Truck Crash on Main Street

A truck traveling west on Route 7 crossed into the eastbound lane and hit a tree and the flashing crosswalk pole in Cobleskill in front of the popular Chieftans Restaurant & Bar Tuesday. The Cobleskill Fire Department, Richmondville Fire Department, and EMS assisted on-scene and were lauded for their skilled work. The driver was trapped inside the truck and had to be flown out by helicopter. 

Chieftans said in a statement that they hoped for a quick recovery of the driver and thanked the EMS and fire departments on site as "the real heroes." "Thank you to each and everyone who dedicate themselves, selflessly, during these times of great need. Their care, compassion and professionalism was a great comfort as an onlooker," said the statement.

Photos by Robert Duso.

 

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SUNY Professor Tarvis Earns the NACTA Educator Award

SUNY — Associate Professor of Animal Science Kimberly Tarvis, M.S., has been named a 2025 recipient of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Educator Award. The NACTA Educator Award is presented annually to a select group of individuals whose efforts the professional society believes represent the very best in agricultural higher education.

“I was in complete shock receiving this recognition. For me, this is just what I do,” said Tarvis. “I believe every student deserves the best possible education, and I try to connect with each of them, no matter their background or experience. Growing up, I watched my father put himself through college as an adult student. I also spent time between rural Rhode Island and urban Fall River, Massachusetts, with my grandparents, who watched me while my parents worked and went to school.”

“Those experiences taught me the value of a strong support system and the importance of seeing life from different perspectives,” she continued. “As a student myself at Indiana University, completing my doctorate in Instructional Systems Technology, I can say school is different now than it was 20 years ago.”

“Understanding the material is one thing, but delivering it in a way that resonates with students, that excites them and builds their confidence, that’s the real reward,” Tarvis added. “It takes extra time and energy, but when students feel supported and challenged, that’s when real learning happens. That’s when they realize, ‘Yes, I can do this!’”

Tarvis’s connection with her students is recognized throughout the campus community. For two consecutive years, in 2023 and 2024, she was selected by students as the Outstanding Faculty Mentor of the Year through a campus-wide vote. She is also the co-advisor of the College’s largest student organization, the Dairy Cattle Club.

“Kim embodies the heart of our academic mission at SUNY Cobleskill—educating with purpose and compassion,” said Dr. Darcy Medica, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Her attention to the personal, academic, and professional success of her students is evident in the way she challenges them—always in a supportive way—and helps them connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. The NACTA Educator Award is a well-deserved honor, and we are incredibly proud to have her as part of our faculty.”

Tarvis also coaches the College’s highly regarded North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Team, which competes each April. The event tasks teams with analyzing a working farm, gathering information such as financial reports, herd software data, and summary statistics during a two-hour site evaluation, and then presenting recommendations for improving farm operations. Last year, SUNY Cobleskill’s team placed second overall.

Tarvis is the fifth SUNY Cobleskill faculty member to receive the NACTA Educator Award, following Robert M. McGuire (1979), Ralph M. Smalley (1982), Douglas Goodale (1995), and Ben Weikert (2021).

SUNY Cobleskill’s Department of Animal Science offers three bachelor’s (BS/BT) degree options and five associate degree options. The Bachelor of Science degree provides the lab and field coursework necessary to pursue master’s and doctoral programs in animal science, as well as the academic rigor required for admission to veterinary medicine programs. Modern chemistry and biology laboratories provide students with valuable hands-on experiences in the natural sciences, and the College maintains herds of beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, meat goats, and horses. Other livestock housed on the campus farm include swine and poultry.

 

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SUNY Awarded More than $423,000 for Campus Forest Development

COBLESKILL – Governor Kathy Hochul last week announced $15 million in grant awards through New York State's new Community Reforestation (CoRe) program, with SUNY Cobleskill receiving $423,092 to significantly expand its ongoing campus forest restoration initiative and further contribute to the “25 Million Trees Initiative” launched by Governor Hochul to recognize the importance of trees and forests for climate resiliency and community health.

