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 121
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A pear-tree near the door, seventy years old, is still bearing.
James Mann's children were Electa, James, who settled on the old homestead, and Joseph, who removed to Ken- dall, Orleans county.
Simon P. Vedder came from Schenectady county in 1808, and settled where the present parsonage is, at West Milton. He afterwards moved away the building of wood standing there, and it became the first taveru at Spier's Corners, and is the one still kept there. Mr. Vedder re- built of brick the present house now owned by the Pres- byterian church. The location is a fine one, and commands an extensive and pleasant view.
Mr. Vedder's sons were Abram, who removed to Wis- consin ; Daniel C., also to Wisconsin. Daughters, Mrs. William J. Angle, of West Milton; Mrs. Switz, of Sche- nectady ; Mrs. Dr. Walls, of West Milton ; Mrs. Chauncey Vibbard, Mrs. Robert Spier, Mrs. A. G. Wylie, her hus- band, a minister of the Reformed church ; and Mrs. Stevens, of Schenectady.
raich Mood
RESIDENCE OF THE LATE ISAIAH BLOOD, BLOODVILLE, SARATOGA CO.,N. Y.
485
IHISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
James Hayes, of West Milton, states that there was a " log meeting-honse," Presbyterian or Congregational, just within the limits of Galway, and near the first old Coven- anter church. It was built probably in the time of the Revolution, and must have been the earliest place of wor- ship in all this part of the county.
The following items are from the recollections of Otis Bentley,-living near the stone church,-a man of eighty- four years, with the vigor, clearness of statement, and aceu- racy of memory that would indicate not more than sixty- five.
His father, John Bentley, came to this place in 1778 or '79, and settled on the present family homestead. At that time there was only one house at Saratoga Springs. He took up one hundred and fifty acres lease lands. John Cole was then living on the present place of John Dee. Henry Cole was also located northeast from the church. There was no house at the present village of Ballston Spa, but the springs were known and visited to some extent. The only accom- modation for the public was a gourd dipper hanging upon a tree near. Who furnished that is not stated.
John Bentley set out an orchard on his first arrival, one hundred years ago. They were just beginning to bear at the earliest recollection of the son. One tree is still left, and bearing.
There were saw- and grist-mills near the present paper- mill in the upper part of Rock City before 1800, usually knowu then as the Hatch mills, though owned by Swan. This was the first use of the splendid water-power at that point. Not much later than that, however, another one was erected by Rathbone, the first settler at the village of Rock City. There were two brothers Rathbone, one the pioneer merchant and landlord, the other the mill-owner. One of them afterwards removed to Greenfield.
The children of John Bentley by his first wife were Sarah, who became Mrs. Snyder, of Milton ; Catharine, Mrs. Green, of Clifton Park ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Tillinghast Bentley, of Milton ; Charity, Mrs. Sonthwick, of Greenfield; Patience, Mrs. John P. Bentley, of Troy. John settled in Greenfield, and Abel in Oswego county. By his second wife the children were Otis, who furnishes these items, and seven other sons, all of whom removed to Oswego county, David, Pardon, Stephen, Adam, Elias, Gregory, and Reuben.
The Westcott family came very early, and settled on the present Westcott place.
Jonathan Morey as early as 1780, and located on the present Morey farm.
Benjamin Peck in 1780, on the present Post place. Samuel Reed, in 1800, on the present Stewart place. Silas Adams-long time a deacon in the Baptist church-came about the same time as Mr. Bentley, 1778, and settled where his grandson, Herman Thomas, now resides.
Reuben Wecd was an early settler on the Middle Line road.
Uriah Benedict, Isaac Webb, and Jacob Ambler kept store at Howard's Corners, half a mile west of the church, as early as 1800.
Howard was an early settler, and the pioneer of the tan- ning business in town.
The Scofields lived just over the line in Greenfield.
The cemetery northeast of the church, on the Daniel Burgess farm, is nearly or quite one hundred years old. It has been enlarged and is still in use.
There was another burial-place near Page's Corners. A tavern was kept there too in very early times by Baker.
