USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 52
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ยท 10,000
Mechanicville Reservoir
10,000
Empire State Paper Co
1,000
Harvester and Fertilizer Co
2,500
Augustinian Catholic Society
2,000
Commercial Union and Postal Telegraph and Tele- phone Co
1,100
Hudson River Telephone Co
1,100
The Duncan Co
410,811
Waterford
Delaware & Hudson Canal Co
90,000
Troy City Railroad Co
13,100
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Stillwater
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475
STATISTICS.
Cohoes Savings Institution
500
American Fire Engine Co 5,250 I 1
Augustinian Society of New York
1,500
Episcopal Church.
1,525
Beacon Electric Co
1,200
Cohoes Electric Light Co
400
Cohoes Co
19,250
Hudson Valley Knitting Co
13,600
Himes Underwear Co 20,000 1
18,000
Mohawk & Hudson Manufacturing Co
21,300
Novelty Knitting Co
1,000
Ormsby Textile Co
14,500
Waterford Knitting Co
20,000
Trio Co
6,700
American Telegraph and Telephone Co
1,500
Postal Telegraph Co
800
Western Union Telegraph Co
1,200
Hudson River Telephone Co
500
Troy Telephone and Telegraph Co
1,200
Troy Gas Co
950
Union Bridge Co
29,500
Village of Green Island
200
Waterford Water Works Co
16,000
Delaware & Hudson Railroad Co I
125,000
Mt. McGregor Railroad Co
15,000
Western Union Telegraph Co
1,430
Postal Telegraph Co
800
Blue Mountain Lake Telegraph Co 1
412
Hudson River Telephone Co.
850
National Bank of Schuylerville
2,000
Phoenix Life Insurance Co
50
Clyde Knitting Co
7,000
Ford Manufacturing Co
12,500
Total
$4,968,363
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT.
The following is the table of equalized assessment for Saratoga county in 1897 :
Towns.
Acres.
Ballston
17,290
Real. $1,050,407
Personal. $139,300 122,282 204,177 14,500
Total. $1,189,707 645,727 1,576,080 619,176 82,065
Real Equalized. $995,793 590,937
Total Equalized. $1,135,093 713,219
Charlton 20,230
523,445
Clifton Park 29,846
1,371,903
1,428,185 422,143
1.632,362 436,643
Corinth
36,260
604,676
Day 40,719
75,940
6,125
39,881
46,006
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Wilton
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Kavanaugh Knitting Co
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476
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Towns.
Acres.
Real.
Personal.
Total.
Real Equalized.
Total Equalized.
Edinburgh
37,634
115,649
13,758
129,407
63,227
76,985
Galway
28,482
447,640
43.525
491,165
446,406
489,931
Greenfield
42,458
466,992
21,206
488,198
395,454
416,660
Hadley
22,581
245,025
3,800
248,825
100,173
103,973
Halfmoon
20,424
1,916,150
157,450
2,073,600
1,880,881
2,038,331
Malta
16,515
721,900
101,775
823,675
608,130
709,905
Milton
22,154
1,886,207
387,310
2,273,517
1,862,324
2,249,634
Moreau
24,959
1,040,463
13,750
1,054,213
762,383
776,133
Northumberland_
20,592
397,960
34,700
432,660
426,501
461,201
Providence
25,025
68,876
3,409
72,285
44,819
48,228
Saratoga
24,465
1,373,475
88,340
1,461,815
1,271,153
1,359,493
Saratoga Springs 15 261
6,984,950
498,810
7,483,760
7,940,561
8,439,371
Stillwater
24,750
1,905,056
274,287
2,179,343
1,880,842
2,155,129
Waterford
3,733
1,408,945
62,400
1,471,345
1,461,132
1,523,532
Wilton
22.412
370,783
6,550
377,333
355.517
352,067
Total
495,800 $22,976, 442
$2,197,454 $25, 173,896 $22,976,442 $25,173,896
CENSUS STATISTICS.
The eleventh census of the United States (1890) gave the population of Saratoga county as follows, compared with the census of 1880:
Saratoga county
1890. 57,663
1880.
Ballston town, including part of Ballston Spa village_
2,059
2,035
Ballston Spa village (part of)
508
383
Total for Ballston Spa village, in Ballston and Milton towns.
3,527
3,011
Charlton town.
