USA > New York > Schoharie County > History of Schoharie county, and border wars of New York > Part 56
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In the woods, about a mile northwest of Carlisle village, is a small cavern, in which it is believed the Indians often found rest when visiting the neighboring settlements in the Revolution, as it afforded them ample security. Near it issues a fine spring. The bones of animals, fire brands, and some fifty sticks, set in the ground, apparently, for the purpose of drying meat, gave evidence of re- peated visitants, to those who discovered the place after the war.
In this town is one of the most lofty elevations in the county, known by the aboriginal name of O-waere-souere. It is of a co-
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nical form, and may be seen from Fulton county, fifty miles north of it.
COBELSKILL, centrally distant from the Court House, 10 miles, and from Albany 40, is bounded north by Carlisle, east by Scho- harie and Fulton, south by Summit and Otsego county, and west by Seward and Sharon. Population 3,583. This township is of an oblong shape. The Cobelskill, a fine mill stream, rises on the Tallmadge farm, in Worcester, Otsego county, near the source of Schenevas creek, and running northeast sixteen miles, falls into the Schoharie near Central Bridge. West creek, its greatest tri- butary, rises on the borders of Cherry Valley, and affording nu- merous good mill seats in Seward, through which it courses eas- terly, unites with the Cobelskill near Cobelskill Centre.
The first settlement in this town was made on the flats, a strip of rich alluvion, extending several miles along the Cobelskill, in 1750, by Shafers, Boucks, Warners, Lawyers, Frimires, Borsts, and Browns, from Schoharie, and George Fester, from Pennsyl- vania, all of whom were of German origin.
In this town there are 6 churches, and 6 villages, each with a post office, viz : Cobelskill, Richmondville, Lawyerville, Barn- erville, Cobelskill Centre, and Punchkill. The first two villages are the most important ; the former having 2 churches, Luther- an and Dutch Reformed,-several stores workshops, &c., and pro- bably the best district school house in the county, a neat edifice, recently erected. The other villages have 3 churches, 1 each,- Lutheran, Methodist, and Baptist, a tannery, several work- shops, stores, &c. The rock in the south part of the town is prin- cipally sandstone and graywacke-the grit of the former in some quarries being suitable for grindstones. The north part of the town abounds in limestone, in which are numerous unexplored caverns.
Among the early settlers at Lawyerville, were Capt. James Dana, a native of Ashford, Connecticut, and John Redington ; the former having served his country as a captain of the Connec- ticut line of Continental troops, and the latter a soldier of that gallant band. Dana was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and in
40
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
command of a company of men was stationed, with Capt. Knowl- ton and his company, by the orders of Gen. Putnam, to prevent the enemy from gaining Col. Prescott's rear, and thus cut off the retreat of the Americans to the main-land. From this position, Capt. D., with Lieut. Thomas Grosvenor and Sergeant Fuller, at a given signal, fired on Maj. Pitcairn, a British officer, marching with a body of men toward the fence, and he fell mortally wound- ed. During the battle a cannon shot struck the fence, and forced a rail against Dana's breast with such violence as to prostrate him ; but he regained his feet, and kept his ground until the troops left the hill, when he drew off his men and aided in covering the retreat of the army in good order. While retreating a bullet lodged in his canteen.
After the battle of Bunker Hill, a colonel's commission was of- fered Captains Knowlton and Dana, which the former accepted and the latter, from his native difficence, declined : he, however, left the army at the close of the war, with thé rank of brevet- major. On arriving at the American camp, near Boston, and be- coming apprized of the bravery of the two captains mentioned, and their deeds in the late battle, Gen. Washington immortalized their names in his first general order, announcing as the secret countersign, Knowlton ! and parole, Dana !
