The New York herald., 1877-09-10
SCHOHARlE AND IT'S MEMORIES.
The Later Days of David
Williams Life.
The Old Stone Fort and Timothy Muir
phys Courtship.
NEGLECTED ATTRACTIONS.

SCHoHAkiks NJ l., sept o, Aoss
What hres tho human heart with noblcst flame
And fills with grandest swell tue trump OF fame.
Strengthens the sInews wars dread arms to weld,
Scorps the rod horrors OF the battle acld,
Tunes to triumphant song tho failing breath
And sheds live brilliance on the brow OF death,
It's love OF country mystic hrc from hcavcn!
To light our race up satcliest heights It's given.
On the 23d instant ono year will havo elapsed
since the removal OF tho remains of David Williams
to this ancient German burgh was signalized by
tho laying OF the corner Stone OF a prospective
monument with solemn enthusiasm and grateful
reverence. The world at large, strange to say, yet
quite ignorant of this significant act tho relation
OF which to the history and romance OF tho rcvolu-
ton Is OF unique interest Few events, surely in tho
frs. war OF the Republic were moro pregnant with
national benefit the salvation, indccd, Of the Ameri
can cause, than the capture OF Major andre by the
immortal trio OF patrio, beroos- -Paulding Van Wart
and Williams
For had baso Arnolds treason won, We now
Perchauce, instead OF jewels on our brow,
jewels OF freedom, with doom ontent
Under some kingy bondage might have bent.
HAPPY VALLEY.
Yes; hero is the resting place Of David Williams
bones The Valley OF tho Schoharis is only l50 miles
from New York. with which 1t rs linked by railway
that extends to Middleburg; yet it Ia so quiet and
scquestercd and shrek is 80 seldom
heard that one here almost iaucy himself living
the times of honest old Dedrich Kn ckerhocker or
that he nodded himself into over of
the sleepy chapters OF MS history. Few tourists
know that there such blcssod spot the Schobaro
Valley although It's natural fca ures beautiful as they
arc, speak TO its Inhabitants with the sacred though
silent tongues OF tradition recalling doughty deeds
which we'll may match those OF any OF the Low Dutch
scttlors OF The Hudson To the writer who aims to
give bare sketch oil tho interesting idoas to which
they give birth, such a cloud of images and memories
sure to bcw,lder his mind aud retard his
pen Such is now before me, and for that reason
must connnc myself to tho one topic which can be
detached fr I'm all the rest.
DAVID WILLIAMS LATER DAYS
do not remember thai tho place OF tho original in
tcrment OF David Williams has been mentioned by
any but local historian. Jcphtha r. smms, who
wrd.e tho rarc and delightful annals OF schoharis
county briefly remarks that in 1906 tho veteran re-
moved from South Salem, Wes,choster county, to tho
iarm OF General Shay Qho celebrated loader OF tho
Massachusetts, iusurrection OF 1861 near Living
s,onviic, u hamlet situated fifteen mics southward
from this place There he remained until
his death. Tho following letter, written BY the
venerable Squire Gcbhard, one Of the most
celebrated characters OF tho middle coun.
ties OF Now York, devoted antiquarian ana learned
goo!ogst, Is nearly oil tho written dA.s aside from
that gwen by Simms existing regarding his clos
| ing days.
ScHoHARIE N. Y, October 1G, 1876.
DEAR srR--In compliance with your request, that
would inform you Of what know in relation TO the
stsnd ug and character Of the late David Williams
Of the coptors ol Major Andre, would state That
well with Mr. Williams Tor several years
i'm mediarly preceding his death, and boar cheer
fui testimony to the hign standing for truth and
tcgrty IN which lie was held by his neishbors and
was present at his funeral, which was large and
imposing After tue sermon was preached the funeral
nd tn th,.r L.
eu,ogy delivered by Robert Mcclellan, Esq, and
before the were lowered 10 their resting place.
X. W. Murphy. Esq, standing beside tho coffin, with
sorrowiui heart overnow,ng with gratitude and sym
pathy, stated to the vast assemblagc that whom
bm 10 his home supported and clothed him, gave him
u good education aud started hm In business He also
gave foil and minute account OF the daily lie and
habts OF the deceased and concluded by saying that
David Williams died as no had lived through n long
lie, an upright aud honest man Respectfully. your
oDcdient servant, JOHN GERHARD JR.
THE BURIAL At LIvISGsroxvLLE.
The las. service OF humanity was rendered to David
Williams in 1881, forty i've years ago. Squire Geb-
hards recollection OF that affecting euogy, spoken by
his godson beside his coffin, is unfortunately not so
minute us our deep interest prompts us to desire
can give only the outlines OF lcw facts not generally
known, although by spending time In further search
and ,nquiry | am confident that could obtain full
history OF his life ancr his removal to this country
Ho was married to Miss Benedict, OF Wescbestcr, and
had one named David. Seven OF his grandchildren
arc still living, lour OF them In Schoharc county, two
Of thcm IN Iowa and in Virginia All OF them
said to be worthy descendants In honor and integrity
OF tho Revolutionary sire. At his DEATH which
Cured on the Cd OF August 1891 he sovonty seven
years old
LAST NEW YORK.
One OF tho last events OF his Ito visit to Nav
York In tho fall OF 1880, when he present its
af mt he ceI n
Hc was drawn in a carriage at the head OF the pro
cession and attrac ced much Tcverenial attention,
which many old citizeps doubtless rene amber TO this
day. Hc visited, with tho Mayor and other distin-
guished gentlemen, the public institutions, aud every
where received with tho same honorable welcome.
lie received from the Mayor and from the public
schools appropriate presents.
DESCENDING THB GRAVE.
In December he returned to his humble rural homo
and the excitement which he had felt during his visit
in New York, consequent upon reviving the stirring
acts OF his prmc and tho adulstion which they drow
to him. seemed soon as he rcgahed his accustomed
retirement, 10 hasten his decline. II had like
dragging him forciby out OF a peneeabie haven to
crafty the curiosity OF those who were st riding on
the bowy current OF liic Even though again moorcd
Far from tho adding crowds ignobie striis
his ancient timbcrs to uso the pnrascolosy OF Ad-
mira Trunnon had received too many severe strains
for their age and ongcd for his final anchorage. In
tho succeeding spring the approach OF death grew
more and more evident He suffered greatly from az
grav,cd dyspepsia. lie gradually wasted away until
tho day above mentioned, when at sunset the expired
without u struggle or groan." lie had frequently
wished for release from tho tormcns Of his disease
and MS last words embodied certain calm directions 70
gardlpg the place OF his burial so passed away one OF
the great characters which havo been bu, Inadcquatey
stud ied dcnoated, and It remains for some unpre
tcntous biographcr collect fuller details OF hm
ing years and to give them TO the light
His heart mighty, hoash his path was low.
THE Project or A MONUMENT.
The historian Simms, in a letter read at tho cerc
monial OF the laying OF the corner atonc speaks in
the following manner OF tho project Of erecting q
monument
FoRr PLAIN. Montgomery county, Oot o, 1876.
Long ions ago was the enterprise contc m plated.
Judge Murphy. whom IT was our pleasure to know
nearly thirty years ago. and who was then a worth