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Full text of "Annals and recollections of Oneida County"

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\J\JC-\J'— ' 



CoRw I 






ANNALS 



AND 



R ECO LL ECTIONS 



F 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



" stretch forth ! stretch I'ortli ! from the South to the North, 
From the East to the West— stretch forth ! stretch forth ! 
Strengthen thy stakes and lengthen thy cords— 
The World is a tent for the World's true Lords ! 
Break forth and spread over every place, 
The World is a World for the Saxon Race ! "' 

TUPPER. 



BY POMROY JONES 






ROME 



\. 



^L/'/W^^A 



A^ V 



PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOK. 
1851. 



^ Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, 

Br POMROY JONES 

lu the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for 
the Northern District of New York. 



PRINTED BY A. J. ROWi-EY, ROME, N. Y. 



PREFACE. 



It is now sixty-seven years since James Dean and Hugli 
White became permanent settlers in Oneida County. Al- 
though lectures have been delivered, and half century 
sermons preached, containing valuable reminiscences of 
particular localities ; yet the great body of the county has 
had little done for the preservation of its annals. 

During a protracted illness of his father in 1838, while 
tlie Author's attendance was required near the sick bed, 
he wrote a few chapters of early incidents, which were 
published. At the time, the Author was strongly solicited 
to write an extended and connected history of the County. 
His duties, as a member of the County courts, and to hi's 
family, then prevented it. After the adoption of our present 
Constitution, by which one, instead of five Judges, was made 
to constitute and hold those courts, — the Author was left 
free from his public duties, and he at once set about collect- 
ing the materials for the following work. 

When commencina;, if he could have foreseen the amount 
of labor with which he was about to tax himself, possibly he 



IV. PREFACE. 

might have quailed ; but the pleasure cxpericncetl iu his 
researches, added to the little native perseverance he pos- 
sessed, entirely precluded the idea of an abandonment of his 
purpose. 

It has been endeavored to have every portion correct. 
In all instances, the most accurate information has been 
sought. It is not, however, to be presumed but that minor 
inaccuracies arc contained in the work. There has been fre- 
(jucntly a very great discrepancy iu the relation of the same 
transactions, by different individuals : and it has been no 
slight task to reconcile these different statements ; but in 
most cases the Author has been enabiei;! to do so, to his 
own satisfaction. 

In relation to the military operations that occurred during 
the Ptcvolutionary contest, there is a very great diversity in 
the statements made by different Authors. Col. Marinus 
Willett, a prominent actor in these operations, published a 
narrative detailing them, soon after the close of the war. 
This narrative has been considered the best evidence, as to the 
matters it contains. He was an eye witness, and wrote them 
out while fresh in his memory, while other authors have but 
compiled the recollections of men far advanced in life, or the 
still more unreliable evidence of tradition. 

The Author has found himself too late by a quarter of a 
century, in looking up the materials for a full and perfect 
notice of " Men and events," in the early settlement of the 
(Jounty. Even since he commenced, death has closed many 



PREFACE. V. 

]ip3, from which much valuable information was expected. 
An interview was had with the late Philo White, youngest 
son of Judge AVliite, the pioneer of Whitestown, and valu- 
able information elicited and notes taken. Another interview 
was promised ; but ere it was had — his tongue was forever 
silent ! 

Joseph Blackmer, Esq., oue of the earliest settlers of the 
County, and whose obituary will be found in the history of 
Westmoreland, a man of great observation and memory, and 
whose recollections of the early days of Oneida were more 
perfect and vivid than that of almost any other individual, 
and to whom it was intended to apply, was in his gi'ave before 
the opportunity was had ! 

Lydia Parkman, a maiden lady, who moved into West- 
moreland in 1790, and whose memory was such that her mind 
was a perfect record of whatever came to her notice in the 
first half century of her residence, died the past winter, aged 
seventy-five ! The distance to her residence was so brief, 
that it was supposed that whatever she could impart, could 
be had at almost any time; and while looking to more 
distant sources, " the wheel was broken at the cistern,'' and 
this vast reservoir was beyond our reach. 

These cases are but mentioned to slsow how fast all that is 
unwritten is being lost. A cumpiler, twenty-five years 
hence, would find little left but va2;ue and unreliable 
tradition. 

Much aid has been rendered by very many individuals in 



VI. rnEFACE. 

different towns in the County. The names of Amos O. 

Osborn, Esq., of Sangerficld, William C. Brewster, of 

Annsville, and Clift French, Esq., of Western, should be 

mentioned, who left but little to be done for their towns. 

other than arranging and transcribing their manuscripts. 
The names of all his friends, who have kindly furnished 

valuable information, would swell the list too long for thi." 

iilace : they will please accept our most grateful acknow- 

ledgemctits. 

Joshua V. H. Clark, Esq , of Manlius, very politely gave 

permission to transcribe from his I'ich history of Onondaga. 

all that was requested, relative to Oneida County. 

The two lectures of William Tracy, Esq., before the 

Voung Men's Association, of Utica, containing '• Notices of 
Men and Events in Oneida County." comprised much that 
is valuable and useful, and rendered essential aid. 

Hon. 0. S. Williams delivered two lectures to the Clinton 

Lyceum, on the history of that place, which have been of 
great use in preparing the notices of Kirkland. 

The Rev. Dr. Asahel S. Norton, of Clinton, preached a 
Thank.sgiving sermon ; the Rev. Israel Rrainard. of Vcron;i. 
a New Year's sermon ; the Rev. Messrs. Walter 11. Long 
of the Presbyterian, and Jireh J). Cole, of the Baptist church 
o^' AVhitestown, and 0. ])artholomew, of Augusta, half 
century sermons, that contained valuable statistics of the 
towns where delivered. The addresses, and a portion c.f tin- 
H'^rmons have been published, and those not publiHli<:'d. the 



PREFACE. Til. 

author.? have kindly furnished their manuscripts, which have 
essentially lightened the labors of compiling the annals for 
those towns. 

A native of Oneida County, born in the year 1789, and 
not once having changed his place of residence — his own 
recollections of the earlier and lat^r times in the County, 
has enabled the Author, as he believes, to add something to 
the interest of the book. 

The work has been extended to a much greater length 
than was at first anticipated ; for as the compilation pro- 
gressed, materials have accumulated entirely beyond our 
expectations. This necessarily has caused tielay. Other 
causes, over which the Author and Publisher had no conti'ol, 
unnecessary, and perhaps improper to be mentioned here, 
have effected further delay ; but at length every obstacle hajr 
been surmounted, and the public have the results of years 
*ipent in the research. 

It is believed no higher desire need be extended to the 
readers, than that each will derive as much pleasure from 
the perusal, as has been experienced in the compilation. 

THE AUTHOE. 

LAIBDi?ViH,E. 1851. 



CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 

Paoi; 1. 

I'Kuu/f Incognita,' or unknown Lincl — all of the country west of 
Albany. Formation of Counties and Towns, including and in- 
cluded in Oneida County. Tryon county, changed to Montgomery. 
Its limits defined. Whitestown and its boundaries. Town of 
(Jhemung. Ontario, Tioga, Otsego and Herkimer Counties. Onon- 
daga County formed. Oneida County formed; its boundaries. 
Three terms of Common Pleas and General Sessions. The Towns 
in Oneida County in 1801. Jefter.son and Lewis Counties formed. 
Oswego County formed. Formation of all the towns in the County, 
up to the present time. 

CHAPTER II. 

ONEIDA COUNTY. Page 14. 

Its location, latitude and longitude. The courses of the streams of 
water that drain the several sections of the county. Geology. 
Minerals. - Elections. Town Meetings in Whitestown. Courts, 
&€. Judges of Common Pleas and County Courts. Tables giving 
the votes for Governor for fifty years. A table giving the poi)ula- 
tion in 1800, and each tenth year to 1850. Members of Assembly. 
Sheritfs and County Clerks. District Attorneys and Siu'rogatcs. 
Capital trials and punishments. County organizations. Political. 
Coxe's Patent. 

CHAPTER III. 

ANNSVILLE. Page GI. 

Geology. Fish Creek and branches. Probable Lakes. jNIiller s 
Creek. Fall Brook. Its Falls. Rocks. Water Power. Furnace 
at Taberg. Geographical description. Soil and productions. In- 
dians. History. Antiquities. Anecdotes of Joseph W. Bloom- 
field. Mr. Gere, the well-digger ; his death by the caving in of a 
well. Elias Brewster. Bringing the cows. A Panther. A Bear. 
William Lord drowned in the Hum Hole. Anecdote of going to 
School — and Snow in June. Names of early settlers. 



X. CONTKNTP. 

CHAPTER IV. 

AUGUSTA. Tage 84. 

Situation. Pout Smith Ica.sed New Petersburgli. Otiier Patents. 
Oneida Ee.servatioii. Fir.st settlement of the Town, and first set- 

. tier.?. Anecdote of Amos Parker. Jrancis OToole. Cassety'K 
Mills at Oriskany Falls. Washington Street. Town Organized. 
Name. First Town Meeting. Failure of second meeting' First 
nnd other Merchants. Presidential Electors and Memhers of A.-j- 
seinbly. First death — marriage and deaths. Clergymen buried. 
Deaths by fire-arms. Murder by an Indian, andthe murderer 
e.Kecuted bv the avenger of blood. Accidents. Academy. Large 
families. Flisha Shephard. Bear stories. Villages. Keligions 
societies'. First sermon. Col. Thomas Cassety. 

C HAP T Ell V. 

AVA. Paoe 113. 

The youngest town in the county. Ebenezer Harger the first .settler. 
Names of early settlers, plrst saw-mill. Gristmill. Hardships. 
Head M'atcrs of the Mohawk, Black river and Fish Creek emanate 
from it. Is well watered. Horace Iloyt the only merchant. 
Lumber dealer and manufacturer of Potash. A society of Friends. 
Professional men. Common schools. School fund. Boils. Ponds. 
French road. German settlers. First supervisor. 

CHAPTER y T . 

BOONVILLE. Paok lltj. 

Its territory first in Whitestown, then in Steuben, then in Leyden. 
and was organized as a town in I8O0. Kortnaer first name propos- 
ed. Andrew Kdniimds the first settler in ITOo. First grist and 
saw-mill. In IT'.)!'', large accessions to the settlement, and sture 
and tavern erected. First death, birth and marringe. Lii's ele- 
vated. Egypt. Limestone. Lumber. Canal feeder. Religious 
societies. Boonville village. Alder creek. Williamsville. Num- 
ber of mills. First town meeting. Supervisors. 

CHAPTER VII. 

IIRIDGEVVATEK. PAr;f l^!.'. 

Location. Bridgewater Flats. Their fertility. Head waters of the 
Unadilla. Line of property. Its history. Lime-stone. Coal — 
small vein of Dissimilarity of the east and MX-st hills. Joseph 
Farwell first settler — came in 1788. Other early settlers. First 
tavern. First saw-mill — store — blacksmiths shop and grist-mill. 
A boy captures u young bear. Ileligious societies — Presbyterians 
— Friends — I5ai)tists — Universalists. .Acailemy. Bridgewater Fe- 
male Sf.'ininarv, 



. CONTENTS. XI. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

CAMDEN. Page 131. 

Composed of the Tth and one-half of the 8th township.? of Scriba s 
Patent. Taken from Mexico. First town meeting. First .Super- 
visor and town clerk. Soil. Building stone. First settler. First 
saw-mill. By whom raised. Early settlers. Mrs. Bacon and in- 
fant drowned ; tlier were the first deaths in the town. Carnden 
village. West Caniden. Mills. Religious societies. Incidents. 

CHAPTER IX. 

' DEERFIELD. Pagb 13l>. 

The east line of Oneida county. Deerfield organized. First town 
meeting. First settlers in 1773. Driven off by the Indians and 
Tories in 1776. Timely notice by an Oneida Indian. All escaped. 
After incidents of the first settlers during the Revolutionary war. 
Removed back in 1784. Soil. Deerfield hill. Deerfield corners. 
Rehgious societies. Baptists. Eld. John Leland, Methodists. 
North Deerfield and South Trenton Baptists. Mills. 

CHAPTER X. 

FLORENCE. Page MC. 

First settlement of the town. First settlers. Soil. Anecdote of a 
boy. Quarries. Streams of water. Organization of the town. — 
First town meeting. Description of the i>lace. List of Supervi- 
sors. Florence village. Its btisiness and tanneries. Religious 
societies— Congregational — Methodist — Baptist. R,eminiscences. 
Mills. 

CHAPTER XI. 

FLOYD. Page Im. 

Named from Crcn. Floyd, who owned lands in its bounces. Probably 
when, and by whom first settled. Early settlers in the differeiir 
par.:s of the town. The Moulton family. Their sufferings in the 
Ite volution. William Allen, E.sq. Samuel Dyer, Esq. Anecuuti- 
of Capt. Nathan Townsend. Geology and Soil. First Deaths. 
Sickness. List of Supervisors. First tavern. Religioa.s Socie- 
ties and houses for public worship. Union House, erected uncier 
peculiar articles of agreement. Baptists. "Welsh Methodists. 
Schools. Flo}-d Corners. Nine-mile Creek. Obittiaries of early 
settlers. 

CHAPTER XII. 

KIRKLAND. Paoe 165. 

Settlement commenced. Names of early settlers ; had visited the 

place the previous fall; disagreement and .settlement as to the place 

■to commence; their first domicils. First female who arrivect. 

Building lots. Clearing. Washington and Clinton Iand-holder.«. 



XII, CONTENTS. 

Tlic nearest mill. Going lo mill. Saw mill. First ivli^^iotis 
mecling. Contentment. Death by drowninij: of Mi.ss Tiutlc. 
Thomas Fancher killed by a falling tree. Mercj' Stebbins, third 
(ieaih. First marriages. First birth. Accessions. Famine in 
I7SI). Relief by Isaac Paris. First framed houses and barns. 
Tlioma.s Hart. Bears. Local names. Dreaming match. Hart's 
store robb:'il. Religious Societies. Geology. Manchester. Ham- 
ilton Oneida Academy. Hamilton College. A. M.Stowe's address. 
Biography of Samuel Kirkland. Notice of Mo.ses Foote. Jesse 
(..'uitiss and his obituary; his ancient Bible. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

LEE. Page ^ij. 

First .=;ettlcm?nt and settlers of the town. Ideas of the ConncclieiU 
people of its location. Patents, lis territory: in M'hat counties 
and towns, previous lo its organization. Organized in 1811. 
By whom named. Fir.sl town meeting. First supervisor and town 
clerk. List of supervisors. Soil and productions. Bears ; the 
two Cunninghams kill one. Fir.st death, birth and marriage. 
First saw and grist mill. First school-house. Course of discipline. 
Bu.siness. Religious .societies. Schools. Early fi.shery. Lee Cen- 
tre. Nisbet's Corners. Robert Nisbet. Delta; its business. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

iMARCV. I'aoe -'37. 

hi 1710, an emigrant, by the name of Wilson, leaves Ireland, and 
comes to Coiineclicnt, from thence to Vermont ; eight of his .sons 
in the Continental army . one of his sons the finst sflller in Marcy. 
■who is soon followed by two brothers. Customs and anecdotes of 
the first settlers. A hunter. Healthy. Schools. Indians. Busi- 
ness. Religious societies. IN'amed i'rom Gov. Marcy, Mho visited 
the town. 

CHAPTER XV. 

MARSn.ALI,. I'if.r. 2J7. 

Hrotlierlown Indians. Land given thou by the Oncidas. A fart 
settled here previous to the Revoluticjn; they mostly left just pre- 
vious to that war: AVampy and one or two oihers remained. Ren- 
contre between "Wampy ami a hostile Indian. After peace the In- 
dians returned; in 1831, commenced selling and removing to Green 
Bay. First settlement of the town by the whites. Names of some 
of the first settlers. Geology. Religious .'ocieties. Henrich Star- 
ing's escape from the Indians at this place: his Yankee pass and 
decision. Villnges. Addenda. Book of Indian records discovered. 
<'ierks. Lands a.ssigned tot hem. Their town meetings. By-laws. 
I'ngitivc slaves. Proceedings in a treaty with the western Indians. 
Inscription on grave stones. 



CONTENTS. XIII. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

NEW IIAUTt'ORD. Pace 27:.>. 

The seltlement of the to^vn was commenced in 1788 by Col. Sanger; 
moved his family the next spring; he built the first saw and grist 
mill. Names of carlv settlers in dillerent parts of t!ie town. Con- 
struction of the Seneca turnpike in 1800; one cause of rapid growth ; 
its prosperity for a time, injured bv the construction of the Erie 
Canal. Present business of the village. First child born. Re- 
ligious societies. Incidents in relation to Mr. Johnson"s ordination, 
pfrst hou.se for public worship in the county. Biography of Judge 
Sanger. Gen. Oliver Collins. Manufactures. iMills. _ 

CHAPTER XVII. 

PAPaS. Page 28S. 

First .settler and settlers in the town. Congregational Church in 1791 . 
Mr. Steele; his epitaph ; persecutions of, in Shay's Avar. A chap- 
ter of crime. Monuments in the Paris Hill Cemetery. George 
Stanton burned in his house. Episcopalian Church at Paris Hill. 
Sauquoit; first settlement of this section. Names of the early set- 
I lers. Incident in the life of Kirkland Griffin. Benjamin Merrills. 
First store and tavern. Methodist and Union Presbyterian societies. 
Cassville; first settlers ; its churches. Business on the Sauquoit 
Creek: a reminiscence of the supposed capability of the stream. 
Col, Gardner Avery; his obituary. Of Edward Scoville. Mills. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

RExMSEN. Page 304. 

Location, streams of water, soil and productions. Geology, rocks and 
minerals. From whom named. Patents. Nev/ stimulants for the 
settling of the north part of the town. First settlement, in 1792, by 
Barnabas Mitchell. Hardships. Reinforced in 1793. First death 
and birth. Arrival of Welsh emigrants in 1808 ; their characteris- 
tics. Religious .societies. Schools. Remsen village ; its first set- 
tlement; its present business. Intemperance and temperance. Re- 
chabite tent. Mills. First town meeting in 1798. List of super- 
visors. Obituary of John G. Jones. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

ROME. Pack 312. 

Ancient carrying-place, with the Dutch and Indian names; first 
notice of it ; tradition. Fort Bull. Fort Williams ; destroyed by 
Gen. Webb. Itinerary; description of the country. Pitt. Fort 
Stanwix erected. Roof and Brodock ; obituary of the former. In 
I77t;, the fort repaired; in 1777, St. Leger sent to take it; invests 
it; events during the siege. Oriskany battle; Willett's sortie; 
death of Herkimer. Arnold arrives at Fort Dayton. Han Yost 
Schuyler. Siege raised. Various reminiscences. First settlement 
of the town. Early settlers. Old canal. Peter Colt. George 
Huntington. War of 1812. United States arsenal. Erie Canal, 
Syracuse and Utica rail-road. Academy. Schools. Religious 
societies. Old newspaper. Obituaries of Ebenezer Wright and 
Edward Potter. Addenda. 



XlV. CONTENTS. 

CHxVPTEIl XX 

SANGERFIELD. Pi.OE 401- 

Xnmbcr 20 of the twenty townships. Surveyed in ITttP. Purchase'! 
I7;.t0. First settler, Zerah Phelps, in 179"i. Name.s of early set- 
tlers. A freshet. Early frost. Accident to Mr. Clark. Firstborn, 
a female. Included in Pari.-'. Alarm from the Indians. Amusing' 
Inaian anecdote. First born male. Col. Norton. First marriage. 
IT'Jo favorable. Large reinforcement ot emigrants. Great use of 
bake kettles. First store. In 17'J5, the town of Sangertield organ- 
ized. First town meeting. First supervisor. First post otiice 
Number of taxable inhabitants in 179(j. The first physician. In 
17f>8, Chenango County formed, including Sangertield. In 1801, 
set to Oneida. Religious societies. Newspapers. Location. Ge- 
ology. Streams of water. Villages. Murder of Benjamin White, 
Lisi'of supervisors. Obituary. 

CHAPTER XXI 

STEt;BEX. Page 4^6. 

Organized in 1792. First town meeting near Fort Stanwix. In 179t;, 
Rome and Floyd taken from it; and. in 179()^Western and Leyden. 
Elevated location. Steuben and Star's hill. 'Rocks. First settlers, 
Fir.'t birth and marriage. Biography of Baron Steuben; anecdotes 
of the Banm; the Baron's grave. Wonderful occurrence. No 
tarern. Longevity. Religious societies. Printing office, 

CHAPTEK XXII 

TRENTOX. Paob 44?. 

First settler, Oldenbarncveld, Mr, Boon, agent lor (he Holland 
Land Company. Service's Patent. Anecdote of Peter Smith. 
Destruction of "the Johnson papers. Col. Mappa and Dr. Vander- 
kemp. Hardships at Oldenbarneveld. Other early .setilers. First 
saw and grist mill. Fir.-t town meeting. Geology. Agriculture 
Trenton Falls, Moonlight Reveries, Accidents at "the Falls. 
Cavern, Villages. Holland's Patent : its hi.slorv. Religious so- 
cieties. Biography. Dr. Guiteau, Dr. Vanderkemp, 

C ri A I' TEV. X X T 1 1 

UTICA, I'agic 486. 

F'!arlie'st mention of its site. Indian name. F<.>rt Schuyler, Notice 
' .n in Edinburgh Encyclopedia. Survey of Cos by'.'j Manor, Notice 
of carlv settlers. Uriah and William Alverson ; tlie Moreys : Fran- 
cis FosUt ; Silyca; Josejjh Soulc ; James 8, Kip; Stephen Potter; 
John Post, the first merelinnt ; John Cuntiingham : .Jacob Christ- 
man ; Mrs, Petric. Anecdotes of Saucy Nick and Brant. In 1704 
>nhabitants of. Dr. Carrington ; Peter Bellinger : John Rellirger. 
First Bridge in 179*2. Names and Notices of many of the i^rumi; 
nent settlers and inhabitants. Amount of Taxes in 1800. Titles of 
the land. John Bradstrect. Western Sentinel. Whitcstown Ga.- 
zettc' and Cato's Patrol. Columbian Gazette. Erie canal. Packets. 



CONTENTS. XV. 

Missionary tour of John Taylor. Meeting.s ia boLalf of the Greeks 
and Poles. Letter of LaFayettc. Meeting of Abolitionists. Coun- 
ter meeting. Record of prominent events. History of the corpo- 
ration. Population at different periods. Churches. Institutions, 
Associations, Companies, &c., &c. New York State Lunatic Asv' 
lum. Forest Hill Cemotry. Banks. Globe mills. Steam cotton 
mills. Waterworks. Gasworks. Ancient Britons' Society. Me- 
(^hanics' Associations. Schools. Academy. Female Seminary. 
Common Schools. Secret Societies. 

CHAPTER XXIY. 

VERNON. Page 634. 

Settled late. Includes the principal Oneida village. Early wealth 
Oneida Reservation. Bleecker's, Baschard's, Van Eps' and Ser-. 
geant's Patents. First settlers. First death. Names of settlers 
Emigrants. Their characteristics. First marriage and birth. — 
Geology. Mineral spring. Religious societies. Organization of 
the towu. First town meeting. Grist Mills. Supervisors. Lo- 
cal names. Accidents. Schools. Biograpliy. Anecdotes, Epi- 
taph of Rev. John Sergeant. Indian Orchard. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

VERONA. Page 662. 

Size. First settlers. A Romance. First death. Royal blockhouse. 
Early settlers of the town, dead and living. Notice of Elizabeth 
Wha'ley Matteson. Organization of the to^vn. First town meet- 
ing. Supervisors. First election Accidents. Sickness. 1805. 
Improvement. Milages. Geology. Medicinal sjiriug. Religious 
Societies. 

CHAPTER XXVI, 

VIENNA. Page 6?<). 

Organized. Townships 9 and 10 Scriba's Patent. Face of the (own 
and timber. Lumber. Agriculture. Quarry. Oneida Lake. 
Voters. Saw and grist mills. Bears. Frenchman's Deer hunt. 
Ring hunt in 1820. Villages. McConnellsville, North Bay. Vi- 
enna, West Vienna and Fish Creek Landing. Religious Societies. 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

WESTEUN. Page 6D3. 

Boundaries and size. Time and by whom the settlement M'as com- 
menced. Their seed, grain and potatoes brought from Herkimer. 
Leases, the most common conveyances. Roads and first bridge 
across the Mohawk. Incorporation of the town and first town 
raeetiug. Supervisors. Waters. Face of the town. Geology, &c 
Original Patentees. Schools. Westernville. Mills and other bu- 
siness establishments. Religious societies. Their charity to eacb 
other, Biography of Gen, Floyd. Anecdotes of, 

\ 



XVI. CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

WESTMORELAND. Page 713. 

Fourth town settled. Dean's Tatent. Wemple's and Kirldand'.s Pat- 
ents. First settlement and settlers. Anecdote ol'Ephraim Elaek- 
mer's last day's journej". Other settlers arrive. History of Nathan 
Looniis' Farm. Titles of Farilis. Hardships. Mills erected.— 
Settlers in different parts. Geology. A Hnrricauc. Historical 
Reminiscences. Ages of twenty persons. First deaths— marriages. 
Merchants. Religious Societies. Biography. A second Cente- 
narian. Schools and school-houses. Milages. 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

WtHTESTOVVN. Pa.ue 75-'. 

The lirst permanent settlement in the County. The beauties of 
Central and Western New York discovered by New England sol- 
diers, in the old French and Revolutionary wars. Hugh White, 
the first settler. His journey, age, and family. Sauquoit Patent. 
Mills. Law suit. A Samp mortar. Scarcity. Philo White. I'i- 
geons. Early Settlers. Notices of. Wrestling match. Traits of 
Judge White. Indians. Religious Societies. First organization 
of the Town. Its limits. Spirit of the early inhabitants. Offices 
lieldbythem. Western Centinel. Salt manufacturers. Villages. 
Aboriginal remains. Two obituaries of Revolutionary Soldiers. 

CHAPTER XXX. 

INDIANS. Page 833. 

The Six Nations. Their name as given by themselves and others. — 
Iroquois most general. Population at various periods. Oneidas. 
Their History. Missionaries to. Characieristics. Their Wars 
and their connection with the Dutch, English and French. Con- 
tinued. Plattcopf. Scanandoa. Present condition of the Tribe. 
Visit to the remnant. Indian names of persons and localilies. Os- 
ceola's Anecdotes. Tuscaroras. From whence — their history anc! 
wars. Emigrate to near Oneida. Decome the Sixth Nation. Join 
the Americans in the Revolutionary war. Stockbriuoe Indians. 
Their history. Missionaries and Missions School. Emigrate to 
New Stockbridge— to Green Bay. Tradition of. Buotukrtons. 
Their History. Samson Cecum. They emigrate lo this County. 
Thence to Green Bay. 



INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



The Dutch originally settled and governed the territory 
\vithin the present limits of the State of New York, and by 
them it was called New Netherlands. As late as 1638 that 
portion of it lying west of Fort Orange (Albany) was termed 
by the Dutch chroniclers, '■'• Terra Incognita^'' or Unknown 
Land. In 1674 the Dutch finally surrendered the colony 
to the English, and it was named New York, in honor of the 
Duke of York, to whom the colony had been granted by 
Charles II in 1664. It had, however, been surrendered by 
the Dutch G^ov. Stuyvesant, in 1664, to the English, by 
whom it was held until 1673, when it was taken by the 
Dutch, and held by them until the next year. In 1683 the 
colony was divided by its Legislature into twelve counties, 
viz. : — New York, Albany, Dutchess, Kings, Queens, Orange, 
Ulster, Richmond, Sufi"olk, Westchester, Dukes, and Corn- 
wall. In 1768 and 1770, the counties of Cumberland and 
Gloucester were added. Dukes and Cornwall, after a bitter 
controversy, were surrendered to Massachusetts in 1693 ; and 
a part of Gloucester and Cumberland was, after a quarrel, 
ceded to New Hampshire, and now forms a part of Vermont; 
and the portion of the two counties retained was formed into 
a county called Charlotte, now Washington County. 

This chapter is written to show the changes made in the 
territory now or formerly m, or connected ivith, the territory 

1 



2 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY, [cHAf. 

of the County of Oneida, including the formation of counties 
and towns, and the changes made in their boundaries. 

In 1772 the County of Tryon was formed from the terri- 
tory of Albany County lying westwardly of a line running 
nearly north and south through the present County of Scho- 
harie. The name Tryon having become highly obnoxious 
from the active hostility and acts of wanton cruelty of Gov. 
Tryon towards the Americans during the Revolution, the 
Legislature, on the 2d of April, 1784, changed the name of 
Tryon County to Montgomery, in honor of tlie General of 
that name who had fallen at Quebec. By the same act 
Montgomer)' County was divided into five districts, called 
Mohawk, Canajoharrie, Palatine, German Flats, and Kings- 
land. German Flats district included all the western part 
of the State, and was then an unbroken forest, excepting a 
few German settlements upon the Mohawk. Kingsland di.s- 
trict included the northern part of Herkimer County, and 
"extended westwardly to the West Canada Creek. In 1786 
Montgomery County contained fifteen thousand and fifty- 
seven inhabitants. 

By the act of March 7, 1788, defining the boundaries of 
the several counties in this State, the County of Montgomery 
was declared to contain "all that part of this State bounded 
easterly by the Counties of Ulster, Albany, Washington, 
and Clinton ; southerly by the State of Pennsylvania ; and 
westerly and northerly by the west and north bounds of iinir 
State." By an act of the same date the following towns 
in Montgomery County were bounded and described, viz. : — 
Caughnawaga, Palatine, Herkimer, Mohawk, Harpersfield, 
Otsego, Canajo-xharrie, German Flats, and Whitestown. By 
an act of the same date, German Flats district was divided, 
;ni(l the town of White's Town (thus written) was formed, 
and bounded easterly ]>y a line running north and south io 



I.] INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 3 

the north and south bounds of the State, and crossing the 
Mohawk River at the Ford near, and on the east side of, the 
house of William Cunningham, and which line was the west- 
ern boundary of the towns of Herkimer, Grerman Flats, and 
Otsego ; southerly by the State of Pennsylvania ; and west 
and north by the bounds of the State. 

The house of William Cunningham referred to, stood near 
the foot of Genesee street in Utica, and upon, or near the site 
of the store now occupied by Stephen Comstock. These 
were the boundaries of the County of Oneida in embryo, in 
1788; but we shall see that, by subsequent enactments, its 
eastern line was removed eastwardly to its present position 
at the eastern boundary of the county. 

By an act passed March 22, 1788, the town of Chemung 
was formed in and from a part of Montgomery County lying 
on the Owego and Tioga Rivers, but its bounds would be 
hardly intelligible now. 

By an act passed January 27, 1789, the County of On- 
tario was formed and bounded as follows: — "All that part 
of the County of Montgomery which lies to the westward of 
a line to be drawn due north to Lake. Ontario from the mile 
stone or monument, marked eighty-tico, and standing in the 
line of division between this State and the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, shall be one separate and distinct county, and 
be called and known by the name of Ontario." 

By an act passed Feb. 16, 1791, Montgomery County was 
divided, and the Counties of Tioga, Otsego, and Herkimer 
formed from its territory, and the bounds of the County of 
Ontario changed. 

The County of Herkimer (including the present territory 
of Oneida) was bounded as follows: — "All that tract of land 
bounded westerly by the County of Ontario, northerly by 
the north bounds of this State, easterly by the Counties of 



4 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciIAr. 

<Jlinton, Washington, and Saratoga, and soutlierly by the 
(/Ounties of Montgomery. Otsego, and Tioga." The north 
parts of the towns of Palatine and Caughnawaga, lying north 
of a line beginning at a place called Jersey Fields, on the 
line between the towns of Herkimer and Palatine, and 
thence easterly to Saratoga County, were added to Herkimer 
(jounty. 

By an act passed April 10, 1792, the town of Whitestown 
was divided, and the towns of "Westmoreland, Steuben, Paris. 
Mexico, Peru, and Whitestown formed of its territory. 

Westmweland was bounded by a line beginning at the 
eastern line of the Oneida reservation, where the lino of 
Steuben crosses the same, thence southerly and westerly 
along said reservation line to a point opposite the south-west 
corner of a tract granted to Abraham Wemple, thence along 
the southern line of Wemple's tract to the " old line of pro- 
perty," thence northerly at right angles with said line of 
' property to the Oriskany Creek, thence down said creek to the 
southern bounds of the Oriskany Patent, thence north-west- 
erly parallel to the old line of property to " Steuben Town." 
thence along the line of Steuben to the place of beginning. 
First town meeting to be held at the house of James Dean. 

Steuben was all that part of Whitestown bounded as fol- 
lows: — Becinnincr at the mouth of the Nine Mile Creek, 

CO " 

running thence north-eastwardly to the north-east corner of 
Holland Patent, thence northerly along the eastern bounds 
of Steuben's Patent to the north-east corner thereof, thence 
due north to the northern bounds of the State, and also from 
the place of beginning due west to the line of the Oneida 
reservation, thence north-west along said line to Fish Creek, 
thence due north to the northern bounds of the State. First 



I.J INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 5 

town meeting at the house of Seth Eanney, near Fort 
Stauwix. 



Paris was all that part of Whitestown bounded as follows : 
— Beginning at Stillman's Bridge on Oriskany Creek, thence 
south-easterly to the house of J as. Fairwell, on lot No. 80 in 
the 7th Division of Cox's Patent, thence southerly in a direct 
line until it meets the New Hartford road, where it crosses a 
creek a few rods west from the house of Samuel Wells, 
thence southerly in a line to the south-western corner of lot 
No. 7 in the 11th Division of Cox's Patent, thence due east 
to the line of Grerman Flats, thence southerly along said line 
to Tioga County, thence westerly along the line of Tioga 
County to the western line of the twenty Townships, thence 
northerly to the line of Oneida reservation, thence along the 
last line to the line of Westmoreland, thence along the last 
line to the place of beginning. First town meeting at the 
house of Moses Foote, Esq. 

Mexico was all that part of Whitestown bounded as fol- 
lows: — Easterly by the eastern bounds of the Military Tract, 
and a line drawn northward from the mouth of the Connisse- 
rago Creek across Oneida Lake to Lake Ontario, southerly by 
Tioga County, westerly by the western bounds of the town- 
ships of Homer, Tully, Marcellus, Camillus, Lysander, and 
Hannibal, of said Military Tract, and northerly by Lake 
Ontario. First town meeting at the house of Benjamin 
Moorehouse. 

Penc was all that part of Whitestown bounded easterly by 
the town of Mexico, southerly by Tioga County, westerly by 
Ontario County, and northerly by Lake Ontario. First 
town meeting at the house of Seth PhelpSj Esc(. 



6 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

All the remainder of Whitestown to be and remain a town 
by the name of Whitestown, and the first town meeting to be 
held at the house of Jedediah Sanger, Esq. 

The County of Onondaga was formed by an act of March 
5, 1794, and was composed of the Military Tracts. 

By an act passed March 5, 1795, the town of Cazenovia 
was formed of parts of the towns of Whitestown and Paris, 
Herkimer County ; and the towns of Hamilton, Sherburne. 
Brookfield, and Sangcrfield, were formed of parts of Paris. 

By an act passed Feb. 26, 1 796, the town of Mexico was 
formed of part of Herkimer County, with bounds different 
from those stated on last page. The reasons why this town 
was twice formed, are not stated. The bounds of Mexico as 
now formed were as follows: — Beginning at the north-west- 
ern corner of Fonda's 40,000 acre patent, thence along the 
western side of Canada Creek to Wood Creek, thence down 
Wood Creek to Oneida Lake, thence through the middle of 
Oneida Lake to its western end, thence to the northern shore 
of Onondaga River, thence down that river to Lake Ontario, 
thence easterly and northerly along the shore of that lake 
to the mouth of Black Biver, thence up that river to the 
northern corner of 25,000 acres sold by Wm. Constable to 
Wm. Inman, thence southerly 37 deg. 30 min. west along 
the north-western bounds of the last-named tract to the 
north-western corner of Oothout's Patent, thence southerly 
1 deg. west along the western line of the last-named patent 
to the place of beginning. First town meeting at the house 
of John Myer, " in Botterdam, in said town of jMexico." 

By an act passed March 4, 1796, the town of Steuben, 
Herkimer County, was divided, and the towns of Floyd and 
Rome erected from its territory. Floyd was bounded as 
follows: — Beginning at the north-western corner of the great 
lot No. 36 in Fonda's Patent, and thence along the western 



].] INTRODUCTORjr CHAPTER.  . , 7 

bounds of tliat lot and lots Nos. 50, 63, and 71 in Fonda's 
Patent, and in the same course continued to the southern 
bounds of Steuben, thence easterly along the same to the 
mouth of the Nine Mile Creek, then along the south-eastern 
bounds of Steuben until a western line shall intersect the 
north-eastern corner of the great lot 41 in Fonda's Patent, 
thence along said line and the -northern bounds of said lot 4 1 
and lots Nos. 40, 39, 38, 37, and 36 in Fonda's Patent to the 
place of beginning. First town meeting at the house of 
Saml. J. Curtiss. 

The town of Rome was. bounded as follows, viz. ; — All 
that part of Steuben bounded northerly by a line to begin at 
the north-western corner of said town of Floyd, and then 
directly along the northern bounds of great lots Nos. 35, 34? 
33, 32, 31, 30, 29, and 83 in Fonda's Patent to Canada 
Creek, thence down said creek to its junction with Wood 
Creek, thence along the western and the southern bounds of 
said town of Steuben to the south-west corner of Floyd, 
thence along the western bounds thereof to the place of be- 
ginning. First town meeting to be held at the house of 
Ebenezer Clafiin. The first town meeting in Steuben was 
to be held at the house of Joshua Wells. 

