USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. II > Part 23
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The pastors of the church since 1868 have been N. B. Thompson, Gilbert H. Gregory, William Ostrander, V. N. Traver, F. Botiome, J. P. Hermance, and the pastor in 1879, A. M. Osborn, who is about closing his third year.
The present membership of the church is 245; size of Sabbath-school, 141; superintendent, James S. Carpenter. The stewards of the church are C. D. Brower, Enos Rey- uolds, Matthew L. Masten, C. Mackey, Sands Haviland,
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
David Sands, Robert Click, Henry Fowler, Reuben Rose. The trustees are Samuel Penny ( President), Morey Wygant, George W. Lawson, John E. Lawson, Jeremiah Barnhart, Thomas Shipton, Charles Brown, S. W. Stillwell (Secre- tary ), and William H. Purdy.
There are two certificates of incorporation in the county records of this society, viz. : one dated Oct. 20, 1830. The meeting was held " at the school-house in said village;" it was presided over by James H. Longbottom and B. M. Mapes, inspectors, and the trustees chosen were Samuel Beebe, James HI. Longbottom, Josiah Lockwood, Barnabas M. Mapes, Charles Merritt. The certificate was verified before Judge A. D. Soper, and the record attested by Jacob Snyder, clerk of the county.
This certificate of incorporation was executed June 11, 1860. Lyman W. Walsworth and Enoch Baxter were in- speetors of election. The trustees chosen were Morey Wy- grant, Enos Reynolds, John H. Baxter, Washburn Baxter, Matthew L. Masten, Daniel Decker, David L. Wygant, John C. Rose, Benjamin Rose. The proceedings were veri- find before Isaac Staples, justice of the peace, and recorded Oct. 1, 1860, by Silas Saxton, county clerk.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF LATTINGTOWN.
This society effected a legal organization by a certificate bearing date March 3, 18448. Isaac R. Fowler and H. S. Shorter presided at the meeting for organization. The trustees chosen were William Mackey. Thomas S. Warren, Benjamin Harcourt, David Fowler, John D. Crook, Isaac R. Fowler, and HI. S. Shorter. The instrument was wit- nessed by John Shorter and Andrew Shorter; sworn to before Judge James O. Linderman ; and the record attested by Richard Keator, deputy clerk.
It was carried on successfully for a number of years ; but internal troubles soon weakened and dwarfed the move- ment, and the enterprise does not now rank among the re- ligious institutions of the town. The meeting-heuse has been taken down and ren.oved to a neighboring town, and the records of the church are not obtainable. The Lat- tingtown station was long a link in an important chain of churches which constituted a circhit.
THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
The representatives of this religious denomination were among the first settlers of the town, and by their modest and peaceful deportment, quiet industry, and persistent energy laid much of the foundation of the subsequent material prosperity of Marlborough.
Quaker worship began in the town during the closing years of the last century, and until the year 1328 the society at Miltou was united and prosperous. In that year the well-known division of the denomination into the two branches known as the licksites and Orthodox Quakers took place, and the old society at Milton was severed iu twain. The Hicksite branch of the society proved the stronger of the two, and after some trouble succeeded in holding the church property and the meeting- house. The Hieksite branch on Dec. 17: 1854, under the title of "The Friends of Progress," organized a society. The meeting was held at the old meeting-house. Isaac
Sherman and Isaae S. Hallock were the inspectors of the election that was held, and the trustees choseu were James Sherman, Nathaniel Hallock, and Isaac S. Hallock. The proceedings were verified before Edward Near, justice of the peace, and the record was attested Dee. 19, 1854, by M. Sheldon, clerk of the county.
Prominent among the early founders of the society of Friends in Marlborough were Edward Hallock and David Sears, both of whom were early preachers. Nicholas Hal- lock and James II:dlock were also prominent preachers in the sect. The old meeting-house used by the Hicksites was erected in 1806, and having undergone regular repair, is still in use and well preserved. The Orthodox branch of the society at Milton is also large and influential, and occupy a neat house of worship, creeted by them in the season of 1820-30. Among their preachers are Stephen Tabor and Hannah Fay.
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
This denomination was represented in the town at a much later day than any of the others, and for a long time the worshipers of that faith in the town were included among the missionary enterprises of the church. The old Methodist church at Marlborough village subsequently passed into the hands of the Catholics, and is now their regular house of worship at that point. At Milton they have erected a neat frame structure, with. parsonage ad- joining, and here the priest in charge of both churches, Father Mee, resides. The parish is now quite prosperous.
