This Day in Bovina for October

Fifty one years ago today, The October 1, 1964 issue of the Delaware Republican Express published a report about the local 4-H club, the Bovina Busy Boys. 

112 years ago, the October 2, 1903 Otsego Farmer (Cooperstown) had the following report: "Prosperous Delaware county creameries are those of the co-operative companies at Bovina Centre and Bovina. The one at Bovina Centre receives 17,500 pounds milk daily. Average test, 5.2. The patrons receive the skim milk back free if desired. Twenty-four and one-half cents was paid for butter fat for the month of August. At the Bovina co-operative creamery, 70 cans of milk are taken in each day, the average test is 5.2, and the price paid for butter was 22 cents a pound. Patrons are allowed both skim milk and buttermilk back free. The butter is put in one-pound prints for the Philadelphia market." The Bovina Center creamery is the one in the hamlet and has been sold to the Finns with plans to start producing cheese there. The Bovina creamery was on Bovina road and closed sometime in the 1920s. The building has been gone for some time.

151 years ago today, on October 3, 1864, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "A McClellan Club was formed in Bovina…and the following gentlemen elected as officers: F.McFarland, President; James McFarland, Michael Dickson, Vice-Presidents; E.A. Boggs, Secretary; R.F. Scott, Treasurer." McClellan clubs were formed to support the candidacy of General McClellan in the 1864 presidential election.

133 years ago today, on October 4, 1882, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Gazette, "a shameful - yes, disgraceful affair took place in town on Wednesday night. Two parties began the small business of running horses, kept it up until they reached the village, where it ended in a smashup, turnover and runaway. Two outside parties might have been killed, but fortunately escaped with knocks and bruises; children endangered; Prof. given a lively run to escape, and the doctor's fence badly demolished. Such a history should be a lesson to such young men."

191 years ago today, on October 5, 1824, Thomas Landon posted the following ad in the Delaware Gazette: "Merino Bucks for Sale. The subscriber has for sale at the Fish Lake [Lake Delaware], a number of full bred MERINO BUCKS, of pure blood as imported from Spain. Those who wish to purchase, must apply previous to the first of November, as on that day such as are unsold, will be removed to the eastward."

Ninety years ago today, on October 6, 1925, Frank Coulter Armstrong died at the age of 87. Born in Bovina, he was the son of John C. Armstrong and Isabella Coulter. He was married and widowed three times. He married Jennette Burns in 1863, with whom he had five children, three of whom had predeceased him. Jennette died in 1885. He was married Mary Brown in 1888 - she died in 1911. The following year, Frank married Mary Neish. She died a year before his death in 1924.

131 years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 7, 1884 Stamford Mirror reported "A grand banquet was held at the residence of A. Liddle one fine evening recently. Waterville was well represented and tripped the light fantastic until the wee sma hours had rolled around." Waterville was a briefly used term for the Butt End of Bovina.

107 years ago today, an ad appeared in the October 8, 1908 Catskill Mountain News: "For sale - The hotel at Bovina Centre with 4 1/2 acres of flat land adjoining. Only hotel in town. Possession given Nov. 1, 1909. J.L. Dickson, Bovina Center." This hotel was located where the Jim and Peg Hilson and Mark Schneider and Julie Hilson houses are located.

130 years ago today, on October 9, 1885, the "baseball clubs of Hamden and Bovina" were due to play the "last game for the best two in three on the fair grounds" in Delhi. The Delaware Gazette reported that "they have played two games…that at Hamden was won by the Hamden club, and the one at Lake Delaware by the Bovina club." The paper concluded "as they are quite evenly matched the game will be watched with interest." I have not been able to find any reports of how that last game came out.

Seventy-five years ago, the Bovina column of the October 10, 1940 Delaware Republican reported that "Mrs. Robert Boggs and son Bobbie are visiting her parents at Turnwood, N.Y. for a week."

150 years ago today, on October 11, 1865, a team from Delhi and Bovina played against a Hamden and Walton team at a game of Quoits in Hamden. It appears the Delhi and Bovina team prevailed. Here's the scoring from the Delaware Gazette:

(and here's the wikipedia entry about Quoits - it was a kind of ring toss game with many variations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quoits.)

