History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents, Part 35

Author: Beers, F.W., & co., New York, pub
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: New York : F.W. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 664

USA > New York > Fulton County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 35
USA > New York > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 35

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105

PHYSICIANS, CHURCHES AND POSTMASTERS OF CHARLESTON.

THE SUCCESSION OF PHYSICIANS. -

Previous to the commencement of the present century, Dr. Lathrope and Dr. Babbitt were the only practicing physicians in the town. Their district, however, covered a much larger field than the doctors of the present day find, as these two practitioners had patients throughout all that section embraced in the present towns of Charleston, Glen, Root, and Florida. It is true there were other doctors practicing here, but these two were the only resident physicians. About the commencement of the present century Dr. Wm. Smith began practicing in the town. He was living near Davis' Corners at the time, and when he was riding through the woods would cut a poplar switch for a riding whip, and when he arrived at home plant it. The row of poplar trees at this point is composed of Dr. Smith's old riding whips. Among those who in the earlier history of this town took their saddle bags and traveled about, restoring the sick and wounded to health and strength, was Dr. Alexander Sheldon. He came to the town about the year 1804, and shortly afterward erected the dwelling house occupied by him until his death, and which is now owned and occupied by Mrs. Rider. Dr. Sheldon had a large practice in Charleston, Glen and Root for about forty years.

Dr. Wm. Carlisle began practicing medicine in the town about the year 1823, and about seven years afterward Dr. Henry Belding moved here from the town of Florida.

In the year 1835 Dr. Burton opened an office here, but after a few years removed to the village of Fultonville.

About this time, or shortly after, Dr. Vine A. Allen, and Dr. Heath were located here, but neither remained longer than a year or two.

Among the present physicians of the town is Dr. W. H. Biggam, who began practicing at Rider's Corners, about the year 1842. Dr. Biggam is a hale, hearty looking man, 63 years of age, and is probably the best known man in the town. A skillful physician, and a kind, genial neighbor, he has by patient attention to business gained a name and a success he well deserves

Dr. J. J. Miller, whose " Cottage Home " at Charleston Four Corners is well known to residents of the town, was born in Tompkins county, in 1835. During the early years of the war he was with the army, in the employ of the Christian Commission. He was at that time a minister of the Gospel, but eight or ten years after he took up the practice of medicine, and has been engaged in it ever since until the fall of 1877, when he started on a lecturing tour throughout the country. He has been a resident of Charleston for fourteen years.

Among the other physicians at present practicing in town are Dr. Henry Shibley, Dr. Palmer and Dr. Lumis.

THE CHURCHES OF CHARLESTON.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT RIDER'S CORNERS.

This is the oldest church in the town, and one of the oldest in this sec- tion. It was organized in 1793. The first building was erected on the site of the present structure. It was a frame edifice, and remained until the year 1833, when it was torn down and the present building erected in its place, much of the timber in the old church being used in the construc- tion of the new one. Rev. Elijah Herrick was the first minister, and he was succeeded by his son Calvin. The present pastor is Rev. Alexander Mackey, and the membership numbers about 80.

THE "CHRISTIAN " CHURCH OF CHARLESTON FOUR CORNERS.

This society was organized by an association of Free Will Baptists, on the 9th of December, 1813, with thirteen signers of the church roll. James Wilson was the first pastor The society was without a church edifice until the year 1819, when a building was erected about a mile west of Oak Ridge. and was used freely by all denominations. Previous to this time the church meetings had been held in the school house. In 1822 Elder John Ross, then 28 years of age, was called to preside over the church, and for half a "entury this faithful man of God filled his important office. The present . hurch edifice was erected in the summer of 1834. In the fall of 1872 El. +ler Rosi resigned the pastorate, and Rev. Hezekiah I.conardson was called to . ccupy the place He remained for two years, when the present pastor, i

Rev. James Wright succeeded him There are at present on the church roll the names of 165 members.

BURTONVILIE CHURCHES.

The Methodist Church at Burtonville was organized in the year 1857. The membership is in the neighborhood of too. The present pastor is the Rev. Mr. Browne.

The " Christian " Church of Burtonville was organized December 23d, 1865, and at that time there were eighteen names on the church roll. The membership at present is about 60.

POST OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS.

