This Day in Bovina for March 2024

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

137 years ago today, the Stamford Mirror for March 1, 1887 reported that "Jonathan Adee, of Bovina, has rented his farm to Joseph Birdsall, son of Isaac Birdsall, of New Kingston." The Adee farm was on Cape Horn Road.

Elizabeth Archibald Elliott died 169 years ago today on March 2, 1855. Born in 1832, she was the daughter of Robert Archibald and Elizabeth Hamilton. She married Thomas Elliott in February 1854. That November, she gave birth to her only child, a daughter Elizabeth. The child survived her mother by less than a year, dying in January 1856. Mother and daughter are buried next to each other in the Bovina Cemetery. Thomas remarried in 1858 and died in 1910.

Eighty-three years ago, on March 3, 1941, Mrs. James F. Foreman died. Jennet Archibald was born in Bovina in 1872, the daughter of George Archibald and Jane Anderson. She married James Foreman in 1900 and would have six children, three of whom died in infancy. At her death she was survived by her husband and three daughters. As later reported in the Delaware Express, Mrs. Foreman "was taken seriously ill last September and after an operation at Bassett hospital, Cooperstown, and several weeks' convalescence, returned home Dec. 20. She had been failing of late and was taken to [the Albany Hospital] about two weeks ago."

153 years ago today, on March 4, 1871, David L. Forman, the son of Archibald and Davina Foreman, died of diphtheria at the age of 3 years, 9 months and 4 days. Three days later, Bovina saw another child lost to diphtheria when Lizzie Currie, the only child of George and Margaret Currie died at the age of 3 years, 7 months and 16 days.

193 years ago today, on March 5, 1831, William Grierson signed this acceptance for the office of school inspector for the Town of Bovina. 

121 years ago today, on March 6, 1903, the Bovina correspondent for the Andes Recorder noted that "The RECORDER’s for last week have not yet arrived.  What is the matter?"  In the entry, the editor responded: "That is a question we cannot answer.  The Bovina and Bovina Centre bundles left Andes last Thursday afternoon via Delhi, and have evidently gone estray.  Effort is being made to locate them and a tracer has been put on."

142 years ago today, the Bovina column in the March 7, 1882 Stamford Mirror had this item: "The 'Little Wanderer' from Rochester made his appearance in town on Monday last, and advertised a free lecture at Hastings Hall on Tuesday evening. His audience was unable to decide whether he was an escaped lunatic, had lost his Mary Ann, or was a spy for a gang of burglars. At last accounts his 'little footprints in the sand' were seen leading towards New Kingston."

126 years ago today, on March 8, 1898, Walter Archibald Doig died, aged 4 months. He was the son of Milton A. Doig and his wife, Jennie Bell Thompson. The Doigs had five children, most of whom made it to adulthood, including Edwin Doig, who died in 1999 at the age of 94.

138 years ago today, the March 9, 1886 Bovina column of the Stamford Mirror reported that "Avery Clum has moved on Mt. Warren and intends opening a summer house for the accommodation of visitors during the summer."

126 years ago today, on March 10, 1898, John W. Blair and W.L. White headed to Buffalo. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, they were "after a car load of horses." They were successful and returned to sell them in Delhi on the 19th of March. They weren't as successful in selling them, however, selling "a little less than half" of them with an average price of $70.

113 years ago today, the March 11, 1911 Andes Recorder reported in its Bovina column on renters in the Gow House. One item noted that "Harry Martin has rented rooms in a part of the Gow house." The same column later noted that "Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Thomson will commence housekeeping in rooms in the Gow house."

144 years ago today, the Bovina column of the Stamford Mirror dated March 12, 1880 had the following item: "A short time ago two of our up-town boys made up their minds to go to Coulter's Brook on a visit to two fair young ladies, who had attracted their attention. On their way down town they found the night air rather chilly, and stopping at a farmer's wagon house, borrowed a buffalo robe. They soon arrived at their destination, and it is supposed they spent the evening pleasantly. But when they wanted to go home, they found that some mischievous or evil disposed person or persons has taken away the borrowed robe, and three wheels of the buggy. As neither of the young men had ever learned how to manage a velocipede, they found it inconvenient to take the buggy home that night. A day or so afterwards, the robe and wheels were found in barns or wagon houses in that vicinity, but the third wheel at latest accounts had not yet been found.”

Seventy-four years ago today, on March 13, 1950, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Catskill Mountain News, "Robert Todd of Norwich called….on his brother, Ferris Todd. He was driving a new Chevrolet which he had just purchased."

