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 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129
€
(Trinh Benedict. 196
9
John Clinton ..
Nathaniel Munn ... 17
14
5
Joel Pense
151
6 11
Azor Cole
-
Gamaliel Stewart 110
4 1G Matthew Fairchild ... 139
1
8
G
David Gordon. 113
10
8
9
6 Stephen White. 207
8 19
Hezekiah Middle-
Eliphalet Kellogg.
430
18 14
4 3 6
Jonathan Olmsted.
12
Joseph Gonzalez ...
8
Slatly Scranton 10
Sammel Stringer 320 13 16
6
Stephen Wood
Thìmas Smith 30 1
George Morehouse ....
7
6
5 15
390 16 6
Michael Middlebrook
George Wakeman.
9
William Stewart
Tax. £
251
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
We may add, for what it is worth, that the purchase of the right to name the place is said to have occurred at an old-fashioned "raising" of a log house; that somewhat in . jest Mr. Ball offered the McDonalds a gallon of rum to sur- render their right as pioneers to name the town ; that the offer was accepted, otherwise citizens at the present time might now have been compelled to date their letters at " McDonaldton."
Civil History .- The Districts of Saratoga and Half- Moon were organized in 1772. At that time Half-Moon included three present towns, Half-Moon, Clifton Park, Waterford. Saratoga comprised all the rest of the county, or what is now divided into seventeen towns. In 1775, Ballston dis- triet was formed from Saratoga. The three districts then consisted of the following territory : Half-Moon, the same as before ; Saratoga and Ballston, dividing all the remainder of the county between them by the present cast line of Ballston, extended northward to the Hudson river. The three districts remained in this form thirteen years, or until 1788, when four towns were created, -Half-Moon, Still- water, Saratoga, Ballston. Half-Moon retained the same territory as when a district. Stillwater, taken from Sara- toga, comprised the present town of Stillwater and the largest portions of Malta, while to Ballston remained the same territory as before ; that is, the present towns of Ball- ston, Charlton, Milton, Galway, Providence, Day, Edin- burgh, Hadley, and parts of Corinth and Greenfield. The records of the district of Ballston, from 1775 to 1778, are probably lost, or have drifted into private hands, and are consigned to some box or chest in an old pioneer gar- ret. They would be of rare value now at the lapse of a hundred years. May it not be the reward of some patient searcher yet to discover and bring them to light? As it is, the records of Ballston still preserved in the office of the clerk are the earliest district or town records in the county. They commence with 1779. The district-meeting for that year was held in the meeting-house, and the following officers were chosen : Supervisor, James Gordon ; Town Clerk, Beriah Palmer; Collector, Dr. Elisha Miller; As- sessors, Captain Elisha Benedict, Jabez Patchen, John Rogers, Beriah Palmer, Jr .; John Taylor; Constables, Isaac Stow, Daniel Taylor; Fence-Viewers, Lieutenant John Bell, Lieutenant Nathaniel Weed; Overseers of the Poor, Hezekiah Middlebrook, Jabez Hubbell; Pathmas- ters, Nathaniel Weed, Jabez Ilubbell, Elisha Benedict, Jabez Patchen, James Adams, Sunderland Sears, Nathan Raymond, Isaac low. The assessors, it will be noticed, were headed by a captain, and the fence-viewers were qual- ified for their positions by being lieutenants in the military serviec.
The next year the same officers were generally re-elected, though a few new names appear,-Stephen Sherwood, John Holmes, Uriah Benedict, George Morehouse. These names show to some extent the scattered settlers in all the ten towns of what was then Ballston.
There are no records for 1781-83, and it is supposed no annual meetings were held, the settlers having been cap- tured or driven away largely by the Tory raids of 1780 and 1781. Commencing again in 1781, the lists of town officers are complete to the present time. In 1792, four years after
the town organization, Ballston was reduced to its present limits by taking off Charlton, Galway, and Milton.
