HISTORY OF

SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

by NATHANIEL BARTLETT SYLVESTER

1878

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HISTORY OF THE VILLAGES AND TOWNS OF SARATOGA COUNTY.

VILLAGE OF SARATOGA SPRINGS (Part 3).

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V. - HOTELS.

The hotels of Saratoga are its pride and crowning glory. Nowhere else in the world can such a splendid array be seen in the same city or village so near each other.

And now, during these centennial years of the first rude openings of the springs in the northern wilds, this whole village is crowded with hotels, the largest, grandest, best appointed in the world, within a stone's throw of each other, and glittering with more than oriental splendor. When all lighted up of a summer evening, the streets filled with gay promenaders, - the wit, the wealth, the fashion, and the beauty of half the world all there, - the scene presented is like that of some fairy-land. Surely has some enchanter touched with magic wand those old rude hotels of a century ago, and transformed them into palaces like those famous in eastern story.

In the limits of this volume we can devote but little space to any save the few old historic ones, which have been so long connected with the village that they seem to form a necessary part of its history. To the rest we can give but brief mention.

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THE GRAND UNION.

The Grand Union Hotel, which is the oldest of the Saratoga hotels, was built by Gideon Putnam. It was commenced in 1800, completed in the spring of 1802, and was kept by Gideon Putnam up to the time of his death, in 1812. It was at this time called by the unpretending name of Putnam's Tavern, and the old sign, which was intended to represent Israel Putnam entering the den of the wolf, is still in existence, and may be seen upon the rear piazza of the Grand Union Hotel. The original building was erected upon the corner of Congress street and Broad street, now Broadway, fronting upon the latter. The lot upon which it was built had a frontage of one hundred and eighty-seven feet, but the building occupied only a portion of this space. It was built of wood, and consisted of a main building three and one-half stories in height, across the entire front of which ran a broad piazza, sheltered by a continuation of the sloping roof of the building, with a wing on either side. The space between the north line of the tavern lot and Washington street, upon which now stands the greater portion of the front of the Grand Union, and which measures about two hundred and forty-seven feet, was at this time partly occupied by dwellings and other erections. Immediately upon the corner of Washington street for many years resided the Rev. Francis Wayland, the father of Dr. Francis Wayland, late president of Brown University, and after his death the residence was occupied by his daughters, who kept a private boarding-school for young ladies there. A portion of the premises next south of Mr. Wayland's was occupied by the Montgomery Hall, a tavern or hotel of some magnitude, which was for some years kept by Carey B. Moon, the present proprietor of Moon's Lake House, whose fried potatoes have since become as famous as the whitebait of Greenwich. These buildings and those occupying the intervening space were pulled down to give place to the building known as Ainsworth Place, which was in turn removed by Alexander T. Stewart, who erected upon its site the present north wing of the Grand Union.

After the death of Gideon Putnam the establishment was carried on by his widow, with little or no change in its condition, for a number of years. In the fall of 1836, Rockwell Putnam and Washington Putnam, two of the sons of Gideon Putnam, purchased the interests of their brothers and sisters, of whom there were seven, upon the basis of an aggregate valuation of about $16,000. The establishment received from them the name of Union Hall, which it retained for many years, and continued under their management until January, 1849, when the firm of R. & W. Putnam was dissolved, and Henry H. Hathorn, afterwards well known as the proprietor of Congress Hall, became the purchaser of the interest of Rockwell Putnam. The following spring, and before the house was opened under the new management, Washington Putnam died. His widow, who was a woman of extraordinary business capacity and ability, immediately assumed the position which her late husband had occupied in the firm, and with the assistance of Mr. Hathorn, under the firm-name of Putnam & Hathorn, conducted the establishment until January, 1853, when she sold out to Seymour Ainsworth. Hathorn and Ainsworth kept the hotel one season, and in January, 1854, Hathorn sold his interest to George R. Putnam, the son of Rockwell Putnam, the former owner and proprietor. Putnam & Ainsworth kept the hotel two seasons. In January, 1856, Ainsworth conveyed his interest in the premises to Charles H. Payn, when the firm of Putnam & Payn was formed, under the management of which firm the hotel continued until the purchase of the entire property by Warren Leland, in May, 1864. George R. Putnam died about the year 1862; but during the brief period which elapsed between his death and the purchase by Leland no change was made in the firm-name or in the general management of the establishment.

During these successive changes of ownership the property had gradually increased in extent and value, and the buildings had been enlarged and improved. By a map made in 1842, it appears that the buildings had at that time a frontage of one hundred and fifty-four feet; the south wing a length on Congress street of one hundred and twenty-two feet, the north wing extended into the grounds eighty-seven feet, and connected with it was a building containing lodging-rooms, called the "Garden House," the dimensions of which were thirty feet by eighty-five feet. Putnam & Payn built the Congress street wing, which contains the present dining-room, and obtained for that purpose a loan of $30,000 on the property. The sale in 1849 was made on the basis of a valuation of more than $40,000; that in 1854 of more than $80,000; and that in 1864 of $200,000.

At the time of the purchase of Union Hall by Leland, the proprietors had rented the upper portion of the Ainsworth place, which had been finished off for that purpose for lodging-rooms. The following year Leland purchased this property also, and added it to the hotel. From that time, and until their failure in 1871, the hotel was managed by Warren Leland and his brother, Charles Leland, under the firm-name of Leland Brothers. This firm projected, and immediately began to execute, a series of large improvements. A number of contiguous pieces of property were purchased and added to their establishment. An opera-house was constructed in the grounds. The old front was torn down and an elaborate and expensive building was erected in its place. New furniture was purchased, and modern improvements, conveniences, and luxuries introduced throughout.

For the accomplishment of these improvements large sums of money were required. A large amount was raised upon the bonds of Leland Brothers, secured by a mortgage on the property. This proving insufficient, a second mortgage was given, but the expenses continued to exceed the estimates. The resources of the firm became exhausted, and the entire establishment, including both the real and personal property, was sold by order of the United States district court, in the spring of 1872, and bid off by A.T. Stewart for the handsome sum of $532,000, the greater portion of which was paid by him in cash within thirty days after the sale. From the time of this purchase the property became an object of peculiar interest to its owner. He desired to make it the largest and most complete summer hotel in the world. With this object in view, he purchased ten of the twelve pieces of property upon the same block, which were not included in the hotel premises, at a cost of about $100,000. It was his inability to procure the two remaining lots which prevented the completion of his magnificent plans. As it was, he removed the Ainsworth place, and built in its stead the north half of the front of the hotel, to correspond with the south half, erected by Leland Brothers, and completed those parts which they had left unfinished. He constructed the north wing on the site of the cottages and Penfield buildings, and extended the south wing west to Federal street, removing for this purpose five dwellings and boarding-houses which occupied the ground. All the erections by Mr. Stewart were most substantial and perfect in their character. No expense was spared. The present building is of brick. Its front reaches from Congress street to Washington street, a distance of four hundred and fifty feet. Its north wing is two hundred feet, and its south wing more than five hundred feet in length. It covers the space formerly occupied by Putnam's tavern, and as many as twelve other hotels, boarding-houses, and residences. It has upwards of eight hundred lodging-rooms, can accommodate fifteen hundred guests, and employs an army of servants. Two large locomotive boilers furnish the steam for cooking purposes, and to run the elevators. Two copious springs, about half a mile distant from the hotel, supply it with an abundance of the purest and coldest water. Its broad piazzas, which, in the days of Leland Brothers, were more than a mile in their aggregate length, are shaded by magnificent elms, planted three-quarters of a century ago by Gideon Putnam. Its foundation is set firmly upon the limestone rock, just where it begins to rise into the first swell of the Adirondacks. It fronts upon an avenue unsurpassed in beauty, and from its central tower may be seen, on a clear day, the Catskills and Helderbergs, the Green mountains and Adirondacks, and the beautiful valley of the Hudson, dotted with lakes and villages. In short, it possesses all the advantages of location which are necessary to account for its past history, and to insure it a history no less remarkable in the future.

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UNITED STATES HOTEL.

The United States Hotel of Saratoga has long been almost as renowned as the great watering-place itself. From its comparatively small beginnings of more than fifty years ago, it has steadily kept pace in size and accommodations with the increasing growth and prosperity of the village, until to-day it stands in its architectural symmetry and palatial beauty among the largest and grandest hotels of the world. In the year 1824, Elias Benedict, an uncle of James M. Marvin, who has been so long associated with this hotel, purchased twenty-five acres of land in the block between Washington and Franklin streets, and on this lot in that year built the first United States Hotel. It was a brick building, facing on Broadway one hundred and twenty-five feet, thirty-four feet in depth, four stories high, with wing running sixty feet on Division street. To this first structure the next year, and almost every year following, additions were made, until when it was burned, in 1865, it had for some time extended the entire length of the block.

