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 25
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In referring to Mr. Furguson, in connection with Mr. Boughton's legal career, we are led to here state that the former, although not enjoying the advantages of the latter in an official point of view, was an apt adept in pettyfogging, and gave the legal fraternity many warm receptions.
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TOWN OF SUMMIT.
The family removed to this place from Cortland county, N. Y., at an early day, and were in- telligent and progessive citizens.
Tradition of the Lake .- In turning our thoughts to the lake, which seems characteristic of all visitors at this place, an old legend is re- called that refers to the name of the body of water. It is indeed, not only a " thrice told tale" but a thousand, and in giving its sub- stance we exceedingly regret that we do not possess that romance, which gives color and effect to the tale to make it interesting and im- pressive. It is said that Utsayantho was the name given to the miniature sheet, after an un- fortunate Indian maiden, "whose untutored mind" was suddenly surprised at the disappear- ance of her " family cares." At a time anterior to the advent of the whites, that maiden with stalwart frame and uncombed hair, through in- discretion, became a mother, upon the bank of the lake. A consultation of the several chiefs was held and the little innocent was thrown into the lake, which received the mother's name by order of the godly chiefs.
Such is the simple narrative. The lake upon the southern border of the County, and head of the west branch of the Delaware river, is spoken of in old maps and documents as Utsayantha, while this one is not referred to ; at least, not by the name of Utsayantho. Whether, in the In- dian tongue the two words are the same, we are unable to say. For a long time it was called " Jack's lake" but owing to its elevation and the town to which it belongs it is well for the plain to give it the appropriate name of "Summit Lake;" while our modern "esthetes" now call it "Utsayantho" for the benefit of romance, and imagine Utsayantho, or the Jefferson lake, was named after the maiden's treacherous lover. Its outlet flows to the south and empties into the " West Kill," in the town of Jefferson. An Indian path from the Charlotte, led to the lake and followed its outlet to the Schoharie creek, along which the Indian traversed for time un- known. Upon the banks of the Summit lake, tradition tells us, Johnson and Brant halted, in their march in 1780, to devastate the Schoharie valley. As they appeared at Breakabeen early in the morning of October 17th, undoubtedly they
were here upon the 16th, and enjoyed a repast of fresh fish, to strengthen them for the occasion.
It was not until after the Revolution closed that this town was settled, and the eastern part a few years later than the western. Those set- tlers were mostly from the Hudson river coun- ties and the eastern States, verifying the truth, that while the Germans and Dutch choose the low lands, the Yankee climbs upon the hills, and " pitches his tent." One of the early settlers of this locality, was a Mr. Brown, from Connecti- cut; who, while in his native town engaged in the manufacture of buttons. He was a shrewd busi- ness Yankee and turned his mind and hand to everything that had a tendency to gain money, and was called " Button Weaver Brown." In all local legal troubles he officiated as a petti- fogger and business man, which gave to him a precedence in note, over other settlers. He died at an early day and left in his stead, a son Harvey, who engaged in the mercantile business and was for many years Justice of the Peace, beside being a Captain in the Militia service. Dexter Brown, of another family, built a log house and kept the first "tavern," in which all law suits were held for many years, beside giv- ing "entertainment for man and beast " that strolled up the hills to replenish their stock of liquors. It must not be thought that those early settlers were content to delve daily among giant tree-stumps and stones without any other means of support, as they were too " Yankeefied." On the contrary, they engaged in other pursuits, such as making potash and whiskey. Who the first distiller was we are unable to learn, but Levi Ives did a large business in that branch as early as 1805. His customers were scattered over the country and drove the establishment to its utmost capacity, to meet their wants. An order from "Yankee Pete " Snyder was taken to Ives by his son, in 1812 for a " load of his best whiskey" at two shillings per gallon.
After Ives, followed Henry Rifenbark in the business, who came from Columbia county in 1802. His son Hiram is still living, having passed three score years and ten, bearing the marks of a scald from hot mash, while manufacturing "fire water." Benjamin Rider soon followed
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Brown in the inn business, upon the grounds now occupied by " Rider's Hotel." The first building was partly of logs and partly frame, the latter giving the establishment a superiority over Brown's.
