USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 25
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The Oothouts were a fine revolutionary and soldierly race, but have all died out.
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GENEALOGY.
The notorious and infamous Tory, Major John Munroe, a young Scotchman, settled here. His brutality to prisoners was in so direct a violation of the laws of civilized warfare, that he was dismissed from the English service. He left no descendants, at least, none that acknowledged the paternity. Fearing that investigation may discover his blood still running in a townsman's veins, his name and record will be mercifully dismissed from these papers.
Samuel Fuller, one of the most distinguished architects that this county has produced, according to Judge John Sanders, was a lineal descendant of Dr. Samuel Fuller of the Mayflower.
He first came to Schenectady during the French War, on the 28th day of March, 1758, and was then wholly employed in the King's service at Schenectady, Albany, Stillwater, the great carrying place, Fort Edward, Lake George and Niskayuna. He was engaged in the construction of boats, wagons, log houses and shelters for the use of the armny commanded by General Abercrombie (some evidence of the versatility of his powers), until July 31st, 1758, after which period he returned to Boston, and from that place went to Halifax, where lie arrived February 7th, 1759, and continued in the royal service in the navy yard there, until after the taking of Quebec by General Wolff in September, 1759, from whence he returned to Boston and thence to Schenectady, where he arrived in July, 1761, and on the 13th of the same inonth commenced the building of a mansion in this town, and the year following erected "The Hermitage," in Niskayuna, for our great ex-merchant, John Duncan, upon his extensive estate there. This latter building was, long after its erection, burned down, and is now replaced, at a point not far distant, upon a portion of the same domain, by a fine mansion, the residence of ex-Senator Charles Stanford.
Mr. Fuller built for Sir William Johnson the Guy Park mansion, subsequently the residence of Sir Guy Johnson, and also the Claas mansion, afterwards the abode of Colonel Daniel Claas, both gentle- men son-in-law of Sir William. He also built the now venerable court-house at Johnstown, still standing in all its early proportions, admirably preserved with great taste, and should always be saved for its old associations, and as a standing witness of the severe trials of
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our Revolutionary struggle. The sight of no costly court structure of the present day affords to the scholar and the historian so much of interest and association as this sound and unique structure. Here Sir William Johnson and Colonel Frederick Vischer respectively held their courts. Here Lewis, Kent, Spencer, Van Ness, Platt, Yates and Walworth, have often adjudicated causes with profound lore and noble impartiality. And here, too, the voices of Hamilton, Burr, Emmett, Van Vechten, Henry, Talcott, Cady, Reynolds, and inany other distinguished lawyers, now resting from their labors, have echoed from its historic walls.
The old Johnstown courthouse should be treasured and maintained as an honorable relic of New York's most honorable days.
Mr. Fuller also built the dwelling of General Nicholas Herkimer, in the town which is now Danube, Herkimer county, and other prominent mansions in the Mohawk Valley.
He did much to alter, yet improve the old Holland style of build- ing in Schenectady. He built the Episcopal church in 1762, (now the oldest Episcopal church structure standing in the state of New York). He built the John Glen mansion on Washington avenue, now owned by Mr. Swartfigure, the Ten Eyck mansion, until his decease, the residence of Governor Joseph C. Yates, and the Daniel Campbell mansion, corner of State and Church streets, now owned and occupied by Mrs. John C. Myers.
The reflecting citizen cannot but feel that Schenectady owes much to the early architectural skill of Samuel Fuller.
Jeremiah Fuller, the son, and only surviving child of Samuel Fuller, born October 26th, 1766, married Mary, daughter of George Kendall, January 23d, 1790. They were the parents of fourteen children, ten sons and four daughters, all of whom reached majority except one son, Samuel, and one daughter, Anna, who died in infancy. Mr. Fuller was a man of inarked decision of character, of great integrity and business energy ; no one more highly estimated the advantages of a liberal education than he, or more generously prized the efforts of learned men. Born at a time when educational advantages were few, he, in a long life, saw more each day its value and social importance, and a remarkable circumstance, that of nine
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GENEALOGY.
sons who survived him, each was a graduate of Union College, and in the various walks and professions of life, have worthily sustained its literary and practicable reputation ; nor was the education of his daughters by any means neglected. As a whole, Mr. Fuller, like his father, was one of the most remarkable citizens. He died June 18th, 1839, in the seventy-third year of his age. His estimable wife, Mary, died November 9th, 1860, at the ripe age of eighty-five years, six months and nineteen days, beloved by all who knew her.
