USA > New York > Schoharie County > History of Schoharie County, New York : with illusustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 22
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Daniel Shays .-- Among the pioneers of this scction was the notable Daniel Shays, the lcader of " Shay's Rebellion " in 1786 and '87. He fled to this then isolated country and set- tled where the village of Preston Hollow now stands, having purchased a large tract of land, a considerable of which lay in the town of Broome. The General was a fine looking man and commanded the respect of all whom he met. His son Hiram studied law and removed to the western part of the State. The General died in Preston Hollow in 1821, where his remains lie beneath a plain head-stone, while his name is more endurably inscribed upon the pages of history as a staunch yet mistaken ad- vocate of liberty. He was a subaltern officer during the Revolution and made a mark as a brave and efficient soldier, which no doubt was the reason his brother veterans chose him to lead them in defiance of law or order to compel the general court of Massachusetts to redress the people's grievances which they claimed were brought on by heavy taxation through official in- competency to manage the Government.
The facts of the case we here will state, they being so closely connected with our former citizen it can but prove of interest to the reader. For a few years after peace was proclaimed the Government was simply a Revolutionary confed . eration. Each State was a sovereignty in fact, by itself, and collected its own revenue, Con- gress not having power to levy duties nor means to carry on the public service only as their an- nual requisitions for money to the several States were honored. It was without power to issue bills of credit, make treaties or regulate com- merce on a permanent basis with foreign powers, or make loans. In fact it was a Congress only in namne, as was the Government. The consequence was every thing was in confusion. Foreign commerce was annihilated and trade was embarrassed. Business of every descrip- tion became paralyzed, property depreciated and ruin stared the whole country in the face. Money was so scarce that when taxes were to be paid "any useful articles," says Goodrich, "were received in lieu of money."
The people had passed through the fiery fur- nace of war and stood without a knowledge of the administration of National affairs, expecting
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that prosperity would follow without a system or head. The people of Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts became openly discontented, especially in the latter State. They met in county conventions in 1786 and drew up addresses to the General Court of the State, made volumes of resolves in which they censured the Government officials and threatened open revolt. The veterans of the Revolution were still hot blooded and formed large armed companies and drew to- gether at Springfield in the winter of 1786,num- bering several thousands. They chose Daniel Shays as their leader and prepared to march to Boston and compel the court to redress the people's grievances, but concluded to encamp and petition to that body.
During the insurrectionary movements of the discontented, the Governor ordered a force un- der General Lincoln to march against them, and while collecting his men and marching to the rebels' encampment a force with Shays at their head made an attack upon the arsenal at Springfield, in January, 1787. Upon General Shepard, the State officer in charge, firing upon them with a cannon they retreated in confusion and the whole force withdrew to Pelham. When Lincoln came up with his force several engage- ments occurred between small parties, each of which sickened the insurgents and made the leaders' spirits droop. Lincoln marched to Pelham to engage with Shays, while Shays marched backwards earnestly begging, through messengers, to negotiate for a pardon. But Lincoln was not to be trifled with and de- manded a surrender. Shays retreated from one point to another until some time in February, when Lincoln suddenly pounced upon himn at Petersliam and put the whole force to rout. Shays made tracks for New York State as he was unable to make a stand against the State troops. The army of insurgents soon laid down their arms and peace once more dawned over the scene. General Shays received a par- don in 1788 and sought the quiet of this town to hide himself from the world. He possessed considerable of this world's goods and lived the life of a gentleman, undoubtedly well pleased with the leniency shown him by the austere government of old Massachusetts.
Following Shays came one of America's no- blest patriots, David Williams.
David Williams was one of the captors of Major Andre, and one whose name will resound to all futurity as a true and unswerving patriot. David Williams, Isaac Van Wart, John Pauld- ing ! At the mention of their names, what as- surances of fidelity to country, principle, and manly work, lift the student above the corrupt bickerings that fill the pages of our National histories, and arouse a pride in the integrity of the uncouth yeomen that battled against royalty and bequeathed to us our liberties.
