USA > New York > Fulton County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 74
USA > New York > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 74
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Mills and Perth Center. The road is doing a fair business. About two hundred and fifty tons of coal were sold at this station in 1876, to con- sumers in Mayfield and Broadalbin.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Previous to the year 1830, the justices of the peace were named by a council of appointment of the Supreme Court, held in Albany. Min. Romyne and Alex. Murray were the first justices, appointed in 170%. In t 830 the first election for justice of the peace occured, when Samuel 1. Gilbert was chosen. The present justice is John M Buchanan.
VILLAGES.
MAYHIELD CORNERS is the chief village, a little north of the center of the town. The first owner of the land on which it is built was Selah Woodworth, who came from Salisbury, Connecticut, two or three years before the Revolution, with his brother Solomon. Selah, according to Mr. Simms, purchased from Sir W'm. Johnson one hundred acres at May- field, while his brother bought and settled upon an equal tract, most of which is now known as Munsonville. Others are said to have settled in the same neighborhood at the same time named Cadman, Jonathan Can- field and Captain Flock. The Indians and tories being rather troublesome. Selah Woodworth returned to Connecticut until after the close of the Revolutionary war, when he returned to Mayfield and settled upon the farm on the west side of the village, now owned by John Green, Esq., and known as the Servis farm. Some buildings began to be erected, such as a church, hotel, stores, tannery, blacksmith shops, dwellings, etc. . \t present the village contains two churches, two blacksmith shops, a carriage and sleigh manufactory, six stores, a hotel, a harness shop, a shoe shop. a cider mill, four mitten and glove shops, two cooper shops, a printing of- fice, a school-house, and 55 dwellings, with 70 families.
RICEVIL.L.K. about one and a half mi es southwest of Mayfield . illage. and situated on the Mayfield creek, was settled about the same time as Mayfield Corners. Between the years 1785 and 1830, Riceville was a Hourishing little village, containing at one time two taverns, four stores, a grist-mill, saw-mill, foundry, distillery, clothier's mill, skin-mill, school- house and several dwellings. The owners of the real estate, Mewis. Click and Clancey, became involved in lawsuits with each other to such an ex- tent that in a few years the business of the place had entirely left it. the mills and machinery went to decay, and Riceville remained a desolate place until a change of owner-, when it tried to regain its lost fortune. But in the meantime Mayfield village grasped the opportunity, and became and remains the business center of the town. Riceville now contains two skin dressing mills, a grocery store, a school-house and about IS or 20 dwellings.
Vare's Mars is a hamlet with a post office. in the southeast part of the town, and was settled from 1790 to 1795 by Daniel Lefferts who owned the first saw-mill) and others., In No4. William Vail, grandfather of the present owner, came from Connectout and purchased the property now ow ned In Istas George, Egg. together with that now owned by his grand- son. Val's Mills contains a hotel, school-house, store and post office. grist- mill, saw mill and planing mult, wagon shop, tin shop, tannery, mitten shop, kid shop, blacksmith shop. and about thirty dwellings.
CRANBERRY CREEK is about five miles northeast of Mayfield village and near the east line of the town, on a small stream from which the hamlet takes it name It was settled soon after the Revolutionary war It con- tain- a part ofice, established about toin, a store and hotel, saw mill, order-mill. school-house and about fifteen dwellings
Cross visitas a hamlet in the southeast part of the town. It was settled chom the year 1795 liy' a Mr Harmon, who bath a grist-mill. At one tone there were two large paper mills, and other manufacturing interests at this place, but there remain at present only one paper-mill, a school-house. ind about fifteen dwellings.
Avinowyver is a small hamlet about two miles southwest of Mayfield village It was settled in 1812 or 1815 la 1 chbens Barton, who came from Connecticut, located on the hill south of the creek, now known as the Anthony creek, and soon after built a carding-mill. the first in the town, and in 1816 or 1817 a brick house, the second in the town. He sis lant a saw-mill in 1820. A blacksmith shop was built about that tune, and in a few yearsafter iron works with a trip-hammer About 1833, the property
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229
THE HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
passed into the hands of John M. Anthony, who carried on quite an exten- sive business as an iron worker. Orrin A. Anthony is the present owner of the property. He manufactures axes and most kinds of edge-tools. Heis also the patentee and manufacturer of the American lifting jack, a washing machine, churn, etc. The hamlet contains at present the iron works, carpenter and paint shops, and about eight dwellings. The G. & N. Railroad crosses the highway about a quarter of a mile north of the place.
