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 117
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sought to crush our nation's honor, and trampled in the dust our flag of freedom, they both sprang to its support, the former being connected with the One Hundred and Fifteenth, the latter with the Seventy-seventh New York Infantry. They both served their country with honor to her and them- selves. Being taken prisoners, Edgar was confined eleven months in Andersonville, and Edwin three months in Libby. At the close of the war, Edwin joined the regular army, and served a term of enlistment of five years, being a private in Company C, Sixth Regiment of United States Cavalry. Catharine was born September 23, 1846, and was married December 21, 1865, to Jesse B. Thorn, of Old Saratoga. The youngest child, John H., was born September 8, 1852, and married Isabella Shaver, September 2, 1875.
Mr. Ham is a member of the Republican party, and though, at various times, has been offered different town offices, has always refused to serve his townsmen in any political position. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church, and he has contributed largely of his means during his life for its support. His anecstors being descended from a nation that was early noted for honesty, frugality, and economy, Mr. Ham inherited these same traits of character ; and, by attending strictly to them, has, at his time of life, the satisfaction of enjoying a com- fortable and honorable competenee, which has been obtained wholly through his own exertions.
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IHISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Perry. grandson of the first settler, states that he has picked up very many Indian relies ; among others a stone gouge, --- very rare in collections of this kind,-also a beau- tifully rounded stone, similar to a modern whetstone. There had evidently been an Indian encampment on the farm of his father. A block-house erected for defense by the early settlers stood upon the Deyoe farm, a half-mile west of Doe's Corners. There is no report that they were obliged to use it to any extent. William Perry has seen the tim- bers on the place. A battle was fought at the place of the old Stiles tavern. During the Revolutionary war Mount McGregor, a spur of the Palmertown mountains, projecting south and east from the general drift of the range, lies in the three towns of Wilton, Moreau, and Corinth, and as the summit is approached from Wiltonville, and is only distant a mile and a half, a notice of it and of Mr. Duncan McGregor's enterprise is very properly added to the history of the town of Wilton. The mountain has an elevation of fifteen hundred feet above tide-water, and twelve hun- dred above the plains lying at its base. On a level plateau at the summit Duncan McGregor has erected buildings, and is gradually improving the place and developing a pleasure-resort of great beauty and attractiveness. An easy roadway leads from the village up the slopes, making several graceful curves by which the grade is lessened, and the drive made more beautiful and picturesque. There are not here the frightful ehasms and the towering rocky heights that invest wilder and loftier mountain scenery with awe and grandeur, but gentle slopes and wood-crowned summits all unite in those softer lines of beauty that delight and enchant.
From an open space on the cast front a wide and pleasing view is obtained. Commencing at the north with Glen's Falls, the panorama embraces Sandy Hill, Fort Edward, Bold mountain, Greenwich, North Argyle, Schuylerville, and Saratoga lake, the White Sulphur Spring Hotel, with many small villages and quiet hamlets. Just below all are the towns of Wilton and Moreau spread out before ns ; farther on the rolling lands bordering the Hudson valley, and beyond, the distant mountains of Vermont rise with their majestic heights. This spot has also a historic interest, as here the loyalists of the Revolution flashed their signals for the British army at Fort Edward, and farther north to Whitehall.