1,175
1,474
Clifton Park town
2,228
2,454
Corinth town, including Corinth village Corinth village
1,222
510
Day town
852
1,238
Edinburgh town
1,203
1,523
Galway town, including Galway village Galway village
177
187
Greenfield town
2,169
2,448
Hadley town
1,103
1,095
Halfmoon town, including part of Mechanicville village Mechanicville village (part of).
1,890
750
Total for Mechanicville village, in Halfmoon and Stillwater towns 2, 679 Malta town
1,285
1,234
Milton town, including part of Ballston Spa village Ballston Spa village (part of).
3 019
2,628
Moreau town, including South Glens Falls village
2,698
2,555
South Glens Falls village
1,606
1,083
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1,635
1,902
1
3,732
3,102
1,265
5,820
5,565
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2,124
1,737
55,156
477
STATISTICS.
1890.
1880.
Northumberland town
1,410
1,583
Providence town
874
994
Saratoga town, including Schuylerville and Victory Mills villages. 3,855
4,539
Schuylerville village
1,387
1,617
Victory Mills village
822
1,120
Saratoga Springs town, including Saratoga Springs village. Saratoga Springs village
13,171
10,820
11,975
8,421
Stillwater town, including part of Mechanicville village and Still-
water village
3,868
3,412
Mechanicville village (part of)
789
515
Stillwater village
747
877
Waterford town, including Waterford village
5,286
4,328
Wilton town
1,116
1,118
The population of Saratoga county at each census since 1800 has been as follows:
1800
24,564
1850
45,646
1810
33,147
1860
51,729
1820
36,052
1870
51,529
1830
38,679
1880
55,156
1840
40,553
1890
57,663
The census of 1890 contained the following additional statistics re- garding the inhabitants of Saratoga county :
1890
1880
1870
Native born
49,558
47,570
43,820
Foreign born
8,105
7,586
7,709
White
56,877
54,404
50,839
Negro
751
739
683
Native and foreign born and white and colored population, classified by sex, 1890:
Males.
Native born
23,941
Females. 25,617
Foreign born
4,085
4,020
Total native white
23,598
25,212
Native white (native parents)
17,797
19,034
Native white (foreign parents)
5,801
6,178
Foreign white
4,066
4,001
Total colored 1
362
424
Foreign born population, distributed according to country of birth, 1890:
Total foreign born, 8,105; born in Canada and Newfoundland, 1,213; Cuba and West Indies, 11; Ireland, 3,934; England, 1,309; Scotland, 261; Wales, 16; Germany, 714; Austria, 18; Holland, 34; Switzerland, 33; Norway, 13.
1 Persons of negro descent, Chinese, Japanese and civilized Indians.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Persons of school, militia and voting ages, by sex, general nativity and color, 1890:
All ages-males, 28,026; females, 29,637. Five to twenty years, inclusive-native white males, 7,722; females, 8,336; foreign white males, 345; females, 433; colored males, 108; females, 119. Males eighteen to forty four years inclusive-native white, 9,400; foreign white, 1,788; colored, 158. Males, twenty-one years and over-native white, 13,331; foreign white, 3,697; colored, 223.
Total dwellings and families, and persons to a dwelling and to a fam- ily, 1890:
Total number of dwellings, 12,201; total number of families, 13,467; number of persons to a dwelling, 4.73; number of persons to a family, 4.28.
PART II.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
THE THOMPSON FAMILY.
A SINCE Saratoga's early days, long before it became a county, the Thompson family has been identified with its history. From sturdy Scotch ancestry, courageous, intelligent and upright, they had inherited qualities valuable alike to pioneers and the land of their adoption. Never seeking office, believing always that "the office should seek the man," four generations have held responsible offices in the county. Never forgetting that "a public office is a public trust," they con- scientiously performed the duties of their positions, regardless of any sacrifice of popular favor or private interest. Their ancestors were among those Scotch families who early in the seventeenth century left Argyleshire and settled in Ireland in the Province of Ulster.
King James I who held the millions acres of land, confiscated after a rising of his rebellious Irish subjects, offered tempting inducements to these Scotch Presbyterians to migrate, hoping to promote peace and order by introducing a law-abiding element. A company from London had rebuilt the ancient city of Derry, destroyed by war, and called it Londonderry, to which Londonderry, New Hampshire, owes its name.
The migration from Scotland began in 1612, and later the colony had an accession of those determined Scotch Covenanters who, during the reign of James II, suffered brutal persecution from Claverhouse.
