HISTORY AND GENEALOGY OF BERNE, NEW YORK

2015-10-01T10:42:00.002-07:00

My latest book, "Berne and Knox, Some Early Families to 1787" is finally finished. It is a follow-up to my earlier book "Berne and Knox, Our German Heritage" which covers the early history of Berne and Knox through 1787. Both are available form my brother Ralph Miller, Town of Berne Historian, 1136 Helderberg Trail, Berne, NY, 12023. The books cost $20 each if picked up at his house or $25 if they are mailed. Checks should be made to Ralph Miller with a notation as to which book you would like.
Also a reprint of "Our Heritage" the 1977 history of Berne is available at the Berne Town Hall at a cost of $15.00. Cost for copies to be mailed is $20. Checks should be made out to Town of Berne and mailed to Berne Town Clerk, PO Box 57, Berne, NY 12023

2013-01-17T10:21:00.000-08:00

In 1977 The Town of Berne Bicentennial Commission published "Our Heritage," a 160 page book on the History of Berne. It has been out of print for 10 years or more. The Town of Berne has given permission to publish a second Printing through the auspices of the The Town of Berne Historian. The cost will be approximately $19.95 +$2.50 for shipping and handling. I am trying to get an idea of how many should be ordered for the first printing. All profit will be dedicated to copying the files of the Town of Berne Historian and posting them on-line. To reserve a copy please comment on this posting with your email address.If you have already done so on the Helderberg Hilltowns Facebook page, no need to comment again. Thank you.

Hungerford Burial Grounds posted on Bernehistory.org

2011-05-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

HUNGERFORD CEMETERIES CLEANED UP AND TRANSCRIBED

Daniel Hungerford Family Burial Ground. Photo May 2011 by Gary Ovitt

Two Hungerford Cemeteries have been recently added on the BerneHistory.org site and one new one added. The Stephen Hungerford Burial Ground and the Hungerford Farm Burial Ground have been updated with new burials and photos, and the Danial Hungerford Burial Ground has been added. This is due to the work of Gary Ovitt, a Hungerford researcher. He and a small group of helpers cleaned up the Stephen Hungerford Family BG and the Daniel Hungerford Family BG and documented with photos the burials in both plus the Hungerford Farm BG.

Cleaning up the Daniel Hungerford FBG. Photo by Gary Ovitt, May 2011

RECENT ADDITIONS OF HISTORIC SITES

2011-01-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

A large number of new pages have been recently added to the Helderberg Hilltowns web pages on the sites of historic and scenic interest in the Town of Berne.

The most historic site in the town of Berne is on the north side of Fox Creek below the bridge in the center of the hamlet of Berne. This is where the mills and factories were located that caused the hamlet to be located where it is. And yet the town turns its back on the mill site. It is as if it never existed. This would be a great area for an historic park, perhaps created as an expansion of the existing Fox Creek Park on the south side of the creek.

Fox Creek Park is located along the old road to Knox on the above map made in 1975 by Robert Lambert for an article in Our Heritage

Fox Creek Park is below the Berne Falls in the Berne hamlet. It is reached by a short access road on the west side of Helderberg Trail just south of the bridge across Fox Creek in the hamlet of Berne. In 1977 one could still see on the Fox Creek Park side of the creek evidence of fastenings for a log dam. Perhaps they are still visible.

Weidman's Mills - About 1752 Jacob Weidman built a log dam at the top of the Berne falls on Fox Creek to create a mill pond to power the first sawmill. By 1781 his son Peter had built a grist mill below the sawmill.

Berne Carding and Fulling Mills - By 1797 Miner Walden Carding and Fulling Mills had been below the older Weidman's Mills. It later produced wooden shoe pegs.

Simmons Axe Factory was started about 1825. This mill had its own dam, a log structure with stone wing walls.

Berne Grist Mill - The Berne Grist Mill was the successor to Weidman's grist mill built by Jacob Weidman after 1750. Weidman's mill had burned shortly prior to 1832, the year in which it was rebuilt by Malachi Whipple. Whipple also built, along with Ball and Dwight, aa carding and fulling mill adjacent to the Weidman property in the 1830's. The use of these lands and their water power source was more or less esablished by the pond above the bridge.

Waterfall on Fox Creek
Nov. 2009, Charles Sloger

Proposals

The park should be expanded to include land on the opposite Fox Creek Park where the historic mills and factories stood: Weidman's Mills, Berne Carding and Fulling Mills,Simmons Axe Factory, and others. Their historic sites should be marked. There should be a trail along the north side of the creek connection the mill sites.
A King Post Truss Bridge for pedestrians might connect the two parks. Both sides could be still called Fox Creek Park; it would just be doubled in size to include the historic mill sites on the north bank of the creek.
Perhaps the land on the south side of the Foxenkill between Fox Creek Park and Berne Town Park could be bought to expand the park. The land has not much value to its present absentee owner because of it's inaccessibility from the main Yarmchuk farm which is on the opposite bank. On the other hand, it is very accessible from the hamlet side, especially the school, and would be a valuable addition to Fox Creek Park. If the land can not be bought cheaply, perhaps a right-of-way for a trail could be purchased of would be given to the town. The trail would extend from Fox Creek Park to the Berne Town Park with access to the school.