The McGregor estate consists of eight hundred aeres lying upon the mountain and adjacent slopes. The build- ings occupy the erowning summit a short distance above the " lookout." They are surrounded by a second growth of timber,-jine, chestnut, oak, beech, maple, and birch, trimmed and cleared of underbrush. This affords ample room for croquet-grounds, swings, and winding walks out- lined with whitened stones, affording a peculiarly striking appearance by moonlight. Upon some portions of the tract the original forest still remains in all the beauty of its wild, lonely solitude. The western bend of the Hudson river beyond the mountain approaches within a mile and a half of the McGregor House. Three- quarters of a mile west there is a deep lake, embosomed in the forest, and nearer by a smaller one, capable of being improved into a very fine addition to the other attractions. Besides, the Moreau
pond on the plain below is owned by Mr. McGregor in part, and is reserved for his guests and to supply the table of the hotel. Extensive improvements are yet to be made. A drive of four or five miles in the forest, and for excursion- ists . with saddle-horses ; an observatory of casy height, enabling guests to see the sun set over the Adirondacks of the west, and rise from behind the Green mountains of the east; a telegraph to Saratoga Springs, only eight and a half miles distant, and with the co-operation of the people a broad, finely-graded road over that route, equal to that now leading from the springs to Lake Saratoga. These will make the mountain resort a part of the actual attrae- tions of Saratoga itself. A few families have already dis- covered this charming resort the first year it has been opened, and are boarding steadily with Mr. McGregor. The cuisine of the house is peculiar, and those who have tasted the delicacies of many other places declare that McGregor equals any of them. Such tenderly-cooked fish, just caught in his own ponds, choice milk and butter, mountain berries, delicately crisped potatoes, tea and coffee trimmed with the genuine cream, and not with the " thin, blue fluid," together will make the faintest appetite pulsate with new delight.
Among the other choice things of the mountain retreat we must not forget the beautiful moss parterre, arranged so delicately by the taste and skill of Mrs. Sprott, a relative of the family to whom they were tenderly attached, and whom none knew but to praise and love. This rare collection of the beauties of the forest glens is to visitors a thing of life and beauty ; to the family it is a sweet memorial of her whose hands were folded for the rest of the grave before the improvements were complete.
As a host, Mr. McGregor is sure to win friends. To take possession of the little ones, as Mr. McGregor does, and go with them to the kitchen for a drink of rich eoun- try milk, or help them swing, is a sure way to steal the hearts of the parents, and is the best proof of his ability to delicately and yet liberally eare for the wants of his older guests.
XI .- MILITARY.
Of the early pioneers, John Perry, Samuel Perry, Eben- ezer King, Edward Bevins, were soldiers in the Revolu- tionary army. In the cemetery at Emerson's Corners there is also this inscription : " Zebna Day, whose name in early life was enrolled among the Green-mountain Boys. Died, April 7, 1844, aged 87."
To the War of 1812 the following soldiers went from this town : Caleb Perry, James Woodard, Benediet Wood- ard, Henry Strong, Drew Laing, and Seth Perry. The latter was a colonel at Sacket's Harbor. Jason Adams, who settled on the Deyoe place, son of the pioneer David Adams, was also a captain during the War of 1812.
Like other towns in this county, Wilton responded promptly to the call for volunteers in the war of 1861-65. Colonel Winsor French, then living at Saratoga Springs, but a former resident of Wilton, was active in the work, and many from this town enlisted under the leadership of a man who was ready to say, " Come, boys !" and not, " Go!"
The record of the men who enlisted, annexed to this sketch, is as complete as can be expected when it is consid-
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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK:
ered that there is no record in the town elerk's office, and many men are entered on the printed mnster-rolls as belong- ing to other towns when really they should be eredited to Wilton. The list has also been thoroughly advertised and kept several weeks for correction by the veterans themselves or others interested.
During the War of 1861-65 several special town-meet- ings were held, to take into consideration the question of bounties to volunteers. A bounty of $500 was offered in the spring of 1864, which was finally increased to $1000 on the 6th of September.
W'm. Brown, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D.
Edward Bobenreath, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; disch. for disability, Feb. 14, 1863.
Andrew Brishin, en1. Aug. 2, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F; sergt.
Lurin Brisbia, enl. Aug. 7, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F ; honorably disch. at Hilton Ilead, Marchi 11, 1863.
John R. Burnham, enl. Ang. 4, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F.
Wm. Baker, enl. Aug. 15, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; disch. for disability, March 1,1863.
John Brainard, 77th Regt., Co. D; disch. for wounds. Richard Brewer.
Claudius Baker, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E.
