USA > New York > Montgomery County > St Johnsville > Mohawk Valley genealogy and history : [a compilation of clippings, 1945-1946] > Part 66
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
Let us inquire at the outset when the history of the present war should begin. Is December 7, 1941 the best date to serve as a starting point ? Is it well to use a specific date ex- cept by way of a brief introduction to capture the reader's interest ? If the continuity of history commands our respect, we recognize that, what- ever the subject or period treated, it cannot be divorced from what pre- ceded without impairing Its mean- Ing. When the community goes to war, Its manner of going is deter-
2.
mined to a considerable Cogere by prewar, conditions. This relationship is well illustrated by the sequence of events before the United States. entered World War II. The transi- tion from peace to deciared war was, a period of "defense" and in such. phrases as defense program and de- fense work directed against aggres- sor nations it continued as a house- hold word iong after Pearl Harbor. It seems fairly obvious that the story of such a transition is an es- sential prelude to any war history. So, too, the aftermath of war as re- flected in the local scene merits con- sideration to provide at least a. thoughtful summary and conclusion on postwar problems as viewed at the close of the conflict.
Patriotism has always been a. dominant motive in writing war his -- tory. The will to fight engenders the: urge, to write and enthusiasm for one's subject is , by no means to be! desplsed. When the patriot becomes. historian, however, he must base his, narrative as far as possible upon original contemporary records. As- suming that he knows how and where to find them, we may predict that his quest will yield some conflicting evidence requiring critical judgment to arrive at or most nearly approach the truth of the matter. Although it is gratifying to recount the best efforts put forth in behalf of the cause, the records of shortcomings; and fallure along the way cannot be Ignored in the historian's obligation to tell the whole truth. "Business as. usual," "too little and too late," were undeniable Indictments early In: the present confilct. War is not all sacrifice and glorious achievement. The historian should have sufficient courage to say as much in the light of evidence at hand, although the closer he is to the events and per- sons discussed the more hazardous, his task.
(To be continued)
The Old Red School House
By S. C. Klmm
A History of the District Schools In New York State and more particu- Salisbury, Herkimer, N. Y.
larly of the schools In the Town of Sallsbury Center for many years,
(Continued from last week) Old Time Teachers of the Red School House
Having outlined the way of li- censing teachers in early times let us consider briefly the kind of men and women who were placed in the old red school house to shape the Intel- lectual destinies of the boys and giris. There seem to be no records of trustees school reports previous to 1855-1896 after which time trustees were required by law to make an all- nual report to the county, school com- missioner. A few of these reports are stili to be found from which I cull a short list of the red school house district. .! 4
In 1857 A. T. Talmadge and. Ma- rinda Bliss, both licensed by J. D Lamberson In '55-'56. The first, of the red school house teachers to be licensed by a county school commis- sioner were James Ives and Lucetta
Milton Yaie was regarded: as one of the best oid time teachers,, 1863, who had taught in the red! school. house. I often heard Lyman, Barnes; teii how Milton on stormy days ear- ried little five year old Alice Barnes to school In a basket. Alice married Ira Munger, a popular merchant of
In 1865 Addison Tanner taught in joint district No. 4, Emmonshurg .. The Tanners have long been known for their mechanical skill. A. Salis- bury Tanner was for a time mechan+ ical superintendent of General Mo- tors. Addison was a great grandsont of Alvarlus Hopson. He has descend- ants in Dolgeville and Salisbury.
In 1867 Nancy Wooster. The Woos- ter girls attended Fairfield Semi- nary. They lived In Salisbury Cor- ners near the school house. In 1868; E. M. Huntly was the teacher, A'
Huntley married Pint Spencer, a: dressmaker by occupation and daugh -. ter of Alvin Spencer who had a wood! working shop on Cold Creek in Plum -. mervilie. I recall a story told about: Mr, Spencer. While on a visit to. Pennsylvania a freshet carried away, his water power dam. A neighbor wrote him that he (Spencer) was not worth a dam.
