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 23
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Peter Bunker was a deputy sheriff in 1819, and while in office died at Schoharie.
SMITHTOWN.
Aaron and Giles H. Hubbard settled at this place in the beginning of the century, and were two well educated and enterprising men. The latter was a graduate of Union College and fitted himself for the law, but was called upon to succeed Abraham Keyser as Sheriff of the
County. He received the appointment on the 9th of February, 1819, and served until Febru- ary 12, 1821.
Aaron was elected to the Legislature in 1816 and '17, with Isaac Barber and Peter A. Hilton, and again in 1819 with Jedediah Miller and Peter Swart, Jr. Both of these gentlemen held local offices, but at what time we are unable to say as the early records of the town are not ac- cessible. Aaron exchanged his farm with Comfort Smith for four hundred acres of land in "New Connecticut " or Ohio, upon which . he removed, where the city of Cleveland now stands. . The exchange made the family im- mensely wealthy, as they continue to hold the title to a goodly share of the original farm which was divided into city lots.
Smithtown was the naine given to the hamlet after Mr. Smith became a resident.
The Christian Church of this place was or- ganized, and a house of worship built in 1859, under the patronage of Rev. Mr. Roberts. The society are energetic and sincere in their liberal views of belief, and call to their pulpit able men.
FRANKLINTON, OR " THE VLY."
The Rev. Charles S. Duncan, an energetic and thorough Methodist preacher, organized the Methodist Episcopal Church at this place in 1828. At one time during Rev. Mr. Duncan's pastorate, the congregation assembled to listen to his sermon, when he became suddenly in- disposed and sent his two sons (at present living, Joel and William,) then mere lads, to give the people notice that there would not be any preaching. The boys considered them- selves capable of leading in the services and entered the house with the dignity of riper years, and requested the people to be seated. William led in a long prayer, and was followed by Joel with an exhortation, after which a hymn was sung and the congregation dismissed.
The society built the present edifice in 1845, and it proved a nucleus around which the vil- lage has grown and become a center for thie farming community to find mechanics and tradesmen for repairs and domestic supplies.
141
TOWN OF BROOME.
The "Vly" was drained by the farmers owning portions of it nearly thirty years ago, which gave to them valuable land in too great contrast to the hill-sides that surround it. Here might be obtained the best water power in the County by building aqueducts at each outlet to hold the water, so abundantly supplied by springs. The enterprise and capital of the Eastern States would here create a business that would soon overbalance the whole town in value of produc- tion by establishing factories of different char- acters.
SUPERVISORS.
The records of this town have not been kept with that care they should have received, and from time to time have been borrowed by piece- meal and not returned. Being one of the first towns formed, the early records could but be interesting and valuable. We copy the super- visors elected, from the earliest dates that could be found :-
1830-S. Bortle.
1831-Barent Stryker.
1832-S. Bortle. 1833-Adam Mattice. 1834- do
1835-Joseph Scofield. 1836-W. J. Mackey. 1837-Joseph Scofield. 1838- do
1839-Daniel Jackson. 1840-Henry Tibbetts. 1841-William W. Stewart.
1842 -- Hiram Mace. 1843-A. Stanton. 1844-Nelson Fanning.
1845-Martin. B. Thomas.
1846-Philip Couchman. 1847-Anson Clark. 1848-Wilkeson Wilsey.
1849-George Cheritree. 1850-Wilkeson Wilsey. 1851-George Cheritree. 1852-E. Benjamin. 1853-Lyman Hulburt. 1854-Ogden Benjamin. 1855-James F. Connor. 1856-Robert C. Leonard.
1857-Ogden Benjamin.
1858-Robert C. Leonard.
1859-E. Benjamin.
1860-F. A. Wightman.
1861-Adam Mattice.
1862-F. A. Wightman.
1863-James F. Connor.
1864-Andrew Graham.
1865-Hiram Sornberger.
1866-George W. Ellis.
1867- do
1868-R. Benjamin.
1869- do
1870-Nelson Rust.
1871- do
1872-Wilkeson Wilsey.
1873- do
1874-Ira Benjamin.
1875-Nelson Rust.
1876 -- George A. Dutton.