Juhn Carr, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; capt. ; resigned May 18, 1862. Noah B. Clark, enl. Ang. 7, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F.
George Carr, 2d Vet. Cav .; died near New Orleans.
James Cannon, enl. Nov. 3, 1863, 21 Regt. Vet. C'av.
Seth W. Deyoe, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; 1st sergt. ; pro. 1st lieut., May 18, 1862; then capt. ; disch. for wounds, May 10, 1864.
James G. Denel, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; corp .; disch. for disabil- ity, Nov. 26, 1862.
William Dorvee, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; disch. Dec. 13, 1864. Michacl Dowling, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D.
Henry Deyoe, 77th liegt., Co. D; died of sickness, at New York.
- Delong, 77th Regt.
Alfred Dran, 115th Regt.
John Deyoe, 77th Regt.
Peter A. Deyve, enl. Ang. 27, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D.
W'm. H. Deyoe, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; died at New York, Ang. 21,1862.
Mynard C. Deyoe, enlisted Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E; trans. to Vet. Bat., 77th liegt.
Lewis Deyoe, enl. Sept. 18, 1863, 21 Vet. Cav., Co. D.
James Ellison, 77th Regt.
Winson B. French, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; Ist lient.
Charles H. Fodow, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; 2d lient. ; resigned May 31, 1862. Walton French.
Luke Foloisbre, enl. 77th Regt.
Walter Freeman, enl. Ang. 20, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. A; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt.
Dorson Falloon, enl. Sept. 12, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L.
Thomas Farrell, enl. Nov. 17, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L.
Ilenry N. Gilbert, eul. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; disch. for disability, Jan. 2, 1863.
Jeesse Gower, ent. Sept. 24, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D.
George Grren, enl. 77th Regt.
Albert Gruber, enl. Aug. 30, 1662, 77th Regt., Co. D ; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, March 15, 1864.
Edgar llain, enl. Ang. 13, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F.
Alonzo J. Ihubble, enl. Sept. 1, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D; died of wounds, May 24, 1863, at Washington.
John J. Hudson, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt , Co. E ; disch. for disability, Jan. 25, 1864.
Isaac S. Ilodges, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; trans. to Vet. But., 77th Regt : wounded at Cedar Creek,
Miles Iludson, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E.
Otis T. Ilall, enl. Sept. 4, 1862, 153d Regt., Co. G.
('harles Ilohlen, ent. Sept. 21, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; disch. for disability, June 21, 1862.
Solomon Holden, onl. 2d Vet. Cav. ; died of sickness, near New Orleans.
Wm. Harvey, enl. Nov. 23, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L.
Aaron Irish, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D.
Aftus Il. Jewell, enl. Sept. 18, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; pro. capt., Oct. 4, 1862 ; trans. to Co. II.
Sidney B. King, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. D ; corp. ; pro. sergt .; disch. for disability, Nov. 26, 1862.
George Lawsou, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; died Dec. 4, 1862, of fever, at Washington, D. C.
Edwin A. Lockwood, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; served through ; disch, with regt., Dec. 13, 1864.
Antoine Lapoint, enl. Nov. 24, 1863 ; 24 Vet. Cav., Co. L.
Alexander Lamara, enl. Nov. 24, 1862, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L.
lIenry Laroy, en1. Nov. 14, 1862, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L.
Edwin McPherson, eul. Oct. 30, 1861 ; 77th Regt., Co. D.
Henry M. Myers, eal. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G ; wounded May 10, 1864. Charles Munn, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G.
Hanford Myres, enl. Ang. 11, 1862; 115th Regt., Co. F.
Cornelius Myres, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F.
David McNiel, enl. Sept. 18G1, 77th Regt., Co. D.
Ira McNeil, enl. 1863, 2d Vet. Cav.
William Miller, enl. Oct. 19, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; killed near Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864.
John McGovera, enl. Nov. 15, 1863; 21 Vet. Cav., Co. L.