By an act passed March 10, 1797, the town of Steuben, 
Herkimer County, was. divided into three towns, viz.: — 
Steuben, Western, and Leyden. The first town meetings 
were to be held as follows; — In Steuben, at the late residence 
of Baron Steuben, deceased ; in Western, at the house of 
Ezek. Sheldon; and in Leyden, at the house of Andrew 
Edmonds. 

By an act passed March 24, 1797, the town of Schuyler, 
Herkimer County, was divided, and the town of Trenton 
formed from its territory, and bounded as follows, viz.: — 
Beginning at a point in the western line of Schuyler, four 



8 ANNALS OF ONETDA COUNTY. [CITAP 

iullOvS north in the direction of said western line from Mohawk 
Eiver, then northerly on said line to the north-western corner 
of said Schuyler, thence easterly on said town line to the 
great Falls on Canada Creek, thence down said creek to the 
north-western corner of lot No. 55 Gage's Patent, thence on 
the western line of said patent south to the north-western 
corner of lot No. 18 on said patent, thence westerly in a 
straight line to the place of beginning. First town meeting 
at the House of Thos. Weeks. Remainder of Schuyler to 
be the town of Schuyler, and first town meeting at the house 
of Geo. G. Weber — 'Uow Weaver. 

By an act also passed March 24, 1797, the town of San- 
gerfield, Herkimer County, was divided, and the town of 
Eridg-\Yater formed of its territory, and bounded as follows, 
viz.; — '-All that pai-t of the town of Sangerfield lying east- 
erly of the division line between the third and fourth quar- 
ters of the twentieth township so called, be, and is hereby 
erected into a separate town, by the name of Bridgwater." 
First town meeting to be held at the house of Thos. Convers: 
and first town meeting in the town of Sangerfield. thus newly 
formed, at the house of Ebenezer Hale. 

At this time Herkimer and Montgomery constituted the 
Ninth Congressional District. 

An act was passed March 15, 1793, dividing the County 
of Herkimer, and forming the additional Counties of Oneida 
and Chenango from its territory. The boundaries of Oneida 
were as follows, viz.: — "All that part of Herkcmer County 
beginning at the south-west corner of the town of Bridg- 
water,. and running thence easterly on the line of said town 
to the Unadilla River, thence northerly and easterly on the 
line of Bridgwater to the town of Litchfield, thence north- 
erly on the line of ]3ridgwater and Litchfield to the south- 
east corner of the town of Paris, thence the same line 



I.] INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 9 

continued on the eastern line of Paris and Whitestown to 
the southerly line of Cosby 's Manor, thence north-easterly 
in a direct line to the northerly bounds of said Cosby's 
Manor, at a point where the same is intersected by the 
division line between Gage's and Walton's Patents, thence 
northerly on the line between the said Walton's and Gage's 
Patents to the West Canada Creek, thence northerly up 
the waters of said creek to the forks thereof, thence east- 
erly up the east branch of said creek to the north-east corner 
of Service's Patent, thence northerly to the northern bounds 
of this State, thence westerly along the northern bounds of 
this State to Lake Ontario, thence along the easterly shore of 
said lake to the mouth of the Oswego River, thence easterly 
up said river to the Oneida Lake, thence along the southern 
side of said lake to the Oneida Creek, thence up said creek 
on the eastern line of the County of Chenango to the north- 
ern line of the town of Hamilton, thence easterly along the 
northern bounds of said towns of Hamilton and Sangerfield 
to the north-western corner of the town of Bridgwater, thence 
southerly on the western line of said town of Bridgwater to 
the place of beginning." 

In the County of Oneida three terms of the Court of 
Common Pleas and General Sessions were to be held annu- 
ally, viz.: — On the third Tuesday in May, first Tuesday in 
September, and last Tuesday in December, at "the School 
House near Fort Stanwix ;" but no Circuit Court was to be 
held in the County unless the Justices of the Supreme 
Court should '-in their judgment deem it proper and neces- 
sary." Oneida and Chenango were to form a part of the 
district previously composed of Herkimer and Otsego, re- 
specting all prosecutions in the Court of Oyer and Terminer. 
The same act provided that a Court House and Jail should 
" be erected at such place within one mile of Fort Schuyler, 



10 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUN-n*. [ciIAr. 

Otherwise Foi-t Stanwix, in tlie town of Komc, as the Super- 
visors'' should designate; also tliat this County should be 
represented by three Members of Assembly, and that the 
first meeting of the Board of Supervisors should be held at 
the School House in Rome, on the last Tuesday in 3Iay. 

By the terms of the same act, all that part of the town of 
Frankfort included within the boundaries of Oneida, should 
be added to the town of Whitestown ; and all that part of 
Schuyler included within Oneida was erected into a new 
town called Deer^field, and tlie first town meeting in the 
latter was to be held at the house of Ezra Payne ; and all 
that part of Norway included in Oneida was erected into a 
new town by the name of Remsen, and its first town meeting 
was to be held at the house of Samuel Howe. 

By the same act all that part of Whitestown bounded 
westerly and southerly by the County of Chenango, easterly 
by Brothertown and Paris, and northerly "by the southern- 
most Great Genesee Ptoad," was formed into a new town 
called Augusta, and its first town meeting was to be held at 
tlio house of Timothy Pond, Jr. ; and the remaining part of 
Whitestown "lying within the Oneida reservation, so called," 
was annexed to Westmoreland. 

The Counties of Montgomery, Herkimer. Oneida, and that 
part of Chenango formerly a part of Herkimer, were formed 
into a Congressional District. 

By an act passed March 15, 1799, tlie town of 3Iexic-o. 
Oneida County, was divided, and a new town called Camden 
formed from its territory ; and the first town meeting in the 
latter was held at the house of Samuel Royee ; and "all that 
part of Township No. 2 in Scriba's Patent lying east of 
Fi.sh Creek," was annexed to the town of Rome. 

By an act pa.ssed March 14, 1800, the town of Mexico was 
again dividi^d. and tlie town of Redfield formed. 



I..] . INTI10DUCT0K.Y CHAPTER. jl 1 

Upon the revision of the lavfs of this State in 1801, an act 
was passed on the third of April in that year, fixing and re- 
asserting the boundaries of the several counties. By this 
act the boundaries of Oneida were as follows, viz. : — "All 
that part of this State bounded easterly by the County of 
Herkimer, northerly by the County of Clinton and by the 
northern bounds of this State, from the most westerly corner 
of the County of Clinton to a place in Lake Ontario, where 
the said northern bounds shall be intersected by the new 
pre-emption line aforesaid," (a line from Lake Ontario to 
Seneca Lake.) "continued due north, westerly by the line 
last mentioned to the south bank of Lake Ontario, and south- 
erly by the Counties of Cayuga, Onondaga, and Chenango, 
and the southern bounds of the patent granted to William 
Bayard and others, called the Free Masons' Patent." 

By the act passed the 7th of April, ISOl, dividing the 
counties into towns, the following towns were described in 
the County of Oneida, viz.: — Bridgwater, Deerfield, Tren- 
ton, Paris, Whitestown, Eemsen, Floyd, Steuben, AVestern, 
Leyden, Rome, Camden, Redfield, Watertown, Champion, 
Lowville, Turin, Mexico, Westmoreland, and Augusta. 

By an act passed March 3, 1802, the County of St. Law- 
rence, with nearly its present limits, was formed from the 
territory of Oneida. 

By an act passed Feb. 17, 1802, the towns of Verona and 
Vernon were formed of parts of the towns of Westmoreland 
and Augusta ; and the first town meeting in the former was 
held at the house of Martin Langdon, and in Vernon at 
the house of David Tuttle. 

By an act passed April 1, 1802, the towns of Leyden, 
Watertown, and Mexico, in Oneida County, were divided, 
and the towns of Brownville, Adams, and Rutland, formed 
from their territory. 



42 ANNALS OF ONKIDA COUNTY. [CHAP, 

By an :ict passed Feb. 22, 1803, the towns of Mexico. 
Turin, Lowville, and Champion, in Oneida County, ■were 
divided, and the new towns of Ellisburgh, Harrisburgh, and 
IMartinsburgh formed from their territory. And by an act 
jiassed the same da}', all such parts of the patent of land 
granted to Baron Steuben as were previously included within 
the toAvns of Trenton and Bemsen, were annexed to the 
town of Steuben. 

By an act passed March 24, 1804, the towns of Adams 
and Mexico, Oneida County, were divided, and the towns of 
Harrison. 3Ialta, and Williamstown formed therefrom. 

By an act passed Fob. 16, 1805, the town of Camden was 
divided, and the town of Florence erected from its territory, 
and the first town meeting in the latter was to be held at the 
house of John Spinning. 

By an act pa«sed March 28, 1805, the County of Oueid;v 
was divided, and the Counties of Jefferson and Lewis erected 
from the northern portion of its territory ; and also forming 
the town of Boonville from the part of the town of Leydcu 
remaining in the County of Oneida. First town meeting in 
Boonville to be held at the house of Joseph Denning. 

By this act Oneida was entitled to three, and Jefferson 
and Lewis each to one Member of Assembly. The boundary 
line then established between Oneida, Jefferson, and Lewis, 
Avas substantially the same as that existing at present. 

An act was passed March 21, 1806, dividing the town of 
Mexico, Oneida County, and forming the town of Fredericks- 
burgh from a part of its territor)^ 

By an act passed Feb. 20, 1807, the town of Williamstovrn 
was divided, and tlie town of llichland formed, and a part 
added to the town of Kedfield. And by an act passed April 
3. in the same year, the town of Camden was divided, and the 
town of Orange formed from a portion of its territory. And 



I.] INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. . llS 

by an act passed April G, 1808, the name of Orange was 
changed to Bengal. 

By an act passed April 8, 1808, the town ofWilliamstown 
was again divided, and the town of Constantia erected. 

By an act passed April 3, 1811, the town of Western was 
divided, and the town of Lee formed from a portion of its 
territory ; and the first town meeting in the latter was to be 
held at the house of Samuel Darling. And by an act passed 
April 5, 1811, the town of Fredericksburgh, Oneida County, 
was divided, and the town of 8eriba formed from its terri- 
tory, and the remainder of the former to remain a town with 
its name changed to Volney; and by a law passed in ISIG, 
the name of Bengal was changed to Vienna. 

By an act passed March 1, 1816, the towns of Constantia, 
Mexico, New Haven, Redfield, Richland, Scriba, Volney, 
Williamstown, (Oneida Co.,) and the town of Hannibal, (Onon- 
daga Co.,) were formed into a new county, named Oswego. 

By an act passed April 7, 1817, the town of Whitestown 
was divided, and the town of Utica formed ; and by a law 
passed April 12, 1823, the town of Annsville was formed 
from the towns of Lee, Florence, Camden, and Vienna ; and 
by a law passed April 12, 1827, the town of New Hartford 
was formed from a part of Whitestown ; and by a law passed 
April 13, 1827, the town of Kirkland was formed from a part 
of Paris. By a law passed Feb. 21, 1829, the town of Mar- 
.shall was formed from a part of the town of Kirkland ; and 
by a law passed March 30, 1832, the town of Marcy was 
formed from a part of Deerfield ; and by a law passed 3Iay 
12, 1846, the town of Ava was formed from a part of Boon- 
ville. This completes the history of the formation of the 
twenty-seven towns constituting the County of Oneida, giving 
her fair jyropwtions^ which should never be marred by divi' 
sions. or detractions from her territory. 



14 ANNALS OF OXEIDA COUNTT. [cHAP. 



CHAPTEE II 



ONEIDA COUNTY 



Is centrally located in the State of New York, and is bound- 
ed uortli hy Lewis County and a small corner of Oswego, 
cast by Herkimer Count}', south by Otsego and Madison 
Counties, and west by Madison and Oswego Counties. 

It is situated between 42 deg. 46 min. and 43 deg. 33 min. 
north latitude, and 1 deg. 05 min. and 1 deg. 55 min. west 
longitude from the city of New York. 

The surface of the county is peculiar. Although tlie 
Erie Canal passes quite through it. on the long level which 
extends from Frankfort to Syracuse, and although the county 
lies lower than the country west from that city, still the 
water flows from the county east, west, north, and south. 
The Mohawk River is formed within its bounds. The East 
and West Branches, the Lansing Kill, and a number of 
f^maller tributaries, rush together in the town of Western 
iVom the east, south, and north, and form the embryo river. 
Its course from Western to Rome is south-westerly, where 
it takes a south-easterly course until it leaves the county 
below Utica. After it leaves Rome, it receives from the 
north the Nine Mile Creek and several smaller streams, and 
from the south the Oriskany, Sauquoit, and smaller streams. 
The West Canada Creek, which for some distance washes 
the eastern boundar}- of the county, receives the united 
waters of the Steuben and Cincinnatus Creeks, just below 
Trenton Falls, and soon after it passes through a part of 



II.j ONEIDA COUNTY. 15 

Herkimer County, and empties into the Moliawk at Herkimer 
village. It is a fair presumption, that seven-eighths of the 
water of the IMohawk at this place, is drained from the 
springs and surface of Oneida County. 

Wood Creek and Fish Creek, with their tributaries, drain 
four entire towns, and portions of five others, in the north- 
west section of the county, and after uniting their waters for 
a short distance, empty into the east end of the Oneida 
Lake. The Oneida Creek, which forms the western boun- 
dai-y of the county, opposite the towns of Vernon and Verona 
receives the Skenandoa Creek, a stream that rises in the 
western part of Augusta, runs south a short distance, then 
east, and shortly takes a northerly and north-westerly course, 
passing through Vernon until it falls into the former stream 
near the north-west corner of Vernon, and south-west corner 
of Verona. 

The town of Sangerfield, in the south-west corner of the 
county, although one part is watered by the east branch of 
the Oriskany, sends a small stream into the Chenango Eiver, 
one of the branches of the Susquehanna, — and the town 
of Bridgwater, in the south-east corner of the county, is 
drained by a head-water of the Unadilla, another tributary 
of the Susquehanna. 

The towns of Eemsen and Boonville, in the north-east 
section of the county, contain not only head-waters of the 
Mohawk, but the Black River, which empties into Lake 
Ontario at Sacketts Harbor, passes through these towns, 
receiving numerous small streams in its passage. 

It will, therefore, be seen that the water from the north- 
west part of the county reaches the Atlantic by the Oneida 
Lake and lliver, the Oswego Eiver, Lake Ontario, the 
Eiver and Gulf of St. Lawrence; while that in the north- 
east part finds the same outlet ])y the Black Eiver, Lake 



16 AXXALS OF ONKIDA COVNTY. [CIIAP. 

Ontario, etc. The water in the south-west corner reaches the 
same ocean by the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers, and 
Chesapeake Bay ; while that in the soutli-east part finds the 
same egress by the UnadiHa, — ^a head-water of the Susque- 
hanna. And this while the great central portion uf the 
county discharges its waters into the Atlantic by the Mo- 
Iiawk and Hudson Rivers. 

GrEOLOGY. — Fcw countics in tlie State present as great 
a variety of geological formations. 

The primary system is found in the north-east part of 
the county, bordering on thfl Black River. At this point, 
granite , Black River and Trenton limestone are its compo- 
nents. Bordering on these are the Utica slate and the Hud- 
son River group of shales and sand-stone. The Oneida slate. 
seen in almost every section of the county, next follows ; and 
this is succeeded by the Clinton and Lockport groups of 
limestone, rich in fossils, and the Onondaga salt group, here 
mainly made up of red and green shales. The Oriskanj' 
sand-stone is found in many of the valleys of those streams 
in the south part of the county which run in a northerly 
direction. The Marcellus shales appear at a few isolated 
points in quite the south part of the county ; as also is tlie 
Hamilton group of limestone. 

Mimrah. — The county is rich in iron ore. It is inex- 
haustible in the towns of Kirkland, Westmoreland, and 
Verona. Peat and marl are found in many localities. The 
principal mineral springs are noticed in the towns in which 
they ai*e situated. 

Elfxtio.vs. — The first town meeting held in the district 
(town) of "Whitestown, was convened at the house of Capt. 
Daniel C. White, in said district, on Tuesday, the 7th day of 



;T.J ONEIDA COUNTY. VY 

April, 1789, "agreeable to warning," and "it being more 
convenient," the meeting adjourned to the barn of Hugh 
White, Esq., at which time and place they '-proceeded as fol- 
loweth: 1 st chose Col. Jedediah Sanger, Supervisor; 2d chose 
Elijah Blodget, Town Clerk ; 3d chose Amos Wetmore, First 
Assessor ; 4th chose James Bronson, Second Assessor ; 5th 
chose Ephraim Blackmer, Third Assessor ; 6th chose Oliver 
Collins, Collector ; 7th chose Hugh White, Esq., and Capt. 
Moses Foot, Poor Masters ; 8th chose George Doolittle, 
Jedediah Sanger, and Ephraim Blackmer, Commissioners 
of Highways ; 9th chose Jedediah Phelps, Joseph Sowle, 
Salmon Butler, Amos Kellogg, Nehemiah Jones, and Alex- 
ander Parkman, Constables ; 1 0th chose Maj. G ilbert Willett, 
Amos Ives, Ebenezer Butler, Jr., Alexander Parkman, Jo- 
seph Jones, Joseph Jennings, Overseers of Boads ; 11th 
chose Lemuel Levenworth, Rice Hawley, Lemuel Cook, Seth 
Ranney, Barnabas Pond, Fence Viewers; 12th chose Eben- 
ezer Butler, Jr., Daniel C. White, Pound Keepers; 13th 
voted to let swine run at large, 'yoaked and ringed;' 14th 
voted that the Supervisor appoint the place for holding 
the next annual town meeting. Then said meeting be dis- 
solved." 

The second town meeting in Whitestown was held at 
the barn of Capt. Needham Maynard, in said town, April 
6, 1790. "The following persons were elected: — Major 
William Colbrath, Supervisor ; Elijah Blodget, Town Clerk ; 
Joshua Morse, Capt. Daniel C. White, Lieut. Isaac Jones, 
Col. Jedediah Sanger, Rozel Fellows, Assessors; Oliver 
Collins, Collector ; Capt. Amos Wetmore, Capt. James 
Cassety, Overseers of Poor ; Capt. Moses Foot, James Dean, 
Esq., George Doolittle, Commissioners of Highways ; Samuel 
Ensign, Bill Smith, Rufus Blodget, Solomon Kellogg, Joseph 
Jones, Constables; Silas Phelps, Samuel Laird, Rapha*! 

2 



ly ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP 

Porter, iSamuel Wells, Samuel Winch, Ashbel Beach, Amok 
Miller, Wm. Satchel, Darias Sayle3, Jedediah Phelps, Over- 
seers of Tlighways ; John Tillotson, John Barsley, George 
Langford, Aaron Kellogg, Fence Viewers; Lemuel Levet- 
worth, Barnabas Pond, Pound Keepers. 

" Voted to re-consider the whole votes that have been 
received as null and void, when the Inspectors adjourned 
the meeting till to-morrow morning at 1 o'clock. Wednes- 
day morning at 10 o'clock, April 7, 1790, met according to 
adjournment. Chose, l.st, Jedediah Sanger, Supervisor ; 2d. 
A.shbel Beach, Town Clerk ; 3d, Joshua Mor.se, Capt. Dan- 
iel C White, Lieut. Isaac Jones, Ensign John Tillotson. 
and Ebenezer Wright, Assessors; 4th, Oliver Collins, Col- 
lector ; Capt. Amos Wetmore and Jame.s Bronson, Overseers 
of Poor; James Dean, George Doolittle, John Tillotson. 
Commissioners of Highways; Samuel Ensign, Bill Smitlj. 
John Bullen, Hezekiah Ptice, Joseph Jones, Nathaniel 
Townsend, Constables; Silas Phelps, Samuel Laird, John 
Young, Joseph Farewell, Samuel Wells, Samuel Wind). 
Jason Parker, Ashbel Beach, William Clarey, Amok Miller, 
Seth St^el, William Satchel, Overseers of Highways ; John 
Barsley, Lemuel Levenworth, Barnabas Pond, Pound 
Keepers. 

'• Montgomery County^ ss. : — This certifies that the free- 
holders, and other inhabitants of Whitestown, being met in 
said town for the purpose of choosing Town OflScers, on 
Tuesday, the 6th day of April, 1790, did on said day collect 
fifty votes for Maj. William Colbrath, and thirty-four vot^s 
for Col. Jedediah Sanger, for Supervisor, and William Col- 
brath was declared to be Supervisor. Then proceeded to 
the election of other officers, but many people being deprived 
of the privilege of voting for Supervisor, etc., Dioird to huv-; 
the proceedings of the day made null and void, which passed 11 



II.] ONEIDA COUNTV. 19 

the affirmative. The meeting being then adjourned to Wed- 
nesday, the 7th inst., at 10 o'clock in the morning, at this 
place. Wednesday, 10 o'clock in the morning, met according 
to adjournment, and the poll list being opened and kept open 
till about five o'clock in the afternoon, at ^vhich time the poll 
list was closed, and upon canvassing the same, found that 
Jedediah Sanger was unanimously elected Super\'isor, witli 
the number of 1 19 votes, which choice was publicly declared 
in said meeting, and that he hath produced a certificate from 
Hugh White, Esq., that he has taken the oath of office. 

" Attest for Elijah Blod&et. Town Clerk. 
'• Attest for Ashbel Beach, Town Clerk." • 

In this '• our day and generation' proceedings like these 
would be considered ver}- singular. They are not given 
because they possess very much interest to the public, so far 
as the offices or candidates are concerned ; but they have 
been transcribed to show the S2nrit of tJie times, and to show 
the manner in which the people, in the early settlement of 
this country, transacted their business in their town meet- 
inars. Some of the results of this double election are decid- 
edly imiqvc. The defeated candidate for Supervisor of the 
first day, was elected unanimously on the second ; but to 
place the matter beyond doubt, the two Town Clerks sign 
his certificate of election. 

Most of the candidates, as well as voters, were natives of 
New England, and it was of old in the New England town 
meetings where the people learned that they possessed the 
rights and abilities of freemen. The student of history soon 
learns that the attempt to abridge the rights of the New 
Englanders when assembled in town meeting, was a promi- 
nent cause of the Ptevolution ; and also that those town 
meetings were powerful means in gaining our independence. 
^Host of the actors in that town meeting had fought for liberty 



*^0 AXNALS OP ONEIDA COVXTV. [CHAP. 

in the Revolution, and we see with what tenacity they clung 
to their military titles. 

Many of those then elected to petty offices in the back-" 
woods town of Whitestown, — a town, however, then larger 
in territory than some of the kingdoms of Europe, — after- 
wards became men of distinction, and arose to some of the 
most honorable places under our Government. Their history 
would fill a large volume. Messrs. Dean, White, Sanger, 
and Maynard, were Judges of the County; Mr. Colbrath 
was SheriflF of Herkimer and Oneida Counties; Messrs. 
Collins and Doolittle were Generals in the Militia, and the 
first as such, served his country in the war of 1812 ; Messrs. 
Foot, Cassety, Isaac Jones, Joseph Jones, Wetmore, Levcn- 
worth, Phelps, and others, were for many years Justices of 
the Peace ; Isaac Jones the first Supervisor of Westmore- 
land ; and several others became distinguished in their 
various avocations and positions in life. 

The first general election held in the town of Whitestown, 
was opened at the Cayuga Ferry (Bridge), thence adjourned 
to Moorehouse's Tavern in Manlius, thence to Fort Stanwix, 
and closed at Whitesboro. 

In 1791, at the town meeting in Whitestown, Jedediah 
Sanger was elected Supervisor, Ashbel Beach Town Clerk, 
.Ebenezer Butler (afterwards of Pompey) Collector, James 
Wadsworth of Geneseo, Trucworthy Cook of Pompey, Jere- 
miah Gould of Salina, and several others, Overseers of 
Highways. 

Courts, etc. — The first Court of Record held within the 
present limits of the county, was a term of the Herkimer 
Common Pleas and General Sessions, at "the Meeting House 
in the town of Whitestown," on the third Tuesday in Jan., 
1704. Present — Henry Staring, Judge, and Jedediah San- 



U.J ONEIDA COUNTY. 21 

gcr and Amos Wetinorc, Justices. In the list of Assistant 
Justices and Justices of the Peace found in the minutes of 
this term, are the following names of those within our present 
territory, viz. : — Hugh White, Judge Sanger, A. Wetmorc, 
Alex. Parkman, I]phraiiu Blackmer, Moses Foot, Edw. 
Paine, Seth Phelps, David Ostroui, Needham Maynard, 
Elizur Moscley, Samuel Sizer, William Fanning, Ebenezer 
Wright, and Jedediah Phelps. Among the Constables 
named are Uriah Seymour, Simeon Pool, and Samuel En- 
sign, of Whitestown ; Jesse Curtiss, Nathan Marsh, Amos 
Button, Samuel Branch, John Finch, and Ezekiei Goodrich, 
of Paris ; Joseph Jones of Westmoreland ; and Samuel 
Dickinson, Edw. S. Salisbury, Jasper French, and Benjamin 
Giiford, of Steuben. Grand Jury — Wni. Stone, Foreman ; 
Archibald Beach, Jared Chittenden, Waitstill Dickinson, 
Matthias Halbert, Nehemiah Pratt, Abijah Putnam, Na- 
thaniel Gilbert, Alexander Enos, Coonrod Edee, Debold 
Dedrick, Joseph Jennings, Pt. Mills, Matthew Hubbell, 
Benjamin Ballou, Nathan Seward, Thomas Jones, Alvin 
Wheelock, James McNutt, Benjamin Tisdale, Justin Grif- 
fith, Duty Lapham. William Colbrath, Sheriff; Jonas Piatt, 
Clerk. Joseph Strong was admitted as an Attorney and 
Counsellor, and took the oaths of office. Eight men were 
convicted of assault and battery, and fined from sixteen 
shillings to three pounds each. Five civil causes were tried, 
two of which were in ejectment, viz.: — James Jackson r.r 
dcm. Wm. Cunningham, Jr., vs. Samuel Dexter, tenant, in 
which the defendant obtained a verdict; and James Jack- 
son ex dem. Jacob Folts vs. Wm. Dygert, Sen., tenant, in 
which the verdict was for the plaintiff. 

Mr. Tracy in his lectures states that this term of the 
Herkimer Common Pleas was held in Judge Sanger's barn, 
and in the preceding October. A half burnt record in the 



'Z2 ANNALS OF ONKIBA COUNTY. [cIIAP. 

Ilorkimcr County Clerk's Office shows that the above state- 
iiient, as to time, is correct ; and as there was no meeting 
house at that time in tlie town of AVhitestown otlier than the 
one in New Hartford (and that in quite an unfinished state), 
this, with other evidence obtained, is conclusive that the term 
was held in the New Hartford meeting house. The law 
authorizing the term provided that the Herkimer County 
^'ourts should be held alternately at Herkimer and Whites- 
town. New Hartford was then in Whitestown, and as Judge 
Sanger was never " found napping" when any thing for the 
benefit of his village was at stake, he exerted himself suc- 
cessfully with Judge Staring and a majority of the bench, 
and the court was appointed at New Hartford. This term, 
liowever, was the only one held in that village, for Whites- 
boi'o ever afterwards succeeded in getting it at that jDlace. 
An anecdote of this first court is thus told by Mr. Tracy : 

" A gentleman who attended the court as a spectator, in- 
i'ormed me that the day was one of those cold ' January days 
frequent in our climate,' and that in the afternoon, and 
when it was nearly night, in order to comfort themselves in 
vheir by no means very well appointed court room, and to 
l:eep the blood at a temperature at which it would continue 
to circulate, some of the gentlemen of the bar had induced 
the Sheriff" to procure, from a neighboring inn, a jug of 
spirits. This, it must be remembered, was before the inven- 
tion of temperance societies. Upon the jug's appearing in 
( ourt, it was passed around the bar table, and each of the 
learned counsellors in his turn upraised the elegant vessel, 
and descanted into his mouth, by the simplest process 
imaginable, so much as he deemed a sufficient dose of the 
delicious fluid. While the operation was going on, the dig- 
nitaries of the bench, who were no doubt sufi"ering quite as 
jnuch as their brethren of the bar, had a little consultation, 



II.] ONEIDA COUNTY. / 23 

when the first Judge announced to the audience that tlio 
court saw no reason why they should continue to hold open 
any longer, and freeze to death, and desired tlie crier forth- 
with to adjourn the court. Before, however, this functionary 
could commence with a single ' Hear ye,' Colonel Colbrath 
jumped up, catching, as he rose, the jug from the lawyer who 
was complimenting its contents, and holding it up towards 
the bench, hastily ejaculated ; ' Oh, no, no, no, Judge, — 
don't adjourn yet ; take a little gin. Judge ; that will keep 
you warm ; 'tant time to adjourn yet ; ' and suiting the action 
to the word, he handed his honor the jug. It appeared there 
was force in the Sheriff's advice, for the order to adjourn 
was revoked, and the business went on." 

Like terms of the court were doubtless held in the town 
of Whitestown on the third Tuesday in January, 1795-6-7. 

The records in the Clerk's Office of Herkimer County 
were destroyed by fire in 1804, and it is impossible now to 
learn particulars of other terms of the courts afi'ecting the 
inhabitants of Whitestown. From a scrap discovered in our 
Clerk's Office, it seems that at a term of the General Sessions 
held at the church in Herkimer on the third Tuesday in 
Januar}', 1792, Hugh White, Jedediah Sanger, and Moses 
Foot, were fined one pound fourteen shillings each for non- 
attendance as Justices ; and John Allen, Lemuel Bradley, 
and Smith Miller, were fined one pound four shillings each 
for like default as petit jurors. 

Upon the organization of Oneida County in 1798, the 
following persons were commissioned to " keep the peace," 
viz. : — Judges — Jedediah Sanger, Hugh White, James Dean, 
David Ostrom, George Huntington. Assista7it Justices — 
iVmos Wetmore, Thomas Cassety, Garret Boon, Adrian Fr. 
Van der Kemp, Elizur Moseley, Henry McNeil, Peter Colt, 
Needham Maynard. Justices of Tea-cc — James S. Kip, 



24 ANNALS OF ONHIDA COUNTV. [ciIAP. 

James Steel, Matthias Hurlburt, James Sheldon, Ja-recJ 
Chittenden, Joseph Jennings, Reuben Long, Itliamar Coe, 
Jesse Curtiss. Kirtland Griffin, Wm. Blount, James Kinney, 
Ephraim "Waldo, Tliomas Converse, Joseph Jones, Daniet 
Chapman, Ebenezer 1\. Hawley, Abrara Camp, Joshua 
Hathawa}-, Jesse Pearee, Matthew Brown, Jr., Daniel W. 
Knight, Samuel Sizer, Ebenezer Weeks, Wm. Olney, Henry 
Wager, John Hall, Isaac Alden, Joseph Strickland, Samuel 
Pioyce, John W. Bloomfield, Benjamin Wright, Luke Fisherj 
Jonathan Collins, John Storrs, Pascal C. I. De Angelis, 
Stc^ihen Moulton, Abel Frcnch, Daniel J. Curtiss, Samuel 
How, Bozel Fellows, Rudolph Gillier, Medad Curtiss, John 
Townsend, Abiel Lindsley, G'-. Camp, Alexander Coventry. 
Joel Bristol. 

The first Circuit Court in this county was held on the 
second Tuesday of September, 1798, at "the School House 
near Fort Stanwix," by Hon. John Lansing, Jr., Chief Jus- 
tice. The following persons composed the Jury upon the 
trial of the first civil cause, viz. : — Jotham Wardon, Ben- 
jamin Case, Allen Risley, Ithiel Hubbard, Caleb Smith, Jr.,. 
Phineas Kelloirg. Andrew Warner, Comfort Lee, Georec- 
Stewart, Enoch Higby, Elias Merrill, and Peter Sloan. 
There were but four other causes upon the calendar. Lentil 
1802 the circuits Avere held -at tlie same place, and subse- 
quently, alternately with Whitestown. Prior to 1818 but 
one term was held in a year. 

. The first Court of Oyer and Terminer in this county was 
held at "the School House near Fort Stanwix," on the 5th 
day of June, 1798. Present — Hon. James Kent, Justice of 
Supreme Court ; George Huntington, Judge of Common 
I'leas ; and Thomas Cassety and Elizur Morseley, Assistant 
Justices. The following persons were sworn as the Grand 
Jury, viz. : — Ebenezer Wright, Foreman; Matthew Brown, 



II.] ONEIDA COUNTY. 25 

Jr., John White, Andrew Clark, Hugh White, Jr., Aaron 
Roberts, Ezra Paine, Samuel Wells, Timothy Pond, Michael 
Frost, Jesse Woodruff, Ozias Marvin, John E. Howard. 
Stephen Eldridge, and Joshua Wills. Stephen Ford and 
Thomas Converse were fined $5 each for non-attendance. 
The G-rand Jury found no bills of indictment, and but one 
criminal trial took place, which was that of Sylvia Wood 
for murder; but the particulars of her conviction will bo 
given in another place. 

At the next Oyer and Terminer, on the second Tuesday 
in September, 1798, the Grraud Jury brought in but one bill. 
In that case the prisoner plead guilty to the oliarge of steal- 
ing a yoke of oxen, and was sentenced to the State's Prison 
for three years. No indictments were found, and no trials- 
were had at the term of 1799. At the term for 1800 there 
was but one trial, and that was for trespassing upon Indian 
lands. The prisoner was Major Watson, "a subject of tJKv 
Ring of Great Britain," and he was charged with occupying 
and trespassing upon certain lands "in the township of 
Oswegatchie (now Ogdensburgh), lying in said County of 
Oneida," he claiming to hold them under title from the 
Oswegatchie Indians, contrary to the statute, etc. At the 
term for 1801 three trials took place: one for murder, in 
which the prisoner, George Peters, an Indian, was convicted ; 
one for forgery, in which the prisoner was convicted and 
sentenced to the State's Prison for life; and one for riot, in 
which two defendants were convicted, and a fine of one hun- 
dred dollars imposed upon one, and tea dollars upon tin- 
other. 

The first term of the Oneida Common Pleas and General 
Sessions of the Peace, was held at the School House near 
Fort Stanwix, on the third Tuesday in May, 1798. Present 
— Hon. Jedediah Sanger, First Judge: George Huntington 



20 ANNALS OF 0\]:IDA COIINTV. [cllAT. 

niul David OstroDi, Jiidges. A rule was cutcred that all 
Attorneys and Counsellors who had been admitted as such 
to the Herkimer Common Pleas, be admitted to practice in 
iliis court upon taking the oaths of office, and Thomas 11. 
(J old, Joseph Kirkland, Arthur Breese, Erastus Clark, 
.Idslma TIatliaway, Joab Griswold, Nathan AVilliams, Francis 
A. Bloodffood, Jonas Piatt. Rufus Easton. and Mcdad Cur- 
tiss, were admitted accordingly. 

The following persons composed the Crand Jury, viz. : — 
JiOan Dewey, of Wliitestown, Foreman, Gershom AValdo, 
John ]?arnai'd, Ebenezer Wright, Jr., Amos Noyce, Cyrus 
h^ellovrs, of Home ; Abraham Ogden, Levi Butterfield, of 
J'loyd : Alpheus Wheelock, Jonatlian Swan, lleuben Beck- 
wit h, of Western; Stephen Heed, Jacob T. Smith, of Tren- 
ton : Gurdon Burchard, Philo White, William Smith, of 
Whitestown ; Ptichard Whitney, Josiah Whitney, Stephen 
Barret, of Paris ; Shadrach Smith, William Fanning, Caleb 
Willis, of Deerfield : Josiah Stillman, John Baxter, of 
Westmoreland. 

The following persons v\'ere summoned as petit jurors, 
viz.: — Matthew Brown, Eeuben Merrill, John Hewson, 
Frederick Selleck, Abraham Handford, John ]iristol,- 
Stephcn AVhite, Asa Knap, William Walwortli. Kufus 
Barnes, of Rome; Ephraim Robbin.s, Timothy Bronson, 
Josiah Woodruff, Stephen Cummings, of Floyd ; Ezekiel 
Cleveland, Daniel Spinning, Luther Miller, Richard Salis- 
bury, David Ilicks, Jolin ILiwkins, Ichabod Brown, Daniel 
Fames, of Western ; Isaac Chamberlain, Joseph Martin, 
Allen l^icrce. Garret Becker, of Trenton ; Aaron Clark, 
Arnold Wells, Barnabas Brooks, Zebediah Tuttle, Jolm 
Hobby, William Bmwn, of Wlutestown ; Simon Hubbard, 
Abiel Simmons, Luther Richards, Elijali Dresser, Samuel 
Xiekol<, Zebediah Plank, of Paris : Hazard Shearman, John 



!T.] ONEIDA COUNTY. 27 

Weber, Zadok Warren, George Damewootl, Jolni Daiue- 
wood, John Reeves, of Deerfield ; Alexander Dorchester, 
Nathaniel Townsend, Benjamin Blaekman, Joshua Douglass, 
of Westmoreland. 

But one bill of indictment was found, and that for assault 
and battery, to which the defendant plead guilty, and \Yas 
lined five dollars, which was ordered to be paid to prosecutor 
and witnesses. 

Messrs. Grold, Kirkland, Brcese, Clark, Williams, and 
I^latt were appointed a committee to report a system of 
rules for the court, and at 3Iay term, 1799, they reported 
twenfrv-two rules, which were adopted. 

But five civil cases were upon the calendar, in all of whicli 
judgments were taken by confession. 

The first civil cause tried in this court was tried at the 
September term, 1798. Hon. Hugh White took his seat 
upon the bench at the last-mentioned term, and Hon. James 
Dean took his seat in December term, 1799. The County 
Courts previous to May, 1802, were held at the "School 
House near Fort Stanwix." The jail at Whitestown having 
been completed, as appears by a Report of Sheriff Brodliead 
to the Court at December term. 1801. May term of 1802 
was held " at the School House near the jail in Whitestown." 
Present — Jedediah Sanger, First Judge; David Ostrom, 
James Dean, Hugh White, Thomas Hart, and Henry Coffeen, 
Judges ; and Amos Wetmore, Needham Maynard, and Jo- 
seph Jennings, Assistant Justices. During the year 1802 
this court was held at Whitestown, and subsequently alter- 
nately at Rome and Whitestown. The terms were held upon 
the third Tuesday in May, first Tuesday in September, and 
last Tuesday in December. 