Unhappily the peace and religious liberty they hoped for was not to be found in Ulster. They were undaunted by the frequent attacks of their turbulent Irish neighbors and fought heroically in defense of Londonderry during the famous siege of 1689, but when, after several generations, they still found themselves not in accord with the neigh- boring Catholics, and deprived of their civil and religious rights by the arbitrary laws and exactions in favor of the Established Church of England, they resolved to seek in America a refuge from oppression.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
A memorial dated March 26, 1718, and signed by the leading men of this Scotch colony, was sent to Governor Shute of New Hampshire by "our trusty and well beloved Friend, the Reverend William Boyd," whom "we doe commissionate and appoint " to express "our hearty inclination to transport ourselves to that very excellent and renowned Plantation upon our obtaining from his Excellency suitable encourage- ment." Among the signers were James, Robert, William and John Thompson. Nine subscribers were " ministers of the Gospel." Three others were "graduates of the University in Scotland." This docu- ment is still preserved. Naturally, Governor Shute sent every encour- agement to such very desirable immigrants, who as soon as possible converted their property into money and set sail.
On August 4th of the same year five ships arrived in Boston Harbor bringing a band of pilgrims to whose indomitable spirit, intelligent and high principle America owes more of her prosperity and fine traits of national character than can ever be estimated. They were of a race quite distinct from the English Puritans.
From Boston, parties (always under the leadership of their beloved ministers) sought homes in various places. The Thompsons helped to found the new Londonderry, and afterwards, with others, removed to Litchfield where another settlement was formed.
In 1763 peace between England and France was declared. The Colony of New York, relieved of the danger from the cruel Indian allies of the French, offered advantages.
General Schuyler used his influence to attract desirable neighbors. Stillwater was between his two homes. In that year, to Stillwater in the Saratoga Patent came several families who became prominent in that locality and whose descendants still live there. New homes were made, and a house of worship, the " Yellow Meeting House," built as soon as possible. The Thompson family was one of the first to arrive. One of its members-a boy of fourteen-was destined to take an active part in the development of the new country, then not far from a wilder- ness. John Thompson's father, after establishing his family in a com- fortable home, and securing to his son the best educational advantages within reach, died before the guns of an invading army disturbed the the peace of Stillwater. His son John, trained to a strong sense of duty as a citizen, bore his part manfully in the stirring events which followed. At an early age he married Fanny MacFarland, also of Scotch descent, whose ancestors came with his own to America. He
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493
BIOGRAPHICAL.
took her to the Stillwater house, where they reared a family of seven children, teaching them " to fear God, love their country and help their neighbors." On this pleasant home farm they acquired the love of nature and agriculture which not one of them ever lost.
But the exigencies of the times took the young husband and father often away from his family. He was too ardent a patriot to remain inactive during the Revolutionary war, and was made captain of the company in which he and some of the neighbors enlisted. Fortunately he was spared to serve his country in times of peace. In 1788 when Stillwater township was organized, he was appointed one of its first justices. In that year and in 1789 he was a member of the State Assembly.
In 1791, when Saratoga took its place as a county, Governor Clinton appointed John Thompson "First Judge," which office he held for eighteen years until 1809 when he reached the age of sixty, the limit fixed by law. All contemporary testimony and records prove that he was an upright, fearless and impartial judge. Although the study of law had not been included in his education, he was so well informed, his intelligence so keen and quick and his judgment so sound that no fault could be found with his rulings. He was a member of the Con- stitutional Convention of 1801, called to review the laws of the State, and was elected as a representative to the Sixth, Tenth and Eleventh Congresses. His letters to his son James during these sessions furnish most interesting reading now, though yellow with nearly a century's age. They throw light on the inner working of parties not only in Philadelphia and Washington but also in Saratoga county. While the father took pains to keep the son well informed on all subjects of na- tional interest, he received from his son constant reports of affairs at home.
In December, 1799, he reaches Philadelphia " at 10 o'clock at night after a tiresome journey from New York by stage." While in New York he had "conversed with Colonel Burr and other influential men," and incidentally brought some important business to the young lawyer in Milton.
This man of direct methods chafes at schemes, delays and wasted time. " Little else is done but meeting and adjourning."
