History of Saratoga County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers., Part 102

Author: Sylvester, Nathaniel Bartlett, 1825-1894
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 780

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But few of the Marshall name are now living. Of the descendants of James two are living,-his son and grand- son. Of the descendants of Samuel, one son, Abraham, is living, who has two sons living, and Thomas three. Of the female descendants many are living, scattered far and wide.

Sammel Marshall died on Jan. 30, 1866, aged eighty- seven.

Abraham Marshall, son of Samuel Marshall, and grand- son of Abraham Marshall, was born near Schuylerville, Sept. 2, 1798. Ilis mother's name was Phoebe ( Benjamin)

Marshall, who was born in Egremont, Mass., Jan. 18, 1780, and died April 22, 1864, aged eighty-four years. In early life he enjoyed the advantages of the common school, which were then very inferior to those now afforded. His father, Samuel, being a tenant of Philip Schuyler, under a life lease from General Schuyler, could not afford his children any better opportunities for obtaining an edu- cation. The library of his father consisted of few books, yet through the favor of Mr. Schuyler and Richard M. Livingstone he was allowed the free use of their private libraries, a privilege which he continued to enjoy through life. " Rollin's Ancient History," the writings of Addison, Goldsmith, Pope, and other celebrated English anthors, with histories and biographies written by ITume and others, were his chosen authors. Having obtained what learning could be obtained from the common schools of the day, -reading, writing, arithmetic, and English grammar,- and his services not being required during the winter season on the farm, at the age of sixteen he commeneed teaching school, which was continued for twenty-one con- secutive winters. At the age of nineteen he, with his father, removed from the Schuyler farm, one mile north of Schuylerville, on the farm known as the headquarters of General Burgoyne after the battle at Bemus Heights, on his retreat. Mrs. Reidesel, wife of Baron Reidesel, rendered the house famous by a residence in the cellar for several days during the negotiations between Generals Gates and Burgoyne, prior to the capitulation. This farm and other lands, containing two hundred acres, were bonght of Samuel Bushce by Samuel Marshall and his son Abraham, they agreeing to support said Bushee and wife during their lives. This contract fixed the future of the life of Abraham as a farmer, keeping school during the winter season and farm- ing during the summer. Jan. 8, 1823, he married the daughter of Job Mulford, one of his pupils, sixteen years of age, building a house on the west part of the two hun- dred acres, and residing there until the winter of 1837. While residing here his children-three sons and two daughters-were born. The house and farm were in the limits of the town of Northumberland. While here he was elected a justice of the peace, to which office he was elected from time to time for twenty-four years. Here also he was elected commissioner of schools, and for many years, with his associates, managed the school districts and licensed the teachers for the town. When the offices of commissioners and inspectors of schools was abolished their whole duties were merged in one person, called superinten- dent of schools, which office was given to Mr. Marshall, who held it for two years. While residing here, he and his wife-May 25, 1827-connected themselves with the Reformed church at Bacon Hill, under the pastorate of Rev. Philip Duryea, D.D. In the year 1831 he was elected deacon of this church, and in 1851 was elected elder, which office he has continued to hold ever since. He has often been a delegate to classis, also to particular synod, and eight times to general synod. He is a firm believer in the doctrines and government of the church.

After the death of Samuel Bushce his father and he, coming in full possession of the two hundred acres, dis- solved partnership, and Abraham sold his portion of the

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JOHN MARSHALL.

ABRAHAM MARSHALL

RESIDENCE OF ABRAHAM MARSHALL AND SON , JOHN, NORTHUMBERLAND, SARATOGA Co.N.Y.

(SARATOGA PHOTOGRAPH CA, SARATOGA SPRINGS. )

EMMA T. DEYOE.

