USA > New York > Fulton County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 38
USA > New York > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 38
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114
THE HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
This was a great fishing place for the Indians, who reserved it in their negotiations with the white> In the spring, when the suckers came up the stream to deposit their eggs, great quantities were caught here by the fisher- men, who were on hand day and night. The current was so swift that the fish could pass up only near the shore A sort of pound was built out from the bank, enclosed, except for a space at the lower end, into which the fish flocked and were taken out with a net. Hooks and lines were also used. The construction of the dam at Fort Hunter prevented the fish from ascending the stream, and spoiled the fishing ground.
The Frederick mills were leased, with eight acres of land, to Thomas Tallman and James Persons, who built a grist mill, a carding machine, an oil mill, and a blacksmith shop, with a trip hammer. They did a thriving business, until they were entirely burned out in 1806. They rebuilt, but soon sold out to Wareham Scott, he to Lyndes Jones, he to Samuel Jack- son, and the last to John J. Wells, an active, enterprising man, who built a saw mill in 1828, and afterward a plaster mill, a distillery, and several houses. The dams which he built for the use of his mills were repeatedly swept away by freshets, and finally the distillery, plaster mill and a large barn were destroyed by the same agency. Mr. Wells was nearly bankrupted by his loss, and a store owned by him was sold out to his creditors at high prices : in the stock were two beaver fur caps, and the men who got them used to boast of wearing forty dollar caps. Wells sold the rest of his property here in 1861 to Charles Fieldhauer, who beside running the mills, manufactured brooms. The whole establishment was burned out in 1863, and the ground sold to a Mr. Veeder, who built grist and saw-mills, which be sold to Mr. H. Buchanan, the present owner.
Very early in this century, Henry, son of Peter Voorhees, built a store at the Florida end of the bridge then spanning the Schoharie at Mill Point. In 1816 the building was taken down and removed to Minaville.
PIONEER SCHOOL HOUSES.
The first frame school house in the northern part of Florida was built in 1806, at Belding's Corners, on the site of the present school house of District No. 3. The Methodists of the neighborhood contributed toward its erection, in order that they might use it also as a meeting-house. John Van Derveer, Daniel Herrick and Squire John Green, were the building committee. Bartholomew Belding, in whose barn religious meetings had been held, took an active part in behalf of the church in the construction of the new edifice. The only survivors among the first pupils who studied in this building are Garret Van Derveer, of Florida, and John Herrick, who now lives in Otsego county. Two of their school mates have recently died-Isaac De Graff and his sister, Mrs. Jennie Barkhoff.
The first school-house in the southwestern part of the town was a log one, built about 1785. on what is now George Serviss' farm. The first teacher was a man named Wright.
The first frame school house in this region was built on the site of the present No. 9.
LEADING MEN IN FLORIDA'S HISTORY.
We ought not to forbear mention of the worthies whose good deeds and upright lives have come down to us as examples of the good and true, for "- When a good man dies.
For years beyond our ken, The light he leaves behind him lies U'pon the paths of men."
David Cady, a young surveyor from Stonington, Conn probably about 1780, found his way to this part of Mohawk district, as already stated. He became agent for Watts, who subsequently purchased the Earl of Abingdon's lands, and relations of intimacy and confidence subsisted between the two until death interrupted them David Cady married Ann. daughter of Lawrence Shuler, in 1;84 Thenceforward he resided in Florida, until his death in 1818. He became a leading man in the town as merchant and farmer, honorably secured a large property, filled for a long time the offices of district justice, supervisor, and county judge, was a member of the Legislature, and held a commisvon as captam of militia under tiov. George Clinton, 1:92. The house built by Judge Cady was regarded as quite a wonder. The carpenter's wife came to see it when done, and when the mistres, remarked thit their furniture had not yet
arrived from Albany, exclaimed, "O dear, if I had such a house I wow !! not care if I had'nt any furniture !"
