EARLY HISTORY OF TOWN OF JASPER - CANISTEO TIMES (CANISTEO, NY) 16 Aug 1922; page 9, cols. 4-6. THE TOWNSHIP WAS FORMED FROM CANISTEO AND TROUPSBURGH IN 1827. Names of Some of the Early Settlers Who Were Noted For Their Industry, Uprightness and Attention to Divine Teachings. - Churches Were Established Early in The History of the Community.      As the history of any church is naturally woven into the history of the community where it is situated, we can perhaps arrange our data to best advantage by first introducing an outline of the history of Jasper itself.      The township was formed from Troupsburg and Canisteo Jan. 24, 1827 and a part was annexed to Greenwood in 1848. The first settler appears to have been Nicholas Brutzman, who left Tioga County in 1807 with his family and household effects in a wagon, moved along the Tuscarora creek from Addison, through the young settlement of Woodhull, and finally clearing a road with his axe, after advancing some ten miles beyond the village mentioned, settled for the night under a giant oak that remained to mark the spot for many years. The state road afterward passed by the same landmark, but long before its advent Brutzman had built his home and had founded a settlement that grew into the present "Jasper." Other settlers rapidly followed, a few of their names may be remembered: Early Settlers.     Andrew Craig, an Irishman, arrived in 1810, passing his first night in an Indian wigwam on the present site of the village.      Ebenezer Spencer, a native of Connecticut came in 1858. He was a noted trapper. He owned over 500 acres of land, purchased then at 14 shillings an acre, and was distinguished by having in his house a board door, brought from Painted Post on horse back.      Gideon Marlatt arrived in 1811.      Uzal McMindes moved from New Jersey in 1810 and lived in Jasper to the grand age of 92.      Ezra Banks, an early settler, is remembered as having cleared over 500 acres of land.      Elisha Peak, 1820, was the first blacksmith.      John Deck came from Fort Plain in 1822, locating on the farm owned by John Deck at present.      Dr. Solomon Deck was the first doctor. He graduated from Castleton, Vt. College in 1841.      Moses Dennis, 1824, was a man with a curious life story. He assisted in tearing down the fence about Castle Garden at the time independence was declared and also helped to destroy the metalic statue of George I in order to mould it into bullets to shoot the picture of Lord Northbute. Captured during the war he was on a "cartel" bound for Boston that was captured thirteen times before reaching its destination.      Samuel Dennis arrived in 1825, was supervisor three terms and assessor six terms. He was one of the oldest members and trustees of the Presbyterian church and helped build no less than three Presbyterian churches in the town.      Henry Prentice came in 1826.      Deacon Sargent, born in Sunstable N. H., came to Jasper in 1827, and was a member of the Congregational church of Lyndeborough, and on arrival became interested in the formation of the Presbyterian church which was organized Oct. 28, 1829, and was installed as one of the first elders. That office he held for half a century, and in addition taught the men's bible class for 42 years.      Peter Drake came from New Jersey in 1829.      Harvey Andrews came in 1833; an early merchant of Jasper Five Corners, and for many years a justice of the peace.      Solomon Countryman arrived from Fort Plain 1849. He was postmaster from 1861 to 1875.      John Timmerman arrived by emigrant sleigh in 1849. He built the Lent wagon shop and conducted that business for many years.      Hon. Allen A. VanOrsdale moved to Jasper in 1853. He was clerk of the county for three years; also supervisor for three terms; was elected member of assembly 1882. Early Items.      The first birth was that of Sally Brutsman in 1808.      The first marriage was that of Samuel Grey and Polly Simpson.      Amanda Smith taught the first school.      The first butter for market was made by Andrew Craig sr., who sold the same in Philadelphia.      The earliest saw mill was erected by Nicholas Brutzman; the first steam flour mill by Nelson Johnson.      A pine tree was cut in 1855 measuring 21 feet in circumference.      The first town meeting was held in the home of Andrew Simpson 1827, when Stephen Towsley was chosen moderator and Andrew Craig as supervisor. The Churches. On Feb. 9, 1817, a few interested persons met in Troupsburg and agreeing on articles of faith, elected Chas. Card as clerk of the first Baptist church of Jasper. The present edifice was raised June 7th, 1834, and completed about 1840.      In 1818 the only Methodists in the village are said to have been Mrs. S. A. Grinolds and a Mrs. Smith. The first preacher of the class was a Rev. Buel. The early meetings were held in a school house at Maratt's Corners. Up to 1834 meetings were held in the school houses at Jasper and Five Corners.      A Wesleyan Methodist church was organized in 1871 at the Gully school house by Rev. Mr. Sinabaugh. A church building was dedicated Feb. 14, 1875 by Rev. Adam Crooks.