There was a saw-mill before 1800 at. Craneville, at the upper end of the present pond, built or run by John White- head ; there were also a saw-mill and an iron-forge at Factory village.
The sulphur spring near the east line of the town is on the Wing farm. It is of little importance.
Of Mrs. Alvah D. Grenelle the following items have been obtained :
The first Methodist meetings in the northwest portion of the town were held in the barn of Mr. Blinn, on the pres- ent John Tubbs' place, the barn still standing. This was about the year 1810.
A camp-meeting was held about the same date, on the farm of Jabez Northrop, now the farm of Wm. Arnold. Joel Kecler, father of Mrs. Grenelle, was requested to attend at the camp-ground to enforce order.
An early minister was Samnel Ilowe.
Datus Ensign, well known in the aunals of early Meth- odism in this county, also preached in the old barn. lle once predicted a great revival for this section of country, relating a dream in which he seemed to see a spring burst- ing out from the foundations of the barn, and watering with its abundant flow all the surrounding fields.
Preaching was next held at Mr. Keeler's, and not long after the meeting-house was built at Swan's Corners.
Samuel Luckey, afterwards doctor of divinity and regent of the University, was an early itinerant minister on this circuit.
The meeting-house was thirty by forty feet, built largely by contributions of labor and materials ; probably not more than $250 cash expended upon it.
Joel Keeler came from Westchester county. Ile first re- moved to Auburu, and there built the first frame building, for Colonel Hardenburgh, from whom the place was called Hardenburgh's Corners. In 1797 he came to Milton, and settled on the present Alvah D. Grenelle farm. The old pioneer log house stood east of the orchard, down the hill. The place was bought of Joshua Jones, who must have been a still earlier pioneer. Of Mr. Keeler's children, Jane became Mrs. Hawkins, and settled in Milton; Ann, Mrs. Miller, her husband being a Methodist minister ; Eliza, Mrs. Grenelle; and Mary, Mrs. Joshua Swan.
Benjamin Grenelle was an early settler, removing from Salisbury, Conn., to Greenfield, in 1787. He had three sons, Benjamin C., of Brockport ; Alvah D., of Milton ; and John S., of Troy. Among early neighbors was Henry Fillmore, settled in 1787, where John Emigh now resides, and Newcomb Hewitt not long after. Joel Keeler was the first postmaster in this section, and Mr. Scribner, of Balls- ton, was the mail-carrier, and the curious two-wheeled con- veyance in which he used to appear every Friday is well remembered by the older people.
Mrs. Grenelle mentions among the early teachers Mr. English and Ebenezer Luther. Somewhat later, Mr. Gard-
486
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
ner and Eunice Manning. Among early physicians, Dr. Wood, Dr. Henderson, Dr. Gregory. Abel Whitlock was an early blacksmith in this neighborhood, settled near the old church at Swan's Corners, and opened a tavern in 1808, or about that time.
The father of Joel Keeler was Captain Isaae Keeler, an offieer in the Revolutionary army. He was a prisoner for several months at New York. When captured he received a sword-eut, and his life was saved by a buekle in the strap over his shoulder. The strap with the buekle, parted by the blow of the sword, is now in the possession of Isaae Keeler Grenelle, who also has the sword of his great-grand- father, with the inheritance of his name. He has also a eurious watch, the property of his grandfather, Joel Keeler, and several other relies of olden times. Mrs. Grenelle, last year, at the Centennial, had the pleasure of seeing an old ebair bearing the name of Isaae Keeler.
Wm. Johnson was an early pioneer, an Englishman, lo- cating northwest of Clute's Corners.
David Roberts settled near Rowland's Mills. A son, Phineas, used to play on the bass viol in the old church at Milton Hill.
Walter Patehin lived on the Middle Line road. The farm is still in the hands of his descendants.
Further items of early settlement and the names of set- tlers appear in the church and village sketches, as well as in the records of organization and the lists of town officers.
IV .- ORGANIZATION.