Coming to us from such sources and through such constancy and devotion, their value is en -· hanced and honor unstained. Of him who honored our County by choosing Broomne's ro- mantic hill-sides as his home, we extract from the Albany Daily Advertiser the biography, dictated by himself but a few months previous to his death, in which the circumstances of Andre's capture are related.
" I was born in Tarrytown, then called Philips Manor, Westchester county, N. Y., October 21, 1754. I entered the army in 1775, at the age of 21, and was under General Montgomery at the siege of Fort St. John, and afterwards on board the flat-bottomed boats to carry provision. Served out my time which was six months, and enlisted again in the spring of 1776, and con- tinued in the service by different enlistments, as a New York militiaman until 1779, etc.
In 1778, when in Captain Acker's company of New York militia, at Tarrytown, I asked his permission to take a walk in company with William VanWart, a boy sixteen or seven- teen years old and proceeded with him, to the cross-roads on Tompkins' ridge. We stood looking a few moments and saw five men com- ing, who had firearms ; we jumped over a stone fence and concealed ourselves in a corner of it, and observed that they were armed with two mus- kets and three pistols. They came so near that we recognized two of them, viz : Wm. Underhill and Wm. Mosher, who were Tories, and known to be of DeLancey's corps. When they came within proper distance, I said to my companion, 'Billy, neck or no joint !' I then said aloud, as if speaking to a number, with a view of intimidat-
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ing them, ' Men make ready?' They stopped immediately. I then told them to ground their arms, which they did. I then said, 'March away,' and they did so. I then jumped over the fence, secured their arms, and made them march before us to our quarters. I con- tinued in the service until a week or ten days before the year 1780. In December, 1779, Captain Daniel Williams, who was commander of our company, mounted us on horses, and he went to Morrisania, Westchester county. We swept all Morrisania clear, took probably $5,000 worth of property, and returned to Tarrytown and quartered at Young's house. My feet being frozen, my uncle Martinus Van Wart, took me to his house. I told Captain Williams that the enemy would soon be at Young's, and that if he remained there he would be on his way to Mor- risania before morning, but he paid no atten- tion to my remarks-he did not believe me. In the course of the night a woman came to my uncle's crying, 'Uncle Martinus ! Uncle Mar- tinus! The truth was, the British had sur- rounded Young's house, made prisoners of all the company except two, and burnt the barn.
Having got well of my frozen feet, on the 3d of June, 1780, we were all driven from Tarry- town to the upper part of Westchester county, in the town of Salem. We belonged to no or- ganized company at all, were under no com- mand, and worked for our board or johnny-cake. Isaac Van Wart, who was a cousin of mine [the father of Williams and mother of Van Wart were brother and sister,] Nicholas Storms and my- self went to Tarrytown on a visit. We carried our muskets with us, and on our way took a Quaker, who said he was going to New York after salt and other things, The Quaker was taken before the American authority and ac- quitted. In July or August a number of per- sons, of whom I was one, went on a visit to our friends in Tarrytown, and while on the way took ten head of cattle, which some refugees were driving to New York, and, on examina- tion before the authority, the cattle were restored to their right owners, as they pleaded innocence, saying they were stolen from them. I then returned to Salem, and worked with a Mr. Bene- dict for my board, until the 22d of September. It was about one o'clock P M., as I was standing
1
in the door with Mr. Benedict's daughter (who was afterward my wife,) when I saw six men coming. She remarked, 'They have got guns.' I jumped over a board fence and met them. ' Boys,' said I, 'where are you going ?' They answered 'we are going to Tarrytown.' I then said 'if you will wait until I get my gun I will go with you.' The names of the six persons were, Isaac VanWart, John Paulding, William Williams, John Yerks and James Romer, tlie name of the sixth I have forgotten. We pro- ceeded about fifteen miles that night, and slept in a hay barrack. In the morning we crossed Buttermilk hill, when John Paulding proposed to go to Isaac Reed's and get a pack of cards to divert ourselves with. After procuring them we went out to Davis' hill, where we separated, leaving four on the hill and three, viz: Van- Wart, Paulding and myself, proceeded on the Tarrytown road about one mile and concealed ourselves in the bushes on the west side of