General William Kendall Fuller, the oldest surviving son of Jere- miah, was born November 24th, 1792. He was educated in the schools of Schenectady, graduated at Union College in 1810, studied law in the office of Henry and John B. Yates, then the most promi- nent practitioners of Schenectady county, and was admitted to prac- tice in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in 1814. Soon after his admission he entered into partnership with Hon. John B. Yates. In the summer of 1814 they moved to Utica, Oneida county, at that time a village of about 1,300 inhabitants ; opened an office, practiced law there until the spring of 1816, when they removed to Chittenango, Madison county. then merely a hamlet of 100 inhabi- tants, where, and in the vicinity, the senior partner, Mr. Yates, owned large landed interests.
The public seems to have entertained the most perfect confidence in the integrity and abilities of Mr. Fuller. Soon after his settle- ment at Chittenango, unsolicited on his part, office clustered upon him. He seemed an idol at Chittenango, and in Madison county, then sparsely and newly settled, being only organized as a county in 1806.
All this flattering tribute from his constituents culminated in the year 1823, in his appointment by Governor Yates to the position of adjutant-general of the State of New York, serving through his whole administration, and during several months of the succeeding term of Governor Clinton, with so much acceptance, that on retiring from the office Governor Clinton issued a "general order " com- plimentary to Mr. Fuller's services as adjutant-general.
In 1823, at the time of his appointment as adjutant-general, Judge Fuller relinquished the practice of the law. After the expiration of
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his office as adjutant-general, he returned to Chittenango, and became greatly interested in the management of valuable real estate there, and in that vicinity ; was a commissioner under legislative acts, to drain the Canaseraga marsh, and was one of the directors and the secretary and treasurer of the "Side-Cut" from Chittenango to the Erie canal, which was completed under his superintendence, simultaneously with the middle section of the Erie canal, at a much less cost than the capital subscribed. This lateral canal, with its four locks, was abandoned in consequence of the adoption of a new route for the Erie canal, at the time of its enlargement, by which the latter was brought to the northern limits of the village.
Madison county elected him member of assembly for two succes- sive terms (1829-30), and he was elected twice in succession a mein- ber of Congress from the twenty-third district, then composed of the counties of Madison and Onondaga, his last term ending March 3d, 1837. He died at Schenectady.
Samuel, also a son of Jeremiah, born April 16th, 1795, was a graduate of Union College, completed his medical studies in the city of New York, and established himself as a physician and surgeon in Chittenango, Madison county, in 1818, where he continued to prac- tice with much success and reputation until 1866, when, with his family, he removed to the city of New York, where he died the following year, in the seventy-third year of his age.
George Kendall, another son, bori January 29th, 1799, was liber- ally educated, possessed of sound judgment, clear preceptions, great moral courage and generous temper. He came to reside in Chitte- nango about the year 1820, and soon became the general agent and superintendent of the extensive farming, mercantile and manufac- turing interests of Hon. John B. Yates at that place, and so con- tinued until the decease of that gentleman in 1836; and so highly were his services and fidelity appreciated, that Mr. Yates left him by his will a legacy of $5,000, and appointed him one of its executors. He was engaged in the trust thus confided to him, until the final settlement of the estate, which, from unavoidable circumstances, did not occur until 1852. Mr. Fuller died at Chittenango, May 9th,
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GENEALOGY.
1858, in his sixtieth year, unmarried, and the only son of Jeremiah, who was not a professional inan.
