[Footnote A:  The same story is told of other hunters and other witches.]

[Footnote B:  The author is indebted to Mr. N.N.  Bull for the sketch relating to West Oneonta.]

CHAPTER V.

The first church organization in town was effected by the Presbyterians.  The first meeting was held at the house of Fredrick Brown, January 24, 1800, when John Houghtaling, Henry Scramling, John VanDer Werker and James Dietz were chosen elders; William Morenus, David Scramling, Aaron Barnes, and James Quackenbush were chosen as deacons.  The following are the names of the ministers of the church with dates of service:  Wm. Fisher, 1823-33; Wm. Clark, 1833-37; Jos.  W. Paddock, 1837-42; Fordyce Harrington, 1843-45; Gaius M. Blodgett, 1845.—­[Reorganization.] Eliphalet M. Spencer, 1849-52; Wm. B. Christopher, 1852-54; Wm. Baldwin, 1854-62; Geo. O. Phelps, 1863-69; H.H.  Allen, 1869—.

The next church organization was by the Methodist Episcopals.  The first steps towards forming the society were taken by Nathan Bennett, Silas Washburn, David T. Evans, David Fairchild, and David T. Clark.  This society had no house of worship for many years, and held their meetings in the village school house.  The first church edifice was built in 1844.  In 1868-69 a new and large meeting house was built and finished at a cost of $12,000.  Rev. George Elliott and Rev. Wm. McDonald were the first preachers.  Subsequent ministers have been:  Rev. C.G.  Robinson, 1854-56; Rev. W.G.  Queal, 1856-58; Rev. S.M.  Stone, 1858-59; Rev. D.L.  Pendell, 1859-61; Rev. Geo. Parsons, 1861-63; Rev. P.Y.  Hughston, 1863-65; Rev. H.N.  Van Dusen, 1865-67; Rev. R.W.  Peebles, 1867-70; Rev. Austin Griffin, 1870-72; Rev. I.N.  Pardee, 1872-75; Rev. W.B.  Westlake, 1875-78; Rev. Y.Z.  Smith, 1878-79; Rev. A.B.  Richardson, 1879-82; Rev. D.C.  Olmstead, 1882—.

The First Baptist society was organized April 6, 1833.  At a meeting called for that purpose, David Yager was chosen moderator and James Slade clerk.  April 24, 1833, a council was held, of which Elder Alex.  Smith, of Franklin, was moderator, and Elder Kingsley, of Meredith, clerk.  The pastors have been Rev. D.B.  Crane, 1833-35; Rev. John Smith, 1836-48; Rev. H. Clark, 1848-49; Rev. A.B.  Earle, 1849-53; Rev. E. Westcott, 1854-57; Rev. John Smith, 1858-65; Rev. A. Reynolds, 1865-70; Rev. Geo. R. Burnside, 1871-74; Rev. H. Brotherton, 1874-80; Rev. P.D.  Root, 1880-82; Rev. E.D.  Clough, 1883—.

The Free Baptist church society was formed at the Emmons school house Feb. 25, 1856.[A] The council consisted of Rev. A. Wing, D. Green, O.T.  Moulton, and laymen Joseph Jenks and Harvey Mackey.  The meeting house was built in 1857.  The pastors have been, Rev. O.T.  Moulton, 1856-61; Rev. H. Strickland, 1862; Rev. E. Crowel, 1864-68; Rev. G.P.  Ramsey, 1868-72; Rev. O.T.  Moulton, 1872-75; Rev. Peter Scramling, 1875; Rev. M.C.  Brown, 1875-78; Rev. D.C.  Wheeler, 1878; Rev. David Boyd, 1880-83; Rev. C.A.  Gleason, 1883—.