In February, 1800, he sends a paper containing General Washing- ton's will "which is thought to be a masterly production. When you have perused it to your satisfaction, I wish you to hand it to Child, as it may help to fill his paper which may be an object to him." No tel-
484
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
egrams and daily papers in those days! In April, he writes, "I am very sorry to hear from Judge Palmer that a division is likely to take place which may injure the Republican interest in our county. There ought to be some arrangement made to consolidate the interests of Washington and Saratoga counties. I had rather retire in favor of Colonel Thomas than to have the Republican1 interest broken," but he leaves all to the judgment of his son who is " on the spot." Communi- cation was very slow then. He adds, " I expect to go to Seneca Lake soon after my return and shall need a good, able saddle horse. As we have none fit for that purpose, I wish you to call on Michael Dunning. If he can furnish one, I will allow him a reasonable sum on his note, but do not engage one until I see it." He could trust the judgment of this son of twenty-four in regard to such minor matters as his business and political career, but horse flesh is another affair, especially a man's own saddle horse! In November, 1800, the seat of government had been changed to Washington and it is found " difficult to procure suit- able lodgings as the city is but thinly settled."
One letter, February 17, 1801, is jubilant! " This day at one o'clock the speaker declared that Thomas Jefferson was duly elected President of the United States." Judge Thompson had greatly feared the success of Colonel Burr's machinations.
In October, 1807, he reaches Washington "after a tedious journey by land and water." In 1812 he returned to Stillwater and private life. His last years were shadowed by illness, but cheered by the devoted care of his family. He died in 1823 in his seventy-fifth year.
He had the great satisfaction of seeing his children established in prosperity, leading useful and honored lives. His son James filled the father's former office as first judge of the county. Dr. Nathan Thomp- son was a much respected physician in Galway, William a prominent lawyer of Ovid, N. Y., and Charles in active business at Seneca Falls. One daughter had married Dr. Aaron Gregory of Milton and the other Dr. Sears of Stillwater. Both physicians were eminent not only for skill, but high character. Those "times that tried men's souls " severely tested women's courage. When Mrs. Schuyler was applying the torch to her Saratoga wheat-fields-to keep the grain from the British troops (a hard alternative for such a thrifty housewife) Mrs. Thompson at Stillwater was trying to shield her little family from the coming storm of war-almost at her door, her husband exposed to its fury.
1 The Republicans of that time were Jeffersonian Democrats.
485
BIOGRAPHICAL.
When the battle of Bemis Heights began to rage, she was placed in an ox cart with her babe of three days, and a son not two years old, and taken from home for safety. A heavy rain impeded their progress, and these fugitives spent the night under the cart for lack of better shelter. By a strange coincidence, at that very time another young mother had left in alarm the future home of that little boy in the cart. On the Middle Line farm in Milton known later as " the Judge Thomp- son place," then lived Josiah Tallmadge, grandfather of Nathaniel Mann. His wife was terrified by reports of Hessian cruelties and it was found best for her to go to her mother in Dutchess county. The hus- band must stay to protect the property, so this "woman of '76 " set out on a faithful horse carrying with her a child of two years. Alone, she made her way through that thinly settled country to her old home in Dutchess county, a journey of at least several days.
When the British and Hessians had been routed, her husband sent her assurance that Saratoga was now free from "war's alarms." Again she mounted her trusty steed which brought his mistress safely back- this time with two children-one a young babe.
Born and bred amid these stirring scenes, James Thompson naturally took a deep interest in the events which were making the history of his native county. Under his father's influence and training he could but feel a deep sense of responsibility for its welfare, and his duty as one of its citizens. He finished the course of study at the Scenectady Acad- emy the year before it developed into Union College. Several of his classmates were from his own county, one-Joseph Sweetman of Charl- ton-was Union's first graduate.
Local interests were very strong when people lived, studied, labored, formed friendships and died near the place of their birth.
After graduating at Schenectady James Thompson began the study of law. Judge Emott was then the shining legal light of the county. He had married a daughter of Judge Palmer, and lived at the Palmer home on the Middle Line road where it forks to Burnt Hills and Balls- ton lake. The stately mansion now standing there was built-after a destructive fire-by Rev. Dr. Davis, Judge Emott's son-in-law. The judge's office was near by. There James Thompson, Samuel Young, Samuel Cook, Daniel L. Van Antwerp and Levi H. Palmer pursued their studies together. All were afterwards prominent in county affairs, the first two became first judges.
James Thompson was admitted to the bar soon after attaining his
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486
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
majority. When his father (who had spared no pains or expense in his son's education) presented him with a good horse, saddle and saddle- bags, a gold watch and a hundred dollars, the son felt himself gener- ously supplied for the battle of life. So he was-in view of the re- sources and needs of the time and place. He set out to explore and decide upon a good location for the practice of his profession. Dr. Gregory induced him to open an office next his own, midway between Milton Hill and Milton Centre.
