A Week with Bovina People - July 1900 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

 

July 6, 1900

• Stock day Monday.

• Alex. Fenton was in town Saturday.

• F.C. Armstrong visited Delhi Saturday.

• Ed Thompson was up from Delhi Monday.

• G.D. Miller and wife are on a trip to Oneonta.

• Rev. Piper and family passed thro’ town Monday.

• John R. Hoy and wife [the former Isabella Wilson Miller] returned from Hobart Friday.

• David Currie was up from Delhi on his wheel on Sabbath.

• W.L. White and Elmer Close were over at Andes Tuesday.

• Ernest Bouton is seriously ill with inflammation of the bowels.

• Robert R. Gladstone and wife were here from Andes on Sabbath.

• David J. Miller and wife [the former Elizabeth Campbell] returned Friday from their western trip.

• Doctor [Rev. J.B.] Lee and wife left Monday for their home in Franklinville.

• Joseph Raitt has been renewing old acquaintances in town this week.

• Fred Bramley has been having a well dug at the old Sott cooper shop.

• Andrew Anderson and wife [the former Margaret Liddle] were in this place on Monday from Dingle Hill.

• William A. Liddle and wife, of Margaretville, were visitors in town over Sabbath.

• James Hastings has been having some improvements made on the interior of his residence.

• Rev. and Mrs. Moser have been guests at S.G. Bramley’s. Rev. Moser will preach in the Methodist church on Sabbath.

• The loss on E. George Gladstone goods destroyed by the recent fire in the Methodist parsonage, has been adjusted at $8.47.

• Recently, Master John Miller of this village caught a trout which measured 14 ¼ inches in length and weighed one pound and two ounces.

• The frame is up for the addition to Andrew T. Doig’s store.  James L. Coulter, John E., and E. George Gladstone are the carpenters.  

July 13, 1900

• John A. Irvine was at Delhi Monday.

• Miss Louisa Case was home for a few days the past week.

• William L. White and Elmer Close visited Delhi on Saturday.

• Mrs. Dr. Phinney has been visiting relatives at New Kingston.

• Otis McCumer and family were at Mrs. Muller’s over Sabbath.

• William VanKeuren was seen in this village Saturday from Andes.

• Frank C. Armstrong made a trip to the County Seat last Saturday.

• Marshall Thomson was over at Andes Saturday on a business trip. 

• Thomas Gordon and wife visited her parents at Falls Mills over Sabbath.

• George Hunger of Colchester, was a guest at William Cooke’s recently.

• Albert Butts and wife returned from their visit at Davenport on Monday.

• Rev. W.L.C. Samson and wife arrived home Friday from their vacation.

• William Bramley and a son of John G. Bramley were in town on Sabbath.

• Lou Cooper and family were in this place from Scotch Mountain Sunday.

• W.L. White has purchased Woodburn & Smyth’s span of sorrel horses.

• Elliott Thomson made trip over to Davenport the fore part of the week. 

• Miss Anna Glover, of Delhi, has been renewing old acquaintances here.

• Rev. W.T. Mabon will preach in the United Presbyterian church on Sabbath.

• Ephriam Worden and daughter, of Andes, were visitors here on Saturday.

• J. Kennedy McCivitt, of Andes, will preach in the Methodist church on Sabbath.

• Gideon Miller and wife went to Andes this week, where he will help his father in the hay.

• William Northrup, the Walton painter, is doing a job of painting for Mrs. A.D. Thomson on Pink Street.

• The family of William Rogers arrived at their summer home at Lake Delaware Tuesday for the summer.

• George able, William L. Ruff and Thomas R. Boggs were among our citizens who were at Delhi Tuesday.

• Thomas Ormiston’s family arrived in town Tuesday from their home in Maryland, for a visit with relatives.

• Mrs. William Huber is at Alexander Myers’ helping take care of Nellie Myers, who has been very ill with a gathering in the head, but she is now some better. 

July 20, 1900

• Alex. Myers was at Delhi Saturday.

• Henry Thompson’s family are stopping in town.

• Thomas A. Oliver was up from Delhi the first of the week.

• Monday and Tuesday were the two hottest days of the year.

• Stephen Avery, of Bloomville, was seen in this place on Sabbath.

• Andrew Seacord and Alex. Hilson were among those at Delhi Friday.

• David Oliver, Alex. Hilson and Elliott Thomson were at Andes Saturday.

• A son and daughter of the late William Gladstone have been visiting their uncle, George Gladstone.

• Richard Smith, William Smith, Elliott Thomson, Dr. Seacord and Helen Blair were all at Delhi on Tuesday. 

• William Smitha nd family, of Walton, and also John Smith have been visiting their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith in this village.

• The little town of Bovina has two nominees for county clerk – Republican and Prohibition.  And the Democratic convention has not yet been held.

• Miss Nellie Myers, whose serious illness we reported last week, is lightly improved. Her grandfather, Frank Myers, visited her the first of the week.

• James L. Coulter and wife and Miss Jennie Strangeway expect to start next Monday for Denver, Colorado, to attend a Christian Endeavor convention.

• William T. Mabon preached in the United Presbyterian church on Sabbath from Gallatians 4:4 and 5. J.K. McDivitt preached in the Methodist church.

• Leslie, son of William L. Moore, draws milk to Bloomville, and drives one horse. Sunday going up the river he felt unwell and took a sun stroke but is now recovering. 

