USA > New York > Steuben County > History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 113
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The Merchantville church was commenced in April, and
390
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
was dedicated June 27, 1852. After the dedication ser- vices were concluded, Mr. Oliver Burley and Miss Jane IIall stood up in the crowded assembly and were united in marriage.
The church was built at an expense of $600, by Edwin Merchant, Marias O. Keith, and John Royce, Trustees ; Edwin Merchant donating the grounds. The building was made free for all denominations when not in use by the society. Among the early members here were also Deacon John Rutherford and wife, Levi Peters, Isaac Dewitt, Levi Peters and wife. B. Simmons and E. Merchant were early deacons. The church now comprises 92 members. The present officers are Edwin Merchant, Treasurer and Deacon ; O. F. Corwin, Clerk ; John F. Keith, Edmond Jones, Edwin Merchant, Trustees.
The following-named pastors have preached in the church of Thurston, Rev. Oliver P. Alderman, a prominent mis- sionary preacher of the Tioga River Christian Conference, supplying the pulpits of Thurston and Cameron when vacant, since 1844: 1836, Gideon A. Hendrick ; 1842, E. Fleming, James M. Westcott ; 1844, Jabez Chadwick ; 1846, Chester D. Kinney ; 1847, William D. Rutherford ; 1848-55, Oliver P. Alderman ; 1856, W. D. Rutherford, A. Burlingame ; 1857-64, O. P. Alderman ; 1865, Bryant R. IFurd; 1866, Abner J. Welton ; 1867, B. R. Hurd; 1869-70, Henry C. Wilber; 1871, Wm. K. Stamp ; 1872, Henry Leonardson ; 1873, John H. Carr; 1874, Lewis C. Palmeteer; 1875-77, A. J. Hammond; 1878, Oliver P. Alderman, the present pastor.
MILITARY RECORD OF THURSTON.
Colcord, Albert, private, 78th Regt., Co. K ; enl. July 9, 1863, three years. Dickinson, David Harrison, private, 23d Regt., Co. A : enl. May 16, 1861, two years; re-enl. 22d Regt., Co. G, Jan. 16, 1864, three years ; disch. Ang. 9, 18G5.
Dickinson, Francis Asbury, private, 23d Regt., Co. A ; enl. May 16, 1863, two years; re-enl. IGth Regt., Co. C, Dec. 28, 1864; disch. Aug. 25, 1865.
Stockings, Alva John, private, 161st Regt., Co. F; enl. Ang. 25, 1863, three years,
Shauger, Andrew, 3d sergt., 86th Regt., Co. B; enl. Ang. 18, 1861, three years. Wright, Robert, private, Ist Regt., Co. E; enl. Ang. 22, 1864, one year.
Speusbe, Frank, private, 98th Regt., Co. A ; enl. Ang. 10, 1864, three months. Booth, Frank, private, 86th Regt., Co. B ; enl. Aug. 14, 1861, three years; disch. by wound.
Croas, Mitchel Fitch, private, 1SOth Regt., Co. II ; eul. Sept. 19, 1864, one year. Stevens, Harmin, private, 107th Regt., Co. F ; enl. Ang. 3, 1862, three yra's. Bailey, Alexander, corp., 141st Regt., Cu. E; enl. Aug. 21, 1862, three years.
Downing, Thomus William, 2d sergt., 86th Regt , Co. B ; enl. Aug. 14, 1861, three years.
Platt, Willis, private, 180th Regt., Co. A ; enl. Dec. 1, 1864, one year.
l'latt, George, pr.vate, 2 id Regt , Co. D); enl. May 16, 1861.
I'latt, Legrand, private, S6th Regt., Co. B; enl. Aug. 14, 18GL ; killed at Gettys- burg, July 2, 1863.
Phillips, Ly mau, corp., 141st Regt., Co. E; enl. Ang. 21, 1862.
Gleason, Ezra, 21 lieut., 107th Regt., Co. G; enl. Ang. 6, 1862, three years ; wounded at Ant.ctam, Sept. 17, 1862; disch. Nov. 2, 1862.
