History of Saratoga County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers., Part 87

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 87


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


1869. llenry L. Haight. 1870. M. O. Caldwell.


1871.


Warren Rulison.


Jacob C. Defreest.


1873.


1874. Jacob C. Defreest.# S. S. Teachout.


John W. Post.


1875. Chas. II. Clute.


$6


Warren E. Sunims.


1876.


Henry Clark.


John W. Post.


1877. Henry L. IJaight. 44


4


Henry Danielson.


1878.


J. F. Terry.


Geo. W. Rosekrans.


JUSTICES OF THIE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE.


1831. William Fowler.


1832. William Clute.


1833. Stepben Varnum.


1858. llarmon J. Quackenbush.


1859. Nathan Tabor.


1835. William Fowler.


1860. Abram Siekles.


1836. Nathan A. Philo.


1861. Samuel R. Mott.


1837. Stephen Vernam.


1838. Benjamin S. Curtis.


1839. James Noxie.


1840. Nathan A. Philo.


1841. James V. Bradshaw.


1842. Stephen II. Sherman.


1843. Lewis E. Smith.


1844. Nathan A. P'hilo.


1845. David W. Wait.


1846. Benjamin S. Cowles.


1847. Moses Clements.


1848. Eldert I. Vanwoert.


1870. Melviu Van Voorhees.


1849. David W. Wait.


1850. Samuel A. House.


1851. John R. McGregor.


1872. Lelar Knight.


1852. Abram Siekles.


1873. William A. T. Cassidy.


1829.


46


1830.


=


¥


€6


1831.


1832.


66


1833.


=


1834.


1835.


1836.


1837.


=


1838. Isaac Smith.


1839.


44


1840. Platt. Smith.


Nicholas E. Philo.


=


16


Wm. Ransom, Jr.


1843.


1844. Wm. Clute. 1845. “


1816. Bonj. S. Cowles.


Henry L. Landon.


Milo Moxfield.


1847. David W. Wait.


Aaron A. Knight.


Isaac Shear, Jr.


1848. Lucius M. Smith. 1819. James Noxon. 1850.


Lyman W. Clements. David Merrill.


J. B. Schermerhorn. Garret Vanderkar.


46


Clark Noxon. . 4 ¥


Clark Miller.


Warren Rulison. Peter S. Woodin.


C. J. Warrington.


Albert Smith.


Isaac Shear, Jr.


Elisha G. Moss. John Cassidy.


Henry Lape. Daniel R. White. Daniel Forbes.


Martin Sherman. Warren Rulison.


Isaac Shear, Jr. Luther Gates. Lowell K. Ilarvey.


Supervisors.


1866. Thomas Noxon.


Warren Rulison.


Lowell K. Harvey.


Nathan Garnsey, Jr. Wm. Brayton and five others. G. A. Van Vranken. Peter Banta.


Solomon Waito. =


= 44


Nicholas Vischer.


David Garnsey. David Emigh.


Asahel Philo.


Jeremiah Coon.


Henry Claw. A. J. Van Vranken.


Peter Van Sanford.


1862. Melvin Van Voorhees.


1863. Harmon J. Quackenbush.


1864. Nathan F. Philo.


1865. Charles E. Dillingham. Smith L. Mitchell.


1866. James Clark.


1867. Charles E. Gorsline. Charles E. Gorsline. William Hicks.


1868. Lelar Knight. 1869. Charles E. Dillingham.


Wm. Clute.


=


David Carpenter.


John L. Davis.


James Nessle.


Nicholas Emigh, Jr. Isaac Clements. " Juo. P. Steenburgh. = "


46


Andrew Taylor. .4


16 Robert Forbes. =


Philip Colehauser. II. HI. Steenburgh.


Chaun'y Boughton. Anson Badgley.


Wm. Fitzgeralds. John Tripp.


Nath. H. Conklin.


1851. Stephen Emigh. 1852.


Platt V. Burtis.


1853. Benj. Wait. 1854. “


Selar Knight.


