Traveling down New York State Route #8 approximately four miles north of South New Berlin at an area that was created when the New Berlin branch of the New York Ontario & Western rail line was constructed from Sidney to Edmeston. This area, once a thriving hamlet, now there is no trace with the exception of possible homes, etc.! The historian’s grapevine related that there was possibly a railroad station building located there, however the 1875 map of Chenango County only shows the rail line, the old Route 8 (school house located on that route) and the Unadilla River. However, from map information, forwarded to this writers attention by the Town of Butternuts historian, Leigh Eckmair gives us the information that District #4 was established at an early date as it is documented on the 1785-1813 map, which was extracted from the Town of Butternuts School Commission Minutes. How very fortunate to have this historical information survive to the present age.
The photo(s) of the school house and pupils is documentation not only of the building itself, but the students who attended this school. The Nathan Taylor Yorker’s Club documented in their research that in approximately 1940 the school was converted to a private dwelling, the only exterior changes being changing the location of the doorway and the addition of a window.
The historical information relevant to this early bastion of education was extracted from the deed book at the County Clerk’s office. Information given was that on April 1, 1853 in deed book #93, p. #93 for the sum of $2,000. Christopher and Julia Bassett sold the property detailed below to Christopher Bassett, Jr.
“All that tract on parcel of land, town of New Berlin, Chenango County, State of New York Being part of north part of lot number #62 - Sixteenth Township - Beginning at a hemlock sapling standing at the northwest corner of lands now owned by Richard Goff. Thence south 46 degrees and 58 chains 50 links to a stake next to the schoolhouse. Thence south 9 degrees - 30 minutes east 16 chains 50 links to a stake near the bridge on the Unadilla River. Thence up the river as it crooks and turns until in area having been marked by a beech tree standing on the said bank of the said river and on the bank of a cover. Thence west 56 degrees to the end of the lot, thence south 46 degrees west to the first mentioned bound. Excepting and hereby understood that the land on which the schoolhouse now stands containing seventy-seven rods square lying along the north side of the road is not intended to be included in the aforesaid conveyance, containing 72 acres, also excepting 1/2 acre owned by William Shaw (?) occupied by David Porter (?), same as Book V page 406 year 1813.”
This deed information contains, if studied, a great deal of historical information. For example the names of Bassett, were they relatives of Dr. Mary Imogene Bassett of the Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown? Research done at an earlier time by this writer documented that the family was prominent in the area and at one time Listen T. Bassett was a druggist in Norwich his home was located on the site of the City of Norwich Fire Department addition. Ah, what mysteries does history bring forth!
Additionally for the adventurer and explorer, a wonderful trip to the site, following the directions given above, to relate after exploration the difference in the site between then and now.
Closing this chapter of New Berlin School history, the usual credits are extended to Smith’s History of Chenango County, the historian’s grapevine, Leigh Eckmair, the Nathan Taylor Yorker’s Club and the town historian, Barbara Avery. Additional information that may come to light, please contact Mrs. Avery at 847-6498. All will be duly acknowledged.