History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents, Part 52

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 52
USA > New York > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 52

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Col. Brown, after he left the army, was occasionally employed in the Massachusetts service. In the fall of 17So, with many of the Berkshire militia, he marched up the Mohawk valley to act as circumstances might require. He was slain on his thirty-sixth birthday. On the anniversary of his death in 1836. a monument was erected to his memory by his son, Henry Brown, of Berk shire, Mass,, at Stone Arabia, near the place where he fell. Upon the monument is the following inscription:

"In memory of Col. John Brown. who was killed in battle on the 19th of Oct., 1780, at l'alatine, iti the County of Montgomery. 4. 36."

Among the many sufferers at the time of this invasion by Sir John John- son and his miscreant hordes was Maj. Jelles Fonda, who at that time owned the premises now occupied by Martin Schenck, near the "Nose."

Here Maj. Fonda had erected a fine dwelling, the brick for which are said to have been imported from Holland; several barns, a grist-mill, a saw- mill and an ashery. These buildings were all burned, as were his store and dwelling at Caughnawaga, where he then resided. He subsequently located on his farm near the Nose.

THE FIRST PHYSICIAN, POST OFFICE AND BREWERY.

Dr. George Vache, was, without doubt, the first physician to settle in Palatine He located on what is now the turnpike, sometime prior to the Revolution. The farm he occupied is now a part of the estate of the late John Y. Edwards During the Revolution he was in the army. On one occasion he was pursued by the Indians, and with his horse swam the Mo- hawk three times in one night, each time being warned by a little dog, which closely followed him. About 1800, he went south on business, where he died of consumption, leaving an only son, who died young.

The first post office in the town was established at Palatine Church, about the year 1813. The oldest living inhabitants relate that it was cus- tomary in 1812, when a person wished to send a letter to a friend in the army at Sackett's Harbor, to leave it at any hotel on the turnpike, when the landlord would hand it to any teamster going that way, who would carry it as far as he went on the road, and then pass it to another of his craft, and in this way it would eventually reach its destination.

The first brewery in the town was erected about the year 1800, by a German named Moyer It was situated about a mile north of Stone Ar- abia, on lands now owned by the heirs of the late John F. Nellis. It was in operation only a few years.

SCHOOLS.

Until after the close of the Revolutionary war, the German was the pre- vailing language, and probably without an exception the schools prior to that date were taught in the German tongue. Soon after the restoration of peace, people from New England began to settle here, followed im- mediately by the innovation of the "Yankee schoolmaster." Among the early teachers of English schools in the town were John Martin and gentlemen named Crookenburg and Mackey. The former taught in the vicinity of Oswegatchie, about 1795. A building was subsequently erected for his accommodation, on the farm now owned by Jerome Van Wie. It was finished with dwelling apartments in one end, and a school room in the other He was succeeded by his son in the early part of the present century. Mr. Mackey kept a school as early as 1795 at or near Stone Arabia, in a building which stood on the farm of Jacob Snell. Crooken- burg taught near Palatine Church.

The first school commissioners and inspectors of schools were elected, in accordance with a new act of the Legislature, in April, 1813. They were Abraham Sternbergh, Henry J. Frey and John Quilhart. commissioner .; and John J. Nellis, John I Cook, Richard Young, Jost .A. Snell and Har- manus N Van Slyck, inspectors. The town was first divided into school districts-eleven in number-Dec. 7th, 1814, by David T. Zielley, Andrew Gray, and Chauncey Hutchinson, school commissioners. In the spring of 1815, a re-division was made, creating in all seventeen districts. It will be remembered that at that time Palatine embraced the present town of Eph ratah. There are now twelve well apportioned districts-a few of which are fractional-and eleven school-houses within its limit ..