In 1838, Seaman went out, and John Thomas, of Albany, went in. Under the name of Thomas & Marvin it was kept till 1842. In that year Judge Thomas J. Marvin bought Thomas out, and under the name of James M. Marvin & Co. the brothers kept the hotel till the judge's death, in 1852. After that event James M. Marvin went on with the hotel, dividing the proceeds with the family of Judge Marvin till the hotel was burned on Sunday morning, the 18^th day of June, 1865.

During this time Mr. Benedict had owned the property until 1832, when Judge Marvin bought it out, and in 1833 sold one-half to Lewis Benedict, of Albany. Lewis Benedict and Judge Marvin then gave Elias Benedict the privilege of coming back into the firm upon paying for one-third of the improvement. He did so, and deeded his third in trust for the benefit of his daughter, Mrs. Ford, and her children. Mrs. Ford and her children all died, and James M. Marvin bought from time to time their interest. This left the property - one-third to Judge Marvin, one-third to James M., and one-third to Lewis Benedict.

For several years after the fire the hotel was not rebuilt. At length, in 1874, just one hundred years after Arnold opened the first rude hostelry in the little wilderness clearing at the High Rock, the new building was opened for the reception of guests. It now constitutes one continuous line of buildings, six stories high, over fifteen hundred feet in length, containing nine hundred and seventeen rooms for guests. The architectural appearance is exceedingly elegant and beautiful. It is Norman in style, and its Mansard roof is embellished with pediments, gables, dormer windows, and crestings; and three large pavilions.

The building covers and incloses seven acres of ground in the form of an irregular pentagon, having a frontage of two hundred and thirty-two feet on Broadway, six hundred and fifty-six feet on Division street, with "Cottage Wing" on the south side of the plaza, extending west from the main front for five hundred and sixty-six feet. This wing is one of the most desirable features of this admirably-arranged house, as it affords families and other parties the same quiet and seclusion which a private cottage would afford, together with the attention and conveniences of a first-class hotel. The rooms of this wing are arranged in suites of one to seven bedrooms, with parlor, bath-room, and water-closet in each suite.

The main front and entrance is on Broadway, in which is the elegant drawing-room, superbly furnished with Axminster carpets, carved walnut and marble furniture, frescoed ceilings, elegant lace curtains, and costly chandeliers and mirrors. The room is rich and tasteful in its entire arrangements. Across the hall is the ladies' parlor, furnished with exquisite taste; and beyond, at the corner of the Broadway and Division street fronts, are the gentlemen's reading-rooms and the business offices of the hotel. To the west of the office, in the Division street wing, is the dining-hall, fifty-two by two hundred and twelve feet, with twenty and one-half feet ceiling, beyond which are the private drawing-rooms, the children's ordinary, carving-rooms, etc. The grand hall-room, one hundred and twelve by fifty-three feet, with ceilings twenty-six feet high, is on the second floor of the Division street wing, and is decorated with artistic and appropriate adornments.

The above description will give the reader some faint idea of this grand structure, which is now, as it always has been, patronized by the best people of the land.

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CONGRESS HALL.

In the year 1811 Gideon Putnam commenced its erection, at the "raising" of which a bent of heavy timber fell, killing Barney Souler, and injuring Mr. Putnam so seriously as to cause his death. In 1813 it was used as a lodging-house for Union Hall, located opposite. In 1815, Guert Van Schoonhoven became its owner. It then had a frontage of one hundred and forty feet, with a wing extending back from its south end. Samuel Drake, a nephew of Van Schoonhoven, was manager, and had charge of the hotel. John K. Beekman and J.M.D. Lawrence were part owners of the hotel at this time. Congress Hall soon became the headquarters of the leading fashionables, and was the first to employ bands of music, and to adopt the plan of hops and balls, which since have become so popular. Mr. Drake kept the hotel until 1828, when Joseph and James R. Westcott leased it. In 1819, when the Pavilion was erected, it was still the home of the fashionable society congregated at the Springs. In 1831 an additional story was added to the south wing. The Westcotts kept it until 1836-37, when Stephen Seaman and Calvin Munger became its proprietors; the former subsequently retired, and the latter kept it until 1846, when he died. The hotel was not successful under their management. In 1846, Joshua Collins opened the hotel, conducting it as a temperance house. Up to 1854 it was operated by various parties, among whom were William R. Brown and George Daley. In the year last named Hon. H.H. Hathorn bought the property, and forming a partnership with H.P. Hale, made various improvements; they put on an additional story, rebuilt the north wing, and erected a ball-room on the corner opposite the hotel.

In 1866 Congress Hall was destroyed by fire, and the present large and elegant hotel occupies the site of the old and famous structure. It occupies the larger part of the square bounded by Broadway, East Congress, Spring, and Putnam streets. Its frontage on Broadway is four hundred and sixteen feet, with a high promenade piazza twenty feet wide and two hundred and forty-nine feet in length, commanding a view of the most brilliant portion of Saratoga. From this front two immense wings, three hundred feet long, extend to Putnam street, the northern wing running along Spring street and overlooking the celebrated Hathorn and Hamilton springs on one side, and with the central wing, which runs parallel with it, inclosing a beautiful garden-plot. The southern front commands a view of the famous Congress and Columbian springs, and the beautiful Congress park, which has been very artistically arranged and adorned, at great expense, by the Congress and Empire Spring Company. It is built in the most substantial manner, of brick, with brownstone trimmings, and presents a very graceful architectural appearance.

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THE PAVILION.

The Pavilion Hotel was built by Judge Walton in the year 1819, upon the site of the present town-hall. It was first kept by Nathan Lewis, and then by a succession of proprietors, among whom were Allen Murphy, John Ford, Asher Smith Taylor, John C. Dillon, John Cross, and Daniel McLaren, until it was burned about the year 1840, since which it has not been rebuilt. It was in its palmy days the abode of fashion and elegance, unsurpassed by any hotel in the village.

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FIRST COLUMBIAN HOTEL.

In 1809 a hotel was built on the corner opposite the Pavilion, on ground now occupied by the Ainsworth block, which was afterwards known as the Columbian Hotel. Its first proprietor was Jotham Holmes. It was long since destroyed in one of the many disastrous conflagrations to which the village was subject in former days.

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THE CLARENDON HOTEL.

This hotel was built by Mrs. Mary I. Jones, in 1860, and opened that year by Alexander Putnam. He was succeeded in 1861 by Mr. Robinson. In 1862 and 1863 it was kept by Mr. Dorlon. In 1865 it was leased by Charles E. Leland, who purchased it in 1873. The Clarendon, the only hotel in Saratoga Springs which is painted white, with green blinds, is a quiet summer home, frequented by people of culture and refinement, seeking rest and recreation. It will accommodate about three hundred and fifty people. The spring was purchased with the hotel property, and is situated on its grounds. Its waters are popular. Mr. Leland, the proprietor, is a younger member of the Leland family, celebrated in connection with first-class hotels in America. The hotel is situated on Broadway, near Congress street, and in the neighborhood of Congress grove.

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THE AMERICAN HOTEL.

This establishment was erected about the year 1840, by George W. Wilcox, on the site of the York House, and an adjoining lot purchased for the purpose. Mr. Wilcox and his son-in-law, E. Darwin Pitkin, conducted it for several years, and until their decease. The property having been sold by Mrs. Pitkin (only child of Wilcox), it was, a few years later, purchased by its present proprietor, William Bennett, who has made additions and improvements. The hotel, under Mr. Bennett's proprietorship, has become well and favorably known. This is one of the few public hotels at Saratoga Springs which are open all the year for public accommodation.

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THE MARVIN HOUSE

occupies the original site and residence of Doctor Porter, on the corner of Broadway and Division street. In 1832, when the depot of the Saratoga and Schenectady railroad was located on the corner of the above-named streets, the house was constructed and used as a hotel. It was known as the Railroad House, and was first kept by a Mr. Caldwell. Charles Ensign afterwards purchased it, and subsequently sold it to Isaac Smith, who operated the hotel until 1853, when he sold to Philip Snyder, who removed the old building and constructed a new one, which was christened the Marvin House, after one of Saratoga's most respected citizens, - Hon. Thomas J. Marvin. The new hotel was opened in August, 1853. In 1859, Adam and Daniel Snyder succeeded their brother as proprietors. June 18, 1865, it was destroyed by fire. In the fall of 1865 the Snyders commenced its reconstruction. July 23, 1866, it was opened to the public, and was, at that time, the largest hotel in Saratoga. Its cost was $100,000, independent of the ground on which it stands. This hotel has been owned and operated until the present season by A. & D. Snyder.

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THE COLUMBIAN HOTEL,

accommodating three hundred guests, Mr. D.A. Dodge, proprietor, Major Riggs, manager, is on Broadway, opposite Congress park, and just south of Crystal spring.

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THE WINDSOR HOTEL.

This new and elegant house was built in the spring of 1876, and opened for the first time to the public in June. It stands on the corner of Broadway and William street, on higher ground than any other hotel in Saratoga, and commands a magnificent view of the beautiful Congress park and Broadway.

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ADELPHI HOTEL.

