USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 17
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This appeal secured the needed funds and the church was finished in 1767. Its further history will appear a little later in these pages.
The church as it was finished at that time was one story high and forty-eight by fifty-eight feet on the ground, the walls being supported by heavy abutments at the corners. The door was on the north side, and on the keystone of the arch over the door were the initials, J. H. E. s. q. 1767.
Fort Herkimer, which constituted an important part of the frontier defense, embraced a large stone house, probably erected as early as 1740, and three other stone buildings, one of which was the church
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still standing ; another situated about half a mile east of the church on what has been known as the Steele farm, and the third about three- quarters of a mile farther east, on the Snell farm. The church was surrounded by an earthwork by Sir William Johnson in 1756. The first-named stone building was described by the late Mrs. Margaret Cristman, of Mohawk, in the following language :
The building was of stone, forty feet wide and seventy feet long, two stories high with a basement. The roof was very steep and covered with oak shingles three feet long. The walls of the building were over two feet thick, pierced with six windows, six port holes and a door on the front or north side, besides the front windows in the basement, wide enough to drive a team through. The basement was under the east end of the building, and under the west half of the house was the cellar, each about thirty-five feet square. The only opening in the west end was a square window in the upper story. The main entrances to the building were two doors, one on the south and the other on the north side. The hallway, running through the middle of the building from north to south, was about twelve feet wide. Near the north entrance, which was then the front, were two doors, one opening into the east and the other into the west room, the house being divided into two rooms on the main floor, and the east room sub- divided into a large kitchen, a small bedroom and a pantry. A little further on in the hall was the grand staircase, broad and easy of ascent, made of white oak, leading to the second story, which was divided into three rooms, a bedroom over the hall at the head of the stairs, and a large room in each end of the house. The broad old fireplaces, both in the lower and the upper rooms, with "pot hook and trammel," and the tradi- tional back log and forestick blazing upon the old andirons on a cold day, gave the grand old rooms an air of comfort and cheerfulness.
The French record before quoted says of this fortification :
It was built as a store and depot for Chouegen (Oswego). It is surrounded by a ditch about thirty feet distant. This ditch was six feet deep and seven feet wide. The crown of the ditch inside is planted with palisades in an oblique form ; they are well jointed the one to the other. Behind these there is a parapet of earth, so as to be able to fire over the palisade. The four angles of this parapet, which is at the back of the ditch, form, as it were, four little bastions that reciprocally flank each other. (See illustration, page 59.)
It will be seen that this was a fortification of considerable preten- sions, both as to size and impregnability against the arms of those days. The other two buildings farther east were probably similar in their con- struction. Into these the inhabitants fled and found refuge when at- tacked, or before expected attacks, by their foes. Such a course was followed in 1757, and the lives of many of the inhabitants were thereby saved, to witness the burning of some of their dwellings and their
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
mills, the French commander showing discretion in not attacking the fort.
In the War of the Revolution those loyal German settlers, who did not hesitate to espouse the cause of freedom, suffered grievously for their patriotism, and in September, 1778, Brant, with his tories and In- dians, fell upon the prosperous settlement and destroyed it completely, as we have related in the early pages of this volume. Again in 1782 the fair valley in this vicinity was swept over by the enemy, numbering about six hundred tories and Indians. They were first discovered by l'eter Wolever, who, with Augustinus Hess, lived about fifty rods from the fort. Both families were aroused, and all reached the fort except Mr. Iless, who was killed just as he was entering the gate. The fort was at that time only feebly garrisoned, and the few troops could not assume the offensive. Valentine Staring was captured in a field not far from the stockade and put to the torture with the object of drawing out the garrison by his cries for help; but this did not produce the desired result and he was tomahawked and scalped. Two of the soldiers and these two inhabitants were killed. All the buildings in the settlement, excepting George Herkimer's house, were burned and the cattle driven away. This incident was described to the late Judge Benton by Nich . olas Wolever, in the lifetime of the latter, then living at llerkimer, and is undoubtedly authentic, although it has received little or no attention from other writers. The wite of Henry Wetherstone, who had incau- tiously gone into a field on this occasion, was captured by Indians, tom- ahawked and scalped, and, as they supposed, her body left for dead. She recovered and lived many years after her long tress of hair had been carried away as a trophy.