Taylor, William, private, 189th Rugt., Co. II ; enl. Sept. 1, 1864, one year. Edsell, Peter Harmon, private, 50th Regt., Co. E; enl. Sept. 2, 1861, three years ; re-enl. Dec. 26, 1863; pro. to sergt., 7th of April ; disch. June 13, 1865.
Tillett, Richard Thomas, private, 86thi Regt., Co. C; enl. Oct. 19, 1861, three years; re-enl. Dec. 51, 18 33; pro. to com .- sergt., Oct. 6, 1864; disch. June 27, 1865.
Youngs, Blakesley Rufus, private, 23d Regt., Co. D); enl. Sept. 23, 1861, twenty months.
Johnson, Alonzo, private, 107th Regt., Co. G; enl. Aug. 1862, three years; wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; died and buried on the field.
Benedict, Erasmus David, private, 50th Regt., Co. A; enl. Dec. 28, 1863, three years.
Sagar, William, private, 107th Regt., Co. G ; enl. Ang. 6, 1862, three years. Goodsell, Jerrod Isaac, private, 50th Regt., Co. E; enl. Dec. 28, 1863, three years.
Johnson, Elijah Auson, private, 189th Regt., Co. H ; enl. Ang. 30, 1864.
Thompson, Francis William, 141 st Regt., Co. E; enl. Ang. 29, 1862, three years ; pro. to corp, Dec. 16, 1863; died at Chattanooga, Teun.
Jack, Washington John, private, 95th Regt., Co. IT ; drafted July 1, 1863; taken pris. May 20, 1864, near Fredericksburg; taken to Richmond, then to Andersonville, where he died, Sept. 2, 1864.
Jack, Brownel Uby, private, 8Gth Regt., Co. B; enl. Sept. I, 1861; dlied at liome.
Jack, Bomao, private, 86th Regt., Co. B; enl. Ang. 30, 1861. three years. Jack, Amur, private, 111st Regt., Co. E; enl. Ang. 19, 1862, three years. Ileekm in, Lafayette, private, Ist Regt., Co. E; ent. Sept. 1, 1864, one year.
Keith, Merifield Merrel, private; enl. Aug. 29, 1864; died at post hosp., City Point, Va., Nov. 21, 1864.
Willhelm, Benjamin George, private, 50th Regt., Co. F; enl. Ang. 24, 1864. Royce, Ezra Marvin, private, 2 3d Regt., Co. D ; enl. April 1, 1861, two years ; pro. to corp., July 10, 1851 ; taken pris. at Antietam ; taken to Richmond, put io Libby prison ; exch. ; sent to regt. Nov. 10, 1862.
Royce, Matthew, private, 76th Regt., C., II ; drafted July 1, 1863, three years; taken pris. at battle of Wilderness; died in Florence, S. C., Nov. G, 1864. Elzy, Richard, private, 31st Regt., Co. II ; enl. Dec. 10, 1864, three years; sup- posed to be kille I at Petersburg, June 6, 1864.
Burgett, Wilhelm, private, 107th Regt., Co. G; enl. Aug. 1, 1862, three years. Wales, Andrew, private, 107th Rogt., Co. G ; enl. Aug. 6, 1862, three years. Chapman, Baldwin Amos, private, 33 Regt., Co. HI; enl. Dec. 29, 1863, three years.
Dininny, Emnery George, private, Ist Regt., Co. A ; enl. July 1, 1863, three years. Eddy, Fenner Jerry, private, 189th Regt., Co. A ; enl. Sept. 1, 1864, one year.
Vare, Aden, private, 189th Regt., Co. A; enl. Sept. 1, 1864, one year; pro. to sergt., Co. A, 189th Regt., 20th of March.
Babcock, Benjamin Merchant, private, 141st Regt., Co. E; enl. Aug. 20, 1862, three years.
Babcock, Hamilton Edgar, private, 189th Regt., Co. A; enl. Sept. 1, 1864, one year.
Caleon, Ezra, private, 3d Regt., Co. HI ; enl. Dec. 28, 1861, three years ; wounded by accident, April 28, 1864.