IX .-- BURIAL-PLACES.
Que of the most ancient places of public burial in the town is the old Presbyterian yard at Marlborough village. One single and antique-looking tombstone bearing the modest inseription " A. P. 1776," indicates how early the yard was used for its present purposes. The older portion of the yard is in a lamentable condition, while the more modern section still bears witness that the memory of those who have more recently departed is yet green in the hearts of sorrowing friends. Among its many inscriptions are the following :
"Daniel Lockwood, Nov. 17, 1801, aged 38 years."
" In Memory of Doctor Abijab Perkins, who departel this life Nov. 23, 1776, in the 61 soir of his age." " In Memory of Stephen Case, who departed this life Nov. 20, 1794, age l 56 years. 5 months, and 5 days."
" In Memory of William Soper, who died 14 February, 1857, aged 67 years and & months.
" Born in Exeter. England, and at an early age became a natural- ized citizen, and held several offices of llonor and responsibility in this county."
"Gilbert S. Fowler, M.D., died April 30, 1832, aged 28 years and 19 days."
" In Memory of Charles Millard, who departed this Life 20th April, 1827, Aged 61 years.
" He sustainel the character of a Good Man, and for more than twenty years faithfully discharged the official duties of leading Eller andI Deacon in the Presbyterian Church.
" The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance."
" In Memory of David Merritt, who died Dec. 27, 1917, in the Foth year of his age."
" Sacred to the Memory of Matthew Wygant, who departed this life Sept. 17, 18:1, agel $1 years, 7 mo's, and 15 days."
"John Woolsey, Jied Dee. 12, LE. 82."
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Photo. by Seeley, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
JESSE LYONS is a grandson of Samuel Lyons, who was born at Rye, Westchester Co., N. Y., and who located in the town of Marlborough, Ulster Co., in the year 1790. Ile was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served throughout that trying struggle. Upon his settlement in Marlborough he first located on the farm now occupied by Henry Merritt, known as the " oll Touker fario." but sub- sequently removed to that now occupied by C. M. Woolsey, where he died in the year 1803. His wife was Mary Kniton, by whom nine children were hore to him, of whom seven attained years of maturity. viz. : William, Samuel, Jesse, Elizabeth, Ruth, Mary, and Sarah. Samuel died during the Revolutionary struggle, from injuries received while serving in the patriot ariny; William located in Mailborough, and occupiel a portion of his father's farm ; Mary became the wife of Isane Quimby, of Marlborough ; Sarah married Sylvanus Purdy, of the same town ; and Ruth married Samuel Drake, Esq., of Pleasant Valley, Ulster Co.
Jesse Lyons, son of Samuel, was born at Rye, West- chester Co., in 1772, and caure to Marlborough with his father in 1790. He passed his carlier years upon his father's farin, and after the death of the latter occupied the portion of it that he inherited. He married Plebe. daughter of Richard Woolsey, and had ten children, namely, Mary, Phebe (who died in infancy ), Delilah, Samuel, Ruth, Phebe, Tamor, Sarah (who also died in infancy), Eliza, and Jesse. But two of these children are now living. Plebe and Jesse. The former is the widow of John Rutter, and
resides iu the city of Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Lyons died in May, 1832.
Jesse. the subject of this sketch, was boru iu Marlbor- ough, on Oet. 4, 1820. Until the death of his father, in 1832, he resided at home. Theu, at the carly age of twelve years, being largely thrown upon his own resources, he went to werk in Deering's brick-yard iu Poughkeepsie, where he remained three years. The next seven years of his life were passed in the brick-yards of Marlborough, and one year in teaming in Marlborough. Tu 1342 he removed to Rockland Co., N. Y., and after one year of brick-making in that locality he went to Croton Point, Westchester Co., where he remained until the fall of 1854. In the latter year he returned to his native town, and purchasing his present farm, known as the " Nathaniel Harcourt farm," has since successfully engaged in farming and fruit-raising there.
Iu polities Mr. Lyons is a Republican, and has been actively associated with the politics of the town and county for many years. He filled the office of supervisor of Marl- borough in 1962, and from 1864 to 1871, inclusive, and has held other positions of importance in the town. He enjoys a wide influence in his native town ; is foremost in all movements tending to develop the resources and con- tribute to the material growth of Marlborough, and is au active, carnest citizen.
Mr. Lyons is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Milton, and holds the offices of both steward and trustee. He has been married several times, and has a number of children, who reside in Marlborough.
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TOWN OF MARLBOROUGH.