This elegant new house, built in the spring of 1877, is on Broadway, at the head of Phila street, in the central part of the town. It will accommodate about two hundred guests, and is kept open all the year, by Mr. McCaffrey.

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THE WAVERLY HOUSE

is situated in the upper part of the town, on Broadway, in a beautiful and quiet portion of the village.

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THE HOLDEN HOUSE

is situated on Broadway, just north of the Marvin House. The building is of brick, and it has a pleasant veranda on its front. This delightful and home-like hotel is now kept by J. N. Ramsdill, whose kind attentions to those engaged upon the preparation of this history will be ever remembered.

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THE ALBEMARLE HOUSE

is situated on South Broadway, three doors south of the Clarendon Hotel, in one of the most beautiful portions of Saratoga.

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THE BATES HOUSE,

Mr. C. S. Bates, proprietor, stands on the corner of Circular and Lafayette streets, near Drs. Strong's Remedial Institute, and between Phila and Caroline streets, which run to Broadway.

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BROADWAY HALL.

This celebrated boarding-house is beautifully located a little up Broadway, and on higher ground than any other boarding-house in the place, and consequently is airy and healthy.

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THE EMPIRE HOTEL,

on the corner of Front and Rock streets, in the north part of the village, is the nearest hotel or boarding-house to the celebrated Empire, High Rock, Saratoga Star, Seltzer, and Red springs. It is on the site of the old Schouten house.

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THE CENTENNIAL HOUSE

is opposite the United States Hotel, on Matilda street, near Division street and the railroad depot.

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THE CONTINENTAL HOTEL,

on Washington street, has been a favorite resort for many years. It is a well-built brick hotel, situated in a pleasant part of the village, and but a few steps from the railroad station.

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THE COMMERCIAL HOTEL

stands on the corner of Church and Matilda streets and Railroad place.

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THE EVERETT HOUSE

is situated on Broadway, a few doors south of the Clarendon Hotel.

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THE GREEN MOUNTAIN HOUSE

is on Washington street, the first door west of the Baptist church.

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THE HUESTIS HOUSE,

at 234 and 236 South Broadway, is situated on the most beautiful portion of South Broadway, near the Clarendon Hotel.

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THE MOREY HOUSE,

on Franklin street, is situated but a short distance from the principal springs and the leading hotels in the place.

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THE MANSION HOUSE.

This house is situated on Spring avenue, within a few rods of Excelsior and Union springs.

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THE PIERPONT HOUSE

is located on the corner of Regent street and White street, near Union avenue.

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THE PITNEY HOUSE,

on Congress street, is one of the largest and best boarding-houses in Saratoga.

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This house is on Grove, corner of Front street, and just north of the Presbyterian church.

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THE WILBUR HOUSE

is on the corner of Washington and Federal streets; it is a large boarding-house, which is kept open all the year.

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VI. - CHURCHES.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, SARATOGA SPRINGS.

The history of the First Baptist church of Saratoga Springs reaches back to the early years of the settlement of the town, and it was organized and recognized as such twenty-three years before any other church existed in the town; and although the house of worship was two miles away until 1822, a large number of their members resided in the village, and they held religious services a part of the time for some years in a school-house that stood on the first lot west of where their present church edifice is located, on Washington street.

Before its recognition as a church the Baptists in this vicinity were members, it is supposed, of the First Stillwater (Bemus Heights) church, which, according to Benedict's "History of the Baptists," arose in 1762, became unusually large, and prospered, with branches in many directions, among which was one called Kayadrosseras; and in 1791, ten of their members living on the west side of Saratoga lake were dismissed to form an independent church, and this was probably the beginning of the First Baptist church of Saratoga Springs, which was constituted and received fellowship as a Baptist church by a council consisting of pastors and delegates called from various churches of the same faith and order, which met Oct. 11, 1793. The constituent members numbered twenty. Elder Simeon Smith, moderator; Elder Lemuel Powers, clerk of council.

At their first church conference, held Oct. 26, 1796, it was voted to hold their meetings for worship one-half the time at Bro. W. Barrow's, and the other half of the time at the school-house near Timothy Shipman's, near where, in 1878, Joseph Rowley lives, in the town of Malta.

The early history of the church was full of such hardship and discouragement as is known only in pioneer life, but the faithful band struggled on with persistent perseverance, not only to maintain their existence and visibility, but to secure ministers of the gospel to preach and administer the ordinances of the church. And in return they saw their numbers and influence increasing, and they, year after year, occupying a larger place, while they were constantly dismissing members to unite with other churches in different sections of the State and country.

Houses of worship. - The records of the church do not show that they had any house of worship for many years, but held their meetings, as stated above, until Dec. 3, 1796, when they voted to hold them at the house of Nathaniel Saxton until a more convenient place could be obtained, and the same vote was renewed Dec. 3, 1798.

Salmon Munger, Edy Baker, and Thos. Ostrander were chosen Oct. 20, 1804, a committee to stake out the ground to set the meeting-house on, and Dec. 28, 1808, they voted to build a house thirty-eight by twenty-eight feet, two stories high and gallery, and to begin as soon as $500 was subscribed.

July 8, 1809, they voted, instead of getting incorporated, to secure the title of the ground and meeting-house, by taking an everlasting lease from Mr. Ellis.

This house stood a short distance east of the Geyser spring, and was their place of worship until 1822, when they removed to the village, and occupied a house on the site of their present church edifice. It was two stories high, with galleries, and cost about $2500. This house was used without change until 1846, when it was remodeled and thoroughly repaired.

The increase of members of the church and society was so rapid from this time, that in 1855 it was found necessary to build the present beautiful and commodious house of worship, which was dedicated in August, 1856. Its cost was $18,000.

About the year 1833 they built a parsonage on the same lot with the church, which still remains. The church property is unencumbered, and the society is free from debt. From 1793 to 1800 they had no settled pastor, but were supplied by different ministers; Elders Rogers, Craw, and Powers being most frequently mentioned, who preached to them and administered the ordinances of the church.

The first pastor was Elisha P. Langworthy, who was ordained to the work of the ministry Dec. 18, 1800; and this relation existed until Jan. 9, 1819. His home was at Ballston Spa, and he often came on foot to meet and preach to his people. In the cold weather he came through the drifted snow, and before going to the pulpit would shake hands with every person present, and then, with overcoat and mittens on, preach his sermon; then have an intermission, and after that another sermon; and then part with them, to meet on the next Sabbath. In those days they had no stoves, and so did not see fire from the time they left home until they reached it again. A cold lunch was in order on those winter Sabbaths. The church was largely increased in numbers under his labors. He died in 1828.

Francis Wayland, the second pastor, was called to serve the church Jan. 9, 1819, and remained with them until Jan. 19, 1823.

John Lamb, the third pastor, was called April 12, 1823, and continued as such until March 26, 1825.

The fourth pastor was David R. Mackelfresh, who was called Nov. 13, 1825, but released from his engagement June 13, 1826.

After this the church was supplied by Elders More and Hubbell and other ministers until the fifth pastor, Joshua Fletcher, was called, Jan. 24, 1829. He graduated at Hamilton in June after, and the church called a council, which met Sept. 10, 1829, and set him apart by solemn ordination to the work of the gospel ministry. Large numbers were added to the church during his pastorate, which he resigned Nov. 28, 1845.

Arnold Kingsbury, the sixth pastor, was settled in 1847, and labored with the church until 1849, when he was succeeded by the seventh pastor, Austin H. Stowel, who commenced his labors in the winter of 1850, and remained until Feb. 20, 1855, when he resigned, and was followed by the eighth pastor, Luther W. Beecher, D.D., who was called Sept. 19, 1855, and resigned Sept. 19, 1859.

During these two pastorates the church made a marked advance in numbers and means of support.

A.W. Sawyer, the ninth pastor, was called Feb. 18, 1861, and resigned Jan. 11, 1864, and was followed by the tenth pastor, L. M. Woodruff, who was called Sept. 19, 1864, and resigned May 1, 1870.

During these years the church paid off all its debts, and was more largely increased in its membership than under the labors of any other pastor of the same number of years.

After his removal the church obtained supplies until Dec. 12, 1870, when William Cheetham, the eleventh pastor, was called, and ministered to the church until Oct. 8, 1871.

After this the church was supplied most of the time by Rev. Samuel H. Greene, now of Cazenovia, N. Y., and Ed. H. Bronson, now of Aurora, Ill., under whose preaching many were converted and added to the church, until the twelfth pastor, E.A. Woods, was called, July 7, 1872.

He closed this relation Jan. 9, 1876.

The church was again without a pastor until the thirteenth and present one, George A. Smith, was called, May 28, 1876. He was a graduate from Madison Theological Seminary of the class of 1876, and was ordained July 20 of the same year. Under his ministry the church has enjoyed a very unusual degree of harmony, and many have been added to its membership.

From its membership the church has licensed the following persons to preach: Andrew Sprague, July 4, 1795; the late Francis Wayland, D.D., president of Brown University, was licensed Dec. 11, 1819; Lemuel Covell, Dee. 28, 1833; Levi Parmely, Dec. 28, 1838; Ebenezer Jewett, Nov. 4, 1859; Charles H. Moscrip, Sept. 16, 1870.

