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1 794-1 894. 

Centennial  Celebration, 

MT.   M0RRIS,   N.  Y., 
AUGUST    15,    1894. 


ADDRESS  BY  DR,  M,  H,  MILLS, 


PARADE,  SPORTS  AND  FIREWORKS, 

ALSO 

LETTERS  OF  REMINISCENCE, 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES,    HISTORIES    OF    CHURCHES, 

AND  OTHER  ORGANIZATIONS. 


COMPILED    BY 

REV.  LEVI  PARSONS,  D.  D., 

AND 

SAMUEL   L.    ROCKFELLOW. 


MT.    MORRIS,    N.    Y. 

PRINTED  AT  THE  OFFICE  THE  MT.   MORRIS  UNION 

BY  J,    C.    DICKEY. 

1894-. 


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INTRODUCTION, 


THE  observance  of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
settlement  of  Mount  Morris,  on  the  15th  of  August, 
1894,  proved  to  be  an  occasion  of  such  general  intesest,  as  to 
call  for  some  permanent  record. 

The  large  extra  edition  of  the  Mount  Morris  Union,  contain- 
ing a  full  account  of  the  exercises,  was  soon  exhausted,  without 
supplying  the  demand. 

The  responses  of  many  of  the  former  residents  of  the  town, 
now  scattered  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  were  so  hearty 
and  refreshing,  as  to  render  the  committee  in  charge  inexcusable, 
had  they  failed  to  secure  their  publication. 

As  a  result,  the  undersigned  were  appointed  a  committee,  to 
compile  a  book,  which  should  contain  the  addresses,  the  poem  and 
other  historical  matter,  which  should  render  the  work  not  only 
interesting  to  the  reader,  but  valuable  for  future  reference. 

On  the  Sabbath  immediately  following  the  celebration,  at  a 
large  union  service  in  the  evening,  the  Methodist  and  Presby- 
terian churches  presented  brief  histories  of  their  organizations ; 
and  the  Baptist  church  did  the  same  subsequently,  at  a  similar 
service.  These  histories,  together  with  the  most  of  those  of  the 
other  churches  in  the  village  and  toAvnship,  which  have   happily 


4  MOUNT    MORRIS    CENTENARY. 

been  secured,  "wdll  serve  to  keep  many  precious  names  in  remem- 
brance, and  prevent  many  important  facts  from  falling  into 
obliAion. 

Other  organizations,  and  societies  of  various  descriptions,  have 
availed  themselves  of  the  offer  which  has  been  freely  extended, 
to  take  a  share  in  this  work ;  and  we  desire  to  express  our  obli- 
gations to  them,  for  the  carefully  prepared  articles,  which  they 
have  contributed. 

A  number  of  able  writers  have  been  very  helpful  in  furnish- 
ing the  biographical  sketches,  which  Ave  are  confident  will  be 
heartily  welcomed  by  all,  and  especially  the  older  residents  of 
the  place. 

Gladly  would  we  have  inserted  many  more  had  our  space  per- 
mitted ;  for  this  town  has  been  rich  in  both  women  and  men, 
of  strong  character  and  sterling  qualities.  We  also  deeply  re- 
gret, that  the  names  of  not  a  few  whose  lives  as  identified  Avith 
the  interests  of  this  township,  have  been  pure,  useful  and  truly 
honoral)le,  fail  to  appear,  for  the  simple  reason,  that  no  one 
writer,  has  pretended  to  give  them  all. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  however,  that  as  compilers,  it  was 
not  expected,  that  Ave  Avould  Avrite  a  history  of  the  toAvn,  but 
rather  arrange  such  material  as  might  be  contributed. 

Nature  has  been  very  laAash  of  her  gifts,  to  all  those  Avho  have 
lived  in  this  far  famed  valley  of  the  Genesee,  but  perhaps  to 
none  more, than  to  those  AA'hose  homes  have  been  Avithin  the  pre- 
cincts of  this  beautiful  village ;  and  it  is  very  cheering  in  pre- 
paring this  volume,  to  knoAv  that  so  many,  Avho  once  Avere  boys 
and  girls  playing  in  these  streets,  have  cherished  such  delightful 
recollections  of  their  childhood  homes.  As  Ave  send  them  this 
book,  Ave  send  Avith  it  our  greetings;  assuring  them  that  Mount 
Morris,  though  a  hundred  years  old,  has  lost  none  of  her  beauty, 


INTKODUCTION.  5 

and  gives  no  sign  of  decay,  numbering  as  she  did  by  the  last 
census  over  2800  within  the  village  corporation. 

Our  old  houses  are  kept  well  painted  and  in  good  repair ; 
our  new  houses  are  up  with  the  times,  in  all  the  modern 
conveniences  and  adornments.  Those  cool  gushing  springs, 
on  the  hillside,  are  now  distributed,  by  well  appointed  water 
works,  throughout  our  corporation.  Our  streets  are  em- 
bowered with  stately  elms  and  maples ;  and  at  night  seem  almost 
like  fairy  land,  as  illuminated  with  electric  lights. 

Our  stores  and  shops  are  doing  a  thriving  business,  rivalling 
in  low  prices  their  city  competitors. 

Our  water  power,  with  mills  and  factories,  is  just  as  efficient 
as  ever ;  while  our  four  railroads  distribute  their  products,  and 
place  us  in  easy  communication  vnth  the  great  markets  of  the 
Avorld. 

The  old  brick  school  house  has  given  way  to  another,  which 
is  larger,  more  ornamental  and  every  way  better ;  and  yet  even 
this  is  not  large  enough  for  the  crowds  of  children,  over  530, 
which  assemble  in  its  rooms — children  who  are  just  as  bright  as 
those  of  the  old  school  house ;  yes,  and  have  just  as  much  fun 
as  others  had  twenty,  thirty,  forty  or  fifty  years  ago. 

The  social  life  of  our  place  is  still  noted,  as  it  was  formerly, 
for  its  freedom  from  exclusiveness ;  while  the  religious  life  of  the 
churches,  is  such,  as  to  assure  the  stranger  of  a  cordial  welcome. 

The  sun  shines  upon  the  great  plain,  which  is  spread  out 
toward  the  east,  and  lights  up  the  distant  hills  with  glory,  just 
the  same  as  it  did  a  hundred  years  ago,  or  when  you  were  chil- 
dren here. 

As  a  village,  we  enter  upon  our  second  century,  with  no 
halting  step ;  we  feel  strong,  buoyant  and  vigorous,  and  are  not 
without  our  plans  for  enlargement  and  improvement. 

The  Shaker  farm  of  1800   acres   in   our   vicinity,    which   the 


6  MOUNT    MORKIS    CENTENARY. 

State  of  New  York  has  recently  purchased  for  the  Craig  Epilep- 
tic Colony,  promises  to  be  one  of  the  most  important  charities 
of  our  times.  This  immense  tract  is  now  being  laid  out  in  ave- 
nues and  streets,  parks  and  gardens,  with  anticipated  water 
works,  electric  plant,  ponds  and  fountains,  to  meet  the  wants  of 
a  population  of  3,000.  This,  with  other  projects,  render  us 
hopeful  for  the  future  of  this  entire  section. 

Our  recent  celebration,  in  all  respects,  exceeded  our  anticipa- 
tions ;  but  especially  in  the  good  feeling  which  it  evoked,  from 
both  present  and  former  residents ;  and  we  shall  feel  ten-fold 
paid  for  all  our  labor  in  publishing  this  book,  if  it  shall  promote 
the  same  generous  spirit,  and  prove  a  bond  of  union  to  all  those 
who  love  Mount  Morris. 

Levi  Parsons, 

Samuel  L.  Kockfellow. 


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eeRRESPeNDENCE. 


The  following  correspondence  explains  the  origin  of  the  move- 
ment which  resulted  in  the  publication  of  this  book : 

Mount  Mokris,  N.  Y.,  June  27,  1894. 
Dk.  M.  H.  Mills: 

Dear  Sir — As  the  present  year  brings  us  to  the  one  hun- 
dredth anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  our  village,  and  as  your 
honored  father  was  the  first  to  select  this  beautiful  spot  for  his 
home,  we  feel  that  this  centenary  should  be  suitably  celebrated ; 
and,  therefore,  it  is  our  united  request,  that  you,  at  such  time 
and  place  as  may  hereafter  be  designated,  deliver  an  address 
appropriate  to  the  occasion. 

O.  D.  Lake,  Geo.  W.  Phelps, 

H.  P.  Mills,  II.  H.  Scoville, 

W.  Richmond,  Levi  Parsons, 

S.  L.  Eockfellow,  H.  W.  Miller, 

H.  E.  Brown,  E.  H.  Moses, 

W.  H.  Coy,  Ozro  Clark. 

Homestead  Place,  Mount  Morris,  IST.  Y. 

July  2,  1894. 

Messrs.  O.  D.  Lake,  Geo.  W.  Phelps,  H.  P.  Mills  and  others : 
Gentlemen — Your  note  of  the  27th  of  June  inviting  the 
undersigned  to  deliver  an  address  on  the  occasion  of  the  one 
hundredth  anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  our  village  is  re- 
ceived. With  a  due  appreciation  of  the  honor  conferred,  I 
accept  the  duty  imposed  on  me  by  my  fellow  citizens,  and  name 
August  the  15th  and  the  place  Seymour  opera  house. 
I  remain  very  truly  yours, 

M.  H.  Mills. 


MOUNT    MORRIS    CENTENARY. 


CITIZENS  MEETING. 


On  Monday  evening,  July  16th,  1894,  in  response  to  a  call 
which  had  been  issued,  a  large  number  of  our  citizens  gathered 
at  the  Village  Hall,  to  consider  the  matter  of  celebrating  the 
one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  Mount  Morris. 

Orrin  D.  Lake,  Esq.,  was  called  to  the  chair  and  Geo.  S. 
Ellicott  was  chosen  secretary. 

Chairman  Lake  then  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting,  and  ex- 
pressed himself  as  decidedly  in  favor  of  a  proper  observance  of 
the  event.  He  was  followed  by  S.  L.  Eockfellow,  Dr.  Parsons 
and  M.  E.  Gore,  who  also  spoke  strongly  in  favor  of  the  cele- 
bration. 

After  some  general  discussion  it  was  thought  advisable  to 
place  the  whole  matter  of  arrangements  in  the  hands  of  a  com- 
mittee of  twelve,  which  the  chairman  was  authorized  to  an- 
nounce at  a  future  time. 

The  names  of  the  gentlemen  selected  were  as  follows :  M.  E. 
Gore,  S.  L.  RockfeUow,  G.  M.  Shull,  Geo.  S.  Ellicott,  Warren 
Royce,  Thos.  Hudson,  M.  J.  Noonan,  E.  B.  Osborne,  W. 
Eichmond,  N.  A.  Seymour,  J.  M.  Prophet  and  J.  P.  Olp. 

These  are  among  the  most  efficient,  reliable  and  public  spirited 
of  our  citizens,  and  the  success  of  the  celebration  is  largely  at- 
tributable to  their  persevering  efforts. 

This  general  committee  was  subdivided  as  follows : 

liaising  Funds — M.E.  Gore,  T.  Hudson  and  S.L.  RockfeUow. 

Decorations — W.  Richmond,  J.  M.  Prophet  and  S.  L.  Rock- 
fellow. 

Sports — N.  A.  Seymour,  G.  M.  Shull  and  M.  J.  Noonan. 

Advertising — G.  M.  Shull  and  G.  S.  Ellicott. 


0NE  HUNDRED  YEARS  A60. 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION   OF   THE   SETTLEMENT 
OF  MOUNT  MORRIS. 


A  Glorious  Day,  Large  Crowd,  Appropriate  and  Successful 

Celebration. 

[F'ro7n  the  Mt  Morris  Union,  Aug.  16th. '\ 
The  celebration  on  "Wednesday  of  the  one  hundredth  anniver- 
sary of  the  settlement  of  Mount  Morris  was  a  most  pronounced 
success  in  every  respect.  The  weather  was  delightful ;  there 
was  a  large  gathering  of  people,  (the  crowd  being  estimated  at 
about  five  thousand,)  the  program,  while  being  an  exceptionally 
appropriate  one  to  the  occasion,  also  proved  pleasing  and  satis- 
factory to  the  large  numbers  who  had  turned  out  to  witness  and' 
take  part  in  the  festivities  of  the  day,  which  will  long  be  remem- 
bered by  all. 

THE    PARADE. 

The  parade  was  formed  on  Main  street  at  one  o'clock,  and  its 
novel  character  created  unusual  interest  on  the  part  of  the  mul- 
titude of  people  that  thronged  the  streets  throughout  the  village. 
The  first  parade,  representing  1794,  was  made  up  as  follows : 
Rudgers  and  Safford's  martial  band;  Masonic  order;  old   fash- 


10  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

ioned  covered  carriage,  decorated  with  flags,  containing  Hon. 
Orrin  D.  Lake,  President  of  the  day ;  Dr.  M.  H.  Mills,  speaker, 
and  Tlev.  Levi.  Parsons,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  chaplain.  This  carriage,  the  propert}''  of  Sterling  Case, 
is  over  half  a  century  old.  The  doctor's  '  'one-hoss  shay' '  contain- 
ing Mr.  Jones,  of  Geneseo,  dressed  to  represent  a  doctor  of  the 
pioneer  days ;  this  chaise  is  known  to  be  over  one  hundred  3^ears 
old.  Cal.  Palmer,  carrying  sickel,  and  Levi  Cothrell,  carrying 
grain  cradle;  Mr.  Cothrell  is  in  his  78th  year  and  is  the  oldest 
person  in  the  town  who  was  born  and  has  always  resided  here. 
Ox  team  drawing  an  old-time  wooden  bull  plow ;  the  oxen  be- 
longed to  and  were  driven  by  Joseph  Guile,  and  David  George 
held  the  plow ;  the  plow  is  the  property  of  Jas.  H.  McNair,  of 
Sonyea,  and  is  said  to  be  one  hundred  years  old ;  it  was  brought 
from  Pennsylvania  about  ninety  years  ago.  Ox  team  and  cart, 
the  property  of  M.  AV.  Brooks,  driven  by  Clarence  Hamilton ; 
in  the  cart  were  the  first  post-office  boxes  used  in  Mount  Morris, 
also  an  old  flax  brake  and  a  spinning  wheel  belonging  to  B.  S. 
Cofhn.  Ox  team  and  cart  owned  by  Wm.  A.  Wadsworth,  of 
Geneseo,  and  driven  by  Jacob  Hasler ;  the  cart  was  filled  with 
grain  and  Eeuben  H.  Moses  was  threshing  it  with  a  flail,  stop- 
ping occasionally  to  take  a  pull  at  his  jug.  Sammy  McNeilly 
on  horseback  with  bag  of  grain  going  to  mill  as  in  olden  times. 
Boy  on  horseback  with  mail  bag.  Indian  chief  on  horse,  in  full 
Indian  costume — bow,  arrows,  etc.  George  Mills  and  Frankie 
Swan  on  one  horse,  with  saddle  and  pillion,  dressed  in  pioneer 
costume,  and  going  to  their  first  party.  Four-horse  load  driven 
by  Ward  Ferine  and  C.  A.  Stevens,  of  Union  Corners ;  the 
wagon  was  trimmed  with  bushes,  representing  a  party  on  the 
way  to  an  old-time  political  gathering.  Old  style  buck-board 
platform  wagon,  owned  and  driven  by  J.  C.  French;  it  was 
loaded  with  a  number  of  young  ladies  and  in  the  rear  end   Mrs. 


THE 
■'      NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC   library' 

••\stor,  Lenox  and  Tilder(y 

Four-A;if3M. 

1£04 


ONE    HUNDRED    YEARS    AGO.  11 

Betsey  Asliton  sat  knitting  and  Mrs.  W.  C.  Dunning  spinning 
flax.     This  was  the  end  of  ye  ancient  portion  of  the  parade. 

Then  came  Seymour  Opera  Band,  the  G.  A.  K.,  Living 
Stream  Hose  Co. ,  Active  Hose  Co. ,  Hook  &  Ladder  Co, ,  Adri- 
ance  modern  binder  and  reaper  driven  by  C.  P.  Olp,  threshing 
machine  driven  by  Alex  Chichester,  with  Eichard  Sicldes  sitting 
on  top  holding  banner  inscribed  with  "189tt,"  modern  lumber 
wagon  owned  by  A.  M.  Baker,  modern  sulky  owned  by  M.  D. 
Baker,  modern  light  road  wagon,  pony  and  gold  harness  owned 
by  Geo.  Austen,  F.  S.  Peer  driving  tandem  accompanied  by  his 
daughter  Miss  Emily  Peer,  S.  S.  Howland  driving  four-in-hand 
tally-ho  coach  loaded  with  young  ladies,  citizens  in  carriages. 

The  line  of  march  was  north  on  Main  to  residence  of  Dr. 
Mills,  counter  marched  to  State,  west  on  State  to  Eagle,  south 
on  Eagle  to  Murray,  east  on  Murray  to  Stanley,  south  on  Stanley 
to  Elm,  east  on  Elm  to  Main  and  north  on  Main  to  the  place  of 
starting. 

EXERCISES   m  THE   OPERA    HOUSE. 

As  soon  as  the  parade  had  disbanded  the  people  crowded  into 
the  opera  house  until  every  available  space  was  occupied.  It 
was  a  grand  gathering. 

The  service  was  introduced  by  the  singing  of  "Auld  Lang 
Syne." 

The  choir,  under  the  direction  of  Miss  Martha  Hinman,  pianist, 
was  composed  of  Mrs.  J.  F.  Connor,  Miss  Nellie  Bingham,  Miss 
Jessie  Coy,  Mrs.  Frank  Mills,  Mrs.  A.  Wasson,  Mrs.  G.  S. 
EUicott,  Mr.  HoweU,  John  White,  Dr.  A.  E.  Leach,  Charles 
Gladding  and  Le\d  E.  Parsons. 

The  President  of  the  day  then  made  the  opening  address. 

Prayer  was  offered  by  the  chaplain,  which  was  followed  with 
a  song,  "Long,  Long  Ago,"  by  the  choir. 


12 


3I0UNT    >IORRIS    CENTENARY, 


In  introducing  Dr.  M.  II.  Mills,  the  speaker  of  the  da}^,  chair- 
man Lake  congratulated  the  audience  in  having  secured  one 
Avho  is  so  familiar  with  the  past  history  of  Mt.  Morris,  and  a 
descendant  of  that  noble,  worthy  and  faithful  pioneer  of  the 
town,  General  AVilliam  A.  Mills. 

Dr.  Mills  gave  a  very  interesting  address  which  will  be  a  val- 
uable historical  record. 

At  the  close  of  Dr.  Mills'  remarks,  on  motion  of  Hon.  William 
Hamilton,  of  Caledonia,  a  vote  of  thanks  was  extended  to  the 
Doctor  for  his  very  able  address. 

The  "Swanee  Kiver"  Avas  sung  by  a  quartette  from  the  choir. 

The  following  telegram  was  read  : 

Chicago,  111.,  Aug.  15,  1894. 

Dr.  M.  H.  Mills  : — I  cherish  with  fondest  recollection  the 
many  happy  days  of  yore  spent  in  Mt.  Morris,  the  loveliest 
spot  on  God's  green  earth.  My  kindly  greetings  and  highest 
regards  to  one  and  all  assembled  to-day  celebrating  its  one  hun- 
dredth anniversary.  John  E.  Goodrich. 

Mr.S.L.  Eockfellow  announced  that  letters  of  reminiscence  had 
been  received  from  Henry  T.  Boot,  Providence,  E.  I. ;  G.  AVells 
Eoot,  Hartford,  Conn.  ;  Henry  C.  Wisner,  Eochester ;  Hugh 
Harding,  Chicago;  John  A.  Eockfellow,  Wilcox,  Arizona; 
Henry  D.  Ames,  Chicago ;  C.  H.  Ide,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. ;  Mrs. 
Mary  A.  Hunt,  Beloit,  Wis. ;  Mrs.  Sarah  M.  Dunn,  Eochester ; 
F.  E.  Hastings  and  Avife,  Little  Eock,  Ark. ,  A.  S.  Martindale, 
Little  Eock,  Ark. ;  Charles  Hurlburt,  Detroit ;  Henry  C. 
Brown,  Brooklyn;  Mrs.  Helen  Eamsey  Parker,  Otisville,Mich. ; 
John  E.  Goodrich,  Chicago.  All  the  letters  were  of  an  inter- 
esting character,  but  owing  to  lack  of  time  only  the  one  from 
Mrs,  Hunt  was  read. 

The  choir  sang  "Flow  Gently,  SAveet  Afton,"  and  the  meet- 
ing was  then  brought  to  a  close  with  the  benediction, pronounced 
by  Dr.  Kittredge,  of  Geneseo. 


ONE    HUNDRED    YEARS    AGO.  13 

Among  the  prominent  and  aged  ladies  and  gentlemen  on  the 
stage,  besides  the  chairman,  speaker  and  clergymen  of  the  vil- 
lage, were :  Mrs.  Mary  Barney,  Mrs.  Lucius  Scoville,'  Mrs.  "W. 
H.  Spencer,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ilamling,  Sterling  Case,  Geo.  W. 
Phelps,  Hiram  P.  Mills,  Eev.  Dr.  Wood,  D.  N.  Bacon,  Ozro 
Clark,  Kichard  Burke,  H.  W.  Miller,  A.  Q.  Yan  Middlesworth, 
Warren  Royce,  of  Mt.Morris;  James  O.  McClure, Warsaw, secre- 
tary of  the  Warsaw  Historical  Society ;  Maj.  H.  A.  Dudley, 
Warsaw,  president  of  the  Warsaw  Historical  Society,  and  editor 
of  the  New  Yorker ;  Arch  McArthur,  Chicago ;  E.  L.  Stanley, 
Dansville;  H.  M.  Teasdale,  Dansville;  Joseph  S.  Avery,  Esq., 
Clinton,  JNT.  Y. ;  S.  Woodford,  Towanda,  Pa.;  Rev.  K  J. 
Conklin,  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  Dr.  Kittredge,  Geneseo ;  Hon. 
Wm.  Hamilton,  Caledonia;  L.  B.  Proctor,  Esq.,  Albany. 

Letters  of  regret  had  been  received  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  P. 
Clapp,  South  Deerfield,  Mass, ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  H.  May, 
Terapleton,  Mass.  ;  Oren  T.  Sheldon,  Cheyenne,  Wyoming ; 
Miss.  L.  Brooks,  Watertown,  N.  Y. ;  Mrs.  Martha  N.  Wygant, 
Fredonia,  ]Sr.  Y.,  and  Dr.  S.  C.  Parsons,  Savannah,  Ga.,  all 
former  residents  of  Mount  Morris :  also  from  Rev.  J.  M.  Car- 
michael,  of  Nunda,  and  Rev.  F.  Gutelius,  of  Moscow. 

SPORTS. 
The  old-fashioned  game  of  ball  by  men  of  mature  years  was 
the  first  of  the  sports  on  the  program.  The  ball  ground  selected 
was  in  front  of  the  Winegar  warehouse.  S.  L.  Rocldellow 
and  O.  C.  Matteson  were  the  respective  captains.  Rockfellow 
chose  Warren  Royce,  Peter  YanDorn,  W.  Richmond,  A.  O. 
Dalrymple,  John  Creveling,  Samuel  Bergen  and  C.  B.  McNair. 
Matteson  chose  J.  C.  Witt,  John  Olp,  Joseph  Olp,  Reuben  H. 
Moses,  Elijah  Lincoln,  Ira  T.  Hollister,  Chas.  Gladding.  B. 
S.  Coffin  kept  the  score  by  cutting  notches  in  a  stick.      Lack  of 


14  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

time  and  space  prevents  a  detailed  description  of  the  game,  suf- 
fice it  to  say,  however,  it  afforded  more  amusement  than  any 
of  the  sports  on  the  program.  The  game  broke  up  in  a  jangle 
(of  pleasantry,  of  course,)  when  the  score  stood  21  to  15  in  favor 
of  Mr.  Matteson's  side.  The  winners  received  pretty  boutton- 
I  iers,  with  gold  pins,  and  the  losing  side  the  same  with  silver 
pins.     The  bouttoniers  were  presented  by  Mrs.  S.  S.  Howland, 

The  winners  in  the  five-mile  bicycle  race  were :  Woodworth, 
1st;  Toms,  2nd;  Marsh,  3rd;  Mills,  4th. 

Boys'  two-mile  bicycle  race — Harry  Ellicott,  1st;  Ed  Creve- 
ling,  2nd ;  Barney  Beuerlein,  3rd. 

Footrace — Humphrey,  1st;  Sanders,  2nd. 

Boys'  foot  race — Sammy  McXeilly,  1st;  McISTair,  2nd. 

AVheelbarrow  race — Arthur  L.  Parsons,  1st;  Small,-  2nd; 
Clarence  Outterson,  3rd. 

Walldng  race — Geo.  Brookins,  1st. 

THE  MUSIC. 
Excellent  music  was  furnished  by  Seymour  Opera  Band  of 
this  village,  and  the  marshal  band  of  Perry  Center,   composed 
of  C.   W.   Pudgers,  fifer;   John  Kudgers  and  C.   A,   Safford, 
drummers ;  Frank  Safford,  base  drum. 

THE  DECOKATIONS. 
Many  of  the  business  places  and  residences  were  prettily  dec- 
orated for  the  occasion,  giving  the  village  a  gay  and  attractive 
appearance.  The  most  elaborate  decorations  were  on  the  Vil- 
lage Hall,  the  Phelps  block,  occupied  by  WUtsie  &  Gore,  the 
Mills  block,  and  the  Phelps  Empire  block. 

THE  FIREWOEKS. 
The  feature  of  the  evening  was  the  fireworks,  and  never  before 


n(,>X.   OKKIN  D.   LAKE. 


president's  address.  15 

has  such  a  fine  display  been  seen  in  Livingston  county.  They 
were  set  off  in  front  of  the  Yillage  Hall,  under  the  direction  of 
William  Patton,  who  accomplished  his  work  as  only  an  expert 
could.  Besides  the  numerous  rockets,  flower  pots,  colored 
lights,  etc.,  there  were  a  number  of  exceptionally  pretty  pieces 
producing  most  beautiful  and  amusing  scenic  effects.  Main 
street  was  literally  packed  with  people  and  all  were  charmed 
with  the  display  from  the  beginning  until  the  last  piece,  which 
said  "Good  Night,"  and  was  the  closing  of  the  festivities  of  the 
day. 


PRESIDENTS  ADDRESS. 


BY  HON.  ORRIN  D.  LAKE. 


Fellow  Citizens  : — We  are  here  to-day  under  peculiar  and 
interesting  circumstances.  Standing  as  we  do,  at  the  close  of 
the  100  years  since  the  first  settlement  of  this  town  by  white 
inhabitants,  it  is  quite  natural  we  should  turn  our  thoughts 
backward  and  in  our  imagination  contrast  the  condition  of  the 
savage  inhabitants  of  100  years  ago  with  those  of  the  present, 
and  see  the  transition  from  ignorance,  barbarism  and  supersti- 
tion to  the  present  high  state  of  civilization,  religious  advance- 
ment and  material  improvement.  An  equally  marked  change 
has  been  made  in  the  face  of  the  country — the  entire  town  with 


16  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

the  exceptiou  of  the  flats,  was  a  dense  and  unbroken  forest  onl}' 
used  as  the  hunting  grounds  of  the  Indians,  where  now  are 
cultivated  fields  and  palatial  dwellings.  For  these  and  all  other 
blessings  it  becomes  us  to  lift  our  hearts  in  gratitude  and  thanks- 
gi\ing  to  the  Giver  of  all  our  mercies.  And  as  we  stand  at  the 
commencement  of  another  century  in  looking  forward  all  is 
uncertainty.  Let  us,  while  giving  thanks  for  the  past,  suppli- 
cate the  blessing  of  Heaven  on  the  future. 


The  Hon.  Orrin  D.  Lake,  President  of  the  Day,  is  now  in  his 
ninetieth  year,  and  yet  so  well  preserved  that  he  might  be  taken 
as  a  man  of  sixty.  He  was  born  in  Kortright,  Delaware  Co. , 
N.  Y.,  Nov.  ilth,  1805.  In  the  year  1830  he  came  to  this 
place  with  his  father  from  Springport,  Cayuga  Co.,  and  located 
to  the  east  of  the  Ridge  church,  where  for  man}'"  years  was  his 
home,  and  which  farm  he  still  owns,  though  for  the  past  twenty- 
five  years  he  has  been  a  resident  of  the  southern  part  of  our  vil- 
lage. 

He  was  twice  elected  to  our  State  Legislature,  in  the  years 
1851  and  1852.  For  seven  years  he  has  been  Supervisor  of  the 
town,  and  for  twelve  years  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

He,  of  all  others,  is  the  one  man  to  whom  the  people  generally 
would  {iccord  the  honor  of  being  President  of  the  Day. 

His  father  was  the  Rev.  Warner  Lake,  a  Baptist  clergyman 
who  Avas  ordained  one  hundred  years  ago.  He  preached  twenty- 
two  years  at  Ilarpersfield,  Delaware  Co.,  N.  Y.,  fourteen  years 
at  Springport,  Cayuga  Co. ,  and  five  years  at  the  former  Baptist 
church  at  the  Ridge;  where  he  died  in  1848,  at  the  age  of  S3, 
greatly  respected  and  beloved. 


DR.  M.   II.  MILLS. 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS, 


BY  DR.  M.   H.  MILLS. 


The  following  is  the  full  text  of  the  admirable  and  interesting 
address  of  Dr.  M.  II.  Mills  at  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the 
settlement  of  Mt.  Morris  : 

Fellow  Citize2s^s  : — The  occasion  which  brings  us  together 
to-day  is  unprecedented  in  the  history  of  the  village.  It  is  an 
occasion' which  you,  nor  the  speaker,  or  our  children  will  live  to 
see  repeated.  ISTo  words  of  mine  can  add  to  the  interest  or  dig- 
nity of  this  event  to  Mt.  Morris.  I  would  be  lacking  in  appre- 
ciation and  courtesy  if  I  failed  to  acknowledge  the  high  honor 
conferred  on  me.  Such  an  honor  comes  to  men  but  once  in 
a  century. 

We  assemble  this  day  to  celebrate  with  fitting  ceremonies  the 
one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  Mt.  Morris,  and 
to  offer  thanksgiving  to  our  Heavenly  Father,  who  has  dealt  so 
bounteously  with  us  in  the  past,  and  to  offer  our  supplications 
for  his  continued  blessing  in  the  future.  That  God  rules  in  the 
affairs  of  men  is  as  certain  as  any  truth  of  physical  science.  On 
the  great  creative  power,  which  is  from  the  beginning,  eternal 
"wisdom  marshals  the  great  procession  of  nations.  Republics 
flourish  and  disappear,  monarchies  are  lifted  up  and  cast  down. 


18  jrOUNT    MORRIS    CENTENARY. 

Dynasties  pass  away  like  a  tale  which  is  told,  l^ut  notliing  is  Ijy 
chance,  though  men  in  their  ignorance  of  causes  may  tliinic    so. 

AVe  have  been  passing  through  a  period  of  centennials,  form- 
ulating and  putting  in  print  their  history  for  reference  at  the 
end  of  the  next  hundred  years  for  an  unborn  generation.  These 
celebrations  tend  to  make  our  people  wiser  and  better.  It  is 
hoped  they  will  be  held  on  every  centennial  occasion  in  our 
country.  They  will  not  only  restore  the  love  and  patriotism  of 
our  fathers,  but  they  Avill  teach  us  the  virtues  of  courage 
and  patient  endurance.  This  is  a  time  of  financial  disturbance, 
and  of  business  and  labor  disorders  throughout  the  length  and 
breadth  of  our  land,  and  we  have  lost  somewhat  of  our  faith  in 
regard  to  the  future,  and  we  speak  in  complaining  terms  of  the 
evils  of  our  day.  But  when  we  turn  back  and  read  again  the 
history  of  the  War  of  American  Independence,  and  rehearse  the 
financial  distress  of  the  country,  and  the  sufferings  of  all  classes 
of  our  citizens,  we  blush  at  our  complaints. 

In  the  successful  voyage  of  the  Vildng  ship  across  the  Atlantic 
ocean  last  summer,  resting  on  the  waters  of  the  great  lake, 
which  bathed  the  shores  of  the  AYorld's  Fair,  we  have  proof  of 
the  truthfulness  of  the  Norse  records,  which  tell  us  of  live  dis- 
tinct voyages  of  the  Norsemen  to  the  New  World.  The  first  was 
made  by  Lief  Erickson  in  the  year  985.  (A  monument  now 
standing  in  Boston  perpetuates  the  memory  of  the  great  navi- 
gator of  the  unknown  seas.)  These  records  were  Avritten  on 
parchment  centuries  ago.  The  exact  translation  of  them  will 
be  found  in  the  Viking  age. 

The  land  of  the  Vikings  is  full  of  the  great  past.  Everywhere 
Ave  see  evidences  of  a  seafaring  and  most  warlike  race.  Roman 
coins,  gold  and  silver,  from  the  time  of  Augustus,  29  B.  C,  to 
14  A.  D.,  and  coins  of  Roman  patrician  families  antedating  the 
Empire,  tell  how  early  these  Norse  tribes  had  intercourse  with 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  19 

the  Roman  world,  and  their  graves  on  the  shores  of  the   Medi- 
terranean bear  silent  witness  of  going  there. 

In  985  they  discover  the  New  World.  The  Americans  who 
are  descendants  of  the  Vikings  should  ta,ke  becoming  pride  in 
their  ancestry.  They  were  the  original  navigators  of  the  un- 
known seas,  before  the  compass  opened  the  way  across  the  ocean. 

Before  Columbus  left  Palos  for  his  unknown  voyage  toward 
the  setting  sun  in  1492,  under  the  auspices  of  Spain,  which  gave 
his  voyage  a  national  reputation  and  interest  in  the  Old  World, 
the  compass  had  been  invented.  By  its  unerring  guide  he  dis- 
covered an  unknown,  but  heard  of  continent  to  the  Old  World, 
which  has  made  the  name  of  Christopher  Columbus  immortal. 
May  we  not  better  say  in  the  light  of  this  age  and  the  approach- 
ing twentieth  century,  Columbus  made  "two  old  countries" 
better  acquainted? 

Twenty  years  ago,  in  sinking  a  shaft  in  a  gold  mine  in  Cali- 
fornia, a  human  skull  was  found  imbedded  in  a  rock  formation 
sixty  feet  below  the  surface.  This  extraordinary  discovery  was 
amply  authenticated  at  the  time,  and  created  great  interest 
among  antiquarians  and  scientists  in  establishing  the  belief  of 
man's  great  antiquity  on  the  North  American  continent,  co-equal 
perhaps  to  any  portion  of  the  inhabited  world. 

The  following  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  on  the  track  of  Colum- 
bus to  our  shores,  introducing  civilization  and  Christianity,  and 
by  other  peoples  fleeing  from  the  tyranny  of  monarchies  and 
caste  ridden  countries,  it  is  no  exageration  for  me  to  say,  are 
the  two  great  causes  which  civilization  to-day  owes  to  its  ad- 
vanced position  throughout  the  world.  The  Pilgrim  Fathers 
severed  family  ties  and  surrendered  earthly  home  comforts,  and 
hazarded  the  peril  of  navigating  three  thousand  miles  of  ocean 
in  a  primitive  seagoing  vessel,  to  establish  a  new  home  in  the 
wilds  of  America,  among  the  aboriginees,  where  they  could   en- 


2()  JIOUXT    MORRIS    CENTENARY. 

joy  their   religious   and    ])olitical    views    untrammeled    by    the 
tyranny  they  left  behind  them. 

Through  years  of  trials  and  tribulations  they  solved  the  prob- 
lem of  the  equality  of  all  men  before  the  law,  and  the  right  to 
"worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  oxsw  conscience. 
Thus  we  may  say  that  the  "germ"  of  the  Declaration  of 
American  Independence  first  came  to  light  in  the  little  cabin  of 
the  Mayflower.  All  hail  to  the  Pilgrim  Fathers.  In  the  ful- 
ness of  time  this  germ  of  the  Mayflower  matured,  and  was  born 
amid  the  din  and  clash  of  arms  on  the  battlefield,  has  arisen, 
made  by  and  for  the  people,  which  has  triumphed  over  all  oppo- 
sition at  home  and  abroad,  and  to-day  stands  pre-eminent  in  the 
triumphs  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  and  popular  self-govern- 
ment among  the  nations  of  the  earth. 

As  early  as  the  visit  of  the  ^Norsemen  in  985,  the  North 
American  Indian  was  found  a  native  upon  our  shores.  How 
long  he  has  been  here  no  mortal  man  can  tell.  He  dates  back 
and  beyond  authentic  histor3\*  The  origin  of  the  New  York 
Indians,  as  handed  down  Ijy  oral  tradition,  is,  they  sprung  out 
of  the  ground  in  a  high  hill  in  Onondaga  county,  N.  Y. ,  as  is 
said  "Pallas"  in  fuU  armor,  sprang  from  the  head  of  Jupiter. 
This  hill,  or  mountain,  as  the  Indians  termed  it,  they  still  vener- 
ate as  the  place  of  their  birth.  Hence  their  name,  "Seneca 
Indians,"  interpreted  signifies  the  "Great  Hill  people."     ("Ge- 


■  Pictorial  writings,  engraved  on  massive  boulders  and  on  rock  formations,  rising 
above  the  ground  in  various  parts  of  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  is  the  oldest  lit- 
erature handed  down  to  us,  and  tells  of  the  occupancy  of  the  North  American  Conti- 
nent by  man,  prior  to  the  invention  of  letters  in  Egypt,  1822  B.  C.  From  that  era 
hyeroglyphic  writing  began  to  cease. 

The  North  American  Indians  record  of  important  events  were  narrated  in  pictorial 
writings.  Analyzed  and  translated  in  our  day  by  students  of  archology,  heroglyphic 
writings  and  symbols,  go  to  establish  the  belief,  that  the  Indian  has  been  an  inhab- 
itant of  the  North  American  Continent,  may  be  from  the  beginning,  notwithstanding 
Other  races  of  peoples  have  been  contemporary,  whom  they  have  survived. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  21 

nun-ge-wah   people,")  which  is   the    definition    of    the    word 
"Seneca." 

When  the  iirst  white  man  came  among  the  Indians  on  our 
eastern  shores,  they  invited  liim  into  their  cabins  and  gave  him 
venison  to  eat.  Tliey  kindled  tires  to  warm  him  if  cold,  and 
clothed  hhn  if  naked,  and  refused  pay  for  these  hospitalities, 
little  dreaming  that  some  day  he  would  return  for  these  acts  of 
kindness  and  tell  them  he  wanted  a  small  strip  of  land  to  spread 
his  blanket  on.  They  gave  it  to  him  and  called  him  brother. 
AVhen  the  white  man  became  larger  and  stronger,  with  a  pre- 
amble and  resolution  in  his  pocket,  said  to  be  the  brain  work  of 
our  j^ew  England  fathers  in  that  rigorous  age,  when  in  the  name 
of  their  church  and  religion  they  put  to  death  witches,  and 
opposed  warming  churches  and  places  of  public  worship  with 
lires,  seized  the  land  of  the  Indians  on  general  principles,  and  in 
something  like  the  following  words  and  language  acquired  title 
thereto : 

Whereas,  the  earth  is  the  Lord's  and  the  fulness  thereof, 
therefore,  be  it  resolved :  First,  that  the  land  belongs  to  the 
Lord.  Kesolved,  second,  that  we  are  the  Lord's  people,  there- 
fore. Resolved,  third,  that  this  land  belongs  to  us.  And  they 
took  it.  The  Indians  are  a  race  without  books  or  literature. 
Ko  pen  of  dusky  bard  upholds  their  rights,  or  condems  their 
wrongs.  Their  historian  has  ahvays  been  a  white  man,  giving 
a  partial  history  of  events  as  they  occurred,  doing  the  Indian 
characture  injustice. 

It  is  unnecessary  for  me  on  this  occasion  to  repeat  history, 
which  you  are  presumed  to  be  familiar  with,  and  trace  the  titles 
of  lands  from  the  original  owners  to  the  white  man  in  the  Gen- 
esee valley,  farther  than  to  dwell  on  the  Mt.  Morris  tract,  upon 
which  our  village  is  located,  and  to  state  that  the  Indian  title  to 


99 


MOUNT    MOKRIS    CENTENARY 


all  lands  in  AVestern  New  York,  excepting  reservations,  was 
extinguislied  in  the  treaty  at  Big-Tree  in  1T97. 

In  the  year  isoO  capitalists  and  hind  specnlators  from  the  east 
and  from  the  south,  came  into  this  vicinity  and  made  large  pui'- 
chases  of  land ;  but  by  reason  of  the  Indian  occupancy  and  the 
dissatisfaction  of  tlie  Indians  with  the  treaty  of  Great  Britain 
and  the  colonies,  the  king  having  made  no  provision  for  his 
faithful  allies,  and  the  taking  by  the  United  States  government 
so  much  land  from  them  at  the  Fort  Stanwix  treaty,  Rome,  N . 
y.,  in  1784,  without  compensation,  in  punishment  for  adhering 
to  the  cause  of  the  king  in  the  Revolutionar}"  War,  whom  the 
Colonies  had  previously  taught  them  to  honor  and  obey,  were 
wavering  betwixt  peace  and  war,  the  land  purchasers  did  not 
return  and  establish  homes  and  occupy  their  lands  until  after 
the  second  war  of  independence  in  1812-15.  From  that  era,  the 
settlement  and  development  of  our  locality  and  section  of  coun- 
try, may  be  said  to  have  commenced,  although  a  few  white  set- 
tlers had  come  into  what  is  now  Livingston  county  as  earl}''  as 
1789-90. 

The  Mt.  Morris  tract  is  four  miles  square,  instead  of  four 
square  miles,  and  contains  10,240  acres  of  land.  Some  years 
ago,  John  Kennedy  and  sister,  Seneca  Indians  from  the 
Cataragus  Reservation,  paid  a  visit  to  the  speaker.*  They 
brought  with  them  the  original  deed  of  the  Mt.  Morris  tract, 
executed  by  the  warriors,  sachems  and  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations 


'They  claimed  tliej*  were  blood  relations  of  Ebenezer  Allan's  wife  Sail)';  that  their 
title  liad  not  been  extinguished,  as  the  statue  of  limitation  did  not  run  agaijist  the 
Indian,  and  tliat  the  sale  of  the  land  by  Ebenezer  Allan  to  Robert  INIorris  was  illegal, 
and  proposed  to  coTumence  legal  proceedings  to  compel  the  present  owners  and  oc- 
cupants of  the  land  to  settle  with  them,  and  asked  my  advice. 

I  discouraged  legal  proceedings.  I  produced  history  to  prove  the  sale  of  the  Mt. 
Morris  tract  by  Kbenezer  Allan  to  Robert  Morris  in  1793,  which  was  confirmed  and 
made  valid  four  j-ears  later  at  the  treaty  of  1797  at  Big-Tree,  (Geneseo,  N,  Y.)  which 
extinguished  the  Indian  grant  to  Ebenezer  Allan's  wife  Sally,  and  her  heirs. 

Mr.  Kennedy  returned  home  disappointed  and  wiser,  and  died  three  years  later. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  23 

of  Indians,  at  Ne\vto\Yn  (Elmira)  in  1791.  I  made  a  copy  of 
this  original  deed  which  does  not  appear  in  any  history,  and 
have  combined  it  in  this  address,  as  an  interesting  and  valuable 
contribution  to  the  history  of  Mt.  Morris. 

"To  all  people  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  vre,  the 
Sachems,  Chiefs  and  Warriors  of  the  Seneca  Nation  of  Indians, 
send  ffreetinff : 

Whereas,  r>y  the  custom  of  our  nation  from  the  earliest  times 
of  our  forefathers  to  the  ])resent  day,  every  person  born  of  a 
Seneca  woman  has  been  and  is  considered  one  of  the  nation,  and 
thence  as  having  an  equal  right  with  every  other  person  in  the 
nation  to  lands  belonging  to  the  nation ;   and, 

Whereas,  Ivy-en-da- went-han,  named  in  English  "Sally," 
one  of  our  sisters,  has  had  two  daughters  born  of  her  body  by 
our  brother,  "Jen-uh-sheo,"  named  in  English,  Ebenezer  Allan, 
the  name  of  the  said  daughters  in  English, Mary  Allan  and  Chloe 
Allan;  and. 

Whereas,  Our  said  brother,  Jen-uh-sheo,  the  father  of  the 
said  Mary  and  Chloe,  has  expressed  to  us  the  desire  to  have  the 
share  of  the  Seneca  lands  to  which  the  said  Mary  and  Chloe 
(whom  we  consider  our  children)  are  entitled  to  have,  set  off  to 
them  in  severality,  that  they  may  enjoy  the  same  as  their  sep- 
arate portions ;  now  know  ye,  that  we,  the  sachems,  chiefs  and 
warriors  of  the  Seneca  Nation,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority 
of  our  whole  nation,  whom  according  to  our  ancient  custom  in 
like  cases  we  represent,  and  in  consideration  of  the  rights  of  the 
said  Mary  and  Chloe,  as  children  and  members  of  the  Seneca 
Nation,  and  of  our  love  and  effection  for  them,  do  hereby  set 
off  and  assign  to  them,  the  said  Mary  and  Chloe,  and  to  their 
heirs  and  assigns,  a  tract  of  land,  on  part  of  which  the  said  Jen- 
uh-sheo,  our  brother,  now  dwells,  upon  the  waters  of  the  Jen- 
ush-sheo  river  (Genesee  river)  in  the  county  of  Ontario,   in  the 


24  MOUNT    J[ORRlS    CENTENARY. 

State  of  New  York,  Ijounded  as  I'ollows :  Beginning  at  an  elm 
tree  standing  in  the  forks  of  the  Jen-ush-sheo  river  (the  boundry 
between  our  lands  and  the  lands  we  sold  to  Oliver  Phelps  and 
Mr.  Gorham),  and  running  from  thence  due  south  four  miles, 
thence  due  west  four  miles,  thence  due  north  four  miles,  thence 
due  east  four  miles,  until  the  line  strikes  the  said  elm  tree,  with 
the  a])})urtenances.  To  have  and  to  hold  the  said  tract  of  land, 
with  the  appurtenances,  to  them,  the  said  Mary  Allan  and  Chloe 
Allan,  and  to  their  heirs  and  assigns,  as  tenants  in  common,  to 
their  use  forever,  provided,  nevertheless,  that  we,  the  said 
sachems,  chiefs  and  warriors,  declare  that  it  is  our  desire  and 
intention,  that  from  this  day  until  the  third  day  of  March,  in 
the  year  Anno  Domini  1S03,  during  which  time  both  of  the  said 
Mary  and  Chloe  will  be  minors,  the  said  Ebenezer  Allan,  his 
executors  and  administrators,  shall  take  care  of,  occupy  and 
improve  the  whole  track  of  land  and  receive  the  rents  and  profits 
thereof,  without  accounting  to  the  children  therefor,  saving  that 
therewith  he,  his  executors  and  administrators,  shall  make  pro- 
vision for  the  descent  and  suitable  maintenance,  and  for  the 
instruction  of  the  said  Mary  and  Chloe,  and  cause  them  to  be 
instructed  in  reading  and  writing,  sewing  and  other  useful 
arts,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  white  people,  provided  that 
if  the  said  Mary  shall  marry  before  the  age  of  twenty-one  years, 
then  immediately  on  her  marriage  the  said  Ebenezer,  his  execu- 
tors or  administrators,  shall  deliver  to  her  the  possession  of  her 
one- equal  third  part  in  quality  and  quantity  of  said  tract  of  land. 
And  if  the  said  Chloe  shall  marry  before  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years,  then  immediately  on  her  marriage  the  said  Ebenezer,  his 
executors  or  administrators,  shall  deliver  to  her,  the  said  Chloe, 
the  possession  of  one-tliird  part  for  quality  and  quantity  of  said 
tract  of  land.  And  thenceforward  the  said  Mary  and  Chloe, 
respectively,  and  their  representative  heirs,  executors,  adminis- 


IIISTOEICAL    ADDRESS.  25 

trators  and  assigns,  shall  receive  the  rents  and  profits  of  their 
respective  third  parts  of  said  tract  of  land.  And  the  said  Ebe- 
nezer  Allan  shall  continue  in  the  possession  of  the  remaining 
third  part  of  said  tract  of  land,  and  receive  the  rents  and  profits 
thereof  during  his  natural  life,  to  his  own  use.  And  after  his 
death,  his  present  wife,  Lucy,  if  she  survive  him,  shall  hold  pos- 
session of  the  same  third  part,  and  receive  the  rents  and  profits 
thereof  to  her  own  use  so  long  as  she  shall  remain  his  Avidow, 
immediately  after  which  the  said  Mary  and  Chloe,  their  heirs 
and  assigns,  shall  receive  and  have  the  entire  possession  of  the 
whole  of  said  tract  of  land  forever.  And  we,  the  sachems, 
chiefs  and  warriors,  do  further  declare  that  the  said  tract  of 
land  so  set  off  to  them,  the  said  Mary  and  Chloe,  is  and  forever 
shall  be  in  full  of  their  share  and  interest  of  all  the  lands  belong:- 
ing  to  the  said  Nation,  and  of  all  claims  of  property  of  every 
kind,  whether  moneys  or  goods  for  lands  sold  or  received  as 
presents,  which  have  been  or  shall  be  received  by  our  Kation ; 
provided  further,  and  it  is  our  meaning  to  reserve  to  the  Indian 
families  now  dwelling  on  said  tract  of  land  the  liberty  of  remain- 
ing there  so  long  as  they  should  think  fit,  with  the  liberty  of 
planting  so  much  corn  as  shall  be  necessary  for  their  own  use ; 
provided,  further,  that  our  sister, the  said  "Ky-un-da-went-han," 
(named  in  English  Sally)  shall  be  entitled  to  comfortable  and 
competent  maintenance  out  of  the  rents  and  profits  of  said  tract 
of  land  during  her  natural  life,  or  as  long  as  she  remains  un- 
joined to  another  companion. 

In  witness  whereof,  we,  the  sachems,  chiefs  of  the  Seneca 
Nation,  according  to  the  ancient  custom  of  our  nation,  have 
hereunto  set  our  hands  and  seals  this  fifteenth  day  of  July,  in 
the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-one,  and  of  the 
independence  of  the  United  States  the  sixteenth. 

How-de-ye-was,  the  mark  of  X  Farmer's  Brother. 


26  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

Shek-wi-un-iiiik,  the  mark  of  X  Little  Beard. 

Kaen-do-wan-ya,  the  mark  of  X  Big  Tree. 

Honey-san-Sprish,  the  mark  of  X  Young  King. 

Oo-nu-got-ek-hon,  the  mark  of  X  Fire  in  the  Mountain. 

So-ne-auh-to-Avan,  the  mark  of  X  Big  Throat. 

Koye-a-gay-anh,  the  mark  of  X  Heap  of  Sayo. 

Tio-ka-a-ya,  the  mark  of  X  Little  Billey. 

Tain-dau-dash,  the  mark  of  X  Black  Chief. 

Ken-nu-yoo-ni-gut,  the  mark  of  X  Captain  Samp, 

Ken-no-ghau-kol-york,  the  mark  of  X  Old  House. 

Ne-en-daw-ku-wan,  the  mark  of  X  Great  Tree. 

Hah-jun-gunsh,  the  mark  of  X  China  Breast  Plate. 

Soo-nooh-shoo-wan,  the  mark  of  X  Great  House. 

So-way-is,  the  mark  of  X  Stump  Foot. 

Sachems  in  the  right  hand  columns  of  seals,  sealed  and  deliv- 
ered in  the  presence  of  Ebenezer  Bowman,  Joseph  Smith,  Jasper 
Parish,  Horatio  Jones,  Oliver  Phelps,  and  by  the  chiefs  under- 
written, in  the  presence  of  us. 

Jacob  Hart. 
Eben  Bowman. 

To-du-do-whang-nay,  the  mark  of  X  Tommy  Jenison. 

Cy-asu-te,  the  mark  of  X  Silver  Breast  Plate,  with  a  cross. 

So-go-uAva-to,  the  mark  of  X  Ped  Jacket,  or  Keeper  a  Wake. 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  at 
Kewton,  in  the  county  of  Tioga,  in  the  State  of  Ncav  York,  the 
IGth  day  of  July,  in  the  year  1791,  and  of  the  independence  of 
the  United  States  the  sixteenth. 

Timothy  Pickering. 

Commissioner  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  for  Holding  a 
Treaty  with  the  Six  Kations  of  Indians." 

The  \illage  of  Mt.  Morris  is  situated  nearly  in  the  geographi- 
cal center  of  the  above  tract. 


HISTOEICAL    ADDEESS.  27 

'  Eobert  Morris,  from  whom  the  village  derives  its  name,  must 
have  known  Allan  did  not  possess  the  legal  right  to  sell  this 
tract  of  land.  The  sale  was  made  in  Philadelphia  in  1793,  re- 
ceiving a  nominal  price  for  it  in  dry  goods,  Indian  cloth  and 
trinkets,  which  Allan  brought  to  Mt.  Morris,  and  opened  a 
trading  post,  bartering  his  goods  with  the  Indians  for  furs  and 
pelts,  and  thus  acquired  the  name  of  being  the  pioneer  merchant 
on  Allan's  Hill.  Allan  was  a  Avhite  man,  born  and  reared  in 
New  Jersey,  came  into  tne  Genesee  valley  in  1780-82.  He 
married  a  Seneca  squaw  by  the  name  of  Sally.  (Bump's  Island, 
now  owned  by  H.  P.  Mills,  Esq. ,  was  in  early  tunes  caUed 
Sally's  Bend.)  She  resided  there  and  owned  the  land,  it  being 
a  portion  of  the  Mt.  Morris  tract.  The  Island  was  in  the  town 
of  Leicester.  In  1835  the  river  cut  a  new  channel  north  of  the 
island.  In  1836  deepened  and  widened  the  channel  and  runs 
there  to-day,  leaving  the  island  now  in  the  town  of  Mt.  Morris. 

Allan  was  a  tory  and  an  ally  of  the  Indians,  and  an  enemy  to 
his  race.  Fleeing  from  the  crimes  he  committed  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, he  joined  the  Indians  in  1780  and  committed  fresh  crimes 
on  the  banks  of  the  Genesee.  He  acquired  the  name  of  Indian 
Allan  from  the  atrocity  of  his  crimes  committed  on  the  white 
race.  His  life  and  checkered  career  were  closed  on  the  river 
Thomas  in  Canada  in  1814  among  his  Indian  allies.* 

Eobert  Morris  was  a  bold  and  fearless  operator  in  business 
affairs.  He  evidently  ran  the  risk  to  extinguish  the  title  of  the 
heirs  of  the  Mt.  Morris  tract,  which  he  accomplished  four  years 
later  in  the  treaty  at  Big-Tree.      From  1780,    and   during   the 


*Mary  Jemison,  (Deh-he-wa-mis,)the  white  woman,  in  her  life  by  James  E.Seaver, 
says:  ''Ebenezer  Allan  was  much  at  my  house  with  my  son  Thomas.  He  was  al- 
ways honorable,  kind  and  even  generous  to  me,  but  the  history  of  his  life  is  a  tissue 
of  crimes  and  baseness  of  the  blackest  dye.  I  have  often  heard  him  relate  his  in- 
glorious feats,  and  confess  crimes,  the  rehearsal  of  which  made  my  blood  curdle,  as 
much  accustomed  as  I  was  to  hear  of  bloody  and  barberous  deeds." 


