This Day in Bovina for September 2026

 

Here's the monthly compilation of the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page entries for September. 

Twenty years ago today, the September 1, 2006 Delaware County Times carried this photo of Bovina Fire Queen Faith Burns serving iced tea at the Bovina Fire Department's annual chicken barbecue on August 24.  

Deliah Sprague Bailey, wife of Jacob Bailey, died 146 years ago today on September 2, 1870 at the age of 60. She was the mother of six children. Her husband survived her by less than two months, dying October 28, 1870.

159 years ago today, the September 3, 1867 Bloomville Mirror carried this curious item from a Bovina correspondent, dated August 25th, 1867: "Having been a constant reader of your paper for many years, and never as yet having submitted anything through its columns to the public, I thought I would follow the example of others, and send you for publication the following problem. And, although it may have come under the observation of many of your readers, yet to others it may be new, and for the consideration of which, we submit it. It may be that your Bovina correspondent, Mr. Rutherford, he who solves problems as slick as Lincoln got out of the theatre, (or some one else) can solve the following one, as slick as Mr. Butler gained renown by stealing silver spoons : A person has a wagon with a mechanical contrivance, by which the difference of the number of revolutions of the wheels on a Journey may be determined. It is known that each of the fore wheels are 5 1/4 feet, and that each of the hind wheels are 7 1/8 feet in circumference. Now when on a journey the fore wheel has made 2,000 revolutions more than the hind wheel, how great was the distance traveled." It was signed A.D.

A response was received and published the following week from someone in Kortright Centre: "The fore wheel is 5 1/4 feet in circumference, and makes 2,000 revolutions, which is 10,500 feet. Now the fore wheel is 1 7/8 feet shorter in circumference than the hind wheel, and if it loses 1 7/8 feet in one revolution it would make as many revolutions as 1 7/8 is contained in 10,500, which is 5,600, or the number of revolutions made by the hind wheel in the whole distances, and 5,600 x 7 1/8 - 39,900 feet, or 7 miles and 183 3/4 rods, the whole distance traveled."

125 years ago today, the September 4, 1901 Delaware Gazette reported that "G.W. Fuller, of Bovina, was brought before Police Justice Hewitt, charged with public intoxication. He pled guilty and was fined $5. The fine was paid."

184 years ago today, September 5, 1842, Bovina resident Henry Luddington was drowned in the Delaware River near Delhi at the age of 59.  He is buried in the Brush Cemetery in the Bovina Center hamlet. It was reported in the September 13, 1842 Delaware Gazette, along with two other drownings in the area. 

Ninety-eight years ago today, the September 6, 1928 Stamford Mirror carried this item: "Rain Interfered with Picnic. The town picnic was well attended. The parade was fine, but the thunder shower in the middle of the afternoon brought everything to a sudden halt. The girls' ball game was only partly finished and the men never played at all on account of the rain." The picnic took place on August 30.

180 years ago today, September 7, 1846, the will of Francis Coulter (1771-1846) was probated at Surrogates Court in Delhi. Coulter emigrated from Scotland in the late 18th century and settled on Coulter Brook Road. 

141 years ago, on September 8, 1885, the Stamford Mirror reported that "James Coulter has a squad of men at work rebuilding the mill dam that was carried away by the high water last spring. Pretty late for the young boys to try their bathing suits."

158 years ago today, on September 9, 1868, Margaret Ellen Strangeway was born in New Jersey, the daughter of the Reverend William Strangeway and Margaret T. Dunn. Her parents were from Delaware County but were living in New Jersey at the time of Margaret's birth. She was married to Oscar A. Felton in 1892 and they lived for some time in Bovina near Lake Delaware. She had two daughters, both of whom predeceased her. She died in 1943 in Walton and was buried in Bovina. Her husband survived until 1950.

178 years ago today, September 10, 1848, John W. Seacord died. Born in 1794, he was the son of William Seacord and Lydia Ganoung. He married Jeanette Fuller in 1821, who survived him. John is buried in the Brush cemetery.

142 years ago today, on September 11, 1884, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror Bovina column, "Quite a number of our citizens went to the Delhi fair today…" The paper also noted that "those who remained at home were favored with a fine view of the balloon as it passed over the town, north of Brushland about 4 p.m." The balloon was provided by Herman Squires, a noted aeronaut. He was in the ballooning business for about 20 years. He traveled around the country attending various fairs with his balloon.

101 years ago today, on September 12, 1925, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, “A heavy storm of rain accompanied by a high wind, passed over Bovina …and numerous trees were blown down.”

Ninety-eight years ago today, the September 13, 1928 Stamford Mirror reported that "a brother and sister of Misses Kate and Freda Muller, who have been west for a number of years are visiting at the Muller House."  The Andes Recorder provided a bit more information; "Werner Muller of Des Moines, Iowa, and his sister, Mrs. Emma Roper, of Hayes, Kansas, are in visiting their sisters, Misses Kate and Freda Muller. See this Bovina NY History blog entry for more information on the Muellers:  http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/stories-from-bovina-cemeteries-muller.html

139 years ago today, the Delaware Gazette carried this item in it's September 14, 1887 issue: "When the Delaware and Otsego railroad is completed to the county line all the towns will be touched by railroad except Bovina, the richest of them all." About a decade later, an attempt was made to bring the railroad into Bovina, but it ultimately failed. Go to my Bovina (NY) History blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/03/when-trains-almost-came-i-everything.html for the first of four articles I wrote about the railroad in March 2011.

Sixty years ago today, September 15, 1966, the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Arthur Russell attended the State Exposition at Syracuse and spent some time in the Adirondacks during his vacation." 

