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 88
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the hunters to be ready to start with the dogs. As it re- verberated beautifully among the hills and diffused its ani- mating strains along the valley, it would stir and cheer up the dogs, who would respond by clamorous and discordant yells, all eager to joiu in the eliase which they knew was in preparation.
" Having decided to scour the hills, for instance, on the north side of the river, part of the dogs were sent to the round top, others to rlie, and sportsmen were sta- tioned at the Indian monument, the hay-stacks, the mouths of the ouleout, and other well-known runways of the deer to the river.
" The chases were exceedingly exciting ; nothing could be more so. On reaching the recesses of the forest, with which the hills on each side of the river were densely covered, the dogs would frequently beat the thickets an hour before getting up the deer. On striking the old trail they would occasionally give tongue, while they were slowly traeing it out in all its intricate windings. As they drew nearer, the seent became more apparent, and they, of course, more excited. They would finally rouse him, and then open in full cry, so that the most inexperienced ear could not fail to know the game was up.
" The deer on being thus started, often leads off in a con- trary direction from the river, to ascertain whether the dogs are actually pursuing him, and makes several doubles to throw them off his traek, running often round the hills, where the hunters try to shoot him. Finding himself hotly pursued, or alarmed at a shot or at the sight of a huntsman, he makes a straight course for the river, and leaves the dogs far behind. When he makes up his mind to go, it is almost impossible to check him until he reaches the river's bank. He shoots straight ahead, and often makes the water before the dogs are in hearing of those at the river. The cry of the dogs is enchanting, as they pass from hill to hill; now swelling into full chorus, and then receding till entirely lost ; again returning, and their cheer- ful notes re-echoing from one side of the river to the other and reverberating among the hills. Ou reaching the straight trail they come rushing down like a mountain storm. You hear rifle-shots in the distance which tell you the deer is there, far, far ahead of the dogs. They finally reach the river, and if he is killed the elamor ceases ; and if not, they plunge in and swim to take the trail on the other side. I have seen nine of them swimming the river at once, and nothing ean be more beautiful ; their noses just out of the water, and their large ears floating on its surface, as they wake for the farther shore."
The following extracts from a letter written to Mr. Beardsley, by Sherman Page, then aged eighty-two years, eannot fail to be of interest. He says, " We killed twenty- seven deer one week. Among them were twelve large bueks." " Those were times that enlivened men's souls. Imagine yourself on the high bank at Pomp's Eddy, the sun just rising over . Burnt Hill,' ' Round Top' at the south, ' Poplar Hill' at the north, the famous eel weir above, and the cave-bank below you. A hound breaks forth on Poplar Hill, another and still another on ' Burnt Hill' and Round Top. By this time twenty are in hearing. You know not where the deer may come. You hear a rifle at the cave-
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
339
.
bank, and now another at the eel weir, and perhaps at the hay-stacks and ouleont; erack ! crack ! ! crack ! ! ! and still the music of the dogs, growing louder and more shrill as they approach. All is expectation and excitement; you are flurried. At this moment a large buck, with antlers erect, is scen on the opposite side making his way directly to you. Your rifle is well located, and you have examined ' the priming to see that all is right ; you are certain of a shot, and a moment more you have him. Pop goes a smooth-bore, and Spikerman, the poacher, has killed him. Your agitation and excitement ceases, for you are angry, and wish John Carley was there to lick the rascal. You despair of killing anything ; but don't be discouraged, for another deer will soon be along, and as for Carley, he will flog the poacher when he meets him. The dogs are still in full ery in every direction, and your morning's sport has just commeneed. Keep your place, for another deer will be here ; and so it turned out. You have killed him, and Carley has found and licked Spikerman, and got away his buck ;" but has finally restored it, at your request, after the flogging, for you and your friends have enough ; and you have given the poaching rascal a drink from that choice bottle slung under your arm, and thus secured his friend- ship, just as you did with Captain Adarine Carley and . Unele Sperry."
In speaking of Mrs. Page, Mr. Beardsley says, " No one knew better than she how to get up a venison supper that would fit precisely the appetites of those prepared for their enjoyment by the active exercise of the day."
It was no uncommon occurrence at the close of these hunts to see nineteen fat bucks and does lying side by side in the ball-room of the old tavern in Unadilla.