It might be supposed that this town had received its name from some enthusiastic admirer of " Paradise Lost," and that if no other name in the county had a enltured literary origin this at least had. It is the " mission of the historian" to dispel all such faneies, and reeite only verit- able faets. This name, like Upton, Ballston, and other words of like termination, is no doubt a specimen of growth, not elassieal taste. The winding Kayadrossera, drawing an irregular diagonal through the town and furnishing abundant water-power, afforded ample opportunity for mills, that grand necessity of a new country. The upper part of old Ballston quite early became noted in this re- speet, and was generally known as Mill-town. This soon developed, or rather consolidated, into Milton.
The records of seven years, from 1792 to 1798, are lost from the elerk's office of the town, and the account of the first town-meeting must therefore be omitted, and such items as may nsnally be taken for the purposes of history from the early years of the town organization. As at first constituted in 1792, the town included that portion of Greenfield which was a part of the old district of Ballston. Greenfield was, however, set off in 1793, so that Milton was reduced to its present size at that early date. For trade and business the people of the northern portion of Milton conveniently drive to Saratoga Springs ; the south- ern portion, to Ballston Spa. Some of the smaller villages are places of considerable business activity and some trade, as shown in another place.
We add the supervisors, elerks, and collectors as far as they can be obtained from the office.
Supervisors.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. Town Clerks.
Collectors.
1792. John Ball.
Record lost.
Record lost.
1793. Abel Whalen.
1794. 4
1795. Elisha Powell.
=
1796. .6
=
16
.€
Ezekiel Wbalen.
Benjamin Gregory.
1800. Hlenry Frink.
1801.
1802. Jeremy Rockwell.
1803.
1804. Silas Adams.
66
1805. Elisha Powell.
IS06.
1807.
1808. 66
1809. Joel Keeler. Silas Wood.
1810.
1811. 66
1812.
66
Reuben Weed.
1813. Daniel Couch, Jr.
Alpheus Goodrich,
Nathaniel Stewart.
1814.
1815. ..
1816. Joel Keeler.
1817. ..
=
Daniel Couch, Jr. Joseph Jennings.
1819. Thomas Dibble.
1820.
77
1821.
Benham Smith.
1822. Thomas Palmer.
Ifezckiah R. Itoyt.
1823. ¥
Joseph Jennings.
1824.
1825.
:
66
64
1826.
44
IFiram Boss. Joseph Jennings.
1828. =
Thomas D. Prior.
1829. =
=
¥
Alonzo Fuller.
1830.
16
Thomas D. Prior.
1831.
66
¥
Rowland A. Wright.
1832.
..
..
1833. Isaac Frink.
66
1834. 64
I835.
1836.
1837.
1838. James M. Cook.
1839. Abr'm Middlebrook.
1840. Sylvester Blood. 1841.
=
Legrand Johnson. Ifarvey N. Itill.
1843.
Erastus Morehouse.
Wm. W. Arnold.
1845.
Wheeler K. Booth.
Daniel Bronson. David Derrick. Harvey Kilmer.
1847. Isaiah Blood.
David Maxwell.
Ahram Wood.
1849. John Talmadge.
1850. James Ashman.
Stephen McIntosh.
1851. "
1852. Daniel W. Culver.
1853. George W. Ingalls. Seymour Chase.
1854. John W. Thompson. Laurence W. Bristol. Edwin Hall.
1855. John S. Jones.
Peter C. Gordon. Charles E. Jones.
Isaac K. Grinell.
1857. George W. Ingalls.
Lorenzo D. Ilaight.
1858. Wm. T. Odell.
16
Andrew Taylor.
1859. Isaiah Blood.
1860, Wm. T. Odell.
Henry S. Swan.
1861. George W. Ingalls.
1862. Geo. W. Chapman.
1863. Cornwell M. Noxon.
1864. Edw. Il. Chapman. 66
Horace Goodrich. Wi. T. Odell.
1844. James M. Cook.
1846. Iliram Wood.
Samnel De Forest. John IE. Westcott. ..
John J. G. Fort.
Solomon Bearnp.
66
Ilarvey Kilmer.
6.
Andrew Taylor. Itugh Whalen.
66
Eli Beardslee.
William Clark.
Eli Beardslee.
William G. Boss.