Fort Herkimer, it has been seen, was a noted station in the early history of the valley, and guarded a section that was more frequently than any other made to feel the ruthless blows of the natives and their no less relentless white allies. In June, 1785, the Tuscaroras and the Oncidas met at the fort and ceded to New York all their territory lying between the Chenango and Unadilla Rivers. llere, also, in 1775, was raised the first liberty pole in the State and the second one in the coun- try ; and Alexander White, sheriff of Tryon county, a great stickler for the honor of his sovereign master, heard of the " daring outrage,"
FreDr. U. Nelle
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TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS.
as he termed it, summoned a posse, marched to the fort and made a bonfire of the pole and banner.
At the close of the war the Herkimer family again occupied their mansion and the settlers took up their peaceful labors. Previous to that the highway ran along down under the hill a mile west of the fort, then turned gradually and followed up the Shoemaker road to Steele's, and so on easterly. When the original canal was built the south bank came within about eight feet of the old fort, and when the enlargement was made its south line took in nearly one half of the old Herkimer building. The property was then owned by Bethel Palmer, who sold it to the State.
On account of the destruction of the records in 1843, we are able to give only the following list of supervisors of the town from its organi- zation to the present time :
1791, Frederick Fox; 1793, Peter Smith; 1794, William Clapsaddle ; 1795, Ludwick Campbell; 1797, George Rosecrantz; 1798, William Clapsaddle ; 1801, George Rose- crantz; 1803, '17, '21, Christopher P. Bellinger ; 1810, '19. Rudolph I. Shoemaker ; 1811, '14, 'Thomas Paine; 1815, Nicholas Casler; 1824, Jacob F. Christman; 1825, Robert Shoemaker; 1827, Daniel Dygert; 1830, George Fox : 1832, G. I. Stranahan ; 1834, John Wightman; 1836, '48, Jolin Shoemaker, jr .; 1837, Elias Root; 1840, Fred- erick Bellinger; 1842, John Golden ; 1844, George II. Fox ; 1845, F. E. Spinner; 1846, John Strong ; 1850, Calvin A. Griffith; 1853, Joseph N. Wightman; 1855, Benjamin . Carver; 1856, William Spoonenburgh; 1857, Ezekiel Spencer ; 1860, John Crist; 1861, Liberty L. Lowell; 1864, James M. Dygert ; 1865. James E Casey ; 1866, Amos H. Prescott ; 1868, Alfred E. Brooks; 1870, J. B. Pelton ; 1871, Sandford Getman ; 1872, Albert M. Ross; 1874, James Vickerman; 1875, Charles W. Smith; 1876, Hamlin B. Maben; 1877, James M. Clough; 1878, '81, Albert M. Ross ; 1882, '84, C. S. Jepson ; 1885, Samuel T. Russell ; 1886, '87, Addison Brill ; 1888, '89, H. D. Jennings; 1890, '92, James Conkling.
Among the prominent families of Germans who settled in this town long before the Revolutionary War was that of John Michael Edich. He liad lot No. 33, which remained in the family many years. His grandson, Michael, was born there in 1734, and was a captain in the militia in the Revolution.
To Jacob Folts was assigned lot No. 3, which is within the limits of the town of Frankfort. Lot No. 41 was assigned to Joseph Staring, and remained in the possession of his descendants until recent years. To Frederick Bellinger was assigned lot No. 35, which has also re-
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
mained in the family more than a century; and others might be mentioned who have kept the homes of their ancestors through all the changes that have occurred since the first settlements in the valley.
