TOWN OF BROOM K. '33

harie was built while he was in the Board of was changed to Broome, in honor of the then Supervisors, and we simply write the truth when acting Lieutenant Governor, John Broome, who we say that but for the position taken by him was repeatedly elected with Daniel I). Tomp- and one or two of his associates, instead of the kins, as Governor. Undoubtedly, had not fine structure we now see, there would have death closed his successful and honored career been something decidedly inferior. in 1811, he would have retained the position Mr. Couchman is a farmer, and makes his to the close of Governor Tompkins admin- business as such a sort of profession. A large istration, at least, in 1816, as he was so highly part of his time at home is devoted to his admired by the people. library and the news of the day. His probity, The Catskill creek takes its rise in this town, and was fed a called ability, and geniality, have secured to him the formerly by large swamp, the confidence and esteem of the people of his dis- vlaie, (now pronounced rfy,) now drained, which has been a marked since the trict in a marked degree. Quickness of discern- locality ment, readiness of action and undoubted in- Aborigines of the country formed a path lead- from the Hudson near to tegrity are among his most decided character- ing River, Catskill, istics. He has been a Democratic wheel-horse the Schoharie valley and the wigwams of the western tribes of the confederation. It was in his town for years, and is well versed in this the Catskill general politics. along path following creek, to the Vly, that the first German settlers of the Schoharie valley traversed (as noted in Chapter II,)inthe wintertime of 1713. Alongthis path also the Stockbridge and their more southern tribes to reach the CHAPTER IX. neighboring passed, hunting grounds of Skochalie or her medicinal waters, " HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOME. long, long before the remnant of tribes" formed one, along the course of her beautiful WHEN FORMED NAME CHANGED CATSKILL river. Perhaps along this path the Mohawk traveled to meet the valiant CREEK INDIAN TRAIL GENERAL ASPECT braves Mohegans in strife, for the supremacy of power, and FIRST SETTLERS TORIES' ROUTE ADDI- deadly again to pounce upon the weaker tribes of Man- TIONAL SETTLERS DANIEL SHAYS His LIFE hatten and Hackensack, to extort tribute and REBELLION AND DEATH DAVID WILLIAMS obedience to their King and councils. Of that His LIFE INCIDENTS RELATING TO CAP- primitive and well beaten path nothing is left TURE OF ANDRE COMMENTS ON WILLIAMS AND but the rippling waters that so often slaked the and the steps of the bold athletic ANDRE THEIR PRINCIPLES COMPARED thirst, guided warriors through the mighty forest of giant tim- WILLIAMS' DEATH BURIAL SON AND ber. Civilization has marked a change. The GRANDSON MOUNT WILLIAMS LIVINGSTON- forest has disappeared; along the romantic VILLE ASA STARKWEATHER His OFFICIAL stream and upon the sides of the lofty hills LIFE His ARGUMENT IN CONVENTION spacious fields now are seen whose luxuriant are as smiles of Providence the DEATH ADAM MATTICE PRESBYTERIAN verdure upon labors of intelligence and civilization. Instead CHURCH METHODIST CHURCH DRAFT OF of the war whoop or death yell of the savage, SMITHTON HUBBARD'S THE VLY 1813 and the howling of wild beasts, that once awak- SUPERVISORS BOUNDS. ened the echoes of the forest, peace is found in the grazing herds, and in the shouts of happy that which are heard amid /"pHIS town was one of the original six and prosperous yeomen, were formed March i, 1797, and bore the the clatter of farming implements, gathering the was name of Bristol. Upon the 6th of April, 1808, abundant harvest, which made possible for reasons unknown to the writer, the name through the labors, anxieties, hopes, fears and HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 134