D. H. Deyve

RESIDENCE OF HON . D. H. DEYOE . NORTHUMBERLAND, SARATOGA Co NY

411

IHISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

farm to Jonas Olmstead, and purchased the farm which was first settled by James MeCreedy, near the centre of the town. In four years after the settlement here his wife died, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Mulford, taking an oversight of the family. In 1852 he married the danghter of Henry Timmerman, of Argyle, Washington Co., with whom he still lives. While here he was elected to the office of jus- tice of the sessions, to which he was re-elected, holding the office four years. In the year 1830 he became a mem- ber of the Northumberland Bible Society, auxiliary to the Saratoga County Bible Society. He has ever been a warm friend of the Bible cause; elected by the town organization as president, and in 1838 its secretary and treasurer, which office he has held ever since. In 1845 he was elected president of the Saratoga County Bible Society. By vote of the town society he was elected a life member of the American Bible Society, and by the county society a life director of the same. He is at present president of the county society.

Retiring from the active duties of farm life, he is residing with his youngest son, John (both of whose portraits may be seen elsewhere), occupying his advanced years in the garden in the cultivation of vegetables and flowers, in which he takes great delight. Rather than rush out in retiring wholly from the scenes of active life, while physi- cally and mentally capable of doing something, he is agent for three fire insurance companies. Mr. Marshall's oklest son was educated as a physician in Albany, but afterwards engaged in the business of a wholesale and retail druggist at that place, where he died.

Through life he never engaged in any business of a speculative nature. He has never acquired much property, is out of debt, has a small competence for the rest of his life, and a little to leave to his children.

DANIEL H. DEYOE

was born in the town of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Aug. 23, 1833, being the son of Daniel and Sarah M. Deyoe, who immigrated to this county from the county of Rensselaer the same year. In 1840 he removed to the town of Westmoreland, where young Daniel was brought up on his father's farm, receiving his early education at the common schools, and afterwards attending the acade- mics at North Hebron, Washington Co., and at Claverack, Columbia Co. Soon after this he lost his father, and purchased his father's old homestead in Saratoga Springs ; but he finally disposed of it, and, after his marriage, removed to the farm he now occupies. He was married Sept. 13, 1859, to Emma T., daughter of Stephen and Mary Thorn, who were among the oldest families in the county. Their daughter was born in the town of Saratoga Springs, Jan. 1, 1841. The family of Mr. Deyoc consists of three children, four having died in infancy.

Mr. Deyoc has always belonged to the Republican party, in wh .. riks 1. has been an earnest worker. He has been int ted with many responsible offices, and is at pres- ent member of Assembly for his district, to which office he was el (1 . majority of six hundred, and was super- visor of his town in 1877.

Both himself and wife are members of the Baptist church of Bacon IFill. In occupation he has always been a· farmer.

ISAAC VAN DE WERKER.

Isaac Van De Werker, the subject of this sketch, is the only surviving son of Sovereign and Lucy Van De Werker, and was born Jan. 22, 1813, on the farm purchased of the original patentees by his grandfather, in 1783, in the central part of the town of Northumberland, near which he still lives. Ile married, in 1860, the ouly daughter of E. E. Safford, Glen's Falls, Warren Co., N. Y., and by that union has two sons, -- Isaac Eddie, born Oct. 16, 1863, and George Sovereign, born Nov. 23, 1867. Excepting those sous, he is the only Van De Werker living in the State of his grand- father's family.

Ile was left without a father at the age of eighteen, and thus early was thrown into active business life, which de- veloped great perseverance and untiring industry, making him the chief help of his widowed mother.

In 1846 he left the farm, and entered into contract with Sewall F. Belknap to build five miles of the Vermont Cen- tral railroad. When the work was nearly completed, Bel- knap failed and died, and Mr. Van De Werker lost twenty thousand dollars due him. Under such loss he could not think of settling down to farming, and went south, where he remained two and a half years, engaged in successful business, and then joined in the rush and was one among the " Forty Niners" who went to California.

His courage and resolution, as well as business foree, was well shown by the manner in which he surmounted all ob- stacles in the way of securing a passage, and when none could be obtained chartered a vessel himself and set out for California.