1855. Shubael Taylor.


1856. Thomas Noxon. 1857.


1858. Nehemiah Philo. 1859. Wm. Cary.


1860. Thomas Noxon. 1861.


1862. C. J. Warrington. 1863. « .. 1864. Thomas Noxon. 1865.


Town Clerks. Abraham Moe.


Collectors.


Corneli's Dougherty, Martin Wilcox.


16 Nathan A. Philo. Michael Welden.


James Nessle. Campbell Kennedy.


=


44


4 €


Samuel Cole. Elisha Morse.


1834. Asabel Philo.


1857. Henry I. Dunstock. Deodatus W. Hurd.


Gilbert HI. Filkin.


1872. Daniel R. White.


Jacob A. West.


Stephen Philo. John W. Post.


44


16


66


4


1841. Chauncey Boughton.


1842. Abraham Travis.


Nehemiah Philo.


=


Isaac Clements.


James T. Wiley.


Christopher Snyder.


1871. Charles E. Gorsline. Charles E. Dillingham.


1857. William IHicks.


Town Clerks.


348


HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


Mechanicville was incorporated in 1867: Wm. W. Smith, president ; James F. Terry, clerk ; Alonzo llow- land, Wm. M. Warner, Charles Wheeler, Dr. N. H. Ballon, trustees. Present officers, 1877, are Lewis E. Smith, president ; George H. Moore, clerk ; James Dougrey, Jr., Nelson Shontz, Daniel F. Ladow, James McBierney, trustees.


The American Linen Thread Company of Mechanic- ville was established in 1850 by a company of which Samuel Chase was president and Lewis E. Smith secretary, treasurer, and general manager. These positions Mr. Smith has actively filled from that time to the present. They employ about one hundred and seventy-five hands. Their line of work, twines, threads, salmon-lines, gilling, etc. The grist-mill belongs to the same firm. Both derive their power from Anthony's Kill. A preparing-mill west of the canal is also owned by them. They also have a saw-mill, sixteen acres of land, and about forty-five tenements. The flax used is largely imported from Ireland, Belgium, and Holland. J. L. Van Schoonhoven is president now, 1877.


These works are all in the town of Stillwater, but are conveniently mentioned here.


The village of Mechanicville, about a year since, pro- vided against fire by procuring an engine and erecting an engine-house at an expense of $3500. The company con- sists of about sixty men ; II. S. Sheldon, captain. Another company is recently organized.


An instance of remarkable age in Mechanicville may be noticed. Lewis Smith, now living at the age of ninety- two, and his wife ninety,-their married life extending over sixty years.


The villages and hamlets are named as follows : Me- chanicrille, from the number of mechanics employed by the first proprietors of manufacturing works at the mouth of Anthony's Kill. Smithtown, from the number of Smith families that live in that vicinity. Crescent retains the early designation,-the synonym for half-moon. Clifton Park, partly in the town of Clifton Park, takes its name from the latter. Middletown, lying between Waterford and Crescent, seems to have had this name without any particu- lar reason. It is now assuming the name of Half-Moon, which, indeed, has been the post-office name for years. Newtown,-this term was applied very early to the settle- ment in the neighborhood of the old Baptist meeting- house on the hill near John Boker's. It was a new town, compared with the old settlements at " The Point" and the Mohawk flats.


VI .- SCHOOLS.


Under the earlier school law, school commissioners were elected in 1796-99. The following served one or more years: Guert Van Schoonhoven, Hugh Peebles, Benjamin Rose- krans, Benjamin Mix, Robert Kennedy, Solomon Waite, and Hezekiah Ketchum. There was evidently no further action by the town until the enactment of the general school law in 1812, the real commencement of the contin- uous school policy of the State.


From 1812 to 1843 the following persons served one or more years each, as school commissioner: Ira Scott, Asa- bel Philo, David Garnsey, Nathan Garnsey, Jr., Samuel


Reynolds, Nicholas B. Doe, John E. Vischer, John B. Miller, Elnathan Smith, Nathan Peck, Henry Clow, Nehe- miah G. Philo, Silas Sweetland, Joseph Read, Benjamin Hall, Powell Howland, William Shepherd, John P. Steen- burgh, William Vernam, Henry Fowler, William Clute, John F. Taylor, Anson Badgely, James Nessle, W. I. Groesbeck, Chauncey Cowles, G. W. Beal, Stephen Emigh, William Clute, Abram W. Van Wert, James V. Bradshaw, Hiram A. Ensign, Anthony Fitzgerald, Lucius M. Smith, and James Noxon.