Funding for this round of the CoRe grant program was allocated by the Governor in the FY25 Enacted Budget. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administers the CoRe program, which supports the State’s efforts to plant 25 million trees by 2033.

The award for SUNY Cobleskill is part of $1.7 million awarded to four SUNY campuses for reforestation projects that will serve as "living labs" for students to research best practices in sustainable forest management and ecological monitoring. Funding will allow the College to create natural areas on campus by planting more than 5,300 trees across five acres, building upon the College's ambitious initiative launched in 2022 to plant 10,000 trees on campus over a decade. More than 4,200 trees have already been planted.

The project aims to restore native upland and lowland forests around Cobleskill Creek, creating ecosystems that increase water-holding capacity, filter poor-quality water, and reduce erosion. These forests will support biodiversity, enhance wildlife habitat, and increase corridor connectivity for species that have declined due to habitat loss.

"This grant allows us to accelerate our reforestation efforts that will expand opportunities for our students right here on campus while protecting and diversifying our local ecosystem," said SUNY Cobleskill President Dr. Marion Terenzio. "We thank Governor Hochul for recognizing the work our students are doing, sharing our commitment to environmental stewardship as a school of agriculture and technology, and adding new green space across the state through the ’25 Million Trees Initiative’ that will serve life of all types in the coming generations.”

SUNY Cobleskill's forest restoration work began in Spring 2021 when Environmental Management students planted 800 trees along State Route 7 to the Cobleskill Creek. The planting included 22 different tree and shrub species carefully selected based on landscape features and soil conditions. Upland species were planted on hill slopes with drier soil conditions, while lowland species were concentrated along Cobleskill Creek.

The project also incorporates climate adaptation strategies, with students planting several species expected to thrive under future climate conditions, including pin oak, redbud, and pawpaw. The forest is expected to provide full canopy coverage to the area in approximately 10 to 15 years.

Previous support for the campus planting project includes a $29,200 Environmental Initiative Grant from the Laura Jane Musser Fund and a $5,000 gift from the Gerald and Elizabeth Jennings Foundation used to purchase seedlings.

 

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SSCS Update

By Tori Edwards 

SHARON SPRINGS —As May is upon us many students are in the mode of spring. Friday April 25th Elementary students hosted their Annual Earth Day Morning Program. 5th grade presented a skit from Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax!  

Students of the month for April are Maddilynn Edwards, Olive Barbic, Axl Mickel, Greyson Grass, Alexis Colletti, Sasha Jones, Charlotte Ferrone, Aliviya Venzke, Wyatt Grass, Aubree Carrow, Jonathon Becker, Sailor Saunders. Congratulations to all selected students! 

The All-County Music Festival was on Saturday April 26th six districts arrived at SSCS to perform their hearts out! The district involved were Sharon Springs, Cobleskill Richmondville, Berne-Knox- Westerlo, Schoharie, Middleburgh, and Duanesburg. Wonderful job to all the musicians!

Saturday, May 3rd Klinkhart Center for the Arts will be holding classes at 10am and a performance at 7pm. Thursday May 8th at 6:30pm Billy Martin’s Cole All Star Circus will be preforming in the new gym at SSCS. Tickets are $20 dollars at the door for adults. Students 12 and under are free, limited to two free children's ticket per adult ticket. Tuesday May 13th at 7pm will be the high school and middle school spring concert. 

Monday May 19th at 8am is the Young Authors’ Fair. 

Kindergarten registration will be on May 27th and May 28th in the Auditorium. 

Keep up the great work students and let’s go Spartans!

 

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Great First Week for SSCS Clay Target Team

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Springs Central School Clay Target Team had a great start to their Spring season this past week on April 23rd and April 25th for their first competitions! They are the first Clay Target Team in Schoharie County and are now in the Class 2A Conference 6. 