Ile spent several years there, during which time he en- countered sickness and the many hardships and privations incidental upon such an adventurous life, and made many pleasing associations ; but on the death of his last surviving brother he returned home to see his mother in her last days.

Ile is a man of culture, a thorough anatomist, a study to which he has given much time and thought, possesses firm, unyielding principle, strong determination, and warm, gen- erous impulses.

In religion he is orthodox in faith, a Bible student of no ordinary cast, earnestly endeavoring to walk in the light of its teachings.

ITis ancestral line has been well preserved, and can be clearly traced far back, as is shown by the family records. Ilis father, Sovereign Van De Werker, was born Aug. 12, 1782, married Lucy Ross Oct. 19, 1806, and died Oct. 15, 1831. Lucy Ross was born Aug. 6, 1783, and died March 13, 1860. Sovereign Van De Werker was son of Isaac Van De Werker and Elizabeth Sybrandt, his wife. Isaac Van De Werker was born Feb. 23, 1750, married Eliza- beth Sybrandt Nov. 27, 1772, and died Jan. 25, 1824. Isaac Van De Werker was son of Martin Van De Werker and Margaret Owens, his wife, who was daughter of an English physician who came from England in 1720 and

412

IIISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

settled in Albany, N. Y. She was then one year old. Martin was born 1718. They were married in 1744, and soon after their marriage they left Albany and settled on the Mohawk flats, near the village of Canajoharie, and there was born to them a family of seven children. Martin was son of Joseph Van De Werker, who emigrated from The Hague (Holland) when quite young, with two brothers, and settled in Albany about the year 1674.

Elizabeth Sybrandt, wife of Isaae Van De Werker, was daughter of Sovereign Sybrandt and Joanna Hatfield, a lady of English parentage. Sovereign Sybrandt and Isaae Van De Werker, together with their families, lived in Greenwich, Washington Co., during Burgoyne's campaign, and had much of their property stolen and destroyed by his soldiers. In 1784, Isaac Van De Werker moved into what is now Northumberland, making the third family to enter the town as permanent residents.

Sovereign Sybrandt was son of John Sybrandt and Eliza- beth Van Dam, to whom he was married about the year 1730. John Sybrandt was a native of Denmark, and came to New York abont the year 1724. Ilis occupation was that of sea-captain, and about four years after his marriage, when coming through Elurl Gate in a storm, he was swept from his quarter-deck and lost his life. He left a wife and an only son,-Sovereign. Elizabeth, his wife, was daughter of Rip Van Dam and Sarah Van Der Speigle, to whom he was married Sept. 14, 1684.

Rip Van Dam was a stadtholder in Holland, and came to New York about 1685, and died June 9, 1749. He was elected governor of New York by the people, in the absence of' one being sent or appointed by the government of Great Britain.

Sarah Van Der Speigle, wife of Rip Van Dam, was born Dec. 16, 1663; died Jan. 16, 1749. She was daughter of Lorens Van Der Speigle and Sarah Webber.

Sarah Webber, wife of Lorens Van Der Speigle, was born Oct. 20, 1640, married April 1, 1661, and died Jan. 26, 1685. She was daughter of Wolfort Webber and Aneke Coos, who were married in 1631. Wolfort died 1670. His wife Aneke died in 1694. They had five children, and they all emigrated to America. Wolfort's mother was sister to the father of William, Prince of Orange.

ASA F. THOMPSON.

The subject of this memoir was born in the town of Mo- reau, Saratoga Co., on Dec. 22, 1815, and was a son of Ebenezer and Aun Thompson. The family was among the earliest settlers of that town.

