USA > New York > Dutchess County > Pine Plains > History of Little Nine Partners of North East precinct, and Pine Plains, New York, Duchess county, Vol. I > Part 25
USA > New York > Dutchess County > North East > History of Little Nine Partners of North East precinct, and Pine Plains, New York, Duchess county, Vol. I > Part 25
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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
[Note-This was the now Frank Eno district and Ira Winans lived in a house near the site of his farm house to the west, It is believed the school house then stood on or near the site of the present one, but the deed to the school lot was not made until February 22, 1823, when the convey- ance was made by Andreas Hoysradt to Matthias Hoffman, Fyler Dibblee and David Winans trustees. From 1795 to 1820 and later it is doubtful if there was any deed for a school house outside of a village or city, They were located for convenience and built by a permit from the land owner. ]
Ira Winans sent Charlotte, Clarey, Mercy, Semantha, (all Winans,) Na - thaniel Stevenson sent William, Salmon, Sophia and Joshua, (all Steven. sons,) and Abraham Winans. Friend Sheldon sent Isaac, Job, Benjamin, Charlotte and Fanny. The year previous Friend Sheldon had sent Benja- min and Isaac to district No. 11 in the Charles Case neighborhood.
In 1813 the following persons in Stanford were set off to school district No. 8, in Northeast, the school house near now Sheldon Strever's: Nancy
273
THE DISTRICT SCHOOL.
Smith farm, Jesse Thompson, Jesse P. Thompson, James Holmes, Gurdon Miller, Philo Wells, Mary Sheldon, Philip Rowe. Isaac Huntting, John Tripp, Anthony Tripp, James Husted and Daniel Lewis.
The first school house in Pine Plains of which we have any record was in 1795, the district being "No. 1." It was then "North East," and the school districts were placed on record under the law of 1795. The school house was on the west side of North Street, nearly opposite the now resi- dence of Philip Piester. Later the school building was moved to the cor- ners north of the now Stissing House, and used as a store for many years. In recent years it has been used as a dwelling until 1895, when it was taken down and the Bowman opera house built on the site. It was on the George Clark land, and a lease could be obtained only for its site. Probably this caused the trustees to purchase a school lot elsewhere, and therefore bought about an acre east of the now Presbyterian church of the heirs of Peter Husted. Previous to this purchase Abraham Hiserodt had in some way obtained a small interest to this tract, and April 7, 1824, this interest was purchased for $4.00 quit claim from John W. Melius and Christina his wife-to whom it had descended-by Aaron E. Winchell, Justus Boothe, and Joshua Culver, trustees. The district was then "No. 11." The bounds of the school lot then were, "South by the highway, on the west by the Meeting House lot and land of the heirs of Peter Husted, deceased, on the north and east by land of Reuben W. Bostwick, containing about an acre." This seems to have perfected the title to the school lot. The school house stood very nearly on the site of the now residence of Mrs. Morgan.
The first teacher in the old school house of which there is a record, was William Hermans in 1795-6. The total attendance of days during his term-probably a year-was 2,548. The school money was 17 pounds 10 shillings and ? pence. The district then was "No. 1," and Cornelius C. Elmendorph, who then kept a hotel on the site of the now Stissing House, was trustee. Passing four years, Benjamin Prime was a teacher here from May 6 to August ?, 1799. He calls it the "Pine Plains district at the school house near Ebenezer Baldwin's." (Ebenezer Baldwin had this year suc- ceeded Mr. Elmendorph at the hotel.) The scholars were Caty, Richard, Harriet, Eliza, Sally and Maria Dibblee; Barjona Deuel, Caty Turk, Ara- bella Thomas, Theodorus, William and Louisa Bassett; Jesse P. and Maria Thompson; Benjamin and Peter Snyder; Orra Ferguson; Jane, John and Betsey Van Ranst; Polly Martin, Sarah Boice, Clara, Lucretia and Cynthia Benjamin ; Henry, Frederick and Aminta Baldwin; Walter, Amy, Mor- ris and Tamma Barlow; Catharine and Phebe Wilson; Henry Hiserodt; Lilly, negro girl. Total number of days 1,765}. Jesse Thompson and Eb- enezer Dibblee trustees.