During the same period the following persons served as inspectors of common schools, one or more years each : Daniel G. Garnsey, Henry Clow, Robert Kennedy, Elna- than Smith, Nicholas B. Doe, Samnel MeCleary, Charles K. Whitmore, Samuel Reynolds, Nathan Garnsey, Jr., William Hamilton, Nathan Peck, Abraham Moe, Joseph Peck, Daniel Closs, Cornelius Van Santford, Silas Sweet- land, William Scott, Silas Hamilton, William Shaw, Wil- liam Hollister, John P. Higgins, Ebenezer Staats, Nehe- miah G. Philo, Powell Howland, Solomon C. Peck, Garnsey Kennedy, William Shepherd, Asahel Philo, David Garnsey, Ephraim Stephens, Nathan Peck, William Fowler, Corne- lius Failing, William Tibbits, Loring Kimball, Henry Philo, Cyrus Garnsey, Benjamin F. S. Stevens, Edward Kelly, David McShauber, William Fowler, Chauncey Bonghton, Stephen Vernam, John Mott, George W. Beal, Anson Badgely, William W. Yates, William Clute, Hoffman Steen- burgh, Anthony Fitzgerald, Nicholas E. Philo, Powell How- land, James Clow, Chauncey Cowles, Isaac Clements, James G. Bradshaw, Robert Forbes, Lewis E. Smith, and James B. McKean.


The town superintendents of common schools were as follows: 1844, James B. McKean ; 1845, Reuben Stew- art ; 1846, Nathan F. Philo; 1847-50, George W. Peak ; 1851, Nathan F. Philo; 1852, John O. Mott ; 1854-56, John Cassidy.


This system was terminated in June, 1856, and super- vision by Assembly districts followed.


The school report for 1840 shows the following statements :


Districts.


No. of Children.


Public Money.


No. 1


104


$93.96


2


66


59.63


44


35


31.62


4


48


43.37


Part 4


6


5.41


5


5


4.51


5


104


93,96


6


37


33.45


7


21


18.97


Nos. S and IS


21


18.97


No. 9


46


41.56


11


6


5.41


12


28


25.30


66


13


49


44.30


14


28


25.30


604


$545.72


Middletown has a union school, organized Nov. 20, 1877. The first board of education consists of the following persons : A. P. Hawley, C. II. Clute, Daniel Knights, John Van Voorhees, Daniel R. White, William Lape, Washing- ton Lansing. The district procured the building belonging to the old Half-Moon Academy, now extinct for some years, and repaired and remodeled it at an expense of abont $1500.


Mechanicville academy has a pleasant situation near the


349


HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


river on Main street, surrounded by a beautiful grove. It was founded in 1860. The first officers were Lewis Smith, president; Rev. Edward Noble, secretary ; J. Wesley Ensign, treasurer ; with other trustees, Isaac Clements, B. B. Hutchins, Isaae M. Smith, Joseph Baker, John C. Hlohues, Samuel B. Ilowland, E. A. Lindley, Bloom Baker, Robert Moon.


The present trustees are Rev. J. E. King, Fayette Baker, Dr. H. H. Ballou, S. B. Ilowland, Dr. B. W. King, Lewis Smith, Harvey S. Sheldon, Joseph Baker, Frank Pruyn, and James C. Rice. S. B. Hlowland is president, and H. Sheldon secretary and treasurer. Successive prin- cipals have been Andrews and Wetzel, C. C. Wetzel, Rev. B. D. Ames, and Mrs. S. E. King Ames.


The Clifton Park Female Seminary was established at the village of that name in 1863.


COMMISSIONERS' APPORTIONMENT, HALF-MOON, MARCH, 1878.


District.