July 27, 1900

• William Lidle of Andes was seen in town Saturday.

• Born on July 3d to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Doig a son.

• Mr. Hamn, of Delhi has been in town doing some upholistering(sic). 

• Miss Cora Bell, of Delhi, was a guest at Thomas Gordon’s recently.

• W.C. Russell and Marion Robertson were at Andes on Wednesday.

• William Smith and family returned to their home in Walton Saturday.

• A number were at Andes on Sabbath attending the funeral of Andrew A. Liddle.

• The Misses Hunter, who have been at Rev. T.M. Slater’s started for home on Tuesday. 

• Among those at Delhi on Saturday were W.T. Black, John A. Irvine and David Oliver.

• Mrs. William Crosier, Mrs. G.D. Miller, and Mrs. Thomas Gordon, were at Delhi Wednesday.

• Owing to the absence of the pastor there was no preaching in the Methodist church on Sabbath.

• Mrs. and Mrs. T.S. Miller were here from Andes Tuesday evening to see their niece Miss Nell Myers.

• A good many have finished haying and report a fair crop.  It is said that Bovina as a whole has a better crop than her sister towns.  Oats and other crops are looking fine.

Bovina and the American Revolution

 

It’s been 250 years since the start of the American Revolution, so now is a good time to look at Bovina’s role in the nation’s fight for independence. Officially, it had none – mainly because there was no Bovina until almost 50 years after the war. In fact, Europeans had yet to discover the delights of the Northern Catskills, and while Indians hunted here, they probably never settled. 

So, identifying Revolutionary War soldiers from Bovina is a bit tricky. I focused on finding Revolutionary War veterans who settled in or at least spent some of their time in Bovina. This involved reviewing a variety of records in order to track these veterans down. The service records are challenging to find, given that there were several militia companies in each state. But the records are out there, thanks to sources like Ancestry and Fold3. Several states in the late 19th/early 20th centuries published books on their state’s role in the revolution, including various lists of soldiers in the war. 

In 1818, the federal government started to offer pensions to Revolutionary War veterans. These pensions are incredibly useful, though it also means that soldiers who died before 1818 won’t have a pension record (though sometimes you can find a widow applying for her husband’s pension). Veterans had to apply for their pensions, presenting information about their service and their current circumstances. These pensions are very helpful, though the information presented in these applications are based on memories over 40 old. One Bovina soldier was in a battle, but he could not remember the battle’s name. These pension records are mainly held by the National Archives and can be found on Ancestry and Fold3. If a veteran opted not to apply, there won’t be any pension records to review. 

Pension records also can be found at the county level. In the 1980s, Shirley Houck and the Delaware County Clerk’s office published a book of these applications from soldiers in Delaware County – “Delaware County’s War Papers.” This helped me identify two of Bovina’s five soldiers. I identified two other soldiers through their pension applications filed elsewhere. A fifth soldier died before pensions were offered, so I only found a bare service record. 

Over the next few months, I will be creating blog entries on each of the five American Revolution War vets that I have identified as having connections to Bovina. And there’s a possible sixth I also will write about. The five definite Bovina Revolutionary War veterans are:

• James Cooley (1755-1823)

• Samuel  Ludington (1744-1814) 

• Elisha Maynard (1763-1840)

• Jesse (or Justice) Purdy (1748-1840)

• James Vandenburgh (1758-1840)

Two of these veterans were Prisoners of War, one of the British and the other of Indians allied with the British. 

Two of them are definitely buried in Bovina. One more may be buried here and is memorialized on his granddaughter’s monument. One other veteran very likely is buried here but if so, the grave is unmarked and unlocatable. And one veteran we know is not buried in Bovina because he moved away over a decade before his passing. 

So more to come. 

July 1925 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

July 3, 1925

• David J. Miller, of Walton, was a caller here on Thursday.

• James F. Forman and family were up from Delhi on Tuesday.

• Archibald Thomson and family, of Walton, were here on Sabbath.

• A banquet for the juniors was held in the church parlors Tuesday night.

• William Tuttle, of East Delhi, spent a few days the past week with relatives in town.

• Mr. and Mrs. Harry Robinson were at Stamford and South Kortright on Sabbath.

• Miss Jame Hilson is home from South Orange, N.J. for the summer vacation.

• Miss Alva Galland, who has been teaching in the east, returned to her home in South Dakota.

• Mrs. Elizabeth Irvine left Wednesday for Seattle, Washington, to spend the summer with her sons.

• The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Burgin made them a shower Monday evening at the Burgin homestead.

• George Shaver moved Thursday to Andes. He will assist his son Freeman Shaver of Terry Clove in haying.

• Professor and Mrs. Leon Taggart and family, of Oneonta, are with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Strangeway.

• Glen and June Coulter, of Delhi, who have been visiting their grandmother, Mrs. Lucy Coulter, returned home Wednesday.

• The Fritz Burger and Ted Fuller sale Thursday was called off. The parties reached an agreement and Mr. Fuller will move onto the farm. 

• Carrie Dumond and Margaret Gordon have gone to the Pakatakan Country Club at Arkville for the summer. Mary Gladstone and Lillian McNair have gone to Stamford. 

July 10, 1925

• W.C. Russell’s new residence is being painted.

• Frank Drake has moved into the small Dickson tenant house.

• Alex McPherson, of Utica, was with the relatives here over the week end.