At the September Sessions for 1803, the Grand Jury 
found bills of indictment against Hon. Thomas Hart, of 



28 ANXALS OF ONEIDA COUNTV. [CHAP. 

Paris, David O.strom and Nccdham Maynard, of Wliitestown, 
Nathan Sage, of Ilcdfiold, James Dean, of Westmoreland, 
and Henry Coffccn, of Watertown, Judges of Oneida County, 
for neglecting to attend that term. It is presumed this had 
the desired effect, for tlioir names generally appear in tlio 
minutes of succeeding terms, and nol. pross. were sub.sc- 
fjuciitly entered to the indictments. 



JUDGES or COMMON TLEAS AXD COUNTY COURTS. 

The following list of Judges appointed for this county 
since its organization, ^Yas politely furnislicd by Hon. Chris- 
topher Morgan, Secretary of State. 

1798, ]Vrarch 22. Jedediah Sanger, of Whitestown, Fir.st 
Judge, Hugh White and David Ostrom, of Whitestown. 
James Dean, of Westmoreland, and George Huntington, of 
Home, Judges. 

ISOl, January 28. Silas Stone, of Low^'ille, Judge. 

1801, August 21. Messrs. Sanger, White, Dean, O.strom. 
and Huntington, re-appointed, with Thomas Hart additional. 

1802, 3Iarch 13. Natlian Sage and Henry Coffcen. of 
Ecdfield. 

1803, March 31. Needham 31aynarJ. 

1804, April 3. Chauncey Gridley. 

1804; July 3. Messrs. Sanger, Dean, Ostrom, Hunting- 
ton, Sage, Coffeeu, Maynard, and Gridley. re-appointed. 

1805, Feb. 15. Messrs. Sanger, Dean, Sage, Maynard. 
Ostrom, Coffcen, and Gridley, re-appointed : and March 25. 
Samuel Dill : and April 8, Apollos Cooper additional. 

1808. March 22. Mcssr.s. Sansrer. Dean, Gridley, Sase, 



II.] ONEIDA COUNTY. 29 

Dill, Cooper, rc-appointed, and Joseph Jennings and Jiuvis 
'Pike additional. 

1810, March 5. Morris S. Miller, First Judge, Jedediah 
Sanger, Henry McNiel of Paris, Abram Camp of Whites- 
town, and Timothy W. Wood. 

1813, February 23. Moris S. Miller, James Dean, David 
Ostrom, Henry McNiel, George Brayton, Richard Sanger, 
Jesse Curtiss, Gerrit G. Lansing, Benjamin Wright, John 
Storrs, Peter Pratt. 

1814, April 5. Messrs. Miller, Dean, 0.strom, McNiel, 
Curtiss, Lansing, Wright, Storrs, and Pratt, re-appointed ; 
and Levi Carpenter, Jr., and Frederick Stanley, additional. 

1815, April 15. M. S. Miller, Joseph Jennings, Solomon 
Wolcott, Prosper Rudd, Daniel Ashley, Peter Pratt, James 
S. Kip, Sherman Barnes, Thomas H. Hamilton, Asahel 
Curtiss, Charles Wylie, Joseph Grant. 

1818, April 24. Messrs. Miller, Wylie, Grant, and Hamil- 
ton, with Ezekiel Bacon additional. 

1821, March 21. Messrs. Miller, Grant, and Hamilton, 
with Truman Enos and Joshua Hathaway additional. 

1823, February 3. Messrs. Miller, Enos, Hathaway, and ^^ 
Grant, with Samuel Jones additional. 

1824, November 22. Samuel Beardsley, First Judge, in 
place of M. S. Miller, deceased. *^ 

1825, March 9. Henry R. Storrs, in place of Samuel 
Beardsley, who declined the appointment. 

1826, April 5. James Dean (son of former Judge Dean)^ 
in place of Truman Enos, who resigned upon his election to 
the State Senate. 

1828, February 5. Messrs. Hathaway, Grant, and Jones, 
re-appointed. 

1830, January 15. Chester Hayden, First Judge, and 
Israel Stoddard. 



30 ANNALS or ONKIDA COUNTY. [ciIAP, 

1831, April 8. Reuben Tower, of Sangcrficld, in place of 
James Dean, whose term had expired. 

1832, February 10. Nathan Kimball, of Augusta, in 
place of Reuben Tower, resigned. 

1833, February 6. John P. Sherwood, of Vernon, and 
Arnon Conistoclc, of Western, in place of Messrs. Jonrs and 
Hathaway, whose terms had expired. 

1835, January 23. Chester Hayden, of Utica, First 
Judge, and Israel Stoddard re-appointed. 

1837, February 21. Nathan Kimball re-appointed. 

1838, February 2. Pomroy Jones, of Westmoreland, in 
place of J. P. Sherwood, resigned ; and March 9, Arnon 
Com.stock re-appointed. 

1840, February 2. Fortune C White, of Whitestown, 
First Judgo, vice Ilayden ; and April 14, Seth B. Roberts, 
of Rome, rice Stoddard. 

1843, February 10. Chester Ilayden and Amos Vrood- 
worth, of Florence, vice Messrs. Kimball and Co:-iist4'>ck, 
whose terms had expired, and Pomroy Jones re-appoicted. 

1845, February 21. P. Sheldon Root, of Utica, Fir.^t 
Judge, rice White; and April 14. Ebenezor Robbing, of 
Lee, rice Roberts. 

1846, May 12. Othnicl S. Williams, of Kirkland, va". 
Hayden. 

1847, June. P. Sheldon Root elected County Judge 
Upon the organization of Herkimer County in 1791, 

Henry Staring Was appointed First Judge, and Michael 
Myers, Hugh White, and Abraham Hardenburgh, Judges 
and Justices of the Peace; and Jedediah Sanger and Amo.s. 
Wetmore, of Whitestown, Alexander Parkman and Ephraiiri 
Blackmcr, of Westmoreland, and John Bank, Patrick Camp- 
bell, and AVilliam Vecdor, Assistant Justices and Justices of 
the Peace. 



n.J 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



Votes for Governor in the several towns of Oneida County 
from ISOl to 1822 inclusive; also the votfts for and 
aa-ainst the Convention and Constitution of 1821-2. witii 
the names of all the to\YU3 iu the county since its organ- 
ization. 



TOWNS.. 


1 

.^ 

S 

© 

o 
is 

22 
5 

11 

17 

20 

38 

14 

28 

17 

47 


^01. 

O 

% 
-j: 
'ji 

It 

a 
> 

Hi 

p. 

o 

175 

130 

36 
29 

41 

34 

59 

i 

& 

612 


18( 

h^ 

Oi 
bS: 

o 

89 
131 

41 
26 

84 
30 

45 

88 

33 

74 
140 

27 

64 

128 

85 


)1 

3 

'A 

c 

o 

1- 

41 

87 

63 
65 

65 
61 

55 

22 

100 
43 
29 

10 
1 

403 
49 


18( 

XT. 

c 

p 

o 

1 
ft 

139 

11 

52 

64 

52 

125 

27 
2 

53 

143 


)7. 

XT. 

a 
o 

176 

74 
67 

88 

41 

17 
25 

5 

33 

412 


181 

a: 

p- 

c 
H 

fi 

ft 

150 
15 
63 

46 
68 

7 
62 

99 
33 

5 

62 

187 


0. 

CO 

m 
c§ 

O 
t-5 

200 
52 

88 

25 
110 

19 
55 

28 

29 

6 

61 
465 


181 

+7 
rr. 

i" 

C 

'c 
n 

« 

74 
11 
65 

37 

44 

6 
70 

151 

20 

89 
43 

158 


o. 
o 

eft 

n 

o 

Ph 

c 




IflR 


T?o<inville 


HO 


Bridg^vater 


7'' 


B rown vill e 

Bengal 


4'? 


Camden 

Champion 


129 


Constantia 


07 


Beerficld 


6''» 


Ellisbvivgh. 




Floyd 


'i'> 


Florence 


^^ 


Fredericksburgh 




Harrisburgh 




Levden 




Lowville 




Lee 


''G 


Mexico 


77 


Martinsbm-gli 




Pari.s 


'srifi 


Rutland 





* Morgain Luis alsohnd 11 votes in Bridgwater. 
t Daniel D. TomUins aho had 31 votes in Mexico. 



32 



ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. 



[clIAr. 



Votes for Governor, &c., in Oneida County. 
(Continucil from last page.) 



TOWNS. 



Rcmscn 

JU'dfield 

Ridilaiid 

Home 

Steuben 

Scriba 

Sangerfield .... 

'I'uriii 

Trenton 

Verona 

Vernon 

Voluey 

Waterto\\'n 

AVestmoreland. 

Whitcstown 

"Williamstown. 
Western .> . ... 



1801. 



o 
32 



60 
47 



48 
51 



27 
149 

485 



1804. 1 1807. 



o 



40 
60 
14 
68 
73 

105 
35 

128 



91 12 248 



32 
50 



96 .33 

74 27 



89 
47 
47 
15 
93 

58 
63 

278 



16 
53 
37 

138 
89 

34 

31 

81 
102 



54 



22 

25 

68 
42 

118 

66 
36 

7 



101 



1810. 1 imz. 



1441322 
37 
295 



19 

54 

73 

100 

83 

44 

45 
98 

88 



48 

161 

111 34 

11255 



14 
3 

79 
82 
57 

133 

82 

53 

102 



e 

15 
57 
71 
116 
45 
23 









o 

1/2 

17 
2 

125 
76 

58 
6 



93 
372 

48 
20 



42137 

55 1 10.3 

91 76 

142213 

5| 26 

64 143 
161j364 

30 56 
210 15 



n.J 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



Votes for Governor, &c., in Oneida County. 
(Continued from last page.) 



TOWNS. 



Augusta — 
Boonville .. 
Bridgwater 
Bengal 



Uamden 

€onstantia 

licerfield 

Floyd 

Florence 

Lee 

Mexico 

Kew Haven 

Orwell 

Paris.... 

Remsen 

Redfield 

Richland 

Rome 

Steuben 

Scriba 

Sangerfield 

Trenton 

Utica 

Verona 

Vienna 

Vernon 

Volney 

Westmoreland. 
Whitestown ... 
"Williamsto^vn . 
Western 



181G. 


181 


7. 


1820. 


1821. 


1822. 


1822. 


CO 








M 






c 




o 






.5 




o 




S 


a 
o 


o 




o 


s2 






c 


C 


.S 
6 


bh 

a 


o 






s 




CO 

C 

o 

O 




fcb 


1— 1 


M 


K*- 




o 


'">■ 


o 


a 


O 

o 


in 


IS- 


u 


•p 


c; 




-t-j 


r- 


P- 


^ 


cj 




rt 


O 


♦-> 


— > 


^ 


a 


o 


ci 


o 


o 


bjj 


o 


tJ3 


Q 


^ 


o 


rt 


O 


VI 


P 


ft 


\^ 


<; 


Pm 


<\ 


1-5 


m 


73 


134 


105 


2 


66 


104 


183 


14 


69 


88 


221 




40 


62 


54 




24 


36 


54 


44 


59 


15 


90 




63 


81 


104 


1 


35 


86 


95 


102 


87 


65 


181 




30 


21 






















53 


97 


86 




89 


166 


74 


64 


47 


111 


253 


G 


5 


11 


17 




30 


25 


91 


3 


72 


10 






78 


48 


72 




33 


97 


103 


81 


95 


84 


210 


') 


109 


27 


97 




72 


61 


162 


47 


140 


41 


176 




14 


19 


28 




16 


41 


40 


17 


31 


18 


59 




97 


35 


95 




123 


32 


136 


19 


126 


27 


185 




19 


21 


42 


1 


17 


64 














33 


31 


45 
24 




20 
54 


12 
15 


126 
68 


8 










186 


433 


340 


8 


129 


430 


272 


409 


252 


269 


621 


14 


16 


9 


31 






31 


29 


9 


16 


23 


58 




38 




28 


3 


4] 


9 














139 


115 


51 




66 


64 


391 












116 


108 


124 




96 


140 


354 


22 


222 


44 


412 




41 


54 


35 


3 


44 


51 


122 


3 


74 


4 


115 




15 


9 


15 




16 




108 












58 


125 


96 


2 


26 


142 


121 


97 


72 


89 


321 




83 


100 


95 


3 


41 


133 


122 


167 


108 


122 


221 












25 


122 


244 


64 


139 


90 


448 


9 


104 


73 


101 




78 


95 


180 


50 


134 


83 


262 








75 




20 


149 


80 


71 


73 


58 


164 




80 


127 


106 




20 


196 


140 


151 


67 


164 


219 




15 


19 


2 


3 


61 


21 


147 


35 


108 


39 






65 


155 


154 




95 


135 


207 


104 


154 


109 


354 


2 


140 


355 


293 


17 


103 


260 


359 


141 


294 


126 


600 


1 


43 


44 


38 




64 


32 


62 


26 


51 


12 






140 


14 


129 




134 


24 


241 


13 


197 


5 


2C3 





34 



ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. 



[CIIAP. 



Votes for Governor at each election since tlie adoption of 
the Constitution of 1821. 



G. 

7. 

8. 

9. 
10. 
11. 
1-2. 
13. 
14. 
13. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
liO. 
21. 

2',. 
24. 

25. 

20, 

'77 



TOWNS. 



Annsville .... 

Augusta 

Ava 

Boonville.... 
Bridgwater.. 



1824. 1826. 1828. 1830. I 1832. 1834. 1 1836 



Camden 

Decrfleld 

Florence 

Floyd 

Kirkland .... 

Lee 

Marcy 

Marshall 

New Hartford 

Paris 

Remsen 

Rome 

Sangerfield ... 

Steuben 

Trenton 

Utica: 

V(/i-nbn 

Verona 

Vienna 

Western 

Westmoreland 
Wbitestown ... 



76 
196 

120 
113 

54 
149 

45 
154 

193 



287 

47 
277 

91 
116 
117 
150 

52 
178 

80 
310 



116 58 
222 188 

92115 



135 

161 

204 

34 

90 



93 
50 

1.32 
43 

122 



77 160 



704233 
52. 26 



257 

228 



297 
63 



49 103 
250 122 
384i246 



391 

187 

139 
41 

2502301205 
2.55'516i24J 



76 
160 
100 
236 



u 



M 



96 
243 

163 

127 

90 

291 



145 

164 

126 
130 
183 
169 

44 

92 183 
|251 

92 323 



511 

75 

235 

199 

42 

201 

400 

343 

162 

166 

33 

199 

409 



163 
165 
45 
448 
151 
127 
169 
470 
196 
351 
165 
380 
253 
203 



c 

o 



157 
225 

180 
112 
186 
213 
42 
125 
505 
107 



328 
319 
132 
299 
235 
114 
353 
715 
367 
206 
142 

276 
349 



Q 

a 
O 



75150 
208 305 



142 
247 

188 
132 
146 
272 
71 
206 
2151171 
242 14 



29 

167 

167 

147 

49 

77 



140 
188 
205 
77 
354 
196 
115 
229 
50] 
290 
295 232 
1811113 
346 15 
2662.52 
292,247 



117 

264 
261 
74 
192 
173 
130 
212 
323 



263 
il24 
1175 
i23U 
I 99 

i222 
383 
160 
192 
200 
214 
77 
434 
235 
139 
259 
:470 
,289 
358 
265 
387 
281 
342 



o 



py 



129 
248 

217 
174 
194 
145 

60 

9 
284 
113 

97 
219 
.325 
317 
153 
353 
221 
1.52 
323 
689 
.331 
255 
110 

41 
301 
378 



PS 



1 












a 


u 


is 


>- 





05 


02 


<; 




>J 




^ 


c 


^ 


a 


c: 


















\^ 


> 


^ 


>■ 



2 M 






153 
314 

24 
13o 
171 
247 
113 
191 
207 
.335 
168 
222 
191 
219 
79 
49 
236 
152 
265 
472 
309 
364 
252 
373 
243 286 
3151415 



99jl33j 73 
231 236! 101 



I 



172 
159 
223: 

150: 

74! 

821 
323 
135 
1041 
206j 
344' 
297| 
163 1 
295 
222' 
154; 
310 
776 
302 
261 
121 

47 



196113 
134| 66 

L38ll68 
193i 71 
107j 23 
162i 4b 
220121.-. 
286 88 
151 27 
161 104 
163|248 
1461204 
851 71 
46"^ 104 
182|l41 
1371 CO 



212 
461 
254 



216 

50.3 
125 



2.59 149 



233i 
3,57 
21 



32 

8 

ii7r;> 



223 238 



In 1828. Solomon Soutbwick, tlie Anti-Masonic Candidate for Gov-, 
ernor, received 186 votes in the county. In 1824, the votes of Steuben 
were rejected by the County Canvassers, on account of an error in 
the date of returns (1823 instead of the right yoar'^,by a vote of 9to 8. 



"•] 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



OO 



Votes for Governor. &c., contiuued. 



"I §1 S 



I1I59 

4I2I8 

5! 146 

6|161 

7,226 

b|ll3 

9159 

10258 

111317 

12^140 

I3I19O 

141162 

15 237 

16 67 

17 464 

18 236 



19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 



116 
242 
603 
318 
227 
273 
358 



26 240 

27J244 



lllo 
117 

227 

121 

176 

104 

41 

56 

241 

97 

66 

13U 

331 

197 

163 

359 

190 

141 

237 

658 

309 

256 

86 

52 

237 

354 



O 

d 



1911177 
2571204 



460 
154 
173 



189 
229 



333 

15B 
279 



271 16' 



127 
219 
284 
453 
211 
235 
231 
244 

94 
578 
281 
138 
311 

85 
270 
435 
334 



82 
86 
323 
149 
126 
210 
391 
315 
214 
519 
248 
195 
348! 
877 
326 
391 
152 



290 
149 
169 
183 
135 
172 







1261210 
176 233 



268 
120 
165 
102 
47 
56 
264 29(1 
392 136 
157 67 
176139 
2031307 
225:229 
9l|l40l 
5691410 
2681192 



124 
268 



117 

277] 



71776 796 



4751104 
315 305 
322!424!265i359 



254 
415 
339 
373 

280 



264 

351 

99 

57 

268 



336 

164 

210I 

235| 

17!t| 

193| 

266i 

432I 

212; 

221' 

240 

264 

120 

577 

285 

140 

293 

852 

301 

494 

371 

354 

296 

325 



1841 




1 


840. 




1848. 


1 


A 


' 


/■^ 


-'"•'^ 


' 


— '. — 


> 


£ 
173 


is 
> 

< 


J2 


5 




5 
I—' 


a 



5 

< 

72 


23 


194 


152 


143 


175 


173 


52 


169 


166 


152 


177 


102 






34 


94 


15 


71 


72 


305 


16 


145 


255 


96 


231 


206 


131 


22 


129 


103 


120 


130 


39 


209 


59 


135 


190 


56 


183 


251 


142 


54- 


166 


108 


99 


99 


193 


86 


45 


49 


117 


30 


60 


195 


80 


16 


151 


58 


125 


57 


46 


311 


28 


220 


292 


125 


283 


180 


188 


31 


269 


158 


210 


163 


178 


104 


15 


116 


06 


57 


62 


100 


199 


27 


183 


133 


54 


138 


170 


399 


33 


169 


342 


16G 


345 


87 


316 


66 


228 


272 


112 


299 


241 


202 


31 


63 


156 


32 


158 


116 


516 


35 


382 


433 


410 


479 


198 


222 


7 


210 


183 


169 


189 


111 


190 


37 


53 


142 


58 


124 


94 


337 


79 


202 


292 


64 


271 


256 


1034 


109 


530 


1037 


449 


1034 


703 


304 


36 


240 


244 


113 


243 


143 


451 


25 


332 


417 


200 


420 


200 


108 


38 


292 


88 


46 


119 


315 


116 


25 


37 


266 


281 


67 


72 


282 


48 


213 


235 


137 


210 


207 


404 


94 


183 


382 


149 


372 


212 



c 



xn 
o 



245 
221 
98 
349 
152 
292 
256 
298 
191 
276 
368 
174 
167 
237 
272 
132 
677 
271 
141 
27] 
1201 
270 
436 
419 
325 
301 
290 



o 



165 
195 

8S 
324 
115 
249 
101 

86 

71 
268 
222 

73 
194 
340 
385 
196 
560 
178 
141 
344 
1059 
295 
517 
173 
137 
291 
465 



Note— The numbers at the commencement of the lines indicate the to\rn^ as 
numbered on the preceding page. 



36 



ANNALS or ONEIDA COUNTY. 
Population of'Onoida County at various periods. 



TOWNS. 



Annsville 



Augusta • 



Ava 

lioonville - 
Bridgwater - 
Bengal - - 
Camden - - 
Constantia - 
Champion 
Deerfield 
Florence - - 
Floyd - - 
Kirkland - - 
Lowville 
Leyden - - 
Lee - - - 
3Iarcy - - - 
Marshall 
Mexico - - 
New Hartford 
Paris - - - 
Remsen - - 
Home - - - 
lledfield - - 
Richland - - 



Sangerfield - 
Steuben - - 
Scriba - - 
Trenton - - 
Turin - - 
Utica - - - 
Vernon - - • 
Verona - - 
Vienna - - 
Westmoreland 
Western - - 
Whitestown - 
Williarastown 
Watertown - 



ISOO.i 1810. 



1598 



1001 

384 

143 
1048 

767 

3( 
622 



240 

4721 
224 

1497 
107 



552 

624 
440 



1542 
1493 
4212 

119 



22837 



2004 

393 
1170 

454 
1132 

153 

1232 
396 
970 



845 



5418 
489 

2003 
362 
947 

1324 

1105 
328 

1548 



1519 
1014 

1 1 35 

2416 

4912 

562 



1820. 



2771 

1294 
1533 

1772 



2346 

640 

1498 



2186 



1830. 



6707 

912 

3569 



2011 
1461 

2617 

2972 
2707 
2447 
1307 
279 1 
2237 
5219 



1481 
3058 

2746 
1608 

1945 



4182 

964 

1699 

2505 



2514 



1908 



1840. 



1765 
2175 

5519 
1418 

2331 



[chap. 

^850. 

2688 
2271 
1027 
3309 
1308 

2820 



3120 
1259 
1742 
2984 



2936 
1799 
2251 



''819 



3599 o 
2765 2844 



1400 
4360 



1638 
5680 



2272 
2094! 1993 



3221 



8323 
3045 
3739 
1766 
3303 
2419 
4410 



3178 

12782 
3043 
4504 
2530 
3105 
3488 
5156 



2287 
2587 
1419 
3421 



3025 
1857 
2115 

4847 
4283 
2384 
7920 



2371 
1754 

3540 

17556 
3089 
5587 
3436 
3292 
2524 
5820 



33792,50997:7132Gi85300 99543 



II.] ONEIDA COUNTY. 37 

MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY, WITH THE YEAR OF THEIR ELECTION. 

1798. Henry McNiel, David Ostroui, Abel French. 

1799. David Ostrom, John Hall, Nathan Smith. 

1800. David Ostrom, Abel French, Jes.se Curtiss. 

1801. David Ostrom, Joel Bristol, Abel French. 

^802. James Dean, Senior, Abel French, John Lay, 
Aaron Morse. 

1803. David Ostrom, Joseph Kirkland, David Coffecn, 
Abraham Van Eps. 

1804. Greorge Brayton, Joseph Jennings, Joseph Kirkland 
A tie vote between Benjamin Wright and Walter Martin. 

1805. George Brayton, Joseph Jennings, Thomas Hart. ' 

1806. George Brayton, Charles Z. Piatt, Uri Doolittle, 

1807. Benjamin Wright, Henry McNiel, Thomas 11. 
Gold. 

1808. Benjamin Wright, David Ostrom, James Dean. 
Senior, John Storrs, Joel Bristol. 

1809. David Ostrom, John Storrs, John Humaston. 
Samuel Chandler, Levi Carpenter, Jr. 

1810. George Huntington, Henry McNiel, John Storrs. 
Isaac Brayton, George Doolittle. 

1811. George Huntington, Joel Bristol, Erastus Clark, 
Isaac Brayton, John Storrs. 

1812. George Huntington, Josiah Bacon, John Lay. 
Erastus Clark, Nathan Townsend. 

1813. Isaac Brayton, Henry McNiel, Theodore Sill. 
James Lynch, Laurens Hull. 

1814. John Storrs, Theodore Sill, John Lay, James 
Lynch, Rufus Pettibone. 

1815. James Lynch, Richard Sanger, Roderick Morrison, 
Isaac Brayton, Jesse Curtiss. 



38 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciIAr. 

IS 16. licury Huntington, Martin Ilawley, David Ambler, 
Wheeler Barnes, Newton Marsh. 

1817. Henry Huntington, Joseph Kirkland, Nathan Wil- 
liams, George Brayton, Tlienr "Woodruff. 

1818. Ezekiel Bacon, George Huntington, Theor WooJ- 
rufif, Luther Guiteau, Senior, David P. Hoyt. 

1819. George Huntington, Henry McNiel, James Dean, 
Jr., Theophilus S. Morgan, John Storrs. 

1820. George Huntington, Joseph Kirkland, Allen Fraser. 
William Root, Josiah Bacon. 

^1821. George Huntington, CJrccne C. Bronson, Israel 
Stoddard, Samuel Chandler, Peter Pratt. (Jonas Piatt, 
Henry Huntington, Ezekiel Bacon, Nathnn 'Williams, 
Samuel S. Breese, Delegates to Constitutional Convention.) 

1822. Plenry Wager, Thomas H. Hamilton, James Lynch, 
Uri Doolittle, Samuel Wetmore. 

1823. Henry Wager, Jo.scph Allen. Joseph Grant, Apollos 
Cooper, John Ptuger. 

1824. Joseph Kirkland, Israel Stoddard, David Pierson, 
Samuel Woodworth, Broughton White. 

1825. Theodore Sill, Laurens Hull, Aaron Barnes, Israel 
Stoddard, Ilussell Clark. 

1&2G. Theodore Sill, Winthrop IT. Chandler, Benjamin P. 
Johnson, John Billings, John Parker. 

1&27. Thomas E. Clark, Benjamin P. Johnson, Gardiner 
Avery, Ell Savage. Linus Parker. 

1828. Keuben Bacon, Fortune C. White. Benjamin P. 
Johnson, Eli Savage, lleuben Tower. 

1829. Eli Savage, Arnon Comstock, Linus Parker. Itliai 
Thompson, Elisha Pettibone. 

1830. Arnon Comstock, David Moulton, Beuben Bcttis, 
Riley Shepherd, Jolm F. Trowbridge. 

1831. David ^loulton, Daniel Twitcliel, Lemuel Hough, 
Rutgcr B. Miller, Natlianicl Fitoh. 



II.] ONEIDA COUNTV. ^ 39 

1832. Ichabod C. Baker, Squire Utley, David Wager, 
Levi Buckingham, John Dewey. 

1833. Ithai Tliompson, Hiram Shays, Israel S. Parker, 
Aaron Stafford, Pomroy Jones. 

1834. Amos Woodworth, Merit Brooks, Dan P. Cadwell. 
David Wager, Riley Shepherd. 

1835. Henry Graves, Jared C Pettibone, John W. Hale, 
John Stryker, William Knight. 

1836. Andrew S. Pond, Lester N. Fowler, John I. Cook. 
Levi Buckingham. 

1837. Eussell Fuller, Fortune C. White, James S. T. 
Stranahan, Henry Hearsay. 

1838. Ward Hunt, Israel Stoddard, Jesse Armstrong, 
Amasa S. Newberry. 

1839. Charles A. Mann, John F. Trowbridge, Nelson 
Dawley, Anson Knibloe. 

 1840. Nathaniel Odell, Luke Hitchcock, Calvin Dawley, 
Joseph Halleck. 

1841. Horatio Seymoui', Dewitt C. Stephens, Ebenezer 
llobbins, Ichabod C Baker. 

1842. John H. Tower, Amos S. Fassett, David Murray, 
Dan P. Cadwell. 

1843. Horatio Seymour, James Douglass, Richard Empy, 
Justus Childs. 

1844. Horatio Seymour, Andrew Billings, Calvert Corn- 
stock, Merit Brooks. 

1845. Benjamin F. Cooper, Chauncey C. Cook, Daniel G. 
Dorrance, Russell Fuller. 

1846. John Dean, Nathan Burchard, Abel E. Chandler, 
Isaac Curry. (Charles P. Kirkland, Hervey Brayton, Ed- 
ward Huntington, Julius Candee, Delegates to the Constitu- 
tional Convention.) 

1847. Luke Smith, Warren Converse, Bloomficld J. 
Beachj Henry Wager. 



40 



ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. 



[CIIAP. 



1848. Oliver Prcscott, Nchcmiali N. Pierce, James M. 
Elwood, Chauncey Stevens. 

1849. William J. Bacou, rtali)h Mcintosh, Robert Frazier, 
Luther Leland. 

1850. Joseph Benedict, Lorenzo House, Lewis Rider, 
George Bray ton. 

Michael Myers was the Member of Assembly from Her- 
kimer County in 1792-3, and Jedediah Sanger in the years 
1794-5, and in 1796-7 no one was returned. 



SHERIFFS AND COUNTY CLERKS, 

Witli the years of Uwh- first appointment, or commencement of tcim 
of office under an election. Under tlie Con.stitution of 1777 Sheriflk 
^vcre appointed annually, and under that of 1821 they were elected 
for three years. Clerks held their office three years. 



sheriffs: — 

1798. William Colhrath. 

1799. Elizur Moscley. 

1800. Charles C. Brodhead. 
1804. James S. Kip. 

1807. Benajah IMcrrill. 

1808. James S. Kip. 

1810. Benajah IMerrill. 

1811. James S. Kip. 
1815. Apollos Cooper. 

1819. John B. Pease. 
1821. John E. Hinman. 

1823. John E. ITiiiman (elected). 

1820. David Pierson 
1829. John E. llinjnan. 
18o2. Samuel M. Mott. 
18;0.j. Erastus Willard. 
1838. Lvnian Cnrtiss. 

1841. David Monlton 

1842, Dec. 24. Theodore S. Fax- 

ton, app'd bv Gov. Seward. 

1843, Jan. ] 3. Israel S. Parker, 
u])pointed bv Gov. Bouek. 

1844. Palmer V. Kellogg. 
1847. Lester Barker. 
1800. John R. Jones. 



clerks: — 

1798. Jonas Piatt. 

1799. Francis A. Bloodgood. 

1802. Abram Camp. 

1803. Francis A. Bloodgood (who 

held tlie office ten years). 
1813. Abram Camp. 



1815. Francis A. Bloodgood 

(again clerk for 6 years). 

1821. Eliasaph Dorchester. 
1823. Do. do. (elected) 

182(5. John H. Ostrom. 

1829. John H. Ostrom. 

1832. Geor-e Brown. 

1&35. John^D. Leland. 

1838. James Dean. 

1841. P. Sheldon Root. 



1844, Dclos De Wolf. 
1847. Patriek Mahon. 
1850. Alexander Rae. 



II.] 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



41 



William Colbrath was Sheriff of Herkimer County from 
its organization until Oneida County was organized, in 1798. 
Jonas Piatt was Clerk of Herkimer County from its organ- 
ization until the organization of Oneida County, when he 
was appointed Clerk of the latter. Mr. Piatt resided in 
Wliitestown, and this will doubtless account for a fact of 
considerable interest, and not very generally known ; i. c, 
that the Records of Deeds and Mortgages recorded in 
Herkimer County, from its organization (1791) to the organ- 
ization of Oneid:; County (1798), are in the Clerk's office of 
Oneida County, at Utica. These records fill eight large 
volumes, and are evidence of conveyances and incumbrances 
affecting lands in the present Counties of Herkimer, Oneida, 
Madison, Onondaga, etc., including sales of " soldiers' rights" 
in the Military Tract, conveyances and powers of attorney 
from original patentees and their representatives, from In- 
dians, etc. It was a fortunate circumstance that they 
were retained in this county, otherwise they would have 
been destroyed when the Clerk's Office of Herkimer County 
was burned in 1804. 



BISTRICT ATTORNEYS AYD SURROGATES, 

With the year of their first appointment, or of commencement of 

term of office by election. 



DISTRICT ATTORNEYS: 

1798. Thomas R. Gold. 

1801. Nathan AVilliams. 

1813. Josei>h Kirkland. 

1816. Thomas H. Hubl)ard. 

1818. Nathan Williams. 

1821. Samuel Beardslev. 

1826. Hiram Denio. 

18.S4. Icliabod C . Baker. 

1841. Timothy Jenkins. 
184.5. • Calvert Comstock. 

1850. Roscoe ConkHng, appt'd by 
Governor. 

1851. Sarauel.B. Garvin. 



surrogates: —  

1798. Arthur Breese. 

1808. Joslma Hathawav. 

1813. Erastus Clark. 

1815. Joshua Hatliaway. 

1819. Greene C. Bronson. 

1821. Joshua Hathaway. 

1827. Henry A. Foster. 

1831. Alanson Bennett. 

1835. Henrv A. Foster. 

1837. Jolm"Stryker. 

1847. Othniel S. Williams. 



1'^ ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 



CAPITAL TraALS AND CONVICTIONS. 

Oneida Oyer and Terminer, Leld at the School House 
near Fort Stanwix, on the 5tli day of June, 1798. Present 
— Hon. James Kent, Judge of the Su2)reme Court; Geo. 
Huntington, Judge of Oneida County ; Thomas Cassety 
and Elizur Moseley, Assistant Justices. 



The People 
vs. 
Sylvia Wood, alias C Thos. 11. Gold, Esq., Assistant 
Sylvia Brown. J Attorney General. 



> 



The prisoner had been indicted at the May term of the 
Oneida General Sessions, 1798. The charge was, that the 
prisoner had, on the 29th of April, 1798, murdered her hus- 
band. Major Wood, in the town of Augusta, by shooting him 
with a gun charged with shot. 

The husband died the next day ; but previous to his dcatli, 
liis deposition, with those of the wife and Letty Forbes, was 
taken by Thomas Cassety, Esq., a Justice of the Peace, by 
wliich it appears that the wife was intoxicated, (she and her 
husband having attended an election on that day.) and while 
her husband was attempting to restrain her, she seized a gun 
and inflicted the fatal wound. Samuel Dill, Moses B. El- 
ilridgc, Silas Perkins, llcuben Reynolds, Job Babcock, 
Jeremiah Stevens, Walter Hyde, John Wright, Wm. Jaff, 
Philo Hizer, Rowland Potter, and Nahum Morse, were em- 
panelled as jury for the prisoner's trial. Thomas Cassety, 
Joseph Letty, Polly Forbes, and Timothy Pond, were 
%vitne8sc.^ for the people; and William Stutoly and Ichabod 
Stafibrd for the prisoner. The jury found the pri.soner 
guilty, and she was sentenced to be hung on the 29th of 
June (inst.), between 10 A. M. and 2 P. M., and tliat her 



ir.] ONEIDA COUNTY. 43 

body be delivered to Dr. Amos (I. Hull for dissection. 
Upon the morning of the day appointed for her execution, 
she was found dead in her cell in Herkimer jail, having 
hanged herself with the expectation that she could thus evade 
the whole of the sentence. In this, however, she was mis- 
taken, for science had its suf/jcct. 

Oneida Oyer and Terminer, at the School House near 
Fort Stanwix, on the 16th of June, 1801. Present — Hon. 
James Kent, Judge of the Supreme Court ; Hon. Jedediah 
Sanger and David Ostrom, County Judges ; and Amos 
Wetmere and Peter Colt, Esqrs., Assistant Justices. 

The People ^ 
- vs. > Thos. E.. Gold, Esq., Assistant 

George Peters. ) Attorney General. 

The prisoner was a Montauk Indian, born at Montauk 
Point, Long Island. The remnant of his nation, with rem- 
nants of several other coast tribes of Indians, had formed a 
new tribe, significantly called the Brothertons, with which 
the prisoner resided. He was charged with killing his wife. 
Eunice Peters, at Rome, on the 24th day of February, 1800. 
An inquest was held by Coroner Bill Smith over the body 
of deceased, and the verdict was, that prisoner had nmrdered 
her by striking her upon the head with a club, or wooden 
poker. The following persons composed the jury upon his 
trial, viz.: — Lot Fuller, Grove Hulbert, Jotham Gaylord, 
Menry Crane, Loomis Kellogg, Ebenezer Markham, Peter 
Eastman, Nathaniel Montague, Nathan Hemingway, Truman 
Blackman, Abel Wilcox, and Joseph Phelps, who rendered 
a verdict of guilty. Peters was sentenced to be hung on the 
•28th day of August, 1801, and he was accordingly executed, 
under the direction of Sheriff Brodhead, upon the hill west 
of the villnge of Whitesboro. 



44 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciIAP. 

The Court made an order in this cause, directing seven 
dolhnrs aud fifty cents to be paid to Solomon Rich for 
'• victualling Indian witnesses." 

Oneida Oyer and Terminer, held at the Court House in 
Home, June 12th, 1817. Present — Hon. Smith Thompson, 
Judge of the Supreme Court; and Morris S. Miller, James 
S. Kip, and Joshua Hathaway, County Judges. 

The People J 

vs. \ Thomas H. HuLLard, Esq., District 

John Tulii. ) Attorney. 