The greatest ingatherings to the church were in the years 1811, 1812, 1819, 1824, 1830, 1834, 1840, 1843, 1850, 1857, 1866, and 1872.

The whole number baptized up to June 1, 1878, was 1050; whole number added by letter, 734; total, 1784. Present number, 428.

In December, 1817, letters were granted to members to form a church in Wilton, and in 1876 sixty-five were dismissed to form the Second Baptist church of Saratoga Springs.

The following persons have been elected to the office of deacon: Gresham Saxton, Nathaniel Saxton, Briggs Sherman, Eliphaz Fish, Salmon Munger, Noah Roberts, Ezekiel Bradley, John A. Waterbury, Isaac Patrick, Joseph Waring, Wm. C. Owen, John Marston, John T. Carr, Edwin N. Brown, Francis W. Waterbury, Leonard H. Simons, Deman Vail, John Palmer, Edward R. Waterbury, Leonard Cotton, Reuben Merchant, Phineas F. Allen, Gilbert L. Waring, Thomas Noxon, Charles S. Smith.

The following persons have served the church as clerk: Eliphaz Fish, Wm. Wait, Harmon J. Betts, Philo R. Waterbury, John A. Waterbury, Aruna C.T. Peck, Francis W. Waterbury, Charles Phillips, Thomas Stevens, Edwin N. Brown, Phineas F. Allen; Oliver H. Cromwell, Geo. W. Wadsworth.

The first trustees chosen by the church were Eliphaz Fish and Andrew Sprague, May 7, 1796.

The present board consists of Wm. Waterbury, Prince W. Wells, Frank V. Hewitt, Jerome Pitney, Thos. Noxon, Seymour Gilbert. Wm. H. Gibbs is chorister and Mrs. Chas. O. Van Dorn organist.

The church has engaged heartily in Sabbath-school work. In January, 1820, in connection with the Presbyterians, they organized a Union school, which they sustained until 1822, when each church formed separate schools of their own.

The following persons have been superintendents of the school: Harmon J. Betts, John A. Waterbury, Wm. A. Langworthy, Warren A. Smith, Phineas Fletcher, Amariah H. Fitch, Rev. Heman H. Hoff, Samuel B. Terwilliger, Philo R. Waterbury, Isaac D. Sweat, Rev. Joshua Fletcher, Thos. Stevens, John Marston, E. Milton Brown, and John T. Carr, the present superintendent.

In April, 1878, they celebrated their fifty-eighth anniversary, and by the report of the secretary we find the following statistics for the year ending March 31, 1878: number of officers, 10; teachers, 32; scholars, 355; volumes in the library, 1400; receipts for the year, $738.28.

The present officers, 1878, are as follows: Rev. Geo. A. Smith, president; John T. Carr, superintendent; Edward R. Waterbury, assistant superintendent; Geo. M. Crippen, secretary; John R. Barrett, treasurer; Oliver H. Cromwell, Beebee R. Barrett, Frank Hewitt, and Geo. Humphrey, librarians; Oscar A. Day, chorister; Miss Nora E. Morse, organist.

The ladies of the church have an aid society for assisting poor children of the Sabbath-school, besides which they have rendered large and timely contributions to aid in defraying church expenses.

The church is interested in and contributes largely for home and foreign missions, education, publication, Bible and freedmen work. Being the oldest church and with a large membership, they feel that they have a great work to do both at home and abroad.

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SARATOGA SPRINGS.

The history of this venerable and influential society, the first religious society established in the village of Saratoga Springs, may be briefly stated as follows:

Organization. - The congregation was organized and trustees were elected January 15, 1816. The first trustees chosen were Miles Beach, Ziba Taylor, and Nathan Lewis. The first elders chosen and ordained, Dec. 11, 1817, were Abijah Blanchard and Luman B. Smith. Abijah Blanchard was also chosen and ordained deacon.

This organization took place where worship was first held and the Sabbath-school was first conducted - in the village school-house, then situated on Washington street, on the spot now occupied by the First Baptist church.

It was recognized as an incorporated body by the court of common pleas June 6, 1816; was received under the care of the presbytery of Albany Aug. 19, 1817, and constituted a Presbyterian church by the admission of members, the ordination of elders, and the adoption of a confession of faith, Dec, 11, 1817.

Pastors. - The following persons have been installed and have officiated as pastors of this church, viz.:

1. Rev. Darius O. Griswold. Under his ministration the church was established, and after acting as stated supply he was installed pastor in February, 1822. This relation was dissolved Oct. 10, 1823. After this the church was supplied for some two years by Rev. Dr. Wm. Chester and others.

2. Rev. Samuel W. Whelpley was installed pastor August 19, 1825. This pastoral relation was dissolved Dec. 8, 1826.

3. For a period of over seven years the church had no pastor. At length the former pastor, Rev. Mr. Griswold, was engaged as stated supply, and served the church in this capacity for five years. The church owes much to this good man, who gave them some twelve years of the best part of his life, who commenced and fostered the enterprise, and under whose able ministrations it attained an enviable prosperity. Mr. Griswold died in this village December 27, 1841, and his remains are interred in Greenridge cemetery.

4. The third pastor was Rev. Dr. Albert T. Chester, who was installed Dec. 3, 1839, and resigned his call Dec. 4, 1849.

5. Rev. Dr. John Woodbridge was installed pastor Jan. 21, 1851, and resigned Oct. 10, 1871.

6. Rev. Frederick W. Newman was installed July, 1872, and resigned early in the year 1875.

7. Rev. Dr. Peter Stryker, the present pastor, was installed July 9, 1876.

Church Edifices. - This church has had three sanctuaries. The first was a frame building, and is still standing on the corner of Church and Matilda streets, and is now known as the Commercial Hotel. This house was consecrated Dec. 6, 1820. It cost about $4500.

The large and elegant brick building, situated on North Broadway, just above the town-hall, is the third sanctuary. This was finished and first occupied July 26, 1857. The debt incurred in its erection being subscribed, the house was dedicated at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the church, Dec. 8, 1867. The cost of the lot and edifice was about $30,000.

Members and Church Work. - This church was organized with nine members. It has on the church roll as admitted by letter and profession eleven hundred and ninety-five persons. The number of persons now present and in full communion is two hundred and seventy-six. Many connected with this church were or are persons of distinction: ministers, doctors, lawyers, judges, statesmen. Among them may be specified Rev. Wm. W. Eddy, D.D., at present a missionary in Beirut, Syria, and the late Reuben H. Walworth, chancellor of the State of New York, and the late Judge Wm. L.F. Warren.

The officers of this church at present are as follows:

Session. - Rev. Peter Stryker, D.D., moderator; Paoli Durkee, clerk; Philip McOmber, N. Bedortha, M.D., Silas P. Briggs, Wm. B. Taylor, H. Dwight Williams.

Trustees. - Judge Chas. S. Lester, president; James H. Wright, treasurer; A.S. Hays, A.A. Patterson, Edward R. Stevens.

Deacons. - Samuel Freeburn, Charles C. Lester, Charles W. Fuller.

Choir. - C.C. Lester, leader; Miss Florence Eddy, organist.

Sexton. - Tracey A. Record.

Sabbath-School. - This is as old as the church. It was organized in 1816, and Mr. John D. Mann was the first superintendent. The school now numbers three hundred persons, and is in fine working order. The officers are: Judge C.S. Lester, superintendent; Edward R. Stevens, secretary and treasurer; Willard Lester, librarian; C.C. Lester, chorister; Miss Sarah Pond, organist; Miss Carrie Walbridge, superintendent of primary department.

Industrial School. - This is held on Saturday afternoons. Connected with it are about one hundred teachers and scholars. Mrs. C.H. Stryker, the wife of the pastor, is the superintendent.

Young People's Association. - This is composed of a large number of the young people of the congregation, who make themselves very useful in a variety of ways. The president is Willard Lester, and the secretary Walter Fuller.

There is a Women's Foreign Missionary Society in this church, connected with the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the synod of Albany. Also a Women's Home Missionary Society. Of the former, Mrs. Peter Stryker is president; of the latter, Mrs. Alexander Proudfit.

The benevolent contributions of this church are obtained by (1) collections in the Sabbath-school; (2) subscriptions and collections for the poor fund; (3) subscriptions to the women's board; (4) subscriptions to general benevolence, solicited and collected each month by a committee of the Young People's Association, and disbursed by the session.

Colonies. - 1. Congregational church of Saratoga, Rev. W.R. Terrett, pastor; organized 1845. 2. Second Presbyterian church, Rev. Giles P. Hawley, pastor; organized Aug. 8, 1871.

