Maple Shade Farm, Delhi, New York
The Maple Shade Farm, located in Delhi, New York, was first settled by Daniel Frisbee (1781-1860), son of Judge Gideon Frisbee, an early settler of Delaware County and a prominent local farmer.
Daniel Frisbee
Daniel Frisbee was born in January 1781 at Canaan, New York, and went to Schoharie County, New York with his parents, and at nine years of age came to Delaware County with them. Daniel was raised in the rural farming tradition, and when he was ready to go out on his own, he bought a timber tract of 200 acres and proceeded to clear what would become the Maple Shade Farm. The farm is located about a mile east of Fitch’s Covered Bridge on the east side of the Delaware River.
“In the customary log house he [Daniel] and his young wife, whose maiden name was Ruth Beardsley, began their labors, mostly of a pioneer nature, experiencing many difficulties, but with a resolute spirit overcoming them all. Here they lived and toiled, and here this worthy couple passed to their final rest. . . Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Frisbee were the parents of twelve children, of whom eleven grew to maturity; namely Erastus, Huldah, Dalinda, Sally, Beardsley, Ruth, Gideon, Lydia, Daniel, Marilla and Edward A.”
Daniel Frisbee passed away on March 4, 1860 and is buried in the Frisbee Family Cemetery in Delhi, New York.
Edward A. Frisbee
After the passing of Daniel Frisbee, the Maple Shade Farm would come into the possession of his youngest son Edward A. Frisbee (1829-1893).
“Edward A. Frisbee was the youngest member of the parental household, and his entire life was spent on the farm where he was born. Through the days of his boyhood and youth he attended school and assisted on the farm, acquiring a good common school education, and becoming well versed in the pursuit of agriculture.
After the decease of his parents, he came into possession of the old homestead, and was for many years known as one of the best farmers in this region. He added many of the fine improvements of the place, building the present commodious residence and good barn and out-buildings. He departed this life on February 5, 1893, at the age of sixty-four years, leaving behind the blessed memory of a life well spent.
On April 11, 1855, he married Rosella D. Graham, the daughter of Henry R. Graham, of Meredith. She passed to the better land April 6, 1888, at the age of fifty-two years. They were the parents of two children – Willard H. and Esther H. The latter is the wife of John D. Paine, a clerk in Graham’s hardware store at Delhi. Both parents were conscientious members of the Baptist church, in which Mr. Edward A. Frisbee served with fidelity as Trustee for many years.”
The Frisbee genealogy notes that “before reaching his twenty-first birthday, the old homestead passed into his hands. With an iron constitution, an indomitable will, and a high ideal, he set out in life to enrich and beautify the paternal estate. The magnificent maples bordering the highways and adorning the grounds, his own hands planted. All that could make home pleasant for his family or his large circle of welcome was freely used. His farm and buildings bear a silent testimony of more than forty years of hard labor, generous outlay of money, and successful farm life. He was a man of few words, but of decided convictions. In his early manhood he espoused the religion of Christ, and the Baptist Church, of which he was a member, had none more loyal to its interests or a more generous supporter of its finances. With his Christian armor on, he has fought the good fight and kept the faith. The world is better for his having lived, and heaven seems nearer now that his is gone.”
Edward A. Frisbee passed away from pneumonia at his home at 64 years of age on February 5, 1893. His funeral was held in the Baptist church. He is buried at the Woodland Cemetery in Delhi, New York.
Upon his passing it was written in the local newspaper that “Mr. Frisbee was an excellent farmer, a substantial and thrifty citizen, a kind and obliging neighbor, an upright, honest and worthy man, and a zealous and consistent member of the Baptist church. His death is a great loss to the community where he lived, and he will be greatly missed by a very large number of friends and neighbors.”
Willard Frisbee
The Maple Shade Farm was then purchased in 1891 by Willard Frisbee (1858-1934), Edward’s son and Daniel’s grandson. Willard lived on the farm for over 50 years.
Willard H. Frisbee was born April 9, 1858 on the family farm. He “was reared upon the old homestead, receiving the rudiments of his education in the district school. Being a bright and ambitious boy, he was afterward sent to the Delaware Academy, thence to Colgate Academy at Hamilton, where he pursued the classical course. Returning to the home of his youth, Mr. Frisbee engaged in farming, and in 1891 purchased from his father the old homestead, in whose management he is meeting with encouraging results. He is well known throughout the locality as an honest, upright man and a true faithful citizen, and as the encourager and supporter of all enterprises calculated to benefit the community.
