History of Saratoga County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers., Part 37

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

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 37

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Of Gideon Putnam a biographical sketch is elsewhere given in these pages.

The children of Gideon Putnam and his wife, Doanda Risley, were five sons and four daughters. The sons were Benjamin, Lewis, Rockwell, Washington, and Lorin ; the daughters were Betsey, Nancy, Aurelia, and Phila.

Of the sons, Benjamin's children were Amelia, Gideon, Laura G., Charles E., Mary E., and John R. The children of Lewis were Mervin G., Lorin B., and William L. The children of Rockwell were Elizabeth and George R. The children of Washington were George W., Walter, Florence, and Anne. The child of Lorin was Caroline.

The Putnam tamily traces' its descent from John Putnam, who came from England in 1634, and located at Danvers, Massa- chusetts. He had three sons, Thomas, Nathan, and John, and these three form the branches from which have sprung the numerous and influential family of Putnam.

From Thomas descended a long line of prominent persons, including General Israel Put- nam, of Revolutionary fame, and Gideon Putnam, the man of strong nerve, comprehensive powers of invention, and in- domitable will, who was the virtual creator or originator of the beautiful village of Saratoga Springs.

GIDEON PUTNAM was the son of Rufus and Mary Putnam, and was born in the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, in the year 1764. He started forth at an early age to encounter the vicissitudes and changes of life. He married Miss Doanda Risley, daughter of Squire Benjamin Risley, a gen- tleman of influence and means, at Hartford, Connecticut. His wife accompanied him in his pursuit after fortune, and worthily and faithfully shared in his trials, difficulties, and successes.

He first took his way to Middlebury, Vermont, where he erected a cabin on the very site now occupied by the Middlebury college buildings, and where his first child was born. After remaining there for a time he removed to Rutland, Vermont, and it was there that Benjamin Putnam was born. From Rutland they removed to the "Five Nations," or " Bemus Flats." Here they were joined by Dr. Clement Blakesley, who married Theodosia, a sister of Mrs. Putnam, and who was a physician of acknowledged skill and prominence in his profession. But Putnam was still dis- satisfied with his choice of location, and pushed on still farther, until, in the year 1789, they arrived at the Springs, which were then scarcely known. On reaching that point he determined to establish himself there. He selected a piece of ground near a fresh-water spring, and built a cabin on Prospect Hill, on land afterwards owned by his son Benjamin. Here he entered actively into farming operations, engaging also in the manufacture of staves and shingles. These he carried to the Hudson river, at the month of Fish creek, and subsequently sold to advantage in New York city, it proving the beginning of a large lumber trade, which he successfully carried on for years. He now began to accumulate means, and purchased, in 1791, his first land at Saratoga Springs, consisting of three hundred acres, of Dirck Lefferts, who was one of the original purchasers of the Kayadrossera patent.

In 1802 he purchased some land of Henry Walton, and began the erection of Union Hall, which his descendants owned until pur- chased by Mr. Leland. In 1805 he purchased more land of Walton, consisting of one hundred and thirty acres, and on a part of it le laid out a village, and set apart a portion of it for a burial- ground. This he afterwards gave to the village, and in it are buried many of the old pioneers of the county, and most all of Putnam's descendants who have died.

In 1806 he excavated and tubed the Washington spring, and soon after the Columbian spring. The springs were now annually be- coming more popular, and the number of strangers constantly increased.

Putnam next tubed the Hamilton spring, and about 1809 discov- ered and tubed the celebrated Congress spring. A manuscript hand- bill, issued by Putnam, bearing date June 11, 1811, is still extant, in which he forbids, under pain of legal penalties, any person from washing in the spring, putting dirt or other material into it, or

DOANDA RISLEY PUTNAM (WIDOW OF GIDEON PUTNAM )

bottling the waters for trans- portation and sale.

In 1811, Putnam began the erection of Congress Hall, and while the masons were plastering at the north end of the piazza, he fell front the scaffolding which they were using, and suffered severe injuries. In the following November he was attacked by disease, and died December 1, 1812, at the early age of forty- nine years, his being the first body laid in the ground he had so generously donated to the public use.

