History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents, Part 76

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 76
USA > New York > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 76

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

VILLAGES IN THE TOWN.

NORTHVILLE, the largest, located in the northeast part of the town, on the left bank of the Sacondaga river, on the bosom of the broad valley stretching out between the river and the Edinburgh hills, is surrounded by most beautiful scenery. In 1807 there were only six families at what is now Northville. The main street, which is straight, rune nearly north and south, is about one mile in length, and was laid out by the commissioners of highways in 1797. Previous to this, the main road was on the hill east of the village, and ran nearly parallel with what is now Main street. It was laid out in 1794. On the 7th of August in that year, a road was laid out, beginning at the old fording place at the river, and running easterly, cross- ing Main street where the Methodist church now stands. About this time the land which is the site of the village was owned by the proprietors of Bergen's purchase, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer and others, and a few years later by Samuel Olmsted, Joseph Spier, Abram Van Arnam, and Joseph Slocum. The first house a log one at this place was built by Samuel Olmsted, on the flats now owned by Aaron C. Slocum. In i Soy there were two log houses in the village, one at the lower end of the street, and the other in the rear of the present site of W. F. Barker's store. The first grist-mill at this place was built in 1790 by Thomas Foster, who also built the first saw-mill. The same site is now occupied by Jacob Phillips's measure factory. In 1800 Abram Van Arnam had a small tannery on the property now owned by his great-grandchildren on Main street. About this time, wheat was quite extensively raised, as well as other cereals. Or- chards were planted, and various improvements began to make the place look like a village.

The first school at Northville was kept in 1800. The first tavern at this place was opened by Abram Van Arnam in the same year. He also opened a store at the same time and place. Joseph Spier soon followed with an- other store, a little further down Main street. The first clothier's establish- ment was started about 1800, by A. Van Arnam, who was succeeded by a Mr. Brewster, and be in turn by Joseph Slocum in 1815. The buildings have gone to decay, and the site is owned by W L. Wright, of Hudson, .N. Y.

The first blacksmith at this point was Caleb Mecker, who opened a shop at the upper end of the village, near the present site of G. C. Van Dyke's shop

Dr. Mitchell located about this time at the lower end of Main street, and for several years was the only resident physician.

The post offire was established at this place in 1824, with Joseph F. Spier as postmaster. The first mail route was from Fish House to North- ville, a distance of about six miles. This continued for a year or so, when the route was changed and mail matter mostly came from Johnstown via Mayfield; though during 1825, in consequence of a change of route, the mails were very irregular, and were brought through by different persons.

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THE HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

About 1840 a regular route was established from Amsterdam, fra Broad- albin and Fish Ilouse, to this place ; also one from Johnstown vid Kings- boro and Mayfield, giving a daily mail. Now, the Gloversville and North- ville railroad delivers the mails to the Northville office twelve times per week, and the office is doing a large and profitable business. William F. Barker is the present postmaster.

Up to 1830 the village grew very slowly. Between that date and 1873 its growth was quite rapid, and in the latter year it was incorporated under the laws of the State. S B. Benton was the first president of the village. which was provided with a full set of officers and a lock-up. In 1875 it became the terminus of the G. & N. R. R. It is also the financial centre for an immense log trade carried on in Hamilton county, all the logs hav- ing to pass down the Sawcondaga to the mills on the Hudson, at Glen's Falls and Fort Edward.

The village at present contains about one thousand inhabitants. It has one union free school, graded, with an average attendance of about two hundred scholars ; three churches, four hotels, six dry goods, six grocery, one hardware, one drug, and two wholesale flour and feed stores; two mar- kets, four harness shops, five blacksmith shops, two cabinet shops, two dentists, three merchant tailors, two boot and shoe shops, one barber shop, one jewelry store, one measure factory, one foundry, three livery stables, two saw-mills and one grist-mill.

Samuel Heron opened a job printing office in this village, which he con- ducted from 1858 to 1867.

The presidents of the village have been as follows: 1873, S. B. Benton; 1874, John Ressequie; 1875, Thomas H. Rooney; 1876, Aaron C. Slocum; 1877, Giles C. Van Dyke.

