USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 17
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143
WATERFORD, 1800-1831.
under the care of the Regents of the University of the State of New York, and appropriating thereto its proper quota of the public moneys. The seminary was opened in the spring of 1819. After it had been successfully incorporated the citizens of Troy, appreciating the advant- ages which would accrue to them from the location of the school in that city, proposed to Mrs. Willard that she remove the seminary to Troy, agreeing to contribute freely of their means to its establishment and maintenance. To this proposition she assented, though efforts were made to induce her to remain in Waterford, and in the summer of 1821 the school was removed from Waterford to Troy, where it has since been maintained.
Waterford had good public schools during this period, and one acad- emy at which many of her best citizens were educated.
Several religious societies were organized in Waterford during the first three decades of the present century. The first of these was the society which ultimately became the Presbyterian church of Waterford. Some authorities say that organization was effected before 1800, but if this is true, it was very weak, and lay dormant for several years. The Reformed Dutch church erected a house of worship in 1799, and the Presbyterians then united with this society. In 1803 the union be- tween the Presbyterian churches at Troy and Lansingburgh was dis- solved. About the same time the pulpit of the Dutch Reformed church of Waterford became vacant, by reason of the failing health of Rev. John Close, who had been pastor since 1797. Consequently the Presbyterian church of Lansingburgh invited the Presbyterians of Waterford to join with them in calling Rev. Samuel Blatchford of Bridgeport, Conn., to the pastorate. This proposition was agreed to, and the Presbyterian church of Waterford was reorganized, ecclesias- tically distinct from both the other churches. July 18, 1804, Rev. Mr. Blatchford was installed as pastor of the two churches. In that year the Dutch Reformed church placed its house of worship at the disposal of the new Presbyterian organization, and for twenty-one years united with it in supporting the pastor. In 1826, the Reformed church desir- ing to revive its organization, the Presbyterians held services in Classic Hall, on First street, but at once began the erection of their church on the corner of Division and Third streets. This building, which cost $4,000, was dedicated in September, 1826. Dr. Blatchford continued to be pastor until his death, March 17, 1828.1
1 In 1865-66 this building was enlarged and remodeled at an expense of $20,000. The organ placed in the church at that time was the gift of John Cramer. The edifice was rededicated
144
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Grace Protestant Episcopal church of Waterford was organized Sep- tember 17, 1810, by the election of Richard Davis, jr., and John Vibbard as wardens; and Guert Van Schoonhoven, Henry Davis, Hezekiah Ketchum, James Meeker, Benjamin Chamberlain, William McDonald, Joseph Ketchum and Ward Rice as vestrymen. At a meet- ing of the vestry December 10 following, John Davis was chosen clerk, William M McDonald collector and John Davis treasurer. July 1, 1811, the meeting-house which had been used by a Methodist congre- gation1 was purchased, and at once repaired and refurnished, being consecrated by Bishop Hobart August 30, 1813. May 20, 1814, Rev. Parker Adams was called as the first rector.2
The Baptist church of Waterford was not organized until 1821, though Baptist gatherings had been held in town as early as 1812. After three years of worship at the home of Deacon Whitney, meetings were held in the old school house, until the erection of the first house of worship. 3
Waterford was the first village in Saratoga county to enjoy the privi- leges which accrue to any community by reason of the establishment of a banking institution. May 29, 1830, the Legislature passed an act incorporating the Saratoga County bank of Waterford, the capital stock of which was fixed at $100,000. John Knickerbacker, James Thomp. son, John Cramer, Miles Beach and John W. Kirtland were named as commissioners to receive subscriptions for stock and call the first meet- ing. John Knickerbacker, John Cramer, John Vibbard, Eli M. Todd, Moses Scott, Samuel Thompson, Matthew Bailey, Samuel Cook and
May 10, 1866. The edifice was renovated and a new pipe organ placed back of the pulpit in 1886. In 1897 the old windows were replaced by beautiful figured stained glass windows. The pastors of the church since the death of Dr. Blatchford have been : Rev. Ebenezer Cheever, April 9, 1828, to March, 1830; Rev. Lawrence L. Van Dyke, Rev. George Bush supplies to 1831; Rev. Reu- ben Smith, May, 1831, to April 1, 1848: Rev. Alexander B. Bullions, September 14, 1848, to 1853 ; Rev. Lewis H. Lee, 1853 to 1863 ; Rev. Arthur T. Pierson, October 6, 1863, to 1869; Rev. R. H. P. Vail, September 14, 1869, to March 31, 1876; Rev. A. B. Riggs, 1876-1889 ; Rev. Robert W. Beers, 1890-1898.
