History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 152

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336

USA > New York > Orange County > History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 152

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VI .- SCHOOLS.

There is little or no information to be obtained in any authentic form about the early schools. Soon after the organization of the town the control of the schools was taken from the towns and given to the district commissioners, so there are no town school officers to be named.

CHESTER ACADEMY.

This was founded in 1845. The old book of records was probably destroyed in one of the fires which have occurred in Chester, and we cannot give the names of the founders nor of the first board of trustees. A buikling was erected immediately, being the one now occupied by the academic department of the Union School. The school had quite a flourishing existence for some years, being under the care of the regents of the university, and sharing in the distribution of the Literature Fund. William Bross and Stephen Bross were the first teachers, the former of whom after- wards became Lieutenant-Governor of Illinois. Rev. Phineas Robinson was principal from 1849 to 1857. He was succeeded for one year by H. Osburn. Ed- ward Orton taught here from 1859 to 1865, now a professor in the Ohio State University at Columbus. A. Phinney was in charge from 1865 to 1868, and J. H. Cunningham taught for a time just before the change to a union school.

CHESTER UNION FREE SCHOOL, No. 1,

the successor of the academy, was organized in the fall of 1869. It was a consolidation of three former districts, including a portion of the town of Goshen. 40

Nov. 6, 1869. Of this meeting Robert W. Colfax was chairman, and Lewis Masterson secretary. At the next meeting, November 12th, the enterprise was ac- complished and the first Board of Education chosen, viz .: David R. Feagles, John B. Tuthill, Joseph Durland, Cornelius B. Wood, Charles P. Smith. The first president of the board was David R. Feagles ; Joseph Durland was clerk, and William B. King treasurer. The latter had already served several years as treasurer of the academy, and he has been retained to the present time, making some twenty years' service as the custodian of the school moneys. The present board (October, 1880) consists of C. P. Smith, Alfred B. Roe, D. Howell Roe, Hiram Tuthill, and J. Hudson Board. The president is C. P. Smith, and the clerk Hiram Tuthill. The succession of principals has been H. P. Robinson, F. R. Ferris, N. H. Hart, William Simpson, for many years, and J. S. Eaton, the latter closing with the spring term of 1880.

The academic department is in the old academy at Chester village. The present teachers at that place are B. C. Nevins, Miss R. M. Everts, Miss A. M. Gaunt, and Miss M. B. Seeley. A primary depart- ment is maintained in the old school-house at the depot village. This is now taught by Miss C. S. Thompson. This union district includes the entire group of villages, -Chester, West Chester, East Chester, Chester at the Erie depot, and Gray Court Station.

VII .- CHURCHES.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CHESTER

made a legal organization Dec. 26, 1826. The cer- tificate was signed by Joseph Sherwood and James Holbert as inspectors of the election, and the trustees chosen were David Roe, Henry Seeley, James Hol- bert, Elnathan Satterly, Joseph Sherwood, and Town- send Seeley. This church has a much older history than the above date shows, which is fully developed in the following paper, furnished by the pastor :

" Previous to the Revolutionary war the families living in the village of Chester and vicinity were in the habit of holding public religious ser- vices in the school-room and in private houses. It was in the year pre- vious to the declaration of independence that the first steps were taken towards erecting a meeting-house. Subscriptions were made of money, material, and labor ; timber was felled and partly drawn, when the enter- prise was suspended by the call to arms.

" Immediately at the close of the war the labor of erecting a house of worship was resumed. A building was raised and inclosed, and, though not completed and rudely furnished, was in use for several years. Its loca- tion was on the east side of the main street in the 'old' village of Chester, on or near the gronad now occupied by the hotel. The cost of this nn- finished building was $1390.

"It was not nntil 1799 that a settled minister was obtained for the con- gregation, the services meanwhile of preachers from abroad being secured as often as possible. In that year Rev. Simeon R. Jones was en- gaged to occupy the pulpit statedly at an annual salary of about $75, but this to be supplemented by a small stipend for services as teacher of the village school. Mr. Jones' ministry was a successful one. The congre- gation rapidly grew, his salary was soon increased, he was relieved from teaching, and the church building was completed and furnished. The

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

log seats were removed and replaced by square pews. A round box- pulpit was introduced, galleries were erected on three sides of the room, and a steeple was raised. The cost of these additions and improvements was $1692, and therefore of the building entire $3082. By the sale of pews which followed the sum of $3404 was obtained. The edifice was dedicated on Sabbath, Sept. 19, 1802.