As the country became more thickly settled and business more brisk, the times demanded better accommodations, and from time to time the old log houses have disappeared and others at greater cost and convenience have taken their places. About the year 1840 a tavern was built upon the hill, in the west part of the village by - - Warner, and afterwards purchased by Wm. T. Moak, of Sharon, who continued until the year 1854, when the property changed hands, and was soon transformed into a private resi- dence, and at a later date divided and partly removed.
The Charlotte Valley .- A short distance to the west of the village of Summit is a spring from which the Charlotte river proper takes its rise. Along its course several rivulets unite and form one of the main tributaries of the noble Susquehanna. The ancient Indian path to the Susquehanna from the Hudson and Schoharie rivers followed this stream and during the Revo- lution many hundred hearts, ladened with the deepest sorrow, were forced to follow it as cap- tives, on their journey to Niagara and Canada, not knowing but each moment they would fall victims to the savages' cupidity or Tories' ven- geance and knowing that each step was drawing them nearer and nearer the dreaded gauntlet and confinement.
Nearly four miles down the valley from the County line, upon the farm, in part owned by Philip Mitchel, lived the man Service, against whom the patriots made the charge of being an agent of the Crown, and a dangerous enemy to the colonists. Service, with other families, settled there several years previous to the war, and were prosperous farmers.
He owned a large tract of land, and when hostilities commenced he refused to take sides in the contest, fearful of losing his lands. The outspoken Whigs accused him of disloyalty to their cause, and a complaint to that effect was made by them to the Committee of Safety, sitting at Kingston, also to that of the Schoharie set-
tlements. The British agents knew his inten- tion of neutrality and undoubtedly imposed cer- tain offices upon him to give a shade of loyalty to the crown. Being situated upon the trail, almost daily used, and at a point, where sup- plies for the subsistence of squads would prove convenient, he was called upon quite often to furnish them, by both the British and Patriots.
But each faction was, as political parties are to-day, "delicate to a fault" and he, who by a single act or word, however trivial, displayed the least favor to their enemies, was at once con- demned, and scarcely any after act could at- tone for so doing.
An order was given for his arrest and Captain Long, Murphy, Elerson and Tufts were entrusted to carry it into execution. Various stories have been related of the affair and published from time to time, but none of them were dictated by Murphy or his companions, and were simply reiterations of gossip subject to the usual ad- ditions that the imagination of the speaker and writer is disposed to make for the pleasure of his auditors. As we before intimated, Sigsby's pamphlet purporting to be the life of Murphy, was made up of erroneous statements, without doubt, supposed to be facts by the writer. Our informants, the children of Murphy, with minds as vigorous, at their advanced ages, as if but forty, assured the author that their father felt aggrieved at the erroneous tales that were re- lated of him, and many hundred times repeated the facts of the Charlotte tragedy to them, as we are about to relate them.
To verify their statement, we have abundant proof, gleaned from other families that were daily conversant with both Murphy and Eler- son, of their truthfulness. Upon the arrival of the party at the house of Service, they at once made the object of their visit known, as he was standing beside his door. Service replied that the accusation was ill-founded and refused to accompany thein to Schoharie. They pro- duced a letter written to him that had been in- tercepted (it being an order for Service to pro- vide a party of Tories with bread upon a certain day,) to prove his disloyalty to the Con- tinental cause, and then assured him if he would give himself up and accompany
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TOWN OF SUMMIT.
them to Schoharie without any trouble, they would pledge themselves he would not be hurt. But their orders were to take him dead or alive, and they were going to do it. A parley of words followed, when Mrs. Service and two daughters rushed out and took an active part. Service caught up a broad-axe lying near and hurled it at the party who assured him they would shoot if he repeated the act. The women undoubtedly became fearful of such consequence, and caught hold of the men and exclaimed, " Run, father ! Run father !" upon which he ran around the corner of the house towards the brook. Tufts and Murphy soon followed, and when in clear view of him assured him they would shoot if he did not return. Not heeding their warning, as he crossed the brook and was ascending the bank, Murphy and Tufts fired together, upon which he fell and soon ex- pired. They did not examine the body to see if both balls took effect, and consequently could not tell whether one or both caused his death. The case as thus recited, is very differ- ent from that of Sigsby's and others, as will be at once seen by those readers that are familiar with his pamphlet. As told by him, the shoot- ing of Service was but a cool murder, which in this day and age is condemned, and not con- sidered as adding heroism to our acts. Mr. Sigsby was a young man of promise, with in- tentions the most commendable, and chronicled the case as related by hundreds, but was im- posed upon by many-tongued tradition in his efforts to perpetuate the valor of a worthy patriot.
