History of Otsego County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 29

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) cn
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 988


USA > New York > Otsego County > History of Otsego County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 29


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Edwin D. Webster, enl. in Co. K, 121st Inf., Aug. 7, 1862; in battles of Wilder- ness and several others ; wounded at Cold Harbor; dis. May 29, 1-65.


Julius Severn, eul. in Co. K, 121st Inf., Aug. 1862; in battle of Compton Gap ; lost his speech ; sent to hospital and transferred to Invalid Corps ; dis, 1-3. George Dixon, enl. in Co. K, 121st Inf., Aug. 1562; iu battle of Compton Heights; taken sick and dis.


Henry T. Smith, enl. in Co. K, 12Ist Inf., Ang. 1862; orderly sergt .: in 12 battles ; dis. 1865.


George Ilastings, enl. in Co. K, 121st Regt., Aug. 1862; killed at Salem Height4 May 3, 1863.


Charles H. Snow, enl. in Co. KG, 121st Inf., Ang. 7, 1862; wounded at Salem Ileights; died at hospital, May 8, 1863.


Albert Turkey, corp., enl. in Co. K, 121st Inf., Aug. 1862; wounded at Ce-lar Creek ; dis. 1863.


Clark 11. Vancory, capt., enl. in Co. K, 121st Inf., Ang. 1862 ; took part in ntost of the Potomac battles ; dis. June, 1865.


George A. Shetfield, enl. in Co. K, 121st Inf., Ang. 1862; in most of the Potomac battles ; dis. Aug. 24, 1865.


Wmt. Murry, enl. in Co. K, 121st Inf., Ang. 1862; in the Potomac cany mign ; dis. Ang. 24. 1:65.


Jay Baneoff, enl. in Co. K, 121st Inf., Aug. Ist2; killed in Shenandoth Valley. at battle of Winchester.


Andrew Cowen, enl. in Co. K, 121st Int., Aug. 1562; wounded at Salem Chap L. Alonzo Lamb, enl. iu Co. K, 121st Inf., Ang. 1862; deserted.


Dentetrius Garlick, enl. In Co. K, 121st Inf., Ang. 1962; in hospital.


James Cassady, enl. in Co. K, 121st Inf., Ang. 1std; in battles of Pototit ; tis. In 1:63.


Edward C. Gilbert, lieut .- col., enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf. ; in battles of Laurel H.l. Mine Run, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg.


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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.


Willard A. Musson, enl. In 51st Regt., Sept. 1861 ; In battles of Roanoke and Newbern; dis. in Ang. 1862; re-enlisted as 2d llent, ; killed at the battle of Burgess, Oct. 28, 1x65.


IMAAC W. Clinton, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; dis. In Jan. 1863.


Jesse Simpson, corp., enl. In Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; in battles of Willer- ness; wounded and discharged.


Francis M. Tisson, corp., enl. In Co. G, 152d Inf .; In battles of Wilderness, Spottaylvania, North Anna, and Petersburg; wounded at Reams' Station ; dis. In July, 1865.


James G. Patterson, enlisted in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862.


Channcy Wetmore, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862.


Albert Bryant, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; in battles of Potomac cam- paign ; wounded at Petersburg, and died in hospital.


Levi Lanıpere, enlisted in Co. G, 152d Iuf., Sept. 1862 ; served his term out, and dis. July 20, 1865.


Thomas Brown, enl. In Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 4, 1862; slightly wounded at Spottsylvania ; dis. July, 1865.


Elisha E. Burgess, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; wounded in battle of Wilderness, and was missing.


Francis D. Butler, capt., enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; promoted to capt .; dis. July, 1865.


Wm. Henry Beardsley, enl. In Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862.


John II. Silvey, enl. In Co. G, 1524 Inf., Sept. 1862 ; dis. July, 1865.


Wm. C. Hickok, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; in battles of Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Deep Bottom, Petersburg, and Renins' Station, and at Lee's surrender ; dis. July, 1865.


Joshua Slade, enl. In Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; served term out ; dis. 1865. Win. E. Stebbins, serg., enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862.


Richard Severn, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862.