Thomas Grosvenor, who was a lieutenant, and third in com- mand of the troops stationed at the fence on Bunker Hill, and who was promoted to colonel,-in a letter to Col. Daniel Putnam, who was compelled to vindicate the character of his father, Gen. Israel Putnam, from an ignoble charge of cowardice made by Gen. Dearborn, which letter is dated April 30th, 1818, in speaking of the officers at that station, makes no mention of Capt. Dana, who was second in that command, and why he does not seems mysteri- ous, for Dana was the man who first communicated the evident in- tention of the enemy to out-flank the Americans. Lieut. Grosve- nor was wounded, and retired early from the field. That Dana was a modest, uneducated man, affords no good reason why lau- rels fairly won by him should be claimed by others. The truth is
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Capt. Dana merited a position in Col. Trumbull's picture of that battle, which is given to another .*
On an occasion when Gen. Washington was reconnoitering the American lines, Capt. Dana was on duty in the neighborhood, and observing the former riding in a direction where the enemy were just before posting sentinels, he said to him-" Perhaps your Ex- cellency may be in danger of a surprise if you proceed further that way ; the enemy in force are just over that Inoll before you." The Commander thankfully received the caution, and bowing res- pectfully, galloped back to his quarters. But for the prudence of Capt. Dana, it is possible Gen. Washington would have been a prisoner to Sir Henry Clinton. Capt. Dana stood high in the confidence of the Commander-in-chief.
When he located at Lawyerville, he erected a good log dwelling, in which he ever after resided. His virtues were held in high estimation in the community. On the organi- zation of a brigade of New York infantry, Capt. Dana received from Gov. Lewis, as a partial reward for services rendered his country, a general's commission. He was the first man who ever held that office in Schoharie county, and discharged its duties with becoming dignity.
The following anecdote of Gen. Lee was related to his friends by Gen. Dana : While the latter was reconnoitering on some occasion in the vicinity of the enemy's works, they were firing shells towards the American camp. Observing a shell to strike near him, he stepped behind a large tree near by. At the mo- ment it fell, and while the fuse was burning off, Gen. Lee arrived upon the spot with a favorite dog. He did not even seek the co- vert of a tree,-and the dog, imitating his master's example of unconcern, with curiosity to know the cause of its buzzing, ran up to smell of it at the instant it exploded. The dog
. Gen. William Eaton, who was the first American to unfurl the banner of freedom on the sands of Africa, (in 1803,) and win for his country the res- pect of the haughty Bashaw of Tripoli, by planting the American flag on the subdued fortifications of the city of Derne, the second city of importance in his dominions, commenced studying the art of war at an early age, as a pri- vate soldier, under Capt. Dana.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
was sent several rods, though not killed. Seeing his canine friend thus precipitated, he addressed him, unconscious of being over- heard-" You d-d fool ! have you been so long in the service, and don't yet know what a bomb is ?""
John Redington was a private in Capt. Dana's company of Connecticut troops, and was taken prisoner at Horseneck by De- lancey's cavalry. In the retreat of the Americans he concealedf himself under a bridge, and being discovered by the enemy he was brought out, divested of his hat, shoes, &c., and thus driven on foot by the unfeeling corps, with which he was compelled to keep up, all the way to New York, where he was incarcerated in that charnel, the Sugar House-enduring such sufferings as an iron frame only could endure-to the end of the war. On the return of peace he removed from Connecticut to Cobelskill, and settled in the neighborhood of his respected captain. In conse- quence of his patriotism and sufferings, he was given the command of the second company of cavalry ever organized in Schoharie county. He was a very enterprising man, and the Reformed Dutch Church, near his residence, was erected about the year 1800, through his influence.
The commissions for Gen. Dana and Capt. Redington, were ob- tained for them through the influence of a gentleman of great li- terary attainments, then residing in their neighborhood, who com- municated the incidents in their lives, here given, to the author.
The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave-yard at Lawyerville :
" In memory of General James Dana, who died October 16th, A. D. 1817, aged 85 years."
" Erected A. L .* 5817, by Morality Lodge, No. 217, of Free and Accepted Masons, in memory of William Huddleston, Esq., who was assassinated on the 9th of October, 1818, while in the discharge of his official duty, aged 60 years, 3 months, and 26 days."
" In memory of Captain John Redington, who died April 12th, 1830, aged 73 years, 6 months, and 14 days. A Revolutionary veteran, an enterprising settler of the county, of distinguished pub- lic spirit-an honest man."
*Anno Lucis-Year of Light.
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" Doct. Jesse Shepard, late a Judge of Schoharie county, died April 19th 1832, aged 57 years, 10 months, and 18 days."