The Northville Baptist church was organized in 1802, with sixteen members. The church edifice, in which both the Baptists and Methodists at first worshiped, stood a few rods in the rear of the present Baptist house of worship, and was built as a union church. The Methodists, after a few years, withdrew from joint occupancy, and held their meetings in the school-house where they had formerly worshiped, leaving the Baptists in full possession of the building, and afterwards used it only on quarterly meeting occasions During all this time the building was un- finished. For quite a number of years the upper windows were covered with boards. During the early years of the old church, the swallows were co-worshipers with both congregations during the summer season. Aaron Simmons was the first ordained preacher, commencing his labors with the organization of the Baptist society, and remained up to 1836. In 1811 a licentiate, by the name of Bartlett Dake, officiated as preacher, while Elder Simmons acted in the capacity of pastor. In 1837-8. Rev. Timothy Day was the officiating clergyman. He was followed by Elder Simmons, who again preached until 1844. A licentiate by the name of Negus succeeded him. In June, 1846, came Rev. B. K. Barber, who remained until some time in 1849. when Rev. O. F. A. Spinning assumed the pastorate, which he held until 1852. In that year Rev. N O. Comby was installed, and staid about one year. In 1853 Rev. George Fisher became pastor. and remained until 1857. Rev. C. Haven closed a pastorate of eighteen months in 1859, when he was surceeded by Rev. Charles D. Lewis, who finished his labors at this place in 1862. Rev. E. W. Brownell was then pastor until early in the autumn of 1867. Rev. Joshua Day, a licentiate. was ordained soon after and installed as pastor of this church ; he re- mained such until December, 1872. Rev. C. F. Hull came in 1873. and closed his labors in 1875. Rev. J. G. Shrive had charge from some time in 1875 to 187;, when Rev. M W. Dillingham became pastor. The Sun- day-school connected with the church has one hundred scholars, enrolled in nine classes, and an average attendance of about fitty-five. The hbrary contains one hundred and fifty volumes. The church was rebuilt in 1867-8, at a cost of about eight thousand dollars, and rededicated. In size it is about 36 hy ;i fect, and has all the modern improvements. l'he society was incorporated in September, 18;7. under the name of " The Baptist Church of Northville."

The Methodist Byasenpal church of Northville was organized first as a class, about the year ts50, with some twenty members. Their first meet- ings were held in the old school house, at private residences, or in barns. as orrasion and the number- present might require. After a while they held their services in the same building as the Baptists, but after a few years the Methodists went back to the se hool-house, where they continued to hold meeting> until 1822. A great revival of rehgion ocr arred all over this region of country in 1821, through the powerful preaching of Metho-

dist itineranta, which resulted in strengthening most churches, and esper - ially the Methodist church at Northville, so that in 1822 the society was strong enough to build a church edifice for itself. The dedication services were held on the 14th of December. This was now one of the best charges on the old Northampton circuit, which occupied the time of four preachers, who followed each other in their two or three hundred mile tours. Such men as the Rev. Messrs. Bradley Selek, John Clark, S. Howe, and Sherman Miner were the pioneers of Methodism in the northern wild- of Montgomery county, now Fulton and Hamilton. Wend- ing their way through dense forests, over hills and valleys, fording stream> and following trails, with none but their trusty horses as companions, and their saddle-bags serving as their hotels, they carried the bread of life to the scattered settlers in their lonely huts, until the woodman's ave had cleared the way, and the lowing of the cow and the ox had supersedul the howl of the panther and the wolf. In 1849 the society rebuilt and enlarged their church edifice, while Revs. Pomeroy and Richards were preachers in charge, and Ephraim Goss was presiding elder ; and contin- ued to hold service in it until 1871. Then, grown strong and powerful, they removed the old wooden structure, and built in its stead one of the finest brick churches in northern New York, under the supervision of Rev. Cabot M. Clark, who was then their pastor, at a cost of $22,000. The dedicatory services were held December 31, 1872, by Bishop J. T. Peck, assisted by Dr. B. I. Ives. Rev. Messrs. Patterson, Pegg, Perkins, Withe- rell, Clark, Stark, Spiers and others have been pastors of this society. Rev. George C. Thomas is the present minister. The Sunday-school connected with this church is the most prosperous in the place. It was organized early in the history of the church, and among the first superintendents were Joseph Foot, J. W. Slocum, and Joseph F. Spier. The present super- intendent is William F. Barker, who has held the position for the last ten or fifteen years. There are about one hundred and twenty-five scholars on the rolls, and an average attendance of about seventy-five. There are one hundred and fifty volumes in the library

The Presbyterian church of Northville wa, organized in :849, with : 4 members, namely: Darius Moore and wife, Samuel Duncan and wife, Dr. Ayers and wife, Barzilla Gilbert and daughter, George Gilbert. Mrs. Buck- alow, Sarah Duncan, Helen Duncan, Susan Duncan and Alexander II Ayres. The meeting for the organization of the society was held in the Baptist church. The late Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wood, who was then pastor of the Presbyterian church at Mayfield, and Rev. David Iyon were present: and the latter was installed as pastor of the new church, Dr. Wood preach- ing the sermon. In the same year the society built its present church edifice, which is of wood, 40 by 50 feet, very neatly finished inside and out. and will seat about 300. The Sunday-school connected with this church was organized in 1849. with about 30 scholars and Darius Moore a- superintendent. The average attendance at present is about 30. The library contain 150 volumes.

