to battle manfully the minions of tyranny, and plant freedom upon our soil.

Tradition does not tell us who were the first settlers of this town, nor the time they located. In 1687, we find a goodly share of the lands com- prising the town, was purchased by nine men who formed a co-partnership under the name of " Nine Partners." In surveying the same, they divided it in such a manner that nine of the lots were bounded by the river on the west and were called the "water lots," of which the town chiefly consists. A few of the "partners" located upon the lands and induced many Germans that immigrated in 1709-'10, to settle as tenants. A few purchased, whose descendants are still to be found within the county. In the course of a few years, as specula- tion in lands became rife, one Jacob Stoutenburgh, a Hollander and trader from Westchester, pur- chased an interest in one of the " water lots," and began the first settlement of Hyde Park village near the present landing. He became interested in these lands about the year 1735, and undoubt- edly located a few families soon after, as in 1740 we find he had a storehouse and a shop, but of what nature we have been unable to learn. We may presume, however, that being a tradesman, he furnished the settlers with the necessaries of life, in exchange for which he obtained the common barter of hunters, farmers and Indians. He may have removed to this place at that time, but the impression is he did not until the year 1792, when he must have been a very aged man.

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History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 58

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 868

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 868