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 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
Captivity of the Ottman Children .- Some time in September, 1782, three brothers, William, Nicholas, and Peter, children of Christian Ott- man, (then spelled Uttman) who lived where Isaac Ottman now lives, were taken prisoners by a party of Indians and carried to Niagara. Ac- companying the Indians was a squaw, who had many times been hospitably succored by the family, whom Mrs. Ottman followed for some distance with such entreaties as only a mother can express, but of no avail. As she appealed to the squaw, she only answered " It's not me ! not me !" When the children returned, one of their captors came with them, and Peter desired to follow the Indian back, having become fascinated with Indian life, which highly pleased the redskin. He desired to return to Canada with them, but the parents objected, and not until (tradition says) the Indian cut off the fore- top of each, with a small bit of the scalp, would the children consent to remain. Upon his doing so they rushed to the mother and were contented. The story in regard to the foretop however, is without foundation. There were seven sons in the Ottman family who have long since passed away, and were the father and grandfather of the innumerable Ottmans of to-
275
TOWN OF SEWARD.
clay. They were in order of their ages, William, Daniel, John, Nicholas, Peter, George, and Cornelius. The party that took the boys captive passed down to Cobleskill village and made more prisoners, as stated in that chapter.
Christian Ottman, the father, came from Germany in 1761, and settled here soon after. The family name is variously spelled Ottman, Otınan, Uttman, Utman, Oatman, yet all direct descendants of Christian. He died at the age of one hundred and two.
The first frame house of worship built in the town was the Rhinebeck Church, which is still standing. About the year 1760, quite a number settled here from Rhinebeck, on the Hudson, and the territory north and northwest of Law- yersville was called "New Rhinebeck." This Lutheran society was organized by Peter N. Sommers in 1772, and a re-organization was effected according to act of 1801, in February, 1808. The edifice was built in 1785, and stands as the only relic in this section, of "ye olden time." The windows have been taken out and the old monument has the appearance of "wrecked desolation." Vandalism has made fearful work upon it. Many years ago it was remodeled, and the high-backed pews and antique pulpit were replaced by those of more modern date. The entrance was effected at the side, instead of at the end of the building, as is the custom at the present day. The pulpit stood opposite the door, and the gallery was upon three sides. The original desk should have been preserved, as it would have been a great curiosity at the present time, and greater still for years to come. It was an octagon, standing against the wall, upon one pillar or leg: requiring eight or ten steps to reach it. Back of the desk was a sounding-board, reaching quite high, and from the centre of the top, ribs, similar to those of an umbrella, spread out over the desk, and were covered with thinly wrought boards, giving the pulpit and parachute over it, the appearance of a modern drinking goblet, with another inverted above it. There was not room enough for more than one in the desk, and when its occupant sat down, the congrega- tion could only discern the top of his head. A Baptist minister once preached in this pulpit
and made the remark that lie "felt like stand- ing in a hogshead and being compelled to speak through the bung-hole." As we stand within the desolated walls of this time-honored temple of our fathers, imagination can but lead us back to the days when aged Sommers, feeble and blind, drew vivid pictures of the sufferings of his Christ, upon whose arm he leaned so many years, and drew from his sturdy and faithful flock their honest "Amen !" as his feeble voice expressed his heartfelt sympathy and love. Here met men, women, and children, our parents and grandparents, after a lonely walk of many miles through the forest, to hear the word of God preached in a plain and unpretending manner.
One Henry Moeller, pronounced in English, Miller, was the first stationed minister, and preached here for many years. Johannes Law- yer, Jr., owning a tract of land here, sold to the Lutherans of Cobleskill, Rhinebeck and "Tur- lah," in March, 1789, for £110, a farm of 150 acres, upon which the church stands, for the support of it. In 1794, the members from Cobleskill built the " brick church," and with- drew from this.
A year or two after, the "Turlah " members built the church we mentioned as standing up- on the brow of the hill above Borst's and called it " St. John's."
