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 60
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In the True American of 1810, we find Thomas Penfield advertises " saddles, harness cap and holster making "; also Nicholas Feeck that he had commenced the business of "Tayloring," and wishes all to patronize him, and Benjamin Miles comes out with a short notice that he keeps "leather and groceries." Jabez W. Throop gives a list of goods for which cash and barter will be taken in exchange. "Ashes are wanted."
These were the only "business men" of the place at that time, as we find no others adver- tise. Without doubt the village contained but few houses directly around the Court House, but they were scattered along the line of road
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
from Martin L. Schaeffer's to the Stone Church. Near the latter gentleman's dwelling stands the old family residence of Revolutionary times, that was spared from the torch by the preten- sions to loyalty of a negress slave.
At the invasion of Johnson and Brant the people of this neighborhood had ample time to remove to the lower fort for safety, as the alarm gun from the upper and middle forts had been heard, besides scouts were going and coming, giving the location of the enemy at all times through the day. Mr. Hendricus Schæffer was at the lower fort, and when the invaders divided their forces to approach the fort from the east and west sides, Mr. Schæffer and two others, William Enders and John Kneiskern wheeled a small field-piece from the southeast block-house to the knoll where Smith Young's residence stands, and fired upon the force that was com- ing in that direction. They fired but once how- ever, when Schæffer's companions fled from the fort, leaving him to haul the gun alone or leave it. They were ordered to return, which they did, but through a shower of bullets which passed them without harm. When the force passed the Schæffer residence the main portion was near the river, and small squads entered the houses and did the mischief.
The owner of the Schæffer house was Chris- tian, the son of the original settler-Hendrick. He had been a cripple for several years and refused to leave home and seek the fort for safety. When the squad of Indians and Tories entered the building, a negress slave assumed a loyal air, and verified it by strong language, and placed a goodly supply of pies and other eatables within sight, which tempted their ap- petites and they left the house without doing any damage. It was supposed the members of this clan were strangers to the family, and find- ing them at home, while true patriots were in the fort, beside through sympathy to Mr. Schæffer in his infirmities, were the reasons the house was spared. It still stands in a good state of preservation, and is something of a curiosity. The beams are hewn smooth, and the braces are cased in a curve, with oak. A groove is cut in the posts in which split slats are placed to plaster upon, which saved the ex- pense of nails and sawing lumber for lathing.
Mr. Schæffer not having any heirs, adopted his only brother's (Jacob) son, Hendricus, who was at this time at the fort as before mentioned. In the possession of Mr. Martin L. Schaeffer are several relics, among which is an oil painting of Hendricus and his wife; also the weathercock that was perched upon the steeple of the old stone Lutheran church of 1750. It is made of beaten iron, of the thickness of very heavy sheet, and displays good workmanship. Undoubtedly Johannes Lawyer, the first deacon of the church, suggested the idea of placing a " Roost- er " upon the spire, as we find he was very par- tial to those bipeds, requiring each of his tenants to give him a pair of chickens yearly, beside the stipulated rents. These interesting relics lure us back to olden times, and awaken a lively curiosity to seek further through such inter- stices in the hazy past, for more mementoes, more facts.
Near the time that Hendrick settled here, his brother, Johannes, also built a house, near the present location of the brick house upon the opposite side of the road. We cannot say why Johannes was not mentioned when the lands were first mapped, but he was, without doubt, as early a settler as his brother. During the war the house was burned, while the family was ab- sent, supposed by the enemy to be in the fort, where they really were.
Before leaving these two families to follow the footsteps of the invaders, we will open the records, and trace their genealogy down to the present time, fearful that those yellow leaves may lose the impress that dimly marks their names, and those that wish to learn of them will search in vain. Hendrick had two sons and eight daughters. The sons were Jacob, who settled at Breakabeen, and Christian the cripple. Jacob had but two sons, that we know of- Marcus and Hendricus. Hendricus settled, as has been seen, with Christian, and had but one son, Christian H., the father of the present Gideon, Martin, Luther and Jacob H. His only daughter married the late Nicholas Russell, of Cobleskill. Christian H. married the daugh- ter of Peter Schæffer, of Cobleskill, who passed his last days at this place. Johannes, the brother, was succeeded by his son, Martinus, whose son Marcus occupied the old homestead
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when burned, and was at the fort. David was the son of Marcus and the father of the present Marcus and Henry living near. Thus we find the last ones mentioned in line of the two fami- lies are the fifth generation.