Daniel the pioneers of this race that drew inspiration Shays. Among sacrifices of a noble the notable Daniel the of writ. section was Shays, of from the teachings holy liberty of Rebellion" in 1786 and '87. were leader "Shay's the Revolution, but few settlers During this then isolated and set- one He fled to country the limits of the town. But found within where the of Preston Hollow now remained at tled village of whom we have any knowledge tract of stands, having purchased a large land, home and braved the dangers that surrounded a considerable of which lay in the town of settlers. Derick Van Dyck passed the border General was a fine man oc- Broome. The looking the troublesome times, with but an through the of all whom he when an in- and commanded respect casional stay at the Upper Fort, met. His son Hiram studied law and removed and seemed to escape the vasion was expected, General to the western part of the State. The that those along the Scho- trouble and suffering his in Preston Hollow in 1821, where His residence was died harie creek experienced. while remains lie beneath a plain head-stone, of Livingstonville, and near the present village the He his name is more endurably inscribed upon was burned by Tories in the year 1781. as a staunch mistaken ad- until the pages of history yet then removed to Albany and remained vocate of He was a subaltern officer of the war. The Tories of the Hud- libeity. close and made a mark as a and the during the Revolution son river that lived near Catskill, which no doubt was a con- brave and efficient soldier, Indians of the Susquehanna, kept up the reason his brother veterans chose him to lead tinual communication with each other through order to the the scouts of them in defiance of law or compel this and it was here that territory, the in- court of Massachusetts to redress the Middle and Upper Forts often came to general which claimed were as people's grievances they tercept the loyalists they passed through, taxation official in- to time and con- brought on by heavy through and caught many from time the Government. to for investi- competency to manage veyed the royal adherents Albany The facts of the case we here will state, they gation and imprisonment. our former citizen so closely connected with of occurred within the being Nothing importance to the reader. For it can but prove of interest of a warlike nature the war, as the town during was the a few years after peace proclaimed settlement was too sparse to draw the enemy was a confed of the Government simply Revolutionary for murder and plunder. At the close eration. Each State was a in fact, in from the sovereignty war emigration commenced to flow collected its own Con- by itself, and revenue, river counties and Schoharie valley, beside sev- to duties nor means gress not having power levy eral from the Eastern States. as their an- to carry on the public service only to the several States Those from the latter were: nual requisitions for money were honored. It was without power to issue Asa Bushnell, com- bills of credit, make treaties or regulate Joshua Bushnell, merce on a permanent basis with foreign powers, Hezekiah Weston, or make loans. In fact it was a Congress George Watson, The only in name, as was the Government. John Gillet, consequence was every thing was in confusion. Ebenezer Wickham, and trade Foreign commerce was annihilated George Burtwick, was embarrassed. Business of every descrip- Ezra Chapman, tion became paralyzed, property depreciated Timothy Kelsey. and ruin stared the whole country in the face. Elisha Humphry, Money was so scarce that when taxes were to Lyman Burchard, " be paid any useful articles," says Goodrich, James Ellis, "were received in lieu of money." Henry Rifenburgh. fur- The people had passed through the fiery of All of whose families are still to be found nace of war and stood without a knowledge within the town. the administration of National affairs, expecting '35