153 years ago today, on March 14, 1871, fence viewers for the town of Bovina, namely W.A. Doig, Michael Miller and F.C. Armstrong,  reached a determination concerning  the building of a stone wall (fence) between the properties of John Hilson and Joshua Jennedy, ordering which part was to be built by Hilson and which one by Kennedy. The property was located adjacent to what was the Methodist Church lot (and later the home of Gert Hall across from the community hall). 

123 years ago today, the Bovina column of the March 15, 1901 Andes Recorder stated that "It is hoped by Bovina people that our efficient supervisor John A. Irvine, may be the next chairman of the Board of Supervisors.  He is a hard working and painstaking member and would make an excellent chairman."

124 years ago today, on March 16, 1900, the first of two nights of the play "Confidential Clerk" was presented "by home talent, under the management of Ed Hanlon." The Andes Recorder later reported that "all were pleased with the play" and that the "receipts were over $50." "Confidential Clerk" is a comic verse play by T.S. Eliot.

158 years ago today, the March 17, 1866 edition of the Delaware Republican reported 149 years ago that "rumors have been for some time in circulation to the effect that oil had been discovered on the farm of Mr. George Close, in Bovina. A number of our citizens were there the other day to investigate it. They report that oil is found in considerable quantities at the surface." The Close farm likely was in the area of Lake Delaware, not too far from Calhoun Hill Road.

Seventy-five years ago today, the March 18, 1949 Catskill Mountain News reported in a Bovina Center item that "Leroy Worden sold his flock of 800 fall pullets. He figured that with one more drop in the price of eggs he would be laboring with them at a loss."

144 years ago today, on March 19, 1880, Alexander Storie recorded the following: "Weather mild and snowed slightly in A.M. Mr. Gooch the artist came here from Delhi a took a sketch of the premises for an engraving for the history of Delaware Co. He returned to Delhi in the evening." On March 3 a photographer had visited to also take pictures for the book. He and his wife, Esther, went to Delhi on March 22 "to have our photographs taken for the engraving of premises…" Here is the engraving that was the result of all this activity. 

117 years ago today, the March 20, 1907 Delaware Gazette reported that "A sugar of milk plant is to be built at Bovina Centre. The Co-operative Creamery company has entered into a contract with the American Casene (sic) Col. by which they will furnish them eighty per cent of their skim milk for a period of five years. The price they will receive for milk is 10 cents per hundred pounds for the first two years and then twelve cents. The Casene company will erect a building of concrete 40 x 70 feet, that will make the building absolutely fire proof."

121 years ago today, on March 21, 1903, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Joseph Dean, an old resident of Bovina, but who for number of years has lived at Stamford, died ..., aged 70 years." The paper went on to note that his death was sudden: "His wife got up that morning and fixed the fire and on her return to the bedroom she found him dead."

Ida J. Burns, the daughter of Moses E. and Harriet J. Burns, died 151 years ago today, March 22, 1873 in Dayton, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Burns were former Bovina residents. He was the grandson and namesake of the original Bovina Burns settler Moses. Her death was reported in the Delaware Republican's April 12, 1873 issue.

170 years ago today, the March 23, 1854 Syracuse Evening Chronicle reported on a report from the Delaware Express concerning interest by "citizens of Andes, Bovina, Middletown, Delhi, etc" in a railroad from Syracuse to Newburgh and New York City. The paper noted that "we have seldom seen more enthusiasm and confidence manifested on any occasion." They noted that among those interested was "Dr. J.C. Calhoun, of Bovina" who presided over a meeting held in Delhi of people interested in a railroad. "Measures were taken to secure a thorough and prompt survey of the Little Delaware and Elk Creek route."

Seventy-four years ago today, on March 24, 1950, as advertised in the Bovina column of the Catskill Mountain News, the "Bovina-Lake Delaware Home Bureau will hold a millinery meeting in the Lake Delaware Parish house….This is an important meeting. All are requested to be prompt and bring table service and one article of food. Note the change in the date."

Fifty-nine years ago today, the Bovina column of the March 25, 1965 Delaware Republican Express reported that "Marian Jardine of Michigan is home on vacation from a college where she is a student."

Ninety-four years ago today, on March 26, 1930, the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican reported that "A telegram was received announcing that Brice Russell was just alive." The paper went on to note that he "is the brother of Wm. C. and Eliza Russell and has been west a number of years." Brice is James Bryce Russell, born about 1849. Bryce died the day after this item appeared on March 27, 1930 in Colfax, Wisconsin.

115 years ago today, on March 27, 1909, Dorothy Drew was born in Arena, the daughter of Freeman and Ada Drew. In 1933 she would marry Ernest Russell and they would settle in Bovina to raise their two sons, Ron and Dave. Dorothy was the Bovina librarian for many years and passed away in 2006 at the age of 97. This 1987 photo of Dot is by Hugh Lee. 