Samuel Sexton succeeded Mr. Prime the next term of this school and taught from September 25, 1799 to March 15, 1800. This was a winter term, and the pupils were Jesse P. and Maria Thompson, Harriet, Eliza,
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HISTORY OF PINE PLAINS.
Maria, Edward, Richard, Caty and Sally Dibblee, Maria Graham; Eliza, Jane and John Van Ranst; James Pugsley ; Theodorus and William Bas- sett; Nancy Lovitt: Catharine and Phebe Wilson; Frederick, Isaac, Hen- ry and Aminta Baldwin ; John Smith, Benjamin and Joseph Carpenter; Amy, Tamma, Stephen, Moses, Morris and Walter Barlow; Walter and Arabella Thomas, Matthias Wilber; Seymour and Amos Benjamin; Polly Strevel; Henry Houseradt; Orra Ferguson; Jonathan, Samuel, Israel and William Britian ; Lill a negro girl, Cephas a negro boy. Ebenezer Dibblee and Jesse Thompson, trustees. Mr. Prime had thirty-six scholars, Mr. Sexton forty-seven, and Henry Hiserodt and Jesse P. Thompson are two only of these pupils who have descendants now in the town.
This ends the series of district school dots from 1795 to 1800. Perhaps enough. Methods of teaching and prices paid have greatly changed in a hundred years. The then and now in this regard is interesting when com- pared. From another standpoint these scholars' names well nigh give us pause. Could all the names be published, a few living might recognize grandmothers and great grandfathers and great uncles, and so on in the branches of the family tree from root to top. And quite singular, yet true, a few others would be surprised when told "she was your grandmother," and "he your great grandfather," they having forgotten, if indeed they ever knew,¿who were their ancestors two generations back. More however will say, what matter, nothing can be added to nor taken away, the unchange- able cannot be changed. True, but could the little dust these names rep- resent, be reanimated and invested with "thought bodiless" as 'tis said it will be, it may be of some matter that there was to them at least, time, place and existence, and something to do, as well as now the same unto the living.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
PINE PLAINS BANK.
The first meeting for the organization of the Pine Plains Bank was held at the hotel of Henry C. Myers-now Stissing House-Feb. 15, 1839. Aaron E. Winchell was chairman and Frederick I. Curtis secretary. At this meeting it was resolved that A. E. Winchell, R. W. Bostwick, Backus Culver, Justus Boothe and Cornelius Husted be a committee to report the number and names of the directors. They reported seventeen: Aaron E. Winchell, Reuben W. Bostwick, Walter Reynolds, Justus Boothe, Backus Culver, Cornelius Husted, Frederick I. Curtis, George W. Barton, Henry Hoffman, John Ferris, William W. Pulver, Abraham Dibble, William Winchell, Samuel Deuel, Niles Hartwell, William Eno, Leonard Rowe. The next meeting was held Feb. 21, 1839, when Walter Reynolds, William Eno and Reuben W. Bostwiok were chosen a committee to draft articles of Association for the proposed Bank and A. E. Winchell, S. Deuel, J. Fer- ris, C. Husted, A. Dibble and B. Culver were chosen a committee to find a site for the banking house. The next meeting was at the same place on March 9, 1839, when articles of association were presented and adopted. There were thirteen articles, and sections under each, to which were after- ward added articles fourteen and fifteen as amendments, to all of which the stockholders' names and amount of stock of each were subscribed by proxy. The next meeting was held at the same place March 16, 1839, when it was resolved to rent a building, and in case this could not be done, to purchase a site and build. At this meeting Reuben W. Bostwick was chos- en president William Eno Vice President and Walter Reynolds attorney. Frederick W. Davis was chosen cashier at a salary of one thousand dollars a year and house rent, to commence April 15, 1839. The next meeting was March 23, 1839, when the committee reported and report adopted. The building chosen was owned by Mr. Emmott Woodin, and is now the west part of the store of Mr. Isaiah Dibble.