The indictment was found after a Coroner's Inquest had 
been held. The indictment charged that the prisoner mur- 
dered Joseph Tuhi on the 1st of May, 1817, in the town of 
Paris, by inflicting a deep wound upon his head with an axe. 
The two Tuhis were cousins, and had been to Clinton 
attending a militia muster, where, becoming intoxicated, 
they quarrelled about a small sum borrowed by one from 
the other, and John formed the design of killing Joseph. 
They belonged to the Brothcrton tribe of Indians. Upon 
the trial the prisoner was convicted, and was sentenced to be 
hung on the 25th day of July then next, between 10 A. M. 
and 2 P. M. He was accordingly executed at the time 
appointed, by Apollos Cooper, Esq., then Sheriff, assisted 
by John B. Pease, Under Sheriff, upon that part of the city 
of Utica now known as Corn Hill. 

Oneida Oyer and Terminer, held at Whitcstown, Decem- 
ber 19th and 20th. 1817. Present— Hon. Jonas Piatt, 
Judge of the Supreme Court ; and 31. S. Miller, Joseph 
Jenning.s, Solomon Wolcott, and J. S. Kip, County Judges. 



11.] ONEIDA COUNTY. 45 

The People, 1 

I T. 11. 



vs. 1 T. 11. Hubbard and N. Wil- 

Jolin Harris, John Denny, ^ Hams for People. 

James O'Brien, David Linus, 
and Roswell T. Pratt. 



Messrs. Grold & White for 
prisoners. 

The prisonei'S Avere indicted at the same term in which 
they were tried, and were charged with having, on the 19th 
of August, 1817, set lire to the jail in Rome, by which 
means one Elisha Green was suffocated to death. The prison- 
ers (as well as Green) were at the time confined in jail for 
different offences, and in that way attempted to escape, but 
before they could effect their purpose they were compelled 
to cry for help, and when extricated were all nearly dead. 
Green took no part in setting fire to the building, and no 
intention to kill him was shown. The jury found the 
prisoners guilty of murder, and they were sentenced to be 
executed on the second Friday in February, 1818. The 
gallows was erected, cofiirLS prepared, and a large concourse 
had collected to witness the execution ; but on the previous 
evening a reprieve had arrived from the Governor, changing 
their punishment to imprisonment for life. Harris, Linus, 
and O'Brien were in jail under a sentence to the State's 
Prison for three years, for grand larceny, Denny under an 
indictment for an assault with intent, etc., and Pratt under 
an indictment for passing counterfeit money. Denny and 
Linus were Oneida Indians. 

Oneida Oyer and Terminer, held at the Academy in 
Utica, Oct. 7, 1824. Present— Hon. Samuel R. Betts, 
Circuit Judge ; Joseph Grant and Samuel Jones, County 
Judges. 

The People 

vs. ^ Samuel Beardsley, District Attorney. 

Irad Morse. 



46 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP, 

The prisoner was indicted at the previous May term of 
the General Sessions, for the murder of David Freeman, in 
the town of Rome, on the 9th of jMay, 1824, by shooting 
liim with a gun charged with shot. Freeman lived two days 
after being shot. 

Deceased was a lad about seventeen years of age, and the 
two were hunting on Sunday, one carrying the gun and the 
other a bottle of whiskey, when a drunken quarrel arose, 
and Morse seized the gun, and going off a short distance, 
turned and fired, lodging the charge in the lungs of the boy. 
The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to 
be hung on the 3d day of December then next. His punish- 
ment was, however, changed to imprisonment in the State's 
Prison for life, and it is understood that he died soon after 
at Auburn. 

Oneida Oyer and Terminer, held at the Academy in 
Utica, on the 11th of October, 1830. Present— Hon. Philo 
Gridley, Circuit Judge ; Nathan Kimball and Pomroy Jones, 
County Judges. 

The People ^ 

vs. > Ichabod C. Baker, District 

Kobert M Her. ) Attorney. 

The prisoner was indicted at the preceding June Sessions, 
for having murdered Barney Lcddy, at the city of Utica. oa 
the 29th day of April, 1839. Miller resided near Water 
street, in Utica, and deceased was proved to have been at hia 
house on the evening of the murder, both being intoxicated, 
and having sent out for whiskey. The next morning Leddy 
was found, stripped of his clothing, insensible, and nearly 
motionless, lying upon the ground some thirty rods from ^^lil- 
ler's house, he having received a violent blow upon his head, 



II.] ONEIDA COUNT V. 47 

apparently given -n'ith a club. Upon search being made, a 
part of Lcddy's clothes were found buried under mud and 
water in the cellar of Miller's house, and the cinders and 
ashes of other articles in the fire-place, and bloody stains 
upon the floor. These facts taken together, unexplained, 
warranted the jury in finding the prisoner guilty of murder. 
He was sentenced to be executed on the second day of De- 
cember then next. He was however respited by the Grov- 
ernor for a few days, when he was hung, in the jail at Whites- 
town, under the direction of Sherifi' Cuvtiss. 

Oneida Circuit Court, held at the Academy in Utica, 
from the 4th to the 12th of October, 1841. Present— Hon. 
Philo Gridley, Circuit Judge. 

The People J 

vs. > Hon. Willis Hall, Attorney 

Alexander McLeod. ) (J-eneral. 

J. L. Wood, District Attorney, Niagara County, and T. 
Jenkins. District Attorney, Oneida County, for the People. 
Messrs. G-ardner and Bradley, Attorneys, and Hon. Joshua 
A. Spencer, Counsel for prisoner. 

Tlie prisoner was indicted at the February term of the 
Niagara County General Sessions, in the year 1841, for 
having, on the 30th day of December, 1837, crossed the 
Niagara River and burned the steamboat Caroline, then 
lying at the wharf at Schlosser, in the town and County of 
Niagara, in the State of New York, and at the same time 
murdering Amos Durfec. The facts of this case, as con- 
nected with the rebellion and disturbances in Canada in the 
year 1837, have become a pai"t of the history of the country, 
and need not be repeated here. The venue in this cause 
had been changed from Niagara to Oneida by an order of 
the Supreme Court. Thirty-three witnesses were sworn on 



■18 , ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP. 

tlio part df the People, and fourteen for the defense, besides 
a larire number residinjr in Canada sworn before commission- 
ers, whose depositions were read upon the trial. The follow- 
ing' persons composed the Jury, viz. : — Charles 0. Curtis, 
Kdniund Allen, John Mott, Elijah Brush, Ira Byington, 
"William Carpenter, Isaiah Thurber, Peter Sleight, Asher 
-Vllen, Seymour Carrier, Ezeck Allen, and Volney Elliott. 
Verdict — Not guilty. 

Such was the anxiety on the part of the public to be 
present at the trial (numbers having come a great distance 
for that purpose), that the Sheriff had summoned a large 
force of constables and deputies for the purpose of preserving 
order, and by directions of the Judge the following order 
of entering and leaving the Court House was established, 
viz.: — 1. The Court. 2. Members of the bar and reporters. 
3. Prisoner, in charge of constables. 4. Jury. 5. Wit- 
nesses. C. Citizens, until seats were filled, when the doors 
were to be closed. 7. Persons having business in Court, 
admitted upon special application to the Sheriff. 

Oneida Oyer and Terminer, held at the Academy in 
TJtica, September 16, 1847. Present — Hon. Philo Gridley, 
Justice of the Supreme Court; P. Sheldon Root, County 
Judjje ; Julius C Thorn and Caleb Steves, Justices of the 
Sessions. 

The People ^ Calvert Comstock, District Attorney. 
vs. [• J. A. Spencer and F. Keruan for 

Mary Runkle. ) prisoner. 

The prisoner was indicted in the Recorder's Court of 
Utica, at the August term, 1847, and was charged with 
having murdered her husband, John Runkle. in the city of 
Utica, on the 'xOth of August instant. 



II.] ONEIDA COUNTY. 4J) 

The prisoner had seized deceased by the throat while he 
was asleep, in the middle of the night, with no light in tlie 
room, and with such a fiend-like grasp as to nearly sever his 
wind-pipe, and to cause immediate death. She was of a 
slight form, but, contrary to appearances, was proven tij 
have possessed great muscular power. Common rumor had 
charged her — but with how much justice it is impossible to 
•decide — with having destroyed two of her infant children by 
drowning them together in a wash-tub, — with murdering and 
robbing a pedlar, — with poisoning a son, who had arrived at 
manhood, and to whom she and her husband had conveyed 
some property to prevent its being taken by creditors, — 
-and with many less heinous offenses. These are now, how- 
ever, beyond the reach of human investigation and legal 
tribunals. After committing the crime, and having washed 
the body of deceased, put clean linen upon the body, and 
hidden that which was soiled with blood, and washed the 
blood from the floor, in the night in question, she called in 
t^everal of her neighbors, stating that her husband had died 
in a fit ! While the deed was being perpetrated, the unna- 
tural monster, upon the pretext that her husband had been 
seized with a fit. called their daughter, about thirteen years 
of age, to her aid, directing her to hold his limbs in such a 
manner that he could make little or no resistance. 

After a patient investigation, the jury found the prisoner 
guilty of murder, and she was sentenced to be hung on the 
9th of November, 1847, between 10 A. M. and 2 P. M. She 
was accordingly executed, within the jail at Whitesboro, 
tinder the direction of Sherifi" Barker, having made no 
revelations as to the crime for which she was convicted, nor 
relating to her previous life. 

Other trials for 'muider have taken place in this county, 

4 



50 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTV. [CIIAP. 

but they have resulted in verdicts of acquittal, or in convic- 
tions for the different grades of manslaughter, punishable by 
imprisonment in the State's Prison. 



COrNTY 0RGANIX.VTX0N5. 

The Oneida Baptist Association was organized September 
27th, 1820. The churches of this denomination within the 
county had, for a few of the first years of the present cen- 
tury, belonged to the Otsego Association, and subsequently 
for a few years previous to tlic formation of this Association, 
to the Madison Association 

It is somewhat difficult at the present time, from the 
annual minutes of this body, to give the increase of the 
denomination in the county, as at its formation quite a num- 
ber of churches from Madison Count}' organized with it , 
still it can be approached with tolerable accuracy. 

In 1823, there were fifteen churches in the county, (beside 
Boonvillc. which ha« ever belonsed to the Black River 
Association.) seven ordained ministers, and 1074 members. 
On the same territory in 1850, there were twenty -six 
churches, twenty-seven ordained ministers, (two of whom 
arc missionaries in the East Indies.) and 2,529 members. 

This body has no ecclesiastical powers whatever It is 
only advisory. 

The Presbytery of O/ieida was organized by an act of the 
General Assembly of the Prc.'*bytcrian Church in the United 
States, at their meeting in the month of May, 1802. Its 
territorial limits included all of the State west of the ctisi 
lines of Ilerkimtr and Otsego Counties. Its original mem- 
bcES were Rev. Messrs. Jedediah Chapman. John Lindslej, 



U.] ONEIDA COUNTY. 51 

Bctliuel Dodd, Samuel V. Suowdon, Isaac Lewis, and 
Peter Fish. The cliurelies which were connected with it 
soon after its organization were, in Oneida County, those 
of Whitesboro, Utica, Now Hartford, and Trenton; in Ot- 
sego County, those of Cooperstown, Cherry Valley, and 
Springfield ; in Herkimer County, that of Little Falls ; in 
Cayuga County, those of Washinglon, Romulus, Ovid, and 
Ulysses ; in Steuben County, that of Bath ; in Tioga, that 
at Painted Post ; in Ontario County, those of Geneva, Pal- 
myra, Lyons, Sodus, and Caledonia. Many of these coun- 
ties have had their lines bo altered by divisions, that these 
churches do not now belong to the counties they then did. 
Subsequently, the limits of the Oneida Presbytery nar- 
rowed down by the formation of other Presbyteries, so that 
it was confined principally to Oneida and Herkimer Coun- 
ties. The first meeting was held at Whitesboro, September 
7th, 1802. 

In January, 1843, it consisted of thirty-one ministers, 
and about thirty-five churche.^. At that time it was divided 
by the Synod of Utica, the new body taking the name of 
the Presbytery of Utica. In consequence of some dissatis- 
faction, the two bodies were merged in the Presbytery of 
Utica at th& next meeting of the Synod. The Presbytery of 
Utica, at the present time, consists of thirty-six ministers, 
and about thirty churches. 

The Synod of Utica was organized at Utica, September 
15th, 1829, by order of the General Assembly of the Pres- 
byterian Church. When organized, it was composed of the 
Presbyteries of Ogdensburg, Watertown, Oswego, Oneida, 
and Otsego. At this tune it consists of the Watertown, 
Oswego, St. Lawrence, Utica, and Otsego Presbyteries. Its 
territory comprises the Counties of Herkimer, Otsego, 
Oneida, Lewis, O.swego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence. 



52 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COL'NTV. [CIIAP. 

In the summer of 1850, tlic " Old School" branch of the 
flonominatiou organized a new body, by the name of the 
Presbytery of 3Iohawk. It is annexed to tbc Old School 
(Jcncral- Asssenibly of the United States. 

The Episcopal Methodists have an Oneida Conference ; 
but it does not seem to be a county organization, for it com- 
prises much territory out of the county, while the Black 
River Conference embraces nearly or quite the northern half 
of Oneida. 

The Oneida County Tonpcraiicc Socict?/, organized some 
years since, has performed well its part. It holds its annual 
meetings in the winter, and latterly it has had semi-annual 
meetings. 

Oneida Coiuity Agriadtural Society. — This Society 
holds a prominent place among the public institutions of the 
county. It was organized in lvS41, and the first annual 
exhibition held in the autumn of that year, since which it 
has progressed steadily in usefulness and importance, until 
it now ranks among the best institutions of the kind in the 
Union. 

Ten exhibitions have been held under the direction of 
this Society in as many successive years, each one of which 
has exceeded its predecessor in the amount of receipts, and 
the number of farmers and otiiers in attendance. The 
premiums, which were at first confined chiefly to farm stock 
and products, have been extended so as to embrace most 
articles of household and domestic manufiicture, and a large 
number of mechanical articles. Its funds for membershij) 
have steadily increased, and have for a few years past been 
augmented by making a small charge for admission to the 
show of domcsti« and fancy articles, until they amounted — 



II.] ONEIDA COUNTY. 5o 

including the State appropriation of $255 — in 1849 to 
about $1,000. In 1850 a new plan was adopted, the entire 
grounds (ten acres) for the exhibition enclosed with a high 
fence, at the expense of the citizens of Home, and a charge 
for admission made to all who were not members of the 
Society. This arrangement brought into the Treasury about 
8 1,500, a balance of some $500 above expenses for the same 
year. The Society has now a balance in the treasury amount- 
ing to near $1,000. 

Many of the farmers and other citizens of the county have 
taken a deep interest in the success and management of this 
Society. In this brief notice it is impossible to do more 
than present the names of the Presidents for each year, and 
a complete list of the officers elected for the year 1851. 

. President in 1841-2 — Pomroy Jones. 

'• 1843-4— Benj. P. Johnson. 

'• 1845 — Elon Comstock. 

" 1846 — Dolphus Skinner. 

" 1847-8— Ira S. Hitchcock. * 

" 1849— Henry Ilhodes. 

" 1850— Benj. N. Huntington. 

" 1851— Pliment Mattoou. 

Vice Presidents — Franklin A. Spencer, Ephraim Storrs. 
Executive Committee — Calvin Bishop, John Butterfield. 
Jonathan Talcott, Horace Dunbar, Henry Ilhodes, Amasa 
S. Newberry, Oliver II. Babcock, Horace H. Eastman, 
Henry B. Bartlett, Horatio N. Carey. 
Treasurer — Iloland S. Doty. 
Secretary — Levi T. Marshall. 

The exhibitions of the Society have never been held two 
successive years in the same town, the opinion having pre- 
vailed that greater good could be accomplished by holding 
them in different parts of the county in alternate years. So 
large has been the attendance in the last two years, that it 
seems almost indispensable now to confine the show to a few 
of the larger towns, where only the great numbers who 



54 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cilAP. 

attend can procure accomodations. Judging from the im- 
provements already visible in the agriculture of the county, 
and the present flourishing condition of the society, it seems 
safe to predict for it a long and useful career. 

Political. — The two great and earliest political parties in 
the United States had formed before the organization of 
(.)neida County. The Democratic, with Jefferson at itn 
head, and the Federal, with Hamilton as its leader. After 
the formation of the county in 1798, it was found to contain 
a Federal majority. Subsequent to the organization of St. 
Lawrence County in 1802, the Democratic party for two or 
three years was in the ascendant. In 1S05 the Counties of 
Jefferson and Lewis were taken from Oneida, which left it 
"with a Federal inajority of from twelve to fifteen hundred. 
This was a powerful majority, when it is recollected that at 
the time scarcely one half of the citizens were voters, as the 
old Constitution of the State contained that most aristocratic 
and odious provision, requiring a freehold qualification of 
§250 to entitle the citizen to the privilege of the elective 
franchise. In the war of 1812 the Federal party took strong 
ground, not only against the administration of Mr. 3IadisoD, 
[)ut some of its movcHicnts were so anti-national, that they 
bordered on treason. In 1814 the Hartford Convention, 
composed of delegates from the New England States, held 
its secret session. At the time it was strongly suspected of 
liatching treason against the United States, and of giving aid 
and comfort to the enemy. The peace of 1315. however, 
entirely deprived the opposition of power for evil, if evil 
was actually intended. The party contrived to keep up its 
organization for three or four years, when it was found that 
the Hartford Convention was a mill-stone, sinking it too low 
for any reasonable hope of a resurrection. In 1819 was 



I!.] ONEID^^ COUNTY. 



oo 



witnessed the disbanding of the Federal party, and the 
amalgamation of a large propoi'tion of it with the Cliuton- 
ians, a section that had seceded from the Democratic party. 
For a short season the Clintonians had the ascendancy in 
the county, and in the county, as in the State, although 3Ir. 
Clinton by reason of his personal popularity usually obtained 
a majority, yet the Democrats succeeded in the Legislature. 
In 1821 a Convention was called to amend the State Consti- 
tution. In this body the Cliutonians in this county were 
represented by three delegates, and the Democrats by two. 
The Convention was decidedly Democratic, and the amended 
(Jonstitution which emanated from it, did away with the 
Council of Appointment, and the property qualification for 
suffrage, the two most obnoxious provisions of the old Con- 
stitution. Mr. Clinton's death took place soon after the 
commencement of the xVnti-Masonie ezcitement, and the 
formation of that part3^ Strong men joined the Anti- 
Masonic party iu the county ; yet Oneida never became so 
far " infected" as to once give a majority to that party. In 
1834 the Anti-Masonic party disbanded, and the present 
Whig party raised on its ruins. The Democratic party 
maintained its position in the majority until within a few 
years, when, weakened by divisions, the Whig party has 
cbtained the ascendancy in the county, State, and Nation. 
The spring of 1851 has witnessed another political somerset 
in the count}'", the Supervisors elected standing eighteen 
Democrats to twelve Whigs. 

At the close of this political notice of the county, it may 
not be entirely uninteresting to tlie reader to have a short 
account of a political celebration of the " olden time," al- 
though in the numbers who participated, it fell far short of 
modern political gatherings at the raisin^ of lo^ cabins, 
hickory poles, jetc. 



50 AN.VAI.S OP ONEIDA COUXTV. [clIAr. 

lu Sqitcnibcr, 1801, the Democratic party having suc- 
ceeded in electing Mr. Jefferson to tlie Presidonc}' of the 
Union, and Ccorge Clinton to the giihernatorial chair of 
New York, tlie few of that party in Oneida County — 
barely tsufficiont to form a corporal's guard — determined ti> 
celebrate their victories by a public dinner. The day and 
place were appointed, of which public notice was given. The 
place was White's Tavern, in "Wliitesboro, then kept by the 
widow of Daniel C. White. For days the busy hum of 
preparation was heard. Pigs squeaked their final gasp, and 
gobblers strutted their last brief hour, to grace the ponderous 
table. A cannon, that for many a long year had graced the 
parapets of Fort Stanwix, and pourod forth its booming 
thunder on St. Leger's beleaguering forces, was carted, the 
day preceding the dinner, through the intervening fens and 
morasses, to belch forth its joyous roar to each successive 
toast. The da}- arrived. It was most propitious. No 
skulking clouds obstructed sol's morning ra3'S. Early the 
guests by twos and threes hurried their way to tlic banquet. 
Dut on their arrival vrhat consternation ! '• The cannon is- 
stolen," resounded from every mouth. Nought disheartened, 
another gun must be i:)rocured. It could be done in time, if 
man nor beast were spared. John B. Pease, trusty and 
true, was soon dispatched to relieve Fort Stanwix of anotliev 
portion of its artiller}'. John Gilpin's famous ride, com- 
pared with his, was tame. Howe'er, a new disaster overtook 
him. When the return journey was but half performed, the 
vehicle gave out ! But the good Dutch Colonel, who lived 
where Oriskany's waters mingle with tlie J^Iohawk, kindly 
supplied another, and soon the smoking steeds stood panting 
at our hostess' door, and joyous cheers .announce tlic quick 
arrival. Anon the guest.s, fourteen all told, are doing amplo 
ju'^tice to the good things the lone hostess had prepared, and 
soon, like all things else, the feast is at an end. 



II.] ONEIDA COUNTY. 57 

TIic cloth removed, the sparkling, mockiug wine appears. 
The first of thirteen toasts is then announced. No cannon's 
roar responded. The gun is spiked ; or, to use the lines of 
the Federal bard for the occasion: 

"A rat-tail file fell from the skies, 
And spiked the gun before their eyes." 

These Democrats were still in courage. A sturdy son of 
^'^ulcan, residing in the same village, with sleeve uprolled, 
brawny arm, and ponderous sledge, cleared out tlie obstructed 
vent, and in due time nineteen discharges, told all within the 
sound, that thirteen re2;ulars and half twelve volunteers had 
been drank. The ceremonies over, adieus exchanged, and 
ere the sun had sunk to rest beyond '■ Ontario's waters," all. 
all, had left for distant homes. 

The half is not told. Time sped its way, as all time does, 
and the printed weekly messenger, " The Whitestown Gazette 
and Cato's Patrol," was scattered wide, by post, among the 
people. It was a small sheet, perhaps a little more than 
seven by nine. Weekly news and advertisements, com- 
pressed to smallest space, it had ; but the " Poet's corner " 
was filled to overflowing. 'Twas all about the Democratic 
celebration. Low and blackguardly in language, its only 
merit was its rhyme. It thus began ; 

'• From Simond.s down to Doctor Shaw, 
One great in phj'sic, one in law." 

'Twas said to have been the production of one who had 
spent long years in classic halls. Each of the fourteen 
Democrats came in by turns for a large share of personal 
abuse, if abuse it could be called. Capt. Isaac Jones re- 
ceived his full proportion, was termed " A would-be Justice 
living on the Genesee road." The sheet was read and laid 



;">8 ANNALS OF ONP:iDA COUNTY. [cilAP. 

aside. Another week rolled round, and then another •• Ga- 
zette" came to its patrons. Canto II '-of the same sort" 
came with it. 'Twas like it.s predecessor, only its low slang 
.sought to be more abusive. A specimen is giA'cn. Doct. 
.Shaw's optics were of the largest, lightest kind. In speaking 
of the Doctor, the poet says : 

' " With eyes like ncw-pcelcd onious."' 

] n tliose early days readers were so sparse, that one paper 
had to sufl&ce for the whole count}-. Not then as now. Now, 
one party ha.^ it.« Observer^ Democrat^ and Sentinel; the 
other its Herald, Whi,:!, and Cilizeii : and temperance men 
their Teetotaller, besides religious. Then one paper had to 
cater for all its readers, and small patronage at that. There- 
fore, he that was termed " the would-be Justice," in the sam^e 
pape.'- that contained the second " Canto," was heard, — 'twas 
all in prose, except one half the motto. It thus began : '"For 
as the crackllno; of thorns under a -not. so is the lauL'hter of 



a fool' 



'•What sorry poems, w)iat a wretched chime, 
Do sucli more poltroons jiiigle into rhyme." 

It was >;hort, cmustio, and severe. Opponents freely ad- 
mitted that the Captain took the advantage. The article 
thus concluded : — ■' You say I am a would-be Justice. God 
knows I want no office, but I ai i proud, infinitely proud, of 
being with a majority of three millions of freemen ; and let 
me say to you, that your production is as heartily despised 
l)y the candid of your own party as by mine." And so it 
was. Federalists were heard to say, '• that the actors should 
hftve been ashamed to have interfered in the least, and ob- 
structed the celebration. That if the Democrats wished to 
meet and partake of a public dinner, they had a perfect 
right to do so : that v/e had fought for liberty, and our 



II.] ONEIDA COUNTY, 59 

citizens had the right, if they in no way disturbed the peace, 
to enjoy it." 

In conclusion, the little petty persecutions at Whitesboro, 
no doubt made scores of Democrats in the county. 

The foregoing is entirely from recollection. It is believed 
no copy of the papers are left in the county. 

The names of the fourteen individuals v>'ho participated 
in the celebration, were, — John B. Pease, Esq., and Hon. 
Rufus Easton, of Rome ; Maj. John Bellinger, Col. Nicholas 
Smith, Hon. Francis A. Bloodgood, James S. Kip, and 
Martin Dakin, Esquires, of TJtica ; Capt. Isaac Jones, Capt. 
Samuel Collins, and Hon. Truman Enos, of Westmoreland ; 
John H. Todd, Esq., of Verona ; and Alexander Enos, Esq., 
Doct. Jonathan Shaw, and Shadrach Smith, of Whitestown. 
The last-named was the blacksmith v/ho cleared the spiking 
from the gun. Joseph Simonds, Esq., of Clinton, an Attor- 
ney at that place, was to have been present and delivered an 
address, but was prevented by sickness. 



Coxe's Patent. — This is considered a,n appropriate place 
to notice this extensive Patent, extending across a portion of 
Rome, and quite across Westmoreland, Kirkland, and Paris, 
to the north line of Bridgwater. It was bounded on the 
west by the line of property, and extends the whole length 
of it. By the survey of this Patent, the line of property is 
twenty-two miles and sixty-four chains in length. The 
Patent is bounded on the south by Bridgwater, on the east 
by Cosby's Manor, Bayar's, Morris', and Oriskany Patents, 
and north by Wood Creek. It contained 47,000 acres, and 
was a part of 100,000 acres granted by George III to 
William Coxe, Rebecca Coxe, John Tabor Kempe, and 
Orace his wife, descendants of Daniel Coxe. doctor of physic, 
on condition that said descendants execute a grant, release, 



C)0 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cllAP.' 

and surrender to the crown of all their right and tike, (»r 
pretended right and tike, to the Province of Carolana and 
Islands, as described in a certain original Patent to Sir 
Kobcrt Iloath. The Patent also prescribes that the said 
(irace Kempc certify her consent and acceptance, by such 
separate examination as, according to the laws of New York, 
will bind the inheritance of married women. It was granted 
without quit-rents for ten years. It was also made with the 
following reservation : — " Except and always reserved all 
mines of gold and silver, also all white or other sorts of pine 
trees, twenty-four inches in diameter twelve inches from the 
ground, fit for inasts for the royal navy. 

'• Said tract to form two townships : that lying north-west 
of the Oriskany Creek to be Coxeborough, that to the south- 
cast of said creek to be Carolana. Each of said townships 
to liave tvro Assessors, one Treasurer, two Overseers of 
Highways, two Overseers of Poor, one Collector, and four 
Constables, to be elected on the first Tuesday of May in 
each year, by a majority of the freeholders. 

'■Signed by CadwalLader Colden, at our Fort, in the City 
of New York, on the 30th day of Mav, A. D. 1770." 



jll.] AN'XSVILLK. 61 



CHAPTEll III, 



ANNSVILLE. 



Geology. — The geology of tins town presents features 
peculiarly interesting, perhaps as much so as in any town 
in the county. The indications are quite distinct, that por- 
tions of this town were at some former period covered with 
the waters of three small lakes. 

The first, or lower one, was situated in the south-east 
corner of the town, and covered all that portion known as the 
Forks. This lake must have been about three miles in 
length from east to west, and two in width from north to 
south, covering an area of about six square miles. Its form 
was irregular, something in the shape of the human foot and 
letr, the toes to the north and the leg to the west. Its inlets 
were the east and west branches of Fish Creek, or perhaps 
more properly Fish Creek and Mad River ; for the author 
tind.'S that the names Mad lliver and West Branch arc 
indiscriminately applied, by the inhabitants in the vicinity^ 
to that branch of the stream. The outlet was at or near 
where Fish Creek now escapes from the valley. The barrier 
— feeble, to be sure — which confined this lake in the neigh- 
borhood of the outlet, was composed mainly of sand, inter- 
mixed here and there with small portions of clay and gravel. 
If conjecture be allowable, this barrier was forced by the 
accumulation of water thrown against it by the giving away 
of the banks which confined the upper lakes, and then this 



62 ANNALS or ONEIDA COLNTV. [CHAr. 

increased body of water forcing its way to the Oneida Lake 
On the south, eaHt, and west sides, the shores seem to have 
been composed of the same material as the barrier, as no 
rocks and very few .stoncH were found : but on the north 
side the rock formation cornmejices. wliich extends north, 
cast, and west, beyond the limits of the town. AVhat was 
once the bottom of this lake, is now one of the finest agricul- 
tural sections of the town or county. This alluvial bottom 
in some parts contains many small pebbles, mostly of the 
same kind as those in the north part.- of the town, brought 
down and worn smooth by the floods of centuries. Occa- 
sionally granite bowlders are found, out of place to be sure, 
for there is no granite formation iu the town, or nearer than 
the north-east part of Jefferson at.(1 the eastern part of Her- 
kimer Counties. The water in this lake iu many places 
was probably one hundred feet in depth. 

The second lake of this chain was atuated about three- 
fourths of a mile northerly from the fii'.st. In size it was 
smaller, and in form more regular, being semicircular, pro- 
bably covering two square miles. Wliat were its shores arc 
entirelv different in character- from the first, the surface beintr 
composed of stone, gravel, and loam, while the lower stratun: 
consisted of friable slate, alternated with a harder kin.:. 
The slate is divided, by perpendicular and parallel seam?, 
into small sections or blocks. Its inlet was the east branch 
of Fish Creek, and its outlet where the creek now runs, at 
its south-west corner. The channel here cut through tlie 
stone, gravel, and slate, is from fifteen to twenty rods in 
width, and in some places sixty fed in depth. Its bottom 
rested on the rock formation whioli underlays this section of 
the town. The alluvial soil now covering it, is rendered 
nearly untillable by the quantity of stone brought from 
above by the water Near the south-west corner there was 



III.] ANNSVILLL. G 



a bay, running tlirce-fourtlis of a mile nortli-wcat. The 
point formed by the bay and lake is composed mostly of con- 
glomerate or pudding-stone, overlaid with sand. In one 
place sand-stone is in the process of formation. The cement 
of the sand-stone and conglomerate is probably lime, although 
lime is found nowhere else in the vicinity. In the basin of 
this lake and bay is now situated Taberg Village. Its sur- 
face must have been at least fifty feet higher than the first. 

The third and last lake was situated about one mile 
Tiearly due north from the second. In size and character it 
nearly resembled the second, with the exception that the 
creek, in the long course of ages, has worn for itself a chan- 
nel of fifty or sixty feet lower than the bottom of the lake 
Its elevation above the second lake must have been at least, 
cne hundred feet. The water at its lower end might have 
been sixty feet in depth, but in the upper part quite shallow. 
An island arose nearly sixty feet from its surface. It was 
known to the early settlers as Walnut Hill, from. the grove 
of white walnuts which covered a portion of its surface. An 
outlet, where at least a portion of its waters were discharged. 
oan be traced from its north end into the valley of "West 
Creek in the town of Lee. This stream, by a eircuitou;. 
route of some ten miles, empties into Fish Creek one mile 
below the lower lake. 

The channel of the creek above this last lake, assumes 
the picturesque and sublime, beyond the power of descrip- 
tion ; and for three miles there are few places where its 
banks can be ascended or descended in safety. The sides of 
this chasm are walled up with rock, from eighty to three 
hundred feet in height, and the spectator from the giddy 
height looks down into the tops of tall trees which have for 
centuries braved the ragings of the stream and storms. To 
him. full grown persons at the Ixjttom apparently dwindle 



01 ANNALS OF ONKIDA COUNTY. [(_1I.\1\ 

to mere pigmies. His sensations become allieJ to fear, but 
lie soon learns to look from his perilous position with com- 
po.surc. To the spectator in the chasm, the forest trees at; 
the top cWiiuUc into mere shrubs. He looks with awe and 
wonder at the hoary crags and overhanging rocks above him, 
and his imagination is carried far back as he beholds the 
oifects of mighty causes which have been in operation for 
ages. Here the waters froni tlie melting snows of a thou- 
sand winters, and the rains of as many summers, falling iu 
this extensive valley, have found a passage to the Oneida 
Lake, in their way overcoming every obstacle, removing 
every barrier. Around him the visitor sees, in wild confu- 
sion, the fragments left by this war of the elements, broken, 
worn, and rounded by the action of the hurried waters, and 
their violent contacts with each other. From the head of 
this branch of Pish Creek to the Forks, a distance of nearly 
forty miles, the current is very rapid, falling from thirty to 
seventy-five feet per mile. 

"Within the town of Annsville, and above the upper lake, 
the creek receives but two tributaries of any importance. 

Miller's Creek empties into it near the head of the upper 
lake. It received its name from the first settler on its 
banks. It flows from tiie west, and its main features are the 
same as those of Fish Creek, its channel being worn equally 
deep in the rock. 

Fall Brook empties into Fish Creek about three miles 
above Miller's Creek, and it also flows from the west. It 
takes its name from the f-ills where it empties into the creek. 
Unlike Miller's Creek, it has its channel upon the fir.st layer 
of rocks until it falls into the main stream. 

This fall is divided into three separate falls : the upper of 
fourteen feet, the middle of twenty feet, and the lower of 
sixty feet. The channel of Fish Creek where it receives 



III.] ' ANNSVILLE. • *35 

tliis strccam, is about one hundred and fifty feet in depth, and 
the rocks have been worn back by the falls twenty-five rods. 
The bottom of this chasm has an area of about an acre in a 
triangular form, the base on Fish Creek and the apex at the 
falls. This is covered with the fragments of rocks, which 
once helped to fill up the chasm. Approaching from below, 
"the visitor hears the roar, and meets a current of wind and 
spray some time before the falls are visible. A small stream 
is seen dashing and foaming at his feet, sometimes beneath 
the fragments of rocks, sometimes overleaping them. It 
seems, after so troublous a course, gladly to lose its identity 
in Fish Creek. As the visitant approaches nearer the falls, 
the almost perpendicular walls of rock, at least one hundred 
feet in' height on either hand, become visible. The roar and 
spray increase, when, after passing a few more fragments 
covered with foliage and wet with spray, the falls are at once 
in view. Here a scene of sublimity and grandeur, little an- 
ticipated, is before him. Directly in front, is the fall of 
sixty feet, and about twenty-five in width, falling into a deep 
foaming pool below. 

A current of air is created by the falling water sufficient 
to keep the leaves and tendrils of the trees that overhang 
the chasm in constant motion. Above, he sees the two upper 
falls plunging from one ledge of rocks to another, as if pre- 
paring for their final leap. When the stream is low, much 
of the water is dissipated in spray, but when swollen by rain 
or melting snow, it forms a scene of grandeur and sublimity 
beyond the powers of description. Trenton Falls excepted, 
probably no place in the county possesses equal attractions to 
the lover of nature's wild magnificence. Standing, as the 
spectator does, in this frightful chasm, where the light and 
heat of summer but partially ever comes, amid the fragments 
of rocks and the ruins of towering cliffs, he feels the vanity 



66 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

t 

of all that is human, and is thus led from nature up to 
nature's God, and he can hardly leave witliout becoming a 
better and wiser man. 

The rock mentioned as underlaying this town, is a bluish- 
grey sand-stone. It is in layers of from six inches to two 
feet in thickness, and is cut into square and angular blocks 
by seams. Good building stone to any amount can be 
quarried on the banks of the creek, but it is too hard to bu 
cut. It is not known that any other rock of this kind i.-; 
found in this part of the State. It grows harder after being 
quarried and exposed to the air. The rock is underlaid and 
overlaid with dark-colored friable slate. The strata are from 
three inches to five feet in thickness. It soon falls to pieces 
on being exposed to the action of the sun, rains, and frost. 
It is evidently what our State geologists term Pulaski shale. 
The conglomerate or pudding-stone found near Taberg, has 
been already mentioned, as also the few bowlders of granite 
at the Forks. Beside these, it is not known that there 
is but one other kind of stone in the town, and that is com- 
posed of organic and vegetable remains. Of this stone, a 
portion is found in bowlders, and in some places it is fouiid 
in strata among the slate and sand-stone. Some of the shells 
in this rock are two and even four inches in diameter. There 
is a plight dip in all the rocks in this town to the south and 
west. There has, as yet, been no minerals or ores discovered 
in this town, excepting bog iron, which is found in many 
places, but in small quantities. In most places the water 
has drained off, and left it to oxidize to an extent that ren- 
ders it nearly worthless. 

WATER POWER. 

Probably no town in the county possesses as good and 
exten?ivc water power as the town of Annsville. The priii- 



III.] annsvilll;. , 67 

cipal streams have been already mentioned, with the excep- 
tion of the small one which empties into Fish Creek at 
Taberg, the water of which is sufficient for a blast furnace 
in the driest season. All the streams are very rapid. Fish 
Creek has a course of tea miles in this town, ^rith a fall of 
from thirty to one hundred feet per mile. Indeed, so far as 
fall is concerned, it is believed its whole waters can be used 
every hundred rods in that distance. Its tributaries furnish 
almost as much power as the main stream. Although there 
is hardly one-twentieth of the Vi'ater power occupied yet, there 
are now in operation two grist and flouring mills, twenty-one 
saw mills, twelve shingle mills, four lath mills, four turning 
lathes, two stave machines, one wool-carding, cloth-dressing, 
and manufacturing establishment, one blast furnace, two 
cupola furnaces, and two tanneries. Besides these, there is 
other machinery in the process of erection. 

