USA > New York > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 42
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From various entries it is learned that several attempts were made to induce Mrs. Ogilvie to remit the rent charged for the parsonage, but with what success does not appear.
" March 10 1784 voted that Theodorus Crosby sweep the meeting house and see that ye doors are kept shut for ye space of one year, for which he is to receive ye sum of 30 shillings to be paid by contribution and paid quarterly 7s 6d per quarter. Nathaniel Foster Esq. is appointed to call for contributions and see that said Crosby is paid." The following year "Jeremiah Burgess was choseu to sweep the meeting house 16 times a year well, for 3 dollars."
As the ancient log meeting house made way for the erection of a new frame building before 1761, so in process of time it became necessary to build a third one to accommodate the in- creasing number of worshippers. The first allusion to this is an entry now scarcely legible.
"At a Society meeting 21 Dec. 1792 proposed to build a meeting house 6 feet each way larger than the present house, agreed to 25 Pro. 15 Neg. and publicly made unanimous."
As it was stated at subsequent meetings that the new meet- ing house was to be 50 feet long and 38 feet broad, the above may give an idea as to the size of the former church. The next movement toward the building was at a meeting January 10th, 1793, when it was " voted that this Society build a meeting house to be set at or near the place where the present house now stands. That the said meeting house be 50 feet in length and 38 feet in breadth. That the subscriptions for the purpose of building the said house be drawn to be paid one half in cash or building materials within 3 months, and the other half in 6 months, into the hands of a committee, appointed for that pur- pose. Voted that Joseph Crane Jr. Esq., David L. De Forest
1 These bonds were security for rent.
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and John Waring be a committee for the purpose of hurrying on the said building." April 12th " voted that the committee immediately proceed to order those persons who have engaged to get timber, as soon as may be to draw their timber together and immediately proceed to build the house agreeably to the vote of 10 Jan. last." Angust 16th, it was voted that the committee "should have liberty to take such parts of the old meeting house as they might think best for the purpose of building or finishing the new one." September 17th, it was voted that " this meeting do agree with the committee, to raise by subscription including what has already been raised the sum of £732,17s 5d, good money of the State of New York, to be collected and paid by the first day of January next, provided the committee shall and do completely finish the said house in the manner following, viz: to paint the out side, lath and plaster said house, make a pulpit and to completely pew the house and hang the pew doors." That there was a delay in the work is seen from the following: November 8th, 1793, " Whereas by the misfortune of sickness the meeting house is not likely to be completed, it is the sense of this meeting that a subscription be set on foot on the same terms as by the vote of the 17th, Sept. last."
January 23d, 1794, an agreement was made by which subscrip- tions to the amount of £741 11s. were to be delivered to Joseph Crane and David L. De Forest, payable on the 10th of June, on condition that they should finish the meeting house then begun in the following manner, viz. : to be painted on the outside, the inside to be properly pewed, stairs and pulpit and canopy made. The interior was to be lathed, plastered and whitewashed or polished, and the pew doors were to be hung and numbered. This agree- ment was signed by the following persons: Samuel Hall, James Foster, Ichabod Doolittle, Stephen Benedict, Isaac Crosby, Seth Sears, Asa Hoyt, James Knapp, David Bowlding, David Crosby, Reuben Crosby, Joshua Barnum, Noah Bouton, Theodorus Crosby, Tho. Chapman, Elkanah Young, Enoch Crosby, Moss Crosby, John Penny, Jacob Reed, Morten Hall, Nathan Green, Nathaniel Foster and Tho. Sears.
The result was that the building was soon completed and at a meeting June 10th, 1794, the following vote was passed: " Voted unanimously that this Society are fully satisfied. That the thanks of this meeting be given to Messrs. Joseph Crane and
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David De Forest, for their generous and spirited exertions in finishing the meeting house so fully for the satisfaction of this Society." It was also voted that the old meeting house be sold, and that the pews be sold at "public vendue " for one year. This was done and the old meeting house was sold to Noah Bouton for £8, and on the 16th of June, Crane and De Forest gave their receipt for the sum of £744 13s. 2d. and the work was done.
In 1787, it was agreed that the parsonage and the right of im- provement as tenants under Mrs. Ogilvie should be given to Rev. Mr. Lewis, and that his salary should be £90 a year. Mr. Lewis continued the pastor till the time of his death, but for the last few years of his life his health was so feeble as to incapacitate him for service. He died April 8th, 1793, at the early age of 49. His wife, Abigail, survived him and died July 1st, 1798, aged 55, and their tombstones are in the old Sears burying ground.
