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 48
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" The Commissioners of Exeise for the town of Middlefield bare Licensed Moses Rich to keep an inn or a Tavern, which I've acet'd to the Poor-Masters five dollars.
"SAMUEL GRIFFIN, Supervisor.
" MIDDLEFIELD, May 26, 1798."
"Statement of exeise or poor money in the town of Middlesex. July 10, 1797 :
"On Land at present, £20 18s.
" SAMUEL GRIFFIN, Supervisor. " To be Recorded."
The proportion of school money from the State for the town of Middlefield, forty-one pounds thirteen shillings. Also, twenty-one pounds twelve shillings raised by said town, making in the whole the sum of sixty-three pounds five shillings.
As certified by the Supervisors of the County of Otsego. Entered August 22, 1797.
" The commissioners for the town of Middlefield have licensed four persons to keep inns or taverns, for which they pay five dollars each, the whole twenty dollars.
" SAMUEL GRIFFIN, Supervisor. " March 2, 1798."
The following is a list of the supervisors and town clerks from 1797 to 1878:
Supervisors.
Town Clerks
1797
Samuel Griffin.
Thomas Jone -. ..
1798
..
=
1799
1500
46
1501
44
1502
188
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Supervim rs.
Town Clerks.
1803
Benjaminiu Gilbert.
Thomas Jones. ..
1801.
1805
1506
1807
=
Samuel Griffin. Thomas Jones. Sumuel Gritfin.
Excise Commissioner .- J. H. Ames.
AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL STATISTICS.
In 1865 there were 25,612 aeres of improved lands in Middlefield, and the cash value of farms was $1,533.335; plowed lands, 6178 aeres ; in pasture, 9525 aeres ; acres in meadow, 8632; spring wheat harvested in 1864. ~ 51 bushels; bushels of winter wheat, 857; bushels of oats. 47,440 ; bushels of barley, 1443; bushels of buckwheat, 8300; bushels of Indian eorn, 19,460 ; bushels of potatoes, 35,726; bushels of peas, 953; bushels of beans, 187; bushels of turnips, 886; pounds of hops, 391,861 ; bushels of apples, 35,834; barrels of eider, 1083; pounds of maple sugar, 11,606 ; pounds of butter, 170,795 ; pounds of cheese, 232,087.
Agricultural Statistics, 1875 .- Aeres plowed, 5370; in pasture, 1052; mown, 9696; tons of hay produced, 10.705; bushels of barley, 1071 ; buckwheat, 10,190 ; corn, 12.203; oats, 75,998 ; rye, 2388; spring wheat, 640; winter wheat. 984; beans, 133; peas, 622; pounds of hops, 323,303: bushels of potatoes, 48,522; pounds of butter, 184,466; cheese, 22,485.
Areu .- Middlefield has an area of 37,456 acres, and its assessed valuation is $562,710, and its equalized valuation $726,646.
POPULATION.
1800
1044 | 1845. 3196
1810
2003
1850 .. 3113
1814.
2234
1855 3071
1820 2579
1860 2.25
1825 2832
3323
1870
1875 2693 1840 3319
CHAPTER XLVIIL.
TOWN OF MIDDLEFIELD-Continued.
Ecclesiastical History#-Early Methodisin-Methodist Churches- Presbyterian Church, Middlefield Centre-Baptist Church, Clarks- ville.
" We felt that we were fellow-men, Wo felt we were a band Sustained here in the wilderness By Ileaveu's upholding hand.
And when the solemn Sabbath came, We gathered in the wood, And lifted up our hearts in prayer To God, the only Good."
W. D. GALLAGHER.
EARLY METHODISM.
THE pioneers of Otsego manifested much zeal in religions matters, and the clearing was scarcely made, and the rude cabin erected, ere measures were adopted enabling them to hold devotional exercises. These gatherings were usually held at the house of some settler, who generously opened
* See history of Westville churches, in town of Westford.
The officers for 1877 are as follows :
Supervisor .- A. G. Murphy.
Tonon Clerk .- John Peake.
Collector .- D. M. Ilunter.
Commissioner of Highways .- Henry Jones.
Justice of the Prace .- N. T. Bates.
Railroad Commissioners .- L. H. Bowen, J. G. North, and H. M. Pierce.
Assessor .- R. Brown.
Constables .- J. C. Lane, George Risedorph, Henry Andrews, C. Doolittle, T. Aud, J. W. Sexton, and Martin Eckler.