195 years ago today, on October 12, 1820, this bill was submitted for the surveying of the town of Bovina. The total was was $67, though it appears that there is a math error, since the total written looks like $77. The bill includes $2.25 for rum for the surveyors.

Fifty one years ago today, on October 13, 1964, as later reported in the Delaware Republican Express, "…Mrs. John Hilson was honored at a luncheon at the home of Mrs. William Storie by the King's Daughters' S.S. Class of the Bovina United Presbyterian Church. She has retired as a teacher after many years of faithful service…In the afternoon letters from absent friends were read, games were played and much time spent in reminiscing."

152 years ago today, the October 14, 1863 Delaware Gazette reported on the premiums won at the county fair and awarded by the Delaware County Agricultural Society. Miss Minnie Graham of Bovina won $1.00 for "1 crayon sketch, 1 water color sketch, 1 oil painting."

148 years ago today, on October 15, 1866, Jane Archibald Boggs, wife of Thomas R. Boggs, gave birth to a daughter, Margaret E. Boggs. Margaret would marry Thomas J. Ormiston  on Christmas Day, 1890 and would have seven children, including two sets of twins.  Her daughter Ruth Ormiston married Henry Monroe on her parents 30th wedding anniversary and daughter Lois would marry Fletcher Davidson. Margaret was widowed in 1919 and would die in 1966, less than three months shy of her 100th birthday. Her grandchildren include Frances Monroe Burns and Ed Davidson, who both are 91 and still going strong. Must be those Ormiston genes. Here’s a four generation photo showing Lois Ormiston Davidson, Margaret Boggs Ormiston, Jane Archibald Boggs and Lois’s infant daughter Jane.

165 years ago today, on October 16, 1850, Bovina farmer John Laughran was nominated for the State Assembly as a Democrat. As later reported in the Delaware Gazette, he "was nominated against his wishes, but has consented to accept the nomination…." The paper went on to report that "he is a farmer of Bovina, possessed of good talents and a business man of the right stamp; just such a man as we need in the Legislature - fearless, upright and high minded…" In another item in the same issue, a letter from a democrat in Roxbury noted that "The nomination of Mr. Laughran, for Assembly, meets the warm approval of almost every Anti-Renter…He will carry this town by a large vote." Laughran ultimately lost the election, though the November 13, 1850 Delaware Gazette noted that Laughran "made a gallant run and well nigh upset his competitor. He may well feel proud of his vote."

172 years ago today, on October 17, 1843, a meeting of the commissioners of excise was held in Bovina. At this meeting, two tavern licenses were issued, one to John Seacord and John Reid. Here's the resolution issuing the licenses: 1843-10-17 Commissioner of excise meeting

128 years ago today, on October 18, 1887, Michael Miller received this bill as Bovina highway commissioner from T.E. Hastings for 300 feet of planking. The same day he received another bill from D.L. Thomson for another 240 feet of planking.

111 years ago today, on October 19, 1904, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "Miss May Belle Logan and David G. Currie were united in marriage at the bride's home in Bovina Center, Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock. They are very estimable young people." David and May Belle would be married until May Belle's death in 1953. David died in 1958. Both are buried in the Bovina cemetery. Mrs. Currie's wedding dress is at the Bovina Museum.

163 years ago today, the October 20, 1852 issue of the Delaware Gazette reported in its list of premiums awarded by the Delaware County Agricultural Society at its Annual Fair that "Miss M. Laidlaw, Bovina" won a $2.00 premium for "worsted bureau cover, crotchet mats, worsted footstool cover, etc."

196 years ago today, on October 21, 1819, Mary Jane Dean was born, the daughter of James Dean and Jane McFarland. She was 69 at her death in 1889. She is buried in Bovina.

170 years ago today, on October 22, 1840, the Democratic Whigs of the Town of Bovina met at the home of P.G. Vanderberg. "Hon. James Cowan being called upon to address the meeting. [H]e prefered reading to the meeting the speech of W.H. Harrison delivered at the great meeting of the Whig at Chilicotha, Ohio." A committee of five was "appointed to draft resolutions expressing the sense of this meeting." The committee comprised A. Cowan, John Erkson, Jr., James Rich, Jr, Walter Coulter and A. Storie. Harrison was elected President of the United States the following month, only to die one month into his administration.