As giving not only a quaint description of book-keeping methods and lists of articles purchased in a country store in olden times, but also the names of many of the early settlers, the following will be of great interest ; it is taken from an old ledger in which were kept the accounts of James Van llorne, one of the first general merchants in the town. The store was near the locks of the Inland Lock Navigation Company, which were directly north of the present canal locks at Fort Herkimer :
1776, Jacob Weaber; 1789, Isaiah Wright; October 1.1, " to my horse twice to Steale's mills, 2s; one quart Cyder, Gd; one schipple apples, 4s; one pound hog's fat, 2s; one Nip grog, 6d ; to the use of my Blacksmith tools from 20th to 30th December, 1797, when you run away -"
Against Conrad Frank : 1774-May 13, to 2 gallons rum, 2s 6d; July, } pint rum, 6d; Oct. I, qt rum, Is 4d, Dec. 28, 1 quart old and ] quart n rum, 38; 1775-April 18, to 4 bowls toddy, Is. ; June 21, 1 pint of wine, Is 6d ; July 13, to I qt of W. I. rum, 1s 9d; Sept. 18, 1 gal. of rum, 5s; Dec. 20, to 1} gall'n rum pr David Schuy - ler, 8s. ; May 15, to "Cash paid Dr. Jacob Petrie for 1 Glass of Bolsom Damalta and Bleeding, 58 ;" Ang. 20, " to sch of Wheat, I Quart W. I. Rum, 4s 6d;" Nov., " to Cash p'd John Smith for 1 pint Rum when you was wounded, Is 6d."
Against Christopher P. Yates: 1781-" Feb., to flour of 25 Schipples of Wheat which you took at Vanslikes Mill €6 58; to 4 BUls which the flour was in, @ 3s, 12s; " 1785 1786-" to 3 Wolf's Certificates del'd you when I was Supervisor, £3."
Against Duncan MeDougal : 1775-Dec. 1.1, to 1 otter skin, 21s ; 3 martin skins, 9s ; 1782-February, to 2 bowls grog, 38; 1786-March 1, 2, 4, to 12 bowls toddy, 128; 2 slings, Is; 2 qts cider, 18; 3 meals victuals, 3s; to 1 bowl grog in June, 1776, -; 1791 - June 10, to 1 dinner, Is, and horse-keeping, 2s 3d.
Against John N. Castlear: 1776 to 1786 -- Account for rum and grog, .£1 13s 8d.
Against Ilenery Harkimer, sen. : 1778- May, "to Liquor in Club at Election for Governor, Ds 4d; 1779 -- Nov., to 6 quarts Cyder for Nicholas, 3s."
Against Col. Ilenery K. Van Rensselaer : 1779 -- From the 26th Aug. to 26th Sept., " to 33 Mugs Cyder," 138 4d; Ort. 8, to 24 skipples winter apples, a Is 6d, £1 16s; to 14 days 1 horse in pasture, 38; Nov. 19, to yarn for mittens, 2s; "to 21 mugs Cyder different times 8s 9d;" Dee. 20, "to 2 Bbls Cyder 24s ; 26th, 7} Mugs Cyder, 3s 1}d."
Against Conrad C. Folts : 1785 -- Accounts amounting to £2 6s 3d.
Against " George Weaber (my brother in law) : " 1784-HIere follows a long account in which appear 4 ells corduroy, 248; 1 ell blue shalloon, 38 6d ; 2 nips grog, Is ; 3 Knives & 3 forks at Robinsons, 38; 1 gill brandy, etc.
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TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS.
Against Thomas Folmers : 1775-Account for £1 16s 3d, nearly all "Nips of Grog."
Against Jost Schuyler: 1788-July 17, to judgment before Squire Myers, 17s ; 1789 -- Feb. I, to 2 nips grog, ls; 1 quart spirits, 2s Gd ; 1 quart cider, 6d; 1791-Feb. 1, to 1 gill rum, 6d.
Then follow similar accounts of Philip Garloch, John Smith, John Myers, Gershom Skinner, Simeon Barker, Henry Miller, Conrad P. Folts, Susanah Small, John S. Frank. George Groundhart, Jacob Christman, John Fox, and the following:
Against Frederick Jno. Shoemaker : 1786 -- Dec. 18, "To 2 Gall N Rum, 12s"; 1788-March 22, to 1 pint W. I. rum, 73d; July 20, 1 hat, 9s 9d ; Aug. 12, 1 1b. To- bacco, 1s; Sept. 2, cash &s; Oct. 14, 1 "Check Hhkf. 5s."
Against Jost Dygert: 1789-May 20, "I recd Cash for Judgment agt him in full of my act to this date"; 1790-To 1 warrant, 1s; August 11, 3 nips grog, 1s 6d ; 1796 -- " To 1 peace warrant against Coll Richert Petry, Is Gd; to breaking 1 glass Tumpler, 2s," etc .- amounting to 17s 6d.
