USA > New York > Saratoga County > History of Saratoga County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. > Part 106
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At the election, May 1, 1806, John Thompson, for mem- ber of Congress, received thirty-four votes, Asahel P'orter twenty-five.
In 1806 the town was divided into thirteen road districts. We give the description of No. 1 : " It begins at the south- east corner of the said town, at the line between North- umberland and Moreau, and runs up the river to Snoek's Kill bridge ; thence west to Jesse Billings' east line; from thence south to the east line of Samuel Payne's land ; from thence to the southeast corner of the town."
At the second town-meeting new names appear among the town officers : Ichabod Hawley, John King, John Reynolds, John Bitely, Jr., Abel Cadwell, Solomon Parks, John Albrow, Samuel Crippen, and Asaph Putnam. The assessors' list of jurors, made out Sept. 30, 1805, includes sixty-six names. Among them Thomas Littlefield and Billy J. Clark are entered as physicians ; Peter L. Mawney, John Linnendoll, Henry Martin, Abel Cadwell, Nicholas Tillinghast, and Samuel Scovill, Jr., as merchants ; Amos Baldwin, cordwainer; Abraham Weed, Parks Putnam, Thomas Williams, carpenters. At the second town-meeting it was voted that " hogs be free commoners if well yoked." The bonnty on wolves was carried up to $25. And we notice as a specimen of the care they took to protect their farms, they resolved that every man " must cut the Canada
thistles within his own inclosure, once by the full moon in June, and once by the full moon in August."
Dec. 28, 1810, John M. Berry certifies to the birth of a " child named Jane, born in my house of a black woman, my property or slave." The earlier records in the town- books show a large number of notices of stray cattle, and also the marks adopted by various citizens for their own sheep and cattle.
The town-meeting in 1813 was held at the meeting-house, near John Reynolds'; and that year the town was divided into six school districts by the school commissioners, Ichabod Hawley, B. J. Clark, and Nicholas W. Angle. At that town-meeting Thomas Mall was appointed a commissioner to prosecute for all offenses committed in violation of the excise law. Thus early was a struggle made to restrain the unlimited sale of liquors.
In 1835 division fences were ordered to be four and a half feet high ; other fences four. The same year a bounty of 25 cents was offered for each fox killed. This must indicate either that the people eared but little for their extermination, or that they were so plenty, hunters could make money enough at that low figure.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Supervisors.
Towa Clerks.
1805. Thomas Rogers.
Ilenry Martin.
Collectors. Paulinus Potter.
1806. ..
John Albrow.
1807.
=
lrenus Ilalbert.
1808.
1809. Billy J. Clark.
1810. llenry Martin.
John Reynolds. : ..
Solomon Parks.
1811.
=
Thomas Cotton. .. =
1813. James Mott.
Heury Martin.
1815. =
Samuel Crippen.
1816.
Gordon G. Sill.
18I7.
1818. Thomas Mott.
Ezra Cooper.
1819.
Nathan Kingsley.
llenry Billings. =
1820. Panlinus Potter.
1821. Gordon G. Sill.
Josiah J. Griswold. Nathan Kingsley. =
1822.
1823. Josiah J. Griswold. Joseph A. Sweet.
1824.
=
1825.
=
1826. 4 6
Timothy Andrews.
1827. ..
1828.
1829.
..
..
James Herald.
1830.
.6
1831. Billy J. Clark.
1832. George Reynolds.
=
.€
1834. Seth Ilawley.
Jonathan Austin. William Sprott, Jr.
1835. Josiah J. Griswold. Nicholas W. Angle.
1836.
1837. Joshua Fish.
=
Reuben Crandall.
1838. George Reynolds,
1839. Lucius Cary.
1810. Joseph A. Sweet.
18:1.
Samuel Rhenbottom.
1842.
..
46
llarvey Griswold. David B. Hlow.
A. Van Rensselaer. ..
1815.
..
R. Thompson. Owen M. Roberts.
1816. ..
..
Hassan A. Hopkins. =
1817. Truman Hamlin.
John S. Thompson. Geo. I. Tillottson.