28  JIOUNT    ifOKRIS    CENTENAKT. 

ten  years  next  following,  be  purchased  about  live  million  acres 
of  land  in  the  State  of  New  York,  the  largest  landed  proprietor 
in  the  United  States,  and  justly  styled  the  "Baron  of  xVmerica. " 
"Robert  Morris  wlien  thirteen  years  of  age  came  with  his  father 
from  England  in  1747,  landed  in  Philadelphia,  engaged  soon 
after  in  the  countino:  house  of  Charles  Willino;  remained  until 
1754,  when  he  became  a  partner  of  Mr.  AVilling's  son.  The 
house  had  vessels  in  the  ocean  trade  with  foreign  countries,  con- 
tinued with  great  success  until  1793.  lie  was  a  delegate  in  the 
continental  congress,  and  was  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence; was  elected  twice  to  Congress  (1777-7S.)  and  ob- 
tained from  Congress  the  first  charter  of  a  bank  in  the  United 
States  in  1782,  (Bank  of  IN'orth  America.)  By  his  advances  and 
personal  security  he  furnished  Washington's  army  supplies  in 
17S1  to  the  extent  of  $1,1-00,000,  without  which  the  campaign 
would  liave  been  a  failure.  lie  became  security  for  the  loan  of 
$90,000  of  the  French  funds  to  pay  off  the  soldiers  and  enable 
AVashington  to  make  his  campaign  on  Yorktown,  the  closing 
battle  of  the  llevolutionary  AYar,  deciding  the  fate  of  the  colo- 
nies and  the  future  destiny  of  the  United  States.  In  1793, 
Robert  Morris  was  said  to  be  the  wealthiest  man  in  America. 
In  1S06  he  died  on  the  jail  limits  in  Philadelphia  for  debt.  Had 
it  not  been  for  an  annuity  of  $1,500  paid  by  the  Holland  Land 
Company  to  ]Mrs.  Morris  in  consideration  of  the  release  of  dower 
in  lands  purchased  of  her  husband,  he  would  have  been  without 
any  known  means  of  support. ' ' 

Robert  ^Morris  was  to  the  financial  situation  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary period,  what  AYashington  was  to  the  military,  and  his 
name  is  an  embelishment  to  the  history  of  our  country,  and  es- 
pecially to  Mt.  Morris.  Oliver  Phelps  also,  of  the  Phelps  and 
Gorham  purchase,  the  largest  landed  proprietor  in  AYestern  New 
York,  died  within  the  limits  of  the   jail   of   Ontario   county   at 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  29 

Cauandaigua  for  debt.  Such  are  some  of  the  strange  vicissi- 
tudes of  human  life. 

The  Bank  of  Korth  America  held  an  assignment  of  the  title 
papers  in  the  Mt.  Morris  tract  as  collateral  security  for  advances 
and  loans  made  to  Robert  Morris.  It  caused  this  tract  to  be 
surveyed  in  1806  by  Stephen  Eogers.  "When  surveyed  it  was 
called  the  Mt.  Morris  tract  and  described  as  lying  in  the  town 
of  Leicester,  in  the  county  of  Genesee.  In  1807  the  Bank  of 
North  America  sold  this  tract  to  John  R.  Murray,  merchant, 
JSTew  York  city,  and  Harriet  Murray,  his  wife,  William  Ogden, 
of  Kew  York  city,  and  Susan  Ogden,  his  wife,  John  Trumbull, 
New  York  city,  and  James  Wadsworth,  Sr.,  and  Naomi  Wads- 
Avorth,  his  wife,  of  Geneseo,  N.  Y.,  of  whom  each,  including 
the  Bank  of  North  America,  o\ATied  one-eighth,  undivided  part 
of  the  whole.  The  Squawkie  Hill  reservation  of  two  square 
miles  was  reserved  by  the  Indians  at  the  treaty  of  Big-Tree  in 
1797,  when  the  title  of  Robert  Morris  to  this  tract  was  made 
valid  by  extinguishing  the  Indian  title,  and  their  grant  to  the 
heirs  of  Ebenezer  Allan. 

I  have  been  written  to  by  a  historical  society,  and  sometimes 
asked  from  what  circumstance  Squawkie  Hill  derived  its  name. 
I  have  replied,  the  Senecas  way  back  in  remote  times  carried 
their  conquests  to  the  Mississippi  river  and  the  Carolinas,  cap- 
tured on  the  plains  of  Illinois, '^Sac  and  Fox  Indians  and  brought 
them  home  prisoners.  At  a  council  at  their  metropolis,  Little 
Beardstown,  (Cuylerville,  N.  Y.)  contrary  to  custom,  they 
spared  their  lives  and  located  them  on  a  hill  to  live.  The  Senecas 
caUed  them  "Squawkie-haw  Indians;"  hence  the  name  Squaw- 
kie HiU.  Subsequently  they  intermarried  with  the  Senecas  and 
became  a  part  of  the  tribe. 

In  1810  the  proprietors  of  the  Mt.  Morris  tract  made  a  parti- 
tion of  the  land  lying  south  of  the   Genesee  river,   except  the 


30  MOUNT  MOKRIS  CENTEXAKY. 

public  square  in  Mt.  Morris,  bounded  as  follows  :  On  the  north 
by  Trumbull  street,  on  the  east  b}^  Main  street,  on  the  south  by 
Chapel  street  and  on  the  west  by  Clinton  street ;  also  a  certain 
lot  and  mill  site,  Avhich  were  held  in  common.  The  tract  was 
laid  out  in  lots,  numbering  from  1  to  251  inclusive,  which  were 
subdi\ided  into  eight  parts  for  distribution,  except  as  above 
stated,  Peter  J.  Monroe  acting  in  behalf  of  the  Bank  of  North 
America. 

From  1794  to  1810  very  few  permanent  white  settlers  located 
in  Mt.  Morris ;  Indian  occupancy  and  the  prevalence  of  ague  and 
Genesee  fever  prevented.  Among  them  were  Jonathan  Harris, 
Clark  Cleveland,  Isaac  Baldwin,  Adam  Holtslander,  Simeon 
Kittle,  Louis  Mills,  Grice  Holland,  Benedict  Satterly,  Isaac 
Powell,  "William  McXair  and  family. 

Adam  Holtslander  made  and  furnished  the  rails  for  fencing 
the  original  enclosures  in  and  around  Mt.  Morris  for  many  years, 
excelling  the  lamented  Lincoln  in  that  business ;  was  on  the 
frontier  in  the  war  of  1812-15,  and  died  in  Mt.  Morris,  Mich., 
in  1S72,  aged  81  years. 

James  II.  McNair  came  with  his  father,  William  McNair,  in 
1798  to  Allan's  Hill  at  10  years  of  age.  The  family  settled  in 
Sonyea.  James  was  in  many  respects  a  model  man,  a  pattern 
of  industry  and  integrity,  a  churchman  and  patriot ;  was  on  the 
frontier  in  the  war  of  1812-15;  died  July  8,  187-1,  SQ  years  of 
age. 

From  1810  to  1820  settlers  locating  in  Mt.  Morris  were  more 
numerous.  Elisha  Parmlee,  Messrs.  Hopkins,  BaldA^ns,  Adino 
Bailey,  Phineas  Lake,  David  A.  Miller,  Allen  Ayrault,  Kiley 
Scoville,  Vincent  Cothrill,  Eli  Lake,  Messrs.  Stanleys,  Beaches, 
Rev.  Elihu  ]\[ason,  James  Hosmer,  John  Starkweather,  George 
Green,  Asa  Woodford,  Dr.  Abrara  Camp,  Col.  Demon,  Richard 
AUen,  Samuel  Sejinour  and  others. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  31 

Col.  Ebenezer  Demon  was  the  pioneer  manufacturer,  (wool 
carding  and  cloth  dressing),  located  in  the  suburbs  of  our  village 
known  as  Demonsville.  The  speaker  never  wore  any  cloth 
manufactured  elsewhere  until  1837.  The  first  store  cloth  I  had 
for  a  coat  was  a  bottle  green.  I  have  been  partial  to  that  color 
ever  since.  Deacon  Asa  Woodford  was  proprietor  of  a  tannery 
in  the  same  locality  and  a  shoe  factory  and  shoe  store  on  Main 
street.  Elisha  Parmlee,  first  merchant ;  Allen  Ayrault,  his  suc- 
cessor in  1817;  Sleeper  &  Dean  his  successors  in  about  1821. 
Later  on  David  A.  Miller  opened  a  dry  goods  store ;  was  a 
prominent  citizen  and  postmaster  for  a  number  of  years.  George 
Green,  first  tailor ;  Peter  Peterson,  first  hatter ;  George  AV. 
Barney  his  successor.  Peill}''  Scoville  grew  hemp  between  the 
high  banks  on  the  flats  for  several  years ;  later  moved  into  vil- 
lage ;  was  supervisor  for  a  number  of  years  and  hotel  proprietor. 
His  son,  Henry  II.  Scoville,  conducts  the  business  where  there 
has  been  a  public  house  kept  on  the  site  of  the  Scoville  House 
by  the  Baldwins  and  Scovilles  (relatives)  for  the  past  eighty-one 
years,  the  oldest  business  place  without  change  of  business  in 
the  village.  H.  P.  Mills,  Esq. ,  though  not  a  pioneer  settler  in 
our  village,  is  entitled  to  recognition  on  this  occasion,  on  account 
of  his  long  residence  here,  more  than  half  a  century,  (fifty-seven 
years.)  A  prominent  citizen,  engaged  in  public  life,  resident 
engineer  during  the  building  of  the  Genesee  Yalley  canal ;  pres- 
ident of  the  Genesee  River  National  Bank  for  many  years  and 
is  now,  which  has  been  conducted  in  the  interests  of  the  public 
and  stockholders,  aiding  materially  the  business  interests  and 
prosperity  of  the  viUage  and  surrounding  country.  From  1820 
to  1830  Dr.  Charles  Bingham,  Joseph  Thompson,  William  Gay, 
George  Sloat,  Goodrich,  Root,  Dr.  Hiram  Hunt,  Mr.  Wadams, 
Stephen  Summers,  John  Runyan,  Isaac  Thompson  Deacon 
Weeks,  Elija  Thatcher,  Deacon  Conkey,    George   W.    Barney, 


32  Z^IOUNT    MORRIS    CENTENARY. 

Mr,  Alma  and  others.  In  the  town :  Eussell  Sheldon,  Ephriara 
Sharp,  Sterling  Case,  Mr.  Coe,  Benjamin  and  William  Begole, 
Joseph  Couding,  Aaron  Adams,  Jonathan  Miller,  Samuel  Leon- 
ard, Chester  Foote,  David  Sanger,  Horatio  Reed,  Samuel  Per- 
kins, John  Brown,  John  C.  Jones,  William  Lemon,  David  II. 
Pierson,  Richard  W.  Gates  and  others. 

Dr.  Abram  Camp,  first  physician,  Dr.  Charles  Bingham,  his 
successor,  in  1820,  a  man  of  unusual  force  of  character,  was 
learned  in  his  profession.  He  met  with  a  premature  death  from 
an  injury  received  by  a  fall  on  the  ice  in  Buck  Run ;  died  De- 
cember 3,  IS'12,  aged  58  years.  Dr.  Hiram  Hunt  moved  into 
the  ^dllage  in  1824;  was  successful  in  his  practice,  and  accumu- 
lated, for  those  times,  a  handsome  property ;  later  in  life  he 
met  with  reverses  by  business  ventures  outside  of  his  profession ; 
died  October  8,  1853,  aged  51  years. 

WiUiam  Haskall,  commonly  called  "Bill  Haskall,"  located  in 
Mt.  Morris  in  1812.  He  was  the  first  pettifogger  in  justice 
courts,  possessed  of  native  talents.  If  no  law  that  he  knew  of 
hit  the  case  in  hand,  he  would  make  the  law.  He  was  illiterate 
and  uncouth,  and  fond  of  wrestling  and  foot  and  horse  racing 
sports;  receded  from  ci^dlization  in  1835  and  removed  to  the 
'wilds  of  Michigan.  Simeon  Kittle,  a  similar  character,  famil- 
iarly called  "Sim  Kittle,"  also  receded  from  civilization  and  fol- 
lowed his  illustrious  predecssor  and  opponent  in  legal  lore  in 
justice  court,  in  1836.  George  Hastings  came  to  Mt.  Morris  in 
1830.  He  was  the  first  lawyer  in  the  place  and  an  honor  to  the 
bar  of  Livingston  county.  Was  member  of  Congress  and  held 
other  public  offices  of  trust  and  honor.  He  died  August  26, 
1866.  In  1830  settlers  came  from  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y.,  in 
considerable  numbers,  and  for  a  few  years  later,  and  settled 
between  Mt.  Morris  and  Nunda,    the   country   then   an   almost 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  66 

unbroken  wilderness ;  among  them  was  the  Hon.  O.  D.  Lake, 
who  is  still  living  among  us  at  90  years  of  age. 

From  1830  to  1850  was  substantially  the  period  which  marked 
the  prosperity  and  growth  of  Mt.  Morris  village.  From  1818 
to  the  completion  of  the  Genesee  Valley  canal  to  Rochester,  in 
18-10,  our  trade  with  Rochester  was  by  river  navigation  and 
land  carriage.  There  arrived  at  Geneseo,  July  28,  1824,  the 
steamboat,  "Erie  Canal,"  Capt.  Bottle,  the  pioneer  boat  on  the 
Genesee  river,  and  there  was  great  rejoicing  among  the  citizens. 
The  next  steamer  vras  the  Genesee,  a  stern- wheel  boat,  carrying 
passengers  and  freight,  with  speed  of  eight  or  ten  miles  an  hour. 
The  distance  was  sixty -five  miles  by  river  from  Geneseo  to 
Rochester,  and  thirty  miles  by  land  carriage.  After  running 
two  seasons,  the  enterprise  was  p.bandoned.  River  boating  with 
"freight  lakers,"  propelled  by  manual  labor,  continued  at 
periods  of  high  water  in  the  river,  as  far  as  Geneseo  and  Mt. 
Morris,  for  many  years  subsequently.  Intercourse  between  Mt. 
Morris,  Leicester  and  Moscow  was  by  ferry  across  the  river  in 
summer  time  and  on  the  ice  in  winter,  until  about  1830,  when  a 
wooden  toll-bridge  spanned  the  river.  Mr.  Starr,  of  the  firm  of 
Hurlburt  &  Starr,  dry  goods  merchants,  purchased  about  this 
time  in  Albany  and  brought  to  our  \"illage,  the  first  buggy  with 
"eliptic"  or  steel  springs.  It  was  a  novelty  and  much  admired. 
Young  ladies,  as  well  as  older  citizens,  were  anxious  to  ride  in  it. 

In  1793  the  Williamsburg  fair  and  Genesee  races  were  inaug- 
urated by  Col.  Williamson.  The  fair  grounds  and  race  track 
were  on  the  flats  on  what  is  known  as  the  "Shaker  Farm,"  and 
near  the  former  junction  of  the  river  and  Canaseraga  creek, 
about  one  mile  from  Williamsburg,  and  was  the  pioneer  fair  and 
race  track  in  Western  New  York.  The  fair  and  races  continued 
for  several  years,  but  owing  to  the  class  of  people  who  patron- 
ized these  fairs  and  races,    they   fell  into   disrepute   and   were 


34  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTEXAKY, 

abandoned,  retarding  rather  than  aiding  the  settling  of  the 
country  with  a  desirable  class  of  inhabitants,  to  the  ver}^  great 
disappointment  of  Col.  AYilliamson,  their  founder.  In  ISIS  the 
post-office  was  located,  with  George  B.  Manier,  postmaster. 
Formerly  the  citizens  of  Mt.  Morris  went  to  Moscow  once  a 
week  for  their  mail.  In  1813  Mt.  Morris  contained  four  frame 
and  twenty-two  log  houses.  In  1817  there  AVere  a  few  machine 
shops  and  a  small  store  kept  by  Allen  Ayrault.  In  1820, 
William  Shull  erected  a  grist  miU  on  the  site  opposite  the 
speaker's  residence,  below  the  roadvray.  The  water  power  was 
obtained  from  Demonsville  brook  with  water-wheel  twenty  feet 
in  diameter.  In  1335,  the  village  was  incorporated.  In  1815  the 
first  school  taught  west  of  the  Genesee  river,  on  Squawkie  Hill, 
by  Jedediah  Ilosford ;  Indian  scholars.  The  Indians  said  '  'he 
taught  their  children  books. ' ' 

In  1811  there  was  standing  near  the  Caledonia  springs,  in 
what  is  now  Livingston  county,  N.  Y. ,  a  wood  colored  house 
without  porch,  steeple,  dome  or  tower  to  denote  its  use,  which 
was  occupied  as  a  Scotch  Presbyterian  meeting  house,  and  was 
at  that  time,  the  only  building  exclusively  used  for  divine 
worship  in  the  State  of  New  York,  west  of  the  Genesee  river. 

In  1814  the  Presbyterian  church  society  organized.  In  1822 
the  Methodist  society  organized.  In  1833  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal church  organized.  In  1839  Baptist  society  constituted. 
For  many  years  the  log  school  house,  divided  into  two  com- 
partments by  a  movable  partition  through  the  center,  located 
on  the  public  square,  where  the  speaker  obtained  the  rudi- 
ments of  an  education,  was  the  only  public  building  for  holding 
religious  services.  Allen  Ayrault,  Gen.  Mills  and  Deacon  Stanly 
seated  the  school  house  for  the  purpose  of  holding  church  meet- 
ings. The  Presbyterian  church  edifice  was  dedicated  January, 
1832.  The  Pev.  Dr.L.  Parsons,  the  present  pastor,  has  officiated 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  35 

in  this  church  for  thi;:H7p~§eYen  years  hist  past,  which  evinces  the 
high  respect  in  Avhicji  he  has  been,  and  is  still  held. 

The  Stanleys,  Hopkins,  Camps,  Beechers,  Baldwins  and  a  few 
others  organized,  in  about  1814,  the  first  religious  society  in 
Mt.  Morris,  although  as  early  as  1810  there  was  a  Methodist 
class,  which,  owing  to  the  sparse  population,  deaths  and  remov- 
als, never  materialized  into  an  organized  society.  The  place 
was  unhealthy.  Ague  and  Genesee  fever  were  the  prevailing 
diseases.  The  Mt.  Morris  of  to-day  is  not  surpassed  in  any  sec- 
tion of  our  country  for  health  and  longevity  of  its  citizens. 
From  August  5,  1893,  to  July  25,  1894,  there  died  seventeen 
citizens,  the  average  age  of  whom  was  seventy -six  years. 

These  pioneers,  disseminating  religious  instruction  among 
the  citizens  and  teaching  the  great  precepts  of  the  Bible,  im- 
proved the  moral  and  social  condition  of  the  village,  and  opened 
the  way  for  other  religious  denominations  in  due  time  to  follow, 
to  whom  we,  their  descendants  and  successors,  are  indebted  for 
the  early  development  of  Christianity  in  Mt.  Morris.  The  Rev. 
Samuel  Mills,  Baptist  minister,  preached  the  first  sermon  in  the 
place.  Eev.  Robert  Chappel  was  the  next  to  conduct  religious 
services.  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard  was  the  first  Presbyterian 
minister.  Jesse  Lee  and  Jonathan  Hudson, Methodist  ministers, 
frequently  visited  the  place. 

The  true  pioneer  is  the  bearer  of  the  banner  of  civilization,  in 
the  highest  sense  of  that  noble  word.  He  comes  not  to  conquor 
as  a  soldier,  but  as  a  man  and  a  citizen.  He  bears  no  septer  as 
an  emblem  of  his  power  to  command,  for  in  the  company  of 
pioneers  all  are  equal.  He  is  followed  by  no  military,  for  his 
mission  is  peace.  He  seeks  a  home  and  a  permanent  location 
for  himself  and  family,  and  the  generations  who  shall  succeed 
him,  where  prosperity  and  happiness  shall  have  their  home. 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  the  place  was  the  Mt.  Morris 


36  MOUNT  MOKRIS  CENTENAKY. 

Spectator,  by  Hugh  Harding,  January  1,  1S34.  The  iirst 
machine  to  cut  standing  grain  in  the  harvest  fields,  by  horse 
power,  Avas  in  1835.  McCormick  was  the  inventor.  The  first 
trial  of  the  machine  was  on  the  fiats  between  the  village  and  the 
river.  The  speaker  was  present.  John  A.  Conway,  a  former 
citizen  of  Mt.  Morris,  aged  78  years,  residing  at  Toledo,  Ohio, 
writes  August  2d  and  says :  "It  was  a  great  sight  to  see  the 
grain  fall  as  fast  as  six  men  followed  and  bound  and  set  up  the 
shooks.  I  Avill  never  forget  the  crowds  of  people  down  to 
see  it. " 

The  Gen.  Sullivan  campaign  into  this  valley  in  1779,  was  a 
destructive  blow  on  the  Seneca  Xation  of  Indians.  They  never 
subsequently  occupied  any  of  their  places  of  abode  east  of  the 
Genesee  river.  All  of  their  property  in  the  Genesee  valley  was 
burned  and  otherwise  destroyed,  leaving  them  powerless  and 
without  the  means  of  subsistance.  The  Indians  said  '  'Washing- 
ton was  the  Town  Destroyer. "  "To  this  day,  1785,  when  his 
name  is  heard,  our  women  look  behind  them  and  turn  pale,  and 
our  children  cling  close  to  the  necks  of  their  mothers. ' '  This 
campaign  of  Gen.  Sullivan's  was  made  to  chastise  the  Indians 
for  committing  the  Wyoming  and  Cherry  Valley  massacres, 
which  subsequent  light  and  investigation  have  shown,  were  due 
to  white  men  (British  and  Tories)  dressed  in  disguise,  not 
Indians. 

The  late  John  R.  Murray,  who  settled  here  about  sixty  years 
ago,  was  a  grand-son  (not  a  son,)  of  John  R.  Murray,  who  was 
one  of  the  original  purchasers  of  the  Mt.  Morris  tract  of  the 
Bank  of  North  America.  Mr.  Murray  inherited  wealth,  was  a 
gentleman  of  high  sense  of  honor  and  integrity.  He  erected  a 
mansion  on  [Murray  Hill,  where  he  resided  in  elegant  style  for 
many  years,  dispensing  as  a  host  lavishly,  and  entertaining  hand- 
somely.     He   has  left  a  cherished  memorial  in  the  Episcopal 


HISTOEICAL    ADDRESS.  37 

church  of  this  village,  which  he  erected,  at  his  own  expense,  do- 
nated on  behalf  of  himself  and  wife  to  his  church  people.  The 
church  edifice,  from  its  architectural  beauty  and  cost  of  construc- 
tion and  ample  grounds,  is  an  ornament  to  the  village.  The 
mortal  remains  of  himself  and  wife  are  interred  in  the  church 
grounds,  his  memory  revered  and  honored,  not  only  by  his 
church  people,  but  by  all  our  old  citizens,  and  a  wide  circle  of 
acquaintances  in  Western  ISTew  York. 

Mark  Hopkins  was  the  first  land  agent  of  the  Mt.  Morris 
tract,  acting  for  Messrs.  Murray,  Ogden  and  Eogers.  He  came 
to  Mt.  Morris  in  1811  in  company  with  his  father,  Samuel  Hop- 
kins, Deacon  Jesse  Stanley,  his  two  sons,  Oliver  and  Luman. 
Samuel  Hopkins  died  in  Mt.  Morris,  March  19,  1818,  at  70 
years  of  age.  He  Avas  the  first  one  buried  in  the  old  cemetery, 
the  grave  being  in  the  south-west  corner.  He  was  a  worthy 
Christian  man,  and  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school.  His  son, 
Mark  Hopkins,  relinquished  his  land  agency  in  1817  and  re- 
moved to  Huron  county,  Ohio,  and  died  at  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  in 
1831,  aged  58  years.  His  brother  Samuel  Miles  Hopkins  was  a 
lawyer  and  began  his  practice  in  ISTew  York  city.  He  purchased 
the  law  library  of  Aaron  Burr,  and  is  said  to  have  remarked 
"that  Aaron  Burr  could  always  have  a  seat  at  his  table."  He 
purchased  jointly  with  Benjamin  W.  Rogers  a  few  years  later 
the  interest  of  the  Bank  of  North  America  in  the  Mt.  Morris 
tract.  They  also  purchased  three-fourths  of  the  original  Jones 
and  Smith  Indian  grants  in  the  town  of  Leicester  the  same  year, 
which  embraced  the  land  on  which  Samuel  Miles  Hopkins 
located  the  village  of  Moscow  in  1814.  He  built  the  Col.Cuyler 
mansion  for  his  residence  in  1813-14,  being  member  of  Congress 
at  the  time.  In  1822  he  reluctantly  gave  up  his  mansion, caused 
by  financial  reverses  following  the  second  Avar  of  American  In- 
dependence, and  moved  to  Albany  to  practice   law,    Avhere   he 


38  MOUNT  MORKIS  CENTENARY. 

achieved  great  distinction  at  the  bar.  In  1831  he  moved  to 
Geneva,  IST  Y,,  and  died  there  on  the  7th  of  October,  1837,  aged 
65  years,  honored  and  respected,  liis  memory  indellible,  and  a 
legacy  of  perpetual  honor  to  his  family  and  kinsmen. 

The  history  of  Mt.  Morris  cannot  be  written  as  it  should  be 
without  liberal  reference  and  description  of  the  life  and  career 
of  its  first  permanent  settler  and  founder,  Gen.  AYilliam  A. 
Mills.  Knowing  this,  and  appreciating  the  delicate  position  I 
would  occupy,  although  honored  by  the  invitation,  I  respect- 
fully declined  to  deliver  the  centennial  address  in  a  note  in  reply 
to  the  citizens'  letter  inviting  me,  but  recognizing  my  duty  as  a 
citizen  to  aid  in  the  consummation  of  so  worthy  a  public  object, 
I  have  consented  to  render  my  assistance  in  the  line  of  duty 
assigned  to  me  by  my  fellow-citizens. 

I  stand  before  the  audience  as  an  historical  speaker,  and  not 
as  an  eulogist  of  any  relative,  even  though  that  relative  be  my 
honored  father.  Impartial  history  makes  extended  reference  to 
him  a  dut}^  demanded  by  the  occasion,  yet  I  would  be  wanting 
in  sincerity  if  I  deny  the  discharge  of  this  duty  is  blended  with 
filial  affection.  It  is  not  our  purjiose  on  this  occasion  to  extend 
our  remarks  to  citizens  who,  coming  to  Mt.  Morris  to  reside 
since  1S30,  have  contributed  so  largely  to  its  growth  and  pros- 
perity, for  their  names  already  appear  prominent  in  the  history 
of  our  town  and  county,  but  simply  to  speak  in  as  brief  a  man- 
ner as  practicable  of  the  pioneer  settlers,  and  the  part  they  bore 
in  subduing  the  wilderness  and  preparing  the  way  for  those  who 
were  to  succeed  them  in  the  occupancy  of  the  country. 

Rev.  Samuel  Mills,  of  Derby,  Conn.,  a  graduate  of  Yale  Col- 
lege, moved  witli  his  family  into  the  Genesee  valley  in  1790-92, 
died  at  Williamsburgh,  IN".  Y.,  in  179-1,  often  preaching  in  the 
open  air  and  barns  the  great  truths  of  the  Gospel  in  an  accept- 
able manner.     Church  services  were  frequently  held  by  him  in 


'.(V, 


HISTOEICAL    ADDRESS.  39 

the  warehouse  at  Williamsburgh,  the  first  settlement  and  little 
hamlet  in  Livingston  county,  situated  midway  between  Mt. 
Morris  and  Geneseo,  (the  late  Col.  Abel's  residence  the  site,) 
named  after  Col.  Williamson,  its  founder,  and  agent  of  the 
Pultuey  estate ;  imported  a  colony  from  Hamburg,  Germany, 
to  start  the  the  settlement.  The  rival  settlements  of  Geneseo 
and  Mt.  Morris  starting  up,  the  little  hamlet  after  a  few  years 
of  struggle  for  the  supremacy  passed  under  a  cloud  and  disap- 
peared forever. 

Rev.  Samuel  Mills'  house  took  fire  in  the  night,  caused  by  a 
defective  chimney  flue,  and  burned  v^^ith  all  his  household  effects, 
the  family  barely  escaping.  Shortly  after  he  contracted  the 
Genesee  fever,  from  which  he  died.  The  remains  were  buried 
in  the  cemetery  at  Geneseo.  He  was  held  in  high  esteem  and 
regard  by  the  pioneer  settlers,  and  his  memory  is  endeared  in  the 
religious  history  of  the  Genesee  valley.  His  family  immediately 
returned  to  Derby,  Conn.,  except  his  son,  William  A.,  who, 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources  at  seventeen  years  of  age,  came 
to  Allan's  Hill  in  1794  to  make  a  home  for  himself,  though  it 
was  among  the  Indians.  He  erected  a  cabin  on  the  brow  of  the 
tablelands  overlooking  the  Genesee  valley,  (the  site  now  occu- 
pied by  the  speaker's  residence,)  living  alone  for  several  years 
^yiih.  Indian  neighbors.  Although  commencing  life  without 
capital,  and  in  the  cloud  of  adversity,  was  destined  to  a  success- 
ful career,  renting  lands  on  the  flats  on  easy  terms  and  employ- 
ing the  Indians  to  assist  to  cultivate  them,  coupled  with  raising 
stock,  he  added  largely  to  his  business  and  profits.  When  the 
Mt.  Morris  tract  was  opened  for  sale  he  purchased  from  time  to 
time  until  he  became  the  owner  of  eleven  hundred  acres  of 
land,  including  several  hundred  acres  on  the  flats  opposite  the 
village  of  Mt.  Morris,  paying  ^30  per  acre  for  his  first  purchase 
of  land  on  the  G-enesee  flats,  and  as  high  as  $60  per  acre  for  his 


40  MOTJJTT   MOEEIS   OENlTENARV. 

last  purchase.  The  thnbered  lands  skirting  the  valle}^  west  of 
the  Genesee  river  were  offered  to  the  first  settlers  at  ^1,50  per 
acre;  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  at  82.50  per  acre.  At  Gen- 
eseo  the  first  settlers  paid  eight  cents  per  acre  for  2,000  acres  of 
land;  the  same  year  fifty  cents  per  acre  for  4,000  acres  more. 
The  proprietors  of  the  Mt.  Morris  tract  put  a  price  on  these  fiat 
lands  which  kept  them  out  of  the  market  for  seventeen  years 
from  the  time  Gen.  Mills  settled  in  Mt.  Morris  (Allan's  Hill). 
His  Indian  name  Avas  So-no-jo-wa,  interpreted  signifies 
a  big  kettle,  (generous),  which  would  indicate  his  honest 
dealings  with  them  and  their  esteem  for  him.  To  his  grain 
raising,  he  added  grazing  on  the  Genesee  and  Gardon  flats,  be- 
coming largely  interested  in  that  business.  He  rented  lands  on 
the  Gardou  flats  of  Mary  Jemison,  "the  white  woman,"  Avho 
was  the  owner  of  17,927  acres  of  flats  and  uplands  lying  on 
both  sides  of  the  Genesee  river,  paying  50  cts.  per  acre  rental  per 
season  for  so  much  of  the  land  on  the  flats  as  he  occupied.  You 
will  remember  IMar}^  Jemison,  of  Indian  captivity,  was  the  first 
white  person  who  lived  in  this  valley  among  the  aborigines,  in 
1759.  Aside  from  Indian  AUan,  Lemuel  B.  Jennings,  Capt. 
Koble,  Horatio  and  John  H.  Jones  followed,  in  1789,  and 
James  and  "William  Wads  worth  in  1790. 

In  1816,  Mary  Jemison  sold  all  her  reservation  of  lands,  ex- 
cept two  square  miles  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  to  Michael 
Brooks  and  Jellus  Clute.  The  Indians  having  by  treat\^  in  1825 
disposed  of  their  reservations,  and  all  gone  from  the  valley,  in 
1827,  Mary  Jemison  was  lonesome  and  wished  to  join  them. 
For  this  purpose  the  remaining  two  square  miles  she  sold,  in 
1831,  to  Henry  B.  Gibson,  of  Canandaigua,  and  Jellus  Clute, 
and  removed  to  the  Buffalo  Creek  reservation,  where  she  died, 
September  19,  1833,  aged  91  years.  She  lived  among  the 
Indians  seventy-nine  years,  had  two  Indian  husbands  and  a  fam-j 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  41 

ily  of  eight  children,  and  her  testimony  is  that  the  Indians 
always  treated  her  "well.*  Upon  leaving  her  home  on  the  Gen- 
esee river,  she  came  to  the  house  of  my  father  to  bid  him  good- 
bye. They  conversed  mostly  in  the  Indian  tongue,  although 
Mary  Jemison  could  speak  English,  but  more  readily  the  Indian 
language.  Though  a  boy,  eleven  years  of  age,  I  recollect  to 
this  day,  distinctly,  how  she  looked  and  appeared.  Short  in 
stature,  under  size,  very  round  shouldered  and  bent  forward, 
caused  by  toating  luggage  on  her  back  supported  by  a  strap 
across  her  forehead.  Her  comxplexion,  once  white,  was  tawney, 
her  feet  small  and  toed  in ;  dressing  in  the  costume  of  the  Indian 
female,  she  resembled  a  squaw,  except  her  hair  and  light  colored 
eyes.  Her  cabin  was  the  stranger's  home;  none  were  turned 
away  hungry  from  her  table.  She  was  never  known  to  make 
trouble  among  the  Indians  or  among  white  people  and  Indians. 
She  Vv^as  a  peacemaker  and  minded  strictly  to  her  own  affairs. 

From  Gen.  Mills'  long  residence  among  the  Indians  (31  years), 
he  became  much  attached  to  them,  and  they  to  him.  He  never 
took  advantage,  deceived  or  cheated  them  in  all  his  dealings 
with  them.  The  result  was  he  had  their  entire  confidence,  and 
never  lost  it.  Even  to  this  day  his  Indian  name  is  familiar  to 
the  Indians  on  the  reservations  in  Il^ew  York  west  of  Buffalo. 
"Whilst  they  have  to  some  extent  lost  the  tradition,  they  know 
that  it  means  a  good  white  man,  the  Indians  friend,  who  has 
long  since  gone  to  the  "happy  hunting  ground,"  and  is  there 
waiting  for  them  to  join  him. 

William  Tallchief,A-wa-wis-ha-dek-hah,  (Eurning  Day,)  chief 
of  his  tribe  at  AUa^n's  Hill  when  the  first  white  settlers  came 
here  to  reside,  was  a  loyal  and  trusty  friend  to  them  always. 
He  was  a  chief  of  renown,  and  swayed  the  judgment  and  actions 


\  *Oneof  her  husbands  (Hi-oc-a-too,)  was  a  noted  war-chief;  cruel  and   unrelenting 


in  war;  in  domestic  life,  agreeable  and  kind. 


42  MOUNT  MOKRIS  CENTENARV. 

of  his  tribe  for  good,  and  we  can  say,  without  fear  of  contra- 
diction, that  a  good  man  has  fallen  when  he  died,  and  deserves 
on  this  occasion,  more  than  a  passing  notice  from  an  historian. 
His  name  appears  to  the  Big-Tree  and  other  treaties,  and  was 
otherwise  connected  with  the  business  affairs  of  the  Seneca 
Nation.  Tallchief  dined  with  Washington  on  the  occasion  of 
an  Indian  Embassy  sent  to  Philadelphia  to  smoke  the  pipe  of 
peace  with  the  president.  After  a  ceremonious  dinner,  a  big 
jDipe  was  lit  and  handed  to  Washington.  The  president  took  a 
whiff  and  passed  the  pipe  to  Tallchief,  to  Avhom  he  paid  marked 
attention,  and  then  to  each  in  turn.  Tallchief  Avas  favored  by 
nature  with  more  than  ordinary  grace  of  person.  He  removed 
from  the  Genesee  river  in  1827  to  the  Tonawanda  reservation, 
where  he  died  about  1833,  aged  80  years.  His  remains  were 
interred  in  the  Indian  Mission  Chapel  cemetery  on  the  Buffalo 
Creek  reservation  by  the  side  of  Mary  Jemison,  the  white 
woman.  Asher  Wright,  missionary  among  the  Indians,  con- 
difcted  the  funeral  services,  followed  by  the  Indian  ceremonial 
rites  at  the  graves  of  their  honored  dead.  The  chief's  remains, 
several  years  ago,  through  the  efforts  of  the  speaker,  were  ob- 
tained for  burial  in  our  new  cemetery,  through  a  council  of  the 
Seneca  Nation  of  Indians  in  the  Cattaraugus  reservation,  after 
three  years  of  negotiations,  where  it  is  hoped  our  citizens  wiU 
foUow  the  example  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  which  erected 
a  monument  to  "Corn  Planter"  (John  O'Bail),  a  Seneca  chief 
of  renown  and  friend  of  the  white  man,  and  erect  a  historical 
monument  to  the  memory  of  Tallchief  through  State  aid  or 
otherwise,  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  a  distinguished  red 
man,  whose  assistance  and  friendship  to  the  pioneer  settlers  on 
Allan's  IliU  should  not  be  forgotten,  and  justly  entitle  his  mem- 
ory to  this  recognition  and  respect  from  the  white  man. 

Gen.  Mills  was  on  a  committee  of  three,  subscribing  liberally 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  43 

to  build  the  first  cliurcli  in  the  village  (Presbyterian),  and  do- 
nated the  grounds  so  long  as  used  for  church  purposes.  He 
built  the  first  house  erected  in  the  village  by  a  white  man.  It 
was  a  block  house,  situated  on  State  street,  and  opposite  Mr. 
Moss'  residence.  He  was  married  March  30,  1803,  to  Miss 
Susannah  H.  Harris,  at  her  father's  house  at  Tioga  Point, 
Pa.  Miss  Harris  came  in  1802,  all  the  way  on  horseback 
from  her  father's  home,  following  an  Indian  trail  through 
the  woods  and  open  clearings  to  visit  her  sister,  who  resided 
across  the  valley,  about  three  miles  from  Mt.  Morris  (at  a 
place  subsequently  known  as  the  Hermitage),  whose  hus- 
band, Alpheus  Harris,  lay  sick  with  the  Genesee,  or  spotted 
fever,  and  required  her  assistance.  While  there  she  became  ac- 
quainted with  young  Mills.  "She  was  a  most  excellent  Chris- 
tian woman,  "the  Historian  Doty  says,  "and  was  highly  esteemed 
for  what  she  was  in  the  church  and  out,  for  kindress  and  liber- 
ality to  the  poor  and  needy."  She  died  April  6  18-10. "'^  Pre- 
vious to  his  marriage.  Gen.  Mills  had  constructed  a  substantial 
log  house  on  the  site  of  his  original  cabin,  in  which  he  reared  a 
large  family,  to  which  he  built  additions  as  required  and  resided 
there  until  the  winter  of  1838-39,  when  he  moved  into  his  ele- 
gant brick  residence  which  he  had  just  completed  and  which  is 
now  the  residence  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Susan  H.  Branch,  who, 
by  the  way,  is  the  oldest  living  citizen  born  in  Mt.  Morris.  He 
was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace,  supervisor  for  about  twenty 
years,  took  an  active  part  in  the  organization  of  the  town  in 
1818,  and  of  Livingston  county  in  1821;  was  a  director  in  the 
Livingston  County  Bank,  first  bank  in  the  county,  $100,000 
capital,  Allen  Ayrault,  president.  It  continued  business  twenty- 
five  years,  and  it  is  no  disparagement  to  banks  now  doing  busi- 


"■■■Gen.  Mills  having  received  the  military  title  of  General,  the  Indians  said,    "his 
wife  was  a  good  woman  and  must  have  a  name  too,"  so  they  called  her  "Captain." 


44  MOUNT  MOKRIS  CENTENARY. 

ness  in  the  county,  considering  the  change  in  the  times  and  the 
competition  in  business,  for  me  to  say,  that  a  bank  better  man- 
aired  for  the  benefit  of  the  stockholders  and  in  the  interest  of 
the  public,  has  not  existed  in  the  county  since.  Gen.  Mills  was 
a  member  of  the  committee  to  procure  legislation  for  the  con- 
struction of  a  railroad  up  through  the  valle}^  in  1S32.  Built 
from  Kochester  to  Avon  in  1854,  to  Mt.  Morris  in  1859,  to 
Dansville  in  1871,  forty  years  after  celebrating  the  grant  of  the 
charter  road  built  to  Dansville,  one  of  the  earliest  railroad  fran- 
chises granted  by  the  State,  and  one  of  the  last  roads  to  be 
built. 

Gen.  Mills  was  with  Jesse  Stanley,  an  incorporator  of  an  act, 
Chp.  181,  Laws  of  1826,  passed  by  the  Legislature,  April  13th, 
1826,  to  construct  a  dam  across  the  Genesee  river  at  Mt.  Morris, 
and  went  to  Albany  with  a  petition  to  aid  in  securing  the  neces- 
sary legislation.  This  enterprise  secured  a  good  water  power 
for  the  village,  which  materially  aided  the  growth  and  prosper- 
ity of  this  section,  and  to-day  is  of  inestimable  value. 

The  first  dam  erected  across  the  river  w^as  a  failure,  a  large 
portion  of  it  went  out.  In  the  construction  of  the  second  dam 
in  1833,  the  citizens  of  Mt.  Morris  were  asked  to  aid  in  its  con- 
struction, which  they  did  by  surrendering  up  to  the  then  pro- 
prietors of  the  Mt.  Morris  tract  the  public  square  of  the  village. 
In  this  enterprise  Gen.  Mills  also  bore  a  conspicuous  part.  The 
proprietors  of  the  Mt.  Morris  tract,  after  the  completion  of  the 
second  dam,  formally  thanked  Gen.  Mills,  and  in  recognition  of 
his  services,  deeded  him  a  village  lot  taken  from  the  public 
square  (the  lot  now  occupied  by  the  late  Mr.  Graham's  dwell- 
ing). This  is  my  best  recollection  of  the  occurrence  of  those 
important  events,  and  may  not  be  entirely  free  from  inaccuracy. 
The  speaker  well  remembers  Avhen  the  work  of  commencing  the 
excavating  of  the  mill  race  from  the  river  to  the  village  was 


HISTOKICAL    ADDRESS.  45 

begun  in  1827.  The  laborers  Avere  drawn  up  in  line  at  the  point 
where  the  stone  arch  bridge  spans  the  race  in  the  highway  lead- 
ing to  the  river.  A  goodly  number  of  citizens  were  present. 
Jesse  Stanley  and  Gen.  JMills  each  made  brief  speeches,  after 
which  liquor  was  passed  along  the  line  of  laborers,  and  those 
present.  Gen.  Mills  removed  the  first  shovel  of  earth,  and  Jesse 
Stanley  the  second.  Then  the  word  was  given,  "go  ahead 
men,"  and  the  dirt  flew  from  the  laborers  shovels,  thus  inaug- 
urating the  great  undertaking  of  harnessing  the  Genesee  river, 
and  furnishing  the  village  with  ample  water  power. 

Gen.  Mills  v»"as  the  standing  "aid"  for  the  early  settlers  in 
our  town  who  bought  land,  moved  on  to  it,  and  could  not  keep 
up  their  payments.  He  never  allowed  any  such  to  lose  their 
land.  The  Hon.  O.  D.  Lake,  presiding  officer  of  this  meeting, 
who  settled  in  our  town  in  1830,  I  refer  to  as  one  who  can 
from  his  own  personal  knowledge  corroborate  the  above  state- 
ment. In  1816  when  there  wa.s  a  famine  in  Allegany  county, 
caused  by  that  memorable  cold  sum^mer  and  frosts,  which  de- 
stroyed vegetation,  settlers  from  the  Short  Ttract  and  Canadier 
came  to  Mt.  Morris  for  wheat  and  corn,  bringing  no  money  to 
pay  for  their  supplies,  for  they  had  none.  They  called  on  Gen. 
Mills  and  laid  their  case  before  him.  After  listening  to  the 
tale  of  suffering  of  their  families,  and  their  promises  to  pay  him 
in  full  some  day,  although  strangers  to  him,  he  literally  filled 
their  sleighs  (Historian  Doty  says,)  with  corn  and  other  grain 
and  pork,  and  sent  them  home  rejoicing.  In  the  following 
summer  these  men  came  from  Allegany  county  and  worked  for 
him  in  harvest  time  and  paid  him  in  full.  '  'The  worthy  poor 
and  needy  were  never  turned  away  from  his  door  empty 
handed."     (Mason's  History  of  Li\dngston  County.) 

The  Livingston  County  Agricultural  Society  was  organized  in 
184:1,  Gen.  "William  A.  Mills,  president.       His   miUtary  career 


46  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

was  quite  as  successful  as  his  financial.  He  organized  the  first 
military  company  in  what  is  now  Livingston  county.  From 
this  small  beginning  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  Major  General  of  the 
militia  of  the  State.  His  military  district  embraced  Allegany, 
Livingston,  Wyoming,  Genesee,  Monroe  and  Steuben  counties. 
Gen.  Mills  held  his  fall  meetings  and  parades  in  the  principal 
\dllages  of  the  respective  counties.  Millitary,  after  the  close  of 
the  second  war  of  independence,  was, for  a  quarter  of  a  century, 
very  popular  with  all  classes  of  American  citizens.  Some  of  the 
most  prominent  gentlemen  in  Western  New  York  at  different 
tunes  were  on  his  military  staff.* 

Gen.  Mills  was  prominently  connected  with  all  the  measures 
of  public  utility  which  this  section,  and  especially  his  locality, 
from  the  time  he  settled  on  Allan's  Hill  in  179-i,  to  the  time  of 
his  death  in  IS^'i.  In  the  war  of  1812-15  he  went  to  the  fron- 
tier, where  he  remained  until  the  war  closed,  rendering  his 
country  valuable  service.  (Doty's  History  of  Livingston 
County.) 

He  was  born  in  l^ew  Bedford,  May  27,  1777,  and  died  sud- 
denly April  7,  1844,  of  disease  of  the  heart,  while  taking  an 
afternoon  nap,  at  the  age  of  67  years.  He  resided  in  our  vil- 
lage half  a  century.  He  retained  the  warm  respect  and  confi- 
dence of  a  wide  circle  of  acquaintances  down  to  the  close  of  a 
long  and  useful  life. 

The  late  W.  H.  C.  Hosmer,  the  "Bard  of  Avon,"  in  a  com- 
munication to  the  press  containing  a  poem  he  composed  and 
dedicated  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Gen.  William  A.  Mills,  of 
Mt.  Morris,  Livingston  county,  IST.  Y.,  says:       "The   deceased 


*The  speaker  recalls  the  names  of  Col  .Reuben  Sleeper,  of  Mt.  Morris;  Hon.  Daniel 
D.  Barnard,  of  Monroe,  M.  C. ;  Hon.  Chas.  J.  Hill,  of  Rochester;  Hon.  Frank  Gran- 
ger, of  Cauandaigua,  N,  Y.,  Postmaster-General  and  member  of  the  President's 
Cabinet, 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  47 

was  one  of  the  patriarchs  of  the  Genesee,  or  valley  of  pleasant 
waters,  and  early  identified  with  its  growth  and  history." 
AVe  select  a  single  stanza  of  the  poem  above  referred  to : 

"He  chose,  regardless  of  the  mob's  applause, 

Unspotted  truth  for  guide ; 
Loyal  to  freedom's  charter,  and  the  laws; 

He  lived  and  died. ' ' 

Our  work  is  done,  my  fellow  citizens.  Henceforth  those  who 
take  up  the  line  of  march  where  we  are  dail}''  lea\dng  it,  must 
bear  the  burden  and  sustain  the  battles  of  our  civilization  and 
free  republican  institutions,  and  the  perpetuity  of  our  beloved 
country,  which  our  forefathers  sacrificed  their  lives  and  earthly 
happiness  to  create. 

The  pioneers  and  early  settlers,  denied  themselves  the  com- 
forts of  life  and  happiness  to  subdue  the  wilderness  and  wilds  of 
that  country,  that  their  children  and  the  unborn  generations 
who  succeed  them,  may  have  pleasant  places  of  abode.  Sur- 
rounded by  all  the  comforts  and  happiness  incident  to  the  enjoy- 
ments of  this  life,  in  the  most  charming  and  delightful  sections 
of  our  whole  country,  the  valley  of  the  Genesee,  "the  terrestrial 
paradise  of  the  Senecas,"  which  we,  their  descendants  and 
successors,  do  fully  cherish  and  appreciate. 


POEM, 


BY  MRS.   EUNICE  H.   HALL,   OF  ALLEGAN,   MICHIGAN. 


[Mrs.  Hall  was  the  daughter  of  Adino  Bailey,  who  came  to 
Mount  Morris  about  1830,  and  died  in  18-13.  His  wife  died  in 
1885.  Their  home  on  Main  St.  is  still  owned  and  occupied  by 
their  daughter,  Miss  Edna  Bailey.] 


Pause  in  thy  rapid  flight,  O  Father  Time, 
And  turn  the  pages  of  the  misty  past, 
A  hundred  years  agone. 

Call  up  again. 
In  retrospect,  it  seems  as  in  a  magic  glass, 
The  voices  long  since  silent  on  the  hill 
'  'Where  the  forefathers  of  the  hamlet  sleep, ' ' 
Of  those  whose  deeds  of  sturdy  enterprise 
In  the  dense  wilderness  wrought  out  their  homes, 
And  made  the  valley  of  the  Genesee 
The  warden  of  the  west.     Their  hands  of  toil 

o 

Laid  loAv  the  forests,  opened  to  the  sun 
Malarious  marshes,  where  disease  and  death 
Lurked  and  secured  their  victims ;  where  are  now 
Far-stretching,  verdant  fields  and  stately  elms 
Crowned  ^\'ith  the  glory  of  a  century. 
Although  we  miss  the  treasured  Treaty  tree, 
Demolished  by  a  mighty  thunder  bolt. 


POEM.  49 

They  ^Yitll  the  red  men  smoked  the  pipe  of  peace, 

And  pleasant  memories  handed  down  to  their  posterity ; 

Heroic  men,  and  sainted  women  bearing  patiently 

The  hardships  of  the  old-time  pioneer, 

Sharing  each  other's  joys  and  sorrows,  then. 

With  the  sweet  sympathy  of  one  family. 

There  in  the  wilderness  with  simple  form 

Their  little  church  was  planted,  from  which  sprung 

So  many  well-trained  children,  who  have  been 

True  standard  bearers  in  the  later  years, 

Widening  their  circle  in  the  growing  life 

Of  the  small  settlement,  till  in  other  climes 

They  make  their  mark  among  the  noted  men, 

The  wide  world  better  for  their  influence. 

Are  those  who  thus  have  lived  and  passed  away, 

Still  cognizant  of  all  Time's  changes  here; 

The  mighty  march  of  progress  in  these  years. 

The  wonders  science  has  to  us  unveiled. 

The  genius,  art  and  culture  of  these  times. 

Developed  and  attained  by  deep  research 

In  Nature's  mysteries  and  resources  vast. 

The  sunlight  painting  pictures  swift  and  true, 

JSTews  flashed  like  light  from  either  hemisphere, 

Speech  listened  to  a  thousand  miles  away, 

The  Iron  horse  annihilating  space, 

(Though  good  old  Deacon  Stanley's  prophecy 

Of  rapid  transit  by  old  time  canal 

Was  deemed  as  only  his  strange  vagary,) 

The  steady  march  of  Christianity, 

With  power  divine  to  teach  and  civilize 

All  nations  with  its  blessed  influence? 

The  world  has  moved ;  things  common  in  our  day 


50  >rOUNT   MORKIS    CENTENAEY* 

AVere  never  dreamed  a  hundred  years  ago. 

We  talk  of  good  old  times ;  they  held  the  good 

AYithout  the  foresi2:ht  for  our  evil  davs, 

AVhen  the  great  brotherhood  of  North  and  South 

Fought  with  their  hands  imbued  in  their  own  blood, 

Till  the  great  nation's  life  was  threatened  sore, 

And  Liberty  wept  over  her  martyred  dead. 

ISTow  tottering  thrones;  men's  passions  unrestrained, 

Law,  order,  and  firm  principle  ignored ; 

Rights  striven  for  with  flames  and  dynamite ; 

The  Magic  City,  wonder  of  the  world, 

Vanished  by  vandal  hands,  so  like 

"The  baseless  fabric  of  a  splendid  dream;" 

The  struggle  for  high  place,  that  would  blot  out 

The  liberty  so  many  heroes  died  to  save ; 

All  these  sad  visions  hidden  from  the  eyes 

Of  those  who  lived  a  hundred  years  ago. 

Home  of  my  birth,  Mt.  Morris,  thy  green  hills 

And  lovely  plains,  fair  basking  in  the  sun. 

And  wild  and  beautiful  the  Genesee, 

"With  scenery  so  picturesque  and  grand ; 

"Whether  in  placid  flow,  reflecting  fair 

His  rocky  banks,  flecked  with  their  softening  green, 

Or,  rampant  with  the  mighty,  seething  rush 

Of  angry  waters,   O,  I  love  you  still. 

And  scenes  so  beautiful  are  treasured  now. 

By  many  a  wanderer  in  other  lands. 

The  dear  old  place,  a  Mecca  to  us  all ; 

Old  homes  where  friends  have  lived  and  passed  away : 

Spires  where  we  worshiped  with  them  many  a  day ; 

Peace  and  prosperity  still  over  them  abide, 

If  the  Avorld  lasts  a  hundred  years  to  come. 


-1 


THE  OLD  LOG  HOUSE, 


As  a  striking  contrast  between  the  old  and  the  new,  be- 
tween prhnitive  and  modern  architecture,  we  introduce  a  picture 
of  "The  Old  Lo":  House"  and  follow  it  with  one  of  our  Yillao-e 
Hall. 

This  Old  Log  House  will  require  a  few  words  of  explanation. 

While  Pioneer  Associations  sometimes  build  log  houses  so  as 
to  present  an  object  lesson  of  the  older  time  to  the  present  gen- 
eration, our  village  can  point  to  one  of  the  original  log  houses, 
which  has  stood  its  ground  against  all  innovations. 

The  late  Levi  L.Totten,  whose  word  was  authority  for  all  mat- 
ters of  pioneer  history,  could  not  tell  when  or  by  whom  that 
house  was  erected,  and  we  have  sought  in  vain  for  this  informa- 
tion from  other  sources.  It  is  located  at  the  corner  of  Grove 
and  Stanley  streets,  opposite  the  residence  of  J.  M.  Hastings, 
Esq.  Whoever  built  it  must  have  had  an  eye  for  the  beautiful, 
for  it  occupies  a  commanding  eminence  overlooking  a  deep  ravine 
along  which  runs  a  stream  of  living  water.  This  house  is  in 
good  repair  and  at  present  is  owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs.  Jane 
Cavanaugh. 

This  must  have  been  one  of  the  twenty-two  log  houses  refer- 
red to  by  Eev.  Darwin  Chichester  in  his  historical  discourse 
delivered  Feb.  1st,  1855,  at  the  dedication  of  the  Presbyterian 
church;  in  which  he  says:  "Let  us  come  forward  to  the  pic- 
ture of  Mt.  Morris  in  1813.  We  will  enter  on  what  is  now  the 
plank  road  across  the  flats.     Ascending  the  hill  we  pass  what 


i 

I 


L\LL. 


VILLAGE  HALL. 


THE 

NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC   LIBRARY' 

Aster,  Lenox  and  Tilden^ 

Fourdations. 

1904 


LETTERS  OF  REMINISCENCE 

ADDRESSED  TO  MR.  S.   L.   ROCKFELLOW   WHO   CONDUCTED 
THE  CORRESPONDENCE. 


FROM  MRS.  MARY  HUNT, 

BELOIT,   WISCONSIN, 

I  am  reading  with  interest  your  arrangements  for  the  Centen- 
nial Celebration  at  Mt.  Morris  which  my  old  friend,  the  Union, 
tells  me  is  to  take  place  the  15th  of  August. 