Mr. Frisbee was united in wedlock January 3, 1883, to Miss Minnie E. Hoag, the descendant of the old and honored family of Delhi, being the daughter of Cyrus Hoag. Into their pleasant home five children have been born – Ralph H., Clarence E., Elmer G., Rosella B., and Wyatt C. Mr. Frisbee takes an active interest in the temperance cause, and casts his vote with the Prohibitionists. Religiously, he is a prominent member of the Baptist church, of which he is a trustee.”
At the time of Willard’s ownership, the Maple Shade Farm included 232 acres of land, “which has been managed in the wisest manner, and has responded liberally in rich products to the hand of one of the most skillful agriculturists of Delaware County. In the prosecution of his labors, Mr. Frisbee has availed himself of the experience of older men, and of the skill of the inventor, adapting his land to that branch of husbandry which he deems most profitable, and using the most approved modern machinery. He is at present largely engaged in dairying and stock-raising, selling the milk from fifty choice cows in the markets of New York, and owning a valuable lot of cattle and horses.”
After retiring from farm life, Willard moved the village of Delhi. Willard Frisbee passed away on May 3, 1934 and is buried at Woodland Cemetery in Delhi, New York.
1893 Description of the Maple Shade Farm
The Maple Shade Farm, under the ownership of Willard Frisbee, was profiled in a July 27, 1893 article titled “Delaware County Dairy Farms” in The Cultivator & Country Gentleman.
“About three miles up the Delaware from Delhi crossing at Fitch’s bridge and for a mile or two farther up the stream, is a very popular and pleasant drive for the people of that village. The first mile or more above the bridge extending through the three farms of Zenas Farrington, George W. Grant and Willard Frisbee, the highway is lined most of the way with rows of maples which, planted 30 or 40 years since, have now attained size sufficient to afford ample shade and also to give a good product in sugar and syrup. From these maples the two latter farms take the names appropriately given by their owners of Maple Dale and Maples Shades farms respectively. All are homestead farms, having been owned and occupied by the fathers of the present occupants . . .
Maple Shade Farm of Willard H. Frisbee comes next, and is a very beautiful and attractive home, with buildings all comparatively new and conveniently arranged, large and commodious.
The barn, 40 by 70 feet in the main part, with a wing 30 by 40 feet, was rebuilt in 1890, and from the observatory at the top of this building is a magnificent view of the surrounding country to a great distance. Mows are built in sections here, so that he keeps his early late-cut hay separate, and feeds as he wishes in winter, fall or spring.
On 115 acres of the original farm he wintered last season 60 head of cattle and 5 horses; runs a milk dairy of about 30 cows, shipping milk direct to New York, and milk has brought to about $1,800 per year, with some $400 paid out for grain feed.
Thus managed he has constantly added to the fertility of the farm.
Having now added to the size of the farm by purchase of 117 acres adjoining, he expects to increase his dairy to about 50 cows.
He has a silo 11 by 12 by 28 feet, and from this the ensilage-carrier referred to above runs the whole length of the stable through the alley ahead of his cows, thus rendering the handling of this heavy feed a comparatively light task.”
Elmer Graham Frisbee
After the retirement of Willard Frisbee, the Maple Shade Farm passed into the possession of Elmer Frisbee, Willard’s son.
Elmer was born on March 30, 1887 on the family farm where he would always reside. “He was an active, progressive farmer and a good citizen, being most helpful in the Baptist Church, where he was a member of the choir, a teacher in the Sunday school and had served as superintendent of the Sunday school for a number of years. He will be greatly missed in the church and community, and most of all in his home, in which are left his wife, Mrs. Estella (Wyant) Frisbee, and one daughter, Miss Allena Frisbee, who graduated this year [1932] from Keuka College.”
Elmer Frisbee passed away on August 1, 1932 after having suffered a serious injury while working in his shop making cauliflower crates. The power saw he was using caught on a timber and the timber was thrown back, striking him violently in the chest and abdomen. He was taken to the Delhi Hospital, where he spent two days, but was released to go back home. However, within a few days he suffered severe nasal hemorrhages, and on the bleeding being stopped, he fell to the floor unconscious. His daughter, Allena, hurried to Delhi village to seek medical help, and she returned to the farm with Doctor E. W. Hainlen. Unfortunately, Elmer died soon thereafter. Elmer Frisbee is buried at Woodland Cemetery in Delhi, New York.
Today
The Maple Shade Farm is currently owned by Abby and Jay Wilson and primarily operates as a wedding venue, but occasionally offers special events that are open to the public. Visit their website at www.mapleshadefarmny.com to find out more information.
