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 30
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Peter Snyder and -- Brown, Becker & Mattice,
Luther Empie, Sidney Bergh, William Jones,
Stephen Nelson and John Mahan, the latter two being in business at the present time.
We find Nicholas York was granted a tract of land in 1723, lying to the south of Vromans- land, taking in " Crysler's Hook," and running down the stream to the south bounds of Vro- man's Patent. There seem to have been others connected with him in the transaction, butmen-
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TOWN OF FULTON.
tion was not made of them in the grant, we have been informed from good authority. Per- haps those living upon it at the time, were silent partners for some reason known only to thein- selves, and were the Feeks, Mattices, Hagadorns Cryslers and others.
The Crysler family possessed a fine property at this point, which was confiscated and passed into the hands of the Boucks. The Revolution- ary mill stood near the present site of the steam saw-mill, and was, without doubt, the first one built above Middleburgh, and did the grinding for Vromansland and other settlements near. Crysler burned the mill himself, that the rebels might not enjoy its use. After the war closed, another was erected upon the bank opposite of the " lockey," * and was fed by a race-way from the small stream above, but for some rea- son it was used but a short time, and John Bouck built the present structure in front of Mrs. Lawyer's house, as early at least, as 1795. By consulting Chapter III, it will be seen in his report to the government, that Crysler provided eatables for the Indians, and perhaps a few Tories, while waiting for the coming of Brant or some other assistance. His house stood at the foot of the mountain, west of the present buildings, and he could have kept the savages in the woods back of it, and not have been detected for a long time, particularly at that time when Crysler was not suspected and the people were busily employed between their military duties and individual avocations.
FULTONHAM.
The locality referred to is now known as Ful- tonham, and is one of the historical spots of the valley, owing to the " Upper Fort" being located here, and undoubtedly was the site of a German settlement or "dorf" made between the year 1714 and 1718, by additional settlers or some of the families that came with Weiser. Their purchase was from the Indians and it was the one of which Vroman complained to the Gov- ernor, as before stated. The settlement was more upon the intervale than now and the oc- casional pieces of pottery, kettles and other
equally as enduring articles of household use, that have been plowed up from time to time in various places are the relics of the old dorf. The fact is obvious that there were seven dorfs in the valley in 1718 as stated by John Freder- ick Hager and referred to in Chapter II. One of those dorfs was here located and in giving the number of the inhabitants, for the census of 1718, he counted in the Low Dutch Vroman family, with this settlement and called them all Germans.
Here were the Hagadorn, Feek, Jonas, Laraway, Crysler, (at that time spelled Kries- ler), Van Loon, Hiltsinger, (Hilsinger,) and Mattice families with perhaps others. The de- scendants of these families with whom the writer has conversed, trace their ancestors back to Breakabeen, at a very early date. By referring to the Chapter upon Middleburgh, the reader will find three other dorfs located, which, with this one in the writer's opinion, were the first "dorfs" in the valley, and formed in the year 1713 and 1714. Ata later date-1730-there was quite a collection of families, and it was known as Breaka- been, and as early as 1750 and 1754, the settlers of Cobleskill, Sharon and Seward,obtained apple- trees, at this place, and transplanted them upon their lands. By the language of Rev. Gideon Hawley, we are led to believe the Low Dutch of Vromansland held religious meetings at this place, or near. He says in his narrative of 1753 :
" We went and had a meeting at the Mohawk village, where I preached, &c. In the afternoon I went to the Dutch meeting in that vicinity." The Mohawk village was at that time at the Dovegatt, and " that vicinity" was Vromansland.
We would not be surprised to learn it to be a fact, that they had a rude meeting house, in which missionaries of the " Low Dutch Reformed Faith " preached, years before the Schoharie or Middleburgh churches were organized. Hawley says :- "I have been at their meetings when the boys, through the service, and even at the celebration of the Lord's Supper, have been playing bat and ball the whole term, around the' house of God."
Fultonham is pleasantly situated in the center of a very rich farming community, and has been quite a business center.
* Lockey is a name given by the Germans to a small swamp or pond fed by springs.