The results are in from the first week of competition shooting for SSCS. According to onlookers at the competitions, “the kids did an amazing job!”, as they placed 1st in the overall team standings for their Class!

Overall Team Standing:

#1 Sharon Springs Central with 1,566.50

#2 Caledonia-Mumford High School with 1,512.00

#3 Wayland-Cohocton Central with 1,186.00

#4 Watkins-Glen High School with 1,162.00

#5 General Brown High School with 1,115.50

#6 Voorheesville High School with 903.00

#7 Pavilion High School with 556.00

SSCS Clay Target Team Stats:

Top 100 Overall Average (out of the 3,000+ in NYS):

#51 Kyle Golden - 23.50

#97 Sean Shults - 23.00

Top 25 Males in our 7-school conference:

#2 Kyle Golden - 23.50

#3 Sean Shults - 23.00

#6 Reed VanValkenburg - 22.50

#10 Levi Knapp - 22.00

#12 Dalton Oliver - 21.50

#18 Hunter Tansey - 21.00

#23 Hunter Bolster - 20.50

#23 Joe Berube - 20.50

Top 25 Females in our 7-school conference: 

#5 Ava Bissonette - 18.50

The SSCS Clay Target Team would like to give a BIG shout out to all of the amazing sponsors for this 2025 season.

Interested in finding out more about the team? Check them out on Facebook at SSCS Clay Target Team or even on Youtube @SSCSclaytaget. Any and all are welcome to come on down to Sprout Brook Rod and Gun Club (1364 State Highway 163 Canajoharie NY) to support this local team! Upcoming Competition Schedule: May 3 at 9 AM, May 10 at 9 AM, May 17 at 9 AM, May 24 at 9 AM.

 

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Dementia Info at Spa Ritz Luncheon

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Silver & Gold Senior Club will hold its next luncheon meeting on Friday, May 9th at the Office for the Aging’s “Spa Ritz” meal site at the Sharon Springs Firehouse at 137 Beechwood Rd.

The Silver & Gold Senior Club positively contributes to the lives of so many! Members of this social club come from surrounding areas including Sharon, Cherry Valley, Cobleskill, Ames, and beyond. With Seniors of all ages, this group is always open to new members! This is a great place to make new friends and catch up with the community! The after-lunch activities change monthly and are always something to mark the calendar for!

For the May Luncheon, expect a delicious and nutritious meal of meatballs with sauce over pasta, bread, Italian vegetable blend, spiced apple sauce, fruit, dessert and 1% milk will be served at noon. The senior club’s monthly business meeting will be conducted after lunch. The May gathering will conclude with a presentation about dementia by Ann Thayer from the New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Learning about dementia signs as a senior can be empowering, as it promotes early awareness, timely intervention, and the ability to make informed decisions for a healthier future.

Individuals interested in attending the May 9th Silver & Gold Luncheon must register by calling the Spa Ritz meal site at (518) 284-2883 from 10 AM - 2 PM on Friday May 2nd, Monday May 5th, or Wednesday May 7th. Area seniors interested in more information about the club should contact Anne Lennebacker, president, at (607) 547-9055.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse (137 Beechwood Road) M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2:00 PM. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

 

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“Sharon Things - Local Happenings for Sharon Springs”

By Alexis Pencar

Hey Neighbors!

What a hot one on Monday and Tuesday this past week. Temperatures climbed all the way into the 80s and were followed up with quite the evening thunderstorms. Looks like rainy weather with those May Showers for the next week, temperatures holding in the 60s, with lows dipping into the 40s. As we anticipate our growing season, it looks like the last frost could be mid-May but we’ve had that shift from year to year.

As a follow up to the mysterious big lottery winner at the Sharon Springs Stewart’s back it February, it looks like Jessica Terpenning, of Cobleskill, was the lucky winner of the top prize from the ‘Set For Life’ scratch-off game, claiming a lump sum of $3.37 million after required withholdings all according to the New York Lottery.