Photo Gallery

Berne Falls, by Charles Sloger

Wooden bridge in hamlet of Berne across the Foxenkill
Berne Historical Society

Wooden dam in hamlet of Berne above the bridge across the Foxenkill
Berne Historical Society

Becker Bros. Mill; photo in the collection of the Berne Historical Society

Hart's Mill; photo in the collection of the Berne Historical Society

Now; Google Earth

Other Historic Sites in Berne - Using as a basis An Inventory of Historic and Scenic Resourses In the Town of Berne compiled by Thomas Conklin for the Berne Conservation Advisory Council, 1979

Jacob Weidman's Home Site - This was on the north side of the mill pond above the dam on Fox Creek. It is where there is a NYS Historic Marker for the home of his son, Peter Weidman. The 1979 inventory misstates the location as being where the home of his son Jacob Weidman, Jr. was located on Turner Rd. on the farm of the late Harold Lendrum.
Berne and Knox Cheese Factory site.
The Johannes Fisher House - called Tom Wood's Farm on the 1979 inventory.
Lower Hotel - called the Old Hotel on the 1979 inventory
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Beaverdam Reformed Church site
West Berne
Bradt Hollow School, District No. 17
West Mountain Methodist Episcopal Church
Dietz massacre site
South Berne
The Philo Bradley House - former residence of Justice Joseph F. Bradley who cast the deciding vote in the election of Rutherford B. Hayes
East Berne and Lobdell's Grist Mill site
Reidsville and Reidsville Quarry
Thompsons Lake and Warners Lake
The Johannes Warner House - Zeh's former home on the 1979 inventory
White Sulphur Springs House
Berne Town Hall

FOX CREEK PARK

2011-01-29T05:45:00.000-08:00

Fox Creek Park

From Albany Hilltowns

Waterfall on Fox Creek
Nov. 2009, Charles Sloger

[show]

Location

Fox Creek Park is below the Berne Falls in the Berne hamlet. It is reached by a short access road on the west side of Helderberg Trail just south of the bridge across Fox Creek in the hamlet of Berne.

History

Weidman's Mills - About 1752 Jacob Weidman built a log dam at the top of the Berne falls on Fox Creek to create a mill pond to power the first sawmill. By 1781 his son Peter had built a grist mill below the sawmill.
Berne Carding and Fulling Mills - By 1797 Miner Walden Carding and Fulling Mills had been below the older Weidman's Mills. It later produced wooden shoe pegs.
Simmons Axe Factory was started about 1825. This mill had its own dam, a log structure with stone wing walls.
In 1977 one could still see on the Fox Creek Park side of the creek of evidence of fastenings for yet another log dam. Perhaps they are still visible. There are probably a number of foundations of mills and factories along the north side of the creek.

Visitor facilites

There are picnic tables under a small pavilion, basketball hoop, and open meadow to play in.
There is a convenience store and restaurant at the entrance to the park where you can buy something for a picnic in the park.
A short path provides access to the creek and view of the falls.

Proposals

The park should be expanded to include land on the opposite Fox Creek Park where the historic mills and factories stood: Weidman's Mills, Berne Carding and Fulling Mills, Simmons Axe Factory, and others. Their historic sites should be marked. There should be a trail along the north side of the creek connection the mill sites.
A King Post Truss Bridge for pedestrians might connect the two parks. Both sides could be still called Fox Creek Park; it would just be doubled in size to include the historic mill sites on the north bank of the creek.
Perhaps the land on the south side of the Foxenkill between Fox Creek Park and Berne Town Park could be bought to expand the park. The land has not much value to its present absentee owner because of it's inaccessibility from the main Yarmchuk farm which is on the opposite bank. On the other hand, it is very accessible from the hamlet side, especially the school, and would be a valuable addition to Fox Creek Park. If the land can not be bought cheaply, perhaps a right-of-way for a trail could be purchased of would be given to the town. The trail would extend from Fox Creek Park to the Berne Town Park with access to the school.

Photo Gallery

Berne Falls, by Charles Sloger

Wooden bridge in hamlet of Berne across the Foxenkill
Berne Historical Society

Wooden dam in hamlet of Berne above the bridge across the Foxenkill
Berne Historical Society

LOT 461, EAST BERNE ON JOSLIN ROAD AND BROOKHAVEN DRIVE

2010-10-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

LOT 461, East Berne

The south half of Lot 461 in East Berne was settled in 1791 by Elisha Hungerford. The north end was settled about 1800 by Caleb Barton. Thanks to Betty Fink for a recent picture of the house built by Caleb Barton.

The Caleb Barton House is now lived in by Mavis Schanz.

SENICA SNYDER BALL

2010-09-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

Letter from Senica Snyder Ball in Delano, Minn. to his brother Charles E. Ball in Knox, NY --written May 1, 1899
Delano May 1 99
Brother Charley How are you? Anyway, i was Just thinking it is 23 years ago today that I was married. How time goes by here. I am giting to be a old man and I do hate to git old and rinkley. But we have to take our medicine as it comes to us. I have not had very good health for some time. But I am to blame myself. I lived little too fast when I was younger and I am now reaping Evil Doings. My Ray is in ND. He has been gone over a year. He is 17 years old. So you See I am Back Whare I was 25 years ago only Better fixed. I have a nice House of furnished in good Shape. But it is no Home for me Since my wife died. A young man can stand those things Whare a old man can't.
Well Charley Who gites the old farm whare we was all Raised? I hope you will git it. Have you made a Settlement yet? What will you give me for my interest in cash?
I must close. Give my Love to your wife. Tell her to write me and I will answer. It is awful hard work for me to write. I am so nervous i can't read this after I write.
Senica Snyder Ball