• Robert Doig and family and John Doig were up from Delhi on Friday.

• Lauren Dickson, of Binghamton, spent over the Fourth with his mother.

• Mrs. Wilbur Archibald has hired to teach next year in the Fleischmann high school.

• Mrs. Alice McNaught, of Hamden, is spending two weeks at the home of Colin McNaught.

• Mrs. James Monroe and daughter, Ruth, have gone to Catskill to spend three or four weeks.

• The Whitcomb Circle will give an entertainment entitled Breezy Point at the Hall of Friday night.

• Superintendent of the Poor James f. Forman and family, of Delhi, were in town Saturday evening. 

• Misses Kate and Fred Muller spent over the Fourth with their sister, Mrs. Otis McCumber, at Andes.

• Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Smith and family, from Connecticut, have been spending the past week in town.

• James W. Thomson, Geo Russell and Wm C. Russell are shingling the barn of Eliza J.P. Russell in southern Bovina.

• Millard Gow and wife, and Willard Gow, wife and son, of Endicott, spent over the Fourth with their parents in Bovina.

• Frank Myers and wife and William Thomson, of Endicott, spent over the week end with their people here. Ledger Myers returned home with them.

• Rev. and Mrs. H.B. Speer, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, are expected here August 1st to spend their vacation. He was a former pastor of the United Presbyterian church.

• The Women’s Missionary Society and the Young Woiman’s Society held a meeting at Chas A. McPherson’s on Thursday afternoon. Miss Work, a missionary gave an address.

• William Crosier was called to Delhi on Monday by the injury of his nephew, Don Burns. He is employed at the Ayer & McKinney creamery and was struck on the back of the head and was unconscious.

Kaufman-Russell – from our Bovina correspondent

Miss Edna Russell, daughter of Mrs. William T. Russell, and Kenneth Kaufman were united in marriage at the Russell home on the former Dysart farm, in the town of Bovina on Friday evening, July 3, in the presence of a large gathering of relatives. They went to New York City on a wedding trip. 

July 17, 1925

• Charles Hafele and John Hafele were at Andes last Friday.

• Mr. and Mrs. James Mabon and son motored to Andes on Thursday.

• Charles A. McPherson, on the former Strangeway farm, has had a part of the bar re-shingled.

• Quite a number attended the minstrel show held at Andes last Friday and Saturday nights.

• Supervisor Wallace Smith was at Delhi last Friday attending a meeting of the board of Supervisors.

• Miss Emily Hyatt, Miss Grace Hyatt and Mrs. Olson, of New York, have been spending their vacation in town.

• Mr. and Mrs. B.M. Thomson, from California, and Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Thomson, of Walton, were in town on Tuesday.

• Twin daughters were recently born to Mr. and Mrs. Schols at Walton. The mother is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Smith up-town.

• Floyd W. Hyatt, who a number of years ago came here from Yonkers and purchased the David J. Miller farm, moved off this week and has gone to Delhi. The farm was sold Monday at foreclosure.

July 24, 1925

• John Armstrong and wife were at Schenectady last week.

• Cecil Russell, wife and daughter were at Delhi on Saturday.

• Mrs. James Monroe and son were here from Catskill last week.

• Ward Coulter and two sons, of Walton, called on his mother here on Sabbath.

• Harold Robinson and wife, of Delhi spent Sabbath with their people in town. 

• Mrs. John Hilson and Children are spending a few days at Jas Forman’s at Delhi.

• John Myers, of Springfield, Mass., spent over the week end with his parents here.

• Roy Worden has bought the hay on the Jas. A. Russell or Cathels farm up Pink Street.

• Mrs. Alex Crosier, who resides with her son in Philadelphia, is renewing acquaintances in town.

• Mrs. Charles Hyatt and two sons, of New York, are with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Joslin.

• Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, of Pennsylvania, are guests of Rev A.M. Thomson at the R.P. Parsonage.

• Sabbath morning Rev. F.N. Crawford spoke especially to the children on the Best Not Good Enough.

• Mrs. S.K. Ferris, of Albany, and her mother, Mrs. M.M. Boggs, are at W.J. Crosier’s for the summer.

• George Decker, Mrs. Arthur Decker, Howard McPherson and wife, Charles Fuller were at Oneonta on Monday.

• Dr. and Mrs. Harry Corsier and child, of Steubenville, Ohio, are visiting his father, W.J. Crosier.

• David F. Hoy, registrar of Cornwell University, and Mrs. Hoy spent over the weekend with his sister, Mrs. Archibald and Mrs. Davidson. 

• Born recently to Rev. and Mrs. Thos Graham at Ambridge, Penn a dauter. Rev. Graham is a former pastor of the Church of the Covenanters here.

• The June Sabbath School report for the U.P. church showed 61 in perfect attendance for the month, and 25 did not miss a day during April, May and June.

• Mr. and Mrs. Alex Myers are spending a vacation with their son and dauter at Endicott. Mrs. Arthur Decker is taking charge of the telephone.

• Mrs. George Decker has returned from spending several weeks with her daughter, Mrs. Scobel, at Glen Cove, Long Island. Her granddaughter, Ada Scobel, accompanied her home. 

July 31, 1925

• Alex Scobie, of Cherlottville, was in town Wednesday.

• Ernest Jackson, of Andes, has rented rooms in Mrs. Julia McPherson’s house.

• Mrs. Laura Braden, of Amoret, Missouri, has been visiting her brother, Rev. F.N. Crawford.