John Boney, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; died in prison, Sept. 28, 1864. George Davis, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Oct. 1862 ; mortally wounded at Cold Har- bor; died in hospital.


Samuel A. Sibrig, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Oct. 1862; in Potomac campaign. Jolin I. Goodell, eul. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; died Ang. 1863. Henry Gregory, oul, in Co. G, 152d Inf, Sept. 1862; dis. in July, 1863.


Charles G. Thompson, enl. in Co. G, 1524 Inf., Sept. 1862; in battles of Wilder-


ness, Hatcher's Run, Brigg's Farm, and Petersburg, and at Lee's surrender. James R. Thayer, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; dis. Jan. 1863.


Gilbert S. Mallory, Ist sergt., enlisted in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; in battles


of Wilderness, Hatcher's Run, Petersburg, and Lee's surrender ; dis. July, 1865.


Jacob H. Willis, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862 ; wounded iu battle of Wil- derness ; dis. Feb. 1865.


Richard MI. Cleveland, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862.


Jolin T. Hasting, serg .- mnaj., enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; dis. July, 1865. Lewis G. Murry, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf, Sept. 1862 ; dis. July, 1865.


Ira E. Carpenter, eul. in Co. G, 152d Iuf., Sept. 1862; dis. July, 1865.


George Foster, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; iu most of the campaign ; taken prisoner and discharged.


Samnel Moulton, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; dis. Dec. 31, 1863.


Joseph W. Hertop, segt., enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1869 ; iu battles of Wil- derness, Spettsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep Bot- tom, Reams' Station, and at Lee's surrender ; dis. 1865.


Charles A. Stebbins, corp., enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; wounded at Spottsylvania ; died of his wounds.


Frederick Gass, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; in battles of Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, Reams' Station, second Petersburg, Richmond, and at Lee's surrender.


Gilbert Miller, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862.


George N. Goodrich, enl. in Co, G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1802.


Henry W. l'eters, ent. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; in all of the battles of the campaign ; dis. ING3.


Judson K. Davis, enl. in Co. G, 152d Iuf., Sept. 1862; in battles of Wilderness, North and South Anna, Spottsylvania, Clover Hill, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Hatcher's Run, Burgess Farm, and at Lee's surrender. Henry Newton, eul. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; died Dec. 1862.


Ethen Stevens, enl. in Co. G, 1524 Inf., Sept. Ist2; taken prisoner and died at Andersonville.


Henry W. Hastings, enl. in Co. G, 152d Inf., Sept. 1862; died in 1863.


Ira Green, enl. in Co. E, 2d N. Y. Art., Dec. 1>63; dis. 1864.


Lneius T, Bushnell, Ist Heut., enl. in 2d N. Y. Art., Dec. 1863; in several battles and at Lee's surrender.


George A. Cox, enl. in 21 N. Y. Art., Dec. 1863; in battle of Mine Run : dis. June 17, 1865,


W'm. long, enl. in 2d N. Y. Art., Dec. 1863; in several battles ; dis. Nov. 1564. George Austin, enl. in Ed N. Y. Art., Dec. 1813; in battles of Pine Forest, North Anna, Swift Run ; wounded at Cold Harbor, June, 1864.


Theodore A. Musson, ent. in 2d N. Y. Art., Dre. 1863; in battles of Spottsyl- vania, Wilderness, and North Attb ; wounded at Cold Harbor; dis, Ist. Ishmael Joties, enl. in 24 N. Y. Art., Doc. ING; dis. April, ING1.


Augustita S. Green, enl. in 2d N. Y. Art., Dec. 3863 ; wounded at Spottsylvania ; dis. 1$64.


Franklin II. Davis, enl. In 2d N. Y. Art., Dec. 1863. Anthony Stowart, enl. Dec. 19, 1863.


The following have no record given :


Reuben Sontleworth, eul, Jan. 1564.


Wm. Southworth, enl. Jan. 1864.


Francis Lewis, enl. Feb. 1864.


James Brown, enl. Frb. 1864.


Clarence Fislier, enl. Feb. 1864. James Fisher, enl. Feb. 1:64. George Warren, enl. Feb. 1864.


Henry Chob, enl. Feb. 1664.


John L. Fox, enl. Feb. 1864.