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PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The formal organization of Bethesda church in Saratoga Springs was at a meeting of the congregation worshiping in a chapel on the northeast corner of Congress and Putnam streets, in the village of Saratoga Springs, on the 4^th day of October, 1830. For many years prior to this organization, and, in fact, for many years subsequent thereto, the town of Saratoga Springs was missionary ground under the voluntarily assumed charge of the Rev. Edward Davis, of Ballston, and the Rev. Deodatus Babcock, of Ballston Spa. At the time of this organization the Rev. Edward Davis was the missionary and rector in charge of this station, and he attended this meeting in the character of rector. At this meeting Henry Walton and Wallace Crawford were elected wardens; John H. Steel, John Clarke, Daniel D. Benedict, Esek Cowen, Rockwell Putnam, Joel Clement, Jonathan Williams, and Daniel Wait, vestrymen. A certificate of incorporation, in accordance with the provisions of "an act to provide for the incorporation of religious societies," was drawn up, certified by the seals of Edward Davis, rector, Rockwell Putnam, and Henry Walton, witnessed by William H. Walton and Sheldon Clarke, and acknowledged before Hon. John H. Steel, judge of Saratoga County common pleas. This certificate was afterwards duly recorded in the office of the county clerk.

For nearly eleven years from the date of this organization the parish remained practically missionary ground, and the little band who met in the chapel kindly furnished by Dr. John Clarke, at the corner of Congress and Putnam streets, was carefully looked after and ministered to by the Rev. Messrs. Davis and Babcock, who lovingly and perseveringly held together the growing flock until it gained strength to stand alone. On the 29^th of May, 1841, a meeting of the church-wardens and vestrymen was held, pursuant to notice, at Bethesda chapel, permanent rules and by-laws of the incorporation adopted, and a special committee appointed to make inquiry as to grounds suitable as a site for a church edifice, and the terms on which it might be obtained. John Clarke, Sidney J. Cowen, and Samuel Freeman were appointed such special committee. They reported at an adjourned meeting, held June 5, 1841, three several offers of lots for a church edifice: one by Judge Henry Walton, in the grove on the east side of Broad street, north of Covent Garden; one by Rockwell Putnam, on the south side of Washington street, and one by Dr. John Clarke, in the grove on the west side of Circular street, north of and near Congress street, known as Temple hill. The lot offered by Rockwell Putnam was finally chosen, and measures at once taken to erect upon it a church edifice.

Starting out with a debt of some $3500 for the lot selected, and no funds beyond the voluntary contributions of comparatively few in number, the work of erecting the church edifice and building up the church was slow. For near thirty years the mortgage given on the purchase of the lot hung like a nightmare over the faithful struggling band, who labored in season and out of season to sustain the enterprise, and to clear the church, grown dear to them by labor and self-sacrifice, from incumbrance.

The plan of the building, drawn by R. Upjohn, architect, of New York, for the projected edifice on Temple hill, was, with some modifications, adopted for the new location. The building on Washington street was commenced in 1842, and was first occupied, in an unfinished condition, during 1844. The building, as first modeled, was in the form of the Latin cross, - the nave and transepts occupied by the congregation, and the head of the cross by the chancel. In 1859, to increase the seating capacity of the building, the walls of the nave between the towers and transepts were moved out on a line with the outer walls of the transepts. The towers, according to the original plan, were never carried up and finished.

The first rector of the parish after the long-continued missionary labors of the Rev. Drs. Davis and Babcock was the Rev. William Frederick Walker, formerly of Christ church, Troy, N.Y. Mr. Walker had occupied the place for a time in a missionary capacity, and on the 19^th of June was called to the rectorship of the parish. Mr. Walker was succeeded, Sept. 2, 1843, by the Rev. Samuel Hansom Cox: then in his diaconate as minister.

March 28, 1845, the Rev. John Henry Hobart was called as rector. He was succeeded, June 9, 1846, by the Rev. Philip E. Milledoler, M.D., who continued as rector until his death, June 19, 1850. For some months prior to his decease the Rev. Dr. Milledoler was unable to attend to his duties, and at his request the Rev. B.H. Whicher was employed as officiating minister.

Sept. 13, 1850, Rev. S.F. Wiley was called as rector. He remained until November, 1852, when, on account of the continued illness of his wife, he was compelled to resign and remove. From this time for a few months Rev. Dr. Babcock, of Ballston Spa, again officiated by request.

Feb. 28, 1852, the Rev. John Steinfort Kidney was called as rector. He continued until April, 1858, when, on account of the health of some members of his family, he accepted a call to a church in the south.

May 10, 1858, the Rev. Robert C. Rogers was called as rector. He continued until July, 1861.

July 5, 1861, the Rev. Edmund Rowland Deacon, of Hartford; Conn., was employed as minister, and on March 12, 1862, he was called as rector. He continued as rector till October, 1863.

Nov. 12, 1863, the Rev. Francis C. Wainwright was called as rector. He continued until May, 1865.

The Rev. G.C.V. Eastman was employed as officiating clergyman from the resignation of Mr. Wainwright until the call, April 20, 1866, of the Rev. John Breckenridge Gibson. Mr. Gibson continued as rector until his acceptance of a call from St. John's school. Sing Sing, N. Y.

The successor of Dr. Gibson was the Rev. Dr. Norman W. Camp, who became the rector in 1869, and continued till the year 1873, when, on account of failing health, he resigned his charge. The Rev. Joseph Carey, the present rector, has had charge of the parish since Advent Sunday, 1873. The present officers (1878) are. H. W. Burhans and A. B. Olmstead, wardens; James M. Marvin, Wm. M. Searing, Wm. Bennett, P. Porter Wiggins, R.C. McEwen, Wm. H. Hall, F.G. Vaughn, J. W. Ehninger, vestrymen.

Home of the Good Shepherd. - Connected with this church is a charitable institution called the Home of the Good Shepherd. It is incorporated under the laws of the State, and owns commodious buildings, containing a chapel on Catherine street, wen adapted to the purposes of the institution, the relief of the indigent aged and others needing temporary assistance. A flourishing mission Sunday-school is carried on in connection with it under the direction of the rector of the parish, aided by a superintendent and corps of teachers.

Parish Sunday-School. - A large and flourishing Sunday-school is held at the parish church, under the care of the rector and a superintendent, the particulars of which have not come to hand as we go to press.

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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Rev. Olin Foote, now residing in Nebraska City, in a letter to J.B. Felshaw, Esq., says that when he came to Saratoga Springs, in the year 1829, there were but two Methodists in the village, viz., John Morrill and his wife, Diana Morrill. Rev. Mr. Stebbins, then one of the preachers on this circuit, occasionally had an appointment here. He was followed by Dr. Samuel Luckey on the circuit in 1830 and '31, and the new church on North Broadway was regularly supplied.

The oldest class-paper to be found bears date June 26, 1831, and contains the following names: Orin Foote, Mary Foote, John Morrill, Diana Morrill, John Holman, Almira Holman, John Hodges, Mary Hodges, Catharine Milligan, Esther Ketcham, Harriet Bell, Elizabeth Hudson, Catharine Day, J.D. Moriarity, Ann Moriarity, Mary Ann Moriarity, Caroline Moriarity, in all seventeen members, - five males and twelve females.

J.B. Felshaw, Esq., first came to Saratoga Springs in 1835, and, as I have already mentioned, was one of the building committee of this church. He also held the official relation of leader and trustee for a number of years. To him I am indebted for a large share of the facts and incidents, including names and dates, contained in this paper, having penned them down from his own lips. His memory is still very vigorous, and remarkably clear touching the early history and struggles of Methodism here and hereabouts. He says that in 1835 there were about forty members in the society, a large number of whose names he distinctly recollects and can readily repeat, only four of whom are still members, viz., Tacy Eighmy, Mary Ann Hodges, Mary Ann Crawford, and Rebecca Jane Young. Sixty was about an average attendance of the congregation then worshiping in the old church on North Broadway. These were gathered in from Greenfield, Wilton, Malta Ridge, and the sparsely-settled region roundabout.

Up to the time of holding the annual conference in the spring of 1835, Saratoga Springs was one of the appointments on what was then called Stillwater Circuit, - Greenfield, Wilton, Schuylerville, Malta Ridge, Clifton Park, and Stillwater being the other appointments on the circuit. For some three or four years previous to this time, Rev. J.D. Moriarty, who came to this village in 1831, was the preacher in charge of this appointment, being allowed whatever could be collected for his services, which was never more than a mere pittance. Ephraim Goss was, however, the preacher in charge of the circuit.

At the conference in June, 1835, Rev. John Harwood and Oliver Emerson were appointed to this circuit, and this place was then and thereafter regularly supplied by the circuit preachers.