66
ISIS. 66
Nathaniel Stewart. Philip H. MeOwher.
=
1827.
=
Thomas D. Prior. William W. Arnold.
Barnabas M. Corey. 66
1842. Ifiram Rowland.
1848. Daniel W. Culver.
1856. Daniel W. Culver.
16
66
1798.
1797. Walter Patchin.
1799.
SPRING FOR THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS
ISAAC NASH.
RESIDENCE OF ISAAC NASH, MILTON, SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
487
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Supervisors.
Town Clerks. Collectors. Robert J. Allison.
1865. Edw. II. Chapman. Chas. E. Jones.
1866 .. Iliro Jones.
Jonathan S. Smith.
1867. 46
Clarence B. Kilmer.
1868. 44
Joseph II. Thomas, elected president. Seth Whalen, app.
1869. Isaiah Blood.
1870.
1871. Iliro Jones.
John V. N. Barrett. Steph'n C. Medberry.
1872. Clarence B. Kilmer. Wm. G. Ball.
1873. John McLean.
George W. Oakley.
1874. George West, Jr.
W. B. HI. Outt. James Clute.
1875. 1876. Geo. L. Thompson.
W. H. Chapman, res. «
Jas. W. Morris, app.
1878.
John M. Carlin. =
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE.
1830. Alpheus Goodrich.
1831. William J. Angle.
Abraham Middlebrook.
1832. Thomas Palmer.
1833. Oran G. Otis. Daniel Coneh.
1858. Seymour Chase.
1859. James Ladow.
1834. Alpheus Goodrich.
1835. William J. Angle.
1836. Georgo G. Scott.
1837. James Ladow.
1838. Eliphalet St. John.
1839. William J. Angle.
1840. George (. Seott.
1861. David Maxwell. Solomon A. Parks.
1841. James Ladow.
1865. Cornwell M. Noxon.
1842. Abram T. Davis.
1843. William J. Angle. .
1867. James Leggett.
1844. George G. Seott.
Charles II. Wickham.
1845. Ezra Westeott.
1868. David Maxwell.
1846. David Maxwell.
1869. Seth Whalen.
1847. Henry Crippen.
1870. Samuel D. Sherwood.
1848. Callender Beeeher.
1871. James Leggett.
1849. Le Grand Johnson. 1872. David Maxwell.
1850. David Maxwell.
1873. Stephen B. Jackson. Jacob S. Settle.
Ezra Westeott. Samuel De Forest.
1874. Daniel Boyee.
185]. Daniel Bronson.
1875. David Morris.
1852. Charles D. Allen.
1876. Theodore F. Ilamilton.
M. Lemet Williams.
1877. John H. Smith.
William Wilson.
Palmer S. Kilmer.
1853. Ezra Westeott.
1878. James Miller.
1854. Augustus E. Brown.
Under a special statute the town was authorized to eleet a poliee justiee once in two years.
1863-65. David Maxwell. 1875. G. W. Hall (resigned).
1867-73. Juhn B. MeLean. 1876-77. Alvah C. Dake.
V .- VILLAGES.
BALLSTON SPA.
A separate chapter is devoted to the history of this vil- lage, following that of the town of Ballston, and considera- ble material belonging to the history of Milton is included in that chapter, particularly the extensive operations of George West, in the Kayadrossera valley.
BLOODVILLE.
This little hamlet, just beyond the limits of the corpora- tion of Ballston, has grown up principally around the scythe and axe manufactory, established in 1824, by Isaiah Blood, and derives from him its name. This tool establishment
has a national reputation, the name of "I. Blood " stamped upon scythes, axes, and other edge-tools, having gone into every part of the country. The lower mill, for the manufacture of axes, is upon the site of an old pioneer saw-mill. The site of the upper mill was not occupied by machinery until employed by Mr. Blood. The property remained in the hands of its founder's until his death, in November, 1870 ; it then passed into the hands of his son- in-law, Henry Knickerbocker, a banker and broker in New York. The last checks signed by Mr. Blood, Oct. 10, 1870, are framed and preserved in the office. The busi- ness requires from two hundred to two hundred and fifty hands. The quantity of goods sold yearly is simply im- mense,-twelve thousand dozen of scythes, eight thousand dozen of axes, and ten thousand dozen of other tools. The enterprise has been steadily continued through all these years.