The " Turlah church" stood in the town of Seward, but a new one was built within a few years, a short distance west, and is in the town of Sharon. Moeller officiated as pastor of both churches, and died here at an advanced age, and was buried in the Rhinebeck cemetery, and afterwards at Slate Hill. The epitaph upon his tombstone he wrote himself, and reads, “ After a long and hard pilgrimage, wherein I often erred, my Divine Saviour Jesus Christ led me by his holy word and spirit to His eternal home." He was a chaplain in the army, under General Washington, during the Revolution, and settled here soon after peace was proclaimed.
At the time the Cobleskill Lutherans with- drew from Rhinebeck, some difficulty was ex- perienced and lasted several years, in regard to the church property, but it was amicably settled in 1808. In that year fifty acres of the farm
276
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
was set off for their benefit, which was "in full of all accounts." The structure was built by both Lutherans and Dutch Reformed, each wor- shipping within the walls with Christian spirit, and when the latter built a church of their own in 1800 at Lawyersville, the Lutherans promised to refund the amount of money the Reformed church had contributed, and did so in 1808, at the time the fifty acres were set off for their benefit. They became then the sole occupants and owners of the church and prop- erty. Prosperity smiled upon this society for many years, but like all things earthly it was doomed to trouble and decay. The revolt upon church discipline and technical doctrines of many staunch churchmen, gave rise to the "New School " or "Franckean Synod," and this church received a shock from which it has not and perhaps never will recover. In 1865 the farm was sold, and the last church meeting under the old order was held February 9, 1867, Daniel Engle being elected trustee, and Philip W. Strobeck, clerk. The associate trustees were Paul Strobeck and John J. Petrie.
.
The pastors of this ancient church have been as follows :-
Peter N. Sommers and others, of Schoharie church, up to 1806, when Henry Moeller came and remained till 1822.
Abraham Crounse, from 1823 to 1828. Philip Weiting, from 1828 to 1838.
Mr. Emmerick, from 1838 to 1867, when only occasional preaching was sustained.
The " Rhinebeck Church" was called " St. Peter's.
Mr. Lawyer also sold one hundred and fifty acres of land lying to the east of the Rhinebeck lot, for the support of a "Reformed Church," and was occupied by Mr. Kinney. Upon the farm a parsonage was built, but not a church. Judge John M. Brown bought the parsonage in 1805, and removed it opposite of Hager Brown's barn, as a residence, where he lived many years. The church was erected at Lawyersville in 1800.
The first settlers of Rhinebeck now included in the territory of Seward, were the Loucks, Uttmans, (Ottman), Fredericks, and Browns. They were a hardy, industrious class of people,
and a few of them nobly acted in the cause of liberty in after years, and exhibited a Spartan bravery and an endurance which we take pride in ascribing as characteristic of the American pioneer. A few families of this settlement who were loyal to the Crown were passive, with but two exceptions, and did nothing to injure the Colonial cause.
Many of the old orchards through the town of Seward were brought from Schoharie and Breakabeen by the first settlers, upon their backs. We find they are not backward each season in their old age, in supplying their owners with an abundance of fruit, and we will not be overdrawing facts in saying that the farmers of this town, as a class, are not negligent in taking care of their orchards as well as their rich lands, and take pride in keeping everything around them in order.
Gold Mine .- But a short distance from the " Rhinebeck Church" are to be seen marks of a supposed rich paying "gold digging" that was commenced but a few years ago by one of the enterprising farmers of this locality. A son visited the west, and while there was induced to have his "fortune told" by an expert, that drew his knowledge from a common quartz crystal of a prodigious size, and which was said to be a "diamond." The young man was made acquainted with the cheering news that a gold mine could be found by digging in a cer- tain spot upon his father's farm. He returned to his home, and upon stating the circumstance of the "fortune telling" to the family they became satisfied that there must be a "divinity" in the stone or man, and sent for him. Upon his coming, to use the words of our informant, " he walked right to the spot." Work was soon commenced, and the laborers being "worthy of their hire," a small sum, say a few hundred dollars, was expended. But on reaching the depth as instructed, the gold was not there, but instead, said our friend, a curious soil showed itself, which made the shovels as blue as "indigo bags." They little thought that they were so near the brimstone "pit" upon making the " blue" discovery ! Being too eager and ex- citable, perhaps they " spoke" to each other just before they reached the gold, which would
277
TOWN OF SEWARD.
cause the treasures to vanish, according to the belief of our good old Dutch fathers and mothers. There is indeed gold to be found in these noble hillsides and valleys, but not by digging such large holes. It is found in the corn and potato hills, in the rich pastures and luxuriant meadow lands, but careful industry and economy must be used to find it instead of a " diamond."