"Sa rod lo the Memory of Selap Tutisill, An clect Member of Con press, who died sept. I, 1821. Ac. 19 years, 10 months, and 12 d'ye. " Cut down in the midst of life and of usefulness."
" In Memory of Wolvert Exker, who died Jan. 17, 1799 ; aged 67
" A mian of sorrow and acquainted with grief. Isn. 53d, 3d. " No more shall we thy much lov'd face review ; Adieu forever, best of friends, adieu."
Another ancient burying-ground is the one adjoining the Baptist church at Lattingtown. It was probably in use as carly as the opening of the present century, though many ut its oldest graves are unmarked by tombstones to day the juascriptions upon which are legible. Among the oldest of its interments are those of Nathaniel Harcomt, who died June 13, 1523, aged seventy years; Nathaniel Quimby, diel May 17, 1823, aged seventy-seven ; Nehemiah L. Smith, died April 4, 1819, aged sixty-one years, one month, and cleven days; William Lyons, died Jan. 11, 1836, aged righty-four years, eleven months, and twenty days; Noah Woolsey, died March 5, 1832, aged eighty-two years ; Gil- 1. r: Kuiffin, died June 11, 1826, aged eighty-two.
At the village of Milton is a burying-ground still in use, aljoining the Methodist church. Besides this there are others in different parts of the town, but they are swall, and mostly of a private nature.
The Friends' burying-ground, at Milton, was in use prior to the year 1800. Anna Hallock was the first person buried there. Another old burying-ground was early in use near Capt. Anning Smith's.
X .- SOCIETIES AND CORPORATIONS.
THE MILTON SAVINGS. BANK
was organized on June 1, 1871. Leonard S. Carpenter was chosen President ; Jesse Lyons, First Vice-President ; William H. Gedney. Second Vice-President; and Ethan Parrott, Secretary. The enterprise was never put in op- eration.
The leading societies of the town are those which are wohneeted with church-work, and under church control. The Reform Club at Marlborough village is doing a good work in 1:SO, and its meetings are well attended.
XI .- NOTEWORTHY FACTS AND INCIDENTS.
Lattimore's Ferry, which is referred to in the old records, wine of which are ynoted hercin, was in use prior to the Revolutionary war. It derived its name from a man named Lattimore, who tirst operated it, and it ran from below fiale's (now Bishop's) Point, on the other side of the river, to the old Benjamin Townsend dock on this side.
ARISTOCRACY.
The first real aristocrat to settle in the town was a French- min by the name of J. J. A. Robert. He located at Marl- Brough village. near the Carpenter place. The cause of - coming from Hayti, where he had resided, was the polit- ! il troubles that harassed that important member of the family of nations. He brought with him his slaves, and lived in grand style, and his æsthetie tastes and culture fond expression in handsomely laid-out groves and care- fly-arranged shrubbery.
A CURIOUS RELIC.
The original deed of conveyance made by the royal gov- ernment to William Bond, bearing date June 12, 1713, and conveying the 600 aeres of land that comprised the Bond patent, is in the possession of Mrs. Phebe H. Hallock, at Milton. It reserves certain timber for use in making masts for the royal navy, and all gold and silver mines. The con- sideration for the grant was the payment of two shillings and sixpence annually, and certain conditions of settlement are annexed, and three aeres in each fifty were to be cleared inside of three years.
The paper is a curious relie. It is drawn on parchment, and has attached to it a large wax seal measuring four and a half inches in diameter, and weighing half a pound, per- haps. On the front side is the royal seal of Great Britain, and on the rear side, the figure of a woman and an Indian warrior kneeling to the queen.
The back of the deed is covered with receipts from the receiver-general for the quit-rent, of which the following is a sample :
" March ye 12th, 1716 .- Rec'd of Mr. William Bond Thee sum of Three Pounds, being in full for 4 Years' Quit for yo band within mentioned, due the 29th of Sept Last, for use of His Majesty. " per H. BYERLEY, Coll."
To comply with the conditions of the grant regarding settlement, and to couple it with the valuable adjunct of legal possession and occupaney. Susanna Bond, a spinster daugliter of the patentee, moved into town and located ou a portion of the patent. She was a lady of aristocratie tastes and tendency, had her slaves around her, lived in good style, and died peacefully in the town.
SLAVERY.