The Coreys
or eise their church members could not spell their names, so we have to make many guesses in translating them now, guided to some extent by the names of descendants living to- day.
: The earliest Huguenot church was at New Paltz with records going back to 1683 in French, although the church was Reformed. It is'a source of early French records in the state. Other early churches with important records near New York were the Bergen (1662) and Hackensack (1686) Reformed; also, the Tappan (1694) and Tarrytown Reformed (1697). The first Lutheran church records begin in 1704, the Dutch and German Lutheran of New York cov- ering Lutheran churches up - and down the Hudson valley and the Zion Lutheran of Athens, mother church for the Hudson in the vicinity of Al- bany. Here are the earliest records of the Palatine Germans, with the min- Isters covering several small church- es on both sides of the river.
The Episcopal Church was estab- lished early in Albany in 1675, altho records are not ' available before [1756. The' Albany minister had charge of the English Queen Anne's Chapel established at Fort Hunter about '1711 (with records from 1734 to: 1746), which Sir William Johnson and his followers attended in the ear- ly days. Later, when St. George's of Schenectady was formed in 1753, this church lost Its following, and Sir Wil- liam Johnson had a pew in Schenec- tady.
Among the Reformed churches formed around 1700, the ones at Schaghticoke (1707,) Schoharle (1710), Kinderhook . (1712), Claver- ack (1716), Poughkeepsie (1716) and Linlithgow at Livingston (1722) were the most Important.
Thus in the earliest days, the Dutch Reformed and Lutheran reli- gions were predominant, mainly the Reformed and the records were all | very well kept. The Dutch Reformed seem to be most complete, next the Lutherans, then . Presbyterians. Some of the Episcopal records are good, others are not. Some of the other religious denominations, such as the Methodist and Baptist are very poor and incomplete. Possibly this is be- cause many of thelr ministers were men of little schooling. The Dutch Reformed ministers were usually of a very high grade.
(To be continued)
Enterprise & News
An ABC Newspaper ST. JOHNSVILLE, N. Y. Telcphone 3741 S. K. IVERSON PUBLISHER
Entered at the St. Johnsville Post- office, St. Johnsville, N. Y. as second class matter. Published Every Thurs- day SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Montgomery, Fulton and Herkimer
Counties One Year $2.50. All others
$3 except Canada $4 Six Months $2.00
ceded without impairing Its mean- ing. When the community goes to war, its manner of going Is deter-
his . task.
(To be continued)
The Old Red School House
By S. C. Klmm A History of the District Schools In New York State and more particu- larly of the schools in the Town of Salisbury, Herkimer, N. Y.
(Continued from last week) Old Time Teachers of the Red School House
Having outlined the way of li- censing teachers in early times let us consider briefly the kind of men and women who were placed in the old red school house to shape the intel- lectual destinies of the boys and girls. There seem to be no records of trustees school reports previous to 1855-1896 after which time trustees were required by law to make an an- nual report to the county school com- missloner. A few of these reports are still to be found from which' I cull, a short list of the red school house district.
In 1857 A. T. Talmadge and | Ma- rinda Bliss, both licensed by J. D. Lamberson in '55-'56. The first of the red school house teachers to be licensed by a county school commis- sioner were James Ives and Lucetta Stafford. 1859 Moses Bliss, a prom- inent ol'd time teacher in Salisbury. In later years the Bliss family fur- nished several teachers. One of the outstanding teachers of his day was Frankiin Wood who taught In Em- monsburg in 1856. This district was joint district No. 4 with the red school house district. Franklin Wood married a Salisbury girl and raised a large family. He taught several terms, was an officer in the Civil war and later secured a high rank among the preachers of the Metho- dist church. He was the father of the late Mr. E. H. Wood of Sallsbury and Frank H. Wood of the Educa- tion Department. \
When a boy I heard many kind things of Martha Satterlee who taught in 1860. I lived a brief spell with William Satterlee in the white house now owned by the Pine Crest. He married the great grand daugh. ter of Alvarius Hopson. The teacher in the red' school In 1862 was Martin Barnes in his home district. He late: moved to Fairfield where he dic much to promote the work of the old seminary. A town offlclal and leader in town politles for many years. Hls son and daughter are residents of Fairfield.