204 years ago today, on March 28, 1820, Elisha B. Maynard signed this oath of office as overseer of highways for Bovina highway district number 24. It was the job of the overseer to make sure that everyone carried out their assessed maintenance of their roads. Everyone was assigned a certain number of days to carry out this work. If unable to do the work, they were expected to pay someone to do it for them. This was the system of road maintenance throughout New York State until the early 20th century.

Seventy-three years ago today, the Bovina Center column of the March 29, 1951 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Nancy Worden of Albany is spending the Easter holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Worden."

144 years ago today, the Bovina column in the March 30, 1880 Stamford Mirror reported that "N. Smith, the well known commission merchant of New York, is making an effort to start a creamery in the upper end of the town. The present indications are that he will succeed." With the value of historic hindsight, we now know that his efforts failed. It would be over 20 years before a creamery was established anywhere in Bovina.

Bovina U.P. Church Pastor, Rev. W.L.C. Samson arrived home 118 years ago this afternoon, March 31, 1906. He was returning from Santa Ana, California.  The Andes Recorder reported that "On his return trip he was in a railroad wreck at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and had a narrow escape.  Eight cars were derailed, including the one in which Rev. Samson was riding, but he fortunately escaped with only a few bruises."

A Week with Bovina People - March 1899 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

Here’s what was happening in Bovina 125 years ago, March 1899, from the pages of the Andes Recorder.

 March 3, 1899

• David Currie was at Delhi on Sabbath.

• Henry Thomson was up from Delhi Monday.

• William C. Russell was over at Andes Wednesday.

• Thomas Mabon and F.C. Armstrong have traded horses.

• Thomas Hilson made a trip over to Bloomville Monday.

• The Steel range men are around selling high priced ranges.

• Milton Hoy has been home from Pennsylvania for a few days.

• James Forman and Albert Butts were down at Delhi Thursday.

• James Robinson has moved from Delhi to B.S. Miller’s farm this week.

• David Finkle has moved from Delhi into Robert Jackson’s house at Lake Delaware.

• About 30 young people from Andes attended “Midnight Charge” in this place last week.

• John Storie and wife returned Sabbath from Albany, where Mrs. Storie has been for treatment.

• We understand that A.B. Jardine has purchased William B. Scott’s farm in Glenburnie, for $2,500.

• William Maynard has purchased a fine bicycle wheel, pneumatic tire buggy from Charles Huber, of Delhi.

• Edwin Scott, William B. Smith and Colin McNaught will soon begin selling their milk at Almeda [now South Kortright] creamery.

• Andrew Doig has been selling some more goods at auction and will sell for the next thirty days at reduced prices.

• Saturday William McCune fell in John McCune’s cellar and broke both bones of his arm between the wrist and elbow.

• The “Midnight Charge” played last Thursday and Friday nights was well attended and well spoken of.  The Methodist church will net about $40.

March 10, 1899

• Bart Jackson was in town Friday.

• Fine Hunt was down at Delhi on Friday.

• William L. White has sold his dairy of butter.

• George Hughes was in this place on Friday last.

• Robert A. Thomson was over at Andes Saturday.

• Fred Bramley was at the County Seat Saturday.

• Last Friday G.D. Miller was over at New Kingston.

• Emma Campbell was home Saturday from Roses Brook.

• Walter Oliver and wife were here from Federal Hill Saturday.

• Mrs. E.C. Dean, of Delhi, has been visiting her parents in town. [Mrs. Dean was born Mary Elizabeth Bramley. Her parents were John and Margaret McCune Bramley, who both would die the following fall.] 

• William Richardson and wife have been guests at Henry Coulter’s Margaretville. [William was Isabell Russell’s grandfather. The wife mentioned was his second wife, Eliza McDonald Coulter.]

• Mr. and Mrs. Albert Butts and Mr. and Mrs. Lance Thomson visited Rev. S.E. Myers at Arena last week.

• William Cook, George Currie, James and Robert Forman and sister attended the funeral of William Wight at Delhi Friday.

• William Wight of Delhi who formerly lived just below the “Hook” on the farm now occupied by Alonzo Tuttle, died last Wednesday evening with pneumonia, aged 73 years.

• Andrew Doig and Edwin F. Thomson have sold their shoe business at Bellefontaine, Ohio, we understand and Mr. Doig will open up business in his store at this place again.

• Bovina can boast of having one of the best orchestras in this section.  The members are, Whitney, 1st violin; Forman, 2d violin; McPherson, cornet; Coulter, baritone; Laidlaw, bass; Miss Phyfe, piano.  They go to Andes this week Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings to play at “Lights and Shadows.”