105 years ago today, September 16, 1921, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The body of James D. Calhoun, who was killed in France during the world war, arrived here this week and burial was made Wednesday in Bovina Center cemetery.  Members of Calhoun post of Andes, acted as bearers."  Calhoun died in October 1918.  He left a widow, Anna Bell Barnhart Calhoun.  In 1923, Anna Bell would marry my grandfather, Benson LaFever. 

113 years ago today, on September 17, 1913, Helen Dennis died at her home in Bovina Center. The Andes Recorder reported that "death was due to chronic myocarditis…" Born in 1835, she had lived in Bovina all her life, the daughter of Thomas and Louisa Dennis. After the deaths of her parents, she lived with her younger sister Louisa.

Fifty-two years ago today, the September 18, 1974 issue of the Stamford Mirror Recorder carried in its Bovina column this item: "Mrs. Charles LaFever, Miss Janet McKenzie, Mrs. Francis Tatem and Mrs. Ernest Russell attended the four-county book selection committee meeting on Thursday of last week at the Andes library." The same column also noted that "Miss Kate Birdsall of Albany spent the weekend at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Roberts."

130 years ago today, on September 19, 1896, Lois Jane and Lloyd Boggs Ormiston were born, twins of Thomas J. Ormiston and Margaret E. Boggs. Lois married Fletcher Davidson in 1921 and would have seven children, of whom four made it to adulthood - Jane (1922-1955), Ed (1923-2019), Alan (1925-2004), and Richard (born 1930). Lois died in 1976 at the age of 79. Lloyd never married and predeceased his sister, dying in Walton in 1971. Lois and Lloyd are both buried in Bovina. Here's Lois and Lloyd with their siblings Wendell and Ruth.  

Paul Fuhrmann arrived in Bovina 105 years ago today, September 20, 1921.  He had recently purchased the farm of W.G. McDivitt  on Coulter Brook Road.  The house was on a side road off Coulter Brook not far from Seedorf Road.  The house was destroyed in a fire in the 1960s. He lived on this farm until around 1930 when he moved into the Bovina Center hamlet. Paul died in Bovina in 1939 and is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

Sixty-one years ago today, on September 21, 1965, Clark Lay submitted an inventory of Highway Machinery, Tools and Equipment to the Town Board, as required by state law. Here's the document. It included a piece of equipment that was 25 years old. 

Sixty years ago today, the Bovina column of the September 22, 1966 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Many of our young people have left or will be leaving in a few days for college. Lee Archibald is at Rocky Mountain College; Miss Jean Damgaard at Susquehanna University; Miss Joan Damgaard, Keuka College; Miss Louise Wilkens, Russell Sage College; Walter Wilkens, old Dominion College; Miss Judy Chase, State University College at Potsdam; Byron Trimbell, G.E. Technical Training School; Lynell (sic) Trimbell, Alfred Technical Institute; Howard B. LaFever, Clarkson College; John LaFever, New York State Agricultural and Technical Institute at Canton; Thomas Hoy, Cornell University; Jack Robson, Auburn Community College; Miss Clair Easley, Ulster County Community College; Miss Dorothy Bolduc, Central City Business Institute; Miss Christine Hilson, Culver-Stockton College; Miss Norma Reinertsen, State University College at Oneonta; Robert McIntosh, Albany Business College; Edward Hall, Orange County Community College."

101 years ago today, on September 23, 1925, a school fair was held in Bovina. The fair included the awarding of a cup that was used for over a decade for 4-H awards. More on this fair and the cup may be found on the Bovina NY History Blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2018/10/school-fair-at-bovina-center.html

110 years ago today, on September 24, 1916, Mrs. John Elliott died. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, she had been in New York city the previous month for a cancer operation "but with no beneficial results." She was brought back to Bovina the evening before she died. She was born Ella Squires in New Kingston and was 55 years old. She was survived by four children - William (1883-1956), James (1888-1969), Hale (1890-1980), and Emily (1887-1966).

146 years ago today, the September 25, 1880 issue of the Port Jervis (NY) Evening Gazette carried this item: "Thomas H. Ludington of Bovina, Delaware county, says he milked 17 1/2 cows, calling a two-year-old heifer half a cow, and he made and sold 240 pounds of butter to a cow, beside what they used in the family. They are paying in Roxbury for choice dairies now 30 cents. That would be $72 from a cow, saying nothing about the pork made from the buttermilk. The butter alone brought over $1,200. How is that for butter making?"

143 years ago today, on September 26, 1883, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, "A valuable horse, belonging to John Hilson, was found dead in the stable…."

G.D. Miller was showing off a good sized cluster of black raspberries of unusual size 107 years ago today, on September 27, 1919.

152 years ago today, September 28, 1874, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Mr. William Bramley of Bovina dropped dead…while plowing." Bramley was born in 1816 and was in Bovina his whole life. He was the son of Henry Bramley and Elizabeth Wright. He was survived by his wife Angeline, daughter Elizabeth and his mother. He was predeceased by his father and his son William Augustus.

115 years ago today, the September 29, 1911 Andes Recorder reported successful eye surgery for Miss Jennie E. Miller of Bovina Center, "who has for some time been blind from cataracts growing on both eyes…"  The paper reported that she had the operation in New York city for the removal of the cataract on one eye.  "The operation was successful and she can now see."