I86
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Charles Watson was a merchant at this place for many years, and the leading business man of the town. He was the first supervisor of the town of Fulton, and held the same position again in 1841. In 1830 he was in the State Assembly with Abraham L. Lawyer, of Cobleskill, and was elected justice of the peace soon after, which position he held many long years, and was the stepping stone to the judicial bench of the Com- mon Pleas Court, which he attained in 1838, and held till the Constitution of 1846 took effect. Other prominent positions he often held, but one, the perfect confidence of his townsmen, outweighed them all. After his death, which occurred January 29, 1872, the Canajoharie Radii said :- " Where is another man in any county, who has measured calico, weighed tea, and counted eggs for more than a half century, that has paid one hundred cents on a dollar, and never lost a customer ? "
Charles Watson was a son of Charles Watson who came from Albany county in the beginning of the century, and engaged in the mercantile business in a small way, and kept an inn. His residence here and business gave to the im- mediate neighborhood the name of Watsonville. The father died when Charles was but a lad attending school, and Mrs. Watson engaged her brother-in-law, Harvey Watson, to superintend the business until young Charles attained age and education. Vroman Watson, a son, is the only one of the family living, and removed from the town and engaged in business elsewhere.
Upon the death of Charles Watson, Alonzo and Charles Best, as " Best Brothers," suc- ceeded in the business, and were followed by Albert Rosecrans, the present proprietor. Henry Best, cousin of the "Best. Brothers," was engaged in the upper or Fultonham store, for several years, and was followed by " Chamberland Brothers," Thomas Foster, Hiram Safford, Charles Best, and the present occupant, Charles Borst.
WEST FULTON.
This settlement was for many years called Byrneville, after a heavy purchaser of lands lying here, but more familiarly known as Sap- bush Hollow, and generally represented to be
one of the worst places within the range of many miles. Very fine maples originally were standing along the stream, to which many of the early residents of the surrounding country resorted in the season, to make sugar, hence the name of Sap-bush was given to the hollow, which it retained until the postoffice was estab- lished, when " West Fulton" was ordered to be engraved upon the stamp.
In looking over the surrounding country with its lofty hills, deep ravines and rocky surface but little could have been seen in early days to have encouraged a settlement. But the supe- rior timber drew the poor but industrious pioneer to eke a living by making shingles, lum- ber and staves as well as burning coal, and be- times clearing small patches of land for neces- sary grains and grasses. Many that thus com- menced became discouraged, perhaps, and re- moved to more "genial climes." Others came in their stead, enlarged the clearings and soon owned large farms, principally through the manufacture and sale of shingles. To-day, after the lapse of eighty years from the first set- tlement, the valley presents a pleasing change, upon which the hillsides, seem to smile with their fields of waving grains and luxuriant grasses in their season. Peter Smith, the man always hungry for more land, purchased a por- tion of the Michael Byrne tract, and encour- aged settlements. In the course of time, being a "lover of the Lord," as well as land, he built a church for the people, in which he displayed that oddity for which he was noted. The edi- fice was constructed in the hollow in 1831, and the steeple upon the hill. The road at that time ran between the two, and from the steeple projected a board over the road upon which he caused to be written in large letters. "Time and Eternity, consider." Desiring none, but "orthodox" to enjoy the privilege of worship- ing within his church, he caused a board to be placed against the wall, in front of the audience, with the following, printed in plain letters upon it. " Reputable ministers of the Gospel of all denominations of Christians are invited to offic- iate in this house, dedicated to the service of Almighty God, until the exclusive use shall be given over to a Dutch Reformed Presbyterian or Congregational congregation."
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TOWN OF FULTON.
Mr. Edgar Akeley, at present a merchant of the place, gave to us the above " permit " from memory, and thinks it correct, at least in sub- stance. The Methodists formed a class here a few years previous to the erection of the church, and for many years held their meetings within it, as did other denominations. The church needing repairs and the donor being dead, the residents called upon his son, the late Gerritt Smith, to donate for that purpose. He respond- ed, by ordering the bell to be sold, (it being cracked,) and turning the proceeds towards it. The Baptists purchased the edifice, moved it to the present site, repaired it to their taste, and it compares favorably with other village churches.
The stream called by the Indians Ke-ha-na- gwa-ra, upon which are Bouck's falls, forms the valley, and is here met by the " Hoose " a large stream, which should have been taken as the main, instead of a tributary. During high water these streams, flowing over the descent of ground, are rapid and angry, and present one of the finest sights at the falls, as they rush down the gorge, that can be imagined. The height of descent is about one hundred and twenty feet and by striking the shelving rocks, the water becomes a perfect milk-white foam, as if mad- clened by the obstructions mother nature has so majestically placed in its way. The stream is often called by the settlers, "Panther Creek," after the mountain opposite of Bouck's Island, and below its junction with the Scho- harie.
