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From: "John H. Beach" <>
Subject: [NYDELAWA] More Scots of Delaware help
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:48:14 -0400


Hi All,

I have been monitoring the Scots in Delaware Co. and remembered that the
Presbyterian Church in Delhi went back to 1805 and it was established
mainly by Scots. I also know they have a library - archives there and so I
asked them about the Scots coming there and this is their answer:

From: "Clara" <>
To: <>
Subject: scottish ancestors
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 09:05:26 -0400

Dear Mr. Beach,

I will try to answer your question concerning the Scots who came to this
area.

At this time, early to middle 1800s, life in Scotland was very difficult.
Most of the Scots could not own land as it was owned by English well-to-do
gentlemen. The Scots working on the land had to pay rent. It was a time of
religious problems. The industrial revolution was beginning and machines
were taking the place of workers in the woolen mills. Of course, this new
Country was developing, had lots of land and needed to increase the
population.

Unfortunately, some of the immigrants came here only to find they still had
to pay rent. A good book to read is; "A Free Soil-A Free People: The
Anti-Rent War in Delaware County, New York" by Dorothy Kubik.

The First Presbyterian Church recently celebrated 200 years of services.
The first Church was built where the College Golf Course is at present,
then to the Village in 1882.

We now have an archives at the Church with maps and books designating who
and where people came from in Scotland. I would be happy to show you our
history when you are in Delhi.

Clara Stewart
Delhi, NY



Don't forget that there many turnpikes, railroads and canals being built
and this helped some of the Scots find jobs in several area of many years.
Many Scots came here through Nova Scotia once the word went out about job
openings. Small Scot settlements grew over time in several area throughout
NY. Once they were established, they became a magnet for others to come.
As these places increased in population other needs became evident, thus
more trades were worked by the Scots. This would be true of any immigrant
background.

Hope some will be able to find more in Delhi.

Kind regards,

John H. Beach

Yonkers, NY



Note: The "_" character is the underscore character, NOT a space or dash.
July 12, 2007
9:29 am

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