The Bank had a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, divided into one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each. The certificates were handsomely engraved and read:
"THE PINE PLAINS BANK.
"This is to certify that is entitled to Shares in the Capi- tal Stock of the Pine Plains Bank of one hundred dollars each. Transfer- able by - or - attorney on the Books of the Bank in Pine Plains, State of New York, upon the Surrender of this Certificate dated this day of - 18 -. "
April 9, 1839, certificates were issued calling for their respective shares
.
276
HISTORY OF PINE PLAINS
Reuben W. Bostwick 50 shares, Henry Sheldon 50, Leonard Rowe 10, Wil- liam Eno 10, Aaron E. Winchell 40, Isaac S. Smith 10, Philo W. Winchell 20, Jacob S. Best 20, John Ferris 60, Samuel Deuel 50, Jacob I. H. Davis 15, William W. Pulver 50, John Silvernail, Jr., 10, Henry W. Brownell 10, Lewis D. Hedges 20, George W. Barton 40, Henry I. Hiserodt 10, Joseph Halstead 10, Elias Reynolds 10, Cyrus Burnap 10, Abraham Dibble 30, Backus Culver 40, John Hoag 10, Silas Harris 40, Frederick I. Curtis 10, Adam and Benjamin Strever 20, Niles Hartwell 10, John W. Righter 20, Cornelius Husted 40, Henry Hoffman 60, Martin Lawrence 10, William H. Bostwick 20, Henry Strever 10, Daniel D. Griffin 10, Henry C. Myers 40, Edward Huntting 10, Newton Deuel 5, Justus Boothe 30, Emott Wooden 10, George W. Barton, May 22, '39, 10, Hiran Wilson, April 8, '39, 30, Hiram Wilson, March 6, 1840. 15, Walter Reynolds, March 6, 1840, 15. Total 1,000 shares.
At a bank meeting held May 14, 1839, bonds and mortgages to the amount of $26,200 were assigned by R. W. Bostwick, the president, to the comptroller as security for circulation, which was the final act to place the bank on a business footing. Weekly meetings of the board were held du- ring the year for "ordinary business." The New York business of the. bank was done through Henry Sheldon & Co., then a dry goods firm on Broadway in the vicinity of Wall Street. The minutes of a bank meeting held Thursday, Oct. 24, 1839, say: "Henry Sheldon & Co. offered Tho. Bloodgood's note dated Oct. 16, at six months for $10,000, and a power of attorney to transfer his stock in this association as collateral security for the funds this Bank may from time to time have in their hands." This of- fer was satisfactory to the bank. If the bank account against this firm was overdrawn, the drafts were honored, but to put its standing and integ- rity beyond reproach the bank, Nov. 14, 1839, sent to Henry Sheldon & Co., its note six months for $10,000 payable at the City Bank as security against loss. This note Henry Sheldon & Co. declined to receive. and returned, a high compliment to the financial standing of the bank. The first semi-annual dividend of four per cent. was declared January 9, 1840. In 1843 Aaron E. Winchell was chosen vice president, Mr. Bost- wick still being the president. William Eno was appointed attorney for the bank Jan 11, 1844.
R. W. Bostwick and Aaron E. Winchell were respectively president. and vice president in 1844, '45, '46, '47, '48. August 19, 1847, at a bank meeting John F. Hull was chosen cashier, F. W. Davis having resigned to. accept a position in a Poughkeepsie bank. Mr. Hull commenced August 26, 1847. In 1849 Justus Boothe was chosen vice-president, Mr. Bostwick president. The same in '50, '51, '52. Mr. Hull gave notice to the officers. in March, 1852, of his leaving the bank the following May, whereupon, April 3, 1852, Reuben Bostwick, son of R. W. Bostwick, was chosen teller. May 4, 1852, John F. Hull resigned as cashier, and Reuben Bostwick was
PINE PLAINS BANI
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CERTIFICATE OF STOCK.