Page 1

Page 2

West Mountain

2010-09-11T07:24:00.000-07:00

WEST MOUNTAIN Thanks to Katie Jean Bensen the history of West Mountain has been substantially updated. West Mountain was first settled starting about 1790. By the 1930s many farms had already been abandoned due to repeated cropping with buckwheat, barley and rye. Soil erosion was commonplace. Most of the farms on West Mountain were bought by the Resettlement Administration in the 1930s. Lewis Sherman House, Lot 400; taken say 1937. No longer standing. From collection of Nicole Pelepzuck Cross Much of the land, up to 80% had been deforested for farming. Federal money was used to purchase the unproductive farmland for just 2 to 4 dollars per acre. The government helped to move many of the farm families to other areas. However, several farms remained in the possession of the farmers. A few of these included the William D. Wood farm, the Crosby farm, Peasley farm, and the Sherbin farm. Katie Wood, wife of William D. was approached by the Resettlement Administration during the 1930's and asked to sell her farm, to which as history tells, she answered with a solid 'No". In the early 1940's, the Federal government granted the NYS Conservation Department a 99 year lease for what is now much of the Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area. The sum of $1.00 was the price for the lease, with three purposes stated for the land, forestry, wildlife and recreation. Over the next 20 years the total land accumulation through the Dept. of the Interior and the Division of Lands and Forests brought the total acreage to 5,478. BERNE SCHOOL NO. 3 Location Berne School No. 3 was a half mile north of the Rensselaerville town line on Lot 401 on West Mountain. Interior of the Berne schoolhouse 3 along with the teacher, John Pelepzuck, Jr. and Josie. Picture from the collection of Nichole Pelepzuck Cross History Due to the location of this school so close to the Renssesselaerville - Berne town line, this school was jointly operated by the Towns of Rensselaerville and Berne. It would be a careful but educated guess to say that the school started sometime between 1795 and the very early 1800's. Being situated on lot 401a it is safe to say the land was donated by John Crosby and John Crosby Jr. who occupied lot 401 in the year 1795 to the mid 1850's. Even though the Town of Berne was set off from Rensselaerville in 1795 it seems this school continued to be referred to as a Berne and Rensselaerville District even into the last years of its operation. Students from both townships attended this school well into the 1930's. This school had many district numbers and names over many decades it was in operation. In addition to being the Berne school No. 3, it was also the Rensselaerville District School No. 23. (In 1816 this school was known as # 12 Berne.) The school also bore other names such as Peasley School for the Peasley family living nearby. Blanche H. Peasley was the Enumerator in the early 30's and Wallace A. Peasley the Trustee in 1936. It was also called the Baptist Church School due to it's proximity to the early Baptist Church, and West Mountain Schoolon it's insurance policy.^[1]. The label "West Mountain School" as referred to in the History of the Town of Rensselaerville, People made it Happen Here, by way of an insurance policy is believed to be inaccurate and referencing not this school but another that existed close to the town line, District #19. Mis-numbered on the 1866 Beers map of Berne. In 1933 this school was District #3 Town of Berne and Rensselaerville, Supervisory District #2. with Blanche Peasley as the Enumerator. This information was taken from the original school census of 1933. The school was disolved on July 15, 1944. Falling down in 1976, the building is now gone. From School Census August 30, 1933: District no. Three Town of Berne and Rensselaerville. Supervisory district no. Two Albany County, J. Edward Smith District Superintendent. Trustee Herman Malin of Rensselaerville. Enumerator Blanche H. Peasley. Rensselaerville. According to this school Census / register all students in the district, from birth to 18 were enumerated. They are as follows: Theodore Apanasowich, Henry Malin, Richard Malin, John Pelepzuck Jr. Josephine Stephanawitz, Elizabeth Salzer, Joseph Salzer, Richard Weidman, George Pelikan Jr. West Mountain School Unknown West Mountain School Can anyone identify this West Mountain School near Rensselaerville? According to the note on the back, at the time it was taken it was abandoned and soon to be torn down for as part of the land project that eventually became Partridge Run State Wildlife Management Area. Notice to Choose Fence Viewer Letter concerning a fence dispute. Contributed by Nichole Pelepzuk Cross. Letter concerning a fence dispute. Contributed by Nichole Pelepzuk Cross. Notice to Choose Fence Viewer.Town Law section 363 ante P 639To John Pelepzuck Persuant to section 363 of the Town Law you are hereby required to choose within eight days after service of this notice a fence viewer to act with Avery Zimmer a fence viewer I have chosen in determining the dispute which has arisen between us concerning the division fence between our lands; and if you fail to do I shall choose both of said fence viewers as authorized by law. Dated this 18th day of May 1937 Wallace A Peasley Sources ↑ People Made It Happen Here, History of the Town of Rensselaerville ca. 1788-1950, Published 1977

WEST MOUNTAIN

Thanks to Katie Jean Bensen the history of West Mountain has been substantially updated.

West Mountain was first settled starting about 1790.

By the 1930s many farms had already been abandoned due to repeated cropping with buckwheat, barley and rye. Soil erosion was commonplace. Most of the farms on West Mountain were bought by the Resettlement Administration in the 1930s.

Lewis Sherman House, Lot 400; taken say 1937. No longer standing.
From collection of Nicole Pelepzuck Cross

Much of the land, up to 80% had been deforested for farming. Federal money was used to purchase the unproductive farmland for just 2 to 4 dollars per acre. The government helped to move many of the farm families to other areas. However, several farms remained in the possession of the farmers. A few of these included the William D. Wood farm, the Crosby farm, Peasley farm, and the Sherbin farm. Katie Wood, wife of William D. was approached by the Resettlement Administration during the 1930's and asked to sell her farm, to which as history tells, she answered with a solid 'No".

In the early 1940's, the Federal government granted the NYS Conservation Department a 99 year lease for what is now much of the Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area. The sum of $1.00 was the price for the lease, with three purposes stated for the land, forestry, wildlife and recreation. Over the next 20 years the total land accumulation through the Dept. of the Interior and the Division of Lands and Forests brought the total acreage to 5,478.

BERNE SCHOOL NO. 3

Location

Berne School No. 3 was a half mile north of the Rensselaerville town line on Lot 401 on West Mountain.

Interior of the Berne schoolhouse 3 along with the teacher, John Pelepzuck, Jr. and Josie.
Picture from the collection of Nichole Pelepzuck Cross

History

Due to the location of this school so close to the Renssesselaerville - Berne town line, this school was jointly operated by the Towns of Rensselaerville and Berne.

It would be a careful but educated guess to say that the school started sometime between 1795 and the very early 1800's. Being situated on lot 401a it is safe to say the land was donated by John Crosby and John Crosby Jr. who occupied lot 401 in the year 1795 to the mid 1850's. Even though the Town of Berne was set off from Rensselaerville in 1795 it seems this school continued to be referred to as a Berne and Rensselaerville District even into the last years of its operation. Students from both townships attended this school well into the 1930's.

This school had many district numbers and names over many decades it was in operation. In addition to being the Berne school No. 3, it was also the Rensselaerville District School No. 23. (In 1816 this school was known as # 12 Berne.)