For many years after 1800, a tavern was kept by John Adam Strobeck, father of the late Paul Strobeck, upon the place of the latter's late residence. Here "general training" was quite often hield, with its variety of amusements and gingerbread sales, and "high old times" in general, enjoyed by the hardy sons of the soil, which enlivened their wearisome life. An occasional horse race was seen between the lusty wheat-fed horses, that always enjoyed the fun as well as their owners ; also justice, here sat stalwart, amidst clouds of tobacco-smoke and fumes of "nog" and "flip," in all the dignity of an ancient burgomaster, rendering judgments against "counstopples " if the merits of the case could not warrant them against the plaintiffs or defendants. Hon Adam, as he was familiarly known, always drove good horses, and was captain in mischief for fun, especially while on the road to Albany with grain, when several neighbors would go in company, as was the custom, and run horses, turn around sign- posts, and occasionally have a few " rough and tumbles."
The cost of marketing produce fifty or sixty years ago, was more in gateage than in hotel accommodations, providing they did not drink too often. Lodging was six cents, horse stabling one shilling. The farmer carried his hay and grain to feed, beside his own "dinner box." Every bar-room was furnished with a large table, upon which the farmers would place their victuals and each one "help himself," without preference to claims. In extreme cold weather they indulged in a glass of "flip " to " warm up," and wash the food down ; and in extreme heat to " cool off" and assist digestion; but when the weather was moderate-between the two extremes-one or two "horns " were taken, to be prepared for sudden changes. The ex-
pense was trifling, three cents for a single drink and a "quarter" for the crowd regardless of its numbers.
Hon Adam was in the battle of Sharon and was wounded in the hip from which he never fully recovered. After peace was proclaimed he settled here and amassed a fine property, and was followed by his son, Paul. Mr. Stro- beck was a staunch patriot and a very chari- table man, except to Tories, who were objects of his hatred. Long after the war closed, a gathering for training or a lawsuit was made at the Strobeck house, and among the number was an inveterate Tory, whose crimes had been many, by the name of Monk, and who boasted while under the influence of liquor, of his crimes. Strobeck caught him up and threw him in the large dutch fireplace that contained a blazing fire, and nearly burnt him to death. For many years the village now called " Hyndsville " was known as "Hoffmans Mills," which consisted of a grist and saw-mill, the former being the first one at this place, erected in 1795. When the postoffice was established, Squire Hynds received the appointment as postniaster, and the office as well as the place was named after him. It is fitting that all places bear the family name of the first settlers. The village being upon the Sharon & Cherry Valley rail- road, which connects with one of the trunk lines of the State, is accessible to all parts, and by enterprise, aided by capital, may be made a flourishing manufacturing town, as the water privileges are very inviting. There is a superior quarry of flagging-stone near the railroad, from which those of large dimensions are ob- tained. Here are about two hundred inhabi- tants, two hotels, two variety stores, two wagon shops, one undertaker and two blacksmith shops, and a tin and cooper shop. A short distance east of the village upon the north bank of the West Kill, is the pleasant mansion of John Hynds, whose father, (Henry) was taken prisoner by the Indians on the 4th of July, 1780, as already mentioned. Mr. Hynd's mother was a daughter of Nicholas Warner, another pris- oner, and who is a true sample of the original German settlers. His father was absent from home, as a prisoner, two years, and after marry-
278
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
ing, settled upon this place. The old gentleman died in 1854, at the age of eighty-four years, and was buried upon a pleasant knoll not far from the mansion. The grandfather, William, settled upon the south side of the creek, where George Winegard now resides, about the year 1756. He was a German, hardy and industrious. When the feeble colonists made a strike in Freedom's cause, we find he fainted not but stood firm, fearless and vigilant. When we consider his situation, in the midst of the forest, upon the hunting grounds of the savage, far from assistance when needed, liable to be tortured and slain any moment for his political sentiments, we cannot but admire and won- der at his bravery and zeal. Such characters brighten the pages of history.