.6
1835
Eben B. Morehouse.
1836
Levi Wood.
"
1838
Milton U. Chase.
1839
1840 Eben B. Morehouse.
Johu Hayden.
.6
66
1843
Milton U. Chase.
1844
1845 Sumner Ely.
1846
1847 Barnabas Gilbert. 1818 Sumner Ely.
1849
1850
Richard H. Denton.
1851 Moses R. Brown.
1852
1853 George R. Fowler. " "
1854
1855 William I. Compton.
Moses R. Brown.
1856 Samuel H. Ilunter.
John Hinds.
1837
Elihu C. Briggs.
1858
Leroy E. Bowe.
1859
William Brooks.
William H. Ely.
1861
Elibu C. Briggs.
1862 Williamu Brooks.
1864
66 1865
1866.
64 William Jones.
1868
William I. Compton.
1869 Anson C. Parsball.
1870
1871 Egbert Marks. ..
1872.
1873 William Jones.
1874. Ilorace M. Puree.
1875 John G. Fowler.
1876
Fayette L. Gilbert.
Delos Follett. Lucien B. Bowen. John Peake.
1877 Adriel G. Murphy.
"
1867
Jordan C. Follett. 46 .. Egbert Marks.
Lneien B. Boweu.
Martin E. Gates.
Lucien B. Bowen.
1860 Levi H. Bower.
1863 William II. Ely.
Farrand C. Parshall. Samuel H. Ilunter.
"
Orsemus ReynoldIs.
1835
.3163
1809
1810 John M. Bowers.
1811
..
1812
Benjamin Gilbert.
1813
Sumner Ely.
1815
"
Daniel Gilbert.
1818
1819
1820
46
1821
Ashael Todd.
1822
1823
Samnel Griffin. James J. Rice.
1824
1825
1826
Lewis Barnum.
1827
1828
Benjamin Gilbert.
1829
John Denton.
David Lent. Samuel Huntington.
1831
Daniel Gilbert.
1832 Samuel M. Ingals.
1833 "
Barnabas M. Gilbert.
1834
Erastus S. Sterling.
1837 William Temple.
66
1841 ..
1842
Everett Henman. William Brooks.
46
George Henuan.
1830
Levi Wood. .6
1816
1817
Suinner Ely.
U
Inspectors of Election .- L. D. Van Patten, Jay Eckl. r. S. M. Barnum, Jr., Harry North, H. Hubbard, B. Roger and E. Eggleston.
1808
..
Fayette L. Gilbert.
1865 2690 1830
199
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
, . 3 . ~ to the neighborhood ; but often, " when the solemn w,! zuth came, they gathered in the wood," and there amid de monarchs of the forest, raised their voices in solemn majoration.
The following interesting sketch of early Methodism in the trinity was compiled mainly from the writings of the l'e ticarze Peck, D.D., who was born in Middlefield. 1 ... .. 1797.
In 1-02 the Rev. William Colbert was appointed pre- w.J.az eller in the Albany district, at the conference in March 19, 1802, he preached at a school-house in PanGeld. and on the following day rode to Cooperstown, sa! after a brief stop, rode on to Daniel McCollum's, in v. !!!! field, where a few people were waiting.
Inid McCollumn's house was the regular preaching- Har, and the place of the public prayer-meetings when there was no preaching.
The Middlefield society was a strong society in those day, but still only at intervals enjoyed the labors of the traveling preachers on the Sabbath.
Sept. 21, 1803, Mr. Colbert rode to Joseph Blair's. in Middlefield. "Thursday, 22," says he. " we spent at Mid- dlefield (centre), and at night Samuel Budd preached, and I spike after him. In this place there appears to be a very happy society."
November 12, quarterly meeting for Otsego circuit was beld in Middlefield, and on this day Mr. Colbert records his arrival " at Joseph Blair's, cold and weary, about two o'clock, and found that the quarterly meeting. for conve- viruce' sake, was held at our friend Isaac Green's, in the thighborhood ; but, as we supposed the meeting would be coded before we could get there, we kept the house. At tight we had a tedious conference. May the Lord restore [«ace to the societies."
"Sunday, 13," says Mr. Colbert, " we had a blessed love- frast and sacrament this morning.
" Monday, 14, spent at Joseph Blair's, and in the even- ing a few assembled to hold a prayer-meeting.