In the year 1787, the lands of Service were con- fiscated and the property passed into other hands. It has been said and the impression seems to be firmly made, that Murphy received a portion of those lands for the shooting of Service, but it was a mistake. Murphy purchased a farm in after years in the Schenevus valley but it was not a part of the Service land. It will be noticed in the Fulton Chapter of this work that Murphy married a Feek, an only child, and that the family were in fair circumstances, financially, for those days, and upon the death of Mr. Feek, the sum of seven hundred dollars was left by him for his widow, as pocket money, to purchase
small comforts that the care of the daughter and son-in-law might not apprehend. Mrs. Feek being one of the true daughters of economy and gain, as all were at that time, and solicitous for the future of her grandchildren, insisted upon Murphy taking the money and investing it in land for the children's benefit. The lands along the Schenevus being low in price and at- tractive to him, he made a purchase, and in af- ter years, settled his daughter, Mrs. Sands, upon the farm, with whom he lived at times.
In the year 1777 the Continental Congress passed an act to the effect, that if an owner and occupant of land should prove disloyal to the colonial cause, by giving aid to the enemy and bear arms against the patriots and vacate such lands during the struggle, they should become the property of the government, but if posses- sion was retained, the owner should not be mo- lested in his title. Hence, we find many invet- erate Tories still held their lands after the war closed, while less active ones were stripped of their homes. Service was buried upon his land within a few feet of the boundary line, and in af- ter years, when the fact became known to the late Abraham Becker, of South Worcester, he instituted a suit for the recovery of the property, under the act of 1777, claiming, that possession was held by the burial of Service. After a long litigation the lands were recovered, and sold by the heirs of Service, who are of the best families of that section. As would naturally be sup- posed, the family smarted long under the oppro- brium of Tory given to Service, and looked upon the transaction as murder without a cause. He was accused of being with Brant in the Coble- skill valley in 1778, and participating in other invasions, which the family from first to last de- nied and to many proved conclusively, to be false. But that he gave or sold supplies to invading forces and parties with prisoners going to Ni- agara cannot be denied, as the captives upon their return, verified the truth. Patriot scouts, also, many times replenished their rude haversacks at his house in the fore part of the war, but were refused, as the troubles increased. There was perhaps a just reason for the latter act, as the scouts were destitute of money and seldom, if ever, paid for what they obtained. Service was
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
fearful of losing his lands like thousands of oth- ers, if he chose the colonial cause, and situated as he was, upon the trail daily traversed, he could, or dare not refuse the King's subjects, and without doubt was well paid for every morsel of eatables, as the British government was lavish with its gold where it would cast a shade of loyalty.
He might have been honest in his intention of neutrality in the beginning but, as we of to-day, he saw perhaps an opportunity of making riches, and step by step was led along in feeding In- dians and Tories until orders were sent ahead for him to supply while the patriots watched him more and more, and at last reported him to the Committee of Safety. The times and situation of the border made stern meas- ures a necessity, and as the war progressed the border actors of both sides became less civilized-unused to the promptings of charita- ble, social etiquette, they often strangled mercy, under the plea of necessity, while their vul- gar passions were let loose to do brutal work. Many times, no doubt, the patriots gave their enemies as much reason to look upon them with abhorrence, as did the Tories, as we find equally as harrowing tales told by their descendants, against the patriots. The western part of the town was settled by the Van Buren, Van Hosen and Boughton families, about the year 1797, and previous to the formation of the town by act passed April 13, 1819, was a part of Jef- ferson.
Nothing of importance occurred in this part until the year 1850, when the New York Methodist Conference erected by subscription and donations a large building for school pur- poses, to accommodate nearly three hundred boarding students, under Rev. Alonzo Flack, as Principal, and Miss Helen Flack, Preceptress, with eleven assistants.