The town has two postoffices, one at Hynds- ville and the other at Seward station. "Seward Valley" is a village in the north-west part of the town and is pleasantly located. It was formerly called "Neeley's Hollow " after one of the prominent citizens and first settlers, Mathew Neeley, from Florida, Montgomery county. He settled upon the place now occu- pied by - - Hagadorn, and was a black- smith and Baptist preacher. He founded the Baptist church at this place over which he pre- sided for several years. He kept the first store in the place, and was a very energetic business man, but removed to Cattaraugus county, where he died at a ripe old age. .
Here are two churches, a grist and saw-mill, and about thirty houses. A foundry was run successfully for many years, but at present it "is not." The Seward postoffice was formerly here, but upon the completion of the rail- road through the town, a station was established about one mile distant to the northeast, and named Seward Station, and the postoffice was removed to it.
SEWARD STATION.
Quite a settlement is being formed, which consists of a hotel, two stores, grist-mill and nearly twenty houses. Clark B. Griggs was the pioneer settler of this hamlet, as a mer- chant and hotel keeper. It being a central sta- tion for a large territory, well cultivated and
productive, the prospect of its becoming an active business centre seems favorable. Nearly two miles from the station to the north is Gard- nersville.
GARDNERSVILLE.
Gardnersville is a small hamlet, named in honor of Dow B. Gardner, who was long en- gaged in the mercantile business, but removed to Albany, and was the ticket agent of the " Rensselaer & Saratoga" railroad for several years. He was the father of " Billy" Gardner, the first regular conductor on the Albany & Susquehanna railroad, which position he held for many years.
The farm upon which resides Abram France, as we have before mentioned, was the "Crysler farm," but the old house stood farther to the east than the present one. When the property was confiscated after the war, Lawrence France purchased it, whose heir now resides upon the farm.
The large and substantial church standing here was built by the Lutherans of the "new school " that withdrew from the Rhinebeck and " Turlah" churches under the leadership of Rev. Philip Weiting.
Rev. Philip Weiting .- Mr. Weiting was born in Minden, Montgomery county, N. Y., Sept. 23, 1800, and entered the ministry in 1825, at Le Roy, Jefferson county, N. Y., from whence he removed to New Rhinebeck, in 1828, to officiate over that church and Dorlach, which position he held for forty years, and brought them from a " fading " shadow to their present high standard, by his untiring labors and fervent godliness. Upon the division of the Synod, Mr. Weiting and his followers claimed the Rhinebeck church property, while the Dorlach charge, which held to the old Synod, com- menced litigation to retain it. After many years of legal dispute the courts decided against the new school's (Franckean Evangelic Lutheran Synod,) rights to the property, and Mr. Weiting and flock found themselves desti- tute of a house of worship. Measures were immediately taken, and in 1849 this church of Gardnersville was dedicated, but the building was burned soon after, supposed to have been
279
TOWN OF SEWARD.
the work of an incendiary. Not daunted, the present one soon took its place, in which the greatest efforts of Mr. Weitings life in the cause of the Master, were witnessed. 'The con- gregation was large, covering a wide extent of territory, and it became necessary to build a branch at Lawyersville, which was done, in the latter part of 1849, and dedicated in February, 1850.
Mr. Weiting preached his valedictory sermon on the first day of October, 1868, the fortieth anniversary of his pastorate over his charge -- in which he said "The aggregate of money raised by these two churches during my ministry is $35,000, or an average of $800 a year." His last sermon was preached in the new brick Lutheran church at Cobleskill, on the 18th day of July, 1869. The fruits of his ministry in the sparsely settled section in which he was placed were, “ received to membership, 1,250, baptized 1,300, marriages solemnized, 800, and 1,700 funerals attended." " Fifteen of his spiritual children," -- says his memoir-"entered or are about to enter the ministerial calling."
On the 7th of September, 1869, Mr. Weiting died, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and was buried in the "Slate Hill Cenietery " by a large concourse of friends, by whom he was dearly loved.
His biographer says, which is true, also of his whole life in all relations: "The secret of his successful ministry was earnestness, fidelity, perseverance."*
Railroads .- The railroads have proved the death blow to the little hamlets scattered throughout the County that were unfortunate enough to lie away from their lines, as quite a business in a small way was once done there. The " defunct " little Janesville boasted of being quite active and attractive, but its life and energy have flown, and the rattling of the wheels and shriek of the whistle, that pass with the speed of the wind, prove to be exultations of triumph over their feeble efforts to "do some- thing."