1 No record of this early Methodist church is extant.
2 The first church was burned in the great fire of 1841, but soon after a new edifice was con- structed of brick at a cost of about $6,000. In 1865 this was enlarged, remodeled and completely refurnished, including the purchase of a fine organ, ata total expense of about $10,000. The rec- tors succeeding Rev. Parker Adams have been Revs. George Uphold, Henry Stebbins. George B. Eastman, Joshua Morss, Joseph J. Nicholson, Edward Edwards, Richard S. Adams, William Walsh, Joseph Carey, George F. Ferguson, Charles H. Lancaster, F. A. Shoup, Walter Thomp- son, William D. Maxon, William Rollins Webb, Charles E. Freeman, S. T. Street and John Mills Gilbert.
3 This church, a brick structure, was built in 1842, chiefly through the efforts of George Hurd, Merritt Potter and T. J. Eddy. The structure was rebuilt in 1867 at a cost of nearly $20,000.
145
STILLWATER, 1800-1831.
Miles Beach were named as the first directors, and at their first meet- ing, held July 14, 1830, they elected John Knickerbacker president, Jonathan H. Douglas cashier, and John Cramer attorney, and named John Vibbard, Eli M. Todd and John House as a committee to select a build- ing for a banking house.
September 24, 1804, a number of members of the Masonic fraternity residing in the town of Milton met at the residence of William G. Boss, at Milton Hill, and organized a lodge of that order. March 22, 1805, this organization received from the Grand lodge a charter giving it the title of Friendship lodge No. 118, F. & A. M. Meetings were held in the town of Milton until January 2, 1821, when the lodge was re- moved to Ballston Spa. Here communications were held for fourteen years, at the end of which period the charter was surrendered. The lodge was never revived.
The following advertisment appeared in the Ballston Spa Gazette of January 7, 1823:
Waterford Ladies' School .- MISS HAIGHT respectfully informs the public, that she has opened a school for the instruction of young ladies, in which are taught the following branches :- Spelling, Reading, Writing, Definitions, English Gram- mar, Arithmetic, Geography and Composition, $5 per quarter. Mappery, History, Rhetoric, Elements of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, Use of Globes, Geometry, Astronomy, Logic, Moral and Intellectual Philosophy, separate or in conjunction with the above branches, $6 per quarter. Drawing and Painting, $5. Painting on Velvet, $5. Both branches taught together, $8 per quarter. The French language and music will be taught provided a sufficient number should apply to compose a class.
Waterford, October 3, 1822.
THE undersigned cheerfully permits himself to be referred to both for the char- acter and accomplishments of Miss Haight, and he has no doubt, the public will soon perceive the advantage of encouraging the seminary of which this lady has the - charge. Samuel Blatchford, D. D.
Lansingburg, Oct. 12, 1822.
The first noteworthy industrial advance in the town of Stillwater occurred about 1812, when Rensselaer Schuyler, a man of wealth and enterprise, purchased a tract of land now occupied by a portion of the village of Stillwater and established mills. Already there were in and near the village a grist mill, saw mill, flour mill, a tannery, an ashery and other smaller industries. The opening of the Champlain canal in 1825 gave a great impetus to trade. Soon after that auspicious event, Ephraim Newland became the promoter of several enterprises. Mills
10
146
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
were established by him for the manufacture of flannel and knit goods, and soon after a second knitting mill, a wall paper plant and a straw board mill were started. These industries caused the population of the place to increase rapidly. The village had been incorporated in 1816, the bounds being from the Stillwater creek half a mile up the river, and more than a quarter of a mile west of the river. In 1817 the Schuyler mills and all the additions built after the erection of the orig- inal buildings were burned. The property afterward was owned by Philip J. Schuyler, who erected a grist mill and clothing factory. About the time the canal was constructed a brick kiln was erected, employing the clay thrown from the bed of the canal for the manufacture of brick.
The original Presbyterian church of Stillwater ceased to exist as an organized body about 1795. In 1816 the Presbyterians and Congrega- tionalists of the village united and formed "The First Presbyterian Congregational church of Stillwater." But this organization was not a success, there being a constant conflict of authority, although the confession of faith and covenant were alike for both denominations. Denison Andrews, John W. Patrick, Samuel Low and John Sullivan were the first elders, and Thomas Morey, William Seymour and Peter Andrews deacons. When it was seen that the two denominations could not exist as one society, the church was dissolved and a Presby- terian church organized March 11, 1818, with John W. Patrick, Jesse Warren and Alfred Benedict as elders, and Amos Hodgman as deacon. Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, who had been pastor of the united body, re- tired at this time, and Rev. Mark Tucker became the first pastor of the new society, serving in this capacity until 1824.1
Methodism gained a foothold in town early in the century. A society was organized at Ketchum's Corners about 1800, but little is known of its early history. Rev. Datus Ensign was the pioneer of Methodism at Stillwater. In 1828 he held his first meeting in the school house in the northern part of the village, where a small class was formed. From this class sprang the present Methodist church of Stillwater.2
1 The first house of worship of this Presbyterian church, built in 1791, was replaced by a com- modious brick edifice in 1842.