Eureka Lodge, No. 305, 1. 0. of G. T. was organized at Northville February 8th. 1854, with the following otheer -; W. C. T., Morgan Lewr; W V. T., Norman Satterlee; W S. A. K. Vibbard; W T., 1 .. Van Dyke: W. F. S., A. Partridge: W O. G. A. J. Carpenter. The name of the organ- ization was changed to Northville Lodge. It closed its labors Juh ad. 1855. Morgan Lewis was Deputy G. M. at the time of its organization.

Northville Division, No. 622, Sons of Temperance was organized in 1850. and closed in April, 1854 In disposing of the property of the division. Morgan Lewis purchased and now owns the Bible used by the organi- ration, which was presented by the Ladies of Northville.

Northville Lodge 1 Q of O. F was organized in 1852, with Morgan Lewis as N. G. The lodge suspended its labors in 1856

OSBORN'S BRIDGE, of DESIGN'S CORNERS, to a small village on the right bank of the Samondaga river, nearly qui-distant between Northville and Fish House. I'wo men named Osborn and Denton were among the carh settlers at this place, and both prominent in the aff urs of the part of the town Naturally a rivalry sprung up between the two, for the perpetua tion of their respective family names, hence the tales of the place. The village is nearly or quite half a mile from the bridge crossing the Shell. digt at this point, and benton long at the highway crossings secured the name of " Denton's Corners " for the present site of the vill .ge, while Os horn perpetuated his name by having the bridge named after him When a post office was established at this place it was dignified by the name of "Osborn's Bridge," which name the office still bears, while the vit- lage is widely known as " Denton's Corners " It contains one & burch, this

FISH HOUSE AND ITS HISTORY.

235

stores, one shoe shop, two cooper shops, two blacksmith shops, one eab- inet shop, one school-house and about fifty dwellings. Messrs. Denton and Coleman were the owners of the first frame houses in or near the village.

The Methodist Episcopal church of Denton's Corners was first organ- ized as a class or society, probably fifty years ago, and has increased in numbers and wealth until a neat church edifice, built of wood, about 35 by 45 feet, is one result of the efforts put forth at that place. The Sunday- school connected with this church has an average attendance of about thirty-five, and one hundred volumes in the library. C. S. Tanner is the superintendent.

CRANBERRY CREEK, a small village, with post office, located on the G. and N. R. R., on the west line of the town, contains one church, a store, a post office, a school-house, a railroad depot, and about twenty-five dwellings.

The "Christian " church at Cranberry Creek was organized in 1822. The first meeting, were held, in 1820, in a hall attached to the hotel then kept at the place. Jacob Capron was the first preacher, and through his lahors an organization was effected, with Thomas R. Tanner and Samuel Spaulding as deacons, and the former as clerk of the society. For about twenty-three year. the society held its meetings at different places. In 1845 money was subscribed to build the present church edifice, which is of wood, about 26 by 40 feet. neatly finished inside and out, and was dedicated in that year. The cost of the church property was about $1,oco. Up to 1840, eighty-three persons had enrolled their names as members of this organization. l'he minister> who have served this church have been Rev. Messrs, Capron. King. Andrews, Haight, Haywood, Coffin, Evans, Bowdish, Teal, Warner, and Pratt; the last named is the present pastor. A Sunday-school was organized in 1840, with an average attendance of twenty-five scholars, and Rev. Mr. Haywood as superintendent. It was kept up until 1876, when it closed; William Armstrong was then superin- tendent; the average attendance was about thirty scholars, and there were one hundred volumes in the library.