Until Mr. Thompson was eighteen years of age he passed his life in assisting his father as a farmer, meantime re- eeiving such education as the district schools of the locality afforded. Arriving at the age of eighteen, he left his home and became an itinerant, traveling over a great portion of the world. Hle finally settled in the south, where he en- gaged in business. He returned to the north in 1855, and married Sarah A., daughter of Samuel and Sarah Chapman, on Dec. 26, 1855. This lady was born in the town of Northumberland on Jan. 26, 1834. The children of Mr.

Thompson consist of three,-Mary E., born Nov. 13, 1857 ; Anna S., born May 31, 1859 ; and Isabella S., born Feb. 9, 1865.

In political affiliations Mr. Thompson was always attached to the principles of the Republican party. He was a mem- ber of no particular church, but was ever ready to assist any denomination. Ile died June 13, 1867, greatly lamented by a wide circle of friends.

A. B. BAUCUS.

This gentleman was born in the town of Northumber- land, Saratoga County, on April 5, 1838, and is a son of Joseph and Catharine Baucus. He is the oldest of a family of two children.

Ilis early life was passed on the farm of his father. Ile received his first education at the district school of his neighborhood, afterwards enjoying the benefits of a thorough academic course.

Mr. Baueus was united in marriage on February 27, 1862, to Esther, daughter of Samuel H. and Sarah M. Deyoe, a native of the town of Northumberland. To this union were born two children,-Joseph D., born Sept. 23, 1864, and Fannie, born June 3, 1868.

In politics he was an ardent Republican until the time of the liberal reform movement in favor of Mr. Greeley, when he united with that party, and afterwards became an active worker in the Democratic ranks. He has filled the position of supervisor for a number of terms, and was the candidate of both parties for that office in 1876.

JOHN HARRIS.

William Harris, the grandfather of the subject of this notice, was born at Derbyshire, England, about 1724. Ile came to this country about the time of the Revolutionary war, entered the American army, and served through the war. He was granted lands by the government afterwards. Soon after the war he went to Northumberland, in this connty, and either then, or a few years later, settled on the farm now owned and occupied by Henry Peck. He mar- ried Elizabeth Herring, of Charlton, Mass., about 1772. She was born at Dedham, Mass., in 1749, and died June 14, 1826, in the seventy-seventh year of her age. William IFarris died on November 22, 1826, in the one hundred and second year of his age.

His children consisted of two sons and three daughters. The sons were Philip Harris, who settled in Northumber- land and died there; William Harris, Jr., who was born Aug. 5, 1773, and who at first settled in Northumberland, but in the later years of his life removed to Whitehall, Washingtou Co., where he died Sept. 12, 1856, aged eighty-three years one month and seven days. He mar- ried on April I, 1798, Sarah Burt, who was born Feb. 14, 1777, and died May 22, 1811, in the thirty-fifth year of her age. Their children were John la'.is ( the subject of this sketch), Wm. B. Harris, and Lucinda Harris. laut- cinda was born Oct. 28, 1805; married Jay Omey, of Oneida county, settled there, and died April 24, 1854,

SARAH A. THOMPSON

ASA F. THOMPSON

RESIDENCE OF MRS. SARAH A.THOMPSON, BACON HILL , SARATOGA Co., N. Y.

PHOTOS. BY BAKER& RECORD SARATOGASPRINGS)

ISAAC VAN DEWERKER

ADELIA VAN DEWERKER.

BEZ

RESIDENCE OF ISAAC VAN DEWERKER . NORTHUMBERLAND, SARATOGA Co., N.Y.

413

HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

aged forty-eight years. Wm. B. Harris was born Nov. 30, 1803, and settled at Whitehall, where he died Aug. 13, 1849.

The other children of William Harris, Sr., were Lucy, who married Wm. Sutfin, and lived and died in Northum- berland ; another daughter, who married John Nevins, also lived and died in Northumberland ; and Eleanor, who died April 30, 1821, in the forty-third year of her age.

