In 1934, Doctor Helen Hosmer opened a physician’s office on West Street in the Village of Galway, in Saratoga County, NY. Originally from Billerica, Massachusetts, when Hosmer arrived in Galway, she was 50 years old, and though an experienced chemist and scientist, she was just beginning her career as a physician. [Read more…] about Dr Helen Hosmer’s Rural Healthcare in the US & Canada
Galway
Josiah Stratton’s Second Chance at Life
When Josiah Stratton was laid to rest in the Village Cemetery in Galway, NY, in 1904, he left behind a life of service to his county, survival in war, and dedication to family spanning his 94 years on earth.
His story is also one of tragedy and survival that could have ended 30 years too soon. [Read more…] about Josiah Stratton’s Second Chance at Life
Early Saratoga County Inventors & The Patent Office Fire
The United States Patent Commission was created on April 10, 1790, to establish a formal method for submitting and indexing patents. Its first three members were Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph.
As only three people made up the early patent office, the first applications were not closely examined. An inventor simply submitted a written description, a working model, and a $30 fee (equivalent to about $1,000 today). [Read more…] about Early Saratoga County Inventors & The Patent Office Fire
Variety Abounds at Antiques by Packer’s Pond in Saratoga County
Ten years ago, when Bob Wemple was hired to fix up an old general store in the town of Providence, Saratoga County hamlet of Barkersville, he had no idea that he and his wife, Sue, would soon be operating that quaint storefront as a business of their very own: Antiques at Packer’s Pond.
The store, which dates back to 1893, is part of the Packer Farm and Barkersville Store, a historic site which includes a 19th century farmhouse, the store, two barns, an old mill pond, dam, and waterfall. [Read more…] about Variety Abounds at Antiques by Packer’s Pond in Saratoga County
Brotherly Love: A 19th Century Case of Elder Abuse
Maria Chapin Preston, born in 1842, was the sixth child of Dr. Calvin and Margaret Preston of East Street, Galway, Saratoga County, New York. Like her brothers, she exhibited musical talent early in life, playing the organ at the Presbyterian Church at the age of 14, keyboard instruments at social events, and teaching music. [Read more…] about Brotherly Love: A 19th Century Case of Elder Abuse
Joseph Henry’s Summer Respite in Saratoga County
Some people may recognize Albany native Joseph Henry as that of an imminent scientist of the 19th century, who helped establish the fledgling United States as having experimental and theoretical scientists just as skilled and serious as those in Europe.
Others may know he was the first secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, the Washington, D.C. organization that oversees the nation’s federal museums and research centers. His scientific work was so important that a measurement of electromagnetic induction – the Henry – is named for him. [Read more…] about Joseph Henry’s Summer Respite in Saratoga County
Hello, Operator? The Galway Telephone Company 1903-1932
On December 13, 1882, Nicholas Shaul’s store in Barkersville, Town of Providence, Saratoga County was destroyed by fire. While the contents were a total loss, it was noted in the Daily Saratogian that 20-year-old Charlie Steele took time away from fighting the fire to save the store’s telephone.
Today we would scratch our heads if this made the news, but 140 years ago it was vital information as this was the only telephone for miles around this isolated hamlet. [Read more…] about Hello, Operator? The Galway Telephone Company 1903-1932
The 115th New York: The Iron Hearted Regiment During The Civil War
During the Civil War, Colonel Simeon Sammons received authority to recruit a regiment in the counties of Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, and Saratoga, with headquarters at Fonda. On August 26, 1862, it mustered into the service of the United States for three years as the 115th New York Infantry Regiment, known as the “Iron-Hearted Regiment.” [Read more…] about The 115th New York: The Iron Hearted Regiment During The Civil War
Saratoga County Granges: The Patrons of Husbandry
The Grange, formally known as “The Patrons of Husbandry,” was introduced to Saratoga County in 1890, twenty-three years after the agricultural organization’s founding and twenty-two years after the nation’s first local chapter was established in Fredonia, Chautauqua County, NY. In the 1880s and into 1890, New York State Grange sent organizers in the field to build up membership. [Read more…] about Saratoga County Granges: The Patrons of Husbandry
Prestons of Galway, NY: A 19th Century American Family
This week on The Historians Podcast, a conversation with Alan Maddaus, author of The Prestons of East Street, the Story of a 19th century American Family (Epigraph, 2019). This family lived in Maddaus’s childhood home in Galway, Saratoga County, NY, and he always wondered what became of them.
[Read more…] about Prestons of Galway, NY: A 19th Century American Family
361 Votes: Saratoga County’s 1898 Leadership Battle
The recent battle for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives left many astounded that it took so many votes to reach a conclusion. However, Saratoga County once went through a situation that makes the House of Representatives battle look like very small potatoes. [Read more…] about 361 Votes: Saratoga County’s 1898 Leadership Battle
‘Ever & Affectionally your Daughter’: The Flora Jewett Letters
Over 200 years ago a young woman picked up a quill and wrote of her happiness, success, sadness, and loss as she embarked on a new life far from family and friends. The woman was 24-year-old Flora Jewett and the place was Galway, a small community in rural Saratoga County, New York.
Flora Baldwin had married Thaddeus Jewett in early 1807 and soon after they left Newtown, Connecticut for Galway where Thaddeus’ family resided. It was shortly after arriving in Galway that the letters begin. [Read more…] about ‘Ever & Affectionally your Daughter’: The Flora Jewett Letters
When Caleb Ferris and Galway Celebrated 100 Years
Galway in Saratoga County has always been a caring community, one where both long-time residents and new arrivals pitch in and help when there is a need.
In the April 12th, 1882, Daily Saratogian newspaper I found two examples showing that the community spirit that is still with us today was just as alive 140 years ago. [Read more…] about When Caleb Ferris and Galway Celebrated 100 Years
Galway’s Gristmill: A Short History
Galway in Saratoga County, NY had more than a half dozen churches in the early 1800s, but very little industry. It was first settled by immigrants from Scotland in 1774.
A lack of large rivers or a railroad connection stifled the growth of the town, although by 1855 it had six sawmills, two grist mills, two broom handle factories, and eight blacksmiths within the village of Galway. [Read more…] about Galway’s Gristmill: A Short History
A Saratoga County Missionary To Canton, China
The Reverend Charles Preston arrived at the port of Hong Kong on May 12th, 1854 after a voyage of 160 days from the city of New York. His final destination was the city of Canton, China – where the Presbyterian Missionary Board had established a base of operation that included a school, hospital and chapel. There he would engage in his life’s work: trying to convert the people of China to Christianity. [Read more…] about A Saratoga County Missionary To Canton, China
Kesselring Atomic Power Labratory: A Short History
It was 71 years ago in May that the land for the Kenneth A. Kesselring Site began to be purchased to create the Atomic Energy Commission’s $20 million plant located in West Milton, Saratoga County, NY.
The Kesselring Site was built by the United States Government for the purpose of training nuclear officers and enlisted sailors to operate the United States Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. [Read more…] about Kesselring Atomic Power Labratory: A Short History