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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
leading from Union Vale to Beekmanville, near the location of the old union burying ground, which was probably the first church built in this immediate vicinity. It was a plain, oldfashioned structure, of medium size, with no gallery. The Christian denomination is quite numerous and influential in this town. A neat and commodious house of worship has been recently built. They formerly worshiped in an old church under the mountain, which was torn down when the present one was erected. Albert Hall and Joseph M. Cutler contributed largely towards its erection. Near this church is a beautiful rural cemetery. There are several fine monuments, and a family vault upon the grounds. It is elegantly laid out ; a miniature artificial lake is enclosed within its limits; all of which adds to the natural beauties of the location. The monument of Albert Hall is apiece of fine mechanism, the design of which is one of his own selection. Another monument will be erected to the memory of Joseph M. Cutler at a cost of $2600. Cutler was largely interested in the mining interests of the town, in which he acquired great wealth. James Skidmore was an early settler, who built the mill and old house near Crouse Store. He owned a large tract of land in the vicinity. The mill is one of the oldest in the town. On Pleasant Ridge is an old dwelling with its siding composed of shingles, built by Nicholas Baker. It is somewhat remarkaO U Skidmore Mill. ble from the fact that all the nails used in its construction were made by himself, on the anvil. He was a blacksmith, and made the nails during the evenings, after the regular work of the day was over. He was also a merchant; the building he used for a store is still standing we believe. It was his custom, when about to take a trip to New York for goods—which he only undertook once or twice a year—to prepare his bed, and a stock of provisions to last several days, which he had to take with him, as the sloop did not board passengers in those days. After
Dutchess County Historical Society