The famous jurist, Daniel Cady, was in his youth for some time an in- mate of this house. To that same house came also a young Englishnl ... who had been a commercial traveler in his early home, and here embarkt ... in a small way at first, in the line he knew the best, winning by industry and intelligence daily a larger sphere. Samuel Jackson, for this was hi name, became a successful merchant, a wealthy capitalist and a large land owner, and won a respected place for the qualities he evinced, and that led him to so large success. He filled acceptably various town offices and was member of the Legislature, and Presidential elector. He maintained an elegant home in the town of his adoption through a very long life, and his ashes now repose in the Minaville cemetery. Mr. Jackson and Mr. Cady became partners in mercantile affairs, bought and shipped wheat to New York, receiving generous returns for their ventures. Mr. Jackson married and settled in the near vicinity, and built a fine residence, that yet wear. bravely its years. He brought the first piano into the town, for the use of his family. Mrs. Jackson, a woman of energy, tact and judgment, " looked well to the ways of her household." She had a great fondness for flowers. and rare plants, and was most successful in their culture. For years her garden was a thing of beauty, and she transferred o it many a neglected wild flower that developed in new and greater beauty under her care. Her husband gratified this passion by seeds and plants from distant locali- ties. A package of nameless seeds thus sent, she planted in boxes in her house, and cared for the tender seedlings all winter, and from those seeds came the first locusts in the town, and doubtless the stock of all the later progeny. Her wilderness of roses, and gay beds of gorgeous colors, at- tracted passers by to stop and admire. She survived her husband several years, and now lies beside him.
Doctor John De La Mater, born and reared in this town, became a physician of eminence. For many years he was an able professor in his calling. at Fairfield, and at Cleveland, Ohio. He died there, a "beioved physician " for his amiable disposition, gentle manners and goodness of heart.
George Smith occupied a prominent place in the social and political annals of the town. He filled usefully and ably several town offices, and was a courteous and successful merchant. He gave the name of Minaville to the little hamlet of his residence. He married two daughters of Judge Cady, and built a residence, at the time of its erection regarded the finest in the county-a dwelling whose carvings and enrichments constitute it a good evidence of his fine taste and generous views. Mr. Smith was a man of natural polish, always the gentleman as well as an intelligent business man. He subsequently purchased and improved Fort Johnson, and dwelt there until his death.
Doctor Stephen Reynolds resided at Minaville, and was a man of gene ral information, an ardent agriculturist, even publishing some small works upon the subject, and by his thrift and acumen amassed a handsome property. He was the father of Mr. Marcus T Reynolds, the distinguish ed lawyer, who reached a foremost rank in his profession, and obtained large practice at Amsterdam, and at Albany, where he died, ripe in year-
Born and reared in this town, Samuel Voorhees and John Watts C'ads were school-mates together at the old stone manse at Fort Hunter, were fitted for college, entered and graduated at U'nion. Doctor Voorhees studied medicine with Doctor Reynolds, married his daughter and settled early at Amsterdam, where he resided until his death. full of years. Hew . always happy to tell his boyhood pranks and live over again his carbet years. John Watts Cady, after his graduation, entered the office of Dann ! Cady, at Johnstown, and was afterwards his partner for some years, alwas . his esteemed friend and associate through life. He received honoris evidence of popular favor, being elected supervisor, justne, member of the Legislature, and representative in Congress He resided always at John -. town until his death, scarcely past his prime, in 1854, a genial, genefor- man, always regarded of strictest integrity, of liberal views, and unblemish- ed honor.
To this namesake Mr. John Watts presented a large Bible, London, 1753. Upon the cover are the Watts coat of arms, and the inscriptions. "New York, 20th July. 1790. Presented to the congregation in Warren- burgh, of which Rev. Mr. James Dempster is now minister." "1814. P'te sented to John Watts Cady, of John-town, by his friend John Watts, New York." It is in excellent preservation, and an interesting rehe of past years. Mr. Watts, besides the Bible, presented to Mr. Dempster's congre.
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RESIDENCE & GROUNDS OF MR. ALBERT C. PHILLIPS , FLORIDA N. Y.
2FURNITURE STORE
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CASKET MANUFACTORY
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FURNITURE & CASKET FACTORY of M! CHAS. TIMMERMAN. AMSTERDAM , N.Y.
RESIDENCE OF MR. JACOB HOUCK , FLORIDA . N. Y.
115
EMINENT CITIZENS OF FLORIDA-VILLAGES OF THE TOWN.
gation a piece of land, which is still known as the Dempster lot.
The Hon. Platt Potter, now Judge of the Supreme Court, passed his first professional years in Florida, and was the boon companion of a kin- dred circle. He removed to Schenectady, where he still resides. Henry P. Voorhees, Tunis Hubbard, Cornelius Phillips and John Barlow were men worthy of note; and Col. Peter Young, an intelligent and upright man. spent a well-lived life in this town. His home was a secluded one, in a dell near the Schoharie creek and a small sheet of water bearing the name of "Young's Lake." The farm is still in possession of members of the family, and boasts of a monster maple tree, that has been tapped yearly over a century, and still yields generously its sweets. Col. Young was esteemed in the community for his probity and christian character. He held various town offices, and also represented his district as member of Assembly. He raised a large family, and died in the home he so long occupied.