The following sparkling description of these hunts was written by Hon. H. R. Storrs :
THE SPORTS OF THE CHASE;
OR, THE RYGHTE MERRIE EXPLOITS OF YE HUNTINGE IN UNADILLA FORESTE. "Cervas erat forma præstanti et cornibus ingens."-En. Virg., Lib. VII. 483.
I. Have you heard of a buek which came out of the west ? Of all that wore antlers his speed was the best ; Save his broad horns and swift heels, he weapons had none ; He roamed without fear. for he roamed all alone. So stately his gait, and so nimble his feet, You'd have long'd for a shot, though you liked not his meat.
II.
By a lato heavy freshet the bridges were gone, So he swam to Chenango, where ford there was none. He stop't not for fences, and stayed uot for brake, Till he reached the deep thickets of Butternut ereek : Thero he nipp'd the green moss, to all hueks a rich benison, Nor dreamt that ere night he'd be turned into venison.
III.
But Dian's high votaries were up with the dawn, The dogs they gave tongue, the hills echoed the horn ; Yet so holdlly he bay' them, so stately and tall, The huntsinen, dogs, musket4, nil horses and all ; And so fiercely he fought he'd near stamped out the liver Of those " thoroughbred," "far-fumed" dogs, Primus and Driver.
IV.
"Camio ye hero to be chased, or came ye in war ?" Cried out Clapp ; " Primus ! Driver ! set on boys, hurra !
We'll tread you a measure !" But searee had he spoke When from Driver's deep mouth the loud whilliloo broke, And the mountains, the woodlands, the dales and the bogs, Again rang with the music of three packs of dogs.
v.
So lightly over brier, bush, and hillock he sprang, And so loudly the thickets with hilldoo rang. One followed the dogs, one examined his flint, One look'd in his pan if his priming was in't ; One flash'd, wany shot, and another missed fire ; They'd have killed him no doubt had he been somewhat nigher.
VI. .
There was mounting 'mongst those of the Otsego elan ;. Beardsley, Morris, Starkweather, they rode and they ran. There was racing and chasing on Butternut ereck, 'Twas sublime sport to ride at the risk of your neck ; But sublitner by far, when the dogs seemed to pose, To see Driver lead on the true track hy his nose.
VII.
The dogs are at fault, but dog, huntsman, and horse, All inet near the stream, where 'twas too wide to cross, And the huek seemed at last to have made his escape (Right glad without doubt to get out of the serape). E'en Driver was bank'd ; Clapp was fixing to hide him, When at last on the opposite bank they espied him.
VIII.
They looked up and down for a passage of dry land, But found that the chase had fled to an islaud. There he looked at the dogs, and the dogs looked at him, 'Twas too rapid aud broad for e'eu Driver to swim ; And so they resolved, as they could not get nigh him, Tho' 'twas too far to shoot, 'twasn't too far to try him.
IX.
He seemed as he stood there, the cavalcade reviewing, To have very faint notions of what they were doing. So composed and at leisure he looked into their faces, Ile seemed to feel quite sure, at two hundred paces. 'Twas provoking to think that he thus hid defiance To their dogs, horses, shot, their gunpowder and science.
I. But thy days (alas! poor buek, how unkind thy fortune !) The ohdurate Fates had determined to shorten. At two shots he fell, and I'd say if I dare to That 'twas full forty rods, hut the fact I don't swear to ; 'Twas said so, and pity it were for the glory Of such a graud frolie to spoil a good story.