The invaders passing down, laid the houses in ashes, with the exception of the stone house of Johannes Lawyer, who had removed to a building near the fort for safety, and a wooden structure occupied by John I. Lawyer as an inn, also the old parsonage and Lutheran Church, which, tradition says, were spared by order of Johnson and Brant. Simms was in- formed that the house of John I. Lawyer was burned the night following. We do not believe that the enemy returned, as it would have been too hazardous to have done so. The night was passed by the patriots at the lower fort, in con- junction with the forts above, in making preparation to follow and skirmish with the rear of the army the next day, beside keeping a vigilant eye upon the enemy's encampment. If a scout had been sent out to finish the work of destruction, they could not have gone far before meeting their doom, as Christian Strubach with his trusty followers were on their watch. The building might have been burned by a fly- ing spark from the ruins of Ingold's dwelling, but more likely by the brands of the Colonists, whose opinion of Lawyer's loyalty was not very complimentary. There were several houses near the fort which escaped the Mohawk's torch, as they were too near the muzzle of the patriots' unerring rifles and the little six- pounder that was wheeled out to salute their coming. Captain Mann's mansion across Fox's creek was also spared, beside one occupied by a man named William Dietz, down the valley near where the late Peter Snyder's residence stands. Mrs. Dietz had just finished milking and was entering the door when she saw a few Indians approaching. Setting the pail down in the door-way she sought safety back of the house, while the savages' thirst for blood and plunder was pacified by the pail of milk, and they passed on to " Kneiskern's dorf."
The old grist-mill that was built by Johannes Eckerson about 1760, stood between the old house and the creek, and was set on fire, but making little progress before the enemy dis-
appeared, it was soon extinguished, and stood for many years after, and was owned by Colonel Peter Vroman, who settled here at the close of the war. Thomas Eckerson, son of Johannes, was the miller at that time, and he with his wife had just returned on foot from Schenectady as the enerny set fire to the mill. Upon his enter- ing the building, an Indian raised his rifle and fired upon him, when a Tory of the neighbor- hood standing near, threw up the muzzle of the gun, and the charge went over him. As he struck the gun, he exclaimed, "If you shoot him we can't get any more flour !" The old mill stood for many long years, and was re- placed by the present one, by Jacob Fisher, and long owned by John Griggs, who was followed by the present owner, Samuel Stevens.
Within the hamlet of Brunnen dorf lived John Ingold, who first settled near Weiser's dorf, and removed to this place about the year 1740. His house was burned by Johnson's forces in 1780, but he rebuilt after the war closed, and those buildings were used for holding the first courts in the County. The records say, "at the house of"John Ingold," while tradition says, "in the wagon-house of John Ingold," which building is still standing, and in which the legal talent of such men as Tiffany, Gebhard, Van Veghten, Cady, and a host of others was dis- played, and which were noble examples of in- dustrious workers, deep and active abilities and honorable aspirations.
Johannes Ingold, Jr., succeeded his father, and was the first Coroner in the County. He represented the County in the Legislature in 1808, 1809 and 1810, with John Rice of Sharon. He was also Supervisor of the town ten terms, 1797 to 1800 and in 1803, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810 and 1811, besides holding several other local offices, in which he displayed that honesty for which he was noted. He was much respected by all who knew him, and passed away at an advanced age.
The family name we believe to be extinct in the valley, except upon the tombstones that bear
"The name, the year, the day."
After the invasion, buildings were slowly erected for the security of crops, but no resi- dences were built until after peace was pro-
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
claimed in 1783, and then only upon the sites of the burned houses.
When the Court House was built in 1800 more order in the location of the buildings was observed, and one of the first marks of improv- ment that accompanied the Court House, was the building erected by John Bouck, and long occupied by John Gebhard, Jr. It was a first- class country residence of that day. Within it was a tile fireplace, that now graces the Frey mansion near Canajoharie, and which was pur- chased in Albany at a great cost, and was the only one of the kind in this part of the country.
Within the walls of this old house assembled the refined of the place, to enjoy the hospi- tality of the highly respected host.
The observing can plainly note by the differ- ent style of buildings, at what period they were erected, and mark the improvement in archi- tecture as well as convenience and comfort in their construction. The one alluded to was considered a fine residence in its day. But in strolling up the street, observing the modern additions placed upon some of the buildings of equal age, and especially in viewing the spa- cious residence of James O. Williams, we can but be struck with the development of architect- ural art.