The school also bore other names such as Peasley School for the Peasley family living nearby. Blanche H. Peasley was the Enumerator in the early 30's and Wallace A. Peasley the Trustee in 1936. It was also called the Baptist Church School due to it's proximity to the early Baptist Church, and West Mountain Schoolon it's insurance policy.^[1]. The label "West Mountain School" as referred to in the History of the Town of Rensselaerville, People made it Happen Here, by way of an insurance policy is believed to be inaccurate and referencing not this school but another that existed close to the town line, District #19.

Mis-numbered on the 1866 Beers map of Berne.

In 1933 this school was District #3 Town of Berne and Rensselaerville, Supervisory District #2. with Blanche Peasley as the Enumerator. This information was taken from the original school census of 1933.

The school was disolved on July 15, 1944. Falling down in 1976, the building is now gone.

From School Census August 30, 1933:

District no. Three Town of Berne and Rensselaerville. Supervisory district no. Two Albany County, J. Edward Smith District Superintendent. Trustee Herman Malin of Rensselaerville. Enumerator Blanche H. Peasley. Rensselaerville. According to this school Census / register all students in the district, from birth to 18 were enumerated. They are as follows: Theodore Apanasowich, Henry Malin, Richard Malin, John Pelepzuck Jr. Josephine Stephanawitz, Elizabeth Salzer, Joseph Salzer, Richard Weidman, George Pelikan Jr.

West Mountain School

Unknown West Mountain School

Can anyone identify this West Mountain School near Rensselaerville? According to the note on the back, at the time it was taken it was abandoned and soon to be torn down for as part of the land project that eventually became Partridge Run State Wildlife Management Area.

Notice to Choose Fence Viewer

Letter concerning a fence dispute. Contributed by Nichole Pelepzuk Cross.

Notice to Choose Fence Viewer.Town Law section 363 ante P 639To John Pelepzuck Persuant to section 363 of the Town Law you are hereby required to choose within eight days after service of this notice a fence viewer to act with Avery Zimmer a fence viewer I have chosen in determining the dispute which has arisen between us concerning the division fence between our lands; and if you fail to do I shall choose both of said fence viewers as authorized by law.

Dated this 18th day of May 1937

Wallace A Peasley

Sources

↑ People Made It Happen Here, History of the Town of Rensselaerville ca. 1788-1950, Published 1977

Recent items added to Helderberg Hilltowns site

2010-09-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

Barbecue and yard sale
Berne-Knox-Westerlo Sports Boosters will hold a fund-raising barbecue and yard sale Saturday Sept. 18, from 10am to 5pm. at Berne Town Park. The chicken barbecue will begin at 1pm. Each dinner will cost $9, and will include a half chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, and dessert. Members of all 21 teams are participating, from the fall, spring, and winter sports seasons.

History

NEW CEMETERY PAGE

Sept. 2006, Allen Miller

A page has just been created for the two stone Eli Miller Family Burying Ground at the foot of Cole Hill in the Town of Berne.

RECENT BIOGRAPHIES

Wife of Ellery Shufelt and his children

Ellery Shufelt, of West Mountain, was born 1895 one of nine children. He never got beyond the fourth grade and could not read nor write. Ellery was called to service in October of 1918. Ellery married his wife Beatrice in May of 1933. They had four children. The family was one of the last families to live on West Mountain in the 1930s when they were squatters during the time the federal Land Recovery Program were buying up abandoned and marginal farms. (Read the article on Partridge Run State Wildlife Management Area for more information about this period in the history of the Berne.) Both Ellery and his wife were stricken with TB. In the biography of Ellery Shufelt is a very interesting Altamont Enterprise article on his family and their hard scrabble life.

Ellery Shufelt and family

These photos were taken by Arthur Rothstein, the well known photographer for the Farm Security Administration.

Dau. of Ellery Shufelt

Ellery Shufelt Cutting Buckwheat

TURNER BURIAL GROUND The Turner Burial Ground is located on West Mountain within the boundaries of the Partridge Run NYS Wildlife Management Area on Bradt Hill Rd; in the southwest corner of Lot 468. It is named after George Turner (1783-1833) who emigrated from England and settled on West Mountain in 1832. The earliest known burial was 1812; last was 1937. It seems to have been a community burying ground from the beginning, as there are many different names of early farming families who lived in the immediate vicinity. 100 by 140 feet. This cemetery was restored in 2003 as part of Berne Heritage Days. It is mowed regularly by the Town of Berne. It is surrounded by a stone wall in fair condition. The stone wall was repaired in the summer of 2009 by the Town. The front stone wall was rebuilt in the summer of 2010.
Rebuilt stonewall, 2010

Rebuilt front stone wall, 2010

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NAMES FOR THE TOWN OF BERNE

2010-07-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

Colony of Rensselaerwyck - In 1629 most all of the land in Albany and Rensselaer Counties were part of the Dutch Colony of Rensselaerwhyck which had been granted in that year to Kiliean Van Rensselaer, a wealthy Dutch Merchant.
Rensselaerwyck Manor - When in 1664 the English wrested control of the Dutch Colonies in the New World they continued to honor the Van Rensselaer land grant, which now became known as the Rensselaerwyck Manor.
Beaverdam - About 1740 the first settlers in the what is now the western half of the Town of Berne said they were from the Beaverdam. (These homesteaders were actually squatters since they did not lease the land from the Van Rensselaer owners.) Marriage records in both Schoharie churches and churches below the hill say the bride or the groom was from Beaverdam or Beaver Dam. And, of course, about 1765 when the first church was formed in the area, it took the name "The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the Beaverdam." ("Dutch" signified that the congregation was "Deutch", i.e. German.)
Town of Watervliet - In 1788 the Town of Watervliet was created; it consisted of all of what is now Albany County except the city of Albany, and part of Schenectady County. For the next two years folks who a few years later would live in Berne were from Watervliet.
Town of Rensselaerville - In 1790 the Town of Rensselaerville was created from the western half of Watervliet. The result was that in the 1790 federal census everyone who lived in what are now the Towns of Berne, Knox and Renssselaerville were listed as being from Rensselaerville. In 1791, in a Van Rensselaer deed for the Reformed Church farm, the church was called, "The Reformed German Church of Beaverdam in the town of Rensselaerville," thus acknowledging the change in the name of the town.
Town of Bern - In 1795 the Town of Bern was created from the northern two thirds of the Town of Rensselaerville. Rensselaer town officials selected in 1790, lived in what is now Berne; and when Berne was created they became the town officials of Bern and kept Rensselaerville's official journal. For them it was a merely a change of name and a reduction in size. The first use of the name Bern for the area is when the Town was created. Records for churches below the hill continued to say people from Bern were from Beaverdam for the next decade before they finally got use to using the name of Bern. In 1797 the Reformed Church officially became "The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Bever Dam." They gave up changing the name of the church every time the name of the Town was changed.
Town of Berne - Our Heritge, the 1977 Bicentennial history of the Town of Berne, says the spelling of the town name was changed from Bern to Berne sometime in the late 19th century. The middle of the 19th century would have been more correct, since it was spelled Bern in the 1850 federal census and Berne in the 1860 census.