Bison Island Ranch is hosting their Spring Fling this Saturday May 3rd from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM as a special celebration of Spring, new life, and motherhood! “$5 Bison Bucks” will be given out for Bison Tallow Beauty Products, which are always a great gift idea for Mom (hint, hint) and ALL bison steaks will be 10% off too! There will be a fun craft for kids, which will definitely be a cute keepsake for Mom! This is rain or shine, with plenty of indoor space and complementary hot tea and cocoa! The Ranch is located at 194 Engleville Rd Sharon Springs, NY 13459.

Sunnycrest Markets is open with more vendors than ever! The new Sunnycrest Kitchen is hosting their soft opening on May 1st so check it out! They have affordable groceries, produce, bulk items, ready-made food, furniture, and much more! The nursery is now open selling seedlings, hanging baskets, plants, and more! With new extended hours, they are located at 7869 NY-10, Sharon Springs, NY 13459, just outside of the Village. Follow @SunnycrestMarkets on social media for updates, sales, and more!

Blue Star Farm & Cidery is open on the weekends at their new location on Route 20 near Log House. They are now making and serving their own sweet cider and have cider donuts, cider slushies, and more for purchase too! Hours are Saturday, 10-5 PM and Sunday, 10-4 PM. Visit them on Facebook for updates and specials!

Parsons Vegetable Farm has limited cabbage available with seedlings coming soon!! Check out their social media for more info! The Outrageous Snack Snack is closed for the season but should be opening with fresh donuts soon! 

Sharon Springs Free Library News: Story Time is at 10:00 AM on Thursday mornings and includes a story, craft, and snack. The Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays from 3:00 - 8:00 PM, Mondays & Thursdays from 10:00 - 6:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 -1:00 PM, and Sundays - Closed.  For more Library information please contact (518) 284-3126.

Sharon Springs Food Pantry

Your local Sharon Springs Food Pantry is an excellent local resource for all! They are located in the United Methodist Church on Route 20, across from the school (511 US Route 20, Sharon’s Springs, NY 13459). They are always accepting donations! If you or someone you know is in need of the Pantry, the hours are Thursday 9:00 -10:30 AM and 5:00 - 6:30 PM. For more information please contact (518) 284-2687 or follow them on Facebook.

Worship Services

The Sharon Reformed Church (6858 State Route 10, Sharon Springs, NY 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 234-2387 for more details.

The Sharon Springs United Methodist Church (511 State Route 20, Sharon Springs, NY, 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 284-2200 for more details.

The St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church (24 Maple Avenue, Cherry Valley, NY 13320) offers weekly mass at 10:00 am. Reminder: confession is available 30 minutes before every mass. Contact at (607) 264-3779 for more details.

The Zion St. John’s Lutheran Church Seward (114 Mesick Ave, Cobleskill, NY 12043) offers weekly service on Sundays at 9:00 am. Contact at (518) 234-3222 for more details.

Cornerstone Baptist Church (7274 Route 10, Ames, NY 13317). Sunday Service is at 10:00 am. All are welcome. Contact (518) 673 3405 for more details.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse at 137 Beechwood Rd. M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2 p.m. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

To share community news, upcoming events, business specials, adjusted hours, birthdays, anniversaries, or even an outstanding resident, please contact me directly at (772) 971-1410 or alexis.pencar@gmail.com. Have a great week! Thanks!

 

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Sharon Springs Student Putting Charge in Her Future at BOCES

SCHOHARIE — A Sharon Springs junior is getting wired for success at Capital Region BOCES.

Emily Gwozdz is in the first year of the Electrical Trades program at the Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus. 

The first person in her family to pursue a career in the electrical industry, Gwowdz said she chose the profession because she enjoys working with her hands and because she happened into a job working for a local electrician as a younger student.