2 This society was regularly united with the Stillwater circuit in 1835, Rev. E. Goss preaching regularly once in two weeks. Soon after the church was attached to the society at Mechanic- ville, but in 1857 the present M. E. church of Stillwater was organized, as a separate station, under the ministry of Rev. Reuben Westcott. Eleven years before the organization of the so- ciety, or in 1846, a house of worship was erected at an expense of $800, being dedicated by Rev. Allen Steele. In 1874, under the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Rose, the erection of the present edifice was begun. It was completed during the second pastorate of Rev. W. D. Hitchcock in 1886-1888.
147
HALFMOON, 1800-1831.
The industrial development of Halfmoon was slow until the opening of the Champlain canal in 1825. Numerous grist mills and saw mills, with at least one brick kiln, were in operation in the early part of the present century, but few other manufacturing concerns were erected until after the first decade.
Edward A. Morehouse, who came to Mechanicville in 1825, recalls a clear picture of the village of that date. South of the kill, Dr. Cuerdon; two Boillo families; a colored family; the old tavern; the blacksmith shop; further down, McMulligan. The Cuerdon house was partly log, on the site of the present parsonage. On the Stillwater side, west of Main street, Morehouse's tailor shop, Vernam's store, John Cross's tavern; joining the store was Carrington's residence, then a house and store kept by William Pierce. On the east side of the street, Skinner's blacksmith shop, Farnum's store, where the meat market is now, a brick house, Squire Hutton's resi- dence, now Widow Boardman's, Carrington's harness shop, over it Lockwood's shoe shop, Lynott Bloodgood's; at the corner old-fashioned hay scales, wagon and all swung up by chains to be weighed; beyond these eight or ten other buildings, and in the rear the factory and grist mill, as now. The factory had been erected by Squire Hutton many years before, had been burned, rebuilt, and in 1825 was owned by Bloodgood.1
Few manufacturing concerns existed outside of Mechanicville in these days. The chief occupation of the inhabitants of the town was agri- culture, for the soil of the town is generally very fertile and productive, both on the flats and the uplands.
Several religious societies were organized in Halfmoon during this period. Early in the century a Friends' meeting was established about three miles southwest of Mechanicville, but the meetings were discon- tinued about 1850. The Second Baptist church of Halfmoon, located for many years at Clifton Park village, and the old Baptist church at Middletown were successors of the original church at Newtown. The Methodist church of Mechanicville had its inception in a class organ- ized in 1828. This resulted in the erection of a chapel in 1832.2 Though the Protestant Episcopal church at Mechanicville (now St. Luke's church) was not formally organized until August 2, 1830, the erection of the house of worship was begun at least a year before that date. It was consecrated August 24, 1830, by Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, bishop of New York. The first officers of the church were:
1 Sylvester's History of Saratoga County, 1878.
2 Rev. Mr. Ensign was the first pastor of this church, which now [1898] is under the pastoral charge of Rev. Dr. William H. Hughes. The church edifice on William street which served the society so many years was sold in 1883 to the Baptist congregation, and a new church was erected in that year on North Main street, at the cost of $20,000. This building was dedicated by Bishop Thomas L. Bowman December 18, 1884,
148
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Wardens, John C. Valentine and William Gates; vestrymen, Hugh Peebles, John Cross, Munson Smith, William L. R. Valentine, Lynott Bloodgood, William Tyler, William Tibbitts and Cramer Vernam. 1
Good schools existed in town and were well patronized. The old Halfmoon academy, located at Middletown, was considered the best, not only in Halfmoon, but within many miles thereof. Among the school commissioners who served at the beginning of the century were Hezekiah Ketchum, Benjamin Mix, Solomon Waite and Robert Ken- nedy. Among those who served after the passage of the general school law of 1812 were Ira Scott, Ashbel Philo, David Garnsey, Nathan Garnsey, jr., Samuel Reynolds, Nicholas B. Doe, John E. Vischer, John B. Miller, Elnathan Smith, Nathan Peck, Henry Clow, Nehemiah G. Philo, Silas Sweetland, Joseph Read, Benjamin Hall and Powell Howland.