Daniel P. Rigley, eul. Feb. 1864. Samuel Ilemmingwny. George W. Ilanse.


Wni. E. Bordon, enl. Ang. 1864. Joseph W. Fauset, enl. Sept. 1864. Orrin Sherman, enl. Sept. 1864. Verral Gates, enl. Sept. 1864.


Erastus JI. Olds, eul. Sept. 1864. IIenry Moulton, enl. Sept. 1864. Jackson Davis, enl. Sept. 1864.


James Z. Sharts, enl. Sept. 1861.


Sherwood A. Lee, enl. Sept. 1864. Elan Cutshaw, enl. Sept. 1864. Miles Beadle, enl. Sept. 1863.


George Parsons, enl. Sept. 1864.


Wnr. C. Bonuer, enl. Sept. 1864.


Elias Pettis, enl. Sept. 1864.


Calvin Croeley, enl. Sept, 1864.


Wm. Northrop, enl. Sept. 1864.


Thomas Graham, enl. Sept. 1864.


John Tate, enl. Sept. 1864.


Eros Mose, enl. Sept. 1864.


C. Deming, enl. Sept. 1$64.


Ilenry Tiffany, enl. Sept. 1861.


T. Griffin, enl. Sept. 1804.


John Edwards, enl. in 121st Inf., Aug. 1862.


Frank Babcock, enl. in 185th Iuf., Sept. 1864.


Marvin Pope, enl. in 117th Iuf., Aug. 1>62.


Charles Lampere, enl. in 114th Iuf., Aug. 1862.


Bryant Lewis.


James Atkius, enl. in 95th Inf., Aug. 1861.


Wm. Carpenter, Robert Carpenter, Jolin Marsh, Robert Rufus, Porter Walker, Alexander Davis, Allen Melson, John Adams, Oscar Robertson, Ilenry Turner, Westley Hanse, Willis Stone, Robert Higgins, Alexander Ander- son, Isaac Richardson, Levi Jones, Marshal Kelly, David Miller, George Washington, Jolin Williams, Anderson Bradley, Stephen Willis, Eros Jack- son, Charles Kieson, Henry Birdsall, Thomas Hill, Elias Fisher, Archer Allen, Griffin Parker, George Williams, Peter Willis, Willis Lindsley, Joseph Brown,


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.


ELIHU HAKES.


The subject of this sketchi was born in Stonington, Conn., Aug. 13, 1803. He is the son of Elisha and Anna Hakes.


ELINU HAKES.


He was reared upon a farm, and received such advantages only for an education as the common schools offered, but


119


HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.


which was sufficient to enable him to teach school, which he did for three terms. He commenced life for himself when he was twenty-one years of age. He learned the clothier's trade, which he followed successfully for several years ; but agriculture being more to his taste, he decided to make that his avoeation for life. He commenced by work- ing leased land in his native State. In the year 1842 he came to the town of Butternuts, Otsego County, and pur- chased a farm of 109 acres. He now owns upwards of 280 acres of land. Mr. Hakes has been a very successful farmer, and is now considered one of the solid men of his township.


Sept. 14, 1828, he was married to Miss Mary Leeds, a native of the town of Groton, Conn. Of this marriage


MRS. ELIHU HAKES.


were born six children, viz., Elihu, resides at Rochester ; Mary Ann, died when she was sixteen years of age ; Alonzo L. and Henry C. are farmers in the town of Butternuts; Joshua L. and Johu MI. were twins. Joshua died when twenty-one years of age. John M. resides with his parents.


Mr. Hakes has been a Republican for many years. Mrs. Hakes is a member of the Baptist church of Gilbertsville.


CHAPTER XXXIV. TOWN OF CHERRY VALLEY.


Organization - Geographical - Topographical - Revolutionary An- nals-Incidents of the Massacre-Early Settlers-Initial Events -The First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-Supervisors and Town Clerks from 1791 to 1878-Present Town Officials-Agricul- tural and General Statisties of 1865 and 1875-Area-Assessed and Equalized Valuation of Property-Population.