POLLY HOLLOW.
This locality, which for long years was con- sidered of but little importance, excepting in " berry time," became the subject of much talk during the late Rebellion. Many of the resi- clents early enlisted in the Union army, among whom were two that became weary of a soldier's life, and by obtaining furloughs, reached their homes and refused to return. They were de- clared deserters, and officers were dispatched for their arrest. Instead of sending those that were made brave by actual field service, two marshals, whose valor, for political effect,
offended patriotism in guarding home under special pay, like thousands of other chosen ones, were equipped at "Scott's," in Albany, with guns, revolvers, and other warlike imple- ments, and hastened to Schoharie to obey orders. Upon their arrival at that village, they were joined by a number of braves, and set out in a sleigh to the deserters cottage. Arriving after dark, Polly Hollow was wrapped in slum- ber, but awoke to the martial tread of livery horses and jingling of sleigh bells. The house of a lonely widow was approached and admit- tance gained, ere its aged and only occupant could rise from her bed. Boisterously the house was searched, especially preserve and pickle jars, feather beds, and pottery, without finding the object of their search. The patriots having well considered the necessity of stimu- lants in their hazardous undertaking, drank freely, and left the widow, with "her mite" strewn promiscuously upon the floor-pickles and preserves not excepted.
Another house was ordered to be searched, but ere the regulars and volunteer force could be brought in line to make a charge, the Polly Hollow militia horns were blown to awaken the mountain God of war, and resist the United States forces' invasion. The volunteers faced about and charged upon the sleigh, while the regulars, borne down with pickles and Schoharie " fluid"-in a zigzag march-gained the rear of the sleigh, and tumbled in, as the volunteers made a charge for home. They had scarcely passed the widow's pickets before Polly Hollow cavalry were upon them to the number of two, and dexterously gave the valiant regulars a charge of pigeon shot and curses, which drove them beneath the covert of their robes. On they dashed towards headquarters with Polly Hollow lancers and cavalry in their rear, amid the thunderings of their muskets and lashing of steeds. The " Hollow" horses being fed upon shingle shavings, were unable to endure the labor imposed upon them, which forced the militia to withdraw from action, and allow their enemies to escape, which they did, and reached the "Lower Fort" without a halt, even to "hook" a tug that became unfastened. Thus the isolated locality became famous in history as "Polly Hollow against the world."
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
CHURCHES OF BREAKABEEN.
The early settlers of the vicinity were di- vided in religious views, as Reformed, Presby- terians and Lutherans, and being too poor to build a house of worship for each, they joined together and built a Union Church, about the year 1815. It stood for several years without being plastered, and the pulpit was supplied chiefly by Rev. Paige, of Gilboa, after the year 1820.
Through that earnest worker the edifice was completed and dedicated as the " Reformed Church of Breakabeen." A few years after it came under the charge of Rev. Lintner, who labored for, and successfully established a resi- dent pastor. Rev. Eggleston officiated as such, but how long, we were unable to learn.
The records of this church do not extend further back than 1830, when it was in connec- tion with the Middleburgh Reformed, and re- mained so until the organization of the Reformed Church of North Blenheim in 1852, when they became connected in pastoral care with the following pastors :-
1852-J. H. Van Woert. 1853 to 1859-W. G. E. See. 1859 to 1867-L. L. Sharpe. 1867 to 1870-A. Vanderwater. 1871-W. L. James. 1872-E. Miller.
Following the above organization was the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew. -The first election of officers was held at the lecture room of Mr. Abraham Bergh, under the Hartwick Synod. The following were elected to serve as trustees :-
Philip Bergh, John B. Waldron, Peter W. Becker, Samuel Mitchell.
The certificate of organization was given January 30, 1844, by Jonas Krum, Judge of Schoharie County.
On the 27th of December, 1845, the mem- bers of the church met pursuant to adjourn- ment to take measures in regard to the pur- chase of a parsonage at Middleburgh, as both
societies were in connection. William C. Bouck presided as chairman. A few days after, the second election of officers was held, and William C. Bouck, Samuel Mitchell and Henry C. Shafer, were elected elders, and Nicholas L. Mattice, John Keyser, and Philip Shafer, dea- cons. John B. Waldron was the first secretary.
