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 123
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Cornelins S. Huyck, enl. Sept. 18, 1861, 77th Regt , Co. B; disch. March 7, 1863. Edward Hall, enl. Sept. 19, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B.
Dallas Hoyt, enl. Sept. 28, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. June 23, 1862.
Alexander C. Holmes, enl. Oct. 5, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. Nov. 3, 1862.
Wm. H. lewitt, Jr., enl. Oct. 10, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B.
James A. Ilanna, enl. Ang. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Seymour Harris, enl. July 30, 1862, 115th Begt., Co. C. Smith larlow, enl. Ang. 8, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Orrin Hill, ent. Ang. 1, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Wm. B. Horton, enl. Sept., 1861, 44th Regt., Co. B.
John B. Harlow, enl. Sept., 1861, 44th Regt., Co. B.
John M. Hammond, enl. Sept., 1861, 44th Regt., Co. B.
George L. Hayes, enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 77th liegt., Co. H.
Andrew llassett, enl. Aug. 29, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. II ; trans. to Vet. Bat., 77th Begt.
Wm. Hall, en1. Dec. 3, 1861, 4th Heavy Art., Co. D.
John Howard, enl. Dec. 26, 1861, 4th Ileavy Art., Co. D.
Frederick llope, enl. Dec. 28, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F.
Stephen Ilarris, enl. Dec. 29, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F. Nicholas Hudson, enl. Jan. 2, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F.
Alva Hickok, enl. Dec. 30, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F.
Wm. 11. Hewitt, enl. Dec. 26, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F.
Martin Hunter, enl. Dec., 1861, 4th Heavy Art., Co. D.
Thomas Harris, eul. Oct., 1861, 77th liegt., Co. E; pro. corp .; sergt. ; sergt .- major; 2d lient .; Ist lieut .; captain ; trans. to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt .; mustered ont July 10, 1865.
George W. Ingalls, enl. Nov. 22, 1861, 4th Heavy Art., Co. D; captain ; resigurd Frb. 28, 1863.
Edwin R. Ingalls, enl. Nov. 20, 1861, 4th Heavy Art., Co. D.
Benjamin J. Jones, enl. Ort. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. II.
Win. J. Jennings, enl. Aug. 17, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C; sergt .; mnstered out June 24, 1865 ; died at Ballston, N. Y., May 1, 1871.
Win. IT. Johnston, enl. Sept. 2, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. B; trans. to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt.
James Jermain, enl. Ang. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
Frederick Kernholtz, enl. Sept. 16, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died of wounds May G, 1864, at Spottsylvania.
Christopher F. Keenhultz, enl. Ang. 8, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Oscar Kemp, enl. Ang. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Edwin L. Lockwood, enl. Oct. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E; dischargedl for dis- ability, Ang. 10, 1862.
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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
George D. Luffman, enl. Aug. 1, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Lewis Lukey, enl. Sept. I, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. B; killed May 18, 1864, at Spottsylvania.
Francis Love, enl. Ang. 29, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. II ; died of wounds Jnoe 16, 1864.
Matthew Love, enl. Aug. 29, 1861, 177th Regt., Co. II ; died of wounds July 14, 1864.
Moses Lewis, enl. Dec. 18, 1861, 4th II. Art., Co. D.
John E. Lansing, enl. Nov. 28, 1861, 4th II. Art., Co, D.
Lewis Lane, enl. Nov. 24, 1861, 4th II. Art., Co. D.
George LeClear, eul. Dec. 11, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F.
Jesse R. Lewis, enl. 4th 11. Art., Co. D.
Wm. Lewis, enl. 4th H. Art., Co. D.
Ilenry Lowery, enl. Dec. 18, 1861, 4th II. Art., Co. D ; disch. at Petersburg, Dec. 9, 1864.
Joseph Lewis, enl, in sanitary service as hospital steward.
Wallace Morrison, enl. Sept. 30, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; corp .; trans. to U. S. Art., June 25, 1862; disch. in 1866.
Joho Mitchell, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; wagoner ; served through ; dischi. Dec. 13, 1864.
Alexander Morrison, enl. Sept. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; taken prisoner May 6, 1864; exchanged; disch.