Richard, also a son, born October 28th, 1804, was a graduate of Union College. He was a practicing physician at Schenectady, and at one time demonstrator of anatomy in the medical department of Clinton College, at Fairfield, Herkimer county. A deep thinker and student, his life of promise and usefulness was cut off by insidious disease, May 15th, 1837, at the early age of thirty-three years, much regretted by those who knew his sterling qualities.
Edward, another son of Jeremiah, born February 15th, 1807, was a liberally educated gentleman, and completing his medical studies in New York, settling at Chittenango, he became a partner of his brother, Samuel, in 1824, acquiring an excellent reputation for skill and close attention to business. He retired from the practice in 1834, and amid the comforts of an ample fortune, died January 22d, 1877, aged about seventy years, universally respected.
Cliarles, also a son, born April Ist, 1809, is a lawyer, residing and practicing in the city of Schenectady. Henry, another son, born February 2d, 1811, was an attorney-at-law, practicing at Schenectady for several years, and from thence removed to the city of New York, continuing his profession there until his decease, January 6th, 1875. He was interred at Schenectady.
James, another son, born July 24th, 1814, was a gentleman of liberal education, sound law knowledge, courteous manners, and an extensive legal practice in the city of Schenectady, justly esteemned by the community for strict integrity, and the conscientious discharge of professional duties.
Robert, the youngest son of Jeremiah, born February 14th, 1822, also a graduate of Union College, was a practicing physician of Schenectady, of acknowledged skill and ability.
Joseph Carley, a veteran of the Continental army, came after the Revolution, and built on Front street.
His son was Gerardus I. Carley, the partner at one time of DeGraff, Walton & Co., and the father of Mr. Joseph G. Carley of this city.
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Andrew Mitchell, a Scotchman, was a merchant here in 1765. He was an ardent Whig and patriot and a member of the committee of public safety. He was the grandfather of the late Hon. Thomas B. Mitchell, father of Mrs. John DeLancy Walkins.
Of the Duanes, Waltons, Paiges, and others destined to add renown to the name of Schenectady, subsequent history will enforce their recognition. It is with Revolutionary and Colonial ancestry of the valley, strictly of which the record is here given for the benefit of their descendants. There may be, doubtless there are, many whose names are omitted from the roll of the honored of the old days. If so, it is because the historian must speak only from record and not from tradition. In no other way can there be certainty of authentic correctness.
CHAPTER XXV.
SCHENECTADY IN THE CIVIL WAR.
The following schedules are intended to, and it is believed they do, embrace all the soldiers from Schenectady who served in the Civil War. Many were enlisted in the last months of the struggle from Canada, and from everywhere, to fill up quotas. Such men, so far as possible, have been carefully eliminated. It is intended in this history to give the names only of men who served and fought and suffered and died under our flag, who actually went from Schenec- tady.
On the monument in honor of the dead at Schuylerville, the tab- let that should mark the achievements and heroism of Arnold, is left blank because of his heroic services before he became a dishonored deserter. So this history mercifully leaves out, entirely, the names of deserters. Wherever a man is charged with desertion, we have simply stricken out his name. It may be that the charge against him was unfounded, and so many instances have occurred of restora-
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tion to the roll of innocent men, unjustly charged with the mnost terrible crime that a soldier can commit, that we have decided to give all the benefit of the doubt and simply obliterate his name. Besides, it is libelous to charge a soldier with treason to his flag unless the proof can be forthcoming, and this risk the editor of this volume does not care to incur.
The rolls were compiled from the records of the adjutant-general's office after close searching and careful investigation.
The record is not always infallible, but it is at least the most reliable evidence that can be obtained. Orderly sergeants were not always correct in their reports, company clerks did not always under- stand the force and effect of what they wrote, and absolute correct- ness cannot be guaranteed in any case. All that can be claimed here is that the best, most authentic, and reliable record of the war that closed nearly forty years ago, has been obtained and printed here after diligent and industrious research.
Actual sequence in either numbers or date of muster has been im- possible. The records have been gathered from everywhere and at different times. There is nothing in these rolls that must be taken to establish precedence of any kind.