We add the names of the supervisors, town clerks, and collectors down to the present time.
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS.
Supervisor.
Town Clerk.
Collector.
1779. James Gordon.
Beriah Palmer.
Dr. Elisha Miller.
1780.
Maj. And. Mitchell.
Capt. Tyr. Collins.
Capt. Steph. White.
1781. None elected.#
None elected. *
Noue elected .*
1782.
1783.
..
..
..
1784. Uriah Benedict.
Beriah Palmer.
1785. Andrew Mitchell.
..
1786. Benjamin Andrews.
1787. James Gordon,
1788. "
Wmn. Weed.
Eliphalet Kellogg.
1789.
1790. Beriah Palner.
Seth C. Baldwin.
Nathan Raymond. Walter Patchen.
1791.
6.
..
..
1792. Uriah Benediet.
Caleb Benedict.
Nathan Raymond. .. ..
1793. Seth C. Baldwin.
1794. Edward A. Watrous.
1795,
16
Lloyd Wakeman.
1796.
Caleb Beuediet.
Thaddeus Patchen.
1797. Jabez Davis.
..
Amos Larkins. Bushnell Benedict.
1798, Henry Walton.
Robert Leonard.
1799. Beriah Palmer.
John McCrea.
1800. Seth V. Baldwin. ..
..
=
Seth C. Baldwin, res.
1801. John McCrea, app.
1802. Nathaniel Booth.
Jonathan Kellogg.
1803. =
1804.
..
1805. Samuel McCrea.
Samuel Young.
..
IS07.
Ebenezer S. Coon.
Elihu Roc.
1808.
..
.. ..
1810.
1811. Ebenezer S. Coon.
Joseph Taylor.
W'in. M. Wilkins.
1812. Samuel Young.
..
John Jones.
1813. ..
.
..
George Munn.
1811. Abijah Hubbell.
1815. S. D. Hollister.
Wm. Henry.
1816. James McCreu.
John Gibson.
Elijah Taylor.
IS17.
"
Sherman Curtis.
Jerry Penfickl.
1818.
..
Nathaniel G. Seeley.
1819.
..
1820.
6.
Elijah Castle.
Nehemiah Barlow.
1899.
..
Elihu Roo.
1823.
IS21. Jesse Robertson.
Samuel Larkin.
1825.
..
David Waterman.
Uriah Beers.
1826.
44
Elihu Roc.
1827.
4 4
44
4.
Sim'n S. McDonald.
1829.
=
16
Bradley Morchonsc.
1830.
=
:
1832.
44
Cady Hollister.
Uriah Beers.
1×33.
.6
W'm. E. Lee.
1831.
.4
.6
1835.
Abraham Wigg.
1836. Anson Seeley.
Lewis Miller.
Rogers C. Abell.
1837.
..
..
Rogers C. Abell.
66
Joseph Cole. Nathaniel Weed. .. ..
Gilbert Miller.
John Taylor.
=
Elijah Walbridge.
. .
.. Gideon Luther.
Samuel Hollister. Wm. M. Wilkins.
1806. ..
..
..
John Jones.
1809. Samuel Young.
Samuel Hollister.
Uriah Beers.
1821.
44
Urinh Beers.
1828.
16
John Cutler.
1831.
44
46
# On account of the war.
252
IIISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Supervisor.
Town Clerk.
1838. Wm. G. Verplanck. Alfred Hollister.
1839. Anson Seeley.
1840. Anson Buell.
1841. ..
Joseph F. Kingsley. John Jones.
1842. William II. Satterlee. Stephen Merchant. S. D. F. Jennings.
1843.
44
Lewis Raymond.
1844. Stephen Merchant.
Wm. II. Satterlee.
Alvah Robertson.
1845. Anson Buell.
David R. Harlow. =
1846. Cady Hollister.
David Boyd.
1847.