Number of Children |


between the ages of


five and twenty one.


Equal Quota of the


Public Money.


Public Money accord-


ing to the number


of Children.


Public Money accord-


ing to average at-


tendance.


Library Money.


Total Public Money.


No. 1 .....


84


$52.14


$57.77


$50.47


82.80


$163.18


2


45


52.14


30.95


26.83


1.47


111.39


3


18


52.14


12.38


11.71


.60


76.83


4


40


52.14


27.51


35.45


1.34


116.44


5


64


52.14


44.02


36.96


2.14


135.26


6


37


52.14


95.45


25.44


1.24


104.27


7 ..


46


52.14


31.64


30.76


1.54


116.08


8


94


52.14


64.65


44.01


3.14


163.94


9


40


52.14


27.51


29.88


1.34


110.87


" 10


312


104.28


214.59


168.22


10.41


497.50


110


52.14


75.65


69.83


3.67


20.129


" 12


42


52.14


28.89


24.62


1.40


107.05


932


$677.82


$641.01


$554.18


$31.09


$1904.10


VII .- CHURCHES. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH OF STILLWATER,


being under the same pastorate as the church at Mechan- icville, the following account of it, written by Mrs. Stubbs, wife of the rector, is inserted here :


St. John's church, Stillwater, was incorporated Oct. 27, 1795, but a church organization had existed, with occa- sional serviees, many years prior to that time. The first recorded meeting of the vestry was held Oct. 7, 1795, when the following were elected officers : Ezekiel Ensign, senior warden; Ezra St. John, junior warden ; Thomas W. Ford, Henry Bruerton, Warren Smith, Cornelius Van- denburgh, vestrymen.


The Rev. Mr. Rodgers became the first rector of the parish. It is a matter of regret that there are no records of the earlier services of the English church in this town. That they were held is no doubt true, for wherever Eng- land's sons wandered they took with them the Bible and the Prayer-Book, charters of Protestantism, which recalled the solemn worship of their own homes.


Some facts were obtained by the writer from an old lady named Shipman, whose parents resided at Bemus Heights when the great battle was fought. Her narrative was of


great interest. She could describe very minutely the posi- tion of each battery, and the personal appearance of the officers engaged. These things she had heard from her parents, who were well acquainted by trading with a little stoek of vegetables, which brought them a munificent return. Mrs. Shipman stated that some weeks preceding the battle two or three British staff officers were quartered in the village of Stillwater, in a house since torn down, near the site of old St. John's church. During a week's oceupation of the village by General Schuyler, they were concealed in the cellar. Mrs. Shipman stated that services were twiee held in the sitting-room of the house by Chap- lain Brudenell, of Burgoyne's command. This statement is involved in some doubt, as it is not known that the British forces ever held Stillwater village; yet these officers may have been concealed there as scouts, and it would be like the intrepid spirit of Brndenell, who so bravely stood amid the whistling bullets over the grave of General Fraser, in the cold twilight, to utter with Christian faith undimmed the then awfully solemn words, " I know that my Redeemer liveth,"-like him to brave a journey through the wilds to hold service in the little room at Stillwater.


Old St. John's church was erected in 1798, but becoming within later years unsuitable as a place of worship for the present congregation, was sold by the officiating rector, the Rev. Alfred II. Stubbs, and vestry to the Roman Catholics, and a tasteful and pretty chapel built with the proceeds. Still bearing the name, it is a young branch of the old tree, -brighter, fresher, newer.


The rectors succeeding Rev. Mr. Rodgers were Orange Clark, I. M. Tappan, William Alanson, Reuben Hubbard, William A. Curtis, Major A Nickerson, Robert B. Fair- bairn, John B. Downing, William B. Musgrave, Robert C. Rogers, E. S. Widdemer, Albert Danker, W. P. Walker, and the present rector, Alfred II. Stubbs.