His professional success was remarkable. Clients came to him at once. Within two years this young man-not yet twenty-five-had established a high reputation and a lucrative practice. The Middle Line road was then the chief avenue for the business of the county, and a highroad between Albany and Canada. Upon it were the finest residences of the vicinity. Travelers found well kept "taverns " at every few miles.
At Milton Hill were two churches, an academy, a good "tavern," several shops, etc. A much busier place than "Ballstown Springs," which was then only an embryo watering place.
The court house was at "Court House Hill." Lawyers had homes and offices for several miles up and down the road. A farm was then essential to a comfortable living. These conditions were all changed when Ballston Spa became the county seat in 1819.
In 1802 James Thompson married a daughter of Abel Whalen, one of the early and influential residents of Milton. She was the mother of his three elder children. He bought the farm on the Middle Line road formerly called "the Judge Thompson place," in later years " Rose Hill farm." He built first his office, and then from its earnings (never a dollar of debt) the house in which he lived and died and which is still the home of one of his children. There are no such records as old letters! Fortunately Judge Thompson kept many. They now re- main to show what his life and reputation were. Clients from all parts of the county asked his counsel. Strangers at a distance confided im- portant business to him when he was still quite young. Grateful ap- preciation is constantly expressed for his fidelity to the interests of his clients. Poor debtors, in prison, seek and get help from him. Widows and orphans thank and bless him for saving their homes. His sympa- thy and help were counted upon by all sorts and conditions of men in all affairs of life. Business began to take him to Troy, Albany, New York and other large cities. Social by nature, as his circle of friends
487
BIOGRAPHICAL.
enlarged, his home became a gathering place for many eminent and interesting people. His hospitality was unbounded, especially to the unfortunate. The greater the need, the warmer the welcome. His advice was much sought in public affairs. His interest in politics did not prevent his refusing several nominations. He was appointed first judge of Common Pleas in 1818, which office he held for fifteen years.
James JAUMASon
1805
He respected his office and scrupulously maintained its dignity for which his own character and bearing eminently fitted him. Few men had such personal influence. His intellectual power, energy and firm principles gave him weight in the community. His tastes and habits were scholarly. When he was to charge a jury, young lawyers came for a lesson in clear and forcible diction. He has been called "the
488
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
father of the Saratoga county bar." No better wish can be made for it than that it may prove worthy of such parentage. When his judicial career closed in 1833, he allowed himself comparative rest, but his active interest in public affairs and the welfare of all about him never ceased, especially his fatherly interest in the careers and fortunes of younger men. He had married in 1831 a daughter of Daniel Stans- bury of New York city, a woman whose many fine qualities, cultivated mind and tastes made his home very attractive. She shared his in- terests, and together they were a blessing to their neighborhood. Judge Thompson's sudden death in 1845 was a shock and grief to the community. Although he had reached the age of seventy, his vigor of mind and body was unimpaired. Every possible tribute of respect was paid to his memory by his legal associates and the public, and the sor- row of friends and neighbors was strikingly shown. He left a widow with three young children, beside his elder sons and daughter. His eldest son, George had entered into business at Ballston Spa where he died in 1871. He, too, shunned rather than sought office but was county treasurer from 1831 to 1844.
Judge Thompson's second son, John Whalen Thompson, born De- cember 19, 1808, inherited the mental power of his father and grand- father. His education was carefully supervised by his father. Milton Hill Academy afforded good training for young students, and later he was sent to the Charlton Academy and the famous Lansingburg Acad- emy to complete his preparation for college. He graduated with honor at Union College in 1827. His roommate in college was the Hon. Preston King of St. Lawrence county, and there existed between the two men an intimate and lifelong friendship. Law being the family profession, he began his studies in his uncle William Thompson's office. at Ovid, N. Y., and finished in the office of Judge Stevens at Seneca Falls. In 1831 he was admitted an attorney of the Supreme Court and began practice in Ballston Spa, forming soon afterward a partnership with Hon. Anson Brown. In May, 1834, Governor Marcy appointed John W. Thompson-though very young for the office-surrogate of Saratoga county, and that position he held until 1846, when the new constitution took effect. The recorded testimony of that time shows that every duty of this responsible office was performed with scrupulous fidelity, intelligent judgment, and to the general satisfaction. Mr. Thompson's unusual ability in financial affairs led him early to take a decp interest in the organization of the Ballston Spa Bank, of which he
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