278
HISTORY OF PINE PLAINS.
chosen as his successor "at a salary of $700 for the first year." Mr. Hull had received a thousand annually during his term from '47 to '52. R. W. Bostwick, Justus Booth and Reuben Bostwick were respectively president, vice-president and cashier in '52, '53, '54, '55, '56 and '57, when the bank closed its business, the last meeting being held Sept. 30, 1857. R. W. Bost- wick was its only president from 1839 to 1857.
The bank wound up in 1857 voluntarily. It was a trying year to financial institutions, but the Pine Plains Bank maintained its honor and good name to the last. The forty three original stockholders, the presi- dent, vice-presidents and its cashiers have passed away, John F. Hull, a. cashier, living until this year (1896), being the last survivor of the list.
STISSING BANK.
Twenty-one articles of association were drawn and subscribed to May 29, 1858, for the organization of Stissing Bank. The capital stock was to. be one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, divided into twelve hundred shares of one hundred dollars each. The stock subscribers were John A. Thompson 80 shares, Justus Boothe 120, P. W. Husted 20, C. Henry Hus- ted 20, Cornelius Husted 10, R. W. Bostwick 100, Levi Best 80, - L. Best 20, Wm. S. Eno 80, Cyrus Burnap 20, L. D. Hedges 40, John Rowe 40, Wil- liam A. Rowe 20, Walter W. Husted 20, John Ferris 100, Silas Harris 40, Jonas Knickerbocker 40, John Righter 80, Phenix N. Deuel 20, Ury Hicks 40, Samuel Deuel 60, Joel Winans 10, Frederick T. Ham 20, Zachariah Wil- bur 40, Henry H. Ham 20, George W. Barton 20, Wm. N. Sayre 20, Dudley G. Culver 20.
The first board of directors were Justus Boothe, Lewis D. Hedges, John Rowe, John A. Thompson, Wm. S. Eno, Zachariah Wilbur, John Righter, Levi Best and John Ferris, Justus Boothe being president of the board and president of the bank, and Reuben Bostwick cashier. There was no vice- president of the Stissing Bank. In June, 1858, the lot on which the bank building now stands was purchased of Ezia Pells. and in the same year the building was completed, to which later an addition was built on the north as now. Mr. Boothe was President in '58, '59, '60, '61, '62, '63, when de- clining a re-election in 1864, Mr. William S. Eno was elected to this office, Mr. Reuben Bostwick being meantime the cashier including the year 1864. In the spring of 1865 it was changed to a National Bank and called
STISSING NATIONAL BANK.
The capital stock was then reduced to $80,000, with shares of $75 each, William S. Eno was the first president and Reuben Bostwick cashier, (no vice-president.) Mr. Bostwick was cashier continuously nntil his decease
279
THE BANKS.
in 1870, when his son Fred Bostwick was unanimously appointed cashier as his successor. The following resolution in regard to the decease of Reu- ben Bostwick was passed by the directors July 1st, 1870:
"Resolved, That we mourn the loss of our valuable and highly re- spected friend and fellow citizen, and duly appeciate his valuable services as cashier of the bank in which he has served since its organization to the satisfaction of all concerned. We consider the death of Mr. Bostwick a severe loss to the community, and especially to his immediate neighbor- hood, where he was universally beloved and respected. His decease is an irreparable loss to his family of an affectionate husband and a kind and be- loved father, and his bereaved family have our warmest sympathy in their affliction."
In 1871 Walter W. Husted was chosen vice-president, the first in this office since its change to a national bank. Mr. Husted was elected annually until 1877, when he resigned, and Rev. William N. Sayre was elected his successor and held that office continuously until his decease Nov. 26, 1896. Mr. Fred Bostwick held the cashiership continuously from his election un- til his resignation in 1885, when his brother William was chosen his suc- cessor. William S. Eno was president continuously from the organization of the bank until 1895, when he removed to Philadelphia. In January, 1896, William Bostwick, the cashier from 1885, was chosen president as his successor, and John Huntting Bostwick was chosen cashier in his place. The officers now, (Dec. 1, 1896,) are William Bostwick president, and J. H. Bostwick, cashier.