Richard Il. Castle. 44
Win. II. Wendell. "
1849. Anson Seeley.
1850. Jobn P. Roe.
1851. Henry P. Woolley.
Andrew Curtis.
Royal M. Stiles.
1852. Wm. II. Wendell.
Richard HI. Castle. Henry L. Sears.
1853. Abel Meeker.
Daniel E. Larkin.
1854.
1855. John P. Roe.
1856. John Vibbard.
Albert S. Curtis.
Cyrus French.
1857.
1858. John Wait.
Alexander Sears.
Win. Il. Southard.
1859.
1860. George G. Scott.
44
Daniel T. Gates.
1861.
6 44
..
Daniel D. Post.
1862.
+4
Wm. K. Post.
1863.
Iliram Loomis.
1864. 1865.
Frederick Curtis. 46
O. P. Jennings. John P. Roe.
1868.
Alonzo B. Comstock. Alexander Abell.
1869.
Walter Bradley.
Samuel R. Miller. Wm. H. Stewart. T. G. Y. Seaman. Lewis C. Iarlow.
1873.
..
Asa Hollister.
1874.
1
Edward Leahea, Ir.
1876.
Iliram B. Stillwell.
Allen S. Glen.
1877.
:
=
Alexander Sears.
1878. =
Solyman II. Coons.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE.
1830. James Met'rea.
1831. Bushnell Benediet.
1832. Wm. II. Satterlee.
1857. Wm. Warner.
1833. Jesse Robertson.
1858. Lewis Il. Sears.
1834. James McCrea.
1859. Jeremiah Husted, Jr.
1835. Cornelius Lansing.
1836. Wm. II. Satterlec.
1837. Abel Mecker. John JIolmes.
1863. Herman II. Ferris.
1838. Jonathan MeBride.
1539. Cornelius Lansing.
1865. Win. Warner.
1840. Wm. Il. Satterlec.
1866. Bradford Spier.
1841. Abel Meeker.
1867. Ilerman II. Ferris.
I842. Anson Seeley.
1868. Lewis Il. Sears.
1843. Cornelius Lansing.
1844. Win. II. Satterlec.
1845. Thomas G. Young.
1846. Anson Seeley.
J872. Lewis IT. Sears.
1873. Win. Warner.
Silas H. Linley.
1847. Abel Meeker. Ebenezer R. Jones.
1848. Samuel B. Edwards.
1819. Thomas G. Young.
1850. Anson Seeley.
1851. James Il. Clark.
1852. Samuel B. Edwards. Abel Mecker.
J853. Thomas G. Young.
1878. W. S. Curtiss.
Anson G. Larkins.
V .- VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
COURT-HOUSE HILL must always be a place of interest to citizens of Ballston and residents of the county. It is situated on the middle line, that old historie road of Rev- olutionary times,-a sightly elevation, fitly chosen for its convenience of access over the leading roads of the county before railroads were opened, and for its reasonably een- tral position. Enos Mann, in his book, " The Bench and Bar of Saratoga County," says,-
" Around the court-house a thriving village was growing, and doubtless the owners of the surrounding farms discussed the probahle valne of corner-lots, and saw, in imagination, their pastures and eorn- fields bisected with avenues and streets; and, without doubt, there were others who saw, with an air of dismay, the ruin of their sylvan homes beneath the crushing weight of loeal taxations for local im- provements. Several stores and two hotels were erected, and did a ' land-office' business in court terms. Two lawyers-John W. Tay- lor and Samuel Cook-displayed their shingles there, trusting in the maxim to secure the worm. But suddenly a blight came over this rural Arcadia, and its hopes were forever blasted."
The court-house and jail burned to the ground on the morning of the Sunday preceding March 27, 1816-closing the village prospects of the Hill. George Billings, a pris- oner chained to the floor, lost his life.