In 1836, Rev. E. Andrews and William H. Backus were the circuit preachers; in 1838, Seymour Coleman and William H. Backus. The health of Mr. Backus failed during the second term of his appointment, and he was employed as a teacher at the Troy Conference Academy. In 1838, Seymour Coleman and James Quinlan were the preachers. In 1839, Joshua Poor, James Quinlan, and John Foster. This was then a six weeks' circuit, and called Saratoga circuit. At the conference in June, 1840, Saratoga Springs was made a missionary station, and Ephraim Goss was appointed the preacher in charge. His salary was fixed at $500, one-half of which was paid by a missionary appropriation. The membership was not far from one hundred at the time the church was dedicated, in 1841, the second year of Mr. Goss's ministry, sixteen of whom are now members of the society. Their names are as follows: Martha S. Felshaw, Gertrude Paige, Tacy Eighmy, Charles Pierson, Rebecca Jane Young, Mary Ann Hodges, Mary Ann Crawford, Adaline Young, Proculla Webster Carpenter, Nathan Phelps, William W. Baldwin, Sarah Ann Baldwin, A.S. Piper, Charlotte W. Piper, Samuel D. Fisher, Mary F. Fisher, - five males and eleven females.

In 1844-45, Stephen D. Brown was preacher in charge; in 1846-47, Stephen Parks; in 1848-49, J.E. Bowen; in 1850, Wm. M. Chipp; in 1851, Luman A Sanford; in 1852-53, J.T. Arnold; in 1854-55, Dr. Bostwick Hawley; in 1856-57, Barnes M. Hall; in 1858-59, R.H. Robinson; in 1860-61, Samuel McKean; in 1862-63, E.G. Spaulding; in 1864-65, C.F. Burdick; in 1866-68, S. McChesney; in 1869-70, H.C. Sexton.

Sherman Miner, Charles Sherman, John M. Weaver, Ephraim Goss, Desavigua Starks, Sanford Washburn, Truman Seymour, Lewis Potter, Samuel Meredith, and Elisha Watson have successively been the presiding elders on this district since 1835.

If the statement of Rev. Orin Foote be correct, and we have no reason to question it, that there were but two Methodists in this village when he came here, in 1829, we can show very conclusively that that single Methodist family has proved to be a remarkably fruitful vine, whose vigorous branches have continued to spread from year to year, to bud and blossom, and to bear and ripen its fruits for the heavenly garner for more than thirty years.

The following figures briefly show the remarkable slow but steady growth of this vine: In 1829, 2 members; in 1831, 17; in 1835, 40; in 1841, 100; in 1851, 290; in 1861, 320; in 1870, 420; in 1878, 662.

The Sabbath School. - It is very difficult to determine, in the absence of records, in what precise year the Sabbath-school connected with this society was established. Very soon, however, after Mr. Moriarty came here, in 1831, he organized and kept up a Sabbath-school, he being the only superintendent for several years. Mr. J. B. Felshaw distinctly recollects the names of the following persons who were teachers in the Sunday-school when he came here in 1835, viz.: Catharine Milligan, Harriet Bell, Nancy Hendrick, Mary Phœnix, Betsey Ellsworth, Amanda Carpenter, Mary Milligan, Nathan S. King, and Rev. John Hodges. Two of these ladies, Nancy Hendrick and Mary Milligan, were members of the Presbyterian church.

At that time the only books for the use of the school consisted of twenty-four small hymn-books, a few small Testaments, and a few question-books, which each teacher provided for his own class. In March, 1837, some forty or fifty small library-books were procured for the use of the school. Mr. Felshaw had the charge of the library, and continued to serve the school in that capacity for nearly ten years, when his failing health compelled him to resign. Mrs. Felshaw was for many years the teacher of the infant department, and was the immediate predecessor of Miss Carrie Carpenter. The school in those early days numbered from forty to sixty scholars. The superintendents have been as follows: Rev. J.D. Moriarty, the organizer of the school, Myron White, Elijah K. Bangs, Andrew J. Parker, W.S. Balch, R.H. Benedict, and others.

Church Edifices. - The first Methodist Episcopal church in the village of Saratoga Springs was erected in the year 1830, and the building is now standing near the corner of Broadway and Greenfield avenue. It is now used as a boarding-house, and known by the name of Oak Hall. At the time of its erection it was regarded as a large and spacious building for a church, though it was a plain, unpretending wood structure and quite away from the centre of the village. In the spring of 1839 it was abandoned as a church and sold to E.K. Bangs for an academic school building for the sum of $1000.

During the following summer the congregation occupied the old theatre or lyceum building, then standing where the Catholic church now stands, on South Broadway. During the ensuing winter they worshiped in the old Episcopal church standing on the lot, now vacant, corner of East Congress and Putnam streets, the corner next east of Congress Spring Bottling House, now Morrissey's club-house. In the spring of 1840 the congregation removed to a building in what was then known as "Walton row," on the corner of Broadway and Caroline street.

On the 23^d day of April, 1836, the lot on which the present church stands was purchased for $1000 of Dr. John Clarke, the former proprietor of Congress spring, who then resided in the first house next west of the church, now known as the Fish house, and recently purchased by us. The small house now standing in the rear of the church, and used for years as a sexton's house, was standing, at the time of the purchase, on the front part of the lot, and was occupied by the Andrews family, now living in the Fish house, who paid an annual rent of $70, which was strictly applied to the payment of the interest on the purchase price of the lot. In the fall of the year 1839 the house was removed to the rear part of the lot, and was used for several years as the parsonage of the church.

Rev. Wm. H. Backus, Seymour Coleman, Joshua Poor, Ephraim Goss, and Dr. John Frasier, each in the order of their names, occupied that house as a parsonage.

From several reliable sources we learn that Rev. J.D. Moriarity was the prime mover in the enterprise of building this church. In the summer of 1838 Father Moriarity called together, in his own parlor, a number of prominent Methodists, who were at the time guests in his house, and laid before them the project of erecting a new church, showing them the importance of a more central and a more inviting place of worship.

Among those present on that occasion were such men as Revs. Dr. Nathan Bangs, Dr. John Kennedy, Dr. H.B. Bascom, Dr. Abel Stevens, Rev. Wm. H. Guilder, and Mr. Sukely, a prominent and wealthy layman from New York. These noble men readily and heartily concurred with Mr. Moriarity in his views and plans, and after mature deliberation, they promised to aid in raising funds, in the cities, to the amount of $6000, provided $2000 should be raised here and hereabouts. Only a small part of this amount, however, was ever realized from the efforts of these strangers. Such were the encouragements, however, at the time, that the society soon determined to build. The corner-stone was laid in July, 1840, and early in the winter following the building was up and fully inclosed. The building committee was Rev. J.D. Moriarity, Rev. Ephraim Goss, and J. B. Felshaw, Esq.; Rev. Olin Foote, B.H. Bartlett, Jeremiah Hart, Charles Kendall, Charles F. Goss, and Rev. Edward Hodges, were trustees.

Early in the spring of 1841 the basement was completed and occupied by the congregation, which had worshiped in "Walton row" one entire year.

On the 23^d of July following (1841) the church was dedicated by Dr. John Kennedy, of Philadelphia, and Dr. Noah Levings, of New York; and Rev. Stephen Remington, of Schenectady, preached on the occasion.

The entire cost of the church and lot was $8143. The lot was paid for in 1839 with the $1000 received of E.K. Bangs for the old church on North Broadway. But there remained upon the church on the day of dedication a debt of $5147. In 1846 the debt had increased to $6948.45. In 1847 it was diminished to $4105.45. And so the society struggled on, for a number of years, under a heavy and an almost crushing debt.

In the year 1853, under the ministry of Rev. J.T. Arnold, and by his almost herculean efforts, a sufficient amount was raised on subscription to cancel the debt, but a large percentage of that subscription was never collected. And it is very doubtful whether all of the original debt was ever paid until the year 1865, when, under the administrative push of Rev. C.F. Burdick, the entire indebtedness against the church was finally and fully paid.

In the year 1855, Rev. Dr. Hawley then being the preacher in charge, the church edifice being found too small for the growing congregation, it was enlarged by the addition of eighteen feet to the front of the building, making the structure, as it is at present, forty-two by eighty-four feet.

In the original corner-stone were deposited a single copy each of a Bible, Hymn-Book, Discipline, Christian Advocate, and some other valuable documents touching the early history of the society; it will be found on the west side eighteen feet from the present southwest comer of the edifice. It is but justice to one whose memory is still cherished among us to say, that probably no person made greater sacrifices, giving liberally of his time and means for the erection and completion of this church, than Rev. J.D. Moriarity. At the very outset he threw his whole soul into the enterprise, and ceased not to labor for its accomplishment until he saw his efforts crowned with success; indeed, his interest in, and his labors for, his beloved Zion, the church of his early choice, ceased not until he ceased both to work and to live, - which occurred in June, 1849.

The church was rebuilt on Washington street in 1870; it was dedicated March 20, 1871, by Bishop Janes. The value of the church property is $125,000. The present Sunday-school has five hundred and sixty-three members, and fifty-seven officers. G.D. Van Vrankin is the superintendent.

Since Rev. Mr. Sexton had charge the ministers have been Rev. James M. King, Rev. J.E.C. Sawyer, and Rev. William H. Hughs, the present incumbent.

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THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF SARATOGA SPRINGS.