Thomas Mainhood, enl. Oct. 1, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. June 19, 1863.
Alexander Mead, enl. Sept. 11, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; pro. sergt .; trans. to U. S. Colored Troops.
Alexander McIntosh, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; pro. corp .; disch. with regiment, Dec. 13, 1864,
John F. Mosher, col. Oct. 4, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died Ang. 12, 1864, at Middletown, Va.
Frederick Morehouse, eol. Sept. 12, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. March 18, 1863.
John Mosher, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. H ; trans to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt. George Mlilbam, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 115th Regt., ('o. C.
Ferdinaod Miller, enl. July 30, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
James McNab, enl. Aug. 4, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Wallace McIntosh, enl. Ang. 13, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
John S. Mcknight, enl. Ang. 9, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
Patrick Murray, enl. Ang. 8, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
James B. McLean, enl. Nov. 20, 1861, 4th 11 Art., Co. D; sergt.
E. Wilson Merriman, enl. Dec. 15, 1861, 4th II. Art., Co. D.
Charles Massey, enl. 4th II. Art., Co. D.
Samuel Massey, enl. 4th II. Art., Co. D.
James C. Milliman.
II. T. Medberry, enl. Feb. 17, 1865, 192d Regt., Co. D; disch. July, 1865.
Robert E. Nelson, enl. Oct. 8, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; corp .; pro. sergt .; 2d lient. ; 1st lient. ; omustered out with regiment, June 27, 1865.
Henry O'Neil, enl. Sept. 16, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died Oct. 2, 1862, at Fortress Monroe.
Elijah Olmstead, enl. Oct. 22, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. Il ; died of disease, Dec. 24, 1862.
Leonard Osman, enl. Sept. 3, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. IT ; lost io action.
John O'Neil, enl. Dec. 26, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F; corp.
W. H. Owen, enl. 1861, 77th Regt., Co. II; re-enl. 1863, 5th U. S. Reg. Cav .; sergt.
Charles A. Perry, eol. Sept. 13, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; sergt .; disch. Sept. 25, 1862.
Robert Porter, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; corp .; disch. Jan. 1, 1863; re-epl. 13th Art., Dec. 28, 1863.
Archy Phillips, eol. Sept. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B.
Anson J. l'almateer, enl. Sept. 21, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. Jan. 1, 1863.
Alfred Picket, enl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F; disch, for disability, April 28, 1862.
Cyrus Padleford, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Reuben Parkhurst, enl. Ang. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Isaac Porter, enl. Dec. 24, 1863, 77th Regt., Co. Il ; trans. to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt. Charles Pettit, enl. Ang. 5, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
Asahel W. Potter, enl. Nov. 20, 1861, 4th HI. Art., Co. D ; 1st sergt.
Henry Packard, enl. 1863, 13th Art., Co. F.
Albert J. Reed, enl. Sept. 16, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. B; pro. corp .; sergt .; wounded ; transferred.
Patrick D. Rooney, enl. Oct. 8, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died Dec. 10, 1864, at Washington, D. C.
Jantes E. Reed, eul. Ang. 5, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Frederick Smith, enl. Sept. 13, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B ; sergt. ; pro. to Ist lient., July 24, 1862; to capt., June 4, 1863; disch. Sept. 9, 1864.
Benjamin T. Simon, enl. Sept. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; served through ; disch. Dec. 13, 1864.
Lafayette Schermerhorn, enl. Sept. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died Juno 3, 1862, at Gaines' Ilill, Va.
Arnold Spicer, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B.
Paul Settle, Jr., enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. June 13, 1862.
Charles Shiegel, enl. Ang. 5, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
John Sonthwart, enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. B; twico wounded, May G and Oct. 16, 1864.
Simeon Sill, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. B.
Lorenzo Smith, enl. Aug. 12, 1562, 115th Regt., Co. I.
Philip Schaffer, enl. Aug. 20, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
Elijah Sherman, enl. July 31, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
Edward C. Slocum, enl. Ang. 8, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I. Thomas S. Stairs, en1. Aug. 4, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
John P. Staples, enl. Aug. 6, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I. John G. Sternbaur, enl. Ang. G, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
Harris T. Slocum, enl. Dec. 9, 1861, 4th II. Art., Co. D. Beojamin Severance, cul. Nov. 24, 1861, 4th II. Art., Co. D.