When the question came to be argued before the eommis- sioners appointed to decide the location of the new buildings, the advocate of Court-House Hill, Samuel De Forest, made an able effort to retain the honors and emoluments of the county-seat ; but the efforts of Judge Cook, of Ballston Spa, Thomas C. Taylor and Nicholas Low, of New York, aided by the liberal offers of the latter, prevailed, and Court-House Hill retained its name secured in the carly times,-but the name only. The court-house stood on the West side of the road, opposite the large dwelling-house, for- merly a tavern, now owned by David R. Harlow, rented, however, to other parties. Mr. Harlow's residence is south of the court-house site, on the same side of the road. Abner IFarlow, father of David R., came to this town froui Ver- mont, reaching here the day after the court-house burned, and settled a half-mile west of the hill, on what is now the place of James Young.
THE MIDDLE LINE ROAD contains many historic points, -the old Gordon homestead, where General Washington dined in 1783; the site of Gordon's grist-mill, the re- mains of the dam being still visible in the ereek sonth of the mansion and near the road; the points in the Tory raids where they seized their prisoners ; and the houses they pil- laged, and many others. The traditional stories of olden times are full of interest, abounding in " moving accidents by field and flood," hair-breadth eseapes, thrilling encoun- ters and hasty flights. All this has passed away. Peace and civil order prevail. In all this now beautiful section of country " the desert has blossomed like the rose and the wilderness become a fruitful field."
ACADEMY ITILL is the old point at which Rev. Mr. Ball settled, and at which the first meeting-house was built, in 1780. The place received this name from the fact that about the year 1804 the old red meeting-house, then aban- doned for the new one west, was opened as an academy. It stood upon the site of the present school-house, and was for many years an excellent school, at which many distin-
..
44
16
Riley Crippen. ..
John J. Larkin.
1875.
Samnel K. Miller.
1866.
1867.
Asa Hollister.
=
..
1860. Lewis Il. Sears.
1861. Win. Warner. 1862. Anson Seeley.
1864. Lewis H. Sears.
1869. Wm. Warner. 1870. Bradford Spier.
1871. Ilerman II. Ferris.
1874. Wm. S. Curtiss. John Brown. Ilenry P. Curtiss.
IS75. George Iliggins. John Brown.
1876. Lewis Sears. 1877. John Brown. Daniel W. Allen.
1854. Auson Ferley.
1855. Abel Meeker.
16
David R. Harlow. Wm. II. Wendell.
Cyrus French. David R. Harlow.
.6 =
Royal M. Stiles.
Wm. K. Post.
Samuel C. Beeman.
1870. 1871.
1872.
I856. Frederick Curtiss. Wm. Warner.
Collector. Rogers C. Abell. Amaziah Ford.
ISJ8. =
253
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
guished men were educated. A catalogue of its early stu- dents would include a large number of citizens, eminent at home and abroad. Whoever will dig ont from the archives of the past a history of that institution-its teachers, schol- ars, and officers-will add a contribution of much value to the pioneer history of Saratoga County.
BALLSTON CENTRE is on the Middle Line road, a short distance west of Academy Hill. The new Presbyterian church, built there in 1804, the importance of the line of travel, the location of the post-office, all tended in early times to cause the growth of a small village. Its import- ance was diminished very mneh by the change of the court- house,-the change in all the great lines of travel,-but it remains, nevertheless, a beautiful spot.
BURNT HILLS is a pleasant rural village in the south part of the town. It derives its name from the fact that there was a large tract of land at this point burned over. either purposely or by accident, about the time the first set- tlers were coming in. Traveling up from the Mohawk Flats below and passing these blackened forest elevations, they spoke of them as the Burnt Hills.
This point was settled at an early day by the Hollister family, who owned, at one time, a large estate, reaching from the hills to the Branch. A descendant, Asa Hollister, is still living in the village. The records of the Baptist church extend baek to 1791. Rev. Bradbury Clay was the first minister. The father of Joseph Bettys, the noted spy, was an early settler near Burnt Hills. Of Harriet McGregor we learn that her stepfather, Wm. Kingsley, probably opened the first tavern, in 1805, and that Fox, Guernsey, and Cogswell were early settlers.