that would follow prosperity without a system or Following Shays came one of America's no- head. The people of Rhode New Island, blest patriots, David Williams. Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts DariJ became openly //////,, was one of the of discontented, especially in the captors latter State. Major Andre, and one whose name will They met in county conventions resound to m and drew all futurity as a true and 1786 up addresses to the General unswerving patriot Court of the David Williams, Isaac State, made volumes of resolves in VanWart, John Pauld- which censured mg ! At the mention of their they the Government officials names, what as- and threatened surances of to open revolt. The veterans of fidelity country, principle, and the Revolution were manly work, lift the student still hot blooded and above the corrupt formed armed bickerings that fill the of large companies and drew to- pages our National gether at in histories, and arouse a in the Springfield the winter of pride integrity of ^.num- the bering several thousands. uncouth yeomen that battled They chose Daniel against royalty as their leader and bequeathed to us our Shays and prepared to march to liberties. Boston and compel the court to redress Coming to us from such the sources and through people's grievances, but concluded to such and encamp constancy devotion, their value is en- and hanced petition to that body. and honor unstained. Of him who During the honored our insurrectionary movements of the County by choosing Broome's ro- the Governor mantic hill-sides as discontented, ordered a force un- his home, we extract from der General the Lincoln to march Albany Advertiser against them Daily the biography and while collecting his men and dictated by himself but a few marching to months previous the rebels' a to his in encampment force with Shays at death, which the circumstances of their head made an Andre's attack upon the arsenal at capture are related. Springfield, in " January, 1787. General I was horn in Upon Tarrytown, then called the State Philips Shepard, officer in charge, firing upon Manor, Westchester county, N. October them with a cannon Y., they retreated in confusion 21, 1754- I entered the army in 1775, at the and the whole force withdrew to Pelham. When age of 21, and was under General Lincoln Montgomery came up with his force several at the engage- siege of Fort St. and ments John, afterwards on occurred between small board parties, each of the flat-bottomed boats to which sickened the carry provision insurgents and made the Served out my time which was six months and leaders' spirits Lincoln droop. marched to enlisted again in the of Pelham to spring ,776, and con- engage with Shays, while tinued in Shays the service by different marched backwards enlistments, earnestly begging, as a New York militiaman through until 1779, etc. messengers, to negotiate for a pardon. But In when in Lincoln was 1778, Captain Acker's not to be trifled with and company de- of New York at manded a militia, Tarrytown, I asked surrender. Shays retreated from one his permission to take a to walk in Pmt another until some time in company February, with William when VanWart, a boy sixteen or seven- Lincoln suddenly pounced upon him at teen years old and Petersham proceeded with him, to the and put the whole force to rout cross-roads on Tompkins' We Shays made tracks for ridge. stood New York State as he a few looking moments and saw five men com- was unable to make a stand against the State ing, who had firearms ; we over a troops. The of jumped stone army insurgents soon laid fence and concealed ourselves in a down corner of it their arms and peace once more dawned and observed that they were armed with over the two mus- scene. General received a kets and Shays par- three pistols. came so don in They near that 1788 and sought the of quiet this town we recognized two of viz: to hide them, Wm. Underhill himself from the world. He and possessed Wm. Mosher, who were and considerable of this Tories, known world's goods and lived the to be of life of a DeLancey's corps. When they came gentleman, well undoubtedly pleased within proper I said to with the distance, my companion, leniency shown him by the austere 'Billy, neck or no !' I then joint said aloud, as if government of old Massachusetts. to a speaking number, with a view of intimidat- OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 136 HISTORY

' ?' in the door with Mr. Benedict's daughter ing them, Men make ready They stopped (who their was afterward when I saw six men immediately. I then told them to ground my wife,) ' March She ' have arras, which they did. I then said, coming. remarked, They got guns.' I then over I over a board fence and met them. away,' and they did so. jumped jumped ' them ' said ' where are ? the fence, secured their arms, and made Boys,' I, you going They ' march before us to our quarters. I con- answered we are going to Tarrytown.' I then tinued in the service until a week or ten days said 'if you will wait until I get my gun I will with The names of the six before the year 1780. In December, 1779, go you.' persons Captain Daniel Williams, who was commander were, Isaac VanWart, John Paulding, William of our company, mounted us on horses, and he Williams, John Yerks and James Romer, the went to Morrisania, Westchester county. We name of the sixth I have forgotten. We pro- ceeded about fifteen miles that and swept all Morrisania clear, took probably $5,000 night, slept worth of property, and returned to Tarrytown in a hay barrack. In the morning we crossed and quartered at Young's house. My feet being Buttermilk hill, when John Paulding proposed frozen, my uncle Martinus Van Wart, took me to go to Isaac Reed's and get a pack of cards to his house. I told Captain Williams that the to divert ourselves with. After procuring them that if out to Davis' enemy would soon be at Young's, and he we went hill, where we separated, remained there he would be on his way to Mor- leaving four on the hill and three, viz: Van- risania before morning, but he paid no atten- Wart, Paulding and myself, proceeded on the tion to my remarks he did not believe me. Tarrytown road about one mile and concealed In the course of the night a woman came to my ourselves in the bushes on the west side of the

' uncle's crying, Uncle Martinus ! Uncle Mar- road, and commenced playing cards three tinus !' The truth was, the British had sur- handed, that is, each one for himself. We had rounded Young's house, made prisoners of all not been playing more than an hour, when we the company except two, and burnt the barn. heard a horse galloping across a bridge but a Having got well of my frozen feet, on the jd few yards from us. Which of us spoke I do