Isaiah Blood was the son of Sylvester Blood, an early pioneer, and inherited the business from him. In an old invoice or census-roll, by United States Marshal Wilkins, lacking any date, however, but preserved in the office of the county clerk, the name of Sylvester Blood appears, and his business estimated at one hundred axes. This is the enterprise which, descending in the family, has developed to the thousands of dozens already stated.
At Bloodville may also be mentioned the establishment of Benjamin Barber, comprising lumber-yard, planing-mill, sash and blind factory. This was started in 1857 ; employs eight or ten hands.
FACTORY VILLAGE.
This place is next above Bloodville, and has grown up around the two paper-mills located upon the Kayadrossera. One of these is the property of the Cook estate. It is run by the firm of Jones & Settle, employs about twenty-five hands, manufactures collar paper, three hundred and twenty- five to three hundred and fifty tons a year. The lower mill is owned by John McLain, and turns out daily about four thousand five hundred pounds of straw-print. At this vil- lage there was erected a neat union chapel in 1872, where a Sunday-school is maintained, and occasional preaching by the pastor of Ballston Spa.
CRANEVILLE.
is another hamlet still farther up the stream, taking its name from Murray Crane, who lived there for many years, but is now a resident of Ballston Spa. The paper-mill at this point is mentioned in the account of George West's operations, in the Ballston Spa history.
MILTON CENTRE.
This village is at the point where the Middle Line road crosses the Kayadrossera. The grist-mill at this point was established by General Gordon just after the war. It is said that his materials for building were gathered before the war broke out, that the millstones were left leaning against trees during the troublons period, and that they had sunk by their weight balf-way into the ground before peace enabled the general to complete his plans. The present building is in part the one erected then. At this place is
1856. David Maxwell.
1857. Henry Crippen.
1862. David Morris.
1863. James Ladow.
1860. David Maxwell.
1861. Seth Whalen.
1866. Aaron G. Waring.
1877.
Win. G. Ball. Charles J. Newton. 4
Leverett J. Seeley. Chas. J. Newton.
1855. James Ladow.
488
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
a large tannery now owned by Samuel Haight. About one hundred hands are employed ; the line of business combines both tanning and currying. Imitation goat and kid are manufactured. The finished work is sent mostly to New York, and more than half of it is exported to Europe. They place in the vat an average daily amount of two hun- dred and thirty sides. This tannery was built by Seth Rugg, about the year 1830. It was sold by the Ruggs to Mr. Morey, by him to Jacob Adams, and the latter sold it to the present proprietor about eight years since.
The Rugg family came in just after the Revolutionary war, and settled opposite the present tannery. Sylvanus Rugg the pioneer was a wheelwright, and made all the spin- ning-wheels used in this section of country for many years. David Stever, a nephew of Seth Rugg, the founder of the tannery, lives south of the centre, near Milton Hill.
WEST MILTON.
This village consists of two separate divisions, Speir's Corners and Clute's Corners. The post-office known as West Milton has sometimes been at one place and some- times at the other. Like the other villages of the town, water-power has had considerable share in its prosperity. The original grist-mill was built before 1800 by Daniel Campbell, of Schenectady. Simon P. Vedder was his agent in charge of the business; Jacobus Barhydt was the carpenter who exceuted the work, and afterwards became the miller. Ezekiel Whalen also built a mill near the present paper-mill of George West. Abram Vedder kept the first store at Speir's Corners. He was succeeded by Robert Spier.