1877-John H. Mattice.
1878-Wesley Rifenburgh.
1879- do
1880-Erastus Almy.
1881-Myron Losee.
1882- do
MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
1816-Aaron Hubbard.
1817- do
1819- do
1828-Henry Devereaux.
1845-Adam Mattice.
1852-Seymour Sornberger.
1855-Wilkeson Wilsey.
1860-John W. Couchman.
SHERIFFS.
Giles H. Hubbard, appointed February 9, 1819.
Adam Mattice, elected November, 1834.
COUNTY SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.
Nelson Rust, elected 1837.
BOUNDARIES.
By the act of 1813 the town of Broome was, after the towns of Blenheim, Middleburgh, Schoharie, Cobleskill, Carlisle and Sharon, thus defined :-
142
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
" And all that part of the said County of Schoharie bounded on the north by Middle- burgh, on the east and south by the bounds of the County, and on the west by Blenheim, shall be and continue a town by the name of Broome."
CHAPTER X.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
WHEN SETTLED-BY WHOM-INTEREST IN EDU- CATION-FIRST TOWN MEETING-EFFORT TO CHANGE THE NAME OF TOWN-HEMAN HIC- KOK - JEFFERSON ACADEMY - DONATORS- STEPHEN JUDD'S DONATION OF FARM - TEACHERS IN ACADEMY-PRESENT SCHOOL- TANNERIES-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-MER- CHANTS - PHYSICIANS - JUDD FAMILY -- SO- CIETIES-MASONIC -- GRAND ARMY REPUBLIC --- METHODIST CHURCH-WEST KILL METHOD- IST CHURCH - GALT'S HISTORY OF THE METHODIST SOCIETY OF THE TOWN-REVO- LUTIONARY INCIDENTS-SMITH STREET -- TORY CLAWSON-TAKEN PRISONER-SMITH FAMILY -BATTLE AT LAKE-OFFICIAL-SUPERVISORS -GENERAL APPEARANCE OF TOWN-THE LAKE-TRYON COUNTY LINE-REBELLION- AMOUNT OF TOWN BONDS ISSUED-BOUN- DARIES.
HE town of Jefferson was first settled by New England people in 1793 and 1794, whose energy made her lofty hills and winding valleys prototypes of the old Berkshires of Mas- sachusetts and the Lebanon hills of Connecticut. When Stephen Marvin, Erastus Judd, James Mckenzie, Henry Shelmandine, Marvin and Stephen Judd, Ezra Beard, James Hubbard, and others of equal vim settled here, a spirit of progression unlike that attending the settlers of other towns, excepting the eastern part of Wright, made itself manifest in two features,
that are to-day, and ever will be, the attractive ones of the town. The first is the lively interest in education, and the second the application of those advantages derived, to the systematic pro- gression of agriculture as shown in the general appearance of the town and total production.
But a few years elapsed before others from New England and the Hudson river counties followed the Yankee pioneers and with them took measures in establishing a separate town, wherein their puritanic ideas of government might be adopted without an amalgamation of sentiment as when under the jurisdiction of Blenheim, which was controlled by the "Scho- harie Dutch," (so called).
A petition was forwarded to the Legislature in January, 1803, for the formation of a new town and upon the 12th of the following month an act was passed to that effect and giving to the territory thus set off, the name of Jefferson.
The First Town Meeting was held at the house of Stephen Judd, then an inn, on the 1st day of March and the following officers elected by ballot :-
Supervisor-Ezra Beard.
Clerk-William P. Hilton.
Assessors-James Hubbard, Stephen Judd, Marcus Andrews.
Collector-John P. North.
Overseers of Poor-Stephen Judd, Andrew Beard.
Commissioners of Highways-Joseph P. Nor- thrup, John H. Pratt, Stephen Judd.
Constables-John Fletcher, Joseph P. Nor- thrup, Jacob Jones, Morris Kiff.
Fence Viewers-Lewis M. Loud, Heman Hickok, Stephen Judd, Elam Gibbs, Conrad Snook.
Pound Masters-William P. Hilton, William Carpenter.