There was also a tannery established here at an early day.
THE BRANCH, as railroad men terin it, or SOUTH BALLS- TON, as it appears in the maps of the county, is the rail- road station about a mile east of Burnt Ilills, and is a convenient point for all the south part of this town and the north part of Clifton Park. The opening of the road eaused the growth of whatever there is of this place. Be- fore that there were not even the three necessary elements to constitute a village,-a tavern, a blacksmith-shop, and a store.
SPEAR'S CORNERS is within the town of Milton, but derives its name from the families spoken of elsewhere, who settled in the northwest part of Ballston, at what is still known as Hop City.
The V CORNERS, a mile south of Ballston Spa, appeared in early times as likely to be a business point, but it lost its importance, being outranked by the demands of spring waters, official business, and manufacturing enterprise at the southern bend of the Kayadrossera.
EAST LINE is a name in connection with Ballston,-old as the town itself,-spoken of in the history of Malta. It is seen, under the head of "settlement," that the beautiful slopes east of the lake attracted many of the early settlers. For them East Line was a business point, and they also drove across the "outlet" to Academy Ilill and Ballston Centre.
VI .- SCHOOLS.
The earlier settlers were men who valued education and religious privileges. Among their first public acts were the opening of schools and the establishment of churches.
The meeting-house and the school-house rose side by side in the wilderness. Amid the severity of pioneer life there was little opportunity for long school terms. Boys and girls were obliged to work, but the brief three months' school was well improved. The three R's-Reading, Riting, and 'Rithmetic-were well taught, and the very brevity of the advantages rendered them all the more highly prized and the more promptly attended to. The number of learned men that have risen from the ranks of the early pioneers of Ballston prove their culture, their real refinement, though struggling with all the rudeness of the wilderness.
A very early school was at Ballston Centre, or near there at Academy Hill. At Burnt Hills also was a pioneer school-house, and among the sturdy Scotch settlers in the western part of the town there was another.
East Line, so prominently known in the old times, had a good school.
Lewis Smith, of Mechanicville, now in his ninety-third year, recalls the school and the following incident, though the names of teachers and scholars are fading from his memory : He was a " little boy." The fat, good-natured old teacher was asleep in his chair, and the larger boys gave Lewis twenty-five cents (which seemed to his eyes an immense fortune) to carefully tie the school-master's ankles fast to the chair. He succeeded in doing it. Then the " big boys" made a noise, and woke him up. Rising suddenly, his feet refused to move, and he fell his full length upon the floor, at imminent risk of life and limb, though, fortunately, he was not much hurt.
There is no profanity in Mr. Smith's remark when, in his quaint way, he said to the writer, " It was a devil of a fall." He gives the older boys credit for standing by him, and the school-master was unable to find out who did it.
The Ballston Academy was probably opened about 1804, as it was established in the old pioneer meeting-house, which was given up for their new one by the church about that time. Many distinguished men received their educa- tion here. But little traee of records or catalogues can be obtained. With the growth of Ballston Spa that place soon became the resort of those seeking a higher education.
COMMISSIONERS' APPORTIONMENT FOR 1878.
Number of Children
between five and
twenty- one.
Equal Quota of the
Public Money accord-
ing to the number of ;
Public Money accord-
ing to average at- !
Library Money.
Total Public Money.
No. 1.
...
111
$52.14
$70.34
$58.66
$3.70
$190.84
16
30
52.14
24.76
33.49
1.20
111,59
3
18
52.14
12.38
13.36
60
78.48
=
1
...
52
52.1.4
35.77
34.97
1.73
124.61
5
....
50
52.14 |
34.39
36.71
1.67
124.94
6
72
52.14
49.52
16.15
2.10
150.51
:
....