The third pastor was Rev. Jehu Minor, who came to this town from Southbury, Conn., about 1791, and an agreement fixing his salary at £95 pounds per annum is dated January 11th, 1792, and he was installed in February the same year; his pred- ecessor, Mr. Lewis, resigning all care of the church into his hands. Mr. Minor seems to have been a man of good ability and of very amiable manners. His long pastorate of forty years was closed by his death. His tombstone in the Sears bnrying ground, bears the following:
" In memory of the Rev. Jehu Minor, who died July 5th, 1808, in the 66th year of his age, and the 40th of the ministry. Having a mind illuminated with divine views, and discriminat- ing in religions affections, he preached the Gospel in its purity, with fervor and fidelity. A comfort to saints and.an ornament to the churches."
The fourth pastor was the Rev. Bradford Marcy, who was ordained June 4th, 1809. He had preached here for some time previous, the agreement being that his salary should be "all the money he could get subscribed." It seems that the amount did not equal his expectations and his pastorate closed in July, 1810.
The fifth pastor was Rev. Joel Osborne, who received a call February 11th, 1812, after having preached for some time pre- viously. His salary was $400. This was raised with difficulty. and in a communication May 30th, 1814, Mr. Osborne stated his
29
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conviction that "he was not the man to build them up and that it would be better to establish their salary, and get another man." For a while the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Mr. Purdy and he was succeeded in 1816, by Rev. Joshua Spaulding, who preached for some time and declined a call, but was induced to stay a year, and on April 27th, 1818, he was requested to re- main another year. He remained till 1822, and while on a visit to Albany was stricken with paralysis, from which he never recovered. He died in Newburgh, where his son resided, Sep. tember 26th, 1825. Mr. Spaulding was the compiler of a little book of Hymus, which was one of the first in use. He was the author of two large volumes on "The Divine Theory," and of a volume of lectures on the "Second coming of Christ." He was a man of many peculiarities but of great goodness of heart.
For a while the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Mr. Saunders and Rev. Mr. Hicock. The next pastor was Rev. Marcus Har- rison, who was installed in 1825, but resigned March 29th, 1826. Rev. Mr. Bucknall was then hired for a year but was released October 16th. The next pastor was Rev. Abraham Ogier Stans- bury, who was called May 7th, 1827. He was a native of Eng- land, and though a gentleman of exalted qualities, his manners were not such as to ingratiate him with the class of people among which he was called to serve. His pastorate ended with his life, and his monument in the village burying ground bears the following Latin epitaph:
" Sub Hoc Saxo Vocem Archangeli placide expectans, requiescit, quod solum mortale fuit, Abraham Ogier Stansbury V. D. M. Hujus Ecclesiae quondam pastoris. Ingenio prompto acri ar denti fervido, verum tantum justumque intento. In amicos blandus facilis fuit, erga omnes benevolens.
" Surdis et mutis mentes inclusas, diligenter excoluit. Artem (machinalem presertim) scienter exornavit. Evangelium Christi ore facundo promulgavit. Hoc etiam divitiis in terra longinqua oblatis protulerit. Morbo confectus, laboribusque elapsus, obiit XXX Apr. MDCCCXXIX. Anno, aetatis LIII. Hoc monument um (heu fragile) posuit moestissima conjux."
" Beneath this stone, calmly awaiting the voice of the Arch- angel, rests what alone was mortal of Abraham Ogier Stans- bury, Minister of the word of God, formerly pastor of this church. Endowed with a prompt, active, ardent and fervid.
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mind, intent alike on truth and justice. Kind and pleasant to his friends, open and placable towards enemies, and benevo- lent to all."
A diligent instructor of the deaf and dumb; especially skilled in mechanic art; and with eloquent voice he preached the Gospel of Christ. He also brought to light riches long hidden in the earth. Afflicted with disease and worn out with labor, he died on the 30th day of April, 1829, in the 53d year of his age. This monument (alas, how fragile) is erected by his weeping wife."
This epitaph is said to have been written by Rev. Mr. McLeod. Mr. Stansbury was the patentee of several inventions, among others a lock. He was also skilled in mineralogy an endeavored to introduce improved methods of agriculture. His will men- tions no children.
On the 4th day of March, 1829, a call was given to Rev. Robert B. E. McLeod. He was born of Scotch parents, in the city of Albany, and his early ministry was in the South. For twenty years Mr. McLeod was the pastor of this church and here he ended his days. A painful disease bore him to his grave after long years of suffering. He rests with so many of his predecessors. His tombstone bears the following: "Rev. Robert B. E. Mc- Leod, for twenty years pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Southeast, died August 23d, 1856, aged 67 years."