I  am  glad  to  know  that  the  good  people  of  Mt.  Morris  have 
it  in  their  hearts  to  do  honor  to  the  occasion,  which  most 
certainly  ought  not  to  be  overlooked.  There  are  few  places  of 
more  historic  interest ;  few  places  of  more  abundant  resources, 
and  few  equalled  in  beauty  and  variety  of  scenery.  It  has  truly 
been  called  the  "garden  of  the  earth."  Perhaps  I  am  the  old- 
est person  living  who  can  remember  Mt,  Morris  (or  Allan's  Hill, 
as  it  was  then  called)  as  far  back  as  1810,  which  was  the  year 
my  father,  Jesse  Wadhams,  removed  his  family  to  the  valley  of 
the  Genesee,  at  that  time  supposed  to  be  about  the  end  of  the 
world.  The  novelty  and  the  privations  of  pioneer  life  left 
strong  impressions  on  my  mind  not  easily  forgotten.  Memory 
recalls  things  that  happened  and  people  that  lived,  who,  with 
their  entire  families,  have  long  since  passed  away.     In  1811,  on 


54  MOUNT  MOKKIS  CENTENARY. 

the  same  spot  where  now  stand  beautiful  churches,  fine  resi- 
dences with  every  evidence  of  taste  and  refinement,  my  father 
raised  a  splendid  crop  of  wheat,  sleighloads  of  which  found  a 
market  in  Connecticut  on  account  of  its  superior  excellence.  The 
hill  ^vest  was  covered  with  hazlenuts,  a  bonanza  for  children. 
An  occasional  rattlesnake  was  found  to  enliven  the  scene,  and 
Indian  wigwams  dotted  hillside  and  valley.  There  was  but  one 
house  with  any  pretence  to  size  or  convenience.  It  boasted  a 
fireplace,  stairs  instead  of  a  ladder,  a  brick  oven  which  was 
used  by  the  neighbors  generally,  and  a  well  with  a  pump. 

I  knew  the  old  white  woman  of  the  Genesee  and  was  an  oc- 
casional visitor  at  her  house.  I  have  eaten  of  her  succotash 
which  few  cooks  of  the  present  day  could  equal.  She  was  nice 
in  all  her  surroundings  and  altogether  a  most  wonderful  woman. 
I  think  I  witnessed  at  Squawkie  Hill  the  Indian  ceremony  of 
sacrificing  the  white  dog  for  the  last  time,  as  the  practice  was 
discontinued  about  this  time.  I  knew  Tall  Chief,  He  was  a 
splendid  specimen  of  manhood — elegant  in  figure,  courtly  in 
manner,  a  natural  gentleman.  I  have  dined  at  the  same  table 
with  the  noted  orator  Eed  Jacket. 

The  war  of  1812  made  many  changes.  Companies  were  sent 
in  defence  of  the  border  towns.  We  were  not  molested  or  much 
alarmed  except  on  one  occasion  when  an  old  squaw  came  with  a 
secret  which  she  would  sell  for  money.  The  secret  was  that  the 
village  was  to  be  sacked  and  burned  and  the  inhabitants  mur- 
dered. Some  thought  it  a  hoax,  others  that  it  was  best  to  be 
prepared,  so  the  women  and  children  were  gathered  together  in 
the  block  house  and  the  men  stood  guard.  The  old  squaw  was 
found  drunk  the  next  day  a  little  distance  away.  The  favorite 
spot  for  ball  games,  for  wrestling,  running  and  leaping  was  on 
the  flat  near  the  river.  The  river  was  crossed  either  in  canoes 
or  by  wading  and  later  on  by  ferry  boats.   Under  the  shadow  of 


LETTikRS    OF    REMINISCENCE.  55 

the  splendid  old  elm  tree  which  long  since  John  R.  Murray  tried 
to  save  by  fencing  and  care  taking  and  which  was  finally  shat- 
tered by  lightning,  stood  an  Indian  wigwam  occupied  only  by 
an  old  squaw  who  was  said  to  be  115  years  old.  But  I  must 
stop  this  scribbling  and  ought  to  apologize  for  presuming  so 
much  on  the  kindness  of  an  old  friend.  I  would  gladly  be  pres- 
ent at  this  Centennial  gathering,  but  the  great  distance, 
together  with  my  almost  ninety-three  years,  prevents.  When 
I  took  my  pen  I  only  thought  to  express  my  sympathy  and 
interest  and  best  wishes  for  the  undertaking. 


FROM  MRS.  ELIZABETH  M.  HAMLING, 

MOUNT  MOEKIS,   N.   Y. 

Rev.  Samuel  J.  Mills,  my  grand-father,  came  to  the 
valley  of  the  Genesee  about  1792,  from  Bedford,  Conn.  After 
the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Martha  Lewis,  who  was  my  grand- 
mother, he  married  Mrs.  Homphries,  a  wealthy  lady. 

His  was  the  first  sermon  ever  preached  in  Geneseo,  and  was 
delivered  in  a  barn  to  an  attentive  audience.  He  located  his 
home  in  Groveland,  just  across'  the  Canaseraga  creek,  and  the 
barn  which  he  built  with  a  stone  foundation  is  still  standing. 

The  company  to  which  my  grand-father  belonged,  owned  at 
one  time,  just  before  the  war  of  1812,  all  the  land  between  this 
town  and  Buffalo.  The  reverses  of  the  war  compelled  a  forced 
sale  which  resulted  in  the  loss  of  most  of  this  capital. 

My  father,  the  late  Gen.  Wm.  A.  Mills,  was  the  fourth  son, 
and   at  that  time  but  seventeen  years  of  age;  and  though  so 


66  MOt'NT   MOEKIS    CENtESfAKY. 

young,  still  saw  the  necessity  laid  upon  him  to  do  something  for 
himself.  AYorking  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  valle}^,  he  was 
accustomed  to  leave  the  home  in  Groveland  every  Monday 
morning  and  cross  the  flats  on  a  road  constructed  of  logs,  and 
return  Saturday  night ;  in  the  mean  time  doing  the  most  of  his 
own  cooking.  On  one  of  these  trips  he  was  so  unfortunate  as 
to  have  the  horse  on  which  he  was  ridino-s  break  one  of  his  le":s 
by  slipping  between  the  logs,  thus  losing  the  most  of  his  first 
summer's  gain. 

As  soon  as  the  northern  portion  of  the  flats  was  for  sale  my 
father  bought  fifty  acres,  but  erected  his  log  house,  in  which 
our  family  for  many  years  lived,  upon  the  hill,  just  where  is 
now  the  front  yard  of  Dr.  Mills'  residence.  In  those  days 
wheat  could  not  be  raised  upon  the  flats,  and  as  very  little  was 
brought  here,  people  lived  mostly  on  corn  bread.  After  toiling 
on  for  several  years  in  this  way,  there  came  to  this  town  other 
settlers,  among  whom  was  a  Mr.  Alpheus  Harris  from  Tioga 
Point,  Pa.,  who  remained  not  many  years  on  account  of  the 
unhealthfulness  of  the  place.  During  his  short  stay  here  his 
sister  came  to  see  him.  This  sister  was  a  young  lady  thoroughly 
versed  in  all  the  mysteries  of  caring  for  a  household.  My  father 
called  one  morning  on  Mr.  Harris  to  borrow  a  hoe.  He  saw  the 
sister  for  the  first  time.  That  was  Susannah  Harris,  who  after- 
ward became  Mrs.  William  A.  Mills.  The  manner  of  the 
engagement  was  on  this  wise :  as  there  could  be  no  letters  pass 
from  this  far  west  to  the  northern  boundar}^  of  Pennsylvania, 
they  must  set  the  day  for  the  wedding ;  which  was  decided  to 
be  just  one  year  from  their  parting.  So  these  two  went  to  work ; 
father  to  make  the  home  comfortable,  and  have  as  much  as  pos- 
sible to  begin  with,  and  dear  mother  went  to  her  home  and  spun 
and  wove,  so  that  she  had  cloth,  bedding,  shoes  and  clothes 
enough  for  several  years. 


LETTERS    OF    REMINISCENCE.  57 

The  year  p.t  last  expired,  and  the  day  had  come  when  she  was 
to  meet  my  father.  She  arose  in  the  morning  and  walked  out 
soon  after  sunrise,  and,  lo  and  behold,  there  was  father  coming 
on  a  shiney  black  horse.  The  truth  was,  the  roads  were  too 
rough  to  ride  in  any  way  but  on  horse  back.  Wagons  bring- 
ing goods  would  be  drawn  over  low  stumps  and  ravines  as  best 
they  could  get  along.  The  first  looking  glass  brought  to  this 
town  Avas  packed  among  the  bedding  of  my  mother. 

My  father  was  a  very  public  spirited  man.  After  assisting 
in  building  two  grist  mills  on  smaller  streams,  the  thought 
occurred  to  him  that  we  could  utilize  the  river,  if  only  we  could 
get  a  grant  from  the  state  to  build  a  dam  and  a  raceway  large 
enough  for  mill  power.  Accordingly  he  went  by  stage  to  Albanj^ 
and  presented  the  petition  signed  by  the  citizens  of  this  town, 
and  he  obtained  his  request.  The  first  dam  was  entirely  swept 
away ;  and  the  second  one  had  to  be  made  on  rock  bottom. 

There  was  true  sympathy  among  the  first  settlers  of  this  town. 
There  is  a  record  of  nearly  a  hundred  men  who  were  helped  by 
my  father  to  money,  from  time  to  time,  till  they  could  live 
without  hiring  money.  During  the  twenty  years  of  his  being 
the  supervisor  of  the  town,  he  transacted  the  business  in  the 
sitting  room,  where  his  desk  always  stood. 
.  My  father  always  felt  cordial  towards  all  preachers  of  the 
Gospel  and  took  delight  in  helping  the  church.  In  those  days 
the  ministers'  salary  was  raised  by  subscription  and  he  headed 
the  list.  Among  the  many  memories  of  my  early  home,  are 
those  of  the  deep  interest  which  my  father  took  in  politics,  as 
he  would  read  aloud  in  the  evening  from  the  Alban}^  Argus. 
The  contending  parties  at  that  time  were  Whigg  and  Tories, 
He  was  thoroughly  devoted  to  the  cause  of  liberty. 

As  a  general,  he  entered  upon  his  duties  with  much  zeal ;  and 
every  year  went  the  rounds  of  his  district  for  general  trainings. 


68  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

FROM  MRS.  SARAH  MOSES  DUXK, 

ROCHESTER,   N.   Y, 

Hearing  you  are  to  have  a  celebration  of  the  100th  anniver- 
sary of  the  settlement  of  Mt.  Morris,  I  thought  perhaps  I  might 
contribute  something  of  interest,  as  I  can  remember  back  as  far 
as  1836.  My  grand-father,  Elisha  Moses,  came  to  Mt.  Morris 
in  1815,  and  bought  the  Miller  farm  south  of  Buck  Run,  which 
"was  so  named  by  the  Indians  as  it  was  a  favorite  place  for  the 
deer  to  run.  I  well  remember  Indians  living  on  the  flats  down 
by  the  Cashaqua  creek.  They  used  to  stop  at  grandfather's, 
going  to  and  from  the  callage,  to  get  a  drink  of  water  from  the 
old  well  in  the  front  yard.  Grandmother  often  gave  them  a 
pan  of  milk  and  let  me  carry  out  some  bread  to  them.  They 
brought  me  bright  red  berries  strung  together  to  wear  around 
my  neck ;  and  to-day  I  have  no  fear  of  an  Indian  and  I  always 
speak  to  them  when  I  meet  them.  "Where  they  lived  are  now 
all  good  farms. 

I  well  remember  when  Dr.  Childs  lived  where  the  the  Misses 
McNair  now  live.  They  set  out  maple  trees  from  Buck  Run  to 
the  Case  road  which  have  all  died  excepting  those  in  front  of 
the  house.  There  were  no  houses  from  there  to  Edgar  Camp's, 
a  yellow  house,  now  standing  near  the  railroad  track,  back  of  O. 
D.  Lake's.  Next  came  Mr.  Percival's  house  where  Mr.  Ozro 
Clark  now  lives,  the  upright  part  being  their  home,  where 
boarded  the  two  Rogers  brothers,  New  Yorkers,  who  Avere  the 
means  of  having  John  R.  Murray,  Mr.  Oliphant  and  Mr.  Ogden, 
all  wealthy  men,  come  to  Mt.  Morris,  and  buy  real  estate 
and  in  many  ways  help  the  town.  The  next  was  a  little 
brown  house  where  Stephen  Summers  lived,  about  where 
Charles  Bingham  afterward  lived.  Then  came  the  little  red 
house  where  Mrs.  Hopkins  lived,  from  whom  the  street  takes 


LETTERS    OF    KEMINISCENCE.  59 

its  name.  I  think  it  stood  just  back  of  where  Mr.  Swan  after- 
ward lived.  The  next  house  was  Mr.  Hinman's  on  the  corner 
of  Main  and  Murray  streets.  There  were  no  houses  on  the 
other  side  of  the  street  except  one  occupied  by  Mr.  Bakhvin. 
On  the  corner  was  the  Eagle  Hotel,  kept  by  Eiley  Scoville, 
father  of  the  present  genial  landlord.  It  was  rented  a  short 
time  to  a  Mr.  Green,  but  he  did  not  understand  hotel  keeping 
as  well  as  Mr.  Scoville,  who  took  it  back  again.  On  the  oppo- 
site corner  D.  A.  Miller  kept  a  dry  goods  store;  a  little  above 
was  Mr.  Roger's  dry  goods  store,  these  two  being  the  only  dry 
goods  stores  in  town. 

I  can  remember  when  there  were  no  churches — all  met  in  a 
school  house  vrhich  stood  where  the  Dr.  Povall  house  now 
stands — the  Presbyterians  would  have  it  one  Sunday  and  the 
Methodists  the  next ;  when  the  Episcopalians  commenced  they 
had  it  in  the  afternoon. 

I  remember  when  Mrs.  Mason  lived  where  Norman  A.  Sey- 
mour now  lives,  she  had  part  of  the  house  and  Jesse  Peterson 
part.  Mrs.  Mason  had  many  boarders,  ladies  who  attended 
Miss  Aurelia  Moses'  and  Miss  Mary  B.  Allen's  school,  among 
them  was  Judge  Carrol's  and  Dr.  Fitzhugh's  daughters. 

I  don't  remember  any  houses  on  Murray  street  but  H.  P. 
Mills',  where  Henry  W.  Miller's  now  is.  Up  the  street  farther 
lived  Eli  Lake.  "Where  the  Catholic  church  now  stands  was 
Deacon  Conkey's  wagon  shop.  I  remember  Judge  Hastings, 
Mr.  Barney  and  Mr.  Coy,  the  latter  kept  the  only  shoe  store 
here,  and  Mr.  George  Green  who  went  hunting  up  Buck  Pun 
with  his  hounds  and  often  called  at  my  grandfather's. 


60  MOUNT  MOEEIS  CENTENARY. 

FROM  HUGH  HARDING, 

CHICAGO,   ILL. 

I  thanlc  you  for  the  iii\'itation  to  attend  the  Centennial  Cele- 
bration of  Mount  Morris,  to  be  held  August  15th,  It  would 
afford  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  accept  it,  having  been  a  resi- 
dent of  the  ^^llage,  and  identified  with  all  its  interests  for  nearly 
three  score  years,  but  I  must  decline  with  great  regret.  It  will 
be  a  pleasant  and  memorable  occasion,  many  t)ld  residents  Avill 
meet  again,  and  recall  the  days  of  "Auld  Lang  Syne." 

My  business  life  was  passed  in  Mt.  Morris.  '  My  feUow  citi- 
zens favored  me  with  various  olFices  which  I  ever  tried  to  fill  hon- 
ably  and  satisfactorily  to  my  constituents.  As  I  turn  the  pages 
of  memory's  book  back  to  my  early  days,  my  pen  falters  as  I 
note  the  once  familiar  forms  that  filled  the  pleasant  homes,  and 
trod  the  quiet  walks  of  life  in  Mt.  Morris. 

How  vividly  I  recall  my  first  entrance  within  its  precincts,  in 
the  year  1833,  then  a  young  man  about  eighteen  years  old. 
Much  is  said  of  the  progressive  spirit  of  the  present  day,  but  I 
felt  progressive  at  that  day  as  I  came  from  Dansville  with  all 
my  worldly  goods,  including  a  second-hand  printing  press  that 
had  formerly  done  duty  for  the  "Albany  Argus,"  prepared  to 
do  my  best  in  helping  on  the  march  of  civilization  in  the  young 
village.  As  we,  a  driver,  loaded  wagon  and  myself,  reached  the 
village  at  evening,  I  called  at  the  house  of  Widow  Hopkins  to 
inquire  the  distance  to  Mt.  Morris.  The  old  lady  came  to  the 
door  and  replied,  "why,  you  are  in  Mt.  Morris  now,  only  a 
short  distance  to  the  tavern. ' '  "We  drove  on  to  a  small  tavern 
(as  it  was  called  in  those  days),  that  stood  where  the  "Wallace 
House  now  stands,  kept  by  John  Percival,  where  I  found  good 
accommodations  for   82.00  a  week.        Directly    opposite    was 


LETTEKS    OF    REMINISCENCE,  61 

"Mechanics  Hall,"  here  I  rented  a  room  and  on  the  4th  day  of 
January,  1834,  issued  the  first  number  of  the  "Mount  Morris 
Spectator,"  the  Pioneer  ne\vspaper  of  the  village  of  Mt.  Morris. 
I  will  take  a  stroll  through  Main  street  as  I  remember  it  sixty 
years  ago,  starting  where  the  Genesee  House  now  stands,  at  a 
tavern  kept  by  Mrs.  Thomson,  her  son  Bartel,  being  clerk; 
farther  south  Ezra  Kinne  had  a  cabinet  shop ;  back  from  the 
street  was  the  office  and  residence  of  Dr.  Hiram  Hunt,  whose 
widow,'over  four  score  years  of  age,  still  lives  with  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  Royce,  in  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  and  is  as  cheerful  and  enter- 
taining as  in  those  days.  Here  is  the  dry  goods  store  of  James 
H.  Rogers  &  Co.,  where  Wheeler  Hinman  was  clerk;  then  we 
come  to  the  tavern  kept  by  Mr.  Percival ;  next  was  the  dry 
goods  store  of  Lake  &  Canfield,  Wells  Lake,  clerk ;  then  comes  the 
little  tailor  shop  of  George  A.  Green,  the  JSTimrod  of  the  village. 
In  the  lot  where  the  Stout  homestead  now  is,  Benj.  Campbell, 
who  ran  the  grist-mill  on  the  race,  resided.  The  brothers 
Shubal  and  Abisha  Green  occupied  the  house  now  owned  by  Dr. 
Wells ;  just  south  was  the  low  house  of  Esquire  Spencer ;  back 
from  the  street,  at  the  south  end  of  the  village,  stood  the  house 
of  John  Sloat,  who,  in  company  with  A.  Keith,  had  a  store  on 
Main  street.  Yv^e  now  cross  to  the  west  side,  and  where  Ozro 
Clark  resides  was  the  home  of  Dr.  Camp ;  then  comes  the  log 
house  of  Stephen  Summers,  and  the  red  frame  house  of  Widow 
Hopkins.  Hopkins  street  was  a  large  wheat  field.  W.  H. 
Whitney  had  a  store  near  the  Walker  Hinman  homestead; 
crossing  Murray  street  we  pass  the  carpenter  shop  of  Capt. 
Bailey,  and  residence  now  occupied  by  his  daughter,  Edna ;  next 
was  the  residence  of  Col. ,  R.  Sleeper,  and  store,  where  Lucius 
Bingham  was  clerk ;  we  pass  on  to  Mechanics  Hall,  and  in  this 
mart  of  trade  we  find  a  carpenter  shop,  Esquire  Spencer's 
grocery,  I.  Thurston's  harness  shop.  Deacon  Woodford's  shoe 


62  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

store,  where  Lorin  Coy  and  Harlow  Euggies  were  employed 
many  years,  the  "Spectator"  office,  and  several  other  depart- 
ments. The  same  locations  seem  to  be  perpetuated  as  hotels. 
for  where  "mine  host"  of  the  Eagle  now  greets  the  public,  was 
then  a  hotel  kept  by  his  father,  Eiley  Scoville.  Crossing  Chapel 
street  we  arrive  at  David  A.  Miller's  store  and  post  office.  Tot- 
ten's  store  and  other  structures.  On  State  street,  near  where 
the  residence  of  J.  B.  Bacon  stands,  was  the  house  of  Abner 
Dean,  and  his  store,  the  best  brick  building  in  town.  The  first 
home  of  Gen.  Mills  stood  near  where  the  house  of  your  esteemed 
speaker  for  this  occasion  now  stands,  and  was  a  prominent  land 
mark. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  "Spectator,"  Eugene  Hunt,  nephew 
of  Dr.  Hunt,  was  employed  in  the  office  for  several  years.  He 
left  and  took  a  position  in  the  Citizens  Bank,  New  York,  which 
he  held  over  forty  years,  so  faithfully  performing  his  duties,  that 
now,  crippled  by  an  accident,  he  receives  a  pension  from  the 
bank,  and  resides  with  family  friends  in  a  pleasant  suburban 
home  near  this  city. 

Judge  Hastings  was  our  only  lawyer  at  that  time.  R.  P. 
AVisner  came  later. 

Misses  Flavia  and  Aurelia  Moses  were  school  teachers  that 
two  generations  well  remember. 

The  only  church  edifices  were  the  Methodist,  on  Chapel  street, 
and  the  Presbyterian,  on  state  street. 

Of  the  early  settlers  I  met  on  the  streets,  I  recall  Gen.  Mills, 
Dr.  Bingham,  Elder  Lake,  O.  D.  Lake,  Dea.  Jesse  Stanley, 
Dea.  Alvah  Beach,  James.  H.  McNair,  Mr.  Moses,  Russel  Shel- 
don, Mr.  Case,  "Wm.  Begole,  Jacob  Chilson,  Dea.  Reuben 
Weeks,  H.  H.  Gladding,  Geo.  W.  Barney,  Grice  Holland, 
Adam  Holtslander,  Yint.  Cothrell,  A.  Arnold,  Halsey  and 
Alfred  Hubbard,  Dr.  Childs,  H.  Skillin,  Dea.  James  Conkey. 


LETTERS    OF    REMINISCENCE.  63 

Nearly  all  have  gone  to  their  last  homes  but  their  descend- 
ants are  scattered  over  our  whole  country.  Alfred  Hubbard's 
two  daughters — Mrs.  Lucina  Telle  and  Mrs.  Cornelia  Phelps — 
reside  in  a  pleasant  home  in  this  city. 

As  years  passed  by  we  had  pleasant  business  and  official  rela- 
tions with  many  who  came  later. 

John  R.  Murray  who  came  at  an  early  day,  and  laid  out  and 
decorated  the  beautiful  grounds  and  built  a  fine  house,  since 
burned,  on  Murray  Hill,  was  a  kind  and  generous  gentleman, 
unostentatiously  helping  the  poor,  and  with  his  wealth  doing 
much  to  promote  the  prosperity  of  the  village.  The  Episcopal 
church  is  a  memorial  of  his  liberality,  and  in  the  grounds  he, 
with  his  estimable  wife  "sleep  their  last  sleep." 

We  are  indebted  to  his  father  for  the  water-power  below  the 
village,  and  a  fine  grist  mill  for  many  years  in  charge  of  Dea. 
M.  Allen  and  his  son-in-law,  Robert  E.  Weeks.  We  recall  the 
patriarchal  figure  of  Dea.  Allen  as  one  who  ever  seemed  to  bring 
a  blessing. 

Norman  Seymour  ^va,s  a  well  know  citizen,  remarkably  genial, 
kird  and  intelligent.  He  was  regarded  as  authority  in  historical 
matters.  Dr.  Parsons,  in  his  funeral  sermon,  speaks  of  him  as 
writer  and  speaker,  gaining  reputation  at  home  and  abroad.  He 
died  in  1892. 

One  jovial,  familiar  form  on  our  streets  was  Farmer  Abel,  as 
he  said  of  himself  "was  born  and  bred  a  Presbyterian,  but  in 
his  daily  walk  and  conversation  was  an  Episcopalian."  He  was 
well  known  as  a  politician  throughout  the  State. 

McNeil  Seymour,  one  of  our  best  read  lawyers,  was  a  worthy 
member  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  an  efficient  representative 
of  his  town,  in  the  county  board. 

Abraham  Wigg,  a  very  popular  and  worthy  citizen,  did  much 
for  the  growth  of  the  village.       I   recollect   one   peculiarity   of 


(54  MOUNT   MORRIS   CENTENARY. 

bis,  which  was  that  he  always  carried  his  business  papers  in 
his  hat. 

Jared  P.  Dodge  was  another  able  representative  in  the 
count}"  board  for  a  number  of  years.  With  such  supervisors  as 
Se^nnour,  AVigg  and  Dodge  the  interests  of  the  town  at  the 
county  seat  were  closely  guarded. 

There  are  many  others  in  my  thoughts,  that  I  Vv'ould  recall 
to  you,  who  have  borne  their  parts  in  life  well  and  honorably, 
but  time  and  space  will  not  permit.  There  was  Dr.  Ames,  Dr. 
Joslyn,  John  P.  Gale,  Geo.  S.  Whitney,  Augustus  Conkey, 
Samuel  Seymour,  David  Sutphen,  Arch.  McArthur,  Rev.  W.  A. 
Runner,  Dea.  E.  M.  Winegar,  James  B.  Bacon  Sylvester  Rich- 
mond, H.  E.  Brown,  Dr.  G.  W.  Branch,  and  Thos.  J.  Gamble, 
well  known  as  an  attorney  and  magistrate. 

Myself  and  wife  left  Mt.  Morris  about  four  years  ago,  coming 
here  where  our  daughters,  Mrs.  Kate  Taylor,  and  Mrs.  Mary 
H.  Rogers  reside,  leaving  our  sons,  William  and  Frederic,  fol- 
lowing the  trade  of  their  father,  at  Rochester,  and  Charles  at 
the  old  "Mt.  Morris  Book  Store." 

My  next  birthday  I  shall  have  attained  the  age  of  four  score 
years,  but  the  flight  of  time  seems  to  have  dealt  kindly  mth  me, 
as  I  am  still  able  to  tend  my  little  garden  and  travel  about  the 
streets  of  this  bustling,  hurrying  city,  enjoying  much  that  is 
new  and  interesting. 


FROM  MARY  JOSLYN  SMITH, 

BUFFALO,   N.    Y. 

Though  the  world  is  full  of  books,  and  if  all  things  were  to 
be  written,  there  would  not  be  room  enough  to  contain  them, 


LETTERS    OF    KEMINISCENCE.  65 

still  I  know  that  there  will  be  a  welcome  for  the  forth-coming 
History  of  Mount  Morris. 

The  work  that  you  and  Dr.  Parsons  are  doing  in  compiling 
the  book  is  but  another  of  the  many  free  will  offerings  which 
you  have  made  to  your  home  village. 

Why  should  not  the  story  of  many  things  in  the  past,  as  well 
as  present  of  Mt.  Morris,  be  preserved  in  the  printed  page? 

It  is  beautiful  for  situation,  with  the  mountains  round  about, 
and  the  river  flowing  by  it ;  so  fertile  is  the  valley  that  the 
harvest  never  fails ;  I  have  long  loved  to  think  of  it  as  a  '  'Happy 
Valley." 

Then,  too,  men  and  women  have  lived  in  Mt.  Morris  who 
have  made  their  lives  sublime  by  doing  the  work  just  at  their 
hands,  and  doing  it  so  faithfully.  I  think  of  their  self  sacrifice 
for  the  good  of  the  village,  for  the  good  of  schools,  and  of  the 
people  generally,  and  I  see  an  almost  perfect  exemplification  of 
self-surrender;  and  of  a  long  list  of  names  I  would  write: 
"Loving,  working  praying,  giving." 

But  they  have  not  all  gone  hence  who  have  lived  for  others. 
I  love  to  think  of  Dr.  Parsons  as  still  helping  the  Mt.  Morris 
people,  as  they  make  their  faith  chapter,  their  "eleventh  of 
Hebrews."  All  these  forty  years  he  has  not  belonged  to  one 
church  or  one  set  of  people.  Starting  with  "minus  self"  he 
has  known  how  to  help  make  equations  in  public  affairs  and 
how  to  help  solve  them.  But  aside  from  his  wisdom  and  inter- 
est in  all  that  pertains  to  good  citizenship,  he  has  held  and 
moved  the  people  by  something  deeper  and  more  lasting  than 
all  worldly  interests.  By  his  tender  sympathy  with  those  in 
trouble,  he  has  become  priest  and  friend.  He  has  been  able  to 
so  represent  the  Lord  whom  he  serves,  that  he  has  taught  the 
people,  even  in  these  times  of  great  sorrow,  that  "when  the 
burnt  offering  began, the  song  of  the  Lord  began  also,"  and  that 


66  MOUNT  MOEEIS  CENTENARY. 

above  and  out  out  of  it  all,  they  can  "sing  praises  with  glad- 
ness," "and  bow  their  heads  and  worship."  And  man}"  ask, 
who  will  bury  our  dead,  when  Dr.  Parsons  is  not  here?  Though 
he  has  gone  up  and  doAvn  the  streets,  a  familiar  friend  and 
figure  to  all,  of  him  it  can  be  written :  "The  light  that  shines 
brightest  at  home,  shines  farthest  out,"  and  so  his  counsel  is 
sought  as  trustee  of  college  and  of  Divinity  school,  and  he  has 
crossed  the  ocean  to.  sit  in  General  Assembly,  but  when  he  came 
back  it  was  to  watch  his  village  flock  as  tenderly  as  though  he 
had  no  other  care. 

So  the  new  book  would  be  very  incomplete  to  me  with  no 
notice  of  Dr.  Parsons'  work.  I  do  not  see  why  we  should  wait 
until  after  our  friends  die  to  talk  over  the  good  they  do.  You 
remember  the  story  of  Burns'  mother,  do  j^ou  not?  when  some 
one  took  her  to  see  the  monument  raised  to  her  son's  memory, 
and  she,  remembering  how  in  his  life  he  had  wanted  bread, 
said :     "He  asked  for  bread  and  ye  gie  him  a  stein." 

If  Mt.  Morris  has  sometimes  been  said  to  have  been  a  noted 
place  for  things  to  happen,  it  has  been  because  so  many  of  the 
people  have  been  such  positive  characters,  and  of  such  intense 
natures. 

The  busy  people,  and  not  the  men  and  women  of  leisure,  have 
thus  far  made  the  history  of  Mt.  Morris ;  what  its  future  will  be 
remains  for  the  younger  people  to  say.  I  often  Avonder,  with 
their  rich  legacy  and  golden  opportunities,  what  they  are  going 
to  make  of  themselves,  and  thereby  what  of  their  village? 

From  inspiration  received  in  Mt.  Morris,  men  and  women  all 
over  the  world  are  doing  their  part  in  the  world's  work.  A 
certain  number  in  the  old  times  "staid  by  the  stuff,"  but  they 
just  as  truly  need  to  be  faithful  to  their  trust. 

The  city  on  the  hill,  the  city  of  the  dead,  does  not  hold  our 
loved   ones ;  the   shrine  is  there,   but  they  serve  in  a  happier 


LETTERS    OF    KEMINISCENCE.  67 

valley,  while  the  influence  of  their  lives  still  remains  in  the  vil- 
lage, and  reaches  far  out  beyond  it. 

The  future  history  of  our  much  loved  village  surely  depends 
upon  the  spii'it  that  is  in  the  people  now. 


FROM  II.  C.  WISNER, 

NEW  YORK  CITY. 

I  am  in  receipt  of  your  cordial  invitation  to  attend  the  cele- 
bration of  the  100th  anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  Mount 
Morris,  on  Wednesday,  August  15th. 

I  am  very  grateful  for  your  kind  consideration  and  deem  my- 
self very  unfortunate  in  not  being  able  to  meet  and  rejoice  with 
you.  I  can  imagine  the  "glow  of  happiness"  that  will  be  felt 
when  you  meet  and  "grasp  the  hands"  of  friends  and  neighbors 
who  return  after  long  years  of  absence  to  join  with  you  in  the 
happy  reunion.  May  all  your  anticipations  be  fuUy  realized. 
May  it  be  a  day  of  great  joy  and  happiness  to  all. 

Mount  Morris — the  place  of  my  birth ;  the  home  of  my  child- 
hood ;  the  sacred  spot  where  my  kindred  lie — wiU  always  be 
loved  and  venerated  by  me. 


FROM  MR.  AND  MRS.  F.  E.  HASTINGS, 
AND  A.  S.  MARTINDALE, 

LITTLE  EOCK,  ARKANSAS. 

"We   desire  to  acknowledge  your  kind  remembrance  of  us  in 
the  invitation  to  attend  the  Mt,  Morris  Centennial  Celebration. 


68  MOUNT    ilOKKIS    CENTENARY. 

"We  very  much  regret  not  being  able  to  attend,  for  the  old 
home  will  always  be  lovingly  remembered  by  us. 

We  feel  sure  the  exercises  will  be  interesting,  especiall}^  the 
ball  game. 

Would  you  not  be  pleased  to  have  us  in  your  collection  of 
antiquities,  for  Ave  are  all  growing  old? 

On  August  15th  our  thoughts  will  be  often  with  you. 

[Mr.  A.  S.  Martindale,  who  was  a  resident  of  Mt.  Morris  for 
many  years,  has  reached  the  advanced  age  of  87  years.] 


FROM  G.  WELLS  ROOT, 

HAETFOKD,   CONNECTICUT. 

I  compromised  myself  somewhat  in  saying  that  I  would  pos- 
sibly give  you  some  reminiscences  of  my  early  life  at  Mt.  Morris. 

I  was  born  in  April,  1826,  in  Oneida  Co.  When  I  was  a  bo}'' 
about  seven  years  of  age  my  father  went  to  Mt.  Morris,  and 
went  to  work  for  Deacon  Conkey,  one  of  the  best  and  purest 
souls  that  ever  lived.  As  I  was  about  seven  years  old  at  this 
time  I  must  have  gone  to  Mt.  Morris  in  1S33.  Things  at  that 
time  were  pretty  rough  there.  The  public  school  house,  which 
was  situated,  I  think,  near  where  the  Episcopal  church  is  to-day, 
was  a  very  long  school  house  with  a  big  fire  place  in  each  end ; 
half  of  the  building  was  for  the  girls  and  the  other  half  for  the 
boys.  I  have  personally  seen  the  boys  go  out  of  the  school 
house,  being  sent  out  to  obtain  fire  wood,  and  rip  the  clapboards 
right  olf  the  building ;  they  made  it  a  rule  to  clean  out  every 
teacher  who  took  the  school.  They  finally  had  a  butcher  who 
lived  up  near  the  Baptist  church,  about  four  miles  west ;  he  was 


LETTERS    OF    KEIIINISCENCE.  69 

a  short,  thick  set,  muscular  fellow  vv^eighing  about  two  hundred 
pounds.  I  have  seen  him  come  into  the  village  Monday  morn- 
ing with  a  bundle  of  hickory  withes  over  his  shoulder,  which  he 
ran  through  the  fire  to  make  them  more  elastic,  and  they  had  it 
hot  and  tight ;  inkstands  and  various  other  things  were  used  in 
the  fight,  so  that  the  girls  were  glad  to  get  out,  but  this  butcher 
held  the  fort. 

My  father  and  mother  thought  I  had  better  be  sent  back  to 
Oneida  county  to  my  grandfather  and  go  to  school  there,  so  I 
went  back  and  stayed  there  two  years  and  attended  school,  with 
various  experiences.  They  had  two  great  farms  and  were  splen- 
did livers,  but  they  had  also  a  grind  stone  where  they  thought 
a  boy  like  myself  could  develop  his  muscles,  and  an  old  mare  to 
ride  and  piovf  corn,  etc. ,  etc. 

After  two  years  I  returned  to  Mt.  Morris.  Among  the  prin- 
cipal people  that  I  remember  at  that  time  who  were  residents  of 
Mt.  Morris,  are  John  Yernam,  Plenry  Swan,  David  A.  Miller, 
Hu-am  P.  Mills,  Hugh  Harding  (publisher  of  the  village  paper, 
the  Union,  which  I  have  taken  for  fifty-one  years),  Eeuben 
Sleeper,  and  one  Mr.  Rogers,  who,  I  think,  kept  a  hardware 
store,  Xorman  Seymour,  Jas.  R.  Bond,  Dr.  Charles  Bingham, 
who  was  the  father  of  Charles  L.  and  Lucius  C,  Lester 
Phelps,  George  Hastings,  Gen.  Mills,  father  of  the  present  Dr. 
Mills,  Loren  Coy,  Geo.  W.  Barney,  the  hatter  (called  Brother 
Barney),  George  Green,  the  tailor,  Deacon  Conkey,  George 
Whitney,  Dr.  Thomas,  Eev.  E.  Mason,  the  Pendletons  (one  of  the 
sons  was  considered  handsomer  than  any  lady),  Mr.  Beach,  who 
kept  the  hotel  on  the  corner  of  Main  street.  Uncle  Riley  Scoville, 
of  the  Scoville  House,  and  I  can  not  remember  who  was  the 
proprietor  of  the  other.  Then  there  was  Harl  Ruggies,  a 
man  by  the  name  of  Marsh  in  the  trunk  business,  one  of  the 
Mosleys  kept  an  oyster  saloon,  and  J.  B.  Bacon  a  grocery  store, 


70  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTEXARY. 

Mr.  AVisncr,  who  was  then  quite  a  prominent  lawyer,  the  Stan- 
leys, who  lived  a  little  west,  Nic.  Lake,  Shed  Holland  the 
blacksmith,  John  R.  Murray,  one  of  the  most  refined  men  that 
was  ever  in  "U'estern  Xew  York,  the  Thompsons,  Philo  and 
AYilliam,  Mershons  and  Stilwells.  All  these  men  had  peculiar- 
ities. Reuben  Sleeper  was  a  great  authority  in  regard  to  coun- 
terfeit money ;  his  judgment  was  considered  the  end  of  the  law 
so  far  as  our  village  was  concerned.  I  well  remember  Dr. 
Bingham  and  his  sons,Lucius  and  Charles,and  several  daughters. 
Charlie  Bingham  was  the  best  friend  I  ever  had  in  my  life ;  we 
were  boys  together.  The  old  Dr.  was  shrewd  and  a  bright, 
genial  man;  he  knew  how  to  manage  boj^s  A  jSTo.  1.  Some- 
where over  the  river  he  had  some  land  which  he  cultivated.  I 
remember  well  when  Charlie  and  myself  went  over  with  him ; 
he  would  tell  us  a  Baron  Munchausen  story  where  a  man  tired  a 
gun  and  the  ramrod  went  through  the  river  strung  with  so  many 
fish,  and  killed  so  many  deer,  and  various  other  things,  and 
finally  struck  a  bee  tree  that  was  thoroughly  loaded  with  honey, 
etc.  Then  he  would  say  to  us  cubs,  "when  these  potatoes  are 
all  picked  up  I  will  tell  you  another,"  and  the  potatoes  were 
picked  up  pretty  rapidly.  His  wife,  Mrs.  Bingham,  was  the 
aunt  of  Governor  Bulkley,  of  our  state,  and  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Bulkley,  and  they  both  spoke  of  her  with  the  highest 
regard  as  Aunt  Bingham.  John  Vernam  was  a  splendid  man, 
whole-souled,  and  I  have  been  told  that  his  generosity  and  win- 
ning ways  converted  the  3^oung  men  of  the  town  from  Whigs  to 
Democrats.  Henry  Swan — no  nobler  man  to  me  ever  lived  on 
the  face  of  this  earth.  When  I  was  a  boy  he  requested  me  to 
go  with  him  as  clerk,  and  I  did  so  quite  young.  After  sta}'ing 
a  year  and  a  half  I  felt  that  I  should  go  to  school  more.  I  told 
him  candidly  about  it ;  he  said  he  was  sorry  to  have  me  leave 
him,  but  he  felt  that  I  was  correct.      The  next  year  and  a  half 


LETTERS    OF    EE]MIXISCENCE.  71 

from  that  time  I  did  not  do  anything  but  dig  to  get  the  best 
preliminary  education  I  could. 

As  soon  as  I  got  to  the  point  where  I  was  willing  to  take 
another  boy's  place,  David  A.  Miller  &  Sons  wished  me  to  come 
with  them.  The  old  man,  David  A.  Miller,  was  a  splendid 
specimen  of  a  Yirginia  gentleman.  I  have  listened  to  him  many 
a  time  when  he  gave  a  description  of  running  the  line  for  the 
United  States  government  between  Louisana  and  Texas — a 
straight  line  clear  through  swamps  and  everything  else — which 
took  a  good  many  months.  I  boarded  with  his  son  Henry,  who 
married,  I  think,  a  Miss  Townsend,  of  Bath.  She  was  a  very 
refined  lady.  I  slept  in  the  store  with  David ;  he  was  a  bright, 
smart  fellow.  The  history  of  these  gentlemen  you  know  prob- 
ably better  than  I  do. 

My  school  experiences  after  I  returned  from  Oneida  county 
were  various.  I  went  to  school  on  Main  street,  kept  by  a  man 
named  Skidmore ;  he  was  a  very  nice  teacher.  Yint  Cothrell 
was  about  six  feet  high  and  very  large  for  his  age.  The  teacher 
could  not  make  him  learn  his  A  B  C's.  Yint  would  lie  down 
on  the  bench  and  take  a  good  nap ;  but  Skidmore  was  a  good 
fellow.  Then  I  went  to  a  private  school  kept  by  a  gentleman 
named  Spencer  lower  down  the  street.  This  Mr.  Spencer  after- 
wards became  a  clergyman  and  quite  prominent  in  Utica.  I 
think  he  married  a  Hopkins ;  Hopkins  street,  at  any  rate,  was 
named  after  the  Hopkins  family. 

By  this  time  they  had  bulit  a  very  fine  public  school  house  and 
one  R.  F.  Hawes  was  called  to  teach.  He  was  a  perfect  enthu- 
siast. He  boarded  with  my  father  and  mother  and  he  and  I 
had  a  room  together.  He  was  so  full  of  mathematics  you  could 
not  help  getting  good  instruction,  not  only  in  school  hours  but 
at  home,  and  when  we  went  to  our  room.  This  Mr.  Hawes 
was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,   and  a  fine  gentle- 


i^  MOUNT    MOERIS    CENTENAEY. 

man.  I  suppose  no  one  stood  higher  than  he  did  in  Mount 
Morris.  There  was  a  private  school  a  little  "west  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  taught  by  a  man  named  "Wright.  It  had  a 
tower  and  a  bell,  and  that  bell  used  to  ring  about  five  or  ten 
minutes  before  nine  o'clock  every  mornin*?.  One  mornins:  it 
was  discovered  located  on  an  out-house  of  the  public  school.  Our 
Mr.  Wright  was  terribly  exasperated,  and  Mr.  Ilawes  appar- 
ently more  so.  He  called  up  every  scholar  in  the  school  and 
made  him  hold  up  his  hands  and  affirm  that  he  knew  nothing 
about  it.  There  was  a  gangway  down  the  street  that  ran 
from  Deacon  Conkey's  shop  to  where  Mr.  Rogers  lived. 
In  this  gangAvay  was  an  old  cannon.  It  went  off  one  night  and 
broke  pretty  nearly  all  the  windows  in  the  neighborhood,  so 
much  so  that  the  ^dllage  authorities  offered  quite  a  reward,  for 
those  times,  to  find  out  who  the  culprit  was.  After  several 
years  this  Mr.  Ilawes  was  in  ISTew  York  as  chief  clerk  in  the 
commissary  department  in  the  war.  President  Lincoln  pro- 
claimed a  Fast  Day ;  Ilawes  thought  he  would  take  a  little  rest, 
so  he  took  the  steamer  up  to  I^ew  Haven.  He  remembered 
that  I  lived  in  Hartford  and  came  up  and  spent  the  afternoon 
with  me.  He  referred  to  those  two  operations  of  the  bell  and 
cannon,  and  said  he  and  another  young  man  moved  the  bell,  and 
he  and  another  young  man  loaded  the  cannon ;  they  put  a  fuse 
in  it  which  they  calculated  Avould  last  about  fifteen  minutes,  and 
when  the  cannon  went  off  they  were  eating  oysters  in  Mosley's 
saloon.  He  opened  up  a  good  many  other  things  which  had 
been  mysteries.  My  wife  and  I  never  enjoyed  a  visit  more  than 
we  did  from  him ;  the  poor  fellow  has  gone  over  the  river. 

Piley  Scoville  kept  the  Eagle  Tavern,  and  always  had  a  great 
wood  fire  in  the  winter.  In  some  way  I  was  one  of  the  boys  he 
would  let  in  on  the  outskirts  of  the  crowd  to  listen  to  old  Luther 
C.  Peck,  the  lawyer  of  Nunda.     He,   Scoville,  had  a  son  that 


LETTERS    OF    REMINISCENCE.  73 

Tve  called  "Old  Gent."  This  son  had  a  tame  bear,  sent  him 
from  Michigan  which  he  put  in  one  of  the  stalls,  and  we  boys 
were  in  the  habit  of  visiting  this  cub  of  a  bear.  At  my  last 
visit  I  was  glad  to  get  out  with  nothing  left  on  me  but  my  shirt 
and  not  much  of  that ;  the  fellow  had  got  a  little  cross.  His 
other  sons  you  know  all  about.  I  understand  that  one  of  them 
is  one  of  the  most  popular  hotel  men  in  the  valley.  There  were 
the  Mershons  who  have  really  gone  out  of  my  sight,  I  did  not 
know  much  about  them  only  by  hearsay  for  several  years  after- 
wards. Mr.  Phelps,  before  spoken  of,  had  a  son  we  all  called 
Ben.  He  was  a  big,  good-hearted  fellow,  but  not  looked  upon 
in  Mt.  Morris  as  anything  wonderful ;  I  think  he  clerked  in  a 
hardware  store.  He  finally  developed  into  one  of  the  smartest 
railroad  contractors  in  the  country,  and  it  is  said  he  made  a  very 
large  fortune.  I  have  met  him  several  times  in  Xew  York ;  at 
that  time  he  Avas  living  in  "Watertown.  I  have  always  felt  that 
if  x\be  Yernam  had  lived  he  would  have  made  quite  a  mark. 
John  you  know  all  about.  With  us  boys  he  was  like  a  great 
Newfoundland  dog ;  he  would  do  anything  for  us  and  a  great 
man}^  times  too  much.  I  think  F.  C.  Mills  Avas  chief  engineer 
of  the  Genesee  Yalley  canal.  When  the  contracts  Avere  let  I 
was  clerk  for  Henry  Swan,  and  he  got  quite  a  section  and  sub- 
let it,  and  I  assume  that  it  was  profitable,  and  my  idea  is  that 
Hiram  P.  Mills,  John  Yernam  and  others  Avere  in  the  same  line, 
but  I  do  not  remember  particularly  about  it.  We  boys  looked 
upon  Bill  Acker,  and  his  splendid  four-horse  team,  which  he 
drove  to  Geneseo  and  back  tAA^ice  a  day,  as  the  biggest  man  in 
the  place,  but  when  the  canal  was  finished  and  the  packet  boats 
on,  the  Captain  of  a  packet  boat  with  his  three  horses,  ranked 
away  up  in  the  estimation  of  the  young  men.  John  K.  Murray 
I  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  most  refined  gentlemen  I  ever  knew. 
I  have  understood  that  he  made  everybody  wall  off  but  himself. 


74  MOUNT  MOKRis  cp:ntenary. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him  here  in  Hartford  once  or 
twice  in  my  early  life,  Norman  Seymour  was  a  nervous,  ener- 
getic, pure,  clean  merchant.  I  have  the  impression  that  he  sized 
me  up  once  to  have  me  go  with  him,  hut  he  made  up  his  mind 
I  had  not  sulficient  brains  to  iill  the  bill.  You  all  know  about 
Lorin  Coy  and  liis  bass  viol  in  the  choir,  and  also  that  when  the 
minister  was  absent  at  the  Presbyterian  church,  Geo.  Hastings 
read  a  sermon. 

To  leave  the  ^^llage  for  a  moment,  there  was  Dr.  Fitzhugh, 
who  lived  some  three  or  four  miles  south.  I  think,  in  my  day, 
he  was  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  most  refined,  kindly  gentle- 
men that  ever  came  into  the  village.  There  was  Judge  Carroll, 
and  then  when  you  went  further  there  Avere  the  Cuylers,  Wil- 
merdings  and  Clutes. 

At  the  foot  of  the  green  resided  Col.  Hosford,  whose  daughter 
married  a  cousin  of  mine,  James  S.  Tryon,  at  that  time  of 
Rochester ;  he  afterwards  was  called  to  the  head  of  the  First 
National  Bank  in  Hartford,  and  Mrs.  Tryon  and  myself  have 
spent  a  great  many  hours  in  talking  up  the  old  history  of  Mt. 
Morris.  Her  brother  became  an  eminent  professor  of  Harvard 
and  died  leaving  a  very  large  estate.  Mr.  Tryon' s  son  is  one  of 
the  head  men  in  the  laboratory  now.  Mrs.  Tryon  passed  over 
the  river  quite  a  number  of  years  ago. 

Hugh  Harding  apparently  thought  quite  well  of  me.  I  know 
a  large  stock  of  paper  came  to  Mt.  Morris  to  be  sold  at  auction. 
Harding  gave  me  the  pointers  to  make  certain  bids  and  I  made 
quite  a  little  purchase  for  him.  Then  there  was  AVallace,  the 
jeweler.  I  do  not  Icnow  of  any  one  who  did  not  like  him.  In 
the  back  room  of  his  store  I  was  pennitted  to  look  on  and  see 
him  play  euchre.  I  got  the  whole  theory  of  the  game  by  seeing 
"Wallace  and  his  friends  play.  When  I  came  east  nothing  was 
spoken  of  euchre,  but  in  a  fcAv  years  it  spread  all  over  New 


LETTERS    OF    REMINISCENCE.  75 

England  and  Avas  considered  one  of  the  finest  games  of  cards, 
outside  of  whist,  until  they  introduced  the  blank  card  in  euchre 
and  called  for  your  partner's  best. 

There  is  one  very  pleasant  thought  that  I  wish  to  speak  of 
particularly,  that  is  Walker  Ilinman.  From  a  boy  to  my  last 
visit  to  Mt.  Morris  several  years  ago,  his  garden  was  the  finest 
that  I  saw  in  the  whole  country.  I  used  to  delight  to  stop  and 
have  a  chat  with  him.  Dr.  Thomas,  our  old  family  physician, 
carried  me  through  several  severe  fits  of  sickness,  and  how  sad 
it  was  to  me  when  his  ejes  were  shot  out.  Then  there  was 
Eli  Lake,  who  lived  next  to  my  father  on  Hopkins  street; 
he  married  a  Mrs.  Mather,  of  Avon,  for  his  second  wife.  By 
the  second  marriage  they  had  two  children,  a  son  and  daughter. 
The  son  died  and  the  daughter  became  the  wife  of  my  brother 
Henry. 

Without  being  personally  conversant  with  the  matter,  it 
seems  to  me  that  in  Mr.  Howland  you  have  a  great  acquisition 
for  the  Genesee  Valley.  I  know  a  great  deal  of  him,  through 
others  who  do  know  him,  and  he  is  spoken  of  in  the  highest 
terms,  and  I  judge  from  what  is  published  in  the  village  paper 
that  you  appreciate  him.  In  one  of  the  magazines  some  time 
ago,  illustrating-  a  fox  hunt,  I  read  the  article  with  intense  inter- 
est,  but  when  it  came  to  a  cut  or  picture  representing  a  horse 
going  through  the  Canaseraga  creek  not  over  his  fetlocks,  I  had 
to  lay  down  the  magazine  and  have  a  good  laugh.  I  said  to 
myself  that  the  creek  had  filled  up  wonderfully ;  that  in  my 
day  he  would  have  had  to  go  a  long  way  around  or  taken  from 
ten  to  fifteen  feet  of  mud  and  water.  At  the  same  time  artists 
are  permitted  to  take  liberties  as  long  as  they  can  give  a  good 
idea  of  a  thing. 

Hiram  P.  Mills'  son,  William,  was  a  very  special  friend  of 
mine.     I  have  called  frequently  at  the  college  at  Schenectady 


T6  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

to  see  him.  I  bad  it  in  my  heart  that  he  was  going  to  make  a 
prominent  man,  but  he  died  suddenly.  His  brothers  have  faded 
out  of  my  memory,  just  as  the  Swan  boys  have,  except  William. 
Col.  llurlburt  was  the  leading  constable  and  a  ver}^  active  man. 

"When  David  A.  Miller  &  Sons  sold  out  their  business  to  a 
party  in  Eochester,  I  was  determined  to  come  east.  My  father's 
family  were  all  from  the  east,  Hartford,  and  my  mother's  from 
Wethersfield.  Almost  all  of  the  other  boys  were  determined  to 
go  west.  There  was  Felix  Higgins,  I  have  heard  that  he  did 
very  well  in  Michigan.  Young  Julius  Eunyan  went  to  Indiana 
and  engaged  in  business.  "When  I  take  up  the  village  paper  I 
see  no  names  in  it  that  I  can  recognize,  except  they  may  be  the 
descendants  of  some  of  the  old  people.  The  articles  the  Union 
is  publishing  in  regard  to  Mary  Jemison,  the  old  white  woman, 
have  been  intensely  interesting  to  me,  for,  when  I  was  a  boy, 
the  old  people  had  a  great  deal  to  say  about  the  old  white 
woman  who  lived  on  Squawkie  Hill.  I  never  saw  her  to  my 
knowledge. 

Of  course  when  we  boys  did  not  go  to  the  Presbyterian 
church,  we  occasionally  drove  to  the  Shakers  and  attended 
morning  meeting.  Most  people  naturally  think  that  seeing 
them  in  their  dance  would  be  very  amusing.  I  have  been  there 
when  there  were  over  two  hundred  spectators.  It  was  very 
interesting  and  quite  solemn.  I  never  heard  a  disturbance  while 
I  was  there. 

One  other  thing  I  would  like  to  say.  In  October,  IS-iO,  they 
were  having  a  great  "Tippeconoe  and  Tyler  Too"  barbecue  at 
Dansville.  I  should  think  that  the  farm  teams  that  went 
through  your  village  from  different  places  on  the  way  to  Dans- 
ville were  over  an  hour  in  passing,  loaded  with  everything  you 
could  think  of.  One  banner  said,  "82.00  a  day  and  roast  beef." 
Henry  Swan,  John  Yernam,  David  A.  Miller  and  I  were  stand- 


LETTEES    OF    REMINISCENCE.  77 

ing  on  what  was  called  Miller's  corner,  and  they  united  in  say- 
ing what  a  humbug,  the  day  would  never  come  when  the 
mechanic  would  receive  §2.00  a  day.  My  father  at  that  time 
had  rather  a  large  wagon  and  paint  shop,  etc. ,  and  the  highest 
price  he  paid  any  man  was  $1.00  a  day. 

The  man  who  had  a  pottery  up  on  the  hill  interested  himself 
to  inaugurate  a  brass  band  in  our  village.  I  was  elected  to  play 
the  second  bugle.  After  having  a  teacher  from  Rochester  for  a 
good  while  we  started  out.  I  was  soon  informed  that  if  I  would 
resign  it  would  be  very  acceptable.  I  did  so  and  never  regret- 
ted it.  There  was  Arch  Mc Arthur,  and  if  I  remember  right  he 
was  always  way  up  in  band  music.  The  same  Mr.  Hawes,  the 
school  teacher,  played  the  trombone  and  he  pretty  nearly  broke 
up  the  whole  neighborhood ;  you  would  think  it  was  a  death 
struggle  going  on. 

In  1843,  about  the  first  of  September,  my  father  who  had 
been  to  Hartford,  obtained  a  situation  for  me  and  I  landed  in 
Hartford,  Saturday  p.  m.,  the  4th  day  of  September,  1843,  on 
a  stern  wheel  steamer.  I  took  the  night  packet  to  Rochester 
and  from  there  the  train  to  Albany.  They  advertised  from 
Buffalo  to  Albany  in  twenty-five  hours.  From  Albany  to 
Springfield  we  had  what  was  then  called  the  T  rail,  and  there 
took  a  small  stern  wheel  steamer  on  the  Connecticut  river  to 
Hartford.  It  has  been  remarked  by  some  how  lucky  I  have 
been.  My  luck  consisted  in  taking  off  my  coat  and  knowing 
nothing  in  regard  to  anything  else  but  the  business  of  the  con- 
cern, vvdth  which  I  was  connected  from  six  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing to  ten  or  eleven  at  night,  but  my  country  store  education 
was  a  wonderful  advantage  to  me.  After  a  while  the  firm  kept 
me  looking  after  matters  in  the  west.  It  seems  like  a  dream, 
but  I  went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  before  there  was  a  railroad.  I 
used  to  take  a  packet  from  there  to  Akron,  and  hire  a  team  and 


78  MOUNT  MORKIS  CENTENARY. 

travel  all  over  the  state.  I  "went  to  Chicago  before  there  was  a 
railroad,  going  from  Detroit  to  New  Buffalo  and  there  taking 
a  steamer  to  Chicago. 