THE UNION ACADEMY OF PALATINE,

A union academy. the first within the present boundaries of Montgomery county, was established at Stone Arabia, and incorporated by the Regenty nf the University, March 31st, 1795, as " The Union Academy of Palatine The only records obtainable relating to this institution, are in connertuin with those of the Reformed church of that place. At a meeting of the consistory, held January 24, 1795, composed of Rev. I). Christian l'a k. pastor ; Henry Loucks and Christian Fink, elders, and John Snell and Dietrich Coppernoll, desc ons, it was " resolved that the five acres of chur! land of the Keformed Dutch Church of Stone Arabia, which are not given to the present minister as a part of his salary, shall be given and presente' to the use and benefit of the Union Academy to be erected at Stof Arabia," On the 14th of November, 1795, the board of trustees, thruaz!

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The Homestead of J.A. FAILING Res. of G.and G. FAILING. TOWN OF PALATINE, MONTGOMERY CO.N. Y

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Res. of JOHN A. FAILING. PALATINE BRIDCE, N.Y.

Res. of PETER B. MOYER. FREYS BUSH, MONTGOMERY CO. NY

Res and Grounds of MR. ABRAM NELLIS. NELLISTON MONTGOMERY CO N. Y.

155

THE REFORMED CHURCH OF STONE ARABIA.

their president, Charles Newkirk, asked and obtained permission from the consistory of the Reformed church to occupy their school-house, which appears to have been a part of the parsonage which had been used for «hool purposes, for one year, for the use of the academy.

John Nifher was probably its first principal. Among the records above mentioned is the following: "On the 28th of Oct., 1797, John Nifher, teacher of an English school, was solemnly admitted to a member in full . ommunion of the Reformed Dutch Church, and consequently was admit- ted to the Lord's Supper."

The academy building was a two-story frame structure, erected by sub- w ription, and completed in 1799. Its site was immediately opposite the Reformed church. It was accidentally burned down in 1806 or 1807, and never rebuilt.

CHURCH HISTORY.

THE REFORMED CHURCH OF STONE ARABIA.

This is the oldest Reformed Church organization west of Schenectady, north of the Mohawk. \ religious society of this denomination was form- ed by the Rev. John Jacob Ehle, as early as 1711. Ehle was the Reformed minister for this section of the country, and his services were conducted in the German language. A log church was built about this date, on the lot now occupied by the Lutherans. The records of baptisms and marriages were kept at the Schoharie church, of which Ehle was pastor, and where he resided. The oldest record in the possession of this church is a con- tract for a deed to a lot of 52 acres, on which both the Lutheran and Re- formed churches now stand. The following is a copy:

"Memorandum of agreement between William Coppernoll and Andreas Feink, Heinrich Frey, Hans Dietrich Casselman, John Jerry Miller and all the rest of the Company of this land, Noted: the said William Coppernoll hath sold to the above said Andreas Feink, Heinrich Frey and all the rest of the aforesaid Company, a certain lot of land numbered in our patent number twenty, for a church and other uses for the same and for no others, and the said William Coppernoll is therefore paid and satisfied. And the said William Coppernoll binds himself, his heirs and assigns, in the sum of 100 pounds, good and lawful money of New York, to give a good lawful Transport for the above said lot of land before the 9th day of April, 1831. us witness my hand and seal this and day of June, 1729.

his "WILLIAM X COPPERNOLL."

mark

The deed was executed May 29th, 1732, by William Coppernoll, of Schenectady, to "Andrew Feink, Werner Diegert, Johannes Schnell, and all the rest of the proprietors and owners of the Stone Raby Patent," the · onsideration being f20.