Against Jacob Woolhaver: 1788-Nov. 19, to tobacco, Is 6d ; Dec. 10, 3 ells blue cloth, 19s 9d; Dec. 12, to leather for I pair of shoes, 7s; 1 pair half soles, ls; to sun- dries to the 1st Dec., 1788, 12s 5d.
Then follow the accounts of Russell Furman, Peter S. Dygert, Henry P. Dygert, Phineas Allen, Nicholas Christman, Jost Folts, Thomas Bell, Abraham Woolhaver, James Forbush, Timothy Tuttle. The following items are charged to Rev. Abraham Rosecrants :
1788-April 13, § 1b. snuff, 3s; July 8, 3 ells Durant, 9s; 3 sticks twist, 2s 3d ; July 8, 1} yd black lace, 5s 8}d; "2 skanes silk, 2s; 1 1h. shott, 1s"; } 1b. powder, 2s 6d: } paper pins, 9d.
Against James Catlin (Whitestown): 1790 -- Nov. 27, "to 4 Nips of Grog & Cy- der, 2s 6d; 2 Bowls Grog dancing with Smith, 2s."
Against William Petry : 1788 -- Apl. 26, to 1 bowl sling, 1s; "1 Qt Bowl you Broke, 2s; Ang. 13, to 2 Gallons Tar, Gs ; 1 Nip Grog & 2 Gills rum, 9d; Jany 8, to my horse to ride through the river, Is; March 11, to cost you have to pay at your suit against Thomas Casaty in Apl 16, 3s 4}d ; to cost at your suit against Adam Bearse, which may be seen in my Records, page 45, 12s 3d ; to cost at the suit of Paltus Brae- tenbreacher against your father-in-law, in the first book, page 34, 2s; Oct 22, To use and keeping of my pump augur, 3s."
Then follow the accounts of John Andrews, Jost Hess, Jolin Weaber, Fawcet Cox and Frederick Bellinger, the latter as follows :
1788 -- June 1, To 1} pints n rum, 1s 2d ; 28, 1 nip grog, 6d; Dec. 2, to 1 qt n rum, Is Gd; 7th, 2 pair Indian shoes, 6s Sd; 1 nip grog, 6d. Mr. Bellinger's account is quite lengthy, and there are many more charges for "Nips of Grog," than any other
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
one thing. He is credited on account: "By riding 1 Hhd Rum from Schenectady, 12s ; by 8 days huing timber for my horse shed & 44 days framing the same, £1 12s; five days carpenter work, and four days work making fraim for my kitchen, 5s per day."
Next come the accounts of Catharine (George) Hilts, amounting to £3 6s 2}d, "paid in Ginsang at different times ": Maria (Catharine) Ox. Wesner Spoon, Elizabeth Small, Mary Small (who paid her account in spinning); John Bellinger, Jacob Bashorr (who paid his bill in leather for a " slay tackling"); and Timothy Frank (who paid his bill in 1790 by one ox at 05 and one ox at £4 10s). Frederick "Ohrendorph" is charged, among other things, with " Egg Punch, Is; 1 bear! for the use of heckel cap- page " [pickle cabbage ? .
John Fox is charged with nips of grog, nips of Sangaree, mps of punch, a "pinker knife" he broke. "marrying his nigger," 4 suppers, etc. Mr. Fox's bill was paid as follow: " By playing the fittle, 12s; by one nip grog had in 1793, 6d ; by Jack, your nigger, playing for a company," etc. Christopher P. Fox is charged with snuff, tea. grog, rum, breaking a bowl and one fife, and a part of his account was paid in work on the court-house in 1796. Conrad Segner Edward Walker, John Brusler, Christopher Ox, Adam Hartman, George Weaher, are next on the ledger.
"Jost Ilarkimar" is charged with nips of sling, nips of grog, " Boals" of grog, wheat to be returned for "soing." "2 shots at 6d each." rum, cash, costs of suit, and other things, making a long account, which was paid in 1791 m sowing "Pease," oats, wheat, barley, serving warrants, moving wheat and "moing" wheat, and cash.