• Dr. James Crosier, of Philadelphia, and his sister, Mrs. Walter Jackson, of East Orange, N.J., are visiting in town.

• United States Senator Peter G. Gerry of Rhode Island, has been spending a few days at his summer home at Lake Delaware.

• Mrs. Estella Oliver and granddaughter, Kathryn Martin, of Cannonsville are with her daughter, Mrs. Fred Thomson.

• Mrs. Nettie Donnaly, of Oneonta, is a visitor in town. She will be remembered as a daughter of the late Low Thomson.

• Wilber Doig has purchased the Geo Hamilton farm up Elk Creek, the former Ed Cavin place, and gets possession October 1.

• Rev. and Mrs. Hugh B. Speer, of Pittsburg, Penn are visitors here. On Sabbath Rev. Speer will preach at the U.P. church.

• Kester Signor, well known here, had a leg, three ribs and his collar bone broken in an automobile accident at Shinhopple last week.

• Mrs. Charles Hyatt, who has bene visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Joslin, returned to New York on Wednesday, leaving her two children with her mother for a few weeks. 

Bovina Farm sold

Lester T. Hoy, who has for a number of years has been employed in creameries, has purchased his father, W.A. Hoy’s farm and takes possession September 1.  This is the former John Hastings place and the original Alex Brush place for which Brushland now Bovina Center, was named.

Bovina Estate

In the estate of Margaret S. Burns, late of Bovina, estimate is $5,000 personal. To Eleanor Burns is willed $100; Eva McPherson, daughter, $100 and an equal share of residue; J. Douglas Burns, husband, Arthur J. and William C. Burns, sons and Lizzie Rutherford, daughter, each an equal share of residue

This Day in Bovina for June 2025

Here's the monthly compilation of the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page daily entries:

Thirty-two years ago today, the June 1, 1993 issue of the Delaware County Times carried this picture of former Bovina resident, Theresa Conklin. Theresa was born Theresa Hobbie in Walton in 1923, the daughter of William Hobbie and Elizabeth Mills. She came to Bovina when she was 9 years old and married Howard Conklin in 1945. They farmed on Reinertsen Hill Road for over 30 years, retiring in 1978. Theresa died in August 1998 at the age of 75.   

194 years ago today, June 2, 1831, an arrest warrant was issued for John Rutherford and John Renwick: "Whereas complaint hath been made before me, John M. Landon, one of the Justices of the peace for [Delaware] county upon the oath of David W. Thomson of Bovina ... that John Rutherford and John Renwick did on the 11th day of May last violently assault and beat him the said David W. Thomson at Bovina … therefore in the name of the people of the State of New York to command you forthwith to apprehend the said John Rutherford & John Renwick of Bovina & bring them before me, to answer unto the said complaint, & further, to be dealt with according to law…" The October 12, 1831 Delaware Gazette reported that "John Rutherford, was tried on an indictment found at the last [Court of] Oyer and Terminer for an assault and battery on David Thompson and found guilty. He afterwards presented to the court an affidavit in mitigation, shewing that he was not angry at the time of the commission of the offence and was permitted to escape with the moderate fine of ten dollars." What happened with John Renwick I have yet to determine. 

These images of some Bovina kids come from the collection of Celia Coulter. In the front is Lee Archibald. The middle row is Terry (no first name provided, so if anyone knows, let me know), Martha Jardine, Marianne Hilson. Back row is Louisa McPherson, Carol Erway, Dotty Boggs. Sorry that a couple of the images are not great, but it's fun to see all three - they looked like they were having fun! Celia dated this picture as being June 1954.

166 years ago today, on June 4, 1859, Alexander Sylvanius Bramley, son of John W. Bramley and Margaret McCune was born. He would die only 21 days later on June 25. John and Margaret had a total of eight children, five of whom made it to adulthood. Alexander was their fifth child. This is his headstone, courtesy of Ed and Dick Davidson. 

147 years ago today, the June 5, 1878 Delaware Gazette, reported on Bovina's ranking concerning a number of aspects related to farming, noting that Bovina was 17th in the county in acres, in gross sales the thirteenth, in bushels of corn the 14th, in number of cows 14th, etc. The article also noted that Bovina was 10th in the pounds of butter produced and first in the butter produced per acre - 14 1/10 pounds. Here's the full article: 

198 years ago today, on June 6, 1827, the following advertisement appeared in the Commercial Advertiser: 

Fifty-eight years ago, the June 7, 1967 Oneonta Daily Star carried this article about the fate of the school building in the Bovina Center hamlet. The building is now the Bovina Public Library. 

121 years ago today, the June 8, 1904 Delaware Gazetteer reported: "Hon. E.T. Gerry expects to leave New York on Wednesday next, in his coach and four and drive to his Lake Delaware summer home. In making the trip sixteen relays of horses will be used, the distances of each section being from twelve to fifteen miles. He expects to arrive at Lake Delaware Thursday evening. Elmer E. Hastings of Bovina Center, went over the route and arranged the horses. The party will come up the east side of the Hudson River and cross at Kingston.”

Seventy-nine years ago today, June 9, 1946, Bob Wyer took this image of the St. James Church choir and congregation. The woman at the right next to the priest is Angelica Gerry, who financed the construction of St. James in the 1920s. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

140 years ago today, the June 10, 1885 Lancaster Intelligencer reported that "President Cleveland has appointed Isaac H. Maynard of New York to be second comptroller of the treasurer…The office is worth five thousand dollars a year. General satisfaction is expressed with the appointment." Maynard grew up in Bovina, born there in 1838. Maynard became a lawyer and served a term in the New York State Assembly. 