Planning Committee Survey Results for Types of Businesses in Berne

2010-05-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

''Many businesses were personally favored by respondents. A local farm produce center was the most favorable to have in Berne. Other highly favorable businesses were animal shelter, antique/flea market, bakery, bed and breakfast inns, book store, convenience store, fish farm, garden center, grocery store, local farm butcher, medical offices, pharmacy, Helderberg tourism, and winery. Many of the other businesses had 50% or more favorable support.

Most of the large scale businesses such as big box retail stores, big box warehouse, hunting farm, and an industrial power plants were opposed or strongly opposed.

When asked where they would accept commercial development in Berne, the most common answer was along Route 443, followed by along Route 85 and in or near a hamlet. Along Route 57a and anywhere in Town was favored by less than 20% of respondents. There were about 12% who said that commercial development should be nowhere in Town.''

Editor's comment.- If we want local farms and businesses we must support them with our by buying locally. It does no good to say it would be nice to have a convenience store, a grocery store, a local farm butcher, a farm produce center if we do not spend our money locally to show that we really support them.

Upcoming Events Calender

2010-05-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

There are two calenders of upcoming events available for announcements for organizations and businesses on www.AlbanyHilltowns.com .

Those who wish to post events on these pages are urged to do so themselves.
___

May 13

The Heldeberg Market is a new, low-cost service that will market Hilltown farmers' and home industrialists' goods online to customers throughout the Capital Region. It will launch on June 1, 2010.

Farmers and home artisan producers interested in learning more about the Heldeberg Market are invited to an informational session at the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Middle School, Room 170, on Thursday May 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

Please contact owner, Sarah Avery Gordon, to RSVP for the informational session at 518-669-3446 or Sarah Gordon.
___

May 15 and 16

Save Thacher Park!
Join Us, On May 15'th, and 16'th, For "Thacher Day Out". The time will be 12:00 pm-5:00 Pm on both days. We will have tons of food, music, and FUN!!

May 18

The next meeting of the Helderberg Hilltowns Association will be at the Hilltowns Senior Center, 1656 Helderberg Trail (Route 443, half way between Berne and East Berne), May 18 at 7pm.
It has been suggested that since the focus of the first meeting was heavily agriculture, we should continue the discussion of "Ideas About What the HHA Should Do" but divide the discussion into several distinct categories -- Agriculture; restaurants; bed & breakfasts; recreation; open space protection; cultural tourism; historic preservation; sightseeing; museums; family-tree research; etc. That way we will get a better perspective of the broader role of the HHA (or Albany Hilltowns Association?).

May 31

The Hilltowns Memorial Day Parade will step off at 10 AM along Helderberg Trail (Route 443) from the Senior Center to the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School. A big old-fashioned celebration has the Color Guard by the VFW and American Legion, the BKW Band, floats, firetrucks and ambulances, marching units of youth and adults, and a number of horses. At the end of the parade, ceremonies to honor our veterans are held on the common in front of the school; a wreath is laid at the memorial by the Gold Star Mother, a volley is shot, taps is played. Prizes are awarded to floats and marching units. Many organizations offer refreshments or baked goods for sale. Best viewing along the route of march is from the intersection of Routes 443 and 156 to the BKW school. Get there early as good spots go quickly. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of the Helderbergs.

ERNEST J. ECKER, LOT 401, ENOS WRIGHT HOUSE

2010-01-31T16:11:00.000-08:00

I have just finished the weekly update to Albany Hilltowns main pages. It summarizes changes made this past week and gives links to them: Civil War soldier biographies, Lot numers, farm houses, farm activites, ideas for farmers, and much more.

Here are a few of the new pages added this past week:

A biography page has been started for Ernest J. Ecker who died on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, in Delray Beach, Fla., where he had lived in his later years. He was 87.

The Enos Wright House, 1560 Helderberg Trail, Berne, was built 1891 by Charles Willsey for Enos J. Wright (1837- 1905). Wright was a 49 year old farmer, single, and living at home when his mother died in 1885. A few months later he married 27 year old Ida Mae Schoonmaker, who had been a domestic in the home of his parents’ home for a number of years. The house was a major addition to the small, earlier house which is now the east wing kitchen.

Lot 401 situated on West Mountain at the intersection of Bradt Hollow Road and Peasley Road.