Civil War Veteran John R. Hoy died 125 years ago today, on September 30, 1901. The son of James Hoy and Elizabeth Robertson Hoy, he married Isabella Wilson Miller in 1854. They had eight children, including David Fletcher Hoy (1863-1930), who was the registrar at Cornell University and created the Bovina Families genealogy files that I still use today in researching families in Bovina. Two of John's daughters, Mary Isabella and, after her death, Margaret Jane would marry Douglass Davidson. Margaret was the mother of Fletcher Davidson.

This Day in Bovina for August 2026

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

124 years ago today, August 1, 1902, it was reported in the Andes Recorder's Bovina column that "Rains still continue and haying does not progress very rapidly."

Ninety-seven years ago today, the Delaware Express for August 2, 1929 reported on the "Perils of Hay Harvesting." The article went on to report that "Three Residents of Bovina Victims of Seasonal Accidents." Mrs. Ray Thomson broke her hand when a horse stepped on it. Fred Bramley fell from a load of hay, breaking his shoulder. And C.A. McPherson was injured when a piece of a wagon he was driving broke. Here's the full article. C:\Users\rayla\Documents\Bovina History\Newspapers\1920s\1929-08-02 Del Exp_04

131 Years ago today, on August 3, 1895, the Bovina ball team went to Delhi to play their team. They not only lost but were heavily plagued by injuries. The Andes Recorder reported the injuries: "Chan [probably Chauncey] Squires and Leonard Thomson collided while running to catch a fly and were badly cut about the face. Thomson's cheek was cut so that the services of a physician was required to sew it up and while the doctor was at work dressing the wound John L. Gordon [1871-1908, son of Thomas Gordon and half brother of Margaret Gordon] and Andrew Seacord [1872-1913] fainted. Al Thomson fell on his arm and injured it so that he was disabled." The paper concluded its report by noting in an understatement that "Taken altogether it was an exciting game."

137 years ago today, on August 4, 1889, as later reported in the  Stamford Mirror, "The house of Robert C. Scott, Bovina was entered by a burglar last Tuesday evening, while the family were out milking, a trunk opened and $250 and a revolver abstracted, the robber escaping."

Mary Rotermund was born 181 years ago today, August 5, 1845, in Andes. She was the daughter of Herman and Adelaide Rotermund, both natives of Hannover, Germany. Mary married James A. Coulter in 1868. Widowed in 1882, she died in Bovina in 1931. She was the grandmother of Ruth Coulter Parsons and her sister, Celia Coulter; Don, Bob and Norrie Boggs, and Millard, Art and Ernie Russell.  

101 years ago, on August 6, 1925, as reported later by the Andes Recorder, "Elmer Gladstone was attacked by a bull and knocked down. Fortunately the bull then walked away a short distance and before it could renew hostilities Mr. Gladstone made his escape.  All the other members of the family were absent from home."  Elmer probably was Robert Elmer Gladstone, the son of George and Helen Gladstone.  This likely happened on the Gladstone farm, located on what is now known as Bob Hall Road.  Elmer was 49 when this accident happened and would live to be almost 81, dying in 1956.

This school group picture was taken at the Bovina Center school (Bovina District 4) in 1910. 

Row 1: LeRoy Worden, Lester Hoy, Raymond Kinch, Norton Forrest, Donald Crosier, John Armstrong, William Gordon, Maurice Miller, William Griffin, Mary Agnes Campbell, Bessie Robinson, Marjorie Dickson, Margaret Bramley, Grace Bramley 

Row 2: Mabel Cunningham-Teacher, Hazel Hoy, Anna Scott, Lillian Doig, Viola Russell, Edith Liddle, Bessie Kinch, Albert Hoag, Millard Blair, Fletcher Davidson, Frank Hoag, Eugenia Cunningham-Teacher 

Row 3: Della McPherson, Pauline Hastings, Myrtle Worden, Mary White, Leona Barker, Beulah Armstrong, Clifton Irvine, William Oliver

115 years ago today, August 8, 1911, as reported in the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder, "J.H. Johnson, Herman Scott, Chas Hastings and Adam Cunningham left….for Albert, Canada. The last named goes to see the country, while the others, who have holdings of land, go to harvest their wheat crop. Crops are reported large, and Mr. Johnson and Mr. Hastings each have 160 acres of wheat and Mr. Scott 320 acres."

Ninety-eight years ago today, on August 9, 1928, three year old John Storie, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Storie, fell and broke his collar bone.  The accident happened at the home of his uncle, Fletcher Davidson, while he was playing with his little cousins.  This is where the Denisons live now.  Tragically, John would die in another childhood accident while, again, playing with his Davidson cousins.  In January 1938, when he was 12, he was sledding with Alan Davidson when he was thrown from his sled, rupturing his spleen.  His spleen was removed but he died about three days later.

110 years ago today, on August 10, 1916, William Smith of Bovina was hit by a train. Here's how it was reported in the Andes Recorder a few days later: "William B. Smith, of Bovina, who lives on the hill toward Hobart, sustained two broken ribs and minor injuries about 10 o’clock Thursday morning, when the milk wagon he was driving was struck by the eastbound passenger train on the U.& D. at the Smith creamery crossing.  Mr. Smith did not hear the approach of the train and his wagon was squarely on the track when the locomotive hit it, and he was thrown from the wagon, but held to the lines and prevented the horses from running away. He was taken to the office of Dr. Hubbell at Hobart and his wounds dressed.  The wagon was wrecked." Smith recovered from this accident, dying in 1931.

Ninety-three years ago today, the August 11, 1933 Catskill Mountain News reported in its New Kingston column: "Some four prominent farmers from Bovina came over Tuesday evening and brought along a young man named Goetchius, who addressed a local gathering of about 25 farmers. The speaker verbally chastised the milk board, the Dairymen's League and the milk dealers. When the vote was taken 15 voted for strike and 6 against. There are 40 patrons in the creamery and only about one third delivered Wednesday."