• Thomas Smith, of Harpersfield, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Campbell, in this town last Thursday morning, after an illness of one week with pneumonia, aged 82 years. The funeral sermon was preached Sabbath afternoon at 3 o’clock by Rev. Samson. Interment was made at North Kortright on Monday. 

March 17, 1899

• H. Johnson was down at Delhi on Monday.

• Madison McFarlane will soon move to Delhi.

• Gilbert D. Miller and wife [the former Mary Jane Banker] were at Delhi on Monday.

• Martin Coulter and wife visited in town last Thursday. [This Coulter likely is David Martin Coulter. His wife was Anna M. McNair.]

• David Hoy was here from Colchester the first of the week.

• William A. Hoy made a trip to the County Seat Thursday.

• Miss Mary Schultz is at William T. Miller’s for the season.

• John M. and William T. Miller were over at Andes Wednesday.

• James Archibald and Archie Boggs were at Walton the first of the week.

• Edward L. Coulter has sold seventeen acres of land to Thomas Mabon.

• Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Miller, of Oneonta, visited at Gilbert’s D. Miller’s last Thursday and Friday.

• Marion Robertson and wife and Robert F. Thomson were among those at Andes on Thursday.

• Heifers at James Mitchell’s sale averaged $29,90.  Three of them went to Colon Campbell’s at Walton.

• Arthur Neish has moved into the Alex. Jardine house and Jardine has moved to the William Scott farm in Glenburnie for which he traded his house.

• John McCune has his cellar complete and ready for the frame.  Gray Brothers were the masons, and some of the stone were drawn from the cut at the top of the hill on the Turnpike.

• Quite a number from town attended a concert at Almeda [South Kortright] Friday evening for the benefit of the Christian Endeavor society of that church. Saturday evening half a hundred attended the entertainment at Andes.

• The stock and fixtures of Sylvenus W. Bramley, who formerly conducted a jewelry in Rondout, and who had been declared a bankrupt by the courts, were sold Tuesday at auction by the sheriff. The purchaser was R.E. James of Chicago, and the price paid was $2,650. [Bramley was born in Bovina in 1863, the son of Stephen G. Bramley and Mary S. Lull. He ended up moving to Chicago for some time, then settled in White Plains where he ran a jewelry store for many years.]

March 24, 1899

• John M. Gordon was in town Friday from Delhi.

• John McCune is having a well drove in his cellar.

• James Hastings was over at Andes on Tuesday.

• Hamilton J. Hewitt and wife were in town on Friday.

• W.S. Squires has moved to Relay in the town of Stamford.

• John B. Liddle was in this place on Friday last from Andes.

• William Moore is hauling the lumber for John McCune’s house.

• David Miller, of Delhi, has been visiting his son on Miller avenue.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Blair were guests of her parents at Delhi on Friday.

• David Oliver and niece, Girty Robertson, visited at Delancey Friday.

• Walter Graham will occupy the McIntosh farm below the Hook, having leased it.

• John M. Miller buys a ton of feed a week and his yield of butter is six tubs per week.

• Peter McNair, James Robinson and Elmer Hastings were down at Delhi on Thursday last.

• G.D. Miller was at Bloomville Friday and at Andes Saturday looking after dekin skins.

• Those who went from here to Andes last Wednesday night came home defeated in checker playing.

• William McCune, Jr. is again employed at Alex Oliver’s in Glenburnie this being his sixth year there.

• J. Borst, of Lake Delaware, has been moving into a part of Thomas Gordon’s house in Glenburnie.

• Calla Boggs received a silver watch, and John Oliver a copy of the Ladies Home Journal in the recent Express figure contest.

• Land in Bovina is evidently not very low in price.  For the seventeen acres which he purchased from Edward L. Coulter, Thomas Mabon paid $1,000.

• Milton A. Doig has gone on the road as a cigar agent for a Cincinnati firm.  He has a very fine line and among them many novelties gotten up in designs both fancy and unique.

Bovina Pathmasters for 1899 [Pathmasters were responsible to ensure the public roads were maintained. This included overseeing work by each property owner to keep the roads passable. Bovina had over 50 road districts. This system of maintaining public roads was changed in the early 20th century, with the election of a highway superintendent for the whole town.]