After the decease of Mr. McLeod, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. M. J. Adams from September 14th, 1856, to April, 1859. In May of the latter year Rev. George F. Goodhue came and preached as stated supply till the time of his death, which oc- curred November 8th, 1865, in the 44th year of his age, having been born June 16th, 1821. His tombstone is with those of his worthy predecessors in the Sears burying ground.
The next pastor was Rev. Oliver H. Hempstead, who preached for a few months, and he was succeeded by Rev. Roswell D. Smith, who was pastor from 1865 to 1870, when, owing to ill health, he retired from the ministry, and at the present time is engaged in the practice of medicine in New York. The ministry of the present pastor, Rev. Edward B. Allen, began April 22d, 1871.
It has already been stated that the first church edifice in the town was the ancient log meeting house built before 1745, on the farm now owned by Mr. James Barnes, near Dykeman's
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Station. The first intimation of a church at Doansburg is contained in an old deed found among the Philipse papers, by which "Israel Cole of the South Precinct " releases to Reuben Crosby " all that certain tract of land on the west side of the public road leading from the meeting house in the Eastern Society to the Quaker hill, being part of the farm now in possession of said Israel Cole. Bounded east by the pub- lic road. North by Elijah Tompkins west by Joshua Crosby and Joseph Vickery's farm, and South by Thomas Paddock's farm, containing 50 acres." March 7th, 1761.
This farm is in the south part of the town of Patterson. This building continued till 1794, when the present church was built. The site of the old church is two or three rods north of it. The church, however, was undoubtedly built here as early as 1754.
In the records quoted above it appears that the society held a farm by lease from Mrs. Margaret Ogilvie, widow of Philip Philipse, and in 1787 the society gave to Rev. Ichabod Lewis the right of improvement of this farm as tenant of Mrs. Ogilvie. This farm is now the homestead of the heirs of Lyman Sher- wood. It was sold to Jehiel Sherwood, by James Porter, June 2d, 1797. The deed states that he "is seized of fee simple of the tract " and conveys " All that certain parcel of land lying in Southeast town and a part of the farm formerly in posses- sion of the Rev. Ichabod Lewis beginning at a stake west of the road in the former dividing line between Morris and Philipse Short Lots, and running thence south 88 degrees west 32 chains: Thence north 2 degrees east 10 chains 65 links: thence South 88₺ degrees East 31 chains 60 links to the road : thence south along the road to the place of beginning containing 31 acres."
This farm was doubtless purchased from Mrs. Ogilvie by James Porter, as a mortgage on the farm given by him to her, is on record dated November 7th, 1796.
April 9th, 1819, the trustees reported to a meeting that they had purchased for a parsonage "the place on which Mr. Spauld- ing now lives, about six acres, for $700." A committee ap- pointed to examine it reported February 13th, 1821, in favor of building a new house, "to be built the size of Archibald Young's' house." This place continued in the possession of the
The house of Archibald Youngs stood where Elijah Budd now lives south of Doansburg. The house which the trustees purchased was the house in which Chancellor Kent was born. The deed, however, is unrecorded and lost.
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church until April 18th, 1864, when it was sold to David Bedell, who sold it with other lands adjoining on the south to Benjamin Benedict, March 31st, 1868. He sold it to Le Ray Barnum December 31st, 1870, and it now belongs to his son, Frederick S. Barnum, Esq. The house is close to the line be- tween this lot and the lot of Abraham Sherwood next north, which he bought of James Crosby. The present parsonage south of the burying ground was bought of John M. Higgins, July 18th, 1870.
This church was at first known as the "Eastern Society of the Sonth Precinct," but after its incorporation it was called the "Union Society of Southeast." It was Presbyterian until 1809, when it became Congregational, and changed to Presby- terianism again, April 26th, 1826. It was also known in early days as the "East Church of Philippi."
The church was greatly damaged by fire March 5th, 1830, and was repaired at a cost of $1,115. Among the benefactors of the church should be mentioned Zenas and Benjamin Doane, who each left it $500.