After  I  got  my  feet  firmly  fastened  here  in  Hartford  I  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  a  situation  for  my  brother  Charles  and  sent 
for  him.  He  was  with  us  eleven  years.  He  went  to  Detroit  and 
made  quite  a  success  there.  After  his  death  his  property  was 
thoroughly  wrecked,  but  nevertheless,  there  is  no  one  in  Detroit 
but  that  respects  his  memory  to-day,  and  he  left  his  family  in 
very  comfortable  circumstances.  Next  I  got  my  brother  Henry 
east.  After  being  in  Hartford  for  three  years  he  went  to  Provi- 
dence and  I  do  not  think  there  is  any  citizen  of  Providence  more 
respected  than  he.  He  has  been  on  the  board  of  Aldermen  a 
great  number  of  times,  has  been  fish  commissioner  for  some 
twenty  years,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  legislature  and  chair- 
man of  some  of  the  most  important  committees. 

When  my  mother  died  we  had  not  a  relative  in  Western  New 
York ;  so  I  brought  her  here  and  laid  her  in  my  own  private  lot. 
My  father  came  east  and  made  his  home  mainly  with  my  brother 
Henry  in  Providence.  "When  he  was  86  years  of  age  he  went 
to  sleep,  so  to  speak,  and  was  laid  beside  my  mother.  Of 
course  when  I  was  a  chap  we  were  very  poor,  but  I  do  not 
know  any  happier  days  in  my  life  than  when  we  all  snugged  up 
and  lived  in  a  cheap  rent,  I  think  some  §50  to  $60  a  year.  The 
only  debt  that  ever  anno3'ed  me  to  pay  was  when  we  boj's  went 
skating  on  the  canal,  we  got  up  to  what  is  called  the  half  way 
house  to  Dansville,  about  7  miles.  My  brother  Henry  who  was 
four  years  younger  than  m^'self  came  to  me  sa^'ing  he  was 
hungry.  ]\Iost  of  the  boys  had  walked  on  their  skates  to  this 
tavern  and  were  having  pie  and  cheese.  I  borrowed  of  an  ap- 
prentice in  a  store  25  cents.  For  two  or  three  months  I  dodged 
that  apprentice,  for  I  could  not  see  how  I  conld  raise  the  money 


LETTERS    OF    REMINISCENCE.  79 

to  pay  the  debt  as  I  was  then  going  to  school.  I  finally  went 
to  my  father  and  told  him  the  whole  circumstance  and  he  gave 
me  25  cents  and  I  paid  the  debt.  I  have  often  told  this  to  my 
children. 

My  life  here  in  Hartford  has  been  on  the  whole  a  pleasant 
one,  and  I  have  had  as  much  recognition  as  I  deserve  and  prob- 
ably more.  My  wife  died  after  we  had  been  married  forty- 
three  years.  Some  years  our  concern  has  made  money  and 
others  it  has  been  rapidly  the  other  way,  but  on  the  whole  I 
would  not  want  to  live  it  over  again.  I  have  no  doubt  left  out 
a  great  number  of  your  people  in  Mt.  Morris  in  this  reminiscence 
to  you,  but  as  I  am  not  well,  and  have  to  do  this  all,  as  it  were, 
in  a  very  short  time,  dictating  it  to  my  amanuensis  and  type- 
writer, you  will  excuse  me. 

Well,  I  must  stop.  God  bless  Mt.  Morris,  my  boyhood  home, 
and  all  its  present  good  people. 


ALLEN  ANB  BAENUM. 

About  the  year  1845,  a  friendship  was  formed  between  two 
boys  in  our  Union  school,  under  that  noted  teacher  H.  G. 
Winslow,  which  has  proved  both  lasting  and  fruitful  of  good 
works.  The  names  Allen  and  Barnum  have  long  been  pleasantly 
associated  here  by  all  who  love  the  work  of  Foreign  Missions. 

Orson  P.  Allen  was  the  son  of  Deacon  Morsena  Allen,  who 
came  with  his  famil}'  to  this  village  in  1834.  He  was  noted  as 
a  good  man,  and  especially  as  a  man  of  prayer ;  and  up  to  his 
death  in  1861,  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church. 

Herman  'N.   Barnum  was  the  son  of  Deacon  Daniel  Barnum 


80  MOUNT  MOERIS  CENTENAEY. 

who  for  about  fifty  years  was  one  of  the  leading  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  Moscow,  N.  Y. 

These  two  boys  after  a  three  years  preliminar}^  course  here, 
pursued  their  collegiate  course  at  Amherst  and  their  theological 
course  at  Andover. 

In  the  3^ear  1S55,  they  were  ordained  in  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  this  village,  of  which  they  were  members,  the  one  as 
a  foreign  and  the  other  as  a  home  missionary. 

Mr.  Allen  soon  sailed  for  Harpoot,  Turkey,  which  has  ever 
since  been  his  home.  Mr.  Bamum,  a.fter  laboring  about  two 
years  among  the  destitute  churches  of  Vennont,  went  to  Ger- 
many for  his  health,  and  then  continued  his  trip  to  Turkey  to 
visit  his  friend  Allen.  This  visit  resulted  in  his  being  associated 
with  Mr.  Allen  thereat  Harpoot  for  more  than  thirty-five  3'-ears, 
in  what  has  proved  to  be  one  of  the  most  successful  missionary 
stations,  and  the  two  are  still  laboring  there  with  a  good 
promise  for  the  future. 

We  are  happy  to  give  their  letters  as  follows : 

FKOM  EEV.  OKSON  P.  ALLEK, 

HAEPOOT,   TTJKKEY. 

Yours  to  Herman  and  myself,  of  July  17th,  reached  us  last 
week.  It  is  too  near  the  time  of  the  Centennial  you  speak  of  to 
reach  it  by  letter,  so  that  my  reminiscences  will  not  play  a  part 
in  the  celebration  you  propose.  It  would  indeed  be  a  great 
treat  to  me  to  be  there  to  listen  to  all  the  narratives  given  in  re- 
gard to  the  place  where  my  youthful  days  were  spent.  My 
recollections  of  Mt.  Morris  extend  back  60  years  of  the  century 
past.  My  father  removed  from  Smyrna,  Chenango  Co. ,  to  Mt. 
Morris  in  1834. 

"When  I  went  to  Mt.  Morris,  it  was  then  a  thriving  village. 
The  dam  in  the  river  had  been  built  which  sent  the  water  down 


LETTERS    OF    EEMINISCENCE.  81 

the  mill  race  to  Mr.  John  R.  Murray's  old  mill,  where  I  worked 
with  my  father  for  some  years  before  going  away  to  college. 
Gen.  Mills  was  one  of  the  prominent  men  in  the  village  at  that 
time .  I  well  remember  the  large  log  house  near  the  site  of  the 
present  brick  one,  where  the  General  had  his  home  in  the  early 
years  of  the  village.  If  I  remember  rightly  there  was  only  one 
other  log  house  in  the  village,  that  of  Mr.  Baldwin,  near  the 
corner  where  Deacon  "Woodford  lived. 

The  building  and  opening  of  the  Genesee  Yalley  canal  was  an 
era  in  the  history  of  Mt.  Morris.  General  Mills  was  a  promi- 
nent man  in  the  celebration,  which  took  place  when  the  first 
boats  came  iip  from  Rochester. 

The  boys  of  the  town  used  to  reckon  the  days  of  military 
muster,  or  "general  training,"  as  the  greatest  of  the  year, 
when  men  from  all  the  country  around  came  in  early  in  the  day 
"armed  and  equipped,  as  the  law  directs,"  with  flags  flying  and 
drums  beating.  But  with  no  enemies  to  fight,  the  martial 
spirit  of  Mt.  Morris  declined,  till  finally  no  man  could  be  in- 
duced to  come  to  the  show.  The  last  I  remember  of  these 
"general  training"  days  only  one  solitary  ofiicer.  Col.  W.  A. 
Mills,  rode  through  Main  street  in  military  attire,  but  he  did 
not  find  any  men  ready  to  fall  into  the  ranks.  Soon  after  this 
regular  mfiitary  companies  were  formed. 

Other  great  occasions  for  the  boys  were  when  a  circus  or  a 
"caravan"  as  we  used  to  call  it,  came  to  put  up  their  big  tents 
to  show  the  wonderful  feats  of  circus  performers  or  to  exhibit 
lions,  bears,  zebras,  and  other  wonderful  animals  and  birds. 

The  "Fourth  of  July"  also  was  a  day  of  days  with  the  boys 
of  fifty  years  ago.  I  remember  I  had  a  great  desire  to  own  a 
cannon,  so  that  I  could  do  my  share  in  celebrating  the  '  'glorious 
Fourth. ' '  My  first  one  was  made  from  an  old  umbrella  top. 
My  next  from  the  butt  end  of  an  old  gun  barrel.     "With  this  I 


82  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

imagined  I  miglit  have  done  considerable  execution  had  an 
enemy  been  within  striking  distance.  One  day  I  loaded  it 
heavily  with  powder  and  iron  ball  and  pointed  it  at  the  old  barn. 
Bang  I  went  m}^  old  cannon  and  burst  the  barrel,  and  the  ball 
went  through  the  barn  and  I  know  not  how  far  beyond  among 
the  neighbors  houses.  I  was  much  troubled  and  looked  anxious- 
ly to  see  if  the  ball  had  hit  anyone  or  done  any  other  harm.  I 
was  greatly  relieved  when  I  heard  no  report  of  any  one  killed 
or  damage  done.  It  must  have  lodged  somewhere  between 
Eagle  and  Main  streets  and  is  no  doubt  there  still. 

Ko  doubt  Dr,  Mills  in  his  Centennial  address  will  give  a 
prominent  place  to  the  schools  of  Mt.  Morris.  There  was  one 
school  house  built  in  the  old  fashioned  style.  It  w^as  situated 
between  Chapel  and  Stanley  streets,  where  now  there  are,  or 
were,  some  law3"ers  oiRces.  After  this  a  nice  brick  building  was 
made  near  the  old  Methodist  church.  The  school  was  taught 
by  a  Mr.  Howe,  whose  teaching  was  a  great  advance  on  the 
old  style  of  school  teaching. 

There  were  also  private  select  schools  established.  One  of 
these  was  that  of  Mr.  E".  W.  Benedict,  in  w^hich  higher  branches 
were  taught  than  in  the  public  district  school.  Many  no  doubt 
look  to  the  delightful  days  of  Mr.  Benedict's  school  with  grati- 
tude for  the  impulse  given  them  for  study.  His  school  was  first 
in  a  building  on  Chapel  street,  over  a  blacksmith  shop,  if  I  re- 
member rightly,  then  in  the  basement  of  the  former  Episco- 
pal, now  I  believe  the  Methodist  church ;  afterwards  in  Deacon 
Conkey's  building  on  the  corner  opposite  the  church.  After 
Mr.  Benedict,  Mr.  H.  G.  "VVinslow,  a  graduate  of  Union  College, 
established  a  select  school  in  a  brick  building  adjoining  the 
house  of  Mr.  Dean,  near  the  old  Presbyterian  church.  His 
school  was  deservedly  popular  and  when  the  Union  school 
building  was  put  up,  he  was  called  to  be  the  principal  and  served 


LETTERS    OF    REMINISCENCE.  83 

as  such  for  several  years.  Many  of  the  boys  and  gh'ls  look 
back  to  the  Union  school  days  with  great  pleasure,  from  whence, 
under  the  instructions  of  Mr.  Winslow  and  his  assistants,  Miss 
Bradley,  (who  became  Mrs.  Winslow)  Miss  Church,  Miss  AVood 
and  others,  they  went  forth  to  the  work  of  life. 

In  the  roll  of  honor  in  Mt.  Morris'  history,  the  names  of  the 
teachers  just  mentioned  should  not  be  omitted.  Parents  and 
scholars  realize  in  after  years,  if  not  at  first,  the  value  of  faith- 
ful Christian  teachers. 

Of  the  history  of  Mt.  Morris  for  the  past  forty  years  I  know 
only  as  I  have  heard  from  friends  resident  there.  The  record 
of  Mt.  Morris  in  the  civil  war  of  the  Eebellion  I  have  no  doubt 
will  have  honorable  mention  in  the  centennial  proceedings. 

Time  would  fail  me  to  write  of  the  companions  of  my  boy- 
hood days.  Some  "have  passed  to  that  bourne  from  whence 
no  traveler  returns,"  a  few  still  linger  among  the  old  scenes, 
and  many  are  scattered  in  our  own  land  or  in  foreign  lands. 


FEOM  EEY.  HERMAN  ]^.  BAEKUM,  D.  D., 

HARPOOT,   TURKEY. 

I  am  not  a  native  of  Mount  Morris,  but  of  Leicester,  five  or 
six  miles  away.  My  father  became  surety  for  a  man  who  failed, 
and  who  afterwards  kept  the  toll  gate  at  the  river ;  and  the 
opportunity  to  secure,  in  the  way  of  board,  a  part  of  the  money 
lost,  was  what  sent  me,  a  stranger  to  everybody,  to  the  Union 
school  in  Mount  Morris.  The  times  were  hard  for  farmers,  and 
the  $300  paid  as  surety  brought  no  Kttle  distress  upon  the 
family,  but  for  me  it  was  a  good  Providence,  for  there  the 
whole  current  of  my  life  was  changed. 

It  was,  I  think,  in  the  autumn  of  1845  that  I  entered  the 
school.     It  was  a  new  school,  but  it  had  a  large  body  of  pupils 


84  MOUNT  MOEKIS  CENTENARY. 

under  admirable  control,  and  a  rare  corps  of  teachers,  all  ladies 
except  Mr.  Winslow,  the  principal,  who  was  a  model  disciplin- 
arian. The  grounds  were  bare,  but  in  the  spring,  under  Mr. 
Winslow's  leadership,  those  of  us  who  were  large  enough  to 
work,  planted  trees,  Avhich,  when  I  saw  them  about  six  years 
ago,  surprised  me  by  their  size. 

It  was  in  Mount  Morris,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Bulkley,  that  I  became  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  it  was  through  his  encouragement  that  I  ventured  to  under- 
take a  college  education  with  the  ministry  in  view.  So  I  have 
always  looked  to  Mount  Morris  as  my  intellectual  and  spiritual 
birth  place,  and  no  place  has  had  a  larger  hold  upon  my 
affections. 


FROM  J.  A.  ROCKFELLOW, 

WILCOX,    AEIZONA. 

Tour  invitation  to  be  present  at  the  celebration  of  the  one 
hundreth  Anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  Mt.  Morris  would  be 
accepted  with  pleasure  were  it  possible  for  me  to  be  there  at 
the  date  mentioned. 

We  Mt.  Morris  boys  in  the  Great  "West  entertain  a  most  af- 
fectionate feeling  for  the  old  banner  town  of  the  Genesee 
Valley,  and  a  loyalty  to  it  not  surpassed  by  that  toward  our 
more  recently  established  homes. 

One  can  hardly  realize  the  part  Mt.  Morris,  with  its  few 
thousand  home  population,  has  had  in  forming  this  vast  "West- 
ern Empire.  In  an  experience  of  more  than  sixteen  years  west 
of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  including  states  and  territories  to 
the  number  of  half  a  score,  I   have  been  constantly  meeting 


LETTERS    OF    KEMINISCEXCE.  85 

'  'that  man  from  Mt.  Morris  ' '  and  in  a  large  majority  of  cases, 
I  have  found  him  a  man  of  worth  and  prominence. 

In  the  last  twenty-four  hours,  in  this  small  Arizona  town,  I 
have  shaken  hands  with  at  least  three  men,  who  have  the  dis- 
tinction of  having  come  from  Mt.  Morris,  and  have  met  a  lady 
having  the  same  proud  distinction.  The  lady  is  Mrs.  Thomas 
Hunter,  her  brother,  Mr.  Ben  Maurer,  has  a  responsible  posi- 
tion here  with  the  Southern  Pacific  Company.  Another  of  the 
men  mentioned  is  James  Barrett,  who  is  here  with  a  shipment 
of  ore  from  his  mine  in  the  Dragoon  mountains.  The  third  is 
George  R.  King,  a  leading  merchant  and  postmaster,  who  has 
held  the  oince  through  four  successive  presidential  administra- 
tions. His  father  was  a  merchant  in  Mt.  Morris  forty  or  fifty 
years  ago. 

One  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  this  territory,  E.  M.  Sanford, 
came  from  the  banks  of  Buck  Run ;  and  one  of  Arizona's  most 
successful  business  men  is  J.  W.  Eansom,  whom  I  remember 
first  in  war  times,  as  a  member  of  the  famous  First  N'ew  York 
Dragoons,  and  later  as  a  clerk  for  Mr.  Lorin  Coy ;  so  I  could 
continue  to  a  limit  that  might  tax  your  patience  to  read. 

I  sincerely  hope  that  Mt.  Morris  may  continue  to  develop 
and  send  forth  the  same  types  of  sturdy  American  manhood  for 
many  centuries  to  come. 


FROM  C.  H.  AND  H.  J.  IDE, 

PITTSBUKGH,   PA. 

It  is  now  nearing  the  15th  of  August,  the  date  of  the  pro- 
posed Centennial  of  Mount  Morris.  "We  had  hoped  that  matters 
could  be  shaped  so  that  we  might   enjoy  that   event  with   so 


SQ  MOUNT  MOEKIS  CENTENARY. 

many  of  the  friends  of  our  3"outh  as  may  be  gathered  there,  but 
we  are  compelled  to  forego  that  pleasure.  You  know  how  we 
are  situated  in  our  family.  Mother  (Mrs.  Davis),  now  in  her 
94th  year,  needs  the  attention  of  one  or  both  of  us  constantly, 
and   she  can't  bear  to  have  either  of  us  leave  home. 

No  doubt  you  will  have  a  day  of  enjoyment.  These  Centen- 
nials are  days  which  few,  very  few,  people  have  the  pleasure  of 
enjoying  the  second  time.  I  would  dearly  love  to  exchange 
greetings  with  those  who  were  my  school-mates  under  the  care 
of  that  excellent  man  and  teacher,  II.  G.  Winslow,  who,  by 
the  way,  has  held  a  large  place  in  the  memory  of  the  writer, 
and  ever  felt  myself  under  the  greatest  obligation  for  the 
instruction  I  received  from  him.  If  he  is  now  upon  the  earth 
he  must  be  well  up  in  years. 

I  would  be  pleased  to  hear  from  any  of  my  school  fellows  or 
companions,  or  to  have  their  address.  Please  extend  to  any 
such  as  may  be  present  my  sincere  regards  and  best  wishes  for 
their  happiness  in  their  remaining  j'-ears,  which,  like  my  own, 
must  be  few. 


FKOM  HENRY  D.  AMES, 

CHICAGO,   ILLINOIS. 

Your  kind  invitation  to  my  brother  and  myself  to  attend  the 
100th  anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  our  native  town,  Mount 
Morris,  is  duly  received.  Please  accept  our  thanks  for  your 
thoughtful  remembrance,  and  our  regrets  that  we  cannot  be 
present  and  join  in  the  festivities  of  the  15th  inst. 

I  believe  most  heartily  in  these  celebrations,  which  recall  the 
past  with  its  hardships,    struggles   and   victories,    making   the 


LETTEES    OF    KEMINISCENCE.  87 

present,  which  is  our  heritage,  dearer  and  more  sacred  to  us. 
The  present  generation  needs  to  learn  the  lesson  of  duty  and 
self-sacrifice  and  patriotism. ;  and  a  look  backward,  and  down 
along  the  line  of  our  growth  and  advancement  gives  us  a  better 
idea  of  our  relationship  to  our  fellow  men  and  to  our  country. 

Mount  Morris  is  dear  to  me  as  the  place  of  my  birth  and 
early  life;  and  more  than  this  as  the  scene  of  my  father's  (Dr. 
L.  J.  Ames,)  activities,  and  as  now  the  final  resting  place  of 
both  my  parents. 

I  can  but  think  of  what  deep  interest  my  father  would  take 
in  this  proposed  celebration,  for  he  would  now  be  rounding  out 
his  half  century  of  life  among  you.  He  was  ever  public-spirited, 
keenly  alive  to  the  prosperity,  material,  political,  educational 
and  religious,  of  the  people  among  whom  he  lived.  He  had  no 
small  share  in  creating  and  maintaining  public  interest  in  good 
and  worthy  enterprises  and  institutions,  always  being  actuated 
by  pure  and  patriotic  motives. 

May  you  have  success  in  large  measure,  and  fittingly  celebrate 
this  day  so  full  of  interest  not  alone  to  you  who  will  be  present, 
nor  to  us  who  are  detained  at  a  distance,  but  that  certainly  was 
fraught  with  the  deepest  interest  to  many  of  those  who  now 
sleep  peacefully  in  our  hillside  resting  place. 


FROM  MRS.   EUl^ICE  H.  HALL, 

ALLEGAN,   MICHIGAN. 

My  memory  is  quite  fresh,  as  far  back  as  1822,  my  second 
year,  previous  to  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Abner  Dean  and  Colonel 
Sleeper,  who  had  then  the  only  store  in  the  place,  on  the  cor- 
ner of  the  James  Bacon  lot.      The  old  school  house  used  for  all 


88  MOUNT  MOREIS  CENTENARY. 

I 

I 

public  meetings,  stood  on  tiic  line  of  the  public  green,  between       ' 
State  and  Chapel  Sts.     The  present  centre  of  business  was  then 
the  village  green,   extending  from   the  Mills'    homestead,  now 
owned  by  Mrs.  Branch,  to  the   Eagle  Hotel,    including  the  sur-       , 
rounding  streets.  | 

The  village  green  was  the  military  parade  ground  for  all  the 
towns  around  and  the  annual  general  training  with  all  its  splen- 
did display  and  sham  battles  was  held  here,  and  the  bugle  calls, 
and  inspiring  sounds  of  martial  music,  the  boom  of  cannon  and 
the  rattle  of  musketry  resounded  the  hills  around,  and  all  the 
windows  and  doorways  of  advantageous  view  Avere  tilled  with 
women  and  girls,  the  boys  of  course  in  closer  proximity,  mostly 
aping  the  drill  Avith  broom  sticks  and  mullen  stalks.  General 
"Wm.  A.  Mills  was  a  most  conspicuous  figure  on  the  old  war 
horse  of  General  "Winfield  Scott.  With  the  first  strain  of  mar- 
tial music,  forgetting  his  years,  he  was  prancing  and  curvetting 
as  if  he  bore  the  old  brigadier  again  on  the  field  of  battle.  Oh 
the  splendor  of  the  General,  with  his  military  cocked  hat  and 
waving  plumes  and  gold  laced  regimentals,  with  glittering  epau- 
letts,  long  flowing,  crimson,  silken  scarf  and  the  flashing  sword 
and  scabbard  at  his  side,  and  when  he  waved  the  bright  blade 
in  his  gauntleted  hand,  giving  orders  as  he  re^^ewed  the  fine 
platoons  of  glittering  bayonets,  he  looked  every  inch  a  hero. 
On  his  fine  staff  were  Col.  Reuben  Sleeper,  Col.  Walker,  Hin- 
man,  and  other  fine  looking  officers  from  adjoining  towns,  ar- 
rayed in  all  their  military  glory,  on  prancing  steeds,  flying 
hither  and  thither  with  the  generals  orders,  the  blare  of  trump- 
ets, the  clash  of  many  drums  in  the  martial  music,  waving  of 
man}^  fl^gs,  the  rush  of  cavalr}'"  with  big  bear  skin  helmets,  and 
the  long  lines  of  militia  taking  their  drill,  the  quick  step  of 
Yankee  Doodle,  as  they  marched  at  noon  to  the  banquet  pre- 
pared by  all  the  brick  ovens  in  town  and  served  on  long  tables 


LETTEES    OF    REMINISCENCE.  89 

under  a  spacious  bower  of  the  largest  hostelry  in  town.  It  Avas 
glorious,  and  I  used  to  choke  up  my  eyes  brimming  Avith  patriot- 
ic tears,  as  I  wondered  if  there  could  be  anything  grander  un- 
der the  sun. 

Prospect  Hill  in  those  days  was  a  steep,  smooth  cone,  sloping 
down  across  the  street  to  the  lot  below,  then  owned  by  Deacon 
Asa  Woodford.  My  first  visit  was  a  truant  one,  climbing  alone 
when  not  over  two  jears  of  age,  and  made  a  lasting  impression 
upon  my  memory.  The  view  from  the  top  over  the  distant 
country  was  very  extensive  and  for  years  afterwards  it  seemed 
as  if  I  saw  the  whole  world  and  Avas  my  first  impression  of  the 
perspective,  the  houses  looking  so  little  and  the  people  in  the 
streets  so  diminutive,  as  if  no  larger  than  my  biggest  finger,  an 
old  pig  Avith  her  brood  of  little  ones,  like  a  beetle  AA^ith  flies 
crawling  along  with  her,  and  I  clapped  my  hands  at  the  funny 
sights,  till  my  mother  beloAV,  who  Avas  searching,  saw  and  came 
for  me.  It  seems  a  pity  that  bold  picturesque  point  should  have 
been  so  obliterated  by  excavations. 

]My  memory  runs  back  before  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the 
Northern  states,  when  the  CarroUs,  Fitzhughs,  Dr.  Gale  and 
the  Miller  family  came  from  Maryland  bringing  their  slaves, 
and  those  of  Colonel  Fitzhugh  often  came  on  errands  to  my 
fathers.  Miss  Bessie,  afterAvards  Mrs.  Gerrit  Smith,  so  famous 
in  the  Abolition  party  often  came  on  business  and  her  younger 
sisters,  and  once  I  Avent  with  my  father  to  their  mansion  and 
saw  the  cottages  of  their  slaves,  and  for  the  first  time  the  cun- 
ning little  piccaninnies;  my  chatter  seeming  to  afford  great 
amusement  to  the  ladies  of  the  household,  who  gathered  around 
me  asking  all  manner  of  questions  and  laughing  heartily  at  my 
ready  answers.  The  tall  pillars  of  the  spacious  piazza  were 
twined  with  long  Adnes  of  the  coral  honeysuckle  in  full  bloom, 
and  from  a  bountiful  floAver  garden  a  large  bouquet  AA-as  presented 


90  MOUXT  MOERIS  CENTENARY. 

me  by  the  ladies.  It  seems  of  late  years  that  handsome  old 
mansion  has  been  destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  family  descendants 
mostly  dispersed. 

Of  the  patriarchs  of  the  village,  dear  old  Deacon  Stanley  -was 
a  good  and  quite  prominent  man,  and  a  grandfather  when  we 
were  chums  visiting  together  almost  daily  for  hours,  as  he 
worked  in  his  garden  bordering  the  street  near  the  present 
Presbyterian  church  and  our  house  was  across  the  way.  Dea- 
con Stanley  was  a  far  seeing  old  man.  Our  only  mill  had  been 
supplied  with  water  from  Damonville  brook,  carried  by  a  long 
stretch  of  wooden  troughs  mostly  underground,  sometimes 
opened  to  remove  obstructions  to  the  mill  below  the  residence  of 
General  Mills,  whose  little  son,  Henry,  slipped  into  an  opening 
while  bathing  his  feet,  and  Avas  carried  by  the  current  to  the 
water  wheel  and  taken  out  lifeless.  I  well  remember  the  sad 
accident.  Deacon  Stanley  projected  and  planned  the  cutting 
of  the  millrace  from  the  river  dam,  which  was  of  great  benefit 
to  the  milling  business,  and  I  think  he  lived  to  see  it  completed. 

In  those  days  travel  through  the  state  was  accomplished  by 
stages,  and  my  father  would  be  two  weeks  en  route  to  visit  his 
relatives  in  Goshen,  Connecticut.  Merchandise  of  all  kinds  was 
tsansported  by  heavy  wagons  across  the  state  at  great  expense, 
and  Deacon  Stanley  believed  that  in  time  a  central  canal  would 
be  made  thi-ough  the  state  and  sure  enough  years  afterwards 
his  prophecy  was  fulfilled  in  the  great  Erie,  before  we  ever 
dreamed  of  railroads. 

Another  prominent  person  in  the  early  days  was  old  lady 
Hopkins,  as  she  was  called ;  who,  till  in  her  eighties,  was  mis- 
tress of  a  large  plot  of  ground,  of  which  Hopkins  street  was  a 
part  remaining  in  her  possession  during  her  life ;  a  lovely  little 
prim  old  lady  with  fair  though  finely  wrinkled  face,  her  long 
beautiful  hair  forgetting  to  turn  grey  and  her  dainty  ways  show- 


LETTERS    OF    REMINISCENCE.  91 

ing  familiarity  with  cultured  society  in  her  early  clays;  and 
many  family  relics  adorned  the  little  red  brown  house  always 
dainty  in  its  appointments.  The  step-grandmother  of  my  old 
schoolmate,  Mrs.  Alniira  Spencer,  whom  she  adopted  in  infancy 
and  trained  to  womanhood,  Avhen  the  case  was  reversed  and  she 
became  the  protector  and  comfort  of  her  old  age.  Xow  that 
the  old  landmarks  are  removed,  she  still  returns  from  her  home 
in  sunny  Florida  where  she  is  reaping  the  rewards  of  years  of 
industry,  to  brighten  the  small  circle  of  old  friends  and  larger 
one  of  new,  with  her  cheery  presence. 

The  Moses  family,  one  of  the  many  early  residents,  holds  a 
goodly  place  in  the  annals  of  our  village,  cotemporary  with 
the  Binghams,  Camps,  Stanleys,  Cases,  McNairs,  Beachs 
and  many  others.  Miss  Aurelia  Moses  has  loving  remem- 
brances in  the  hearts  of  a  long  list  of  girlish  pupils.  Her 
sister.  Miss  Flavia,  noted  for  her  wit  and  independency  of 
character  held  her  place  also  in  church  and  social  circles. 
Long  before  the  days  of  woman's  suffrage,  when  ladies  had 
no  place  in  public  entertainments,  on  the  occasion  of  a  military 
banquet  on  the  glorious  Fourth  of  July,  Miss  Fla"\da  remarked 
to  my  father,  that  she  "hoped  the  ladies  would  be  permitted  to 
hear  the  cannon. ' ' 

The  Luman  Stanley  family  of  three  sons  and  four  daughters 
were  noted  as  sweet  singers,  and  for  many  years  held  a  large 
place  in  the  Presbyterian  choir  in  the  first  church  edifice 
of  the  village.  But  this  article  would  be  too  long  to  refer  to  the 
many  particular  stars  in  the  galaxy  of  Mt.  Morris,  without  even 
mentioning  those  of  modern  date.  Their  descendants  have 
doubtless  gone  forth  to  brighten  and  bless  the  world,  while 
their  forefathers  and  mothers  sleep  on  the  beautiful  hillside, 
and  "their  works  do  follow  them,"  while  their  memory  alone 
shall  be  cherished  in  the  pages  of  the  Centennial  Eecord. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 


DEACON  JESSE  STANLEY, 


Tradition  seems  to  accord  to  Deacon  Jesse  Stanley  a  position 
of  influence,  hardly  second  to  that  of  any  other,  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Mount  Morris, 

He  came  from  Goshen,  Connecticut,  in  the  year  1811,  when 
he  was  past  the  meridian  of  life,  accompanied  by  his  son  Luman 
and  family.     His  son  Oliver  and  family,  came  about  1815. 

Deacon  Stanle}^  erected  the  first  framed  house  in  this  village, 
which  was  located  in  front  of  the  present  residence  of  ISTorman 
A.  Seymour  on  State  street,  but  was  subsequently  removed  to 
the  lot  on  Murray  street,  now  owned  and  occupied  by  R.  H. 
Moses,  where  it  has  remained  as  one  of  the  old  land  marks  until 
the  present  year.  Later  in  life  he  built  the  house  now  owned 
and  occupied  by  Samuel  Starr,  a  little  west  of  the  village,  where 
he  died  after  a  very  protracted  and  painful  sickness,  on  the  21:th 
of  June,  1845,  aged  90  years.  He  was  the  father  of  Mrs.  Mark 
Hopkins,  whose  husband  built  and  occupied  the  present  resi- 
dence of  A.   J.   Moss   on    State   street,    and   whose   daughter 


DEACON  JESSE  STANLEY. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  93 

Almira,  the  present  Mrs.  Wm.  II.  Spencer,  still  claims  this  vil- 
lage as  in  part  her  residence. 

Before  the  formation  of  a  church,  and  when  the  settlement 
was  too  small  to  support  a  minister.  Deacon  Stanley  was  the 
one  to  read  sermons,  and  conduct  religious  service,  and  lead 
the  singing.  He  was  also  very  influential  in  persuading  others 
to  locate  here.  He  took  a  deep  interest  in  all  public  measures, 
such  as  building  the  dam  and  race  for  the  mills. 

His  grandson,  Mr.  Elihu  Stanley  of  Dansville,  who  was  with 
us  at  our  recent  celebration,  has  furnished  us  with  a  number  of 
interesting  facts  respecting,  his  grandfather,  and  we  are  indebted 
to  him  for  the  accompanying  engraving,  by  which  we  are  en- 
abled to  introduce  this  pioneer  to  the  people  of  the  present 
generation. 

That  countenance  is  indicative  of  a  strong  character.  He 
was  a  choice  man  for  laying  foundations  for  good  society  in  a 
new  country.  It  was  well  for  Mt.  Morris  that  he  was  willing 
to  leave  his  comfortable  home  in  Connecticut,  and  sustained  as 
he  was  by  his  two  noble  sons  and  their  families,  contribute  so 
much  as  he  did  for  the  advancement  of  this  village.  Our  Stan- 
ley street,  serves  to  keep  this  honored  name  in  lasting  remem- 
brance. The  late  Mrs.  S.  P.  Allen  and  the  present  Mrs.  J.  S. 
Orton,  both  of  Geneseo,  were  his  grand- daughters. 

Mr.  Elihu  Stanley  mentions  his  having  lived  for  a  time  at  the 
the  first,  in  the  noted  block  house  which  stood  where  now 
stands  the  house  of  Mrs.  Yanderbilt  on  State  street,  and  of  his 
efficiency  in  gathering  the  women  and  children  there  for  secur- 
ity in  the  war  of  1812. 


WALKER  M.  HINMAN. 


Walker  M.  Hinman  was  born  in  W3^sox,  Pennsylvania,  Jan- 
uary 27,  1796,  and  lived  there  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of 
age.  He  went  to  Canada  in  1813,  and  remained  there  several 
jT'ears.  He  was  made  a  Mason  in  1819  at  Belleville,  Ontario, 
and  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Masonic  Lodge 
formed  in  Mt.  Morris  during  the  thirties.  He  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  first  organization  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  here  about  the 
year  1848, and  erected  a  building  for  their  use  on  Clinton  street, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  second  oldest  Mason  in 
the  United  States. 

He  was  married  at  Browington,  Vermont,  February  1,  1829, 
to  Hannah  Mc  Curdy  of  that  place.  He  moved  to  Rochester, 
]^ew  York,  the  same  year  and  was  the  contractor  who  erected 
the  old  Clinton  hotel  and  the  old  Kempshell  flouring  mill  in 
Eochester.  He  moved  to  Mt.  Morris  about  February,  1830, 
and  lived  in  a  log  house  situated  on  the  lower  end  of  Main 
street,  and  in  May  of  the  same  year  moved  into  the  frame  house 
on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Murray  streets,  where  he  died  April 
21,  1891,  having  lived  there  61  years,  and  where  his  two  daugh- 
ters still  reside,  his  wife  having  died  twenty  years  previous. 
On  the  organization  of  St.  John's  Episcopal  church  in  1833, 
he  was  chosen  Vestryman  and  soon  after  was  made  Warden, 
and  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  held  that  position  up  to 
the  date  of  his  death. 

He  erected  the  first  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  1835  and 


WALKER  M.  HINMAN. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  95 

1836,  which  was  purchased  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
in  1856,  and  is  now  occupied  by  that  society.  In  1838,  he 
made  a  contract  with  the  Genesee  Valley  Canal  to  furnish  stone 
from  a  quarry  in  Woodsville,  N.  Y. ,  and  was  engaged  in  the 
business  about  eighteen  months. 

He  was  colonel  in  the  old  state  militia  in  this  section,  General 
"W.  A.  Mills  in  command. 

We  copy  the  following  from  his  obituary :  Mr.  Hinman  died 
at  the  advanced  age  of  95  years.  His  vigorous  intellect  remained 
clear  to  the  last.  He  was  honorable  and  upright  in  all  his 
public  dealings,  and  generous  to  a  fault,  public  spirited  and  un- 
tiring in  his  devotion  to  the  church,  which  he  loved  too  well. 
He  was  a  man  of  rare  genial  disposition,  retaining  his  cheerful- 
ness to  the  end.  He  was  a  kind  neighbor  and  a  fast  friend, 
courteous  and  gentlemanly,  very  hospitable  and  exceedingly 
fond  of  the  society  of  young  people.  In  form  he  was  erect 
with  a  commanding  physique  and  pleasing  address.  Mr.  Hin- 
man leaves  two  sons,  Portus  M.  of  Rochester,  and  Charles  H. 
of  Chicago,  and  two  daughters,  Martha  T.  and  Harriet  E. ,  who 
still  live  in  the  old  homestead,  and  one  grandson,  Frank  P. ,  of 
this  villag-e. 


JOHN  R,  MURRAY. 


BY  L.    W.   LEDYAKD,   OF  CAZENOVIA,   N.   Y 


John  Eogers  Murray  was  born  in  the  city  of  'New  York,  Oc- 
tober 15,  1811.  Ilis  father  John  Murray,  sometimes  aUuded 
to  as  John  E.,  was  a  man  of  more  than  usual  character  and  en- 
terprise. During  the  last  century  and  the  earlier  years  of  the 
present  John  Murray  and  son,  and  before  them,  Robert  Murray, 
were  very  large  ship  owners,  financial  agents  and  real  estate 
proprietors.  In  many  of  the  parchment  deeds  and  papers,  upon 
which  vast  land  transactions  in  Western  Xew  York  and  Penn- 
sylvania were  founded,  they  were  the  accredited  representatives 
of  the  Holland  capitalists,  and  were  associated  with  the  then 
living  generation  of  the  Wadsworths,  Ogdens,  Robert  Morris, 
Theophilus  Cazenove,  (of  Holland,)  Robert  Fulton  and  others  of 
historical  fame,  through  whose  transactions  were  established  the 
very  beautiful  estates  that  the  Murray s  and  Wadsworths  enjoyed 
as  near  friends  and  neighbors  for  many  years. 

At  the  time  of  the  birth  of  the  Mr.  Murray,  whose  memory, 
founded  on  personal  affection,  still  endures,  (189-1,)  his  family 
held  a  very  large  extent  of  real  estate  on  Manhattan  Island. 

A  farm  to  which  they  moved  as  their  country  place  was  on 
the  summit  still  bearing  the  family  name ;  then  rough  and 
rock-ribbed ;  noAv  the  site  of  many  of  the  grand  homes  of  the 
successful  men  of  the  age,   who  value  highly  the  arristocratic 


JOHN  R.  MURRAY. 


eioCtRApiiical  sketches.  97 

associations  of  "Murraj^  Hill. "  When  the  Fourth  Avenue  cut 
was  made  through  this  hill  and  a  rude  gash  in  the  landscape 
was  left,  Mr.  Murray  was  very  active  in  designing  and  pro- 
moting that  combination  of  tunnel  and  parks,  through  which 
millions  now  are  rushed,  quite  unaware  of  the  lawns  and  flowers 
that  are  above  them,  or  of  those  who  brought  beauty  to  a  dis- 
figured spot.  The  drawings  made  for  this  by  Mr.  Murray  are 
still  in  the  possession  of  the  writer. 

The  city  home  of  the  Murray s  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Murray's 
youth  was  in  Laight  street,  Hudson  Square,  in  the  already 
populous  part  of  the  Island.  Later,  about  1863,  Mr.  Murray 
built  an  exceedingly  attractive  house  on,  or  nearly  on  the  site, 
of  the  old  farm,  on  Park  Avenue  above  thirty-seventh  street. 

Mr.  Murray's  mother  was  Harriet  Rogers,  daughter  of 
T^icholas  Rogers,  of  Baltimore.  The  home  of  the  Rogers 
family  was  the  large  and  beautiful  estate  known  as  "Druid 
Hill,"  so  named,  perhaps,  on  account  of  the  grand  oaks  that 
were  a  feature  and  suggestion.  This  most  picturesque  park 
was  v.asely  purchased  from  Mr.  Rogers  in  1861,  by  the  city  of 
Baltimore,  and  became  the  widely  known  pleasure  ground  of 
that  splendid  city  that  is  now  built  up  to  its  very  gates. 

Thus  it  is  shown  that  Mr.  Murray  inherited  in  a  pronounced 
degree,  aesthetic  taste,  which  his  education  confirmed,  and  his 
landed  and  financial  succession  enabled  him  to  gratify  to  an  ex- 
tent very  forunate  for  the  localities  he  loved.  From  all  the 
works  he  carried  to  perfection,  he  had  very  great  pleasure,  his 
indulgence  was  generosity,  and  it  is  sad  to  mar  the  picture,  by 
adding  that  while  artists  and  men  of  culture  and  position  were 
fond  and  faithful,  meaner  characters  often  made  personal  and 
unworthy  profit  from  him. 

His  father  died  in  1848,   leaving  his  only  son  trustee  for  his 


08  irOUXT    MOKRIS    CENTENARY. 

mother  and  two  sisters,  and  there  were  man}^   cares  and  great 
expenses  connected  with  the  large  and  varied  estate. 

In  IS'ew  York  the  growth  of  the  city  northward  was  ver}"  rapid. 
It  made  ultimate  values,  but  they  were  preceded  by  enormous 
assessments.  Rock  excavation  was  largely  called  for,  a 
heavy  share  of  the  cost  of  which  was  levied  on  the  property 
benefitted,  and  what  seemed  like  a  vast  fortune,  four  hundred 
lots  on  Murray  Hill  was  really  in  a  great  part  exhausted  before 
high  prices  were  realized. 

There  were  also  large  holdings  in  Clinton  county,  New  York, 
of  cold  and  unproductive  lands,  that  probably  never  realized 
values,  and  also  large  and  profitable  water  front  and  commer- 
cial buildings  in  New  York.  But  it  is  safe  to  say  that  the  great- 
est happiness  Mr.  Murray  had  in  his  ever  active  life  was  in 
Mount  Morris,  in  the  home,  Murray  IliU,  that  ideal  spot, 
beautiful  even  now  (189-1)  after  the  desolation  of  fire  and  neg- 
lect. The  blue  water  of  the  Genesee  flows  far  below  the 
plateau  where  the  mansion  stood,  in  the  same  lovely  curves 
that  delighted  Tallyrand,  the  broad  fields  of  the  famed  valley 
still  lie  in  a  restful  perspective,  but  Mr.  Murray's  aesthetic 
creations  have  passed  away. 

Mr.  Murray  married  Anna  Vernon  013'^phant  in  1839,  daugh- 
ter of  D.  W.  C.  Olyphant,  a  man,  who  made  his  name  and  that 
of  American  commercial  honesty  honored  in  China  in  the  days 
when  merchants  sent  their  own  ships  to  trade  around  the  world. 

Mr.  Murray  had  for  the  occupation  of  his  bride  the  charming 
Mount  Morris  home.  A  large,  but  severely  simple  mansion, 
one  not  intended  to  divert  the  eye  from  the  beautiful  natural 
surroundings  amid  which  it  stood.  Without  ostentation,  which 
Mr.  Murray  abhorcd,  it  was  a  home  of  luxury  ^nthout  indulg- 
ence. Flowers  too  tender  for  the  valley  air,  were  tempted  to 
bloom  under  glass.    Gardens  furnished  all  that  skillful  care  could 


BIOGEAPniCAL    SKETCHES.  99 

produce,  lish-ponds  in  secluded  places  reliected  the  well  chosen 
foliage  that  surrounded  them,  and  a  well  kept  lawn  was  about 
the  house,  invisibly  separated  from  the  far  reaching  acres  of 
grass,  oaks  and  chestnuts  that  made  the  attractive  scene  through 
which  the  visitor  followed  the  long  drive  from  the  lodge  to  the 
house.  It  led  to  the  abode  of  hospitality  and  generosity,  the 
former  to  be  remembered  by  many  distinguished  people,  the 
latter  by  many  an  applicant  for  aid  or  sympathy,  who  rarely 
walked  back  under  the  shade  of  the  oaks,  if  deserving,  without 
financial  or  friendly  encouragement. 

One  of  the  pleasures  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murray  was  designing 
and  building  the  church,  St.  John's,  a  building  so  correct  in 
architecture  and  fitting  for  a  rural  village,  standing  as  it  does 
alone  in  a  wide  lawn,  that  it  attests  both  their  culture  and  liber- 
ality. Mrs.  Murray,  after  many  years,  Avas  borne  to  rest 
under  its  shadow.  Her  death  was  at  Cazenovia,  the  home  of 
her  adopted  daughter,  in  1878.  Mr.  Murray  was  carried  by 
kind  hands  to  rest  by  her  side,  November  1,  1881,  from  the 
humble  home  near  the  entrance  to  Murray  Hill,  where  he  died, 
surviving  her  but  three  years. 

His  funeral  Avas  one  fitting  his  ripe  years  so  full  of  works 
completed.  It  was  on  the  afternoon  of  one  of  the  golden  days 
when  nature  seems  to  halt  before  laying  aside  her  garments  of 
splendid  maturity.  Fallen  leaves  formed  a  rich  carpet  for  the 
path  of  the  bearers,  while  others,  reluctant  to  fall,  still  clung  to 
the  boughs,  forming  a  canopy  of  foliage,  all  suggesting  the  end 
of  a  ripe  and  beautiful  year  and  the  termination  of  a  long  and 
beautiful  existence. 

Yery  few  of  Mr.  Murray's  compeers  reached  his  age.  A 
graduate  of  Yale  in  1830,  he  attended  in  1880.  the  semi-centen- 
nial class  reunion  to  unite  Avith  the  elderly  men  vfho  Avere  once 


100  MOUNT  MOKRIS  CENTENARY. 

his  gcay  student   companions,   but   the   fifty   years    had    sadly 
reduced  their  ranks. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murray  had  no  children,  but  soon  after  their 
marriage  Mrs.  Murray's  sister  died,  leaving  an  infant  daughter. 
This  little  life  they  adopted  to  enjo}''  their  devoted  love  and  care, 
"which  she  faithfully  returned  in  their  later  years.  To  be  near 
and  with  her,  they  took  a  home  in  Cazenovia,  seeking,  as  ever, 
beautiful  surroundings  for  their  place  of  residence.  Here  they 
lived  from  1865  to  the  time  of  Mrs.  Murray's  death.  Mr, 
Murray  then  took  for  a  short  time  one  of  his  daughter's  houses 
(Mrs.  L.  W.  Ledyard),  where  he  was  near  her  for  her  daily  com- 
panionship, but  his  heart  was  ever  yearning  for  Mount  Morris, 
and  he  purchased  the  cottage  near  his  old  lodge,  where  he  died 
a  few  years  later. 


THE 

NEW  YORK 

'PUBLIC   library) 

^Aster,  Lenox  and  TMen , 

1S04 


HON.  GEOEGE  HASTINGS. 


HON,  GEORGE  HASTINGS, 


BY  GEORGE  S.    HASTINGS,   ESQ. ,   OF  NEW  YOEK. 


For  thirty-seven  j^ears,  the  interests  and  personal  history  of 
George  Hastings  were  closely  interwoven  with  the  interests  and 
history  of  Mount  Morris.  He  graduated  from  Hamilton  col- 
lege in  the  class  of  1826,  and  afterwards  studied  law  with  his 
uncle,  Emmons  Clarke,  Esq. ,  of  Utica  in  this  state.  After  his 
admission  to  the  bar,  and  in  the  year  1829,  he  removed  to  our 
village,  and  with  but  a  short  interruption  continued  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  from  that  time,  until  his  death,  in 
August,  1866. 

His  education  was  well  rounded,  and  he  was  distinguished  for 
diligence,  integrity  and  a  high  sense  of  professional  honor, 
during  his  long  career.  He  commanded  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence of  all  our  citizens,  and  was  a  prominent  figure  in  his 
profession,  favorably  known  in  the  entire  western  section  of  the 
State  of  'New  York. 

His  thorough  mastery  of  the  principles,  lying  at  the  founda- 
tion of  our  system  of  jurisprudence,  enabled  him  to  so  apply 
those  principles,  as  to  reach  safe  conclusions. 

For  many  years  he  was  supervisor  of  this  town,  district  at- 
torney of  the  county  of  Livingston,  and  twice  elected  to  the 
office  of  county  Judge.  Although  a  Democrat,  such  was  his 
popularity,    and   his    enjoyment   of   general    confidence,    that 


102  MOUNT  MOKEIS  CENTENARY. 

whenever  be  appeard  as  a   nominee   for   office,  he   ran   largely 
ahead  of  his  ticket. 

He  was  elected  as  a  representative  in  Congress  in  1853,  and 
creditably  served  his  district  for  one  term  in  the  stormy  period 
attending  the  agitation  of  the  question  of  the  extension  of 
slavery,  which  preceded  the  secession  of  the  Southern  States. 
That  he  believed  in  the  supremacy  of  the  government,  founded 
upon  a  union  of  States,  was  shown  by  the  fact  that  his  two  sons, 
and  only  son-in-law,  early  in  the  history  of  our  Civil  War,  en- 
tered the  Union  Arm}",  and  faithfully  served  their  country 
until  nearly  the  close  of  the  war.  But  for  his  political  affiliations 
he  would  have  occupied  the  position  of  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court.  He  was  nominated  for  that  office  by  his  party,  but  in 
this  judicial  district,  the  election  of  any  Democrat,  whatever 
his  judicial  attainments  and  experience,  was  then  impossible. 

For  many  years  his  capacity  for  the  exercise  of  judicial  fair- 
ness was  recognized  by  his  designation  as  referee,  in  important 
litigations,  in  this  and  adjoining  counties.  He  enjoyed  a  large 
and  successful  practice,  supplemented  by  full  employment  as 
Heferee.  In  the  very  spirited  contest,  which  preceded  his 
election  as  County  Judge  in  1859,  under  the  able  leadership  of 
Sidney  Ward,  Esq. ,  nominee  of  the  Eepublican  party,  he  ob- 
tained nearly  all  the  votes  of  the  township  of  Mount  Morris, 
and  successfully  overcame  an  apparent  adverse  majority,  rang- 
ing from  fourteen  hundred  to  eighteen  hundred. 

He  was  devoted  to  the  interests  of  our  town  and  was  an 
earnest  advocate  of  every  measure  that  tended  to  promote  its 
highest  interests.  ]^or  did  his  many  cares  and  the  multiplicity 
of  his  official  duties,  prevent  his  making  for  himself  a  very  un- 
usual record,  as  a  christian.  In  the  year  1831,  he  united  with 
the  Presbyterian  church  in  this  village,  and  the  same  year  was 
ordained  ruling  elder ;     which  office  he  held  until  the  day  of  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  103 

death,  to  the  great  profit  of  the  church.  Constant  in  attend- 
ance upon  religious  service,  wise  in  counsel,  liberal  as  a  si^p- 
porter,  and  social  in  his  bearings,  he  secured  the  respect  and 
admiration,  both  of  pastor  and  people,  to  an  unwonted  degree. 

His  interest,  in  the  children  and  young  people  of  the  church, 
was  manifested  in  his  long  term  of  service,  about  twenty-five 
years,  as  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  School.  What  proved 
to  be  his  farewell  address  to  the  school,  when  disease  warned 
him  that  he  had  not  long  to  stay,  is  still  impressively  remem- 
bered. After  this  lapse  of  nearly  thirty  years  since  the  death  of 
Judge  Hastings,  the  record  of  his  life  as  a  citizen,  as  a  lead- 
ing member  of  the  legal  profession,  as  an  honored  father,  and 
as  a  public  officer,  is  one  that  adds  lustre  to  his  name  and  repu- 
tation, and  it  may  well  be  preserved  in  the  history  of  our  town 
and  county  as  an  incentive  to  honest  endeavor  on  the  part  of 
our  young  men,  and  as  a  lasting  protest  against  any  success  or 
ephemeral  reputation  that  does  not  rest  upon  attainment  and 
noble  character.  The  name  of  George  Hastings,  to  all  who 
knew  and  loved  him,  stands  for  all  that  exalts  life  and  enobles 
character. 

He  died  in  the  youth  of  old  age  in  August,  1866,  and  our 
entire  community  mourned  his  loss.  Four  sons  and  two 
daughters,  who  survived  him,  are  still  living,  and  all  cherish 
the  memory  of  their  beloved  father  with  most  reverent  regard 
and  affection. 

His  home,  in  the  north  part  of  our  village,  on  an  eminence 
overlooking  the  broad  plain,  was  noted  for  many  years,  not 
more  as  the  social  center  of  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  rela- 
tives, than  for  the  generous  hospitality  which  was  there  dis- 
pensed by  Judge  Hastings  and  his  accomplished  wife.  Happily 
a  worthy  son,  John  M.  Hastings,  Esq. ,  succeeds  the  father  in 
the  occupancy  of  the  family  mansion. 


REUBEN  PORTER   WISNER, 


BY  L.    B.    PKOCTOE,   ESQ. ,   OF  ALBANY,   N.    Y. , 
SEC'y  and  HISTOKIAN  of  the  new  YORK  STATE  BAR  ASSOCIATION, 


Keuben  Porter  Wisner,  like  many  others  who  have  risen  to 
the  highest  distinction  at  the  bar,  was  the  artificer  of  his  own 
fortune.  Yery  early  in  life  he  evinced  a  strong  love  of  learning 
which  he  sought  with  diligence.  But  the  somewhat  limited 
means  of  his  parents  restricted  his  advantages  for  attaining  the 
education  he  desired.  His  ambition,  his  native  ability,  industry 
and  determination  made  him  to  a  large  extent  his  own  in- 
structor. Every  leisure  moment  of  his  boyhood  and  young 
manhood  was  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  his  mind.  In  this 
way  he  made  considerable  progress  in  the  study  of  the  languages, 
ancient  and  modern,  in  rhetoric,  logic  and  history.  ["You 
would  be  astonished,"  said  Daniel  S.  Dickinson,  when  a  senator 
in  congress,  who  acquired  his  education  by  self  study,  "did  you 
know  how  much  progress  one  can  make  in  any  stud}^  by  devot- 
ing a  single  hour  in  each  day  to  it.  In  this  way  I  acquired  my 
classical  education,  while  I  was  learning  how  to  card  wool  and 
dress  cloth."]  And  thus,  by  a  systematic  course  of  self -instruc- 
tion, Mr.  Wisner  obtained  a  very  excellent  practical   education. 

He  was  born  at  Springport,  Cayuga  county,  Kew  York, 
March  1,  1810.  When  old  enough  he  began  learning  the  busi- 
ness of  farming,  working  in   the   summer,    and   in  the   winter 


REUBEN  PORTER  WISNER. 


1: 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  105 

attending  school.  Business  often  took  him  to  Auburn,  \vhere 
he  made  many  friends  and  acquaintances,  and  Tvhile  yet  a  boy 
he  used  to  attend  the  sittings  of  the  courts  in  the  old  court- 
house. Here  he  witnessed  the  trial  of  causes  conducted  by 
William  H.  Seward,  B.  Davis  Xoxon,  Mark  H.  Sibley,  John  C. 
Spencer  and  other  great  fathers  of  our  jurisprudence.  Here,  too, 
he  saw  Esek  Cowen,  Ambrose  Spencer,  Greene  C.  Bronson  and 
other  great  judges  of  the  state  pronounce  the  laws  from  the 
bench.  Here  he  was  inspired  to  enter  that  profession,  and  that 
arena  of  strife,  which  calls  forth  all  the  acquired  and  native 
powers  of  the  mind.  There  was  something  in  the  contests  of 
the  bar  peculiarly  attractive  to  Wisner's  bold  and  ardent  mind, 
and  he  determined  to  become  a  contestant  in  an  arena  so 
congenial  to  his  tastes. 