Jennie Biggar was born in August 1878, the daughter of Walter Biggar and Esther McEachron. Several of the places in which she lived had later connections with my family. She was born in the McEachron house, which became the home of my grandparents, Benson and Anna Bell LaFever (and later was the home of my Uncle Howard and Aunt Laura). Jennie bought what later became my parents house in 1923, but she fell behind on the mortage payments and the house was sold in a Sheriff's sale in 1934. She moved into what is now my house, living with Kate Birdsall and her children. Kate's daughter, also called Kate, recalled that she and her brother were not too thrilled to have this older woman move in with them. Mrs. Birdsall explained that Jennie was a neighbor in trouble and she needed their help. She also said they should remember this one day when they get older and need help. In February 1938, Jennie took ill and after about 3 days she died of a sudden heart attack in the back bedroom. This image of Jennie is from the Thomson family collection, thanks to Diane Rabeler Abele.

107 years ago today, on August 13, 1919, the Archibald reunion was held at the home of William J. Archibald. 150 relatives attended.

123 years ago today, the Bovina column in the August 14, 1903 Catskill Mountain News reported that "Mr. David Draffin is the first to finish haying in this locality and he reports a good crop. David is a hustler." The same column reported that "William B. Thompson is busy harvesting a large crop of oats."

Seventy-four years ago today, the Bovina Center column from the August 15, 1952 Walton Reporter carried this item: "Mr. and Mrs. Charles LaFever are on a trip through the northern part of the state. They also expect to visit at the home of Donald Boggs at Corinth, N.Y. They were interviewed on Tune Test over WGY Monday. Did anyone in Bovina hear them?"

132 years ago today, on August 16, 1894, a dance was held at Hoy's Hall. This came only about a week after a social hop at W.S. Thompson's. I am not sure what Hoy's Hall was, but it might have been what was more commonly known as Hastings Hall. Hastings sold his property to W.R. Hoy in 1893, which might explain the name change. Hastings/Hoy Hall I think was behind what is now Russell's Store.

107 years ago today, on August 17, 1919, the pastor of the Bovina Reformed Presbyterian Church, Rev. Thomas E. Graham, surprised his congregation by announcing his resignation to become the pastor of a United Presbyterian church near Pittsburgh.  His resignation came as a complete surprise to the congregation and to the community.

111 years ago today, the August 18, 1915 Delaware Gazette carried this Bovina column. 

132 years ago today, August 19, 1894, Hildreth Tuttle, the daughter of Charles and Jennette Tuttle, was born. She married Charles J. Russell in Bovina 1915. Charles was Cecil Russell's brother. They would have one son, Dr. Allyn Russell. Hildreth died in 1976. This picture is from May 1955, showing Cecil, Isabell, Hildreth and Charles Russell. 

Eighty-four years ago, the Bovina column in the Delaware Republican for August 20, 1942 reported that "Mrs. Emil Schneider and daughter, Mrs. Alex Hilson, spent last week in New York City with Pvt. Arnold Schneider." The same column also reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dickson, Mr. and Mrs. James Dickson, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Dickson and children of Delhi and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Taggart and children of Amsterdam were at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Hilson on Sunday."

Thank you to the Archibald family for this image of the Bovina Center school's first grade, taken in the spring of 1957. I've left the names as written on the photo. The image includes Barbara Hammond, Joan Davis, ? Clapper, ? Graham (I think Kenneth), Tom Hilson and Marcia Lay (Bagley). Behind them is their teacher Mary Jardine. And clarification on the question marks would be most welcome. 

101 years ago today, on August 22, 1925, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "This section was visited by a heavy white frost…"

156 years ago today, the August 23, 1870 Bloomville Mirror carried this item: "We wish the Postmaster-General would turn his attention to the Brushland post-office? Our subscribers at that office continue to complain to us that they can't get their papers with any regularity. One informed us he was at the office weekly, but couldn't get a Mirror for about six weeks, when he got them all at once. Won't the post-master be more careful in future?"

108 years ago today, on August 24, 1918, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Dr. N.B. Whitcomb and Adam Laidlaw each had a horse killed by lightning ….  Both horses were running in the same pasture."

Forty-nine years ago today, the August 25, 1977 Stamford Mirror Recorder carried this item in its Bovina column, written by Ann Cairns: "Reserve Friday, August 26 for a round and square dance at the Bovina fire house hall, a benefit dance for the Bovina rescue squad. Dancing from 9 to 1 to the music of ‘Hi Country.’"

134 years ago today, the August 26, 1892 Andes Recorder carried this item: A Bovina Centre Correspondent writes: The flies are very bad on the cows here, in some instances they have eaten through the skin, and are making inroads on the horns, and the cows in some instances have failed so on their milk as to be almost dry."

Ninety-five years ago today, August 27, 1931, as later reported in the Andes Recorder Bovina column: "Born to Mr. and Mrs. Benson LaFever on August 27, a son - Charles Raymond."  

143 years ago, the Stamford Mirror Bovina column of August 28, 1883 reported that "Robert J. Livingston is spending a few weeks at his summer residence at the lake. Messrs. Perry Belmont, Alexander Hamilton and Peter Schyler are his guests." Perry Belmont (1851-1947) was an American politician and diplomat. At the time of his visit, he was a U.S. Comgressman from New York City. Alexander Hamilton (1816-1889) was a grandson of the founding father, Alexander Hamilton. He was Robert J. Livingston's brother in law. I haven't figured out who Peter Schuyler was, though he probably was related to Robert in some way.