The appearance the present Court House presents, no doubt is in as great contrast to the one built in 1800, as the buildings we have men - tioned. It was a three story stone building, covering less ground than the present one, with a belfry rising from the center of the roof, with but little ornamental work upon it. The jail was in the third story, in which some time in the year 1845, a man by the name of Burton was confined for grand larceny. He made an at- tempt to escape by burning the lock from the wooden door. The wood being very dry, the fire was soon beyond the control of the prisoner, and ascended to the attic and cupola. The incendiary gave an alarm and was with difficulty rescued. Another building was erected the same and following year, of more pretentious appear- ance. It was built of stone and consisted of the Court, Supervisors' and Sheriff's rooms and office. The jail which is still standing, was built in the rear, and though a small structure it is sufficient for the purpose for which it was
intended, and is frequently destitute of occu- pants.
The village was very fortunate in having no conflagrations up to the year 1868, when a most destructive fire occurred, which threatened an- nihilation of the ancient "dorf." Our esteemed friend Squire John Gebhard thus alludes to the burning :-
"On the 18th of July, 1868, the largest and most destructive fire the village ever witnessed occurred. It was of an incendiary origin. The hay in the barn belonging to Francisco Wood & Son's hotel, about the middle of the night, had been set on fire, and when first discovered the flames were bursting out of the roof. The brick hotel of Mr. Wood was greatly injured, a portion of the roof being burnt off. From the hotel the fire extended north, to Badgley's brick store, which was also materially damaged. From thence the fire extended to the large three story frame building adjoining, occupied by several tenants. The third story of the building was occupied by A. A. Hunt, editor and proprietor of The Schoharie Republican, and all the type, presses, plates, etc., belonging to the office, and the bound files of the paper since 1819, to- gether with the building, were totally destroyed. The next building, the 'Arcade,' a wooden structure, was also burned, and the adjoining one occupied by Alexander Rickard. The progress of the fire in this direction was finally arrested at O. B. Throop's fire-proof drug store. To the south of the hotel the flames burned the roof of the " Schoharie County Bank," then en- tered the brick store and dwelling of Hiram Benedict, which were destroyed. Next the roof of the fire-proof store now occupied by Jacob T. Miers was burned. From thence, the flames ex- tended to the store now occupied by Henry A. Brown, which was also materially injured. The fire in this direction was stopped at the brick residence of the late Peter Osterhout, Sr., but his storehouse and barns were consumed. All the out-houses, barns and sheds in the rear of the burnt buildings were destroyed. A man by the name of Jacob Lagrange was suspected as the incendiary. He was arrested during the fire and made a full confession of his guilt, and was tried for the offence and convicted on his con-
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fession and sentenced to the States Prison for the term of eight years."
Squire Gebhard also adds :--
"A destructive fire occurred in the villlage on the 17th day of January, 1870. At mid-day the lay in the barn belonging to the ' Eagle Hotel' (kept by William Parrott, Jr.,) now the Parrott House, was discovered to be on fire. The barn and carriage house attached were one hundred feet in length, and the quantity of hay in the barn and the advanced state of the flames when first discovered, rendered any attempt to ex- tinguish them wholly futile. The 'Eagle' fronted on Main street and the south side of the hotel faced and adjoined the Court House lot. It was a frame building, extending one hundred feet on Main street and was but a short distance west of the barns in the rear. The wind blowing from the east, at once drove the flames from the barn to the house, and in a short time it was completely consumed. The flames reached the Court House, and soon laid the wood work in ashes. To the north of the hotel, the tin and hardware store and residence of Warren S. Gates, both frame buildings, were destroyed. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained."
The County being again destitute of a Court House, steps were at once take for rebuilding. The citizens of Cobleskill village petitioned to the Board of Supervisors to erect it at that place, and as an inducement offered to give the loca- tion and at last, to bear the expense of building without cost to the County. Schoharie, awak- ened, made a like offer to retain the county- seat, to which the Board acquiesced. But through some technicality, the County contribu- ted to its erection, which occurred in 1870. It is a blue limestone structure, three stories in height and considered fire-proof, the cornices, dome and pinnacles being galvanized iron. The first story comprises the Surrogate's and County Clerk's offices, and a large kitchen where cooking is done for the prisoners ; while upon the second floor large apartments for the sheriff's family, together with a Supervisor's room and Sheriff's office are conveniently arranged. The third floor comprises a spacious Court Room with gallery and petit-jury room. The former clerk's
office was a low stone building, and stood upon the north line of the Court House lot. The fire of 1868 seriously damaged the walls, but the records and other papers were uninjured, although they were but a few feet from the burn- ing buildings that caused an intense heat.