the road, and commenced playing cards three handed, that is, each one for himself. We had not been playing more than an hour, when we heard a horse galloping across a bridge but a few yards from us. Which of us spoke I do not remember, but one of us said, 'there comes a trader going to New York.' We stepped out from our concealment and stopped him. ‘My lads,' said he, ' I hope you belong to our party.' We asked him 'what party ?' he replied, 'the lower party.' We told him we did. He then said, ' I am a British officer, have been up the coun- try on particular business, and would not wish to be detained a minute,' and as a token to con- vince us he was a gentleman, he pulled out and showed us his gold watch ; we then told him we were Americans. 'God bless my soul,' said he, 'a man must do any thing these times to get along,' and then showed us Arnold's pass. We told him it would not satisfy us without search- ing him. 'My lads,' said he, ‘you will bring yourselves into trouble.' We answered, 'we did not fear it,' and conducted him about seventy rods into the woods. My comrades appointed me to search him ; commencing with his hat, I searched his person effectually, but found nothing until I pulled off his boot, when we dis- covered that something was concealed in his stocking. Paulding caught hold of his foot and
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exclaimed, ' by G-d, here it is !' I pulled off his stocking, and inside of it, next to the sole of his foot, found three half sheets of paper inclosed in another half sheet which was indorsed ' West Point'; and on pulling off the other boot and stocking, I found three like papers, inclosed and indorsed as the others. On reading them, one of my companions said, ' by G-d, he is a spy "' We then asked him where he got those papers? he told us, of a man at Pine's bridge,' but he said he 'did not know his name.' He offered us his gold watch, his horse, saddle, bridle and 100 guineas, if we would let him go; we told him 'no, unless he would inform us where he got the papers.' He answered us as before, but increased his offer to 1,000 guineas, his horse, etc .; we told him again we would not let him go; he then said, ‘gentlemen, I will give you 10,000 guineas' [nearly $50,000] 'and as many dry goods as you will ask ; conceal me in any place of safety while you can send to New York with an order to Sir Henry Clinton from me, and the goods and money will be procured so that you can get them unmolested.' [Paulding then told him, as he stated on the trial of Joshua H. Smith, a few days after the arrest]: 'No, by G-d, if you would give us 10,000 guineas you should not stir a step; we are Americans, and above corruption, and go with us you must.' We then took him, about twelve miles, to Col. Jamieson's quarters at North Castle."
The account of the capture is an old story in history but should be ever new to Americans and all lovers of manly principle. Mr. Williams and his honored comrades were chided by the emissaries of royalty as "roving renegades," and their motives* were questioned, while those of them captives were applauded by pen and tongue. We of to-day may look upon the com- rades as sturdy yeoman, clad in homely attire, burned by the exposure of sun and storms and with minds and forms untutored by scholastic advantages or courtly graces, while with Andre, his mind, body and aspirations were the off- spring of royal culture from the lap of luxury and pretended virtue. The three were on duty without pay to intercept "unlawful intercourse with the enemy," and boldly wandered liere and
there without disguise or wantonness. Andre was on a mission degrading in the estimation of Christian soldiery, sneaking in disguise to the citadel of an honorable adversary and subtly winning a weak and unsteady heart, fired by a jealous and maddened brain, to betray all prin- ciples of honor and every characteristic of pa- triotism, for gold. And when the royal siren, through the admired affability of his address had accomplished his object, with assumed name and garments he bent his course to de- liver up to his commander that which he had so dishonorably obtained, and bask once more in luxury and the petted tamperings of the giddy society of New York. But "halt 1" is the com- mand, and when the three stepped forth and their deniands and nationality were made known, then again the subtlety of the man so much ad- mired and honored was brought in requisition. But he had not met an Arnold this time, or men whose appearance or principles were as- sumed. " We are Americans!" was their in- troduction, "what are you?" Andre had already told, but not possessing that steadfast patriotism that filled the hearts of Williams, Van Wart and Paulding, he disowned his country and claimed allegiance to that, which the papers he hid in his boots, were to enslave.