Joseph Martin, enl. Nov. 23, 1863, 21 Vet. Cav., Co. L.
Stephen Nisbeth, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; died May 15, 1862, at Yorktown, of fever.
Wm. E. Newton, enl. Aug. 5, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F.
John S. Nobles, enl. July 31, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F.
Robert Price, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; disch. Dec. 18, 1862, for disability.
Frederick N. Perkins, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; drowned Sept. 17, 1863.
Ilarmon E. Perry, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; disch. for disability, Jan. 15, 1802.
Robert Pryor, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 115thi Regt., Co. F.
John Powers.
Arthur Perry.
Ilarlaem E. Potter, enl. 77th Regt. ; disch. by writ.
Gardner Perry, enl. Ang. 26, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D.
James A. Padelford, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; discharged with regt. Dec. 13, 1804.
Harvey A. Reed, enl. Sept. 24, 18GI, 71st Regt., Co. D; corp .; disch, with the regiment, Dec. 13, 1864.
John H. Reynolds, surgeon ; attached to hospital service.
Charles II. Ruggles, en !. Sept. 22, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; died, May 10, 1862, of wounds.
Jolin I. Rose, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 153d Regt., Co. D.
Warren L. Smith, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; corp .; died Sept. 27, 1862, at Fortress Monroe, of pneumonia.
Alfred M. See, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; killed, May 6, 1864, in the Wilderness.
Daniel Steenburgh, enl. Aug. 15, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F; musician ; disch. Isaac W. Souls, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F.
Peter Schermerhorn.
Warren L. Smith, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; died Sept. 24, 1862, at Fortress Monroe.
Iliram Tyrell, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; lost in action, May 6, 1864 ; supposed died in rebel prison.
Wm. Taylor, Jr., enl. Aug. 16, 1562, 77th Regt., Co. D; lost in action, Oct. 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek.
George Van Antwerp, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. D; diedl, Nov. 9, 1862, of diarrluea, at Fortress Monroe.
Stephen O. Velie, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th: Regt., Co. D; died, Feb. 12, 1862, of smallpox.
Lewis T. Vanderwerker, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; sergt. ; pro. Ist sergt .; 2d lient. : 1st lient .; ap. capt., Co. D, May 12, 1864 ; disch.
George II. Wildey, enl. Ang. 7, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F.
Richard B. Wood, enl. Aug. 15, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F.
Lloyd Weston, enl. Ang. 5, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F.
Henry Weatherwax, 77th Regt.
Elias Washburn, 77th Regt.
Eugene W. Warner, 77th Regt., Co. A; trans. to Vet. Bat. 77th Regt.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOIN J. BRILL.
The Brill family is of German extraction. The earliest representative of it whom we ean trace in this country was John Brill, who emigrated from Holland, and was an influ- tial farmer, at Beekman, Dutchess Co., New York, at the time of the Revolution. He had three sons, Solomon, John, and David I. Solomon served manfully in the war for our national independence. David I. Brill, the grand- father of John J. Brill, went from Dutchess Co., N. Y. (where he was born), about the year 1800, and settled in the town of Half-Moon, from which place he went to Wil- tou, Saratoga county, in 1813. Ilis son John was born
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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
in Dutchess county, on Oct. 2, 1793, and removed with his father to Saratoga County. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812. On April 19, 1817, John Brill was married to Harrict P'earsall, a native of the town of Wilton, where she was born in March, 1794. The results of this union were seven children, of whom four, William, Mary, John, and Ilarriet, lived to years of maturity. John Brill died on Dec. 23, 1858, and his wife on Nov. 1, 1843.
John J. Brill, to whom these lines are dedicated, was a native of the town of Wilton, where he was born on May 15, 1827. Ilc was the youngest son of John and Harrict Brill. His early life was passed on his father's farm, where at the same time he received such instruction as the district. schools of the neighborhood afforded. He finished his higher studies in 1846. On Feb. 15, 1860, Mr. Brill was united in marriage to Frances, daughter of Lewis King, who was one of the carliest settlers of the town of Green- field, in Saratoga County. To them were born three chil- dren, John K., born March 23, 1861, Minnie F., born Sept. 15, 1863, and William, born April 4, 1865.