MUNSONVILLE. on the Sacondaga road, about two miles southeast of Mayheld village, was settled by Solomon Woodworth just before the Revo- lution. He was soon joined by other pioneers named McLaren, Snyder, Goodmaster, etc. After a few years the real estate passed into the hands of Messrs. Vandenburgh, Leversee and others, and is now owned by Messrs. Vandenburgh and Munson, from the last of whom the place takes it name. E. B. Munson, Esq., is a blacksmith by trade, and carries on the wagon and sleigh making business extensively. This is the only manufacturing done at this place. The hamlet, besides Munson's establishment, contains a post ofice, school-house, and twelve dwellings.
WOODWORTH'S CORNERS, about a mile west of the village of Mayfield, was settled about the year 1790. The deed given to Selah Woodworth conveyed the land now occupied by this hamlet, and the farm owned and occupied by W. D. Woodworth, from whom the place takes its name, is a portion of it. The buildings are, one tannery, one grist-mill, one carpenter shop, and about twenty dwellings.
JACKSON SUMMIT, a hamlet about three miles north of Mayfield village, om Mayfield creek, was at one time quite a flourishing place, containing a tannery, two saw-mills, a measure and wooden-ware factory, a clothes-pin shop, shoe shop. store, post office, school-house. blacksmith shop, and about twenty dwellings. It was settled about the year 1816 by James Bogart. The first saw-mill was built in 1816, and the second in 1832 by Degolia & Co The tannery was built in 1835 by Christie & Buchanan, who operated it until 1845, when it passed into the hands of Isaac Jackson & Co., and then to 1). S. Decker in 1869. In 1872 it was burned, and im- mediately rebuilt and stocked. It was closed in the spring of 1876. The wooden-ware establishment was run for two or three years by H. C. Whit- ney & Co., when the machinery was removed to Fayville. The saw-mill known as the Jackson mill is now owned and operated by Jacob Lairch, jr., who is doing a very extensive business. Several other mills have been built at this place, but wete short lived.
SHAWVILLE, near the center of the town, and on Mayfield creek, was settled in 1773, when Sir William Johnson erected the first grist-mill ever built in the town. The place was laid out in lots in 1875. It contains a grist and saw-mill and several dwellings.
CHURCHES.
The log meeting-house in which the first town meeting for Mayfield was held, three miles south of the village, was a Baptist church, organized in 1792, and called " The Mayfield and Broadalbin Baptist Church." Jacob Parcells, Solomon Knapp, sen., Allen Kennicutt, Jacob Woodworth and about twenty others were the original members. The church was located about half a mile west of what is known as the nine mile tree nine miles from Johnson Hall, on Sir William's road to Summer House Point , the stump of which is still to be seen. The first pastor, Hezekiah Gorton, was followed by Key. Mr. Nichols, and he by Elder William Groom, who was pastor for seventeen years. During his pastorate the log building was abandoned, and the society built their new church in the village of Broad- albin, about four miles to the southeast. The names of some of the early members were l'utney, Gurnee, Marsh, Canary, Kasson, Sunderlin, Sumner, Tabor and Sherman.
The Quaker church, or Friends' meeting-house, was located about half a mile west of the village of Mayfield, on the farm now owned by W D. Woodworth. Welcome Capron, Onion Capron, Daniel Mead. Levi, Hardy, and Martin Seymour, Mr. Summons, Abrain Cole, Benjamin Anthony, Jon- athan Brown and others were among the original and prominent member- of the society. About the year 1840 the lot on which the meeting-house stood was sold by Orion Capron to John Servis, which virtually closed up all public meetings of the Society of Friends in this town. The building used as a chutth is now used by Dr. J. S. Drake as a barn.
The Methodist Episcopal church in this town is about seventy-five years
of age. The exact date cannot easily be ascertained, but the first Method- ist class was formed about 1800 or 1805. Among the first itinerants who found their way through this, then, wilderness, were Revs. Willis, 1790, Woolsey, 1795, Knowlton, 1804, Levings, Clark, Selick, Miner, Draper and Howe, men who went about doing good, braving the storm of all opposition, seeking the salvation of souls, instead of the most comfortable places for themselves and horses; sharing with the early settlers the most frugal meal, composed, at times, of a crust of bread and cup of cold water. They feared no danger, believing that He who had sent them on their mission would fulfill His promise and be with them, "even unto the end." In January, 1823, Selah Woodworth and his wife, Rebekah, gave to Paris G. Clark, William Mc Connell, Samuel Woodworth, John Cozzens and Jacob Woodworth trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, and their succes- sors in office, a warranty deed of the lot now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal church and sheds. Previous to 1823 the Methodists were obliged to hold their meetings in barns, private houses, or any where they could get a hearing ; but at the present time they have a very neat, comfortable house of worship, free from debt. The society has about one hundred and twenty members. Rev. F. R. Sherwood is pastor. Edward Kennicutt, Jacob Woodworth, Jonathan Canfield, Samuel Woodworth, John Cozzens, sen., John Cozzens, jr., William Cozzens, Jabez Foote and Hardy Bartlett were among the early members.