Martin V. Sheffer, enl. Nov. 24, 1861, 4th HI. Art., Co. D. Hiram Sweet, Jr., enl. Dec. 28, 1863, 13th HI. Art., Co. F.
Charles H. Sullivan, enl. Dec. 29, 1863, 13th II. Art., Co. F.
ITorace Salisbury, en1. Dec. 28, 1863, 13th II. Art., Co. F.
Hiram P. Sherman, enl. Jan. 2, 1864, 13th II. Art., Co. F. Darius Shill, enl. Jan. 29, 1863, 13th II. Art., Co. F.
Tobias Salisbury, enl. Dec. 28, 1863, 13th HI. Art., Co. F.
Charles Searles, enl. 1861, 13th H. Art., Co. F.
Zagar Strong, enl. Oct. 1861, 77th Regt .; killed at Fredericksburg, Va.
Gideon A. Tripp, enl. Sept. 13, 18 .1, 77th Regt., Co. B; Ist sergt. ; disch. Oct. 31, 1862.
Flavius A. Titus, enl. Sept. 23, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; corp.
Ira Tripp, enl. Sept. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died in rebel prison. James D. Thompson, enl. Ang. 1, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C; corp.
George W. Trumble, enl. Aug. 7, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C; musician.
Royal M. Tenny, enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. B ; transferred to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt.
Ephraim Tiff, enl. Sept, 16, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. B; wounded May 10, 1864 ; trans. to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt.
Isaac Thorp, enl. Aug. 14, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
Miletus Taft, enl. Nov. 24, 1861, 4th II. Art., Co. D.
Sandy R. Van Steenbergh, ent. Sept. 16, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; corp .; dischi June 26, 1862.
Asa Van Dye, enl. Sept. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. May 7, 1862.
George Van Dyke, enl. Sept. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. Dec. 5, 1862.
Win. R. Van Arnum, enl. Sept. 21, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. Nov. 8, 1862. Jacob Il. Van Arnum, enl. Sept. 21, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B ; disch. Nov. 20, 1862.
John 11. Van Steenbergh, enl. Oct. 5, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; defailed for de- tached service, June 13, 1863.
Michael Van Horn, enl. Sept. 18, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. H.
George I., Van Steenbergh, enl. Ang. 6, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
James E. Webster, enl. Sept. 27, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B ; died Ang. 1862.
Joseph S. Wayne, col. Sept. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died June 9, 1862, at Gaines' Hill, Va.
Edmund Williams, enl. Sept. 16, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; transferred.
George M. Wood, enl. Sept. 18, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; pro, corp., May 13, 1864 ; disch. with the regiment, Dec. 13, 1864.
Horace Weaver, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. May 7, 1862.
Samuel H. Weldon, enl, Oct. 4, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B.
Datus E. Wilbur, ent. Oct. 8, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. with the regiment, Dec. 13, 1864.
James M. Wood, enl. Sept. 16, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B.
James A. Wager, enl. Aug. 4, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
Eugene Werner, enl. Sept. 9, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. Il; trans, to Co. A.
Jeremiah Wayes, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
Albert L. Wood, enl. Ang. 20, 1862, 115th Regt,, Co. I.
Norman Wood, enl. Aug. 20, 1862, Ilath Regt., Co. I.
Charles F. Wait, enl. July 30, 1862, 115th Kegt., Co. I.
Isaac Warn, enl. Ang. 7, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I.
Albert A. Weatherwax, en1. Sept. 6, 1862, 153d Regt., Co. G; sergt.
John Walls, enl. Nov. 28, 1861, 4th II. Art., Co. D ; corp.
Alonzo M. Weatherwax, enl. Nov. 28, 1861, 4th H. Art., Co. D.
Wmn. Weatherwax, enl. Nov. 24, 1861, 4th II. Art., Co. D; pro. sergt. ; served through; disch. Dec. 18, 1864.
Wm. Webb, enl. Dec. 26, 1861, 13th Art., Co. F.