Youngs, Harrison W., private, 8Gthi Regt., Co. I; enl. Oct. 24, 1861, three years. Youngs, JJohn, private, 86th Regt., Co. I; ent. Oct. 28, 18G1, three years.
Gleason, David, private, 107th Regt., Co. G ; enl. Ang. 6, 1962, three years,
Lovell, James, private, 107th Regt., Co. G; enl. Aug. 6, 1562; died of fever at Hope Landling, Va.
Smalley, Sammel Stewart, private, 7Gth Regt., Co. H; enl. Sept. 14, 1862, three years ; taken pris, near the Ripidan; died in Florence prison, South Car- olina, Oct. 1, 1864.
Martin, Oscar Engene, private, 141st Regt., Co. E; ent. Aug. 19, 1862.
Sears, Edward James, private, 141st Regt., Co. E; enl. Sept. 10, 1862, three years ; died Dec. 8, 18G3.
Stomp, Frank Benjamin, private, 3d Regt., Co. II; enl. Dec. 28, 1863, three years.
Stomp, Aaron John, private, 107th Regt., Co. G; enl. Aug. 6, 1862, three years; taken prisoner.
Beten, Sullivan George, private, 183th Regt., Co. H ; ent Ang. 22, 1864, one year.
Beten, Dingley William, private, 78th Regt., Co. F; enl. Jan. 22, 1862, three years ; killed in Georgia while with Sherman, near Gouldsboro', March 24, 1865.
French, Frazier Lewis, private, 111th Regt., Co. I; enl. Ang. 25, 1864, one year. Corbitt, Gilbert Thomas, private, 50th Regt., Co. E; pro. to corp., May 1, 1804. Layton, Philip, private, 107th Regt., Co. G; enl. Aug. 5, 1862, three years; wounded at Dallas, Ga., May 25, 1864.
Green, John, private, 107th Regt., Co. G ; enl. Ang. 5, 1862, three years ; pro. to corp., Jan. 1, 1865 ; wonndeil March 16, 18G5, at Averysborough, N. C.
Demick, Hiram Harrison, private, 50th Regt., Co. F ; enl. Sept. 6, 1864, one year ; died of chronic diarrhoea, Farmersville, Va.
Helm, Selah, private, 5uth Regt., Co. E; enl. Sept. 14, 1861, three years; re-enl. 50th Eng., Co. E, Dec. 25, 1863, three years; pro. to corp , 1863 ; to sergt., April 1, 1864; must. June 13, 1863.
Helm, Zachariah Schoumaker, private, 50th Eng., Co. E; enl. Sept. 7, 1861, three years ; pro. to corp., Jan. 16, 1862; re-ent. 50th Eng., Co. E, Dec. 25, 1863, three years ; pro. to sergt., May 1, 1864; must. out June 13, 1865.
Helm, Jasper Semon, private, 50th Regt., Co. E; enl. Aug. 30, 1861; re-en1. 50th Regt., Co. E, Dec. 25, 1863, three years ; wounded on picket, Aug. 13, 1864, near Petersburg; must. out June 13, 1865.
Helm, Henry Montraville, private, 50th Regt., Co. E; enl. Jan. 4, 1864, three years.
Helai, James Vangerder, private, 141st Regt., Co. E; enl. Aug. 19, 1862, threo years.
Felkins, Jolın, private, 189th Regt., Co. A ; enl. Sept. 2, 1864, one year.
Skinkle, George, private, 50th Regt., Co. F; enl. Sept. 1, 1864, one year.
Aldrich, Stephen Mifflin, private, 141st Regt., Co. E; en1. Aug. 20, 1862 ; wounded in head at battle of Dallas, May 4, 1864.
Aldrich, Seward, private, 141st Regt., Co. E; enl. Aug. 20, 1862; wounded in leg.
Booth, Levy John, private, 86th Regt., Co. B; enl. Aug. 27, 1861, three years; pro. to 2d lieut., March 22, 1863; Ist lient., July 4, 1863; died March 31, 1865.