“I needed a summer job, and [a family friend] had a business, so he hired me and I really liked the work,” Gwozdz said.

She said she learned the basics of the industry at Bello Electric and Excavating and is expanding that knowledge at Capital Region BOCES.

“I have learned a lot this year,” she said. “The class is great because I get to work with my hands and learn [skills] I can apply in the real world.”

Gwozdz is among more than 100 students from across the Capital Region enrolled in the Career and Technical Education Electrical Trades program that is offered on the Schoharie and Albany campuses. 

The program—which is adding additional sections next year in the still-under-construction CTE Extension Center in Albany to accommodate increased enrollment demands— teaches students the fundamental skills in electrical theory through classroom instruction and hands-on shop lessons. Through this training, students can become successful residential, commercial and industrial wiring professionals. 

For more information on the Electrical Trades program, visit https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/electrical-trades/.

 

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Sharon Springs School Board Approves $83K Project

By Chris English

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Springs School Board at its Monday, April 28 meeting unanimously voted to award an $83,781 bid to Smith Construction Co. for the 2025 Capital Outlay Project.

In an email to this newspaper after the meeting, School District Superintendent Thomas Yorke explained that the Capital Outlay Project was approved by taxpayers last year. Work includes four interior door replacements and some site work between the new gym and the creek on the way to the athletic fields.

"There is a drainage pipe in the middle of the field that was abandoned during the last project, but not closed," Yorke wrote in the email. "In bad rain, the drain spouts water. We are closing that up."

In other actions from the April 28 meeting, the board also voted to accept an RFP (Request for Proposals) for the Energy Performance Contract from JW Danforth Company.

Doing an energy performance contract at a maximum cost of $1 million and also a capital project at a maximum cost of $2.73 million are in a proposition Sharon Springs voters will consider on May 20.. Yorke explained after the April 28 meeting that the acceptance of the JW Danforth RFP does not necessarily mean that company will be selected to do the EPC if it's approved by voters. However, Danforth is a leader in that industry and will certainly be considered, the superintendent noted.

The full EPC and capital project proposition — a copy of which Yorke provided to this newspaper — reads as follows:

"Shall the Board of Education of the Sharon Springs Central School District be authorized to (1)(i) construct, reconstruct, renovate and improve various School District Buildings, facilities and sites, acquire original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such buildings, facilities and sites are to be used and pay incidental costs related thereto at a maximum cost of $2,725,550 and (ii) to qualify for an additional ten per centum (10 percent) of enhanced building aid from the State of New York, undertake certain energy performance improvements to be made at various School District buildings, facilities and sites, including improvements to increase energy efficiency (the 'Energy Improvements'), at a maximum cost of $1,000,000;

"(2) Expend such sum for such purposes; (3) levy the necessary tax therefore, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education taking into account state aid; and (4) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, issue bonds and notes of the District at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $3,725,550 and levy a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due and/or with respect to the Energy Improvements, enter into an Energy Performance Contract as defined in Article 9 of the State Energy Law?"

In other news from the April 28 meeting, the school board heard a report from grades 4-12 Instrumental Music Teacher Max Horning on the success of the Spring All-County Music Festival held at Sharon Springs Central School April 25-26.

Horning said the event featured high school chorus and elementary band performances from students at Sharon Springs, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Middleburgh, Schoharie, Duanesburg and Berne Knox-Westerlo. He, Yorke and school board members expressed pride that Sharon Springs, the smallest of those six school districts, was able to host this year. Horning said he believed this was the first time SS had hosted the event since 2017.

He added that the event drew a crowd of  454 and he thanked fellow teachers, custodians and others at Sharon Springs CSD for their help and cooperation in putting the event together. "Everything went really well," Horning said.

The board voted to accept six more out-of-district students for attendance at Sharon Springs CS for 2025-26. There are two students who will be in grade 12, and one each in grades 5, 3, 2 and Kindergarten. Yorke has explained that it's the Sharon Springs CSD policy to accept students who don't live within the district to attend without tuition payment so long as they meet certain conditions.