" Up to this period there was no church organization. The stated min- ister was a licentiate under the care of the Morris and Westchester As- sociate Presbytery, n seceding body from the Presbytery of New York, and it was probably by his influence that the Christian people of Chester were organized into a church by and under the care of this Associate Presbytery, which met at Chester for this purpose on Aug. 30, 1803. The persons constituting the organization were 21 in number, and the church being partly Congregational in order, Gen. Seth Marion and Jonathan Ilallock were chosen deacons.

" During the first year that the church was organized 62 persons were added to the membership. Mr. Jones' ministry ended in 1805, and he was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Daniel Crane, who served the church but three years at this time, for he was a few years afterwards recalled. About this period the Associate Presbytery of Morris and West- chester dissolving, and the church at Chester being accordingly left without ecclesiastiral connection, it was in the year 1810 taken under the care of the Presbytery of IIudson.

"On July 3, 1811, the Presbytery of Hudson met at Chester, and or- dained and installed as pastor of the church Mr. Noah Coe. Mr. Coe was succeeded by Rev. James II. Thomas, who was installed Oct. 12, 1814. Mr. Thomas' pastorete continued for nearly thirteen years, and was richly blessed in the growth and prosperity of the church. During the years of 1820-21, 140 were added to the membership, making a total of over 200.

" Mr. Thomas was followed by Rev. Daniel Crane, a former pastor. During his second term of ministry a new church building was erected. Another site was chosen, und was where at present is situated the church cemetery. This second church building was dedicated Dec. 25, 1829. Mr. Crane's health failing, be was compelled to resign his ministry in Ches- ter, and was dismissed by Presbytery in the year 1830. Rev. John B. Fish succeeded him, who remained with the church but three years, and was followed in turn by Rev. Isaac C. Beach, whose pastorate continued for ten years. Mr. Beach's ministry was signally crowned by God, to the edification of the church and the large increase of its membership.

"The Rev. James W. Wood (brother of the late Rev. Daniel Wood, of Middletown) began his ministry in 1845, though be was not installed until Jan. 27, 1846. Mr. Wood was born Ht Florida, this county, Oct. 25, 1813, gradunted from Lafayette College in 1837, and three years later from the Union Theological Seminary at New York, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Hudson in September, 1839. Ilis first settlement was at Deckertown, N. J., and from that place he was called to tiie church of Chester. During his ministry, and mainly by his exertions, the congregation wns moved to erect a third church edifice, the building at present in nae. Again a new site was chosen, and ground was broken April 9, 1853. The new building was dedicated January 4th of the fol- lowing year. Dr. Wood'e pastornte continued for more than seventeen years. From this place he was called to the Presbyterian Church at Allentown, Pa., where he still labors.

" Rev. Thomas Nichol was ordained and installed in April, 1862. He served the church with ability for about eight years, aud was followed by the present pastor, Rev. Theodore A. Leggett. Mr. Leggett is the son of Rev. John H. Leggett, formerly pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church at Middletown, and previously to this, for twenty-two years, of the Hopewell Church, town of Crawford. He was born in Crawford, Dec. 20, ; 1845, graduated at Princeton College in 1865, and from the Princeton Theological Seminary in 1868. He was called from a settlement in New York to this church in 1871. During his ministry, which still continues, the church of Chester has renched its greatest strength in membership and its highest general prosperity."

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SALEM executed a certificate of incorporation Sept. 17, 1868. It was signed by E. Stevens and Walter H. Benjamin. The trustees named therein were Elisha Stevens, Walter H. Benjamin, Abram Stewart, George Ste- vens, and David Stevens. This organization was not continued. By its date it appears to have been made the same day that the Protestant Methodist Church

was incorporated, given below. There was doubtless some discussion as to which form of church order had better be adopted, and two organizations were tem- porarily made.

THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHE OF SALEM executed a certificate of incorporation Sept. 7, 1868. It was signed by E. Miller and Charles Fitzgerald, and the trustees named therein were Edward Mills, Charles Fitzgerald, Chauncey S. Horton, A. E. Conk- lin, and John H. Green. This church exists at the present time, though services are not held, except oceasionally. They have a pleasant rural chapel, which is a matter of considerable convenience to the neighborhood, and a very flourishing Sabbath-school is maintained under the superintendence of Charles B. Roe.

THIE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SUGAR- LOAF, WARWICK,

executed a certificate of incorporation Ang. 6, 1809, at the house of Thomas Weadons. The paper was signed by Thomas Woolsey and Jesse Wood, Jr., as inspeetors of election, and the trustees chosen were Henry Wisner, Jr., Joseph Beach, Andrew Cunning- ham, Benjamin Wells, Richard Wisner, Horaee Ketch- um, Elijah Stevens, John D. Conkling, Benjamin Horton. This is an old point of Methodist work, as shown by the early date above given. No statistics have been sent by the pastor in reply to our invita- tion. (See general chapter on religions societies.)