Thorp, Charles, private, 107th Regt., Co. C; enl. Aug. 2, 1862, three years.
Linn, Gidding Lewis, private, 111th Regt., Co. 1; enl. Aug. 22, 1864, one year ; disch. at end of war.
Linn, John, private, Ist Regt., Co. IT ; enl. Ang. 22, 1864, one year ; taken sick at Fort Woodbury, and died Nov. 24, 1864.
TOWN OF THURSTON.
391
Bowers, Isaac, private, 141st Regt., Co. E; enl. Sept. 10, 1862; taken sick May 2, 1864.
Vase, Mann Aaron, private, 14Ist Regt., Co. E ; enl. Aug. 21, 1862, three years.
Edsell, Edwin Thon as, private, 78th Regt. ; enl. March, 1863, three years; died of disease at Falls Church, Ang. 30, 1862.
Edsell, Samuel John, 141st Regt., Co. E; enl. Ang. 1862.
Sanford, Drew David, private, 107th Regt., Co. G; enl. Aug. 6, 1862, three years.
Prowty, Griffith John, private, 14Ist Regt., Co. E; enl. Ang. 26, 1862, three years ; died of disease, Nashville, Tenn , March 3, 1864,
Carter, John, private, 22d Regt., Co. G; enl. Feb, 12, 1864, three years; taken pris, in Georgia ; taken to Andersonville prison ; died in prison, Aug. 24, 1865.
Dinghy, Roger William, private, 50th Regt., Co. E; enl. Jan. 20, 1864, three years.
Edsell, William, private, 97th Regt., Co. C; enl. Sept. 19, 1861, three years; died of fever at Alexandria, Va., July 7, 1862.
Dnsenbury, De Witt, private, 50th Regt., Co. E; enl. Jan. 14, 1864, three years. Gilkins, John A., private, 189th Regt., Co. A ; enl. Sept. 2, 1864, one year ; must. out by general order of Sec. of War, May 30, 1865.
Beach, Curiell William, private, 50th Regt., Co. A ; enl. Jan. 4, 1864, three years. Nogar, Henry John, private, 94th Regt., Co. Il ; enl. Aug. 14, 1864, three years. Alderman, Melvin, private, 4th Regt., Co K; enl. April 6, 1863, three yeurs; wounded in right mim, May 19, 1864; pro. Ang. 1, 1865.
Kelley, Andrew Jackson, private, 3d Regt., Co. H ; enl. Dec. 25, 1664, three years.
Kelley, Abert, private, 3d Regt., Co. I1 ; enl. Dec 25, 1864, three years.
Vangelder, Robert, taken prisoner and died.
Vangelder, Clinton, private.
Peters, David.
Hurford, Seymour, private, 10th Regt., Co. G; enl. Nov. 16, 1861, three years. Colcord, Amos Dickinson, private.
Ackermon, John.
1 Horton, Thomas.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
Lets. Phillips
JUDGE L. II. PHILLIPS.
Vulkert Phillips, son of John Phillips, was born in Otsego Co., N. Y. His father was probably born in Hol- land and settled very early in this country, in Otsego County. He was a farmer by occupation. Vulkert Phil- lips followed farming principally. He married Ruth Hun- gerford, daughter of Rev. James Hungerford, of Ontario Co., N. Y., by whom he had nine children, of whom eight are still living. He settled when a young man in the town of Campbell, and was engaged in working farus on shares. In 1841, he purchased the farm now owned by his son, Lyman II., in the town of Thurston, of Judge Lyman Balcom, of Erwin. In polities he was formerly a Whig, but when the Republican party was formed he became a member of the latter organization. He and his wife were members of the Christian Church of Thurston. Ile died in 1867, his wife in 1869. Lyman II., youngest son of Vulkert and Ruth Phillips, was born in Campbell, Sept. 15, 1837. He was reared on the farm, and was also engaged in the lumber business more or less during the winter. At the age of twenty-one he commenced teaching,
Olive Mr. Ichillipo
and taught nine winters. Ile enlisted Aug. 21, 1862, in Company E, 141st Regiment New York Volunteers. Ile served till the elose of the war. The history of the battles and marches made by his regiment can be seen by referring to another part of this work. Ile was honorably discharged with his regiment, at Elmira, N. Y., in 1865. He had two brothers in the army, John and James ; both went from the West. Mr. Phillips is a staunch Republican, and has held various official positions. He was elected in 1866 as justice of the peace, and still continues to hold that office. In 1874 he was elected supervisor of his town. In 1876 he was elected Justiee of Sessions and served two terms.