THIS town was organized from the town of Canajoharie, Montgomery county, on Feb. 15, 1791, more than half a century after the first settlement was made within its bor- ders. It retained its original dimensions until 1797, when the towns of Middlefield, Springfield, and Worcester were set off, and it was still further redneed in area by the eree- tion of Roseboom, in 1854.


Its surface is generally hilly; Mount Independence at-


tains an elevation of about 2000 feet above tide, and is the highest summit in the county. The waters of the con- tre and south part flow into the Susquehanna, while the northern part is drained by tributaries of the Mohawk. The soil is fertile, particularly in the valleys, where are found many of the finest farms in the county.


The pioneer history of Cherry Valley is related in detail in the general history of this work, which is traeed from the planting of civilization by John Lindsley in 1740, down through the years of privation and hardship to the breaking out of the Revolution. The record of that era is a history of pioneer life, with its attendant privations and inconveniences. The courageous spirits who penetrated the forest and were carving for themselves homes and rearing families had thus far been unmolested by the roaming savages. It was a season of comparative repose. The grand old hills were picturesque in their primeval garb, the soil which had been laid bare by the husbandman was found to yield an abundance, the inhabitants were those of sterling character. Christianity was a ruling guide, and the little settlement of Cherry Valley was rapidly advaneing in importauee, with every indieation of an exeeediugly prosperous future.


The breaking out of the Revolution and the unfortunate alliance of the Six Nations to the English crown, brought this dream of peace to a elose, and from that time to the fatal hour of the massacre was a period of apprehension and alarm. The savages, who had heretofore treated the settlers with every act of kindness, now began to show signs of distrust, which were soon developed into intense enmity by the Johnsons and their eoterie of counselors.


In the general history will also be found a deseription of the massaere, the mere mention of which sends a thrill of horror through one's frame, when is called to mind the butcheries of that November night.


A more pathetie seene can seareely be pictured to one's mind than the survivors of Cherry Valley at the close of the Revolution returning to their old homes, from which they had been so relentlessly driven by the Tories and their savage allies. But, alas, the seene that met their throbbing hearts! The rude church wherein they had offered their devotions to Him who had watched over them, the fort, the dwellings, and every vestige of civilization had been swept away; gardens were overgrown by briers and under- brush, and the smali clearings, which their industrious hands had assisted in reclaiming from the forest, were assuming their natural state. But theirs were stout hearts. They were in all respects well qualified to endure the hardships ineident to pioneer life, and not much time elapsed ere the clearings were reelaimed, cabins were built, and the frontier settlement again began to exhibit evidenees of a civilized and progressive state.


In 1784, when a few log huts comprised the embryo vil- lage, it was visited by General Washington, General Geo. Clinton, and numerous other eclebrated men, who came to pay their respeets to those who had served under theut in the recently-closed struggle, and to view the scene of the barbarous butchery. The following description of this visit is given by Judge Campbell in the annals of Tryon county : " Governor Clinton immediately inquired for Robert Shank-


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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.


land, who had married a distant connection of his, and with whom he was acquainted. Before introducing him, it may be well to give some account of this brave and hardy bor- derer. From the first lie had espoused the colonial cause, and, being an Irishman by birth, maintained it with the characteristie warmth of his countrymen. He lived in a remote part of the town, but while the garrison was kept he came almost daily to inquire as to the state of affairs at home and abroad. He was accustomed to pass by the farm of Mr. Conrad, a townsman, whom he found always en- gaged in his usual farming business. Believing that a man could not be a good Whig who appeared so indifferent to what was doing in the country, he one day accosted him. Armed, as was his custom, with a musket and a large basket-hilted sword, he drew up before him, when the fol- lowing dialogue was held :


" Mr. Conrad, are you a Whig ?"


" Yes, Mr. Shankland, I am as good a Whig as you are," he replied.


" And why don't you arm yourself in defense of your country as I do, then ?" Throwing up his musket and strik- ing his hand upon his sword, he marched toward the fort, leaving Mr. Conrad somewhat surprised at this, though not unusual, yet scorching, question. Mr. Conrad was after- wards an active partisan soldier.


When Cherry Valley was destroyed, the home of Mr. Shankland, by reason of its remoteness, was not burned .. He fled, however, with his family to the Mohawk river. The following sunumer he returned with his son Thomas, a lad about fourteen years of age. They were awakened one morning a little before daylight by a violent pounding at the door, with a demand of admittance made in broken English.