CONESVILLE, southeast town in the county, was formed March 3d, 1836, from Broome and Durham in Greene county, and is bounded in the act of incorporation as follows :
" Beginning at the centre of the Schoharie creek in the county of Schoharie, where the Manor creek empties into the same ; thence north 46 degrees east 176 chains, to the northwest corner of a lot in Scott's patent known as the Leming lot ; thence east along the lines of lots in the said patent 320 chains, to the east line of the said patent 21 chains, to the north line of Stringer's patent ; thence east along the north line of the said last mentioned patent, 176 chains to the east line of the county of Greene ; thence eastwardly along the north line of the said county of Greene, 34 chains ; thence south two degrees east, 166 chains to the dividing line between the towns of Durham and Windham; thence west- wardly and northwardly along the said dividing line and the dividing line between Durham und Prattsville, until it intersects the north line of the county of Greene ; thence westwardly along the said county line, to the centre of the Schoharie creek, and thence northwardly down the centre of the said creek to the place of beginning."
This town is centrally distant from Albany 40 miles; from the county seat 26 ; and from Catskill 30. Population 1,621. It is watered by Diesman's creek, which runs into the Schoharie near Gilboa : on this creek near its mouth is a beautiful cascade, of some 60 feet descent. It has 1 post-office, bearing its name ; and 3 churches, 1 Dutch Reformed, and 2 Methodist. The pioneer settlers of this town were Peter Richtmyer, Judge John Reynolds, Thomas Fitch, John Walker, and Elisha Bates; the four last being New England men : the settlement was made about the year 1795. The inhabitants are mostly engaged in the dairy business .- A. Richtmyer and W. W. Murphy.
FULTON, incorporated in 1828 from part of Middleburgh, is centrally distant from Albany 45 miles, and from the county seat 12. Population 2,146. On the flats in this town were some of the earliest settlements made in the county by the Dutch at Vroo- man's Land ,and the Germans at Brakabeen. It has 3 post-offices Fultonham, Brakabeen, and Byrnville ; and 4 churches, 1 Refor- med Dutch, 1 Baptist, 1 Union, and 1 Lutheran.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Bouck's Falls, situated on Panther creek, a mill stream which rises in Jefferson, and runs into the Schoharie just above Panther mountain in this town, are among the most interesting natural curiosities in the State. At my first visit to this waterfall (in Oct. 1837), I named it after Col. J. W. Bouck, who accompanied me to it. The stream dashes down a precipice in a little distance at least one hundred feet, into a deep pool its action has worn at the base. The bold cliffs tower upwards on either side about 200 feet, while the trees-standing upon the summit like sentinels on the walls of a castle-present a picture romantic and enchanting indeed. In its descent, the water is concealed by projecting rocks except in two places, the one near the bottom, and the other 50 or 60 feet above, at which latter place it dashes down with thun- dering, deafening roar. The opening cut in a mountain gorge by this cataract, is from 200 to 300 feet across at the bottom and much less at the summit, so that could the hill tops unite, a cavern would thus be formed several hundred feet in depth, with a vaulted ceiling nearly a hundred feet high. The rock is sandstone, similar to the prevailing formation of Otsego and Madison counties, char- acterised at this point by the inoceramus and several other varieties of fossil shells, and farther upward by the trilobite De Kayii.
· As if to add interest to the scene at the time of the visit named, there stood Dick Bouck, then a gray-headed old negro, who, as before stated, was the little captive slave taken with William Bouck and part of his family in 1780. Dick had been fishing for trout until they would no longer bite, and was then hooking them up. He recounted the story of his captivity-but could not resist the temptation, as a good sized fish came within reach, to attempt its capture, thus often losing the thread of his tale, to the great amusement of his auditors, who were constantly reproving him for his inattention. He several times raised his hooks from the water for the purpose of finishing his narrative, but the line would as often sink unconsciously into it, to capture a good sized trout. Poor Dick, he sleeps with his fathers, and has for several years; but long will the author remember the story of his captivity, and the novel manner in which he related it.
PEASE . 56-
BOUCK'S FALLS.
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Ex-Governor William C. Bouck, is a native of this town, and was born January 7th, 1786. His farm is situated upon an island on the east side of the river, and his dwelling is pleasantly located near the bank of the river, fronting the road, the river, and on its opposite shore a romantic mountain called Ottegus-berg-Panther mountain.
His early education was good considering the former condition of our common schools, at which he received a considerable share of it. His was however a mind of that inquisitive sort, susceptible of improvement from general reading and close observation .- Numerous have been the instances in our country, in which men have-imitating the commendable example of a Washington and a Franklin, by untiring application after they have done going to school, where in fact an education is but just begun,-stored their minds with a fund of useful knowledge which has been the means in after life, of elevating them to stations of distinction and honor.