.. John Stoddard.
Ezra Cooper.
1812.
Gordon G. Sill.
Barzilla l'arks. Anson Thompson.
1814. " 16
J. J. Griswold.
Timothy Andrews. Jesse Cowles.
Milton Wheeler. .4
40
1833.
Josiah J. Griswold. Thomas Kimpland. George P. Reynolds. James Kimpland.
1843.
1844. George Payne.
428
IIISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Supervisors. Town Clerks. Collectors.
1849. Heman K. Hopkins, John S. Thompson. Abram S. Cornell.
=
1851. Heman K. Hopkins.
66
1852. Joseph A. Sweet. R. Thompson. David Martin.
1853.
Peter Tearse.
44
1854. Heman K. Hopkins,
1855. Hassan A. Hopkins.
1856. Joseph A. Sweet.
Joha Skyne. ..
1857. Truman Hamlin. Peter Tearse. David Martio.
1858. Austin L. Reynolds. Richard Davenport. Vineent C. Stone.
1859. 46
11. K. Ilopkins. =
1860.
C. V. Kenyon.
IS61.
Heman K. Hopkins. ~
1862.
C. V. Kenyon.
1863. L. B. Swartwout.
L. B. Edmonds.
1864. Isaae G. Stillwell.
1865. Austin L. Reynolds.
=
George P. Reynolds. De Witt C. Sprott.
1868.
Thomas E. Brice.
James II. Merrill. Joseph G. Wood.
1869.
1870. " James Stevens.
1871. Anstin L. Reynolds.
1872. A. T. IHitchcock.
Rufus White.
1873. S. Mott Sweet.
George W. Smith.
David Martin.
1874.
1875. Wm. A. Sherman.
1876. George W. Smith.
Wm. Maloney.
George I. Jackson. Ransom K. Dwyer.
1877. S. Mott Sweet.
B. B. Brush.
1878. John Campbell.
¥
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE.
1830. Benjamin Olney.
1855. Thomas C. Howe.
1831. Anson Thompson.
1856. Jabez Hamilton.
1832. Nicholas W. Angle.
1857. Aaron M. Thompson.
1833. John Reynolds.
1858. Theron P. King.
1834. Gordon J. Ilill, James Herald.
Peter Tearse.
1835. Leonard IIusted.
1860. Jabez Hamilton,
1836. Lucius M. Smith.
William Briggs.
1837. John Reynolds,
1861. Aaron M. Thompson, Perry C. Barker. 1862. Walter Fradenburgh.
1838. Joseph A. Sweet.
1863. James Kimpland.
1839. Julius H. Rice, Russel Grant.
1864. Jabez Hamilton.
1840. Frederick Van Dusen.
1865. Aaron M. Thompson.
1866. John Stoddard.
1841. Daniel S. Newton.
1842. Stephen Shippey.
IS43. James Herald.
1868. Samuel Mott Sweet.
1844. Anson Thompson.
1845. James R. Reynolds.
1846. Daniel S. Newton.
1847. Thomas C. Howe, Richard Davenport.
1872. James Kimpland, Jobn N. Sill.
ISIS. Anson Thompson.
1849. Aaron M. Thompson.
1873. John N. Sill.
IS50. Daniel S. Newton.
1874. William Howe.
1851. Thomas C. Ilowe.
1875. Jabez Ilamilton, S. Mott Sweet.
1852. George Concy.
1853. Aaron M. Thompson,
1876. S. Mott Sweet.
Thomas C. Howe.
1877. Warren B. Ingalshy.
1854. Benjamin E. Newton.
1878. George P. Reynolds.
V .- VILLAGES.
SOUTH GLEN'S FALLS is comparatively a modern vil- lage. Frank L. Day, Esq., states that his father came to the place in 1828, and there was then but one saw-mill, a small affair, and not many dwelling-houses. The old Parks house, or the " old castle," as it was called, still existed as a memorial of the Revolutionary times, and the Folsom house on the present Rice place. In 1840 the grist-mill,
now owned by Lapham & Co., was owned by Mr. Cronk- hite. The business of the place is now very large. The Morgan lumber company operate four saw-mills, cutting sixty million feet of lumber a year. They run a planing- mill in connection with their works, and also a box-factory. William McEchron is president of the company. There is an establishment for burning lime, operating four kilns, and making about five hundred barrels a day.