Gideon Putnam was in every . sense a remarkable man. Pos- sessed of indomitable persever- ance, stern resolution, and in- vincible energy, he carly encoun- tered the trials and privations incident to a pioneer life, and carved out from the primitive forest one of the most beautiful villages in the country, and SARATOGA SPRINGS which has proved one of the PHOTO BY BAKER A REC most popular places of summer resort. Its broad streets, free fountains, and abundant relig- ious and educational advantages bear testimony alike to his com- prehensive ingenuity, his liberality, and his respect for truth. He not only gave the burial-ground to the village, but also the ground for the village academy, and to the Baptist church the ground on which it stands. He made such an impression on the place of his choice that his name must ever stand first among those whose early self-denials and energetic lives have conferred so much upon the village.

Gideon Putnam's biography would not be complete without special mention of his estimable wife, whose portrait, so full of character, may be seen on this page. She was a woman of rare personal excellence, of a deeply religious nature, a faithful, true, and patient wife, a careful and affectionate mother, of pleasant manners, and loved and respected by all who knew her. She was one of the first members of the Presbyterian church of Saratoga Springs, and closely identified with its various religious and char- itable enterprises. It was she who bore the first white child born in the village, who was Lewis Putnam. She dicd Feb. 10, 1835.

Benjamin Risley, the father of Mrs. Putnam, came to Saratoga Springs about the time that Gideon Putnam died, bringing with him considerable means. He built a large house near High Rock spring, which was afterwards occupied by Thaddeus Smith. This house stood upon land which Risley purchased of Catherine M. Von Dam. He had a number of daughters, of whom Theodosia married Dr. Clement Blakesley, as has been stated, and who was the first physician who practiced in the village. Another daughter, Phila, married Matthew Lyon, who edited the first newspaper started in Saratoga Springs, and afterwards removed to and edited a paper at Washington, D. C. There Laura married Judge Pease, of Ohio, a gentleman of prominence; and Nancy married a Mr. Lawrence, a member of congress from Louisiana. Lawrence's daughter married a Mr. Donaldson, and presided at the White House during the administration of General Jackson as president.

The children of Gideon and Doanda Putnam were Benjamin, Lewis, Rockwell, Washington, and Loren,-most of whom inher- ited and manifested the energy and special characteristics of their parents,-and Mrs. Betsey Taylor, Mrs. Amelia Clement, Mrs. Nancy Andrews, and Mrs. Phila Kellogg. Of these all are now dead save Mrs. Kellogg, who resides in southern Illinois.

It is the children of these sons and daughters who cause this brief memoir of the many excellencies of their grandparents to be inserted in this work.

ROCKWELL PUTNAM.

Rockwell Putnam was the third son and fourth child of Gideon Putnam, whose life work is set forth on an- other page of this book. He was born on November 3, 1792, and passed his entire life in the village of Saratoga Springs.

He was possessed of strong natural common sense, was a man of positive opinions, and public spirited. He never sought after notoricty of any kind, but was rather retiring in his nature; yet his fellow-citizens, at various times, com- pelled him to accept the offices of town clerk, assessor, and supervisor. He was water commissioner under the law of 1847. Was a careful business man, and several times pro- prietor of Union Hall, Saratoga Springs; at first, immedi- ately after the death of his father, in 1812, and in connec- tion with his brother Washington, from 1839 to 1849. After leaving Union Hall, in 1849, he followed no special business except as agent of several insurance companies, as director and president of the Commercial National Bank, and engaged in the management and improvement of his real estate.

He was one of the founders of the Episcopal church of Saratoga Springs, and in 1830, in connection with Edward Davis, the acting rector, and Henry Walton, he signed the certificate of incorporation of said body. He was proud of his church connections, and to his last momcut his love for, and devotion to, the church was fervent and untiring. He

filled official station in it for over forty years, first as a vestryman, and afterwards as senior warden.