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CHESTER.

The pastor of this church furnishes the following paper with reference to this society :

"The Methodist Episcopal Church of Chester was organized in 1837, and the first service held in the house of Job Hall by the preacher in charge of the Sugar-Lonf Circuit. Among the first members were Williams L. Foster, Anua Masterson, her daughter Mary, and son William, who remained an active and influential member to the day of his death. The society worshiped for some time in private houses, but finally secured the use of the academy, in which preaching services were held every two weeks. In 1850, under the plea that the renting of the academy for other thno educational purposes was contrary to the charter, the small strug- gling society were refneed its further use for religious worship. They then secured the ball-room of the old Yelverton honse, in which they worshiped several months. In the mean time the trustees of the academy had revoked their former decision, and the society agniu occupied it for worship. In 1851 they determined to build u church. The land was purchased, and on Jan. 26, 1852, at a meeting duly called and organized, seven trustees were elected, viz. : C. B. Wood, William L. Foster, Daniel Conklin, S. R. Banker, J. T. Johnson, William Masterson, and B. G. Mc- Cabe. The following summer the present church was built, with a seat- ing capacity of 400, and in October dedicated by Bishop E. S. Janes, the building and property costing $4500.

" In 1867 the church was enlarged by the addition of a lecture-room, class-rooms, etc., at an expense of $3000, and in 1872 the main audience- room was remodeled and beautified, costing $3000 more. At the Confer- ence of 1854, Chester, which up to this time had been connected with the Sugar Lonf Circuit, was made a station, and Rev. B. M. Genung appointed pastor. In 1855 a parsonage was bought for $900, in which the preach- ers lived until 1878, when the present parsonage, the late residence of Dr. Smith, was bought, and the old one sold.

"The following pastore have served the church : 1854-55, B. M. Ge- nung; 1856, R. A. Chalker; 1857-58, C. D. Foss; 1859, J. P. Hermance ; 1860-61, E. L. Preutice ; 1862-63, William Ostrauder; 1864-65, H. G. Browning; 1866-67, P. R. Hlawxhurst; 1868-70, William E. Clarke ;

619

CHESTER.

1871-73, C. W. Millard; 1874-75, J. P. Ilermance; 1876-78, Geo. Clarke; 1879, G. N. Prstt. Mr. Pratt was taken sick soon after Conference, and, after a brief and broken pastorate of seven months, died. The pulpit was supplied during the winter hy P. P. Ilarrower. ISSO, J. Rowe.

"The present membership is IGI, and the valuation of property, in- cluding church and parsonage, $13,500.

" The officers of the church are: Trustees, C. B. Wood, J. T. Johnson, W'm. C. Bodle, D. Il. Koe, Lewis Masterson, H. W. Wood, John King, J. R. Pitts, Francis Murray ; Stewards, Abram Wright, Wui. A. Lawrence, J. T. Thompson, Henry Masterson, C. Foss Wood, Charles Kerner, Elias Masten, Mortimer Crist, Roswell Chamberlain ; Sunday-school Superin- tendent, J. T. Thompson. C. B. Wood, J. T. Johnson, aud H. W. Wood have each served as trustees, through successive re-elections, every year since their first election, the first two in 1852, and the last in 1853, be- sides filling other important offices.

" The Sunday-school, which was organized when the chinrch was built, is in a prosperons condition, numbering st present 116 scholars and 18 officers sud teachers. The church has steadily progressed in numbers and influence since its organization, and hopes for greater prosperity in the future."

VIII .- BURIAL-PLACES.

The remains of an old burial-place may be seen in the village of Chester. The newer grounds in the villages are in very good preservation.

THE GRAY COURT CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

was incorporated Nov. 19, 1856. The meeting was held at the house of William Roe, and William Roe was appointed chairman, Dewitt C. Thompson, secre- tary. The trustees appointed were William Roe, | Cortland S. Marvin, Henry C. Griggs, Dewitt C. Thompson, Wieks Seeley, Seeley C. Roe. This ceme- tery is not far from the site of the Gray Court house of early times, north or northwest of the "meadows," and is rather handsomely laid out and well cared for.

IX .- SOCIETIES, LIBRARIES, BANKS, Etc.