After two years of unparalleled success, an examining committee reported to the Confer- ence that "the institution has had a career of un- exampled prosperity." "Though it was opened only two years since, it had during the past term more than three hundred and fifty students in actual attendance." "The number would have been still greater if accommodations could
have been furnished." " As a new building has just been erected, more than five hundred can be provided for next term." The building was placed upon the north side of the street, nearly in the center of the village, and was an oblong of three stories in height. Additions were built upon each end in 1852, running back, and were no sooner furnished than occupied by five hun- dred students.
Being over-crowded and extremely prosper- ous, in the season 1855, a building four hundred and eighty feet in length, four stories in height, with basement, was erected upon the south side of the creek, upon the hill-side. The new structure was intended for a college, and at one time eight hundred students were in attend- ance in both buildings.
The faculty in 1852 was increased to seven- teen teachers beside the principal and pre- ceptress. An incendiary laid the north build- ing in ashes in 1856, and in the year 1867, the south structure also was reduced to ashes. Not being daunted by misfortune, a large hotel was purchased and fitted conveniently for a school, under the management of Professor Solomon Sias and six associates. The school closed some time in 1875 and was not revived. Dr. William Lamont during the last years of school was the principal.
The question will naturally be asked years hence, as is frequently done now, "Why were structures for such purposes, built in back places, away from public thoroughfares ?" The idea was prevalent that vice, such as lures away the youth, only existed along the thorough- fares ; and their catalogues and other advertise- inents made a special point to that effect, as- suring parents that their " children would be free from the evils that clustered along them."
The first board of trustees was divided into three classes.
Of the first were :-
Jacob Hoffman, James S. Wood, Amos Smith, Hiram Van Buren, Abram Becker.
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TOWN OF SUMMIT.
Of the second were :-
James Howie, Peter H. Mitchell, Hiram Warner, Aaron Rifenburgh, Stephen Stillwell.
Of the third were :-
Thomas W. Lamont, M. D., Luther F. Hartwell, William H. Adams, John D. Multer, Amasa Dingman.
The officers of the board were :-
Thomas W. Lamont, President. Luther F. Hartwell, Secretary. Jacob Hoffman, Treasurer. James S. Wood, Steward.
For many years the farmers of this town have been engaged extensively in dairying, and have supplied the markets with butter that will cope with any other. Upon the lofty hills, the most succulent grasses grow and from their sides are springs of the purest water, that add materially to the quality of the dairy products, while the dairymen spare neither pains nor expense to produce a choice article. For many years Elisha Brown of this town was a large dealer in such products, and gained the reputation in the New York market, of furnishing the best quality of butter, the year through, of any buyer in the State. Its keeping qualities were highly spoken of and it is said to improve, through the use of modern conveniences upon scientific principles. Mr. Brown was long known as " Butter Brown " and was considered one of the most expert judges of the article to be found. He removed from Connecticut to the town of Jefferson, and from thence to this place. Mr. Brown was Supervisor of the town in 1862, and held the office of Justice of the Peace for sev- eral years. He died highly respected as a Christian, and business man. Mr. Brown was followed by his son James as a produce dealer, who still holds the butter trade, which ex- ceeds that of any other place in the County. Mr. Brown represented the town in the Board of Supervisors in 1873, 1874, 1875 and 1876,
and was elected to the assembly in 1877, which position he filled satisfactorily to his constituents, and creditably to himself as a legislator. Mr. Brown was preceded in that body by Samuel Baldwin in 1828, and Watson Orr, in 1834, Seymour Boughton, in 1840, and 1845, James S. Wood, in 1854, and William C. Lamont, in 1859 and 1862, from this town, each of whom were sagacious, yet honorable representatives, through whose political career, none spoke of guile.