Again money, goods and undoubtedly British glory were offered for the corruption of their hearts, but again we say he had not met an Ar- nold! The pall fell over the hopes of Clinton, treason of Arnold and the strategy and corpse of Andre, while veneration and the blessings of a grateful people and an immortal renown fell upon the three brave and steadfast patriotic yeomen ! Williams died on the 2nd of August, 1831, at the age of seventy-seven, and was buried at Livingstonville with military honors, where his ashes lay until the 4th of March, 1876, when they were removed to Rensselaerville, and on the 19th of July following they were again dis- turbed and now lie beneath an appropriate monument near the stone fort at Schoharie, particularly described in another portion of this work. Mr. Williams left an only son, David W. Williams, who retained the farm and who, with the father has passed away leaving two sons, William C. and Daniel, to perpetuate the family name. The homestead is upon the mountain
*see Appendix.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
north of Livingstonville and should give to the elevation the name of Mount Williams.
LIVINGSTONVILLE.
This small yet picturesque village is upon the Catskill creek and surrounded by giant hills, whose rough appearance denotes unproductive- ness. Yet, while the labor is greater in culti- vating, we find their productiveness copes very favorably with more level sections. The origi- nal settlers were chiefly Yankees, whose fascina- tion can only be satisfied by lofty hills, bubbling springs and rushing streams, with herds of cattle and sheep surrounding him and growing in value while he without fear of the return of another day enjoys the noon day nap and the thoughts of others from his welcome newspaper or favorite book.
This village contained but one house in 1812 and was not a center of business until about the year 1820. Previous to that date the " Fris- bee tavern " farther down the valley was the center where the people of the neighborhood met to hear and tell the news, obtain their mail and cogitate upon the unjust oppressions of their landlords, the Livingstons. That family, own- ing a large tract of land within the town and Albany county adjoining, stationed a relative, Asa Starkweather, here in 1810 to look after their interests in the sale and leasing of land and collection of rents.
Asa Starkweather was a native of New Lon- don, Conn., and a mechanic. He began busi- ness in New York City but was unsuccessful and settled here at the age of thirty-seven. In 1820 he was appointed one of the dele- gates to the State Constitutional Conven- tion, in which he took an active part in de- bate, especially upon the appointing powers. In his speech the 5th of October, 1820, he said :-
"The principle cause of complaint by the great body of yeomanry against the present council of appointment has not specifically been mentioned by any gentleman of the committee. It is not because the person appointed happened to be of different political principles ; nor be- cause members of the legislature interfere with the council and mingle their official duties with
political considerations; but because bad men are sometimes appointed, who are in fact a ter- ror to those who do well.
"The charity and good feeling of the farmers induce them to believe that the respectable council did not know their private characters : consequently, the electors say, 'bring the ap- pointments to the people.' Sir, by this they do not mean to bring the appointments directly to the ballot boxes; they do not wish additional confusion and turmoil there. But they want a Selection made, where the characters of the can- didates are known ; and if the selection is made by the Board of Supervisors, and Judges of the county court, they must know the character of every man they recommend, and they dare not recommend a bad man, the ghost of public clamour would haunt them in their dreams ; and by this mode of selection the people would be safe ; it is the best plan that has been suggested and I shall vote for it. But let us for one mo- ment consider the plan of election. It is a fact that immoral men can bring more votes to the polls than any moral, good man; and if they are not directly the candidates, they will have their friend for a candidate, and by using their influence and rallying their satellites, will lay him under obligations to favor them in his offi- cial capacity ; consequently a remedy for the evil would not be found here. The Gentleman from New York is opposed to the amendment, because it gives to the executive the appointing power, who is not responsible for the appoint- ments.
"Sir, I am willing to give this power to the executive, because we ask no responsibility from him. He cannot do wrong unless he travels out of the two lists of candidates, and this he cannot do by the amendment proposed. Sir, it has been urged that no possible good could arise from having the Governor appoint and commission the Justices of the peace. In answer to this, as the executive is commander- in-chief of the militia, and whose official duty is to see that the laws are faithfully executed, it is highly proper that every commissioned officer should receive his authority from the chief mag- istrate, and to whom he should be accountable for the faithful performance of his duty."