In political sentiment Mr. Brill is in thorough accord with the Republican party, having affiliated with that party after the disruption of the old Whig party, to which he was formerly attached. While active and sincere in politics, he has firmly declined to accept of any of the offices which have been tendered him.
Mr. Brill, and indeed his entire family, are regular attendants upon the worship and services of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which he has given freely of his means.
A sketch of the beautiful residence of John J. Brill ean be elsewhere seen in this work. The surroundings of the place testify alike to the æsthetic tastes and thrifty life of Mr. Brill. He occupies an influential position in society, is honest, able, and faithful in the discharge of the duties of life, and is respected by all who are fortunate enough to know him.
WARREN B. COLLAMER.
Warren B. Collamer is a grandson of Warren Collamer, who settled in the town of Malta at an early age, and fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer all of his life. He died a few years ago at the age of ninety-four years. He took a deep interest in religious matters, and was one of the car- liest exhorters of the Methodist church, and was an active worker in the cause of religion.
Hiram Collamer is the first son of Warren Collamer, and was born in the year 1800, at Malta. He has passed his life to this date as a farmer, owns several farms in Saratoga County, and is now living, aged seventy-nine, in the town of Greenfield. He married Melissa, a daughter of Barna- bas Soullard, of Malta, who was the master-mason who lost his life by the falling of the scaffolding while erecting Congress Ilall, in 1811. The Soullards eame originally from France, and after coming to this country settled in Connecticut, where they became connected by marriage with the Adams family of Massachusetts.
Hiram and Melissa Collamer had seven children, of whom five reached years of maturity, viz. : Mary Ann, Nelson, Warren B., Edwin, and Harrict. Of these, Nelson and Harriet are dead. Mary Ann resides in Michigan, having married Daniel Eddy. Edwin is engaged in farm- ing at Milton, this county.
Warren B. Collamer was born on February 2, 1823, at the town of Greenfield. He afterwards removed with his parents to the town of Malta, and remained there until he attained the age of ten years, when he removed again to Wilton. He passed his earlier years in farming with his father. He then formed a partnership with his father, and afterwards purchased the farm of his father which he at present occupies. In connection with his farming opera- tions, Mr. Collamer erected a saw-mill and engaged in the manufacture of and dealing in lumber for over thirty years.
In 1877 be changed his lumber-mill to a grist-mill, which he is still running.
Mr. Collamer has been married several times, and has had two children, Mary Ella and Eliza Ann, the latter being dead, and the former residing with her father.
In politics Mr. Collamer was a Democrat until the organi- zation of the Republican party, when he joined that body and has since continued to act with them. He has filled a number of offices, such as town collector and inspector of elections, and he is at present serving his third termu as town supervisor. He was one of the commissioners who erected the county house near Ballston.
Mr. Collamer is still actively engaged in business, is in the prime of life, and has by his own exertions acquired a competency, and is highly respected for his wany sterling traits of character. He occupies an attractive residence in the town of Wilton, just outside of the village of Saratoga Springs, the neatness and beauty of which and its sur- roundings bear evidence to the cultivated tastes of its owner.
CLIFTON PARK.
I .- GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
Clifton Park occupies a central position upon the south- ern border of the county. It is bounded north by Ballston and Malta, east by Half-Moon, south by the Mohawk river, west by the county of Schenectady and the town of Balls- ton. The southern portion of the town is fifteen miles from Ballston Spa, the county-seat, and about the same distance from Albany. It is the fifth town in the county in respect to area, containing forty-seven square miles. It has a river front of nearly or quite nine miles. This town comprises the Apple patent and the Clifton Park patent. The his- tory, location, and boundaries of these patents are suffi- ciently given in the general portion of this history. The Apple patent is in the west part of the town, the Clifton Park in the east. There is also included the Niskayuna patent, bounded south by the Mohawk, east by the Mudder Kill, west by the Steena Kill, and extending back from the Mohawk one mile, comprising about three miles of river front.