Then comes the account against Rudolph Schomaker, who is charged with judgment before Squire Colbreath, 9s lld and cost. Is 9d: 2 nips grog, 2 nips brandy grog, "cash at Stone Arabia in Fox's House (present Flagg & Ittick), Is"; "cost between you and your brother 2 years ago, 5s 6d"; 1 dinner, Is; 1 gill bitters, 6d; "cost be- tween you and George Clabsattle, Is." The balance of the long account is " Nips of Grog," which was all paid in cash.
John Petrie is charged in 1790 with "taking affadid in respect of Demsitts estate, Is." Andrew Dygert is charged with "Rum, pigtale tobaceo, quart Cyder and lodg- ing " Next are the names of Joseph Cook, Conrad Kook, Henry A. Cramer, Nicholas V. Staring, George F. Helmer, Joseph Hines, Christian Drisselman, John Isdall, Peter Flagg, Adin Fancher. Nicholas Wollhaver, Samuel Robertson (who paid his bill in doc- toring), Gershom Beach, Wilham Delaney, Samuel Pinker. Jacob Kunkahol.
Robert Bee, says the merchant, "agreed with me for one year's work for £25, and Sept. 12 left me in the morning before I was out of bed." Next follows an ac- count against Herkimer county for work on the court-house, then the account of James Yule, who paid a part of his bill in surveying " Lott No. 14, in the third tract." Chris- topher Rube paid his bill of £10 15s 5d in bottoming chairs and weaving. MIrs. Hol- teger paid her bill in spinning flax.
There is a wonderful amount of information in the old ledger, and as this was the first store in German Flats, the record bears an added in- terest. William Small and James Isdale were merchants at Fort Her- kimer at a later date. The first tavern kept there, as far as known, was
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TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS.
by N. Aldridge, on the south side of the highway ; he also kept a store, and " shin-plasters " are in existence issued by him. Fort Herkimer was the central point for business for the surrounding country for many years, its situation on the canal of the Navigation Company giving it that prestige. The first blacksmith in the town, Jacob Phillips, located here, and James Campbell came a little later. Benjamin Fox was an early tailor, working at that trade in 1791, and later had a blacksmith shop near the church. The first harnessmaker mentioned is Jacob Bashorr, and the first shoemaker was Peter Wollever, while Dr. Sam- uel Robertson appeared in 1790 as the first physician. Frederick Bell- inger and Stephen Wright were carpenters. In 1792 Aaron Wood had a small tannery here, and the school was kept by Samuel Edwards and Philip Peter Cowder, before 1800. The little village continued to pros- per until the diversion of travel to the Mohawk turnpike along the north side of the river. This was the end of its prosperity, and the place gradually declined in its business enterprise, until it has reached its present condition.
Resuming our account of the old Fort Herkimer church it must be stated that the corporate seal of the church adopted in 1796 gave it the name of " The Reformed Pro- testant Dutch Church of Ger- man Flats." Long previous to that, in the year 1753, Hans Dedrich Stelly and oth- ers deeded to Peter Remsen, for the support of their minister, lots 45, 46, and 47, on the flats. No records of membership in the church were kept during the early years of its history, but in the Synod of 1812 an order was made that annual reports should thereafter be returned. The first regular preacher was probably a brother of Rev. Abraham Rosecrants, as his biogra- pher says he succeeded his brother in 1767. Rev. Abraham Rosecrants faithfully labored here from that year until 1794, a period of twenty- seven years. He was an educated and able man, and became connect-
24
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
ed with the Herkimer family by marriage. He died at his residence on Fall Hill, in the present town of Little Falls, at the close of the last century.