Ezekiel Whalen opened the first store at Clute's Corners, in the large building now standing at the intersection of the roads. These villages are pleasantly situated in a de- lightful section of the town. At Speir's Corners is the Presbyterian church, a history of which appears in another place. At Clute's Corners the Wilson chapel and Wilson park are features that indicate, not only the generosity of an individual donor, but the publie spirit, culture, and re- finement of the community. From their book of records we find that the " Wilson park association of West Milton" had its inception in the summer of 1874, when one of the persons subsequently named among its corporators suggested to the then owner of the premises, William Wilson, that he allow the young men of the place to " remove the fence in front of the grove, eut ont the underbrush, and make it accessible as a place of recreation for the school-children, provide the same with seats where those passing by might rest, and ereet suitable accommodations for picnies and other open-air gatherings; in short, to convert the prem- ises into a publie park." Permission being given, the first work in the removing of fences was done by public-spirited young men, Sept. 5, 1874. Not long after, William Wil- son, who had been a resident of the place for sixty years, donated to an incorporated society the ground he had per- mitted them to improve, and also built and presented to the community a neat and convenient chapel now standing upon the premises. The grounds of the publie school also being thrown open, in connection with the grounds, make
an entire park of more than three acres. The chapel cost about $900.
ROCK CITY AND ROCK CITY FALLS.
These are parts of one village that has grown up still farther up the valley around the mills that have been es- tablished there from time to time. The upper portion seems to be considered " Rock City," the lower, " Rock City Falls." The first paper-mill was one now owned by George West. It was built in 1840, by Rowland & Kilmer,- burned a few years later, and rebuilt by Kilmer & Ashmun, in 1845. The firm then became Buchanan & Kilmer, and still later was changed to Harlow, Kilmer & Co. At the death of Mr. Kilmer it was sold to Mr. West. The other paper-mill, now owned by C. Kilmer & Son, was remodeled from an early grist-mill, about 1846 or 1847, by Isaac Rowland, Jr. Not succeeding in the enterprise, the property was sold to Buchanan & Kilmer. This was the second mill in the United States that entered upon the manufacture of straw print, and it has continued it successfully to the present time, making now three and a half tons a day, or $125,000 worth per year. The number of hands employed is thirty-three. The paper made is all sold to the New York Sun.
The following general notes are kindly furnished by Ilarlow Van Ostrand, who is now, and has been for many years, intimately connected with Roek City and its business enterprises :
" There is a legend that, before the Kayadrossera was obstructed by dams, shad and herring reached Rock City Falls, which the old inhabitants remember as a fact,-and the Indians resorted here, caught and dried them on the high banks. Valentine Rathbone, a long-time resident, was one of the early settlers. Ile built a hotel and store. The latter was burned in 1846, the former stood down through the years until it was torn down in 1877. It had been used as a dwelling-house from 1820, and for many years there was no hotel or store. The store now standing was built in 1849, by Harlow Van Ostrand, and the present hotel by John and Andrew Taylor. Peter H. Kilmer and Isaac Van Ostrand were early residents, and, as carpenters, left their mark on buildings considered in those days es- . pecially fine. They helped build the old Ballston Centre church in connection with " Unele" Aaron Vau Ostrand, as he was known in early times. A former apprentice, Mr. Manning, having taken the job, employed " Uncle Aaron" to superintend the laying out of the frame, which was of heavy timber. At the time of the Adventist excitement, in 1843, at an evening lecture by Mr. Miller, the old church was densely crowded above and below, and some began to be fearful of a crush under the weight. The commotion was assuming ' panie' proportions, when Uncle Aaron, who was present, rose and said to the excited throng, ' You can't break it down, I know, for I helped build it.'"
Aaron Van Ostrand removed with his family from Con- nectieut, soon after the war, into the town of Milton. Early neighbors were Alpheus Moore and his sons David and Moses, Mr. Millard, Joel Keeler, Nathan Frink, Mr. Tay- lor and his son John, and Joel Lee, afterwards so many years postmaster at Ballston Spa.
RESIDENCE OF ISAAC H. JOHNSON, MILTON CENTRE, NEW YORK
:
489
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Aaron Van Ostrand did a part of the carpenter work on the Episcopal church at Milton Hill. This was built on a square supposed to be the centre of the town, and iu early days town-wcetings were held there. On the square was a school-house and a Presbyterian church. There was a tablet, said to have been painted by Benedict Clark, placed on the wall at the side of the high pulpit in that old Episcopal church, that the then youthful eyes of the writer greatly admired. The inscription was in a half-circle, " How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts."
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