THIRTIETH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
This regiment, Col. Edward Frisbie, was accepted by the state May 22d, 1861 ; organized at Troy, and there mustered in the ser- vice of the United States for two years June Ist, 1861 ; December 7th, 1862, a new company joined the regiment, becoming Company F, in place of the one consolidated with the other companies. The three years' men of the regiment were transferred to the 76th N. Y. Vols. May 24th, 1863.
The companies were recruited principally : A at Lansingburgh ; B and I at Troy ; C at Schenectady ; D, F and G at Saratoga Springs ; E at Poughkeepsie ; H at Hoosick Falls and Eagle Bridge, and reor- ganized at Troy, and K at Kinderhook.
20
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The regiment left the state June 28th, 1861 ; served at and near Washington, D. C., from June 29th, 1861, in Keyes' Brigade, Divi- sion Potomac, from August 4th, 1861 ; in First, same brigade, McDowell's Division, A. P., from October, 1861 ; in Third, Augur's Brigade, same division, from January, 1862 ; in First Brigade, third, King's Division, First Corps, A. P., from March 13th, 1862 ; in First Brigade, King's Division, Department Rappahannock, from May, 1862; in First Brigade, First Division, Third Corps, A. Va., from June 26th, 1862 ; in same brigade and division, First Corps, A. P., from September 12th, 1862, and was honorably discharged and mus- tered out under Col. Win. M. Searing, June 18th, 1863, at Albany.
June 23d, 1863, Col. Morgan H. Chrysler received authority to reorganize this regiment for mounted and three year's service as the Empire Light Cavalry ; later the designation was changed to Second Veteran Cavalry, and under that name the re-organization was per- fected.
During its service, the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 4 officers, 62 enlistd inen ; of wounds received in action, 2 officers, 13 enlisted men ; of disease and other causes, 2 officers, 31 enlisted inen ; total, 8 officers, 106 enlisted men ; aggregate, 114 : of whomn 3 en- listed inen died in the hands of the enemy; and it took part in the following engagements : Doolan's Farm, Va., November 16th, 1861 ; Falmouth, Va., April 17-18; Orange Court House, Va., June 24, 1862 ; Orange Court House, Va., July 26, 1862 ; Bowling Green, Va., August 5, 1862 ; Massaponax, Va., August 6, 1862 ; General Pope's campaign, Va., August 16 to September 2, 1862; Rappahannock River, August 21, 1862 ; Sulphur Springs, August 26, 1862 ; near Gainesville, August 28, 1862 ; Groveton, August 29, 1862 ; Bull Run, August 30, 1862 ; Little River Turnpike, September 1, 1862 ; Hall's Hill and Fall's Church, Va., September 4, 1862 ; South Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862; Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862 ; Fredericksburg, Va., December 11-15, 1862 ; Pollock's Mill Creek, Va., April 29 to May 2, 1863 ; Chancellorsville, Va., May 2-3, 1863.
Bitkins, Hugh-Age 25 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schenec- tady to serve two years ; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ;
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SOLDIERS OF CIVIL WAR
mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y., as Bitcom.
Carlson, Henry P .- Age 24 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861. at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ; promoted November 22, 1862; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y.
Cassidy, Thomas-Age 25 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. A, June I, 1861; mustered out with company June 18th, 1863, at Albany, N. Y .; subsequent service in Co. D. 16th N. Y. Artillery.
Cramer, Abram C .- Age 19 years. Enlisted May 1, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as corporal Co. C, June 1, 1861; no knowledge of this man since regiment left Albany, June 27, 1861.
Cramer, Henry C .- Age 18 years. Enlisted May 1, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years as private Co. C; not mustered; discharged June 1, 1861.
Eilez, Andrew-Age 45 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ; discharged for disability May 15, 1862, at Falmouth, Va., as Eisle.
Engle, Martin-Age 34 years. Enlisted April 28, 1861, at Schenec- tady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ; promoted corporal, date not stated; killed, August 30, 1862, at Bull Run, Va.
Gordineer, Frederick W .- Age 20 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co C, June 1, 1861 ; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y., as Gardiner; subsequent service in Co. G, Second N. Y. Vet- eran Cavalry as Garding.