110 years ago today, on the evening of October 23, 1905, the Montauk Ladies Quartette gave a concert at the Bovina Methodist Church. The concert was part of a concert/lecture series held by the church.

Image of the Montauk Ladies Quartette from University of Iowa. Libraries. Special Collections Dept., Redpath Chautauqua Collection.

127 years ago today, the October 24, 1888 issue of the Delaware Gazette reported the following sad story: "William A. Amos, of Bovina, and Mrs. Matilda Gibbs, of Harpersfield were married October 3. She was soon taken ill with typhoid fever and died Oct. 10, aged 24."

160 years ago today, on October 25, 1855, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Thomas Secord, of Bovina, crossed the Ferry from New York to Jersey City, intending to take the cars on his way home…..and in stepping from the boat his foot slipped and was caught between the boat and dock, crushing the leg from the knee downwards, in a shocking manner. He was taken to the New York Hospital, where, we are informed, he is doing well, with a prospect that the limb may be saved." Unfortunately, Thomas died on October 31st from his injuries.

105 years ago today, the October 26, 1910 issue of the Delaware Gazette reported that "Wm. H. Maynard of Bovina has purchased a gasoline engine and a dynamo and will install electric lights in his residence and other buildings."

129 years ago today, the October 27, 1886 issue of the Delaware Gazette printed the following letter from Bovina Center dated October 23, 1886: "Editors Gazette: - Can you explain why D.L. Thomson, the great temperance Republican, when challenged for a joint debate by the Prohibition candidate, has not a word to say? Yours for the right, Anti-Saloonist."

117 years ago today, on October 28, 1898, Allison Crosier died at the age of 90. Not much is known about her. She was born in Scotland and lived with the Andrew Chisholm family for many years, listed on various census records as the housekeeper. Andrew had been married to Annie Crosier, who died in 1843, so it's likely that Allison was a relative of Andrew's wife. She appears to have lived with the family until her death.

Ninety five years ago, the October 29, 1920 Bovina column in the Andes Recorder reported that "Voters in Bovina next Tuesday will receive four ballots - presidential, the state ticket, amendments and a town proposition."

Eighty-eight years ago today, on October 30, 1927, Charles Loughran Dickson died in Binghamton. Born in Bovina in 1887, he was the son of Dr. Gilbert Dickson and Jane Loughran Dickson. He went to law school and became an attorney in Binghamton. Here is his obituary from the November 4, 1927 Catskill Mountain News:

119 years ago today, on October 31, 1896, James A. Gow tendered this resignation as Justice of the Peace for the Town of Bovina.

Quick Reminder - Bovina Cemetery Tour

Twilight Tour of the Bovina Cemetery will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 4 pm, conducted by Bovina Town Historian Ray LaFever. Admission for this tour is $5 for adults, children under 12 free (children must be accompanied by an adult).  All proceeds to benefit the Bovina Historical Society and its efforts to preserve Russell’s Store. The cemetery is on Coulter Brook Road and is the main cemetery in Bovina. The tour will run about an hour and a half. Wear comfortable shoes for walking. 

Bovina’s cemeteries are full of interesting stories. Like the story of Frederick McFarland. His gravestone says that he “died on or about” February 21, 1889. Ray will explain the story behind that “on or about.” Five members of the Cathels family died in 10 days in 1865. There certainly is some drama behind that tragedy, including a fact not discernable from just looking at the graves. Then there’s the story of Mrs. Christopher S. Gladstone and Mrs. Fred Thomson, who had their tonsils removed on the same day in the home of the latter. That’s not all they had in common - Ray will explain.  The tour will include these graves and others, including some of Bovina’s Civil War and World War One soldiers and the owners of what is now Russell’s Store, including the graves of Cecil, Isabell and Marjorie Russell. 

October 1915 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

From the Andes Recorder

The new Bovina Firehouse was nearing completion and A.T. Doig, who owned what is now Russell's Store, made a trip to New York City in his new eight-cylinder Cadillac. Two Bovina natives passed away in October 1915.