STANDARD LODGE, No. 711, F. AND A. M., was instituted July 27, 1871. Its first officers were John F. Mackie, W. Master; N. Demerest, S. War- den; T. H. Bryan, Junior Warden. Its charter mem- bers were John F. Mackie, of Warwick Lodge; N. Demerest, of Goshen ; T. H. Bryan, of Hoffman ; G. W. Clark, of Hoffman; Samuel Marvin, of Goshen ; George Parsons, of Goshen; C. O. Van Vliet, of Goshen; Nathan Bryan, of Goshen; E. T. Jackson, of Goshen; N. K. Crotty, of Goshen ; Joseph. S. Young, of Goshen ; Dr. H. P'. Ferris, of Warwick. The lodge is located in East Chester, one mile from Erie Rail- road depot.

THE CHESTER LIBRARY

was incorporated Nov. 17, 1797. The trustees named in the certificate were David Webb, James Bradner, Abijah Yelverton, Peter Townsend, Colville Carpen- ter, Joseph Wickham, and Nathan Jones. The cer- tificate was verified before Judge Wickham, and re- corded Nov. 18, 1797.

This was located at Chester village, and Mr. George Board states that Abijah Yelverton was the librarian. He has heard his mother speak of obtaining books there. The library was probably never very large.

It was discontinued after a few years and the books scattered.

CHESTER NATIONAL BANK.

This institution, originally founded as a State bank, was established by the following gentlemen, who signed articles of association Aug. 23, 1845. The subscription to the stock had been made during a few weeks preceding, beginning with June 30th : Alex. Wright, Wm. H. Houston, Francis Tuthill, Gabriel Seeley, Jesse Bull, Benjamin Sayer, Jr., Peter Townsend, Jr., James Wheeler, James Bradner, Henry W. Owen, Jesse Oldfield, William W. Brook, Alsop V. Aspell, Josiah Seeley, Wm. Bross, Daniel Wood, James B. Wheeler, Hulb. Coleman, Gabriel Coleman, John Wood, Bradner Coleman, Jesse Wood, Chas. H. Thompson, Joel Coleman, John M. Bull, Charles C. Wheeler, James B. Wood, Jr., Gabriel Houston, Louis D. Parkhurst, Jacob H. Feegles, Jonas Seeley, Charles Cumens, by J. Seeley, John H. Yelverton, Seeley C. Roe, James Burt, Jr., Samuel Wilson, James Burt, William Waterbury. John R. Wilson, Townsend & Brothers, Edmond Seeley, Benjamin Bradner, Henry Brewster, Nathan S. Vail, Cornelius C. Demerest, Frederick Demerest, Sarah Demerest, by F. Demerest, Ezra Sanford, H. Weeden, Andrew J. Durland, John Sly, Fanny Benedict, R. M. Murray & Co., Joseph M. Brown, Isaac A. Storm, G. L. Dolsen, Johnes, Otis & Co., Abraham Forshee, Henry Wisner, Isaac T. Storm, Warren S. Rumsey, Wm. Coleman, D. Irwin, D. M. Wilson & Co., O. S. Jennings, John Romer, Oliver Clark, Marcus Sears, E. H. Pray, Fred. H. Brewster, Phineas R. Coleman.

The first directors were Alexander Wright, Francis Tuthill, Gabriel Seeley, Jesse Bull, Peter Townsend, Jr., James Wheeler, Henry W. Owen, Alsop V. Aspell, James B. Wheeler, Gabriel Coleman, Jesse Wood, Jonas Seeley, James Burt, Jr., John R. Wilson, David Hynard.

The association immediately contracted for the erection of the present building, and it was built during that fall and the ensuing winter. James Hazard was the builder. The bank was opened for business about the 21st of May, 1846. The first presi- dent of the bank was James Wheeler, who served until June, 1851. His successor was Edward L. Welling, who continued in the office until his death in the winter of 1855. In June of that year James Burt was chosen, and is still the president after a ser- vice of over twenty-five years. These three presidents were all from the town of Warwick. The first cashier was Alexander Wright, who served until June, 1851. He was succeeded by Mr. John T. Johnson, who is still cashier, now in his thirtieth year of service. The capital stock was $100,400 at the organization. It was increased to $125,500 at a subsequent date. The institution became a national bank in 1865.

The present board of directors (October, 1880) con- sists of James Burt (who has been a director from 1845), James B. Wheeler, Ezra Sanford, Bradner

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Coleman, Charles H. Thompson, Dewitt C. Jayne, Henry W. Owen, Nathan R. Feagles, Cornelius B. Wood, Nathaniel R. Bradner, John T. Johnson, Nathaniel Roe, Ira Bull.

JOHN T. JOHNSON .- His grandfather, James John- son, was of Welsh descent, and married, in New York City, a Miss Vantilburg, who was born in Holland, who bore him an only child, John, father of our sub- ject. John Johnson was born in Newark, N. J., in 1763, married for his first wife a Miss Townsend, who bore him an only child, Sarah, who became the wife of Edward James, a lawyer in Goshen, where he died.