At  length  he  secured  the  friendship  of  Mr.  Seward,  who  in- 
vited him  to  enter  his  office  as  a  student  at  law.  The  offer  was 
accepted  with  pleasure.  As  Wisner  Avas  an  admirable  penman, 
Mr.  Seward  gave  him  a  salary  sufficient  to  support  him  until 
his  legal  studies  were  finished. 

After  receiving  his  license  to  practice,  he  remained  in  Mr. 
Seward's  office  as  an  assistant  two  or  three  j^^ears,  frequently 
appearing  as  junior  counsel  in  cases  tried  by  that  great  man. 
In  this  way  Keuben  P.  Wisner  prepared  himself  for  successfull}^ 
undertaking  the  responsibilities  of  his  profession. 

In  1832,  he  became  a  resident  of  Mount  Morris,  later  form- 
ing a  co-partnership  with  the  late  Judge  Samuel  H.  Fitzhugh, 
an  accomplished  lawyer  and  scholar,  a  gentleman  by  birth, 
education  and  association.  Perhaps  no  legal  firm  in  Livingston 
county  ever  possessed  more  favorable  qualifications  to  secure  a 
large  and  remunerative  practice  than  that  of  Fitzhugh  &;  Wisner, 
and  they  succeeded  in  becoming  one  of  the  most  successful  and 
distinguished  law  firms  in  that  part  of  the  state. 


lOG  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

Mr.  Wisner's  rise  in  the  profession  was  rapid,  permanent  and 
honorable,  and  it  soon  extended  into  very  many  of  the  counties 
in  AVestern  Xew  York. 

In  ISil,  he  represented  Livingston  county  in  the  state  legis- 
lature. His  colleague  was  Augustus  Gibbs,  of  Livonia.  Peter 
B.  Porter,  of  Buffalo,  distinguished  in  the  history  of  Western 
New  York  as  a  lavv^yer  of  much  ability,  and  for  his  public  spirit 
and  energy  in  promoting  internal  improvements,  was  speaker 
of  the  house.  In  recognition  of  .Mr.  Wisner's  abilities  in  legis- 
lation and  his  legal  learning,  Mr.  Porter  gave  him  the  second 
place  on  the  judiciary  committee.  Mr.  Seward  Avas  then  gov- 
ernor, and  he  evinced  his  friendship  for  his  whilom  student  by 
those  graceful  amenities  and  pleasing  attentions  which  he  knew 
so  well  how  to  bestow. 

On  the  occasion  of  one  of  the  governor's  receptions,  while 
Wisner  was  in  the  assembly,  Seward  presented  him  to  the 
guests,  saying,  "I  take  pleasure  in  introducing  to  you  the  Hon. 
Reuben  P.  Wisner,  whose  entrance  into  the  legal  profession  I 
had  the  gratification  to  promote.  For  several  years  he  was  a 
student  in  my  office,  m}^  confidential  clerk,  and  I  am  delighted 
to  see  him  in  the  law-making  department  of  this  state,  occupy- 
ing a  conspicuous  place  on  the  judiciary  committee. ' ' 

Among  other  measures  recommended  by  the  governor  in  his 
annual  message  to  the  legislature  of  1841  was  the  passage  of  a 
law  reducing  the  fees  of  lawyers,  although  a  lawyer  himself. 
This  brought  on  a  bitter  contest  between  the  lawyers  and  lay- 
men in  the  legislature,  and  for  a  time  it  rendered  Mr.  Seward 
somewhat  unpopular  with  the  bar  of  the  state.  A  bill  in  favor 
of  the  measure  was  introduced,  and  it  was  of  course  referred  to 
the  judiciary  committee.  Mr.  Porter,  the  chairman,  made  an 
elaborate  report  in  its  favor.  Mr.  Wisner  submitted  an  exceed- 
ingly able  minority  report  against  it.     But  the  bill  passed  both 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  107 

branches  of  the  legislature  and  became  a  law.  Thereafter  law- 
yers were  compelled  to  work  for  half  their  former  fees.  A 
member  of  the  legislature  facetiously  remarked,  "The  lawyers 
will  manage  to  pick  their  geese  close  enough  to  make  up  what 
the  governor  has  taken  away  from  them." 

But  so  extensive  and  important  were  Mr.  "Wisner's  profes- 
sional duties,  that,  though  a  re-nomination  for  the  assembly 
was  unanimously  tendered  him,  he  "was  compelled  to  decline  it. 
Through  the  remainder  of  his  life  his  ambition  v/as  confined 
entirely  to  his  profession.  He  died  at  Mount  Morris  in  the 
autumn  of  1872,  greatly  lamented. 

Reuben  P.  Yf isner  possessed  great  energy,  firmness  of  pur- 
pose and  emotions  that  were  frequently  intense.  His  reasoning 
powers  were  of  a  high  order,  his  perceptions  intuitively  quick, 
and  his  circumspection  never  permitted  him  to  be  taken  by  sur- 
prise. His  strongest  forte  was  trying  causes  before  juries.  In 
this  sphere  he  was  eminently  successful.  As  a  speaker  at  the 
bar,  he  was  often  animated,  often  impressively  eloquent. 
Sometimes  he  became  too  vehement  and  excited,  so  that  he  lost 
his  influence  with  the  jury,  but  this  was  not  often.  He  was 
sanguine,  always  expecting  to  succeed ;  but  he  took  defeat  as 
one  of  the  vicissitudes  of  a  lawyer's  life.  Another  remarkable 
feature  of  his  character  was  the  strength  he  seemed  to  gather 
in  difficult  cases.  The  greater  the  doubt,  the  stronger  the  op- 
position brought  to  bear  against  him  by  distinguished  counsel, 
the  more  extraordinary  were  the  efforts  he  made  to  overcome 
his  adversary.  He  seemed  to  excel  himself  when  hard  pressed 
by  opposing  counsel. 

It  would  be  extremely  gratifying  and  interesting  to  refer  to 
some  of  the  important,  and  we  may  say  great,  cases  which 
"Wisner  conducted.  They  are  found  in  the  reports  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  and  in  the  reports  of  the  Court  of  Appeals.    In 


108  MOUNT  MOKKIS  CENTENARY. 

these  reports  are  seen  the  extensive  learning,  erudition  and  solid 
reasoning  with  which  he  conducted  the  argument  of  his  cases 
in  these  courts.  But  time  Avill  not  permit  this  interesting 
reference.  It  is  not  pretended  that  Mr.Wisner  was  a  man  without 
faults, for  no  man  lives  without  them.  A  person  without  character 
enough  to  make  enemies  would  be  like  vapid,  neutral  salts,  with 
no  positive  quality  in  them.  He  was  a-n  independent  minded, 
positive  man,  and  men  of  that  class  in  defending  their  opinions 
will  come  in  collision  with  those  who  entertain  opposite  ones, 
and  in  maintaining  their  positions  will  naturally  make  enemies 
who  ascribe  to  them  a  full  quota  of  errors.  It  is  the  sharp  an- 
gles in  a  diamond  that  give  brilliancy  to  that  beautiful  gem ;  so 
it  is  that  the  sharp  angles  in  the  character  and  conduct  of  men 
often  give  a  brilliancy  that  causes  their  faults  to  be  forgotten. 
Mr.  AYisner  met  his  enemies  in  open,  manly,  often  bitter  war- 
fare ;  but  when  the  contest  was  ended  no  man  more  generously 
forgot  his  bitterness,  or  more  fully  forgave  his  enemies  than  he. 

Mr.  "Wisner's  home  life  was  beautiful,  for  his  home  was  the 
dearest,  the  sunniest  spot  on  earth  to  him.  He  made  it  so  by 
those  domestic  virtues  of  which  he  was  so  happily  possessed. 
Mutual  affection  presided  over  his  home.  This  affection  shone 
ouu  in  the  character  of  husband,  father,  friend.  He  was  sym- 
pathetic and  generous.  When  his  friend  was  in  trouble,  he 
never  failed  to  relieve  him,  if  it  were  possible  for  him  to  do  so. 

He  has  gone  to  his  final  rest,  but  pleasant  memories  and 
deli":htful  reminiscences  are  blended  with  his  career  at  the  bar 
and  his  family  and  social  relations. 

An  examination  into  his  prof essio  nal  life  presents  a  useful 
example  for  young  lawyers  entering  the  arena  of  legal  strife. 
It  exhibits  tlie  result  of  energy,  self-reliance  and  indomitable 
industry  Avhen  applied  to  professional  duties  and  directed  to 
the  task  of  overcoming  difficulties. 


IIIIIAM   P.   MILLS. 


HIRAM  P.  MILLS. 


AN  AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 


Hiram.  Perry  Mills  was  born  on  the  2nd  day  of  January, 
1806,  in  Saratoga  county,  on  the  river  Hudson,  Kew  York 
State.  He  remembers  well  the  war  of  1812,  and  can  vividly 
recall  the  encamping  of  two  thousand  troops  in  a  field  on  his 
father's  farm.  About  this  time  he  remembers  witnessing  the 
swimming  across  the  river  of  several  soldiers  whose  mouths  evi- 
dently watered  at  the  sight  of  some  luscious  green  corn  growing 
on  the  opposite  bank.  The  ears  were  plucked  and  braided,  and 
then  suspended  round  the  neck,  and  in  this  condition  the  daring 
foragers  re-swam  the  river,  and  returned  to  camp. 

Mr.  Mills  remained  at  home  until  he  was  nineteen  years  old, 
when  he  married  Jane  Janet  Dunn,  and  soon  after  engaged  in  a 
large  contract  with  Captain  Powers  on  the  Delaware  division  of 
the  Pennsylvania  canal.  He  was  afterwards  associated  with 
the  construction  of  the  first  railroad  on  the  Continent,  viz :  the 
Albany  and  Schenectady,  which,  when  opened,  was  worked  by 
cable,  while  the  carriages  were  mere  box  cars.  He  was  after- 
wards resident  engineer  on  the  Oswego  canal,  from  which 
appointment  he  went  to  the  southern  part  of  the  State  to 
engage  in  railroad  operations,  which  were,  however,  subse- 
quently abandoned. 

Mr.  Mills  was  next  employed,  from  1836   to   1842,    on   the 


110  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

Genesee  Valley  canal,  as  resident  engineer  under  his  brother, 
F.  C.  Mills,  who,  while  engineer  in  chief,  paid  only  stated 
visits  to  the  works,  the  practical  part  of  which  was  carried  out 
under  the  uninterrupted  directions  of  the  younger  brother. 
This  canal  ran  successfully  for  many  years  from  Rochester  to 
Glean,  including  the  Dansville  side-cut.  With  the  increase  of 
railroads,  however,  its  financial  prosperity  gradually  abated, 
until  it  finally  ceased  operations,  and  its  bed  was  subsequently 
converted  into  the  foundation  for  the  "Western  New  York  & 
Pennsylvania  Railroad. 

Mr.  Mills  has  for  many  years  engaged  in  banking,  and  for  a 
long  period  has  been  president  and  principal  share-holder  in  the 
Genesee  River  National  Bank,  an  institution  noted  for  its  unin- 
terrupted business  success,  and  high  esteem  in  which  it  is  held 
by  the  general  public.  It  may  here  be  added  that  throughout 
his  entire  connection  with  Mount  Morris,  Mr.  Mills  has  ever 
sought,  both  by  counsel  and  finance,  to  further  the  interest  of 
the  community  in  which  he  has  so  long  held  a  prominent  and 
respected  position. 

In  religion,  Mr.  Mills  is  an  ardent  churchman,  and  has  always 
taken,  and  continues  to  take,  deep  interest  both  in  the  spiritual 
and  financial  success  of  his  church,  the  beautiful  ecclesiastical 
structure  known  as  St.  John's,  Mount  Morris,  of  which  he  has 
been  warden  for  many  years. 

Mr.  Mills  is  actually  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  the  neigh- 
borhood, being  eighty -eight  years  of  age;  but  in  appearance 
and  mental  activity  he  is  one  of  the  youngest. 

By  his  first  ^vife,  who  died  in  1866,  Mr.  Mills  had  nine  chil- 
dren, six  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  three  only  are 
now  living,  viz  :  Charles  Henry,  married  and  residing  at  Mount 
Morris,  John  Edward,  widower,  residing  at  Nunda,  and  Mrs. 
Dr.  Mills,  of  Mount   Morris.      Mr.    Mills  afterwards   married 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  Ill 

Cornelia  J.  DePuy,  sister  of  ex-governor  Begole,  of  Michigan, 
a  most  estimable  lady  and  an  active  church  member.  Mrs. 
Bradbury,  one  of  the  most  devoted  attendants  of  St.  John's 
church,  is  the  sister  of  Mr.  Mills  and  resides  at  Mount  Morris. 

Straightforward  in  all  business  relationships,  hospitable  and 
polite,  it  is  hoped  that  Mr.  Mills  may  long  be  spared  to  adorn 
with  his  venerable  presence  our  community,  and  to  gladden  the 
hearts  of  his  many  friends  with  his  genial  company. 


NORMAN  SEYMOUR, 


Bi'  HENKY  H.    SEYMOUK,   ESQ.,   OF  BUFFALO,   N.    Y. 


Korman  Seymour,  who  died  in  Mount  Morris,  February  21, 
1892,  was  born  in  Herkimer,  Herkimer  County,  Xew  York, 
on  the  16th  day  of  December,  1820.  He  was  the  son  of  Xor- 
man  Seymour  of  TVest  Hartford,  Connecticut,  cousin  of  Henry 
Seymour,  the  old  Canal  Commissioner,  and  the  father  of 
Governor  Se3"mour.  They  both  went  from  Connecticut  into 
Herkimer  County  about  the  same  time.  The  then  l^orman 
Seymour,  Sr. ,  afterwards  lived  in  this  village  for  many  years, 
and  died  here  in  1859,  aged  77  years;  and  it  Avas  his  intention, 
being  a  deeply  religious  man,  to  educate  his  two  sons,  Norman 
and  McXeil,  for  missionaries.  McNeil,  who  afterwards  became 
a  distinguished  lawyer  of  this  place,  and  whose  untimely  death 
in  1870  is  still  remembered,  was  sent  through  college;  and  so 
would  have  been  Norman  but  for  the  state  of  his  health,  which 
absolutely  prevented  the  training  and  life  which  his  marked 
literary  ability  naturally  preferred,  and  towards  which,  during 
all  the  years  of  his  business  life,  he  continual!}^  turned.  His 
sister,  ^lary  Seymour,  having  just  become  the  wife  of  the  late 
Judge  Hastings,  he  came  here  as  a  young  man  of  eighteen  to 
■^-isit  her,  and  this  led  to  his  life  residence  in  Mount  Morris. 

In  1843  he  married  Miss  Frances  Metcalf,  a  daughter  of 
Henry  Metcalf,  of  Keene,  N.  H.,  who,  after  her  father's  early 


BIOGKAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  113 

death,  had  lived  with  her  uncle,  the  late  James  R.  Bond,  in  his 
residence  on  State  Street,  from  which  she  Avas  married,  and 
which,  since  Mr,  Bond  left  it,  has  been  the  home  of  Mr.  Sey- 
mour's son,  Norman  A.  He  was  also  a  brother-in-law  of  the 
late  Edward  I.  Chase,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  in  Lincoln's 
Cabinet. 

It  was  interesting  to  hear  Mr.  Seymour  describe  his  first 
coming  to  Mt.  Morris  in  a  stage  from  Canandaigua,  in  1838. 
From  that  year  until  this,  he  has  been  an  active,  interested, 
go-ahead  business  man  of  Mount  Morris.  For  the  last  twenty- 
five  years,  and  until  he  retired  from  business  three  years  ago,  he 
had  been  a  hardware  merchant,  and  when  he  left  the  store, 
which  he  purchased  forty-six  years  ago,  and  owned  until  his 
death,  he  had  been  man  and  boy  fifty  years  under  the  same 
roof.  But  during  all  this  time  the  real  interest  of  his  life  was 
in  that  literary  work  which  could  be  presented  to  the  public  by 
an  oration  or  an  historical  address.  He  was  an  eloquent  speaker 
and  he  had  the  faculty  of  only  touching  upon  interesting  topics 
and  struck  at  once  to  the  key  note  of  the  subject.  For  this 
reason,  in  the  old  days,  though  the  Mount  Morris  bar  had 
strong  men,  he  was  selected  often  to  make  addresses.  He  gave 
the  oration  at  the  time  of  Lincoln's  funeral  services  here,  also 
the  oration  on  the  return  of  the  soldiers  from  the  war,  and  the 
historical  address  on  the  "history  of  Mount  Morris,"  at  the 
opening  of  Livingston  Hall,  in  1873.  He  gave  the  annual 
address  before  the  pioneer  picnic  at  Silver  Lake  in  1877,  and 
as  recently  as  1890  he  gave  one  before  the  same  society  on  Mary 
Jemison,  "the  white  woman."  He  gave  the  annual  address 
once  before  the  Genesee  County  Pioneer  Association  in  1878, 
and  a  great  many  others  before  various  associations  of  a  pioneer 
and  historical  character.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Albany 
Institute,  a  life   member  of  New  York  Historical   Society,  and 


114  MOUNT  MORKIS  CENTENARY. 

lioiiorm-y  mombcr  of  many  others.  lie  was  one  of  tlie  chief 
promoters  of  the  Livingston  Connty  Historical  Society,  was 
once  its  president  and  for  many  years  its  secretary,  never 
missed  its  annual  meetings  and  made  numerous  addresses  before 
it ;  among  others,  one  on  the  hite  John  R.  Murray  of  Murray 
Hill,  wlio  was  a  man  he  admired  and  prized,  and  Avho  recipro- 
cated his  friendship.  The  last  address  delivered  by  Mr.  Sey- 
mour was  at  the  meeting  of  the  County  Historical  Society  in 
this  village,  in  January  1892,  at  the  Seymour  Opera  House, 
when  he  read  an  article  upon  the  late  Dr.  Ames. 

IS'ot  man}"  now,  save  old  residents,  can  recall,  nor  perhaps 
have  ever  heard  of,  the  old  Mount  Morris  days — the  da3"s  of 
the  canal,  the  old  toll  bridge  across  the  river,  of  riding  down 
to  the  second  lock  on  the  packets,  as  they  left  here  at  7  p.  m. 
on  the  ringing  of  the  bell  on  the  old  Howard  Athenceum.  Of 
those  days,  when  Mr.  Seymour  was  an  ardent,  keenly-observ- 
ing man,  he  had  innumerable  anecdotes  and  recollections  that 
Avould  have  filled  a  volume.  He  was,  too,  a  witty  man,  saw 
the  ludicrous  side  of  things,  as  well  as  the  serious,  a  capital  judge 
of  character,  sized  men  up  in  an  instant,  though  never  saying 
much  about  them,  and  with  a  wonderful  memory  that  retained 
until  his  last  day,  the  impression  of  every  incident  of  his  life ; 
he  could  talk  for  hours,  until  one  saw  vividly  again  the  old 
characters  and  the  old  daj^s. 

During  all  the  years,  over  thirty,  Avhen  Mr.  Hugh  Harding 
was  editor  of  the  Union,  Mr.  Seymour  contributed  to  it  con- 
stantly. He  wrote  for  it  and  for  the  Rochester  Democrat, 
under  the  pen  name  of  Robert  Morris,  the  obituaries  of  his 
friends  and  acquaintances  and  historical  articles,  year  in  and 
year  out,  until  tlie  memory  of  man  runneth  not  to  the  con- 
trary. It  was  a  standing  joke  with  his  friends  that  he  had  the 
obituaries  written  and   pigeon-holed   of  every  one,  ready  to  be 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  115 

drawn  at  sight.  He  once  prepared  a  long  one  of  his  wife,  which 
he  used  to  read  in  her  presence,  with  great  merriment,  to  his 
friends.  He  probably  was  the  best  posted  man  in  the  county 
on  all  matters  of  historical  lore ;  an  authority  and  a  reference 
on  all  such  topics,  and  his  interest  in  them  was  undying  and 
never  flagged. 

He  was  an  ardent  Republican  from  the  birth  of  that  party 
until  he  died,  and  attended,  as  a  delegate  from  this  county,  the 
first  State  convention  at  which  it  came  forth.  He  greatly  ad- 
mired Horace  Greeley,  and  took  the  Log  Cabin  and  Tribune  for 
forty  years.  He  knew  Mr.  Greeley,  and  used  to  tell  the  story  of 
once  when  riding  from  here  to  Perry  with  him  in  the  dead  of 
winter,  very  cold,  and  snow  filling  the  cross-roads,  how,  when 
half  way  over,  Mr.  Greely  started  up  with,  "Good  God!  Mr. 
Seymour,  I  have  left  my  lecture, ' '  and  they  had  to  return  here 
for  his  satchel. 

He  was  once  collector  of  the  port  in  the  old  canal  days,  and 
once  postmaster,  member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  trustee  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  of  the  village,  of  the  Cemetery  Asso- 
ciation from  its  organization,  and  member  of  its  executive  board. 
He  was  one  of  the  three  commissioners  who  selected  its  present 
beautiful  location,  and  threw  all  his  influence  to  have  that  site 
chosen  instead  of  enlarging  the  old  cemetery,  as  was  talked. 

Mr.  Seymour  was  fond  of  his  home,  fond  of  the  country, 
fond  of  this  beautiful  valley  of  the  Genesee,  and  he  seldom 
went  away  from  it.  In  1882  he  spent  the  summer  in  Europe, 
which  he  greatly  enjoyed,  and  he  made  several  public  addresses 
after  his  return,  on  his  travels,  for  the  benefit  of  local  organiza- 
tions, and  had  he  lived  he  would  have  gone  again. 

He  was  a  religious  man  by  temperamant,  though  not  caring 
much  about  theology,  but  early  united  Avith  the  Presbyterian 
church.     He  was  a  man  utterly  without  any  nonsense  about  him. 


116  MOUNT  MOKRIS  CENTENAKT. 

Ko  fad  or  freak  ever  could  get  any  lodgment  in  his  mind ;  and 
society,  which  he  enjoyed  greatl}^  had  no  gradations  for  him. 
Ilis  tastes  were  simple  and  elementary.  He  attached  a  proper 
value  to  money,  but  that  was  all.  He  enjoyed  life  immensely  in 
that  true  and  elementary  way  through  which  real  and  lasting 
pleasure  can  only  come.  Ino  one  ever  saw  him  look  bored  or 
tired  of  life.  He  was  honesty  itself.  The  idea  of  taking  advan- 
tage of  any  one,  or  advancing  himself  at  the  expense  of  any 
one,  never  entered  his  mind.  He  was  always  ready  to  do  more 
for  any  one  else  than  for  himself,  and  gentle  and  shnple  things 
gave  him  pleasure. 

He  never  gossiped ;  never  said  an  unkind  word  of  any  one 
in  his  long  life ;  never  gave  a  thought  to  the  schemes  and 
bickerings  of  men  no  more  than  if  on  some  other  planet  they 
rose  and  fell ;  but  he  was  nevertheless  ambitious,  and  considering 
his  gentle  and  literary  temperament,  and  his  early  assuming  all 
the  responsibilities  of  life,  he  was  a  successful  and  a  happy  man. 
His  perfect  health  contributed  also  to  this.  He  was  a  great 
walker,  fond  of  tramping  with  his  grand-children;  of  a  nervous, 
quick  temperament,  and  to  within  one  week  of  his  death,  his 
step  was  as  active,  and  his  figure,  if  you  did  not  see  the  gray 
hair  and  his  face,  like  a  man  of  twenty-five. 

Mr.  Seymour's  wife  and  his  four  children  survive  him;  Mary 
S.  Howell  of  Albany,  wife  of  George  R.  Howell,  State  Libra- 
rian; Henry  H.  Seymour,  attorney,  of  Buffalo;  Norman  A.  and 
Edward  C,  of  this  village.  Also  two  sisters,  Mrs.  Lydia  Hin- 
man  and  Miss  Catherine  M.  Seymour  of  Mount  Morris. 


JOHN  K.   McAirniUK. 


JOHN  R,  MC  ARTHUR, 


BY  AKCHIBALD  MC  ARTHUK,   OF  CHICAGO,   ILL. 


John  E.  McArthur  was  born  of  Scotch  parents,  at  Canajoharie 
Montgomery  county,  New  York,  February  ISth,  1803.  "When 
quite  young,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Auburn,  E"ew 
York,  where  he  was  married,  in  1823,  to  Mary  Miller,  and  soon 
after  went  to  Steuben  county  to  reside.  There  his  eldest  child, 
William,  was  born  in  1825. 

During  the  year  1826  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Mount 
Morris,  and  settled  in  the  valley  of  the  Cashaqua  Creek,  about 
two  miles  above  its  junction  with  the  Canaseraga.  At  this 
point  he  built  a  saw-mill  and  engaged  in  lumbering.  His  first 
mill  was  carried  away  by  high  water ;  he  afterwards  built  two 
other  mills,  and  continued  the  lumbering  business  there  and  in 
that  vicinity  until  1861. 

During  the  building  of  the  Genesee  YaUey  canal,  which 
passed  through  his  place,  he  had  several  large  contracts  for 
construction,  and  after  the  completion  of  this  canal  he  had  a 
number  of  contracts  for  the  enlargement  of  the  Erie  canal.  He 
had  about  two  hundred  acres  of  land  where  he  resided,  and  his 
business  life  was  spent  between  lumbering,  contracting  on  public 
works,  and  farming. 

After  the  death  of  his  wife,  which  occurred  in  1861,  he  went, 
in  the  spring  of  1865,  with  Lucius   South  wick,  to   Michigan  in 


118  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

search  of  investraeuts  in  timber  lands,  and  tliey,  in  company 
with  two  other  gentlemen, bought  the  timber  lands  and  lumber- 
ing property,  known  as  the  Duncan  estate,  at  Cheboygan. 
Here  they  erected  mills  and  began  lumbering  o]3erations.  In 
ISOS  he  sold  his  interest  in  this  lumbering  property,  and  there- 
after resided  with  his  son  Alexander,  on  a  farm  which  they 
owned  near  Conesus,  New  York.  He  was  taken  ill  and  died 
suddenly  at  the  home  of  his  son  Archibald,  in  Rochester,  New 
York,  February  17,  1870. 

He  had  d.  great  thirst  for  knowledge,  and  was  a  most 
assiduous  reader  of  ancient  history  and  scientific  literature.  He 
kept  in  touch  with  the  broadest  and  best  thought  of  his  day, 
and  thereby  was  a  man  of  wide,  general  knowledge  and  infor- 
mation, and  able  to  interest  in  conversation  all  who  came  in 
contact  with  him.  He  was  a  man  of  firmness  and  sterling  in- 
tegrity, whose  every  act  was  based  on  his  highest  idea  of  right 
and  justice.  While  a  man  of  great  firmness,  he  was  never 
known  to  be  ruffled  in  temper,  or  in  any  way  lose  control  of 
himself. 

He  had  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  eight  of  whom  are  still 
living.  Three  of  his  sons,  William,  James  and  Archibald,  pur- 
sued somewhat  the  same  lines  as  their  father,  lumbering  and 
contracting.  They  have  for  several  years  been  one  of  the 
largest  railroad  contracting  firms  in  the  west.  They  had  large 
contracts  for  the  construction  of  buildings  and  preparation  of 
grounds  for  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition,  and  the  great 
drainage  canal  of  Chicago,  now  under  construction. 

His  son  James  inherited,  in  a  marked  degree,  his  father's 
thirst  for  knowledge,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  March 
1S63,  owned  one  of  the  largest  and  most  read  private  libra- 
ries in  the  city  of  Chicago. 

WiUiam   and  Archibald   purchased  the  interests  of  all   other 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES,  119 

owners  in  the  Michigan  lumber  property,  and  William  went  to 
Cheboygan  to  reside  in  1873.  He  had  the  management  of  the 
business  there,  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  June  1,  1894.  He 
had  been  a  member  of  the  Michigan  legislature,  and  held  many 
other  positions  of  public  trust,  and  was  widely  known  through- 
out the  state.  He  was  a  man  of  excellent  judgment  and  high- 
est integrity,  honored  and  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Archibald  resides  in  Chicago,  and  still  continues  the  business 
of  lumbering  and   contracting. 


HENRY  SWAN. 


BY    DK.   M,    H.   MILLS. 


In  this  centennial  year,  and  celebration  of  the  settlement  and 
history  of  Mount  Morris,  the  writer  recalls,  among  the  promi- 
nent citizens  and  business  men  of  the  past,  who  have  been 
identified  with  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  village,  the 
name  of  Henry  Swan,  as  a  cherished  memory. 

Mr.  Swan  and  wife  were  natives  of  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y., 
and  came  to  Mt.  Morris  to  reside  in  1836.  Mr.  S.  ens'ao'ing 
in  the  dry  goods  trade,  continued  it  through  his  business 
career.  When  the  State  commenced  building  the  Genesee  Val- 
ley canal  in  1836-37,  he  took  a  contract  to  construct  one  mile 
of  the  canal,  extending  through  the  village  to  the  Genesee 
river,  which  he  completed  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  state  officers 
in  charge.  Upon  the  completion  of  the  canal  to  Rochester  in 
18-10,  he  built  a  warehouse  upon  its  banks  and  engaged  exten- 
sively in  the  grain  and  produce  business.  He  was  largely  in- 
terested, also,  in  a  line  of  packet  and  freight  boats  on  the 
canal. 

In  October  1853,  when  the  Genesee  River  Bank  commenced 
business,  8100,000  capital,  he  was  a  stockholder  and  director, 
and  was  subsequently  tendered  the  presidency  of  the  bank, 
which  he  declined.  Unostentatious  and  retiring,  he  preferred 
the  rank  and  station  of   private  life,  to   public  office.     He   was 


HENRY  SWAN. 


THE 

NEW  YORK 

'public  LiaCARYi 

y,  Astor,  Lenox  and  Tilden  , 
19( 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  121 

one  of  the  projectors,  and  took  an  active  part  in  securing  the 
building  of  a  railroad  from  Avon  to  Mount  Morris  in  1859.  He 
was  one  of  the  incorporators  and  trustees  in  the  Cemetery  Asso- 
ciation, organized  to  provide  a  new  cemetery  to  meet  the  re- 
quirements of  the  growing  village,  in  which  he  took  a  special 
interest  and  pride.  Its  beauty  of  location,  artistic  design  in 
laying  out  the  grounds  and  embelishments,  driveways  and  foot- 
paths, reflect  in  an  eminent  degree  the  refined  taste  and  good 
judgment  of  the  Association,  rendering  the  cemetery  an  invit- 
ing and  attractive  place  for  the  repose  of  the  dead. 

Mr.  Swan,  politically,  was  a  Jeffersonian  Democrat,  and  was 
postmaster  under  James  K.  Polk  in  ISii-lS.  The  office  car- 
rying with  it  political  prestige,  made  it  acceptable.  lie  was 
public  spirited,  benevolent,  and  contributed  with  an  open  purse 
to  all  enterprises,  Avhich  had  for  their  object  the  prosperity  and 
business  interests  of  Mount  Morris.  Ko  man  was  truer  to  his 
friends  and  business  engagements.  His  insight  to  business  and 
the  affairs  of  life,  was  singular,  lucid  and  correct.  His  fund 
of  general  information  was  large.  His  rare  good  sense  was  a 
distinguished  trait  in  his  character.  He  always  underrated  his 
own  abilities.  His  confidence  once  gained,  he  was  the  truest 
of  friends.  Those  who  enjoyed  his  confidence,  know  how 
much  pure  gold  there  was  in  it.  He  was  a  man  of  the  world, 
as  he  understood  men,  their  motives,  and  springs  of  action,  and 
could  not  be  easily  misled  or  deceived.  He  had  not  the  slight- 
est ambition  to  figure  in  public  life,  though  political  preferment 
and  distinction  lay  in  his  pathway.  Undeviating  integrity,  con- 
siderate and  broad  gague  in  his  business  relations,  and  uniform 
courtesy,  made  friends  in  all  his  business  enterprises. 
Especially  was  this  so  with  his  employees,  none  of  whom  were 
ever  heard  to  speak  of  him  except  in  admiration  and  sincere 
regard.     An  old  employee  writes  the  author  of  these  lines,  from 


122  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

Milvraukee,  AYisconsin,  under  date  of  November  19tli,  and  says : 
"I  was  in  Mr.  Swan's  employment  three  years,  and  a  nobler  or 
grander  man  I  never  knew. ' ' 

Henry  Swan  was  born  in  1802,  and  died  in  Mount  Morris, 
August  3,  1867,  aged  65  years.  Thus  an  honest  man,  nature's 
rare  gift,  and  public  benefactor  has  passed  away,  but  the  im- 
press he  has  left  upon  this  community  and  his  memory  are  in- 
delible. The  writer  of  these  lines  has  witnessed  no  pleasanter 
picture  in  the  summer  gone,  than  is  revived  and  called  to  mind 
in  penning  the  above  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  honored  dead 
and  esteemed  friend. 


'      NEV/  YORK      V 
PUSLIC  LIBRARY! 


// 


ZARA  W.  JOSLYN,  M.  D. 


ZARA  W,  JOSLYN,  M,  D 


BY  H.    W.   MILLER. 


To  give  even  a  brief  history,  of  one  so  thorougtily  identified 
with  the  growth  and  progress  of  our  village,  as  was  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  is  indeed  no  simple  task.  There  are  or  have 
been,  probably,  none  connected  with  the  civil,  educational 
and  religious  development  of  Mount  Morris,  so  widely  known, 
esteemed  and  respected,  as  Dr.  Z,  W.  Joslyn. 

He  came  to  this  town  in  the  year  1854.  At  once  he  became 
identified  with  all  that  pertained  to  the  interest  of  the  town, 
and  was  from  first  to  last  a  representative  man.  In  whatever 
position  of  private  or  public  trust  he  was  placed,  he  maintained 
the  same  truthful  and  noble  character,  winning  the  confidence 
of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  His  manner  was  cordial 
and  off-hand,  endearing  him  to  all.  His  language  was  simple, 
clear  and  unequivocal,  often  revealing  the  deep  and  strong 
emotions  of  his  nature.  He  was  a  fearless  opponent,  never 
yielding  a  single  point  until  he  had  exhausted  all  that  pertained 
to  the  subject  under  discussion.  He  had  a  marvelous  gift  of 
language,  making  him  prominent  in  social  and  public  life.  He 
detested  sham  and  insincerity,  always  demanding  the  truth  on 
all  subjects.  As  a  physician,  he  ranked  with  the  first,  ever 
greeting  his  patients  wdth  a  smile,  bringing  sunshine  and  cheer 
to   the  bedside  of  the  sick   and   suffering.     He  was   for  many 


12-i  MOUNT    MORKIS    CENTENARY. 

years  President  of  the  Livingston  County  Medical  Society.  He 
took  a  great  interest  in  educational  matters,  and  was  for  years 
chairman  of  the  Board  of  Education,  devoting  personal  atten- 
tion to  school  work,  doing  all  he  could  to  bring  the  schools  up 
to  the  highest  standard  possible.  In  short,  all  his  acts,  during 
his  connection  with  the  Board  of  Education,  show  a  purpose  to 
do  his  duty  to  teacher  and  scholars,  and  to  the  patrons  of  the 
school,  Avithout  fear  or  favor. 

During  the  late  war.  Dr.  Joslyn  rendered  valuable  service, 
going  from  town  to  town  with  all  his  power  of  gifted  eloquence, 
persuading  men  to  enlist  in  defense  of  our  country ;  none  were 
more  patriotic,  more  self-sacrificing,  spending  time  and  money 
without  remuneration.  As  a  friend,  neighbor  and  citizen,  his 
death  seemed  irreparable.  In  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
village  of  Mt.  Morris,  he  was  an  active  member,  ready  for  any 
improvement,  that  would  benefit  or  adorn  our  beautiful  village. 
He  devoted  much  time  in  looking  after  the  efficiency  of  the 
Fire  Department.  The  "boys"  always  found  a  friend  in  the 
Doctor. 


BRIEF  HISTORIES  OF  CHURCHES, 


FIEST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 


BY  REV.   L.   PARSONS. 


The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mount  Morris,  was  organi- 
zed April  29,  ISl-i,  by  the  following  fourteen  individuals: 
Jesse  Stanley,  Jonathan  Beach,  Luther  Parker,  Enos  Baldwin, 
Abraham  Camp,  Luman  Stanley,  Rus^el  Sheldon,  Almira  Hop- 
kins, Lucy  Beach,  Martha  Parker,  Sarah  Baldwin,  Mary 
Camp,  Patty  M.  Stanley  and  Clarissa  Sheldon.  Among  those 
received  prior  to  1820,  we  find  Martin  Beach  and  wife, 
Asa  Woodford  and  wife,  Mrs.  Susannah  H.  Mills,  Moses  Camp, 
Oliver  Stanley  and  wife,  James  Conkey  and  wife  and  Mrs. 
Betsey  Mason. 

Ministers:  Mr.  Stephen  M.  Wheelock,  a  licentiate,  was  the 
first  minister ;  and  he  continued  about  three  years  after  the  or- 
ganization. His  successors  have  been  as  follows :  Rev.  Silas 
Pratt,  from  1817  to  1818;    Rev.    Elihu   Mason,  from  1818   to 


126  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

1S20;  Rev.  r;artholome\\'  F.  Pratt,  1821  to  1825;  Rev.  Wm. 
Lyman,  D.  D.,  1825  to  1827;  Rev.  Abel  B.  Clary,  1827  to 
1828;  Rev.  James  McMaster,  1828  to  1830;  Rev.  Calvin  Bush- 
nell,  1830  to  1831;  Rev.  James  Wilcox,  1831  to  1832;  Rev. 
George  W.  Elliott,  1832  to  1834;  Rev.  Clark  H.  Goodrich, 
1834  to  1838;  Rev.  John  YanBuren,  1838  to  1839;  Rev.  Cy- 
rus Hudson,  1839  to  1846;  Rev.  C.  H.  A.  Bulkley,  1847  to 
1851;  Rev.  Darwin  Chichester,  1851  to  1855;  and  Rev.  Levi 
Parsons  1856  to  the  present  time. 

Euling  Elders :  The  first  ruling  elders,  v^^ere  Jesse  Stanley, 
Abraham  Camp  and  Jonathan  Beach.  Those  subsequently 
elected,  were  James  Coe  and  Luther  Parker  in  1818 ;  Asa  Wood- 
ford and  Oliver  Stanley  in  1820 ;  John  Pratt  and  James  Con- 
key  in  1829;  George  Kemp,  Jr.,  and  George  Hastings  in  1831 : 
ILirry  H.  Evarts  and  James  H.  Rogers  in  1834 ;  Reuben  Weeks, 
Reuben  Sleeper  and  Charles  W.  King  in  1836  ;  Marsena  Allen 
in  1842 ;  Henry  Sheldon,  Charles  Holmes  and  Levi  Goddard 
in  1844;  Samuel  J.  Mills,  Loren  J.  Ames,  M.  D.,  Milo  H. 
Maltbie  and  Stillwell  Burroughs  in  1853 ;  Loren  Coy  and  Pome- 
roy  Sheldon  in  1857;  Jonathan  E.  Robinson,  Samuel  L.  Rock- 
fellow  and  Justine  Smith  in  1862 ;  Elijah  N.  Bacon,  Frederick 
E.  Hastings,  Ziba  A.  Colburn  and  Jay  E.  Lee  in '1871 ;  Reuben 
S.  Weeks  and  Wilder  Silver  in  1875  ;  Miles  B.  McNair  in  1883  ; 
Henry  M.  Swan  and  Joshua  C.  AVeeks  in  1886 ;  Robert  Craw- 
ford in  1887  ;  George  H.  Wiltsie  in  1890 ;  Frank  H.  Mills  and 
Ansel  Spinning  in  1891,  and  Jacob  Knappenberg  in  1894.  The 
election  of  elders  for  a  limited  term  Avas  adopted  in  1875. 

Deacons :  The  first  deacons,  were  Jesse  Stanley  and  Jona- 
than Beach.  Those  subsequently  elected  have  been  as  follows  : 
Asa  AVoodford,  William  Marvin  and  Abraham  C.  Camp  in  1831; 
James  Conkey  and  ]\rarsena  Allen  in  1834 ;  Robert  E.  Weeks 
in  1861  ;  Esek  M.  Winegar  in  1862;  James  Beggs  and  Milo  H. 


CHURCHES.  127 

Maltbie,  in  1871 ;  Wilder  Silver  in  1879;  Willard  A.  Weeks 
in  1886;  Jacob  Tallman  and  Amos  Austin,  in  1887;  Theodore 
Swan,  in  1891,  and  Ansel  Spinning,  in  1894. 

Members :  The  whole  number  of  members,  by  catalogue,  is 
1439 ;  being  an  average  annual  addition  of  about  eighteen.  The 
present  number,  as  reported  to    Presbytery  is  255. 

Baptisms:     210  adults,  and  465  infants,  total  675. 

Choir :  The  first  choir,  consisted  of  Deacon  Jesse  Stanley, 
leader,  Luman  Stanley  and  wife,  Mrs.  Mark  Hopkins,  Mrs. 
Parmerlee,  Abraham  C.  Camp,  Moses  Camp  and  Harlow  Beach. 

The  succession  of  leaders  has  been  as  follows :  Harlow  Beach, 
Moses  Camp,  Wm.  H.  Stanley,  Cicero  Camp,  John  Pratt, 
Harry  Evarts,  George  Hastings,  Henry  Sheldon,  Loren  Coy, 
and  Thomas  Hudson.  Mr.  Coy  was  a  very  faithful  leader,  for 
more  than  thirty  years.  The  organ  w^as  purchased  in  1864. 
Mrs.  Merab  A.  Scott  w^as  organist  from  1864  to  1867.  Mrs. 
Euth  M.  Hastings,  from  1867  to  1883,  and  Miss  Helen  Coy 
from  1883  to  the  present  time. 

Sabhath  ScJiool :  As  early  as  1814  or  1815,  Mrs.  Oliver 
Stanley,  and  Emily,  daughter  of  Luman  Stanley,  gathered 
numbers  of  poor  children,  and  instructed  them  upon  the  Sab- 
bath. As  the  result  of  these  efforts,  a  permanent  organization 
was  effected  in  1817.  Allen  Ayrault  was  superintendent  in 
1818.  Among  the  early  teachers,  were  Abraham  C.  and  Moses 
Camp,  Harlow  Beach,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alvah  Beach,  Sylvia  Coe, 
Lucina  Baldwin,  James  Conkey  and  Asa  Mahan.  Some  Indian 
girls,  were  among  the  first  pupils.  Newton  Robinson  was 
superintendent  about  1826 ;  and  was  succeeded  by  Abner  Dean, 
and  John  Pratt.  This  office,  with  slight  exceptions,  was  filled 
from  1831  to  1866,  by  Harry  Evarts,  and  Hon.  George  Hast- 
ings; the  former  from  1831  to  1841,  and  the  latter  from  1841 
to  1866,  the  time  of  his   death.      He  has  been  succeeded   by 


12S  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

Deacon  Milo  II.  Maltbie,  Win.  P.  Heston,  A.  M.  Bingham, 
Esq.,  Dr.  L.  J.  Ames,  James  YanDerbilt,  "VVm.  H.  Pease,  F. 
E.  Hastings,  Joshua  C.  "Weeks,  and  Miles  B.  McNair.  Mrs. 
Lucretia  Sleeper  was  influential  in  securing  the  first  library,  in 
182r>.  Miss  Aurelia  Moses,  as  assistant  superintendent,  in  1830J 
secured  a  more  thorough  organization  of  tlie  school.  Prior  to 
the  year  1831,  the  time  for  meeting  was  9  a.  m.,  subsequently, 
the  school  has  met  immediately  after  the  morning  service.  The 
present  membership  is  233. 

Missiona.ri/  Societies  :  The  Youths'  Missionary  Association, 
was  organized  in  1856,  and  continued  for  about  seven  years. 
The  Ladies'  Church  Missionary  Society,  was  organized  January 
10,  1872,  with  Mrs.  Harriet  M.  Parsons,  as  president.  The 
Young  Ladies'  Missionary  Society, was  organized  April  16,1882, 
with  Miss  Anna  M.  Maltbie,  as  president.  These  two  societies 
were  combined,  as  the  Society  of  Christian  Workers,  in  1890, 
with  Mrs.  Mary  W.  McXair,  as  president.  The  Cyprus  Mis- 
sion Band,  was  organized  June  9,  1882,  with  Miss  Carrie  Lowery. 
as  president.  The  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  En- 
deavor, was  organized  in  January,  1888,  and  has  done  very 
effective  work  for  the  Master.  At  present  it  has  about  sixty 
members. 

Those  Entering  the  Minifitry :  In  1855,  the  Presbytery  of 
Ontario,  ordained  at  this  place,  two  members  of  this  church, 
Orson  P.  Allen  and  Herman  N.  Barnum,  the  former  as  a  for- 
eign, and  the  latter,  as  a  home  missionary.  Mr.  Barnum,  how- 
ever soon  followed  Mr.  Allen,  to  Ilarpoot,  Turkey,  where  the 
two  have  been  associated  as  missionaries,  up  to  the  present 
time.  Samuel  J.  IMills,  after  removing  to  the  West  in  1856, 
entered  the  gospel  ministry,  and  did  faithful  work  for  the  Mas- 
ter. Isaac  O.  Best,  was  ordained  in  1873  and  is  now  preach- 
ing at  Broadalbin,  New   York.     Frank   Gaylord   Weeks,    was 


CHURCHES.  129 

ordained   jSToveniber  3,  1885,  and  is  now  preaching  at   Spring- 
water,  New  York. 

Revivals :  The  larger  additions  have  been  made  in  the  fol- 
lowing years  :  1816,  forty-two;  1822,  eighty-four;  1831  to 
1835,  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven;  1839,  forty-five;  1843, 
fifty-three;  184:8,  forty-seven;  1853,  twenty-nine;  1856,  sixty- 
seven;  1858,  thirty-one;  1864,  forty-one;  1870,  forty-one; 
1878,  fifty-two;  1882,  thirty-two;  1885,  twenty-two;  1890, 
twenty-six. 

Religious  Society  :  The  First  Presbyterian  Society  was  in- 
corporated about  the  year  1816.  The  first  trustees  were,  Gen. 
"Wm.  A.  Mills,  Elisha  Parmerlee,  Phineas  Lake,  Jerediah  Hors- 
f ord  and  Luman  Stanley.  The  names  of  others,  who  have  held 
this  office,  are  as  follows :  Thomas  Wilcox,  H.  Woodford,  N. 
Seymour,  Geo.  S.  McNair,  S.  Spencer,  E.  M.  Winegar,  C. 
Woodman,  S.  Burroughs,  L.  Coy,  G.  S.  Whitney,  S.  L. 
Kockfellow,  P.  E.  Weeks,  C.  Y.  Ament,  Pomeroy  Sheldon, 
James  Yanderbelt,  A.  Wigg,  Walter  Weeks,  Merrick  Sheldon, 
M.  B.  McNair,  Jacob  Tallman,  Jas.  W.  Eoberts,  W  W. 
Ostrander,  J.  G.  Forrest,  W.  H.  Coy,  Henry  S.  Wigg,  Lyman 
Carr,  J.  C.  Weeks,  Frank  H.  Mills,  George  W.  Phelps,  Henry 
M.Swan,  A.  M,  Bingham,  D.  W.  YanScooter,  Henry  W.  Mc- 
Kair,  L.  J.  Ames,  Hugh  Harding,  E.  B.  Osborne,  C.  B.  Gal- 
braith,  W.  A.  Weeks,  Chester  D.  White,  J.  M.  Hastings,  F.  S. 
Thomas,  Thomas  Hudson,  G.  H.  Wiltsie,  E.  K.  Creveling, 
Jacob  Knappenberg. 

Church  Buildings :  Prior  to  the  organization  of  the  church, 
and  for  eighteen  years  after,  religious  services  were  held  in  the 
school  house,  which  was  on  the  west  side  of  what  was  then  an 
open  square.  The  first  church  edifice,  64  by  44,  and  located  on 
the  north  side  of  the  aforesaid  square,  was  dedicated  in  Janu- 
ary 1832,  Kev.  S.    H.    Gridley,    then   of   Perry,    ISTew   York, 


130  MOUNT    >rORRIS    CENTENARY. 

preaching  the  sermon.  In  1841,  this  building  was  moved  about 
twenty  rods  south,  to  the  lot  where  now  stands  the  residence 
of  Arthur  SaAvyer  and  enlarged.  At  the  same  time,  a  separate 
lecture  room,  40  by  24,  was  erected,  a  short  distance  to  the 
east  of  the  church.  Both  these  buildings  were  destroyed  by 
fire,  September  29,  1852.  The  present  brick  edifice,  80  by  52, 
on  the  corner  of  State  and  Stanley  streets,  was  completed  in 
1854,  John  P.  Gale  being  the  master  builder,  and  was  dedicated 
February  1,  1855,  Kev.  Darwin  Chichester,  the  pastor,  preach- 
ing the  sermon.  The  present  lecture  room,  24  by  40,  just  west 
of  the  church,  was  built  in  1860.  Abraham  Wigg  took  the 
contract,  and  was  the  most  liberal  subscriber. 

Presbyterial  Relation  :  This  church  was  received  under  the 
care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva,  February  12,  1817;  and  after 
the  organization  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  in.  March  1818, 
was  transferred  to  that  body,  which  it  followed,  when  the 
same  became  a  part  of  the  present  Presbytery  of  Pochester  in 
1870. 

Deaths  :  The  whole  number  of  deaths,  in  the  families  of 
this  congregation,  for  the  38  years  prior  to  January  1,  1894,  is 
384 ;  being  an.  annual  average  of  ten  and  a  fraction.  The  ag- 
gregate age  is  17,350  years,  making  the  average  age  45. 
Of  this  number  186  were  communicants,  of  whom  20  were  non- 
residents. As  to  ages,  if  we  group  them  by  decades,  we  find 
under  ten  74,  of  whom  48  were  less  than  one  year,  from  ten  to 
twenty,  16;  from  twenty  to  thirty,  38;  from  thirty  to  forty, 
36 ;  from  forty  to  fifty,  33  ;  from  fifty  to  sixty,  34 ;  from  sixty 
to  seventy,  46 ;  from  seventy  to  eighty,  62 ;  from  eighty  to 
ninety,  35 ;  from  ninety  to  one  hundred,  10. 


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THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CPirECH. 


BY  EEV.    L.    D,    CHASE. 


In  offering  for  publication  the  following  brief  account  of  the 
rise  and  progress  of  jMethodism  in  Mount  Morris,  ISTew  York,  it 
should  be  here  stated,  that  some  years  ago  a  disastrous  fire 
occurred  in  the  village,  destroying,  among  other  valuable  papers, 
some  important  records  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Two  former  pastors  of  the  society,  delivered,  when  preach- 
ing on  the  charge,  historical  sermons  of  much  interest.  These 
sermons  are  greatly  helpful  in  writing  this  account.  The  min- 
isters referred  to  are.  Rev.  Thomas  Cardus,  of  Batavia,  New 
York,  and  Eev.  W.  C.  WHbur,  of  Buffalo. 

The  first  Methodist  preacher  to  appear  in  Mount  Morris  was 
Pev.  J.  B,  Hudson.  In  1804,  he  made  a  trip  from  Friendship, 
Allegany  county,  to  this  vicinity;  stoping  at  Allan's  Hill,  that 
being  the  original  name  and  place  of  Mount  Morris.  Follow- 
ing the  course  of  the  Genesee  Piver  for  thirty-five  miles,  in 
making  the  journey,  he  writes,  that  he  "saw  no  signs  of  civili- 
zation at  any  point  on  the  way."  On  reaching  this  place,  he 
saw,  besides  Indians,  a  few  houses  scattered  about,  occupied 
by  white  people.  These  were  tenants  of  -the  "Old  White 
Woman,"  who  is  remembered  by  some  of  our  citizens  to  this 
day.      Mr.  Hudson  found  here,  at  this  early  day,  a  few  people 


132  MOUNT    MOKKIS    CENTEITAKY. 

Avho  called  themselves  Methodists,  and  from  this  time  Mount 
Morris  became  a  stated  preaching  place  on  the  circuit  of  the 
itinerant. 

The  little  class,  formed  by  Hudson,  was  connected  with  the 
Ciinisteo  Circuit  of  the  Susquehanna  District  and  the  Philadel- 
phia conference.  Eev.  Anning  Owen  was  Presiding  Elder. 
Following  Mr.  Hudson,  as  preachers,  were  Gerard  Morgan  and 
John  Richards.  Connected  with  the  first  class  were,  Mrs. 
Mills,  wife  of  General  Mills,  Mrs.  Simeon  Kittle  and  Mr.  and  ' 
r  Mrs.  Salmon.  The  first  regular  organization  of  the  society  was 
in  1S22,  Thirteen  members:  Peggy  Miller,  Sarah  Eaton,  Sally 
Parker,  Diadama  Parsons,  Ashael  Parsons,  Eliza  Damon,  Ches- 
ter Grover,  Esther  Parsons,  Wm.  P.  McXair,  Pebecca  McNair, 
Rachel  Parker  and  Elizabeth  Holtslander.  For  years  the  little 
society  worshipped  in  school  houses,  yet  strong  men  ministered 
to  them,  as  the  record  shows.  As  pastors  there  came  Wilbur 
Hoag,  Merritt  Ferguson,  Jonathan  Benson,  and  others  of  equal 
strength ;  and,  as  Presiding  Elders :  Gideon  Draper,  Asa  Abel, 
Loring  Grant,  and  others,  whose  names  are  yet  familiar  to 
many  elderly  people.  Among  the  class  leaders  in  those  days, 
were  Chester  Grover,  Levi  Keyes,  Ezra  Kinney,  and  others. 

In  1831,  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  Lent,  the  contract 
for  a  new  church  was  let,  about  40  by  50,  and  the  work  soon 
under  way.  The  location  was  near  the  Dr.  Joslyn  residence. 
The  house  was  completed  in  1833.  At  the  dedication  a 
revival  started,  which  greatly  stirred  all  classes.  Dr.  Luckey 
preached  the  first  sermon,  and  Rev.  Glezen  Filmore,  the  Pre- 
siding Elder  of  the  district,  followed  with  a  masterly  sermon, 
which  was  long  remembered.  The  trustees  were,  E.  Damon, 
Ezra  Kinney,  L.  Hoskins  and  George  "W.  Barney.  In  the  3"ears 
following,  the  pastors  were.  Reverends,  Wallace,  Wooster, 
Atchinson,    Benjamin,    Farrell,    Latimer,    Gulick,  and   others. 


CHUKCHES. 


133 


The  Presiding  Elders  were  Reverends,  Babcock,  Hibbard,  Cope- 
land,  and  others,  whose  names  are  not  now  known. 

In  1856,  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  edifice,  on  the 
corner  of  Chapel  and  Stanley  Sts. ,  was  obtained ;  and  a  suitable 
building  to  be  used  as  a  parsonage,  on  the  adjacent  lot.  The 
Rev.  J.  L.  Edson  was  then  pastor.  The  trustees  at  this  time 
were,  Jacob  Chilson,  Ezra  Kinney  Selden  Carpenter,  Barnabas 
Olp,  and  Francis  Yeomans.  Then  followed  as  pastors,  Giles, 
ShaAv,  Harrington,  Trowbridge,  and  Edson.  The  pastorate  of 
the  latter.  Rev.  James  L.  Edson,  was  eminently  successful, 
and  he  was  called  to  serve  the  church  a  second  term.  In  1866 
Rev.  A.  jST.  Fiimore  was  appointed  to  the  charge.  Under  his 
leadership  the  society  began  extensive  repairs  on  the  church, 
Vfhich  were  completed  under  the  eilicient  pastorate  of  his  suc- 
cessor, Rev.  C.  M.  Gardner,  at  a  cost  of  $4,500.  Then  fol- 
lowed, as  pastors,  Bradley  Cardus,  Rodgers,  Hill,  and  Wilbur, 
all  worthy  of  praise  for  the  vrork  they  accomplished.  The 
pastorate  of  Rev.  James  Hill  is  marked,  as  the  time,  when  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  George  A.  Green  made  the  most  generous  gift  of  a 
new  and  beautiful  parsonage  to  the  society. 