The Glens Falls paper company have a capital invested of $48,000. They employ abont sixty hands, and manu- facture four tons a day. Augustus Sherman is president of the company; A. T. Harris, secretary and treasurer ; S. A. Parks, superintendent.
The present marble and stone company of South Glen's Falls was organized in 1872. The firm-name is Reynolds, Dix & Co. They employ about twenty-five hands ; and the work they are sending out consists of sawed marble, flag- stone, and limestone for building purposes. The surplus limestone goes to the kilns. The operations of the present company are not the first. In 1836, Julius II. Rice bought out the Folsom place, settled here, and established stone- works, which were continued until about 1860, and they were then sold to Cheney & Arms.
The village was laid out and surveyed under the direc- tion of Mr. Rice in 1837, and after that buildings began to be erected. It is now a place of about five hundred inhabitants, unincorporated; and the citizens rather con- gratulate themselves upon their exemption from the pay- ment of corporation taxes and interest upon bonds, such as have been so freely issued by larger and more ambitious villages. A cotton-factory was established by Mr. Folsom, and at one time quite an extensive business was done. The works were burned out in 1832, and were not renewed.
FEEDER DAM, in the north part of the town, contains two large saw-mills, cutting annually about fifteen million feet of lumber. Something of a village has grown up at this place, consisting of twenty-five or thirty dwellings.
FORTSVILLE, southeast of the centre, is a fine rural vil- lage. It has a Methodist church, a store, several mechanic shops, a grist-mill, dating back to an early period, and per- haps twenty-five dwellings.
CLARK'S CORNERS, in the southeast part, contains a Friends' meeting-house, a cheese-factory, and a few dwell- ings. It derives its name from the noted physician and temperance-worker who lived there for many years.
MOREAU STATION no longer expresses a fact; but it was a stopping-place at one time on the Rensselaer and Saratoga railroad.
REYNOLDS' CORNERS takes its name from the early settlers of that name. Before the opening of the railroad system of the country, it was on important lines of travel by stage.
VI .- SCHOOLS.
Asahel Potter was an early teacher, also Miner, Clapp, Sherman, and Beebe. Some of these came over from Ver- mont. Dr. Gillett is also spoken of as an early teacher.
The town system of schools was organized under the general school aet of 1812.
Services of the Episcopal church, about the year 1844, were held once a month in Moreau, at Fortsville, and also
1866.
1867. George P. Reynolds.
=
George Palmer.
Thomas E. Brice. Squire White. Samuel Cornell.
=
1859. Richard Davenport,
Anson Thompson.
1867. James Kimpland.
1869. Aaron M. Thompson, William Howe.
1870. William Howe.
1871. Jahez Hamilton.
1850. George P. Reynolds.
John Stoddard.
Alva Enos, Jr.
AUSTIN L. REYNOLDS.
Austin L. Reynolds was born in the town of Moreau, Saratoga t'o., N. Y., on the 19th day of June, 1826, and is the fifth child of George Reynolds and Luthena Potter Rey- nolds, the former a native of Rhode Island, who early in life established his homestead in Moreau, where for many years he was one of the most active and energetic business men of the town. He was by occupation a farmer and lumber- man, a man of great force of character, took a prominent part in the affairs of his county, and was a member of the State Assembly in 1833. He had four sons and the same number of daughters.