John R. Wilbur, enl. Dec. 18, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F.
Atwood Wilbur, enl. 1861, 13th Art., Co. F.
Lee Whalen, en1. 1864, 13th Art., Co. F.
Daniel Webster, enl. April 28, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F; served time ; disch, June 1, 1863 ; re-enl. July 16, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co, I ; sergt .; wounded ; disch. Sept. 28, 1865.
George Webster, enl. Ang. 4, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. E; musician ; disch. Nov 28, 1865.
Harvey Young, enl. Sept. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B.
Waldo Young, enl. Aug. 7. 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HARLOW VAN OSTRAND
was born in Milton, Saratoga Co., December 12, 1817. His father, David Van Ostrand, was among the early set- tlers in the county, and came from Connecticut soon after the Revolution.
494
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The subject of this sketch was brought up to the merean- tile business, commencing when he was fourteen years of age as clerk in the store of Frink & Kellogg, at Milton Centre. Subsequently he carried on a large business at that place, and in 1849 moved to Rock City Falls, where he built the store known as the " Com-oddity Rooms."
Harino Vanostrand
He was the first and only postmaster since the establish- ment of the office at Rock City Falls, in 1849. For many years he was book-keeper for Messrs. Kilmer & Son, ex- tensive paper-manufacturers. His son Ilenry succeeds him in that position, while the subject of this sketch, whose health is much improved, attends the post-office and his " com-oddity rooms."
Ile was married September 15, 1839, to Eleanore,
daughter of Timothy Tallman. They have seven children now living, two sons and five daughters. Mr. V. has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than forty years.
ISAIAH BLOOD
was born at Ballston, Saratoga County, Feb. 13, 1810. His father, Sylvester Blood, was a manufacturer of seythes, a business which he established in the first decade of the present century, two miles south of Ballston Spa. In 1824, with a view of enlarging his business, he purchased the valuable water-power on the Kayadrossera creek, which was called the " Hollow," and is now known as " Blood- ville," and carried on the business at that place as well as at the old stand.
In 1831 the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Jane E. Gates, of Ballston,-whose prudent management and wise counsel contributed largely to his success,-and soon after formed a copartnership with his father, and moved to the " Hollow," and took charge of the works at that place. In 1837 he bought out his father, and by striet attention to business was enabled in a few years to enlarge his estab- lishment to its present capacity, including the additional business of manufacturing axes upon the next privilege below. Through this he succeeded in amassing a large fortune. He was a man of remarkable energy ; his capacity for the rapid transaction of business was marvelous, and whatever he did was well done.
Mr. Blood was born and educated a Democrat, and always adhered to that faith. His debut in politics was in 1847, when he was elected supervisor of the Whig town of Mil- ton. In 1851 he was elected member of Assembly from the First Assembly district of Saratoga County, in the spring of 1859 again supervisor of Milton, and in the fall of that year a senator from the Fifteenth district. In 1869 he was again elected to that position, and died before the expiration of his term, to wit, on the 29th of November, 1870.
PROVIDENCE.
I .- GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
PROVIDENCE is the central town upon the western tier. It is bounded north by Edinburgh, east by Greenfield, south by Galway, and west by the county line. It contains 8920 acres of improved land and 18,241 acres of unimproved, and of this last amount 9980 are woodland. The popula- tion in 1875 was 1132.
This town contains a part of the twenty-first allotment of the Kayadrossera patent, also a part of the patent granted to John Glen and forty-four others, under date of Aug. 24, 1770; and also a part of the Northampton patent, granted Oct. 17, 1741, to Jacob Mase and others.
In the revised statutes of the State this town is described and its boundary lines defined as follows :
" The town of Providence shall contain all that part of said county beginning at the northwest corner of Milton, and running thence a west course on a parallel line with the north bounds of the lown of Charlton to the west bounds of the county ; then north along the same six iniles ; then easterly on a straight line parallel with the south bounds to a line running north from the northwest corner of Milton ; then south along said line to the place of beginning."
IT .- NATURAL FEATURES.