' of June, 1780, we were all driven from Tarry- not remember, but one of us said, there comes town to the upper part of Westchester county, a trader going to New York.' We stepped out ' in the town of Salem. We belonged to no or- from our concealment and stopped him. My at were under ' ganized company all, no com- lads,' said he, I hope you belong to our party.' and worked for or mand, our board johnny-cake. We asked him 'what party?' he replied, 'the Isaac a Van Wart, who was cousin of mine [the lower party.' We told him we did. He then said, father of Williams and ' I mother of VanWart were am a British officer, have been up the coun- brother and sister,] Nicholas Storms and my- try on particular business, and would not wish self went to Tarrytown on a visit. We carried to be detained a minute,' and as a token to con- our muskets with and on our us, way took a vince us he was a gentleman, he pulled out and who said he was to New York showed us his watch told Quaker, going gold ; we then him we after salt and other The ' things. Quaker was were Americans. God bless my soul,' said he, taken before the American authority and ac- 'a man must do any thing these times to get In or a quitted. July August number of per- along,' and then showed us Arnold's pass. We of whom I was went on a visit sons, one, to our told him it would not satisfy us without search- friends in and while on the ' ' Tarrytown, way ing him. My lads,' said he, you will bring took ten head of which ' cattle, some refugees yourselves into trouble.' We answered, we did were driving to New York, and, on examina- not fear it,' and conducted him about seventy tion before the the cattle were authority, restored rods into the woods. My comrades appointed to their as right owners, they pleaded innocence, me to search him with his ; commencing hat, I saying they were stolen from them. I then searched his person effectually, but found returned to Salem, and worked with a Mr. Bene- nothing until I pulled off his boot, when we dis- dict for until the 22d of my board, September. covered that something was concealed in his It was about one o'clock p as I was I M., standing stocking. Paulding caught hold of his foot and TOWN OK IJROOMK. '37

' exclaimed, by G d, here it is !' I pulled off there without disguise or wantonness. Andre of to the sole of his stocking, and inside it, next was on a mission degrading in the estimation his foot, found three halfsheets of paper inclosed of Christian soldiery, sneaking in disguise to the ' in another half sheet which was indorsed West citadel of an honorable adversary and subtly Point' and on off the other boot and ; pulling winning a weak and unsteady heart, fired by a I three like inclosed stocking, found papers, jealous and maddened brain, to betray all prin- and indorsed as the others. On reading them, ciples of honor and every characteristic of pa- ' he is a one of my companions said, by G d, triotism, for gold. And when the royal siren,

/' then, asked him where he those spy We got through the admired affability of his address Pine's papers? he told us, of a man at bridge,' had accomplished his object, with assumed

' but he slid he did not know his name.' He name and garments he bent his course to de- offered us his gold watch, his horse, saddle, liver up to his commander that which he had so bridle and 100 guineas, if we would let him go; dishonorably obtained, and bask once more in we told him 'no, unless he would inform us luxury and the petted tamperings of the giddy answered us as " " where he got the papers.' He society of New York. But halt ! is the com- before, but increased his offer to 1,000 guineas, mand, and when the three stepped forth and not his horse, etc.; we told him again we would their demands and nationality were made known, ' let him he then I will of the so ad- go ; said, gentlemen, then again the subtlety man much give you 10,000 guineas' [nearly $50,000] 'and mired and honored was brought in requisition. as will ask conceal me as many dry goods you ; But he had not met an Arnold this time, or in any place of safety while you can send to men whose appearance or principles were as- New York with an order to Sir Henry Clinton sumed. "We are Americans!" was their in- " will be " from me, and the goods and money troduction, what are you ? Andre had already unmolested.' procured so that you can get them told, but not possessing that steadfast patriotism [Paulding then told him, as he stated on the that filled the hearts of Williams, Van Wart trial of Joshua H. Smith, a few days after the and Paulding, he disowned his country and ' if us arrest] : No, by G d, you would give claimed allegiance to that, which the papers he should not stir a we are to enslave. 10,000 guineas you step ; hid in his boots, were Americans, and above corruption, and go with us Again money, goods and undoubtedly British twelve their you must.' We then took him, about miles, glory were offered for the corruption of to Col. Jamieson's quarters at North Castle." hearts, but again we say he had not met an Ar- fell of nold ! The pall over the hopes Clinton, The account of the is an old story in capture treason of Arnold and the strategy and corpse but should be ever new to Americans history of Andre, while veneration and the blessings of Mr. Williams and all lovers of manly principle. immortal fell a grateful people and an renown and his honored comrades were chided by the upon the three brave and steadfast patriotic emissaries of royalty as "roving renegades," the of yeomen ! Williams died on 2nd August, were while those and their motives* questioned, of and was buried 1 83 1, at the age seventy-seven, of them captives were applauded by pen and at Livingstonville with military honors, where We of to-day may look upon the com- tongue. his ashes lay until the 4th of March, 1876, when rades as clad in attire, sturdy yeoman, homely they were removed to Rensselaerville, and on burned the exposure of sun and storms and dis- by the i gth of July following they were again with minds and forms untutored scholastic by turbed and now lie beneath an appropriate while with advantages or courtly graces, Andre, monument near the stone fort at Schoharie, his and aspirations were the off- of this mind, body particularly described in another portion of culture from the of spring royal lap luxury work. Mr. Williams left an only son, David W. and virtue. The three were on pretended duty Williams, who retained the farm and who, with " without to unlawful intercourse pay intercept the father has passed away leaving two sons, and wandered here and with the enemy," boldly William C. and Daniel, to perpetuate the family name. The homestead is upon the mountain *See Appendix. HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 138