136 years ago today, the Bovina column in the June 11, 1889 Stamford Mirror reported the following: "Coulter Bros. are making post office boxes for Alex Hilson, the newly appointed postmaster. It is expected that the business of our post office will now be increased, at least to the extent of the patronage of the new postmaster, while the Lake Delaware office will lose its patronage, which it has enjoyed for many years."

These images of Charles McPherson were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Charles was born in Bovina in 1873, son of Albert McPherson and Drusilla Ellsworth. He married Rosa Strangeway in 1902. They would have three children, Marian (1906-1976), Lester (1908-1997) and Frank (1912-2000). Charles lived in Bovina all his life. Not long after these images were taken, Charles was seriously injured in a fall, breaking his back in the process. He was confined to his home for over a decade, dying in August 1949. Courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.

Eighty-four years ago today, the Lake Delaware column of the June 13, 1940 Delaware Republican reported that "Miss Angelica Gerry has opened Ancrum House for the summer and has as her guest Saxham Drury of Newport, R.I." This was Francis Saxham Drury, who was Angelica's brother-in-law. Francis was born in England and married his first wife, Mary Peek, in 1884 in London. They would have three children in England. Mary died in 1922. Three years later, Drury married as his second wife, Angelica's sister Mabel. Mabel died in 1930. Francis died in Rhode Island in 1942.

106 years ago today, on June 14, 1919, as reported by the Andes Recorder, "Sergeant Donald Lee, a member of the Lightning division, who served over a year in France, arrived home ….having received his discharge."  Lee was born in Bovina in 1896, the son of John Bruce Lee and Lucy A. Hall.  The Lee family lived on Lee Hollow.  Donald was a US Army Sargent during World War I, receiving the Purple Heart.  Donald lived to see his 99th birthday, dying in Florida in May 1995. He is buried in Bovina. Donald was Bovina's last surviving World War One veteran.

189 years ago today, on June 15, 1836, the session of the Bovina Associate Presbyterian Church met and went through several items related the conduct of members of the church. "Christina Elliott appeared before session to answer do the sin of fornication and also her imprudent conduct in other reports for which she declared her sorrow…" She was willing to submit to a public rebuke and to be suspended for a time. Elders reported on several other issues, including discussions with Temperance Wooden and Elizabeth Coulter about dancing, with John Miller concerning his attendance at a Methodist service and Hellen Elliott for not coming to church.

125 years ago today, the Delaware Republican for June 16, 1900 reported that Woodburn & Smyth, the monument dealers in Delhi, had sold several "fine monuments," including to "W.H. Bramley a Dark Barre Granite Sarcophagus of modern design, to be erected in Bovina Center, NY, to the memory of his father and mother who died suddenly last winter. This monument consists of cap, neatly carved and polished on four sides, die polished on four sides with Grecian border traced around the top; second base molded and polished on four sides, bottom base rock finished and corners margined."

115 years ago today, the Bovina column of the June 17, 1910 Andes Recorder reported that "Dr. Ward Young and family expect to leave next Monday to spend two weeks at his old home in Canada." The Young family was in Bovina relatively briefly, arriving around 1905. From Bovina, he settled near Canada in Gouvernor, St. Lawrence County. After a over a decade there, he went to New York, then to Northhampton, Massachusetts. In the late 1930s, he returned to Gouvernor. He died there in 1949.

Two hundred and forty-nine years ago today, June 18, 1776, Thomas Elliott was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland. He married Magdaline Thomson and had six children. He died in Bovina in 1838 and is buried in the Old Associate Presbyterian Church cemetery in Bovina.

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. These show the Henry Monroe farm in the Mountain Brook area. The farm still is in the Monroe family today. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.

Here's a photo of the Delaware Academy Class of 1936. Can you find Marjorie Russell? When you do find her, the woman to her right is her friend Catherine Foster (nee Banuat).  Also in this picture are Bovina residents - James and Joseph Lane (I think they are in the second row left in the white shirts), and Audrey DeSilva (I think she's in the third row, second from left). If I'm wrong on any of these, please let me know. In the yearbook, the quote under Marjorie’s picture said "Her talents are of the more silent class." In the class prophecy, the Kalends said "Marjorie Russell will be an elevator operator in the Empire State Building, fall in love with the guide and live in a tent on the top."

144 years ago today, the June 21, 1881 Stamford Mirror carried this somewhat cryptic item: "The Bovina 'Gossip' misquotes part of an item from the Mirror, and then makes an assertion concerning a 'schoolmarm' which the pupils attending the school taught by her say is a lie."

161 years ago today, on June 22, 1864, a vote was held in Bovina to pay a bounty of $500 to any man enlisting in the Civil War, to be credited to Bovina.  There were several such votes during the war, each time for a larger amount.  By the end of the war, it was up to $800.  This vote was the closest of the war, passing by only one vote, with 68 for and 67 against.