For his second wife John Johnson married Orpha, widow of Timothy Little, and daughter of Col. John Tuthill, of Blooming-Grove, Orange Co. She was born Nov. 11, 1781, and died June 15, 1855, leaving an only child, the subject of this sketch.

While a young man John Johnson came to Goshen, where he established himself in the saddle and har- ness business, which he carried on until his death, which occurred June 25, 1821. He was a member of the Episcopal Church at that place, and his second wife a member of the Presbyterian Church.

John T. Johnson was born in Goshen, Feb. 18, 1815, and was therefore only six years of age when his father died. He resided with his maternal grand- father, Col. Tuthill, who was one of the first settlers of Erin, Chemung Co., N. Y., until he was fifteen years old, when he came to Chester, and was a clerk in the store of his uncle, Francis Tuthill, of that place, for the following seven years. For one year following he was a clerk in the store of Townsend & Kinney, at Peru, Ill., and then took up 300 acres of land on Fox River, in that State, where, however, he remained only a short time. For three years fol- lowing he was the clerk of Harden Bigelow, con- tractor of the Illinois Central Railroad. He then engaged as clerk for Isaac Abram, of Peru, and in 1843 again entered the service of Mr. Bigelow, and had charge of shipping the railroad iron for him.

The same year he returned to Chester, and was a clerk until 1847 in the store of Tuthill & Seeley, when he became a partner in the business, under the firm-name of Tuthill, Seeley & Johnson, his uncle withdrawing and John B. Tuthill becoming a member of the concern. In this relation he continued until 1851, when he was elected cashier of the Chester Bank, with Edward L. Welling as president. Mr. Welling served as president until 1855, and was superseded by James Burt, who held the office until Jan. 11, 1881, when Mr. Johnson, who had remained cashier from his first election, was chosen president, which position he holds at the present time, thus being for a period of thirty years identified with the history of that bank. Since his connection with the XI .- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. bank his financial ability has been recognized as safe, judicious, and honest. Prior to this he took some interest in local politieal matters, and for one term served as supervisor of Chester. His life has been Mr. Eager, as that agrees with the local tradition of the present time.

devoted to business, and he is known as a man of strict integrity in all the relations of life, well in- formed upon the current topics of the times, sociable, frank in his manner, and a substantial citizen.

X .- PLACES OF HISTORICAL INTEREST. GRAY COURT

is the old historic name bestowed by the first settler, Daniel Cromeline, upon his estate, in imitation of English enstom, and it was applied to his dwelling, -which subsequently became a famous hostelry of ante-Revolutionary times,-to the hamlet that grew up around him, and to the meadows in this vicinity.

The old Gray Court or Cromeline house stood on the north or northeast side of the meadows, some- what opposite to the present railroad station of the same name. It was taken down within the memory of many persons now living. Its site was very nearly the same as that of the dwelling now occupied by Widow Wisner. The present house was erected by Francis Woodhull, who owned the place for some years. The site must be considered a place of historic interest.

In 1776, Chester was made a point of rendezvous for the militia of Ulster and Orange, under command of Gen. George Clinton. They were there for some little time, giving rise to the tradition that a portion of the Continental army encamped there, which is not correct. The militia encamped npon the Townsend place, and the officers boarded at the house of Wm. Vail. Some detachments doubtless occupied other points. Mrs. Hoffman, of Goshen, has relies picked up from the camping-ground upon her ancestor's farm, a mile or so distant from the above place.

ST'GAR-LOAF MOUNTAIN

rises majestically, in a conical form, several hundred feet above the level of the surrounding lands. The apex of the cone is covered with a woody top-knot or crest, which gives it a pleasant and gay appearance. "Eager's History" gives the following :

"On a farm in this vicinity, owned by Mr. Jonathan Archer,# there was an Indian burying-ground at the early settlement of the country. Our informant, npwards of eighty-six years old, said she saw it fre- quently before the Revolution, and once afterwards. She thought there were about thirty graves. Around each grave there were pieces of split wood, set in the ground so close as almost to touch each other, and higher than her liead. There was no regularity in the position of the graves. These, doubtless, were the honored receptacles of chiefs and warriors; for, from all we have learned upon inquiry through the county, it ap- pears that such were not interred in a coolmon yard with other Indians. While each trihe or settlement had a common receptacle for depositiog the dead, several settlemente, though many miles apart, buried their chiefs in ground appropriated for the purpose; so that while the lat- ter were few in number, the former were numerous. When a chief was buried the Indians attended from a great distance around."

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 152

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1336

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336