The first post office in the town was established at Charleston (Rider's Corners , previous to the year 1807. In that year, which is as far back as the record extends, Levi Pettibone was appointed postmaster, his ap- pointment bearing date October ist. Since that time the names of the different postmasters and the dates of their appointment have been as follows : John Guernsey, January ist, 1809. Adam Smith, January 10th, 1814. Moses Nash, Octoher ist, 1816. Adam Smith, June 3d, 1818. Benjamin Sheldon, November ed, 1822. Peter S. Wyckook, December 18th, 1823. Wm. Carlisle, March 14th, 1827. Henry H. Belding, Febru- ary zoth, 1834. Darius J. Hewett, March 19th, 1836. Thompson Burton, November 26th, 1836. Wm. H. Biggam, August 12th, 1845. Elisha H. Brumley, July 27th, 1849. Wm. H. Biggam, June 18th, 1853. Daniel W. Schuyler, March 29th, 1855. Wm. H. Biggam, November 3d, 1855. Char- les H. Van Dusen, December 4th, 1862. Wm. H. Biggam, October 30th, 1867. Cornelius D. Hall, January 2d, 1873.

When the post-office was first established at Burtonville, it was named "Eaton's Corners," and Ebenezer Knibloe was, on April 13th, 1825, ap- pointed the first postmaster. David Eaton was his successor, October 27th, 1828, and he was followed by Geo. E. Cady, May 23d, 1831. Isaac Brownell was the successor of Cady, his appointment bearing date October 20, 1837, and at this time the name of the office was changed to Burton- ville. The postmasters and the dates of their appointment from that time to the present have been as follows: Judah Burton, May 18th, 1841. Ste- phen Hoag, August 12th, 1845. David M. Scott, October 15th, 1845. J. D. Bowman, February 5th, 1850. David M. Scott, July 6th, 1853. J. Rockwell, August 6th, 1857. David M. Scott, February 19th, 1858 ; and De Witt C. Chase, April 19th, 1861.

The post-office at Charleston Four Corners was established, and Isaac S. Frost appointed postmaster, March 5th, 1828. His successors have been as follows : Jesse N. Eaton, May 12th 1832. Isaac S. Frost, November 5th, 1833. Judson McDuffee, May 21st, 1874 Horace S. Simmens, May 22d, 1876.

THE CLARKE LANDS.

In giving the history of the town of Charleston, it becomes necessary to speak of the great drawback to the advancement of the town in wealth and population, and the reason which in great part prevents it from taking a position equal with or in advance of other towns in the county. Naturally, the town of Charleston is as well adapted to the purposes of dairying or raising grain as any other in the county, if not better. As the traveller, however, passes through the town, over roads which, for the most part, are kept in much better order than those in adjoining towns, he sees in many places, notably in the central, northern and western portions, traces nf destruction and devastation, which at first he would find difficult of ex- planation. He sees charred ruins and blackened chimneys where once happy families were accustomed to gather at the fireside. He sees fences thrown down, and the fine fields formerly enclosed by them laid waste and fast retrograding into their original state. If he should ask an explana- tion of these signs of desolation, the answer would be given that these farms are on "Clarke's lands "

The circumstances attending the acquisition of these possessions by the Clarke family, and the legal phases of the matter, have been discussed in the chapter on lands, and need not be here detailed. The raising of rents at the extinction of the original leases which limited the rent to a shilling per acre , inaugurated a state of warfare between the proprietor and the

106

THE HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

occupants, with the unhappy results above described. The tenants who are driven off by the increased rents, which they either cannot or will not pay, have no disposition to leave to the landlord the houses and barns which they or their fathers built; rather than do so they apply the torch to the homestead they have been forced to leave. For five years ur more this work of destruction has gune on, and in the mean time the reputation of the town has suffered and its interests have languished.

SOME OF CHARLESTON'S THRIFTY FARMERS

JACOR M. BAIRD has resided on the farm occupied by him for nine years. He was born in the town in 1822. His father, Benjamin Baird, was a native of New Jersey, and moved to the town of Charleston in 1794. with his father. He resided here until 1867, when he moved to Port Jackson, where he died four years ago. In 1846 he was a member of the State Legislature. His son Jacob now carries on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres.

JAMES P. BUTLER was born on the farm now occupied by him, March 26, 1811. He was married to Miss Mary Bell, December 15, 1831, and has now five children living, one of whom, Benjamin F., served in the navy for nineteen months during the rebellion, and was then taken sick and sent to a hospital. Mr. Butler has a fine farm of fifty acres, mostly under cultiva- tion.