October 1, 1915 

•Harry Robson and wife are now located in the house near the bridge.

•Fletcher Davidson has gone to Washington, D.C. to attend an electric school.

•Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Storie arrived home from their wedding trip Saturday evening.

•Robert R. Gladstone, of Andes, moved into rooms in Miss Jennie Miller’s house this week.

•William J. Archibald, John McCune and Chas A. Lee have each purchased a new Ford motor car.

•Miss Angelica L. Gerry, who has been spending the summer at Lake Delaware, has gone to Newport.

October 8, 1915 

•Dr. Whitcomb’s horse “Billy” died in the pasture this week.

•Clifford, son of Dr. G.T. Scott has entered medical college.

•The Methodist church will hold a social at John Nichol’s on Friday evening.

•The V.I.S. will hold a social in the Town Hall on Thursday evening to help pay for lighting the streets.

•Mrs. John Dennis, of Bin Hall, Virginia, has been with Miss Louise Dennis. Miss Dennis expects to go south and spend the winter with her brother.

•Mr. Meneker, who purchased the Hewitt farm in the upper part of the town two or three years ago, has given up the farm and has rented the James Gow house in the Center.

•John M. Miller and wife, J.T. Barnhart and wife, Miss Belle Miller and John McCune and wife attended the funeral of their cousin, Mrs. E.C. Dean, at Delhi on Tuesday.

•A.T. Doig and wife are in New York city this week.  They made the trip in his new eight-cylinder Cadallac (sic) car. James W. Thomson and wife accompanied them and will visit his son on Staten Island and dauter at Peekskill.

Death of Mrs. E.C.Dean.  

     Mrs. E.C. Dean died at her home in Delhi village early Saturday morning, October 2, after an illness of considerable duration. She was a daughter of John Bramley and Margaret McCune of Bovina, and was born in that town 52 years ago. She leaves a husband and one daughter and two brothers, Wm. H. Bramley, of Delhi, and Fred Bramley, of Bovina. The funeral was held Tuesday with burial in Woodland Cemetery.  

October 15, 1915

•James Cole, on the Gill farm at Lake Tunis, has purchased a new Ford car.

•Thos C. Strangeway is having his barn repainted – red with white trimmings.

•The new fire house is nearly completed. A concrete sidewalk has been put in along the front.

•E.W. Simmons, of Bloomville, recently delivered a ten horse power Lauson Frost King gasoline engineer to Commodore E.T. Gerry at Lake Delaware.

October 22, 1915

•The registered voters in Bovina this year number 263.

•James Robson, on the Luddington farm, has had his house re-shingled.

•The first number of the entertainment course was given last Thursday evening by the Suwanee River Quartet to a large audience.

•Ellsworth Tuttle is building a new barn in Tuttle Hollow. Harvey VanSteenburg, of Andes, commenced work on it this week.

•It is reported that F.C. Armstrong has sold his farm, which for a number of years has been occupied by Frank Brown, to his son-in-law Ted Fuller.

Died in the Hospital

James D. Boyd, of Bovina, Succumbs to Operation October 14

      James D. Boyd, of Bovina, died in the Post Graduate hospital New York city, October 14. Mr. Boyd, who had been in poor health for two or three years, went to the hospital early in September and submitted to an operation for stricture at the mouth of the bladder. The operation was apparently successful, but he did not gain in strength. He was born in Bovina Center 63 years ago, but most of his life had been spent on the farm at the head of Coulter Brook. He leaves a wife, who was Etta Seath, and two dauters and one son. The funeral was held on Saturday with interment in the Center cemetery. 

October 29, 1915

•John W. McCune and two assistants are doing grading in Delhi for James K. Penfield.

•There was a large crowd at the J.F. Brown sale last Thursday. Cows sold for an average of over $42 per head.