The history of Schuylerville and the town of Saratoga, commonly known as Old Saratoga, during the first third of the century, can be told in a few words. Little else is to be recorded but the development of the agricultural interests of the community. The inhabitants of Schuylerville did not feel that their village was important enough to ask for incorporation until 1831, the end of the period covered by this chapter. The early manufactures, aside from those referred to in a preceding chapter, were few but important. The old fulling mill established by the Schuyler family before 1800, passed into the hands of Mr. Lawrence in 1819. This he operated until about 1830, when he took charge of a woolen factory located in a part of the old building formerly occupied as a distillery by Mr. Schuyler. The manufacture of woolen goods was continued in this building until it was destroyed by fire about 1850. In 1828 Philip Schuyler built a cotton factory, which was operated continuously for many years, finally becoming the prop- erty of the Saratoga Victory Manufacturing company. This is believed to be the oldest mill of its kind but one in New York State.
A Masonic lodge existed in Schuylerville for many years, but it was disbanded during the great Anti-Masonic agitation and was never re- organized. A lodge of Odd Fellows was established there in the early days of that order, but this too was discontinued many years ago.
1 When the funds were subscribed for the construction of this church it was stipulated that it should be dedicated by the bishop of New York, though all religious bodies were per- mitted to worship therein. This naturally led to dissensions and July 15, 1835, the vestry of St. Luke's having obtained a release from all societies using the church except the Episcopalians, the property came into the sole possession of St. Luke's church.
149
SARATOGA, 1800-1831.
Several school houses were located in town during this period, but lit- tle is known of them. In 1813, in pursuance of the general school law enacted the preceding year, the town was divided into eighteen school districts and these school commissioners were elected: Wallace Craw- ford, Harvey Granger, John R. Mott. The inspectors chosen were: Philip Duryea, Martin L. Bryan, Reuben Perry, Esek Cowen, David Evarts, Zeno Remington. Other commissioners who served during this period included James Green, jr., Jonas Olmstead, James Mott, William Davis, Eli Granger, James W. Smith, Edward Fitch, Henry D. Chapman, Francis R. Winney, James Anibal, Oliver Cleveland, Henry Wagman, James Place, Ira Lawrence, William Wilcox, Elna- than Patterson, William B. Caldwell, Henry F. Sherman 2d, Richard M. Livingston, Joseph Soule, Orville B. Dibble, Stephen H. Dilling- ham, Henry T. Sherman and Abram B. Barker. Among the school inspectors of this period were John H. Steele, John R. Mott, Richard M. Livingston, William L. F. Warren, Dudley Farlin, James Green, Henry D. Chapman, Elnathan Spinner, James W. Smith, Aaron Blake, William B. Caldwell, Abram Van Duzen, Rockwell Putnam, Harmon J. Betts, Philip Schuyler, Daniel Morgan, jr., Oliver Brisbin, Joseph Welch and James C. Milligan.
At least two churches existed in the town of Saratoga at the opening of the century-the Reformed Dutch church and the Baptist church of Schuylerville. January 30, 1827, a subscription was made to raise funds to build a house of worship for the Methodists residing in the town. The document contained this interesting statement :
From Lansingburg along the valley of the Hudson for fifty miles, with a breadth of from eight to ten miles, the Episcopal Methodists have not one house dedicated to the worship of God. Private dwellings, school houses and barns have hitherto offered to their classes a precarious yet acceptable resort. Perhaps there is not a spot in that rich and populous district of country where so many of this denomi- nation of Christians would meet as at Schuylerville if a suitable edifice could be erected.
This plea was successful, and in the summer of 1827 a house of wor- ship was built, and dedicated the following autumn. At the time of the building the trustees were John Cox, Jedediah Beckwith, Oliver Cleveland, John Seeley and George Strover. John Cox, John Seeley and Asa Welch were the class leaders. Among the first preachers were B. Griffin, W. P. Lake, W. H. Norris, G. Lyons, C. P. Clark, D. Ensign and J. Beaman. No other churches were organized in this town until 1838, when the Episcopal church of Schuylerville was founded.
150
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
That politics three-quarters of a century ago was conducted on much the same plan as to-day is evidenced by the following from the Ballston Spa Gazette of January 7, 1823:
Reward of Merit .- On the 9th of February last, Mr. Gilbert C. Beedell, esq., a meritorious officer, was removed from the office of Post-Master, at Schuylerville, in the town of Saratoga, to make room for Mr. O. C. Dibble, who, we understand, re- ceived his appointment by means of an invidious representation, made to the post- master-general, and which, it will be recollected, was shortly after exultingly an- nounced in the "Sentinel." We have now the satisfaction of announcing that a proper statement has been laid before the P. M. G. and that Mr. Beedell was rein- stated in that office on the 1st instant.