NELSON OVERBAUGH came into possession of the farm now occupied by him in 1850, purchasing it from Allen Overbaugh, who had received it from his father Christian, in 1847. Christian had owned it for forty years. The farm consists of 207 acres, located along Schoharie creek, the house being situated within twenty-five feet of the stream, which has frequently overflowed the grounds, and on one occasion covered the lower floor of the house with water to the depth of eight inches.

FRANCIS HOAG has lived on his place for thirty-five years. His father, Francis, moved into the town from Dutchess county about the commence- ment of the present century. At first he had 100 acres, but kept adding to his original purchase until his possessions amounted to 600 acres. He died in 1854. Francis, jr., was married in 1840, to Miss Nancy M Gordon. He has two children, a son, Frank J., who is located in Toledo, and a daughter, who is living at home with her parents.

D. J. BowDISH bought the farm now occupied by him in 1857, and has lived on it since that time. He has fifty acres in all, but four or five nf which are under cultivation. His son, John M., is a fine specimen of the true farmer, and has several fine swarms of bees, which he makes a special feature of his business.

NATHANIEL BOWDISH moved from Dutchess county to the town of Char- leston in 1806, and cleared his farm. Mr. Thomas W. Bowdish, his son, has always lived upon the place, and at the death of his father in 1853, he came into full possession. The farm consists of 98 acres, about zo of which are wood land. Mr. Bowdish has a grandson named Doras E. Cass now living with him.

HENRY G. STALEY settled on the farm now occupied by his nephew. Eugene W. Staley, in 1803. He cleared the farm and lived on it up to the time of his death in 1837, when the property fell to his brothers George and Jacob. George bought Jacob's share, and in 1872 Eugene W. and Loduski Staley, the son and daughter of Jacob, bought the farm from George. It contains 127 acres, 100 of which are under cultivation. Eugene and his sisters Loduski and Josephine now occupy the farm. Their father Jacob is living in Marquette county, Michigan, where he owns a farm of two hundred acres.

HOSEA DAVIS was born on the farm now occupied by him, September 16, ISIT. He was the youngest of fourteen children, twelve of whom grew tu maturity. His father, Richard, was born in Milford, Fairfield county, Connecticut, and moved to Montgomery county in 1797 Hosea was married in 1832 to Miss Phoebe Wands, and has seven children, three of whom are living at home. The brick house now occupied by Mr. Davis was built in the year 1850, and the bricks of which it is composed were manufactured on the premises.

MONES PIERSON came to Charleston in 1797 or 1798, and took up 150 acres on the Stone-heap Patent. His son, William N., was born on the farm in 1821, and came into possessinn in 1863, upon the death of his father. He has two children, a son and a daughter.

GARRET I. LANSING came from Cohnes about 1794, and took up 200 acres :

on Corry's Patent. Garret G., his son, who succeeded him, has 240 acres, mostly under cultivation. His home is now on the newer part of the farm, where he has built a very neat and pretty house; but such is the force of old associations and habits, that Mr. Lansing spends most of his time on the old homestead.

REV. JOHN ROSS.

The biography of Elder John Ross, of Charleston Four Corners, is the record of a remarkably long and useful life. He was born in the town of Galway, Saratoga county, October 7, 1794. His early years were spent on the farms owned by his father at different times in that town and several other towns of the same county. His education, so far as it was obtained in schools, was confined to those of the neighborhoods in which he lived The first which he attended-he being then a small boy-was one taught by a master named Spencer, some two miles from his home in the town uf Charlton. The county had not then been districted for educational pur- poses, and school houses were built and schools assembled wherever they seemed to he demanded. While Elder Ross was still a boy, his father removed to Cooperstown, Otsego county, but shortly returned to Saratoga county, locating in the town of Ballston or Ballstown, as it was then spelled, where our subject grew up to manhood.