Seventy-two years ago today, August 29, 1954, Leonard Cairns was married to Ann Sebedra at St. James' Church at Lake Delaware. Photos are from their 50th wedding anniversary celebration on August 29, 2004. 

Sixty-one years ago today, on August 30, 1965, as later reported in the Delaware Republican Express, "Many of the Bovina people awakened [in the morning] to find their gardens frozen. Some gardens were badly hurt, while others were not damaged nearly so bad. Several have had killing frost every month since they were planted."

Frances Burns and Jane Hilson in their graduation robes. They graduated from Delaware Academy in 1941. Frances later married Clarence Burns and Jane married William Hoy. 

This Day in Bovina for July 2026

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

144 years ago today, on July 1, 1882, the Delaware Republican reported that "Andrew Brown, of Bovina, has been making a six weeks trip through the west, visiting his sons in Iowa and relatives in Michigan. He returned last Saturday." Andrew was born in Bovina in 1816. He was married twice and was the father of about 15 children, many of whom died in childhood. The sons he was visiting in Iowa were likely James and Andrew, sons from his first marriage. Andrew died a little over a year after his trip west in November 1883 from blood poisoning caused by a hog bite.

Forty-six years ago today, the July 2, 1980 Stamford Mirror Recorder included this item in the Bovina column, written by Ann Cairns: 

138 years ago today, the Bovina column of the July 3, 1888 Stamford Mirror reported that "Henry Brush, of Wisconsin, son of Alex. Brush a former resident of this town, is visiting relatives here." I think this is John Henry Brush, son of Alexander Brush, Jr and his second wife Janet Murray. Henry was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1863.

200 years ago today, on July 4, 1826, was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Bovina, like many communities, held celebrations of this event. More information about the Bovina celebrations can be found at the Bovina NY History blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2015/08/celebration-at-bovina-1826.html It also was on July 4, 1826 that founding fathers John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died. 

145 years ago today, on July 5, 1881, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, "during a heavy storm of wind and rain, just before night, while Duncan Ballantine's team was being driven home from Strangeway's to Andes, a poplar tree was blown over and one of the limbs struck just between the team and the driver, breaking the wagon pole off, but doing no injury to either the man or the team, while the top of the tree struck in front of and around the team."

Eighty-six years ago, on July 6, 1940, as announced in the Delaware Republican, "the appraisal of the estate of the late William T. Miller.." was held. The appraisers were John Thompson and Maurice Hall. Miller died the previous month in Bovina at the age of 70. He was a widower, his wife having died in 1926. He was the last surviving child of Michael Miller and Sally (McCune) Miller. And he was my great great uncle. 

 

143 years ago today on July 7, 1883, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, George Cable won the Bovina glass ball shooting match. "This badge is a gold one of beautiful design, and is contended for at each meeting by members of the club." Glass ball shooting originated in the mid 1860s.

Eighty-three years ago today, the Bovina column in the July 8, 1943 the Delaware Republican reported "Funeral services for Mrs. Everett Jocelyn, who died at the Delhi Hospital on Thursday night, were held at the home here on Saturday afternoon…Burial was made at Halcottville. Mrs. Charles Hyatt and sons Ralph and Everett of New York City attended the funeral but had to return to New York on Saturday evening as both boys are in the armed services and had only a 24-hour leave." Mrs. Jocelyn was born Martha Drace and was 17 years older than her husband. They were married in 1910. Everett was her second husband.

Forty-one years ago today, the July 9, 1985 Daily Star carried this article about Enid Carter, who was retiring as a home economics teacher. 

Ninety years ago, the July 10, 1936 Binghamton Press reported on the plans to flood "eighteen hamlets" as part of New York City's plan to use water from the East Branch of the Delaware. The article noted that "beginning at Little Delaware, establishment of a reservoir would flood out the Hook and Bovina Center."

Walter Coulter was born 209 years ago on today July 11, 1804, on the family farm on Coulter Brook Road. He was the son of Francis Coulter and Nancy Glendenning and would spend his whole life in Bovina, farming on what is now Seedorf Road.  He married Margaret Storie in 1823.  They would have 12 children, of whom four would die before reaching adulthood.  His wife died in 1864.  Walter died in December 1876 after having been declared insane a few months before.

150 years ago today, the July 12, 1876 Delaware Gazette reported the tragic death of Edward Seacord on July 3, who "was fatally injured by the falling of heavy timbers on his head from the loft of his barn." The article went on to report "Mr. Seacord was engaged in re-silling his barn, in company with four other persons, at the time. The heavy sleepers of the upper-loft, on which there was about a ton of hay, became loosened, probably by the spreading of the frame, and fell, injuring Mr. Seacord so that he survived but about one hour after the accident. The skull was no doubt fractured, as, after being restored to consciousness, vomiting followed until his death."

105 years ago today, on the morning of July 13, 1921, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Charles A. McPherson was coming to the creamery" when "the hold back strap broke on the Myers pitch and let the wagon onto the horse." He was able to stop the horse near Hilson's store. The paper noted that he did this "without colliding with any of the numerous teams and no damage was done."

115 years ago today, on July 14, 1911, as later reported in the Andes Recorder "… a terrific hail storm swept over the greater part of the town of Bovina and did much damage. Corn was stripped of leaves, oats and buckwheat were irreparably damaged. Gardens were in some instances nearly ruined. The storm lasted nearly half an hour and the hail was like peas. Heaps of them remained unmelted the next morning. Lightning struck a maple tree at J.W. Coulter's."