Sixty-one years ago today, the June 23, 1964 Oneonta Daily Star carried this item about the Bovina Center Co-op Creamery: 

Seventy-one years ago today, the Stamford Mirror for June 24, 1954 reported "Teacher Awards Prizes to Grade Students." The article: Prizes awarded to children in the Bovina Center grade school by their teacher, Mrs. Ray Jardine, were as follows: perfect attendance, Mary Anne LaFever, Jim Hilson, Jeanetta Erway, Norman Hall, Jean Damgaard, and Janet Hoy; most improvement during the year, Betty Conklin and Janet Hoy; and highest average in class, Stewart Rosa, fourth grade; Jean Damgaard, third grade; Steve Rosa, second grade and Linda Graham, first grade.

These images of Edwin 'Ted' Burgin were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s/early 1940s. Born in Bovina in 1904 in Bovina, he was only six months old when his father died by suicide. He was a lifelong Bovina resident, marrying Mary Brown in June 1925. Ted passed away in 1993, Mary in 2004. 

Eighty-three years ago today, on June 26, 1942, the Bovina town board passed a resolution choosing the Bovina Community Hall as "an Airplane Observatory for the duration [of the Second World War]." The town agreed to furnish a "telephone and all needed appliances" unless the County agrees to cover these expenses.

 

Here's a postcard view of Bovina Center, showing the house built in 1928 by William Archibald, across from the Bovina Community Hall. It was built where the Bovina Methodist church stood for about 80 years.

 

130 years ago today, in the June 28, 1895 issue of the Andes Recorder, the Bovina correspondent reported that "Irving Phinney has a new bicycle." In the same column, it was reported that "The most healthy thing for tramps and thieves, who are so numerous in this vicinity, to do is for them to leave before they get a dose of lead."

130 years ago today, on June 29, 1895 (as later reported by the Andes Recorder) "Dr. Barnard was in town Saturday extracting teeth without pain." This likely is a gentleman named Homer H. Barnard from Milford in Otsego County. He shows up in several census records as a dentist.

 

Eighty-seven years ago, on June 30, 1938 (as later reported in the Andes Recorder), "Rev. and Mrs. Peter McKenzie traveled to Newark to see their two daughters sail on a six-week trip to Finland." The McKenzies had three daughters, Janet, Elizabeth and Margaret. Which two daughters was not stated in the newspaper, though it probably was Janet and Elizabeth. This seems to be confirmed when Janet and Elizabeth returned to the United States on August 8, traveling on the Queen Mary.  

A Week with Bovina People - June 1900 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

June 1, 1900

• Barna Johnson was in town Friday.

• Adam Maxwell was in town o Sabbath.

• Alex Hilson was at Delhi and Scranton this week.

• William C. Russell was down at Delhi Friday.

• John Blair and wife were visitors at Andes Wednesday.

• Mrs. Dr. McNaught, of Hobart, has been visiting in town.

• Rev. T.M. Slater and wife have been visiting at Sterling Valley.

• Marion Robertson and wife were over at Andes Memorial Day. 

• Peter Mosier, wife and daughter passed through town on Sabbath.

• Mrs. G.D. Miller is visiting her sister, Mrs. Newel at Highland Falls.

• H.G. Bramley and wife visited at Harriet Close’s, Andes, Wednesday. 

• James Menzie is doing a job of carpenter work for Mrs. A.D. Thomson.

• Henry Hogaboom arrived in town Monday from the Soldiers’ Home at Bath.

• John Irvine went to Delhi Monday to attend the special meeting of the supervisors.

• Mrs. Alex Hilson and son James, and Miss Maggie Archibald visited at Delhi Saturday.

• Dr. McNaught was in town Thursday to visit John R. Hoy, who is in quite poor health.

• The German Medicine Company which has been here the past week left Monday for Delhi.

• Miss Jennie Campbell has been engaged as teacher in the Hobart High School for another year.

• Born at Downsville, May 22d, to Mr. and Mrs. William Reynolds, nee Kate Cooke, a daughter. [This daughter was named Wilma and sadly, was deaf and disabled, spending most of her life in institutions in Rome and Syracuse.]

• Mrs. W.B. Thomson and son, Alex and Mrs. J.L. Coulter and Miss Jennie Gladstone visited the County Seat Tuesday.

• Mrs. Robert Mallory and children, of Hamden, have been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John P. Dennis in this village.

• Ninety-six new books have been added to the United Presbyterian church public library, and there is now a fine collection from which to get reading. 

• E.C. Smyth of Woodburn & Smyth, was in town Friday with a monument to be erected on Alex Bryden’s plot, and also a headstone for Robert Robson.

• R.P. Cormack and Colin Richardson were in town Tuesday in the interest of the soldiers’ monument.  J.W. Coulter, W.T. Black and Thomas Gordon were appointed a committee to procure funds. [This is the monument that now stands in the courthouse square in Delhi, NY, erected in 1906.]

June 8, 1900

• T.E. Hastings was at Delhi Friday.

• John Irvine was at the County Seat Monday.

• Thomas Boggs made a trip to Delhi Monday.

• Albert Butts was at East Meredith Wednesday.

• Mrs. A.F. Maynard visited at Hamden last week.

• John G. Russell left Thursday morning for Walton.

• Alex Hilson was among those down at Delhi Monday.

• Elmer Hastings was at Andes Saturday buying butter.

• Mark Gerowe of Bloomville, was seen in town Tuesday.

• Rev. Samson started Tuesday on a visit to his people in Iowa. [He was the pastor of the Bovina United Presbyterian Church.]

• Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gordon were at Delhi Saturday and Sabbath.