In the revised statutes of the State this town is described and its boundary lines defined as follows :
" The town of (lifton shall contain all that part of said county bounded northerly by Ballston and Malta, easterly by Half Moon, southerly and westerly by the bounds of the county."
The town includes 23,159 acres of improved land, 4000 aeres of unimproved, and of this last amount 3778 aeres are woodland. The population in 1875 was 2495.
II .- NATURAL FEATURES.
The surface is level-is undulating, except in the north- east part, where it is broken by sand-hills and ravines. A line of rugged clay bluffs borders upon the Mohawk valley. Above the bluffs there is a belt of gravelly loam and heavy elay. There are several ereeks in the town, the waters of some reaching the Hudson through Anthony's Kill, and others flowing to the valley of the Mohawk. The water- shed line between the two sets of streams passes irregu- larly from east to west, across the southern half of the town. Two small rivulets flow into the southern extremity of Ballston lake. The largest southern affluent of Anthony's Kill has two small branches in Clifton Park, known as Long Kill and Covley Kill. There are five streams that flow to the Mohawk, the largest uniting at Vischer's ferry.
III .- EARLY SETTLEMENT. .
As early as the 4th of March, 1669, only seven years after the settlement of Schenectady by Arendt Van Curler and his associates, at the great flats on the Mohawk, it is recorded that Pieter Danieke Van Olinda sells " his certain great island" in the Mohawk, at Niskayuna, to three persons,
viz., Jan Verbeck, Philip Pieter Schuyler, and Pieter Van Olinda. We also learn that on the 31st of October, 1677, Claes Janse Van Boeckhoven bought land over the river at Niskayuna. The parties selling were Harman Vedder and Barent Reyndertse Smit. Boeckhoven was united in the purchase with Ryck Claes Van Vranken. This shows the settlement of these four families (and, doubtless, there were others with them) to have been in Clifton Park, in the vi- einity of Vischer's ferry, more than two hundred years ago. Claes Janse Van Boeckhoven's first wife was Volkertie Janse. Ilis second wife was Catlynde De Vos, daughter of Andries De Vos, and widow of Arent Andriese Bradt.
The second marriage was about 1691. Ile died about the year 1712, leaving no children. The property passed to his wife, and after her death, in 1717, to her children.
The Mohawk valley attracted settlers at a very early day, and there are many evidences that even before 1667 an opening had been made in the forests of this town. Fami- lies, daring the dangers of frontier warfare, pushed away from Albany and Schenectady to find homes for themselves and their children on these broad and beautiful uplands. Very little can be obtained about this earliest settlement in the wilderness. Neither names nor dates can be verified so as to be sure of accuracy. The line of pioneer settle- ment, which can be traced back for a hundred years with- out much real diffienlty, grows rapidly obscure beyond that point, and when it has lengthened to two hundred years names and dates aud homesteads are generally lost in the dimness of the past. Then successful narration becomes possible only when old papers, deeds, wills, church books, and similar records can be made to tell the story of the olden days. Unless these can be obtained we ask in vain for the annals of early settlement, early hardships, early dangers, and early success. From the old maps it appears that the Niskayuna of ancient times was mostly on the north side of the Mohawk, and within the present limits of Clifton Park, perhaps including the western portion of Half-Moon. The points of settlement were undoubtedly Vischer's ferry, and down the river, including Fort's ferry. The old name for Niskayuna was Canastigonie. Upon an old map of 1773 this name appears just north of the south- erly bend of the Mohawk, inclosing the present lower por- tion of Clifton Park. Saratoga, Half-Moon, and Niskayuna are the three points occupied by white men before 1700 in the county of Saratoga.
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