UNADILLA VILLAGE
is pleasantly located on the Susquehanna river, and contains four churches, an academy, mills, stores, etc., and has a population of about 1200. A noticeable feature of the village is its miles of stone walks. The streets are also kept in fine condition, and are beautifully shaded by trees which line the walks on either side. While much attention has been bestowed upon public improvements, private grounds have also received their share of attention, and art has vied with nature in rendering many of the resi- dences and grounds in Unadilla among the finest in this section. The business interests of the village are repre- sented as follows, viz. : attorneys, Loomis & Sewell, Belknap & Edson, F. B. Arnold, Arms & Arms; physicians, G. I .. Halsey, E. Odell, G. A. Davie, Joseph Sweet, and Joshua Sweet ; bankers, Thos. G. North & Co. ; general merchants, . C. D. Fellows & Son, W. H. Emory ; dry goods and milli- nery, Jonas Harris; dry goods and drugs, Bailey & Robin-
340
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
son; dry goods, Watkins Brothers, Orcutt & Day ; drugs, G. I. Halsey, M. Newman ; groceries, C. J. White, G. M. Burgin, Mulford & Siver, A. G. Owens, L. B. Woodruff ; dentists, L. E. Ireland, Odell & Spenser, G. W. Coy, M.D .; boots and shoes, Robert Siver ; hardware, Cone & Bolles, Perry & Heslop; merchant tailors, Woodruff & Morse; furniture, Wilmot & Heath, Launt & Boalt ; millinery goods, Mrs. G. W. Heath, Chas. Fuller; jewelers, Justin Dibble, Wright & Smith ; photographer, A. Wheeler; Unadilla Times, A. J. Barlow ; foundry and machine-shops, R. K. Teller; tannery, Speneer Eells; blacksmiths, Ams- . den & Williams, Gates & Stenson ; grist- and saw-mills, M. D. Duley ; carriage-shops, D. Hanford & Co., O. Flem- ing, Isaac Crandall; shoemakers, D. B. Morehouse, S. H. Faneher, John Warner; hotels, "Unadilla House," W. H. Hasbrouck, proprietor; " Brick Hotel," Charles Bishop, proprietor ; " Bedford House," O. Bedford, proprietor ; livery, W. Hastings; meat-market, Rifenbark Bres., Van Dusen & Son ; civil engineers, M. B. Luthur, Charles M. Thompson ; harness-makers, C. W. Carpenter, A. J. Wil- liams; bakery, Jacob Meyer ; tailors, Henry Heliker, Thos. Poole; coopers, Smith & Charmer, Wu. Bunnell ; painters, Hyatt & Jordan, Weidman & Son ; ready-made clothing, L. De Forest ; shirt-factory, Frank W. Buekley; dress- makers, Heath Sisters, Mrs. Boyd & Sister, Miss Clara Fleming, Mrs. E. Hurd; marble-works, R. G. Brown ; postmaster, E. M. Packard; justiees of the peace, Thomas Heath, J. B. Bragg; restaurants, Johnson Wright, Booth Bros., Abram Houck ; barbers, Gilbert Lamb, Samuel Jones.
A prominent business man here is C. W. Mallory, Esq., to whom much of the present prosperity of the village is due.
UNADILLA CENTRE and SAND HILL are hamlets. The former, located in the northern part of the town, contains one church and about a dozen houses; and the latter, in the castern part, has two churches and about twenty houses.
WELLS BRIDGE is a flourishing little village, located in the southeast part of the town, and is rapidly becoming an important station on the Albany and Susquehanna railroad. It contains two churches-Baptist and Methodist-and various business interests.
THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING.
The first town-meeting in Unadilla was held at the house of Daniel Bissel, on April 5, 1796, and the following offi- cers were elected, viz. :
Supervisor .- Daniel Baits.
'Town Clerk .- Gurdon Huntington.
Assessors .- Jonathan Spinur, William Hanna, and Timo- thy Birdsall.
Collector .- Nathan Tupper.
Overseers of Poor .- Enos Yates and William Potter.
Commissioners of Highways .- David Francis, Enos Yales, and Samuel Merriman.
Constables .- Nathan Tupper and Seth Scott.
Pathmasters .- Jeremiah Huntington, Daniel Buckley, James Mudge, and Jesse Skinner, John Scott, Moses Hovey, Solomon Martin, Abner Griffith, William Potter, Benjamin Wheaton, James Cranson, Sanmel Rogers.
Pound Masters .- John Scott and Isaae Gates.
Fence Viewers .- Jonathan Spencer, Jonas Sliter, and John. Sisson.
School Commissioners .- David Franeis, Solomon Mar- tin, and Thomas Wilbur. At this meeting it was " voted by majority that hogs which shall have on yokes that are cight inches long above the neck and four below, shall be allowed to run as free commoners.
" Voted that the next annual town-meeting shall be held at the house of Daniel Bissel."
Among the ear-marks recorded on the old town book are the following, viz. : " Abner Griffith's mark, the slits in the right ear." "Daniel Bissel's mark, a square crop on ear, with a halfpenny on the under side of the left ear." " John Sisson's mark, a hole through the right ear, and a half the under side of the left."
It seems that in 1797 the town was yet without a justice of the peace, for at the town-meeting held in that year it was " voted, that the town will be at the expense of sending after Esquire Seramling or some other magistrate to qualify the town officers."