He married, March 22, 1871, Olive M. Booth, widow of Lieut. John L. Booth (sce Military Record), who died from a disease contracted while in the army in the spring of' 1865. Olive M. is the daughter of Ansel J. and Eliza Parker, and was born at Bath, Nov. 16, 1845. Since re- turuing from the army, Mr. Phillips has resided on his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Phil- lips is one of the representative men of 'Thurston. lle takes an active interest in whatever pertains to the material or educational interest of his town.
TROUPSBURGH.
GEOGRAPHIICAL SITUATION.
TROUPSBURGHI lies upon the southern border of the county, west of the centre, and is bounded north by Jasper, east by Woodhull, south by the Pennsylvania line, and west by West Union and part of Greenwood.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The surface of this town is principally a hilly upland, broken by the deep valleys of small streams. The highest summits in the county are in this town. They reach an alti- tude of twenty-five hundred feet above tide-water. Troup's Creek, flowing south, is the principal stream. The soil, which is productive, is chiefly a slaty and elayey loam.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
An old citizen has given us the following account of Troupsburgh and some of its early settlers : " In 1808 there was no road on Bennett's Creek, nor on Crosby Creek, nor Big Creek, nor indeed on any ereek except Col. Bill's Creek. Up this creek, and running to and through Troupsburgh to Cowanesque, Pa., was a road called the State road, which had been opened by the Pulteney estate, for the purpose of settling their lands. The towns of Woodhull, Troupsburgh, Jasper, West Union, Greenwood, Hartsville, and with very small exceptions, Canisteo and Ilornellsville, were an un- broken wilderness. The State road passed up the creek seven miles, following its bank to a place then called Hog- back Hill. It ascended a ridge between Col. Bill's Creek and a small rivulet coming in from the left. Running up the point of the ridge, which was very steep, the summit was gained by no small effort, and the road was on the very verge of a precipice. Whether this peculiar shape of the ridge gave it the name of Hog-back, I never learned. From this point to the settlement in Troupsburgh was eight or nine miles, making the distance from Col. Bill's some six- teen miles of as dense a forest as thousands of years of un- disturbed growth could make it. Here nature had a park of almost boundless extent, into which she had gathered a menagerie which was always on exhibition, and without the usual vexation of a gate or door fee. That old forest chief, the noble elk, still stood at the head of his race; the lesser lights of the same family were almost without number; the black bear was everywhere to be found crossing the path of the traveler ; wolves in droves sent forth their discordant notes from every part of the wilderness. The panther, wild- eat, and fox seemed to regard the new animal, man, with idle curiosity, and roamed over this magnificent hunting- ground as though the new-comer was an accession to their list of friends.
" The first family then on the road was that of Andrew Simpson. Ife lived in a new log house on the bank of a 392
little stream a short distance north of what is now Jasper Corners, and did a little at blacksmithing in a small way for the settlers, who were then only a few families. The farm then owned by Mr. Simpson is now a very valuable property. He had several sons, among whom were John, Hiram, and Darius, and a daughter, Minerva, who married Hon. Jeffrey Smith.
" Ebenezer Speneer lived a little off the State road, a short distance before reaching Simpson's. He lived to see the forest become a fruitful field, and bequeathed to his pos- terity not only the fruits of his arduous toil, but, what was vastly better, a name without reproach. He had several children ; one of the daughters married Smith Hayes. Spencer soon had a neighbor near him by the name of Wooley. After leaving Simpson's the next house was that of a good-natured, generous-hearted old Dutchman, by the name of Brutzman-they called him Unele Nicholas; he had a brother by the name of Adam, who lived a little east of him, at a place afterwards called the Five Corners. Uncle Nicholas had one or more sons, and four or five daughters. The eldest son, John, when I Jast knew him, was a young man of good habits and much promise. The whole family have passed now beyond my knowledge.