The board also voted to approve Jayna Manko as a non-certified substitute teacher. Before the vote, Manko spoke to the board about how she believed she would be an asset at the school if approved. She was Valedictorian of the Sharon Springs CS Class of 2024 and now attends SUNY Oneonta with the goal of becoming a full-time English teacher.

 

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“New Day” Vocal Spring Concert to Benefit Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley

COBLESKILL – New Day – Voices of Schoharie County announces its Spring Vocal Concert to be held at the Cobleskill United Methodist Church located at 109 Chapel Street, in Cobleskill. The performance will take place Sunday May 18th, 2025 @ 3:00pm. 

New Day will perform a wide variety of music for this program covering six centuries. The concert opens with William Byrd’s 16th century “Haec Dies” followed by the Rachmaninoff “Bogoroditse Devo” written during World War 1 to raise money for war relief. Many of today’s top vocal composers are represented with Ola Gjeilo’s “Serenity” featuring cello played by “New Day” member Brittany Tissiere. Representing international folk music are “Jumalo” by Latvian composer Laura Jekabsone, Kirby Shaw’s “Celtic Dance”, and “Caledonia” by Blake Morgan. This concert also features jazz and popular musical styles by Greg Jasperse, John Rutter, Kate Rusby, and finishing with Anders Edenroth’s “Chili Con Carne” written for the Swedish a cappella group, The Real Group. The women of the group will be featured in Michael Trotta’s “Veni, Veni Emmanuel” and the men will be featured in Leon Dubinsky’s “We Rise Again”. 

Members of New Day come from a wide variety of backgrounds with a common love of vocal music and musical excellence. The members of New Day are: Sopranos – Elizabeth Borkowski, Adrianne Canterbury, Brittany Tissiere, & Sarah Wright; Altos – Lissa VanDeValk, Laurie Pracher, Kathy Burgin, & Teresa Munson; Tenors – Jerry Law & Johnny Wilson; Basses – Paul Schultz, Paul Munson, Jim Cole & Robert Gosselink & Artistic Director Mark Pracher. 

In addition to its dedication to quality vocal performances, the group also focuses on giving to the community. Each year the spring concert is presented as a benefit concert for an area cause or charity. New Day is pleased to announce that this year’s spring concert will be held as a benefit for the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley.

The Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley is a not-for-profit organization and is the only animal shelter in Schoharie County. The mission of the ASSV is to help the most vulnerable animals and strive to provide care and compassion to as many animals as the capacity at the shelter allows. 

“We couldn’t do it without the support we get from our community” said Executive Director Maggie Jackman Pryor. “This support is what allows us to help the hundreds of animals that pass through our doors each year. In 2023 ASSV was able to care for and adopt out 421 cats and dogs and in 2024 that number jumped to 494, a nearly 20% increase! ASSV also strives to educate the public to spay or neuter their pets to eliminate the problem of animal overpopulation.” 

You can learn more and follow ASSV on Facebook at the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley or go to their website at www.schoharieanimalshelter.org  to see all the amazing animals that are available for adoption, or call (518)296-8390 for more information. 

There will no charge for admission and all who attend are encouraged to make donations at the concert directly to the “Animal Shelter of Schoharie County”.