The number of persons assessed in the town of Unadilla for the year 1797 was 106. Sum total of assessment on both real and personal estate, £2409 ; whole tax raised on the above, £74 6d.
At the town-meeting held in 1799, it was " voted, that fences shall be considered lawful that is four feet nine inches high, and that the poles or rails shall not be more than six inehes asunder." It was also " voted, that the town will allow the town elerk five dollars for his services for the last year."
The following is a list of the supervisors and town clerks of Unadilla from 1796 to 1878:
Supervisors.
Town Clerks.
1796.
David Baits.
Gordon Huntington.
1797
"
=
1798
Solomon Martin.
16
1799
1800
1801
¥
1802
1803
Gurdon Huntington.
Isaac Hayes. 16
IS04
1805 Isaac Hayes.
Curtis Noble.
1806
1807
ISOS
1809
Gurdon Huntington.
66
1810
Isaac Hayes.
1811 Gurdon Huntington.
16
1813
66
16
1814
1815 Silas Scott.
1816 Samuel Betts.
16
1817 Ransom Hunt.
1818
Isaac Hayes.
1819 Thaddeus R. Austin. .6
1820
1821
Isaac Hayes.
1822
..
1823
1821
1825 Curtis Noble.
Henry A. Beach.
..
John Eells, Jr.
C. D. Fellows.
A. D. Williams.
David Hough.
David Wilbur, Jr.
John Colwell.
1833
.C. D. Fellows.
1531
..
..
1835 . Albert Benton.
..
1829
Curtis Noble.
1830
Sherman Page.
1821
John Bells, Jr.
Horace Gri-wold.
Jaines Rose. ..
William Wilmot.
1426
Sherman Page. ..
1827
1828 4
66
16
1812 Ransom Ilunt. "
=
06
.
MRS.L.H BLANCHARD.
L. H . BLANCHARD.
PHOTOS BY A WHEELER UNADILLA, N. Y.
RESIDENCE OF L. H. BLANCHARD, UNADILLA. OTSEGO CO. N. Y.
W CENITA COOPERIN ..
URIAH CHAPMAN
MRS. MARIA CHAPMAN.
0
TOPSY
won@Ote
"HICKORY SHADES", RE.S . Of D. P. AND R. W. CHAPMAN , UNADILLA, OTSEGO CO NY
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
341
Supervisors.
1836 Lyman De Forest.
1837.
Charles C. Noble.
1838 C. D. Fellows.
1539 Nijah Cone.
1840 Thomas J. Davis.
1841 Martin B. Luthur.
1842
1843. Elihu Cornwell.
1844
C. D. Fellows.
1345 John Colwell. "
1846
1847
George W. Noble.
1848
Benjamin II. Ayers.
Thomas Heath.
1849
David Hough.
Frederick A. Bolles.
1850
Thomas Heath.
Lewis G. Cone.
1951
F. A. Bolles.
11. E. Benedict.
1852
C. I. Hayes.
1953.
Thomas J. Davis.
T. M. Foster.
1854
Zachariah Curtis.
W. L. Judd.
1855
A. D. Williams.
George B. Fellows.
1$36
Charles N. Hughston.
T. M. Foster.
1557
D. W. Willnot.
Milo B. Gregory.
1939
G. S. Halsey.
1859 A. N. Benedict.
L. L. Woodruff.
1860 Danicl Lce.
1861 George B. Fellowz.
1862
Marvin C. Allen. Joseph D. Curtis.
1565
1866
¥
1867
1868
James B. Peck.
Wells R. Whitney.
1869 David P. Loomis.
John A. Rockwell.
L. L. Woodruff.
1871
Milo B. Gregory. 16
¥
18.3
Ransom Potter.
¥
16
1875 Samuel H. Chaffn.
1376 C. D. Fellows.
S. G. Cone.
The present town offieers are as follows :
Supervisor .- S. G. Cone.
Town Clerk .- L. L. Woodruff.
Justices of the Peace .- Johnson B. Bragg, Thomas Heath, Caleb Batterson. Ebenezer R. Blanchard.
Commissioners of Highways .- William P. Speneer.
Overseer of the Poor .- Albert W. Fisk.
Assessors .- Josiah Palmer, James E. Todd, and Henry M. Collins.
Collector .- Daniel B. Morehouse.
Constables .- George W. Heath. George M. Mosher, Albert W. Fisk, Hiram Wait, L. Tupper.