The holding of slaves was very common in the early history of the county, and every landholder who could af- ford it was waited upon by his own slaves. The births of the children of these slaves were registered in the office of the town clerk, and the language of some of the entries is, to say the least, equivocal. The following are specimens of the records :
" This is to certify that the subscriber, Wilhelmus Dubois, of the Town of Marlborough, and County of Ulster, has had a Mal Child Boin of bis Black Woman, a Slave, the fifth day of April, 1501. Name Titus.
(Signed) " WILHELMUS DIDAS." " A Black Girl Born the first of April, 1801, Named Maria Rode, and it is said John Peter Jason is the Farther."
Among others who owned slaves in the town, and to whom slave children were " born," were Charles Brown, Nathaniel Harcourt, J. J. A. Robert, Benjamin Ely, Thad- deus Hait, Charles Millard, Josiah Merritt, Zacharias Has- brouck, Rachel Du Bois, Loais Du Bois, Jr., James Quimby, Benjamin Townsend, Josiah Merritt, and John Wygant.
EAR-MARKS.
In ollen times certain regulations were in foree regarding the marking of cattle and sheep, which seem strange to us of the present day. Each man selected his " mark," which became, in che sense, a copyright, and this he registered formally in the town clerk's office. By this mark his sheep
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and cattle could be easily recognized. The following is a sample of the record of an " car-mark" :
" Anning Smith-A crop off the Left Ear, a half-penny under the same, and a Slope Cross the under side of the Right Ear."
XII .- INDUSTRIAL AND SHIPPING INTERESTS. AGRICULTURE.
The soil of the town is of that character that is well eal- culated for the raising of all the ordinary productions of the climate. Of later years, however, more attention has been given by the farmers to fruit-culture. Raspberries, straw- berries, and blackberries have always been raised in large numbers in the town, and the berry season is the most active period of the year. It is estimated that half a million of dollars are expended for berries in the town in a single season. Apples have also been largely raised, and now the growing of grapes constitutes a leading industry of the town. Whole fields have been converted into vast vine- yards, corresponding to the hop-fields of Northern New York. By the census of 1875, there were 153,080 bushels of grapes produced in 1874. These figures, however, are probably far below the production in 1879. The same au- thority also gives the number of apple-trees in the town in 1874 as 16,399. Bushels of fruit produced, 49,565; barrels of cider made, 1806.
MANUFACTURING.
The water-power of the town was early utilized, Jew's, Old Man's, and Hallock's Creeks being the principal sites of the manufacturing of the town. Saw-mills and grist- mills were erected soon after the settlemert, of which the old Du Bois mill, at Marlborough, is a type. James Hal- lock had an early saw-mill on Hallock's Creek, and Poster Ilallock started another one soon afterwards. Anning Smith also operated an carly grist-mill near his residence. A pin- factory was run on the same site for a short time afterwards.
The first carding-machine in the town was erected on Old Man's Creek, as early as 1810-11. It stood near Woolsey's ice-house. Another was soon after established by a inan named Longbotham.
Jolin Buckley, of Marlborough, was among the early manufacturers of this State. He was born in Jaffrey, N. II., May 3, 1786, and educated at the public school in his native town. Having a. decided liking for mechanical opera- tions, he learned the trade of a wheelwright and machinist. In 1805 he was employed by Almy & Brown, of Provi- dence, where he became acquainted with Samuel Slater, the father of American manufacturers, who was then engaged in manufacturing and building cotton machinery in Pawtucket. It is said " that most of the manufacturing establishments erected in different parts of the country from 1791 to 1808 were built by men who had either directly or indirectly drawn their knowledge of the business from Providence or Pawtucket." Mr. Buckley was employed over three years in the extensive machine-shops of Almy & Brown, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of his business. In 1809 the Pleasant Valley (Cotton) Manufacturing Com- pany, in Dutchess County, was incorporated, when he was engaged to superintend the construction of their water- wheel and running gear, and the greater part of their ma-
chinery. After this was completed and the mill in success- ful operation, he was invited to join the " Cornwall Cotton Manufactory," recently chartered (1811), in which he was a stockholder, where he superintended the building of their wheel and machinery. At this time there was an increasing demand for all kinds of domestic goods, and a large amount of capital was invested in cotton and woolen manufactories. During the war of 1812 this capital was very productive, but at its elose the British manufacturers, having large quantities of goods on hand adapted and originally intended for the American markets, poured them into this country to an amount far beyond the wants of the people or their ability to pay, with a double view of vending their goods and ruining the rival establishments of this country. These goods were forced on the market and sold at quetion at such ruinous prices that most of the manufacturers were obliged to stop their works, and many of them failed. Mr. Buckley was not discouraged; feeling confident that manufacturers would soon be protected by a judicious tariff, he purchased in the spring of 1815 a carding- and spinning-will and a small farm in Marlborough. Here he conneuced carding and spinning wool for the farmers in Orange and Ulster Counties; soon after he added several looms and commeneed making cloth. This enterprise was so successful that he enlarged his mill. In 1822 he entered into partnership with his brothers-in- law, Jamies and John Thorne, under the firm of " Thornes & Buckley ;" the mill was again enlarged, and known as the " Marlborough Wooleu-Factory." At this time they com- meneed making broadeloths and satinets. Most of the operatives engaged in woolen-factories were Englishmen ; the foremen in the different departments commanded high wages, and sometimes it was difficult to get good and ex- perienced men, especially dyers. Mr. Buckley was obliged to take this department under his especial charge. He soon established a reputation for durable and brilliant colors. which the mill enjoyed as long as the firm continued busi- ness. Their cloths were regularly exhibited at the fairs in New York, where, in 1823, they received a premium of a silver pitcher for the best piece of blue broadeloth manu- factured from American wool. After the " American In- stitute" was organized they were frequent exhibitors of these eloths, and always received the diplomas of the institution. For many years their cloths were sold by. Thomas Dixon & Co., an Enelish commission house on Pine Street.