Rev. Nicholas Hill, originally from Schenectady, was long a resident of the town, and made a lasting impress upon his time. At the early age of ten years he became a drummer in the army, and so served until the close of the Revolutionary war, when he took up his life's work. A man of vigorous mind, of executive force and determined zeal, he became a Metho- dist preacher of wide note. He preached in dwellings and barns, and reared churches, and beat the reveille that aroused many a hardened sin- ner. He owned a fine farm, and reared a large family upon it; but he never forgot his higher calling, and for a half century or more never feared to declare "the whole counsel of God," and to invite the thirsting to the "river of the waters of life." He was the father of Mr. Nicholas Hill, jr., who reached eminence as a lawyer, residing in Albany, and well known by his voluminous and able law reports.
This town was the native place of one of the most eminent ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. John Dempster, D. D. He was born about 1793, entered the ministry at the age of twenty-two, and was appointed presiding elder at thirty-five. He won a great name and ex- erted a powerful influence by the stirring eloquence with which he preached among the pioneer posts of Methodism in Central New York and else- where. At the age of forty-twn he went as a missionary to Buenos Ayres. His father, Rev. James Dempster, the Scotch Presbyterian clergyman else- where mentioned, was educated at Edinburgh University, but his son's education was neglected until after his conversion, in his eighteenth year. From that time forward he studied with extreme diligence in all the oppor- tunities he could snatch from his arduous ministerial labors. He thus overcame his early disadvantages. and his rank is with the scholarly men of the church. Returning from South America, he spent the last twenty years of his life in founding and in professorships at several theological in- stitutions of his church, including one at Concord, N. H., and was acting as president of Garret Biblical Institute. at Evanston, Ill., when he died, in 1863.
Entering the store of his brother-in-law, George Smith, at twelve, Jay C'ady early gave evidence of more than ordinary capabilities. Absent for a time from the town, he returned in 1826, and for many years held a leading place in its affairs. A merchant of sagacity, a wise counsellor, pub- liv spirited and far seeing, he everted his influence always for good. He Tetnoved to Schenectady, as president of the Schenectady Bank, holding the position until his death in 1874. He accumulated a large fortune, which he tised generously. The needy never appealed to him in vain.
VILLAGES OF THE TOWN.
Four post offices supply the mail facilities of the town. Pokr JACKSON, the largest of the villages, lies upon the canal and river opposite Amater- dam, and afford- pleasant homes for many persons doing business at that place, besides other inhabitants, numbering in all about 500.
It has one church, Reformed, built in 1850, in good repair, and well at- Tended. A commodious public school-house. coal yards, grocery stores, and mechanics' shops, supply well the wants of its people and vicinity. . \ spacious dry dock affords good facilities for repairs of canal boats, and the freighting interests of the canal form no inconsiderable item in the business of the place, large quantities of coal, iron, flax seed, linseed oil cake, machinery, grains, and heavy merchandise, being received here in transit.
I'ruminent among the enterprising residents of the business portion of -
the town of Florida, are the members of the firm of Van Buren & P'ut- man, who located in Port Jackson, in 1861, succeeding Van Antwerp and Van Buren in the flour, feed and grain business. They now do an annual business of $125,000.
J. A. Eldrett has an extensive manufactory of carriages and sleigh- st the same place, and J. W. Perkins a superior foundry and machine shop Lewis Phillips is engaged in the grocery business, as well as attending to his farm on the river.
W. H. Moore, through his well kept hostelry, attends to the wants ot the traveling public.
Chauncey Munsell is an educator of the tastes of the people, in the eret - tion of model dwelling houses for their comfort and convenience.