108 years ago today, July 15, 1918, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Herbert White, of Delhi, was here … making repairs to a machine at the Dry Milk plant." This image of the creamery was taken by Jim Hilson in 1943. The Dry Milk Plant is the building with the smokestacks just behind the main creamery. 

This chauffeur license image of Earl Miller was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Chauffeur licenses were required for anyone driving for hire or as part of their job. Today this is known as a Class E license in New York. Earl Miller grew up on what later became Suits-Us Farm, the son of John M. Miller and Bertha Anderson. He was a veteran of the first World War. Earl lived in the lower Hudson Valley later in his life and died in Walton in 1955 at the age of 68. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

125 years ago today, on July 17, 1901, John Phyfe died in Bovina at the age of 83. He was born in Fofar, Scotland and came to Bovina in 1843. John was a tailor by trade and had held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years. He was buried in Bovina.

117 years ago today, on July 18, 1909, Mrs. Thomas Downie died at her home in Cleveland, Ohio. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "she had been in failing health for some time." The paper also noted that "Mr. and Mrs. Downie were former residents of Bovina, but went west many years ago." Mrs. Downie was born Janet Downie in Scotland and was a first cousin of her husband. She was married to Thomas in 1866 in Bovina. They left for Cleveland later that year. Janet is buried in Cleveland.

177 years ago today, the July 19, 1849 New York Tribune reported on several Anti-Rent meetings in the Delaware County area, including one in Bovina.  A resolution was passed at this meeting, that read in part: "That we consider the tenants the only true possessors, and that our possession should never inure to the benefit of the landlord who fraudulently imposed his leases upon us; and that, in order to bring this cause speedily to an issue, we call upon those who have it in charge to forward the aforenamed suit as speedily as possible, in order to determine us in our course and quiet the minds of so large a community." The resolution went on state that "we, the injured, defrauded and oppressed people will wage perpetual warfare against that accursed system, until it is eradicated root and branch, and call upon every well-wisher of society, every lover of liberty, and every officer wielding influence, either Executive, Legislative or Judicial, to aid us in the just cause we have commenced."

124 years ago today, on July 20, 1902, Bovina was hit with a heavy storm. John Blair, on the farm now owned by Jack Burns, sustained the greatest damage.  Evergreen and other trees were torn up.  G.D. Miller's butcher shop was literally torn to pieces.  The Andes Recorder reported that "In the village trees were blown down and some of the school house roof and chimney were smashed. In other parts of the town there was also a lot of damage."

Fifty nine years ago today, July 21, 1967, a cloud burst caused considerable damage to the roads on Bramley Mountain. As later reported in the Walton Reporter, "Clark Lay, Bovina highway superintendent and his men, had a big job of replacing water courses along the road and restoring driveways, but early this week he was pretty much on top of the job with a big assist from county highway workers who turned out to help him Monday."

128 years ago today, the July 22, 1898 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "The weather the past week has been very close and hot. Rain is much needed." The Bovina correspondent also noted that "some have finished haying, and have a big crop. Most of the barns are not large enough and stacking has had to be resorted to."

Eighty-seven years ago today, on July 23, 1939, as later reported by the Delaware Republican, "Craig Banuat and sister, Miss Mary and Mrs. W.J. Storie and daughter, Rae, left….on a motor trip to California. They expected to spend Monday night with Mr. and Mrs. Milton Hoy in Oil City, PA."

It was 50 years ago today, July 24, 1976, that the Town of Bovina celebrated the nation's  Bicentennial. Pictures and the story of the day are in my blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2016/07/bovina-celebrates-bicentennial-of.html  

This undated view shows what is now County Route 6 less than a mile from the Bovina Center hamlet. The house and barn in the image are still standing, so you should recognize this the next time you are traveling from New Kingston towards Bovina Center! 

Eighty-nine years ago today, on July 26, 1937, Courtney Currie (1906-1977), who worked at the Bovina Center Co-operative creamery, had his arm broken twice at the wrist.   He worked in the dry milk plant and caught his sleeve in a piece of machinery at the plant.  Courtney was in the hospital until August 14.

123 years ago today, on July 27, 1903, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "David F. Hoy and family started ... for their home in Ithaca.  Mr. Hoy’s duties as registrar will soon engage his time, preparing for the opening of Cornell University." More about David Hoy is on my blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2014/10/david-fletcher-hoy-give-my-regards-to.html

115 years ago today, the July 28, 1911 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "Richard Smith, for many years a shoemaker here, died recently in California." Smith was born in England in 1827 and came to the United States in 1852. He was in Bovina for many years and didn't go to California until late in life. He and his wife went to Walton in 1905 to visit their children. Richard went to California at the end of 1905 to spend the winter. At some point, his wife followed. She died in California in 1908. Richard died in Santa Ana, California on July 11, 1911.

139 years ago today, on July 29, 1887, Charles Loughran Dickson, better known as Loughran Dickson, was born, the son of Dr. Gilbert Dickson and Jane Loughran Dickson. He was 25 when his father died in 1912. Loughran was appointed the postmaster for Bovina Center in 1915. He continued to be the postmaster even after he left Bovina to go to Yale Law School. He was living in Binghamton working as an attorney when he died suddenly in October 1927. His mother was appointed as acting postmaster the day after his death. Loughran is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

Seventy-two years ago, on July 30, 1954, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "The Ladies Auxiliary of the Bovina Fire department, who marched for the first time wearing their new uniforms at the Old Home day in Unadilla July 30, were honored by receiving first prize in appearance. This is Peg Robson modeling the new uniform. 