The town consists mostly of hilly lands and of a poor qual- ity of sandy and stony soil. In the western part the soil is a little better, and the surface more level. The Maxon mountain, a high table-land, occupies the entire northern part of the town. Round lake lies near the centre of the town. It is a small body of water, and its outlet is de- nominated Hans creek. The manner in which it obtained this name is said to have been as follows: Sir William Johnson, who resided at Johnstown, Fulton county, was once, in company with one John Conyne, fishing for trout in this stream. Conyne was standing up in the canoe, and a sudden lurch caused him to involuntarily plunge into the waters. Sir William remarked that " Hans" (German for John) had " gone after some trout." Ever afterwards it was called Hans creek, from that circumstance. Lake Desolation is another small body of water. It lies on the town line, partly in Providence and partly in Greenfield. Its outlet is Kennyetto creek, now more commonly known as Hagedorn's creek. This stream rises in the eastern part of Providence, flows southwest through the town, then westerly across Broadalbin, then northerly through a portion of May- field, then northeasterly across Broadalbin, and empties into the Sacandaga river at Northampton through Mayfield creek. It runs a course of some twenty-two or three miles, and empties its waters less than eight miles from its sourec. Following the Sacandaga and Hudson to Waterford, it there joins its waters with those of the Chuetenunda creek, whose source is about one mile south of this stream, in Gal-
way. The Chuctenunda flows westerly through Perth and Montgomery county, and empties into the Mohawk at Amsterdam. Frenchman's creek is another small stream that rises in Providence and flows west into Fulton county, emptying into the Sacandaga Vlaie.
This town may claim several excellent points from which to view the surrounding country. From Antioch hill in the Clute neighborhood, in the southeastern part, a very fine view of the country to the cast, south, and west is afforded. For extent and variety it is a view seldom excelled. From other hills near the centre and from Maxon mountain fine views of the country to the west and north are obtained.
III .- EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first settlers after the Revolution are said to have been Nathaniel Wells and Seth Kellogg. Of these men and their families nothing is now known.
Thomas Shankland settled at llagedorn Mills, and in 1786 built the first saw-mill in the town. This was quickly followed by a grist-mill, which was either the first or second grist-mill in town. The Schermerhorn mill, on Hans creek, is by some supposed to have been the first one. To support this theory they eite the fact that every timber, posts, sills, joists, rafters, girts, and even the braces, were of hewed timber ; while those of Shankland's mill were some of them of sawed timber. It might easily be, however, that the cost of making a road over which to draw the sawed timber induced the builders of this mill to hew their timbers. Shankland built a frame house, and kept an inn, which was the first in the town. In a few years, probably about 1792, Shankland sold this property to Peter Morey, who held it till 1806, when he in turn sold to Jonathan Hage- dorn. Several of Shankland's children died previous to his removal, and were buried in a lot east of the present residence of Stephen Rockwell. These were probably the first deaths in the town, and this family burial-ground also the first in town. Some time ago quite an excitement was created by the finding of an ancient-looking grave-stone, on which the death was made to appear as having occurred in 1707. After investigating a little further, however, a part of the stone that had been broken off was unearthed, and by putting the two pieces together it made the date read 1797, which result lessened its value as an antique, but verified the truth of history.
Martin Sleezer was among the very earliest settlers, coming into the town immediately after the close of the war, and settling near the western centre of the town. There being no mills in the vicinity, he frequently went to Schenectady, hired out, and worked till he earned a bushel of wheat, took it to the mills and had it ground,
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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and then carried it through the woods to his home, guided only by marks on the trees. Some of his descendants are still living in the town.
Jonathan Finch was one of the " Minute-men of seventy- six," and was several times called out during the troublous times that preceded the breaking out of the Revolution. At one of their musters he was accidentally wounded in one of his hands and rendered unfit for further service. He drew a pension from the government on account of his wound. At the close of the Revolution he removed with his family from Dutchess county, and settled on the land now owned by H. T. Trevett, in the western part of Providence. Here he lived, raised a family, and died, full of years and good works. Upon the organization of the Baptist church he was licensed by it to preach the gospel, and officiated as pastor for many years, being ordained to the ministry soon after his license was given. He was a chaplain in the War of 1812. Ilis father and mother came from their southern home and spent the last years of their lives in Providence. Jonathan and Jemima Finch had a family that grew up to manhood and womanhood, and have passed from the scenes of earth. Three of his grandchildren are still living,-Lansing and Thomas S. in Providence, and Samuel R. in Broadalbin.