Notice to Church Builders

155 years ago this month, a building committee of the Bovina Reformed Presbyeterian Church posted this ad looking for proposals for the construction of a new church building. The congregation had been using their stone church in the Mountain Brook area of Bovina since it's construction in the 1820s, but decided they needed a new structure. They posted the following notice in the Delaware Gazette (and maybe in a couple of other area newspapers)

Here's the text of this notice:

The undersigned, a building committee appointed by the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation of Bovina, will meet at the house of Mrs. D. Hamilton in said town, on the 13^th day of October, inst., at 11 o’clock A.M. for the purpose of receiving and determining upon the various offers that may be presented to erect a Church for said congregation at Brushland. Sealed proposals will be received till 1 o’clock, P.M., of that day. The committee will be left free to select – they will pay special attention (but will not be bound) to the lowest bid. The building will be 34 by 50 feet; there will be no steeple; three windows at each side and two at front end; posts to be 21 feet between shoulders; gallery in front, only; to be finished by the 1^st of September next. Plans, together with all the material part of the specifications, can be seen at the store of Mr. Robert Sloan, in Brushland. The committee will require security for the faithful performance of the contract.

Thoms. Arbuckle

Joseph Alexander

David B. Russell,

Andrew Thompson,

James G. Russell,

Committee

Dated Bovina October 1^st, 1860.

I have yet to find whether or not the building was done by September 1861 but the building that was constructed is believed to date from around that time. This is a picture of the church, which stood about where the Fire Department is located, until its demolition in 1943.

This Day in Bovina for September

135 years ago today, the September 1, 1880 edition of the Delaware Gazette had the following item: "We are under everlasting obligations to Mr. J.C. Seacord, of Bovina, for a nice box of excellent apples - every typo in the concern votes Mr. Seacord and his apples an entire success."

151 years ago today, on September 2, 1864, Roman Palmer enlisted in the "Army of the United States…" For more about Roman's brief time in the army, visit the Bovina NY History blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/05/bovina-in-civil-war-supreme-sacrifice.html. Several other "Bovina Boys" enlisted that same day, including John G. Aitkin, Samuel Blair, William Dennis, and brothers Berry and Gilbert Miller.

Seventy five years ago today, on September 3, 1940, as later reported in the Bovina of the Delaware Republican, "Miss Catherine Banuat took up her teaching duties at Caroga Lake…." The same issue also noted that her sister Mary "went back to her teaching position in Downsville last week." Catherine stayed in the area of Caroga for most of her adult life. She later married Wesley Foster and would teach until 1979 when she retired. She traveled extensively in her retirement and died in 2012 at the age of 92.

120 years ago, the September 4, 1895 Delaware Gazette reported on the case of "Nancy Erkson vs. Andrew Johnston." The case concerned the "title of a wood lot, situated in the town of Bovina, adjoining the farms of the parties. The plaintiff traces her title back about 100 years to Henry Overing. The defendant claims it by possession." The following week the paper reported that the case "resulted in a non-suit of the plaintiff, on the ground that trespass would hold where possession was not established."

111 years ago today, on September 5, 1904, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Mrs. John Hilson died at her home in Bovina Centre…aged 78 years, six months and eleven [days]. The funeral was held Tuesday, Rev. Samson officiating, and interment was made in the Centre cemetery. Her maiden name was Hannah Hamilton and she was born in upper Bovina on the farm now owned by Hamilton Russell. Mr. Hilson died eight years ago. She is survived by one son, Alexander."

134 years ago today, the September 6, 1881 Stamford Mirror in its Bovina column reported the following: "A young man known here as John Howard, who has been employed in the cooper shops here for the last two seasons, was arrested today in Charles Palmer's shop by Under-Sheriff Crawford. He is said to have escaped from the Schoharie County jail about four years ago, where he was confined on the charge of burglary."

128 years ago today, the September 7, 1887 Delaware Gazette reported that "two men were offered five dollars if they would go a mile to the Republican caucus at Bovina and vote, and that they each had the manhood to refuse just because the offer was made."

146 years ago today, the September 8, 1869 Delaware Gazette reported on a "Lightning Raid on a Sugar Camp." The brief item went on to note that "lightning struck a maple sugar camp belonging to Mr. John T. Miller, Bovina, felling some fifty trees."