For a time both the Lutheran and Reformed congregations worshiped in the log church. In 1733 these societies in union commenced the erec- tion of a frame church, where the present Reformed church stands. After the foundation was completed, a disagreement arose in regard to the name by which the edifice should be called, which resulted in the withdrawal of the Lutherans, who continued to hold the log church. The Reformed society proceeded with the building. Johannes Schnell and Johannes Krembs were chosen directors ot the work Bonds to the amount of £400 were given by the church and required of Schnell and Kremby. They were to be allowed two shillings and sixpence per day and expenses, for the actual time employed. They were sent to Albany to solicit funds, but with what success does not appear The articles of agreement on the part of the church were signed by Andreas Fink, John Jost schnell. John Jerry Miller, Dietrich Loucks, Sufferness Diegert, Henry Loucks and William Coppernoll. There are no data as to the size or cost of the edifire. but it was nearly five years before it was completed. This society early became in independent Reformed church, but no record shows at what date a reg- ular church organization was effected. It must, however, have been in 1743 or earlier, judging from the following inscription, written in German, on the first page of the earliest record book now in possession of the . hurch: "Church Book of the German Retormed Church of Stone Rabie, under the rule of Rev. Johannes Schuyler, P'reacher of Schohatie and Stone Rabie, and Consistory by Diedrich Loux and John Joost Schnell. Elders, and Severnus Duikert and Adam Loux, Deacons.

"Oct. 24th, 1743."

The first list of members uniting with the church is dated in 1739. when ten were admitted. The first recorded baptism is that of Henry Richard, son of Adam Loux, in 1745.

The church lot of fifty-two av res was equally divided between the Lutheran and Reformed churches, each quit-claiming to the other, March 27th, 1741 In this transaction the following persons represent the Reformed church. and signed their names to the deed given to the Lutherans : "Jost Schell. Severines Delgert, Peter Suits, William Brower, Johannes Krems, Tech Loux, Hendrick Loux, Hans Schnell, William Koppernall, Andreas Finck, Nicholas Horning and Peter Deigert."

John Jacob Ehle, as noted above, was the first to minister to this con. gregation. The first to follow him was Rev. Johannes Schuyler, who he- came pastor of the church as early as October. 1743, and continued until Jan. 3d, 1751, when the records show baptisms hy Rev. Armilo Wernig, A- minister. The latter must have left as early as 1758, for receipts for salary show that Rev. Abraham Rosenkrantz was pastor from 1759 to 1769.

Mr. Rosenkrantz at first preached at Schoharte only in connection with this church, but afterward had charge also of the churches at Canajoharie. St. Johnsville and German Flats. His salary here was £70 annually, paid promptly, as his receipts show, and from all the churches his salary must have been considerable for the time. He came to this country from Ger- many when a young man, and married a sister of Gen. Herkimer. He lat- terly settled at German Flats, now Herkimer, where he died in 1794, and was buried under the Reformed church of that place.

From 1769 to 1787 this church was undoubtedly without a pastor, as there is no record or information to the contrary, although the baptismal and marriage records were continued regularly through this period. It was supplied occasionally by the Rev. John Daniel Gross, and very prob- ably by the Rev. Mr. Rosenkrantz also, as the baptisms and marriages are by him.

The church edifice was burned, as was that of the Lutherans, Ot. 19th, 1780. After the Revolution a temporary wooden structure was erected for occasional preaching, which undoubtedly accommodated both congre. gations. In 1788 the Rev. Dietrich Christian A. Peck was called and in- stalled as pastor, when a new stone edifice was built, at a cost of $3.375. which was at that time the best church building west of Schenectady Philip Schuyler was the master mechanic. The workmen were boarded near by, the women of the church taking turns in cooking for them

On Jan. 20th, 1790, this church united with the Classis of Albany, and on the 23d of May, 1791, it was incorporated as " The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Stone Aralna," with " Rev. D. C. A. Peck as minister of the Reformed Protestant Dutch congregations of Stone Arabia and Canaaju- harie." John Zielley, Jacob Eacker, Arnout Vedder and Johannes Koch were chosen elders : and Frederick Getman, Adam Loucks, Casper Cook and Michael Ehle, deacons. Rev. Mr. Peck preached in the German lin- guage only, but kept the records in English from Jan. 17th, 1789 He re mained as pastor until 1797, when he was called to German Flats, whenet he removed to New York city, where he dropped dead in the street m 1802.