The Yales
In the early days of which I write there lived in Salisbury a family whose family name was destined to become a household word in many civilized countries. One member the famlly, Wallace Yale, lived in the red school district. Another lived just west of the Center. Another was for years in a bank In Herkimer. His daughter was a successful teache: in Middleville. Linus Yale married £ daughter of Alvarius Hopson anċ moved to Newport. In 1857 he was elected the first president of the vil lage of Newport. He It was who In- vented the famous Yale lock.
-
Milton Yale was regarded: as one. of the best old time teachers,, 1863, who had taught in the red! school. house. I often heard Lyman Barnea; tell how Milton on stormy days car- ried little five year old Allce Barnes to school in a basket. Alice married Ira Munger, a popular merchant of Salisbury Center for many years,
In 1865 Addison Tanner taught in joint district No. 4, Emmonshurg. The Tanners have long been known. for their mechanical skill. A. Salis- bury Tanner was for a time mechan+ Ical superintendent of General Mo- tors. Addison was a great grandsont of Alvarius Hopson. He has descend- ants in Dolgeville and Salisbury.
In 1867 Nancy Wooster. The Woos- ter girls attended Fairfield Semi- nary. They lived in Salisbury Cor- ners near the school house. In 1868: E. M. Huntly was the teacher, A'. Huntley married Pint Spencer, &. dressmaker by occupation and daugh -- ter of Alvin Spencer who had a wood! working shop on Cold Creek in Plum -. merville. I recall a story told about: Mr. Spencer. While on a visit to- Pennsylvania a freshet carried away, his water power dam. A neighbor wrote him that he (Spencer) was not worth a dam.
The Coreys
Virginia Corey taught the sum- mer school of 1868, the beginning of a long and successful career as, teacher in many of the nearby dis- tricts, She was the daughter of Si- las Corey who owned a large farm in the Lanphere school district. It. Ist .. now known as the Frank Shall farm. Virginia married Mr. Abrams of Dolgeville. Her brother Will Corey taught in the red school house in 1878. Will became one of our ablest county superintendents of public highways. He was a ploneer in the county in building Improved roads. He induced Salisbury to enter on. a. career of improved road building. ahead of most of the other towns. It was a joke on the rich towns. that while they were traveling In. mud they were helping the poor town of Salisbury to cover herself with a network of improved roads. through the part pa. 1 by the county of Herkimer. En .... & Chekdon begsn. her several terms of teaching in the. district in 1879. Ara Sheklon settled. In the district before 1800 on a far. 4. adjoining that of Mr. . Hale. .. Hale whose mother was a Satte .. > lived on the old homestead, che. .. the patriarchs of Salisbury ..
(To be continued).
1
SPARKLING Olike Champagne Utica Crb
xxx CreamTALE Pilsner LAGER
THE WEST END BREWING .CO FLUTICA, N. Y.
VALLET
GENEALOGY AND HISTORY
'St. Johnsville Enterprise and News; St. Johnsville. N. Y.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1946
Questions and Answers A department devoted to the purmalt of knowledge. No charge to regular subscribers. Any reader, whether subscriber or not, is invited to submit answers. Give dates, places and sources.
COLE
Mathew Cole came to Midella, N. Y. from Sharon, Conn, and then with hig son Erastus moved to Yates Co., 1817, died at 73. Would like to know his birth date or date of death. Would also like to know something concerning his son Milo.' Ira Cole, M. D.
1535 Summit Dr., Box 527, West Lafayette, Indiana
HARRIS
Daniel Harris died in Warren Co., N. Y. in the middle of the nineteenth century leaving a will in which he mentions his wife's brother George Deuel. Where did George Deuel live and who were his parents?