" Andrew Craig. in 1810 or 1811, settled a little above Simpson's, on the opposite side of the road, and soon made a splendid farm at or near the site of the present village of Jasper. Mr. Craig was an energetic, enterprising man, and soon began to develop the resources of the region of country where he had located his home. He was the first to introduce the making of butter as an article of com- meree in that town, or in all that part of the country. It soon became a very remunerative business, in which his neighbors rapidly joined. Mr. Craig for some time did the main part of the marketing, by taking the butter for him- self and neighbors in the fall or winter to the Philadelphia market by team. In after-years he was engaged quite ex- tensively in droving, and at one time nearly lost his life by the falling of a bridge with himself aud drove of cattle upon it. Mr. Craig came out alive, but was ever after, I think, a cripple. He lived to see the third generation of his posterity. Two of his grandsons are largely engaged in the mercantile business in the village of their own making ; one of them (Willis E. Craig) was sheriff of the county in 1867-68. Two of his daughters were the wives of Hon. William Hunter, and one was the wife of Dr. Charles Hunter.
" Old Mr. Marlatt soon followed Mr. Craig, and settled a little above him on the same side of the road. Mr. Marlatt had several sons, of whom were John, Abraham, Joseph, and Gideon. John, the oldest, located farther on, near Uncle Nicholas, the Dutchman's. IIe began in the midst of the
Samuel Briggs
Amy Grey
SAMUEL GRIGGS.
Samuel Griggs was born at Hector, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Feb. 10, 1794. His father, John Griggs, was of Welsh origin, a Revolutionary suldier, taking part io the battle of Bunker Hill. In the retreat after that action he carried Benjamin Chamberlain, a wounded comrade, three-quarters of a mile to safety. This generous netion injured his health so seriously that he nevar after was a well man. By his first wife he had two children, Seth and Anna. For his second wife he married Mrs. Thomas, whose maiden name was Mary Smith. She was horn Dec. 13, 1756. Of this union were boru Samuel, Pally (Mrs. Razey Baker), Caleb, Ahigail, and Elijah. Mrs. Griggs survived her husband (who died nbont 1800, in Elkland, Pa.) many years, marrying a Mr. Smith. She died Dec. 6, 1826, aged seventy years.
Samuel Griggs was brought up by his brother-in-law, Samuel Cady, who married Sally Thomas, from the age of nine. Mr. Cady resided in Troups- hurgh. In 1814, Mr. Griggs, accompanied by his brothers Caleb aul Elijah, went to Cincinnati, Ohio. Caleb was sovn drafted as a soldier against the English, and Samael, under the rigid laws of Ohio, was ap- prenticed tu a haker who supplied the army with "hardtack." After two years he returned to Troupsburgh, where he purchased the farm-one hundred neres -- now owned by Philander Wilcox. He married Amy Church, Oct. 13, 1819. She was born in Hillsdale, Columbia Co., N. Y., Feh. 27, 1803. This union was blessed with twelve children : Sabrina (deceased), boru May 1, 1820 ; Harriet (deceased), June 8, 1821 ; William N., Feb. 8, 1823; Amy Caroline, Jan. 30, 1825; Samuel W., Feb. 20, 1827; Luther C. (deceased), Dec. 8, 1828; Rhoda P., March 3, 1830; John E. (deceased), Jaa. 7, 1832 ; Wilson S., Dee. 7, 1833; Mary Jane, Nov. 16, 1835; Martha M., Dec. 19, 1837; and Etuma Minerva (deceased), Ang 31, 1839.
Mr. Griggs had very limited opportunities for education, being self.edu- cated, pursuing his studies at night by the light of pine-kaots that he gathered in the day, nad in this, ns in other directions, showed the force of his character, qualifying himself, under these disadvantages, as a teacher, and teaching several terms.