130 years ago today, the September 9, 1885 issue of the Delaware Gazette had the following item: "Probable Legacy. - Rev. Dr. Lee, of Brushland, recently received from Santa Cruz, Cal., a letter asking for information in regard to relatives of Elihu Bennett, formerly of Bovina, but who died in California in June last, leaving as is supposed a valuable property. Mr. Bennett was reared in Bovina and taught school for some time, but years ago emigrated to the golden shore, where fortune favored his efforts until he became very rich, it is said. There are three families in Bovina, Andes and elsewhere who are heirs of this estate - the Fullers, Seacords and Scutts. An effort is now being made to obtain the post-office address of each heir so that the proper settlement of the estate may be perfected."

134 years ago today, on September 10, 1881, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, "the Reformed Presbyterian and Methodist Church united in holding a picnic in the grove of Mr. Dickson, near Brushland, and everything went off smoothly. The Andes band furnished the music. Rev. E. White, of Bloomville, and Rev. John R. Scott, of Matteawan, delivered excellent addresses and the children devoured the 'goodies.' Mr. White referred to this town as 'the town flowing with milk and butter.' It was a gala day for the Brushland people." Mr. Dickson's place likely is now the place on Pink Street now owned by Neil Powell.

132 years ago today, the September 11, 1883 issue of the Stamford Mirror in its Bovina column reported that "Corn and Buckwheat etc. have been suddenly ripened by the late severe frosts."

Ninety-seven years ago today, on September 12, 1918, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "There were 91 registered for selective draft last Thursday, and of these 35 will be in the first call."

106 years ago today, the New Kingston column of the September 13, 1909 issue of the Catskill Mountain News reported that "Gilfred Scott began his school duties in the Pink Street District, Bovina…"

105 years ago today, the September 14, 1910 issue of the Delaware Gazette reported that "from the artificial lake made last year on the Mabon farm in Bovina, 30 fine trout were taken the last day of the season by D.L. Bruce and T. Hyzer of Andes." This lake is now known as Coles Lake or Silver Lake. Here's a postcard view of the Lake, known as Lake Mahikan or Mahican when first built.

Sixty one years ago today, on September 15, 1954, Bob Wyer took this picture of the new bridge being constructed at the entrance to Bovina Center. It was built to replace the Scott Bridge, which can be seen in the background. The stone bridge was demolished in July of 1955. Go to the Bovina NY History Blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2010/06/bridging-bovina.html for more about this bridge. 

Fifty years ago today, the September 16, 1965 Delaware Republican Express in its Bovina column reported that "Miss Sally Elliott of New Kingston is staying with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Elliott, while her mother is in the Margaretville Hospital."

217 years ago today, on September 17, 1798, early Bovina pioneer Andrew Doig was born in Perthshire, Scotland. He came to America with his parents, Walter and Elizabeth Doig, while still a child. He married Margaret Sanderson and they would have nine children. Andrew died in Bovina in October 1865.

103 years ago today, the September 18, 1912 issue of the Delaware Gazette had an article under the title "Car load and a Half of Beer." The article read as follows: "A strange condition has existed in the town of Bovina for the past two weeks and many people wonder why such condition is permitted, as Bovina is a dry town, and the people have voted down license for a good many years. A man who was in that town several days ago, relates that at a point between the villages of Andes and Bovina liquor and beer were sold openly at an Italian shanty, that the proprietors had two barns in the same and that a few Sundays ago the building was packed with people most of the day. A carload and  a half of beer was shipped to Andes on the D&N a few days ago for the 'joint' in the town of Bovina and that it doesn't by any means represent the total amount of wet goods shipped there. It is extremely hard for the temperance people to understand just why such a place is permitted to exist in the no-license town of Bovina." The article concluded "the above seems so nearly impossible that many will be inclined to doubt that such a condition as stated is true." A week later, the paper reported that the sheriff and D.A. made a thorough investigation but that they failed to locate it.

115 years ago today, the September 19, 1900 Delaware Gazette reported in a brief article entitled "Good Price for Butter" that "Bovina farmers have been selling firkin butter at 20 cents a pound. Delhi dealers took all they could get at that price." A firkin is a small barrel often used for butter.