NOTES ON THE EARLY HISTORY OF JASPER - CANISTEO TIMES (CANISTEO, NY) SEP 1922. ROBERT V. SPENCER OF NEWTONVILLE, MASS., FORMERLY OF JASPER, ADDS INTERESTING FACTS HE TELLS OF A NUMBER OF EARLY SETTLERS OF JASPER WHEN THE WOLVES HOWLED AT NIGHT AND CARRIED OFF ANY STRAY CALF OR SHEEP THAT WAS OUT.     The following interesting letter has been received from Prof. Robert V. Spencer of Newtonville, Mass., who is well known as a former Jasper man. He is now secretary of the Massachussetts Tuberculosis League: Newtonville, Mass., Sept. 4, 1922. Editor Canisteo TIMES: Notes on the Early History of Jasper By Robert V. Spencer.      The article on the "Early History of Jasper," published in the August 16th issue of The TIMES, was of keen interest to me and I feel sure it was to all whose ancestors were among those who struck out through the trackless forest in the early nineteenth century and wrestled the fertile land of that township from the then literally "howling wilderness." Believing that much interesting material may still be added if those who know anything farther will send it to be published. I am writing to slightly correct what was said about my great grandfather, Ebenezer Spencer, and to add a few notes which may be of interest to others. I wish to say that I am indebted to Mrs. Lucy Taft nee Spencer, for the correction of my data. Mrs. Taft is a granddaughter of Ebenezer Spencer and knows as much about the early history of Jasper as anyone with whom I have ever talked.      Ebenezer Spencer was born near New Caanan, Connecticut, and moved his widowed mother and children to Cayuga county in the latter half of the eighteenth century. After having helped raise his younger brothers and sisters to maturity he married and settled in Scipio, from whence he moved to Jasper in the early spring of 1808. He brought his family in a one horse cart, cutting his way where necessary and driving his oxen and some stock. He had visited his new place the previous fall and had made a clearing and sowed it to wheat. His neighbors, some of whom must have come up from Canisteo for the occassion, had made a bee and helped him to erect a log house and barn.      The farm was the land now owned by George Zeh on the Canisteo road and the clearing was the field just across the creek to the right of the line directly below the barn. His barn was still standing when I was a boy, on the flat below the present farm buildings.      When the family arrived that good door had blown open and they were obliged to start a fire in the fireplace and heat water and thaw out the ice before they could get the door shut. The wolves howled at night and woe to any stray calf or sheep left outside the fold at night, and many a night they were obliged to frighten a pack of wolves away during the night, so bold and fierce would they become trying to get at the stock.      The settlers went to Canisteo to mill over the rough wood roads. One time there were several grists ahead to be ground, so my great grandfather got started home late. On the way home the wolves got after him so that he was obliged to walk the last three miles of the journey between his oxen as the wolves would not attack the cattle so readily as a man riding alone on a sleigh. When the settlers did not have time to go to mill they pounded their grain in mortars. My great-grandfather's stone mortar was given to me by Edwin E. Stone from his father's historical collection. Prentice Stone, the father once showed me the whiffletree which drew my great grandfather's cart to Jasper.      Ebenezer Spencer had a warm heart and used to delight the children of the settlement with wondrous apples which they were allowed to pick from the pockets of his great coat before apples were common in the new country. He may have been a great hunter, but "Uncle Bobby" Sharpe was the Daniel Boone of that early country. He and his great dog Turk used to hunt bear with no other weapon than a long, dirk knife. Uncle Bobby used to say "Sic 'em Turk," and when the dog was tackling the animal he would stick him with the knife. He used to live on the great hill back of George Zeh's farm.      Just a word in regard to my great grandfather, Andrew Simpson, who was mentioned as one of the incorporators of the town of Jasper. He moved from Scipio in 1810 and built his log house at Jasper, directly across the street from where the Jasper creamery was operated the last time I was there. A tribe of Indians lived across the creek at that time. Andrew Simpson was a revolutionary soldier and fought in the battle of Bennington when a lad of sixteen. He was a Master Mason and was buried with Masonic honors, although I do not know what lodge. His father was a scotchman from the Simpson clan.      I hope that others will tell us what they know.