Inspectors of Elections .- W. A. Southworth, L. Hayne, George R. Chaffin, G. W. Heath, HI. L. Ives, A. G. Owens.
Towa _Auditors .- James White, Jr., Francis MI. Sisson, Henry Van Dusen.
Excise Commissioners .- Ransom Potter, Eli C. Belknap, David P. Loomis.
Gume Constable .- W. Wakefield.
AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL STATISTICS.
In 1865, there were 19,5$72 acres of improved land, and $3$2! acres of unimproved land. The cash value of farms was $973.970; of stock, 8168.313; of tool, and in- plements. 835,071. There were 2494 aeres of plowed lands; 199! in failow; 9955 in pasture; and 59531 in meadow. In 1-64 there were 50431 tons of hay; 30 bushels of grass-seed; 677 bushels of spring wheat har- vested ; 1933 bushels winter wheat harvested ; 10.200! bushels oats harvested ; 2970A bushels of rye harvested ; 70 bushels of barley ; 4741 bushels of buckwheat; 16,422
of Indian eorn ; 25,855 of potatoes; 421 of peas; 11t . f beans; 4209 of turnips ; 141 of flax ; 963 pounds of lint ; 2200 pounds of hops; 3363 pounds of tobacco; 25.370 bushels of apples; 648 barrels of cider; 8455 pounds of maple sugar; 04 gallons of maple molasses; 1 gallon of grape wine; 1702 pounds of honey. There were 105 working oxen, and 1523 milch-eows.
There were 202,945 pounds of butter made, and 23,454 pounds of cheese ; 18,125? pounds of wool were shorn ; 227 yards of fulled cloth manufactured; 370 yards of flannel ; 557 of linen ; S4 of eotton and mixed eloths.
Agricultural Statistics, 1975 .- Aeres plowed, 3403; in pasture, 0820 ; mown, 6906; tons of hay produced, 5553 ; bushels barley, 161 ; buckwheat, 6776; eorn, 10,352 : oats. 43,280; rye, 1791; spring wheat, 536; winter wheat. 2369; beans, 29; pounds of hops, 10,486; bushels of potatoes, 34,093 ; pounds of butter made, 268,034 ; cheese, 8441.
Area .- Unadilla has an area of 28,340 acres, with an assessed valuation of 8504,810, and an equalized valuation of $500,581.
POPULATION.
1800 .. 898
1845. 25# 5
ISIO
1426
1550 2:13
1314
1829
1555. 2 - 32
1820
2194
1360. 2-02
1825
1905
1865
18:0.
2313
1970
2533
1835.
2415 , 1575
234;
1340
2272
CHAPTER LXXIII.
TOWN OF UNADILLA-Continued.
St. Mathew's Church-First Presbyterian-Baptist-First Mctho list Episcopal-Free Methodist-Methodist Episcopal Church, Rich- ardson's Hill-Wells' Bridge Baptist Church-Methodist Episcopal Church, Wells' Bridge-Methodist Episcopal Church. U'na l'a Centre-Methodist Episcopal Church. Sand Hill-Baptist Church. Sand Hill-Freedom Lodge, F. and A. M .- Unadilla Chapter, B. A. M .- Unadilla Academy-I. O. of G. T.
ST. MATHEW'S CHURCH.
St. Mathew's parish was organized on the first day of November, 1:09, by the election of Josiah Thatcher ali Abijah HI. Beach as wardens, and Isaae Ilaves. William Smith, Stephen Benton, Abel Case, Solomon Martin, Curtis Noble, Nijah Cone, and Sherman Page, as vestty- men. This was the first church organization in the town, and erected the first house of worship. For its carly organization it was much indebted to the ven rated " Father Nash," who held services at this place a mumis : of years. In January, 1810, the vestry purchased a ! . 1- tion for a church edifce, and also ground for bosti por- poses. In the following March a contract w. p. i. Sampson Crooker for the erection of a building 3+ 1y 31 feet, but in consequence of a lack of means the fraise muy was erected. and remained in that condition until April 1$13, when the parish having received a doriti. sit & 1 1001" from the eurporation of Trinity church of New York city.
-
D. W. Wilmot.
66
Town Clerks. F. A. Sand -. William Wilmot.
George F. White.
1863
Hiel E. Benedict.
1864
G. B. Scofield.
F. G. Bolles. "
¥
1870
1872
1874
.6
William J. Thompson. L. L. Woodruff.