In  1878,  Rev.  E.  E.  Davidson,  the  noted  evangelist, conducted 
revival  services  in  the  different  churches  in  town,  resulting  in 
large  gains  to  the  Methodists,  as  well  as  to  the  other  denomina- 
tions. Following  Mr.  Hill  was  the  exceedingly  pleasant  and 
profitable  pastorate  of  Rev.  W.  C.  Wilbur,  resulting  in  a  large 
increase  to  the  membership.  Then  followed,  as  pastors.  Rev- 
erends W.  O.  Peet,  E.  P.  Hubbell,  W.  B.  Waggoner  and  E. 
B.  Williams.  Under  the  pastorate  of  W.  B.  Waggoner,  large 
repairs  were  made  on  the  church,  and  a  fine  pipe  organ  pur- 
chased for  the  use  of  the  society,  at  a  cost  of  §2,200.  E.  P. 
Hubbell  is  the  present  secretary  of  the  Genesee  Conference. 
Of  the  noble   band  of   layman,  who,   in  the  later   years  of  the 


134  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

church's  history,  labored  zccalously  for  its  success,  and  have 
gone  to  their  reward,  we  have  not  the  room  to  make  a  suitable 
record  in  this  brief  sketch.  Many  will  call  to  mind  Hiram  H. 
Gladding,  Levi  L.  Totten,  Jacob  Chilson,  Dr.  W.  II.  Noble, 
Dr.  Henry  Povall,  and  many  others,  equally  deserving  of  men- 
tion. Human  records,  at  best  are  imperfect,  but  He  whom 
they  serve  will  hold  them  in  "everlasting  remembrance." 

At  this  time,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Mount 
Morris  is  in  possession  of  a  desirable  church  edifice,  and  a  fine 
parsonage,  eligibly  located  and  sufficient  to  meet  the  present 
wants  of  the  society,  and  unencumbered.  On  its  records  are 
the  names  of  130  members.  It  has  a  Sunday  School  and  Ep- 
worth  League,  well  officered,  and  in  keeping  with  the  numerical 
strength  of  the  church.  Its  board  of  trustees  are,  John  F. 
White,  President  of  the  Board,  "Warren  Eichmond,  secretary 
and  treasurer,  P.  D.  Jones,  A.  O.  Dalrymple,  John  VanDorn, 
C.  W.  Ogden,  and  John  F.  Connors,  Esq.  L.  D.  Chase  is  the 
present  pastor,  and  A.  F.  Colburn,  Presiding  Elder. 


THE 

NEW  YORK 
'PUBLIC   library) 

\^Asfor,  Lenox  and  Tilden 
1SG4 


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ST.  JOHN'S  CHURCH. 


BY  EEV.   ARTHUJB  E.   WHATHAM,   EECTOE. 


The  building,  whose  history  I  am  about  to  narrate,  is  one  of 
the  handsomest  ecclesiastical  edifices  in  the  diocese  of  AVestern 
New  York.  Of  Gothic  form,  excellently  proportioned,  with 
tall  and  gracefully  tapering  spire ;  standing  back  on  a  grass 
covered  lawn  studded  with  magnificent  chestnut  and  elm  trees, 
it  presents  a  noble  monument  to  the  generosity  of  those  who 
caused  it  to  be  erected. 

The  first  meeting  of  churchmen  recorded  in  the  entry-book 
kept  by  the  various  vestry  clerks,  was  convened  for  the  purpose 
of  incorporating  the  said  persons  as  a  Church,  to  be  known  as 
St.  John's  Church,  Mount  Morris.  The  meeting  was  held  on 
Easter  Wednesday,  A.  D.  1833.  The  Eev.  Thomas  Meacham, 
at  that  time  in  definite  charge  of  St.  Mark's  Church,  Hunts 
Hollow,  had  been  holding  occasional  services  in  the  village 
school  house,  where  this  vestry  meeting  was  held.  After  the 
certificate  of  the  organization  of  St.  John's  Church  had  been 
forwarded  to,  and  duly  recorded  by  the  Clerk  of  Livingston 
County,  Mr.  Meacham  was  invited  by  letter  to  become  the  first 
resident  clergyman  of  the  proposed  St.  John's  Church,  for 
although  there  was  then  a  body  of  worshippers  of  that  name, 
they  had  not  as  yet  any  dedicated  place  of  meeting  under  that 
title.  The  vestry  which  invited  Mr.  Meacham  was  composed 
of  the  following   members :    David  A.  Miller,    secretary,  John 


13i)  MOUNT    MOEKIS    CENTEXART, 

W.  ^lontross,  Walker  jI.  Ilinraan,  Pliineas  Canlield,  Stephen 
Summei's,  Charles  B.  Stont,  James  F.  S.  Ileald,  and  Hirara 
Hunt,  with  Jellis  Clute  and  ISTehemiah  Barlo'A-  as  wardens. 
Mr.  Meacham,  accepting  the  call,  became  the  first  Hector  oi' 
Mount  Morris,  March  3,  lS3-i.  With  commendable  zeal  the 
members  set  about  raising  subscriptions  for  their  first  church 
which  was  soon  erected  on  the  south,  east  corner  of  Chapel  and 
Stanley  streets,  the  corner  stone  being  laid  for  the  Et.  Rev. 
Benjamin  Onderdonk,  bishop  of  TvTew  York,  by  Rev.  Henry  J. 
Whitehouse,  D.  D.,  July  3,  1835.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Meach- 
am resigning  in  1837,  the  vestry  invited  Rev.  Henry  S.  At- 
water  to  be  their  next  Rector,  who  accepted  the  post  May, 1837. 
At  a  vestry  meeting  held  the  14th  of  August,  1837,  it  was 
resolved  to  ask  the  bishop  of  the  diocese  to  consecrate  the 
church,  which  was  done  on  the  19th  of  the  same  month.  On 
December  18,  1839,  the  vestry  passed  a  resolution  of  condolence 
to  be  sent  to  the  family  of  the  deceased  warden,  Colonel  Wra. 
Fitzhugh.  From  the  wording  of  the  message  of  sj^mpathy  the 
deceased  must  have  been  a  high-souled  christian  gentleman, 
whose  loss  to  the  entire  community  must  have  been  deeply  felt, 
and  especially  by  the  church  in  which  he  took  so  lively  an 
interest. 

On  June  29,  184:3,  Rev,  Charles  Cooper  was  invited  to  the 
pastorate,  w^hich  had  become  vacant.  Mr.  John  R.  Murray's 
name  first  appears  upon  the  records  as  an  officer  of  the  church 
in  April  1S44.  On  December  21,  1846,  Mr.  Cooper  resigned, 
and  Rev.  M.  YanRensselaer,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  took  charge  m 
1847.  In  1849  the  vestry  consisted  of  the  Rector,  D.  A.  Miller 
and  F.  A.  Davis,  wardens,  W.  Hinraan,  S.  Summer,  J.  Peter- 
son, J.  Yernon,  J.  R.  Murray,  Reily  Scoville,  Hiram  P.  Mills, 
Henry  Swan,  vestrymen,  James  B.  Bacon,  treasurer  and  collec- 
tor.    In  1850  Mr.  C.  L.  Bingham,  who  subsequently  took  such 


CHURCHES.  137 

keen  interest  in  all  church  affairs,  appears  as  a  member  of  the 
vestry,  and  also  as  occupying  the  post  of  clerk  and  treasurer. 
The  name  of  Charles  H.  Carroll  appears  on  the  list  of  vestry- 
men in  1852.  Dr.  VanEensselaer  resigning  in  1853,  the  Rev.  J. 
L.  Franklin,  D.  D.,  was  invited  to  take  charge,  which  he  did 
in  the  latter  end  of  the  year. 

In  1854,  owing  to  the  increased  membership  of  the  church, 
it  was  found  necessary  to  enlarge  the  building  to  accommodate 
the  growing  congregation,  I  may  here  mention  that  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  were  on  the  original  building  committee  :  D. 
Miller,  S.  Summers,  P.  Canfield.  The  builder  was  "W.  Hin- 
man,  the  architect,  W.  Hamlin,  and  the  mason,  Isaac  Kemball. 
Mr.  Murray  offered  $1,500  for  the  church  and  lot,  proposing 
to  give  another  lot  whereon  the  vestry  might  build  a  new 
church.  He  subsequently  modified  this  proposition  as  follows : 
The  vestry  Avas  to  sell  him  the  church  and  lot,  paying  him  as 
well  the  sum  of  $1,500.  For  this  he  agreed  to  build  a  new 
church  upon  another  lot,  the  plans  thereof  being  left  to  him  to 
decide.  The  vestry  accepted  this  proposition  April  13,  1854. 
In  1856,  Miss  Hunt,  who  had  been  organist  for  several  years, 
resigned,  and  Miss  Hinman  was  elected  in  her  place.  On  the 
18th  of  September,  the  handsome  new  church,  built  where  it 
now  stands,  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  DeLancy,  of  Western 
'New  York.  A  letter  from  Mrs.  Murray  was  read  at  the  vestry 
meeting  of  January  5,  1857,  offering  the  church  a  lot  whereon 
to  build  a  parsonage,  and  an  additional  gift  of  $1,000.  The 
offer  was  accepted.  Mr.  Annis  was  sexton  of  the  church  in 
1857.  On  July  of  this  year  Mr.  Bingham  resigned  the  office 
of  clerk  to  the  vestry,  which  he  had  held  for  the  past  seven 
years,  being  heartily  thanked  by  the  vestry  for  the  able  and 
satisfactory  manner  in  which  he  had  discharged  his  duties.  Mr. 
Mcl^eil   Seymour  was   appointed   in  his  place.     At  a   vestry 


138  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

meeting,  September  20,  1860,  Judge  Carroll  stated  that  his 
daughter,  the  lately  deceased  Ada  Y.  R,  Carroll,  had  bequeathed 
the  sum  of  §500,  to  be  invested  for  a  Sunday  school  and  parish 
library.  The  bequest  was  accepted  with  grateful  feelings  by 
the  vestry,  which  tendered  to  the  Judge  and  his  family  their 
deepest  sympathy  in  their  painful  bereavement.  We  have  often 
heard  how  fully  such  a  resolution  was  warranted  on  account  of 
the  loss  of  so  excellent  a  daughter  and  such  a  devoted  christian 
worker.  In  1863  a  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  and  conveyed 
to  Miss  Crevling  for  her  services  in  singing  in  the  choir.  In 
1865  Mrs.  A.  Conkey  was  president  of  the  St.  John's  ladies 
society. 

Another  meeting  took  place  July  24th,  to  elect  a  new  war- 
den in  the  place  of  Judge  Carroll,  lately  deceased.  The  fol- 
lowing is  part  of  the  resolution  passed  and  conveyed  by  the 
vestry  to  the  members  of  his  family:  "Whereas,  it  has  pleased 
Almighty  God  in  his  wise  providence  to  take  from  us  our 
esteemed  and  beloved  friend  and  colleague,  the  Hon.  C.  H. 
Carroll;  and  whereas,  the  simplicity,  earnestness  and  stead- 
fastness of  his  christian  character,  his  uprightness,  integrity  and 
benevolence,  etc. ,  all  entitled  him  to  our  highest  esteem  and 
regard.  Resolved,  that,  in  token  of  our  sorrow  for  so  great  a 
loss,  our  church  be  draped  in  mourning  for  a  period  of  thirty 
days."  In  1866,  a  legacy  was  left  for  the  Sunday  school 
library  by  Mrs.  Sooville,  ($100.)  In  this  year,  L.  C.  Bingham 
was  elected  clerk  to  the  vestry,  and  Miss  Cook  was  organist ; 
also  H.  E.  Brown  appears  on  the  vestry  for  the  first  time,  while 
H.  P.  Mills  is  recorded  as  warden  under  this  date.  This  ves- 
try appointed  D.  N.  Bacon  as  sexton,  and  also  passed  a  resolu- 
tion to  present  Mr.  C.  L.  Bingham  with  a  suitable  prayer  book, 
as  a  token  of  gratitude  for  his  valuable  services  as  treasurer,  so 
efficiently  rendered  for   several  years.     The  name  of  William 


CHUKCHES.  139 

Fitzhugh  appears   amongst  those  appointed  to   attend  the  dio- 
cesan Convention  for  1865. 

Mr.  Ozro  Clark's  name  appears  on  the  vestry  in  1868,  where 
it  is  to  be  found  until  the  closeof  the  year  1889.  E..  H.  Brooks 
appears  on  the  records  for  the  first  time,  as  a  member  of  the 
vestry,  in  1869.  In  April  1870,  he  w^as  elected  warden  in  con- 
junction with  Mr.  II.  P.  Mills.  A  notice  appears  of  a  vestry 
meeting  summoned  May  21,  1870,  to  fill  the  place  of  the  Hon. 
McNeil  Seymour,  deceased.  In  1871,  the  Hon.  and  Mrs.  J.  A. 
Mead,  presented  the  church  with  a  valuable  communion  set  in 
memory  of  their  daughter.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Franklin  having 
resigned  after  a  pastorate  of  nearly  eighteen  years,  Dr.  Yan- 
Bokkelen  was  called,  as  Rector,  August  14,  1871.  On  May 
12,  1873,  C.  F.  Swan  was  appointed  collector  and  treasurer. 
The  Rev.  F.  B.  Dunham  became  pastor,  January  17,  1875, 
resigning  Feburary  15,  1877.  The  following  interesting  record 
occurs  under  date  January  17,  1876  :  To  the  Fire  Department, 
Mount  Morris — Gentlemen :  We  desire  to  express  to  you  our 
sincere  thanks  for  your  energy  and  promptness  in  coming  to 
our  rescue  on  Sunday  night  last,  when  our  beautiful  church 
was  in  such  imminent  peril  of  destruction  by  fire.  James  Yeo- 
mans,  clerk.  This  resolution  of  thanks  was  put  into  the  vil- 
lage papers. 

The  vestry,  which  had  been  elected  the  previous  year,  con- 
tained several  new  names,  such  as  "W.  W.  Potter,  C.  C.  Fitz- 
hugh, Arthur  Sawyer,  etc.  The  next  Rector  was  Rev.  George 
S.  Teller,  who  was  in  charge  from  1877  to  1879.  On  Septem- 
ber 11,  1877,  M.  R.  Campbell,  upon  his  leaving  the  neighbor- 
hood, was  presented  with  the  thanks  of  the  vestry  for  his  past 
valuable  services,  as  a  member  of  the  choir.  On  March  12, 
1875,  the  vestry  considered  a  communication  received  from 
John  R.    Murray,    requesting   that  his  wife,    lately   deceased, 


140  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

might  be  buried  accortling  to  her  Vv'ish  in  the  church  yard. 
This  was  readily  assented  to,  the  vestry  making  arrangements 
for  conveying  to  Mr.  Murray,  that  portion  of  ground,  signified 
by  him,  as  a  burial  lot  in  perpetuity.  It  was  in  this  way  that 
the  original  donors  of  the  greater  part  of  the  present  churc  h 
property,  came  to  be  laid  in  their  last  earthly  resting  place  near 
the  House  of  God  for  which  they  had  done  so  much  during 
their  lives.  The  spot  is  marked  and  kept  sacred  by  a  handsome 
granite  stone,  surrounded  by  chains  suspended  from  iron  stan- 
chions. Rev.  Dr.  Massey  was  called,  and  took  charge  Novem- 
ber, 1879.  On  November  19,  1881,  Dr.  Massey  informed  the 
vestry,  that  some  unknown  persons  had  offered  the  church  a 
solid  silver  communion  set.  The  offer  was  gratefully  received. 
Mr.  Murray's  name  appears  on  the  vestry,  as  warden,  under 
date  April  1881.  In  December  of  the  same  year,  the  vestry 
met  to  appoint  another  warden,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Murray, 
deceased.  Dr.  Massey  resigned  the  rectorship  in  August,  1882. 
At  a  vestry  meeting  held  July  1,  John  M.  Prophet  first  appears 
on  the  vestry,  July  1882.  Eev.  E.  "W.  Worthington  was  called 
as  the  next  Hector,  September  28,  1882.  It  was  decided  to 
place  windows  in  the  church  to  the  memory  of  the  Murrays  and 
Judge  Carroll.  For  this  purpose,  the  sum  of  8222.30  was  sub- 
scribed, and  the  windows  subsequently  placed  in  position.  In 
1885  Miss  Ilattie  Hinman  was  appointed  collector  and  treasurer 
of  the  parish.  Mr.  Parker,  at  this  time,  ceased  to  be  sexton, 
and  Robert  Stevenson  was  elected  to  fill  his  place.  On  April 
1,  1887,  the  pews  in  the  church  were  made  free.  In  October 
of  the  same  year,  Mr.  Worthington  resigned,  and  Rev.  C.  A. 
Ricksecker  was  called  to  take  his  place,  January  11,  1888. 
After  serving  the  church  for  38  years,  the  death  of  L.  C.  Bing- 
ham is  recorded  under  date,  March  12,  1883.  A  fire  occurred 
in  the  church,  Saturday,  January  25,  1890.     The  death  of  Col. 


CHrRCHES.  141 

W.  M.  Hinman  is  recorded  under  date  of  April  26,  1891,  and 
a  resolution  was  passed  and  conveyed  to  the  family  of  the 
deceased  expressing  their  deep  sympathy  and  high  appreciation 
for  the  late  warden,  who  for  fifty-eight  years  had  so  faithfully 
served  the  interests  of  his  church.  On  September  6,  1893,  E. 
Fitzhugh  was  elected  by  the  vestry  to  represent  the  church  at 
the  diocesan  convention  that  year.  In  October  1893,  Mr.  Rick- 
secker  resigned,  and  Rev.  A.  E.  "Whatham  took  charge  May 
7,  189-1.  Mrs.  Howell's  request  to  place  a  window  in  the 
church  to  the  memory  of  her  son,  was  read  by  the  vestry,  No- 
vember 6,  1893,  and  cordially  agreed  to.  During  Mr.  Rick- 
secker's  charge  of  the  parish,  he  was  instrumental  in  erecting  a 
large  and  beautiful  parish  house,  which  reflects  great  credit 
upon  himself,  and  those  members  of  the  congregation  and 
friends  who  generously  subscribed  to  so  necessary  an  adjunct 
of  essential  parochial  machinery. 

Besides  the  gentlemen  already  mentioned,  the  following  have 
held  office  on  the  vestry :  "W.  B.  Rogers,  Milton  Case,  J. 
Thurston,  B.  W.  Rogers,  Jr.,  John  Murry  Ogden,  Gaylord 
"Willsey,  A.  W.  Watkins,  Asa  P.  Edhecombe,  Wm.  Fitzhugh, 
D.  H.  Fitzhugh,  T.  G.  Mills,  W.  G.  Sheldon,  Sanford  Hunt, 
Jr. ,  Alex.  H.  Hoff,  Albert  Case,  C.  C.  Goodall,  Hubbard  Fos- 
ter, H.  D.  Bath,  Jos.  Garlinghouse,  A.  Conkey,  J.  H.  Mead, 
C.  B.  Adams,  R.  H.  Moses,  S.  S.  Eddy,  J.  E.  White,  J.  H. 
Bodine,  W.  H.  Swan,  Wm.  R.  Hinds,  H.  C.  Lester,  WilHam 
Harding,  W.  H.  Humphrey,  J^.  A.  Seymour,  H.  H.  Scoville,  P. 
"W.  Neefus,  M.  D.,  Ed.  W.  White,  Allen  Ayrault,  R.  S.  White, 
M.  B.  Turpin,  E.  C.  Seymour,  A.  Harris,  W.  B.  Todd,  E.  F. 
Fitzhugh.  At  the  present  time  there  are,  besides  myself,  as  Rec- 
tor, wardens,  H.  P.  Mills  and  J.  M.  Prophet ;  vestrymen,  H.  E. 
Brown,  R.  H.  Brooks,  A.  Harris,  H.  H.  Scoville,  E.  C.  Sey- 
mour, W.  H.  Humphrey,  A.   Sawyer,  clerk  and  treasurer,  and 


142  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

E.  F.  Fitzhugh;  sexton,  R.    Stevenson;  organist,  Miss  M.  Hin- 
man ;  collector.  Miss  Emma  White. 

We  have  a  quartette  choir,  consisting  of  Mrs,  Ellicott,  Miss 
Lily  White,  Dr.  Albert  Leach,  and  J.  White.  All  these  ren- 
der voluntary  service,  which  is  highly  appreciated.  Our  Sun- 
day school  is  presided  over  by  the  Rector,  assisted  by  Mrs. 
Prophet,  Miss  J.  Mills,  Miss  L.  White,  Miss  E.  White,  Mrs. 
Whatham,  Mr.  A.  Sawyer,  and  Mr.  J,  White.  Our  Church 
Guild  consists  of:  Mrs.  Bradbury,  vice-president;  Miss  Isabella 
Mills  with  Miss  Jennie  Mills,  secretary  and  treasurer ;  the  other 
officers  being,  Mrs.  A.  Sawyer,  Mrs.  H.  E.  Brown,  and  Mrs.  F. 
LaRue.  Of  the  other  lady  members,  there  are  so  many,  and 
their  activity  so  great,  that  space  is  not  available  to  narrate  all 
that  could  be  told.  Up  to  my  time  of  writing  I  have  been  in 
charge  of  the  parish  just  six  months.  Everything  is  running 
smoothly,  and  so  far  as  I  know,  the  greatest  cordiality  and 
good  will  abounds.  I  earnestly  pray  that  the  present  aspect  of 
affairs  may  long  continue,  and  that  God  will  be  pleased  to  bless 
abundantly  all  efforts  put  forth  in  His  service  by  both  pastor 
and  people. 


THE 

NEW  YORK 

[PUBLIC  library! 

^^Astor,  Lenox  and  Tilefen , 

FouT'^^iians, 

1904 


THE  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 


BY  HON.   O.   D.   LAKE, 


In  attempting  to  give  a  history  of  the  Baptist  church  of 
Mount  Morris  village,  we  are  met  at  the  outset  with  the  impos- 
sibility of  giving  a  correct  account  of  its  history  for  the  first 
twenty  years  of  its  existence,  from  the  fact  that  the  records  of 
the  church  for  that  period  have  been  lost. 

Previous  to  the  organization  of  this  church, there  existed  a  small 
Baptist  Church  in  the  town  of  Groveland,  occupying  what  was 
called  the  Norton  school  house  as  a  place  of  worship.  After 
an  existence  of  a  few  years  its  organization  was  abandoned,  and 
on  March  1st,  1839,  they  united  with  others  in  forming  the 
Baptist  Church  of  this  village. 

Among  those  from  Groveland  were  Deacon  Alba  Thorp 
(Afterwards  Rev.  Alba  Thorp,)  and  wife,  Asahel  l^^orton  and 
wife,  Calvin  Norton,  Henry  Turner  and  Philo  Mills.  These, 
with  Deacon  John  Burt  and  wife.  Doctor  Ebenezer  Childs  and 
w^fe,  Benjamin  Bills  and  wife,  Mr.  Steadman  and  others,  con- 
stituted the  Baptist  Church  of  Mount  Morris  village. 

Its  present  church  edifice  is  believed  to  have  been  built  in 
1812  by  Edwin  Stilson,  of  the  Ridge,  the  expense  of  which  is 
not  now  known.  The  usual  services  were  had  at  its  dedica- 
tion, the  sermon  being  preached  by  that  noble,  learned  and 
aggressive  pioneer  minister,  Rev.  Elon  Galusha,  then  pastor  of 


144  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENAEr. 

the  Baptist  church,  of  Perry,  and  a  son  of  a  former  governor 
of  Vermont. 

The  pulpit  was  in  the  north  end  of  the  church,  -with  seats 
facing  it,  and  raised  seats  at  the  south  end  for  the  choir;  so 
that  many  of  the  audience  were  in  doubt,  whether  it  was  proper 
to  turn  and  face  the  choir  while  singing,  or  remain  as  they  rose, 
but  they  usually  settled  it  by  each  one  doing  as  he  pleased. 
Some  years  subsequent  to  this,  an  addition  was  put  on  the  south 
end  of  the  house,  and  the  pulpit  placed  at  that  end,  and  the 
seats  changed,  with  elevated  seats  for  the  choir  at  the  north 
end.  In  the  year  1873,  the  present  lecture  room  and  organ 
loft  were  built,  and  an  organ  placed  therein,  at  an  expense  of 
$2,300,  all  of  which  was  promptly  paid.  The  recent  improve- 
ments in  painting  the  church,  and  placing  new  steps  at  the 
front,  are  largely  due  to  the  untiring  efforts  of  our  esteemed 
pastor,  Eev.  M.  W.  Hart. 

In  regard  to  the  spirtual  interests  of  the  church,  it  can  be 
said  that  they  have  enjoyed  extensive  revivals  in  its  history, 
and  especially  in  1848.  A  deep  religious  interest  prevailed  at 
that  time.  The  pastor,  Kev.  Chas.  L.  Bacon,  was  assisted  in 
his  labors  by  that  noble,  though  somewhat  eccentric  man,  the 
late  Eev  II.  K.  Stimson,  by  whose  united  labors,  seconded  by 
the  blessing  of  God,  about  fifty  persons  were  added  to  the 
church,  and  among  them  was  the  present  superintendent  of  our 
Sabbath  school,  H.  "W.  Miller.  Other  revivals  were  enjoyed, 
and  additions  were  made  from  time  to  time,  thus  affording  spirit- 
ual and  material  aid.  There  has  been  no  material  change  in 
the  number  of  its  members  since  1844,  ranging  from  159  at  that 
time  to  170  in  later  years. 

It  is  believed  that  a  Sabbath  school  has  been  maintained  ever 
since  the  church  was  organized,  but  as  no  record  is  found,  noth- 
ing can  be  said  of  it  until   about  1850,  when  the  late  Hon.    K. 


CHURCHES.  145 

P.  Wisner  became  its  superintendent,  which  place  he  held  with 
usefulness  to  the  school  and  honor  to  himself,  for  more  than 
twenty  years.  During  a  religious  revival  in  the  year  1843,  he 
united  xdih  this  church,  and  remained  a  member  of  the  church 
of  his  adoption  until  his  death.  He  was  greatly  interested  in 
the  young  people.  He  was  a  whole-souled  man,  warm-hearted 
and  sympathetic,  ever  ready  to  help  the  poor  and  needy.  He 
was  a  leader  without  assuming  the  leadership  in  any  depart- 
ment of  christian  work.  He  contributed  liberally  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  church  and  all  benevolent  objects.  He  was  a  gen- 
tleman of  the  old  school,  courtly  and  graceful  in  manner,  loyal 
in  all  his  church  relations,  a  firm  believer  in  all  the  doctrines 
of  the  Bible.  The  church  deeply  mourned  his  loss  as  a  judicious 
and  safe  adviser,  in  all  religious  matters.  His  palatial  home 
was  ever  open  to  all  classes.  It  was  truly  a  Bethel  to  all 
ministers  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  The  writer  saw  Mr.  "Wisner 
a  day  or  two  before  he  died,  and  the  last  words  that  fell  from 
his  lips  were  "Stand  up  for  Jesus."  After  his  death  in  1872, 
Doctor  Z.  W.  Joslyn  was  elected  superintendent,  which  place 
he  held  with  peculiar  ability  and  success,  until  his  death,  in 
1889.  Further  mention  of  Dr.  Joslyn  would  be  made  here,  if 
it  were  not  for  the  fact  that  a  biographical  sketch  of  him  is 
inserted  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Upon  his  death,  Mr.  H. 
W.  Miller  was  elected,  as  his  successor.  It  is  the  earnest 
prayer  of  the  church,  that  he  may  be  spared  many  years  to 
preside  over  our  school.  His  manly  christian  spirit  is  a  power- 
ful force  which  makes  for  peace  and  righteousness. 

The  pastors  of  the  church  and  their  terms  of  service  have 
been  as  follows :  Eev.  Mr.  Blakesly,  1839-1840 ;  Kev.  Mar- 
cena  Stone,  D.  D.,  1840-1845;  Kev.  Charles  L.  Bacon,  1845- 
1850;  Kev.  O.  I.  Sprague,  1850-1853;  Kev.  Charles  Keysor, 
1853-1854;  Kev.  D.  Bellamy,  1855-1859;    Kev.  J.  H.  Griffith, 


146  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

D.  D.,  1859-1861,  (supply);  Rev.  J.J.  Keyes,  1861-1863 ;  Kev. 
A.  A.  Eussel,  1863-1865;  Eev,  C.  J.  Thompson,  1865-1870; 
Kev.  David  Crosby,  1871-1872;  Kev.  H.  A.  Delano,  D.  D., 
1873-187i;  Kev.  Philip  S.  Moxom,  D.  D.,  1875-1879;  Kev.  S. 
D.  Moxley,  1879-1885 ;  Kev.  A.  Chapman,  1885-1886  (supply) ; 
Kev.  D.  P.  Brown,  1886-1888;  Kev.  II.  M.  Tefft,  1888  (sup- 
ply); Kev.  F.  A.  Martin,  1888-18S9 ;  Kev.  M.  W.  Hart,  1889; 
and,  in  this  large  number  of  names,  the  church  regards  itself 
fortunate,  that,  though  differing  in  ability  and  usefulness,  they 
were  thoroughly  devoted  to  their  profession. 

The  following  is  a  partial  list  of  those  who  have  served  the 
village  church  as  trustees  and  deacons : 

Trustees. — Ebenezer  Childs,  M.  D.,  William  Begole,  Charles 
Wood,  O.  D.  Lake,  Z.  AV.  Joslyn,  H.  W.  Miller,  A.  Palmer, 
H.  W.  Burt,  Xathan  Smith,  A.  J.  Moss,  K.  P.  Wisner,  Nathan 
D.  Bills,  William  Tallman,  John  Simerson,  C.  F.  Braman,  J, 
A.  Lake,  J.  L.  Dodge,  Justus  J.  Guile,  J.  C.  Winters,  W.  H. 
Kott. 

Deacons. — Henry  Turner,  Edwin  Stilson,  John  Burt,  Augus- 
tus Palmer,  William  Thorp,  O.  D.  Lake,  A.  B.  MiUard,  Perry 
Wisner,  James  L.  Dodge,  Hubbard  Kelsey. 


BAPTIST  CHUKCII  AT  THE  KIDGE. 


BY  HON.   O.   D.   LAKE. 


In  connection  with  the  history  of  the  Baptists  in  this  town 
it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  say,  that  tlie  first  Baptist  church 
in  this  town  was  organized  at  the  Kidge,  on  the  twenty-first 
day  of  June  1823,   Avith  a   small   number  of   members.     Their 


CHURCHES. 


147 


meetings  were  held  in  school  houses  and  private  dwellings,  and 
a  part  of  the  time  were  supplied  with  preaching  by  Rev.  Samuel 
Messenger,  of  Portage,  Rev.  Elijah  Bennett,  and  Deacon  Dan- 
iel Wisner,  a  licentiate  of  ISTunda.  In  the  fall  of  1827,  they 
built  a  log  meeting  house  at  the  Ridge,  near  where  the  present 
church  now  stands.  It  was  large  and  well  furnished  with  seats 
and  stoves,  and  was  a  comfortable  place  of  worship  at  all 
seasons  of  the  year,  and  was  the  first  house  built  in  the  town 
expressly  for  public  worship.  It  was  used  for  that  purpose 
until  the  present  church  was  built  by  them,  in  1834,  the  late 
Edwin  Stilson  being  the  contractor,  at  the  price  of  $1,700. 

The  first  baptism  in  this  church  was  that  of  Captain  Lewis 
Mills  and  his  wife,  from  the  Presbyterian  church.  In  August 
1832,  a  powerful  revival  commenced  and  meetings  were  held 
for  several  days,  conducted  mostly  by  Rev.  O.  H.  Reed  and 
Rev.  Warner  Lake,  and  resulted  in  the  addition  to  the  church 
by  baptism  of  seventy-six  persons,  between  the  25th  day  of 
August,  1832, and  the  21st  day  of  April,1833,  forty-four  persons 
having  been  baptised  in  one  day  by  Rev.  Warner  Lake  and  Rev. 
O.  H.  Reed,  and  among  them  many  of  the  most  influential 
citizens  of  that  part  of  the  town.  Others  united  by  letter  so 
that  at  this  time,  1833,  the  church  numbered  one  hundred  and 
sixty.  This  church  continued  prosperous,  and  maintained  pub- 
lic worship  with  settled  pastors  until  about  1849,  when,  by  the 
removal  of  many,  and  others  joining  the  village  church,  it  was 
deemed  best  to  abandon  its  organization,  which  was  done,  and 
the  church  edifice  sold  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  who 
now  occupy  it  as  a  place  of  worship.  The  pastors  of  this  church 
during  its  existence  were :  Rev.  Ransom  Harvey,  Rev.  War- 
ner Lake,  Rev.  Amos  Chase,  Rev.  James  Shute,  Rev.  Henry 
Bowen,  Rev.  Isaac  Fargo,  Rev.  H.  G.  Mosher.  All  of  whom 
were  worthy  and  successful  ministers  of  Christ. 


ST.  PATRICK'S  CHURCH. 


liY  EEV.   JAMES  H.    DAY. 


About  the  year  1838,  the  first  Catholic  services  were  held  in 
Mount  Morris.  The  Catholics  had  no  church  here  at  that  time, 
nor  a  resident  pastor.  Father  McGuire  was,  as  a  sufficiently  relia- 
ble tradition  has  it,  the  first  priest  to  administer  to  the  spiritual 
wants  of  these  originators  of  St.  Patrick's  Church.  He  was 
succeeded  by  other  priests,  who  came  from  Buffalo,  Rochester, 
Lima,  Portage  and  Dansville.  Services  were  held  in  private 
houses,amongthem  John  Toole's  in  Damons ville, Thomas  Sloan's 
on  Conkey  street,  Keron  Ryan's  on  Hopkins  street,  and  James 
Hart's  on  the  Flats.  As  work  in  the  construction  of  the  Gen- 
esee Valley  canal,  which  brought  most  of  them  here,  moved 
in  the  direction  of  Tuscarora,  then  known  as  Brush  ville,  a  small 
church  was  erected  there,  on  ground,  the  use  of  which  was 
donated  by  Judge  Carroll,  of  Groveland.  When  operations  on 
the  canal  ceased,  services  there  were  discontinued,  as  the 
members  came  back  to  Mount  Morris  in  1842,  and  the  little 
churcli  was  subsequently  torn  down.  Being  poor  and  few  in 
numbers  they  did  not  rebuild  until  1851.  During  those  nine 
years,  services  were  again  held  in  private  houses,  in  the  old 
school  house  and  in  Green's  Hall.  Among  the  priests,  who 
came  occasionally  to  say  mass  and  preach  for  them  were  the 
Rev.  Bernard  O'Reilly,  of  Rochester,  who  afterwards  became 


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CHURCHES. 


149 


Bishop  of  Hartford,  and  perished  at  sea  on  his  return  from 
Europe,  in  1856,  Fathers  O'Connor  of  Buffalo,  Maguire  of  Lima, 
Edward  O' Flaherty  and  Charles  Tierney  of  Dansville,  McEvoy, 
Barker,  D.  D.,  and  Carroll  of  Rochester,  Dolan  and  Moore  of 
Portage,  and  Fathers  McKennas,  Murphy  and  Sheehan  of 
either  Buffalo  or  Rochester. 

Under  the  Rev.  Father  Maguire,  the  first  church  was  built 
on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  parsonage,  and  facing  Chapel 
street.  It  was  a  very  small  structure,  but  was  subsequently 
enlarged  two  or  three  times  to  meet  the  demands  of  increasing 
membership.  Rev.  James  Ryan,  who  came  here  in  1857,  was 
the  first  resident  priest  in  Mount  Morris.  Owing  to  poor 
health  and  an  extensive  mission,  which  included  several  of  the 
neiffhborinD-  towns,  the  Rev.  J.  Z.  Kunz  assisted  him  for  a  short 
time.  Father  Ryan  remained  only  a  year  and  was  succeeded 
by  the  Rev.  Bernard  McCool,  who  also  had  an  assistant,  at  one 
time,  in  the  person  of  the  Rev.  John  Yahey,  at  another,  in  the 
person  of  the  Rev.  R.  Stack. 

The  Rev.  Richard  J.  Story,  now  pastor  of  the  Catholic 
Church  at  Brockport,  ]^.  Y.,  succeeded  Father  McCool,  whose 
pastorate  continued  less  than  a  year.  Father  Story  remained 
in  charge  four  years.  Accordingly,  in  1862,  a  new  pastor  came 
in  the  person  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Moore,  who  was  no  stranger 
to  the  people  of  Mt.  Morris,  from  the  fact  that  he  had  attended 
them  formerly,  but  for  a  short  time,  from  Portage.  Father 
Moore  remained  until  March,  1866,  when  the  Rev.  Edward 
McGowan  was  appointed  his  successor.  Father  McGowan  held 
the  charge  until  1869,  when  Rev.  David  O'Brien  succeeded 
him.  Under  Father  O'Brien  the  house  and  lot  on  the  corner 
of  Chapel  and  Stanley  streets,  owned  by  Jas.  Conkey,  and 
adjoining  the  lot  on  which  the  church  stood,  were  purchased. 
The  old  church  was  moved  back  and  made  into  a  barn  and  is 


150  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

used  for  that  purpose  now.  The  house,  ^Yhich  stood  on  the 
corner,  was  moved  and  placed  on  the  site  of  the  old  church  and 
enlarged.  The  new  church  was  then  built  on  this  corner  lot. 
It  is  a  brick  structure,  the  dimensions  of  which  are  43x100  feet, 
with  a  high  tower,  the  base  of  which  is  twelve  feet  square,  ex- 
cluding abutments.  The  corner  stone  of  the  church  was  laid  in 
the  fall  of  1869,  and  the  church  was  dedicated  in  February, 
1874.  Father  O'Brien  also  established  a  school  in  the  vestry 
of  the  old  church,  but  discontinued  it  after  a  year.  This  vestry 
is  the  wooden  building  in  the  rear  of  the  present  church  and 
now  again  used  for  a  vestry. 

Father  O'Brien  left  about  the  first  of  March,  1874,  and  Avas 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  M.  M.  Meagher,  who  remained  in  charge 
a  little  over  a  year.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Donnelly, 
now  pastor  of  the  Catholic  Church  at  Victor,  IST.  Y.  Father 
Donnelly  was  appointed  pastor  of  the  churches  at  Mt.  Morris, 
Geneseo  and  Nunda  on  August  1st,  1875,  and  continued  in 
charge  until  the  summer  of  1882.  In  the  first  year  of  his  pas- 
torate he  was  assisted  for  three  months  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  J. 
O'Connell,  now  pastor  of  the  Catholic  Church  at  Ovid,  N.  Y. 
Father  Donnelly  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Chas.  Flaherty,  during 
whose  time  the  church  was  frescoed,  new  pews  and  two  side- 
altars  were  put  in,  cement  sidewalk  was  laid  in  front  of  the 
church  and  seventeen  and  seventy-four  one-hundredths  acres  of 
land  on  Murray  St.  were  purchased  for  a  cemetery.  Rev. 
James  II.  Day,  the  present  pastor,  was  appointed  May  1st,  1893. 

Before  the  Conkey  house  was  purchased  for  a  parsonage  the 
congregation  rented  at  one  time  the  house  now  occupied  by  J. 
F.  Donovan  on  Stanley  St., in  the  rear  of  the  Methodist  church; 
at  another  time,  the  house  on  the  corner  of  Chapel  and  Eagle 
Sts.,  now  occupied  by  T.  J.  Gamble,  Esq.  ;  at  another,  the 
house  now  occupied  by  Asa  Dalrymple  on  Hopkins  St. 


CHUKCHES.  151 

The  Trustees  of  the  church  are  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  his 
A^icar- General,  the  pastor  and  two  laj^men,  members  of  the  par- 
ish. The  present  lay-trustees  are  N.  E.  DeLany  and  John 
McMahon.  The  following  gentlemen  have  served  as  trustees  in 
the  past,  for  periods  ranging  from  1  to  23  years :  Cornelius 
O'Leary  (father  of  Timothy  C.  O'Leary  of  Damonsville),  Eich- 
ard  Burke,  James  Hart,  Daniel  Riordon,  Dennis  Evans,  Timothy 
Ilennessy,  M,  J.  Noonan  and  Peter  Schirmer.  M.  J.  Noonan 
served  twenty-three  years  and  John  Noonan  less  than  one  year. 

The  estimated  value  of  the  church  property,  including  the 
cemetery,  is  $25,000.  The  present  membership  is  about  two 
hundred  families. 


SECOKD  PEESBYTERIAX  CHURCH. 


FROM  HISTORY  OF  ROCHESTER  PRESBYTERY. 


The  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mount  Morris,  was  or- 
ganized by  a  committee  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  in  1830, 
and  was  received  under  its  care,  in  January,  1831.  Among  its 
original  members,  were  Moses  Marvin  and  Ann,  his  wife,  Har- 
riet Speas,  Fanny  Roland,  and  Anna  Sharp.  Sylvester  Rich- 
mond and  Lucy,  his  wife,  and  Milo  H.  Maltbie  and  Jerusha, 
his  wife,  united  soon  after  the  church  had  been  organized. 

Rev.  Elam  Walker  was  the  first  minister,  and  the  church  was 
much  prospered  by  his  labors.  He  was  followed  by  Rev. 
Messrs.  Hall, "Ward,  and  Lindley.     The  ruling  elders  were  Moses 


152  MOUNT  MOKEIS  CENTENARY. 

Marvin,  Sylvester  Roland,  and  Clark  Mather.  The  deacons 
"were  Moses  Marvin,  and  Sylvester  Roland.  The  church  main- 
tained a  prayer  meeting,  also  a  Sabbath  school,  of  which  Syl- 
vester Roland  and  J.  McCreary  were  superintendents.  The 
largest  number  of  members,  at  any  one  time,  w^as  about  fifty. 
This  society  never  erected  a  church  edifice,  but  united  with  a 
school  district  in  the  erection  of  a  house,  Avhich  was  used,  both 
for  church  and  school  purposes ;  and  ^vhich  was  situated  five 
miles  south  of  Mount  Morris  village,  on  the  west  side  of  the 
state  road.  Owing  to  the  organization  of  a  Dutch  Reformed 
Church,  in  that  neighborhood,  this  church  was  disbanded  about 
the  year  1839. 


PRESBYTERIAX  CHURCH,  OF  TUSCARORA. 


BY  EEV.   A.   MCQUEEN. 


This  church  was  organized  in  1839,  according  to  the  Dutch 
Reform  order,  by  Rev.  Israel  Hammond.  In  18-11:,  the  societ}'' 
was  incorporated,  and  the  present  house  of  worship  was  erected. 
In  the  year  181:6,  it  was  re-organized,  as  the  Second  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Mount  Morris,  having  the  following  members : 
"Wm.  H.  Cownover,  Jacob  Petrie,  Peter  VanNest,  Garrett 
Cownover,  John  Michael,  George  S.  Kershaw^,  Isaac  YanDe- 
venter,  William  Post,  Charity  VanDeventer,  Juliana  Dodge, 
Susan  Kershaw,  Parmela  Powers,  Margaret  C.  Howell,  Ida 
Post,  Anna  Conklin,  Jane  Birch,  Elizabeth  VanNest,  Catharine 


CHUKCHES.  153 

Cownover,  Ann  YanOrsdall,  Sarah  YanAuker,  Mary  Milholen, 
Sarah  II.  Cownover,  Sarah  Ann  Lashel,  Eleanor  Howell,  Fran- 
cis I.  Howell,  Ketura  Davis,  Catharine  C.  Michael.  The  fol- 
lowing persons  were  ordained  elders :  Aaron  Cownover, 
William  Howell,  James  Conklin,  Stephen  Birch.  Deacons : 
William  N.  Hall,  William  YanDeventer  and  Aaron  Davis. 
The  church  was  received  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Ontario,  June  2,  1846. 

From  the  time  of  re-organization  till  October,  1851,  the  church 
enjoyed  the  ministrations  of  the  Rev.  Peter  S.  YanKest,  and 
during  this  time  changed  its  relation  from  Ontario  Presbytery, 
Kew  School,  to  Wyoming  Presbytery,  Old  School.  September 
2,  1852,  the  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Dewing  became  its  pastor,  and 
was  installed,  October  20,  1852,  and  remained  one  year.  In 
the  year  1852,  the  church  changed  its  name  from  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Mount  Morris,  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Tuscarora.  In  ISTovember,  1853,  Rev.  Washington 
D.  McKinley  commenced  his  labors,  as  stated  supply,  resigning 
his  charge  in  August,  186-1.  In  January,  1865,  Rev.  Robert  W. 
McCormick  became  pastor,  remaining  with  the  church  until 
September  1869.  In  May  1870,  the  church  of  Tuscarora 
formed  a  union  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Union  Corners 
and  William  E.  Jones  was  pastor  of  the  united  church  for  about 
three  years,  from  June  26,  1870.  In  the  interim  of  vacancies, 
the  church  had  various  supplies  for  a  brief  period.  In  1875, 
the  church  severed  its  connection  with  the  Union  Corners  Church 
and  called  Rev,  Silas  McKinney,  who  ministered  about  three 
years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  Mitchell,  January,  1880, 
who  also  ministered  for  the  term  of  three  years,  both  of  them 
as  stated  supply.  During  Mr.  Mitchell's  term  of  service,  G. 
C.  Conklin  and  E.  Marsh  Petrie  were  ordained  elders.  Rev. 
William  F.    Millikan  was  installed,  March  20,  1883,  remaining 


154  MOUNT  MORKIS  CENTENARY. 

two  years.  October  18,  1885,  Eev.  T.  H.  Quigley  cominenced 
liis  labors,  and  remained  as  stated  supply,  until  March  22,  1891. 
April  1-1,  1891,  by  the  request  of  the  churches,  the  Presbytery 
of  Eochester  consolidated  the  church  of  Union  Corners  with 
the  church  of  Tuscarora.  From  November  1,  1891,  G.  W. 
Wesselius  supplied  the  pulpit  for  six  months.  February  5, 1893, 
Rev.  Allan  McQueen  was  invited  to  minister  to  the  church,  and 
he  accepting  the  invitation,  is  its  present  supply. 

Its  present  board  of  elders  consists  of,  William  Hall,  Garret 
C.  Conklin,  E.  Marsh  Petrie,  and  Andrew  Sedam.  For  the 
past  few  years,  the  church  has  suffered  by  deaths  and  removals 
so  that  its  numbers  are  depleted  and  its  financial  resources  are 
crippled,  yet  it  has  steadily  maintained  its  standing.  Adjoin- 
ing the  church  lot,  the  society  owns  a  comfortable  parsonage. 
The  Sabbath  school  was  organized  in  February,  1846.  Its  pres- 
ent superintendent  is  John  Conklin.  The  present  trustees  of 
the  society  are  Edward  W.  Petrie,  Charles  Whitenack  and  Wil- 
son M.  Creveling.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organized  in  Janu- 
ary, 1894. 


DUTCH  EEFORMED  CHUECH. 


BY  F.   A.   NORTHWAY, 


The  Dutch  Eeformed  Church  of  Mount  Morris  was  organized 
in  1841,  with  the  following  members:  Jacob  Brinkerhoof  and 
wife,  Thomas  Johnson  and  wife,  James  VanArsdale  and  wife, 
Kicholas  P.  Vanllouten  and  wife,  Andrew  Whitnack  and  wife, 


CHURCHES.  155 

David  Westervelt  and  wife,  Peter  VanDorn  and  wife,  Peter 
"WMtenack  and  wife,  Abraham  YanHouten  and  wife.  Christian 
DeClark  and  wife,  Jacob  Yan Wagner,  and  Crawford  Miller, 

In  the  year  1847,  the  Rev.  James  G-.  Brinkerhoof  became 
pastor  of  the  church,  coming  to  them  from  New  Jersey.  Du- 
ring the  year,  a  house  of  worship,  about  30  by  40,  was  erected 
and  dedicated  on  Dutch  street,  about  a  mile  north  of  Tuscarora. 
Jacob  Yan  Winkle  was  the  builder.  Not  many  united  with  the 
church,  and  Mr.  Brinkerhoof  ceased  his  labors  in  1860.  The 
building  then  remained  closed,  excepting  for  funerals  and  oc- 
casional services,  for  twenty  years;  when  in  1880  it  was  sold  by 
Jacob  Yan  Wagner,  he  being  the  only  one  left  of  the  society, 
to  the  Methodists  of  Union  Corners,  by  whom  it  was  taken 
down  and  re-constructed  at  Union  Corners. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH,  OF  TUSCARORA. 


BY  KEV.   A.   MCQUEEN. 


The  Free  Methodist  church  of  Tuscarora  was  organized  in 
August,  1875,  with  about  thirty  members,  by  Rev.  R.  M.  Sny- 
der, the  first  pastor,  who  had  held  services  from  March  pre- 
vious, and  sustained  pastoral  relations  two  years.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Wm.  South  worth,  who  remained  until  the  fall 
of  1880.  Services  were  held  in  the  school  house.  As  no  regu- 
lar pastor  succeeded  Rev.  Wm.  Southworth,  the  organization 
gradually  declined,  and  for  some  years  has  ceased  to  exist. 


ORGANIZATIONS, 


THE  UNION  FREE  SCHOOL. 


The  Union  School  of  Mount  Morris  was  organized  in  1844, 
by  the  consolidation  of  four  districts.  In  1845,  the  brick  school 
house  was  built,  at  an  expense  of  83,500,  which  was  replaced 
in  1879,  by  the  present  one,  at  a  cost  of  $10,000.  In  1857, 
at  the  suggestion  of  Lester  Phelps,  the  question  of  re-organiza- 
tion was  discussed,  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  the 
Union  Free  School,  in  accordance  with  the  act  of  1853.  The 
Board  of  Education  elected  at  that  time,  consisted  of :  Norman 
Seymour,  Jr. ,  John  Vernam,  Loren  J.  Ames,  Hiram  P.  Mills, 
Lorin  Co}'^,  Clark  B.  Adams,  Reuben  Sleeper,  Zara  W.  Joslyn, 
and  Thomas  F.  Wilcox.  Those  subsequently  elected,  from 
year  to  year,  have  been,  W.  H.  Noble,  C.  L.  Bingham,  R.  T. 
W.  French,  Charles  AVoodman,  S.  L.  Rockfellow,  J.  H.  Bodine, 
A.  B.  Millard,  W.  A.  Mills,  B.  Swett,  Wm.  Sickles,  H.  W. 
Miller,  M.  II.  Mills,  W.  Richmond,  H.  E.  Brown,  P.  Yeomans, 
F.  E.  Hastings,  A.  P.  Dean,  II.  Harding,  Archibald  McArthur, 
E.  A.  MiUs,  II.  S.  Wigg,  W.  II.  Swan,  J.  J.  Barrett,  A.  Ay- 
rault,  James  Gamble,  A.  Long,  J.  H.  Noonan,  Dr.  J.  M. 
Ilagey,  J.  M.  Hastings,  J.  S  McNeilly,  N.  A.  Seymour,  J.  W. 


THE 
NEW  YORK 

[[public  library 


ORGANIZATIONS. 


157 


Sickles,  Dr.  F.  B.   Dodge,  F.  M.   Joslyn,    T.    Hudson,    J.  M. 
Prophet,  and  C.  P.  Olp. 

Since  1857,  the  list  of  Principals  is  as  follows  :  I.  McMahon, 
G.  S.  Hastings,  F,  E.  Pierce,  H.  M.  Smith,  H.  M.  Morey,  W. 
M.  Benson,  A.  J.  Thomas,  R.  Green,  Z.  A.  Colburn,  H.  A. 
Balcom,  H.  Allison,  W.  H.  Allen,  W.  P.  Heston,  I.  O.  Best, 
L.  P.  Bissel,  B.  Lewis,  E.  C.  Stringer,  J.  F.  Forbes,  G.  F. 
Slocum,  W.  S.  Smith,  E.  A.  Parks,  G.  A.  Kneeland,  J.  S. 
Burritt,  F.  C.  Cudebec,  A.  Mitchell,  A.  M.  Curtis. 

The  following  ladies  have  occupied  the  position  of  assistant 
in  the  academic  department :  Ann  Clarke,  Mary  Green,  Mary 
E.  Joslyn-  Jennie  Chamberlain,  Sarah  A.  Ford,  Ann  E.  Ken- 
drick,  Sarah  O.  Peck,  Catherine  Hinman,  Ella  Bacon,  Sabry 
Phillips,  Emma  Darling,  Miss  Salt,  Miss  Crane,  Anna  McBride, 
Frances  Witter,  Adelle  Raynor,  Anna  M.  Lewis,  Rilla  LaForge, 
Florence  Brown,  Mina  F.  S.  Powers,  Luella  Eobinson. 

Besides  the  main  building,  on  Chapel  street,  to  which  refer- 
ence has  been  made,  there  are  two  other  buildings  to  accom- 
modate the  younger  pupils ;  one  in  the  southern,  and  the  other 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  village ;  which  are  also  under  the 
control  of  the  Board  of  Education. 


FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 


BY  JOHN  GOKMAN. 


In  the   year  1836,  the   inhabitants   of   the  village  of   Mount 
Morris,    realizing  the  necessity  of  being  protected  against   fire, 


158  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

held  a  public  meeting,  in  the  month  of  August,  and  the  sum  of 
five  hundred  dollars  was  voted  to  purchase  a  fire  engine,  hooks 
and  ladders.  In  the  following  month  of  September,  the  trus- 
tees of  the  village  purchased  a  No.  3  rotary  engine,  from  parties 
in  Windsor,  Averment,  which  cost  about  three  hundred  dollars, 
and  in  February  1S37,  the  first  Fire  Department  was  organized. 
The  engine  company  consisted  of  twenty-four  members,  and  the 
hook  and  ladder  company  of  ten  members.  The  initiation  fee 
was  seventy-five  cents.  Any  member  refusing  to  do  duty  was 
to  pay  a  fine  of  two  dollars.  A  chief  engineer,  assistant,  and 
four  fire  wardens  were  chosen.  Every  house-keeper  and  shop- 
keeper were  required  to  keep  a  leather  and  Avooden  fire  bucket 
at  the  entrance  to  their  premises.  The  first  chief  engineer  was 
John  I^n".  Hurlburt,  his  assistant  was  Jesse  Peterson.  Eeuben 
Sleeper  was  president  of  the  village,  and  George  Hastings, 
clerk.  In  September,  1852,  at  the  burning  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  the  little  engine,  proving  worthless,  was,  by  the  orders 
of  John  Yernam  and  Augustus  Conkey,  then  trustees  of  the 
village,  drawn  into  the  fire  and  destroyed.  The  orders  given 
were,  "let  her  go  boys."  Of  the  members  of  the  company,  I 
know  but  little.  I  am  informed,  that  the  late  Norman  Sey- 
mour was  a  member  and  that  he  kept  his  certificate  of  member- 
ship, which  he  no  doubt  valued  highly,  as  a  memento  of  the 
first  fire  department  of  Mount  Morris.  The  village  engine 
having  been  cast  into  the  fire  on  account  of  its  failure  to  work, 
a  line  was  formed,  composed  of  men,  women  and  boys,  extend- 
ing from  the  canal  to  the  fire,  and  pails  of  water  passed  from 
one  person  to  the  next  along  the  line,  and  in  this  manner  the 
adjoining  buildings  were  saved. 

In  those  days,  the  fire  companies  were  required  to  make  a 
monthly  report  to  the  village  trustees.  In  an  old  document  is 
found  the  followino: : 


OEGANIZATIONS.  159 

"A  report  of  engine  ISTo.  1.,  April  1,  1837.  To  the  trustees 
of  the  village  of  Mount  Morris  :  In  compliance  with  the  vil- 
lage ordinance,  I  now  submit  a  brief  report  of  the  condition  of 
our  company.  The  fire  engine  and  its  apparatus  is  in  good 
condition  and  ready  for  service  at  any  time  when  it  shall  be 
wanted.  Our  company  is  full,  consisting  of  twenty-four  mem- 
bers, all  present  and  ready  for  duty  save  two,  who  will  be  soon. 
The  members  of  the  company  are  not  as  yet  provided  with  a 
fire  hat,  but  will  as  soon  as  the  law  requires.  The  company 
has  met  for  exercise  once  a  month,  every  first  Monday  of  the 
month.     Ichabod  Thurston,  Captain ;  Moses  Camp,  Clerk. 