Mr. Thorne used to relate with particular satisfaction a little incident that showed how prejudiced the leading fashionable tailors were in favor of English cloths. He had tried several times to sell an invoice of his goods to a Broadway tailoring establishment. The senior partner spurned at the idea of their making up American cloths. Happening to meet the same man at Mr. Dixon's store, he called to Mr. Thorne, and said, " Mr. Thorne, here is the kind of cloths we want. You American manufacturers can't give your cloths such a finish as these have." Mr. Thorne observing that they were his own goods, made no reply, and turned quietly away.
The firm was dissolved in 1830. Mr. Buckley continued the business until 1855, when he converted his factory into a cotton-will, making twine and cotton warps; this he cou- tinued until the commencement of the Rebellion, in 1861,
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TOWN OF MARLBOROUGHI.
wien he ceased manufacturing. A few years afterwards he wild all the machinery in the mill and retired from business. Ile died at Marlborough, June 1, 1570, in the eighty-fifth rear of his age. For more than fifty years he had been actively engaged in manufacturing, giving employment to a Urge number of operatives, never having any difficulty with any of them, and always retained their confidence and
Mr. Buckley was above the medium height, rather stout, fine presence, sedate countenance, an amiable expression, indicating a vigorous and well-balanced mind; his manners were simple and unpretending, and his ordinary deportment was marked by thoughtfulness and gravity. He was a dili- grunt reader of the public papers, and a careful observer of uIt was pas-ing in the world around him. He was an Episcopalian from thorough conviction, but was willing others should enjoy the liberty be claimed for himself, that of julging and acting for them-alves; taking a deep in- terist in politics, he was a strong Republican, and never omitted depositing his vote at every election, giving his hearty support to the great principles advocated by Henry Clay and protection to American industry.
In the year 1826 a fulling-mill, on Old Man's Creek, was operated by David Waters. He was followed by a man named Stratton, who commeneed the manufacture of broad- cloths. Joseph Hepworth and Jaunes Longbotham followed in turn. In 1830, Mr. Hepworth moved up to the Graves mill, where he and Cornelius Du Bois operated a woolen- mill for a great many years. The mill was subsequently based to Joshua Bailey, who ran it as a shoddy-mill until the dam was carried away in the fr. shirt of 1855 or 1850.
Joseph Graves and a man named Armitage followed next, and engaged in the weaving of blankets, etc. Mr. Graves then associated with himself a man by the name of William Reed, and the firm engaged in the manufacture of a liquid Iye. The business is now carried on by Herbert Graves, a son of Joseph.
On the site of the Stratton mill Kirk & Bower carried rt business for a time. It is now a grist-mill, owned by the heirs of Smith Wright, and operated by Woolsey Wright.
About the year 1826 a paper-mill was started en Old Han's Creek by Miles J. Fletcher. It was operated by 1 .. Art Beebe for a long time, and was chiefly used in the L. mufacture of hymn-book paper. It subsequently became a L'ue-factory, and is now the cup-factory of Nathan II. Du Bois.
The lower grist-mill, operated How by the Fowler family, 9 44 started about the same time as this mill. The old Du Bis mill, now idle, was operated in 1826 by William Sea- Laing and Jeremiah Clark.
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