In 1799. the parsonage, adjoining the church, was built. In November, 1800, Rev. Isaac Labaugh, of Kinderhook, der opted the pastorate of th .. church in connection with that of the Canajoharie church. The sonst ... rial minutes show that, at Stone Arabia, he was to preach in three diffet ent languages, as follows: " He shall preach two sermons in the German language, then one in English, then two again in German, then one " Low Dutch." In 1803, this order was changed so as to have two & moms in English to one in Low Dutch. Mr Labaugh resigned in November. 1803, and was followed in 1804 by the Rev. John Jacobs Wach whe . .. ministered to the church at Canajohanie. His salary was Szoo from ta church. St for each funeral and marriage, and fifty cents for every info . baptism. He preached in both German and English, remaining un' ' 1828. His successor. Rev Isaac Ketchum, came in 1830, and continedi his labors to this church. His pastorate continued till 1836, when he ti signed and went to Michigan. Rev. B. B. Westfall was called and settled as pastor in 1838. Under his ministration, the congregation was blessed with a copious revival, over forty person> uniting with the church, on con- fession, at one time. The church building was also repaired and a new bell procured for it, the whole costing $2,000. Rev Mr Westfall dud here, April 6th, 1844, aged 46 years, and was buried under the church A taldet to his memory is placed in the wall over the pulpit Soon after his death, he was succeeded by Rev Charles Jukes, of tilen, who remained

156

THE HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

until 1850, when he was followed by Rev. John C. Van Liew. Rev. Messrs. Ketcham, Westfall (for a time , Jukes and Van Liew, while here, also supplied the church at Ephratah, an off-shoot of this church.

Rev. Mr. Van Liew resigned his pastorate in 1856, after which, for four years, the church was without a pastor, but was supplied by Rev. Nanning Bogardis in 1857, and by Revs. Philip Furbeck and G. M. Blodgett in 1859. The parsonage was also rebuilt in 1859, at a cost of Sr,400. Rev. L. H. Van Dyke, from the church at Blooming Grove, Rensselaer county. N. Y., accepted the pastorate of this church in 1860, and remained until 1867. He was followed in May, 1868, by the Rev. J. M Compton, who at the end of two years resigned, to take charge of the church at Colum- bus and Henderson. The present pastor, Rev. W. B. Van Benschoten, a graduate of Rutger's College, commenced his labors with the united churches of Stone Arabia and Ephratah May ist, 1872, and continues to minister to both congregations. This was once the only Reformed Church in a space of territory where eight of that denomination now exist. The present number of communicants is 76. Present consistory: Rev. W. B. Van Benschoten, pastor; Conrad P. Snell, Henry Gramps, John Kitts and Reuben Graff, elders; and Harrison Brown, Erwin Vosburg, C. K. Loucks and Aurora Failing, deacons.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF STONE ARABIA.

The early history of this church is to some extent identified with that of the Reformed church. Upon the equal division of the 52 acres of land deeded by W'm. Coppernoll to the proprietors of the Stone Arabia patent for church purposes, between the two societies, the trustees of the Reformed church gave a quit-claim deed to the representatives of the Lu- theran church, naming them in the deed. They were Martinns Dillenbagh, Johannes Keyser, Johannes Schults, Lutwick Cassleman, Nicholas Stenfel, Andreas Bessiner, Johannes Lawyer, Adam Empie, Johannes Empie, Jacob Schults, Christopher Schults, and W'm. Nellis. Only four of them were living on Dec. 29th, 1770-Johannes Empie, William Nellis, and Jacob and Christopher Schults-who on that day re-deeded this land to Christian Dil- lenbeck and Johannes Schults in trust. The original deed is lost, and probably was at the time the last one was executed. In the latter deed this clause appears, showing the existence of a Lutheran church building at that date : . " And whereas there now stands erected on the land a church or meeting place to worship God according to the usage of the Lutheran church." Whether this was the original log church built 50 years previous, or a new one had been erected, does not appear. Whichever it may be, it was destroyed by fire, with the rest of the hamlet, Oct. 19th, 1780.