The blast furnace at Taberg requires more than a passing 
notice. In 1809 the Oneida Iron and Glass Manufacturing 
Company commenced operations where the furnace now 
stands. They gave it the name Taberg from that of cele- 
brated ironworks in Europe. In 1811 it commenced its 
first blast, and has continued its operations from that time to 
the present with but occasional stoppages. For some years 
it was extensively engaged in the manufacture of hollow 
ware, and similar articles. For a few years past, under a 
change of owners and direction, it has been exclusively used 
for the manufacture of pig iron. The castings of this fur- 
nace have ever sustained the highest reputation for strength 
and durability. Even now, the pig iron from this furnace 
suffers but little in comparison with the best Scotch pig, and 
for many uses it is even its superior. In the south-west part 
of the town there is an elevation known as Pond Hill, which 
receives its name from the pond situated npon it. It covers 



03 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciIAr. 

an area of about six acres, and its altitude is about seventy- 
five feet higher tlian tlic country around it, and its depth is 
unknown. It has no visible inlet or outlet, and it must bo 
kept up by springs below its surface. 



GEOGUAPIIICAL DESCRIPTION. 

Tlie town of Annsville is bounded on tlie east by tlu-" town 
of Lee, south by Kome and Vienna, west by Camden and 
Florence, and on the north by the line between Oneida and 
Lewis Counties. The general surface of the town is some- 
wliat broken and uneven. Its general declination is to the 
south and east. Large swells, or ridges, running east and 
west, commence in the south, and rise higher and higher to 
the north line of the town. Between these rise and flow 
larger and smaller tributaries of Fish Creek. On the west- 
ern side there is a small section which sends its waters into 
the West Branch, or Mad River. 



SOIL AND rRODUCTIONS. 

This town contains every variety of soil. The soutli- 
eastern section is to a considerable extent clayey, with occa- 
sional small sections of sand and gravel. The soil of this 
part is quite productive in all the grains and grasses of tlio 
county. The south-western section is more elevated, drier. 
more sandy, and stoney in some places, and is the best sec- 
tion for grain, but probably not for grass. The nortli-east 
section is stoney and somcAvhat broken. Tlie soil is strong, 
adapted to grain better than grass. The north-west section 
is better adapted to meadow and pasturage tlian tlie others, 
but is not as good for grain, excepting the kinds termed 
p]ngli.sh grain. 



III.] 



ANNSVILLE. 



G9 



l]y tlie census of 1845, the following list of the products, 
im'ricultural and other, is obtained : 



Barley - - - -  
Peas' - - . - . 
Beans - . - -  
Buekwlicat - - - • 
Turnips . - . . 
Potatoes - - - - 
Flax - . - - 
AVhcat - - - - 
Corn - - - - 
PtVC ... - 

Oats - - . - 

Butter - - - - 
Cheese . . . - 
Wof>l - - - - 
Fulled Cloth 

Flannel - - - - 
Linen and Cotton 

Two Flouring Mills using - 
Turned out - - . 

Eighteen Savv' Mills using - 
Tiu'ncd out - . - 

Carding Macliinc using 
Turned out 

Iron Works using - - - 
Turned out . . . 

Aslicrics using - - - 
Turned out 

T«o Tanneries using - - 
Turned out 

JS'o of Horses - - . 
" Sheep - 
" Hogs 
" Cows - 
'• Other Keat Cattle - 



41 

20 

'24 
3'J'J 

4(3 
30G 

UM 

170 

811 

100 

1290 



acres 



$ 14,000 
15,000 

$ 13,G05 
30,959 

S 4.200 
5,680 

S 9,449 
14,400 

S550 
725 

$ 2,889 
3,983 



2251 


bushels. 


494 




124 




5,975 




2,574 




15,733 




1,530 pounds. 


1,447 


bushels. 


15,138 


u 


920 


c: 


32,880 


c: 


105,458 


pounds. 


7,440 


li 


5,879 


a 


1,482 


}-ards. 


3,598 


c; 


2,257 


c: 



raw material, 
manufactured article. 

raw material, 
manufactured article. 

raw material, 
mamifactured article. 

raw material, 
manufactured article. 

raw material, 
manufactured article. 

raw material, 
manufactured article. 

G2G 

- - 2,808 
- 1,522 

- - 1,059 
- - - - 1,112 



Some of these sources of prosjierity have largely increased 
since the last census, particularly that of lumber. It Avill 



70 ANNAI-S OF OXETBA COUNTY. [CHAP 

be perceived there tire now tliree more saw mills than in 
1845. 

The construction of plank roads has become so exten- 
sive, that the lumber business is now far more extensive. 
A large amount of plank suitable for that purpose, has 
been furnished from the forests and mills of this town : and 
more shingles have also recently been manufactured and 
sent to the eastern market. Large quantities of hemlock, 
pine, spruce, curled and pinned maple, cherry ash, and bass- 
wood lumber, are annually senl from this town to the Erie 
Cajial to be shipped for market. 

It will be perceived that the persons taking the census 
were not required to furnish the statistics of a number of 
branches of the luniber business, to wit ; the manufacturing 
of shingles, laths, staves, and the various articles from turn- 
ing laths. 

To all these should be added great improvements in 
buildings, and those of farms in fencing and ditching. 

A few years since, the Legislature passed a law allowing 
the towns of Home, Annsville, and Florence, to vote at their 
annual town meeting $2,000 each for the improvement of 
the State road from Rome to Sacketts Harbor. They all 
passed the requisite votes, and are now fully realizing the 
wi'=;dom of the incasure in their improved facility in getting 
their products to market, and in the increased travel througli 
their towns. There are three taverns in this town with 
sufficient accommodations to meet this increase of business. 
A company has been formed, the stock taken, and a plank 
road constructed from Taberg to Rome, on the route of the 
.State road. There are also two stores and one grocery in 
the town. 



ni.] ANNSVILLE. 71 



INDIANS. 

The branch of the Oueida Tribe which formerly resided 
at the meadows in this town, have been mentioned in the 
general account of the tribe. During or about the time of 
the old French war, a party of Canadian Indians, about 
twenty in number, came and settled at the Forks. They 
came for the purpose of enjoying tlie fishery. This exceed- 
ingly annoyed the Oneidas, whose territory and rights were 
thus invaded. They however succeeded, after a brief time, 
in driving off the intr-iders. How much force had to he 
u,sed in their ejectment, can not now be ascertained. 



HISTORY, ANTIQUITIES, ANECDOTES, ETC. 



John W. Bloomfield, Esq., was the first white settler of 
this town. He moved from Burlington, New Jersey, and 
made his first improvement near where Doct. Beech noiv 
resides. He purchased a large tract of land, and soon built 
u saw mill and grist mill. Mr. Bloomfield stayed the night 
before he arrive 1 within the present limits of Oneida County, 
eight miles below Utica, then Fort Schuyler. This was iu 
April, 1703. In the morning he started before breakfast, 
intending to make that necessary meal at Fort Schuyler. 
When he arrived there, su.ch was the dearth of '• creaUira 
comforts]'' that the hostess told him she had nothing with 
which she could refresh either himself or horse. As the 
only alternative, he was obliged to mount poor " dobbin,'' 
who was as hungry as himself, and travel another four miles 
over a dreary road to Whitesboro. It must be recollected 
that this was not in these railroad times, but in the days 



72 AXNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cir.\P. 

■\vlieu from one to two miles per hour over the corduroy and 
mud, was doing very well. Suffice it to say, that lie arrived 
at Judge White's just in time not to miss the dinner hour, 
breakfasting and dining at the same time. He remained 
with Judge "Wliite about two weeks, and then went to Home, 
then Fort Stanwix. The same day upon which he arrived 
at Fort Stanwix, the late Greorge Huntington arrived with a 
small assortment of goods, as noticed in the history of Rome. 
After staying a short time, he went on to his purchase at 
Taberg. The next year after Esijuire Bloomfield arrived at 
Taberg. he employed a man liy tlie name of Crere to dig a 
well. Gere resided in the present town of Lee. After he 
had progressed to a considerable depth, the sand caved in 
and caught his feet and legs, and Mr. Bloomfield Avent dovra 
to extricate him. AVhen he had landed at the bottom, ho 
looked up, and saw that the sides of the well were cracking 
and heaving, ready to fall in upon them. He sprang and 
caught hold of the rope used for drawing up the earth, and 
by powerful exertion, succeeded in extricating himself, while 
poor Gere was covered to a great depth, and with him all the 
fihovels on or near the premises. A messenger was imme- 
diatel}' dispatched to Lee, and another to Rome, to get help 
and shovels. This was about the middle of the afternoon. 
Gere could talk with those on the surface, said that the tub 
which was suspended by the rope over liim had prevented 
the sand from falling upon his head, and that he Avas not 
hurt, and only suffered for the want of fresh air. How 
intense were the feelings of the few by-standei-s ! Minutes 
seemed ages before help arrived ; but very soon, in propor- 
tion to the distance, men came scattering in with shovels. 
Each went to work as if the preservation of the life of a 
human being depended on his individual exertions. Such 
however was the vast amount of earth which had caved in^ 



III.] ANNSVILLE. 






and the cox^stant running in, like water, of the sand from tlie 
sides, that the work proceeded very slowly. All night they 
toiled on without succeeding in reaching the sufferer. Each 
succeeding hour his voice grew more feeble, until some time 
in the night it ceased for ever. In the morning the force 
was increased, but it was nearly noon before all that re- 
mained of the poor well-digger was exhumed. The body 
was taken to Lee to be buried. He left a wife and children. 
and two of his sons afterwards lived with Mr. Bloomfield. 

Previous to the breaking up the settlement of the Oneida 
Iridians at the Forks, they used to bring salmon to Mr. 
Bloomfield at Tabcrg, for which he paid them a certain price 
per pound. The Indians were not slow in learning that 
the heavier the fish the more money they received. One 
dav an Indian brouft-ht him a back load of fish, and thev 
were, as usual, weighed and paid for. On dressing them, it 
was found that each fish had been heavily charged with 
gravel stones ; but before the discovery was made, the poor 
Indian was far on his way to the Forks with his ill-gotten 
gains. A few days afterwards, Mr. Bloomfield saw Powlis, 
their chief, and complained of the fraud practised upon him. 
Powlis was very indignant, and said that Mr. Bloomfield 
had ever paid a fair price for every article he had purchased 
of them, and that he should not again be so illy treated ; and 
in all his purchases afterwards, Mr. B. never found a fish 
with so indigestible a dressing. 

One day, while Mr. Bloomfield was out upon his farm, an 
Indian came to his house, and requested Mrs. Bloomfield to 
let him have some liquor. This she resolutely refused, and 
he still as resolutely demanded it, saying that he knew they 
had it in the house. Finding that words did not terrify 
her, he drew his knife, and by threatening gestures drove 
her into a corner of the room, thinking thus to terrify her, 



74 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciIAr. 

SO that the liquor avouIJ be forthcoming. In this he was 
mistaken, for she then, in a determined voice, directed some 
member of the family to go out and call Mr. Bloomfield, 
who was not far distant. ]3y this time he had learned the 
spirit of the woman, and thought he had better beat a hasty 
retreat, while he could with a sound skin, which he at once 
effected. The nest day, to make peace with her, and to 
convince her that he highly appreciated her firmness, ho 
brought a fine saddle of venison, and presented it to her. 
She was ever afterwards well treated by the Indians. 

Another of the early settlers of Annsville, was Mr. Elias 
Brewster. Originally from Connecticut, and a descendant of 
the pilgrims, he emigrated to this county in 1789 or 1790. 
He commenced upon a farm in the town of Western, near 
where is now the village of Delta. In 180G he bought a lot in 
tlie town of Annsville, and commenced clearing it in March 
of that year; and on the 1st of April, 1807, he removed his 
family to his new home. lie had the curiosity to measure 
tlie snow on his premises, and found it five feet in depth ; 
and it was not all gone on the 1st of May. (The writer well 
remembers measuring the snow in the forest, and found it 
four and a half feet deep on the 7th of April of that year ; 
and this was in a location where it was not drifted, and in 
tlie town of Westmoreland.) The cabin into which lie moved 
was of the rudest kind. Crotches were set in the ground, 
from which poles were placed to support the roof The roof 
and siding were of rough boards and slabs. These had to 
be hauled tliree miles, at great labor, upon a route where no 
road 'ir liridge liad been constructed. A fire in a primitive 
fireplace at one end, over whicli an opening had been left for 
the escape of the smoke, warmed its inmates. A rough door, 
hung with strips of raw hide, and a window the paper panes 
of wliich were made transparent with oil, completed the 



in.] ANNSVILLE. 75 

domieil of the new settler. His nearest neighbors were 
some two miles distant in the town of Lee, Wolves, 
panthers, bears, and foxes were much too plenty for the 
.safety of flocks, herds, and the tenants of the farm yard, 
and not unfrequently were the settlers obliged to resort to 
strong pens, and watch-fires for their protection. Many 
and amusing were their encounters with these free den- 
izens of the forest. As in all new settlements, their 
cattle had in summer to graze in the wide forest for subsis- 
tence ; therefore, " bringing the cows " became household 
words with all the juveniles (gray-haired now) of those days. 
()n one occasion it was near night before Mr. Brewster 
started for these useful animals, and ascertaining their direc- 
tion by the tinkling of the bell suspended from the neck of 
the " old co^r," he at once dashed into the forest. He found 
tliem a full mile from his house, and sunset warnini:' him that 
darkness would soon be upon him, he therefore started the 
cows rapidly for home. The road was circuitous to avoid a 
jniry swamp. The more rapid striking of the bell notified 
the family that the cows were found, and in full motion for 
home, as well as of the progress made. When about two- 
tliirds of the distance was accomplished, the wild, unearthly 
scream of a panther on the track in the rear, gave notice to 
all concerned of the extreme danger of the father. These 
.^creams were continued at short intervals, and distinctly 
showed that the panther was fast gaining upon the bell. 
Soon the cattle reached home, and were let into the little 
clearing, when such a shrill and prolonged scream rang out 
from the darkness, apparently but a few rods from the 
liouse, as if once heard will ever be remembered. As soon 
.IS the cattle were j-arded, a fire was kindled in the enclosure, 
which, with the aid of horns, tin pans, and brass kettles, 
successfully frightened avray the unwelcome visitor; notj 



76 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

however, until it had given a full and fair specimen of the 
hideousuess of its notes, and its capabilities in prolonging 
them. On the following morning, the bark of a recently 
fallen beech tree showed the capacity of the animal to harm 
a subject more congenial to its appetite. 

In the autumn of the second season of Brewster's residence 
in town, the bears committed great depredations in his corn 
field. A neighbor, who had recently moved to within about 
one mile of him, was the owner of a large black sow. In 
her perambulations, this animal had also learned the where- 
abouts of the corn field, and seemed to vie with Bruin in 
licr sad havoc of the crop. The apology for a fence, was 
wliat was known in those days as a " tree fence," which was 
not a very good barrier against the grunting quadruped. 
(She had often been forcibly ejected, but as often made a 
forcible rc-eutrance. One evening, and about dark, Mr. 
Brewster heard the work of destruction again going on in 
the corn field, some thirty rods from the house ; and from 
tlie cai'liness of the hour he concluded it was the tame and 
not the wild trespasser. He therefore directed his son, of 
about twelve years of age, to go and again dispossess the 
animal. The little fellow demurred, saying that it was of 
no use. A reiteration of the order, however, caused him to 
start, not however in the best possible humor with things in 
general, or the black soav in particular. ]Jy the time he had 
arrived at the point of the animal's depredations, he had laid 
in. as instruments of expulsion, a number of good-sized 
stones. The beast was so busily engaged as not to discover 
the boy until lio was close upon it, and had saluted it with u 
lull volley of stones. At first the animal stood on tlie de- 
fensive, but another volley caused it to seek safety in flight. 
Satisfied with the ea.se with wliich he had expelled the sow, 
lie returned to tlie house, reflecting upon her oxpertness 



in. J ' ANNSViLLi:. 77 

in climbing the brush and logs of the fence. He tokl his 
father it was of " no further use to try to keep out the sow, 
418 she could climb as well as a cat, for she went over the 
fence where it was fifteen feet high." This aroused the sus- 
picions of the father, and he enquired how the beagt behaved 
when he commenced stoning it. The boy replied that " she 
raised herself upon her hind feet as if to make fight, when 
he sent a good big stone that hit her in the side of the head, 
which caused her to run and climb the fence " as described. 
By this time the father was satisfied with the nature of the 
beast the boy had driven from the field. He said nothing, 
however, for fear of alarming the family. The next morn- 
ing, on repairing to the scene of operations, he discovered, by 
the size and shape of the tracks, that instead of a sow, his 
boy had been -dealing with a huge bear. The next day two 
•guns were set in the field, and some time in the night fol- 
lowing, the report of the guns announced that something had 
crossed the cord. The following morning a bear was found 
dead but a few rods from the scene of operations. It was 
of the largest size, weighing about four hundred pounds. 

As late as the year 1827 or 1828, the bears again made 
their appearance in this town, and did great damage to the 
corn crop. 

On the IGth of August, 18 IG, a man by the name of 
William Lord, a neighbor to Mr. Brewster, went to Taberg 
after some necessaries for his family, and some rum, with 
■^vhich to do his harvesting. The distance was about two- 
miles, and there was no road through the forest on any por- 
tion of his route. He had to cross Fish Creek where the 
Coalhill Bridge is now located. He reached Taberg, trans- 
acted his business, and just at night started for home, but 
was observed to be partially intoxicated when he left. The 
banks of Fish Creek, above the crossing place, are pre- 



78 ANNALS OF OMJIUA COUNTV. [cilAT. 

cipitous and rocky. Darkness, and the fumes of the licjuor. 
caused him to lose his way. Instead of reaching the creek 
at the crossing place, he struck it about forty rods too high, 
and walked oft' the bank where it was about fort}' feet high, 
and fell upon the rocks, and thence into the stream. In his 
fall he caught hold of some bushes, but their roots were too 
frail to sustain his weight, and he floated down the creek u 
few rods to still water. "When found, two days afterwards. 
,the bushes were in his right hand, and the handle of the jug 
in his left. His neck was broken. The place where he 
went off the bank was on the west side of the creek, and 
opposite the centre of the island above the Coalhill Bridge. 
The still water where the body was found has ever since re- 
ceived the appellation of the '• Eum Hole." 

Like all new settlements, the advantages of education 
were very limited, and schools were like ''angels' visits, few 
and far between."' The history of one day will well portray 
the troubles of "going to school'' in a new settlement. 

Two little sons of one of the early settlers were attending 
the summer term of their district school in 1816. The eldest 
was nine, the youngest sis years of age. Rain or sunshine, 
cold or hot, they had to walk three miles in the morning to 
reach the school house, and the same distance at night. Two 
little girls, of about the same ages, resided on their road, one 
mile nearer the school. The eldest girl was a slender, deli- 
cate thing, while her younger sister was stout and robust 
The same disparity existed between the boys, but in the 
reverse : the eldest being a strong, athletic little fellow, and 
withal possessed of an indomitable will, that enabled him to 
do anything which could be done by an urchin of that age. 
Of these four, the youngest girl was the only one that 
possessed a pair of shoes, the othera having to make their 
long daily walk with bare feet ; and even the small girl was 



Ill] ANNSVILLK. • '• 79 

not fortunate enough to possess those comfortable accom- 
paniments of shoes, — a pair of stocking;;. 

Those of us old enough will remember the 6th day of 
June, 1816. It had been preceded by cold frosty nights, 
and on that day it snowed in every part of the county, and 
in some parts it fell several inches in depth. Cold as wa-i 
the morning, these four children were punctually at school. 
The school house — none too comforable for pleasant weather 
— had become so cold by two o'clock in the afternoon, that 
the pupils were dismissed, with directions to go to the near- 
est house on their way home. There was a house on the 
road of the four we have introduced to our readers, about 
one-fourth of a mile from the school house. To this house. 
by moving in double quick time, the}^ managed to get ; but 
to their utter dismay, they found the door fastened, and its 
inmates from home. Here was a dilemma. To retrograde 
was useless, for the home of the girls, one and three-fourth 
miles distant, was as near as any inhabited dwelling. Snow 
was falling, and it was already two inches deep. Our eldest 
boy's strength of nerve was now put to the test. Nothing 
daunted, however, he well laid his plans, and at once pro- 
ceeded to put them in execution. He had that morning — 
rather clandestinely, it is true — appropriated his father's 
roundabout, quite too capacious for him, yet possessing two 
very important advantages : it shielded him from the cold, 
and its extensive pockets, one on each side, served as a de- 
posit for all the et ceteras of the school boy, viz.: — a ball, 
fish-hook and line, top, knife, sling, and whistle, toys as 
necessary to the man in miniature as others to those of 
larger growth. Little could he have imagined to how much 
more important uses these huge pockets would be put during 
the day. He directed the two girls to walk on as fast and as 
far as they could without freezing, then to sit down and both 



•cU ANXALS OF OXEIDA COUNTY. [cIIAP. 

rub the eldest girl's feet with their hands until he came up. 
He then took lii.s jirother upon liiw back, with a foot in each 
pocket, and his arms about his neck, and followed on. WIiou 
he came up with the girls, he put down his brother, and told 
him and the smaller girl to proceed as before, and he took 
the larger girl upon his back, with her feet in those noAv 
useful pockets, and so on by successive stages until they had 
arrived within forty rods of the girls' home. Their fiither, 
wlio was chopping in the vicinity of the road, heard the cries 
of the girls, .and came to their aid. Our hero then had the 
eldest girl upon his back, and, without speaking, the father 
caught the youngest two, one under each arm, and ran for 
the house. Our hero said he thought he never saw a man 
run as fast before, for ere he had gone one half the distance to 
the house, the father returned, and lifting the elder girl 
from his back, took her under one arm and our hero under 
the other, and soon had them deposited before a good rousing 
fire. The mother of the girls, previous to the arrival of our 
hero, had learned from them the whole history of the trans- 
•action. On his arrival she at once, in the fullness of Iier 
gratitude, loaded him with lier caresses. This wounded his 
pride, although perhaps a very little of that article would 
have been excusable, for, as he supposed, he had saved his 
fellow-sufferers from perishing. Slie also, by her misjudged 
kindness, had him sit near to the glowing fire. Tlie pain in 
his feet soon became almost insupportable, a sickenimr sen- 
.sation came over liiiu.his virion lieeame obscured, he grasped 
at the chair, but did not succeed, his physical powers, which 
had been so over-tasked, gave way, and he fell. The iuten.se 
agony of the moment was soon lost in a state of unconscious- 
ness. For hours the poor sufferer lay insensible. Tlie first 
thing he noticed on the return of reason, was the kind- 
Lcartcd woman bending over him, and his father applying 



311.] ' ANNSVILLE. 81 

some restorative to his feet. It was after dark. His father 
liad started with his team in season to have saved all the 
sufiering, had the school continued to the usual hour of dis- 
mission. He wa.s wrapped well in warm clothing, put on a 
sled, and taken home the same evening. His feet were so 
lacerated by the stones and sticks in his path, while devoid of 
feeling, that a number of days elapsed before he could even 
walk about the house. 

Another (^ the early settlers was Squire Fairservice. He 
settled en the flats, a little above Jervis' mill, and was a 
rioted fisherman. While splitting wood one day, his little 
'child came out of the house, unobserved by him, and walked 
directly under his axe, and the descending blow cleft its 
scull, and killed it instantly. After the salmon had been 
shut out of the creek, Faii'sorviee emigrated to Wisconsin, 
where he died. 

Adam P. Campbell and Nicholas Armstrong settled on 
^he meadow in 1805 or 1806. Dan Taft, and a man by the 
name of Jones, settled near where Vincent Taft now keeps a 
public house. Dan Taft for a number of years kept a noted 
tavern on the same premises. The author remembers of 
staying at it one night in June, 1814, and that a fine salmon 
graced the supper table, which had been caught the same 
day near by. About the same time a man by the name of 
Wade settled at the Forks. 

The persons named are believed to be the earliest inhabit- 
ants of the town. Some have emigrated, and others have 
"rested from their labors," and repose in the several ceme- 
teries in the towr But two of them are known to be living, 
John W. Blornifield, J'Jsq., who now resides in Rome,* and 
Adam P. Campbell, who yet resides near the scenes of his 
early toil 

* Deceased since this account was written. 

6 



'S2 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAT. 

Flint arrow-lieads and hatchets, with other rude articles of 
aucient date, are found iu this town. A few years since, a 
heavj freshet washed away the alluvial banks at the Fork.^ 
to a considerable extent. On its subsiding, there were found, 
come three feet below the surface, the remains of large earthen 
vessels, from two to three feet in diameter ; also several 
other articles, evidently made for culinary purposes. Hearths 
and fire-places were also exhumed by the same freshet. 
Conjecture said that these remains were the work of a race 
anterior to the Indian : who. or when, must ever remain a 
blank upon the pages of the history of the countr3^ Th.-^t 
the luscious salmon has here been cooked for long; centuriep, 
can not be doubted ; but the civilized pale faces, by the con- 
struction of the Oswego Canal, have probably for ever shut 
these migratory fish from the Oneida Lake and its tributa- 
ries. In this instance, civilization has worked a vast injury 
to the lovers of good living in Annsville. 

Benjamin Hyde was the first Supervisor upon the organ- 
ization of the town. 



RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

The Baptist Church in Annsville wa.s organized February 
17, 1831, with twenty members. Samuel Bloss was its first 
pastor. In the September following, it joined the Oneida 
Baptist Association, and reported thirty-six members to that 
body. For the next ten years its increase was gradual and 
constant. In 1841, William A. Bronson was its pastor, and 
it reported lOG members. For the next three years there 
was a slight decrease of numbers. In 1845 it sent no dele- 
gates to the Association, and in 184G the minutes of that 
body show that the church was dissolved, but there are no 



IILJ ANNSVILLE. 83 

reasons given for its dissolution, It was, however, soon after 
brought into visibility; for in 1848 it had the Rev. P. P. 
Brown for pastor, and fifty-six members ; Mr. Brown preached 
to them two years. In September, 1850, the Rev. Samuel 
R. Shotwell was its pastor, and it had so increased, that it 
reported seventy-three members to the Association. A few 
years after its organization, the church and society erected 
a small house for public worship, a little south of Taberg 
Village, and on the hill, the south bank of Fish Creek. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1838, 
with nine members. The next year they erected a small 
house for worship, centrally located in the village. This 
body now contains forty-two members. 

There is a Preshyierian Church and Society in this town. 
They have a respectable house for public worship, in the 
northerly part of Taberg. An effort was made to procure 
the statistics of this body by a friend residing in the place. 
He reported that its records were lost, and that, on enquiry, 
aothing satisfactory had been gleaned. 



•^4 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP. 



C K A P T E 11 I V . 

AUGUSTA. 

'T.ius is the soutli-westernmost town in Oneida County. It 
lies in an elevated position, and from its bounds waters flow 
to the ocean through the Hudson and St. Lawrence ; and if 
there are no waters which flow from tliis tovai to the ocean 
through the Susquehannah, it is but a short distance from 
the southern line of the town to waters which enter the 
ocean through that channel. 

This town lies j^rincipally upon two high hill.*, or ridges, 
running nearly north and south upon each side of tlie Sken  
andoa Creek. On the side hills, and in some places reaching 
almost to their summits, are inexhaustible beds of limestone. 
This has been extensively quarried for fences and building 
purposes. In some quarries the seams are very regular, 
and no better stone for masonry can be found. From the 
abundance of lime in the soil, winter wheat is cultivated 
more generally than in any otlier town in the county. 
Although the town lies principally upon two ridge.', yet its 
.south-east corner extends into the valley of the Oriskany, 
and the village of Oriskany Falls is in this section. In 
general, the soil is cxcsllent, and there is less of swamp in 
the town than in almost any other section of equal size in 
the county. Besides a small proportion of hemlock, and a 
very small quantity of cedar, within a short distance north of 
Augusta Centre, the forests of this town were composed of 
tlio.se kinds of hard timber common in the county, and de- 
noting good land for grain 



iV.J AUGUSTA. 85 

la 1794, Peter Smith, f'atlicr of Gerrit Smith, leased of 
the Oneida Indians about 60,000 acres, which, in honor of 
his name, was called New Petersburgh. Gerrit Smith 
asserts that this lease was for 999 years ; some of the old- 
est inhabitants, however, are of the opinion that it was for 
but twenty-one years, as they received their leases for that 
period. The pagan party of the Oncidas was opposed to 
the leasing to Mr. Smith, and at one time they proceeded so 
far as to drive the surveyor off' from the tract. The south- 
cast corner of New Petersburgh was the south-east corner of 
Augusta, and it extended quite across this town and the 
County of Madison. There was a tract of 1,000 acres, whicli 
was situated east of Stockbridgc, and west of the " Four 
Miles Square," as it Avas called, and lying Avithin Smith's 
G0,000 acres : this was granted to John Gregg, Sen., John 
Gregg, Jr., and James Alexander, and was called the 
" School Lot," the rent of which was appropriated to the 
education of Indian children. Zaccheus Barber, Charles 
Francis, and Samuel Farrington, reside upon this lot. "Riley 
Shepard resides upon the north-west corner lot of the "Four 
Miles Square" above mentioned. Mr. Smith divided his 
tract into four allotments, the first of which was entirely 
v/ithin the town of Augusta. Previous to 1797, most of the 
lands of this tract in Augusta were leased for twenty-one 
years. In 1 795 and 1 797, acts were passed by the Legislature, 
providing that all who had obtained leases of Smith could 
have patents from the State upon paying the State ^3,53 per^ 
acre, and that Smith should be allowed to retain six lots 
in this town, as part or entire pay for his lease from the 
Indians. The lands thus patented were mortgaged to the 
State, to secure the purchase money ; and it is believed that 
one-fourth of the original purchase money is yet unpaii^. P. 
Smith was born in 1768. of Dutch parentage. In 1795. the 



86 ANNALS OF ONTTTDA COUNTT. [CHAF. 

Oneidas sold to the State a large tract, known in those days 
as the "Oneida Reservation." This purchase included the 
north part of Augusta, and large portions of the towns of 
Vernon and Verona. It was soon surveyed, and was sold 
at Auction in August, 1797. The Indians retained within 
this reservation a tract a mile S(|uare, which was eventually 
conveyed to the Northern Missionary Society, and for which 
the Society was to maintain a missionary and teacher among 
the Indians. This tract was located in the following man- 
ner: — A stake was stuck by the side of the spring, about 
sixty rods south-west of the present residence of John Curry, 
which was made the centre of the tract, and from this point 
the mile square was surveyed. The Kev. Samuel Kirkland. 
who came to Oneida in 1766 as a missionary, enjoyed a part 
of the avails of this lot after it was conveyed ; and in 1809. 
after the death of Mr. Kirkland, the Society employed a Mr. 
Jenkins as a missionary among the Indians. His services 
were acceptable to but a very small number of the Indians, 
and he became discouraged, and left. The Indians have 
since sought further compensation for the land tlie^' had 
conveyed to the Society ; but its acting members declared 
that they had been ready to fulfil upon their part, and as the 
land had been disposed of by the Society in good faith, they 
saw no violation of Christian principles in their course. The 
author knows nothing of the merits of this controversy, but 
is entirely satisfied that if all the dealings of those profes.sedly 
Christians had been conducted upon "Christian principles," 
the efforts of the missionaries of the cross would have been 
attended with much happier results among these benighted 
children of the forest. Two liundred and forty acres of thi,s 
tract fere patented to Israel Chappin, being the lots upon 
which Lemuel Smith and Mr. Murray settled, and the re- 
mainder was patented directly to tlie Society 



jrv.] . , AUGUSTA. 



FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN. AND FIRST SETTLERS. 

A man named Ounn built the first habitation for white 
persons in Augusta, in 1793, which stood not far from where 
Peter Stebbius now resides. Benjamin Warren built the 
second, upon the precise loeation upon which his house now 
stands. David Jlortou built upon the place upon which the 
llev. Sheldon Smith now resides ; and John Alden com- 
menced a clearing in the same year upon the south lot upon 
the north and south road which passes through the centre of 
the town. 

Upon the 1 7th of August, in this year, Ichabod Stafford, 
Joseph and Abraham Forbes, and their families, took up their 
residences upon the east liill in this town. Mr. Stafford 
^'took up"' the lot upon which Truman Cole resides, and the 
Forbes took up the lots adjoining and south of Stafford. 
Some of these slept, upon their cart the first night they 
resided in Augusta. In 1794, Isaac and Benjamin Allen 
settled* upon the farm upon which Isaac Allen resides ; and 
Amos Parker, who had occupied a farm upon the Brotherton 
Tract for two years, removed to the place where he died. 
He was a brave soldier for his country, and lived and died 
an eminently active and devoted Christian. Upon one oc- 
casion, while serving in the army of the Revolution, he saved 
the life of La Fayette by disobeying orders. La Fayette 
ordered an intrenchment, which was protected by palisades 
and abattis, to be carried by storm.* For this purpose, he 
selected a forlorn hope of twenty -five men, armed with 

* The author presumes that this was one of the redoubts stormed 
at the siege of Yorktown. La Fayette commanded the Ameii,cans, 
who stormed one, while, to excite emulation, a division of French 
ittroops stormed the other. 



S8 ANNALS OF ONEIDA CX)UNTV. • [gHAP". 

luuskcts, and also with axes, for tlie purpose of removing the- 
abattis and palisades. Mr. Parker -was one of this party, 
and niarclied by the side of La Fayette. They cleared the- 
way to the palisades, and Parker struck one of the pickets, 
with his axe, intending to sever it at a blow, but his instru- 
ment was too dull to produce that effect, even by a second 
Idow. l*uttiug his hand to the top of the post, by the help 
oi his brawny arm it was so loosened that, by a v/ell-directed 
effort, it was drawn from its position, and then another and 
another shared the same fate in quick succession. Upon 
the removal of the third, La Fayette exclaimed, " That will 
do. my boy," and passed tlirough the breach, followed by 
Parker, to the works thrown up by the enemy. Within 
were the eneujy, opposing their entrance, while friends were 
pressing in their rear. Death to his l>eloved General now 
seemed inevitable. Their orders were not to fire, under 
pain of death, until the w^ord was given ; yet Parker, prefer- 
ring the chance of losing his life by tlue sentence of a court 
martial, to seeing his commanding officer sacrificed, drew up 
his trusty musket, and fired. This }nade an opening, through 
which he rushed, followed by La Fayette, into the intreneh- 
nrent, and with the butt end of his musket he soon made a 
lodgment for himself and conwades, and the fortres.s was 
taken. After the transaction, he was arraigned before a 
coiirt martial, and tried fur disobedience of orders ; but it 
was so evident that his disobedience had been the means of 
saving the life of La Fayette, and crowning the expedition 
witli success, that he was acquitted. In 1824, when Lii 
Fayette, the "Nation's Guest," was at Utica, the old soldier 
called at his room, and although some were disposed to de- 
prive him of admission, he persisted, and obtained an en- 
trance. He offercl Iiis hand, and gave his name, but his ol<I 
conimauder. not recognizing him, requested him to relate- 



IV.] AUGUSTA. 89 

tjome cu'cumstance by •wliieh he niiglit call him to mind. 
Mr. Parker mentioned the above occurrence, when they, whO' 
more than forty years before had undauntedly shared danger 
bo imminent, now wept, like Joseph and Benjamin, upon 
each other's neck. 

Mr. Parker, because the tallest man in the army, stood 
upon the right of the American troops when Cornwallis sur- 
rendered. As a conqueror he also met death when it came. 

In 1794, Thomas Cassety came to the Falls of the Oris-' 
kany, and built a log house, and commenced preparations 
for building a saw mill. Ozias Hart, Abel Prior, Thomas 
Spafford, Ezra Saxton, Abiel Lindsley, and Francis O'Toole, 
removed into the town this year. 

Francis O'Toole was an educated Irishman, and was im- 
pressed into the service of England while on his way to 
France to complete his education. He was in a number of, 
desperate battles, and, after three years, was landed in Bos- 
ton, without money or friends. Ho travelled over the 
country some four or five years in search of a home. The 
following narrative was related substantially to a friend b}' 
Mr. O'Toole: — 

'•After he had landed in Boston, he went to Hartford, 
Conn., where he hired to Col. Thomas Seymour, with whom, 
he lived two years. Frank had the fortune soon to ingra- 
tiate himself into favor with the Colonel and his lady. For 
the first year he passed only as a wild, unlettered Irishman. 
Upon one occasion, Mrs. Seymour kindly proffered her ser- 
vices to teach him to read. Frank, with the greatest possible 
nonchalance depicted upon his countenance, gravely told her 
he thought himself now too old to commence an education. 
His benevolent employers were not undeceived as to his 
knowledge of letters until liis second year's service, and ho 
was then detected as follows: — Col. S. had a son, by the 



9*0 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAF. 

name of Richard, pursuing his studies in Yale College 
Being at home during his vacation, he wished to excite some 
wonder among the servants in the kitchen by a display of 
his learning, by "spouting" a sentence in Latin. This 
pedantry threw poor Frank off his guard, and llichard wa^ 
retorted upon severely in the same language. This was 
overheard by Mrs. S. in an adjoining room, who soon made 
her appearance, and told her son she thought he would b^ 
l5e very much improved by a farther acquaintance in the 
kitchen. The news soon spread that Col. Seymour's wild 
Irishman was liberally educated, and he who had been only 
greeted with the epithets of Pat and Paddy, was now ad- 
dressed as Mr. O'Toole." 

In coming to this town, a\Ir. O'Toole followed the old 
Indian path, and upon arriving at the spring near where he 
built his house, was so well pleased with the place, that he 
resolved to make it his residence, if he could obtain it. This 
he was so fortunate as to accomplish, and located himself 
here in 1794, and remained until he v^as removed to his la.st 
resting place, February 23. 1S42, at the age of ninety. He 
left a son, who is an Attorney-at-Law in Albany, and also 
a number of daughters, who are enterprising and highly 
respectable, and three of whom reside in Kome. 