District Name

1 John Biggar

2 F.G. White

3 Edgar Hall

4 Wm. J. Crosier

5 John M. Miller

6 Jas Robinson

7 Walter Biggar

8 Wm. B. Smith

9 Fred Johnson

10 T. Strangeway

11 W.L. Forrest

12 William Boggs

13 Wm. R. Miller

14 R.E. Bergman

15 William Black

16 James Monroe

17 James Wight

18 Robt Robinson

19 Al McPherson

20 Frank Russell

21 F.C. Armstrong

22 Arthur Hoy

23 A. Johnson

24 A.J. Bouton

25 William Ruff

26 Wm. T. Miller

27 John Corbin

28 Dixon Thomson

29 Alex. Burns

30 James Mabon

31 F.R. Coulter

32 Gid. Robertson

33 George Brown

34 William Forrest

35 Robert Doig

36 Jas. H. Coulter

37 Geo. Gladstone

38 Stephen Seacord

39 R.H. Russell

40 W.B. Thomson

41 John Irvine

42 Joshua Hobbie

43 James Forman

44 John Campbell

45 David Liddle

46 Alex Bryden

47 John A. Russell

48 S. Rockafeller

49 R.A. Thmson

50 W.M. Muray

51 John W. Atkin

March 31, 1899

• Robert Irvine was here on Sabbath.

• Bert Elliott is working for Wilson Scott.

• Alex Hilson was at New York city last week.

• Frank R. Coulter was over at Andes on Monday.

• Frank Gowanlock was at Andes the latter part of last week.

• Frank Miller and sister, Miss Carrie, were guests at Andes on Friday.

• William M. Armstrong has purchased the Alex. Jardine house of John A. Irvine.

• Warren Dean has moved from Miss Jennie Miller’s house below the village to the Tollgate. [I’m not sure to what tollgate this refers.]

• Alex. McPherson has secured a position as blacksmith in a wagon shop at Williamsburg, Pa.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Gladstone, of Bovina, were guests at J.L. Strangeway’s on Tuesday.

• Mr. and Mrs. John R. Hoy were at Canada Hollow on Sabbath to see Mrs. William Elliott, who is quite poorly. [Mrs. Hoy was the former Isabella Wilson Miller. Mrs. Elliott was Isabella Cairns Miller and a first cousin of Mrs. Hoy.]

• Preaching in the United Presbyterian church Friday evening, March 31, also Saturday at 1:30 o’clock. Communion services on Sabbath, April 2.

• Rev. James B. Lee, a former pastor here, is the candidate for president of the village of Franklinville, on the “Union Progressive Moral Party” ticket.

• Joseph Raitt, of Walton, who is well known here, slipped on the ice as he was leaving James Turnbull’s at Hamden last week, and falling struck his side against the corner of the step and broke some ribs.

• Tuesday, Libbie, daughter of Mrs. A.D. Thomson, went to Andes and on her way home she met with quite an accident. When near Peter Mosier’s she met William Miller, driving W.C. Laing’s team and the front wheel of her wagon caught on the rear wheel of Miller’s wagon, this frightened her horse and it spring, breaking the thills and harness all to pieces. Miss Thomson hung onto the lines and was pulled over the dash board, but fortunately was not injured. The horse ran as far as Dixon Coulter’s where it was caught. [Libbie was Elizabeth M. Thomson (1884-1962), daughter of Andrew Dixon and Mary Jane "Jennie" McNaught Thomson.]

In the Andes news:

Andrew Biggar died Tuesday afternoon at his home at Pepacton, aged 70 years. He never recovered from an attack of the grip with which he was taken about the time of the death of his daughter. Bovina was his native town, and for a number of years he [had] been a noted butter maker, taking many premiums. The funeral was held Thursday and the remains interred in the lower cemetery at Andes. [Andrew was the son of Walter Biggar and Janet Cowan and spent most of his life in the Town of Colchester in Delaware County. He left a widow, the former Elizabeth George, and had four children.]

Sketch Number 32 from the Delaware Gazette, 1874: History of Bovina

Martial Rosen Hulce (known familiarly as M.R. Hulce) wrote a series of ‘sketches’ about the history of Delaware County. The ‘Sketches’ were published in the Delaware Gazette over a nine-month period, starting at the end of 1873, concluding in October 1874.  

At the start of the Sketches, Hulce wrote: “Before offering for publication the ‘Sketches,’ the writer would state, they are not intended to be mere fancy- pictures embellished by the creations of the imagination, but plain narrations and delineations of facts, derived in part from personal cognizance, though in much the greater part from intercourse with the old pioneers, with almost all of whom he was well acquainted.”

Born in 1804 in Deposit, Hulce wore many hats. He was a surveyor and civil engineer in Deposit. He also was the founder of the Deposit Courier. His obituary noted that he “served the community as Postmaster and Justice of the Peace [and] served on many boards and councils. He was a historian and philanthropist.”  Hulce died in Deposit in 1896.