155 years ago today, Alphonso Lee of Bovina posted the following notice, dated September 20, 1860, to run in the Delaware Gazette: "The public are hereby notified that Thomas Hall, known by the name of Thomas A. Lee has left my service as a servant or apprentice boy, and all persons are hereby forbidden from harboring or trusting him on my account for I will pay no charges or debts of his contracting." Thomas A. Lee was the adopted son of Alphonso Lee. He enlisted in the 3rd NY Cavalry in July 1861. He stayed in through the war, then transferred to the First NY Mounted Rifles, but deserted August 1, 1865. I've had no luck finding any further information about him.

Fifty 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.

179 years ago today, on September 22, 1836, James and Nancy Coulter suffered the loss of two of their three children, their daughters Elizabeth, age 3 and Nancy, age 2. The next day saw the death of their only surviving child, a son named Andrew. They went on to have 10 more children after this tragedy. More about this family can be found on the Bovina NY History Blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2012/10/stories-from-bovinas-cemeteries.html.

161 years ago today, on September 23, 1854, the "National Democrats of the Town of Bovina" met at the home of Walter Hamilton (now the Jardine residence) "for the purpose of choosing two delegates to attend the County Convention….and for the transaction of such other business…"

Sixty two years ago today, on September 24, 1953, the Bovina Recreation club held its first luncheon of the year at the Bovina Presbyterian Church. "Mrs. Harry Eckert, an accredited judge of floral arrangement" was the guest speaker and taught how to do flower arranging.

Seventy three years ago today, on September 25, 1942, a round and square dance was held in Bovina Center, with music by Melody Boys. This was one in a series of dances that took place about once a month in Bovina in 1942 and 43. The Melody Boys included fiddler Hilt Kelley, who just passed away in March 2015 at the age of 89.

107 years ago today, on September 26, 1908, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Louise, the 15 month old daughter of Superitendent and Mrs. J.F. Forman of the County farm, died of Cholera Infantum." She was buried in Bovina.

Photo of grave by Ed and Dick Davidson.

134 years ago today, the September 27, 1881 issue of the Stamford Mirror reported that "A horse belonging to Thomas A. Hilson, of Bovina, broke loose, ate too many oats and died."

151 years ago today, on September 28, 1864, Miss E. Coulter was paid $27.10 for teaching during the summer term at the district 4 school (now the home of Joe and Connie Dibble.)

130 years ago today, the Stamford Mirror for September 29, 1885 reported that "J.D. Mitchell of Bovina, exhibited a portion of his fine Jersey stock at the Delhi Fair and captured numerous prizes, as follows: second best 2-year-old bull, best and second best calf, best and second best heifer, 2 years, best and second best 1-year old heifer, and best and second best heifer calf - $31 dollars in all. At Hobart he took first prize for farm team." The Mitchell farm was on Crescent Valley Road and was owned by Mitchell until the early 1900s.

Fifty four years ago today, September 30, 1961, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican Express, "Mr. and Mrs. John Hinkley near Bloomville were … guests of his sister, Mrs. Milton Liddle." That same day, "about 20 Bovina people attended the sale on the Elsie Davison farm at Bloomville..."

Stories from Bovina Cemeteries - Alexander Brush

175 years ago on September 11, 1840, Alexander Brush died in Bovina at the age of 81. The Delaware Gazette for September 30 reported his death and included a longer obituary than usually was published in that time period:

Mr. B. was a native of Smithtown, Long Island, and when our fathers, few in number, were contending for Liberty and were resolved to throw off Britain's yoke, he entered the contest and was among those who survived the bloody conflict, and long did he live to enjoy the benefits of American Independence, both civil and religious. As a citizen, he was not unmindful of his duty, and although he frowned upon political strife, ye he was a lover of his country's weal, and always endeavored to keep sight of the old landmarks. As a christian, he was decided in his course, and labored to sustain that dignity of character so essential for the honor of christianity. The last forty years of his life were spent in the town of Bovina, where he was beloved and esteemed by those that knew him; few men have lived so long and had so few to oppose. I am not aware of his having one who could be counted an enemy. He died as a christian dies. His confidence was in his God-even in him who he had trusted for almost 60 years. His funeral obsequies were attended on Sabbath, the 13th instant, at his own house, by a numerous concourse of friends and acquaintances, who seem to feel their loss.