One of the principal characteristics of this family was their great desire for an education, and carly in life our sub- ject availed himself of the opportunities offered by pursu- ing a thorough course, first as a student at the Glen's Falls Academy, and completing his studies at the Kinderhook Academy, in Columbia county. Ile next entered upon a course of legal studies, and thoroughly qualified himself for the bar, to which he was admitted in 1852. With flatter- ing prospeets he entered upon the practice of a profession in which two of his brothers were engaged,-James L. Reynolds, of Fort Edward, taking high rank at the Wash- ington county bar, and Hon. John II. Reynolds, of Albany, distinguished as among the most eminent lawyers of the State. It soon became evident that his health would not permit him to remain in-doors, and he was therefore com- pelled to relinquish his practice and engage in the active pursuits of ont-door business. Ile turned his attention to farming, in which he was not a novice, having had charge of his mother's estate for several years after the demise of his father. He also engaged in lumbering, and latterly in iron mining. At the age of twenty-eight he was a candi- date for member of Assembly, and was defeated by the small majority of thirteen votes. He was connected with the Democratic party until the commencement of the war of 1861-65, when he joined the ranks of the Republican party. None were warmer in the support of the war for
the preservation of the Union, and none have more firmly maintained the principles of the party to which he now belongs. He has held various positions in town and county. Fle was for seven terms supervisor of Moreau, being elected as a Democrat, previous to the war, five years in succession from a town largely Republican. He was also elected twice in succession to the State Legislature, where he served on the most important committees of the House. Mr. Reynolds was married, Sept. 14, 1853, to Mary E., daughter of Dr. Benjamin F. Cornell, a physician of large practice in the town of Moreau, where he has been held in high estimation as a practitioner for the past fifty years. Mrs. Reynolds is a lady of rare intellectual culture and refinement, of great decision of character, and possessed of those especial qualities that grace truc womanhood and influence the best interests of society.
Hon. John H. Reynolds, the fourth child, and brother of our subject, was born at Moreau, on the 21st day of June, 1819. Ile pursued the study of law at Kinderhook, Colum- Dia Co., N. Y., and upon his admission to the bar became the co-partner of Hon. William H. Tobey, of that village. He almost immediately assumed a front rank in his ehosen pro- fession, drawing around him the warm personal friendship of the Columbia county bar, and of the community in which he lived. While a resident of Kinderhook he was united in marriage to the accomplished daughter of the late General Charles Whiting of that place, and subsequently removed to Albany, where he became one of the strongest and most popu- lar members of the bar of the State. Probably no lawyer of his age has argued more causes or secured a more distin- guished reputation in the court of appeals and in the other higher tribunals of the State than he. During the early part of his residenee in Albany he was elected a member of Congress in one of the most exciting and memorable political campaigns on record in that portion of the State. Was appointed judge by Governor Dix, where he served during the existence of the court. He died at his residence in Kinderhook, Sept. 24, 1875.
.429
IHISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
in the town of Wilton. In connection with this work a parochial school was established at South Glen's Falls, and had a successful career for a time.
Rev. Henry Me Vieker had charge of it. He is affec- tionately remembered for his pure life, his devoted piety. He died in 1852, and the school was soon after discon- tinucd.
COMMISSIONERS' APPORTIONMENT, MARCH, 1878.
District.
Number of Children
between five and
Equal Quota of the
Public Money.
Public Money accord-
ing to the number of
Children.
Public Money accord-
ing to average at-
tendance.
Library Mouey.
Total Public Money.
No. 1.
349
$208.56
$240.03
$216.18
$II.64
$676.41
2
33
52.14
22.70
12.94
1.10
88.88
45
52.14
30.95
22,99
1.50
107.58
11
4
46
52.14
31.64
39.21
1.53
124.52
5
55
52.14
37.83
32.05
1.84
123.86
46
6
33
52.14
22.70
30.70
1,10
106.64
7.
42
52.11
28.89
16.85
1,40
99.28
16
38
52.14
26.13
24.80
1.27
104.34
9
46
52.14
31.64
33.29
1,54
118.61
10
48
52.14
33.01
44,53
1.61
131.28
11
63
52.14
43.33
52.49
2.10
150,06
19
18
52.14
12.38
18.62
60
83.44
816
$782.10
$561.23
$514.65
$27.22
$1915.20
VII .- CHURCHES. CONGREGATIONAL.