In 179.3, Mr. Cassety completed his saw mill at the Falls. 
Lemuel Hart and J. Reynolds came into the town this year. 

In the autumn of 1796, a grist mill was so nearly com- 
pleted, that the inhabitants were not all compelled to go 
either to Clinton, Westmoreland, or Madison to mill. Pre- 
vious to this time, it was not an unfrequent occurrence for 
the inhabitants, for lack of beasts of burden, to carry their 
grain to those places upon their backs. A grist mill was 
built at Fishville, in 1808, by Charles Fish and Benjamin 
Gregg. In 1809 one was erected at the Centre, by Josiah 
Bartholomew and Eleazar 3Ietcalf 



nr.] * AUGUSTA. 91- 

Abraliam and Alexander Holmes resided upon the east 
hill this year. Oliver Bartholomew, Deacon Philip Pond, 
AVilliam Martin, Stephen Crosby, Archibald and John Man- 
chester, Robert Worden, and John Goodhue, were also 
residents of the town this year. 

In 1797, an effort was made in the Legislature to organize 
this town. The bill passed the Assembly, but when reached 
in the Senate, Samuel Jones, then a Senator from the south- 
ern district, and who was the first State Comptroller, arose 
and asked, "What will they do for town officers? for the 
law declares they must be freeholders." This defeated the 
bill, for Peter Smith's land was then yet held by leases for 
twenty-one years, and the Oneida Reservation had not been 
sold. 

In the spring of this year, five families came in company 
from Washington, Litchfield County, Conn., of whose num- 
ber were Robert Durkee, Newton Smith, Joseph Hurd, and 
Sheldon Parmalee. Benjamin and Joseph Durkee, in the 
course of the year, followed from the same town. They all 
settled upon the road running south from the Centre, and 
which was called "Washington street." Previous to the 
arrival of these settlers, there was no road from Michael 
Hinman's, where George L. Brigham now resides, to the 
Centre. 

An election was held this year, while the territory of 
this town was included in Whitestown, Herkimer County, 
at the public house of Charles Putnam, upon the hill east of 
Harvey Putnam's present residence. 

This town was organized in 1798. The name of Augusta 
was given in consequence of a promise of Gen. Augustus 
Van Horn to Thomas Cassety, who was now a Colonel in 
the militia, that if the Colonel would procure the town to be 
named after him, he would give him a new military hat. 



98* AN.XAL.S OF UNEIDA COUM'T. [ciIAr. 

The name .so nearly resembled the General's, that tlio 
Colonel received the promised '-hat." 

By tlic act organising the town, the first tov>n meeting 
was to be held at the house of Timothy Pond, Jr. The first 
meeting Avas held agreeably to the Legislative appointment, 
and Thomas Cassety was elected Supervisor, and Joseph 
Durkce Town Clerk. Col. Cassety, from his education and 
talents, became a leading spirit in those days. Mr. Durkec 
held the office of Clerk twenty-four successive years, and of 
the nineteen men elected to office at this meeting, he is the 
only one who yet resides in town. But one other is known 
living, Oliver Bartholomew, who resides near "Watcrtown. 
Col. Cassety was a Justice of the Peace for Herkimer County. 
for we learn of his having solemnized marriages while thi.< 
territory belonged to that county. He administered the 
oath of office as Supervisor to himself, as appears by the 
records, and certified that the oath was taken before himself 
Perhaps a part of this irregularity arose from the fact that 
the oaths of all town officers Avere recoi-ded in the town 
book, and subscribed by themselves. In newly settled towns, 
many irregularities had to be overlooked. The statutes of 
those days required the oaths of town officers to be taken 
 before a Justice of the Peace, or other proper officer, without 
fee or reward ; and it is believed that Col. Cassety was the 
only person authorized to administer oaths within tlie limits 
of the town. The first election of Justice of the Peace b}" 
the people in town meeting, was that of Nathan Kimball, in 
1830 : but Justices were elected previous to that year at 
general elections, under the amendment to the Constitution 
adopted in 182G, but which the town records do not show. 
J^lsfjuirc Kimball, who is yet living, has since held the office 
of County Judge. The town meetings were held regularly 
up to 1802. In 1801 the town meeting adjourucdj to meet 



IV.] V;/.,-' AUGUSTA. .'■'..-' 93 

the next year at the house of Seth Holmes, who resided 
upon the west side of the road ascending the hill from the 
.^outli at Vernon Centre. This venerable mansion is yet 
standing, although mucli gone to decay, and uninhabited. 
The meeting failed, for before the time appointed, the town 
of Vernon had been erected, leaving the house of Mr. 
Holmes in the latter town. Accordingly, three Justices of 
the Peace appointed the town officers for 1S02. In 180.5, a 
Town House was built at the Centre, in which the town 
meetings have since been held. It has been twice removed 
to different locations, the last time to the Centre, in 1842, 
when it was repaired at the expense of the town. 

The first merchant was a Mr. Adams, who kept his goods 
in the housfe of Ichabod Stafford, in 1798. He built, or 
rather raised and covered, a building for a store in that 
vicinity, but failed before he had filled it with goods. Mr. 
Smith "sold goods" near the present residence of Christopher 
Stebbins, but committed some crime, for which he was sen- 
tenced to State's Prison. Elisha Carrington established 
himself as a merchant at an early period at Newell's Cor- 
ners, but he soon removed to Peterboro. Abel Lindsley 
traded at a very early period at the place now occupied by 
Cyrus Barber. Samuel Chandler came into the town and 
engaged in business with Mr. Lindsley, some five or six 
years before he commenced business with his brother. This 
firm failed, and Winthrop H. Chandler, after some delay, 
entered into business with his brother Samuel, in 1806. 
'This firm, imder the name of Samuel Chandler & Co., 
became one of the most respectable mercantile establish- 
ments in the county, and the brothers long enjoyed the con- 
fidence of the community. 

They were both, at different times, elected Supervisors of 
the town, and Winthrop H. represented the county in the 



'%4 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAF. 

Assembly. Wintbvop II. did not become an actual resident 
of Augusta until Mny, 1808, and the two continued the 
business until 1818, when Samuel died. Wiutlirop II. con- 
tinued the business until Feb. 24, 1835, when his store was 
destroyed by fire. This was tlie most disastrous blow to the 
prosperity of Augusta Centre that has ever happened. John 
J. Knox settled in Augusta in 1811. He has been exten- 
sively engaged in mercantile operations, and the purchasing 
of produce, up to the present time. He was for a time 
President of the Bank of Vernon. Knox's Corners is a 
place of considerable business. 

Two citizens of this town have a.ssisted in electing Pres.i- 
sidents. David Ambler was a member of Assembly when 
the electors were chosen by that body, who elected James 
Monroe. John J. Knox was an elector when W. H. Har- 
rison was elected. While in the Assembly, Mr. Ambler 
voted for the construction of the Erie Canal, a measure of 
vast importance, and which has fully shown the far-seeing 
wisdom of its supporters. 

"W. II. Chandler, Riley Shepard, and David Murray, 
have been members of the Assembly. Chauncy C. Cook, a 
native of this town, was a member of Assembly from Kirk- 
land in 1845. 

The first white child born in Augusta, was Peter Smith 
Gunn. The first persons married in the town, were Daniel 
Hart and Catharine Putnam. Col. Cassety officiated upon 
the occasion. The oldest native now residing in this town, 
is Mrs. Margaret Mahanny, daughter of Francis O'Toolc 
The first death in the town was that of Fileazar Putnam, 
who died April 15, 1795, aged 31 years. He lived upon the 
cast hill ; and as a number of families of that name had 
located near together, that section of the hill was knowxi to 
the early settlers as Put's Hill The next death of an adult 



IV.] .-rs-iijv AUGUSTit. 96 

■was that of Lucy Greene, who died in March, 1796. Age 
not ascertained. Two deaths of children occurred in this 
town at an early period, one a child of Ozias Hart, the other 
of John Porter, but which died first can not bow be ascer- 
taiited. They were first buried near where Herman Parker 
resides ; but the ground proving unsuitable, they were after- 
wards removed to the present burying ground, south of 
David Stilson's. This ground was originally given for that 
purpose by John Porter, and was enlarged, newly fenced, 
and beautified in 1845. There are four clergymen buried 
in it: the Eev. Amos Crocker, whose grave is lost, and Pkcv. 
Simon Snow, whose epitaph is, — 

" With Heavenly weapons I have fought 
The Battles of the Lord, 
Finished my course, and kept the faith, 
And wait a sure reward." 

The Rev. A. P. Clark, and the Rev. John Orrasbee. 

During the nine years preceding September 1847, there 
were 247 deaths in the town. The annual proportion is one 
in 76,2. The greatest number in a year, 42 ; least number, 
19. Population, 2,271. 

There have been four deaths by fire-arms, where the de- 
sign to shoot, if not to kill, was shown. Mr. Major Wood, 
who lived upon the east hill, was shot by a woman who 
lived with him as wife. He had served in the continental 
army, and this woman came from the army with him. She 
was intemperate, and had been to an election the day pre- 
ceding the commission of the deed, and was intoxicated at 
the time. Little was known of the circumstances, or how 
iTiUch of malice or design were manifested by the act. She 
was tried, convicted of murder, and sentenced to be hung, 
and her body given to the surgeons. In the night preceding 



VlG ANNALS OF ONEIDA COt'NTY. [cli.ir. 

the day of execution, she hung herself in the jail at Ilerki'- 
uiei". At the time, it was the opinion of many that she was 
induced to commit suicide by the belief that thereby she 
would evade the last part of her sentence, and save her body 
from the dissecting knife. If this was so, she failed in her 
object, for her remains Avere used for the promotion of pro- 
fessional science. (See section upon Capital Convictions, 
pp. 42, 43, for particulars of her trial.) 

Theophilus Fowler, an Indian, shot Ethan Wiffgins, an- 
other Indian. They, with others, had been on a squirrel 
hunt for two or three days. Coming into the neighborhood 
of the distillery, Wiggins went into the shoe shop of Charles 
Stiles, an upper room of the house now occupied by David 
Fish, and Fowler went to the distillery and obtained some- 
thing to drink. Very soon Fowler took his gun and went 
rapidly up the street, until opposite the shoe shop. Wiggins 
was looking out of the window, and Fowler, without giving 
any notice of his intentions, drew up and fired. Wiggins 
fell, one shot having entered his eye, and was immediately 
carried to Brotherton, where he survived but about three 
days. 

After the Revolutionary war, the Oneida Indians who 
resided at Oriskany, left that location, and a part came to 
the " Mile Square," in the neighborhood of tlie present 
residence of Jolm Curry. This location had long before 
been occupied by Indians. Mr. Philo White was of the 
opinion that when the Oneida Indians left Oriskany, a part 
"f tliem went to Canesaraga. After the settlement of 
Augusta, a number of those Indians yet remained upon the 
"Mile Square." Cornelius was tlicir head man, and he had 
a son-in-law named Jacob. Jacob and another Indian, 
whose name can not now be ascertained, went to Clinton, 
where they obtained liquor. While upon their return, they 



?V.] AUGUSTA. 97 

had a quarrel, and although Jacob was much the smaller 
man, yet, as is believed, from the fact that he was less drunk , 
he obtained the advantage in the fight. Upon arriving 
at their settlement, they first came to the home of the larger 
Indian. The latter went into his wigwam, and obtaining 
his rifle, came to the door, and shot Jacob, who fell dead. 
He then dragged the body into the woods, and made an 
attempt to conceal it. The next morning, Jacob not having 
arrived at his home, his father-in-law, Cornelius, started 
to search for him. When he arrived at the place in the road 
where Jacob had been shot, his practised eye discovered 
blood, and with true Indian sagacity, he traced its trail 
into the woods, and found the body. From the circumstan- 
ces, he at once knew who was the murderer. Standing in 
the relation of the " avenger of blood," according to the 
Indian laws, he immediately proceeded to the cabin of the 
murderer, burst open the door, and with his ever ready knife, 
gave, as he supposed, the fatal stab. By means of " eaves- 
dropping," a few evenings afterwards, he ascertained that 
his aim had not been true, and that the murderer was re- 
covering from his wound. Cornelius then went to Hendrick 
Smith, his nephew, who resided at the Indian Orchard, and 
who was also from Oriskany, and borrowed his brass hatchet, 
with a steel edge, and also persuaded Smith to go with him. 
They started, and ran without once halting, until they ar- 
rived at the cabin door of their victim. Cornelius burst open 
the door, and finding the object of their vengeance upon his 
bed, without uttering a word, caught him by the haii*, and 
with one blow of the tomahawk cleft open his head. Not 
knowing in what light the matter might be viewed by the 
friends at Oneida, of the Indian whom they had executed, 
Cornelius and Smith thought it prudent to leave the place 
until the excitement, if any, had subsided. They therefore 

7 



98 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAr 

went south into the Chenango country, and remained until 
they learned that the friends of the murderer were satisfied 
that his punishment was merited and just, and were not di«- 
posed to take any notice of it, or his executioners, when tliey 
returned. 

The author is aware that there is some skepticism in re- 
Ijition to this transaction. His informant was the Hon 
Aaron Staffox'd, of Waterville, who is a son of the Ichabod 
Stafford who settled in Aiigusta in 1793. He resided witlt 
his father at the time, and but a short distan.ce south from 
where it took place. Although he was not an eye'-witnesg, 
yet he well recollects the affair, and that the next morning 
after the murder, Jacob's wife, with a very young infant, 
came to his father's, accompanied by her mother, the wife 
of Cornelius, and of their talking of the subject, and weeping 
bitterly. He also well recollects having seen the brass 
hatchet, with steel edge, belonging to Hendrick Smith, with 
which it was said the Indian was executed ; and also remem- 
bers the absence of Cornelius and Hendrick. Those ac- 
quainted with the tenacity of Mr. Stafford's memory, will 
Imrdly doubt the correctness of his statements. 

Another instance of death from fire-arms, was that in 
which Thomas Grinnell. accidentally, shot himself in the 
arm, near the shoulder. He survived the accident but about 
:) week. - 

Timothy Ranney was accidentally shot by his cousin, 
Silas Cook, on Sunday, tlie 10th of April, 1810. Ptiley 
Shcpard and Timothy Ranney, were sitting near each other, 
reading alternately a verse from tl;e Bible, and if the charge 
had possessed sufficient force to have passed through Mr 
Ranney's head, Shepard would have shared the fate of his 
cousin. 

At the Falls, Mr. Cady shot Mr. Gardner, who was actini; 



IV.] • ' AUGUSTA. ' -' 9,9 

the part of a military officer, by giving Lim the word of com- 
mand. There had been a training the day previous, and 
(Jady was not aware that the gun was loaded. 

Orrin S. Cook, son of Josiah Cook, was killed by the 
falling of a tree, Oct. 22, 1818. 

Terence Fagan was killed July 12, 1838, by falling from 
liis wagon, and the horses stopping with one of the wheels 
resting upon his neck. His death occurred in Stockbridge, 
)iut he was a resident of Augusta> 

lloswell J. Lewis, of this town, was killed at Oneida 
Castle, on the 22d of May, 1842, by being run over while 
attempting to stop his own and E. Wooster's liorses while 
running. After the accident, he survived but about twenty- 
four hours. Says his obituary : " Within the recollection of 
tniv oldest citizens, death has not entered our town under so 
painful a shape, and attended by such a variety of distressing 
particulars, as in this instance." • 

In 1834, a sum of about $2,100 was raised for the pur- 
pose of an Academical School at the Centre. A very com- 
modious stone building was soon erected, and a school went 
into successful operation. In 1840, the sum of $400 was 
raised for a library and philosophical apparatus, and the 
Academy was incorporated. The form of the building is 
peculiar, at least it is so for Central New York. The front 
is a regular semicircle, while the rear wall is straight. The 
teachers in this Institution have been, Melville Adams, 
Kev. Benjamin Lockwood, Robert Bradshaw, J. Manross, 
Hewitt Bronson, G. L. Hall, Rev. Samuel Whaley, A. K. 
Eaton, C. Percival. Mr. Hall taught successfully during 
,seven years. 

This town, like Vernon, was settled by very many from 
Litchfield County, Conn. At this time, eighteen of the 
forty-eight families who reside upon the road which runs 



100 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP, 

north and south through the Centre, were from that county, 
or are the immediate descendants of such. The town of Otis, 
in Berkshire County, Mass., at one time had many repre- 
sentatives in Augusta. 

Josiah Cook, grandfather of Chauncy C. Cook, of Clinton, 
attended a half century celebration at the Centre in 1847. 
He came from Otis to this town in 1799, with thirteen chil- 
dren, all of whom, with a single exception, settled with 
families in Augusta. His descendants, on the 7th of Sep- 
te.mber, 1847, numbered 250.  . 

Abner Ranney, who died September Ist, 1847, aged 101 
years, 5 months, and 5 days, came from Blandford, Hamp- 
den County, a town adjoining Otis, had twelve children, 
^.j'ghty-seven grandchildren, and eighty great-grandchildren. 
These two patriarchs settled upon opposite sides of th<3 same 
s'oreet. 

Knox's Corners at one time went by the name of Cook's 
Corners. 

Elisha Shephard, an old resident of this town, and who 
was in the battle of Stone Arabia, upon the Mohawk, on the 
i9fch of October, 1780, in which Col. Brown, the commander, 
5.ad about forty out of two hundred soldiers, were killed, 
related a fact which the author has never seen noticed in any 
.s.'icount of the aborigines. Mr. Shephard states that none of 
tbe red-haired persons who fell in the battle were scalped, 
9?hi.le no others escaped the horrid mutilation. 

In 1795, Mr. J. Reynolds, while looking for his cows, 
a,-icompanied by his dog, treed a bear, when about sixty '■ 
rods south-west of Ozias Hart's. Being within hailing dis- 
tance, he called to Hart to come with his gun, and shoot the 
bear. Mr. Hart misunderstood the request, supposing the 
bear had treed Reynolds. Although he had a gun well 
loaded, and one or two dogs, he went in search of his brother 



IV j] ; AUGUSTA. 101 

that he might have his assistance in relieving his neighbor 
from his perilous situation. Mr. Reynolds becoming iin- 
I patient,. went to Hart's, believing the clog would keep pos- 
 session; but in this he was mistaken, for the dog also left. 
and before the arrival of Reynolds or the Harts, the animal 
had decamped, and made good his retreat. The anecdote 
does no very great credit to the courage of Ozias Hart or 
the dog. 

Another "bear story" is also told by the "oldest inhabil- 
ants." As Thomas Spafford was going to meeting one Sun- 
day, at the house of Ichabod Stafford, and when about half 
way from the Centre to Stafford's, he discovered a large bear 
following him. For a time he pursued his way quietly, 
hoping the animal would soon leave the path, but in this ho 
"was mistaken, for the animal gained fast upon him. He 
now attempted to frighten it from its course, but without 
success. The bear at length having come so neai*, and \\s 
company being so unwelcome, Spafford left the path, and 
ascended a small hemlock, and by the time he was fairly out 
of reach, the animal was at the roots of the tree. Thus un- 
pleasantly situated, and wishing to get a higher, and perhap.s 
easier position, Stafford unluckily took hold of a dry limb, 
which broke, and he fell. Bruin, doubtless thinking as 
• Spafford '-came tumbling down," that he was "come for." 
suddenly left, while the latter pursued his way without fur- 
ther molestation. 

Oriskany Falls is a flourishing village, in the south-west 
. part of the town. The fall of the Oriskany Creek at this 
— place is so considerable, that a large amount of water power \h 
obtained. In its descent, the water is carried over a led£:e 
of limestone, at an angle of about 45 degrees. There are a 
grist and flouring mill, two saw mills, two woolen factories, 
besides some smaller machinery ; and the water power ia 



102 ANNALS OP ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciIAr. 

such as to admit a vast increase of business. The village 
contains about six hundred inhabitants, two taverns, two 
dry goods and two grocery stores, three storehouses, two cab- 
inet and chair factories, and most kind of mechanic shops. 
The Chenango Canal, and "Hamilton and Dean.<5ville Plank 
Road," pass tlirough this place. There is an inexhaustible 
i|uarry of limestone in and near the village, large quantities 
of which are quarried for building purposes and for lime, and 
transported upon the canal to different parts of the country. 
The Congregational Church is of stone, of good size, and is a 
substantial edifice. 

Augusta Centre has three places of public worship. — a 
Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist, those of Presbyterians 
and Baptists with steeples. They are all painted, and are 
well-arranged, good buildings. The Academy at this place 
has been noticed. There are a tavern, one dry goods store, 
a grist and flouring mill, with the various mechanic shops 
usual in country villages. 

There are four grist mills and six saw mills in the town. 



RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

The first sermon preached witliin the present limits of the 
town, was by a Methodist minister, in 1794, in the house of a 
3Ir. Fairbanks, upon the place now occupied by Mrs. Camp 
Williams. Possibly there may have been preaching pre- 
viously by some missionary, but if so, it is not within the 
knowledge of any one now living in the town. 

The widow of Ichabod Staiford, who is now quite aged, 
and resides in the village of Waterville, informed the writer 
that a Baptist Church was formed very early in the settle- 
ment of the town, in the vicinity of lier residence upon the 



yv.] AUGUSTA. 103 

•east bill, of whieh she was a member. It was dissolved after 
a few years, and no records respecting it have been found. 

In 1797, a log school-house stood upon the west side of 
the road which runs north from William Bridge's. In that 
■^ehool-house, on the 7th of September of that year, the 
present Congregational Church was formed, with nine mem- 
bers, by Rev. Doct Asahel S. Xorton, of Clinton, and Rev. 
Joel Bradly, of Westmoreland. The church was organized 
In the morning, and Rev. Mr. Bradly preached in the after- 
noon. The names of the first members were Isaiah Gilbert, 
Experience Gilbert, Benjamin Dui'kee, Susanna Durke»\ 
Thomas Stafford, Lucy Stafford, Ezra Saxton, Abiel Linsley, 
and Anna Linsley. Mr. Linsley was the first moderator. 

After the formation of the church, its members continue(i 
to meet upon the Lord's-day in private dwellings, school- 
houses, barns, and sometimes in the open air, for conferen<'e 
and prayer, and occasionally had preaching, by Dr. Norton 
and Rev. Mr. Kirkland, and sometimes others were employe i 
for a few weeks, or perhaps montLs. 

In 1800, the church numbered but sixteen, having re- 
ceived seven by letter, and two by profession. 

In 1804, Rev. John Speneer commenced preaching to tlii.« 
people. lie was a native of Connecticut, and had enjoyed 
but the privileges of a common school education. At tlie 
close of the Revolutionary war, in which he served as a 
soldier, he came to Worcester, Otsego County. He wa,s ;i 
plain, unassuming man, but contemplating the moral desobi- 
tion around him, and the paucity of laborers, he desired to 
enter the ministry. He was encouraged, and licensed to 
preach in October, 1800. He spent two or three years in 
the County of Greene, and afterwards in the County of 
Oneida, and removed from Vernon Centre to Augusta. The 
elder class of the people, speak of him witli affection. He 



104 ANNALS OF ONIUDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

left tills place in 1807, and in 1809 removed to the tlieu 
almost unbroken wilderness, but now the town of Sheridan, 
iu Chatauque County. His praise as a missionary, was in 
many churches. A monument, bearing the following in- 
scription, marks liis grave in the burying place in Sheridan 

" This stone is consecrated to the memory of Rev. John 
Spencer, many years a missionary of the Connecticut Mis- 
sionary Societ3^ . He was the first Gospel minister who 
traversed the wilderness tlien called the Holland Purchase, 
and was the instrument, under God, in forminar most of the 
CongregaticHial and Presbyterian Churches which existed in 
this region when he rested from his labors, 1826, aged G8. 

" He trod a useful but laborious path to immortality, iu 
the ardent, unremitted exercise of doing good. 

'• The Association of Western New York, grateful to his 
memory, have erected this monument, hoping that it may 
prompt the beholder to imitate his self-denying labors. 
1838.^' 

Says Mr. Aycr : "From the time of Mr. Spencer's n^ 
moval until October 15, 1809, the church appears to have 
been in tlie wilderness in tumults, like sheep without :i 
sliepherd, going astray. At that time the church called the 
llev. David Kendall, of Hubbardston, Mass., to take the 
pastoral charge, which was accepted, and he was installed 
May 2, 1810. Mr. Kendall was dismissed. August 1 1, 1814. 
During his ministry, twelve were received by profession, and 
two by letter. 

The Ptcv. Oliver Ayer commenced his labors with thi^ 
church in October, 1814, and was installed January lOtJi. 
181G. the 11 cv. Dr. Azel IJackus preaching upon the occa- 
sion, from Hebrews x. 25. Mr. Ayer continued his labois 
with* the church about four years. These are reckoned a** 
the four most prosperous years which this body ever ex. 



n 



AUGUSTA. 105 



pericuced in succession. Two years of the time witnessed a 
revival, in which the church, numbering at their commence- 
ment but forty-eight members, received accessions of one 
liundrcd and sixty. 

Mr. Ayer's health having failed, the Rev Ely Burchard 
commenced his labors with this ehareh in January, IS 18. 
Mr. Ayer was cot dismissed until Feb. 3, 1819, and the 
(•ouncil that dismissed him, ordained and installed Mr. Bu)-- 
chard the next day. The' church fcujoyed the labors of tin- 
latter four years and eight months, and was increased during 
his ministry by the addition of forty-four upon profession, 
and fourteen by letter. He'was dismissed Oct. 15, 1822. 

The Rev. Benjamin J. Lane commenced his labors, as 
stated supply, a few weeks after the dismissal of Mr. Bur- 
chard. and continued them about four years. In the earl}- 
part of this period there was an interesting revival, and 
during the four years of his labors, sixty-five were received 
upon profession, and fourteen by letter. The Rev. Leverctt 
Hull immediately succeeded Mr. Lane, and like his prede- 
cessor, was not installed. He continued four years, and 
received about one hundred upon profession of faith. The 
first protracted meeting in Augusta was held during the 
ministry of Mr. Hull. The revival, which was the result of 
this meeting, or at least the measures and means adopted, 
were condemned by some as extravagant. Mr- Hull had 
warm and decided friends, while some were as decidedly 
opposed to him.  ^ ' 

The Bev. Mr. Hull was succeeded, for one year, by Rev. 
John Waters, whose labors were eminently useful. In June. 
• 1831, a protracted meeting was held, in which the Baptists 
took part : a revival followed, and, as its fruits, on the 4th 
of September, fifty-three were received upon profession of 
faith, being the largest number ever received at one time bj 



106 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [C'lIAP. 

this church. On the 2.">tli of November, 1832. the church 
reached its highest point in numbers, having at that time; 
precisely four hundred members. 

In January, 1838, thirty -five members received letters of 
dismission, for the purpose of forming a churcli at Oriskany 
Falls. 

After the trial of many candidates, Rev. A. P. Clark was 
called to the pastoral office, September 13, 1833, and was 
installed February 12, 1834. He was an excellent pastor 
and man. During the spring or summer following, he had 
the misfortune to break one of his limbs, which hindered 
him from his labors a number of months. He died Feb. 
G, 1835, aged 38 years. He was entombed with the people 
of his affection, and his epitaph is, — "Remember, the words 
that I spake unto you while I was yet with you." Nothing 
could have been more appropriate. 

A little more than two years of quiet followed, in which 
Mr. PLobertson and Mr. Wells supplied the pulpit. 

On the 10th of May, 1836. the present pastor, Rev. Orlo 
Bartholomew commenced his labors, and was installed by 
the Oneida Presbytery on the 24th of the following August. 
There were upon the church book when he came, 279 mem- 
bers. Of that number 119 have been dismissed, two have 
been excommunicated, and fifty have died. During tliis 
time, seventy-one have been received by letter, and ninety- 
four by profession of faith, and three who had been absolved, 
liave returned, making the whole number received, 108, 
leaving the cliurch tliree less than when the present pastor 
commenced preaching to thcni. Tii the first year of his 
labors, fifteen were added upon profession, tlie result of a 
protracted meeting, held in connection with the Bapti.«t 
Church. Tn tlid tliird year, thirty-six were received upon 
profession, .^lu.-^t of these were hopefully converted in the 



IV.] AUGUSTA.  - ' 107 

above-mentioned meeting. Elders Smitzer and Parker per- 
formed most of the preaching during the meeting. 

Deacons Abiel Linsley and Isaiah Gilbert officiated for 
the first sis or seven years of the existence of the church. 
They had each held the office before they came to Augusta. 
Deacon Linsley, after he left, was the instrument of doing 
much good ; and a letter written by him to his pastor, when 
unable to attend public worship from ill health, was the 
commencement of the means which resulted in the formation 
of the Grenesee Missionary Society. In 1804, Amos Grilbert 
arid Philip Pond were chosen deacons. Lebbeus Camp, 
chosen in 1814, was dismissed in 1833. John Lewis was 
chosen in 1822, Robert Durkee and Mark Thompson in 
1832, and Russell Knox in 1834. 

This church has contributed liberally to the benevolent 
objects of the day. In five years, commencing with 1837, 
they gave $4,419 09 to different benevolent Associations. 
From the time of the erection of the town house, in 1805, to 
1816, it was occupied as a meeting house by this Society. 
In 1816 the present house of worship was built, and was 
dedicated Feb. 3, 1817. In 1844, its interior was re- 
modelled, and it was re-dedicated the same year. 

As early as 1802, there were two Methodist classes in 
Augusta, one of which met in the neighborhood where now 
the iMessrs. Powers reside, and the other upon the east hill, 
in the vicinity of which the old chapel stood. This was the 
centre of the denomination in this. town for many years, and 
they had often large congregations for the country. The 
old chapel was built by Riley Shepard, in 1819, and was 
regularly occupied until the new chapel was built at the 
Centre, in 1840. The. new chapel was dedicated December 
15, 1840, Zaehariah Paddock officiating upon the occasion. 
The first service in it after the day of dedication, was upon 



108 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAT. 

Thauksgiving-day, the 17tb of the same month, when the 
Kev. 0. Bartholomew, of the Congregational Church, preach- 
ed from Johnvi. 12: "Gather up the fragments, that nothing 
be lost." 

There are now in connection with the Methodist denomi- 
nation at various places in the town, as follows; — At the 
Centre, forty-two ; at the Falls, twenty-one ; at Knox's Cor- 
ners, twenty-three; upon the "Strip," twenty; making 1G6 
members of the station or circuit. There are twenty of the 
inhabitants of Augusta connected with the Methodist Society 
at Deansville, eighteen with the Society at Vernon Centre. 
and five connected with the Society at Stockbridge. 

The present Baptist Church in Augusta was organized 
August •22, 1829, with thirty-three members. The first 
meeting for business was held August 30> the same year. 
and their meeting house was dedicated the 20th of the same 
month. These dates may seem paradoxical, but they are in 
accordance with the records and the facts. It seemed to the 
author unusual for a Society to erect a good and convenient 
meeting house, and have it dedicated, before the organization 
of the church ; but upon re-inquiry, he is assured the above 
dates are correct. 

The most extensive revival was in 1831, and which is 
mentioned in the history of the Congregational Church. 
Seventy-six were added to the Baptist Church upon pro- 
fession, and twelve by letter during its continuance. In 
September, 1833, the number of members was 127, in 1838. 
141. Present number, 85. The preachers to this Church 
have been, Elders P. P. Brown, James A. Mallory, A. H. 
Ilaff, Jason Corwin, — . Bridge, — . Jeffries, and R. Z. Wil- 
liams. 

The Congregational Church at Oriskany Falls was organ- 
ized January 31, 1833. Its present number is seventy-five, 



TV.] AUGUSTA. ' ' ,^^,' - 109- 

of whom thirty-six reside in Augusta. There is but one 
more member of this denomination upon the territory which 
this Church occupies in Augusta, than when formed. The 
walls of their house were erected and enclosed in 1834, and 
tib.e basement so finished that the congregation worshipped in 
it until the building was completed and dedicated, April 9, 
1845. The dedication serm.on was preached by the Rev. 0. 
Bartholomew, from 2 Ghron. ii. 4. 

The B-ev. John Gross labored with this church one year 
previous to the last Lord's-day in Nov. 1834, when the Rev. 
Pindar Field commenced his labors, and was installed by the 
Oneida Association, December 21st, and was dism.issed by 
the same on May 26, 1846, a little more than one year after 
tfie house, for which he had made great personal sacrifices, 
had been dedicated. At the time of his settlement, the 
cburch consisted of forty-seven members. There were added 
daring his ministry ninety-three, forty -one by profession and 
firty-two by letter. During Mr. Field's pastorate, the sum 
ni" about $700 was contributed by this Society to the differ- 
ent benevolent objects of the day. 



(JoL. Thoma.t Caesety. — The author has not been able to 
ascertain satisfactorily the time of his birth. He was the 
S5n. of James Oassety, who was a captain in the British 
army, and on service in this country in the French war of 
1756 After the peace of 1760, the captain went to Detroit, 
and established himself as an Indian trader Here he con- 
t.ifjued until the commencement of the War of the Revolu- 
tion, when he was ordered to take up arms against the 
colonies. This he refused to do. In the m.ean time Thomas, 

tbe subject of this notice, was born, had pursued the usual 
I 



110 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cllAV 

preparatory course, and was now far advanced in his collc' 
giate education. During a vacation, he visited his father at 
Detroit, and while there, an officer of the crown was sent to 
arrest his fatlier for treason, in refusing to fight the battles 
of George III against the colonies. The arrest was made in 
the presence of the son, which so exasperated him, that he 
seized a loaded musket, and fired at the officer. Whether lie 
killed him or not, is not known, as the Colonel iu after life 
would never throw any light upon the subject, further than 
that the ball passed through the officer's hat crown. The 
Captain was taken to Quebec, and for three long years con- 
fined so closely in prison, that in the whole period the sun 
never for once shone upon him. At length, with two others, 
lie made his escape. Thomas, after firing at the officer, made 
good his retreat from Detroit, and took refuge with one of 
the western tribes of Indians. Here he was received and 
treated with kindness, was formally adopted into their tribe, 
one of the chiefs of which gave him his daughter for a wife. 
]5y her he had issue ; and tradition has said, whether truly or 
falsely, that '-the celebrated Tecumsch was a son of Thomas 
Cassety." 

After a residence of several years with the Indians, and 
ufter our independence had been acknowledged by Britain, 
us he could then return in safety, he left the Indian?, and 
again took up his abode in civilized life, and was again mar- 
ried. By this marriage lie liad seven children, two sons and 
five daughters. The next that is learned of him is, thit he 
was residing at Canajoharie. 

The surveyors employed by Peter Smith having been 
driven off. as before stated, their compass and chain broken 
to pieces by the pagan party of the Oneidas, Mr. Smith had 
recourse to Mr. Cassety. who was residing at that place, to 
induce bim to come to Oneida, and make peace with the 



tV.] AUGUSTA. -..i. ill 

Indians. From Lis thorough acquaintance with Indian 
character, he was peculiarly fitted for this mission, in which 
he was entirely successful. Mr. Smith, by means of these 
services, was enabled to realize a considerable fortune. 

In 1794, Mr. Cassety removed to the town of Augusta, 
and settled at Oriskany Falie, a location which for many 
years was known only by the name of Cassety Hollow. Here 
he built the mills as before stated, and iii erecting the grist 
mill, he and Peter Smith v.-ere in company: Soon after its 
completion, Cassety, who was now a Colonel in the militia, 
and Justice of the Peace, purchased of Smith his share, and 
mortgaged his property to Smith to secure the payment of 
the purchase money. Eventually, the foreclosing of this 
mortgage reduced the Colonel from competency to poverty. 
The earnings of years of toil and privation were all swept 
away. 

His death was most melancholy. A clothier, in removing 
from his shop, had left, among other articles, a bottle of sul- 
phuric acid. This the Colonel supposed to be whiskey, (a 
poison in most cases just as sure, if not as rapid,) and the 
fatal draught closed his existence in a few hours. He died 
August 14, 1831. 

Colonel Cassety had talents of a high order, which had 
been improved by a good education. He was a warm and 
true friend ; generous almost to a fault. The early settlers 
of Augusta often enjoyed his bounty. Upon one occasion, in 
a time of scarcity, he divided among them, gratuitously, all 
the bread-stuflfs in his mill, poor as well as rich receiving in 
proportion to the numbers in their families. Unsolicited, 
upon another occasion, he advanced the money to save a poor 
man's cow from being sold upon an execution. He was a 
wit and humorist. In polished society, he was a gentleman. 
For the amusement of others, he could represent scenes from 



! 



I'' 



ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. 



[cHAr. 



savage life with skill and accuracy. In his iutercourse with 
those in humble life, he could conform to them without 
compromising bin dignity of character. He had his faults, 
but we would let those lie, buried in the same grave, where, 
without monument or epitaph, sleep his remains. 

His father, Gapt James C^hsety, died in Augu?ta, M:iy 
23, 1822, aged 84 



\ 



v.] AVA. ,113 



CHAPTER V. 



AVA. 



This is the youngest sister in the family of towns in Oneida 
County. It was taken from the west part of BoonvillCj and 
organized as a town, by an act of Legislature, passed May 
12, 1846. 

The territory included in this town was first settled by 
Ebenezer Harger. He removed from Connecticut to Whites- 
town in 1797, and to this town in 1798, and settled upon the 
east branch of the Mohawk, about three-fourths of a mile 
east of the location of the Ava Post Office. Zephaniah 
Wood and Abner Wood settled soon after Mr. Harger. 
Soon after, — and it is believed in 1800, — Philo Harger, 
Benjamin Jones, Lemuel Wood, and Justus Beardsley 
moved into the town. In 1801, Philo Harger and Benjamin 
Jones erected the first saw mill in the town, upon the east 
branch of the Mohawk. At this time, the few settlers were 
nine miles from any other inhabitants. The nearest grist 
mill was that of Gen. Floyd, at the place since named West- 
ernville, at a distance of twelve miles, without a road, bridges, 
or causeways. For the first few years, these isolated pion- 
eers endured many hardships and privations. Wolves, those 
pernicious nuisances of border life, were quite too numerous, 
and destroyed many of their few sheep and other stock. 