Path Masters-Joseph P. Northrup No. 1, Stephen Judd, Isaac Hickok, James Hubbard, Joseph McKinsea, Stephen West, Asa Morse, Zadock Barrett, Benjamin Bruce, John Beach, Heman Hickok, Morris Kiff, Martemus B. Van- Buren, James Clark, Charles Near, William P. Hilton.
143
TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
Several years after, an effort was made by the citizens of a village bearing the name of Jef- ferson, in the western part of the State, we think, now Watkins, Chemung county, to change the name of this village and postoffice, as mail matter was forwarded to the one office, that was intended for the other, and caused no little trouble. Petitions were sent to the Legisla- ture and Post Office Department from the west- ern village, and counter ones were sent from this place, among which, was one drawn with a map attached, representing the village to be a respectable sized city, with a large park, and various public buildings, proving the western name-sake to be but a little hamlet by the side of it. A long list of petitioners, including male children, accompanied the whole. The case was decided at the Department in Washington, in favor of this place.
Among the early settlers was Heman Hickok, whom it will be seen was a prominent man upon the first ticket elected. He was the first school teacher and a very fine scholar, and took a deep interest in educational affairs. Through his influence the people were aroused at an early date to establish a first class school, which cul- minated in the Jefferson Academy.
The Jefferson Academy :- The following sub- scription was drawn by Hickok, and presented to the leading families of the County to raise an amount of money, sufficient to build and establish a school, the year preceding the building, which was commenced in 1812.
"We, whose names are hereunto subscribed for the encouragement of literature, the pros- perity of the rising generation, and the good of mankind, do enter into an agreement for the purpose of building an academy, which is to stand near, or on the ground known as the Mili- tary Square, in the town of Jefferson, and we do hereby form ourselves into a company, and our subscription is to be signed in shares of twenty-five dollars each, and each share entitled to a vote, and we do bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, to pay to a board of directors, or their agent, the several sums annexed to our names, according to the order or direction of the said board of directors, which directors shall be chosen by the stockholders
when there are thirty shares subscribed, and there shall not be less than five or more than nine directors, and to hold their offices during the pleasure of the majority of the company ; and the directors shall elect out of their num- ber a President ; and the president shall have full power to call a meeting of the company, by giving public notice ten days preceding the day of meeting, by an advertisement to be put on the door of the building, and it shall be the duty of the President to call a meeting of the com- pany by a written request of ten of the stock- holders.
February 25, 1812.
Rev. William Salsbury, I share $ 25.00
Stephen Judd,
I2 do
300.00
Erastus Judd,
4
do
100.00
Asa Atwood,
I do 25.00
Philip A. Koon,
-
do 25.00
Joseph L. Barnet,
I
do
25.00
Peter Decker,
I
do
25.00
Ezra Beard,
6
do
150.00
Jacob Jones,
2
do
50.00
Marvin Judd,
I
do
25.00
Edward E. Davis,
I
do
25.00
Grove Eggleston,
I
do
25.00
Wm. Hanfield,
I
do
25.00
John Daley,
I
do
25.00
Joseph P. Northrup,
2
do
50.00
Augustus Judd,
I
do
25.00
Aaron Atchinson,
I
do
25.00
Samuel Baker,
I
do
25.00
Eph Potter,
I
do
25.00
Eph Warner,
I
do
25.00
Benjamin Mony,
I
do
25.00
Charles Mason,
I
do
25.00
Demas Judd,
I
do
25.00
Freegift Patchin,
I
do
25.00
David Wiltne,
I
do
25.00
Isaac Martin,
I
do
25.00
Isaac M. Martin,
I
do
25.00
Abner Bissell,
I
do
25.00
Jas. and Wm. Stewart,
I do
25.00
Stephen W. Judd,
I
do
25.00
The building frame was erected in the latter part of 1812, and not having a sum sufficient to finish the structure, a subscription was taken to Schoharie and received the following signa-
144
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
tures and the sums set opposite their names were subscribed and paid.