Port Jackson stands on land which, at the time of the construction of the Erie Canal along here, was owned by Ephraim Brockway and Lewis Phillips. There were then only three houses at this point, which was spoken of by the people of the neighborhood as "down to the ferry," the ferry being then in operation. Soon after the canal was opened, John Stilwell erected a brick store building now occupied by Van Buren & Putman as a feed store, in which he for several years carried on a large trade. He also did an extensive business in lumber. A few years lifer George Warwick started an opposition store. The only stores in thi, region in the first years of this century, were one carried on by a man named De Forest, just below the Blood farm ; another on Yankee Hill, kept by one Hall, on the place now owned by John Dean, and a third on the property now owned by N. J. Becker. Ephraim Brockway, alive- named, kept a tavern on the place belonging to J. J. Gray, at Port Jackson. There were others on Lewis Phillips' farm and at Yankee Hill, the last kept by Hallet Greenman, and standing on the farm now owned by J. Walrath.
SCOTCHBUSH POST-OFFICE, perhaps better known as Powder Spring, is a small hamlet of private dwellings, with a school-house and some shops, on the eastern border of the town, near a powder spring of considerable local notoriety and resort. Its waters have been analyzed, and are deemed etti- cacious in rheumatism and cutaneous diseases. The spring is nicely curbed and pavilioned. The flow, though not copious, is constant, and cattle seek the milky stream with avidity. A hotel and bath-houses have been pro- jected here, but not constructed.
MINAVILLE, nearest the geographical centre of the town, received its name in 1818, replacing the not very distinctive title "The Street," or its less elegant form of "Yankee Street," by which it was long known. It was early and for many years quite a centre of country trade. It is prettily situated in a wide, verdant bowl, whose southern rim is the Shellstone and Bean Hill ranges, and its northern horizon a lower line of ridges, form- ing a woody fringe. Through it flows the winding Chuctenunda. The quiet air of thrift and comfort that rests upon the place is not unattracine, and one could find here a pleasant home if seeking seclusion. " the world forgetting, by the world forgot." Two churches, stores, a hotel, " hool- house, a cheese-factory and several shops are comprised in the village. The Reformed church was built in So8. The residence now occupied by Gen. E. A. Brown was erected in 1811, and was then famous as the finest private residence in the county of Montgomery.
Dr. Z. H. Barney, of Minaville, is a native of Vermont. He gr.nlut- ated at Castleton College in that State, and began the practice of medi me in Saratoga county, N. Y., whence he removed to Port Jackson in aNah. and two years later to Minaville, where he has since followed his profes- sion. He is seventy-eight years of age, and probably the oldest practu ing physician in the county.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Minaville was organized about 18 35, and the present building erected. The men chiefly instrumental in found- ing this church were Rev. Nicholas Hill, Samuel R. Grittith, Henry Pettin- gill, Benjamin Herrick, William Thayer and Marcus P. Rowland. Among the preachers here have been Revs. Henry Stead, Henry 1. Stark, Steb- bins, Joseph Connor, Ripley, Warner, J. W. Devendorf, Clark, Joseph Cope, Witherell, Jarvis, Duvall, Townsend and J. Hull, the latter now m charge.
Soon after the organization of the se cie y a great revival occurred. under the labors of the Rev. Mr. Starks, which added largely to the onginally small membership of the church. It was again reduced, however, by the formation of the Methodist societies at Fort Hunter and elsewhere, and there are now only about fifty members. Jacob Earnest, one of the view- ards, has held the position some forty years. A parsonage was built about
116
THE HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
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the year 1840, and the total value of the church property is estimated at from $3,500 to $4,000.
At a place formerly called MUDGE HOLLOW, on Chuctenunda creek, about a mile and a half from its mouth, there were, about the beginning of this century, two grist-mills and a tannery, the mills owned by one Rowland and Mudge & McDonald, and the tannery by Bethuel Dean. These buildings, together with a saw-mill at the same place, have passed away. On the site of the latter, which was owned by Andrew Frank, now stands the Serviss saw mill. Haslett & Curtis were hatters in the Hollow in the time of its prosperity.
PRESENT CHURCHES.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FLORIDA.
This is popularly known as the Scotch Church. Its founders were Scotch people who settled here toward the close of the Revolutionary war. The church is known to have been in existence in 1798, and was probably or- ganized at least ten years earlier, though the year is not positively known. The following were the first members : John Adair, John Milmine, John McKerlie, John McKie, Mexander Murray, John Lyle, Wm. Lander, Daniel Munson, John MeGloch, John Smeallie, Alexander Ke- hie, An- drew Crawford, James Murray and D iniel Morrison.
The first house of worship was built in 1800, on a plot of ground which belonged to the farm ef Mr. Derrick Van Vechten, in the eastern corner of the town. The present house was erected on the same site in 1846. The first interment in the burying ground attached, was made in 1802. The church lot was given by Mr. Van Vechten in consideration of five shillings and a pew in perpetuity.