REUBEN BOSTWICK. [See Lineage.]
CHAPTER XXIX.
EVERGREEN CEMETERY.
The first burial ground in Pine Plains village contained about an acre, now in the southwest corner of the present cemetery. It is said to have been purchased of the heirs of Peter Husted in 1820, by the trustees of the Union Meeting House property-now Presbyterian church-was laid out in lots which were numbered, and the trustees of said society gave the deeds. Some of these deeds are in existence.
There are two traditions in regard to the first burial in this cemetery. One is that Phebe Culver, daughter of Joshua and Lavinia Culver, who deceased November 29, 1820, was the first burial. The other tradition is, that Sally Dibblee, daughter of Ebenezer and Esther Dibblee, who deceased September 10, 1821, was the first burial. As the Culver death was the ear- lier, a presumption follows in favor of the Culver burial being the first. The first burial by removal is said to have been "Mary," wife of Reuben W. Bostwick, who deceased in 1817, and was removed from the cemetery at Mount Ross. Many head stones record earlier deaths than the two men- tioned, but they are removals.
Previous to its being used for burial purposes the deceased in this vi- cinity were buried at Mount Ross, or Vedder church, or Round Top at Bethel, or the Knickerbocker burial grounds or in family burial plots on the farms of settlers, the latter being generally used. The interest in the family burial grounds has been lost in the "breaking up" of the homestead, which under our American laws of divisional inheritance never becomes "old " in reality. The American " Old Homestead" is short lived. We have yet not nationally legalized primogeniture that the homestead may have length of days, but we seem to be drifting that way.
The old churches of here and there have disappeared and their respect- ive burial grounds are left, sentiments of the past, undisturbed, silent and motionless, except by the tramping of an occasional jackal genealogist, who believes in the personal resurrection of his ancestor and he is using the means to accomplish it.
In May, 1852, Mr. William S. Eno purchased from Dr. Cornelius Aller- ton the tract of land north of Church street, excepting what had been pre- viously sold for church and building lots on this street, and to and adjoin- ing North street, the south boundary of this purchase on this street com- mencing at the north side of the old Winchell and Hartwell store lot now owned by Charles Morgan, thence running north on the street to what is now known as the Wilson lot adjoining the cemetery on the north. This was the Peter Husted tract and subsequently came to his heirs, Mrs. Doc-
282
HISTORY OF PINE PLAINS.
tor Allerton being one of them. It included in its boundaries the old cem- etery which was reserved and excepted in the deed. Soon after this pur- chase Mr. Eno laid out the south part of it into streets and blocks, on one of which he erected his residence. He laid out two streets, one running east from North street in front of his present residence called Elm street, and one north from Church street now Pine street, the two streets inter- secting at right angles as now. Neat village residences have been built on Pine street, making it an attractive and desirable location. The part of this purchase north of the north boundary of the William S. Eno residence he laid out in plots and driveways for cemetery purposes, as an addi- tion to the old cemetery. Three parallel driveways, as entrances from North street, extending to the east limit of this addition, were made and all the intermediate ground was devoted to alleys and burial plots. The north and south driveways were the respective north and south .bounds of this addition. The system used in the new addi- tion was applied to the old yard so far as practicable without tres- pass on burials, to make it harmonize with the newly laid out grounds. Mr. Eno set pine trees on the borders of the driveways, and in other ways improved the grounds, which now make an appropriate cover- ing for the graves beneath them, and makes the name "Evergreen Cemetery " appropriate. Plots were rapidly taken and in a few years all were disposed of. Mr. Eno then laid out cemetery lots in the remainder of his original purchase, adjoining this addition on the north, as a second addition. In the sale of cemetery lots down to about this time no provis- ion had been made to keep the cemetery grounds in order. The lots sold were neglected by the owners, and the driveways were becoming foul with weeds. To remedy this a fund was raised by subscription from the re- spective lot owners as an immediate available fund, coupled by an agree- ment to pay an annual installment of two dollars on every lot in future as a perpetual cemetery improvement fund. Three trustees were appointed to receive and disburse the funds and to have the general management of the cemetery. Parties, however, who wish to provide for the care of their re- spective lots in future may do so by paying fifty or one hundred dollars and be released from annual payments. This is a wise thing to do in nearly all cases. It has never been incorporated, but under this arrangement the cemetery is well cared for. About 1890 Mr. Eno purchased a tract of land adjoining the cemetery grounds on the east from the late Arba Platt which he has laid out into burial plots, making the third addition to the original burial ground of one acre. As a whole it is now the finest ceme- tery in grounds and location in Duchess county. The grounds contain fourteen acres.