Harmonus Bouck,
15.75 pd. $ 20.00
Wm. C. Bouck,
X 15.00
Peter Swart, Esq.,
10.00 pd 12.00
Isaac Marelen, Esq., X 5.00
Joseph Borst, Jun., X 8.00
John Gebhard, Esq., X 5.00
Henry Burke & Co., Esq.,
X 10.00
Henry Hager, Esq., X 12.00
Peter H. Hilton, Esq., X 5.00
Heman Hickok, Esq.,
X 12.00
Peter Vrooman, Esq.,
$2.00 pd. 4.00
Michael Borst, Esq., X 5.00
Henry Mandle,
5.00
Jacob Feek,
2.00
Benjamin Miles, X 10.00
Abram Keyser, Jun.,
X 2.00
Peter Swart, Esq., X 5.00
Jabez W. Throop, X 5.00
William Dietz, Esq., pd 2.00
George Sherwood,
X
2.00
Joseph Bouck, 3.00
John Hager, 500 feet pine boards, 5.00
Daniel Hager,
X
2.00
Peter N. Javill, X
1.00
Peter P. Snyder, X
2.00
Jacob Gebhard, X 5.00
John Ingold, X
10.00
Benjamin Waldren, X 2.00
Samuel Southworth, X 1.00
John Woolcott, X 2.00
Henry Shafer, X 1.00
Jonah Hager,
X 1.00
John Bouck, X 1.00
General Adam Vrooman, 3.00
Thomas Lawyer, Esq.,
X 10.00
Stephen Lawrence, X 3.00
Barthomen Swart,
32 c pd
2.00
Isaac Best, Esq.,
1.00
P. J. House, Esq.,
X 10.00
Asa Starkweather, X 2.00
Nicholas Feeck, X .50
George Danforth, Esq., X 1.00
M. Olover, Esq., X 1.00
Mr. Dow, X
1.00
By degrees the building was erected, and first occupied by a school in 1817, although in the interim the Rev. Wm. Salsbury taught a select
school at his residence. He was also the first Principal of the Academy.
In 1817 Stephen Judd gave a deed of one hun- dred and eight rods of land, (the present vil- lage green) to his brother, William Judd, for the use of the Academy, which, as the writing says, "was intended for the instruction and education of youth in the arts and sciences."
The year previous Stephen Judd also made a will in which he gave to his wife the aforesaid mentioned one hundred and eight rods of land, with others, for her natural life, and after her death to become the property of the directors of the Academy for its support. Upon the 8th of June, 1821, the testator died and the wife became owner of the land and remained so until October, 1835, when she conveyed such land to the "trustees or directors and their successors in office." In November, 1824, Stephen W. Judd, nephew of the testator, petitioned to the Legislature for an act of cor- poration, "to the end and for the purpose, among other things, that it may take, hold, occupy and possess, the lands aforesaid according to the true intent and meaning of the last will and testament of the testator." The act was passed November 20, 1824, and said that “ Marvin Judd, Ezra Beard, Jesse Brockway, Abner Bis- sell, Aaron Tyler, Jacob Jones, John Daley, Russel G. Beard, and also such other persons as now are, or shall hereafter become members of the society, shall be and are hereby ordained, constituted and declared to be a body corporate and politic, in fact and in name, by the name of the Jefferson Academy."
The building when fully completed, which was about 1822, was forty-five feet square and three stories in height. It cost about four thousand dollars, and stood in front of the present Union school-house. Although the in- stitution was begun under very favorable cir- cumstances, yet it did not seem to prosper. At least, long intermissions would intervene with- out school, and the building did not receive needed repairs. While the school was in pro- gress it was one of the best, and for those early days well sustained in numbers of scholars. The following list of teachers whom many will remember with the most pleasing associations,
145
TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
conducted the school from time to time, but in what years we are unable to tell :-
Rev. William Salsbury, a highly educated gentleman.
Ethan Pratt.
Hamilton Van Dyke, 1826.
Thomas McArthur. R. R. Wells, and Miss - Norton, assistant. Horatio Waldo and wife. William Frazier and Miss -Norton assistant. John Wolcott. Bennett Boughton. Adam Craig. A. Reily.
Samuel Kinney.
Mr. Whittlesey. Nathaniel Pine and daughter. Rev. Charles Chapman. Hale Joseph, or Joseph Hale. Cornelius Ward.
Charles Smith.
Alfred Higby, and Miss Hotchkiss, assistant. Miss - Smith.