However, the good people have a church, where they assemble and worship; several mechanical shops to drive away "gloomy fore-
bodings," and many homes that are as cheery as if a railroad ran around each one. It mat- ters little, where peace and plenty abound, especially where fond affection draws its golden cord around the hearthstone, and makes it in the true sense of the term a "home-be it ever so humble."
Colonel Willett's Raid for Subsistence .- Dur- ing the Revolutionary struggle many farmers of New Dorlach were well-to-do, and raised large crops, and being loyalists, Colonel Willett in command at Fort Plain, occasionally sent forag- ing parties over to obtain supplies, such as grain, meat, and other articles for subsistence, which they took without "leave or license." But one suit at law emanated from those acts of which we have been made acquainted, from the fact that the articles thus taken were from those who were unable to prove their loyalty to the Colonies. The suit was brought on to recover fees for obtaining damages from the govern- ment, which brought out the following facts :---
On the day of the battle of Sharon, Colonel Willett and his men followed the retreating force to Conradt Brown's, (where the meeting was broken up upon hearing the firing,) and made a raid upon his eatable effects. Finding a goodly store, they came at different times. At the close of the war, Brown proved his patriotism and petitioned for redress. The Legislature of New York passed an act in 1785 exonerating Willett, and required him to ac- count to the State for the property so taken, and to pay the value of the same or account to the Treasurer of New York, that it might be brought into account with the United States. It was paid by the Government to New York in 1790, with interest, in order that the persons who were entitled to the same might make application to the Legislature for the amount. The amount in 1790 was $1,575.00. We believe the money was obtained, but whether the heirs of Brown or the agents employed to get the amount realized the most, we are unable to say. Several other claims against the gov- ernment for "subsistence" thus taken from New Dorlach, were presented, but the failure of the claimants to prove their allegiance debarred them from receiving any compensation.
* See portrait, Town of Cobleskill.
2 So
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Mills .- The first grist-mill in the town was built about the year 1765, by Henry Haines, a little below the bridge that crosses the stream near the " Haines farm" buildings. The next were " Rice's Mills " near Squire Sextons, and soon after "Hoffmans Mills." H. A. Warner is the present proprietor of the "Seward Grist- mill" near the station, which was built in 1795. A saw-mill is connected, which has for long years assisted to clear the forest, and cause a scarcity of water through the summer months, that has compelled the purchase of an engine to drive the grist-mill, as in many other instances throughout the country. The waste of lumber in past years has been great, while nothing has been done towards the propagation of forest trees.
In 1850 Tobias Warner and G. Miller erected the mill now owned by John McChes- ney, with four run of stone, capable of grinding three hundred bushels daily. These mills, together with several saw-mills add much to the business of the town beside affording a convenience that may well be highly appreciated.
Merchants .- The first merchant of Hynds- ville was Abram Hynds, a son of Henry. He built the present brick store occupied by Philip P. Hilton. Mr. Hilton succeeded him in 1839, and is a son of Peter A. Hilton, for a long time a merchant and supervisor of Sharon. His trade is in dry goods, groceries, crockery and hardware, as also is James A. Wilber and Clark B. Griggs, at Seward Station, and Wright Bros., of the Valley. M. E. Myers, of Hyndsville, and N. Southworth at Janesville keep a line of grocer- ies only. Q. & H. B. Calkins, of Hyndsville, Menzo Brown, of Janesville, and Chas. Brown, of the Valley, are engaged in wagon and sleigh making. H. B. Loyd is undertaker and furniture dealer, at Janesville. It is a fact, that before the railroad was built through the county local merchants and tradesmen were more numerous and more busily engaged than at present. Trade of all kinds has been led off to more distant centers, where competition is formed, to invite trade.
The "Hyndsville Cornet Band " composed of fifteen pieces, under the leadership of Henry Bellinger, is an organization worthy of our
attention, as it has but few if any equals in the country. It was organized in 1868 by farmers and mechanics, of whom proficiency in musical attainments is not expected.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.