Fram his marriage he employed himself in agriculture, clearing about four hundred neres of its heavy timber. In 1836 he engaged in merchan- dise at Troupsburgh Centre, and in company with his son, W. N., con- tinued in trade until his death, which occurred Jan. 9, 1864.
Mr. Griggs was a man of marked character, and would have been sue- cessful in any avocation. He amassed a fine property, giving his children the opportunity of commencing life in a different manner from the pri- vations of his early life, when for many days the chief sustenance of the family was "bran bread." Of large business capacity and thorough honesty, he had the entire confidence of the community, and was en- trusted with office from his first vote. Ile held at various periods every office in his town : was supervisor for six years ; was elected member of Assembly in 1837, serving with honor to himself and satisfaction to his district.
Mr. and Mrs. Griggs joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1828, and never ceased their allegiance to that faith. lland in hand for many years they walked, giving their personal influence and pecuniary assistance un- sparingly to the cause of religion, aud uruch of the success of Methodism in this locality is due to their efforts.
From his first connection with the church until his death, Mr. Griggs was steward or class-leader. Mr. Griggs was greatly interested in the cause of education. He was the father of Troupsburgh Academy, to which he contributed eighteen hundred dollars, and he had the satisfaction of Seeing his children well eduented, his sons holding various positions of honor and trust, and all, sons and daughters, coosistent Christians, llis son, William N., is now (1879) the supervisor of the town, which office he has heid two forms.
Politically, Mr. Griggs was an active Democrat, believing the perpetuity of the Republic depeuded on the carrying out of the principles of that party, and that every deviation from its teachings brought danger to the laud. Ilis sons are also true to their allegiance to the same principles.
Luther Church, father of Mrs. Griggs, was of English descent, and horn iu Barrington, Mass., in April. 1781. Ile removed to Madison Co., N. Y., theace to Troupsburgh in 1816, where he died March 28, 1858. le mar- ried Rhoda Darrin in 1802. She was born November, 1784, and died Jan. 17, 1861. This union resulted in fourteen children, Mrs. Griggs and ber brothers David, Ira, Luther, aud Sylvester now surviving. Mrs. Griggs is, at the age of seventy-six, hale and hearty, carrying her years lightly, and waiting patiently the call to meet her departed husband in the " Better Lagd."
393
TOWN OF TROUPSBURGII.
forest without means, and by perseverance and industry worked himself up to competence and wealth. Two of his sons also engaged in mercantile business successfully. Be- tween old Mr. Marlatt and his son John were located Fenton, the carpenter, and MeMindes, the tailor. Judge Mallory lived east on the State road, and I think just on the edge of what is now Woodhull. The judge was one of the earliest settlers ; at what date he settled I am not sure, but he was there in 1808, how much before I do not know. The judge was a man of fine, commanding appearance. Intelligent, social, and generous, he was highly respected, and his influ- ence was felt far beyond the locality of his own neighbor- hood. His three sons-David, Nathan, and Amos-early settled in that part of Troupsburgh known as the West Set- tlement, or oftener, Mallory's Settlement. They were ener- getie, enterprising men, and soon made themselves most desirable and elegant houses in the best part of the entire town. The descendants are many of them still there, in some respects filling the places made vacant by their fathers. A daughter of the judge was the wife of Alanson Perry, whose sons are occupying places in society of responsibility and usefulness, among whom Dr. Perry holds a conspicuous place. Alanson Perry settled here in 1808. Near Judge Mallory lived a family by the name of Tubbs. It was the family to which Rev. Robert Hubbard so kindly ministered in the time of the memorable epidemie of 1813. Caleb Smith also theu lived in that neighborhood, who had three sons whom I recollect,-Amzi, Cornell, and Jeffrey. The latter of these acquitted himself with honor in the State Legislature from Steuben County, in 1844, and was a man of influence, respectability, and moral worth in the commu- nity where he lived. The elder brothers, if living, have passed beyond my knowledge. There may have been other children in this family, of whom honorable mention might justly be made, but the writer's acquaintance was at so early a period that he may have inadvertently forgotten them.
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