The earliest settler on was John Crosby (1758 - 1803), who settled here with his family in 1795. During the Rev. War he was in the militia in Dutchess Co. The family was originally from Harwich, Barstable Co., Mass. Crosby was undoubtedly one of the founders of the the Baptist Church that was on his lot.
1797 - The Rensselaerville and Berne Baptist Church was built at the intersection of Bradt Hollow Road and Peasley Road. It was in existence until late in the 19th C. Now only the cemetery remains. The records were stored in a barn and were lost when the barn burned.
1800 - The earliest burial in the Baptist Church Burying Ground was 1800. It remained in active use until 1901. Seven Revolutionary War soldiers and a daughter of a Lord Mayor of London are buried here.
Site of School House No. 3, (the Peasley School).
1866 Beers map of Berne shows J. Crosby, the Baptist Church, and School House No. 2 (actually No. 3). John Crosby Jr. (1793 - 1869), born in Dutchess Co. came with his family to West Mt. when he was two years old. He was raised and lived on the family farm until his death in 1869 when he was buried in the Baptist Church Cemetery
Crosby Farm - Grass-fed, beef, produced with heritage breed, dexter cattle, sides, custom butchering, all natural. Timothy Lippert; 30 Bradt Hollow Rd., Berne; - Tel. (518) 797 3610 or Email tlippert@starband.net

CEMETERIES; COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, V R MANOR PAPERS

2010-01-21T13:00:00.000-08:00

CEMETERY DESTROYED
There is a family buying ground in Berne that had four beautiful cut stones that were a century or so old and in fine condition. They were in a pasture on a fence line but were not fenced in; cows knocked them down and broke them. The hay grew tall, then tractors ran over them not knowing they were there. There are probably not enough pieces left to save. I know of another cemetery in Berne with many more stones where this is also occurring.

This picture was taken a number of years ago

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The Town of Berne is undergoing a Comprehensive Plan Review; the committee is making available all email communications. If you would like emails generated by the Berne Comprehensive Plan Review Committee to be forwarded to you; please submit your request and your email address to compsecretary45@yahoo.com

VAN RENSSELAER LEASES, SURVEY NOTES

The main page of Albany Hilltowns has been updated. I have started adding early VR survey notes and leases.

DIETZ / DEITZ FAMILY OF BERNE AND SCHOHARIE

2009-12-27T17:39:00.000-08:00

This painting is in the collection of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society museum and is published with their permission. It was painted by James Dietz, a son of the massacred Johannes Dietz, so he would have known what the house and barn looked like.

I have just created a new Facebook group Dietz / Deitz Families of Berne and Schoharie for descendants of the children of Johan Peter Dietz of Germany, all of whom eventually settled in Schoharie and Albany Counties in the first half of the 18th Century. This group will make it easy for us to stay in contact with distant cousins, and allow us to exchange information and ask questions about our common ancestors.

You do not need to be a member of Facebook to look at the site, nor will you be spammed. You would have to join if you want to participate.

The images on this page are of the Dietz massacre in Sept. 1781, the only intrusion into Berne during the Rev. War.

This engraving of the Dietz massacre is from "Stories of the Revolution,” by Josiah
Priest, 1836. The chapter "The Captive Boys of Rensselaerville - John and Robert Brice" tells how they were captured in the massacre and taken west by the Indians. John lived out the war in an Indian village. Robert was sold to the captain of a boat on lake Erie. The story is the remembrances of Robert.

TROUT STREAMS IN BERNE? - NOT!

2009-12-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

Fox Creek Falls, Nov. 2009, by Charles Sloger

Years ago NYS stocked trout in Berne; but that stopped because there is no legal public access. Not that it matters, since neither the Foxenkill nor the Switzkill are good habitat (both are too warm, and some pollution in the Foxenkill) to support a healthy population of trout. There is also a bank erosion problem. Planting of trees and shrubs along the banks would help prevent both bank erosion and cooling the waters for trout, as would establishing a cut line. When do you think that will happen? It took ten years of so for the sewer system in Berne to start to be built. Maybe its not too early to push for creekside rehab?

Here are proposals for

A trail along the Fox Creek from the Long Path to Berne Town Park.
An expansion of Fox Creek Park to include ruins of historic mills and factories on the opposite side of the creek.

Law Office > Select School > Fire House > Post Office > Garage

2009-12-15T12:55:00.000-08:00

The photo to the right is of the 1929 Model T Ford called the "Village Queen", still the pride of the Berne Fire Dept.

A small building in Berne served many functions since it was built in the mid 19th Century:

Law office of Edward Vincent Filkins, Esq.
The Select School in 1882 of his daughter Carrie Filkins.
Berne Post Office in the 1920's. The post master from 1915 - 1928 was Clarence Haverly, husband of Carrie Filkins.
Berne Volunteer Fire Company was organized in 1929 it became the first fire house.
It is now a private garage.

This photo is from about 1977 and was published in Our Heritage.

FARMS AND FARM ACTIVITIES

2009-12-13T14:57:00.000-08:00

Newcomb's Farms, East Berne

I have just updated the Berne Farms, Natural History, and Outdoor Recreation page on Albany Hilltowns to include a lot more farms. Here is the current listing:

Alpaca Shack Bob Rowe and family, Berne. - High quality, eco-friendly alpaca clothing. Visit the farm and pet the Alpacas.
Beaver Dam Farms - Breeding Stock, registered Polled Herefords, feeder cattle, hay. Open year round, hours vary; 2032 Helderberg Trail, tel. (518) 872-0256.
Busch Farm - Quality hay. Busch Ln. By appointment (518) 872-1664.
Crosier's Sugar Barn - Open year round; Spring 7 days a week, Weekends rest of the year. Offering hay rides, maple tours, custom pig roasting, chicken barbecues, brush hogging and farm drainage work, firewood. 353 Filkins Hill Rd. Tel.(518) 872-2213.
Elk Hill Winery - built by the Primiano Family, the only winery in the hill towns, is at 125 Prim Lane, off of Rte. 156 Berne, a couple of miles north of the hamlet of Berne. Call 518-872-2314 for directions.
Ever Flowing Springs Farm - Grass fed beef. 73 Francis Rd. Open year round by appointment (518) 872-0426.
Helderberg Alpacas 331 Saw Mill Road, East Berne, New York; phone number is (518) 872-9053. - Alpacas for sale, boarding, yarn and fiber for sale, farm visits.
Mcauliffe's Mountain Farm - All natural meats and organic veggies. 60 Mountain View Ln., Tel. (518) 872-2041
Morning Fog Farm - High Quality Food, Sustainable Farming Methods: Local, Naturally Raised Beef, Pork, and Chicken; Organic Produce; Organic Herbs; Farm Products; Unique Gifts. On-Farm store is open Friday 3 - 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM and always by appointment. We'll have: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Honey, Maple Syrup, Milk Soaps. 1207 Switzkill Rd., Berne. Please call us at (518) 872-1772 between 10am and 6pm Monday through Saturday for more information. We accept MasterCard and Visa. Email: eatwell@morningfogfarm.com:
Partridge Run Farm and Apiary, 484 Ravine Road, Berne, New York - Open daily for honey and related products (e.g., candles, soaps).
Newcomb's Farms 1498 Thacher Park Road. - Farm stand open May-November 9am-8pm. and a Community Supported Agriculture program^[1] with fresh produce, fruit, local honey & syrup, flower greenhouse, hanging baskets, annual and perennial bedding plants, herbs and vegetable bedding plants. On Saturdays throughout the season home made pies & bread. A member of Local Harvest. Email csnewcombsfarm1@yahoo.com
Mountain Winds Farm - operated by Randy Grippen, sells all natural farm raised chicken and eggs, maple syrup. Email mtwindsfarm@netzero.net
R6 Livestock Co. - Cattle, hay. 1119 Switzkill Rd., Berne; Tel. (518) 872-0344
Shale Hill Farm - Freezer beef, hay straw, fence stakes and firewood. 617 Cole Hill Rd.; Tel. (518) 872-2533
Tim Lippert's Grass-fed Beef - Berne, to order Email tlippert@starband.net or call the farm 518 797 3610
Windy Hill Farm - Wool blankets, sheep skins. Call for location (518) 872-1386.