 

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The Story of Thomas Machin, Revolutionary Hero from Schoharie and Montgomery Counties

Submitted by Ken Jones, Town and Village Historian, Esperance, NY

Thomas Machin was born in England and, according to his son Thomas’s obituary, he studied under engineer James Brindley who was building a canal and aqueducts for the Duke of Bridgewater. When and how he arrived in the United States as well as other parts of his story have been a source of dispute among historians. The son’s obituary has him coming to America in 1772, arriving in New York and then settling in Boston, where he participated in the Boston Tea Party and was wounded at Bunker Hill. He becomes a Captain in Gen. Knox’s Artillery in 1776. He is assigned by Gen. Ward to enhance the fortifications of Boston from invasion and because of his success, is sent to Fort Montgomery where a problematic chain is being placed across the river. Washington sends him to Gen. George Clinton to be a fixer to replace the previous engineer. Unfortunately the British are able to breach the chain and attack the nearby forts, where Machin is wounded. None the less, Machin is assigned a similar project at West Point and is successful at laying a great chain across the Hudson that lasts throughout the war and is never breached by the British, preserving Albany and other northern towns from a naval invasion by the enemy. He is also credited with damming Otsego Lake so that the water could carry the soldiers down the Susquehanna River to start Sullivan’s Campaign. Machin was lauded with gaining a prize to Gen. Knox from the French when he fired a cannon disabling a British watercraft with one shot at the Battle of Yorktown.

After the war Machin operated a mint that created coinage near Newburgh, NY during a time of counterfeits and the use of imported imitation coinage metals leading to the copper panic of 1789. In January of 1791 he moved with his family to Charleston, Montgomery County, where he was a surveyor and land speculator. His business associations were mainly with Schoharie County. He was politically aligned with George Clinton. He took considerable efforts to see that his children were educated, and his son Thomas was trained as a surveyor. Historian and Esperance Attorney Isacc Hall Tiffany, who knew Machin intimately, told a story how his son Thomas was born with a club foot and Machin manually straightened out the limb himself saying “if God could not finish his work, he would do it for him”. His son was an officer in the War of 1812 and later a General in the New York State Militia, surveyor and professional lobbyist. 

Machin Sr. was also a member of the Masons. The Franklin Lodge #75 of Free and Accepted Masons located in the Town of Charleston, Montgomery County was established in 1799. In 1803 the lodge petitioned the Grand Lodge of the State of New York to form a new lodge for the convenience of their respective dwellings which is from twenty to ten miles from any regular lodge. Supporting Lodges of the petition included Walton Lodge #75 of Duanesburgh signed by Sect. Benjamin Frost and Master James Cantly. The new lodge was to be named Matchin also and more regularly spelled Machin. The meetings were to be held alternately at or near the house of James Brown in the Town and County of Schoharie and the home of Lemuel Clark in the Town of Charleston, County of Montgomery. James Brown was an Inn Keeper in what became Sloansville. Martin B. Schuyler was recommended as Master and John Herrick Jr. as Senior Warden and Lemuel Clark as Jr. Warden. Among the signatures to the petition are to be found the names of such prominent residents as Judah Burton the founder of Burtonsville/Burtonville and Jacob Eaton of Eaton’s Corners. The first person listed under the heading of “Names of Petitioners” was Thomas Machin. Machin had applied for a military disability pension, so it is possible that it was either himself or his son, named first on the list. Machin died in 1816 in Charleston, Montgomery County and apparently was buried there with other notable Revolutionary veterans.  Machin Lodge No. 127 had moved to the Village of Esperance by 1826 and is located halfway between Charleston and Schoharie. On the 24th of June 1826 the Lodge celebrated the Festival of St. John at the Village. Lodge members were to assemble at 10 A.M. and the procession was to form at 11. The advertisement invited other lodges and clergy to attend. “The Brethren of the order, are requested to appear with their appropriate clothing, badges, & c. Tickets reasonable. Geo. W. P. Wheeler, Secretary.” The lodge forfeited its warrant on June 8, 1832. When his son Gen. Thomas Machin died in Albany in 1875 it was noted his body was being brought to Charleston to be buried with his kindred. At some point Thomas Machin the engineer of the great chain across the Hudson River was disinterred and buried in the Carlisle Cemetery in Schoharie County. Read more about this acclaimed hero of the Revolutionary War in Donderburg’s Pumpkin Vine by Kenneth Lifshitz, 2010.

 

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