John Harris, the subject of this memoir, was born on March 17, 1799. He passed his early life on his father's farm until the age of twelve years, when he started out in the world for himself. At about the age of sixteen he entered the employment of Myers & Co., of Whitehall, in the mercantile business, and subsequently, in connection with his brother, engaged in business for himself at the same place. On Aug. 7, 1831, he married Mary Clark, daughter of Joseph A. and Elizabeth Clark, of Oneida county.

In 1832 he settled in Northumberland, on the same place where his family now resides. He erected a store, and also a saw- and grist-mill, continuing the milling busi- ness in connection with farming during the greater part of his life. His family consisted of five children, four of whom lived to years of maturity, viz., Mary Eliza, John C., Win. A., and Gertrude J. Of these only John C. and Gertrude J. are now living.

In politics Mr. Harris was formerly an old-line Whig; but at the dissolution of that party he assumed an inde- pendent position, and henceforth acted free from party con- trol.

Mr. Ilarris was a man of strict integrity, systematic and regular in his business habits, and much respected by those of his acquaintance. He died on April 26, 1862, at the age of sixty-three years.

STEPHEN O. BURT.

On another page may be seen the engraving of the res- idence of Stephen O. Burt, who is the only son of John Burt, and grandson of Richard Burt, Sr., who was born April 17, 1745. In the year 1770 he emigrated from Rhode Island, his native State, to Columbia Co., N. Y.

John, the eldest of eleven children, was born June 14, 1775, in the town of Chatham. He received a common- school education, and removed with the remainder of his

father's family, in the year 1790, to the town of Northum- berland, Saratoga Co., N. Y., where they purchased five hundred and seventy-two acres of land, bordering on the Hudson river, in the vicinity of Fort Miller Falls.

The 31st of December, 1807, John married Sarah Olney, daughter of Stephen Olney, of Saratoga. They commenced life for themselves in a log cabin. Owing to his untiring energies the small space then cleared rapidly enlarged, until the great forest became fertile fields. Two years later the cabin was replaced by a frame house that, with few alterations, still remains. In connection with farming, a portion of his time was spent in the lumber business.

In politics he was a life-long Democrat. He was a good neighbor, a kind friend, and generous alike to rich and poor. The labors of his energetic life were crowned with success, and his chief study was the comfort and happiness of those around him. His strict integrity in all business transactions commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him.

In appearance he was of medium height, broad across the shoulders, and had brown hair and blue eyes. His habits were good, his intellect well balanced, and every lineament of his strongly-marked features proclaimed him a worker. He was the father of two children,-the eldest a daughter ; the youngest a son, Stephen O., who was born Oct. 16, 1808.

In his youth, Stephen O. Burt enjoyed those advantages which the early days of this county afforded. He remained at home with his father until the spring of 1836, when he married Rebecca Salisbury, daughter of Preserved Salis- bury, of Stillwater.

The following year he spent in the lumber business, at Ausable Forks, in Essex county. From thence they re- turned to the homestead, to make that their permanent home. His mother died Dec. 9, 1856. His father, at an advanced age, was in full possession of all his faculties, and lived to enjoy many happy reunions of children, grand and great-grandchildren, until his death, which occurred March 30, 1871, at the age of ninety-five.

After his father's death Stephen O. left the homestead, and settled at Bacon Hill, where they now reside. Of their seven children there are three living. The eldest, Lewis P., married Sarah L. Waldo, of Northwestern, Feb. 18, 1862, and resides at Woodworth Hill; the next eldest, Ella, married W. S. Deyoe, of Bacon Hill, Dec. 5, 1866 ; the younger daughter, Sarah J., is living at home.

HADLEY.

I .- GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.

HADLEY is the east one of the two northernmost towns of the county. It is bounded, north and cast by the county line, south by Corinth, and west by Day. It ineludes 9737 acres of improved land, 7760 of unimproved, and of this last amount 3995 are woodland. The population, in 1875, was 1063. Iladley contains a part of the twenty-fourth allotment of the Kayadrossera patent, and also a part of the patent granted to John Glen and others, also a part of the Palmer purchase, and a part of the Dartmouth patent.