This was organized in 1802 by the earnest efforts of Amos Hawley, who had moved into this town from Con- necticut that year. A man of devout religious principles, he was greatly troubled immediately after reaching this town at the idea of bringing up his family in a new country without the institutions of the gospel. It is related of him that he actually rode back to Connecticut to consult with his old pastor in reference to his duty in this matter. The prompt advice given was that he should return and raise the standard of the gospel in the wilderness, that this was the very place God had sent him, and that was the work he ought to do. Returning, he sought out his neighbors of similar religious views, and a church was soon after or- ganized. The old book of records, now in the hands of John N. Sill, has all of its earlier portions taken out, little being left before 1825. The roll of members who joined this pioneer church, the date of its organization, the first officers, the purchase of a site, and the erection and dedica- tion of the house are all left to conjecture and to the un- certainty of fading memories. There is a brief memoran- dum showing that Daniel Hamlin became a member in 1802, John Craig in 1804, Enoch Sill, Joseph De Wolf, Seth Hawley, and Truman Hamlin in 1808 and 1809. It is also known that Amos Hawley was one of the first deacons, that the church had a large membership during a portion of its history, some stating it as high as three hun- dred and fifty communicants at one time. Lebbeus Arm- strong was the first pastor installed, in 1804. The church was largely composed of Northumberland families, -Samuel Lewis, the Thompsons, Paynes, Berrys, Craigs, and Nevins.
Enoeb Sill was a deacon of the church for many years. In 1825 his name also appears as clerk of the society, and Lemuel Leggett as moderator. Strong and radical divisions of sentiments and views seem to have characterized the society from the first. Out of a sharp discussion as to the site of the meeting-house grew two houses, one at the river, one at Reynolds' Corners, and services alternated at the two places; indeed, there was, perhaps, something of an attempt at organization at the west meeting-house. Prac- tically, however, it seems to have been one society with two houses. With the organization of churches of the same or similar faith, Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian at Bacon Hill, Gansevoort, Glen's Falls, Sandy Hill, and Fort Ed- ward,-in fact, a whole circle just outside of the town,- weakening the organization at every point, it finally became extinct, and no church of the kind exists in Moreau at the present time. The meeting-house at Reynolds' Corners, lit- erally built upon the sand, and not upon the rock, became gradually undermined, was taken down, and the timbers were used in the erection of the Methodist church. The last business meeting of the church was in 1859, and Charles F. Wood and Enoch Sill the last deacons. The final dissolution was brought about by a large number of members joining in a body the Fort Edward church.
FRIENDS' MONTHLY MEETING OF MOREAU.
This body belongs to the denomination of Friends known as Orthodox. It is a branch or offshoot of the society in Queensbury, which has a very early history, reaching back to 1767. The Friends living in Moreau met for many years with that body, but in 1851 they began meetings near Clark's Corners under the care of a committee from the Queensbury meeting. These were continued for two years, when the present meeting-house was erected and a regular society instituted. Among the principal members active in organizing the society were James Mott and Lucius Carey. The monthly meeting is connected to the Glen's Falls quarterly meeting. The first preacher was Jonathan Duval, and he still exercises his gifts in the meetings. The wife of Mr. Duval, and also Wm. P. Angel, are acknowledged as preachers by the society. The present clerk is Anna J. Eddy.
THE METHODIST CHURCH OF SOUTH GLEN'S FALLS.
Methodist services have been held on this side of the river, under the eare of the Glen's Falls church, for more than thirty years, and a Sunday-school was maintained in connection with them. The place was finally made a sepa- rate charge in 1876. Previous to this, in 1869, the pres- ent small but neat and convenient chapel was erected. The corner-stone was laid July 1 of that year. The first class was gathered in 1843, by James Covill. An early class- leader in those times was lleman Hopkins.
The present preacher for the society is Rev. Charles Ed- wards. The stewards are G. Parks. Leonard Edmonds, James Reynolds, Clark Smith, John Trickett, William Fuller.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
was constituted in 1795, became a member of Shaftsbury
twenty-one.
430
IHISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Association in 1797, and the Saratoga Association in 1805. The ministers of the church in earlier times were Calvin IFulbert, Joseph H. Ellice, James Rogers, Elisha Blake- man, Charles Williams, John C. Holt, Harvey Slade, J. H. Dwyer, Joseph W. Sawyer, R. (. Dwyer, Ebenezer Hall, L. 1 .. Still, Amos R. Wells, and George Fisher.