Whether the people of the progressive " Foun- tain town " had a school before the school here was built, near the old parsonage, or not, we are unable to tell. A few, very few, of the present residents first began to solve the mysteries of " Daboll " and worry over " Webster's Speller and Definer" in the old building.
When its walls began to crumble, another was built near the present Lutheran church, but like its predecessor, time and truants accom- plished the work of destruction, and it yielded upon the appearance of a more commodious one that still stands but a short distance off.
Schoharie Academy .- By an act of the Legis- lature, passed upon the 28th of April, 1837, Jacob Gebhard, William Mann, Charles Good- year, Peter Osterhout, Sr., Benjamin Pond, Peter S. Swart, William Dietz, Henry Shafer, Jacob Vrooman, and such other persons as may associate with them, were constituted a body cor- porate by the name of The Schoharie Academy, for the purpose of establishing, maintaining and conducting a Seminary of learning for the edu- cation of youths of both sexes. It was incor- porated by the Regents, February 5, 1839, and has been a superior school from the com- mencement.
The course of study is as extensive at pres- ent as any similar institution in the State. The present faculty consists of :-
Solomon Sias, Principal.
Robert B. Handy, French, German and English branches.
Miss Emma K. Cramer, Intermediate or English branches,
Miss Hattie Morrison, Common English.
Miss Ida Mayham, Primary or Preparatory.
It is under the management of the following able " Board of Education : "
Hon. S. L. Mayham, President.
M. N. DeNoyelles, Secretary.
J. O. Williams, Wm. S. Layman, M. D., Jacob T. Miers, J. W. Marsh.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
The first " Regents Higher Academic Diplo- ma" ever presented in the County was given on the 13th of June, 1881, to E. E. DeNoyelles, and the ninety-fourth in the entire State. The only tliree Regents Certificates ever awarded in the County were given also to scholars of this school, which bespeaks well for the faculty.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- Within the shadow of the spire of the ancient brick church stands another substantial structure dedicated to the worship of the same " Master " according to the theory of Wesley. Although the organ- ization of this body is young in years, in com- parison to the Reformed and Lutheran, yet its records show but few superior workers in the " vineyard." It was organized in 1840 under Rev. David Poor, preacher in charge, with twelve members. Rev. - VanAuken, then living here, became deeply interested in the organization, and under his labors the present house of worship was erected in 1842. The ministers in charge from that date up to 1852 we are unable to give, but from that date to the present time, they were as follows :-
William R. Brown, 1852-1854. A. W. Garvin, 1854-1856. Joseph Cape, 1856-1858. A. Heath, 1858-1860.
I. C. Fenton, 1860-1863.
A. D. Heck, 1863-1867.
E. Taylor, 1867-1869. E. Mott, 1869-1872.
· Milton Tator, 1872.
A. Champlin, 1873.
W. B. Bedell, 1874.
A. W. Powers, 1874-1876.
L. A. Bigelow, 1876-1880.
J. G. Gooding, 1880 and present.
Barton Hill and Central Bridge are con- nected with this church in pastorate. The membership is one hundred and seventy-seven.
The following are the present officers :-
Stewards :-
M. N. DeNoyelles, P. S. Clark, G. D. Warner, S. R. Wright, Abram Becker,
John Stever, George Terpenning, Ira Blanchford, G. Shank.
Trustees :- M. N. DeNoyelles, P. S. Clark, S. W. Zeh, W. M. Preston, John Morrison, George D. Warner, T. D. Young.
Recording Steward :-
P. S. Clark.
African M. E. Church .- Of more humble pretensions, the small "African Methodist Episcopal Church " organized in 1856 by R. T. Eaton, closes the list of religious organizations in the village. The pastors who have officiated are as follows :-
Reverends Benjie, Bessler, Ray, Wales, Ham- mond, Tyler, Ely, Sanford, and the present Rev- erend Mr. Gibbs.