"Several of our sisters were carried away with eestasies of joy. I cannot but make mention of the sorrows of Sister Green, on account of her hardened daughter. Sally. Never did I see a mother in such agony for the salvation of s daughter. She prayed for her until she fell four or five times; and all this, with all the awful warnings and loving thtreaties of others, brought not this stubborn mortal on Ler knees.
" Aunt Green, as we used to eall her, was a woman of ", "Teat zeal and of unrivaled tenacity of purpose. Her hardened daughter Sally was like her mother in unyielding bramness. She was an independent thinker, and acted upon her own responsibility. Her will was stronger than her njenhy. But Sally Green had another side to her char- acler ; she was generous and frank. A blunt refusal to take a religions effort with her simply meant ' let me alone until I get ready, then I will start in my own way,' and >o .l.r did. She embraced religion, was baptized, and united with the church." She married Mr. David Leut, of Men- J .. n. Mr. and Mrs. Lent and children are all dead.
Jonathan Newman was born in the city of New York in 1770. At sixteen years of age he learned the tailor's
trade, at which he continued to work until after the cloe of the Revolution, except three years that he was in the American army and served as a soldier.
Soon after he was ordained by the New York conference. and continued to travel and preach until he located in Hartwiek, Otsego County. He was very much esteenel by his friends and brethren, and honored by all who knew him for the love and attachment that he manifested towards the cause of Christ, and particularly for the untiring zeal and steadfast integrity that he exhibited to the world.
As the facilities for a traveling minister in those days were very limited, he labored under a great disadvantage .; often- times he was obliged to travel by marked trees through the woods, and to endure all kinds of weather, as the country was thinly settled. He continued his philanthropic course until old age put an end to his traveling, which was a cause of much grief to him the remainder of his days.
After he had been located a number of years he was seized with a fatal disease, which confined him to his bed but six weeks before he died.
He had his senses until the last, and appeared ealın and composed, willing to die, and with but a faint struggle he resigned his spirit. Thus ended the days of a venerable father and a useful minister of Christ.
He was buried near Hartwick village, on Otego ereek, and has a beautiful monument erected at his grave, pur- chased by the church and his neighbors.
In 1804 Mr. Bidlack was stationed on Otsego circuit with John P. Weaver. In 1811 he located, but after an experiment of three years he found worldly occupation in- terfering, he left off preaching. In 1815 he offered himself again to the conference, and did effective work four years, when he became so infirm that he was superannuated.
. He removed his family to Middlefield, and occupied a par- sonage which was built, perhaps, for his special account. But such a parsonage as it was! The location was in a field, at a distance from any road, in a most isolated and unfrequented locality. At the east were stretched out fields, and a few farm-houses were visible at the distance ot' one or two miles. At the west lay a deep gorge in a steep slope of the hill, across which was the old " grave-yard." At the south a deep dell, covered with a growth of large white pine and hemlock trees, through which murmurs Red creek, and at the north and northwest, two houses within a quarter of a mile.
The parsonage mentioned above was built of large pine logs, slightly hewed on the inside, with openings between them " chunked" and plastered with mud. It was roofed with boards and slabs, and about 14 by 16 feet in size. Here remained the preacher's family alone during his love absence upon his circuit.
Mr. Bidlack was something over six feet, erect, full che st. broad shoulders. and powerful limbs. His black hair. lizity sprinkled with gray, hung upon his shoulders, and his v. . open features bore an expression of gravity and beri _: d. mingled with cheerfuluess, which at once proposed che in his favor. His voice was harmonious and powerful. He was an effective preacher though not a profound thinker. His sermons were fine specimens of native eloquence. lie lied Nov. 27, 1815.
190
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
MEMOIR OF REV. GEORGE PECK, D.D.
He was born in Middlefield Centre on Ang. 8, 1797 ; was converted, and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1812; licensed as an exhorter in 1815 ; the next year took a circuit under the presiding elder, and in June of that year, 1816, was licensed to prench, and recommended for admission to the annual conference. Being received by the " Old Genesee," he was appointed to the Broome circuit, and tlienceforward filled the . most important appointments in his conference until 1835, when he was elected principal of the Oneida confer- ence seminary. During the three years he remained there he gave great satisfaction, but in consequence of domestic affliction was obliged to resign. After the lapse of several months in the pursuit of health, he resumed the work of an itinerant, serving the Susquehanna district as presidiug elder until 1840. From the minutes of the Wyoming an- nual conference, held at Honesdale, Pa., April 11, 1877, we make the above and following extracts :
" The senior member of our conference, the Rev. George Peek, D.D., left the church militant for the church tri- umphant at Seranton, Pa., on the 20th of May, 1876.