In  October,  1852,  a  large  and  enthusiastic  meeting  of  the 
tax-payers  of  Mount  Morris  was  held,  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
vising some  means  of  protection  against  fire.  At  this  meeting, 
it  was  voted  to  raise  $1,200  to  purchase  a  fire  engine  and  hose, 
and  the  board  of  village  trustees  was  directed  to  organize  a  fire 
department.  The  following  December  an  engine,  hose  cart, 
and  a  quantity  of  leather  hose  arrived.  This  engine  was  known 
as  No.  1,  A  company  of  forty  men  was  ready  to  receive  it. 
Dr.  A.  H.  Hoff  was  foreman,  and  J.  C.  Yernam  assistant ; 
Henry  Swan  was  chief  engineer,  and  J.  C.  Goodrich  assistant. 
The  company  adopted  the  name,  "Genesee  Chief,  ]S'o.  1." 
Soon  afterwards  a  hose  company  was  organized.  About 
the  same  time,  the  sum  of  $300  was  raised  by  subscription,  a 
second  hand  engine  was  bought  at  Rochester,  and  the  second- 
engine  company  was  organized,  composed  of  about  forty  young 
men.  Abraham  Yernam  was  foreman,  and  C.  E.  Martin,  assist- 
ant. This  company  adopted  the  name,  "Water  Witch  No.  2." 
The  original  subscribers  to  the  purchase  of  the  engine  trans- 
ferred all  their  right  and  title  to  the  company  on  the  following 
conditions:  "That  the  company  and  engine  should  be  under 
the  control  of  the  corporate   authorities  of  the  village,  and   not 


160  MOUNT  MOKRIS  CENTENARY. 

disband  for  the  terin  of  three  years,  from  the  first  of  Jaiiuar}', 
1S53."  I  remember  well  the  time  when  this  newly  organized 
fire  department,  composed  of  two  engine  companies,  and  one 
hose  company,  in  all  one  hundred  men,  handsomely  uniformed, 
and  the  apparatus  profusely  decorated  with  flowers,  appeared 
on  our  streets  for  the  first  time.  In  less  than  two  years  from 
its  organization,  Genesee  Chief  N^o.  1,  disbanded.  In  January, 
1855,  the  trustees  of  the  yillage  transferred  to  company  No.  2, 
engine  IS'o.  1.,  on  the  conditions,  that  the  company  change  its 
name  and  number,  and  transfer  to  the  corporation  all  right  and 
title  in  No.  2.,  the  corporation  to  pay  the  company  one  hun- 
dred dollars.  This  proposition  was  accepted  by  the  company, 
and  the  name  "Water  AVitch  No,  2,"  was  chano:ed  to  "Liying; 
Stream  Engine  Co.  No.  1,"  and  the  motto  "Onward  to  Save" 
was  adopted. 

In  1S57  a  new  company  was  organized  for  No.  2.  This 
company  also  adopted  the  name  "Water  Witch,  No.  2,"  and 
retained  this  name  up  to  1860,  when  a  new  engine  was  pur- 
chased and  old  No.  2  exchanged  as  part  payment.  It  may  be 
worthy  of  note  that,  on  the  night  of  the  arrival  of  the  engine, 
one  of  the  most  destructive  fires  that  ever  visited  Mt.  Morris 
occurred,  destroying,  in  all,  ten  buildings.  On  the  arrival  of 
the  new  engine,  the  company  changed  its  name  from  "AVater 
Witch"  to  "Neptune  No.  2."  At  this  time  another  hose  com- 
pany Avas  organized  and  attached  to  "Neptune  No.  2,"  each 
engine  having  a  distinct  hose  company.  These  companies  were 
known  as  "Empire  Hose  Co.,  No  1,"  and  "Union  Hose  Co., 
No.  2."  On  the  completion  of  the  Mills  Water  Works,  in 
1879,  Neptune  Co.  No.  2,  deeming  it  unnecessary  to  continue  its 
organization,  disbanded,  having  been  in  service  about  nineteen 
years. 

In  March,  1873,  the  two  hose  companies  united  and  adopted 


OEGANIZATIONS.  "         161 

the  name  "Independent  Hose,"  and  afterward  changed  to 
< 'Active  Hose,"  which  it  has  retained  to  the  present  time.  In 
1882  the  company  received  a  neat  and  substantial  four-wheel 
hose  carriage,  capable  of  carrying  about  800  feet  of  hose.  It 
is  furnished  with  hose  pipes,  lanterns,  axes  and  rubber  over- 
coats. The  cart  was  built  in  Rochester  and  cost  $350,  pur- 
chased in  part  by  the  com.pany,  the  balance  by  an  appropria- 
tion from  the  corporation. 

In  January,  1874,  a  hook  and  ladder  company  was  organized, 
with  C.  O.  Thomas,  foreman;  W.  H.  Gregg,  assistant.  The 
apparatus  consists  of  a  substantial  truck,  hooks  and  ladders, 
axes  and  four  Babcock  extinguishers.  It  was  purchased  in  New 
York,  with  funds  raised  by  subscription,  and  cost  about  1^700. 
The  company  and  its  apparatus  have  proved  to  be  an  indis- 
pensable part  of  the  department.  Of  the  original  members, 
Charles  Harding  is  the  only  one  now  a  resident  of  this  place 
who  has  remained  a  member  up  to  the  present  time. 

The  Protective  Fire  Company  was  organized  in  March,  1875. 
The  apparatus  consisted  of  a  bucket  carriage,  buckets,  ladders, 
axe,  bar,  and  two  Babcock  extinguishers.  This  company  proved 
to  be  a  valuable  addition  to  the  department,  as  with  its  light 
equipment  it  was  enabled  to  reach  a  fire  much  sooner  than  the 
heavier  and  more  complicated  apparatus,  and  by  a  timely  use 
of  buckets  and  extinguishers,  would  succeed  in  extinguishing  a 
light  fire,  and  the  drenching  and  damage  caused  by  water  from 
hose  would  be  avoided.  The  carriage  was  built  in  this  village, 
by  the  late  A.  P.  Dean,  and  paid  for  in  part  by  an  appropriation 
from  the  corporation.  This  company  was  disbanded  in  Decem- 
ber, 1892. 

In  1883,  by  order  of  the  board  of  village  trustees,  engine 
luio.  1  was  removed  and  replaced  by  'No.  2,  and  good  old 
No,  1,  having  fought  many  a  hard   battle   and   serving   faith- 


162  MOUNT  MOKRIS  CENTENARY. 

fully  31  years,  was  laid  aside  to  rest.  In  1884,  by  an  act  of 
the  trustees  of  the  village,  ISTo.  1  was  changed  into  an  engine 
and  hose  company  combined,  to  be  known  as  "Living  Stream 
Engine  and  Hose  Company,  No.  1."  This  company  is  de- 
serving of  much  credit  for  preserving  a  continuous  organization 
from  1852  up  to  the  present  time,  1891.  In  18oG,  the  ladies 
presented  the  company  with  a  handsome  silk  banner.  It  is  in- 
scribed on  one  side,  "Presented  by  Ladies,"  on  the  other  a 
large  gilt  star,  under  which  are  the  words,  "Our  Hope."  This 
banner  is   carefully   preserved  in  the   company's   rooms. 

The  department  consists  of  about  seventy-five  men.  The  ap- 
paratus is  in  good  condition,  with  several  hundred  feet  of 
substantial  hose. 

The  companies  have  pleasant  and  tastily  furnished  rooms  in 
the  third  story  of  the  village  building.  The  officers  of  the 
department  and  of  the  several  companies  are  as  follows : 

Fire  Department. — John  Gorman,  President;  Frank  E. 
"Wakeman,  Vice-President;  Charles  Harding,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer;  J.  C.  Winters,  Chief  Engineer;  Walter  Sawyer, 
Assistant. 

Living  Stream  Hose  Company,  No.  1. — William  Patton, 
Foreman ;  John  Bickf ord,  Assistant. 

Active  Hose  Company,  No.  2. — George  Norton,  Foreman; 
Robert  Croston,  Assistant. 

Hook  and  Ladder  Company. — James  S.  McNeilly,  Foreman; 
Charles  Harding,  Assistant. 


OKGANIZATIONS.  163 

MASONIC  LODGE. 


BY  DE.   F.    B.   DODGE. 


Mount  Morris  Lodge,  No.  122,  F.  and  A.  M.,  was  organized 
in  1847,  with  the  following  members:  William  D.  Morgan, 
John  Yernam,  Joseph  Faver,  Eli  Lake,  Alfred  Dean,  Henry 
Maxwell,  Ebenezer  Damon,  Elias  B.  Briggs,  Walker  M.  Hin- 
man,  Prentice  Pendleton,  George  G.  Williams,  David  A.  Miller, 
Samuel  H.  Fitzhugh,  William  M,  Bond,  George  IT.  Williams 
and  Flarmon  Howe. 

The  Lodge  meetings  were  held  in  the  Green  Building  for 
several  years,  when  a  removal  was  made  to  the  Davis  Block. 
The  rooms  in  this  block  were  occupied  until  1871,  when  fire 
destroyed  them ;  the  Lodge  losing  all  of  its  furniture,  records 
and  its  Charter.  A  removal  was  then  made  to  the  Empire 
Block.  On  June  5th,  1874, the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  granted  to  this  Lodge  a  duplicate  Charter.  The  Charter 
was  granted  to  James  Yeomans,  W.  M. ;  Edward  R,  Bangs, 
S.  W. ,  and  Isaac  McNeilly,  J.  W.  The  Lodge  continued  to 
hold  its  meetings  in  the  Empire  Block  until  February,  1889, 
when  fire  again  destroyed  the  rooms  and  all  of  its  property.  J. 
E.  Lee  Post,  G.  A.  R. ,  kindly  offered  the  use  of  their  rooms, 
and  meetings  were  held  in  these  rooms  until  the  following  June 
when  the  Lodge  moved  into  its  present  quarters  in  the  Mayer 
Block  on  Chapel  street. 

From  the  time  of  the  granting  of  the  duplicate  Charter  until 
1878,  James  Yeomans  continued  to  be  Master  of  the  Lodge. 
Upon  the  removal  from  town  of  Brother  Yeomans,  Dr.  H.  M. 
Dayfoot  succeeded  him.  Brother  Dayfoot  served  three  years, 
when,  upon  his  removal  to  Rochester,  he  was  succeeded  by  W. 


164  MOUNT  MOKKIS  CENTENARY. 

H.  Humphry.  Brother  Humphry  served  as  Master  tw^o  years, 
and  was  followed  by  ^V.  A.  Sutherland,  Esq.,  v>^ho  served  one 
year.  Brother  Sutherland  is  now  Senior  Grand  AVarden  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  New  York.  After  Brother  Suth- 
erland, F.  S.  Peer  served  one  year,  and  was  followed  by  Charles 
"W.  Bingham,  who  served  two  years.  Brother  Bingham  was 
followed  by  J.  M.  Hastings,  who  served  one  year ;  Brother 
Hastings  by  Louis  O.  Santmire,  who  served  two  years ;  Brother 
Santmire  by  John  H.  Burtis,  who  served  two  years,  and  who 
was  followed  by  F.  B,  Dodge,  who  is  now  serving  his  second 
year. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Lodge  in  1847,  it  has  had  437 
members,  of  whom  84  are  now  in  good  standing.  Samuel  L. 
Kockfellow  has  been  a  Mason  the  longest  of  any  person,  now 
living  in  town,  who  Avas  raised  in  this  lodge.  Wm.  R,  Annis 
has  held  the  longest  continuous  membership,  with  Joseph  P. 
Olp,  second.  Brother  Rockfellow  was  raised  July  27th,  1851 ; 
Brother  Annis,  February  18th,  1855,  and  Brother  Olp,  Sep- 
tember 15th,  1855. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  the  Lodge  rooms  have  twice  been  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  and  the  records  burned,  it  is  impossible  to  give 
a  complete  history  of  the  Lodge  and  the  names  of  all  of  its 
Masters.  During  its  early  history,  Col.  Hurlburt,  McNeil 
Seymour  and  Lorin  Coy  graced  the  Master's  chair.  Among 
the  names  upon  the  roll  of  this  lodge,  the  memory  of  that  of 
Charles  L.  Bingham  is  "held  in  high  veneration  by  the  Craft," 
and  the  older  members  credit  his  administration,  as  Master,  as 
the  most  brilliant  in  the  history  of  the  Lodge. 

As  it  has  been  in  all  ages,  the  best  men  of  the  community 
have  been  members  of  this  Lodge.  Men  who  have  been  prom- 
inent in  business,  in  the  trades  aud  professions,  have  been  iden- 
tified with  this  grand  fraternal  organization. 


OKGANIZATIONS.  165 

BELWOOD  LODGE,  ^O.  315,  I.  O.  O.  F. 


For  some  time,  a  move  had  been  on  foot  to  establish  a  lodge 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  the  village  of  Mt. 
Morris;  and  on  Tuesday,  March  1,  1888,  pursuant  to  a  notice 
given,  the  Grand  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  appeared  and  instituted  Belwood  Lodge,  ]N"o. 
315.  Present,  Fred  W.  Cole,  Grand  Master;  James  Terwilli- 
ger.  Grand  Secretary;  H.  M.  Olmsted,  Grand  Conductor;  G. 
W.  Bennett,  District  Deputy  Grand  Master.  The  Grand  Sec- 
retary called  a  list  of  petitioners  for  a  Charter,  and  the  follow- 
ing petitioners  answered  to  their  names :  John  H.  Burtis, 
Jerome  B.  Hurlburt,  John  H.  Brown,  Edward  W.  Bangs,  and 
Geo.  S.  Putnam.  They  were  then  duly  instituted  as  Belwood 
Lodge,  No.  315,  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  proceeded  to 
the  election  of  officers,  when  the  following  officers  were  elected 
and  installed :  P.  G.,  Geo.  S.  Putnam;  N.  G.,  John  H,  Bur- 
tis ;  Y.  G. ,  Edward  W.  Bangs ;  Secretary,  John  H.  Brown ; 
Treasurer,  Jerome  B.  Hurlburt;  O.  G.,  J.  B.  Eoyce;  I.  G., 
James  Parkeson;  R.  S.  N.  G.,  F.  H.  Moyer;  L.  S.  N.  G., 
F.  D.  Brown;  R.  S.  Y.  G.,  L.  C.  Crapsy;  L.  S.  Y.  G.,  Peter 
Wyant;  R.  S.  S.,  II.  W.    HoUister;   L.   S.   S.,  E.   J.    Sickles. 

The  following  members  were  admitted  by  card,  Geo.  M. 
ShuU,  Geo.  S.  Carr,  James  Parkeson,  Jacob  Tallman,  A.  J. 
Crissy,  F.  D.  Brown,  David  Hurlburt,  and  Chas.  Carpenter. 

The  following  members  were  admitted  by  initiation :  William 
R.  Annis,  Joseph  Mason,  Henry  YanYalkenburg,  Edwin  J, 
Sickles,  Allen  Ayrault,  A.  M.  Baker,  Leslie  C.  Crapsy,  F.  H. 
Moyer,  J.  B.  Royce,  H.  W.   Hollister,   L.  W.  Cornwell,  Peter 


166  MOUNT  MORKIS  CENTENARY. 

"Wyant,    William   Patton,  L.  O.  Santraier,  Peter  Chapman,  S. 
T.  Ilayward,  C.  R.    AVarford,  N.  A.   Seymour,  F.  P.  Ilinman. 

Thus  started  one  of  the  noblest  institutions  with  which  the 
village  of  Mount  Morris  was  ever  blest,  and  too  much  praise 
cannot  be  given  the  worthy  brothers,  who  first  undertook  this 
noble  work,  and  it  has  succeeded  beyond  their  most  sanguine 
expectations  At  the  second  meeting  of  the  Lodge,  held  March 
8,  1888,  a  check  for  825  was  received  from  Mrs.  S.  S.  How- 
land  with  which  to  buy  an  altar,  with  her  best  wishes  for  the 
prosperity  of  Belwood  Lodge,  for  which  a  vote  of  thanks  was 
given  Mrs.  Howland,  for  her  kind  regards  and  present.  At 
the  meeting  of  March  22,  1888,  the  time  for  holding  meetings 
was  changed  from  Thursday  to  Tuesday  evenings  of  each  week. 
Fortune  seemed  to  smile  on  Belwood  Lodge,  and  her  growth 
and  prosperity  was  marvelous.  There  was  not  a  cloud  appeared 
on  her  horizon,  until  August  21,  1888,  when  the  Lodge  rooms 
were  destroyed  by  fire,  and  again  on  Feb.  9,  1889,  they  were 
totally  destroyed,  together  with  contents,  and  the  loss  was  heavy. 
To  be  burned  out  twice  within  one  year  was  a  hard  blow  to  the 
young  lodge,  but  by  fortitude  and  perseverance,  they  overcame 
all  obsticles  and  continued  to  grow  and  prosper. 

The  Lodge  has  suffered  the  loss  by  death  of  the  following 
members,  who  were  buried  according  to  the  rites  of  the  order : 
Borther  J.  B.  Royce  died  March  12,1889;  Peter  Wyant,  July 
6,  1889 ;  James  Beggs,  September  20,  1889 ;  David  Hurlburt, 
Novembers,  1889;  C.  B.  White,  February  16,  1890;  Geo.  B. 
Nixon,  October  15,  1891;  James  Gorton,  December,  1892;  F. 
G.  Wicker,  October,  1892. 

The  following  brothers  are  Past  Grands  of  the  lodge,  and 
have  justly  earned  their  honorable  title  by  faithful  work  and 
fidelity :  John  II.  Burtis,  E.  J.  Sickles,  S.  II.  Jacobs,  Geo.  S. 
Putnam,  L.  J.    Howell,  E.  W.    Bangs,  A.  J.    Crissy,    Richard 


ORGANIZATIONS,  167 

Fraser,  A.  L.  D.  Campbell,  Asa  P.  "Wood,  John  H.  Brown, 
F.  D.  Brown,  H.  W.  HoUister,  A.  M.  Baker. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Lodge  are:  ]^.  G.,  E.  M.  Stroud, 
Y.  G. ,  James  Bush ;  Secretary,  H.  W.  Hollister;  Treasurer, 
E.  J.  Sickles;  Warden,  Earl  Ayrault;  Conductor,  Mr.  Har- 
rington; R.  S.  N.  G.,  E.  W.  Bangs;  L.  S.  K  G.,  F.  G, 
Moses;  E.  S.  V.  G.,  A.  L.  D.  Campbell;  L.  S.  Y.  G.,  James 
Stocking;  K.  S.  S.,  L.  M.  Comfort;  L.  S.  S.,  Jacob  I^ast;  I. 
G.,  James  Parkeson;     O.  G.  Frank  Titsworth. 

During  the  six  years  of  its  existence,  the  Lodge  has  had  a 
steady  growth,  and  now  has  an  active  membership  of  eighty- 
five,  and  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition. 


THE  TWELYE  BEOTHEKS. 


BY  F.   DAVIS,  OF  WATKINS,   N.   Y. 


On  the  evening  of  April  4,  1846,  nearly  half  a  century  ago, 
twelve  young  men,  residents  of  the  village,  some  being  in  their 
minority,  having  completed  their  school  life,  met  at  the  Eagle 
Hotel,  then  kept  by  Eiley  Scoville,  father  of  the  present  pro- 
prietor, and  organized  themselves  into  a  society,  which  they 
named  the  "Twelve  Brothers;"  the  object  being  to  cement  for 
life  their  mutual  friendship.  At  this  meeting,  they  also  re- 
solved, that  their  walk  through  life  should  be  strictly  on  the 
line  of  honor  and  probity,  and  that  their  actions  should  be  such 


168  MOUNT  MOERIS  CENTENARY. 

as  to  meet  the  approval  of  Heaven,  and  the  respect  of  all  men 
■with  whom  they  might  be  brought  in  contact.  A  record  was 
kept,  and  to  a  constitution,  embodying  the  above,  each  signed 
his  name,  with  age  and  birth  place  affixed.  Following  are  the 
names :  Frederick  Davis,  Jr. ,  David  M.  Childs,  John  "VY. 
Ilurlburt,  Samuel  W.  French,  Orson  P.  Allen,  Herman  AV. 
Earnum,  Augustus  H.  Mershon,  William  A.  Teneyke,  Samuel 
L.  Rockfellow,  Charles  S.  Yernam,  Charles  L.  Burpee,  and 
William  D.  Farnham.  They  further  resolved  to  meet  annually 
on  the  28th  day  of  December,  at  the  same  place,  so  long  as 
life  should  be  spared  them,  or,  if  impossible,  to  address  a  letter 
for  reading  by  those  present. 

Several  successive  meeting  were  held  and  attended  b}'^  most 
of  the  members;  but  as  time  progressed,  and  they  became 
widely  scattered,  the  oft  repeated  experience  was  realized,  that 
it  is  much  easier  to  make  resolutions,  than  to  keep  them,  so  it 
was  in  1871,  a  quarter  of  a  century  after  the  organization, 
when  the  next  meeting  was  held.  In  the  mean  time,  death 
had  claimed  three  of  the  number  and  three  were  lost  to  view. 
Three,  however,  were  present,  viz.  :  Eockfellow,  Davis,  and 
Mershon  (the  later  has  since  died),  and  letters  were  read  from 
Childs,  then  in  London,  England,  and  from  Barnum  and  Allen, 
who  had  been  for  many  years  missionaries  in  Asiatic  Turkey. 
It  is  worthy  of  mention  that  those  who  met  on  this  occasion, 
supped  at  the  same  table  and  in  the  same  room,  that  the  twelve 
occupied  at  their  first  meeting,  a  quarter  of  a  century  preAious ; 
also  that  Henry  Scoville,  who,  as  a  boy,  waited  on  them  at 
their  first  meeting,  attended  them  as  landlord  at  this  reunion. 
Since  that  date  there  has  been  no  meeting,  but  the  records  are 
carefully  preserved  by  Mr.  Davis,  who  now  resides  in  Watkins^ 
Kew  York. 


ORGANIZATIONS.  169 

A.  O.  U.  W. 


The  Ancient  Order  United  Workmen,  (A.  0.  U.  W.,)isa 
fraternal  protective  association,  maldng  provision  for  widows 
and  orphans,  and  not  barring  from  its  provisions  those  of  near 
kinship  nor  relationship.  As  the  first  society  of  its  kind  in  this 
country,  it  was  organized  in  Meadville,  Pa.,  in  1868,  and  num- 
bers at  present,  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand.  The 
certificates  of  membership  are  issued  uniformeiy  for  two 
thousand  dollars,  to  be  paid  at  the  death  of  the  member,  to 
such  person  or  persons  of  near  kin,  as  shall  be  designated  in 
said  certificate  of  membership.  Genesee  Yalley  Lodge,  located 
at  Mount  Morris,  1^.  Y. ,  was  instituted,  January  30,  1878, 
with  about  twenty  charter  members,  from  some  of  the  most 
active  business  men  of  the  village,  including  such  names  as  Dr. 
H.M.  Dayfoot,  W.  H.  Swan,  Henry  Gale,  J.  C.  Winters,  Hath- 
orn  Burt,  John  M.  Prophet,  C.  F.  Braman,  Adam  Seeh,  C.  H. 
Gladding,  John  and  George  White,  and  others.  It  has 
increased  in  numbers,  influence  and  usefulness,  and  holds  a 
prominent  place  in  society.  A.  M.  Baker  is  Deputy  for  Liv- 
ingston county,  and  has  been  for  a  number  of  years.  The 
present  officers  are :  J.  Walker,  Master  Workman ;  Thomas 
Baker,  Recorder ;  and  A.  J.  Crissy,  Financier. 


SELECT  KNIGHTS. 


The  Select  Knights  are  a  similar   organization  to  the   A.    O. 
U.  W.,  but  differing   somewhat  in  their  form  of  initiation,  and 


170  MOUNT  MOERIS  CENTENAEY. 

the  amount  of  benefits,  dress,  etc.,  being  semi-militar}''  in  their 
parades,  and  attractive  to  young  men  who  have  a  liking  for  a 
military  show.  In  case  a  member  beconjes  permanently  dis- 
abled, either  by  accident  or  sickness,  said  member  is  entitled  to 
one-half  of  the  amount  of  his  certificate ;  but  in  order  to  entitle 
him  to  the  half  benefit  while  living,  he  must  pass  a  special  ex- 
amination of  physicians  appointed  by  the  officers  of  the  parent 
organization.  The  Order  admits  ladies'  auxiliaries,  and  mem- 
bers of  such  auxiliaries  are  entitled  to  the  same  benefits  as  are 
guaranteed  to  male  members.  A  subordinate  Lodge,  (Legion,) 
of  the  Select  Knights  was  instituted  in  Mount  Morris,  Septem- 
ber, 1885,  through  the  active  labors  of  A,  M.  Baker,  with 
twenty-eight  charter  members,  and  including  some  of  the  most 
prominent  men  in  the  village  and  town,  and  others  scattered 
in  different  parts  of  our  county.  Its  officers  are :  A.  J.  Crissy, 
Commander;  W.  D.  Pitt,  Recorder;  A.  M.  Baker,  Recording 
Treasurer;  J.  M.  Prophet,  Treasurer. 


EQUITABLE  AID  UNION. 


The  Equitable  Aid  Union  is  another  of  these  fraternal  benefit 
societies,  but  differing  from  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  Select 
Knights,  in  its  form  of  initiation,  the  amount  of  benefits,  the 
age  of  admission,  and  the  character  of  its  members.  It  admits 
males  and  females  alike,  and  pledges  amount  of  benefits  varing 
from  two  hundred  and  fifty,  to  three  thousand  dollars.  It  has 
a  large   membership  in   Mount   Morris,    and   has     distributed 


ORGANIZATIONS.  171 

thousands  of  dollars  to  the  families  of  deceased  members,  and 
is  doing  much  by  its  endowments  in  relieving  the  wants  of  the 
unfortunate  living,  as  well  as  the  aged.  The  Mount  Morris 
branch,  union  151,  was  organized  in  1880,  with  such  men  and 
women  as  Dr.  Henry  Povall,  George  Wooster,  Jacob  Wagner, 
William  M.  Ostrander,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edward  Austin,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ira  T.  Hollister,  JohnH.  Burtis,  with  a  number  of  younger 
men,  as  charter  members.  Present  officers  :  Daniel  F.  Russel, 
President ;  Mrs.  Allie  M.  Campbell,  Secretary ;  A.  M.  Baker, 
Accountant  and  Treasurer.  The  Ancient  Order  United  Work- 
men, the  Select  Knights,  and  the  Equitable  Aid  Union,  have  a 
beautiful  hall  fitted  up  in  comely  style,  on  Chapel  street,  where 
they  each  gather  regularly  at  stated  intervals,  to  transact  busi- 
ness, and  for  social  intercourse. 


C.  M.  B.  A. 


The  Catholic  Mutual  Benefit  Association  was  organized  at 
Niagara  Falls  in  July,  1876.  Branch  94  was  organized  in  Mt. 
Morris,  April,  1886.  The  object  of  the  Association  is  to  improve 
the  moral,  mental  and  social  condition  of  its  members ;  to  edu- 
cate them  in  integrity,  sobriety  and  frugality ;  to  endeavor  to 
make  them  contented  with  their  position  in  life,  and  to  aid  and 
assist  members  of  their  families  in  case  of  death.  Its  officers 
are  as  follows :  Spiritual  Adviser,  Eev.  James  H.  Day ;  Presi 
dent,  N.  E.  DeLany;  Vice-President,  J.  A.  Coultry;  Treas- 
urer, Fred  Beuerlein,  Jr. ;  Financial  Secretary,  Barney  Beuer- 
lein;  Recording  Secretary,  W.  H.  O'Donnell. 


172  MOUNT  MOKKIS  CENTENAKY. 

EMPIRE  KNIGHTS  OF  RELIEF. 


On  the  2-1-tli  day  of  February,  1891,  there  was  instituted 
at  Mt.  Morris  a  Council  of  the  above  order,  known  as  Alert 
Council,  No.  25,  with  twenty-two  charter  members,  viz :  G. 
M.  Shull,  Frank.  B.  Dodge,  James  Gorton,  Charles  Gladding, 
Nathan  Gladding,  C.  C.  Willard,  W.  B.  Todd,  Allen  Ayrault, 
George  L.  Carr,  John  Burtis,  W.  D.  Pitt,  V.  C.  Baker,  S.  E. 
Wright,  J.  L.  White,  W.  H.  Nott,  Louis  Santmire,  Archibald 
Wasson,  John  H.  Brown,  M.  Matteson,  George  S.  Putnam,  C. 
J.  Mills,  A.  J.  Crissy.  After  the  three  degrees  had  been  con- 
ferred upon  the  above  members  by  Frank  E.  Munger,  Supreme 
Secretary,  the  foUoAving  officers  were  elected  for  the  first  year : 
Commander,  W.  D.  Pitt;  Past  Commander,  F.  B.  Dodge, 
Secretary,  S.  E.  Wright;  Receiver,  A.  J.  Crissy;  Treasurer, 
James  Gorton.  The  Empire  Knights  of  Relief  is  an  insurance 
organization  which  pavs,  on  the  death  of  its  members,  §1,000, 
$2,000  and  §3,000,  has  a  graded  assessment  rate  and  levies  one 
assessment  each  month.  The  main  office  of  the  order  is  at 
Buffalo,  N.  y.  Since  the  organization  of  Alert  Council,  one 
member  has  been  removed  by  death.  Brother  James  Gorton. 
Several  brothers  have  removed  from  the  town  and  been  trans- 
ferred to  other  Councils ;  this,  coupled  with  two  or  three  with- 
drawals, leaves  Alert  Council  at  the  present  time  with  but 
nineteen  active  members.  Following  are  the  officers  at  the 
present  time :  Commander,  V.  C.  Baker ;  Past  Commander, 
W.  D.  Pitt;  Secretary,  S.  E.  Wright;  Receiver,  A.  J.  Crissy; 
Treasurer,  W.  H.  Nott. 


ORGANIZATIONS.  173 

LIVINGSTON  CLUB. 


This  club  ^Yas  organized  in  April,  1892.  Norman  A.  Sey- 
mour, witli  several  other  gentlemen,  being  satisfied  that  our 
beautiful  village  should  have  some  place  for  social  and  literary 
intercourse,  met  and  organized  the  above  club,  securing  three 
large  rooms  in  the  Eagle  Block  on  Main  street.  The  following 
were  the  officers  elected  :  President,  Normam  A.  Seymour ; 
Vice-President,  Maurice  J.  Noonan;  Treasurer,  Frank  E. 
"Wakeman;  Secretary,  J,  M.  Murphy;  Trustees,  M.  E.  Gore, 
J.  C.  Winters,  Thomas  Hudson.  The  aforesaid  officers,  to- 
gether with  the  following  named  gentlemen,  constituted  the 
list  of  charter  members :  F.  C.  Simerson,  Geo.  M.  ShuU,  fC, 
L.  Bingham,  C.  W.  Bingham,  J.  M.  Prophet,  F.  B.  Dodge,  F. 
W.  DeCamp,  J.  C.  Galbraith,  H.  E.  Brown,  F.  E.  VanDorn, 
J.  M.  Hastings,  J.  F.  Connor,  J.  C.  Dickey,  Allen  Ayrault,  C. 
F.  Braman,  Jr. ,  Eugene  Ferris.  The  following  gentlemen  have 
since  been  admitted  to  membership  :  C.  W.  Gamble,  Louis  L. 
Galbraith,  Dr.  W.  H.  Povall,  E.  K.  Creveling,  G.  S.  Ellicott, 
N.  N.  Nast,  D.  F.  Kussell,  O.  C.  Matteson,  C.  B.  Galbraith, 
J.  F.  Donovan,  S.  S.  Howland,  Dr.  Albert  E.  Leach,  E.  F. 
Fitzhugh,  Howard  Bingham.         — f  Deceased. 


JAY  E.  LEE  POST,  NO.  281,  G.  A.  E. 


BY  ZALMON  WEIGHT,   OF  MOUNT  MOKKIS,   N.   T. 


This  Post,  which  is  located  in  Mount  Morris,  New  York,  was 
organized  and  chartered  July  19,  1882,  and  named  for  a  brave 


174  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

and  loyal  volunteer,  who  served  his  country  with  credit  and 
distinction  during  its  most  trying  hours.  Jay  E.  Lee  was  com- 
missioned Captain  of  the  24th  N.  Y.  Independent  Battery,  and 
served  with  the  same  until  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
For  the  next  three  years  following,  he  held  the  agency,  and 
had  charge  of  the  IN^ew  York  State  Soldiers  Bureau,  for  claims 
at  Washington,  D.  C.  On  his  return  to  this  place,  he  practiced 
law,  until  his  health  failed,  and  he  died  October  11,  1873,  from 
disease  contracted  while  in  the  service.  The  following  are  the 
names  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Post :  W.  F.  Devening, 
J.  I.  DeGroff,  C.  J.  Perry,  H.  W.  Claxton,  M.  L.  Scoville,  J. 
A.  Ross,  C.  J.  Mills,  D.  McCarty,  Z.  Wright,  J.  McArthur, 
C.  D.  Chilson,  T.  W.  Parker,  W.  Kemp,  J.  J.  Hillman,  J.  W. 
Sickles,  J.  T.  Smith,  II.  Burt,  Frank  Fogey,  G.  M.  ShuU,  W. 
Williams,  Jas.  Ryan,  R.  Talbot.  The  Post  has  lost  by  death, 
since  its  organization,  six  comrades,  whose  remains  are  lying  in 
our  cemetery,  and  it  has  on  its  roll,  at  the  present,  sixty-two 
comrades.  The  present  officers  of  the  Post  are  as  follows : 
Zalmon  Wright,  Commander ;  James  H.  Kelley,  S.  V.  Com- 
mander; Harvey  G.  Johnson,  J.  Y.  Commander;  John  H. 
Burtis,  Quartermaster ;  Henry  W.  Claxton,  Officer  of  the  Day ; 
Charles  J.  Mills,  Adjutant ;  Lewis  Bryant,  Surgeon ;  John  S. 
Baker,  Chaplain ;  Jas.  Ryan,  Officer  of  the  Guard ;  Dennis  Mc- 
Carty, Sergeant-Major;  Jerome  McArthur,  Quartermaster- Ser- 
geant. Its  present  Commander,  Zalmon  AYright,is  Commissioned 
Aide-de-Camp  on  the  Staff  of  John  C.  Shotts,  Commander 
Department  of  New  York,  G.  A.  R. 


ORGAKIZATIONS.  176 

EOLL  OF  HONOK. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  those  who  were  residents  of  Mount 
Morris,  and  enlisted  in  the  volunteer  service  of  the  late  war  of 
1861-1865: 

^Willis  M.  Ashton,  Seiner  Armstrong,  ^Prosper  Annis,  *W. 
Aplin,  Perry  J.  Ashton,  *George  Atwood,  John  Q.  Adams, 
^Elijah  Atwood,  *Col.  Joseph  H.  Bodine,  *John  Beggs,  *Lieu- 
tenant  Albert  M.  Bingham,  Warren  Brady,  Walter  Burdick, 
George  W.  Barney,  Jr. ,  K.  W.  Barney,  Parker  Brooks,  Kelsey 
Bergen,  Henry  Bliss,  *John  Bliss,  *George  Bingham,  ^William 
Blood,  Capt.  John  Burges,  *Capt.  Charles  Burt,  *Hathorn  Burt, 
C.  F.  Braman,  *Wm.  Beers,  *E.  C.  Camp,  *A.  Y.  Cothrill, 
*Emerson  Crowley,  Levi  Cothrill,  John  Callahan,  *Michael 
Carroll,  Lyman  Crowley,  B.  S.  Coffin,  C.  D.  Chilson,  H.  G. 
Chamberlain,  *Wm.  F.  Carpenter,  Thomas  Conley,  Jeremiah 
Cullinan,  *E.  Elijah  Coffin,  Henry  Crawford,  Geo.  Chambers, 
Geo.  B.  Calton,  Henry  W.  Claxton,  *Cornelius  Cassidy,  Alex- 
ander E.  Chichester,  Almarian  Crandall,  Geo.  H.  Coffin,  Frank 
Chilson,  Wm.  Chilson,  Frank  M.  Chilson,  *Zebulon  Doty,  John 
I.  DeGroff,  Cornelius  Donovan,  *Elvyrian  P.  Dalrymple,  *F. 
Manning  Dalrymple,  ^James  Dale,  Anthony  Dunlavy,  John 
Dunn,  '^ James  Driscoll,  *A.  P.  Dean,  *Wilber  Diffenbacker, 
John  L.  DaboU,  B.  F.  Demming,  Wm.  H.  Drake,  Wm.  H. 
Dart,  Peter  Drake,  John  Dunlavy,  *  Edward  M.  Eastwood,  W. 
H.  Ellison,  Giles  Foote,  Thomas  Foose,  Francis  Flynn,  *W. 
Garrett,  Patrick  Galbraith,  *Henry  J.  Garrett,  *John  Gal- 
braith,  *Daniel  Geary,  Dwite  Graham,  "^Michael  Graley,  *W. 
Gleason,  Lieut.  Henry  Gale,  *Joseph  Garlinghouse,  Lieut.  John 
J.  Galbraith,  Jacob  Gunn,  Theadore  Gunn,  Edward   Hosmer, 


176  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

*Ira  Hayes,  ^Smitli  Hurlburt,  Stephen  Hay  ward,  Lieut,  Charles 
Harding,  George  Ileliker,  *Henry  Higgins,  I,  William  Huggins 
*Wilbur  Hoyte,  Charles  House,  Charles  Hinman,  *Henry  Hunt, 
Edward  F.  Hart,  J.  "Wesley  Hand,  Henry  W.  Hand,  Henry 
Harvey,  William  Hampton,  Franklin  Hay  ward,  Sidney  Hall, 
John  Hagardorn,  John  Johnson,  AValter  Kemp,  Frank  Kelley, 
James  H.  Kelley,  James  Kane,  W.  S.  Knappenberg,  Hiram 
Loomis,  Lieut.  Herbert  C.  Lancy,  *]N"icholas  Laforce,  Samuel 
Leddick,  -Capt.  Jay  E.  Lee,  AVm.  Loomis,  Henry  Limrick,  -C. 
E.  Martin,  Rob'tMcISTeilly,  Franklin  Morgan,  Hiram  Merithew, 
*John  Murdock,  John  Mead,  ^-Daniel  Minnehan,  Dennis  Mc- 
Carthy, ^Eugene  L.  Martin,  ^Charles  A.  Martin,  ^Thomas  Mc- 
iS'eilly,  *Archibald  McArthur,  Elikean  Minor,  Fenton  McCarty, 
Michael  Minnehan,  Henry  McArthur,  *Francis  McWithey,  *  W. 
Mack,  Edsom  Marshall,  John  Miller,  Michael  McCormick,  W. 
McClerry,  -^Samuel  McNeilly,  *John  V.  Maltbie,  John  Mc- 
Carthy, Jerome  McArthur,  Loren  Morell,  Henry  McCollough, 
Joseph  Malone,  Frank  ISTorthway,  Samuel  Nichols,  Wm.  Nimbs, 
*Thomas  Nicholson,  C.  W.  Ogden,  -- Michael  O'Brien,  Charles 
Palmer,  Calvin  Palmer,  Henry  Phillips,  Geo.  S.  Putnam,  E. 
K.  Parker,  Thos.  W.  Parker,  Welcome  H.  Pray,  Timothy 
Phalen,  Lieut.  Oscar  Phillips,  Charles  Peterson,  Nelson  Peter- 
son, Wm.  H.  Peterson,  *Geo.  W.  Palmer,  *Frank  Pierce,  C. 
L.  Putnam,  Jacob  Post,  T.  P.  Powers,  Leonard  Quayle,  "^"Thomas 
Ryan,  *James  Roberts,  Nathaniel  Rulapaugh,  James  Ryan,  J. 
W.  Rulapaugh,  -Edward  D.  Rogers,  Gilbert  Rulapaugh,  *Arte- 
mus  Rathburn,  -Francis  Redman,  John  T.  Robinson,  Benja- 
min Rowe,  Leonard  Reed,  *F.  B.  Russell,  James  W.  Ransom, 
*Frank  Richardson,  *Smith  Rogers,  *Alexander  Rogers,  Pat- 
rick Riley,  *Robert  Shannon,  *George  J.  Stout,  Florance  Sul- 
livan, *Bartholmay  Sullivan,  Walter  A.  Scribner,  *Patrick 
Sullivan,  John  SkeUey,  John  T.  Smith,  John  W.  Sickles,  *CoL 


ORGANIZATIONS.  177 

Mark  L.  Scoville,  Eiley  Scoville,  *Capt.  Howard  M.  Smith, 
*Kichard  Shannon,  *Justine  Smith,  '^Lebanon  Shank,  Jas.  Skuce, 
Frederick  Simonds,  Allen  E.  Shaw,  Hiram  Selover,  Daniel 
Strain,  James  H.  Shaw,  "^John  Scott,  *Hugh  Skillen,  *John 
Slaight,  L.L.  "W.  Shaw,  *John  Starkweather,  *Marsenus  Stout, 
C.  T.  Stout,  Jacob  Steek,  Kamulus  Swift,  J.  "W.  Suydam,  R. 
Talbot,  Benjamin  Travers,  Lycurgus  Twinning,  Charles  Yoss, 
H.  "VV.  YanDerbilt,  Geo,  YanArsdall,  *Lieut.  Henry  Williams, 
H.  A.  Webster,  ^Samuel  Weightman,  *Isaac  E.  Williams,  Wm. 
Williams,  Wirt  Winegar,  Eugene  Webster,  William  Welch,  L. 
C.  Willis,  Charles  B.  Wheelock,  '^Lieut.  Edward  Williams,  R. 
Wiseman,  John  Welch,  Lieut.  Charles  Wisner,  Luther  White- 
nack,  A.  B.  Wiley,  Willard  Weeks,  Lanora  Wilson,  John 
Whitenack,  Robert  Welch,  L.  B.  Wheelock,  Asher  Whitenack, 
John  Williams,  Oscar  Willet,  Col.  R.  P.  Wisner,  Samuel  Yan- 
cer,  Ambrose  Yancer,  James  A.  Yancer,  Joseph  Zwager. 
— *Deceased. 


RECORD  OF  FIRST  TOWN  MEETING,  APRIL  6,  1819. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  free  holders  and  inhabitants  of  the  town 
of  Mount  Morris,  Genesee  county,  and  State  of  New  York,  per- 
suant  to  law,  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  April,  1819,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  choosing  Town  Officers  and  doing  other  necessary  busi- 
ness ;  it  was  voted  that,  William  A.  Mills  be  the  Supervisor ; 
Horatio  Read,  Town  Clerk;  Allen  Ayrault,  Jesse  Stanley, 
Aaron  Adams,  Assessors ;  Allen  Ayrault,  Oliver  Stanley,  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor ;  Samuel  Learned,  Phineas  Lake,  Samuel  Ran- 
kins,     Commissioners   of     Highways;    Horatio    Read,    Aaron 


178  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

Adams,  James  B.  Mower,  Commissioners  of  Common  Schools ; 
John  BroAvn,  Constable  and  Collector ;  Pliineas  Lake,  Amos 
Baldwin,  Wm.  A.  Mills,  James  H.  McNair,  Aaron  Adams,  J. 
C.  Jones,  Wm.  Lemmon,  Fence  Viewers ;  Ebenezer  Dawson, 
Asa  Woodford,  John  Sanford,  David  H.  Pearson,  Sterling 
Case,  Road  Masters ;  Abraham  Camp,  James  H.  McjSTair,  Rich- 
ard W.  Gates,  Eli  Lake,  Inspectors  of  Common  Schools ;  Enos 
Baldwin,  Pound  Keeper. 

Voted.  That  the  Supervisor  procure  a  town  book,  and  raise 
money  sufficient  to  obtain  the  public  school  money  from  the 
State. 

Voted,    To  raise  twenty-five  dollars  for  support  of  the  poor. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  articles  be  constituted  as  the 
by-laws  for  the  town  of  Mount  Morris ;  adopted  according  to 
the  act  in  such  cases  made  and  provided,  namely. 

Article  1.  That  the  fee  of  Fence  Viewers  be  one  dollar  per 
day  for  the  time  spent  in  any  matter  upon  which  they  shall  be 
called  in  their  office,  and  in  proportion  for  more  or  less  time, 
but  no  fraction  of  a  day  to  be  reckoned  as  less  than  half. 

Article  2.  That  no  person  shall  suffer  any  Canada  thistles 
to  go  to  seed  upon  his  premises,  knowingly,  under  a  penalty  of 
five  dollars. 

Voted,  That  this  meeting  be  adjourned  till  the  first  Tuesday 
in  April,  1820,  at  ten  o'clock  a.  m.,  at  the  village  school  house. 

Horatio  Reed,  Town  Clerk. 

TOWN  OFFICERS  ELECTED  IN  1894. 


John  C.  Witt,  Supervisor;  John  F.  Donovan,  Town  Clerk; 
W.  M.  Creveling,  Justice  of  the  Peace ;  AVm.  Dickey,  Collector ; 
Robert  Lavey,  Commissioner  of  Highways;  C.  W.  Ogden, 
Assessor ;  P.  D.  Jones,  Excise  Commissioner. 


CANNING  FACTORY 


-^^-  ■  ^ ' 


ROYAL  SALT  WORKS. 


ORGANIZATIONS.  179 

MANUFACTOKIES. 


The   principle  manufactories  of  Mount  Morris,  in   1894,  are: 

The  Allen  Lumber  Company. — Established  1863  by  Wm.  P. 
Allen.  Manufacturers  of  lumber,  retailers  and  wholesale  ship- 
pers.    Albert  Allen,  proprietor ;  F.  S.  Thomas,  manager. 

The  Genesee  Valley  M'fg  Company. — Succeeding  the  Bodine 
Manufacturing  Company  in  1880.  Manufacturers  of  the  Mis- 
souri Grain  and  Fertilizer  Drill,  Bodine  Jonval  Turbine  Water 
Wheels,  etc.  W.  A.  Sutherland,  President ;  S.  L.  Eockfellow, 
Yice-President  and  Superintendent ;  Wm.  H.  Coy,  Treasurer ; 
A.  W.  Smith,  Secretary. 

The  Canning  Worhs. — Established  in  1878.  Yearly  output 
about  two  million  cans.     Winters  &  Prophet,  Proprietors. 

The  Royal  Salt  Company. — Established  in  1884.  Capacity 
600  barrels  per  day.  John  W.  Young,  President ;  John  C. 
Winters,  Yice-President  and  Superintendent ;  John  M.  Prophet, 
Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

Enterprise  Flouring  Mills. — S.  Bergen,  Proprietor;  Thomas 
Geary,  head  miller. 

Equity  Flouring  Mills. — Roller  process.  Eebuilt  in  1893. 
W.  H.  Humphry,  Proprietor. 

Exchange  Flouring  Mills. — Poller  process.  C.  B.  Galbraith 
&  Sons,  Proprietors. 

Empire  Machine  Works. — Builders  of  Spoke  Machines,  Oscar 
Allen,  manager. 

Mount  Morris  Illuminating  Company. — Established  in  1890, 
by  Mark  D.  Hanover. 

Two  Broom  Factories. — F.  C.  Simerson  is  proprietor  of  one, 
and  James  Kellogg  of  the  other. 


180  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

THE  VILLAGE  PRESS. 


'•'■The  Mount  Morris  Unioii'^  is,  so  to  speak,  one  of  the  land- 
marks of  Mount  Morris.  It  bears  the  distinction  of  being  the 
oldest  newspaper  published  in  Livingston  county,  having  been 
established  in  January,  1834,  by  Hugh  Harding.  It  was  then 
known  as  the  "Mount  Morris  Spectator."  Its  name  has 
since  been  changed  several  times,  and  it  has  also  been  under 
different  management,  but  has  always  been  conducted  in  the 
interest  and  welfare  of  Mount  Morris.  For  a  number  of  3?-ears 
previous  to  the  fall  of  1881,  the  paper,  then  known  as  "The 
LTnion  and  Constitution,"  had  been  owned  and  conducted  by 
"William  Harding,  In  October  of  that  year,  Mr.  Harding  sold 
the  plant  to  George  S.  Ellicott  and  John  C.  Dickey.  The  new- 
firm  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  to  "The  Mount  Morris 
Union,"  its  political  color  from  Democratic  to  Eepublican, 
added  considerable  new  material,  and  greatly  improved  the 
general  appearance  and  character  of  the  paper.  Later  on  they 
put  in  a  new  cylinder  press,  the  first  one  ever  brought  to  Mount 
Morris ;  also  an  engine  to  operate  their  machinery  by  steam 
power.  On  November  1st,  1893,  Mr.  Dickey  sold  his  interest 
to  Mr.  Ellicott  by  whom  the  paper  has  since  been  conducted. 

'■'■Tlie  Mount  Morris  Enterprise'' "^  was  established  March  4th, 
1875,  by  George  M.  ShuU  and  Adelbert  H.  Knapp,  who  were 
former  residents  of  Dansville,  N.  Y.  In  September,  1877,  Mr. 
ShuU  purchased  Mr.  Knapp's  interest  in  the  "Enterprise,"  and 
has  been  its  editor  and  proprietor  since  that  time.  The  paper, 
politically,  has  been  Democratic  since  it  was  founded,  yet  never 
inconsistent.  As  to  the  best  interests  of  the  village  and  town, 
it  has  at  all  times  endeavored  to  advocate  and  sustain  every 
enterprise  that  would  fm^ther  its  growth  and  prosperity. 


ORGANIZATIONS.  181 

CEMETEKIES. 


The  first  cemetery  in  the  town,  was  located  a  little  to  the 
south-west,  01  Avhat  was  then  the  school  house  and  church,  and 
not  far  from  where  now  stands  the  M,  E.  Church.  We  have 
no  means  of  ascertaining  when  or  by  whom  this  cemetery  was 
laid  out,  or  who  was  first  buried  in  it.  It  was  probably  used 
for  about  twenty  years,  or  until  1818,  when  the  growth  of  the 
village  demanded  its  removal. 

Yf hat  we  now  call  the  Old  Cemetery  was  opened  for  burial 
purposes  in  1818,  and  Samuel  Hopkins  was  the  first  to  be  buried 
there.  The  bodies  in  the  former  cemetery  were,  at  that  time, 
removed  to  this,  which  was  then  quite  outside  the  village,  and 
very  pleasantly  located  on  the  hillside,  and  containing  about 
two  acres.  For  many  years,  the  Presbyterian  society  held 
the  deed  of  this  land  in  trust  for  burial  purposes,  because  that 
was  the  only  incorporated  society  in  the  town ;  and  not  that 
they  had  any  greater  privileges  or  power  of  dictation,  than 
others.  In  1872,  the  Presbyterian  society  relinquished  its 
trust  of  these  grounds  to  the  Cemetery  Association  of  the  village 
which  has  resulted  very  happily  in  securing  their  proper  care 
and  protection ;  so  that  we  are  able  to  assure  all  those  who  have 
removed  to  distant  places,  and  have  left  with  us  the  care  of  the 
graves  of  their  loved  ones,  that  the  Old  Cemetery  is  carefully 
guarded  against  any  intrusions  by  unlawful  burials,  and  having 
a  good  substantial  fence,  is  kept  neatly  mowed  two  or  three 
times  a  year.  It  has  long  been  closed  for  burial  purposes,  ex- 
cepting to  a  few  of  the  old  families.  Its  graves  are  honored, 
as  containing  the  bodies  of  those  who  were  pioneers  in  the  set- 
tlement of  this  town  and  village. 


182  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

MOUNT  MORRIS  CEMETERY  ASSOCIATION. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens,  held  July  20th,  1859,  it  was  de- 
cided to  organize  a  cemetery  association,  in  pursuance  of  an  act 
of  the  Legislature  passed  April  29th,  1847;  and  that  the  cor- 
porate name  should  be  "The  Mount  Morris  Cemetery  Asso- 
ciation ; ' '  and  that  there  should  be  twelve  trustees. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting,  held  July  23d,  1859,  the  follow- 
ing persons  were  named  as  trustees :  ^Reuben  P.  Wisner, 
Hiram  P.  Mills,  *  Walter  H.  Noble,  ^Reuben  Sleeper,  *George 
"W.  Branch,  *IIiram  II.  Gladding,  *  Justine  Smith,  *IIenry 
Swan,  *George  Hastings,  ^^Clark  B,  Adams,  *Abraham  Wigg, 
^Norman  Seymour,  Jr.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  trus- 
tees, the  following  officers  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year: 
Reuben  P.  Wisner,  President ;  Hiram  P.  Mills,  Vice-President ; 
Walter  H.  Noble,  Secretary ;  Reuben  Sleeper,  Treasurer.  A 
committee  was  appointed  at  this  meeting  to  select  a  suitable 
site,  which  subsequently  reported  in  favor  of  purchasing  the 
present  grounds,  which  were  owned  by  Hiram  P.  Mills  and 
Abraham  Wigg,  and  located  one  mile  west  of  Main  street; 
being  sixteen  acres,  at  one  hundred  dollars  per  acre.  The 
services  of  Mr.  H.  B.  Allen,  a  civil  engineer  of  Arcade,  N.  Y. , 
were  engaged,  and  the  grounds  surveyed,  and  a  map  made  cost- 
ing about  $-100. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees,  held  October  22,  1859,  it  was 
decided  that  dedicatory  exercises  should  be  held  November  15, 
the  proceedings  of  which  we  copy  from  the  "Livingston  Union" 
bearing  date  of  November  23,  '59  : 

"On  Tuesday  afternoon,  15th  inst.,  the  ceremonies  of  Dedica- 
tion took  place — a  November  sun  never  shone  more  bright  and 
cheerful. — About    half  past  one  a  large  number  of  our  citizens 


ORGANIZATIONS.  183 

were  on  the  grounds.     The  exercises  commenced  by  singing  the 
following  Hymn : — 

Awhile  they  rest  within  the  tomb 

In  sweet  repose  till  morning  come ! 

Then  rise  with  joy  to  meet  their  God, 

And  ever  dwell  in  his  abode. 

Celestial  dawn !  triumphant  hour ! 
How  glorious  that  awak'ning  power, 
Which  bids  the  sleeping  dust  arise, 
And  join  the  anthems  of  the  skies ! 

This  weary  life  will  soon  be  past. 
The  lino^'rino-  morn  will  come  at  last, 
And  gloomy  mist  will  roll  away 
Before  that  bright  unfading  day. 

Dedicatory  prayer  by  Rev.  Thos.  L.  Franklin,  after  which 
the  audience  left  the  field  and  proceeded  to  the  Presbyterian 
church  where  the  exercises  were  conducted  as  follows  :  Sing- 
ing by  the  choir  of  the  hymn,  "O  God,  our  help  in  ages  past." 
Reading  of  the  scriptures,  by  Rev.  T.  L.  Franklin.  Prayer,  by 
Rev.  L.  Parsons,  Jr. — Singing,  by  the  choir.  Dedication  ad- 
dress, by  Rev.  Dr.  Boardman  of  Rochester.  This  address  was 
highly  appropriate,  and  for  about  one  hour  held  an  attentive 
and  appreciative  audience.  The  theme  was  a  delightful  one 
and  the  orator  displayed  two  strong  qualifications  seldom  found 
in  the  pulpit,  viz : — a  logical  mind  combined  with  a  poetic 
imagination.  Concluding  address,  by  R.  P.  "Wisner,  Esq. ,  on 
the  object  and  duties  of  the  association. — Prayer  and  benedic- 
tion by  Rev.  Mr.  Harrington. ' ' 

The  first  burial  was  that  of  Robert  R.  Conkey,  aged  41,  on 
Tuesday,  ISTov.  22,  1859,  who,  just  one  week  prior  to  his  fun- 
eral, was  present  on  the  grounds  at  their  dedication. 