but because bad men should to the political considerations; north of Livingstonville and give who are in fact a ter- Williams. are sometimes appointed, elevation the name of Mount ror to those who do well. LIVINGSTONVILLE. "The charity and good feeling of the farmers is the This small yet picturesque village upon induce them to believe that the respectable hills, Catskill creek and surrounded by giant council did not know their private characters : denotes whose rough appearance unproductive- consequently, the electors say, 'bring the ap- while the labor is in culti- ness. Yet, greater pointments to the people.' Sir, by this they do very vating, we find their productiveness copes not mean to bring the appointments directly to with more level sections. The origi- do not wish additional favorably the ballot boxes ; they whose fascina- nal settlers were chiefly Yankees, confusion and turmoil there. But they want a tion can only be satisfied by lofty hills, bubbling selection made, where the characters of the can- of cattle and streams, with herds and if the selection is made springs rushing didates are known ; him and in value and sheep surrounding growing by the Board of Supervisors, and Judges of the fear of the return of another while he without county court, they must know the character of the noon and the thoughts day enjoys day nap every man they recommend, and they dare not or favorite of others from his welcome newspaper recommend a bad man, the ghost of public book. clamour would haunt them in their dreams ; and contained but one house in 1812 This village by this mode of selection the people would be not a center of business until about and was _ safe it is the best that has been " ; plan suggested 1820. Previous to that date the Fris- the year and I shall vote for it. But let us for one mo- bee tavern" farther down the was the valley ment consider the plan of election. It is a fact center where the of the people neighborhood that immoral men can bring more votes to the tell the obtain their mail met to hear and news, man and if polls than any moral, good ; they and the oppressions of their cogitate upon unjust are not directly the candidates, they will have the That own- landlords, Livingstons. family, their friend for a candidate, and by using their a tract of land within the town and ing large influence and rallying their satellites, will lay stationed a relative, Albany county adjoining, him under obligations to favor them in his offi- Asa here in 1810 to look after Starkweather, cial a for the capacity ; consequently remedy their interests in the sale and of land leasing evil would not be found here. The Gentleman and collection of rents. from New York is opposed to the amendment, Asa Starkweather was a native of New Lon- because it gives to the executive the appointing who is not for the don, Conn., and a mechanic. He began busi- power, responsible appoint- ments. ness in New York City but was unsuccessful and settled here at the of " to the age thirty-seven. Sir, I am willing to give this power In 1820 he was one of the dele- appointed executive, because we ask no responsibility the Constitutional Conven- gates to State from him. He cannot do wrong unless he in which he took an active in de- tion, part travels out of the two lists of candidates, and the bate, especially upon appointing powers. this he cannot do by the amendment proposed. In his speech the sth of October, 1820, he Sir, it has been urged that no possible good said: could arise from having the Governor appoint "The principle cause of complaint by the and commission the Justices of the peace. In is commander- great body of yeomanry against the present answer to this, as the executive official council of appointment has not specifically been in-chief of the militia, and whose duty mentioned by any gentleman of the committee. is to see that the laws are faithfully executed, it It is not because the person appointed happened is highly proper that every commissioned officer to be of different nor be- receive his from the chief political principles ; should authority mag-