Mr. Harper. C. Ward. Miss Christopher. Mary Rodgers, the last teacher, whose school closed in May, 1851.
In the will of Stephen Judd it was mentioned that the property should revert to the heirs of his brother, Freeman Judd, when the Academy was not used for school purposes. Joshua H. Judd, a grandson of Freeman, and son of Stephen W. Judd, commenced proceedings against the Jefferson Academy in November, 1851, for the recovery of the property devised for the benefit of the school, on the grounds that the trust imposed upon the trustees had been broken. A heavy suit was the conse- quence, in which the heir was the victor. An appeal from the decision was made before Hon. A. J. Parker, at the May Circuit Court of 1852, but the decision was affirmed and the old Jeffer- son Academy became a thing only in name.
In its stead we find one of the most pleasant school buildings in the County, and within, a "Union School," formed in the spring of 1878, that is of the same degree, consisting of two departments under the supervision of first-class
teachers. In front is the one hundred and eight rods of land that Stephen Judd early set off for training grounds and lastly for the Academy site. It is still the property of the Judd heirs, but as long as the villagers use the grounds as a park and they are not put to private use, a promise is given that it will remain as it is. It is the "Yankee feature " of the place, as in most of the villages of the New England States a pleasant green, filled with trees, many prodigious in size, with "branches broad, and shade mnost cooling" is to be seen, which to the passing stranger denotes liberality.
Among the settlers that came to this town during the years from 1800 to 1812, (and there were many,) was Mrs. Sarah Minor, whose courage under adverse circumstances, led her to perform a task that is worthy of being noticed. Her husband was a truant one, and deserted his family, which numbered many children, leaving no means of support but one cow. They lived in Duchess county, and finding it useless to undertake to support her family in that old settled section and open a way for their future prosperity, she conceived the idea of taking "her all" and locating in some of the border settlements where land could be bought cheap, and paid for in small installments. She packed her small supply of clothing and started, leading the cow with a rope, and, as the song says, "children came tumbling after." She concluded to settle in the north part of the town, in a log-house that stood upon the place, and being something of a genius as well as perfect with the needle, she gave notice that "Tailoring done to order," would be her avocation. She " cut and fitted " as well as made all the gar- ments for the pioneers of the town for many years, and obtained a sumptuous living. The oldest children were girls, who embraced every opportunity of studying, and made themselves competent to teach school, which at once lightened the mother's labors in supporting the younger children. Each one of the children was early taught economy, and as they ad- vanced in growth and strength, they were care- fully put to work, and each grew to man and womanhood and became worthy of their mother's labor and care.
1
I46
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Tanneries .- About the year 1816 a tannery was constructed (but by whom we are unable to say) in the hollow, south of the main street, which, we are told by Mr. B. H. Avery, was purchased by Zodack Pratt, in 1820. The father of our informant, John Avery, then a work- man in the proprietor's shop at Prattsville, was sent there to manage the works, which he pur- chased in a few years and continued the business until the year 1845.
Another establishment of the kind was in operation, during the same years, farther down the stream and conducted by Eli Jones, who was succeeded by his brother Chauncy, until about 1846, when that enterprise also faded from existence.
First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson .- It must not be thought that the strict Yankees of this town failed in establishing, upon their ad- vent here, churches, stores and other marks of civilization and conveniences, that have ever been indispensable to a true Yankee life.
Preaching was performed by ministers sent by the Presbytery for several years, and after the usual preliminaries in the formation of a society, the people congregated and caused the following to be entered upon their records.
" At a meeting regularly warned in the town of Jefferson, for the purpose of ascertaining people's minds and views as to the formation of a church among them, and the meeting being opened by a solemn address to the Throne of Grace, the following persons whose names are underwritten, presented themselves for exami- nation, viz :-
Thomas Merchant,
Reuben Foot, Nathaniel Merrill, Joseph P. Northrup, William Judd, John Turner, Mary Merrill, Sarah Judd, Rachel Atwood, Sabra Agard, Bethiah Baker, Mary Wilson, Hannah Baker,
Nancy Baker, Phebe Hurlburt, Siene Foot, Sally Atwood, Sylvia Foot, Judith Turner.