The first Lutheran minister who preached here was Rev. William Chris- tian Buckmeyer, then stationed at Loonenburg, on the Hudson, but at what time is not definitely known ; neither is there any record showing the date

of a church organization or early officers. The first regular pastor at Scho- harie, and who also supplied this church at stated periods, was Rev. Peter Nicholas Sommer, a native of Hamburgh, Germany. He received his call Sept. 7th, 1742, and on the 21st of the same month, was ordained at llam- burgh as pastor of the Lutheran church at Schoharie, where he arrived May 25th, 1743, and on the 36th preached his first sermon in America. This church was included in his pastoral charge until December, 1751, when the Rev. Frederick Reis, from Germantown, became the minister. How long he remained is not known, but in 1763 Rev. Theophilus England took charge of the congregation, and continued as pastor until 1773, when he died. Sir William Johnson, in a characteristic letter, dated April 4, 1771, to the Rev. Dr. Auchmutty, writes as follows : "I desired our friend Mr. Inglis to mention a Circumstance concerning Religion here that I think you ought to know. The Lutheran minister at Stoneraby has lately in a voluntary Manner without any previous Arguments to indure him thereto desired to take orders in the Church of England, and what is much more Strange, It is the desire of his Congregation that he should do so. The great difficulty is That, they will be without a Minister during his absence, and that it will be attended with an expence whn h from their great Occon- omy, they do not chuse to Ircurr, Especially as they have some Charitable Establishments amongst themselves, that are Chargeable. If * * * it Could be Carried through without making much noise, It would add the Majority of Inhabitants of a very fine Settlement to the Church, and as they are Foreigners must strengthen their allegiance to Gov't." Dr. Auchmutty replied from New York, favorably to the change of denomination, but whether from the " great Occonomy " of the church forbidding them to

send their minister to England for ordination, or for some other reason, nothing seems to have come of the proposal.

It would seem that soon after the death of Mr. England, the Rev. Fred- erick Reis was recalled, who, after a pastorate of four or five years, again resigned and returned to Germantown. He was succeeded in 1780 by the Rev. Philip Jacob Grote, who continued his labors here until his death., which occurred suddenly on the ist of Dee., 1809, he having reached the age of 62. His remains lie buried in the cemetery near the church. Dur- ing his ministry, in 1792, the present church edifice was erected. Ile was followed in 1811 by Rev. Peter Wilhelm Domier, from Germany, who re- mained until 1826, when he returned to his native country.

L'p to this time the services had been conducted and all records kept in German. The first minister to preach in the English language was Rev. John D. Lawyer, who commenced his labors in 1827, and delivered his farewell discourse April 18th, 1830. In July following, he was succeeded by Rev. Charles A. Smith, who continued in charge until 1838, when he was followed by the Rev. Henry 1. Smith, who resigned at the end of one year. He is now Professor of German in Columbia College, New York city. Rev. Martin J. Stover became the next pastor, Jan. Ist, 1840, re- maining four years. He was succeeded in 1845 by the Rev. Adolphus Rumpff, who continued until 1854, when he was followed, in the beginning of 1855, by the Rev. S. Curtis, who remained about three years. In 1858 Rev. A. Rumpff was recalled, and continued in charge until Oct. 22d, 1865. He was followed Nov. Ist, 1865, by the Rev. Nicholas Wert, whose pasto- rate here continued nearly 12 years, closing in October, 1877. The present incumbent, Rev. W. W. Gulick, commenced his labors here about the first of November, 1877. He also holds services at stated periods in the l'ala- tine Church. The present officers of this church are, Henry Lasher, Henry Saltsman and Peter Coolman, elders ; Lysander Dillenbeck, Isaiah Sitterly and David S. Patten, deacons ; Jerry Saltsman, Geo. H. Dillenbeck and Azariah Saltsman, trustees.

PALATINE CHURCH.