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Mr. Starkweather was not placed upon any committee and his views upon the various sub- jects brought before the convention, did not receive the approval of the majority. He ap- peared to be strongly in favor of centralization, and giving the right of suffrage only to property owners, and men of lucrative positions. He died on the 10th of August, 1846, at the age of sixty-three years and eight months, and was buried in the old cemetery. His wife was Mary Robinson, who died in April, 1862, in the sev- enty-ninth year of her age. Beside them lie Mrs. Starkweather's father and mother, James and Sarah Robinson, who passed several years with their daughter, in her secluded home.
Adam Mattice .- In our rambles to the new cemetery, upon the hill-side, south of the vil- lage, we were led to the grave of one of Broome's representative men, Adam Mattice.
Mr. Mattice was a careful business man and held various local offices in the town and gave universal satisfaction to his people who elected him to the office of supervisor in 1832 and '34, when he made himself prominent as an official, which gained for him the nomination and elec- tion of sheriff in 1834. During his term of office, considerable discontent was made mani- fest by the Livingston tenants in this portion of the County, but Mr. Mattice faithfully performed his duties without incurring the displeasure of his Anti-Rent neighbors. In 1848 he was elected to the State Legislature from the Eastern dis- trict with James Parsons, of Leesville, and in 1861 was once more sent to the board of super- visors.
Becoming an old man he retired from busi- ness and official cares, and died at his home on the 10th of January, 1868, at the age of seventy- five. His wife, Nancy Winans lived till De- cember, 18, 1874, when she followed her hus- band at the ripe old age of eighty-two.
The Presbyterian Church of Livingstonville is the oldest religious organization in town, and upon its organization in 1817 as a Congre- gational church, was the only one of that denom- ination in the County. Their meetings were held in private residences and the school house
until the year 1831, when the present edifice was erected.
The year previous it was changed to a Pres- byterian organization. The first members were seven in number, as follows :-
George Stimson and wife, Asa Bushnell and wife, Rhoda Clark, Sally Stimson, Asa Starkweather.
The first elders were :-
Asa Starkweather, Joshua Bushnell, Timothy Kelsey, Asa Bushnell.
The present ones are :-
Robert Bortwick, Arthur Bortwick, E. W. Dutton.
Mr. Dutton to whom we are indebted for in- formation in regard to this church, and present clerk, states that S. R. Gray was the first pas- tor, and B. D. Wyckoff the present, but is un- able to give a list of those in the intervening time.
Julius Dutton .- Among the early settlers of this section was Julius Dutton who died July 27, 1870; at the age of seventy-nine. Of him the Schoharie Republican of that date says : " Mr Dutton was eleven years of age when he settled in Broome, from Litchfield county, Connecticut. During a long and eventful life he filled many responsible positions, always discharging the trusts reposed in him with sig- nal ability and fidelity. He was during a period of thirty-nine years a member of the Presby- terian church and thirty-eight years a deacon of the same. He was twice married and was the father of thirteen sons, eleven of whom, with his widow survive him.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of this place was organized about the year 1824, by the Rev. John Bangs, long a circuit preacher and pre- siding elder in the New York conference. The records not being accessible, we are indebted to
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
the memory of Mr. R. Ellis, long a member of the society and the present class-leader. James Ellis, the father of our informant was one of the leading ones in the organization.
The first trustees were :- Elisha Humphrey, Lyman Burchard Henry Rifenburgh.
The first church building was erected down the valley about one half a mile, in a pine grove, and removed to the present site in 1845. The membership is forty and supports in con- nection a progressive Sabbath school.
DRAFT OF 1813.
The first quota drawn in 1812 for the defence of the Northern borders against British invasion, had become depleted by an epidemic that raged fearfully in the camps, and the enemy making extensive preparations for the campaign of 1813, the government was forced to call for more men, and ordered a draft from the ranks of the militia, requiring every fourth man. To Mr. Ellis we are indebted for the list drawn from this town. The militia company met at the "Frisbee house," and the following were drawn :---
Joseph A. Rawley, Carly Robinson, Amos Serles, Daniel Serles, Heman Roe, Walter Winans, Jeremiah Reed, Bates Reed, Peter Bunker, William See, Blaisdel Dickinson.
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