38
52.1.4
26.13
31.83
1.27
111.57
8
51
52.14 |
35.0%
39.22
1.70
128.11
..
17
62.11
32.33
41.52
1.57
127.36
10.
...
38
52.14
26.12
19,20
1.27
9.5.71
..
...
50
52.14
88.52
51.24
1.87
1 13.77
569
$373.54 , $391.55
$10G.18
$18.98
$1390.35
District.
Public Money.
Children.
tendance.
254
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
VII .- CHURCHES.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALLSTON CENTRE.
This is the pioneer church of the town, and it has a record of faith and works worthy of a prominent place in history. Study political systemus as we may, examine judicial tribunals and trace their influence, search for early business enterprises and learn their effects,-yet, after all, we must turn to these early churches founded by the fathers as the true origin of social order and civil pros- perity, as the real fountains from whence flowed the streams of education, culture, and civilization.
The church was founded by the Rev. Eliphalet Ball. The first meeting for organization seems to have been September 22, 1775, when a brief covenant upon the basis of the Westminster Catechism was agreed upon, and signed by the following persons, constituting the first roll of members :
Zaceheus Scribner, Michael Dunning, Steven White, Hezekiah Middlebrook. John Nash, Samnel Nash, Azor Nash, John Holmes, Eliakim Nash, David Clark, Thomas Brown, Ebenezer Spragne, Solomon Couch, Hezekiah Wood, Jonas White, Mary White, Martha Gordon, Eliza- beth Ball, Jane Scott, Rhoda Nash, Sarah Nash, Jerusha Benedict, Mary Weed, Abigail Collins. Sarah Kellogg.
The records of the church are very brief in the earliest years, and the names of the first officers do not appear. There is an entry in 1776 stating that John Young and wife, John Cabell and wife. Wmn. Belding, Eliphalet Kel- logg, Solomon Couch, Uriah Benedict, Griekson Frisby, Nathaniel Weed, and Samuel Benedict united with the church upon profession of faith.
In 1780 another list of members received is given, peculiar in the fact that nineteen husbands and the wives of all of them united at once,-John Cabell, James McCrea. Joseph Morehouse, Samuel Wood, Epenetus White, Matthew Fairchild, James Gordon, John Young, Wm. Barns, Robert Speir, Samuel McCrea, Jabez Gorham, Nathan Raymond, John Wood. Beriah Palmer, Sunderland Sears, Michael Middlebrook, William Bettys, and James Gor- don, Jr.
The church was independent, and no doubt Congrega- tional in government for a time, as there seems to have been no election of elders at first.
Rev. Mr. Ball was the pastor till 1783. He lived among his people, however, after that, dying in 1797.
He was succeeded by Rev. Ebenezer Martin, September 25. 1783, and October 3 a new covenant and declaration of principles were drawn up and signed. May 11, 1787, the society completed a Presbyterian organization by elect- ing Solomon Guernsey, James White, and Isaac Ilow elders ; Michael Middlebrook and Eliphalet Kellogg, dea- cons. They were ordained June 9 of the same year. The church was admitted to presbytery in 1787 or 1788, and Rev. Mr. Schenck was installed pastor August 26, 1788. Sermon by Mr. Young, and charge to both pastor and people by Mr. McDonald, of Albany.
The catalogue of pastors (some only stated supplies), from the first organization to the present time, is Eliphalet Ball, Ebenezer Martin, Wiu. Schenck, John B. Smith, Jonathan
Edwards, Joel Bradley, Stephen Porter, Reuben Sears, Reuben Smith, James V. Henry, Erasmus D. MeMaster, Samuel S. Davis, David Murdock, George H. Thatcher, John B. Steel, Reuben Smith, Charles H. Taylor, E. B. Allen, A. B. Morse, and the present pastor, Alexander S. Hoyt.