Beside furnishing such worthy representatives, the town has not been backward in adding to the list of officials such men as Treat Durand, John Moran, John Sawyer as sheriffs of the County, whom we remember as far back as 1850, as being the business and progressive men of Summit village. The former was a dealer in horses and real estate, while Mr. Moran was connected in the manufacture of wagons, with an old resident as "Jackson & Moran," and near by, Sheriff Sawyer made the anvil ring by his vigorous strokes. While we recall those days of honest labor, that made the village prosperous and pleasant, and wove a net of union and happiness around the hearthstones, the thought of the sudden death of Mr. Sawyer casts a gloom over the mind and chills the pleasant musings of "the times that were." While returning to his home in Richmondville, from a visit to the village with a sister, in May, 1879, in descending the hill a short distance below, the horse became unmanageable through a defect in the harness and ran off a steep bank, throwing Mr. Sawyer upon the ground with great violence, dislocating the spine and other- wise injuring him internally. He lived but a short time and was buried at Richmondville by the Masonic Brotherhood and a host of friends, with imposing marks of honor and respect.
With Sawyer, have also gone two others that were prominent business men of the village at that time, S. J. Lake and Isaac W. Beard who were engaged in the mercantile business, the former at the corner and the latter, in the building oc- cupied as a wagon shop upon the hillside. Mr. Lake was in business for many years, and none enjoyed a better reputation as a strict, honest business man than he. He identified himself
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
with the best interests of the place, and when lie retired it was with the regret of the com- munity. Isaac W. Beard also kept a gen- eral assortment of merchandise, and did a large business. He was twice elected supervisor of the town beside holding other local offices and was a faithful official. The County Clerk's of- fice has also been officially supplied by Loring Andrews, generally considered to have been without a superior in the performance of the duties of that office, always courteous and sys- tematic, and who took especial pains in the collection and preservation of old documents. John H. Coons was also elected to that office from this town and proved a very efficient officer.
CHURCHES .- The oldest organization in the town is the First Baptist Church situated a short distance from Charlotteville. Through the kindness of Mr. W. C. Hicks, whose father was long an officer of this church, we were fur- nished with the following sketch, taken from the published " minutes of the forty-ninth anniver- sary of the Worcester Baptist Association," held on the 11th and 12th of June, 1879.
"The Baptist Church of Jefferson and the First Baptist Church of Summit occupied the same field and used the same church-book from 1805 until 1827. When it ceased to be called Jef- ferson and took the name of Summit the records do not say.
"A council was called at the house of Elam Northrup in Jefferson, by Baptist brethren of South Hill and Charlotte River to advise and counsel them in matters of importance, Septem- ber 26, 1805.
"The delegates were as follows :-
"From Kortright :---
Elder Warner Lake, Elisha Sheldon, Samuel Grenell.
"From Worcester :-
Elder Miah French, Charles Round, Thomas Hudson, Joshua Woodsworth.
"From Bristol :- Elder Levi Streeter, Edmund Richmond, John Hicks.
" Organized by electing Elder W. Lake, moderator, and John Hicks, clerk. After ma- ture deliberation the council unanimously judged it for the honor and glory of God, and the con- venience of said brethren, to give them the hand of fellowship as a sister church. The arti- cles of faith were those of the Worcester church.
" Extract from their Covenant :- We sol- emnly covenant, eachone of us, in the presence of God, angels, and men, to give ourselves re- newedly to God without reserve. That we will do all that in us lies to oppose sin in ourselves and all others, viz., all evil whispering or back- biting, or taking up a reproach against any per- son, especially those who profess Christianity. Avoid all recreation, as spending your time idly at taverns or elsewhere."
"Trustees elected Jan. 26, 1806.
" The first names on the record are :-
Carpenter, Brown, Lincoln,
Braman,
Fuller,
Cleveland,
Lavelly,
Northrup,
Knowlton.
The following were the pastors :-
J. French,
- Carr.
J. Winis,
E. Crocker,
J. Mead,
J. Beaman,
- Barrett,
E. Spafford,
J. Ingalls.
"How long each one preached for the church is not known. Elder Mead was with them some time.
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TOWN OF SUMMIT.
"First mention of salary is in 1815-for Elder Mead, $50.
"The following served as Deacons :- Chase Hicks, Levi Lincoln.
"The following served as Clerks :-
J. Carpenter,
E. Northrup,
H. Albert,
S. Stillwell,
M. Beaman,
R. Lavelly,
E. Osborn, Jr.
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