This town occupies an elevated position. Head-waters 
of the Mohawk, Black River, and Fish Creek emanating 

8 



1 1 4 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [ullAP. 

from it. It is much better adapted to grazing than grain ; 
and products of the dairy arc* fast becoming the staple 
of export from the town. Indeed, it is believed that when 
its forests are relieved of their lumber, and it.s population 
become farmers only, that then its surplus butter and cheese 
will render Ava equal in wealth to any of the adjoining 
towns. 

The town is well w.atered. and has an al-undant water 
power. The east and west branches of the Mohawk, Point 
Eock Brook, and Blue Brook run through the town, and 
Fish Creek bounds the west end of the town. There are iu 
the town one grist mill, and eight saw mills. The water is 
pure, and its numerous waters are 3"et well stored with the 
'■speckled trout.'' 

Horace Iloyt, Esq., who has been Supervisor of the town 
two years since its erection, is its only merchant Besides 
the legitimate business of a country store, he deals largely in 
lumber. In 1848. he sold at least fifteen hundred thousand 
spruce shingles. He is also engaged in the manufacture ot 
patash. 

• A Societ}' of Friends, who have a hou.se for public wor- 
ship, is tlie only religious society in the town, although there 
arc within its limits a resident Methodist preacher, and meui- 
bcrs of other denominations of Christians. 

There is also a physician located in the town, and he. with 
the clergyman, are the only professional men within its 
bounds. 

The Common Schools of this town arc well sustained by 
its inhabitants. Each year since its organization, they have 
voted to raise a larger sum by taxation, than that received 
from the income of the State Common School Fund : and in 
this they have surpassed a majority of the towns in the 
county. 



v.] AVA. il5 

The town has also a School Fund of between three and 
four hundred dollars, the income of which is also applied to 
the support of education. This fund was derived from a 
division of the poor fund of the town of Boonville, when this 
town was taken from it. 

The soil is a gravelly loam, with little or no clay. Good 
stone for building purposes is abundant. 

Vf ithin the town is a small lake, or pond, of some sixty 
or seventy acres in extent. The water is very clear and 
pure, and in som6 places seventy feet in depth, and still it 
has no visible inlet or outlet. ^ 

There is another small pond, of two or three acres, in the 
vicinity of Point Rock Brook. 

The old French Uoad leading from Fort Stanwix to Car- 
thage, passed through this town, and some portions of which 
can still be traced. This was probably the route taken by 
M. De herj, when he and his command surprised and took 
Fort Bull, as mentioned in the history of Ptome, Chap. XIX 

Besides those mentioned as first settlers, Messrs. Bates, 
Barnard, Fanning, Adams, Mitchell. Beck, and Tiffany were 
pioneers in the settlement of Ava. 

Many Germans have located in the north part of thi.s 
town, and they are a hard}', industrious, and frugal class of 
citizens. 

Henry Capi'on was the first Supervisor, which office he 
again holds this year (1850 ) 



^1*3 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAF, 



CHAPTER VI. 



BOONVILLE. 



In the Introductory Chapter, it will be perceived that the 
territory embraced within the limits of this town, was in- 
cluded in 1788 in the town of Whitestown, in 1792 in Steu- 
ben, and in 1797 in Leyden, in which town it remained until 
180.5, when the town of Boonville was formed, Mr. Boon, 
the acting agent of the Holland Company, had proposed the 
name Kortenaer, — that of a distinguished individual of 
Holland, — but it seems that it was decided that the town 
should bear up the name of its patron. While this town and 
Leyden were united, Kortenaer (as Boonville was then called) 
took the lion's share, for nearly all the town meetings were 
held within its limits ; and during the eight years of their 
connection, Andrew Edmonds, at whose house their first 
town meeting was held, was twice elected Supervisor, and 
the brothers Phineas and Silas Southwell were elected 
several times to the .^ame office. 

The first settler of the territory now included in ]]oonvilIc. 
was Andrew Edmunds, who removed there in the spring of 
1795. He was agent for Mr. Boon, or, more properly, for 
the Holland Company, and a number of men were in his 
employ or under his direction. During this season they 
erected a saw mill, and made other preparations for the 
commencement of the settlement. A grist mill was also 
commenced, and the boards sawed, but in kiln-drvin" the 



VI.] BOONVILLE. 117 

boards, so that they could be worked, they unluckily took 
fire, and were all consumed. This so much delayed the 
grist mill, that it was not put in operation until the nest 
spring. 

In the spring of 179G, large accessions were made to the 
settlement ; among them we find the names of Luke Fisher 
and his son, Phineas Southwell, Silas Southwell, Martin 
Southwell, Asahel Porter, Ezekiel Porter, Aaron AVillard. 
Jacob Springer. Jeptha King, Hezekiah Jones and son, a Mr. 
Stockwell. and three young men by the name of King, and 
doubtless a number of others whose names are not now re- 
collected. Of these, many were in the employment of the 
Holland Company, while others "took up" farms, and com- 
menced clearing away the heavy forest. This spring the 
Company erected the store now occupied by the Messrs. 
Bamber, and with such rapidity, that it was occupied as a 
store as early as June. In the fall the Company erected a 
building for a tavern. In size and appearance, it nearly 
corresponded with the store. Of these several structvire.s 
erected b}' the Holland Company, none now remain, except 
the store. The tavern was upon the lot upon which stands 
the stone building in which the Post Office is now kept. 
From the best information obtained, the first death in the 
town was that of a Mr. Truman. Of this there is, however, 
"some uncertainty, as other informants think it was a Mr. 
Darrow who died first. 

That pleasant relation first instituted in Eden, "when 
angels were witnesses, and Grod the priest," was early at- 
tended to. The first marriage was that of Mr. Henry Evans 
and Miss Elizabeth Edmunds, daughter of Capt. Andrew 
Edmunds, the first settler. If some died, others were born. 
The first birth in the town was that of a daughter of Jacob 
Springer. 



J 18 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

This town lies in an elevated position, the head waters of 
the Mohawk and Black Rivers, and Fish Creek, being found 
almost in the same neighborhood. Snow falls to a greater 
depth than in the southern part of the county. The larger 
portion of the town is better adapted to pasture than grain. 
In the south part of the town is a section which has received 
the distinctive local name of Egypt, possessing a warm 
gravelly soil, which is good for grain. In many parts, the 
surface is dotted with immense bowlders. Quarries of good 
limestone for building purposes, are abundant. Dairying is 
rhe most general and productive business carried on by the 
farmers, and is receiving to some estent the attention it de- 
.scrves. Lumber is abundant, and large quantities were 
prepared for mai'ket in anticipation of the opening of the 
Black River Canal in the spring of 1850. and which found 
its way to market in the followiua; season of navi^iation. 
The forests of pine and spruce are so extensive upon and 
near the head-waters of the Black River, that many year.-= 
must elapse, even with the fi\cilities of the canal, before they 
c-in be cleared. 

The Black River Canal feeder extends from the river at 
Williamsville. nine miles to Boonvill© village, at which is 
the summit level. Extending upon this level about two 
miles in a south-westerl}- couree from the village, it enters 
the ravine (for valley it can not bo termed) of Lansing Kill 
(Creek), and keeping in the frightful chasm of the Kill a 
number of miles, it debouches into the valley of the Jlohawk 
in "Western. 

Tlie Missionaries of the Cross early visited the "Black 
River Country," as the valley of that river and its vicinity 
was termed by the early emigrants. The Congregational 
Cliurch of Boonville was formed by the Rev. Daniel Smith, 
a missionary sent out by the Massachusetts Missionary 



VI. J BOONVILLE. 119 

Society, in the summer of 1S0.5. Its records previous to 
1S22 are lost, and little is known of its early history. A 
committee was appointed a few years since, to look up its 
early statistics, but very little was obtained. This com- 
mittee, however, reported, '■ that the Church at its formation 
consisted of nine members, five males and four females ; 
that there were occasional supplies of preaching by mission- 
aries from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut; 
that religious meetings were kept up upon the Lord's-day 
when there was no preaching." The committee could not 
ascertain the number of those who had been added previously 
to the time the present records commence. In April, 1831, 
n branch church was formed in the south part of tlie town, 
which consisted of twelve members, six males and six females. 
The church contained, January 29, 18-30. 170 communicants. 
The Boonville Baptist Church was organized Feb. 3, 1810, 
by Elder John Upfold. It consisted of seventeen members, 
ten males and seven females. The first pastor of the church 
was Elder Timothy Day, who filled the pastorate three year.'^. 
The pastors since that time have been Samuel Marshall, 
Charles Clark, Norman Chase, A. D. Truman. John Hitch- 
cock, Wm. Thompson, Perley P. Parsons, and Eliada 
Tuttle, the present pastor (1850). Up to 182G, the church 
Jield its meetings in the school house in the villase, and in 
private dwellings. In that year they erected a respectable 
and commodious hou,se of wor.ship. Previously to, and after 
the formation of the church, and before it had a stated 
pastor, those veteran pioneers, Elders Stephen Parsons, 
John Stephens, John Clark, Williams and Way, occasionally 
preached to the Baptists in this vicinity. After the church 
had stated preaching, sometimes intervals of months occurred 
during which they liad but occasional preaching from mis 
"ionaries and others. The Piev. Peter P. Roots, Simeon 



1-20 ' ANNALS OF OXEIDA COUNTV. [CHAP. 

licrscy, Tillinghast Green. — Ashley, — Beelos, and D. G. 
Corey, uo\y of Utica, occasionally supplied the pulpit. 

The aggregate number of those who have joined this 
church since its organization, as nearly as can now be ascer- 
tained, is 275 ; and the present number of communicants is 
sixty-six. This body has never joined the Oneida Baptist 
Association, but has retained its connection with the Black 
liivcr Association. 

There is ai Methodist Church in this town, with a con- 
siderable congregation, and which has erected a chaste and 
commodious house for public worship. 

Boonvillc village is a very thriving and handsome place, 
situated upon the plank road leading from Utica to Turin 
and Lowvillc. The construction of the Black Kiver Canal 
has added much to the importance of this village : and in 
auiount of business, its inhabitants concede a superiority, of 
places within this county, but to Utica and Kome. The 
village contains seven dry goods stores, one drug store, 130 
dwellings, and about 1,000 inhabitants. It has no Academy, 
but its common school house is a commodious two story 
stone building. Two teachers are employed in it. who have 
an average attendance of about ninety students. 

Alder Creek village and post office arc situated seven 
miles southerly from Boonvillc village, where the plank road 
crosses the creek of tliat name. This place has a small union 
church building, which was erected and has been occupied as 
a house of worship by the Methodists, Baptists, and Pres- 
byterians. Here are an extensive tannery, and some other 
l>ranchcs of mechanics : also a store and two taverns. The 
first settler at this place was John Piatt, who commenced 
here about 1805, and who is still living in the vicinity. 

"NVilliamsvillc is a small village at the head of the Black 
Eiver Canal feeder, upon the line between Boonvillc and 



'I; 



VI ] BOONVILLE. 121 

lleinsen. Hero are two saw mills, a store, planing mill, 
butter-tub factory, and several dwellings. 

According to the census of 1845, there were then twent}- 
five saw mills in the town of Boonville, the largest number 
in any town in the county, excepting Vienna ; also two grist 
mills, two carding machines, two iron works, three asheries, 
and three tanneries. The population of the town was 3.G53. 

The first town meeting in Boonville was held at the house 
of Joseph Denning. Jacob Rogers was elected the first 
Supervisor, but held the office but one year, and was suc- 
ceeded by Philip Schuyler, who held the office one 3'ear, 
Job Fish one year, John G. Post two years, Martin South- 
well thirteen years, John Dewey four years, Henry Graves 
nine years, Philip M. Schuyler three years, Stephen "Ward 
five years, "Wm. S. Jackson two years, and "Wilson B. Grant 
three years: the last first elected in 1849. The decrease in 
the population of this town, apparent from a comparison of 
the census returnfi of 1840 and 1850, is to be accounted for 
ill the facts that Ava, with a population of about 1,000, was 
taken from this town in 1846, and that in 1840 many hun- 
dreds of laborers upon the Black Biver Canal, and their 
families, were then inhabitants- of this town, but most of 
whom have since removed to other sections of the countrv 
where public works were in progress. 



122 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CilAP. 



CllAPTEPt VII. 



BRIDGEWATER. 



TiiLS town is located within and upon the side.s of a valley, 
which extends through it from north to south, and it.s ea.st 
and west lines are upon the highlands which form the side.*^ 
of the valley. This valley is known in this section of the 
State by the name of Bridgewater Flats. The Flats at the 
north line of the town are ahout one mile wide, and decrea.'^e 
gradually to the south line of the town, Avhere they arc about 
half a mile in width. 

These Flats are celebrated for their fertility, and in gen- 
eral are very highly cultivated. Poi-tions of them in rbo 
central and southern parts of the town are quite sandy, and 
in the northern part they are somewhat stouey, with an oc- 
casional bowlder. The State geologist, when he visited this 
town, gave as his opinion that no rock existed underlaying 
this valley, within 1.000 feet from tlie surface, and this opin- 
ion is partially sustained by tlic fact that no rock has been 
found in the deepest wells wliicli liave been sunk. One of 
the head-waters of tlie T'nadilla rises in Paris, and passes 
tiirough this valley to the south. Upon the banks of thi.s 
stream was originally a dense cedar swamp, from twenty to 
sixty rods in width, which served to fence the farms in tlie 
vicinity, and much is left for future use. Anotlier branch of 
the Unadilla rises near the north-west corner of Bridgewater, 
and empties into the above described stream, a short distance 



VII.] BRIDGEWATER.  ' 123 

above the Corners, near the south bounds of the town. The 
'' Line of Property," so called, extends from a point west of 
Korae upon Wood Creek, opposite where the Canada Creek 
empties into it, to the head of this last described branch of 
the Unadilla. This was the longest line upon the same point 
of compass in the county. Its original course was south 27 
degrees east. A sketch of the history of this "Line of 
Property," so often referred to in old Indian treaties and in 
conveyances, may be interesting. For a great number of 
years, the want of a settled boundary between the Six 
Nations and their dependencies, on the one hand, and the 
colonies of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mary- 
land, and Virginia, on the other, was the source of many 
difficulties. . These resulted in complaints and outrages on 
the part of the Indians, and encroachments and wrongs on 
the part of the whites. For half a century, at nearly every 
annual meeting of the Indians with the Governor of New 
York- at Albany, these difficulties were the subject of nego- 
tiation and "talk." To remedy these evils, a convention was 
held at Fort Stanwix, Nov. 5, 1768, in which the colonies 
were represented by Sir Wm. Johnson, General Indian 
Agent, Wm. Franklin, Governor, and Fre. Smyth, Chief 
Justice of New Jersey, Thos. Walker, Commissioner fov 
Virginia. Richard Peters and James Tilghman, of the Coun- 
cil of Pennsylvania ; and the Six Nations by Tyorhansere, 
alius Abraham, Chief of the Mohawks, Canaghaguieson, of 
the Oneidas, Seguareesera, of the Tuscaroras. Otsiuoo-hivata, 
alias Bunt, of the Onondagas, Tegaaia, of the Cayugas, and 
Guastrax, of the Senecas. The boundary established be- 
tween the Indians and colonies began at the mouth of the 
Tennessee (then- Cherokee or Hogohege) River, near the 
junction of the Ohio with the Mississippi, thence up along 
the south banks of the Ohio to Kittaming, above Fort Pitt 



12 1 AXN'ALS or OXEIDA COUXTY. [cilAr. 

(Pittsbui-frli). tlienco to the west branch of the Susquehanna, 
and across the AUegliany Mountains to the east branch of 
the Susquehanna, and thence up that branch to the Owegy 
(Owego), thence to the Delaware River, and up that river 
to a point opposite where the' Tianaderha (the Unadilla) 
falls into the Susquehanna, thence across to and up tlie west 
branch of the Unadilla to the head of the same, thence in a 
straiglit line to tlie junction of Canada Creek with "Wood 
Creek, '-at the west of the carrying place beyond Fort Stan- 
wix." This was the "Line of Property," but that part of it 
from the head of the Unadilla in Bridgewater to Wood Creek, 
is more generally known by that name than the other por- 
tions. The Patent of Coxcborough. granted soon after- 
wards, extended the entire length of this part of the line, and 
was bounded upon it on the west. After the Ptevolution, 
the tracts granted by the Oneidas to this State, were bounded 
on the east upon this "Line of Property," and in subsequent 
conveyances, this Line has been constantly referred to," and 
that too by many who, wondering at the singularity of the 
term, knew little or nothing of its history. The south part 
of the Patent of Coxeborough was called, prior to the Revo- 
lution, the township of Carolana, and the north part the 
Township of Coxcborougli, tlie line between the two being 
the Oriskany Creek. See notice of Coxeborough at the 
close of Chapter II. 

Another small branch of the Unadilla is made from 
springs, and crosses tlie plank road near the centre of the 
town. Upon the banks of this stream there is a belt of 
small cedars, giving it quite a picturesque appearance. The 
water is so pure, that it is a favorite resort of the speckled 
trout. 

In the north-cast part of the town is a quarry of excellent 
limestone for building purposes. This quarry extends over 



vji,] EniDGfiwAfErv. 125 

some three or four hundred acres, and lies about thirty feet 
higher than the flats opposite. In the same section, lying 
higher than the limestone, and upon the farm now owned by 
Peleg Babcock, a small quantity of coal has been discovered. 
The vein is very thin, and tlie quantity so limited, that very 
little hope is entertained of there being sufficient to render 
it of any importance. According to the theories of geolo- 
gists, this vein seems out of place, "for although vastly 
higher than the coal region in Pennsylvania, it is too low for 
coal. In other words, the dip of the coal beds in that State 
is such, that it would rise much above any section of this 
county. In the same formation with this stray vein of coal, 
iron pyrites are found, which are quite inflammable, and 
burn like wood." 

The hills upon the east and west sides of the valley, are 
quite dissimilar in soil and formation. In the north part of 
the town, south of the limestone, the side hill contains much 
slate ; opposite, on the west side of the valley, there is shale. 
On the east hill, the soil is a gravelly loam ; on the west, 
the soil is clayey. 



FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN. 

In the year 1788, Joseph Farwell came to the south part 
of this town, and commenced a clearing at the place known 
as Farwell's Hill. This was the commencement of the set- 
tlement of Bridgewater, Ezra Parker came later in the same 
year. In March, 1789, Farwell, in company with Ephraim 
Waldo and Nathan Waldo, removed their families from 
Mansfield, Conn., to Farwell's Hill. They came by the way 
of Albany, up the valley of the Mohawk to Whitesboro, and 



1'2G ANX.VLS OF OXEITM COUXTV. [CIIAP, 

from thence by the way of Paris Hill to Bridgewater. From 
Paris Hill they were obliged to make their road as they 
progressed, following a line of marked trees. Their team 
consisted oi' two yoke of oxen and a horse, and the vehicle 
an ox sled. They arrived on the 4th of March. The snow 
at this time was about one and a half feet deep, but soon 
increased to the depth of four feet. They had two eows, 
which, with the oxen and hoi'se. subsisted until the snow left 
upon browse alone. Upon their arrival, they erected a 
shanty in the most primeval style. Four crotches set in the 
ground, with a roof of split basswood. overlaid with hemlock 
boughs, with siding composed of coverlets and blankets, 
formed the first dwelling house ever erected in the town of 
Bridgewater. The three families continued in this miserable 
apology for a house until midsummer, when two of them, 
having more comfortable dwellings provided, removed to 
them, while the other remained for a year. Farwell's house 
was of logs, built upon the hill where he commenced the 
previous season. About three years afterwards, he erected 
the first framed house in town. 

Ezra Parker removed with his family into tlft north part 
of Bridcewater in 1789, and built a loc house, which soon 
afterwards he opened as a " house of entertainment.'' The 
same year, a Mr. Lyman settled upon the present location of 
Parkhurst's tavern. Three or four years subsequently he 
erected the second framed hou.sc in town, and this is the 
liouse in which the tavern is now kept by Parkhurst. All 
the families in town in that year have been named. The 
first two years, the settlers were obliged to go to Whitestown 
to mill, a distance of twenty miles, as their circuitous f ath 
by marked trees then ran. In 1790. two men of the name of 
Hubbard settled in the west part of the town. Tliis year 
Maj. FarwcU constructed a saw mill upon the west branch*ot' 



vn.J ■'''' epjdgewaTer. f27 

tlic Uriadilla River, and which stood about three-fourtlis of a 
mile below the junction of the West Branch and the Tiana- 
dara Creek. This is propably the same name given above as 
Tianaderha, slightly changed. In 1791, Jesse Ives, Joel 
Ives, and Abner Ives, settled upon the hill known as Ives' 
Hill, where Jesse Ives yet resides. 

In 1792, Ephraim Waldo built a store and a blacksmith's 
,«hop upon Farwell's Hill, and. these were the first in town. 
This year, Mr. Thomas built the first grist mill in town, upon 
tlie same stream and a short distance below Farwell's saw 
mill. '■■■' ••  "■ "•■ "' ' • •■• ••■' ■'■■■■ 

Soon after the settlement of the town, a son of Ephraim 
Waldo, eight years of age, while in the woods, discovered it- 
small young bear by the side of a log. asleep. The little 
boy, intent upon securing the animal, noiselessly retreated 
until he found a small elm, from which, with his Barlow 
knife, he succeeded in peeling a piece of bark suitable for his 
purpose. Having fixed a noose in the end of his lasso, and 
creeping to the opposite side of the log, he had the good for- 
tune to slip the noose over little Bruin's head, at the same 
time making sure of his prize by tightening the cord so that 
it could not u.tter a cry. He was too much of a back-woods- 
man not to know that the dam, in such cases, is alwtij's 
within hailing distance of her young. Then came the "tug 
of war," in the process of dragging the animal towards, 
home, and which manifested the strongest evidence of its 
not having been previously broken to the halter. The old 
bear, soon missing her cub, followed upon the trail a con- 
siderable distance, until she came to the highway, where... 
fortunately for the boy, she was discovered and shot by Jesse 
Waldo. The boy, now free from danger, kept on his way 
home, where he arrived in safety with his trophy of success 
1h bear hunting. 



128 ANNALS OP ONEIDA COUNTY. ' [ciIAr. 

BridgeWfiter is the smallest town in the county. It is 
about four and a half miles in width from north to south, 
end five and a half in length from cast to west. According 
to the last census, it was the smallest in population, contain- 
ing at that time 1,358 inhabitant*. 



RELI&IOUS SOCIETIES. 

The Presbyterian Society in this town was constituted 
March 8, 1798, with thirteen members. In 180.3, they 
erected a house of worsliip, in which they continued to meet 
until 1834. The Church was then divided, and a new house 
of worship built at Bridgewater Corners, in the south part of 
the town. The other portion of the body formed the Cass- 
ville Church, and erected a meeting house at that place. 
Neither church has now a pastor. The following persons 
have been pastors of the Bridgewater Church, viz. : — Rev. 
John Southworth, Rev. A. Miller, Rev. C. Matchin, and 
Rev. Edward Allen. Mr. E. Allen was dismissed in the 
spring of 184G, went to Wisconsin, where he soon afterwards 
died. Since Mr. Allen left, the church has had no settled 
pastor. The present number of members is 112. 

The Friends formerly had a considerable society in Bridge- 
water, and built a good and commodious house of worship. 
The society has become so scattered, that they do not now 
maintain worship, and their meeting house is fast going to 
decay. 

The Baptist Church of Bridgewater was constituted July 
12, 182G, with sixteen members. They settled the Rev. 
Amasa Smith as pastor, who labored with them about nine 



VII.] '■ bridgewateA. 129 

years. The church was, prosperous during his ministry, and 
increased to sixty members. The second pastor was the 
Rev. Jonathan P. Simmons, who commenced his labors in 
April, 1835. He was a successful preacher, for during the 
first year of his ministry, the church was increased to 114 
members. Mr. Simmons was succeeded by tlie Rev. Jason 
(^rwin, and he by the Rev. Daniel Dye, who was followed 
by the Rev. P. W. Mills, and he by the ReV. D. W. Smith. 
Rev. Mr. Smith is still connected with the church, but not 
as pastor, he having assumed the charge of the Female 
Seminary. Since the pastorate of Mr. Simmons, the church 
has experien'ced prosperity and adversity, its numbers having 
varied from 60 to 120. This body is well united at this 
time. Present number, 98. Their house of worship was 
erected in 1826, upon the hill a short distance west of the 
village. In 1840, it was removed to near the centre of the 
village, when it was repaired and much improved, and is 
now a \ery convenient house of worship. 

The Univerialists erected a respectable house of worship 
a little sovith of the village in 1834. Their first preacher 
was the Rev. L. D. Smith. Messrs. Grosh, Brown, and 
Woolly, have since preached to this society. At present 
they have no regular preacher. They number about forty 
members. 

An Academy was established at the village of Bridge- 
water in the year 1826, and continued to flourish for 
about ten years, but was discontinued in 1839. A large 
and commodious building had been erected at a cost of 
$2,500 for the use of this school, and furnished with a good 
chemical and philosophical apparatus and library. For the 
first ten years of its existence, it averaged one hundred 

9 



130 ANNAL.S Of ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAr. 

pupils, and inaiiitulaed a high character for its efficiency in 
instruction. Its decline, and final extinction, was most un- 
fortunate for the interests of education in that portion of 
the county. 

Another scliool was instituted in December. 1S47. by the 
name of the "Bridgewater Seminary," -which in Ma}'. 184'J. 
waa altered to that of "Bridgewater Female Seminary,"' 
and is now conducted for the education of females. This 
school is very prosperous, with about ninety young ladies in 
attendance. Many attend, from its high reputation, the 
department of music. In this branch of education it has 
few equals. This school is under the supervision of the 
Eev. D. W. Smith, and its flourishing state is ample evidence 
of his fitness for the duties he has assumed. 



i' .'. 



VIII.")  CAMDEN. 131 



CHAPTER VIII. 



CAMDEX 



The town of Camden is composed of the seventh and one 
half of the eighth townships of Scriba's Patent. It was 
taken from the town of Mexico, and organized in 1799. 
The first town meeting was held at the house of Samuel 
Royce. Esq., at which John W. Bloomfield was cho.sen 
Supervisor, and Samuel E-oyce Town Clerk. 

Every person who visits Camden village notices the beau- 
tiful cottage at the head of the main street. This cottao-e 
occupies the site of the log house at which the fij'st town 
meeting in Camden was holden. 

In this town there is considerable variety in soil, and the 
country is c|uite varied. The soil of the shores of Mad 
lliver is a sandy loam, with a preponderance of sand ; yet 
it is very fertile. The road leading from McConnellsville. 
in Vienna, to Camden village, is quite level, and few farm.- 
in the county are more productive than a number throuo-h 



which this road passes. In the west part of the town is a 
section known as Hillsboro, which, is hilly, and its soil is 
more gravelly and stony, and is better adapted to grazinf 



than grain. 



Several quarries of good building stone are found on Mad 
Piiver. particularly in Ca.mden village, near Curtis' Mills. 



132 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CJIAP. 



FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN. 

Judge Henry Williams was the first permanent settler of 
this town. -Jesse Curtiss, father of Jesse Curtiss, Esq., of 
Clinton, came to the town and erected a saw mill previously 
to the arrival of Judge Williams, but his family did not 
arrive until afterwards. The frame of this saw mill was 
raised by eight persons, viz.: — Maj. Jesse Curtiss, and his 
son Elisha, Samuel Royce, Esq., Aaron Matthews, Esq.,an<l 
his two sons Aaron and Lyman, and son-in-law Church, and 
daughter Rosetta. Some are of the opinion that three or 
four other families came into the town about the same time 
Judge Williams arrived, but all of them, with the exception 
of the latter, returned to the older settlements to remain 
the first winter. This leaves the Judge the first permanent 
settler. The first settlers were Plenry Williams, Levi 3Iat- 
thews, Daniel Parke, Seth Dunbar, Joel Dunbar, Aaron 
Matthews, Thomas Comstock, Jesse Curtiss, Elihu Curtiss 
(father of Gen. Lyman Curtiss), Samuel Eoyce, Noah Tut- 
tlc, Andrew Tuttle, Benjamin Barnes, Benjamin Barnes, 
Jun., Philip Barnes, Israel Stoddard, and Mr. Carrier. 
Judge Israel Stoddard came to Camden in 1798, and pur- 
chased a farm, upon which was a small house, and he again 
arrived with his family about the middle of May, 1 799. 
Upon his arrival at his house, he found that a funeral was 
being attended within it. A Mrs. Bacon, with her infant 
child, and another woman, who.'^e name was not ascertained 
by the writer, were crossing Mad River in a canoe, and 
when near the middle of the stream, the canoe was acciden- 
tally overturned, and the three left to the mercy of the 
rapid current. Mr. Carrier, who was near by, plunged in 
and rescued the woman, but Mrs. Bacon and child wcro 



Vin.J CAMDEX 1 



<•)<--, 



drowned. It was the funeral of the mother and child which 
the Judge found when he and his family arrived at their 
new homo. These were the first deaths in the town. 

Camden village^ a very handsome, thriving place, is located 
upon the east side of Mad River, and contains about five 
hundred inhabitants. The village contains two common 
achool districts, with about 125 children each. An unincor- 
porated Academy occupies the lower story of the town hall, 
and has usually from fifty to sixty students in attendance. 
The common schools in town and village are generally well 
attended, and flourishing. There are fifteen districts, and 
parts of districts, in the town. 

In the village there are a good flouring mill and two saw 
mills, four shingle machines, two tanneries, six stores, one 
grocery, six blacksmiths' shops, a woolen factory, employing 
from ten to twelve persons, and two iron foundries, connected 
■with machine shops and plow factories, in which are manu- 
factured all kinds of mill irons, and various patterns of plows," 
tliree taverns, and four churches. 

In West Camden there are a store and a tavern. There 
are twenty-two saw mills in the town. 



KELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

The First Congregational Church in Camden was organ- 
ized in Paris, in this county, on the 19th of February, 1798. 
by the Rev. Eiiphalet Steele, then the pastor of the Con- 
gregational Church of Paris Hill. It consisted of eight 
members, four males and four females, who were dismissed 
from Mr. Steele's church, viz. : — Benjamin Barnes and 
Jemima his wife, Noah Tuttle and Thankful his wife. 
Philip Barnes and Laura his wife, Ruth Barnes, wife of 



134 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [ClIAP. 

Oliver Barnes, and Benjamin Barnes, Jun. Tims organ- 
ized, the Church removed to Camden, then a part of the 
town of Mexico. The first sermon preached in the place 
vras by the Rev. Joshua Johnson, of Redfield, from Isaiah 
xxxv. 1: "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be 
glad for them: and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as 
the rose." Within the year 1799, the church and society 
erected a house of worship, and the pews were sold for the 
support of preaching. The pews continue to be sold annu- 
ally to raise money for the same purpose. In September, 
1800, twelve were received from various other churches, and 
in November, 1803, eleven others were added to their num- 
ber. June 5, 1803, several of the members of this church, 
and several others, in all twenty-three, were organized into a 
church, called the Second Conjrrea'ational Church of Camden, 
and this society subsequently erected a house of worship. 

In 1807, the First Church and congregation erected and 
enclosed a meeting house. 

October G, 1809, they gave the Rev. Ebenczcr Laven- 
worth a call to become their pastor, which was accepted, and 
he was duly ordained and installed. He was a plain preach- 
er, and during his ministry tliirty-six were added to his 
church. 

October 13, 1813, he was dismissed, at his own re- 
quest, and removed to Pompey ; and the church received 
.stated' supplies from the Rev. ^Icssrs. Brainard, Sweezy, and 
others. Mr. Sweezy's labors were much blessed, and in 
the following winter Rev. Oliver P^astman, from Vermont, 
pireached to the church, and as a result of their labors, and 
the revival which followed, fifty were added to the church. 
A society was soon organized under the statute, by the name 
of the Union Congregational Society. The terras of union 
were, that meetings should be held in the houses of worship 



Vni.] - CAMDEN. .  13 



oo 



of the two churclies alternately, and in proportion to the 
amount raised by each for the support of preaching. 

In 1815, the Second Church united with the First Church, 
and subsequently but one organization was maintained. 

In February, 1817, Henry Smitli, a native of Durham, 
N. H., a graduate of Bowdoin College, and a licentiat-^ ot 
the Salem Association, was unanimously called by the 
church and society to become their pastor. The call was 
•-iccepted, and he was duly ordained and installed by a bo'dy 
of ministers from the Oneida Presbytery = and the Oneida 
Association. The llev. John Frost, of the Oneida Pres- 
bytery, preached the ordination sertoon. from 1 Tim. iii. 1. 

In the autumn of 1818, by its request, this church was 
dismissed from the Oneida Concrreirational Association, and 
united with the Oneida Presbytery, upon the "accommodating 
plan," reserving to itself the congregational form of govern- 
jnent. 

The labors of Mr. Smith were greatly blessed to the good 
of the people. In 1818 and 1821 there were accessions to 
the church; and in 1824 about sixty, and in 182.5 about 
seventy were added to their number. But 1826 was the 
crowning year of all, and justly styled, '• the great revival.'' 
As a result of this revival, more than 150 were added to this 
church, while many others united with other churches and 
denominations. Defections followed, but the pastor being a 
•• peace maker," the wanderers were generally reclaimed, and 
that too without compromising any principle on his part. 
Upon the organization of the Oswego Presbytery, Jan. 1 7, 
1823, this church, with its pastor, became a member of that 
body. 

During Mr. Smith's labors, the church increased from 100 
to GOO members. Bible classes and Sunday Schools were 
fostered by him, and were instrumental of great good. 



lo& ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTV. [CHAP. 

J\Ir. Smith, after a severe illness of about ten days. died. 
July 19. 1828. lie died in the triumphs of faith. 

The church was without a settled pastor about one year, 
but during this time yyas supplied by the llev. Herman Nor- 
ton and Lewic> H. Loss, and about twenty were added to its 
members. A call was given to Mr. Loss to become its pa^ 
tor. which was accepted, and he was ordained Nov. 1 1, 1829. 
b3' the Oswego Presbytery. Dui"ing the year of the pas^ 
torate of Mr. Loss, forty persons, mostly heads of familie.% 
were added to the church. 

Discordant anti-masonry, with its anti-Christian spirit, 
crept into the church, and Mr. Loss, from a consciousness of 
his want of experience, was induced at the end of the year 
to ask a dismission, which was reluctantly granted. 

The llev. John Barton was soon afterwards procured as a 
preacher, and he continued his labors for iwo years. Kt- 
was well calculated to allay the excitement. The church 
modified its resolutions, and the Masonic members pledgcfl 
themselves to refrain fi"om any connection with the Masonic 
institutions, and thus hannony was restored. 

In August. 1831, a protracted meeting was commcnc-ed. 
under the direction of the llev. J. Burchard. The rcs^ults 
of this meeting were the- hopeful conversion of about 700 
persons, residing in Camden and the adjoining towns. 

Mr. Barton declining to become pastor of the church, his 
labors were terminated afr the close of the two 3'ears, and 
llev. John Gray succeeded him, and preached eight months. 
iSoon afterwards, the Rev. William Lusk presented himself 
as a candidate for settlement, and. after a brief probation, 
was ordained, Feb. 19, 1834. At first he had a large con* 
gregation. but being understood to 1)e somewhat prejudiced, 
against '-new measures," a disaffection was created, and at 
the close of the first year such was the state of affiairs, that 



Via.j • , •, CAMDEN. - 1S7 

fears were entertained that he could not be longer sustained. 
An unhappy division followed, but after a protracted exa- 
mination, the Presbytery advised the continuance of their 
relations. A meeting of the society was called, and after a 
warm discussion by both parties, a vote was passed to give 
Mr. Lusk the six months' notice of their wish to have the 
pastoral relation dissolved, according to the stipulations of 
the settlement. The case was again presented to the Pres- 
bytery, and that body granted the request of the majority of 
the society, and the fall his labors terminated. 

In 183G, their divisions had become in a great measure 
healed, and the society made a successful effort to repair 
their meeting house. The pulpit was supplied for a year 
and a half by the Rev. Messrs. William Fuller and John 
(yross. and Mr. Fuller was successful in a'atherins; in a num- 
ber of converts. A sufficient sum was raised by tlie sale of 
slips to justify the calling of a pastor, and an invitation was 
therefore given to the Rev. John Barton, which was ac- 
cepted, and he was duly installed. He continued his labors 
with them for eight years, and was an instrument of niucli 
good to the people of his charge. During this term, there 
were 120 additions, 97 were dismissed, and 28 died. At the 
installation of Mr. Barton, the ehiirch numbered 325 mem- 
bers. His labors closed in the fall of 1844. He was suc- 
ceeded by the Rev. R. Richard Kirk, who was installed Oct. 
7. 1 845. Mr. Kirk continues his labors with eneom-aging 
prospects, and enjoys the confidence of a large and respec- 
table congregation. Thirty-five have been added to the 
church since the commencement of his labors, and at this 
time it numbers 325 members. 

A few incidents will close the history of this church. Mrs. 
Thankful Northrop, one of the pioneers in the settlement of 
Camden, and one of the original members of the. churck 



138 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTT. [clIAF. 

when organized at Paris Hill, (she vras then the wife of Noali 
Tuttle.) is yet a frequent attendant at church, and a regular 
juember of the Sunday School.* 

Since 1815. the church has experienced eighteen extensive 
revivals, and has received about 1,100 members, a large 
majority of whom have changed their relation, to bear tes- 
timony in other spheres to the truths of the Gospel, and the 
blessings of its institutions. .: 

At an early period the society received a donation rt 
land from the heirs of Mr. John 3Iurray, the avails of 
which produce an annual income of $11 •2. This fund is 
perpetual. 