From this church have gone forth an unusual number of candidates for the ministry : Reuben Sears, Henry R. Weed, Samnel S. Davis, John K. Davis, James McCrea, Charles E. Farman, Theophilus Redfield, Montgomery M. Wakeman, David Murdock, Nicholas J. Seeley, Matthew HI. Calkins. Trained in the Sunday-school, but not members of the church, were the following ministers: Thomas C. Kirkwood, Wm. H. Milham, and W. W. Curtis.
The first house of worship was the " old red meeting- house," that stood where the present school-house stands, erected, according to tradition, in the summer of 1780. This was a landmark well remembered yet by many of the older people. It became the Ballston Academy after it was abandoned by the church. In 1803 a new meeting- house was erected where the present one stands. The satis- faction at securing a more convenient house was saddened by the fatal accident at the raising, Mr. Joseph Warner having been killed by the falling of a stick of timber.
The present house succeeding this one of 1803 was built during the pastorate of Dr. Taylor, extending from 1854 to 1861.
CALVARY CHURCH (EPISCOPAL), BURNT HILLS.
In 1848 this village had a new growth, by the establish- ment of a paper-mill, which brought into the community a large number of English artisans, and added new life and business to the place. For these men, quite a number of new dwellings were erected. Many of the operatives were members of the Church of England, rev- erencing its ancient faith, and loving the forms of wor- ship known to their childhood. To provide for these men and for the families residing here, who had previously wor- shiped at Charlton, a church was established, and incorpo- rated May 7, 1849. This was principally due to the labors of Rev. Edward Davis, and the cordial co-operation of Cady Hollister, the proprietor of the paper-mill. The land for a church edifice was a gift from Mr. Hollister and Isaac Woolsey. During the summer of 1849 the building was completed, at an expense of $2500, a large proportion of which was the gift of Rev. Mr. Davis himself, and the first service was held in it on Christmas-day of the same year. The church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Wm. R. Whittingham, of Maryland, at the direction of the standing committee of the diocese, July 11, 1850, being free from debt. The edifice was first built with open nave and recess chancel, but was enlarged in 1858 by the addition of two transepts, making sittings for 250. The church had for- merly plain glass windows, but in 1862, Mrs. Belinda Davis, wife of the rector, presented the parish with new stained windows, which were immediately put in. The family of Mr. Davis also presented a beautiful stone font at Easter, 1863. The rectory, house, and lot was also a gift, in 1856, by the same generous benefactors. This was opposite the church. Another house and lot, adjoining the
255
HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
cemetery, was also a gift from the same source. The first wardens of the parish were Daniel K. Smith, who died Oct. 11, 1876, and Wm. Wheeler, who died April, 1871, both of whom were highly esteemed as zealous friends of the church. Rev. Edward Davis continued his abundant labors both here and in Charlton until failing health compelled him to relinquish his work in part, and in 1863 he was called from earth to the hope of a brighter future. On his monument, in the cemetery adjoining the church he loved so well, is the truthful and merited inscription, " Eminent for the gentleness of his spirit and the simplicity and the purity of his character, of vigorous intellect and varied acquirements, he was respected and beloved by all who knew him for his faithfulness as a minister of the gospel, his virtues as a Christian, his worth as a man." The suc- cessive rectors of the church have since been Rev. N. J. Seeley, Rev. J. H. Betts, Rev. Mr. Wainwright, Rev. J. 11. Tyng, Rev. E. A. Edgerton. Rev. R. H. Barnes, the present rector, took charge, in connection with St. Paul's church, Charlton, Aug. 1, 1871. The officers of the church at the present time are Calvin S. Wheeler and Frederick Curtis, wardens; W. II. Wheeler, L. H. Sears, James P. Smith, E. R. Jones, Edward K. Wheeler, Peter Bliss, Ammi Van Vorst, and Sheldon D. Smith, vestrymen ; Levinus Lansing, treasurer. In connection with the church is a flourishing Sunday-school, in which Mr. C. S. Wheeler has rendered faithful and efficient service for seventeen years as superintendent.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.