184  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

The  following, in  addition  to  those  already  named, have  served 
as  Trustees :  *Loren  J.  Ames,  *MciSreil  Seymom-,  *  Charles  L. 
Bingham,  ^Zara  W.  Joslyn,  ^Joseph  Garlinghouse,  Ozro  Clark, 
Henry  11.  Scoville,  *Jacob  A.  Mead,  H.  E.  Brown,  *IIathorn 
Burt,  Hugh  Harding,  Orrin  D.  Lake,  Warren  Richmond,  Levi 
Parsons,  Byron  Swett,  A.  O.  Dalrymple,  Myron  H.  Mills, 
*Henry  Povall,  S.  L.  Eockfellow,  E.  B.  Osborne. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers,  and  their  terms  of  ser- 
vice: Presidents — Eeuben  P.  Wisner,  1859  to  1863;  George 
Hastings,  1863  to  1867;  Clark  B.  Adams,  1867  to  1870;  Hiram 
P.  Mills,  1870  to  present  time.  Yice-Presidents — Hiram  P. 
Mills,  McNeil  Seymour,  Henry  Swan,  Clark  B.  Adams,  Loren 
J.  Ames,  R.  P.  Wisner,  Z.  W.  Joslyn,  Abraham  Wigg,  Nor- 
man Sepnour,  O.  D.  Lake.  Secretaries — Walter  H.  Noble, 
1859  to  1882;  L.  J.  Ames,  M.  D.,  1882  to  1891 ;  Warren  Rich- 
mond, 1891  to  present  time.  Treasurers — Reuben  Sleeper, 
1859  to  1862;  Charles  L.  Bingham,  1862  to  1893;  H.  E.  Brown 
1893  to  present  time.  Superintendents — Abraham  Wigg,  1860 
to  1867;  H.  E.  Brown,  1867  to  present  time.  Sextons — H. 
Hunt,  1860  to  1868;  Geo.  Mattocks,  1868  to  1869;  H.  H. 
Gladding,  1869  to  1874 ;  Thos.  Harrison,  1874  to  1880  and  1881 
to  1884;  Porter  KeUogg,  1880  to  1881,  1887  to  1890,  1891  to 
1894 ;  P.  J.  Kingston,  1884  to  1887,  and  1890  to  1891 ;  Charles 
H.  Gladding,  1894  to  present  time. 

On  May  13,  1872,  the  association  accepted  a  deed  from  the 
Presbyterian  society  of  the  Old  Cemetery  grounds,  and  assumed 
the  care  and  direction  of  the  same.  This  comprises  all  the  real 
estate  held  by  the  association  at  the  present  time.  The  asso- 
ciation receives  moneys  by  will  or  otherwise,  as  an  endowment, 
the  interest  of  which  is  applied  to  the  care  of  any  specific  lot. 
The  total  amount  received  from  the  sale  of  lots  has  been 
$15,458.14.     Disbursements  have  been  as  follows:     Purchase 


ORGANIZATIONS.  185 

of  land,  $1,600;  surveys,  maps,  improvements,  roads,  fences, 
trees,  vault,  gateway  and  general  care,  $12,458.14;  leaving 
a  balance  invested  in  bond  and  mortgage  of  $1,400.  The 
association  has  never  received  donations  from  any  source ;  and 
about  two  thirds  of  the  lots  remain  unsold.  The  annual  meetins: 
of  lot  owners,  for  the  election  of  trustees,  is  at  the  Genesee 
River  National  Bank,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  June,  at  7  :30 
p.  m. ,  which  is  followed  immediately  by  the  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  for  the  election  of  officers  and  the  transac- 
tion of  business. 
— ^Deceased. 


ST.  PATEICK'S  CEMETERY. 


On  April  24,  1885,  St.  Patrick's  congregation,  through  its 
trustees,  Rt.  Rev.  B.  J.  McQuaid  being  present  as  Diocesan 
President  of  the  Board,  purchased  of  Mrs.  E.  Skillin,  seventeen 
and  seventy-four  one-hundredths  acres  of  land,  on  Murray 
street,  for  a  cemetery.  The  consideration  was  $4,379,61,  and 
St.  Patrick's  Church  property  was  mortgaged  for  the  amount. 
The  cemetery  is  now  incorporated  and  known  as  St.  Patrick's 
Cemetery.  Situated,  as  it  is,  on  a  prominence  overlooking  our 
beautiful  village  of  Mount  Morris,  and  miles  of  the  picturesque 
valley  of  the  Genesee,  its  location  is  eminently  suitable.  And 
when  laid  out  and  its  general  appearance  improved,  according  to 
design,  it  will  form  an  ideal  resting  place  for  the  remains  of  dear 
departed  ones.  The  first  burial,  that  of  the  infant  child  of 
Edward  Kelley,  took  place  on  April  27, 1885,  though  the  names 
of  John  Ellis,  Mary  Ann  Dolan  and  Hannah  Price,  so  appear 
on  the  cemetery  register,  as  to  convey  the  notion  that  they 
were  buried  in  St.  Patrick's  Cemetery   previous  to  the   date  of 


1S6  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

the  burial  of  Edward  Kelley's  child.  The  reason  of  it  so  ap- 
pearing is,  that  these  parties  died  while  arrangements  were  be- 
ing perfected  for  the  purchase  of  the  cemetery  property,  and 
their  remains  were  placed  in  the  vault  of  the  Tillage  Cemetery 
to  await  the  purchase  of  St.  Patrick's,  in  which  they  were  soon 
afterwards  buried.  The  cemetery  was  dedicated  on  September 
5,  1886,  by  R,t.  Rev.  Bishop  McQuaid,  who  also  preached  the 
dedication  sermon.  "The  ownership  of  lots  in  St.  Patrick's 
Cemetery,  is  subject  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  said 
cemetery,  to  the  discipline  of  the  Eoman  Catholic  Church,  and 
to  the  rules  of  the  Diocese  of  Rochester  with  respect  to  burials 
and  funerals. ' ' 


OTHER  CEMETERIES. 


The  Dutch  Street  Cemetery,  which  contains  about  an  acre 
or  more  of  ground,  has  long  been  used  for  burial  purposes,  but 
the  date  of  its  origin  is  not  known.  It  is  located  on  the  east 
side  of  Dutch  street,  a  mile  north  of  Tuscarora,  and  opposite  a 
lot  where  formerly  stood  a  Dutch  Reformed  Church.  On  Jan- 
uary 8,  1845,  Jacob  V.  Brinkerhoof  gave  a  quit  claim  deed  of 
this  land  to  Chauncey  Hungerford,  Asahel  N'orthway  and  elohn 
Smith,  as  trustees  of  the  burying  ground,  although  it  is  known 
to  have  been  used  at  that  time  for  burial  purposes,  for  quite  a 
number  of  years. 

The  cemetery  of  Little  Scipio  is  located  less  than  a  mile  south 
of  Tuscarora,  and  derives  its  name  from  the  fact  that  all  of  the 
original  settlers  on  that  street,  with  one  exception,  came  from 
the  town  of  Scipio,  Cayuga  county,  New  York.  This  cemetery 
was  laid  out  about  the  year  1830.  It  contains  a  large  number 
of  graves  and  is  kept  in  good  order. 


TUSCARORA  AND  VICINITY, 


BY    F.   A.   NOETHWAY. 


"What  was  known  as  the  "Tuscarora  Tract,"  which  includes 
the  present  village  and  vicinity  of  Tuscarora,  formerly  called 
Brushville,  and  in  the  south-east  corner  of  the  town  of  Mt. 
Morris,  was  purchased  by  Luke  Tieman,  of  Baltimore,  Md. , 
and  in  1822  he  appointed  Charles  H.  Carroll  as  his  agent  for 
the  sale  of  portions  of  the  same.  Sales  were  soon  made,  by 
means  of  articles,  for  said  land ;  but  many  who  purchased  these 
articles  never  made  the  second  payment,  but  followed  the  tide 
of  emigration  westward.  Among  the  first  to  become  perma- 
nent residents,  in  1823,  was  Daniel  P.  Sedam,  who  purchased 
seventy-five  acres  just  east  of  Tuscarora,  and  after  making  the 
first  payment  had  only  $60  left  with  which  to  build  a  home  for 
himself  and  wife.  The  first  deed  given  for  land  in  Tuscarora  on 
record  was  to  David  Babcock  and  others  in  1831.  Prior  to  this, 
however,  there  were  quite  a  number  of  residents,  and  a  sawmill 
had  been  built  by  Messrs.  Smith  &  Driscoll.  Jared  P.  Dodge 
also  had  erected  a  fulling  mill  in  1826,  a  carding  mill  about 
1830  and  a  sawmill  a  few  years  later.  He  proved  to  be  one  of 
the  most   influential  men   of  the   place ;   was  a  merchant   for 


188       _  MOUNT  MOERIS  CENTENAKY. 

twenty-five  years,  for  a  long  time  was  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and 
Supervisor  of  the  town  for  ten  or  more  years  in  succession.  Late 
in  life  he  moved  to  Nunda  where  he  died  about  1890  at  the  age 
of  90  years.  James  J.  Amraerman  was  another  of  the  first 
settlers,  coming  from  Cayuga  county,  I^.  Y, ,  and  locating  his 
farm  to  the  south  of  Tuscarora.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  I  remember  the  fact  of  his  securing  his  pension  papers 
in  1856.  He  died  in  1876.  In  1823  Amos  Hungerford  settled 
on  a  farm  a  mile  north  of  Tuscarora,  and  the  following  year  his 
brother  Chauncey  settled  on  a  farm  just  west  of  the  aforesaid, 
where  both  lived  to  the  close  of  their  lives.  Asahel  l^orthway 
came  in  the  year  1830  and  erected  the  first  framed  dwelling 
house  in  the  vicinit}^  He,  as  well  as  the  Hungerf ords,  were 
from  Coldbrook,  Litchfield  Co.,  Conn.,  and  were  known  as 
Yankees.  Xorthway  held  a  number  of  town  oflices,  and  died 
in  the  year  1879.  Samuel  R.  and  Jacob  Bergen  came  in  the 
year  1826,  but  in  a  few  years  Samuel  R.  sold  his  land  to  Jacob 
who  remained  on  his  farm  about  a  mile  east  of  the  village  to 
the  time  of  his  death  in  1890.  He  was  deacon  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  for  over  fifty  years.  Thomas  Bodine  purchased 
one  hundred  acres  north-west  of  Tuscarora,  but  remained  on  it 
only  a  few  years.  Jacob  VanArsdale  came  in  the  year  1830 
and  remained  until  his  death.  Abraham  YanArsdale  was  also 
one  of  the  first  settlers. 

The  school  in  Brush ville,  called  District  No.  13,  was  organi- 
zed in  1830.  The  first  record  of  the  number  of  scholars,  which 
was  in  the  year  183 5, was  one  hundred  and  six, and  the  number, 
who  were  over  five  and  under  sixteen,  was  seventy-six.  The 
school  had  been  kept  eleven  months  and  three  days,  and  the 
amount  paid  was  8127.42.  In  18-10,  the  district  was  divided  on 
account  of  the  large  number  of  scholars ;  and  all  that  part  lying 
east   and   south  of  the   creek,  w^as  assigned  to  a  joint   district, 


TUSCAEOEA    AND    YICINITT.  189 

which  in  part  was  in  the  town  of  Nun  da.  The  first  school 
house  was  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  village,  on  the  road 
leading  west.  In  1842,  a  new  school  house  was  built,  26  by  36, 
at  an  expense  of  $100,  just  north  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
where  it  still  remains.  The  aforesaid  church  was  never  com- 
pleted. 

Dr.  John  H.  Eobinson  was  the  first  physician.  Others  of 
the  first  settlers  were  :  J.  H.  Bowers,  John  Wheelock,  Calvin 
Demon,  who  had  a  carding  mill,  Jacob  Petrie,  a  blacksmith, 
and  his  two  sons,  William  and  Peter.  William  Petrie  taught 
school  as  early  as  1838,  and  for  forty  years  afterwards.  He 
was  also  Postmaster  and  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  put  up  the 
first  warehouse  and  purchased  grain.  Nicholas  Hall  kept  a 
hotel  some  fifty  years  ago.  He  had  three  sons,  Isaac,  Aaron 
and  Lansing.  Isaac  Hall  was  a  carpenter  and  contractor,  and 
died  but  a  few  years  ago.  Aaron  Hall  was  the  only  lawyer 
that  Tuscarora  ever  possessed,  but  he  removed  to  the  west. 
Lansing  Hall  was  blind,  but  received  a  liberal  education,  and 
was  the  author  of  several  books.  John  and  David  LaRue  were 
large  land  owners,  and  built  the  first  hotel  in  1841,  which  still 
remains.  They  had  a  sawmill  and  gristmill,  the  latter  being 
run  for  many  years  by  Mr.  Hoyt.  About  1860,  they  erected 
the  present  mill,  now  owned  and  occupied  by  the  Miller  Bros. 
Henry  Rockfellow,  father  of  S.  L.  Rockfellow,  came  from 
Hunterdon  county,  New  Jersey,  in  1825,  and  located  on  a  farm 
two  miles  south-west  from  Tuscarora,  where  he  remained  until 
his  death  in  1863.  His  age  was  82.  John  R.  Mc Arthur  located  a 
mile  north-east  of  Tuscarora,  in  1830,  and  built  a  sawmill.  He 
was  one  of  the  best  informed  men  in  this  locality.  His  three 
sons,  William,  James  and  Archibald,  have  become  noted  as 
builders  and  contractors. 


BROOKSGROVE  AND  VICINITY. 


BY    B.    S.   COFFIN,   OF  MT.   MOEKIS,   N.   Y. 


In  offering  the  following  as  the  history  of  the  south-west  part 
of  our  town,  we  wish  to  acknowledge  the  aid  given  us  by  Jon- 
athan M.  Dake,  now  of  ISTunda,  IST.  Y. ,  who  was  born  in  Sara- 
toga Co.,  'N.  T.,  in  1815,  and  coming  here  with  his,  parents  in 
1821,  settled  just  south  of  the  town  line  of  Mt.  Morris.  Hav- 
ing always  resided  in  this  vicinity  his  recollection  is  clear  and 
accurate.  'Next  we  would  thank  M.  W.  Brooks,  who  kindly 
placed  in  our  hands  papers  and  deeds  from  which  we  could 
gather  actual  dates.  Lastly,  Hon.  O,  D.  Lake,  now  in  his 
90th  year,  who  in  1830  moA^ed  with  his  parents  and  settled  on 
the  farm  still  owned  by  him,  about  half  a  mile  east  of  the  Ridge. 
We  have  aimed  not  so  much  to  write  a  complete  history,  as 
to  name  the  first  settlers  upon  each  farm.  All  honor  then  to 
the  first  pioneers, 

"Through  the  deep  forests  their  axes  did  ring, 

From  late  in  the  Autumn  till  early  in  Spring. 

Far  away  office  each  year  to  the  day. 

Oft  traveled  on  foot  their  interest  to  pay. 

Time  in  its  march,  slow  swept  them  awa}'", 

Though  oft  not  a  stone  marks  the  spot  where  they  lay. 

Yet  the  good  they  have  done  will  ever  endure, 

"While  mem'ry  rewards  the  brave  and  the  pure." 


BEOOKSGEOVE    AND    VICINITY.  191 

The  first  white  owner,  of  most  of  the  tract  of  land,  of  which 
we  write,  was  Mary  Jeniison,the  white  woman  of  the  Genesee, 
or  "the  old  "White  Woman,"  called  by  the  Seneca  Indians, 
De-he-wa-mis.  In  1779,  when  the  Big  Tree  Treaty  was  held, 
she  was  sent  for  and  allowed  to  make  her  own  selection.  In 
doing  this,  she  embraced  in  her  description,  the  Gardeau  flats, 
where  she  had  long  resided.  In  1798,  Augustus  Porter  made 
a  survey  of  it  and  found  it  to  contain  17,927  acres.  The  large 
flat  rock,  on  the  north  side  of  the  road,  from  St.  Helena  to 
Castile,  is  the  south-west  corner ;  thence  east  substantially  fol- 
lowing the  line  of  the  road  running  to  St.  Helena,  on  this  side 
of  the  river,  to  a  point  on  lands  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of 
Emory  Kendall,  deceased,  near  the  line  of  the  Western  JSTew 
York  &  Pennsylvania  Kailroad ;  thence  north  to  a  point  north 
of  the  Ridge,  on  lands  now  owned  by  Eichard  Williams ;  thence 
west  to  a  point  in  the  town  of  Castile ;  thence  south  to  the 
place  of  beginning.  This  tract  was  more  than  six  miles  long 
from  east  to  west,  and  nearly  four  and  three-forths  miles  wide, 
north  to  south.  Red  Jacket,  the  famous  Indian  chief,  opposed 
the  grant  with  all  his  eloquence,  but  all  the  other  chiefs  signed 
it,  which  is  a  positive  proof  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  she 
was  held  by  the  Indians.  In  1811,  Jellis  Clute,  Micah  Brooks, 
and  John  B.  Gibson  commenced  negotiations  for  a  purchase  of 
her  lands.  She  was  naturalized  in  1817,  by  a  special  act  of  the 
legislature,  to  enable  her  to  convey  lands.  In  1822,  the  sale 
to  the  above  parties  was  consummated,  with  the  exception  of  a 
small  tract  near  her  home.  In  1871,  her  remains  were  removed 
to  Portage,  by  the  Hon.  Wm.  P.  Letchworth,  and  after  appro- 
priate services  in  the  old  council  house  of  the  Senecas,  were 
placed  in  a  stone  sarcophagus,  sealed  with  cement  and  interred 
in  a  grave  near  by.  A  nice  marble  monument  was  erected, 
and  the  grave  is  curbed  with  stones,  that  were  formerly  placed 


192  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTEXART. 

as  headstones  in  the  Indian  burial  ground  at  Gardeau,  which 
had  been  plowed  up  and  used  in  constructing  a  road  culvert. 
Near  by  is  her  house,  which  was  also  removed  to  be  preserved, 
by  the  same  charitable  hand.  It  is  well  that  this  was  done,  for 
the  once  large  Gardeau  flats  have  been  encroached  upon  by  the 
river,  and  probabh^  in  a  few  more  seasons  they  will  be  like  the 
famous  White  Woman,  no  more. 

In  1S22  the  sale  of  the  White  Woman's  land,  as  before  stated, 
was  consummated.  John  B.  Gibson  was  a  banker  and  resided  at 
Canandaigua,  N.  Y.  Jellis  Clute  lived  on  the  other  side  of  the 
river  in  the  town  of  Leicester.  Gen.  Micah  Brooks  took  up  his 
residence  in  this  town,  and  personally  superintended  the  sale  and 
settlement  of  the  larger  portion  of  the  tract  of  which  we  write. 
Being  a  man  of  positive,  yet  liberal  views,  in  all  matters  of  pub- 
lic importance,  he  labored  earnestly  to  promote  the  advance- 
ment of  the  Genesee  country.  It  is  fitting  then,  that  a  sketch  of 
his  life  should  prominently  appear  in  the  history  of  our  town. 
He  was  born  May  14th,  1775,  in  Chesire,  Conn.  His  father. 
Rev.  David  Brooks,  who  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in 
1765,  upon  invitation  of  Gen.  David  Wooster,  delivered  a  ser- 
mon in  1774  at  Derby,  Conn.,  which  was  a  powerful  and  stir- 
ring appeal  to  resistance  to  the  oppuession  of  Great  Britain, 
which  was  printed  and  widely  circulated  among  the  colonies. 
In  this  sermon,  he  gave  utterance  to  sentiments  almost  identical 
with  those  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  two  years  later. 
Micah  was  the  oldest  of  his  father's  family.  Schools  were  few 
and  poor,  during  the  Revolution, and  he  received  the  advantages 
of  but  twelve  months  schooKng ;  yet,  making  the  most  of  his 
opportunities,  books  and  time,  he  came  to  be  an  exceptionally 
weU  informed  and  distinguished  type  of  the  self-made  man.  In 
1706  he  first  visited  the  Genesee  country,  walking  all  the  way. 
He  was  so  well  pleased  with  it,  that  he  made  the  journey  again 


■  /  s     ,'■,  •  v^i.^ 


GENERAL  MICAH  BROOKS. 


BEOOKSGEOYE    AND    VICINITY.  193 

on  foot  in  1797,  and  arriving  at  Deacon  Bronson's  in  East 
Bloomfield,  lie  introduced  himself  as  a  school  teacher,  and  pro- 
posed that  the}^  should  build  a  school  house, and  he  would  teach 
the  school.  The  proposition  ^Yas  accepted,  and  a  log  school 
house  was  soon  built,  and  filled  with  scholars.  Eeturning  to 
Connecticut  in  the  summer,  he  took  a  course  in  surveying  with 
Prof.  Meigs  of  Yale  College,  and  received  a  certificate  from  the 
court  of  iN'ew  Haven  county,  appointing  him  "Surveyor  within 
and  for  said  county."  Coming  back  to  his  log  school  house,  in 
the  fall  of  1798,  he  again  taught  the  school,  and  had  several 
scholars  who  studied  surveying.  In  the  spring  of  1799  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  East  Bloomfield  and  immediately  commenced 
clearing  it.  In  1800  he  was  associate  commissioner  with  Hugh 
Mcls^air  and  Mathew  "Warner  to  lay  out  a  road  from  Canandai- 
gua  to  Olean,  and  also  one  from  Hornellsville  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Genesee.  He  went  back  to  Connecticut  in  the  winter  and 
taught  school  there,and  came  back  to  Bloomfield  in  1801,  bring- 
ing with  him  two  sisters,  who  kept  house  for  him  in  a  cabin 
which  he  had  prepared ;  but  as  they  soon  married  he  went  back 
again  to  Connecticut,  where,  on  December  13th,  1802,  he  mar- 
ried Mary,  daughter  of  Deacon  A.  Hall,  of  Lyme,  Conn.  In 
1806  he  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  by 
Gov.  Morgan  Lewis.  In  1808  he  was  assistant  Justice  of  the 
county  of  Ontario,  and  the  same  year  was  elected  to  the  Legis- 
lature, taking  his  seat  in  January,  1809,  Daniel  D.  Tompkins 
being  governor.  Already  enlisted  with  Myron  Holley  (Hercu- 
les) in  discussing  the  practicability  of  a  canal  from  the  Hudson 
to  Lake  Erie,  he  called  upon  the  governor  and  DeWitt  Clinton, 
armed  with  the  Genesee  Messenger,  containing  Mr.  Holly's 
articles,  and  tried  without  avail,  to  interest  them  in  the  project. 
But  his  earnest  efforts  were  destined  to  bear  fruit,  for  DeWitt 
Clinton,  a  few   years  afterwards,  became   the  earnest  promoter 


194  MOUNT  MOKRIS  CENTENAKY. 

and  is  now  styled  the  Father  of  the  Erie  Canal.  During  the 
war  of  1812  he  served  in  three  campaigns,  on  the  IS^iagara  fron- 
tier, as  Lieutenant-Colonel.  In  the  militia  he  rose  to  the  rank 
of  Major- General. 

In  1814,  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  represented  all 
"Western  Kew  York,  west  of  Cayuga  Lake.  Here  he  presented 
an  extensively  signed  petition,  which  was  drawn  by  DeAVitt 
Clinton,  asking  the  general  government  to  assist  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  Erie  canal.  It  was  referred  to  a  select  com- 
mittee, of  which  he  was  chairman,  and  Daniel  Webster  and 
Henry  Clay  were  members.  A  favorable  report  was  made,  and 
a  bill  passed  both  houses ;  but  it  was  vetoed  by  the  President, 
James  Madison.  This  was  one  of  the  greatest  disappointments 
of  his  life,  and  he  was  ever  afterwards  an  opponent  of  the  veto 
power.  Through  his  efforts,  Avhile  in  Congress,  the  first  gov- 
ernment mail   service   through  Rochester   was  established.     In 

1821,  he  was  a  delea^ate  to  the  Constitutional  Convention.     In 

1822,  the  purchase  was  made  of  the  old  White  AYoman,  and  in 

1823,  the  lands  were  offered  for  sale,  Elisha  Johnson  having 
pre\aously  subdivided  them.  In  1827,  he  made  arrangements 
with  Moses  Marvin,  to  build  for  him  a  sawmill  on  this  side  of 
the  Genesee  river,  on  lands  now  owned  by  James  McHerron,  a 
short  distance  north  and  opposite  of  the  old  White  Woman's 
residence.  The  irons  and  machinery  of  the  same  were  bought 
in  TJtica,  New  York,  and  brought  by  wagons  here.  The  set- 
tlers, being  anxious  to  secure  lumber  for  their  buildings,  had 
voluntarily  aided  in  digging  the  race,  and  the  sidehill  was  cov- 
ered with  logs  to  be  sawed. '  When  tlie  day  came  to  start  the 
mill,  they  all  assembled  for  a  gala  da}^  the  water  was  let  into 
the  race  and  cheered  as  it  flowed  along ;  it  reached  the  ponder- 
ous wheel, and  turning  it  half  way  round,  stood  still.  There  was 
not  enough  descent  to  carry  it  off.     It  was  a  day  of  great  dis- 


BROOKSGROVE    AND    VICINITY.  195 

appointment  to   the   whole   community,  and   General   Brooks 
could  never  be  induced  to  try  again  to  build  a  mill. 

In  March,  1825,  his  wife  died.  She  was  the  mother  of  two 
sons,  and  five  daughters ;  two  of  whom  are  still  living,  M.  W. 
Brooks,  who  resides  upon  the  old  homestead  at  Brooksgrove, 
and  Cornelia,  wife  of  George  EUwanger,  of  the  firm  of  Ell- 
wanger  &  Barry,  of  Kochester,  N.  Y.  In  1832,  Gen.  Brooks 
came  to  this  town  and  took  up  his  residence  in  what  was  after- 
wards named  in  honor  of  him,  Brooksgrove.  In  1833,  he  was 
again  married,  his  second  wife  being  Miss  Elizabeth  Chattim, 
of  Salem,  New  York.  She  was  a  sister  of  Mrs.  General  Mills, 
of  Mount  Morris,  and  died  in  1863.  During  the  decade,  1830- 
1840,  the  construction  of  the  Genesee  Valley  canal  was  dis- 
cussed, its  route  surveyed  and  work  let.  This  project,  and 
the  enlargement  of  the  Erie  canal,  found  in  General  Brooks  a 
warm  supporter.  February  1,  1839,  he  presided  over  a  great 
railroad  convention  at  Cuba,  ]^.  Y. ,  and  his  address  before 
that  body  was  distinguished  for  sound  reasoning,  remarkable 
foresight,  and  clear  perceptions,  and  was  very  generally  pub- 
lished in  the  papers  of  Western  Kew  York,  and  did  much  to 
stimulate  thought  and  effort,  which  resulted,  not  many  years 
thereafter,  in  the  construction  of  the  Erie  Eailway.  He  freely 
gave  land  for  school  house  and  church  sites,  and  was  always  a 
liberal  supporter  of  the  same.  July  7,  1857,  while  sitting  in 
his  chair,  he  leaned  back  and  died  without  a  struggle. 

The  first  road  in  this  whole  section  was  surveyed  in  1788, 
and  was  designed  as  the  Eastern  boundary  of  the  Phelps  and 
Gorham  purchase,  running  from  the  Pennsylvania  line  to  Lake 
Ontario,  due  north.  Besides  blazing  the  trees,  sharpened  stakes 
were  set  up  at  intervals,  which  gave  it  the  name  of  '  'Picket 
Line."  Owing  to  the  steepness  of  the  bank  of  the  river,  where 
it   crossed  at   Gibsonville,    it  was  never   made  a  roadway   the 


196  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

whole  distance,  but  is  still  the  town  line  between  IsTuncla  and 
Portage,  and  bet^\'een  towns  in  Allegany  county ;  and  the  county 
line  between  Wyoming  and  Livingston,  after  crossing  the  river. 
After  surveying,  more  land  was  found  than  their  grant  called 
for,  and  going  several  miles  west  a  parallel  line  was  run,  called 
the  "Transit  Line,"  which  was  the  eastern  line  of  the  Holland 
purchase.  Major  Moses  YanCampen  is  believed  to  have  laid 
out  the  State  road  from  Mount  Morris  to  Angelica,  at  an  early 
date.  The  other  roads  were  changed  many  times  by  the  com- 
missioners, especially  the  Itiver  road.  Before  the  lands  were 
offered  for  sale,  many  persons  had  squatted  upon  them  and 
built  log  houses. 

Commencing  on  the  State  road,  at  the  town  line,  the  first 
settlers  and  owners  were  as  follows,  in  the  order  named :  "Wm. 
Mosher,  Mr.  Wood,  John  and  Hiram  Prentice,  Dean  M.  T^der, 
James  McCartney,  Wm.  Chandler,  and  Micah  Brooks.  These 
were  south  of  Brooksgrove.  North,  we  have,  John  Carr,  Elias 
Pockfellow,  Geo.  Babcock,  Henry  Hoifraan,  Samuel  Phillips, 
Henry  Davis,  Geo.  Williams,  Sr.,  Dr.  W.  D.  Munson,  Eobert 
Williams,  Jacob  YanDorn,  Dow  AndrcAvs,  Daniel  Perrine, 
Benjamin  Hoaglan,  Wm.  C.  Dunning,  Hosea  Fuller,  Joseph 
Ackers,  David  O.  Howell,  Mr.  Brown,  Benjamin  Sherman, 
Orrin  Hall,  James  Rolland,  Sylvester  Darrien,  William  D.  Mor- 
gan, Ephriam  Sharp,  George  Burckhart,  Edwin  Stilson,  and 
Eben  Stilson,  which  brings  us  to  the  Ridge.  East  of  the  Ridge 
were  Orrin  Sacket,  Elder  W.  Lake,  and  J.  Phillips,  and  a  little 
to  the  south,  Sylvester  Richmond.  Mrs.  Phillips  and  Mrs.  Rich- 
mond, both  over  eighty,  are  still  living.  Xorth  of  the  Ridge 
were  Humphrey  and  Henry  D.  Hunt,  Wm.  Williams,  Thos. 
Wisner,  who  kept  a  hotel  in  the  building  now  owned  by  the 
heirs  of  Geo.  W.  Barney,  and  Moses  Marvin.  The  first  settler 
on  the   river   road,   north  of  the  town  line,  on  the   place   now 


BEOOKSGKOVE    AND    VICINITY.  197 

owned  by  Frederick  Marsh,  was  George  "Wilson.  His  son 
Thomas,  in  1824:,  built  a  sawmill  on  the  Genesee  river,  in  the 
big  bend  south  of  St.  Helena,  which  is  believed  to  have  been 
the  first  mill  erected  in  the  town.  On  the  east  side  of  the  road, 
Deacon  "Wm,  L.  Totten  was  the  first  settler.  He  was  the 
father  of  Thompson,  Levi,  George,  Joseph,  Hector  and  Phile- 
tus  Totten,  all  of  whom  became  prominent  men  of  our  town. 
He  had  a  tannery  and  shoe  shop,  which  were  erected  previous 
to  1820, and  are  believed  to  have  been  the  first  in  the  town.  The 
first  farm  west,  on  the  north-west  corner  of  the  road  leading  to 
St.  Helena,  was  settled  by  "VVm.  Gray.  JSTorth  of  his  house, 
the  first  burial  place  of  the  section  was  laid  out,  and  about 
fifty  persons  were  buried  there,  which,  however,  was  soon  aban- 
doned, owing  to  the  establishment, in  1839,  of  the  present  ceme- 
tery of  Oak  Hill,  in  Avhich  Wm.  Mosher  was  the  first  person 
buried.  This  cemetery  has  been  enlarged  several  times,  and 
has  always  been  well  cared  for,  and  now  contains  several  hun- 
dred graves  and  many  costly  monuments.  Elisha  Mosher  was 
the  first  settler  on  the  road  running  from  Oakland  to  the  river 
road,  north  of  the  town  line.  Next,  jSToah  and  Keuben  Koberts 
and  then  William  Swan,  Thence  on  the  river  road,  we  have 
Benjamin  Sheppard,  on  the  west ;  on  the  east,  Horatio  Reed, 
who  was  blind,  and  our  first  Town  Clerk.  His  son,  Charles, 
settled  near  Princeton,  111. ,  and  was  for  several  terms  a  mem- 
ber of  the  legislature  of  that  State.  Next,  north,  was  William 
Miller,  who  had  a  large  family,  and  five  of  them,  grown  up  sons 
and  daughters,  died  within  a  few  days  of  each  other,  and  were 
buried  in  the  now  abandoned  ground.  On  the  west,  Isaac  Bo- 
vee,  then  Isaac  and  James  Miller,  Wm.  Bailey,  Luke  Conway, 
Wm.  Dake,  and  Joseph  Thorp,  This  brings  us  to  the  River 
Road  Forks.  North,  we  have  Daniel  Ellsworth,  who  erected  and 
kept  a  store  for  years  at  the  Forks,  Pattie  Brown,  Ansel  Owen, 


198  MOUNT  MOKKIS  CENTENAKY. 

who  built  and  kept  a  hotel,  long  known  as  the  Half- way  House, 
between  Mount  Morris  and  Portage,  Jabez  "Whightman,  who 
built  and  kept  the  hotel,  afterwards  long  kept  by  Alanson  Janes, 
James  Ward,  Chauncey  Tyler,  Deacon  Israel  Herrick,  Samuel 
Clady,  Jonah  Craft,  Wm.  G.  Wisner,  Barney  Criss,  Garrett 
YanArsdale,  O.  Thorp  and  Jacob  VanArsdale.  Henry  Crane, 
a  resident  of  Springport,  Cayuga  county,  bought  the  next  place, 
now  known  as  the  Tallman  homestead,  where  he  located  his 
son-in-law,  Aaron  Rosekrans,  on  the  next  he  placed  his  son 
James,  on  the  next  his  son  Joseph,  and  on  the  next  his  son 
John,  while  Henry  Jr. ,  was  given  the  farm  now  owned  by 
David  George.  The  son,  John,  was  killed  by  a  falling  tree, 
and  Justine  Smith,  deceased,  purchased  the  first  of  these  places 
of  the  heirs,  and  Ellis  Putnam  the  last. 

Xext  was  Joseph  Barnes,  James  YanSickle  and  sons,  John 
and  Henry,  and  son-in-law  Wm.  Hoyt,  Jessie  B.  Jones,  Lucius 
Brown  and  Eben  Sturges.  The  first  settler  on  the  Picket  Line 
road,  north  of  the  town  line,  was  Samuel  Mosher,  then  in  their 
order,  liuslin  Hark,  Jacob  Kilmer,  George  Bum|),  Ovid  Hemp- 
hill, Christopher  Haines,  and  Solomon  Wood,  the  latter  on  the 
farm  now  owned  and  occupied  by  the  heirs  of  Norman  Foote. 
Mr-  Wood  had  a  hat  shop,  which  is  believed  to  have  been  the 
first  in  town.  Next,  Martin  Pixley,  Jonathan  Miller,  and  Pe- 
leg  Coffin.  The  latter  walked,  in  1822,  from  Saratoga  county, 
New  York,  with  a  knapsack  on  his  back,  looking  for  a  home  in 
the  Genesee  Country.  He  passed  over  the  ground  where  now  is 
the  city  of  Rochester,  and  fearing  the  malaria  of  the  river  flats, 
selected  his  home  on  the  Picket  Line.  Returning  to  Saratoga 
county,  in  March  of  the  following  year,  he  started  with  an  ox 
team  and  sleigh,  with  his  wife  and  all  they  possessed,  for  their 
western  home.  There  being  no  snow  in  Cayuga  county,  they 
exchanged  their  sleigh  for  a  lumber  wagon.  On  arriving  at  the 
Forks,  they  spent  a  day  in  clearing  the  road,  so  that  they  could 


BEOOKSGEOYE    AND    VICINITY.  199 

get  to  their  place,  a  mile  south.  ISText,  Alexander  Blood,  Asa- 
hel  Thayer,  and  David  Whightman. 

The  first  settler,  on  the  Short  Tract  road,  north  of  the  town 
line,  is  only  remembered  by  his  sudden  death,  from  poison 
sumach ;  which  resulted  in  the  raising  of  ten  dollars,  with  which 
to  pay  Joseph  Carter, for  its  complete  extermination  in  the  entire 
neighborhood.  Next  was  Benjamin  Dake,  then  Wm.  Miller 
and  Otis  Denve3\  The  rest  of  the  land,  upon  this  road  to 
Brooksgrove,  was  long  retained  by  Gen.  Brooks.  These  early 
settlers  erected  nearly  all  the  buildings,  still  standing  on  their 
respective  places,  between  1835  and  1S45.  "The  antique  oven 
constructed  near  by,  where  baked  the  corn-bread  and  the  thick 
pumpkin  pie."  These  were  superseded  by  the  large  brick 
oven,  constructed  inside  the  house  and  connected  with  the  larg-e 
chimney,  with  its  broad,  open  fire  place.  They  also  corduroyed 
the  roads  over  marshy  places,  where  the  ends  of  the  logs  can 
still  be  seen.  The  school  districts  of  this  section  are  about  the 
same  as  when  first  established,  except  that  the  YanSickel  dis- 
trict was  joined  to  the  Kidge,  and  district  Ko.  12  was  formed 
on  the  Picket  Line,  from  a  part  of  the  Forks  and  Brooksgrove 
districts  of  this  town,  and  some  farms  from  the  town  of  ISTunda. 
From  the  record  of  the  Forks  district,  since  1828,  which  is  be- 
fore me,  it  appears  that  the  furnishing  and  preparing  of  fuel 
was  let  to  the  lowest  bidder,  for  such  sums  as  $2,45,  $2.49  and 
$2.50;  and  that  the  total  expense  of  the  school,  in  1833,  for 
eleven  months,  was  $76.06,  as  follows  :  Alanson  Slater,  teacher, 
winter  term,  $61.50;  Lucy  M.  Eussel,  teacher,  summer  term, 
$12.07;  Luke  Coney,  wood,  $2.49.  The  number  of  pupils,  in 
1837,  w^as  one  hundred;  three  families  in  the  district  having  ten 
children  each. 

Among  those  who  have  taught  school  in  the  districts  of  this 
section,  and  Tvho  boarded  around,  we  mention,  H.  G.  Winslow, 


200  MOUNT  MORRIS  OENTENART. 

afterw^ards  principal  of  the  Mt.  Morris  academy;  Joseph 
AVeller,  afterwards  governor  of  California ;  Joseph  McCreary, 
afterwards  a  prominent  preacher ;  Addison  Crane,  a  prominent 
lawyer  and  member  of  the  legislature  of  Illinois ;  Gideon 
Draper,  afterwards  one  of  the  Regents  of  common  schools  of 
this  State;  Dr.  E.  P.  Miller,  now  of  Isew  York  City;  T.  J. 
Gamble,  Esq. ,  and  Byron  Swett,  of  our  town. 

In  1849,  the  M.  E.  Society,  at  the  Ridge,  purchased  their 
present  church  edifice  of  the  Baptists,  in  which  they  have  gen- 
erally maintained  religious  services,  but  have  had  but  few  settled 
pastors,  and  have  been  supplied  from  Mt.  Morris.  From  the 
steeple  of  this  church,  on  a  clear  day,  one  can  see  with  the 
naked  e3''e,  places  in  seven  different  counties. 

The  Protestant  Methodists  formed  a  society  at  Brooksgrove, 
about  1840,  and  the  present  church  edifice  was  built  in  lS-14-45. 
Rev.  Short  was  their  pastor  when  the  church  was  built.  They 
have  always  maintained  a  settled  pastor,  and  for  many  years 
were  counted  as  the  strongest  church,  of  the  denomination,  in 
Western  New  York. 

Through  the  efforts  of  the  pioneer  M.  E.  preacher,  Rev. 
John  B.  Hudson,  a  Methodist  society  was  organized,  early  at 
River  Road  Forks. 

In  1828,  the  Baptists  organized  a  society  in  the  south  part  of 
the  town.  Rev.  Wm.  G.  Wisner,  a  cousin  of  R.  P.  Wisner, 
Esq.,  was  their  pastor  in  1835.  Through  his  efforts  a  church 
was  built,  on  the  south-east  corner  of  the  intersection  of  the 
Oakland  and  St.  Helena  roads,  about  a  half  mile  north  of  the 
town  line.  The  society  numbered  at  that  time  about  eighty, 
and  was  the  second  Baptist  church  erected  in  the  town.  Pre- 
vious to  the  erection  of  this  church,  the  Baptist  and  Methodist 
societies  held  their  services,  on  alternate  sabbaths,  in  the  Forks 
and  Portage  school  houses.     In  1837,  a  powerful   revival  took 


BROOKSGROVE    AND    VICINITY.  201 

place  in  this  vicinity;  ninety  persons  joining  the  Methodist  class, 
and  sixty  being  baptized  one  Sunday  in  the  river  at  St. 
Helena,  by  the  pastor,  Eev.  Robbins.  These  societies  continued 
harmonious  until  March,  1844;  when  the  Methodists,  having 
procured  the  use  of  the  church  for  their  Quarterly  Meeting, 
while  holding  their  love-feast,  with  closed  doors,  Benjamin 
Dake,  then  a  trustee,  unlocked  the  doors  and  bid  the  people  on 
the  outside  to  enter.  This  act  broke  up  the  peace  of  the  whole 
community,  and  destroyed  much  of  the  influence  of  these  re- 
ligious societies.  Both  of  them  declined  from  this  date,  and 
their  members  afterwards  joined  their  respective  churches  at 
Nunda.     The  church  edilice  is  now  a  cider  mill  at  Oakland. 

The  Rev,  John  B.  Hudson  refers  to  the  meager  pay  of  the 
ministers  of  this  early  date,  $100  per  year,  I  well  remember 
the  Reverends  John  and  Robert  Parker,  and  Rev.  A,  Farrel, 
who  always  spread  down  his  handkerchief  to  kneel  upon  in 
prayer.  They  were  always  welcomed  by  the  members,  and 
often  would  stay  several  days  with  their  whole  families. 

The  first  post-office,  established  about  1824,  in  this  section, 
was  about  a  mile  south  of  the  Ridge,  on  the  place  now  owned 
by  Howdin  Covey,  its  name  was  "Leona."  The  next  was  kept 
in  the  log  house,  still  standing  on  the  river  road,  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  Jacob  Tallman.  This  was  called  the  River  Road 
post-office,  and  the  postmaster  was  David  Lake.  The  next  was 
established  about  1830,  and  the  name  chosen  was  River  Road 
Forks.  The  mail  was  carried  by  post  boys  between  Mount  Mor- 
ris and  Portage  on  the  river  road,  daily.  In  1830,  the  office, 
"Leona"  was  removed  by  Dr.  Wm.  D.  Munson,  then  post- 
master, to  Brooksgrove  and  the  name  changed  accordingly. 
About  this  time,  the  River  Road  post-office  was  removed  and  the 
name  changed  to  Ridge.  An  early  stage  route  was  owned  and 
run  for  many  years  by  "Wm.  Martin,  the  large  four  horse  stage 


202  MOUNT  MOKEIS  CENTENARY. 

making  daily  trips  from  Mount  Morris  to  Angelica,  and  carry- 
ing the  mail.  The  Kiver  Road  Forks  office  was  discontinued 
about  1860,  the  patrons  now  getting  their  mail  at  Nunda  or 
Mount  Morris.  The  mail  is  now  carried  from  the  Ridge  to 
Mount  Morris,  and  from  Brooksgrove  to  ]S"anda.  In  1840,  the 
hamlet  of  the  Ridge  consisted,  besides  the  church  and  school 
house,  of  a  store,  two  blacksmith  shops,  two  wagon  shops,  a 
shoe  shop,  and  about  ten  houses.  That  of  Brooksgrove,  besides 
the  church  and  school  house,  of  a  store,  hotel,  blacksmith  shop, 
wagon  shop,  tailor  shop,  and  twelve  houses.  Brooksgrove  also 
had,  for  many  years,  a  resident  physician.  The  Forks  supported 
two  stores,  two  hotels,  two  wagon  shops,  two  blacksmith  shops 
and  three  shoe  shops.  There  were  five  hotels  between  Mount 
Morris  and  Nunda,  and  six  between  Mount  Morris  and  Portage. 


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DEDICATION  OF  UNION  SCHOOL  HOUSE. 


H.  H.  Seymour,  Esq. ,  of  Buffalo,  has  placed  in  our  hands  an 
article  from  the  Mount  Morris  Union  and  Constitution,  of  April 
22,  1880,  found  among  his  father's  papers,  respecting  the  dedi- 
cation of  our  Union  School,  from  which  we  give  portions  of  a 
letter  from  H.  G.  Winslow  as  follows : 

Kacine,  Wis.,  April  12,  1880. 

Dk.  L.  J.  Ames — My  Dear  Sir :  Your  kind  letter  to  me, 
containing  an  invitation  to  be  present  at  the  opening  ceremonies 
of  your  new  school  house,  and  to  participate  in  the  same,  came 
duly  to  hand,  for  which,  please  accept  my  thanks. 

I  cannot  tell  you  how  much  I  should  enjoy  being  with  you 
on  that,  to  me,  peculiarly  interesting  occasion,  and  how  much 
pleasure  it  would  give  me,  to  take  by  hand  the  kind  friends 
of  days  long  gone  by,  to  look  them  once  more  in  the  face,  and 
to  hold  pleasant  converse  over  the  past,  as  well  as  over  the 
present ;  dropping  the  tear  of  regret  over  the  graves  where  so 
many  noble  hearts  that  then  beat  high  in  all  our  plans  and  la- 
bors, now  sleep  the  silent  sleep  of  death. 

In  the  fall  of  1843,  fresh  from  college  and  full  of  high  hopes 
and  courage,  I  seemed  directed  to  Mount  Morris,  to  find  my 
task.  A  stranger  in  a  strange  land ;  the  old  Eagle  Hotel,  and 
its  worthy  host,  Eiley  Scoville,  gave  me  a  wayfarer's  welcome. 
Much  to  my  discouragement,  I  found  that  no  one  expected  me, 


204  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

and  the  town  was  full  of  schools;  four  district  schools  then  ex- 
isted in  what  our  old  friend,  Joe  McCreary,  (a  teacher  of  one 
of  them)  called  "Mt.  Morris"  and  Millingar,  the  latter  precinct 
being  the  old  glass  factory  and  its  adjuncts,  on  the  fiats  to  the 
north  of  town,  and  as  many  more  private  schools  sought  the 
patronage  of  the  generous  public.  But,  I  was  on  the  ground 
with  not  money  enough  to  get  away,  and  must  need  stay.  I 
found  a  home  in  the  pleasant  famil}^  of  Mrs.  Mason,  whose 
kindness  and  care  then  made  it  a  home  to  me.  I  opened  a 
school  in  the  old  brick  building  known  as  the  Dean  building. 
Six  scholars  rallied  around  me — boys  and  girls — to  them  I  gave 
my  faithful  attention.  One  of  them  now  graces  one  of  Mount 
Morris'  finest  homes.  Well,  we  made  a  good  record,  and  schol- 
ars came  to  us.  My  old  friend,  McISTeil  Seymour,  held  forth  in 
our  old  school  house,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  R.  F. 
Jlowes  ruled  the  central  brick  school  house,  a  little  west  from 
the  Eagle  Hotel.  Joe  McCreary  held  sway,  I  think,  in  a  school 
house  north  of  the  High  school  house.  It  soon  became  appar- 
ent to  many  of  the  best  minds  in  Mount  Morris,  that  the  suc- 
cess of  educational  enterprise,  was  all  being  frittered  away,  in 
this  divided  and  scattered  effort  at  progress ;  and  that  some  plan 
must  be  adopted,  "vvhereby  all  might  unite  for  the  well-being  of 
aU,  During  the  fall  and  winter  of  1844  and  '45,  meetings 
were  held,  and  discussions  carried  on,  "which  resulted  in  build- 
ing the  Union  school  house,  so  lately  torn  down,  and  establish- 
ing therein  a  Union  school. 

About  the  first  of  November,  1845,  the  first  floor  of  the 
school  house  was  ready  for  occupancy,  and  one  bright  and 
glorious  morning  we  assembled  there,  teachers  and  pupils,  to 
mark  a  new  era  in  Mount  Morris'  school  life. 

I  occupied  the  room  on  the  south  of  the  hall.  Miss  Emily 
Bradley,  in  the   north-east   corner,  and  Miss  Ellen  Fisk  in  the 


DEDICATION    OF    UNION    SCHOOL    HOUSE.  205 

north-west  corner,  and  Miss  M.  Jane  Church  in  the  recitation 
room  up  stairs  as  my  assistant.  No  man,  in  such  a  position 
ever  had  a  purer,  truer,  nobler,  better  corps  of  assistants  than 
I  had,  in  the  persons  of  these  young  ladies.  Now,  alas !  all 
gone  to  their  last  long  home ;  but  surely  their  works  do  live 
after  them,  and  many  and  many  a  man  and  woman,  who,  as 
school  children  enjoyed  their  faithful  labors,  and  loving  care, 
owe  many  of  their  best  aspirations  and  worthiest  achievements 
to  their  training.  There  swarmed  in  upon  us  a  crowd  of  boys 
and  girls,  untrained  and  undisciplined,  but  many  of  them  hun- 
gry for  knowledge,  and  willing  to  work,  if  only  controlled  by 
a  strong  hand,  and  guided  by  a  true  love  and  appreciation  of 
the  great  work. 

In  the  spring  of  1846,  we  made  a  "bee"  to  procure  shade 
trees.  Hon.  George  Hastings  went  with  a  party  down  on  the 
Canaseraga  flats,  and  procured  those  beautiful  elms  that  now 
grace  the  grounds.  George  S.  Williams  and  I  went  to  the 
"Hog's  Back,"  up  the  river,  and  another  party  went  to  "Allen's 
Glen"  in  the  south  part  of  the  village,  and  that  day's  work  of 
unpaid  labor,  gave  the  school  all  of  those  beautiful  trees  that  or- 
nament the  grounds.  Our  boys  of  those  days  were  very  care- 
ful of  those  trees,  and  none  were  ever  willfully  injured.  After 
the  opening  of  the  large  room,  every  seat  was  soon  filled,  and 
our  usual  number  in  the  higher  department  ranged  from  130  to 
150  scholars,  in  all  branches  of  study,  Greek,  Latin,  French,  all 
the  sciences,  higher  mathematics ;  and  the  common  branches 
were  never  overlooked.  Every  scholar,  even  in  the  High 
School,  must  read,  write  and  spell  every  day,  as  a  stated  exer- 
cise, and  very  few  of  them  ever  permanently  laid  aside  gram- 
mar and  arithmetic.  Of  course,  in  the  start  of  such  a  school, 
the  elements  of  discord  and  disturbance  were  many  and  varied. 
The  pupils  ranged  from  a  large  class  of  young  ladies  and  gentle- 


206  MOUNT  MORRIS  CENTENARY. 

men  to  scores  of  rude  bo3^s  and  girls,  little  used  to  restraint  or 
discipline,  careless  of  mental  culture,  undeveloped  in  moral  feel- 
ings, or  social  manners,  whose  sole  idea  seemed  to  be  to  get 
through  the  school  days,  with  as  much  fun  and  frolic  as  possible, 
and  as  little  real  mental  labor  as  would  clear  them  from  disci- 
pline. In  this  emergency,  I  found  much  valuable  and  effective 
help  in  the  true  and  loyal  band  of  students,  trained  to  order  and 
study  in  the  Academy.  The  amount  of  real  school  labor,  de- 
manded of  the  teachers  in  such  a  school,  was  very  large  indeed, 
and  tested  our  strength  to  the  utmost.  My  rule  was  that 
everything  must  be  done,  and  of  course  all  that  was  not  done 
by  others,  I  must  and  did  do. 

At  the  end  of  three  years  of  such  labor,  I  found  that  a  change 
must  be  made,  and  no  other  plan  presented  itself,  but  for 
me  to  retire,  try  to  recuperate,  and  seek  other  fields  of 
usefulness,  which  I  accordingly  did  in  the  fall  of  1848;  and 
broken  in  health  and  spirits  and  bankrupt  in  purse,  in  the  fall 
of  184:9  I  took  my  way  over  the  hills  to  ISTunda.  I  little  thought 
that  my  five  years  in  Mount  Morris,  with  the  three  years  at 
the  head  of  the  Nunda  Literary  Institute,  would  constitute  my 
life  work  so  far  as  the  great  public  were  concerned,  but  so  it 
proved.  Often  regrets  will  arise,  as  I  look  back  over  those 
years  of  toil  and  triumph,  that  I  ever  consented  to  take  the 
position  and  to  give  to  it  the  best  years  of  my  life,  and  I  can 
only  console  myself  now  with  the  thought  that  that  must  have 
been  my  appointed  work,  and  that  I  would  have  been  recreant 
to  have  refused. 


THE 

NEV>/  YORK 

PUBLIC   LlBRARYl 

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BUSINESS   FIRMS. 


In  addition  to  the  manufactories  already  given,  the  business 
of  Mount  Morris  is  represented  at  the  present  time  as  follows : 

Dry  Goods, — Hudson  Brothers,  Wiltsie  &  Gore. 

Hardware.— E.  B.  Osborne,  W.  H.  'Nott. 

Druggists. — Henry  W.  Miller,  Dalrymple  &  Yanderbilt. 

Grocers, — Wiltsie  &  Gore,  W.  D.  Pitt,  A.  Wasson,  Moore 
Bros.,  T.  C.  Steele,  Fred  Beuerlein,  Wm.  McCarty. 

Millinery. — Beggs  &  Co.,  K.  O'Donnell. 

Markets. — Sawyer  Bros.,  C.  A, Sherman  &  Co.,  Landers  Bros. 

Books  and  Stationery. — Chas.  Harding,  Eugene  Ferris. 

Jewelers. — Richmond  &  Conklin,  Eugene  Ferris. 

Clothing. — Barney  Beuerlein,  Standard  Clothing  Co.,  IS^ast 
Brothers. 

Furniture  Dealers. — F  .W.  Woolever,  A.  Harris. 

Cigar  Manufactories. — John  F.  Donovan,  H.  Gormley,  Wm. 
H.  Swan. 

Merchant  Tailors. — Smith  &  Empey,  W.  W.  Harrison. 

Blacksmiths.— O.  C.  Matteson,  Wm.  Mate,  Terrence  Dolan. 

Wagon  Makers. — I.  T.  HoUister,  J.  Samhammer. 

Bottlers. — Dennis  &  Co. 

Bakers. — A.  J.  Crissy,  Henry  Burgey,  W.  H.  Leddick. 

Barbers. — P.  Wagner,  L,  L.  W.  Shaw,  John  Osborn. 

Painters. — A.  McArthur,  J.  Sickles,  H.  HoUister,  William 
Elliott,  James  Sickles. 


208  MOUNT  MOREIS  CENTENARY. 

Printers  &  Publishers. — George  M.  ShuU,  George  S.  Ellicott. 

Implement  Dealers. — C.  F.  Braman,  A.  M.  Baker  &  Son. 

Liveries. — J.  S.  McNeilly,  John  Burtis. 

Boots  and  Shoes. — Wiltsie  &  Gore,  F.  Beuerlein,  M.  Beuer- 
lein,  Nast  Bros. 

Coal.— Wm.  H.  Swan,  A.  Ayrault,  E.  C.  Seymour,  F.  W. 
"Woolever. 

Produce  Buyers. — A.  Ayrault,  Ferrin  Brothers. 

Harness  Makers. — Thos.Conlon,  L.  M.  Comfort,  E.  A.  Kemp. 

Shoemakers. — John  Gorman,  John  Tager,  H.  Claxton,  F. 
Grover,  Wm.  R.  Annis. 

Photographer. — James  Lennon. 

Dentists.— F.  D.  Brown,  C.  J.  Mills,  W.  H.  Povall. 

Tin  Smith.— A.  Kelsall. 

Laundries. — John  Brownell.  Charley  Lee. 

Hotels. — H.  H.  Scoville,  Scoville  House;  J.  W.  Fisher, 
Genesee  House;  J.  Milliman, American ;  P.  Burke,  Burke  House. 

Restaurants. — H.  Wagner,  Wm.  Leddick. 

Banks. — Genesee  River  National  Bank,  Bingham  Brothers 
Bankers. 

Railroads. — Delaware  Lackawanna  &  "Western,  New  York 
Lake  Erie  &  Western,  Western  New  York  &  Pennsylvania, 
Dansville  &  Mount  Morris. 

PROFESSIONS. 

Clergy. — Levi  Parsons,  D.  D.,  L.  D.  Chase,  A.  E.  Whatham, 
M.  W.  Hart,  James  H.  Day. 

Lawyers. — T.  J.  Gamble,  J.  M.  Hastings,  J.  F.  Connor,  W. 
I.  VanAllen. 

Doctors.— J.  M.  Hagey,  F.  B.  Dodge,^  J.  C.  Earle,  A.  L.  D. 
Campbell,  A.  E.  Leach. 

Veterinary  Surgeon. — C.  C.  Willard. 


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