Several small mills were built at Corinth, on the banks of the Hud- son principally, soon after the opening of the century. About 1804 a saw mill, the first in the town, was built at the falls in the river. In 1810 it was owned and operated by Ira Haskins. In 1825 it was torn down and a new mill was built by William, Thomas and Ebenezer Ide. Thomas Harsha had built a grist mill a few years earlier. In 1820 George W. and Matthew Harsha built a woolen factory. About 1829 Beriah Palmer of Ballston purchased the property, with the power, and for nearly thirty years afterward it remained idle.
Schools were established at Jessup's Landing and South Cornith about 1800. These were taught by Mrs. Church, Nehemiah Price, Stephen Olney, Mr. Sabine and Mr. Spaulding.
The first church organized in Corinth during this century was the Presbyterian church of Corinth, which was started August 29, 1814, as the Congregational church of Hadley and Luzerne. The church was instituted by Rev. Cyrus Comstock, missionary; Rev. Lebbeus Arm- strong of Moreau and Reuben Armstrong of Bolton. At this meeting Edward Sherman and Nezer Scofield were chosen deacons. In Decem- ber of that year this society connected itself with the Albany presby- tery. In 1822 it changed to a Presbyterian church and took the name of the Presbyterian church of Corinth.1
The early days of the century, as now, were devoted almost exclu- sively to agricultural pursuits by the inhabitants of the town of Balls-
1 The first church edifice was constructed in 1832 at Jessup's Landing. In 1852 the society be- came extinct and the property was sold by an order of the county court. The pastors of this church were : Rev. Joseph Farrar, 1816; Rev. William Williams, 1818; Rev. Mr. Manly, 1822; Rev. Mr. Cook, 1823; Rev. Mr. Beckley, 1825; Rev. Josiah Comstock, 1826; Rev. T. Redfield, 1828; Rev. Joel Wood, 1832; Rev. T. Redfield, Rev. Jeremiah Wood and others. The present church was not organized until February 17, 1867, when Thomas Brown and John C. Herrick were elected elders. The house of worship near Palmer's Falls was built, at an expense of $2,500, in the fall of 1873, and dedicated in April, 1874, Rev. Henry Darling preaching the dedicatory sermon.
151
CHARLTON-GALWAY, 1800-1831.
ton residing outside the village of Ballston Spa, which occupied a por- tion of the town. Not unmindful of the welfare of the young, these inhabitants supported several good schools. About 1804 the " Ballston academy," referred to in preceding pages in this chapter, was opened, and many of the farmers residing as far as five miles distant sent their children to school there. There was another excellent school at Acad- emy Hill, another at Burnt Hills and still another at East Line. The latter was patronized by the inhabitants of both Ballston and Malta.
In the neighboring town of Charlton there existed, between 1820 and 1835, a hamlet called Little Troy, located about a mile and a half southeast of the village of Charlton. This place at one time promised to become a thriving village. In it was located a fulling mill, a card- ing mill, a saw mill, a grist mill, three distilleries, a blacksmith shop, a store and a tavern. Hardly a trace of the manufactories is in exist- ence to-day. , Aside from this industrial venture Charlton has had in its history few manufacturing establishments except such as were necessary for the convenience of the farming community, such as saw mills, grist mills, wagon shops and blacksmith shops. There were few schools in town in the early days, and of these practically nothing is known.
The first church organized in Charlton during this century, and the third in the town, was St. Paul's Episcopal church, which was formed December 10, 1803, by the election of these officers: Wardens, Jere- miah Smith and James Sherwood; vestrymen, Robert Benedict, James Bradley, John Lendrum, Eleazer Dows, Eliud Davis, Matthew La Rue, Joseph Van Kirk and Patrick Callahan. The following spring a house of worship was erected by Eleazer Dows. The first rector, Rev. Fred- erick Van Horn, assumed charge of the church August 9, 1805.1
Agriculture has always been the chief occupation of the inhabitants of Galway, and nothing of consequence can be said of the early industrial development aside from this branch. Gen. Earl Stimson, a citizen of prominence in the early part of the century, had a store, hotel, boarding- house and meat-packing establishment about 1810 on the hill known as Stimson's Corners. He also owned stores at Galway and Broadalbin. Thomas Mairs of Argyle, Washington county, who settled in Galway in 1822, embarked in the mercantile business in 1829, continuing nearly half a century.
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