• Robert R. Gladstone and wife, of Andes, were guests here on Tuesday.

• Mrs. William Crosier and Mrs. Thos. Gordon were visitors at Delhi Tuesday.

• Monday Mrs. G.D. Miller returned from visiting her sister at Highland Falls. 

• There will be no preaching in the United Presbyterian church on Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Hughes, from the Little Delaware, were here on Sabbath.

• Mrs. John Armstrong, Jr., of California, arrived in town the first of the week.

• George Hunger and family, of Downsville, were guests at William Cooke’s Saturday.

• William Bramley and family and Mrs. E.C. Dean and child were up from Delhi Wednesday.

• Rev. and Mrs. W.L.C. Samson, Dr. Wilson and Miss Jennie E. Miller visited Andes on Monday.

• Mr. Swift, a Scranton butter buyer, arrived in town Monday and is contracting butter for the season. 

• Seven persons united with the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath; one by certificate, one by baptism and profession and five by profession of faith. 

• William Telford, in the Plattekill, had Dr. Schumann remove a growth from one of his eyes last Thursday. He was at Delhi again Monday to have it attended to, and it is doing nicely.

• Several years ago a number of persons subscribed money and a telephone line was built from Bovina Centre to Margaretville via. the Butt End and New Kingston, but the line was never incorporated and was always out of repair and for some time has not been working at all.  A new stock company we understand has been formed to reconstruct the line and expect to have it completed in about a month.

June 15, 1900

• Farmers were at Delhi Monday with stock.

• Thomas Hutson was in town Wednesday.

• David Oliver was over at Andes on Monday. 

• Reed Dumond, of Andes, was here Thursday.

• F.R. Coulter made a trip to Andes Wednesday.

• Rev. Marvin Thompson was a guest here Thuesday.

• Miss Jennie Miller went to the County Seat this week.

• John W. Hewitt was down at the County Seat Monday. 

• Mr. and Mrs. George Grant were in town Tuesday from Delhi.

• Mrs. Samson left Thursday morning to join her husband in Iowa

• R.A. Thomson and Leonard Sloan were down at Delhi Thursday.

• Anson Jenkins, of Union Grove, was among those in this place Monday.

• Gideon Miller and wife visited his parents at Andes Tuesday evening.

• Mrs. R.R. Scott and Mrs. Andrew Doig visited at Oneonta this week.

• Mrs. John Doig and child, of Walton has been a guest of her mother, Mrs. Campbell. [Mrs. Doig is the former Margaret Campbell, daughter of Duncan and Nancy Campbell. The child like was her first born, a daughter Dorothea.]

• Last Friday Bert McNair completed a successful year of school in the Butt End district.

• Mattie, daughter of David A. Oliver, of Delancey, has been a guest of relatives in town.

• Last Sabbath there was no preaching in either the Reformed or United Presbyterian churches.

• Children’s day was observed at the Methodist church on Sabbath with appropriate exercises.

• It is expected that Dr. Lee will occupy the pulpit of the United Presbyterian church on Sabbath.

• Alex. Hilson has been at Buffalo the past week and Thursday morning arrived home with a fine team of horses.

• Harvey Smith, of Bloomville, was seen in town Friday, as was also Gerome Dickson, of Margaretville, and Joseph Birdsall, of Oneonta.

• William T. Miller died Sabbath evening with something of the nature of a shock, at the home of his son-in-law, George Russell, at Bovina, aged between 60 and 65 years. He had been in poor health for a number of years. The funeral was held Tuesday at one o’clock, Rev. Sankey officiating. [This is William Telford Miller, who was born in 1835. His only child was his daughter Jennie, who married George Russell. William’s wife was the Elizabeth Hastings, who died in 1927.]

• One of the most successful schools in town the past year was the Butt End school under the charge of Bert McNair.  The attendance was thirteen and of this number Elmer Russell and Orlena Russell passed spelling, geography, grammar, arithmetic, reading and writing and physiology at the Regents examinations at Andes High School in January, earning their preliminary certificate and physiology besides in the one examination.  In the January and March examinations Libbie Hastings and Charles Hastings also earned their preliminary certificate and physiology in addition.  Maggie Liddle passed spelling and geography, and Willie Hastings and Herman Russell passed spelling and physiology.  Where is the school that can beat it.  

A Bovina Runaway.

Sunday John McCune had a runaway.  He was on his was on his way home from Glenburnie and Albert Craig was riding with him, when coming down Lee’s hill the hold back broke and the horse started.  Craig jumped out and caught it by the head and after dragging him some distance it went over the wall and got away.  Craig had his leg injured and considerable damage was done.  

From Bovina.  A Bovina correspondent writes:

If you would enjoy seeing and admiring the beauties of nature, call at J.G. Thomson’s, Bovina Centre, and there you will see the most beautiful tree it has ever been my privilege to see.  It is a large tree resembling the English Hawthorn, only more beautiful.  The clusters of double pink and red nearly covers the green foliage, while a background of evergreen balsam makes it still more beautiful.

June 22, 1900

• David Oliver has sold his horse.

• James Robson visited Delhi Friday.

• Thomas Miller was down at Delhi Friday.

• David Liddle was a visitor at Delhi Monday.

• Ernest Bouton made a trip to Delhi Monday.

• Mrs. William Crosier was at Delhi on Saturday.

• Barton Jackson was here from Andes Tuesday.