The following have officiated as pastors :-
James Lefler, Adam Crounse, Levi Sternbergh, Nathan H. Cornell, John D. English, Henry Keller, A. L. Bridgman, R. S. Porter.
The latter closed his charge on the ist of April, 1881, since which the pulpit has been filled by supply. The disconnection between this and the Middleburgh church was made under Rev. Henry Keller, in 1860.
CHURCH OF FULTONHAM.
The Union church edifice of Fultonham, is occupied by the Reformed, Lutheran, Metho- dist and Baptist. The pulpit is supplied by the churches of Middleburgh, and the Baptist of West Fulton, of which eachsociety is a branch.
PHYSICIANS.
Moses Lawyer, son of Jacob Lawyer, [Little Jacob] of Schoharie village, was the first resident physician in the town, of whom we have any direct knowledge. He was a graduate of the New York College of Medicine, after receiving a collegiate education at Schenectady, He settled in Watsonville in 1821, and the year fol- lowing married Elizabeth, daughter of Cornelius Vroman. Mr. Lawyer was of the Allopathic school of physicians, and gained an extensive practice, through his skill and attention to bus- iness, which continued till his death, in 1855. His place being vacant, his son, Valentine Law- yer, studied in his office and attended lectures at the New York City Medical College, and after but a few years vacancy, the old practice was resumed and continues with that success which care, ability and fondness of profession are
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TOWN OF FULTON.
sure to gain. The Doctors Lawyer were the only practitioners of the northeast part of the town, until the spring of 1882, when William W. Bur- get, a student of Doctor Layman, of Schoharie, settled at Fultonham.
At Breakabeen many have settled, but none have remained for a long period of time. Chief among them was Doctor Baxster, who was fol- lowed by Dr. Schaeffer, who removed after a short term of practice, and placed Doctor Fosburgh in his stead. Doctor Schaeffer returned, and con- tinued two years, when his place was taken by Doctor Mathews, whose health failed him, and gave the position to Doctor Squires, who was followed by the present Doctor Weckell.
At West Fulton, or Sapbush, Doctor Havens settled in 1838, but removed to Summit a short time after. Previous to that date Doctor James settled upon Rossman Hill, and after a year's practice, removed to his native neighborhood, in Albany county. Upon the removal of Doctor Havens, Doctor James settled in his place and successfully practiced for a number of years.
Others came for awhile, and removed during the old Doctor's stay. After his exit, he was followed by the late Dr. John D. Wheeler, whose students, Dr. Allen, now of Lawyersville, and Dr. Ross- man, followed in turns. Doctors Akeley and John Wilber succeeded who were followed by Dr. H. S. Gale, a Philadelphia student in 1874, and who in the spring of 1880, removed to Warnerville, leaving Doctor J. S. Akeley, of the Eclectic school, the present successful practi- tioner.
SUPERVISORS.
1829-Charles Watson.
1830-John F. Mattice.
1831-Jonas Krum. 1832-Eben G. Foster.
1833-Homer Whitely.
1834-Philip Bergh, Jun., 1835-Harmon Vroman. 1836-Robert W. Lamont.
1837-Philip Bergh, Jun., 1838-Moses Lawyer.
1839-John Spickerman.
1840-Joseph Becker. 1841-Charles Watson.
1842-John Spickerman.
1843-Gideon D. Hilts.
1844-Ephraim Vroman.
1845-Alston F. Mattice.
1846-Philip Bergh, Jun.,
1847-Peter A. Borst. 1848-David Gorse.
1849-Washington Bergh.
1850-Peter Murphy.
1851-John Spickerman.
1852-Joseph Becker.
1853 -- William Best.
1854-John Spickerman.
1855-Jonas Krum. 1856-Roswell Driggs.
1857-David Gorse.
1858-Gideon D. Hilts.
1859-Charles Bouck.
1860-Riley Adams.
1861-Washington Bergh.
1862-David J. Vroman.
1863-John D. Wheeler.
1864-Wm. H. Freemire.
1865-Charles Bouck.
1866-John Spickerman.
1867-Wm. H. Freemire.
1868-Abram Haines, Jun.,
1869-George Spickerman.
1870-Washington Bergh. 1871-David J. Vroman, 1872-Orson Spickerman.
1873-Washington Bergh.
1874-Washington Bergh.
1875-Washington Bergh.
1876-John H. Mann. 1877-John H. Mann. 1878-Orson Spickerman.
1879-Orson Spickerman.
1880-Orson Spickerman.