The first marriage is recorded on the books in 1795, be- tween Thomas Walker Ford and Betsey Patrick. There yet stands in the hall of the Patrick mansion, now occu- pied by Mr. Skinner, a quaint old mahogany table, around which Washington, Hamilton, and Burr dined amicably together, the horrors of the later years unforeseen. The first baptism on register is that of Sarah Hoskins, in 1776, and the first death that of " Betsey Ford, consort of Thomas Ford," on the 23d of October, 1795, an ill-fated bride of but twelve days. About the year 1835 the church was gladdened by the added membership of Mrs. Catharine Mancius. Born in the year 1777, in the city of Montreal, Canada, a most devoted daughter of the church, of good family, with large wealth, but with a pure, heartfelt love of her Master's work, she chose to shine in the charity which needed no vannting, rather than to adorn the society to which birth and education gave her entrance.


Upon her removal to Stillwater, Mrs. Mancins at once began to interest herself in this church. Not satisfied with aiding it materially in her lifetime, she so willed her prop- erty that the church should suffer nothing pecuniarily by her death. At her home, Mount Livingston, about a mile from the village, she erected a little chapel, where, in old feudal style, she daily summoned her vassals, and in the


350


HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


absence of chaplain, she read the service herself. The little building yet stands, though the estate has passed into other hands. Within its walls bishops and priests have officiated, and the announcement that the " Lord was in His holy temple" has sounded as solemnly here as in old Trinity itself. May it be long before she shall be forgotten in this communion of saints which we celebrate !


The present St. John's, as before stated, is a small edifice containing about one hundred and fifty sittings. Some of the descendants of the first vestry of 1795 gather there each Sunday in its congregation, and we trust another een- tennial anniversary will yet behold the good old stock ani- mated with the brave Brudenell's spirit to sueeor and de- fend it against " the world, the flesh, and the devil."


EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF MECHANICVILLE .*


The first serviees of St. Luke's parish were held in a building that stood upon land now owned by the American Linen Thread company, in the rear of the engine-house.


The church was organized in the then residence of John C. Valentine, Esq., now owned by Joseph Kelso, and stand- ing on the west side of Main street, opposite the engine- house, August 2, 1830, with the following officers : Ward- ens, John C. Valentine and William Gates; Vestrymen, Hugh Peebles, John Cross, Munson Smith, William L. R. Valentine, Lynott Bloodgood, William Tyler, William Tib- bitts, and Cramer Vernam.


The church building erected during 1829 and 1830, on the east side of Main street, was consecrated by the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, third bishop of New York, August 24, 1830.


By mutual consent all religious bodies were permitted to worship in said building, and with this understanding the necessary funds were raised for its construction, with the proviso, however, that when completed it should be conse- crated by the bishop of New York. Difficulties having arisen, the vestry obtained a release from all the denomina- tions interested, and after July 15, 1835, the church prop- erty came under the sole ownership and control of St. Luke's church.


The services were first conducted by the Rev. Orange Clark, who probably opened the first Sunday-school. Hc was succeeded by the following clergymen, to wit: J. M. Tappan, William Alanson, Reuben Hubbard, William A. Curtis, Major A. Nickerson, Robert B. Fairbairn, John G. Downing, William B. Musgrave, Robert C. Rogers, E. S. Widdemer, Albert Danker, William B. Walker, and A. H. Stubbs, the last named being the present pastor.


The first baptism was that of Adeline Vernam, and the first marriage, David Fairbanks to Elizabeth Bradshaw. The early record of communieants is unfortunately lost, but Dr. William Tibbitts and William Tyler were un- doubtedly among the number. The decease of the former of these communicants is thus mentioned in the 1875 con- vention address of Dr. W. C. Doane, present bishop of the diocese of Albany : " The death of Dr. William Tibbitts, of Mechanicville, removes a most honorable name from our roll. At the age of eighty-two he fell asleep, most un-


expectedly, with what was suddenness to every one but himself. Always active and generous, and by no means confined in his religious zeal, he had less than a month be- fore his death transferred to the board of missions $2000. llis death was singularly beautiful. Kneeling in his ac- customed place in church, he had joined in the general confession, and under the very words of the absolution he died, loused by the voice of the Great Iligh-Priest at onee from the bondage of sins and from the burden of the flesh." Dr. Tibbitts had been a deputy to the Diocesan convention for a number of years ; the above parish, which he represented, was admitted during the month of October, 1830.