.
342
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
they were enabled to inelose and complete it. In Decem- ber of the same year Goldsborough Bauyer, of Albany, deeded to the vestry 116 aeres of land about two miles from the church site, which subsequently became a source of revenue to the churel.
The church edifice was completed in the year 1814, and Sept. 11 of that year was conscerated to the service of Almighty God, by the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hobart, bishop of the diocese of New York. The church was erected at a cost of $2000. In 1817 a bell was placed in the tower, which was cast in London in 1816, and was the first church bell in the valley between Cooperstown and Binghamton.
The first rector in charge of the parish was Rev. Russel Wheeler, from Watertown, Conn., who remained in charge from the spring of 1814 to August, 1819, from which time, until December following, lay reading was held in the church, when Rev. James Kceler was called to the parish, and remained until November, 1820, when Rev. Marcus A. Perry suecceded to the rectorship, and continued in charge until November, 1825. Norman H. Adams, then in dea- con's orders, took charge of the parish in Deecmber, 1825, dividing his time with St. Peter's parish, of Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y. In 1837, this parish having in- creased in strength, the rcetor ceased his labors with the latter parish and devoted his time entirely to St. Mathews.
The church edifice was remodeled and greatly enlarged in 1845 and 1846, at an expense of $1500, and was eon- sccrated Aug. 18, 1846, by the Rev. William Heatheote De Lancey, bishop of western New York. Mr. Adams continued the beloved reetor of the church until his death, which oceurred Oct. 23, 1853. In March, 1854, Rev. Samuel H. Norton became reetor of the parish. Soon after he began his ministrations it became evident that an enlargement of the church edifice would be necessary to accommodate the rapidly-increasing congregation, and in 1855 an addition of 26 feet was made to the church at a cost of $1200. Mr. Norton remained rector until April 11, 1859. IIe was succeeded in December by Rev. Ed- ward F. Baker, who officiated until April, 1863. During the rectorship of Mr. Baker some beneficial changes were made in the church furniture, and an organ was purchased at a cost of $1000. Rev. James II. Kidder, from East- port, Me., became reetor of the church in 1863, and during his labors a reetory was added to the church property. He resigned July 29, 1868. After his resignation the parish was without a reetor until September, 1860. During the interim lay reading was had, and also an occasional sermon by Rev. James A. Robinson, of Bainbridge, N. Y. In August, 1869, Rev. Michael Scofield became reetor of the parish, and remained until August, 1875. The parish was without a rector from that time until February, 1876, when the present incumbent, Rev. Charles S. Pelletreau, assumed the rectorship.
The parish is now in a prosperous condition, and has one hundred and twenty communicants. The present officers are as follows : Win. J. Thompson and Lloyd L. Woodruff, wardens; David P. Loomis, Frank B. Arnold, J. Fred Sands, Alex. P. Gray, Wm. H. Heslop, Andrew J. Lewis, Geo. B. Fellows, and O. L. Ireland, vestrymen.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.
This church was organized April 23, 1823, by Revs. Edward Andrews and Abel Colwell, with the following- named persons as members : Uriah Hanford, Rhoda Ilan- ford, Jesse R. Hovey, Mary Hovey, Holly Scely, Garret Munfore, Sarah Munfore, John Fells, Sophia Bottom, Dan- iel Castle, Philo L. Phelps. Holly Seely was chosen to the office of deacon ; Garrett Munfore, Jesse R. Hovey, and John Eells to serve as elders. Service was held on Sabbath morning, sometimes at a private residence, but usually in the school-house. The hymns of Isaac Watts were sung, and the inusie, then new, of the afterwards celebrated Thomas Hastings. Garret Munfore was the leader. The church very soon engaged the services of Rev. Isaae Flagler, a man highly estcemed by those who remember his ministry. He remained about two years, during which time 44 persons were recorded as in communion with the church.
The general assembly of our church, at its meeting in 1790, appointed Rev. Nathan Ker and Rev. Joshua Hart to aet as missionaries on the frontier settlements of New York and Pennsylvania. Unadilla is mentioned among other places visited by these men. John Eells when quite a young man removed from Walton to this place. He was an carnest Christian worker. It is perhaps just to say, in the words of a citizen who knew him well, that " for a long time he was the head and front of the Presbyterian church." He was no doubt one of the most active at the time of its formation.
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