He was living here in 1813, when the neighborhood was favored with a great revival of religion. Young Ross was among the converts, and in Sep- tember of that year united with a church of the Christian denominatiun. which had just been organized at the "Burnt Hills" neighborhood in Ballston. He was at this time enrolled among the militia of Saratoga county. When they were summoned to the field in the war then being waged with Great Britain, many of them prayed the Government to have them excused; but Ross, fired with patriotic enthusiasm, promptly went forward with Captain Gordon's company of Col. Rogers' regiment, show - ing his interest by furnishing his own knapsack, which was made ot tow - cloth and painted. Part of the regiment to which he belonged was sent to the northern frontier, but his company was ordered tu Brooklyn to aid in the defense of the metropolis, which was threatened by the British, and where a number of American ships were blockaded. This company was employed in the construction of Fort Greene. They leveled a corn field for their parade ground, and for harracks occupied a deserted ropewalk They were repeatedly called out in anticipation of an attack, but partici- pated in no actual engagement. When young Ross had been in the ser- vice nearly three months he was disabled by typhus fever, and was honor- ably discharged. As soon as he could leave the barracks he embarked for home on a North River sloop, which consumed five days in the voyage to Albany. After a tiresome land journey of twenty-eight miles he reached home, where, under the tender care an invalid gets only at home, he entirely recovered.

The young soldier left the field of arms to enter upon a nobler warfare. whose weapons are not carnal, but spiritual. The converts in the revival of 1813 were encouraged to take part in the conference meetings of the church, and Mr. Ross's participation in these services showed gifts and de- votiun that seemed already to mark him for the sacred office which he sub. sequently exercised for such an extraordinary length of time. He himself was led to believe it his duty to enter the ministry, and not long after hi- conversion began holding meetings in his neighborhood. He was regular. ly ordained March 7, 1819, at a school house on the old " court house hill."

Seeing a chance for ministerial usefulness in Montgomery county, Elder Ross in 1822 removed to a point some two miles east of his present res - dence, where a small church had been built at an expense of not more than $300, chiefly borne by one man. This building was used by whatever de- nominations wished to worship in it, but principally by the Christians l'ho ministrations of Elder Ross were by no means confined to this point, but he preached to congregations over a wide extent of country, from Flores on the east to Cherry Valley on the west. In spite of the abundance of hi- clerical labors he had no stated salary, but was obliged to support himself in part by secular work, among other things teaching quite a large schon! in which there were seven or eight children of one family.

In 1851 Elder Ross bought seven and three-fourths acres of land, or which his present house was built in that year, he himself doing part of the work, and his equally industrious wife making the carpets before the room. were ready for them. Wise provision was made for the beauty of the place

ELDER J. ROSS.

MRS . J. ROSS.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH CHARLESTON 4 CORNS

Res. of, ELDER JOHN ROSS., Charleston Four Corners, Montgomery Co N.Y ..

107

THE MINISTRY OF ELDER JOHN ROSS.

by the planting of the now large and handsome trees before the house, 'to be seen in the accompanying engraving , which Elder Ross brought as sap- lings on his back from a neighboring swamp. Soon after the original pur- chase, he bought a small lot containing the beautiful grove to the west of bis barn, and subsequently fifty acres more in the same direction. From the farm thus made up he has sold one acre for an addition to the cemetery adjoining his church, which is represented in the illustration on another page.

This church was built in 1834, though Elder Ross had been the pastor of a congregation here since his removal to this county. This pastorate be held for the extraordinary period of fifty years, when in 1872 he felt obliged by advancing age to resign it. This was reluctantly permitted by his people, with the condition that he should supply the pulpit until the choice of his successor. This he did, and also officiated from the removal of the latter until the arrival of the present pastor, a period of over six months. It would certainly be difficult, if not impossible, to match this record of more than half a century of ministerial labor by one man for one coogregation. The value and acceptability of the pastor's services which are implied in it, need hardly be pointed out. It would be impossible to estimate in words or figures the fruits of these fifty years of pastoral work. As one item it may be mentioned that thirteen young men from among El- der Ross's parishioners have gone forth to preach the gospel of which he was so long a minister. The Christian church at Rural Grove has been largely recruited from this one since its organization in 1854, seventy-seven members from Charleston Four Corners joining it in 1865, as it was nearer their homes. Up to that time Elder Ross had pastoral charge at both places. As this faithful soldier of his country and the cross took up arms

in his youth to defend the nation from foreign invaders, so in his age he raised his voice against its destruction by domestic traitors. He took a firm stand in favor of the war for the Union, holding meetings in his church in favor of the cause. On the 7th day of October, 1877, he celebrated his 83d birthday by preaching in the evening to a large congregation

Elder Ross was married Sept. 16, 1819, to Miss Lovina Ames, of Ball- ston, Saratoga county, where he was then living. Their son and only . hild. born June 25, 1821, went to Hamilton, Ohio, in 1843. where he was for some time engaged in teaching. He intended devoting his life to the min- istry, and was a licentiate when the hopes of the church and his many per- sonal friends were blasted by his untimely death in February, 1849, owing to a relapse after an attack of the measles from which it was thought he had recovered. He was a young man of high character and great promise. A cortege of eight hundred persons followed his remains to the grave.