From 1794 to 1798 Rev. Fitch Romden, of Oneida, preached to the settlers occasionally, and in the latter year Rev. Mr. Pick, of Stone Arabia, was called to supply the pulpit, which he did until 1802, when Rev. John P. Spinner was called. Mr. Spinner ministered to these peo- ple for forty-six years. He emigrated from Germany in 1801, and landed in New York in May. He was educated in the gymnasium at
Bishopsheim and the university at Mentz, and in 1789 was consecrated to the Roman Catholic church. His wife, Mary Magdale Fedelis Bru mante, a native of Loire, accompanied him to this country. Mr. Spin- ner was called to the Fort Herkimer church soon after his arrival in the country, and with the exception of a short period of teaching, contin- ued with it until 1848. Nor were his services confined to this par- ish, for he preached to congregations in Columbia, Warren, at the In- dian Castle, Manheim, Schuyler, and in some of the towns of adjoining
1
Rev. John
P. Spinner.
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TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS.
counties, besides the church in Herkimer village. He was thoroughly educated and his sermons were often eloquent and masterly. Mr. Spin- ner died at his residence in Herkimer, May 27, 1848, aged eighty years. He was the father of Hon. Francis E. Spinner, the famous secretary of the United States treasury under President Lincoln, and the family is still represented in the county.I Mr. Spinner was succeeded in the pas- torate of the church by Rev. J. Stark, who came about four years after Mr. Spinner gave up the charge. Mr. Stark preached five years, when there followed a period of about four years during which there was no regular preacher, and in 1862 Mr. Stark returned, preached one year, and died in 1863. He was the last settled pastor of the once flourishing congregation. Since that time the pulpit has been supplied at intervals, among those preaching here being Revs. J. Petrie, J. J. Quick, Rev. Mr. Consaul, Rev. Mr. Todd, William Johns, of Little Falls, and others.
The financial needs of the church were largely provided for by the rental of lands deeded in trust for that purpose, and as long as the orig- inal lessees lived there was no lack of means for the support of the gos- pel, no matter in what direction the necessary expense might be in- curred. In the time of Rev. Mr. Rosecrants, the rental of lands brought in a revenue of $400 annually, besides the large amounts usually raised by subscription. At the installation of the elders and deacons, on the 29th of January, 1796, by Rev. Charles A. Pick, he received for his services £4 16s and 6s for spreading upon the book of minutes the ordination and installation, and at his next visit to this place he received £2. Rev. Mr. Spinner received a salary of $700 per annum, besides funds raised by subscription, which for a time was paid him, but as the collection of rentals after the death of Mr. Remsen was in a measure neglected, and the estate of the deceased was embarrassed by litigation, the revenues began to fall off, causing quite a deficiency in meeting the salary, so that in May, 1836, there was due Rev. Mr. Spinner for ser- vices rendered, $1,324.10, one half of which he proposed to donate to the church, provided he received the other half. The litigation in re- lation to the lands held in trust lasted for several years, until in 1851 an
! For more extended notice of F. E. Spinner, see Biographical Chapter in later pages of this volume.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
act of the Legislature was passed authorizing the consistory to sell a portion of the lands. Several sales were made under this act, and the money invested, the interest to be used for the same purpose as the rentals or incomes of leases. In 1870 an act was passed enabling the consistory to record all leases, papers, etc., belonging to the church. Thus the munificent gift of Nicholas Wolever, Hans Dedrich Stelly and others, dwindled down to a mere pittance in the space of one hundred and fifty-five years, and at present this is only a missionary field.
After settlers first located at Fort Herkimer, they gradually extended southward over the hills until the head waters of Fulmer Creek were reached. In 1797 Seth Paine settled at what became known as Paine's Hollow, about three miles south of the river. He came from Windham county, Conn., and was thirteen days reaching Fort Herkimer. With him came his sister, his wife and eleven children, five of whom were sons. In the spring of 1797 the Paines had five acres of timber cut down and they invited their German neighbors to a logging bee and the whole five acres were cleared for them in one day. In the summer of 1798 a saw-mill was built there, and not long afterward Mr. Paine built a grist-mill, thus saving further journeys to Little Falls or Van Hornesville. The settlement at Paine's Hollow grew and comprised at one time three saw-mills, the grist-mill, a fulling-mill, a store, tavern, a post-office and about two hundred inhabitants. The first post-office in the town was here and was called German Flats, with John Paine as postmaster. Otis Smith, who settled here at about the same time with the Paines, was the mail carrier between Little Falls and Little Lakes, now in the town of Warren, and stopped at Paine's Ilollow once a week. This post-office was long ago discontinued for a period, but has been renewed in recent years. Nathan Swift is the present postmaster; the post-office is now in Little Falls, just across the line, this hamlet being partly in that town. Very little business is now done at Paine's Hol- low.
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