Mr. Shankland arose, and taking down his guns directed his son to load them as fast as they should be discharged by him. Upon listening, he ascertained that the demand was made by Indians, who were endeavoring to hew down the door with their tomahawks. With a spear in his hand he now carefully unbarred his door and charged upon them. Surprised by this unexpected attack they fell baek. One of the Indians, whom he pursued in his retreat, fell over a log which lay near the door, and into which he stuck his spear. He drew it back suddenly, when the blade parted from the handle and remained in the wood. He seized the blade in his hand and wrested it out, and then retreated into the house. Not a gun was fired nor a tomahawk thrown at him in this sortie. The Indians now comineneed firing through the door and in the windows, which was returned by Mr. Shankland, though with no effect on the part of the Indians, and with little on his. One or two of the Indians were slightly wounded. His son, who was frightened, made his escape through the window and ran toward the woods. He was discovered, pursued, and taken. When Mr. Shankland learned from their shouts that this was the ease, he determined to sally out again and sell his life as dearly as possible. But, upon reflection, fearing it might endanger the life of his sou, whom they might otherwise save alive, he concluded to remain and defend his house to the last.


The Indians, who were few in number, finding themselves unable to effect an entrance into the house, hit upon another


method of attack. They gathered combustible materials, and placing them at a side of the house where there were no windows, and where they could not be annoyed by Mr. Shankland, set fire to theu. In a few minutes the whole side of the house was enveloped in flames. There was but one way of escape. He had sown a field of hemp, which came up to his house on one side, and luckily the side in which was the cellar-door.


The prospect of a successful defense being now over, he went into the cellar, and leaving gained the rocks through the hemp, made his way to the Mohawk in safety. The Indians waited until the house was burned down, supposing him to have been burned in it, and then raising their shout of victory, departed, taking their prisoner along with them into the western part of the State.


The party of distinguished visitors was received by Mr. Campbell, at his house. While here, Governor Clinton, seeing several boys, inquired of Mrs. Campbell how many children she had; having told him, he added, " They will make fine soldiers in time." She replied, "She hoped her country would never need their services." " I hope so too, madam," said General Washington, " for I have seen enough of war."


The following year, 1785, was rendered memorable by the reorganization of the Presbyterian church, which had been founded by the Rev. Samuel Dunlop forty-five years before. The village How was prosperous as a pioneer settlenient could well be, and the people not only manifested an in- terest in religious matters, but early agitated the founding of a school, and in 1796 was established the Cherry Valley academy. This institution was the first of the kind west of Schenectady, and the Rev. Solomon Spaulding, the re- puted author of the Book of Mormon, was the first principal.


The village is thus described by HI. Gates Spafford, as it appeared in 1812 :


" Cherry Valley village, where is the post-office, is beau- tifully situated in the principal vale of Cherry Valley town, and is most romantically environed by high hills. Here are SO houses and stores, a handsome meeting-house, and an academy, and standing at the meeting of five roads of great travel, has a very considerable amount of trade. The first, second, and third Great Western turnpikes meet here with other roads that traverse the country in every direc- tion. It is 13 miles southwest of the Mohawk at Palatine bridge, 53 miles north of west from Albany, and 14 north- east fromn Otsego or Cooperstown village. It has some elegant gentlemen's seats and private mansions."


The village had so far increased in importance that, on the Stli of June, 1812, it was incorporated, aud from this period rapidly inereased in importance.


The following interesting sketch of its early inhabitants is taken from a work written by a resident of the town, the late Levi Beardsley, entitled " Beardsley's Reminiscenees."


James Campbell died in 1770, aged eighty years. Sarah Simpson, his wife, died in 1773, aged seventy-nine years. James Campbell was the first of the Campbell family who came here among the early settlers, not far from 1740, and was the father of Colonel Samuel Campbell, who died in 1824, aged eighty-six years ; and great-grandfather of Hon. William W. Campbell, author of the " Annals of Tryon


1.20a


Photo, by W. G. Smith, Cooperstown.