In 1807, then 21 years of age, he was elected clerk of his na- tive town, and the following year its supervisor. In 1812, he was appointed sheriff of Schoharie county, by Governor Tomp- kins, and the year following was chosen to represent that county in the assembly, to which body he was returned in the years 1814-'15, and '17. While there, he was active in sustaining the course of Gov. T., who seconded the measures of the general government in prosecuting the war with England to a glorious termination. In 1819 he was elected a state senator, about which time he was appointed colonel of the 18th regiment of New-York infantry ; the duties of which latter office he is said to have dis- charged with becoming dignity and skill. Still in the senate in 1821, where he was respected for his personal knowledge, he was chosen from that station by nearly the unanimous vote of both houses of 'the legislature, irrespective of party considerations, a member of the canal board, and was appointed to superintend an important portion of the Erie Canal then constructing. He was retained as canal commissioner for nineteen years, during which period most of our canals-public works of which our State may very justly be proud-were prosecuted to completion.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
In 1840, Mr. Bouck was the democratic candidate for the office of Governor, and in 1842, having been again nominated, he was elected by a large majority .*
Col. Joseph Bouck, brother of the late governor, has once been a member of Congress.
Mr. Abraham Keyser, formerly sheriff of Schoharie county,and for many years treasurer of the state,-the duties of which office he discharged most satisfactorily-was also a native of this town, his ancestors being among the earliest German settlers.
JEFFERSON, erected from Blenheim in 1803, is 20 miles south- west of the county seat, and 53 from Albany. Population 2,033. Its inhabitants-who are mostly descended from New England parentage-are extensively engaged in the dairy business. It has 2 post-offices, Jefferson and Mossville, and 5 churches, 3 Metho- dist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Presbyterian. The Delaware river rises in this town. Jefferson Academy, incorporated at an extra legisla- tive session in 1834, is pleasantly located in the village of Jeffer- son.
MIDDLEBURGH is centrally distant from the court-house 5 miles, and from Albany 38. It is bounded north by Schoharie, east by Albany county, south by Broome and Blenheim, and west by Ful- ton and Cobelskill. Population 3,841. In this town there are 3 post-offices,-Middleburgh, Franklinton, and Hunters Land,- and 6 churches,-1 Lutheran, 1 Presbyterian, 2 Methodist, 1 Quaker, and 1 Independent Presbyterian or Bellingerite.
There is in the south part of Middleburgh a place called the Vlaie-a German word, signifying a marsh or swamp. The place was known as a black-ash swamp, nearly a mile in length and covering many acres, when it obtained the name. It is on
· Many a word spoken in jest becomes prophetic. About the year 1820, an honest farmer living on Fox creek, held a conversation with a friend of ours, in which Mr. Bouck was mentioned. Of the latter gentleman the for- mer thus remarked : " Depend upon it that man will yet be governor of this state ; for instead of going round a hill as other men do to see what is on the opposite side, he looks right through it." This casual remark was made at a time, when his excellency's intimate friends did not anticipate for him a seat in the gubernatorial chair of state.
Is san from a foot path along the Banner Mountain on the west side of the River
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the summit level of the Canajoharie and Catskill rail-road route, though by no means on the summit of the grounds in that neigh- borhood ; for the mountain towers above it on both sides. The Vlaie is situated in a gorge of the mountain, where the sun, at some seasons of the year, sets to the traveler before noon. From the Vlaie issue two streams of water, and what is very remarka- ble, the one from the north end runs northerly, and, forming the Little Schoharie kill, runs into the Schoharie at the lower end of clauver-wy ; while the one from the south end runs southerly, making the head waters of the Catskill. Dams have been erect- ed at both these outlets, and good mill privileges thus obtained. A considerable share of the Vlaie was thus covered with water, and fish having been put into it by the owners, it affords at the present day fine sport for the angler, especially if he is an adept in the art of trolling for pickerel. The name Vlaie now attaches to the pond, which is fed by innumerable never failing springs. This is in truth a remarkable spot. An artificial dam of sufficient strength thrown across each end of the gap, would raise a lake of an hundred or more feet in depth. The county buildings for the accommodation of puupers, are pleasantly situated on the west side of the river in this town.