In the revised statutes of the State is the following legal description of this town and the definition of its boundaries :

"The town of Hadley shall contain all that part of said county bounded, northerly and casterly, by the bounds of the county ; south- erly, by Corinth ; and westerly, hy Day."

HI .- NATURAL FEATURES.

The Hudson river borders the town upon the east. The surface of the country is very hilly and rough, the soil sandy and light, with many large boulders. The hills are generally thickly wooded. In the southeastern part of the town stands the "iron mountain" (Mount Anthony), which rises to a considerable height. It is the highest peak of the Kayadrossera range. Its western face rises quite ab- ruptly, and is rough and rocky, while the eastern declivity is much gentler and more thickly wooded. There is a bed of hematite iron ore in the mountain, but the ore is not rich enough to render working the mine a profitable busi- ness, and it has long been abandoned.

There are no lakes wholly in the town, but a small part of Livingston's lake projects across its western border from the town of Day. The Sacandaga river runs in a very crooked easterly course across the southern part. The high hills shut down close to the river on either side, making the valley narrow and rather gloomy.

There are no creeks of any size. The largest is Wolf, which runs across the northern part of the town, and empties into the Hudson about three miles above Hadley station.

III .- EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settlements in Iladley were about 1788. A man named Richard Hilton is credited with being the first settler. Further than his name nothing is known coneern- ing him.

In the spring of 1790, Alexander Stewart settled on the banks of the Hudson, on lot 9, river division of the small Dartmouth patent. His farm consisted of one hundred and fifty acres of fine river-bottom lands, and was densely covered with a heavy growth of extremely fine white-pine timber. From May to December he cleared up fifteen acres without the aid of horses, cattle, or men. Ile sowed his first wheat in

1791, and every year after that had wheat to sell. He died in May, 1823, aged seventy-seven years. Ilis wife, Eliza- abeth, lived till 1835, and died in her eighty-fifth year. He had Dine children, Nancy, John, Neal, David, Charles, Daniel, Betsey, James, and William. Daniel is the only one now living. Ile resides at Luzerne, at the age of eighty-six years, and his wonderful memory and extensive experience enabled him to give us valuable assistance in collecting the facts for this work. Enjoying the peaceful pleasures of a quiet and healthy old age, may he still live many years. The only other descendant of Alexander Stewart, living in this vicinity, is Daniel A. Stewart, a son of Charles. Ile lives in Hadley, a little north of the depot. Neal Stewart was a very strong man, and is said to have carried a barrel of pork from the river to his father's house, a distance of eighty rods, stopping to rest but once. The feat seems to be a well-authenticated fact. David Stewart was a popular surveyor, and nearly every road survey bears his signature. Ile was accurate and skillful. Daniel was the first child born in the town. He was born in 1791.

David Dayton settled on lot 10 of the Dartmouth pat- ent in 1796. He had five sons, Joel, Ilenry, Telam, Orange, and Erastus. He died in 1807. Telam still lives in Hadley, on the old homestead.

Elijah Ellis, formerly from Shaftsbury, Vermont, came from Warren county to Hadley in 1800. He first settled on the southern side of the Sacandaga, near its mouth, and subsequently removed to lot 3 of the Glen patent, near the western foot of Mount Anthony. He built a saw-mill about a mile farther up the river, where a small creek enters from the south. Ile lived till 1855, when he died, sur- rounded by family and friends. His wife died in 1875, and lacked but a few months of being one hundred years old. Elijah Ellis had eleven children. Of these, seven are still living. Three, Anna, Sybil, wife of David Hyde, and Sarah, wife of W. II. Flansburgh, live in Iladley.

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History of Saratoga County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers., Part 102

Author: Sylvester, Nathaniel Bartlett, 1825-1894 Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Ensign Number of Pages: 780

Author: Sylvester, Nathaniel Bartlett, 1825-1894
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 780