Eighty-seven years ago today, on July 31, 1939, as later reported in the Delaware Republican Bovina column, "Misses Marjorie Russell and Eleanor Burns and nephew and Rev. H.H. McClellan went to New York on Monday afternoon. They expect to attend the World's Fair. Miss Russell will go to Manhasset, L.I. to visit Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Thompson. The others will go on to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. after which they will attend the New Wilmington Missionary Conference." Eleanor Burns later became Eleanor Archibald when she married Marvin Archibald. 

This Day in Bovina for May 2026

 

Seventy-one years ago today, on May 1, 1955, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror-Recorder, "Mr. and Mrs. Merle Galusha and sons of Scotia attended church services [in Bovina] and were dinner guests of his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Banuat. Other callers at the Banuat home on Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Spraig and son, Willard of Andes." Merle would die in the crash of Mohawk Airlines Flight 450 in 1972.

 

174 years ago today, on May 2, 1842, the town of Bovina issued several liquor licenses, including this one for John Seacord and Thomas Secord, "to sell strong and spirituous liquors and wines to be drunk in his present dwelling house.." The 'dwelling house' likely was the Secord hotel, which stood across from the end of what is now Maple Avenue.  

144 years ago today, the May 3, 1882 Delaware Gazette carried this notice for an interest meeting for a railroad that would have gone through Bovina. Nothing came of this particular idea - at least as far as Bovina was concerned. 

Ninety-two years ago today, the May 4, 1934 Delaware Republican carried this Bovina column.  I'm not 100% sure where the baseball diamond mentioned in the column was located, but seems very likely it was on the field next to the Bovina Center school (now the Bovina Public Library).  

Fifty-five years ago today, on May 5, 1971, Mary Burns Lounsbury died at the age of 57. Born in Bovina in 1913, she was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Burns and the sister of Agnes Burns. She married Harold Lounsbury in 1938. They lived for many years on the Burns family farm at the end of Crescent Valley Road. This undated image shows Mary with her parents, John and Elizabeth Burns, her sister Agnes with her husband Bob Burns (right) and at the left is her husband Harold.  

154 years ago today, on May 6, 1872, the Bovina Board of Excise met to review applications for licenses to sell liquor. No applications were presented. It likely is at this point that Bovina became a 'dry town' and would stay so until after the end of Prohibition.

194 years ago today, on May 7, 1832, a Bovina storekeeper created this page in his ledger for various sales to Bovina citizens. Items included tobacco, hayseed, silk, tea and calico. Morgan Livingston, who owned a chunk of Bovina as landlord, bought an axe. The 'Dr' after each name means debtor. Most of the payments are by cash but it looks like Sopher Peleg was making a payment (the 'Cr' after his name probably means credit) in butter. We do not know where this store was located because we cannot determine who kept the ledger - we only know that it was in Bovina. It possibly was a store kept by James Cowan, which stood where Russell's Store now stands. 

 

Ellen McBurney was born 200 years ago today, May 8, 1826, the daughter of Francis McBurney and Margaret Boyd. She married Andrew Boyd and would have 11 children, most of whom made it to adulthood. She was widowed in 1879 and died in February 1893. She is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

129 years ago today, in its May 9, 1897 edition, it was noted by the Andes Recorder that five brothers were seen at the same church in Bovina. What made this so remarkable was that the youngest was over fifty years old. The paper did not note what family this was, though it could be the Miller family. At this time, the six sons of William Miller still were alive and all lived locally. Here is a picture of the six brothers. What five attended church we don't know, but William lived in Walton, Walter in Delhi and Berry Shaw in Andes. Thomas, Michael and Gilbert all lived in Bovina. 

These images of E. Ray Thomson were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s and in 1940. Ray was born in Bovina in February 1895. His mother was Cora J. Thomson. Who his father was isn’t clear. On Ray's birth record, his father is recorded as Archie VanBramer, who was married to Cora in September 1894. Ray is recorded as Ray VanBramer, though later 'Thomson' is inserted in the record. When Ray was about a year old, Archie kidnapped him from his grandparents, William and Jenette Thomson, and kept him for several weeks before returning him of his own accord.  Ray was raised by his maternal grandparents, because his mother Cora was sent to the Middletown Insane Asylum when he was quite young (she died there in 1910). He was known by then as Ray Thomson. When he was married in 1916, he's Eldred Ray Thomson on the certificate and his father is recorded as "not known, adopted son."  He lived in Bovina into the 1930s, then moved to Delancey and finally in Unadilla, NY, where he died in 1975. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Eighty-two years ago today, the May 11, 1944 Delaware Republican Express carried this Bovina column. 

115 years ago today, on May 12, 1911, the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "A child was recently born to Rev. and Mrs. Robb, in China, where he is a missionary. The mother was formerly Jennie J. Campbell of Bovina." The child was a daughter, Jean Robb. Jean later married Patrick Perrone in Los Angeles. She died in LA in 1989.

Sixty-one years ago today, Bovina column in the May 13, 1965 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "The prize fisherman of the season is John Robson who caught a six pound-12 ounce trout over the week-end."

Sixty-five years ago, on May 14, 1961, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican Express, "We were all pleased to see Mrs. Lena Lounsbury at Church Sabbath Day, she has been in Schenectady the past few months helping care for an invalid." Lena was the mother of Harold Lounsbury. She died in 1963.