Sketch Number 32 was published on July 29, 1874 and focused on Bovina. [One confusing issue about these articles is when they were written. The latter sets of the articles, published in 1874, are dated 1863 and 1864. I thought it might be a typo, but several of the articles have dates at the end. Though published 150 years ago, this sketch of Bovina might date from a decade earlier.]

SKETCHES —No. 32.

Whyles owre a linn the burnie plays

As thro the glen it wimpl’t:

Whyles round a rocky star it strays;

Whyles in a wiel it dimpl’t;

Whyles glitter’d to the nightly rays,

Wi’ bickering, dancing dazzle;

Whyles cookit underneath the braes,

Below the spreading hazel.

Unseen that night.—Burns.

Having heretofore given a short account of the formation and early settlement of several of the towns in Delaware county it is proposed to add whenever convenient a similar notice of the others.

These statistical details may be dry to some readers but will interest most of those who desire to be familiar with local matters connected with Delaware county and continuous sections of the State.

In pursuance of this plan Bovina will next occupy our attention. This town is situated east of and adjoining Delhi and contains an area of about twenty-five thousand acres of land, three-fourths of which has been reclaimed from the forest and put under cultivation. It was formed from Delhi, Stamford and Middletown, Feb. 27 th, 1820, and received its name from Gen. Erastus Root, who, anticipating its future adaptability to grazing, gave it a name from the Latin, indicating a cattle region.

Like most of the towns in the county, it is hilly and mountainous, interspersed with small rapid streams, which in the course of long ages have carried away the rock and soil, forming deep valleys and steep ravines. The names of the principal streams are Little Delaware River,(which runs in a westerly direction nearly through the centre of the town, passing into Delhi and entering into the Mohawk, or west branch of the Delaware, a mile below the county seat.) Bush Creek, which drains Teunis lake, Coulter, Grant, Maynard and Mountain Brooks. The sides of these streams are often rocky and steep rising to great heights, some of the elevations being 2,500 feet above tide water.

Two small lakes are found nestled in the mountains. The waters are pure and sparkling and abound with the finest trout and other fish. Teunis Lake is situated in the south part near the foot of Mount Pisgah, and Landon’s Lake, in the west part of the town. A portion of this lake is in the town of Delhi. Near the sedgy and muddy sides of the former was the residence and wigwam of a kind Indian, named Teunis by the early Dutch settles, to whom the inhabitants of Middletown were indebted, as related in a former sketch, for timely information and warning that saved them from massacre and captivity when about to be attacked by hostile Indians and Tories in 1778.

He continued to live there for several years after the war, and the whites named the lake after him. This will embalm the memory of one of nature’s noblemen who in performing a good and merciful action dreamed not of fame.

The general face of the country is quite uneven and stony, with a soil of clayey loam, producing the finest and sweetest grasses in great luxuriance.

Brushland, one of the two villages in the town, was named after Alexander Brush the first settler and proprietor of the location. It is situated on the Little Delaware, about a mile west of the centre of the town, and contains a post office, tannery, grist mill and clothing works. —This place is named on the late map of Delaware county, Bovina Centre, though its postoffice designation is still Brushland. The changing of original names, unless for obvious reasons as in the case of the other village, Bovina, is undesirable and should not be encouraged. The old aboriginal names will soon be nearly all that will be left of the language of the first inhabitants of our hills and valleys. A few relics and names are all that remain.

Bovina, the other village, has also a postoffice, and is situated at the confluence of Maynard and Mountain Brooks, three miles east of Brushland. It has about one hundred inhabitants and is better known in the vicinity by the name of “Butt End,” by which name it has long been distinguished.

The town was first settled in 1792, by Elisha B. Maynard, and within the next five years a considerable number from Connecticut and from Scotland settled in the valleys and intervales. The names of some of these settlers were Francis Coulter, Levi and Jacob Mabie, James Kedzie, (the writer is informed Mr. Kedzie’s first name was Adam, ancestor and grandfather of Adam and Andrew Kedzie, Esqs. of Sanford, Broome county.) Andrew Chisholm, James Ray, Thomas Liddle, A. Nichols, Samuel Davis, and Rev. James Ritchie who conducted the first religions services in 1795. Tho first church formed was United Presbyterian. There are, as reported in the last census, three churches in the town, viz: Methodist Episcopal, Associate Presbyterian and Reformed Presbyterian.

The first birth was that of Elisha H. son of Elisha B . Maynard, Aug. 26.1793. In 1799, James Russell and Nancy Ritchie were married, the first wedding in town. The first death was that of Hezekiah David, in 1798. No schools were established till 1798, when one Edwards first “taught young idea how to shoot.”—

The first one was opened at the Hook, by James Wetmore, and the first store at Brushland, by Robert Hume. Stephen Palmer built the first mill, in 1798, for Gov. Lewis, and the first factory was erected by John Jerome. The inhabitants of this town are chiefly engaged in dairying and sheep raising, in which they excel. They are industrious and thrifty. The finer grains cannot be cultivated to advantage at so great on elevation above the sea, the average height being about two thousand feet.

