The History of Broome

Broome was one of the original six towns that formed the county in 1797, and at that time it was called Bristol. On April 6, 1808, Bristol was renamed Broome, in honor of the current Lieutenant Governor, John Broome.

The Catskill Creek passes through the town, and used to be fed by a swamp, called the “vlaie”. The Indians had created a path that followed the Catskill, which, in fact, the first German settlers of the Schoharie County traveled. People also traversed the trail to get to good hunting lands.

During the Revolutionary War, people were scarcely found within the town, and, according to the book, we have only knowledge of one person actually staying in their house during the war. This man, whose name was Derick Van Dyck, stayed in his home until it was burned in 1781. Upon the close of the war, people began to emigrate to Broome, and the book lists the names of people who moved to the town after the Revolution, and were still there when the text was written.

Daniel Shays, a man you’re sure to find in any American History book, actually took residence in Preston Hollow. He, in fact, died in Preston Hollow, and was buried beneath an unmarked headstone. Also mentioned is David Williams, a man of great importance during the War for Independence. He chose Broome as a place to live and die. He died August 2^nd, 1831, and was buried in Livingstonville. The book also puts forth an account of David Williams’ life.

Livingstonville also lies upon the Catskill Creek, and is surrounded by large hills. The original inhabitants of Livingstonville were “Yankees”. In 1812, there was only one house in the village, but became “a center of business” around 1820.

The book tells of other people, towns, and churches, including a story about a man, named Julius Dutton, who settled in Broome, by himself, at age eleven. Also listed are names of people drafted in 1813, and supervisors in Broome. One name is Barent Stryker, who was the supervisor in 1831, who was mentioned a lot last chapter. Another name mentioned is George A. Dutton, who I must assume was related to Julius Dutton. The book also lists Broome’s boundaries.

It’s interesting to notice that people who were important in the early stages of the county, that their relatives were important in the later stages of the county.