Chenango Unadilla Valleys 50 Years Ago - 1872

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, March 13, 1872

 

Sherburne

The Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY] of fifty years ago presented a very different appearance from its flourishing successor of today.  It was then a quiet, rambling, pleasant little hamlet, with its one solitary church steeple, its two or three small stores, its public house, and scattering dwellings and offices.  Its wealthy men--landowners, money lenders and holders of innumerable bonds and mortgages and other securities, were Tilly Lynde and Elias Babcock--its merchants, Joshua Pratt and William G. Fargo--its Supervisor, Joseph Benedict, Senior--and its lawyers, Lyman S. Rexford and Smith M. Purdy.

 

Judge Lynde was a portly, grave and dignified State Senator, and "walked gowned" with his eyes and ears ever open, with lynx-eyed vigilance, to the enhancement and preservation of wealth--in which pursuit his rival, Babcock, continued not to fall far behind.  Messrs. Pratt and Fargo were estimable, enterprising and worthy men, and on the high road to subsequent wealth and distinction as merchants and financiers.  The older Benedict [..unreadable..] son and worthy namesake, patriarchal--the latter, I have always believed, born with white hair and a "white choker."  Both were distinguished for strict integrity and great ability for business, and both possessed the entire confidence of the community.  Lyman S. Rexford, as well in his capacity of lawyer, as subsequently of clergyman, was a shrewd, able and humorous man and possessed sterling traits of character.  Smith M. Purdy was originally a student in the law office of James Birdsall of Norwich from whence he emigrated to Sherburne, where, at the period of which I speak, he was distinguished as a wise counsellor, skillful advocate, and unrivalled checker player--holding the lists against all comers.  He subsequently transferred himself again to Norwich--entered into partnership with Abial Cook, Esq., and became one of the leaders of the Chenango Bar.  He was afterwards appointed first judge and Surrogate, and represented the district in Congress.  He is still, I believe, one of the most wealthy and respected citizens of the village where his early days as a student were spent, and if I am not misinformed owns and occupies the old Edmunds Yellow House, where, in 1809 I first saw the light of day, some sixty-three years since. 

 

[The intelligent local reader will, of course, remember that Mr. Purdy died some two years ago, a fact which has escaped Mr. R's knowledge==Eds. Tel]

 

Columbus

 

In Columbus, a few miles east lived Henry Crary, Anthony Olney and Joshua Lamb, all worthy and upright men--the latter then an inn keeper and afterwards, one of the judges of the county court.  Robert E. Russell and his troublesome neighbor, DeLancey were in perpetual litigation and controversy, then and for years after. The former was a most repulsive, miserly individual, living in solitary seclusion in his wretched hovel, and having no other calling than close-fisted avarice and litigious disputes with his hereditary enemies, the Delanceys, whom he imagined continually trespassing upon his demesnes.  Here, too, a few miles north of New Berlin, was the tavern of Hamlin Gregory, where the Denison murder was perpetuated in 1833, and of which I may hereafter be tempted to speak. The Grants--also worthy and excellent men, also kept a public house on the Sherburne road. 

 

To Be Continued