CHAPTER XXX.
WOOL CARDING AND FULLING MILLS.
MOUNT ROSS.
Mount Ross received its name from an early resident, Capt. Thomas Ross, called "Baron Ross," who deceased there in August, 1762. He was buried on the mount opposite the present residence (across the road) of Jacob. Hinsdale, and on his grave rests a heavy slab placed horizontally. The in- scription is almost defaced by exposure. As I read it Oct. 20, 1895, it is, «' Here lies all that is left of Capt. Thomas Ross who died August -, 1762,. in the seventy-second year of his age." Mrs. Smith, who has lived in the house opposite (Hinsdale house) many years, gave the inscription "Here lies the body of Capt. Thomas Ross," and as above.
When Baron Ross settled there and from whence he came I have not been able to learn. Isaiah Ross, supposed to be a son or brother, was there in the spring of 1743, and assisted Charles Clinton in running the north boundary line of the Little Nine Partners Patent, which adjoined the Liv- ingston Patent. He was an assignee of Roger Mompesson, one of the Lit- tle Nine Partners.
The splendid water power at this place on the Roloef Jansen made it a desirable point in early times. Saw mills, and grist and fulling mills were erected there, probably during the lifetime of Baron Ross, but whether or. not he had any pecuniary or personal interest in them is unknown to me. No record of such industries there as early as his death have appeared. Later, about the time of the Revolution, mills were built, and a little later- Anthony M. Hoffman owned the property.
Old account books are the essence of brevity in historical data The thing done and who did it is the "touch the button " part and you must do the rest. Thus an old account book photographs some business in Mount Ross, and when it was done.
In September, 1788, Matthew Winter, who then manufactured woolen. cloth there, sued William Slater for weaving forty-four yards of cloth at 8 pence a yard. True, only three dollars and sixty-seven cents, but he wanted the money all the same for sending that shuttle through the loom day after day. Winter was a cloth dresser there for many years subse- quent to 1788. In 1800 Valentine Wightman, or Whitman, was in posses- sion of the Mount Ross mills, (he may have been previous to this, ) and kept. a store. The first entry in an old account book of his July 24, 1800, is " Gideon Jenkins, Dr. to one pair of shoes, 10 shillings." Besides being a. merchant Wightman had the distinction of being a town officer, for, at divers and sundry times he served a summons, a venire and a warrant in
284
HISTORY OF PINE PLAINS.
1800 and 1801, which he was faithful to record. These were halcyon days for pettifoggers and justices, and also for tavern keepers who sold N. E. (New England) rum for three cents a drink. Law suits were a sort of poker game, the chips being the cost.
In May, 1802, Henry Bentley became a partner with Valentine Wight- man-as he wrote it-in the purchase of the Mount Ross mills from An- thony Hoffman. The grist and saw mills which had been there for years were thoroughly repaired, and these mills did quite an extensive business. Mount Ross was a busy hamlet. Other industries centered there, black- smiths, shoemakers, and a cooper shop. The store was a log building, one and a half story.
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