C. C. Clyde


GEORGE CLINTON CLYDE.


Colonel Samuel Clyde, father of the subject of this memoir, was born in Windham, Rockinghamn Co., N. H., April 11, 1732, of Scotch ancestry. His father was a farmer, and gave his son the education commonly bestowed upon their sons by New England farmers. At an early age he entered the military service of his eonntry, and was appointed captain of a company by General Abercrombie (his commission bearing date 1758), which served during the war between Great Britain and France, termin- ating in 1762. He was at the taking of Fort Frontenae, and was with General Bradstreet, and shared with him that disastrous defeat before Ticonderoga. In this war he laid the foundation of that military knowl- edge and experience that was called into use in after-life in resisting the arbitrary acts of the British parliament. During that war he formed an intimacy with Dr. Matthew Thornton, afterwards one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, then surgcon of the regiment in which Colonel Clyde was captain.


In 1761 he married Catharine Wasson, niece of Dr. Thornton, and in 1762 removed to Cherry Valley, then the extreme outpost of civilization in Tryon county, which included all territory west of Albany. Colonel Clyde purchased a traet of land in Cherry Valley, and engaged in farm- ing, which he afterwards pursued until the stirring scenes of the Revo- lution called him to other pursuits. He early espoused the causo of the colonies, and was among the leading spirits in preparing the minds of the inhabitants of the Mohawk valley for that stubborn resistance which they subsequently displayed in resisting the arbitrary power of the British crown. He was an active participant in all the military move- menta, from the beginning to the close of the war, for the defense of the country. lle was present with his command at that terrible hand-to- hand fight at Oriskany, in which General Herkimer was killed. In this battlo he was knocked down by a blow from a British innsket, but was rescued by a man named John Flock, who shot the man who had given the blow.


This musket is now in the possession of bis great-grandson, Jaines D. Clyde, M.D., of Cherry Valley.


He was a member of the committee of safety. from the beginning of the war to the close, which had exclusivo legislation for the county. After General Herkimer and Colonel Cox were killed, the command of the military devolved upon Colonel Clyde, who discharged his duties with such marked ability that he acquired the confidence of all who knew him, and a congratulatory letter of thanks was sent him at the close of the war by General Choton. He was elveted a member of the legislature from Tryon enunty, and served in that capacity in the first legislature which met under the constitution of 1777, and was appointed one of a committee by that legislature to wait upon congress to memoriahze that honorable body for aid in protecting the frontiers from the ineur- wons of the Indians. At the close of the war he returned to Cherry Valley, and was appointed by Governor Clinton sheriff or executive officer of Tryon county, a position which he in fact had held during most of the war. When Montgomery county was set off from Tryon county he with mapwinted by Governor Clinton sheriff of Montgomery county, the duties of which office, as well as every public trust reposed in bim, he dis-


charged with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the publie. He closed his aetive and eventful life on the 30th day of November, 1790. on the " Clyde Farm" in Cherry Valley, which he purebased in 1762. This farm is now in the possession of Dr. James D. Clyde. Colonel Clyde was commissioned captain in 175S, adjutant in 1775, major in 1776, and lieu- tenant-colonel and colonel in 1778.


Hon. George Clinton Clyde, the subject of this sketeb, grandson of Colonel Clyde. was born on the old homestead farm April 25, 1802. He received his education at the academy of Cherry Valley. in the prosper- ons days of that institution, and when sucb men as Alvan Stewart and the father of Postmaster-General Randall were at its head. While yet young, and, as he himself afterwards said, much too young, he entered as a student at law in the office of Haminond & Beardsley (Jabez D. Hammond and Levi Beardsley), historie names in the county of Otsego. He was admitted to the bar of the supreme court in 1821, and in the following year he established himself iu practice in Burlington in this county, having formed a copartnership with Hon. William G. Angel. then representative in congress from the Otsego distriet. At Burlington he prosecuted a sneeessful professional business, and remained there till the beginning of 1535, when he removed to Cooperstown, having in the pre- vious fall been elected clerk of the county by a large majority. At the close of his official term, being in poor health, he returned to Cherry Valley, and spent the year 1838 at his father's, having determined at that time to close his professional business.




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