The house of worship is pleasantly located, and the ser- vices are well sustained.
THE METHODIST CHURCH OF FORTSVILLE.
This denomination were very early at work in this por- tion of the town with their wonted energy and perseverance. The records of early class-meetings are not casily obtained.
The society has a convenient house of worship, and is understood to be in a flourishing condition. No statistics have been received from the officers in reply to our inquiries by circular.
VIII .- BURIALS.
Very early burials in town occurred in many different places. Among these may be mentioned the Folsom farm, within the present village. As remembered by George Putnam, these were very old graves, going back before 1800, as they were marked by rough stones, with simply initials. The old Parks burial-ground is on a pleasant knoll near the river, opposite Sandy Hill. There are also the two cemeteries in use at South Glen's Falls, also at the bend, and at Reynolds' Corners. Further ancient private burial-places may be seen on the Olmstead farm, the okdl Bitely farm, the Rogers farm, and the Hamlin farm ; near the old Mawney house, on the Richards place, and probably several others could be found.
IX .- SOCIETIES.
A prominent event in the history of the town of Moreau was the formation of a temperance society in 1808. As it is claimed, and no doubt justly, that this was the first tem- perance society in this country or in the world, its proceed- ings must be given at some length. Its foundation was the work of Billy J. Clark, an early physician. He is certainly entitled to the credit of beginning the first organ- ized. movement in this great struggle. Daily witnessing in his practice the fearful physical and moral ruin wrought by intemperance, he was aroused to the necessity of making an effort to resist the evil. In the winter of 1808 he endeavored to organize a county society at Ballston, but without success. Dr. Bull, then sheriff of the county, co-operated with him, but they were deemed by the entire bench and bar as visionary enthusiasts. Dr. Clark, not discouraged by this rebuff in high quarters, returned to work among his neighbors. A biographer, writing a few years since, gives the following as the starting-point of the famous society :
"On a stormy night in March, 1808, and after a day of toil and anxiety in visits to his patients, dripping from rain and covered with mud, Dr. Clark unceremoniously entered the parsonage. The eager visitor's emphatic expression addressed to Mr. Armstrong, the pastor of the Congrega- tional church, was, " Sir, we shall become a community of
drunkards unless something is speedily done to arrest the progress of intemperance."
The pastor cordially co-operating, the step was decided upon then and there. A call was issued for a public meet- ing. The locality of these events was Clark's Corners, in the south part of Morean, two miles north of the Ganse- voort station, on the railroad. The house of Billy J. Clark occupied the southeast corner, standing now just as it was during all the later years of his life. The Mawney house was on the northwest corner, a little north of the actual corner. It may be said to be standing, yet so much re- modeled that it does not in any respect resemble the Maw- ney house of olden time.
The parsonage within whose walls Billy J. Clark's idea took definite form in the shape of a call for a public meet- ing, was the present place of Richard Davenport, and the old school-house where the society generally met was on the site of the present house of Mr. Spicer. The Mawney house was a tavern, and strange to say, this first preliminary meeting was held in the very place of the rum traffie itself. The record of the first meeting, held April 13, 1808, is as follows: At a meeting of a number of inhabitants from the towns of Moreau and Northumberland, held at the house of Peter L. Mawney, agreeable to previous notice, for the purpose of establishing a temperance society under such laws and regulations as shall be hereafter agreed upon, Colonel Sidney Berry was chosen chairman, and Henry Martin, Esq., secretary of said meeting.
1. Resolred, In the opinion of this meeting that it is proper, prae- tieable, and necessary to form a temperanee society in this place, and that the great and leading object of this society is wholly to abstain from ardent spirits.
2. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to draw the by- laws for said society, and that Billy J. Clark, Sidney Berry, Nicholas W. Angle, Ichabod llawley, and Lebbeus Armstrong be the said com- mittee; and that said committee prepare the by-laws by the 20th of April instant, and present them at the house of Peter L. Mawney at twelve o'clock.
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