Rockwell Putnam died on November 4, 1869. At his decease resolutions, expressive of his many excellencies and of sincere condolence with his family at their loss, were passed by the officers of Bethesda church, by the Saratoga board of underwriters, and by the officers of the Commer- cial National Bank. A large meeting of citizens of the village of Saratoga Springs was likewise held at the Ameri- can Hotel. At this meeting similar resolutions, testifying to his integrity, uprightness, spotless morals, suavity of manners, domestic and social virtues, and consisteut Chris- tian life, were feelingly passed.

Mr. Putnam married, in 1823, Elizabeth H. Peck, daugh- ter of George Peck, and granddaughter of Robert Ellis, one of the earliest pioneers of the county, and who owned a thousand acres of land, which included the Ellis spring. This spring he tubed himself. He also owned the land on which the Geyser spring was afterwards discovered.

Rockwell Putnam left two children, --- George Rockwell, one of the proprietors of Union Hall, and who died in 1862, and Elizabeth, who married Rev. J. W. Shackleford, of New York city. Mr. Putman's widow is still living, at the age of seventy years, active in mind and body, and has just returned from an extensive tour abroad, including a visit to the Holy Land.

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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Of Gideon Putnam's daughters, Betsey married Isaac Taylor ; their children were Putnam, Washington, and Eliza. Nancy marrried Frederick Andrews ; their daugh- ter was Caroline. Aurelia married Joel Clement ; their children were William H., John, Mary, Caroline C., and Frances. Phila married Abel A. Kellogg, and their children were Laura and Sarah. Phila street was named in her honor.

About the year 1794 two brothers, John and Ziba Taylor, settled at Saratoga. They seem to have been the pioneer merchants of the place. The first opened a small store in the old Schouten house, then owned and occupied by Mr. Risley. Ile afterwards built a small log house on the high ground about fifty rods north of the high rock, in which they also placed a stock of goods. They after- wards became extensive land-owners in the neighborhood, cleared up the country, built mills, and became prominent in affairs. John Taylor owned and first developed the Ten springs, and resided there for many years. Ziba continued in business in the upper village. The two brothers married sisters. John married Polly and Ziba married Sally, daughters of Richard Searing, an early settler of Greenfield. Ziba's children by this marriage were Julius, Miles, Ilarry, Laura, and Mary, wife of Dr. John HI. Steele. The children of John were Calvin, John, Miles, Betsey, and Laura. We have now traced the history of the most of the pioneers of the village of Saratoga Springs, from its rude beginnings in the year 1771 up to the year 1800.

Of those who moved into the village after the year 1800 our space will not permit such particular mention. Their history will be to some extent found in the records of their acts in connection with the social, industrial, and political life presented in the following pages. The pioneers of a country, the founders of its destiny, those who brave the hardships and dangers of its first settlement, are entitled to notice. Of a truth, to be a pioneer of itself makes one's name historie ; but those who come afterward cannot ex- pect their names to become historie only so far as they take active part in affairs, and thus to a greater or less extent do historic deeds.

It has been seen that up to the year 1800 all there was of the village was what was afterwards known as the upper village. It was what grew up around the High Rock spring. The lower village, which grew up around Con- gress springs, was, up to the year 1800, covered with the primeval forest. Up to the year 1810 there were but few houses in the lower village, and only twenty or thirty in the upper. Between the two was nearly a mile of forest, filled with towering pines. When Gideon Putnam made his will, he described his land in the neighborhood of Phila street, and to the west of it, " the pine plains."

Up to 1820, and even to 1830, there was a long stretch of pine-woods between the upper and lower villages. When Judge Walton commenced building the old Pavilion Hotel, on the site of the present town-hall, in 1819, he cut down the timber for the frame-work on the site of the building. About the only remnant of this noble old forest still remain- ing is Pine Grove, at the Walworth mansion. In early days a deep gully or ravine extended across Broadway a little to

the north of the Holden House. This ravine was so deep that to persons standing on the piazza of the United States Hotel, just built in 1824, stage-coaches coming down Broadway would go out of sight in crossing it.