FISH HOUSE is the oldest village in the town; a house, from which the place was named, having been built here in 1762 hy Sir William Johnson, and a settlement made soon after by the pioneers heretofore mentioned in the history of this town It is located in the southeast corner of the town, and so near the line that a portion of the village reaches over into the adjoining town. It is at that point of the Sacondaga river where it makes a gradual turn from a southeast to a northwest direction, the village lying on the outside of the curve, and on the right bank of the river. The post office at this place is unwisely named after the town. The village con- tains three churches, two hotels, two harness shops, one blacksmith shop, one carriage shop, one dry goods and grocery, and one clothing and grocery store; one shoe shop, two physicians, and about 250 inhabitants

The Methodist Episcopal church at Fish House was organized in 1859. under the pastorate of Rev Mr Quinlan, with about fifteen members. Dur- ing that year and the next, the society but a wooden church, about 35 by 50 feet, with all the improvementy of the day, on a lot deeded to it by William Slocum and wife. The building cost about $2,000, and shed- have been put up also, making the present value of the church property $2,500. In the autumn of 1860, the church was dedicated by Res. Samuel Meredith, presiding elder of the district, assisted by Rev. Samuel Me Kean and Rey. Hannibal Smith. The pastor, of this church have been Rev. Messrs. Quinlan, Patterson, Ward, Munsee, Williams, Slocum, Stewart, Butcher, Armstrong. Genge, Sherwood and Brown. The last named is the present pastor. The Sunday-school was organized in 1861, with about thirty wholars, and Heary W Slocum as superintendent. The pastor. Rev Jesse Brown, is now the superintendent, and there are about fifty scholars. The membership of the church has increased from fifteen in 1859 to forty -seven m 18;8

The Presbyterian church at Fish House is the oldest at that place, and probably one of the ohlest in the town. The society has a beautiful church edific :, but is now without a pastor

The Protestant Episcopal church at Fish House was organized as a parish in 1855. under the rectorship of the Rev. Mr Betts, with 15 com- municant. The organvation held its meetings for some time in a hall over the store now occupied by J. H smith, but in 1854 purchased a black- smith and cooper shop, which formed the nucleus of the present church edince. It was moved to the rear a few feet, repaired and fitted up for a church or chapel, at a cost of about $1,000, and in 187t was dede ated as

such, free from debt. The present membership is about the same as when the church was organized. The Sunday-school was organized in 1855, with about twenty-five scholars, the rector acting as superintendent. Rev. Messrs. Betts, Marvin, Johnston, Johnson, Eastman and Pidsley have held the rectorship of the church, and Rey. Mr. Brockway has charge of the parish at present. There are no regular services held in the church, and the Sun- day-school is a thing of the past. This society once conducted a parish school in the upper part of the building opposite J. H. Smith's store.

Golden Rule Lodge, No. 384, F. & A. M., located at Northville, was or- ganized December 25th, 1823, and worked under dispensation until June ist, 1827, when it was duly chartered. The first officers were : Nathan B. 1.obdell, W.M .; Samuel Duncan, S.W .; Sinon Van Arnam, J.W .; William Parmenter, treasurer ; Daniel R. Potter, secretary ; and A. Hawley, ti- ler. The following were the other members : Thomas H. Brown, Hiram Lewis, Morgan Lewis, Samuel Dorrance, Thomas Eglin, Ebenezer F. Gif- ford, F. Van Steenburgh, Samuel L. Dorrance. R. Merril, [. Copeland, E. Oakley, Simon Walker, Joseph Spier, John Sherwood, Caleb R. Nichols, J. Corey, J. L. Graves, J. R. Mitchell, W. Hamilton, Samuel Riddle, Samuel W. Groat, Timothy Spier, and Reuben Slocum. The lodge was held in the house of Daniel R. Potter, which stood on the site now oceupied by W. F. Barker's store. On the 28th day of April, 1830, the lodge suspend- ed labor, and did not resume until after the anti-masonic uprising created by Morgan's disappearance. On June rith, 1853, the lodge was re-chartered and resumed labor at Fish House, about six miles down the Sacondaga river, under the name of "Fish House Lodge," No. 298, with the following offi- cers : Henry W. Spencer, W. M .; Isaac Elithorpe. S.W .; and James Par- tridge, J. W. Langdon I. Marvin, Harvey D. Smith, George Van Slyke, A Newcomb Van Arnam, Sands C. Benedict, Cyrus Sumner, and Dr. Darius S. Orton, served each one year or more as master until, in 1871, A. Burr Beecher was elected master of the lodge, who served for five years in sue- cession. Harry C. Thorne was master for the year 1877, and for the pres- ent year A. Newcomb Van Arnam holds that office : A. Burr Beecher is S.W .; Wright Olmsted, J. W. All the old records of this lodge were burned in 1866 while stored during the building of a new masonic hall. The lodge at present has one hundred and thirty-one members. The building occupied for masonic purposes is owned by the lodge. The lower floor is rented for a store, and the basement for a saloon.