" There is some little alleviation in the fact that his demise was preceded by no very great amount of physical suffering, but rather by the gradual decay of a once strong and vigorous organism. Life with him was not wasted, but worn out in just such work as a good man might like to perform. Years before he reached his majority he de- voted himself to a life of toil in the Great Master's vine- yard, and he neither sought abatement nor allowed diversion until he could say, with that Master, ' It is finished !"
The Methodist church at Middlefield erected a house of worship in 1832, at a cost of about $2000.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first sermon preached in the vicinity of Clarksville was by Elder Benjamin Sawin, who visited the place as inis- sionary in 1806. Regarding the spot as promising for a religious centre, and being encouraged by a number of Baptists, he visited them, frequently preaching in barns and private houses. In 1807 a conference was formed, which was considered a branch of the Worcester church. The members constituting this conference were Pomeroy Wright, F. Hodgson. L. Pitts, N. Wickham, II. Belknap, P. Boyce, T. Pitts, B. Pitts, M. Wickham, Metsey L. Eg- gleston,-four males and six females.
In the summer of 1807 a school-house was erected, principally by the enterprise of a Mr. Pinney. This build- ing stood nearly opposite the present meeting.house, and was used for a house of worship for nearly twenty years. This school-house was the birthplace of many souls, and the presence and power of the lloly Spirit was frequently manifested. Here Christians wrestled with God in earnest prayer ; sinners wept. and new born souls rejoiced in the forgiveness of sin and the blessings of salvation. It was with mingled feelings of joy and sorrow that the little band left this sacred spot to occupy their present edifice, in Sep- tember, 1826.
Elder French, residing in Westford, preached occasion- ally, and administered the ordinances until September, 1808,
when a council was called, and ordained Benjamin Sawin as pastor. He held this office for the succeeding twenty-five years, and was greatly beloved by the people of the com- munity; his fruit still remains, and his memory is fragrant. The names of Elder Bostwick, of Hartwick, Eller Gregory. of New Lisbon, and Elder Wright, of Maryland, appear :3 members of this council.
Soon after the ordination of Elder Sawin, one of the most wonderful revivals ever known in this region com- menced. It extended over a period of ten years. Conver- sions were frequent, and almost every month some were received by baptism. Sister Pinney, one of the constituent members of the church, says, "It was God's work ; the instrumentality employed was of the weakest kind, and yet the result was marvelous." As the fruits of this revival, one hundred and three were baptized, most of whom re- mained faithful until death.
In September, 1810, the number of Baptists having in- creased to forty, they were recognized by a council as a regular Baptist church. Elder Richmond, of Milford, preached the sermon on the occasion, from - Matt. xvi. 28, and the pastor, in taking leave of them in 1833, said, " Praised be His adorable name; the promise has thus far been verified."
The first entire list of members to be obtained (owing to the fact that no records were kept) is in 1821, when the number was one hundred and forty-two. The discipline of this period was faithful and thorough. Absence from the regular meetings of the church, errors in doctrine, dis- respect of the pastor, or a disorderly walk, were considered deserving of punishment. The exclusions on record are sixteen, and the history of the church for twelve years is rich with Christian love and united labor for Christ and souls.
In March, 1833, Elder Sawin elosed his labors, after a pastorate of twenty-five years. From 1832 to 1852 the records are missing, and we are obliged to glean from other sources what little can be known of its history.
The following pastors have served this church from 1832 to the present time : Revs. W. Green, E. Spafford, G. Ridge, E. Pimberly, Francis Prescott, II. J. Smith, S. W. Furge- son, I. Powers, J. M. Berry, J. Smith, J. W. Lamoine, H. O. Rowland, D. F. Leach, E. D. Clough, A. C. Bab- cock, S. P. Way (present pastor ).