The golden wedding of Elder and Mrs. Ross gave opportunity for those who, with their parents, had enjoyed his ministrations and her cheering and helpful presence among them to show their appreciation. This was done by 4 large and most interesting social gathering, at which feeling letter- from distant friends were read, and valuable gifts presented to the loved and honored servants of God, who have done so much good in the neigh- borhood and made so many friends. They are nearing the close of their useful lives with intelligence unimpaired and a good measure of health and strength. Elder Ross still takes the necessary care of his livestock. and with his good wife receives the visitor with cheerful hospitality ; the venerable couple are spending in comfort and honor, and with the best wishes of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, the rest they have so well earned.

108

THE HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

THE TOWN OF FLORIDA.

This town, the most south-easterly of Montgomery county, is bounded northerly and easterly by the Mohawk river, southerly by the line of Schenectady county, and westerly by the Schoharie creek. It contains about 29,436 acres of land, and but few of these are untillable. It is the second town of the county in point of area-Root only being larger. It has a variety of soils, and possesses some of the richest lands of the county. It contains the highest table lands-Bean Hill-in the county; the same range is also called Shellstone. The town, while pleasantly i lulating, has no savage bluffs nor barren ledges to mar its surface. The Mohawk river, with its varying band of rich flats, forms its entire northern bound; while its western is the famed Schoharie creek, a stream of quite respect- able volume, affording numerous water privileges, several of which are fairly utilized and others waiting to be occupied. The stream takes its rise among the spurs of the Catskill range in Greene county; it traverses the whole length of Schoharie and southern part of Montgomery counties, till it debouches into the Mohawk river at Fort Hunter. It is a passionate giant, often, at spring-flood or sudden freshets, sweeping down a mighty volume, fiercely scorning its ordinary channel. It is crossed at Fort Hun- ter by a fine aqueduct of fourteen stone arches, bearing a wooden trunk for the channel of the Erie canal. A slight dam of the creek at this point makes it also, by means of a portion of the old canal, a valuable feeder for the present Erio canal. The town is also traversed by the Chuctenunda, a small but pretty stream that flows from a body of water called Maria's Pond; itself connected with a more secluded lakelet known as Feather- stonehaugh's Lake, which is popularly supposed in places to be fathomless. Maria's Pond is about one by three miles in area, and furnishes a valuable water power, never yet fully employed. The Chuctenunda, after a course of about fifteen miles, empties into the Mohawk river at Port Jackson. A smaller and inconstant stream also falls into the river nearly opposite Cranesville. A quiet little mirror, known as Young's Lake, nestle, in a dell on the margin of the schoharie creek.

The town is mainly agricultural, and is well adapted to a varied range of products, well able to keep pace with varying markets. Wheat was formerly its staple and largely remunerative crop. Then barley became the monopolist, to be succeeded by oats and other cereals. A good deal of fine fruit is also yearly produced for market, and home consumption. Apples, pears and plums find a congenial home, while smaller fruits are not neglected. Most of the alluvial flats of the river and Scoharie creek are devoted to broom corn ; a considerable amount of cheese is annually produced by several factories, which stands well in market, and which con- stitutes no mean item in the town's exchequer.

THE LOWER MOHAWK CASTLE.

Within the borders of this town, at the confluence of the Schoharie with the Mohawk, was located the lower Mohawk castle, a centre for the tribal gathering», discussions and decisions, and liter attaining eminence as historic ground. The Moboes, or Mohawks as the name is now written, are commonly regarded by historians as among the most powerful and intelligent of our savage aborigines; of good stature, and athletic frames. naturally warlike and brave, they possessed in large measure all the quali- ties making up the savage's highest type of a man. The tribe held exten- sive hunting grounds, which they jealously guarded, and were not over particular in the matter of encroachment upon the territory of weaker neighbors. This lower castle, called by them Tiononderoga, written also Dyiondarogon, became early an important centre, radiating its influence for

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History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents, Part 35

Author: Beers, F.W., & co., New York, pub Publication date: 1878 Publisher: New York : F.W. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 664

Author: Beers, F.W., & co., New York, pub
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: New York : F.W. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 664