• Jaw Hawver and lady were here Monday from Andes.

• John W. Blair, wife and son were at Delhi on Sabbath.

• John G. Russell returned home from Oneonta Saturday.

• John Doig, of Walton, joined his wife here Saturday.

• David Taylor, of Canada Hollow, was in town Saturday. 

• Elmer Close and wife were at the County Seat Saturday.

• Walter Oliver, of Federal Hill, was in this place Tuesday.

• Mrs. D.H. Coulter and two sons were over at Andes Tuesday. [This probably is the former Lucy Ann Ward, who married David H. Coulter in 1879.] 

• Robert and Peter Gerry have been at Lake Delaware a few days.

• Monday William E. Hastings closed his school at Lake Delaware.

• James A. Thompson finished his school in Coulter Brook Monday.

• Alex Burns and wife [Nancy Miller Burns] visited her father, John T. Miller at Delhi Tuesday.

• Mrs. Isabell Elliott, of Andes, was a guest in town Saturday and Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. G.D. Miller are visiting her brother at Pine Hill this week.

• David J. Miller and wife are visiting his brother, Rev W.P. Miller at Dayton, Ohio.

• Rev. T.M. Slater and wife arrived home Thursday. Mr. Slater occupied his pulpit Sabbath.

• John Irvine returned home from Delhi Friday, where he was drawn as one of the extra jurors.

• Mrs. Robert R. Scott and Mrs. Andrew T. Doig returned from their visit at Oneonta, Friday.

• Elliott Thompson and his brother, John, were at Davenport Saturday, returning on Sabbath.

• Dennis Brothers have a hen house in course of erection 50 feet long and 18 wide and a story and a half high.

• Dr. J.B. Lee and wife are visiting in town, and the Dr. occupied the pulpit of the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath.

• The wall in front of the Methodist parsonage has been rebuilt and the yard will be graded and otherwise improved in appearance.

• Andrew Doig is preparing to build an addition onto the back end of his store.  He has sold his sheds to A.T. Strangeway who will put them up near the United Presbyterian church and rent them.

• The estate of John W. Bramley have purchased a Barre Granite Sarcophagus. It consists of a cap carved and polished on four sides, die polished with Grecian border traced around the top, with second base moulded and polished and bottom base rock finish.  

A Bovina correspondent writes:

Caucus is to be held Saturday and we understand the delegates will be Hilson and Foreman. 

June 29, 1900

• James Patterson was seen in town Friday.

• Douglas Davidson drove to Hobart Monday.

• Thomas Johnson was over at Andes Tuesday.

• Robert Biggar was over at Andes on Thursday.

• John E. Gladstone has been a visitor in this place.

• A load of Andes young ladies were over Saturday.

• Andrew Gilchrist, of Elk Creek was in town Tuesday.

• Jackson & Mason’s team was here Saturday with furniture.

• John R. Hoy and wife went to Hobart Monday for a visit.

• Mrs. Malcolm McNaught, of Delancy has been a guest in town.

• Rev. Mosier and family renewed old acquaintances here Monday.

• Mrs. A.D. Thomson and son, Marshall, visited Andes Wednesday. [This is Jane M. McNaught, widow of Andrew Dixon Thompson. Marshall later married Helen Blair.] 

• Miss Anna M. Phyfe has arrived home from teaching at Dogeville.

• Miss Jennie Campbell is home from Hobart for the summer vacation.

• Miss Emma Campbell closed her school on Miller avenue last week.

• Johnathan Adee and wife of New Kingston were visitors here Monday. [Mrs. Adee was the former Henrietta Kipp.]

• Presiding Elder Germond preached in the M.E. church Sabbath afternoon. 

• Mrs. M.M. Boggs has gone to Stamford to work during the boarding season.

• Thomas Fuller is building the foundation for the addition to A.T. Doig’s store. [This likely is the back part of the store.]

• Mrs. E.M. Norton and two children and Mrs. Hermon Dean, of Andes, were guests in town Friday.

• E. Laidlaw, Jr. of New Kingston, and William Northrup, of Walton, were among those in town Monday.

• Bovina is well pleased that respected citizen, W.T. Black, has received the nomination for County Clerk.

• Republican caucus Saturday was a brief affair. W.T. Black was allowed to select his own delegates and chose Alex. Hilson and James Foreman.

• The census enumerator has nearly completed his work and it is thought the number of people will fall short of the number of census ten years previous. [Actually, the 1900 census enumerated six more people than that of 1890 – 932 vs. 926.]

• Mrs. Bergeman is suffering with some trouble with one eye and it is feared that member may have to be removed. Dr. Gates was here Monday to see her.

• Dr. Lee preached in the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath, and will preach again on the coming Sabbath. Last Sabbath his sermon was to young women and next Sabbath it will be to young men. 

• The Methodist parsonage had a narrow escape from destruction by fire Tuesday.  That morning Mrs. Gladstone went away visiting and when Mr. Gladstone came home at night he discovered the fire in the back kitchen and it was getting under good headway and in fifteen minutes more it would have been beyond control.  The supposition is that a coal must have gotten out on the floor and smouldered all day but had no air to help it along.  The floor was burned through and also some of the woodwork around the window.  Some tin dishes hanging on the other side of the stove had the solder melted off and the handles remained hanging.  The building was insured in the town Insurance Company and the loss was adjusted at about $22.  Mr. Gladstone’s loss has not yet been adjusted.