About the year 1868, the sect or denomination known as "Christians," organized a society at Jackson Summit, under the leadership of Ekler- Evans and Brown. Some of the original members were Daniel Templeton, Josiah and John Dunning, David D. Bishop, Philip Kring, and other, Their very peculiar doctrines soon led to disruptions, and to-day the society is extinct at that place.
The Germans organized a society at Jackson Summit about 1855, known as the German M. E. Evangelical Association.
Some of their early members were Jacob Lairch, sen., Jacob Lairch, jr . Barney Lairch, John Yost, John Behlen, John Brunce and Jacob Kiver. They still have quite a flourishing society and Sunday-school. Services are held on alternate Sundays in the school-house.
The Low Dutch Reformed Church was organized in 1793, with Con- radt Ten Eyck as pastor, and the following members : Resolvent Van Houten and wife, Abraham Romeyn, Abraham Wells, Lucas Brinkerhoff, Peter Snyder, David Becker, Elizabeth Ternuer and Mary Van Buren. Their church was built about the same time, and located on the highest spot in what is now the old burying-ground south of the village, adjoining the Kennicutt farm. It was a frame building, 25 by 42 feet, and never painted. The church was never finished inside, excepting the puljut, which was of the upstairs order, with a sounding-board overhead. The seats were rude benches, made of material easiest procured. In this rough building, such men as Ten Eyck, Ammerman, Palmer and Wood dispensed the Gospel to hungry audiences. During the pastorate of Messrs Ammer- man and Palmer, who were colaborers in this field, a difference of opinion arose between them, and about the year 1816 or 1820, Mr. Palmer and his followers withdrew from the mother church, reorganized, and built another church at the four corners west of Munsonville, and about two miles south of the original church, on the farm now owned by Jefferson Brooks. This was known as the " Dutch Reformed Church of Mayfield." Rev. Sylvanus Palmer was pastor, and there were about 30 members. Their church building was of wood, about 30 by 45 feet, with no galleries ; but wa- lathed, plastered, and painted inside, and presented a much better appear. ance than the church they had left. The worshipers at this place were soon known as " l'almerites." In a few years the building was left to the bats and moles, and about 1867, or 1868, it was taken down and carried to Anthonyville, where it is now used as a barn.
Rev. Mr. Ammerman continued to officiate as pastor of the Low Dutch Reformed Church at the old place, to the great satisfaction of all con- cerned; his membership increasing and strengthening, while the Painnr ites were dying out. The age of the pastor, together with his terble health, began to call for assistance, and in 1825 Rev. Jeremiah Wood, then a young man lately graduated at Princeton, was sent on as a missionairi. when Mr. Ammerman gave up his pastorate, Mr. Wood stepped m. amlya September 27th, 1826, the church was re-organized, assuming the name & t " The Central Presbyterian Church of Mayfield," by which name it is still known. Mr. Wood was duly installed as pastor by authority of the Alle.my Presbytery. Revs. Elisha Vale of Kingsboro, John K. Davis of Hiro.kl albin, John Clancey of Charlton, and Gilbert Morgan of Johnstown
Res. of THOMAS SCHUYLER, Town. of Mohawk, Montgomery Co., N. Y. RES.OF JOHN BLANCHARD, TOWN OF MAYFIELD, FULTON CO., NI. YH.
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Res. of CORNELIUS, and W. T. LOTRIDGE, Town of Mohawk, Montgomery Co., N. Y .. RES. OF JAMES H. KNAPP,, TOWN OF MAYFIELD, FULTON CO., N. Y.,
229
MAYFIELD SUNDAY-SCHOOLS-GLOVE FACTORIES-LEADING CITIZENS.
officiated; and also set apart for their work Barent Van Buren and Barent Wells, as elders; and Hannon T'. Van Buren, as deacon. This new society continued to worship in the old church in the graveyard until 1828, when they built their present very commodious and comfortable church edifice. In 1850 the society repaired or rebuilt their church, making it one of the finest looking, internally, in this part of the country.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS
The first Sunday-school in the town was organized at the old Riceville school-house in 1822, by Elder Groom, a Baptist minister, who afterwards preached at Broadalbin. The enterprise was soon abandoned. Since that time several like efforts have been made at the same place, with similar results. The Sunday-schools at Mayfield village have continued in active operation since their first organization
About the year 1855 a Sunday-school was organized at Jackson Summit, with about fifty scholars and teachers, and Peter Van Buskirk as superin- tendent. This school flourished for a number of year-, and not until the population had almost entirely changed was it discontinued. The Germans soon organized a school of their own, and have succeeded in keeping it up during the summer season for the last five of six years.