cause members of the legislature interfere with istrate, and to whom he should be accountable the council and mingle their official duties with for the faithful performance of his duty." TOWN OF BROOMK. '39 Mr. Starkweather was not placed upon until any theyear ,83,, when the committee and his views present edifice was upon the various sub- erected. jects before brought the convention, did not The year previous it was to receive the of the changed a Pres- approval majority. He ap- byterian organization. The first peared to be in members were strongly favor of seven centralization, in number, as follows: and giving the of right suffrage only to property and men of Stimson owners, lucrative positions. He George and wife, died on the loth of Asa Bushnell and August, 1846, at the age of wife, Rhoda sixty-three years and eight months, and was Clark, buried in the old cemetery. His wife was Mary Sally Stimson, who died Asa Robinson, in April, 1862, in the sev- Starkweather. of enty-ninth year her Beside lie age. them The first elders were : Mrs. Starkweather's father and mother, James and Sarah Asa Robinson, who passed several years Starkweather, with their daughter, in her secluded home. Joshua Bushnell, Timothy Kelsey, Adam Mattice. In our rambles to the new Asa Bushnell.

cemetery, upon the south of the vil- hill-side, The present ones are : lage, we were led to the grave of one of Broome's representative Adam Mattice. men, Robert Bortwick, Arthur Mr. Mattice was a careful business man and Bortwick, E. W. held various local Dutton. offices in the town and gave universal satisfaction to his who elected people Mr. Dutton to him to whom we are indebted for in- the office of supervisor in and 1832 '34, formation in when regard to this church, and he made himself prominent as an present official, clerk, states that S. R. which for Gray was the first pas- gained him the nomination and elec- tor, and B. D. tion of Wyckoff the present, but is un- sheriff in 1834. During his term of able to give a list of those in the office, considerable discontent was intervening made mani- time. fest the by Livingston tenants in this portion of the County, but Mr. Mattice Dutton. faithfully performed Julius Among the early settlers of his duties without incurring the of this section was displeasure his Julius Dutton who died July Anti-Rent neighbors. In he was at the 1848 elected 27, i8?r age of seventy-nine. Of him to the State Legislature from the Eastern dis- the Schoharie Republican of that date : " says trict with James of Mr Dutton was Parsons, Leesville, and in eleven years of age when he 1 86 1 was once more sent to the board of settled in from super- Broome, Litchfield county, visors. Connecticut. During a long and eventful life he filled an many responsible positions, Becoming old man he retired from busi- always the ness discharging trusts reposed in him with and official and died at sig- cares, his home on nal and the loth of ability fidelity. He was during a period January, 1868, at the age of seventy- of thirty-nine a five. His years member of the Presby- wife, Nancy Winans lived till De- terian church and 1 thirty-eight years a deacon of cember, 8, !87 4, when she followed her hus- the band same. He was twice married and was the at the ripe old age of eighty-two. father of thirteen sons, eleven of whom, with his widow The survive him. Presbyterian Church of Livingstonville is the oldest religious organization in town, and The Methodist Episcopal Church of this place upon its in organization 1817 as a Congre- was organized about theyear 1824, by the Rev. gational was the one church, only of that denom- a John Bangs, long circuit preacher and pre- ination in the County. Their were meetings siding elder in the New York conference. The held in private residences and the school house records not being accessible, we are indebted to SCHOHARIE COUNTY. I 4o HISTORY OF