The " Palatine Evangelical Lutheran Church " edifice is the oldest church building now standing within the limits of Montgomery and Fulton counties. It was built, of stone, in 1770 by the generous donations of a few individuals. Peter Wagner and Andrew Reber contributed £100 each ; Johannes Hess and six Nellises, namely, William, jr., Andrew, Johan- nes, Henry, Christian and David, each gave £60 toward its construction ; while the building of the spire, which seems to have been an after consid- eration, was paid for by the Nellis family exclusively. This church, unlike most others in the valley, was not destroyed by the British or their allies during the Revolution, for the reason, it is supposed, of the loyalist pro- clivities of one or more of the Nellises. It remained as originally built for a century, when it was remodeled and repaired at a cost of nearly $4,000, and in the fall of 1870, on its one hundredth anniversary, a grand celebration and fair was held, at which Governor Seymour delivered an appropriate address.

The society to which this church belongs seems never to have had any independent church organization, but has always been supplied by minis- ters from other churches, principally from the Lutheran church of Stone Arabia. At present the Rev. W. W. Gulick, of the latter church, hold, services here at stated intervals.

SALEM'S CHURCH.

This is often spoken of as "the German church," but its corporate title is "Salem's church of the Evangelical Association of North Amerna of the Town of Palatine." As such it was incorporated Feb. 12, 1877. with three trustees, one of whom is elected each year. The Evangeliad Association also called the Albright-, from Rev. Jacob Mbright, or Al- brecht, who founded the seet in 1800, resembles the Methodist Episcopal church in doctrine and government. It has sixteen annual conference", about five hundred ministers and 73.000 members. Salem's Church be. longs to the New York conference, Albany district and Bleecker circuit The first services of the denomination at this point were held in 1835. by Rev. Messrs. Lane, Fisher and Roth« hild, at a school-house near the present church edifice. This soon proving too small, the ball-room of Andreas Dillenbeck's hotel was used until 1839, when a union church was erected by the assistance of several German families who moved into the

MRS. WEBSTER WAGNER.

HON. WEBSTER WAGNER.

-SOARES OF HON. WEBSTER WAGNER, PALATINE BRIDGE, N. Y.V.

157

PROMINENT CITIZENS OF PALATINE-HON. WEBSTER WAGNER.

neighborhood about this time. The present church was built in 1871, at a cost of about $1,000, and stands a few rods from the site of the original structure. Rev. George H. Gelser has been the pastor for three years. Services are held on alternate Sabbaths. They have generally been in the German language, but as the old members are passing away, that tongue is giving place to the English. The membership of this church is 61. A flourishing Sabbath-school, with 75 scholars, is connected with it, of which Henry Hin, jr., is superintendent.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN A. FAILING was born September 18, 18oo, a mile west of the vil- lage of St. Johnsville. His father, J. H. Failing, removed with his family to the western border of the village, where he kept a hotel, in which our subject assisted him. The latter in 1814 had entire charge of the house and the farm for two months, while his father was with the garrison at Saekett's Harbor. The house, and even the barns, were at the time filled with soldiers, marines, ship carpenters and teamsters every night. This was the tavern pleasantly remembered by Thurlow Weed. At nine- teen young Failing entered the militia, and held successively the offices of corporal, sergeant, ensign, lieutenant and captain, being chosen to the latter post in 1825. He married Nancy Shults March 23, 1823. They have had three daughters and nine sons, of whom one daughter and five sons have died. Four years after his marriage, Mr. Failing moved to a farm of 96 acres, which his father had bought in the town of Palatine. The barn bad to be turned partly round to get it out of the highway, and the job required about eighty men an entire afternoon, with the addition of two baskets of rusks and half a barrel of whisky. Additional buildings were put up in 1828, including a cider mill, whose first season's product of fifty barrels was sold for a dollar a barrel. The wheat crops were generally large, and marketed at Troy. Latterly the farm has been chiefly devoted to dairying. Mr. Failing's estate has been enlarged by the purchase at various dates of 320 acres, and a brick house was built on it in 1837. Mr. Failing bought his present residence at Palatine Bridge in 1870. He has served one term as supervisor of the town.

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History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents, Part 52

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