The following are the recollections of some of the older inhabitants in regard to the village prior to its incorpora- tion, in 1826.

RECOLLECTIONS OF RANSOM COOK.

Ransom Cook came to Saratoga Springs, as a journeyman in the manufacture of furniture, in 1813. He says the village was then mostly a pine grove. Union Ilall was on the site of the Grand Union, and the frame of the Congress Hotel was up. On the north corner, opposite the Congress Ilouse, same side of Broadway, was the store of Miles Beach. There were not more than three or four other buildings on Broadway. The upper village was then quite flourishing. There was no meeting-house at the Springs. Boys and men played ball on Sunday, and then went fish- ing. There were no lawsuits, particularly for assault and battery. If A struck B, B " licked" A, or hired somebody to do it.

RECOLLECTIONS OF GARDNER BULLARD.

Gardner Bullard came with his father from Westford, Vt., in 1812. Of two sisters of Gardner, one became Mrs. Philo Waterbury, and the other Mrs. Benjamin Hall. Gardner was eleven years old when his father moved here. Their house was at the upper village, located on the ground now occupied by the brick house of Charles M. White. The Bullard house was afterwards moved to the lake by Esquire Green. Mr. Bullard supposes there were thirty or forty houses in Saratoga Springs in 1812. Congress Ilotel was raised that year. The store of John and Ziba Taylor he regards as the only one in 1812. Mr. Gleason then had a blacksmith's shop in the upper village.

In or before 1820, Robert McDonald had opened a grocery-store on the place of James Chapman's present dwelling. Soon after 1812 a bakery was established by Palmer & Waterbury. McDonald's store was early changed to a hardware trade. Langworthy was in the same line. There was a cabinet-making shop at the Iligh Rock village. The old "red store" was an early affair ; stood about on the site of the present residence of widow Brockett. In 1812 the Columbian Hotel, kept by Jotham Hohnes, stood where the Ainsworth building is now. Mr. Bullard thinks Calvin Munger opened a store about 1820.

Walter J. Hendrick states the early stores in Saratoga Springs, 1812 to 1814, as Taylor's, and the store of Beach & Farlin ; Ilendrick & Knowlton, 1815; Joseph Westcot, 1820; 1818, Ashbel Andrews and Ferdinand Andrews ; Nathan Lewis, 1816.

The recollections of Mr. Nathaniel Waterbury, who is another of our oldest inhabitants, are inserted in the history of the town of Saratoga Springs, on subsequent pages.

For a further account of some of those who have been prominent actors in the growth and development of the village, the reader is referred to the biographical pages of this work.

In sharp contrast with the meagre sight exhibited by this village to those early beholders, even fifty years ago,

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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

we now see, and they still live to see, miles of beautiful streets adorned with elegant residences, many of which are models of architectural beauty, affording in their construc- tion rare specimens of modern decorative art.

Among the more prominent of such residences, which are surrounded by beautiful grounds, may be named the fol- lowing :

North Broadway .- Judge Charles S. Lester, Charles C. Lester, Edward R. Stevens, Dr. B. W. King, James H. Wright, William C. Bronson, William A. Shepard, Mrs. Mary S. Wayland, Joseph Banens, Samuel A. Willoughby, Mr. Ehninger.

South Broadway .- John A. Lee, George S. Rice, Mrs. John H. White.

Cireular Street .- HIon. George S. Batcheller, Mrs. George R. Putnam, Hon. A. Bockes, Mr. Sherman, Cor- nelius Sheehan, A. W. Shepherd, Mrs. Robert Milligan, John Newland, Arthur D. Seavey.

Franklin Square .- Hon. James M. Marvin, George Harvey, residence of the late Judge Marvin.

Washington Street .- Mrs. Catharine S. Stevens.

Phila Street .- David F. Ritchie.

Union Avenue .- Charles Reed.

Matilda Street .- Seymour Ainsworth.

Spring Street .- James I. Wakefield.

There are many other residences the names of whose owners do not now occur to the writer which are of equal elegance and architectural beauty.