a member of received the the memory of Mr. R. Ellis, long County. He appointment on the the society and the present class-leader. James 9th of February, 1819, and served until Febru- of the Ellis, the father of our informant was one ary 12, 1821. leading ones in the organization. Aaron was elected to the Legislature in 1816 The first trustees were : and '17, with Isaac Barber and Peter A. Hilton, Elisha Humphrey, and again in 1819 with Jedediah Miller and Peter Both of Lyman Burchard Swart, Jr. these gentlemen held Henry Rifenburgh. local offices, but at what time we are unable to say as the early records of the town are not ac- The first church building was erected down cessible. Aaron exchanged his farm with the valley about one half a mile, in a pine Comfort Smith for four hundred acres of land and removed to the site in grove, present 1845. " " ' in New Connecticut or Ohio, upon which The membership is forty and supports in con- he removed, where the city of Cleveland now nection a progressive Sabbath school. stands. The exchange made the family im- DRAFT OF 1813. mensely wealthy, as they continue to hold .the to title a goodly share of the original farm which The first quota drawn in 1812 for the defence was divided into city lots. of the Northern borders against British invasion, had become depleted by an epidemic that raged Smithtown was the name given to the hamlet fearfully in the camps, and the enemy making after Mr. Smith became a resident. extensive preparations for the campaign of The Christian Church of 1813, the government was forced to call for this place was or- and a house of more men, and ordered a draft from the ranks ganized, worship built in 1859, under the of Rev. Mr. Roberts. of the militia, requiring every fourth man. To patronage The are and sincere in their Mr. Ellis we are indebted for the list drawn society energetic liberal views of and call to their from this town. The militia company met at belief, pulpit able the "Frisbee men. house," and the following were drawn : " FRANKLINTON, OR THE VLY." Joseph A. Rawley, The Rev. Charles S. Duncan, an Carly Robinson, energetic and thorough Methodist preacher, Amos Series, organized the Methodist Episcopal Church at this in Daniel Series, place 1828. At one time Rev. Mr. Duncan's Heman Roe, during the assembled to Walter Winans, pastorate, congregation listen to his sermon, when he became in- Jeremiah Reed, suddenly disposed and sent his two sons Bates Reed, (at present living, Joel and then mere to Peter Bunker, William,) lads, give the people notice that there would not be William See, The Blaisdel Dickinson. any preaching. boys considered them- selves capable of leading in the services and Peter Bunker was a entered the house with the deputy sheriff in 1819, dignity of riper and while in office died at Schoharie. years, and requested the people to be seated. William led in a long prayer, and was followed SMITHTOWN. by Joel with an exhortation, after which a Aaron and Giles H. Hubbard settled at this hymn was sung and the congregation dismissed. in the of the place beginning century, and were The built the society present edifice in 1845, two well educated and men. The enterprising and it proved a nucleus around which the vil- latter was a graduate of Union and College lage has grown and become a center for the fitted himself for the but was law, called upon farming community to find mechanics and to succeed Abraham Keyser as Sheriff of the tradesmen for repairs and domestic supplies. TOWN OF BROOM I. 141

" " The Vly was drained by the farmers owning |S S7 Ogden Benjamin. portions of it nearly thirty years ago, which gave 1858 Robert C. Leonard. to them valuable land in too great contrast to 1859 E. Benjamin. the hill-sides that surround it. Here might be 1860 E. A. Wightman. obtained the best water power in the County by 1 86 1 Adam Mattice. building aqueducts at each outlet to hold the 1862 E. A. Wightman. water, so abundantly supplied by springs. The 1863 James F. Connor. enterprise and capital of the Eastern States 1864 Andrew Graham. would here create a business that would soon 1865 Hiram Sornberger. overbalance the whole town in value of produc- 1866 George W. Ellis. tion by establishing factories of different char- 1867 do acters. 1868 R. Benjamin. 1869 do SUPERVISORS. " 1870 Nelson Rust. 1871 do The records of this town have not been kept 1872 Wilkeson Wilsey. with that care they should have received, and do from time to 1873 time have been borrowed by piece- 1874 Ira Benjamin. meal and not returned. Being one of the first 1875 Nelson Rust. towns formed, the early records could but be 1876 George A. Dutton. interesting and valuable. We copy the super- i 8 77 Jhn H. Mattice. visors elected, from the earliest dates that 1 87 8 Wesley Rifenburgh. could be found : 1879 do 18308. Bortle. 1880 Erastus Almy. 1831 Barent Stryker. 1 88 1 Myron Losee. 18328. Bortle. 1882 do 1833 Adam Mattice. MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY. 1834 do 1835 Joseph Scofield. 1816 Aaron Hubbard. do 1836 W. J. Mackey. 1817 1837 Joseph Scofield. 1819 do 1838 do 1828 Henry Devereaux. 1839 Daniel Jackson. 1845 Adam Mattice. 1840 Henry Tibbetts. 1852 Seymour Sornberger. 1841 William W. Stewart. ^55 Wilkeson Wilsey. 1842 Hiram Mace. 1860 John W. Couchman. 1843 A. Stanton. SHERIFFS. 1844 Nelson Fanning. Giles H. 1845 Martin B. Thomas. Hubbard, appointed February 9, 1846 Philip Couchman. 1819. elected 1847 Anson Clark. Adam Mattice, November, 1834. 1848 Wilkeson Wilsey. COUNTY SCHOOL COMMISSIONER. 1849 George Cheritree. Nelson Rust, elected 1837. 1850 Wilkeson Wilsey. Cheritree. 1851 George BOUNDARIES. 1852 E. Benjamin. 1853 Lyman Hulburt. By the act of 1813 the town of Broome was, 1854 Ogden Benjamin. after the towns of Blenheim, Middleburgh, 1855 James F. Connor. Schoharie, Cobleskill, Carlisle and Sharon, thus 1856 Robert C. Leonard. defined : COUNTY. 142 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE

" that are and ever will the attractive And all that part of the said County of to-day, be, ones of the town. first is Schoharie bounded on the north by Middle- The the lively interest the bounds of in education, and the second the of burgh, on the east and south by application those to the the County, and on the west by Blenheim, shall advantages derived, systematic pro- be and continue a town by the name of gression of agriculture as shown in the general Broome." appearance of the town and total production. But a few years elapsed before others from New England and the Hudson river counties followed the Yankee pioneers and with them took measures in establishing a separate town, wherein their puritanic ideas of government CHAPTER X. might be adopted without an amalgamation of sentiment as when under the jurisdiction of HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF JEFFERSON. Blenheim, which was controlled by the "Scho- harie Dutch," (so called). WHEN SETTLED BY WHOM- INTEREST IN EDU- A petition was forwarded to the Legislature CATION FIRST TOWN MEETING EFFORT TO in January, 1803, for the formation of a new CHANGE THE NAME OF TOWN HEMAN Hic- town and upon the I2th of the following month an act was passed to that effect and to KOK JEFFERSON ACADEMY DONATORS giving the territory thus set off, the name of Jefferson. STEPHEN JUDD'S DONATION OF FARM TEACHERS IN ACADEMY PRESENT SCHOOL The First Town Meeting was held at the TANNERIES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MER- house of Stephen Judd, then an inn, on the ist day of March and the officers elected CHANTS PHYSICIANS JUDD FAMILY SO- following by ballot : CIETIESMASONICGRAND ARMY REPUBLIC- METHODIST CHURCH WEST KILL METHOD- Supervisor Ezra Beard. IST CHURCH GALT'S HISTORY OF THE Clerk William P. Hilton. METHODIST SOCIETY OF THE TOWN REVO- Assessors James Hubbard, Stephen Judd, Marcus Andrews. LUTIONARY INCIDENTS SMITH STREET TORY CLAWSON TAKEN PRISONER SMITH FAMILY Collector John P. North. BATTLE AT LAKE OFFICIAL SUPERVISORS Overseers of Poor Stephen Judd, Andrew Beard. GENERAL APPEARANCE OF TOWN THE Commissioners of Highways Joseph P. Nor- LAKE TRYON COUNTY LINE REBELLION thrup, John H. Pratt, Stephen Judd. AMOUNT OF TOWN BONDS ISSUED BOUN- Constables John Fletcher, Joseph P. Nor- DARIES. thrup, Jacob Jones, Morris Kiff. Fence Viewers Lewis M. '"PHE town of Jefferson was first settled by Loud, Heman in Elam Conrad _|_ New England people 1793 and 1794, Hickok, Stephen Judd, Gibbs, Snook. whose energy made her lofty hills and winding valleys prototypes of the old Berkshires of Mas- Pound Masters William P. Hilton, William sachusetts and the Lebanon hills of Connecticut. Carpenter. When Stephen Marvin, Erastus Judd, James Path Masters Joseph P. Northrup No. i, McKenzie, Henry Shelmandine, Marvin and Stephen Judd, Isaac Hickok, James Hubbard, Ezra Stephen Judd, Beard, James Hubbard, Joseph McKinsea, Stephen West, Asa Morse, and others of vim settled a equal here, spirit of Zadock Barrett, Benjamin Bruce, John Beach, unlike that the progression attending settlers of Heman Hickok, Morris Kiff, Martemus B. Van- other towns, the eastern excepting part of Buren, James Clark, Charles Near, William P. made itself Wright, manifest in two features, Hilton.