At times, during the last twenty years, there was a flourishing school at Carey's Corners, under different superintendents, but, for the last four years, jealousy in the community has in a great degree prevented any per- manent organization.
For about twenty years Mr. John A. Wells has very successfully con- ducted a " union " Sunday-school at the school-house at Mayfield Center, during the summer season. The average attendance is about thirty scholars and teachers.
In 1826 the Sunday-school connected with the Presbyterian church at Mayfield Corners was organized, with 30 or 40 scholars, and Rev Jere- miah Wood as superintendent. Since then, Benjamin F. Dennie and James H. Foote have been at the head of the school. For the last two year. Mr. Daniel Foote has been, and now is, superintendent of the school. The average attenda .. ce at present is about 55: volumes in library, 100.
The school connected with the Methodist Episcopal church was first organized by Harley Bartlett, a> superintendent, and Jacob Woodworth, assistant superintendent, with about zo scholar. It continued for a few years, during the summer season: but the enterprise was finally abandoned for want of a sufficient number of scholars. In 1852 the school was organ- ized with about to wholars, and Harley Bartlett as superintendent. He continued at the head of the school, and kept it in a healthy condition, until a few weeks before his death, which occurred in 1872. Mr. James H. Roberts was then superintendent until April or May, 1876, when W H. Shaw, the present superintendent, was elected. The present average attendance of the school is about ;o: volumes in library, about 100.
FREE MASONS
Constellation Lodge, No. 103. 1 .. and \ M., was organized in this town on the 7th of March, 1804. with the following officers. Oliver Rice, W. M. Ripley Merrill, J. W ; Rufus Mason, treasurer: Horace Burr, secretary; David Adams, J. D .: Thomas Chase, tiler: John Anderson and Jonathan Fisk, stewards. Their place of meeting was first in the old house that stood on the lot west of Squire Getman's office, and in later years in the house now occupied by F Vanderpool. For over thirty years this was one of the most flourishing lodges in the State, and during that time such men as Messrs. Mathews, Orleft, Martin, Bentley, Mc Connell, Day and Fisk were it> masters At the annual election December 19th, 1835, the following others were elected Oliver Rice, W. M .: Bemamm Hovey, jr .. S. W .: J. B. D.a. J. W ; Collins (dell, secretary: Nathaniel Fish, treas- urer; Jesse Hoyett, > D : James K Martin, J. 1 ; John Howe, Gershom Rust, stewards. After the installation of officers, the Lodge was called from labor to refreshment, since which time the master's gavel has not been heard.
.
MITTEN AND GLOVE MANUFACTORIES.
employing several men and women, at the same time running three or four stores at different points in the county. About the year 1858 he failed, and gave up business.
In 1867 James H. Brown commenced the manufacture of gloves in one corner of his brother's wood-shed, on the side of the mountain, near Jack- son Summit, on a capital of two hundred and fifty dollars, and his first year's business amounted to $2,000. In 1871 he moved to the village, in- creasing his business quite extensively, until at the present time, 1877, he has the largest shop in the town, having 19 cutting blocks, and employing nearly 500 hands at different times during the process of turning raw material into neatly fitting gloves. His business now amounts to $125,000 per year, and is still increasing.
Abraham B. Close commenced the glove business in 1869, in the village of Mayfield. During the years since, he has increased his trade from a few small orders the first year to a sale of about $40,000 worth last year. He employs six cutters by the year.
Harmon E. Van Buren went into the glove business in Mayfield village in the early part of 1876, on a very small capital, and by a close attention to business has picked up a trade amounting to several thousand dollars annually.
Wilkins & Van Buren started the glove trade at Mayfield in the spring of 1877.
Edwin Busby, at Vail's Mills, has been in the glove manufacturing busi- ness for the last six or seven years. He started on a small capital, and has been steadily increasing his business and sales from year to year, until at the present time he is doing quite a prosperous business.
PROMINENT MEN OF MAYFIELD.