III .- VILLAGE ORGANIZATION AND OFFICIAL LIST.

The village of Saratoga Springs was first incorporated by act of the Legislature of the State, passed April 17, 1826. In that act the village limits were defined as follows, to wit :

"SECTION I. Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That all that district of country lying in the town of Saratoga Springs, county of Saratoga, and State of New York, situated between two lines parallel to, and each half of a mile distant from the following described line, to wit : beginning un the line between the Livingston and Ostrander lots, in the centre of the highway, near the house of Jesse Ostrander ; running northerly as the highway runs, till it strikes Broad street, as laid out on a map of lots at Saratoga Springs, belonging to Gideon Putnam ; thence northerly along the centre of Broad street till the said line intersects the highway leading from the upper village to Greenfield, near the Methodist meeting-house; thence north to Greenfield line, shall con- tinue to be ealled and known by the name of the village of Saratoga Springs."

The present village limits are described as below by an act of the Legislature, passed March 26, 1866.

" VILLAGE BOUNDARIES.

" SECTION I. All that tract of land in the town of Saratoga Springs lying and included within two parallel lines, one commencing at a point in the north line of said town three-quarters of a mile east of the centre of Broadway, at its intersection with the south line of the town of Greenfield, and running from such point, on a direct line, to a point as far sonth as the south line of lands belonging to the heirs of Augustus MeKinney, and three-fourths of a mile cast of the centre of the highway at said Mckinney's lands : and the other of such parallel lines commencing at a point in the north line of the town of Saratoga Springs, three-quarters of a mile west of the centre of Broad- way, aforesaid, and running from thence, on a direct line, to a point as far south as the south line of lands belonging to the heirs of Au- gustus MeKinney, and to a point three-fourths of a mile west from the centre of the highway at said Mckinney's lands, shall be known by the corporate name of the ' Village of Saratoga Springs.' "

OFFICIAL LIST.

1826 .- John H. Steel, Wm. L. F. Warren, presiding justices ; Joshua Porter, president ; John Bryan, Rock- well Putnam, Robert MeDonnal, David Cobb, trustees ; Peter V. Wiggins, clerk ; John A. Waterbury, treasurer ; Joshua Blum, Joseph White, constables ; Samuel Mathews, pathmaster.

1827 .- John II. Steel, president; John Boardman, Ran- som Cook, Christopher B. Brown, Samuel Chapman, trus- tees ; Wm. C. Waterbury, clerk ; Gideon Conant, treasurer ; Joshua Blum, Joseph White, constables.

1828 .- John H. Steel, president ; Samuel Chapman, Daniel Mathews, John Boardman, Daniel T. Reed, trus- tees; William C. Waterbury, clerk ; Gideon Conant, treas- urer.

An act to amend, passed April 23, 1829.

1830 .- John H. Steel, president ; John Clark, William A. Langworthy, Runion Martin, Isaac Taylor, trustees ; Rockwell Putnam, treasurer ; Miles Taylor, clerk.

1831 .- John JI. Steel, president; William A. Lang- worthy, Runion Martin, Isaac Taylor, Abel Hendrick, trustees ; Daniel D. Benedict, clerk ; Rockwell Putuam, treasurer.

1832 .- John H. Steel, president ; Samuel Chapman, Ransom Cook, Judiah Ellsworth, Seth Covill, Jr., trus- tees ; James II. Westeott, treasurer ; Daniel D. Benedict, clerk.

1833 .- John H. Steel, president ; Ransom Cook, Sam- uel Chapman, Lewis Putnam, Seth Covill, Jr., trustees ; James HI. Robinson, clerk ; Rockwell Putnam, treasurer.

1834 .- John H. Steel, president ; John Clark, Samuel Putnam, Daniel T. Reed, Seth Covill, Jr., trustees ; Rock- well Putnam, treasurer ; Henry P. Hyde, clerk.

1835 .- John H. Steel, president; John Clark, Daniel T. Reed, Samnel Chapman. Seth Covill, Jr., trustees ; Roek- well Putnam, treasurer ; Henry P. Hyde, clerk.