1881-Marcus Zeh.
1882-Marcus Zeh.
BOUNDARIES.
The boundaries of the town as surveyed, are not to be found among the town records, or in the Secretary of State's office. The forma- tion act was passed by the first session of the legislature of 1828, and not published, there- fore we have been unable to obtain the bounda- ries for publication but will take measures, as
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
we have in similar cases in the loss of writings, to procure and deposit them in the town clerk's
and other offices, as the law directs, where they may be consulted.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
PHILIP BERGH.
Philip Bergh was a grandson of Philip Bergh, one of the first settlers of " Kneiskerndorf." The old gentleman left but two sons, Abram and Philip, to perpetuate the family name. The latter dying childless, the Berghs of to-day are the descendants of Abram Bergh.
Philip, Jr., as he was familiarly known, was born upon the old homestead in October, 1794. His early days were passed as was the custom of that time, in laboring upon the farm. He
was possessed of a good, common English edu- cation.
In 1815 he - was married to Catharine E. Sidney, of the same "dorf," who is still living at the age of eighty-nine, in the full possession of her mental faculties, and is, as her husband's portrait shows him to have been, a true type of the old stock. The year following their mar- riage they removed to Breakabeen, upon the farm still owned in part by the family. A few
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TOWN OF FULTON.
years afterward, he purchased a half interest in the grist-mill there, and in 1838, the entire property. That year he built the present structure now owned by his son, Washington Bergh.
Mr. Bergh was a member of the Lutheran church, and for many years an elder, and was one of those sturdy, quiet, yet earnest Christians, in whom confidence might be placed without fear. In politics he was a Democrat, and was honored by his townsmen with an election to the office of supervisor for three terms, and various other offices. As a business man he
was just, prompt, and accommodating, as many will testify, who found aid and comfort when in distress, through the generosity of Mr. Bergh. He was successful in his business and accumu- lated a large property. He died July 22, 1874, at the age of eighty years, leaving a community in which he was highly appreciated, and an honored family to mourn his death.
His children were as follows :- Washington, David P., Mrs. David Zeh, Mrs. Henry W. Becker, Mrs. Stephen Nelson, Mrs. Jacob W. Zeh, Mrs. Washington Mackey, Mrs. Peter M. Becker, and Mrs. John J. Zeh.
PETER MURPHY.
But few of the near children of the heroic fathers of our County, left an imprint of their faces and forms, that we may have an idea of the physique of men brought up under the labors and frugal mode of living that were pe- culiar to their lives. Under the modern habits
of living, great changes are wrought in the gen- eral physical appearance of families from one generation to another. They are to such an extent that the children of to-day are as much unlike their ancestors of one hundred years ago, as if they were of another nationality. The
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
pioneers of the County were a hardy, muscular people, and it was characteristic of their chil- dren, down to within fifty years, when their ac- cumulations of wealth and their lightened labors, permitted a more easy and extravagant mode of living, which grew upon them as the country made its advancement.
We are pleased to present a true type of " the fathers" in the likeness of Peter Murphy. It is far more agreeable from the fact that he is a son of Timothy Murphy, the gallant hero of the border settlements, in the trying days of the Revolution, in which the patriots and ene- mies of our country, alike, surmised that Provi- dence or the Evil One, had instilled a magical spirit peculiar to the fabled heroes. We are told by those who were intimately acquainted with the father and the son, that the latter is a counterpart of the former in general appear- ance. The father died at the age of sixty- seven, and when Mr. Murphy had arrived at that age, the very close resemblance was noted by the aged people, and they looked upon him with nearly that degree of honor they did his father while he was among them.
The subject of this sketch was born upon the old Feek farm, in 179-4, and is still active yet bearing the marks of age. The outlines of a ruddy countenance, hardy form, and a bold, determined spirit, are easily traced, regardless of time's work with his "defacing fingers." Mr. Murphy inherits many other of his father's ยท characteristics, not the least of which are frank- ness and honesty. He has followed agricul- tural pursuits, from his youth, working hard, early and late, and unlike many who aspire to positions, never urged official favors upon the strength of his parent's services and reputation. On the contrary he has always manifested a reluctance in accepting proffered positions, yet has been the recipient of many town honors, among which was that of Supervisor in 1850.
He adheres zealously, as did his father to Demo- cratic principles and party without exceptions, never having cast a vote against a candidate for nomination, and has ever been present at the polls, regardless of obstacles.
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