DYKEMAN'S STATION .- This neighborhood takes its name from the Dykeman family, who were early settlers and descended from Capt. Joseph Dykeman, who came from Germany. He was an officer in the Revolution and was the owner of the place where Mr. Lewis G. Robinson now lives, in the town of Kent, close to the Patterson town line. He married for his first wife a Miss Judd. His second wife was Elizabeth Smith, of Ridge. field. Captain Dykeman died in 1822, at the age of 85, and his tombstone may be seen in the little cemetery at Drewville. His children were: Hezekiah, Joseph, Peter, Aaron, Ezra, Daniel, Benjamin, Phebe (wife of - Gifford), Elizabeth (wife of Andrew Robinson), Abigail (wife of Zebulon Washburn), Eu- nice, Anna and Ruhama (wife of Martin Robinson). The old homestead was sold to Moses Robinson who conveyed it to George Robinson, and it now belongs to his son, Lewis G. Rob- inson. The land around Dykeman's Station was owned by Peter, Ezra, Joseph and Hezekiah Dykeman, who had farms amounting in all to 357 acres, which tract was bonnded by the north line of Lot 8, of Philipse Patent, and a large part is now owned by their descendants. Joseph Dykeman married Azuba Baker, and had children, Jesse, John and Elizabeth, wife of
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Asa Robinson. John was the father of Hon. Jackson O. Dyk- man. Hezekiah owned the farm near the station, now owned by his great-grandson, Junia Dykeman. Peter's children were: Judson, Nathan C. and James B., who was a member of the Legislature in 1872. He lived on the farm in Carmel now owned by Clark Lewis. Ezra's children were: Amos, Jarvis, Laura, wife of William Mabie, and Rachel, wife of Russell Howes. Benjamin's children were: Benjamin, Priscilla, wife of James Baker, and Isaac, who had a farm near Towner's Station, now owned by his son George W. Dykeman, who married Louisa, daughter of Martin Robinson.
BAPTIST CHURCH AT DYKEMAN'S STATION .- This society was organized in February, 1867, and a committee was appointed to build a church on a lot which was given by Junia W. Dyke- man. The building was completed and dedicated December 22d, 1868, and the society was admitted to the association Au- gust 17th, 1872. The original members were: Nathan Dyke- man, Phebe Dykeman, Adella Dean, John Bell, Ann Bell, Polly Holmes, Emma Dykeman, Emma Myers, Coles B. Fowler and Robert Peck. Rev. G. J. Gowan was the principal means of getting the church established. There has been as yet no settled pastor, the pulpit being supplied by the neighboring ministers. In 1882, Mr. Amos C. Dykeman died and in his will left his farm to the church after the death of his wife who is still living.
CHAPTER XXIII.
TOWN OF SOUTHEAST (Concluded.)
Village of Brewster .- Savings Bank .- Croton River Bank .- First National Bank. -Fires and Fire District .- Newspapers .- Emerson W. Addis .- Borden Con- densed Milk Factory .- Brewster Hill .- Methodist Church .- St. Andrew's Church .- Baptist Church .- Roman Catholic Church .- Societies .- Iron Mines .- Croton Reservoir .- Descendants of Rev. Elisha Kent .- Enoch Crosby .- The Doane Family .- Daniel Drew .- The Theall Family .- Gen. James Ryder .- Samuel H. Everett .- Daniel W. Dykeman .- The Brewster Family .- The Howes Family .- Joshua Barnum .- Morgan Horton .- John T. Waring .- Levi H. Roberts .- The Reed Family .- Charles E. Everett.
T 'HE land now embraced within the limits of the village of Brewster consists of a farm which was sold by the commissioners of forfeiture to Peleg Bailey, in 1781. A por- tion of it afterward passed into the possession of Bailey Howes, his grandson, who sold 98 acres to Gilbert Bailey, April 1st, 1833. Two other tracts containing 39 acres were sold to Gilbert Bailey, by William P. Downs and Frederick Parks, in 1838.
On the 17th of February, 1848, Gilbert Bailey sold the whole tract, estimated at 134 acres, to James and Walter F. Brewster, for the sum of $8,000. As early as 1845, the Brewsters con- templated buying this tract, on account of an iron mine which was located there, and also for the water power of the stream which bounds it on the west. At the time of the purchase, the Harlem Railroad was finished and trains were running as far as the Croton Falls. The road was surveyed as far as Pawling, and the prospect of its being continued to that point seemed certain, and to the new purchasers of the farm it seemed just the place for a station. The farm itself was a very ordi- nary one and the price given was considered its full value. The only highway then was the main road from Carmel to South- east Center (or Sodom as it was more generally known), and on
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this road was the house of Gilbert Bailey, where the residence of Henry Brush now stands. From this house a road ran to the lower bridge on the Croton, but it was not much used. The next nearest house stood on the road to Carmel, in the rear of the new Presbyterian church and was owned by Harry Bailey. The next was also Harry Bailey's and stood where the brick house now stands at the west end of the bridge over the Harlem Railroad. Another house stood on the road to the lower bridge over the Croton, at the foot of the hill, where the house of Dennis Sullivan now stands. This belonged to Philip Mead, and these were the only houses in the vicinity at that time.