The latter of the communieants named, William A. Tyler, was born Dec. 9, 1779, at Branford, New Ilaven Co., Conn., was baptized by the first bishop in the United States, Dr. Samuel Seabury, and died Feb. 22, 1876. Ile also was noted for his liberality and generosity, having contributed one-fourth of the sum required to build the rectory.


The present officers of the church are as follows: Rec- tor, Rev. Alfred H. Stubbs; church-wardens, W. C. Tall- madge, Esq., and Philip Kiswood ; vestrymen, Drs. Ballou and Garbutt, Joseph Knicherbocker, Madison Hart, Isaiah Massey, Harvey Dwight, and Job Viall.


Services are held now in connection with St. John's church in Stillwater, the rector of St. Luke's church, Mechanicville, being incumbent of both parishes.


THE METHODIST CHURCH OF MECHANICVILLE.


This society has its house of worship in Stillwater, but its parsonage is in Ilalf-Moon. The first class was organ- ized in 1828, and consisted of the following: Cornelius Skinner, wife, and daughter, Mr. Phelps, Rebeeea, Eliza II., and Mary A. Furnham,-just seven. They met first in an unused private building, next in the Union meeting- house, -- when they could have the use of this for a quar- terly meeting only on condition that there should be no noise. The unconverted husbands of some of the Methodist women were indignant, and declared their wives should have a place where they could shout to their hearts' content. This resulted in the first chapel of 1832. The circuit then in- eluded Ballston, Saratoga Springs, Quaker Springs, East Line, Lanswoorts, Sehuylerville, Stillwater, and Mechanic- ville. The successive ministers were Rev. Messrs. Ensign, Dayton, Stebbins, Rice, Marietta, Luckey, Anson, Brayton, Newman, Pier Goss, Hammond, Burton, Meeker, Quinlan, Stevens, Chase, Coleman, Pomeroy, Houghtaling, Kelly, Ford, Sayres, White, Noble, Spencer, Mattison, Ford, Gid- dings, Trumbull, Ayres, MeElroy, Spier, Coleman, Hitch- cock, Morris, Frazier, Wade, Gregg, Dunn, Lytle, Squires, Harrower, Carhart, Loomis, Morehouse, Wicker, and the present pastor, William H. Washburn.


The present class-leaders are J. H. Prine, E. A. More- house, Nelson Shouts, Nelson Wood, Henry G. Edmunds, S. B. Howland, J. B. Orcott ; stewards, S. B. Howland, D. S. Douglass, Lewis Howland, J. Cleveland, S. H. Cle- mens, C. E. Dillingham, and W. Mayhew ; superintendent of Sunday-school, Lewis Howland.


The society have a convenient church, about on the site of the old chapel.


# By Rev. A. H. Stubbs.


351


HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MECHANICVILLE.


This society originally consisted of a few members of Presbyterian sentiments, worshiping in union with the Congregational church of Stillwater, located at the " yellow meeting-house." The present convenient church edifice was erected in 1854. The united organization continued down to 1871, and the names of the ministers preaching here will be found in the account of the old Congregational church of Stillwater. At the time of the separation, in 1871, Rev. Mr. Beman was pastor. Ile was followed, in 1872, by Rev. Charles D. Flagler, the present pastor. The present elders are William H. Sherman, Abram Van Vegh- ten, George Lape, William H. Stevenson, Cyrus Gilbert, and George H. Flagler; clerk of sessions, Willian H. Sherman ; clerk of the society, and also of the board of trustees, Charles A. IIemstreet.


ST. PAUL'S CHURCHI OF MECHANICVILLE (CATHOLIC).


Before any organized Catholic society existed here ser- vices were held by Rev. Father Coyle, who made mission- ary journeys up and down the valley, and was instrumental in founding several churches and erecting several edifices. He was succeeded by the Rev. Father Farley. Mechanic- ville services were first held in the barn of Mr. Short, near the present church premises. The society was formed in' 1845. The church edifice was ereeted about 1852, and cost approximately $10,000. The pastoral residence, with about four aeres of orchard, a fine place, was seeured at a cost of from $5000 to $6000.