Sacondaga Chapter R.A. M. was chartered February 9th, 1826, and lo- cated at Northvilie, at the same place as the lodge. For the same reason that the lodge suspended labor, the chapter did so until February 24th, 1853, when it was re-chartered and located at Fish House. Until Decem- ber 14th in that year, Nathan B. Lobdell was H. P .; Samuel Duncan, K .; and Ely Beecher, S. The present officers are : E. Tanner, H.P .; J. Par . tridge, K .; Rev. A. Cook, S.

Fish House, like so many other interesting points, owes the preservation of its earliest history to the industry of Mr. Simms. Writing his "Trap- pers of New York," in 1850, he spoke of this locality as follows :

" Traversing the forest in the French war from Ticonderoga to Fort Johnson, his then residence, no doubt made Sir William Johnson familiar with the make of the country adjoining the Sacondaga river ; and soon after the close of that war he erected a lodge for his convenience while hunting and fishing, on the south side of the river, nearly eighteen miles from his own dwelling. The lodge was ever after called the Fish House. It was an oblong square framed building, with two rooms below, and walls sufficiently high one and a half stories to have afforded pleasant cham- bers. Its site was on a knoll within the present garden of Dr. Langdon I. Marvin, and about thirty rods from the river. It fronted the south. Only one room in the building was ever finished ; that was in the west end, and had a chimney and fireplace The house was never painted, and in the Revolution it was burnt down ; but by whom or whose authority is unknown. The ground from where the building stood slopes very prettily to the river. No visible trace of the building remains. * * *

"About the Fish House Sir William Johnson reserved one hundred acres of land, which was confiscated, with his son's estate, in the Revolu- tion. When sold by the sequestrating committee, it was purchased by Major Nicholas Fish (he was adjutant-general of militia atter the war) for one hundred pounds. Major Fish sold it at the close of the war to Asthel Parker, of Shaftesbury, Vermont, who resided several years upon it. He built a dwelling upon the low ground, a few rods from the mouth of Vlaie creek, and the following spring he was driven out of it by some four feet of water. I'races of this building are still to be seen west of the road, just

236

THE HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

above the river bridge. Parkes sold the Fish House farm to Alexander St. John. The village has since been built upon it." .

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

The following are among the prominent men of the town of North- ampton who have taken and are still taking an active part in its interests.

CAPI. AARON C. SLocuy is a grandson of one of the very early settlers, and was born at Northville in 1823. He served his county well and faith- fully during the civil war, and has since then held important town offices, and also been president of the village of Northville.

WILLIAM F. BARKER, for many years, up to 1876 or 1877, the leading dealer in general merchandise in the town, was born in 1823. He has served his town in several positions, and this Assembly district one term in the State Legislature.

WILLIAM A. SMITH was born in Norfolk county, Massachusetts, in 1807, of Revolutionary stock. He came to Fulton county in 1839, and has been engaged largely in the tanning" as well as mercantile business. He was supervisor of the town in 1852, and member of Assembly in 1853, and again in 1864. Mr. Smith has also been postmaster. Although past the allotted age of man, he is still hale and hearty, and an active supporter of the Baptist church, of which he is a member.

F. F. OLMSTED was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1838.

DARIU'S MOORE was born in Bennington county, Vt., in 1795, of Revolu- tionary ancestry. He came here in 1840, and served this district in the Legislature in 1847. He is upright and honorable in all his transactions, and a consistent official member of the Presbyterian church.

NATHAN B. LOBDELI was born in Brookfeld, Conn., July 15th, 1795. He came to Northville early in life, and has since then resided there. He has been one of the leading men of the county, and still takes a deep in- terest in its welfare. He has been deputy sheriff three years: superintend- ent of the county poor three years, before Fulton county was set off from Montgomery, and four years in this county; contractor for transcribing records when the county was divided; postmaster at Northville thirteen years, and justice of the peace twelve years.

MORGAN LEWIS was born in Northampton in 1801, of Revolutionary stock. His grandfather was a captain in the army, and while he was doing duty for his country the tories drove his family from their homes, and they were obliged to take shelter in the forests. Mr. Lewis is prominently con- nected with many enterprises in his native town, and especially in the village of Northville, where he has always resided. He has been thirty- four years justice of the peace; justice of sessions five years; county superintendent of the poor four years: supervisor four years: town clerk, and is now notary public and commissioner of excise.

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History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents, Part 76

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