SCHOHARIE, now the largest and wealthiest township in the county, was incorporated March 7th, 1788, as part of Albany county, and is bounded north by Montgomery county, east by Schenectada and Albany counties, south by Middleburgh, and west by Carlisle and Cobelskill. The public buildings, which are con- structed of stone, are situated at a village* on the river flats, bearing the name of the town, in its south-west part; distant from Albany 33 miles ; from Schenectada 22; and from Catskill
*For a view of Schoharie village see frontispice.
Description of plate. In the right hand of the picture is seen the Academy, erected and incorporated in 1835. At the foot of the street in the foreground is the new Methodist church. Farther to the left is seen the Lutheran church and steeple of the Dutch church, between which is the court-house. The public buildings, except the court-house and clerk's office, are of brick ; the two latter of stone. The front of the court-house was fitted up with a pi- azza and columns in 1844.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
48. This town, like Middleburgh, contains mountainous eleva- tions and broad, fertile interval lands, and was first settled by Germans in 1711. Population 5,532. It has 6 villages, each with a post-office, viz-Schoharie Court House, Esperance, Sloans- ville, Gallupville, Central Bridge and Waldensville. The ancient stone church, fortified in the Revolution, is still standing, one mile north of the court-house.
Esperance, the only incorporated village in the county, is situ- ated in the north-east corner of the town, 8 miles distant from the court-house, and 25 from Albany. It is pleasantly situated on the north side of the river, and has a Presbyterian and Methodist church, the former of which is a stone edifice, constructed of red sand-stone, from its vicinity, and a classic school. A bridge across the river separates this place from the town of Duanes- burg, called formerly The State Bridge. This was the second covered bridge erected in the state, the first being built over the Hudson, at) Waterford.
SLOANSVILLE, 4 miles west of Esperance (also on the turnpike), and 7 north of the court-house, contains 2 Baptist churches. An Indian foot-path, leading from Schoharie to Fort Hunter, passed near Sloansville, a large mound of stones, which had been reared by the Indians long before the whites settled this part of the state. A title to the adjoining lands was called the Stone Heap Patent. Tradition says that two Mohawk hunters were passing this place -- a quarrel arose between them-one murdered the other-and his fellows, to commemorate the event, erected a pile of stones upon the spot. A custom of their nation required every warrior tra- veling that path, to appease the departed spirit by adding a stone to the heap, and thus it grew to one of enormous dimensions. Not many years ago the land on which it stood was owned by an individual who cared little for the sacred altars of the red man, and the long accumulating record of homicide was converted by him into stone wall, to the unfeigned regret of pious antiquarians. The route pursued by Sir John Johnson and his army, from Scho- harie to the Mohawk, in October, 1780, led directly past this monumental pile.
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AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.
GALLUPVILLE, a hamlet romantically situated on Foxes creek, 5 miles from the court-house, has a Reformed Dutch church and classic school. This place is located on the stage road leading from Schoharic to Albany.
CENTRAL BRIDGE, 5 miles northwest from the court-house, is a small hamlet of recent growth, with a Lutheran church, erected in 1844. At this place a bridge crosses the river, called Central Bridge, from its being nearly equidistant from the Esperance and Schoharie bridges.
Waldensville, on Foxes creek in the northeast part of the town, is an unimportant hamlet, with an axe factory, several work- shops, &c.
A small church owned by the Methodist persuasion at Punch Kill, stands within the limits of this town.
Gebhard's Cavern, (called formerly Ball's Cave,) ranks conspi- cuously among the natural curiosities of the county. I have chosen to call it after John Gebhard, jun. Esq., its present proprietor ; a gentleman who has done much to advance the science of geology -particularly that branch now denominated palæontology. This cavern is situated upon an elevation called Barton hill, its en- trance being in a piece of woods nearly four miles east of the court-house. It was first partially explored in September, 1831. On the 21st of October of the same year, Doctor Joel Foster, Mr. John S. Bonny, John Gebhard, Esq., and several other citizens of Schoharie, having prepared a boat, again visited this cavern, and being let down by ropes with their skiff, they pretty thoroughly explored it. Its entrance, which is funnel shaped, is some 12 feet across, and when first visited was literally covered with fallen timber, a part of which had been cast into the aperture to prevent domestic animals from falling in.
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