E. Russell Davol,
245 Winthrop street, Taunton, Mass.
NORDEOK, SMYTHE
John Frederick Nordeck is said to Reform Church, Tiashoke (now Bus-
have been born. in West Virginia, and died in New Haven, Conn. He Timothy and wife "Elmiry" had a married, possibly in New York an son baptized there April 10, 1812. Irish immigrant named
Smythe.
Of their children only one is known Benjamin Franklin Nordeck, born Benjamin Wells who had wife Mary May 3, 1898 at Albany. John Fred- erick Nordeck was a cigar maker, and had a farm near Albany probably between 1890 and /1905.
Can anyone give me any informa- tion as to his origin, other children, and descendants ? * * Marshall S. Walker, Jr.
45 Essex avenue, Montclair, N. J.
WHITTEMORE, BUFFUM
1. John Whittemore married Han- nah Lewis Buffum, widow of Ben- jamin B. Buffum (when and where ?) 2. Name of parents of John Whit- temore and place of his birth, also place of parents births ?
3. Name of children, if any.
John Whittemore died in Provi- dence, R. I. June, 1850 and is buried there. His widow remarried a Job Winslow in 1856 He died in 1858 and she married for the fourth Jo- soph D. Kent. She died in 1865. Mrs. Wm. H. Buffum,
22 Tallman avenue,
Cranston, R. I.
WELLS, RUGGLES
Wanted ancestry of Timothy Wells. "Mary, Ruggles, wife "of Timothy Wells" was received into the Dutch
kirk, N. Y.) on August 26, 1809.
Mary Are Mary and Elmiry, Ruggles one ' person ?
Was Timothy Wells related. to
(Page) Wells? Benjamin's daughter Prudence Wells born Dec. 13, 1777 was married to George Welch and had a daughter Lucina. Lucina Welch was married to Clark Baker. She was received into the Dutch Reform church of Tiashoke on 'Oct. 10, 1829,
en. Were above Wells persons relat- ed? 1
Mrs. F. F. Weinard,
713 Iowa street, Urbana, Il.
CORRECTION
My query printed Nov. 7, 1946 read Bice, Fancher, Johnson. This should be Bunce, Fancher, Johnson (Antoinette Bunce died ab. ' 1918-19 married Fancher.) Her sister Mary Bunce married James Johnson of Bridgewater, N. Y.
Mrs. G. E. Fancher, RD4, Troy, N. Y.
MINER, IRISH
Proof wanted of the family of Peres Miner who married Mary Irish and whose children were: Isaac,
Peres, Warren, John, Abigail (mar- ried Eastman Irish), Mary born 1796-7 married Elisha Taylor, 1819, migrated to Michigan in 1823, and Eunice.
The above Mary is the person of whom I have all data. It is known that she migrated with her husband from Cayuga county, N. Y. in 1823. The above data regarding her fath- er, mother, brothers and sisters are also known, but the dates of births and marriages are missing. I wish to prove these dates, together with the ascendants of both Peres Miner and his wife Mary Irish.
FIELD
A second family on which I wish data follows:
I also would like the parentge of Stutley Field born Providence, R. I. 1777, died Syracuse, N. Y. 1854. Sarah Van Hoosen Jones,
RD 2, Box 36
place from which she caine not giv- Rochester, Mich.
Early Churches in New York State
A brief summary delivered by H. A. McConville before the Schenectady Genealogical Society on May 11, (Continued from last week)
Of the Lutheran churches in the Mohawk Valley, the Stone Arabia (1711) and St. Paul's Lutheran of Schoharie (1728) covered a wide territory. We find the ministers of the Schoharie church baptizing even in the neighborhood of Athens, which should have been covered by the Zion church there. By 1729, the Rhinebeck St. Peter's Lutheran was caring for most of the Palatines on the east side of the Hudson river of the Lutheran falth; while the St. Paul's Lutheran of Red Hook, which was formerly the German Reformed church of Rhinebeck, cared for the Reformed element from 1729 until about 1800, when the church became a Lutheran church.