Referring to the Barton Hill Methodist So- ciety, we are led to remark it was formed in 1824, and one of the leading men at its organi- zation still continues one of its main supporters.
Theodore Barton, now at the age of eighty-five, was one of the pioneers of the elevation known as Barton Hill, and still possesses the activity of mind and body found in most men of fifty. He is the only one left of four brothers who came from Duchess county in 1818 and purchased lands of the Keysers, who were preceded a few years by Gideon Wilber and the Simmons family. By strict economy and industry Mr. Barton has accumulated a competency which, together with his religious character, ranks him with the foremost men of the town. He is the oldest Mason in the County.
But a short distance from the Barton neigh- borhood is found the celebrated Gebhard's cav- ern, first explored by our venerable friend John Gebhard, Jr., Dr. Joel Foster and Mr. John S. Bonney in the fall of 1831. Among the many rich specimens obtained in this cave is one re- sembling alabaster. While we are led to think
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it is but carbonate of lime and not sulphate, yet its beauty and close resemblance to the genuine, make it nearly as valuable and worthy of ob- taining. The ingress to this cave is precipitous and somewhat hazardous, which but few visit- ors feel disposed to incur, yet the beautiful threadlike crystals, stalactites and stalagmites, aragonite and satin spar, found down in its depths, well repay the student for his venture.
Schoharie Bridge .- On the 26th of March, 1803, an act was passed by the Legislature to establish a lottery and appoint managers of the same, to raise $41,500 "for opening and im- proving certain great roads in this State," and the sum of six hundred dollars was included for the building of the bridge over the Schoharie creek, opposite of Schoharie village. The money was "to be paid to the Commissioners of Highways of the town of Schoharie for that purpose." By an act passed March 8, 1805, John Dominick, Jr., John Becker, John Ingold, Jr., Peter Shafer, David Swart, Peter Swart, Jr., Jacob Lawyer, Jr., and Peter I. Shafer were created a body corporate to build the bridge and were called the "Schoharie and Cobleskill Bridge Company." The structure was finished in 1813. Near this bridge upon the farm of John Gebhard, during the Revolution, the patri- ots manufactured sulphur for making powder, and it was thought that other minerals, such as silver and copper existed there in great quanti- ties, but little effort was made to unearth them.
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We have already mentioned the village was first called "Brunnen dorf" and afterwards "Fountain Town." At a later date it was fre- quently called "Sommersville," in honor of the first Lutheran pastor. It received its present appellation upon the building of the Court House.
The town was formed in 1788, as a part of Albany county, and comprised nearly the whole of the present territory of Schoharie County. In 1797, Middleburgh, Blenheim, Broome and Cobleskill were taken from it, and in 1846 Wright and Esperance. The first general elec- tion of town officers of which we have any rec- ord was held "upon the first Tuesday in April, 1797," and lasted three days. The voting was done by dropping the ballot in a hat and each
official voted for separately. The following ticket was elected :-
Supervisor-John Ingold, Jr. Clerk-Henry Becker.
Assessors-Jacob Becker, Jacob Kneiskern, Peter Swart, Casper Crounse, Hendricus Schaeffer.
Commissioners of Highways-David Stern- bergh, Peter Swart, John Enders.
Collector-William Mann.
Commissioners of Schools-George Tiffany, Jacob Gebhard and James Brown.
Overseers of Poor-Hendricus Schaeffer, Henry Weaver.
Poundmaster-Johannes I. Lawyer.
Constables-Richard Green, Jacob Smith, William Schoolcraft.
Fence Viewers-Marcus Shafer, Jacob Sid- nick (Sidney), Peter Ball, Peter Enders.
At the town meeting in May, 1804, it was
Resolved, That every crow killed, six cents if Braught to the town Clark and the Town Clark cuts off the head and gives a certificate.
The earliest records of the town that are ac- cessible, bear the date of 1789, when nearly the whole of the present County of Schoharie was in one district or town, belonging to Al- bany county. We find Marcus Bellinger was supervisor, and Johannes Dietz acting town clerk. A book was kept according to the statutes, in which was registered the births of illegitimate children, and the marks that each farmer placed upon their cattle, sheep and hogs, which was necessary, as they were turned in the forest during the summer months, and enabled each owner to identify his property without trouble. The illegitimate children were prin- cipally those of slaves, and in registering, both cattle and infants were mixed up promiscuously, as follows :--
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