The iron mine on this farm was first opened by Frederick Parks, about eighty years ago, and as soon as the Brewsters took possession they reopened the mine in the rear of where the Brewster House now stands, and took out 300 tons of ore during the next two years. Three years later they sold all their mineral rights to the Harvey Steel and Iron Company for $400, and they worked this mine extensively and also one on the hill near the depot, but ceased operations at the end of four years. The Harlem Railroad was finished to this place in 1849, and the depot was built in that year, and what is now the Main street was opened, for the purpose of allowing the stages from Dan- bury to come to the station. Previous to this the firm of Crosby & De Forest had run a line of four horse stages to Croton Falls, from Danbury. The first new house in the place was built by Walter F. Brewster, in 1850, and stood in front of the present Methodist church. It is now owned by Mrs Virginia B. Little. The next building was a screw factory, which stood a few rods south of the depot and on the present site of the First National Bank. This was run about five years, and was then changed to a hotel and used for that purpose three years, when it was removed, and it is now a part of F. E. Foster's store. In 1860 the Brewster House was built, and it is now one of the two principal hotels of the village. The first store was built by Edward Howes, and stood nearly opposite the Brewster House. It was opened May 29th, 1850, and was kept by J. Fowler Frost, who come from Purdy's Station, in Westchester county. He continued the business for five years and then sold out to Walter F. Brewster. At this time the place began to increase, and lots were sold and honses put up at the rate of six or seven a year, and in 1865 there was quite a village. In 1859, a
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wool hat factory was started by William C. Waring, and he was succeeded in the business by Charles W. Budd, who died August 3d, 1871. The building was burned, and in 1874, a new firm, consisting of Smith G. Hunt, Col. Stephen Baker and James A. Peck, began business in the grist mill purchased of A. B. Marvin.
In accordance with an Act passed March 30th, 1867, a Town Hall was built in 1869, at a cost of $25,000, and by Act of Legis- lature, March 16th, 1870, the supervisors of the town, with Ed- ward Howes and Francis E. Foster as commissioners, were authorized to construct a suitable lockup in the hall, and to borrow the sum of $5,000 for that purpose.
The "Croton River Bank " was organized March 15th, 1856, the capital being "1000 shares of $100 each," the stockholders being Thomas Drew, Silas Mead, Charles W. Hine, Hiram Starr, William F. Fowler, Isaac Kelley and James E. Kelley. This institution continued as a State bank till 1864, when it became a national bank with a capital of $200,000, and continued as such for several years, but by a vote of its stockholders it was closed about 1876. Its officers were James E. Kelley, president, and F. E. Foster, cashier.
The First National Bank of Brewster' was organized under the national bank act February 15th, 1875, succeeding to the banking business formerly conducted by John G. Borden and Frank Wells under the firm name of "Borden, Wells & Co." The incorporators were John G. Borden, Frank Wells, George B. Mead, jr., John S. Eno, Samuel W. Church and B. F. Graves. Authority to commence business as a national bank was con- ferred by the comptroller of the currency February 23d, 1875. The first directors were John G. Borden, Frank Wells, George B. Mead. jr., John S. Eno and B. F. Graves. Charles Denton and Ahaz. S. Mygatt were added to the board in 1876 and Mr. A. F. Lobdell in 1878. Mr. Graves resigned in 1876 and Mr. Mygatt died in 1882. The other gentlemen have been continu- ally in office and constitute the present board of directors. Mr. Jolin G. Borden was the first president of the bank and continued in office until May, 1885, when, owing to his removal from the county, he was unable to give the position the care it deserved. His resignation was accepted and Mr. Charles Den- ton was elected to succeed him. Mr. Borden still retains his
1 The sketch of this bank was contributed by Frank Wells.
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large holdings of the stock and his position on the board of directors. In 1881 George B. Mead, jr., was elected vice-presi- dent and is still in office. Frank Wells has been the cashier of the bank since its organization.
The business of the bank was at first conducted in the brick building then standing on the corner of Main and Park streets and owned by L. H. Roberts. In the destructive fire which occurred on the evening of February 23d, 1880, the building was destroyed and the bank opened for business on the following day in the office and with the fixtures formerly occupied and owned by the Croton River National Bank of Southeast, and located in the brick block owned by the estate of Nathan A. Howes. On the second day following the fire the safe was recovered from the ruins and books and securities were found uninjured.
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