Probably one of the first preachers to this society was Rev. James Demp- ster, elsewhere spoken of. Dr. John Blanks was pastor for 1802 till 1816; the Rev. Mr. Donaldson from 1817 to 1820 ; Rev. Peter Campbell from 1823 40 1843 ; Rev. George M. Hall from 1849 to 1862 ; Rev. R. D. Wil- liamson from 1862 to 1870. The present pastor, Rev. R. Rngers, took charge in 1871.
The present membership is about 150. The Sunday school was organ- ized in 1850. The scholars at present number about 90.
THE FORT HUNTER METHODIST CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal society of Fort Ilunter was organized by the Rev. Mr. Parks in 1856. Meetings were at first held in the school house south of the present church. Mr. Parks was followed by Rev. Messrs. A. G. Devendorf, Elliott, Craig, Rose, Bell, Clark, Cope, Witherell, Duvall, Townsend, Wood and Hall.
The present church was built in 1860, and dedicated in January, 1861, during the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Craig. The trustees at that time were : John L. Voorlives, Cornelius Wemple, John W. Briggs, Spencer Voorhees, Giles Ohlen, Nicholas Noukirk, John McGraw, Nel-on Reese, and H. ... Devendorf. The church is a wooden building, 30 by 40 feet, and cost $1,450. The lot of half an acre cost $50.
FLORIDA FARMS AND FARMERS.
WILLIAM MCCLUMPHA in 1857 located on, and has since owned, one hundred and ten acres of land, known as the Belding farm.
L. Pim LIPS owns a farm of some three hundred acres, which Lewis Phillips settled on about 1770. It was afterward owned by Philip, John and David Phillips.
The farm of A. C. P'uit stps was in the possession of three generations of the family before him. It was originally settled and owned by Cor- nelius Phillips, who was killed at Orishany. His son, William, was the next proprietor, and handed down the estate to his son, Cornelius, on whose death, in 1865, it fell to his son, the present owner.
The farm now owned by HIRAM HUBBS was first occupied by Jacob Vanderveer after the Revolution, and next by his son, Asher. Cornelius and John Hubbs then owned the place until the present proprietor came into possession. A family burial ground on the farm contains the remains of the former generations of the family.
R. M. HARTLEY's farm was something of a business centre about a cen- tury ago, there being a grist mill, potash works, a small store, etc., at this point, no traces of which remain.
L. CONOVER is the third of the name who have owned the farm on which he now lives. The first was Ruloff Connver, from New Jersey, who purchased it, about 1790, from one Phillips, and occupied it until his death in 1823. It then passed into the hands of his son, Cornelius, who died in 1865, leaving the property to the present owner.
RICHARD DAVIS is the proprietor of a farm owned by one Kline during the Revolution, afterward by Benjamin Pettingill, and then by C. Bent, until it came into the possession of Clark Davis about 1835. From him it passed, in 1865, to his son, who has since owned and occupied it.
J. Q. JOHNSON owns a farm, part of which was the old Johnson home- stead, the buildings on which stood south of the present ones, and on the opposite side of the creek. Andrew Johnson located here about 1790, and remained until his death in 1806. William and Daniel Schuyler bought out his heirs and kept the place until 1828, when Jacob, a son of Andrew Johnson, purchased it. He lived in the old house until 1832, when he bought the adjoining property, on which he lived until his death in 1874. The estate then fell to the present owner. His house was built by Dr. Stephen Reynolds in 1804, and is thus one of the oldest in the town. The ground for the Chuctenunda Cemetery was bought off this farm in 1860.
DANIEL SCHUYLER'S farm was owned by William Schuyler about the time of the Revolution. It fell to Jacob Schuyler in 1789, and on his death in 1806, to his son, Daniel, from whom it descended to the present owner in 1862.
A. SERVISS is the great-grandson of the original owner of his farm, which was also the property of his grandfather, Christopher, and his father, Law- rence Serviss. The present owner inherited the property in 1848, and has since occupied it.
J. H. STALEY's farm was taken up by one Bunn. It was afterward owned by John Staley until 1862, when it came into the hands of the present proprietor.
The place owned by JAMES CASEY was settled scon after the Revolution by Robert Casey, and remained in his hands until his death in 1841, when it fell to the present owner, who has made it his home from that time.
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