Brush was a Methodist. He donated the land for the Methodist church which was built nine years after his death in 1849. That same year, the post office in the hamlet of Bovina Center became Brushland. That name would last until 1889, when it became Bovina Centre.

Brush was the first settler in Bovina Center and sold off a number of parcels in the area, essentially leading to the creation of the hamlet. Brush is buried in Bovina Center in what is now known as the Brush cemetery. His tombstone still exists today.

Something I noted in the article that I hadn't seen elsewhere was a reference to Brush having served in the American Revolution. I've started some further digging into this. If he was, indeed, a veteran of the American Revolution, we need to add a marker and flag to his grave.

September 1915 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

From the Andes Recorder

The hamlet's new gas lights became operational, the new fire house approached completion and part of what is now County Route 6 received a coating of sand and oil, which made travel for a few days "disagreeable."

September 3, 1915

•The new Fire House is enclosed and the roof on.

•A monument was placed in the Center Cemetery last week to the memory of the late Rev. A.G. King. 

•Dr. Charles C. Duryee and C.M. Baker from the state department of health were in here Tuesday and went over the watershed from which the supply for Bovina Center is secured, and took a sample of the water.

•Mr. and Mrs. William M. Armstrong went to New York on Thursday to have a specialist examine Mrs. Armstrong’s foot that was operated on some time ago and a piece of needle found.  It has been causing more or less pain ever since. [Mrs. Armstrong likely was the former Mary Kaufman. She died in December 1929.]

•Violinist Ward Baker’s musical entertainment Wednesday evening was a great success – standing room only and several had to be turned away.  He was ably assisted by the Delhi Military Band, Mrs. Frank Farrington, Marian Birdsall and Beatrice Stevens. [See this blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2014/03/ward-baker-americas-most-soulful.html for more on Ward Baker.]

Mowed in Old Fashioned Way

A piece of meadow in upper Bovina containing a little over ¾ of an acre, was mowed by hand in nine hours with an old fashioned mower 75 years old, and three big loads of hay secured.

September 10, 1915

•Nearly all the schools of the town opened Tuesday.

•Professor Archie Coulter, who is teaching in the central part of the state, with his family, spent the past week with his mother.

•Mrs. Robert L. Gerry gave a picnic Saturday afternoon at Lake Delaware.  Invitation was by card.  In the evening there was dancing.

•The last and we believe the only wedding ever held in the U.P. church previous to the Storie-Davidson wedding, was that of Alex White in 1866 or 1867.

•The Bovina State road from T.C. Strangeway’s to the upper part of the village was covered last week with a light coat of sand and oil.  For a few days it made travel disagreeable and tracked into houses, but conditions are improving.

September 17, 1915

•The fair at Delhi was the chief attraction for our people this week.

•Thomas Gordon has charge of the Dry Milk plant this week during the absence of the manager, R.G. Thomson.

•James D. Boyd, who has been in poor health for some time, was taken to the Post Graduate hospital in New York last Thursday by Dr. Whitcomb for an operation. [James would die in October 1915 at the age of 62.]

•Edward Lunn, the 17 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Lunn, of Auburn, Washington, was drowned in the Bering sea recently, while making a trip in Alaskan waters. The parents were both from Bovina, the mother being Maggie Forrest.

•Twenty three of the twenty five members of Dr. Whitcomb’s Sabbath School class enjoyed an auto trip and a picnic at Goodyear Lake, Saturday. The Doctor intended to take them to Otsego Lake but the condition of the roads made necessary a change of plans.

September 24, 1915 

•The Oneonta fair attracted many Bovina people to that place this week.

•J.W. Coulter has completed the laying of his sidewalk on the south side of the street.

•Cutting corn and filling silos has been the business of many farmers for the past week.

•The new gasoline street lamps have been put in place and the village is now well equipped for light.

•Gideon Miller’s horse dropped dead last week just after drinking at the watering trough near Delhi Village. 

•Dr. N.B. Whitcomb is moving from the rooms in George Gladstone’s house to the house which he recently purchased on Maple avenue.

•The town board and Arthur Bergman, John Nicol and John Campbell have compromised on the new road up that valley.  The board grants a road from Bergman’s to Campbell’s and the property owners donate the right of way.