The present officers of the church are as follows : Deacons, J. Follett, J. Lane, E. Knapp ; Clerk, N. Smith, M.D.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
of Middlefield Centre was organized Nov. 19, 1821. with the following first members, viz. : Samnel Huntington and wife, John Parshall, Phoebe Parshall, Desiah Parshall, Holden Rice, Mary Campbell, Johanna Dutcher, Roxey Lotheridge, Joseph White and wife, Rebecca Gordon, Addison Hubbell, and John Burrett. The first pastor was Rev. Andrew Oliver. The following persons have served this church as pastors from its organization to the present time : Revs. Andrew Oliver, three years : Robert Brown, John Smith, two years; Alvin Parmalee, fourteen years; Alfred North, four years; Alonzo Weldon, four years; Alfred Ketchum, four years; Alvin Parmalee. two
191
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
years ; Philander Griffin, four years ; Chauncey Francisco, four years, and Rev. Walter Fry (present pastor).
The first church edifice was erected in 1806 or 1807, and the present one in 1843. The present membership of the church is cighty-nine.
MILITARY RECORD.
The following enlisted from this town during the War of the Rebellion. For this list our thanks are due to Horace M. Pierce, S. W. Barnum, and Fernando Hubbell.
Fernando Hubbell, enl. in the 121st Regt .; was in the battles of South Monn- tain and Fredericksburg ; lost right arm at Fredericksburg.
Libanns Lettrice, enl. in the 121st Regt .; in battles of South Mountain, Fred- ericksburg, and Wilderness.
Bennett Bray, eni. in the 121st Regt.
L. Cornish, enl. in the 121st Regt.
Harry Drusenbury, enl. in the 1/1st Regt.
Nathan Manzer, enl. in the 121st Regt .; iu battles of Antietam, Fredericks- burg, and Wilderness.
William Hoyt, enl. in the 76th Regt .; in battles of Bull Run, Antietam, and
. Fredericksburg, and Wilderness.
Cyrus Powers, enl. in the 76tl: Regt. in 1862; killed.
John Risendorf, enl. in the 76th Regt. in 1862: served during the war.
Esick Roberts, enl. in the 43d Regt. ; discharged; re-enlisted. Vet.
Daniel Reynolds.
Clark Farr, enl. in the 121st Regt.
Andrew Davidson, enl. in the 121st Regt .; prom. to sergt .- major of the 121st ; subsequently appointed adj. of the 30th U. S. Cav. Reg .; was capt. on staff of Gen. Bates ; wounded at Salem leighty.
H. B. Walker, enl. in the 121st Regt .; prom. to lient.
John Gates, enl. in the 121st Regt. ; prom. to sergt .; killed at Salem Church.
Homer Graham, enl. in The 121st Regt .; killed.
Albert Waffle, eul. in the 121st Regt. ; killed.
William 11. Waffle, enl. in the 121st Regt .; prom. to sergt.
James Wood, enl. in the 121st Regt.
Simeon Smith, enl. in the 121st Regt.
Darius Woodruff, enl. in the 121st Rugt.
William Olive, enl. in the 121st Regt.
Henry Ludlamı, ent. in the 121-t Rest ; died.
A. Engene Smith, enl. in the 121-t Regt.
Dewitt Wells, enl in the 121st Regt .; lost leg.
Thos, 11. Bentley, enl. in the 121st Regt.
Lorenzo Smith, eul. in the 12Ist Regt. ; wounded.
Gilbert A. Parshall, capt. of Co. B, 42d Regt. Ihnois Vols .; killed at Spring Hill, Tenn., Dec. 1, 1864.
Wm. Il. Jones, enl. iu Ist N. Y. Eng., Nov. 11, 1861 ; dix. in 1864.
The following also enlisted from this town, regiments nukuown: Parshall Ducher, M. Winnie, Norman Moyer, Henry Suits, William Neal, Josiah Bush, John Hudson, John Walker, Dewitt Autrews, Heury Daniels.
Robert Wood, ent. in the 14th Regt. U. S. Inf., March 19, 1:62; came home sick, Nov. 26, 1804: died soon alter : age 22 years 9 months.
Henry Wood, enl. in Co. E, 121-t Regt., Ang. 12, 1862; dis. June. 12, 1865.
John T. Wood, enl. in Co. E, 121st Regt., Ang. 12, 1862; dis. June 12, 1865.
Silas E. Pierce, enl. in Co. E, lzIst Regt., Ang. 11, 1862 ; trans. to Co. F; prom. to 21 lieut, and then to Ist lient .; mortally wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, May 12; died May 15, 1864.