In the year 1796, David and Samuel S. Barker, two brothers, left their eastern home in Dartmouth, Mass., and came west to better their fortunes. David built a house on the place now occupied by Thomas Hughes, just north of Barkersville, and opened an inn l'or the entertainment of travelers. Samuel S. settled on the place now occupied by Jere C. Bogart. These two brothers built a saw-mill, a grist-mill, and shoe-shop and tannery, and carried on quite an extensive business. The saw-mill was built on the site of an old mill built by some unknown person, and, so far as we are able to discover, at some pre-historie time. Many descendants of these men are living in this and adjoining counties. Nathaniel Barker, of Galway, is a son of David Barker, and Mrs. Lydia Bogert, of Barkersville, is a grand- daughter of Samuel S. Barker. The village of Barkersville was named after these men. Mr. J. W. Briggs has a pair of tongs in his possession that David Barker brought from Dartmouth with him eighty-one years ago.
Stephen Rockwell and his family came from Dutchess county in 1784, and settled in Milton. Their eldest son enlisted in the United States naval service during the Revolution, and was never heard from afterwards. The other son, Jonah Rockwell, settled in Providence, having married Anna Temple, and raised a family of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are dead save two, Stephen and Polly Rockwell, who live at Hagedorn's Mills. Jonah Rockwell died in 1838. Stephen Rockwell is engaged in farming. Trustram Duel was a blacksmith living in Dutchess county. Becoming dissatisfied with his loca- tion, and hoping to better his condition, he removed to Providence in the year 1797, and settled near Hagedorn's Mills. Ile built a house and a shop, and at once began working at his trade. This was the first blacksmith-shop in the town. He had seven children. Seneca Duel and Mrs. A. Manchester, living in Providence, are the only ones now living.
Nathaniel Sowl was a sailor engaged in whaling, and
at the time of the Revolution his vessel narrowly escaped capture by a British man-of-war. He abandoned the sea, and with his family removed to Providence, in 1787, com- ing from Dartmouth, Mass. For several years he lived on rented lands ; but finally, in 1806, he bought a small farm a mile north of Barkersville, and lived there till his death, which occurred January 7, 1837. David Sowl, of Hage- dorn's Mills, and Rebecca Allen, of Amsterdam, are the only ones of his family of eight children that are now living. David Sowl has four children living in town, one daughter in Kansas, and another in Washington. One of his sons, Joseph B. Sowl, in partnership with Mosher Chase, runs the saw-mill at Hagedorn's Mills, and deals quite extensively in lumber.
Ilenry J. Trevett came from Newport, R. I., with a married sister, in 1804. They settled in the western part of the town, near West Providence Post-Office. He mar- ried, in 1813, Joanna Shipman, and two of their chil- dren are still living in Providence. Mr. Trevett, now eighty- nine years old, is living in the town of Floriday, Mont- gomery Co. Both of the sons living here are engaged in the manufacture of chairs. Their factories are on Frenchman's creek. The mill owned by Henry T. Trevett & Sons was built by Fox & Lyon, about 1827. It was purchased by the present owners in 1859. Though suffer- ing from the general depression of business, they are still doing quite an extensive business.
William Clark, from Dutchess county, settled near An- tioch Hill, a mile and a half' north of York's Corners, in 1790. William Clark, for many years supervisor of the town, and Martha A. Fuller, of Saratoga Springs, are grand- children of his.
Among the early settlers in the southeastern part of the town were Othniel Allen, Ichabod Ely, Zalmon Pulling, Henry R. Hagedorn, James and Jacob Conkling, David and Ephraim Root, William Beardsley, Gideon Allen, and Uriah Cornell. Jonathan Ferris, William Richardson, Peleg Hart, Shadrach Wait, Robert Ryan, - Jones, Stephen Wait, Samuel Mosher, Judah Chase, Edmund Wait, Joshua Boreman, Jonathan Westgate, Jabez Man- chester, Wing Chase, James Haviland, and John Rosevelt were other early settlers in different parts of the town.
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