The successive pastors of the church have been Rev. Lewis M. Edge, Rev. James D. Durragh, Rev. Philip Izzo, and the Rev. T. A. Field, present incumbent; all of the Augustinian order.


FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHI OF IIALF-MOON, LOCATED AT MIDDLETOWN.


This society, organized about 1835, is a branch, or more properly, perhaps, one of the successors, of the old church at Newtown, two and a half miles west of Mechanieville. That house was taken down, and no church exists there at the present time. The first pastor of the society at Mid- dletown was Elisha D. Ilubbell, and the first elerk Chaun- eey Boughton. The first deacons Clark Noxon, N. G. Philo, Zebulon Mott, Chauncey Cowles. The successive ministers have been Elder A. H. Palmer, called April 30, 1836; D. A. Parmalee, May 20, 1837; G. J. Stockwell, June 6, 1846 ; G. C. Tripp, April, 1848; J. D. Greene, 1851; Elijah Lucas, 1853; B. F. Garfield, Sept. 17, 1855 ; M. Day, May, 1856; E. P. Weed, June 5, 1858; S. N. Barlow, Nov. 3, 1860; F. S. Parke, Nov. 3, 1866; R. R. Davies, April, 1868 ; G. S. C. Hanna, November, 1875.


The house of worship was built in 1834-35, and dedi- cated in 1835. It will seat about three hundred persons. A Sunday-school has existed from the organization of the church to the present time. The following are the present officers of the church : deacons, B. S. Cowles, Luther Gates, Wm. Fowler, John W. Filkins, and Stephen Morse ; trustees, Alexander Button, Sanford Cowles, Abram Siekler ; clerk, E. H. Philo ; treasurer, Luther Gates. The num- ber of communieants is one hundred and twenty. Super-


intendent of Sunday-school, E. II. Philo; assistants, Irving Button and Sanford Cowles. The attendance is one hun- dred to one hundred and twenty; volumes in library, four hundred.


The members from 1835 to 1840 were the following : Rev. E. D. Hubble, N. G. Philo, Chauncey Cowles, Clark Noxon, Silas Morse, Platt Mitchel, Peter Swartwout, Sam- uel Runfuss, John Swartwout, Elijah Brown, Peter House, Luther Benedict, Cornelius Teachout, John Smith, Joseph Harris, Daniel Forbes, Lewis Mills, Elisha F. Calkins, Zebulon Mott, Lewis Ilawley, John Nestle, Adams Philo, Daniel J. Van Olinda, John Smith, Luther Gates, Nicholas Emigh, Mathew Groff, Zacheas Woodin, Win. Shattuck, Porter Runsom, Alfred Noxon, Andrew Taylor, Isaac Calkins, Stephen Benedict, Stephen Morse, Stephen Smith, Wm. Toll, John Miller, Elbert Vanwort, Isaac West, George Welch, Wm. Gates, Richard Swartwout, Wm. R. Craver, J. Woodruff, Thomas Sayles, Philip Irish, Egbert Noxon, Depew Swartwout, Gilbert Smith, George Taylor, P. Holbrook, Lewis Mills, Chauncey Boughton, Andrew Shears, John Van Olinda, Abram Kipp, Peter Steenburgh, William Oakley, Abram Sickler, G. G. I. Lansing, John Mott, Westle Woodin, B. S. Cowles, Richard Vale, Albert H. Vandewerker, Joseph Beach, Silas Morse, Minor Morse, Lucius Ransom, Simeon Rupler, Peter Filkins, Philip Ilouse, Henry Clapper, Raleigh Grey, Peter Sanford, Jacob Lansing, Isaae Benediet, Elisha Welch, Benjamin Cowles, Isaac Lansing, Eli Benedict, Christopher Snyder, Charles Cooper, Henry Woodard, Samuel Irish, Reuben Irish, Charles Calkins, Elisha Smith, Thomas Platt, Cor- uelius Hawley, William Kidney, John Potts.




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.