The original German Reformed church of Rhinebeck was located several miles below Red Hook, just below the present St. Peter's Luther- an on the old side of the village of Rhinebeck. There was a church there
early, the first established Catholic church was in New York city about 1785 and the second in Albany (St. Mary's in 1797) with missions at
Schenectady and Troy. The first Universalist church recorded was in Hudson in 1817. A series of church- es called Christian began in Canaan in 1829. Of the other later various re- ligious denominations now in exis- tence, the dates of their first appear- [ the Bleekman school district where I made my first attempt to teach school. Scores will recall Bliss Kib- be, the merchant who for more than
ance have not as yet been compiled. At this point it might be of in- terest to give a census of the church- es existing in New York State' in 50 years acted as step-father to all 1773, grouped by denominations, Fix- ed charges: Dutch Reformed, 23; Presbyterian, 45; Episcopal, 18; Ana- baptist, 12; Lutheran, 3; Quaker
Congregations, 17. No fixed charges. Presbyterian, 3; Episcopal, 3; Luth- eran, 2. Vacant: Dutch Reformed, 24; Anabaptist, 4; Lutheran, 10; French Protestants, 2; small mis- sions, 2. In addition there were 12 preachers called Congregationalists and Anabaptists, also a congregation of Jews in New York city with a synagogue.
('To be continued)
The Old Red
once a teacher in Van Hornesville. The Kibbes
Effie Kibbe was another well known rural school teacher. She married the inventor of the famous Watson Dump Wagon who formed a company in Canastota. Later they made school buses, The Kibbes were successful dealers in lumber. They had a saw mill east of Stratford in
of Stratford. His parents passed their last years in Salisbury Center in the house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Tibbets. Mrs. Kibbe lived to be nearly 100 years old. Howard Kibbe of Dolgeville is a grandson of this "grand old lady of Salisbury." Jennie and Ina Bliss, daughter of Sam Bliss were native teachers in the district. . They both married men who were teachers in the red school house. Jennie married Eugene Wise- man, a teacher in 1880. Unaided he worked his way through Syracuse University, joined the Troy confer- ence of the Methodist church where he became pastor of some of the largest city churches. They have three children who are college train- ed.
Dah LH urhe
tion as to his origin, other chugren, and descendants ?!
Marshall S. Walker, Jr.
was
church"of Tiashoke on'Oct. 10, 1829,| RD 2, BOX 30 place from which she caine not giv- Rochester, Mich.
Early Churches in New York State
A brief summary delivered by II. A. McConville before the Schenectady Genealogical Soclety on May 11. (Continued from last week)
Of the Lutheran churches. in the
Mohawk Valley, the Stone Arabla (1711) and St. Paul's Lutheran of
Schoharie (1728) covered a wide territory. We find the ministers of the Schoharie church baptizing even in the nelghborhood of Athens, which should have been covered by the
Zion church there. By 1729, the Rhinebeck St. Peter's Lutheran was caring for most of the Palatines on the east side of the Hudson river of the Lutheran faith; while the St. Paul's Lutheran of Red Hook, which was formerly the German Reformed church of Rhinebeck, cared for the Reformed element from 1729 until about 1800, when the church became a Lutheran church.
The original German Reformed church of Rhinebeck- was located several miles below. Red Hook, Just below the present St. Peter's Luther- an on the old side of the village of Rhinebeck. There was a church there from 1709 to 1729, and remains of the cemetery are visible on a side hill. Then the church was moved north to the present site in Red Hook, but the old records are lost before 1729, making it hard to trace the ancestry of some of the earliest Palatine ·families of the Reformed
In 1874 Gerry Wood was one of the faith. The old center of Red Mook ] lively young men teachers of the dis- was nearer the river, probably on the trict. He was a son of the Franklin present site of Madalin, N. Y., as the old Reformed church is located near there. Around 1730, the Rhinebeck Flats Reformed church, on the pres- ent site of Rhinebeck., and the Kaats- baan church of Saugerties were
formed.
The Poughkeepsie First Reformed church was formed in 1716, but it had no regular pastor until 1731, be- ing previously served by ministers from Kingston, Albany and Long Is- land. Between 1731 and 1766 there were many pastors, with quarrels between the two Dutch elements; al- so, the church burned in 1766. As a result many valuable early records of this vicinity are lost.