This town has the least number of inhabitants of any in the county, and its territory is smaller than that of any other, except Harpersfield. It is not densely inhabited, there being only about two hundred and fifty families in the town, and at present about 1400 inhabitants, nearly one-third of whom are children that attend the common schools, which like nearly all others in the county under the supervision of capable and efficient Superintendents, are of a high order and constantly improving in the charge of teachers whose qualifications are such as to ensure confidence and success.

Like most of the eastern towns of the county a majority of the people are of Scotch descent and retain many of the Caledonian characteristics and an ardent remembrance and passionate love of the banks and braes of bonny Scotland.

Deposit, January 9,1864. M. R. H.

March 1924 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

 

Here's what was happening in Bovina in March 1924, as reported in the pages of the Andes Recorder.

March 7, 1924

• The condition of Andrew T. Doig remains about the same.

• A medicine show has been holding forth here the past week.

• It is reported that J.K. Russell has sold his farm at Lake Delaware.

• Ex-Supervisor Thos C. Strangeway was at Andes on business errands on Monday.

• Christopher S. Gladstone and daughter, Miss Ruth were with Andes relatives on Saturday.

• The fourth number of the lecture course was given at the town hall on Tuesday evening.

• John Blair and Milton Hastings attended the funeral of Charles Blair at East Meredith on Sabbath.

• It is stated that a truck load of milk from the Bramley Mountain section of the town will be hauled to Andes this summer.

• The seven thorobred Guernseys that Captain Billings on his recent trip to Europe purchased for the Gerry estate at Lake Delaware, arrived Tuesday.

• Two sleigh loads of young folks of the Guild of St. John’s church of Delhi came to Lake Delaware last Thursday evening for a leap year party. Supper was served in the parish house of St. James church and the evening was spent in dancing.

Was Native of Bovina

Charles P. Blair died suddenly at his home at East Meredith early Thursday morning February 23, of neuralgia of the heart.  He had been confined to his bed for about a week but his condition was not considered serious.  He was born in Bovina on Marcy 17, 1855 and was the son of Samuel O. Blair and Elizabeth Atken Blair.  He is survived by his wife to whom he was married in 1887, and two sons and two daughters.

March 14, 1924

• Thomas H. Johnson is at Delhi this week as a trial juror.

• Eli Felton, who is in poor health, has gone to Delhi for medical treatment.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Thomas H. Johnson to Constant Proskin, $4,000.

• The Youn Woman’s Missionary Society held an all day meeting last Thursday with Mrs. Harvey Burgin.

• The morning service at the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath was given over especially to the benefit of the children.

• J. Kennedy Russell has sold his farm near Lake Delaware, to Edward C. Dean, of Delhi.  This is the former Henry Hogaboom place.

• A young daughter of Jay Waterman at Lake Delaware recently had an eye removed at a New York hospital and an artificial one inserted.

• Those who attended the funeral of Mrs. Thos S. Miller at Andes on Sabbath were Mr. and Mrs. Alex Myers, Colin McNaught and son, Robert E. Thomson and wife, Fred Thomson and wife, Mrs. Howard McPherson, Frank Coulter and wife, Anthony Banuat and wife. 

Native of Bovina

Mrs. Joseph Birdsall passed away at Oneonta on March 8

Mrs. Joseph Birdsall died at Oneonta on March 9, having been in failing health for about two years. Interment was in the Plains cemetery.

Her maiden name was Margaret Scott and she was born in Bovina in February 15, 1853, the daughter of the late John C. Scott and Susan Winter. When she was a young girl the family moved to New Kingston. In September, 1886, she married Mr. Birdsall and for nine years they lived in Bovina and 28 years ago they moved to Oneonta. She was a very active worker in the United Presbyterian church. 

Besides her husband she is survived by one son, Clinton Birdsall, and two grandchildren, of Davenport, and two daughters, one a teacher in Schenectady and the other at home. 

Prominent Bovina Man

Andrew T. Doig Dies Saturday Morn- March 8, after Long Illness

Andrew T. Doig, one of the best known citizens of the town of Bovina, died at his home opposite the U.P. church in Bovina Center, at about 5 o’clock Saturday morning, March 8, after an illness of considerable duration from Bright’s disease, aged 58 years. His funeral was held Monday afternoon, his pastor, Rev. F.N. Crawford, officiating.