146 years ago today, the May 15, 1880 issue of the Delaware Republican reported on an article they had published called "Woman's Work in the Church," by "Mrs. Knox of New York City." The paper pointed out that the article "will attract especial attention from the fact that Mrs. Knox was a Delaware county woman, daughter of Rev. James Douglas, for many years pastor of the Bovina Associate Reformed Church, (whose doctrines were not in accordance with the views there announced,)…Mrs. Knox has also take a very prominent part in works for temperance reform, and in many other ways practically exemplified the benefits arising from the course she advocates."

Eighty-six years ago today, the Bovina column of the May 16, 1940 Delaware Republican reported that "Little Nancy Brooks spent the week-end with her great-aunt, Mrs. John Hilson and family." Nancy was the daughter of Dean Brooks and Marian Isabella Dickson. Marian's mother was Margaret Bell Strangeway, sister of Helena Hilson. Nancy was born in Delhi in 1936. Married in 1957 to Loring Hulslander, she died in Montana in 2013 and is buried in Springville Township, Pennsylvania, where she grew up.

139 years ago today, on May 17, 1887, the Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "John Hilson is improving his house by removing the old sash from the windows, and replacing them with a more modern style, each sash containing two large panes of glass."

 

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This is the Don Boggs farm, which later became the Howard Conklin farm, on Reinertsen Hill Road. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

The Andes Recorder reported 115 years ago today in its May 19, 1911 Bovina column that "There is some talk of putting in a pond on John Blair's farm on the Oliver brook and stocking it with trout." This farm is now the Jack Burns farm at the foot of Bramley Mountain. If the pond was stocked it was not reported in later editions of the paper.

 

Seventy-seven years ago today, on May 20, 1949, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News Bovina column, "The latest to buy a new car is George Storie with a Dodge sedan. Vincent Rosa is taking over the car recently owned by Storie."

 

Seventy-eight years ago today, on May 21, 1948, the Bovina column of the Catskill Mountain News reported that Mrs. Mary Gordon, who received a bad fall down a flight of stairs at her home last week, is slowly recovering. She is still lame and sore." Mary was the widow of Thomas Gordon, who died in 1921, and the mother of Delhi social studies teacher Margaret Gordon. Mary died in 1953.

130 years ago today, May 22, 1896, the Otsego Farmer (Cooperstown) carried the following item: "An exchange has it that in the town of Bovina, Delaware county, there are more abandoned farms than there were in all Delaware County ten years ago. This fact is interesting for the reason that Bovina has been called the leading dairy town in the county."  A couple of weeks later, another item appeared in the Otsego Democrat further disparaging Bovina's farms, reporting that the town "suffers more severely than its neighbors from the general agricultural depression. There are no railroads and no manufacturing industries within its limits. On the other hand there are a large number of abandoned farms in the town."

Sixty-eight years ago today, the May 23, 1958 issue of the Catskill Mountain News published an article under the headline "Bovina WAC Earns Recruiting Citation." The WAC was "Sgt/1c Helen I. Johnston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. George Johnston of Bovina Center." She was enrolled in a "Women's Army Corps enlisted recruiting course at For Benjamin Harrison, Ind." The paper went on to report "Sgt Johnston was in competition with 38 of the recruiters stationed through the United States. She earned the award by achieving an average of 85 percent for the course." More about Helen and her remarkable career in the Army can be found on my blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2022/01/bovina-ex-pats-command-sergeant-major.html

133 years ago today, the May 24, 1893 Delaware Gazette reported that "Work has commenced for the foundation for the new school house in Bovina Centre." This is the building that is now the Bovina Public Library.  

Eighty-eight years ago today, on May 25, 1938, as later reported in the Delaware Republican, "Mrs. George Miller died…at her home [in Bovina]." Born Ida Kinch, she was married to George Miller and had three children, daughters Maude and Nellie and son Clark. Clark was killed in World War I. She was survived by her husband and two daughters. Ida was the maternal grandmother of Clark Lay.

 

The Andes Recorder reported 133 years ago today in its May 26, 1893 issue that "Richard Johnson of Bovina this season made 318 gallons of heavy maple syrup from 700 trees. This is equal to 2,544 pounds of sugar."

 

Seventy-seven years ago today, the Bovina column in the May 27, 1949 Catskill Mountain News reported that "Paul Rosa is moving this week to his new home on Pink street road which he recently purchased of Gene Vandenbord."

 

These pictures were likely taken by Grace Coulter Roberts when she was teaching at the Bovina Center school in the 1940s. I recognized several of the children, including my uncle George LaFever, Bobby Boggs, Patty Boggs, Marge Thomas, Dick Roberts and Bob Burns. Let me know if you recognize anyone else. These images were shared by Joe Riebling. His wife, Susan Roberts Riebling, is Grace's granddaughter. 

Angelica D. Gerry, the daughter of Elbridge Gerry and Louisa Livingston, was born 155 years ago today on May 29, 1871. She built a summer home at Lake Delaware known as Ancrum and also was instrumental in the building of St. James Church.  

121 years ago, on May 30, 1905, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, baseball teams from "Lake Delaware and the Hook battled for supremacy on the diamond Tuesday at the Centre and the score was 12 to 4 in favor of the former."

131 years ago today, the May 31, 1895 issue of the Andes Recorder in its Bovina column included the following item: "Sylvester McFarland, who left this town over twenty years ago, and who had not been heard from since, suddenly made his appearance in town a few days ago." McFarland was born in Wisconsin in 1843 and died in Somerville, Massachusetts in 1914 and is buried in Meredith, NY. He was a prison officer in Massachusetts. It is not clear when he lived in Bovina. His father, James McFarland, was a Bovina native.