The first mass ever celebrated in Saratoga Springs was in the fall of the year 1834, by the Rev. John Kelly. Father Kelly settled about this time at Sandy Hill, Washington county, where a Catholic church had for many years existed. Remaining there for one year, he removed to Lansingburg. From this place he was after a few months transferred by Bishop Dubois to Albany, where he became the founder and first pastor of the present St. John's church, having purchased the edifice from the Protestant Episcopals and refitted it suitably for the Roman Catholic service.

Father Kelly is yet remembered as a man of naturally mild disposition, unassuming in manner, and abounding in zeal for the welfare of religion. When, in the year 1841, a request was made by the Propaganda in Rome for some missionaries for Liberia, in Africa, Father Kelly, although advanced in years at the time, was the first among the few priests who offered their services for that distant and dangerous mission.

He remained in Liberia a few years, and, returning, afterwards built a church in Jersey City, where he died about the year 1862, deeply regretted by his people. He was the brother of Mr. Eugene Kelly, now an eminent banker in New York city.

For seven years after the celebration of the first mass there was no resident pastor in Saratoga, nor any regular or stated time for the attendance of a priest. The Catholics of the place were left to depend on the casual visits of the few neighboring priests, or other clergymen who might happen to be staying at the "Springs" for the benefit of their health or passing to and from the city of New York and Lower Canada. Of those who officiated a few only are remembered. Rev. Mr. McClancy, of Albany, said mass once. Rev. Mr. Quinn, of St. Peter's church, Troy, attended twice. Rev. Peter Havermans, now of St. Mary's, Troy, paid a few visits. Rev. P. McCloskey, appointed in March, 1838, to Schenectady, attended Saratoga occasionally.

Father McCloskey did something towards organizing the congregation; it was through his instrumentality a collection was first taken up for a suit of vestments for the mission. The vestments were made by the Sisters of Charity attached to St. James' church, in the city of New York, and procured in the spring of 1839. Rev. Andrew Byrne, then of St. James' church, New York, and afterwards first bishop of Little Rock, Ark., presented a chalice in the spring of 1840. During the period above referred to mass was celebrated in the summer season either in the Universalist church or in district school-house No. 1, and in the winter in the dwelling-house of Mr. John Costigan.

The want of a Catholic church at Saratoga Springs had for some time been felt and regretted by the Catholic inhabitants of the village, and also by the families and individuals of that communion who, residing in the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and elsewhere, resort annually to the Springs.

With a view to provide for this want, as also to carry into effect the earnest desires of the Catholics of the place, who had continued steadily although slowly to increase, Mr. John Costigan did on the 13^th day of September, in the year 1839, purchase in his own name, of Thomas J. Marvin, for the sum of $590.33, the lot of ground on which St. Peter's church now stands, with the building thereon known as the "Lyceum," with the sole design of converting the building into a place of Catholic worship, and the vacant portion of the lot into a cemetery or place of burial. The lot measures fifty feet front and rear, and one hundred and thirty-two feet deep. The first interment made in said cemetery was the remains of the wife of Patrick Pettit, of Saratoga Springs, in November, 1839.

The Lyceum, now changed into a place of Catholic worship, remained for four years without a priest. The first resident Catholic pastor ever appointed at Saratoga Springs was the Rev. Anthony Farley, who entered on the discharge of his duties in the month of September, 1843. This gentleman, better known as "the doctor," was never willing that his genius should be cramped; and Saratoga being, at the time, like Utica of old, a somewhat pent-up place, he took leave and departed for the more congenial clime of Lansingburg; and, after a few years, departed thence to Jamaica, L.I., where at present (1878) he lives, hale and hearty, in the active discharge of his parochial duties, the same pleasant, genial Dr. Farley, revered by his people and admired by numerous friends throughout, the country.

Rev. F. Donohoue succeeded Father Farley in May, 1844, remaining only a few months. He went with the bishop to Little Rock, Ark., and lived there only a few years. Rev. Bernard Van Reeth was the next pastor. He came to Saratoga in the month of November, 1844, and remained about one year and a half, when he was appointed the first resident pastor at Cohoes, where he built the first St. Bernard's church, and returned afterwards to his native country, Holland. Rev. Thomas Daly was the next pastor. He entered on the discharge of his duties on the 16^th of June, 1847, and remained until the 10^th of June, 1850, when he was succeeded by Rev. D. Cull, who came to Saratoga in July, 1850.

The Lyceum, or old St. Peter's, as the edifice was then known, had seen its best days; it was old and infirm, if not unsafe to meet in; besides, it had become too small for the congregation. The want of a new church had been for several years felt and much debated; but there was no one to take the lead in such a movement. Father Daly was young and inexperienced; besides, the rough work of church building was not in accord with his tastes. He would rather be assistant in Albany.

God, who disposeth all things sweetly, it would appear, sent the right man at the right time. The congregation was small, and their means very limited. A church must be built. Others stood appalled at the undertaking. Father Cull came. With eye unmoved he surveyed the field of labor, laid his plans: went to work, and the new St. Peter's - one of the prettiest of the new order of Catholic churches in the United States - stands forth to-day as the result of his labors.

The work was brought to a successful close when, on the 15^th of August, 1853, the church was dedicated. Monseigneur Bedini, at the time apostolic delegate to the United States, pontificated at the mass. Most Rev. Archbishop Hughes preached the dedicatory sermon.

Father Cull was zealous and persevering in labor. To work seemed to be for him a necessity. He procured a pastoral residence and cemetery. He purchased the Hugh Dennin property, where, after enlarging and fitting it up at considerable expense, he introduced a branch of the "Sisters of St. Joseph," to take charge of parochial schools for boys and girls.

His death occurred on the 2^d of January, 1873, in the cottage on William street. It is hoped the Catholics of Saratoga will soon find it convenient to erect a monument to perpetuate his memory.

Rev. M. Sheehan obtained the administration of St. Peter's church January, 1868, and held the same until October, 1871.

The church was incorporated in 1870, under the title of "St. Peter's Church, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.," under an act of the Legislature of this State, passed March 25, 1863. The first incorporators were John J. Conroy, bishop of Albany, Edgar E. Wadhams, V.G., M. Sheehan, the pastor, together with John Foley and B. McGovern, two lay members of the congregation.

The present trustees are Fr. McNierney, bishop of Albany, P. Ludden, V.G., John McMenomy, pastor, with Frank Jones and Dennis McNelis.

Rev. John McMenamin - McMenomy the name has come to be by force of the customary use of an easier pronunciation, was appointed pastor of Saratoga by Right Rev. J.J. Conroy, on the 10^th of October, 1871, and is the present incumbent.

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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The First Congregational church of Saratoga Springs was organized March 8, 1865. Its original membership was about fifty. Its present membership is nearly one hundred and fifty. The first pastor of this church was Rev. E.N. Sawtelle, D.D., who was installed in April, 1865. Dr. Sawtelle withdrew from the active duties of the pastorate in June, 1868, but was not formally dismissed until July, 1871. From May, 1867, until April, 1871, the Rev. P.R. Day acted as assistant pastor of the church. Mr. Day was not installed. The Rev. L.S. Rowland was installed pastor on July 25, 1871, and closed his labors on the last Sunday of March, 1877.

The following members of the church have acted as its deacons, each being elected for the term of two years: H.L. Aiken, Geo. H. Fish, Ralph Brintnall, S.E. Bushnell, Joseph A. Shoudy, William Muir, Sheldon Clark, Joshua Crosby, L.S. Packard, James Bull, H.E. Spaulding.

The present officers of the church are as follows: Rev. Wm. R. Terrett, acting pastor; Geo. H. Fish, L.S. Packard, Joshua Crosby, H.E. Spaulding, deacons; J.C. Goodridge, clerk; Geo. H. Fish, treasurer.

The church edifice occupied by this congregation was erected in 1868. It is very centrally situated on Phila street, just out of Broadway. This society also owns the fine business block known as the St. Nicholas building, at the rear of which the church is built.

In addition to the above, we have been kindly furnished with the following facts:

The Congregational society has a history interwoven with that of the church. In fact, the trustees of the society had the laboring oars, and they used them, under the guidance of a kind Providence, with persistent energy and skill. After several unsuccessful attempts, a fine central location was selected and purchased by the trustees. Special laws were enacted by the Legislature, procured by the trustees, to enable them to purchase, build, convey, and rent, as a corporate body, their large property on the corner of Broadway and Phila street, consisting of the post-office and First National Bank building, Saratogian printing-office, seven stores, and a large number of offices and halls. A pleasant home was thus provided for the church and society, and means furnished to pay all deficiencies for minister's salary and contingent expenses.

The original members were nearly all from the First Presbyterian church and society, and its first chosen trustees were the following, viz., Dexter H. Knowlton, Lewis E. Whiting, Waldo M. Potter, Solon B. Bushnell, Hiram P. Trim, Elisha Bailey, Jacob Myers, Andrew Hall, and Joseph A. Shoudy. Two of the original trustees have held, by re-election, the office continuously to the present time, viz., Lewis E. Whiting and Hiram P. Trim. Dr. Whiting was chairman of the building committee and treasurer of the society, collecting and disbursing its moneys for more than ten years. He came front the Presbyterian church, with the large choir of which he was their leader, and has had charge of the Congregational choir to the present time.