Deceased was a son of the late Walter L. Doig and Jane McNair and was born in the town of Bovina on a farm on the Turnpike. For a number of years he conducted a general store and a few years ago sold his business to Cecil Russell. Since that time he had been engaged in the selling of Cadillac cars. He was an excellent citizen and for a number of years had held the office of Justice of the peace and had been a trustee of the U.P. church. Besides his wife, who was Carrie Thomson, of Bovina, he is survived by two brothers, William Doig, in Colorado, and Milton Doig on Coulter Brook. 

Born in Bovina

James H. Miller, aged 79 years, died in South Kortright, March 11, from pneumonia. H was a son of James and Madeline (Hastings) Miller and was born in Bovina on February 15, 1845, and in 1895, married Miss Anna Rockwell, of Hobard. He leaves a wife and one son. 

March 21, 1924

• Miss Kate Muller is slowly improving from her illness.

• James Hilson made a business trip to Kingston last week.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Laurie Terry, at Lake Delaware, March 12, a son.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Maye E. Johnston to Frank G. Liddle, $1.

• A daughter was born March 8, to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Hall, on the former Soper farm.

• Mrs. Arthur Flynn of Pepacton, is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Aitkens.

• Mrs. Arthur Decker entertained the Junior Missionary Society Saturday at Mrs. Alex Myers’.

• Raymond McNair, of Binghamton, spent the week end with his sister, Mrs. John McCune.

• Supervisor Wallace Smith attended a special meeting of the Supervisors at Delhi on Monday evening.

• Nelson Tompkins, who has been in poor health for some time, seems to be improving. He will be 93 in April.

• Mrs. Douglas Davidson has returned from visiting her brother, David F. Hoy, the Registrar of Cornell University at Ithaca.

• Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Burgin entertained Mr. and Mrs. John Hilson, Mr. and Mrs. David Currie, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Decker on Monday evening. 

• Calvin Russell of Bovina, and Miss Eva Dugal, of Syracuse, were married March 15, and arrived her Saturday evening. His sister, Mrs. Hazel Munson, attended the wedding.

• The Young Women’s Missionary Society have elected officers as follows: Mrs. William J. Storie, president; Mrs. Charles f. McPherson, vice president; Mrs. John Armstrong, secretary; Mrs. Walter G. Coulter, thank offering secretary; Mrs. Emily Burns, treasurer. 

Aged Woman Dies in Bovina

Mrs. Margaret Scott Passed Away on March 12, After Long Illness

Mrs. Margaret J. Scott, widow of the late W.J.J. Scott, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Gordon in Bovina Center, March 12, age 77 years. She had been confined to her bed since she suffered a shock a year ago. The funeral was held Saturday with interment at Delhi.

Deceased was born in Terry Clove in the town of Hamden, January 15, 1847 and was a daughter of Peter Jack, and Mary Richardson. Her father was a native of Scotland and her mother of Ireland. On February 23, 1870, she married William B.J. Scott. After their marriage they resided for many years on a farm in Glenburnie. A number of years ago the family moved to Stamford, where the sons opened the first steam laundry in that village.

She is survived by the daughter mentioned and two sons, Andrew Scott of Stamford, and W.J.J. Scott, of Oneonta. A son, Peter Scott, died in 1900. She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Jas C. Mabon, Sr., of Delhi and Mrs. Mary Bell, of Bridgeville, N.J., and a brother, John Jack, of Cooperstown.

Those attending the funeral from out-of-town were James B. Scott and wife, Mrs. Robert Brown, Chas Scott, Fall Cove, Jas C. Mabon and wife, and Mrs. Fred Lash, of Delhi, Andrew Scott, of Stamford. 

March 28, 1924

• Alex Myers was a caller at the County Seat on Wednesday.

• Dixon Thomson was a caller at the County Seat last Thursday.

• William A. Hoy tapped his sugar bush last week.  A few others tapped this week.

• Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Thomson, of Hobart, spent the past week with relatives here.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Gaylie Hafele on Coulter Brook, Saturday March 22, a seven pound son.

• Mrs. William Armstrong has been ill the past week with the grippe, but is now much better.

• The annual meeting of the United Presbyterian congregation will be held on Tuesday, April 1.

• Mr. and Mrs. Otis McCumber, of Andes, with their two grandchildren, Isabelle and John Bentley, were recent callers at the home of Mrs. McCumber’s sisters, Misses Kate and Fred Muller.

Was Native of Bovina

Walter Campbell, who was born in Bovina in 1846, died in Walton on March 17. He was the eldest of the nine children of William Campbell and Agnes Murray and never married. Three brothers survive. The body was placed in the vault at Walton and later it will be interred in the Bovina Center cemetery.