1836 .- John II. Steel, president ; Samnel Chapman, John Clark, Seth Covill, Jr, Daniel T. Reed, trustees ; Rockwell Putnam, treasurer ; Henry P. Hyde, clerk.

An act to amend, passed April 16, 1836.

1837 .- Samuel Chapman, president; William A. Beach, George W. Wilcox, John Clark, Benjamin HIull, trustees ; Rockwell Putnam, treasurer ; Henry P. Hyde, clerk.

1838 .- Thomas G. Marvin, president ; Seth Covill, Run- ion Martin, Robert Gardner, Washington Putnam, trustees; John C. Hulbert, clerk ; Joel Clement, treasurer.

1839 .- Thomas G. Marvin, president ; John L. Perry, Washington Putnam, James W. Chesney, Jesse Morgan, trustees ; Carey B. Moon, clerk ; Joel Clement, treasurer.

1840 .- R. Gardner, president ; John L. Perry, Run- ion Martin, Lucius D. Langley, Robert Gardner, James W. Chesney, trustees ; Carey B. Moon, clerk ; Joel Clement, treasurer.

1841 .- Thomas J. Marvin, president; John Clarke, Seth Covill, Robert Gardner, W. Putnam, trustees ; Samuel Pitkins, clerk; Joel Clements, treasurer.

1842 .- Robert McDonnell, president ; Thomas J. Mar- vin, Washington Putnam, Abel A. Kellogg, John L. Perry, trustees ; W. H. Andrews, clerk ; Joel Clement, treasurer.

A LITTLE" PUIL'

ADIRONDACK VILLA. RESIDENCE OF CHARLES S. LESTER, SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y.

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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

1843 .- Abel A. Kellogg, president; S. R. Ostrander, Runion Martin, Lewis Putnam, Isaac Hoag, trustees ; Wm. H. Andrews, clerk ; Joel Clements, treasurer.

1844 .- Thomas J. Marvin, president ; W. Putnam, John Morris, S. C. West, James R. Smith, trustees ; James H. Westcott, clerk ; Joel Clement, treasurer.

Amendment passed April 23, 1844.

1845 .- Daniel D. Benedict, president ; Augustus Boekes, Isaac L. Smith, John L. Perry, Thaddeus Smith, trustees ; William HI. Andrews, clerk ; Horace Dowday, treasurer.

1846 .- Washington Putnam, president; P. II. Cowen, H. H. Martin, W. II. Walton, J. A. Corey, trustees ; Sam- uel Pitkin, clerk.

1847 .- Washington Putnam, president ; P. H. Cowen, H. H. Martin, W. II. Walton, J. A. Corey, trustees ; Geo. W. Spooner, clerk.

1848 .- W. Putnam, president; J. A. Corey, W. S. Alger, Samuel Chapman, William Cook, trustees; J. W. Crane, clerk.

1849 .- Washington Putnam, president; John L. Perry, Joseph D. Briggs, Ilenry P. Hyde, Robert Gardner, trus- tees; John W. Crane, clerk ; Thomas McDonnell, treas- urer.

1850 .- John A. Corey, president; Robert Gardner, Dennis O'Neil, Wilks S. Alger, Joseph White, trustees ; John W. Crane, clerk ; Thomas McDonnell, treasurer.

1851 .- John A. Corey, president ; Robert Gardner, Walter J. Hendrick, Hiram A. Dedrick, John Clow, trus- tees ; John W. Crane, elerk ; W. H. Andrews, treasurer.

1852 .- John A. Corey, president ; Robert Gardner, Hiram A. Dedrick, John Clow, Walter J. Hendrick, trus- toes; Jesse L. Fraser, clerk ; Gideon Putnam, treasurer.

1853 .- John A. Corey, president ; W. J. Hendrick, Hiram A. Dedrick, John Clow, Win. S. Balch, trustees ; Gideon Putnam, treasurer ; J. R. Rockwell, clerk.

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History of Saratoga County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers., Part 37

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

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