The above were organized and pronounced a regular church of Christ, by Rev. Stephen Fenn and Rev. William Bull, on the 25th of June, 1809.
The following have officiated as regular pas- tors, and present a list of accomplished scholars that have from time to time attracted the atten- tion of the public by their masterly sermons.
Willianı Salsbury, settled as the resident pas- tor in 1810, and closed his services March 7, 1830.
He was followed by Rev. Stephen Fenn, in the latter year, who died suddenly on the 26th of September, 1833, leaving the society without a pastor, until 1835.
William Frasier, A. M., then was called and continued five years. It was during his term that the church edifice was burned which was built about the year 1811. The building stood upon the green in front of the present site. Through Rev. Frasier's business tact the present sub- stantial structure was built in the years 1836 and 1837. During the interim, services were held in the Academy.
Nearly one year elapsed after the close of Frasier's pastoral duties, before another was set- tled, for the reason that the society were waiting for Rev. Salsbury, who had endeared himself to the people, to again become their leader. He officiated from 1841 to 1849.
He was succeeded by Wm. J. McCord, in 1851, who remained four years.
Rev. Phineas Robinson came in 1857 and closed in 1859, which left the church without a settled minister until 1862.
A. S. Beard then was called and remained two years. During the space of time from the going and coming of the pastors, the pulpit was sup- plied nearly every Sabbath by students and re- tired ministers, under orders of the Presbytery.
Four years passed after Rev. Beard left, before a resident preacher was settled, in whoni was
147
TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
found Rev. A. Montgomery, who remained to the year 1872.
He was immediately followed by Rev P. I. Abbott.
Upon the close of the latter gentleman's ser- vices in 1875, Josiah Markle followed in the same year and closed in 1878.
'Two years passed, in which time, several occu- pied the pulpit, among whom was Irving White, a student, when the present pastor, David Her- ron, located.
Merchants .- The first store was kept in a log house, but by whom is not known. Abner Bis- sell commenced the business about the year 1812, and was soon followed by one Schoelar, who was succeeded by Hezekiah Watson in 1825, who kept a general assortment of goods up to the year 1855, and identified himself with the best interests of the place. During the time Watson was in business, one Lyon was in trade, and Joseph Crane and E. B. Fenn formed a co-partnership which changed to "Crane & Pratt." Adam P. Mattice established a trade and associated Henry P. Mattice with him, and conducted a successful business for several years. G. W. Childs also embarked and soon connected himself with B. H. Avery, under the firm of Childs & Avery. After two years of such con- nection passed, Avery withdrew and soon formed the firm of B. H. & H. Avery, while Childs con- tinued the business alone, for a while and failed.
At that time Charles Twitchel and W. S. Jones became associated and were soon followed by " Rugg & Merchant," who changed the firm to J. H. & B. B. Merchant.
Twitchel & Jones dissolved, and Jones con- tinued the business alone for some time. The Avery firm also broke connection and B. H. Avery and Jones became partners, which was changed at the expiration of three years by Jones withdrawing and Avery stemming the tide alone, which he did successfully for many years, when hisson William B. relieved the father and connected himself with T. O. Burnett. Young Avery died shortly after, and his place was taken by a brother, Benjamin H. Avery who purchased Burnett's interest, and conducted the business alone as at the present time. Af-
ter the dissolution of Avery & Jones, the latter set up in trade alone, which he continues at the present time, with a general assortment of goods such as are usually found in a country store. The firm of J. H. & B. B. Merchant discon- tinued business and one was formed under the name of " Stevens & Shafer," and drifted to a "Union store"-about the year 1855 or '56-un- der the management of G. W. Childs. Not prov- ing, as others of the kind, a successful enterprise, Childs purchased the stock in trade and formed the firm of "Childs & Olmstead," which was succeeded by the present substantial business manager, Ezra Mitchell. There may have been, from time to time, transient tradesmen whom we have not noticed, but the foregoing have been the leading merchants of the town, among whom, by consulting the civil list, will be found representative men, whose qualifications proved them to be inferior to none, as public officials, and worthy recipients of the confidence placed in them by the people, as well as of the educa- tional advantages founded by the early settlers.
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