In the meantime, the number of churches kept increasing in the Hud- son Valley. Of interest are the Mo- ravian church and Quaker Oblong House founded in 1744. A few Pres- byterian churches appeared at Brink- erhoffville, Amenia, Poughkeepsie and Dombouts. The first Baptist church recorded was .No.theast Baptist in 1751, and the fl .. Con- gregational 'at Stillwater in 1752 Episcopal churches slowly appeared, the Fishkill Trinity in 1760 and Poukhkeepsle Christ's Episcopal in lege trained. A son Philip Elwood
1766. Not until 1783 Episcopal churches , at
Methodist
and
Newburg
straight Methodist in Albany in 1788. A few more Quaker churches appeared in the next few year".
Although there were visiting Jes- uit priests in New York City very
early, the first established Catholic church was in New York city about 1785 and the second in Albany (St. Mary's in 1797) with missions at
Schenectady and Troy. The first Universalist church recorded was in Hudson in 1817. A series of church- es called Christian began in Canaan in 1829. Of the other later various re- ligious denominations now in exis- tence, the dates of their first appear- ance have not as yet been complled. At this point it might be of in- terest to give a census of the church- es existing in New York State' in 1773, grouped by denominations, Fix- ed charges: Dutch Reformed, 23; Presbyterian, 45; Episcopal, 18; Ana- baptist, 12; Lutheran, 3; Quaker
Congregations, 17. No fixed charges. Presbyterian, 3; Episcopal, 3; Luth- eran, 2. Vacant: Dutch Reformed, 24; Anabaptist,' 4; Lutheran, 10; French . Protestants, 2; small mis- sions, 2. In addition there were 12 preachers called Congregationalists and Anabaptists, also a congregation of Jews in New York city with a synagogue.
(To be continued)
The Old Red School House
By S. C. Kimm (Continued from last week) Oki Time Teachers of the Red School House
Wood mentioned back in 1856 and a brother of the late Dr. Wood. Gerry later attended medical school and be- came a leading physician in Jeffer- son county. He located in Antwerp I and was a member of the board of trustees of Ives Seminary when was principal' of that institution. Gerry also served in the State Legis- lature for several terms. He died in 1913. .
The following winter term was taught by David Wood. Every Adi- rondack camper and lover of the great outdoors will bless the name of David Wood, the famous surveyor of the state forest preserve.
A Much Loved Teacher
1876 and again in 1879 we find a little black eyed girl from Poland leading the boys and girls along the paths of knowledge. She sure was boss In that old school huse with board benches, strapping big fellowa with cow hide boots. I recall Henry Cytle, Dee McClure, Will Hale, La- Grange Spencer and the Barnes boys and others. Miss Dolan married Phil- ip Elwood of Stark, president of the New York Beekeepers Association. All five of their children were col-
the beautiful military, cemetery oi the Argonne. A daughter-in-law of this little black eyed teacher was
once, a teacher in Van Hornesville. The Kibbes
Effie Kibbe was another well known rural school teacher. She married the inventor of the famous Watson Dump Wagon who formed a company in Canastota. Later they made school buses, The Kibbes were successful dealers in lumber. They had a saw mill east of Stratford in the Bleekman school district where I made my first attempt to teach school. Scores will recall Bliss Kib- be, the merchant who for more than 50 years acted as step father to all of Stratford. His parents passed their last years in Salisbury Center in the house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Tibbets. Mrs. Kibbe lived to be nearly 100 years old. Howard Kibbe of Dolgeville is a grandson of this "grand old lady of Salisbury." Jennie and Ina Bliss, daughter of Sam Bliss were native teachers in the district. . They both married men who were teachers in the red school' house. Jennie married Eugene Wise- man, a teacher in 1880. Unaided he worked his way through Syracuse University, joined the Troy confer- ence of the Methodist church where he became pastor of some of the largest city churches. They have three children who are college train- ed.
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