WILLIAM COZZENS was born in the town of Pittstown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., November 30th, 1796. He came to this town with his parents, John and Lydia Cozzens, in the spring of 1800, when this part of the town was nearly a wilderness. They settled about one and a half miles north of Mayfield village, where they lived out their useful and honorable lives. They had eight children, one of whom was William, who lived at home and inherited the real estate, consisting of a small farm. He sold his farm in 1862 and moved to the village. He has been an official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this town for nearly fifty years. By occupation he is a farmer, blacksmith and carpenter.
COLLINS ODELI was born in Ballston, N. Y., March 31st, 1793. His father, Wm. Odell, born in 1756, served in the Revolutionary war, enlist- ing in 1775, going with the American troops toward Canada, and after- ward to New York and New Jersey, and was taken prisoner and confined in the New Bridewell, New York city. He died at Ballston, N. Y., July 8th, 1805. Collins removed to Mayfield in February, 1816, and on the 14th of the following November was married to C'ynthia Dixon, of Mayfield, by Rev. Mr. Palmer. In March, 1818, he went into the tavern business at the village, and in February, 1819, was instrumental in establishing the first post office in town, and was appointed postmaster, which office he held for thirty-one years in succession. During the first two years he carried the mail between Mayfield and Broadalbin, for 50 cents per week. In 1821 he was appointed justice of the peace by the council of appointment at Albany, and when the office became elective, was elected, and held the position until 1836 He was elected a member of the Legislature in 1834, was supervisor of the town from 1831 to 1834, and inspector of schools from 1837 to r$41. He jomed Franklin Lodge, F. & A. M., at Ballston, Saratoga Co., N Y., in November 1817, and afterwards affiliated with Constellation Lodge, No. 103. located at Mayfield. He also joined Mont- gomery Chapter, No. 45. R. A. M. at Broadallin, N. Y., November 4, 1818. Mr. O., although in his 85th year, is as full of vigor as ordinary men of so. He was county superintendent of the poor for 1847-8-9.
JouN Mh Kivi A was born in Scotland in 1751, came to America in 1783, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his son Alex- ander Mckinlay. John was a blacksmith by trade, and soon after settling built a shop, and worked at the trade more or less while he was able to work. In 1805 he tult a brick house, two stories high, which is at pires- ent as good as new. The material for the brick was found upon the farm, and made up by Mr. Mc Kinlay ; the stone from which the lime used in the construction of the house was burned was drawn from near the
Previous to 1860 there was comparatively httle done in this line. The principal manufacturer, John W Brown, did quite an extensive business, , village of Mayfield, and burned upon the farm, in a kiln which Mckinlay
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THE HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
bult. Alexander, who was born in 1808, and was the youngest of four- tera children, now owns and occupies the old homestead, living in a house thie years older than himself. He has held the office of super- viser for four terms, also the offices of commissioner of highways and in- spector of schools for several terms, serving his constituents with the strictest fidelity.
DAVID KENNEDY lives in the south end of the town. He was born in Perth, in this county, of Scotch parents, in 1803. Soon after his birth his pæents came to this town, settling on the farm where David now lives, and has lived for over seventy-four years. His early education was such as the common schools of those days afforded, and in later years a quick per- ception of men and things around him, and an enlarged business experi- ence, fitted him for the future active duties of life. He was admitted to practice law, in all the courts of the State, at the bar of Fulton county, in 18go. Law, however, was not his forte, and he continued a tiller of the soil. He has held the office of justice of the peace for thirty-two years in succession; commissioner of highways, six years; assessor, six years; and supervisor, for the last two years.
DAVID GETMAN, sen., was born in Palatine, Montgomery county, July 27th, 1807. In 1835 he removed to Mayfield. He staid but a short time, and went to Ephratah, where he engaged in mercantile busine In 1846 he returned to Mayfield, and conducted the hotel for about three months, when he opened a dry goods and grocery store in the place now owned and occupied by J. C. Titcomb. In 1851 he purchased and moved into the bonding he now occupies. He continued in trade until about 1861, when, being left entirely alone by his only son going into the army, he soon reduced his stock of goods to a mere skeleton, and gave up the business. He occupies his store-room as a justice's office, as he still holds that honor- able position. He has been justice of the peace eight years previous to the present term. He was postmaster for five years, and has been a notary public for the last eight years. His father, George G. Getman, who died in #820, was a captain in the war of 1812. The latter's father, George German, was a soldier in the Revolution. Mr. Getman has always been a man of temperate habits, and, although past seventy. he has not employed a physician for himself more than two or three times in all his life.
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