Miscellaneous, How Union Valley Got its Name

"Union Valley" Named by Combining

Church 'Union' and Natural 'Valley'

 

The tracing of the origin of names of the various communities surrounding Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] is rather fascinating, and today H.H. Lyon brings us the story of how Union Valley received its name. 

 

In 1810 a Methodist organization was formed on what is now known as Searles Hill, at the home of Abner Searles, but it was never incorporated.  Mr. Lyon remembers his father telling of attending church there with his grandfather.  The group never had a building but held services in the Searles home or in the school house. 

 

County records show that in 1834 a meeting was held to re-incorporate a West Bainbridge M.E. Society.  Names signed are Dan Post, Burton Stowell, William Cleveland, Wesley Cleveland, and Edward T. Hyde.  Some of these names are familiar to old time West Bainbridge folks, says Mr. Lyon.  The group did not have a building and school records do not show use of the school building, but one may guess that the school house was sometimes used for meetings.

 

A West Bainbridge Baptist Society organized in 1844.  The names signed are:  Philander Loomis and Reuben Fosbury.  Mr. Lyon recalls that Martin Post was a strong supporter.  The names of Martin Post and Reuben Fosbury are also found in earlier records of the Yaleville Baptist Church.

 

The real gist of this story according to Mr. Lyon comes in 1852, when representatives of three Methodist groups met at the house of Peleg Ferris and incorporated a union organization.  Incorporators were Lyman Bush, John H. Post - President, Samuel Bush, Nelson Ireland, George Blanchard, trustees.  The incorporation was recorded. 

 

Here was a "Union" situated in a natural valley, and as a matter of course the surrounding community was soon known as Union Valley.