On the same page is a list of Berne cemeteries that are easy to visit.

I have also added places for something to eat

Jersey's - an informal restaurant, Main St., East Berne; Tel. 872-9158.
The Highlands Restaurant and Tavern - in an historic home with panoramic view, 1670 Berne Altamont Rd.; Tel. 872-1938.
Maple Inn - a restaurant in an historic hotel at 64 Main Street, East Berne (off Rt. 443). Tel. 872-9433.
Zwicklebauer's - a restaurant in an historic resort on the shore of Warners Lake at 141 Warners Lake Rd., East Berne. Tel. 872-1016 / 872-9912.
Foxenkill Tavern - Fine dining restaurant and bar in historic building in park-like setting near the Foxenkill. Rte. 443 just west of West Berne. Tel. 872-1287.
See also suggestions for something to eat in the nearby hill towns:

Rensselaerville Farms, Natural Areas, and Outdoor Recreation

Knox Farms, Natural History, and Outdoor Recreation

Westerlo Farms, Natural Areas, and Outdoor Recreation

HILL TOWNS FARMS, NATURAL HISTORY, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

2009-12-04T17:28:00.000-08:00

I have done an extensive update on BerneFarms, Natural History, and Outdoor Recreation to add information on where visitors can eat and sleep. I have also listed the historic cemeteries and family burying grounds that are maintained and easily accessible. I will now be working on listing historic buildings to see.

I have done a similar page for Knox Farms, Natural History, and Outdoor Recreation

BERNE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

2009-12-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

1) The town of Berne is updating its comprehensive plan. The Comprehensive Plan committee meets on December 2 at the Berne Town Hall. While they already have a full agenda, they do allow time for public comment. Here are proposals for them to consider:
Whereas increasing the number of travelers to the town would be a benefit to the economy of the town:

The planning and construction of scenic trails for use by hikers, bikers, horseback riding, fisherman, photographers, cross country runners, etc is encouraged. In the fall they might be used by hunters; in the winter by cross country skiers and snow mobiles.
Landowners whose land a trail crosses or who live within 1000 feet of a trail are encouraged to build facilities along such trails to benefit users of the trails and to charge for their use: tent camping sites, toilet facilities, picnic tables, fire pits.
In any district of the town a home owner may operate a Guest House. The definition of a Guest House is a home owner who makes extra bedrooms available in their home for occasional guests. The Guest House is not a business but rather a way to earn extra money for the home owner from time to time.
With special permits, landowners in agricultural districts may build up to five cabins to rent by the day or week, and to build facilities for use by up to five recreation vehicle campers.

Someone from the town would need to present the above proposal for discussion.

2) The main page of Albany Hilltowns wiki site has been updated to remove the offending phrases "Tourists" and "Tourism." It turns out they give many people bad connations of the hill towns being turned into a Woodstock with tour buses, pollution, and congestion.

3) Here is a direct link to a page on the Albany Hilltowns site titled Head for the Hills - the Albany Hilltowns. It has many ideas for giving folks below the hill reasons to visit the hill towns.

4) The Facebook group for people to support the idea that increasing the number of visitors to the hill towns would beneficial has been renamed the same name Head for the Hills - the Albany Hilltowns.

5) Here is a direct link Berne Natural History and Outdoor Recreation, a page that lists existing natural reserves that visitors can go to hike, picnic, cross-country ski, etc. It also had some thoughts for expanding outdoor recreation opportunities in the future.

BERNE ECOTOURISM

2009-11-26T18:16:00.000-08:00

This was a beaver dam at one time. Later the State made a small earthen dam to stabilize the pond. A beaver dam is now located just above this pond. New ponds are located in Partridge Run Wildlife Mgt. area along Fawn Lake Road near Berne, New York. Photo by Charles Sloger, Oct. 2008. Here is a link to more of his incredibly beautiful photos.
Partidge Run is one of several Berne Natural History areas open to the public in for hiking, photography, picnicking, etc.
Eco-tourism - getting tourists to come to the hill towns for the beauty of the countryside: hiking, biking, caving, visiting old cemeteries, trails to historic ruins, taking pictures, admiring our historic hamlets. It is a low impact way to help the local economy and encourage preservation of farmlands, scenery, historic homes and hamlets. Tourists need guest houses, B & B's, campgrounds, and picnic sites. To further that end I have created a new Albany Hilltowns Ecotourism Facebook Group. You don't need to belong to Facebook to check out the group. While there, click on the "Wall" tab. There are a couple of exciting proposals. If you support our goals, we would love to have you join us.
The town of Berne is updating its comprehensive plan. The Comprehensive Plan committee meets on December 2 at the Berne Town Hall. While they already have a full agenda, they do allow time for public comment. Here are proposals for them to consider:

Whereas Eco-tourism is a low impact way to encourage tourism in the town and would be a benefit to the economy of the town:

The planning and construction of scenic trails for use by hikers, bikers, horseback riding, fisherman, photographers, cross country runners, etc is encouraged. In the fall they might be used by hunters; in the winter by cross country skiers and snow mobiles.
Landowners whose land a trail crosses or who live within 1000 feet of a trail are encouraged to build facilities along such trails to benefit users of the trails and to charge for their use: tent camping sites, toilet facilities, picnic tables, fire pits.
In any district of the town landowners may take in guests in existing buildings using existing bedrooms and advertise as either a Guest House (no breakfast), or a Bed and Breakfast.
With special permits, landowners in agricultural districts may build up to five cabins to rent to tourists, and to build facilities for use by up to five recreation vehicle campers.

Someone from the town would need to present this proposal for discussion.

BERNE, THE NEXT RENSSELAERVILLE?

2009-11-10T22:04:00.000-08:00

The hamlet of Berne has a lot going for it, but it has not tried to make use of it. It could be like Rensselaerville. It could expand Fox Creek Park to the other side of the creek and make an adjoining historical park of mill and factory ruins. It could have an antique store or two; a bed and breakfast or two; a nice restaurant. Berne has set its sights to low. My class of 1957 high school motto was "Aim High." I wish Berne had the same motto.

OLD DAMS, GRIST MILLS, SAWMILLS & BRIDGE SITES

2009-10-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

In 1984 the old Berne Conservation Board did a very thorough job of locating every cemetery and small family burial ground in the township. Each of these cemeteries were keyed to a section of a USGS topographical quadrangle. This past summer Dennis and Dave Bernhardt updated that survey and used took GPS coordinates for the 50 cemeteries they could find. Some of these were not found in 1984. They are now updating the descriptions and location information on the Berne Historical Project site.

I would like to suggest and request that the current Conservation Board consider making a survey of historic sites to locate and document the conditions of the remains of any historic sawmills and grist mills, bridge and dam sites. They were scattered all over the town. A starting point would be the 1854 and 1866 maps of the town which showed various grist and sawmills. Like abandoned cemeteries, these abandoned ruins will eventually be lost. It would be good to know exactly where they were before it is to late.

I feel sure I could find some volunteers to help in this project. Maybe even do it under the leadership of the Conservation Board.

WORLD WAR II HONOR ROLL FORMER SITE

2009-10-09T16:03:00.000-07:00

I just added a number of "Then and Now" images of the hamlet of Berne on the AlbanyHilltowns.com Wiki site. Included is a series on the World War II Honor Roll that was originally at the intersection of Helderberg Trail and Irish Hill Road in the hamlet of Berne. Look at what a sorry sight the old site has become.

RENSSELAERVILLE PILOT SCANNING PROJECT

2009-10-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

The Rensselaerville Historical Society has 52 “Genealogy books”, 12 “Cemetery books”, and 7 “Deeds and Leases books” that are available to researchers at the old Grist Mill in Rensselaerviller during the warmer months. At their last monthly meeting I submitted a proposal that they scan these handwritten records and post them on the Albany Hilltowns site. They have agreed to have a Rensselaerville Pilot Scanning Project this winter to see how much time it takes, and how the results look on line. The Society currently has an old desk top PC at the Grist Mill that does not have the capacity to store the scanned files, so they need to buy a new one or upgrade the one they have. They also need a laptop computer. A scanner has already been donated. Please contact me if you can contribute hardware, or hard cash.

Remember the Knox Historical Society will sponsor a Dutch barn tour on Saturday, October 10th.

photo by Allen Deitz 2005

Knox is having their monthly meeting Tuesday, October 6
The Berne Historical Society annual meeting was held Tuesday, Sept. 28. Ralph Miller, Historian, Town of Berne, was elected President. His wife, Jan Miller, is the new Secretary. At this time I do not have the names of the other officers.

HISTORY AND GENEALOGY OF BERNE, NEW YORK

Hungerford Burial Grounds posted on Bernehistory.org

RECENT ADDITIONS OF HISTORIC SITES

Proposals

Photo Gallery

FOX CREEK PARK

Fox Creek Park

From Albany Hilltowns

Contents

Location

History

Visitor facilites

Proposals

Photo Gallery

LOT 461, EAST BERNE ON JOSLIN ROAD AND BROOKHAVEN DRIVE

SENICA SNYDER BALL

West Mountain

Location

History

Recent items added to Helderberg Hilltowns site

History

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NAMES FOR THE TOWN OF BERNE

Planning Committee Survey Results for Types of Businesses in Berne

Upcoming Events Calender

May 13

May 15 and 16

May 18

May 31

ERNEST J. ECKER, LOT 401, ENOS WRIGHT HOUSE

I have just finished the weekly update to Albany Hilltowns main pages. It summarizes changes made this past week and gives links to them: Civil War soldier biographies, Lot numers, farm houses, farm activites, ideas for farmers, and much more.

Here are a few of the new pages added this past week:

CEMETERIES; COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, V R MANOR PAPERS

VAN RENSSELAER LEASES, SURVEY NOTES

The main page of Albany Hilltowns has been updated. I have started adding early VR survey notes and leases.

DIETZ / DEITZ FAMILY OF BERNE AND SCHOHARIE

TROUT STREAMS IN BERNE? - NOT!

Law Office > Select School > Fire House > Post Office > Garage

FARMS AND FARM ACTIVITIES

HILL TOWNS FARMS, NATURAL HISTORY, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

BERNE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

BERNE ECOTOURISM

BERNE, THE NEXT RENSSELAERVILLE?

OLD DAMS, GRIST MILLS, SAWMILLS & BRIDGE SITES

WORLD WAR II HONOR ROLL FORMER SITE

RENSSELAERVILLE PILOT SCANNING PROJECT