Charles Compton, eul. in Co. E, 121-t Regt., Ang. 11, 1862; supposed to have been killed in the battle at Salem Chapel ; never was heard from after the battle.
Albert Bailey, enl. in Co. E, 121st Regt., Ang. 11, 1862; dis. Juve 12, 1865.
Reuben 11. Bates, cul. in to. 1, 121st Regt., Ang. 11, 1862; dis. June 25, 1865. Jolin Bristol, enl. in Co. E, 12Ist Regt., Ang. 12, 1862; dis. 1x65.
William H. Ly nes, onl. Sept. 2, 1>64, in Capt. William E. Marcus' Light Battery (C), 3d Regt. Art., N. Y. State Vol -. : di -. July 14, 1865.
Isaac Pier, eul. Sept. 2, 1-64, in Light Battery C, 3d Regt. Art., N. Y. State Vols .; dis. Jane 9, 145.
O-car Pier, enl. S. pt. 8, IsGt; died in hospital at Washington in March, 1865. Orrin Waterhouse, enl. in spring of 1862; died in hospital at Washington.
John Wheeler, ent. in spring of 1862; died in hospital at Washington.
Ervin Ilulcomh, enl. in 96th Regt. N. Y. Vet. Vols , Feb. - , 1865, Capt. Wi. B. Brockem, commanding : died in spring of 1865.
Timothy Podge, eul. in Co. B, Ist Reg. U. S. Col. Car., Sept. 5, 1864; dis. May 26, 1565.
William Dodge, enl. in Co. B, Ist Regt. U. S. Col. Cav., Sept. 5, 1964; slis. May 26, 1-65.
Samuel. Chase, enl. in Co. 1, 21 Best. N. Y. Vol. (w., Sept. 17, 1991 ; die. Dec. 2%, 18+1, by reason of recenlisting; taken prisoner in the Battle of the Wilder. Hess; died in the Florence stockade, S. C., in the winter of 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Photo, by W. G. Smith, Cooperstown.
MRS. AGNES CHURCH.
SAMUEL GATES HUNTINGTON.
The Huntington family first found its way to the shores of the New World through the means of Simon Hunting- ton, who emigrated from England (where he was born) in the year 1633. He was attacked with smallpox on the passage, died on shipboard, and his body was eonsigned to the ocean's deep. His widow, Margaret, located at Rox- bury, Mass., but finally removed to the State of Connec- tieut. Simon (the second generation in this country), from whom the subject of this sketch is deseended, was, probably, born in England, in 1629; he was married to Sarah, daughter of Joseph Clark, of Windsor. Conn., and died at Norwich, June 28, 1706. Samuel (the third generation) was born in Norwich, March 1, 1665, and married to Mary, daughter of William Clark, in 1686; he died May 16, 1717. Samuel (the fourth generation ) was born at Norwich, Aug. 28, 1691, and lived to the green old age of ninety- four. Samuel (the fifth generation ) was born in Lebanon. Oct. 16, 1723; he was married twice, and was a graduate of Yale college; he died March 20, 1797. Samuel (the sixth generation) was born at Canterbury, June 4, 1764; he was married three times, and removed in 1803 to the town of Middlefield, Otsego County, N. Y., where he died Oct. S, 1826. Samuel (the seventh generation) was born at East Haddam, Conn., Jan. 26, 1789, and was married Nov. 3, 1814, to Jenett Mosly, daughter of Josiah and Esther Gates. He removed with his father to Obey County, where his wife died Dee. 5. 1548. He afterward- married, March 31, 1852, Mrs. Eliza Silliman, and died September, 1871. Samuel Gates (the eighth generation) was born in Middlefield, Otego County, May 25, 1820,
192
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and married Jane H. Church, Sept. 21, 1848. She died June 5, 1851. He subsequently married Adeline Julia, daughter of Rev. Alvin and Vilotta Parmalee, July 20, 1852. His family consisted of four children, viz., Helen Wilson, born Nov. 27, 1849 ; Agnes Church, Jan. 4, 1851; George Mason, Aug. 2, 1853; Alice Parmalee, June 25, 1857 ; all being natives of the town of Middlefield, Otsego County. Thus we have the genealogy of a family that has lived in this country for almost two hundred and fifty years. Settling as they did in the days of the Pilgrim fathers, they have multiplied so that now the descendants of the old Puritan stock are to be found in every State of the Union.
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