Harran, Martin-Age 30 years. Enlisted May 20, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y .; also borne as Herrin; subsequent service in the 16th N. Y. Artillery.
Harris, Thomas-Age 19 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y.
Herrin, Patrick-Age 18 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ;
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
wounded August 29, 1862, at Bull Run, Va .; mustered out with com- pany June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y., as Haran.
Hoffman, Adam A .- Age 26 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861; wounded September 17, 1862, at South Mountain, Md .; died of wounds November 7, 1862, at Middletown, Md.
Hollon, Harris-Age 19 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861; discharged for disability August 23, 1861, at Arlington, Va., as Harrison Holland; also borne as Horace Holland; died September 7, 1861, at Washington, D. C.
Hyson, John E .- Age 18 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y .; subsequent service in Co. D, 13th Artillery.
Kenney, David-Age 40 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 186t; killed August 30, 1862, at Bull Run, Va.
Kugler, Conrad-Age 33 years. Enlisted April 27, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y .; also borne as Keugler.
Maher, William-Age 31 years. Enlisted June 12, 1861, at Albany to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C. same date; pro- moted corporal March 1, 1862; first sergeant November 22, 1862; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y.
Manly, John-Age 19 years. Enlisted September 18, 1862, at Schenectady to serve three years; mustered in as private, unassigned, same date borne only on enlistment paper.
Myers, Sidney-Age 23 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y .; subsequent service in Co. K, First Artillery.
Niles, Nicholas N .- Age 19 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as corporal Co. C, June I, 1861 ; reduced to ranks, date not stated; mustered out with com- pany June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y .; subsequent service in Co. G, 9Ist N. Y. Infantry.
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SOLDIERS OF CIVIL WAR.
Parent, John-Age 44 years. Enlisted April 23, 1861, at Schenec- tady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ; discharged for disability January 8, 1862, at Camp Keyes, Upton's Hill, Va .; subsequent service in Co. C, 16th N. Y. Artillery; also borne as Parrent.
Peters, William H .-- Age 35 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as corporal Co. C, June I, 1861 ; promoted sergeant, date not stated: died of disease June 3, 1862, at hospital, Georgetown, D. C.
Read, George-Age 31 years. Enlisted September 13, 1862, at Schenectady to serve three years; mustered in as private, unassigned, same date; name appears only on enlistment paper.
Roth, Charles-Age 33 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as first sergeant Co. C, June 1, 1861; second lieutenant April 5, 1862; first lieutenant November 30, 1862; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y .; commissioned second lieutenant May 13, 1862, with rank from February 28, 1862, vice E. Van Voast promoted; first lieutenant March 4, 1863, with rank from November 30, 1862; vice S. D. Potts, promoted.
Ryan, Dennis-Age 21 years. Enlisted April 23, 1861, at Schenec- tady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861; discharged April 22, 1863, at Belle Plains, Va. ; subsequent service in Third N. Y. Artillery.
Schermerhorn, Tunis C .- Age 21 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ; discharged for disability September, 1861. at Arlington, Va., as Schermerhorn; also borne as Schoonmaker.
Schoonmaker, Abram-Age 26 years. Enlisted April 23, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June I, 1861; died of disease February 22, 1862, at Upton's Hill, Va.
Schuster, Charles-Age 23 years. Enlisted April 23, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ; discharged for disability March 9, 1862, at Upton's Hill, Va., as Shuster.
Sieberking, Frederick-Age 26 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y., as Frederick M. Sieberking; also borne as Seiberking.
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Silberking, Joseph-Age 20 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ; also borne as Silberstein and Silbersteen.
Sitterly, Abram-Age 39 years. Enlisted April 23, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C., June 1, 1861; discharged for disability January 8, 1862, at Camp Keyes, Upton's Hill, Va.
Smith, Thomas-Age 26 years. Enlisted April 29, 1861, at Schen- ectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861.
Stanford, Harrison-Age 19 years. Enlisted April 26, 1861, at Schenectady to serve two years; mustered in as private Co. C, June 1, 1861 ; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y., as Stafford.
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