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SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

For several years prior to 1869 the fact had been recognized by many friends of religion that the eastern portion of the village should have within its bounds some place of worship and for Sabbath-school instruction. It was not, however, until the summer of that year that any decided steps were taken to provide for the spiritual wants of the constantly-increasing population in this section of the town. At that time it was proposed that a mission chapel should be established in the southeastern part of the village without further delay, under the auspices and fostering care of the First Presbyterian church. The project met instantly with much favor among the members of that church. A large and desirable lot on the corner of Spring and Regent streets was given for the purpose of erecting thereon the proposed chapel immediately, and in the future a suitable church edifice and minister's house. A cordial response was made to applications for subscriptions towards the erection of a chapel, and on the 31^st day of August, 1869, the corner-stone of the building was laid by the Rev. Dr. John Woodbridge, then the pastor of the First Presbyterian church, and the originator and chief promoter of this new enterprise. The completed edifice was dedicated by him to the service of God on the 30^th day of January, 1870.

The Rev. James N. Crocker was placed in charge of the mission work, and a Sabbath evening service was regularly maintained, together with a weekly prayer-meeting, in the chapel until the organization of the church, in August, 1871. A Sabbath-school was also organized under the superintendency of Mr. John Newland, and soon numbered considerably over one hundred scholars.

In the month of August, 1871, it was deemed advisable that a church should be organized under the name of the Second Presbyterian church, and accordingly on the 8^th day of August, 1871, nineteen members of the First Presbyterian church were at their own request dismissed from that church for the purpose of forming the new church. Four other persons from churches outside of the village united with the above-named nineteen, and were duly constituted as the membership of the Second Presbyterian church, which was thus organized by the session of the First Presbyterian church. At the same time John Newland, B.M. Fay, and B.F. Edwards were elected and installed as elders of the new church.

On the 28^th of August, 1871, the following-named gentlemen were elected trustees of the congregation, to wit: Charles F. Dowd, George S. Batcheller, John Newland, Adam B. Smith, Alexander Bennett, and Samuel H. Freeman.

The church was received under the care of the presbytery of Albany on the 10^th of October following, and a call to the pastorate thereof placed in the hands of the Rev. James N. Crocker, which was accepted by him, and he was duly installed by a committee of presbytery on the 22^d day of October, 1871. Under the pastoral care of Mr. Crocker the young church grew steadily in numbers and gave evident tokens of increasing strength and usefulness. It began with twenty-three members, and at the close of Mr. Crocker's pastorate, in November, 1875, it contained a membership of eighty-five, four members having been during that period dismissed to other churches.

On the 30^th of November, 1875, the pastoral relation between this church and the Rev. Mr. Crocker was dissolved, at his request, by the presbytery of Albany. The pulpit remained vacant until the 15^th day of October, 1876, when the Rev. Giles P. Hawley, a graduate of the Union Theological Seminary of New York, and who had been supplying the pulpit of this church since the 1^st of August previous, was ordained to the work of the ministry by the presbytery of Albany and installed as pastor of this church.

The present officers of the church and congregation are as follows: Rev. Giles P. Hawley, pastor; John Newland, B.M. Fay, and B.F. Edwards, elders; Charles F. Dowd, John Newland, Adam B. Smith, James J. Wakefield, Alexander Bennett, and William Macgivny, trustees; John Newland, superintendent of Sabbath-school; C.P. Penfield, secretary and treasurer of Sabbath-school; B.F. Edwards, church chorister; and Miss Helen M. Smith, church organist. The present membership is ninety-nine.

The chapel, which is still used as a place of worship for the congregation, no church edifice having yet been built, is a neat brick structure twenty-seven feet in width and fifty-four feet in length, with a tower in the northeast corner, forming the vestibule or entrance to the chapel. It cost about $3000, exclusive of the furniture.

The contributions of the congregation for its own support have been, considering its numbers, exceptionally generous, and it has from the outset also contributed liberally to the various schemes of benevolence which are carried on by the Presbyterian church.

The results accomplished by the organization of this mission and church in the locality which it occupies have been marked and salutary. It has provided a comfortable and attractive church home for many who could not go to the more distant places of worship. It has drawn in many who had not been in the habit of attending any church regularly, if at all. It has promoted the better observance of the Sabbath in the neighborhood. Through its Sabbath-school it has gathered many children to the instruction in God's Word who would otherwise have continued in ignorance or disregard of the Sabbath, and by the preaching of the Word many souls have been brought to a knowledge of the truth.

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SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.

In the spring of the year 1873 it became apparent to the pastor of the First Baptist church and a number of his constituents that the southeastern portion of our village offered a favorable field for direct religious influence, and agreeable to that sentiment the following announcement appeared in the Daily Saratogian of Saturday, May 17, 1873: "There will be preaching in the Morrissey Hose House, on South street, by the Rev. E.A. Woods, Sunday afternoon, at four o'clock."

Contrary to expectation the room was filled, and for several Sabbaths services were conducted in like manner, with audiences that augured success for the undertaking. A Sunday-school was organized the same day, having fifty names on the roll, with the Rev. E.A. Woods as superintendent, he remaining in that position till February, 1874, when Mr. D.F. Ritchie, the prime mover and stanch friend of the school, was chosen superintendent, which position he still occupies.

As winter approached it became necessary to remove to warmer and more accessible quarters, and accordingly permission was received from the board of education to occupy a room in the Spring street school-house.

About this time the friends of the new enterprise, prominent among whom was Mr. D. Winans, pledged funds sufficient to purchase a lot on Regent street, near Union avenue, and erect thereon a chapel. The building was completed, and on Feb. 7, 1874, this combination of church and Sunday-school moved into its new quarters, and organised under the name of the Union Avenue Baptist Sunday-school, and continued as such until Feb. 2, 1876, when, upon request, letters of dismission were granted to sixty-six members of the First Baptist church of Saratoga Springs for the purpose of establishing a new church, which was duly organized Feb. 22, 1876, as the Second Baptist church of Saratoga Springs.

On April 2 following a call was extended to the Rev. Daniel Corey, of Hudson, N.Y., to assume the pastorate of the church, which call he accepted, entering immediately upon his duties, and filling the position satisfactorily to the present time.

The church was recognized by a council of churches which was held on June 1, 1876, and has steadily grown in strength and influence, until now its position as a power for good in the world is established. Its present total membership is one hundred and thirty-three, of which number twenty joined by baptism, forty-six by letter, and one by relation of Christian experience.

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THE FIRST FREE METHODIST CHURCH

was organized Oct. 2, 1865. The first trustees were F.A. Town, Seneca Weed, and Seth Grawberg. The church was built in 1869, and dedicated by Rev. B.T. Roberts, Jan. 8, 1870. It cost $3500. It is located on Regent street. The present officers are F.A. Town, Seneca Weed, Isaac Groff, and Z. Fenton. The first pastor was Rev. A.B. Burdick, followed by Revs. D.M. Sinclair, W.M. Gould, J.A. Odell, W.W. Warner, H. Mathews, B. Winget, J. Odell.

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THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH OF SARATOGA SPRINGS.

This church was organized in June, 1863, by Rev. J. Boler, who purchased the property on Willow Walk, now named Spring avenue, from Mr. J. Andrews. The society then consisted of seven members, with a board of trustees, as follows: J. Boler, A. Freeman, J. Lewis. The building was used for a mission Sabbath-school, which was then attached to the church, under the superintendence of Mr. Bushnell. Dr. Bedorathy succeeded him. Mr. Pond succeeded Dr. Bedorathy. Mr. Crosoy, the present superintendent, has held it for the last four years. The average attendance has been from twenty to forty, with from four to six teachers. The church was dedicated by Bishop William H. Bishop. Rev. S. Golden succeeded Rev. J. Boler; after him Rev. H. Johnson; then Rev. H. Butler; Rev. J.C. Gilbert succeeded him, and remained for five years; during his first year, in November, 1866, the building was destroyed by fire, and was rebuilt in 1867, and dedicated by Bishop J.J. Clinton. Rev. M.H. Ross followed in 1870; in 1873, Rev. J.C. West was appointed, who died before the end of his term; Rev. J.J. Kelly then supplied the pulpit for two months; in September, 1874, Rev. S. Jones was appointed to the charge. In September, 1876, Rev. Wm. Sanford, the present pastor, was appointed. The board of trustees consist of seven members, as follows: P. Rue, C. Howard, W. Adams, R. Bowden, J. Hill, A. Jackson, J.T. Thomas.

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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

A society was formed at an early day in Saratoga Springs, and a church edifice was built, in which the congregation worshiped for many years. The church edifice afterwards went out of their hands, and for some time no regular stated meetings have been held. The society, however, still keeps up its organization, and listens occasionally to the able ministers of the denomination who visit the great watering-place during the summer season.

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Transcribed from the original text and html prepared by Bill Carr, last updated 2/7/00.