* Since penning the above, the writer lias received the intelli- 
gence that this good old lady has gone to her rest. She died the 
]lth of February, 1819, being her birlh-day. having completed her 
.*»4th year. 

, ' 'fj ■..' 



;X.] DEEHFIELD. 



139 



CHAP»TETl IX. 

BEERFIELD. 

By an act of the Legislature, passed March 15, 1798. the 
County of Oneida was taken from Herkimer County, with 
its eastern boundary commencing on the south-east corner of 
the town of Bridgewater, and running north on the east line 
of Bridgewater to the south-east corner of Paris, thence on 
the same line continued on the east line of Paris and Whites- 
town, to the southerly line of Cosby's Manor. Thus far, the 
county line was upon the original line of Whitestowu, as 
established in 1788. Commencing on the southerly line of 
Cosby's Manor, the county line diverged from the original 
line of Whitestown, by running north-easterly in a direct 
line to the northerly bounds of Cosby's Manor at a point 
where the same is intersected by the division line between 
Gage's and Walton's Patents, thence northerly upon the 
line between Walton's and Gage's Patents to the West 
('anada Creek, thence northerly up the waters of said creek 
to the forks thereof, &c. The line of the county thus di- 
verging from the original line of Whitestown, left portions 
of the towns of Frankfort and Schuyler in the county of 
Oneida. The act then proceeded to annex the part so left 
of Frankfort to Whitestown, and then organized the town 
of Deerfield of the part taken from Schuyler, providing that 
the first town meeting should be held at the house of Ezra 
Payne. The author has been thus particular in the descrip- 



140 . ANNALS OF ONEIDA C:OIj"NTY. [cHAP. 

tlou of this line, from the fact that heretofore there has been 
some uncertainty in the minds of a portion of the early set- 
tlers of the county as to when, and how, the east line of 
Whitestuwn (which crossed the Mohawk at the fording place 
now the foot of Genesee street, Utica) had been carried far- 
ther east than it ran originally. 

The history of the first settlement of Deerfield contains 
much of interest. 

In 1773, George J. Weaver, Capt. Mark Damoth, and 
('hristian Eeall, moved to the vicinity of Deerfield Corners. 
Imilt themselves log houses, and commenced clearing awav 
the forest. Little is known of their trials and hardships up 
to 177G. Like a large proportion of the Dutch on the 
jMohawk, these settlers were staunch "Whigs. Not having 
the sign of being tories at their doors, (this sign was the 
scull bone of a horse upon the top of a stake), they were 
marked for the firebrand and the scalping knife. In the 
summer of 1776 an Indian, believed to have been an Oneida; 
and V)'ho for some cause had received the sobriquet of Blue 
2?«c/.-, was hunting northwardly from the settlement, and in 
tlie viciuit}' of Canada Creek. While thus occupied he came 
xipon a party of tories and Indians, who were very particular 
in their inquiries respecting the little settlement at the 
Corners. IJlue Back gave such answers as he chose, and the 
l)arty proceeded in the direction of the settlement. After 
tliey were out of sight, ]>lue Black, who was well acquainted 
with, and the fast friend of the settlers, and boding no good 
to them from the visit they were about to receive, determined 
to apprize them of their danger. For this purpose, being well 
acquainted with the intervening hills, swamps, and thickets, 
with all the rapidity of the Indian scout, he hasted to their 
settlement, and gave them timely warning of their danger 
Soon their scanty furniture was hidden in the forest, and 



IX.] DEERFIELD. ' 141 

the women and cliiUlren, in a wagon, accompanied by the 
men on foot, were rapidly wending their way to Little Stone 
Arabia, a small fort, Avhich was situated in the pi-esent town 
of Schuyler. The time was but brief ere the Indians and 
tories were in the settlement, but "the birds had flown."' and 
nothing was left upon which to vent their disappointed spite, 
tixcept the empty dwellings. To these the brand was ap- 
plied, and their charred ruins were all that was left of the 
first settlement of Deerfield. 

If thus successful in their escape were these pioneers, yet 
in the succeeding troublous times of the Revolution, two of 
them at least came in for a full share of the sufiering which 
fell so heavily upon the good Dutch inhabitants of the 
Mohawk valley. Mr. Pamoth, who had previously ^resided 
at Herkimer, returned to that place, and soon afterwards 
received a Captain's commission in a company of rangers. 
In an attack upon that place, he had an arm so shattered, 
that it never afterwards entirely recovered, and on account 
of which he received a pension to the close of his life. 

Mr. Weaver was hardly as fortunate. He was taken pri- 
soner near Herkimer, by a party of tories and Indians, and 
from thence, by the way of Oswego, was taken to Canada. 
He was kept in such close confinement in the prison at 
<^uebec, that for nine months he never saw the sun, moon, or 
stars. From Quebec he was taken to England, where, after 
liaving been a prisoner for more than two years, he was ex- 
changed, and returned to his native valley. 

In the summer of 1784, as a singular coincidence, after all 
the casualties of war, when it could be truly said, "there was 
scarcely an individual in the whole Mohawk valley who had 
not mourned a father, mother, brother, daughter, or lover 
slain,"' after the guns of the tories, and the firebrand, toma- 
hawk, and scalping knife of the less savage Indians bad ren- 



142 ANXALS OB' ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciIAr. 

dercd this beautiful aud fertile valley almost a desert waste, 
tiiccie three first settlers and their families were again united 
upon their old farms, planting and gathering crops in the 
Bamc fields their own hands had cleared, at Deerfield Cor- 
ners. About the same time, Peter "Weaver, Nicholas 
Weaver, George Weaver (oi-iginally spelt Weber), George 
Damoth, Nicholas Harter, and Philip Harter, arrived and 
settled in the neighborhood. Of these, Nicholas Harter 
only survives, and now (autumn of 1850), at the age of 
ninety years, in the enjoyment of a green old age, witli. 
apparently, but few of the infirmities of so long a life, he is 
left to recount the sufferings, trials, exploits, and incidents of 
the Revolution to a new generation. He was born at Her- 
kimer.-and although but a lad, was familiar with the paths 
to old Forts Schuyler and Stanwix, and the settlement at 
Deerfield, prior to the war. He married the daughter of 
Capt. Damoth (Damoot as pronounced by the Dutch, and 
Damewood by the early New England settlers). With a 
hearty laugh he related to the writer a "scrape" he once 
witnessed in the Mohawk, near the foot of Genesee street, 
Utica. A few days after the Oriskany battle, a party 
started from the Mohawk settlements witli a number of 
beef cattle for the garrison at Fort Stauwix, and several 
women took this opportunity of an escort to visit their hus- 
bands who belonged to the garrison ; the women on horse- 
back, while the cattle drivers were on foot. Upon arriving 
at the fording place in the Mohawk at the point named, and 
as one of the women was descending the steep bank to the 
river, a brawny Dutchman, who did not wish to wet his feet, 
jumped upon the liorse's back, behind the woman. The 
horse, offended cither on account of this unceremonious ac- 
cession to his load, or else the reversed order in which bis 
cargo was arranged, sprang forward, and by "a well-directed 



IX J W/: i.v DEERFIELD. : , //a 14a 

eflfort,"' threw the Dutchman into the contfe of the stream, 
while the woman landed in safety. 

The early settlement of Deerfield was eonfined to that 
portion of the town lying in the Mohawk valley, and the hill 
sides adjoining. The Coxes and Coffins settled in the north 
part of the town, near Canada Creek, some "fifteen or twenty 
years afterwards. "''  ' . . 

Reall's Creek is the small mill stream that ri.ses in the 
high laud between Canada Creek and the Mohawk, and 
running past the Corners, empties into the Mohawk. It 
received its name from the Reall mentioned as one of the 
first settlers; his first house, which was burnt by the Indians, 
stood upon its bank. His second house is yet standing. 

In 1792, the first bridge was erected over the Mohawk, 
between Utica and Deerfield. To insure more help, it wa.s 
raised on Sunday. George M. Weaver, son of George J. 
Weaver, and his wife, with their little son, the present 
George M. Weaver, of Deerfield, were on their way to the 
raising, and when about half way from the Corners to Utiea. 
and some twenty or thirty rods above the present McAdani 
road, their dog treed a bear. Mr. Weaver left his wife and 
son with the dog, to keep the animal up the tree, while he 
returned for his gun. The peculiar barking of the dog had 
apprised the inhabitants of '• Old Fort Schuyler," that valu- 
able game was on foot, and a number of them arrived with 
their guns at about the same time that Mr. Weaver re- 
turned. Four or five shots were made in quick succession, 
and poor Bruin's life paid the forfeit for his temerity in 
approaching so near the site of an embryo city. 

Dr. Francis G.uiteau was elected first Supervisor, and 
Isaac Bravton Town Clerk. 

The intervale land, so celebrated as the Mohawk Flats, is 
alluvial, and the soil such as is common to bottom land. 



144 ANNALS OP ONEIDA COUNTY. [clIAP. 

]>ack from this is a gravelly jtlain, naturally good for grain ; 
but too much cropping, with too little manure, has in many 
instances rendered it less productive than it should he. 
From tliis plain rises, and in some places quite abruptly, 
the high land adverted to, between the 3Iohawk and West 
('anada Creek, known as Deerfield Hill. This hidi land is 
better adapted to grass than grain. The forests of this high 
land have for many years supplied Utica with a large por- 
tion of its fuel, but these have now almost disappeared, and 
but a few years will elapse before, instead of taking wood to 
Utica, coal will have to be brought for home consumption. 

Deerfield Corners is a village of considerable business, 
containing a dry goods store, a number of groceries, and a 
tavern. Between the Corners and Utica, nearly all the 
bricks used for building in the city of Utica have been 
made. They are made from the alluvial deposits of the 
Mohawkj and are durable weather bricks. 



RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

The contiguity of the thickly-settled portion of this town 
to Utica, where large congregations of the diiferent denomi- 
nations assemble regularly for worship, has caused quite a 
proportion of the church-going population of this town to join 
the different societies in that city. The Baptists gathered a 
church in 1798; the second or third Baptist Church organ- 
ized within the limits of the county, and erected a house of 
worship a short distance below the Corners. Elder Oded 
Eddy was ordained about this time, and became the first 
pastor of this church, which relation he sustained for twenty- 
four years. From the causes mentioned, this body has lot^t 
its visibility, but the denomination hold meetings occasionally 



jx.] ^''' deerpielb. -'-'^'►" 145 

in their house. Elder John Leland, a man of extended 
fame for his strong native powers of mind ; . and as a preacher, 
statesman, and politician, when upon visits to his son, John 
D. Leland, Esq., preached in this place ; and it is needless to 
say, that if timely notice was given, a large audience was 
insured. 

The Methodists also hold meetings occasionally in tlie 
Baptist meeting house. 

The North Deerfield and South Trenton Baptist Church 
reported fifty-four members in 1850. Rev. Albert Cole 
pastor. Elder A. F. Eockwell (now of Utica) was pas- 
tor in 1841; Elder S. S. Hayward from 1842 to 1844; 
Elder Nelson Ferguson in 184-5-6; Elder Wra. A Wells in 
1847-9. The services of the church are divided between 
North G-age in Deerfield, and South Trenton. Of the his- 
tory of this church prior to 1841, the author has obtained 
no particulars. 

In 1845, this town had 2.347 inhabitants, and contained 
one grist mill, eight saw mills, one fulling mill, and one card- 
ing machine, besides various mechanics' shops. There are 
no factories in this town. . • .... 



10 



146 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciIAr. 



['•',1 ^. »;'■■> I ' 
•_ '. '1' iff! 



CHAPTER X. 

FLORENCE. 

The settlement of tins town was commenced in the fall of 
J 801. At this time Amos Woodworth, father of the Hon. 
Amos "Woodworth now residing in the town, settled within 
about half a mile of its north line. John Spinning, at about 
the same time, settled on what is now known as the State 
Eoad, two miles south-easterly from Florence village : and ;» 
Mr. Turner also, at about the same time, moved into the 
town. These three settlers had each fifty acres of land given 
them by William Henderson, of the city of New York, who 
had previously purchased the fourth township of Scriba's 
Patent. The land was given as a bonus to induce them to 
commence the settlement of the township. Perhaps there 
wei;e others who had land given them, but of this no satisfac- 
tory information has been obtained. Very shortly after 
these first settlers had moved into the town, Azariah Orton, 
a Mr. Crawford and his son Clark Crawford, and Noraian 
"Waugh, settled in the south part of the town, and Benoni 
liarlow, Ebenezer Barlow, Ambrose Curtiss,Ephraim Wriglit, 
Joseph Olcott, and Benjamin Youngs, settled on that part of 
the town known as '■ Florence Hill.'' 

Nathan Tliompson, who for many years kept a public 
house in what is now known as East Florence, and who was 
succeeded in the tavern by his son Aaron H. Thompson, 



X.J , rLORE.N'CE. 



Ut 



Esq., visited tlie town in 1801, but did not arrive with his 
family until the 6th of May of the next spring. 

The settlement of this town, in common with the north- 
ern tier of towns, progressed more slowly than the other 
t^ections of the County. Indeed, until within the last ten 
years, quite a portion of the land had not been purchased 
by actual settlers. In general the land is cold, and there is 
];ut occasionally a year in which Indian corn comes to matu- 
rity. "With but few exceptions, the soil is stony, and in 
many instances after cultivation the land is almost covered 
with cobble and fiat stones, a large portion of which are too 
^^mall to make permanent wall for fences. The town is better 
for grazing than grain. Where the farmers have turned 
their attention to dairying, they have been successful, and it 
is believed that eventually, this town will furnish a fair pro- 
]jortion of butter and cheese for market. Being elevated, 
with a clear, bracing atmosphere, and pure water, it is un- 
usually healthy. 

Within the last three years, the author was at Florence 
Hill. When about to start to go down to the village, a fine 
rosy faced little boy of some twelve or fourteen summers, 
very politely asked if he could ride about two miles. Tlie 
request was granted. He was intelligent and communicativa 
In reply to inquiries in relation to the productions of the 
soil, he said, " grass did very well, they could not raise much 
rorn, oats did a little better, that the land was so cold they 
could not raise much grain of any kind, but then it is vcn/ 
Jiealtky:^ There was a moral to be gleaned from the closing 
remark of the boy. How little can be enjoyed, in a country, 
let the soil be ever so rich, and its productions luxuriant, if 
obtained by the sacrifice of health, and how sweet the coarsest 
food if seasoned with a good appetite. We could not lielp 
internally saying, — that is right my little fellow, always look 
at the bright side of the picture. 



148 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

There is a quarry of good building stone on Little Kivcr, 
about half a mile below Florence village. The town is hilly, 
but not mountainous. It is Avell watered with numerous 
springs and streams. 

Mad Rh'er is the most considerable stream in the town. 
It enters on its north line, and flowing quite through tlie 
town of Florence, passes into the town of Camden some little 
distance above Camden villa<re. It is but a small stream 
where it enters the town, but swelled by its numerous little 
tributaries from the hill country on either side, it leaves the 
town a very considerable stream for water power. Little 
Kiver is the name of the stream on which Florence village 
is situated. Although not large, still from its extensive full, 
it is capable of turning quite an amount of machinery. It 
must not be confounded with its namesake which empties 
into Mad Iliver from the west, between Camden village and 
McConnelsville. This Florence Little liiver wdiich empties 
into Mad River on its easterly side, adds still more to the 
singularity of the names of the streams in the " Fish Creek 
Nation," as this portion of the county has sometimes been 
called. Mad River, two Little Rivers, with numerous 
smaller streams united, meet Fish Creek at the Forks, when 
conjointly, they form but a creek to the Oneida Lake, 

By the act organizing the town of Florence, the first town 
meeting was to be held at the house of John Spinning. . The 
town meeting was held agreeably to the terms of the act, on 
the first Tuesday in April, 1805. The meeting was held in 
a small framed house in which Mr. Spinning kept a tavern : 
with its moss-grown roof it is yet standing. It is on the east 
side of the State Road, about two miles south-easterly from 
Florence village, and can readily be distinguished by the 
traveller by a large ornamental pine, that stands in such close 
contiguity as to nearly or quite touch one of its corners. At 



'X.J FLORENCE. 140 



the first town meeting, x\sa Jenkin.s was elected Supervisor, 
and David Younff, Town Clerk. Mr. Jenkias held the office 
for six successive years. Then Benoni Barlow was elected 
at nine succeedinc; town meetina-s. It seems at the close of 
Mr. Barlow's services there was a vacancy, whether from his 
resignation or removal, does not appear by the records. 
Samuel Stanford was elected at a special town meeting to fill 
the vacancy, and served that and the succeeding year. Then 
Calvin Dawley held the office for five years, Amos Wood- 
worth (Junior) six years, Simon Davis two years, Charles 
Curtiss two years, Safford S. Delano two years, Xathan 
Thompson one year, Varniim Dunton one year, Anthony 
Empey two years, Daniel G. Dorreuce two years, Watson 
Sammons one year, Aaron H. Thompson three years, and 
John Downes, Jun., was elected in 1851. who is the present 
incumbent. 

The tov.'n owns the basement of the Baptist Church in the 
village, and use it for all town purposes, such as elections, 
town meetings, etc;. 

Florence village is a small but thriving village, centrally 
located in the town. It contains between fifty and sixty 
■dwelling houses, and about 300 inhabitants. It has two 
physicians, and a Catholic clergyman, three dry goods stores. 
one drug store, one clothing store attached to a tailor's shop, 
two blacksmith shops, two wagon and sleigh makers' shops. 
four boot and shoe shops, one harness and saddler's shop, and 
one cabinet shop. There are also in the limits of the village 
one grist and three saw mills. 

Its largest source of prosperity is its tanneries, the most 
extensive of which was formerly known as Stranahan's. but 
for the last three years owned and worked by the Hon. Lewis 
Kider, the present member of Assembly from the third 
district in this county. He has nearly or quite doubled the 



1 55 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

amount of business since he commenced, three years since. 
He employs from fifteen to twenty-five hands through the 
year. The present year he will tan from 26.000 to 28.000 
sides of sole leather. This is done on commission. He has 
on hand at the close of the winter of 1851, over 3,000 cords 
of hemlock bark. This cost two dollars per cord delivered. 
He uses also from 1,000 to 1,200 cords of wood' in a year. 
The water power is insufficient to grind the large amount of 
bark needed in the establishment, so that recourse is had to 
a steam power for the remainder. 

Mr. John Sliter has a smaller tannery in which he man- 
ufactures both upper and sole leather. He tans 1.200 sides 
of sole, and 400 sides of upper and harness leather, 400 skins, 
and uses 150 cords of bark the present year. 



nELIGIOUS SOCJETIES. 

The fir.-^t church organization in the town of Florence wa.s a 
Congregational Church on Florence Hill, December 16, 1816. 
At the time of its formation, it consisted of ten members? 
three males and seven females. AYhen constituted, it was on 
the congregational plan of government, but early joined the 
Presbytery on the accommodation s^'stem. It had so increa-sed, 
tliat it reported to the Presbytery, January 1, 1829, sixty- 
eight communicants, in 1832 and in 1834, seventy-two in 
each year. From this time it declined in numbers until 
1845, when it reported but forty members. From the time 
of its formation up to 1825, the church had no pastor, but 
was supplied with preacliing quite a portion of the time by 
clergymen cin ployed fur different lengths of time. October 
7, 1825, they gave tlic llev. Samuel Sweezy a call to settle 
witli them. A society in connection with the church was 



X.] i ■■■— FLORENCE. -:'''''. 151 

formed January 26, 182G, and forthwith became incorporated 
under the statute. Mr. Sweezy, having accepted the call 
was installed March 8, 1826. At a society meeting, held 
February 6, 1826, a vote of thanks to Gerrit Smith was 
passed, " for furnishing part of the glass, a site for the meet- 
ing house, a liberal lot for a burying place, thirty acres of 
land for the benefit of the society, fifty acres to the Rev. 
' Samuel Sweezy, and a subscription of ten dollars a year for 
the support of the Gospel." ' ' ' ' '■ 

In 1825, the meeting house on the hill was commenced, 
but was not completed under two or three years. The Rev. 
Mr. Sweezy now resides in Camden, and the church has lost 
its visibility. . . , 

Methodist Ejnscopal. — There are no records of this deno- 
mination to be found earlier than 1832, still it had organiza- 
tions in the town of a much earlier date. 

^The first class formed was on the Hill, and about thirty- 
five years since. For a time it flourished, and then for quite 
a space it languished, but of late has revived. In the village 
there is a class of about thirty years' standing. They have 
a small, yet neat and convenient, chapel for worship, which 
was erected in 1833. There is another class in the town, of 
about thirty years' standing, on Mad River, which meets 
about three miles below the village. For a time it has been 
in a low state. Although not large, all of these classes are 
now active, flourishing, and prosperous. 

Baptists. — There was a church of this denomination 
formed in this town previous to 1 828, but the precise time of 
its organization can not be ascertained. In that year it 
belonged to the Oneida Baptist Association, and reported to 
that body Iwenty-four members, and that Roger Maddock, a 



15ii ANXALS OF ONEIDA COUNTV. [cHAr. 

liccutiatc. was i^reacliing to them. Mr. Maddock labored 
■with this church imtil 1831. when he was returned as an 
ordained preacher. In 1835 it reported sixty-four members, 
and James B. Oicott as preacher. This was the largest 
number to which it arrived. 

In 183G, Dcnison Alcott, a licentiate, as preacher, and 
lifty-three naenibers. In 1837, Benjamin Fuller as preacher, 
and fifty-five members. Mr. Fuller continued his labors to 
this people for a number of years. The last time this body 
reported to tlic Association was in 1841, when it had become 
reduced to tliirty-four members. For a number- of years it 
has lost its visibility. In its palmy days it erected a very 
respectable house for worship in the village. 

In 1833, the denomination started a school for the edu- 
cation of young men, combining somewhat of the manual 
labor system. 

In 1834, they erected a large three story stone buiWing 
for the school. The school, however, prospered for but ;t 
few years, and at length was discontinued for want of patron- 
age. Some few years since, the Catholics purchased thi.- 
building for a church, aaid it is now surmounted with a cross. 
At this time a majority of the inhabitants of Florence 
ai'C Catholics, and the clergyman of that denomination in 
Florence villa irc is the only one sustained ia the town. 



IiEHixiscENX'Es. — The name of Nathan Thompson, one of 
the early settlers of Florence, who moved into- the town iu 
the spring of 1802, has been mentioned. lie was a native 
of New London, Ct., but had lived the most of his life time 
luitil his removal, in Sandisfield, Mass. When he arrived, 
there was but one hou.sc between that of John W. Bloom,- 



X.] '.•• , FLORENCE. 'r.h 153 

field, Esq.. at what is now Taberg, and the house of John 
Spinning, two miles easterly from Florence village, a dis- 
tance, by the route then travelled, of about twentj'-two miles. 
Tlie name of this settler was John Rogers. ]Mr. Thompson 
says he had to depend entirely upon wild game for his supply 
of animal food. "With his gun he selected with care the 
fattest and sleekest from the numerous herd of deer that 
then abounded in the forest. ^  •■' .. \ 

The 11th of July, 1809, was an eventful day to our settlei*. 
Indeed, the preservation of his life would seem almost mira- 
culous. He was engagx^d in drawing wood to his door, with 
a single horse, by draughts. "When about to hitch the chain 
to one, the horse started, and the hook of the chain caught 
through the flesh, and taking up the tendons under his left 
knee. Thus fastened, the beast drew him at full speed along 
a crooked path, over knolls, and through the mire, a distance 
of twenty-five rods, when it was brought to a pause by a 
fence that crossed the track, but was evidently preparing to 
leap it, when Mr. Thompson, whose presence of mind had 
not forsaken him, disengaged the hook before the plunge, 
and thus escaped almost certain death. 

He was taken into the house, and was confined to his bed 
four months. The wound was a most frightful one, of full 
ten inches in length, while the tendons were loosened from 
tlieir ligaments from the knee to the heel. His back and 
arms were terribly lacerated. The celerity of the ride was 
such, that some persons who soon examined the route, found 
that in a number of instances he cleared by actual measure- 
ment ten feet at a bound. The hideous scar attests in full 
the truth of the statement. 

The sterility of the soil has been noticed. The following 
ludicrous description of the failure of a portion of the first 
settlers, it is presumed, will not be entirely uninteresting to, 



154 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 



the reader. The author travelled through this town in June, 
1813, and called at Thompson's tavern to refresh himself and 
beasts. Our landlord was busy in attending to the out-door 
duties of the establishment, while his good lady assumed 
occasionally some of the duties in the bar. Between Fi.sh 
Creek and our stopping place, we had observed that about one 
half of the log domicils had been abandoned, and were tenant- 
less. The landlady was appealed to for the reasons for so 
general a desertion. With much sang-froid she replied, '• that 
some were too lazy to work and had to clear out to keep from 
starving, others of this class, rather than starve, would steal 
a yoke of oxen, and they had to be sent to State's Prison, but 
the greater part failed, in not knowing how to farm it on such 
land, for they did not know that sorrel seed was worth more to 
them by the bushel than clover seed, because more natural to 
the soil." 

In 1845 there were two crist mills, ten saw mills, and 
three asheries in the town. 



I 
t 



XI.] TLOTD. ■' ' 155 



CHAPTER XI. 



FLOYD. 



This town was named in honor of General William Floyd, 
one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, a 
sketch of whose biography is given in the history of the town 
of Western, Chap. XXVII. Gen. Floyd was the owner by 
purchase of considerable land in this town in Fonda's Patent, 
and among which w^ere a 500 acre lot, upon wliich "Floyd 
Corners" is located; also another 500 acre lot, and quite a 
number of other lots ; but how much in the aggregate, has 
not been ascertained. 

After making the most careful and diligent inquiry, the 
author has been xmable to ascertain the year in which the 
first settler moved into the town, or the name of the pioneer 
who led in advance the "forlorn hope" into its forests. 
However, from the best information obtained, it is probable 
that Capt. Benjamin Pike was the first settler, and that he 
removed into the town in the year 1790. Not much later, 
however, Stephen Moulton, the younger, settled in the town. 
Shortly after, but in what year could not be ascertained, 
William Allen, Nathaniel Allen, and James Chase, arrived 
in the town together. Mrs. Allen, the relict of William 
Allen, is yet living. She says that when they arrived, Capt. 
JBenjamin Pike, Elisha Lake, and a man named Howard, 
resided below the present residence of Linus Moulton. At 
a very early period, two brothers of the name of Howard 



156 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cifAP. 

resided about lialf a mile cast of the Corners. Not much 
later, Hope Smith settled in the town. He was tlie father 
of Stephen R. Smith, one of the earliest and most popular 
Universalist preachers in the county. 

David Byam, James Bartlett, and a Mr. Putney, were the 
earliest settlers in the north part of the town. Jarvis Pike, 
a son of Capt. Benjamin Pike, if he did not move into the 
town with his father, very soon followed him.* 

As early as February, 1795, the different members of the 
Moulton family from Stafford, Connecticut, had settled in 
this town. As before mentioned, Stephen Moulton the 
younger was among the earliest settlers. "Within five years 
after his arrival, his father, Stephen IMoulton. and four 
other sons, Salmon, Joseph, Benjamin, and Ebenezer, had 
moved into the town. Stephen, Sen., and Stephen, Jun., 
a.nd Joseph and Benjamin (twins), are dead. The obituary 
of Stephen the j-ounger is given at the close of this chapter. 
Salmon, now ninety-three years of age, and Ebenezer, aged 
eighty-one years, yet reside in the town. Salmon (May. 
1851) enjoys good health, but is so far deprived of hearing, 
tliat the author, after repeated efforts, gave up in despair of 
gleaning from the fund of important reminiscences he pos- 
sessed of the early settlement of Floyd. The Moulton 
family were among the staunchest Whigs of the Revolution 
in the land of '• steady habits," and sacrificed much in the 
cause of their country. Salmon was taken prisoner on Long 
Island, and suffered all the horrors of a confinement in the 
'•Sugar House," a place more noted for tlie suffering of its 
inmates than the "Black Hole" of Calcutta, because more 
protracted. A more particular notice of the sufi"eriugs of the 

i 

* A lease was shown t)ie author, executed by 'William Floyd to 

Jarvis Pike, of a lot northerly from the " Corners,"' dated at AVhitea. 
town, Herkimer County, October 26, 1793. 



XI.] FLOYD. 157 

American prisoners In the - Sugar House," is given in the 
history of Westmoreland, in speaking of Capt. Phineas Bell. 
Mr. Moulton was kept so short of provisions, that he and his 
compatriots used to chew pieces of the oak staves of the 
sugar casks left in their prison, for the little nutriment they 
contained. His father, Col. Stephen Moulton, was after- 
wards taken prisoner at (as is understood) Fort Washington, 
and there confined. After a tedious confinement in the 
" Sugar House," Salmon was paroled to leave for Fort Wash- 
ington, and soon after both father and son were paroled to go 
to their homes. 

William Allen, Esq., whose name has been Introduced as' 
one of the earliest settlers of this town, died about seven 
years since. His former acquaintances assured the writer, 
that if he had been applied to while living, a much more 
perfect early history of Floyd could have been obtained than 
from any source now left, as his retentive memory was well 
stored with much that was useful and entertaining. 

Samuel Dyer. Esq., was one of the early settlers of this 
town. After a number of years' residence, he sold his farm, 
and removed to what Is now the town of Marcy. He was a 
man of great good sense, yet it seems that neitner Philomela 
nor Orpheus had very nicely attuned his ear to the harmony 
of '-sweet sounds." Upon one occasion. Esquire Dyer was 
at the ofiice of the late Thomas R. Gold, in Whitesboro. 
Mr. Gold had just purchased for his daughters a piano, 
which was among the first, If not the first, brought into the 
coxmty. Mr. Gold gave Esquire Dyer an invitation to go 
to his house, to listen to the music of the instrument. The 
invitation was accepted, although it Is probable no very rich 
treat was anticipated. Awhile the "many strings" of the 
instrument were made to vibrate the richest music, from the 
delicate touches of the daughter. Mr. Gold, in raptures, 



158. ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

asks his guest if lie had ever heard such charming music 
before. " Yes, yes," was the prompt reply. What could it 
have been? was now asked, and the response given, "That 
of half a dozen men whetting their scythes in my meadow 
before breakfast." 

Captain Nathan Townsend moved into Floyd in 1801, and 
settled upon the farm now owned and occupied by his son. 
AVilliam Townsend, in the south-easterly part of the town. 
This farm was purchased of Governor George Clinton, who 
had previously purchased the whole of Sumner's Patent, 
which was located between Holland Patent and Fonda's 
Patent. Gen. Floyd's purchases were made from the last- 
named Patent, which was located in the central and westerly 
parts of the town. Previous to Capt. Towusend's purchase 
of this lot, one Turner Ellis had been in 2")Ossession of it, as 
a squatter. 

Capt. Townsend is yet living at Holland Patent village, 
aged eighty-six. He has had seven sons, viz.: — Gardner, 
who resides near Holland Patent ; "William, who resides on 
the homestead in Floyd ; Halsey, who died at the South : 
Palmer, an extensive importing hard-ware merchant in 
New York ; Ingham, a large farmer, who resides upon the 
road from Floyd Corners to Holland Patent ; Nathaniel, a 
resident of New Orleans ; and Nathan, a resident of Cam- 
den, in this county. 

Thomas Bacon was an early settler in tliat part of the 
town known as Floyd Hill. For a time this locality was 
known as Bacon's Hill, from this early inhabitant. Samuel 
Cummings was also a very early settler upon the Hill. 



Geology. — There is nothing peculiar in the geological 
formation of this town, there being neither ores, minerals, or 



XI. J FLOYD. -  159 

Stone quarries within its limits. The extensive quarries of 
stone at Stittville, and other parts of Trenton, in the im- 
mediate vicinity of Floyd, together with the liberal supply 
of bowlders upon the Hill, in a good degree remedy the lack 
of building stones. 

If ever the lake existed, from the Little Falls uniting with 
the Oneida Lake, its northern shore must have been a little 
north of the site of the road running from Floyd Corners to 
Holland Patent. The indications are here strongly in favor 
of the speculation. 

There are no better or more beautiful farms in Oneida 
County than those upon this road. Judging from their high 
state of cultivation, the symmetry, and good condition of the 
farms, the elegance and convenience of their buildings, their 
owners are not only thriving, but wealthy. From this sec- 
tion to the summit of the Hill, the land is better for pastur- 
age and dairying than for grain, and the agriculturalists are 
adapting their farming to their soil, and thrift is manifest in 
their progress. 

The first death in the limits of the town, was that of a Mr. 
Foster, who died from disease. The second was that of 
Nathan Thompson, who was killed while falling a tree. In 
the latter part of the summer of 179G, the dysentery pre- 
vailed among the few inhabitants of the town. Col. Stephen 
Jloulton, Sen., lost his wife, and his son Benjamin lost three 
children, with this disease. The four died within the same week. 

The town of Floyd was taken from Steuben, and organized 
by an act of the Legislature, passed March 4, 179G, its first 
town meeting to be held at the house of Samuel J. Curtiss. 
The first town meeting was held the same spring, and 
Stephen Moulton, Sen,, was elected Supervisor, and Moses 
Coffeen Town Clerk. 

The town records for 1797 are lost. 



l^t) ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP. 

In 1793 and 1799, Abel French held the office of Super- 
vif?or. 

In ISGO. Jarvis Pike was elected Supervisor, and held the 
office for eleven successive years. Since that period, the 
following persons have held the office for the terms specified: 

In 1812, Nathan Townsend, Sen. In 181 3, Ephraini 
llobbinswas elected, and held the office until 1819 inclusive. 
In 1820 and 1821, Nathan Townsend again. In 1822, 
1823, and 1824, Ephraim Robbins again. From 1825 to 
1832 inclusive, Salmon Pelton, and from 1833 to 1837 in- 
clusive, David Moulton were elected. In 1838 and 1839, 
8amuel C. Brooker. In 1840, 1841, and 1842, David 3Ioul- 
ton again. In 1843 and 1844, Hosea Clark. In 184.5. 
David ^Moulton was again elected, and has been re-elected in 
each year to the present time (1851), making fifteen years 
tliat the present incumbent has held the office. 

The first tavern in the town was kept at the Corners, by 
Capt. Benjamin Pike. He kept it, however, but for a short 
time, and was succeeded by 3Ioses Coffeen, who continued in 
the business at that place for several years. 



nELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, AND HOUSES FOn FUDLIC WonSHIP. 

At the Corners there is a very respectable "Union" house 
for public worship. The articles of agreement under which 
this hou.se was erected, are quite peculiar. Each slip in the 
house has an appraised and relative value, and is trans- 
ferable by purchase. On the first Monday in January in 
each year, the proprietors meet, and each has a right to de- 
signate the denomination lie wishes to occupy the house 
during the year. After a list is thus completed, it is ascer- 
tained, in proportion to tlie value of the slips owned, what 



XI.J V ;.'.;,. FLOYD. 161 

proportion each clcnomiuation shall occupy for tlie ensuing 
year. Some years, the Presbyterians, Baptists. Methodists, 
and Universalists, have each put in their claims, and had the 
house in proportion. The present year (1851), the Meth- 
odists have the house three-fourths, and the Baptists one- 
fourth, of the time. As far as ascertained, the action of the 
proprietors has been quite harmonious, liowever unique tlieir 
model. 

The Baptists have a small meeting house upon the Hill, 
where they maintain worship vrhen they do not occupy the 
liouse at the Corners. This Church was organized in 1807, 
under the care of Elder Simeon Jacobs, and in 1816 num- 
bered eighty-three members, of whom twenty-two had been 
baptized the preceding year. From tliat time, for many 
years, no materials for its history have been found. Elder 
R. Z. Williams was pastor in 1841 and 1842, Elder Isaiah 
^latteson in 1843, Elder V. D. Waters in 1844, Elder 
Josiah Hatt in 1846, and Elder Thomas Applegate in 1347. 
In 1850 61 members were reported. ;-,, ,.:  ,; 

The "Welsh Methodists and the Welsh Preshytcrians have 
each a small house for worship on the Hill. And here, as in 
other sections of the county where the Welsh have settled, 
they maintain their national character, in sustaining the 
public worship of the God of their fathers. 

The common schools in Floyd have been well sustained 
and flourishing, until that unequal law, termed the " Free 
School Law," was passed in 1849. Since then, they have but 
fchared the calamity with all the towns in the State, of having 
the cause of popular education rapidly retrograde. 

There are nine school districts, and parts of districts, in 
the town. .,■  , ., ,... .- ,,-, ;.. .■ ,,. •...■,., ,,  ■. 

11 



IG-i ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciIAP. 

Floyd Corners is the only place in the town which aspires 
to the dignity of being termed a village. Here arc a small 
collection of dwelling houses and mechanic shop.s, a church, 
school house, store, and tavern. The Floyd post office is 
kept here ; it is the only office in the town. 

The Nine Mile Creek forms a portion of the southern 
boundary, and passes through a small section of the south- 
west part of the town. The first mill erected in Floyd was 
upon this stream, at a location known as the Punch Bowl. 
According to the census of 184.5, there were, at that time, 
one grist mill and tliree saw mills in the town. 

The following obituaries of early settlers in Floyd were 
published at the time they bear date in .the Rome Scrdi?ic/, 
and are copied with the belief tlioy will be interesting to the 
reader. 

"DiKD, in Floyd, on tlic 12t]i of December, 1849, Mr. Samuel 
Dcnison, aged 7G years. 

'■ IMr. Denison was one of the early settlers of this county, having 
resided, we think, on the same f\irm for almost half a century. Al- 
though not the first, the town of Floyd was oneof the earliest settled 
towns in the county ; but its pioneers, many of whom have lived to a 
good old age, are drojiping away, and a few years more will have 
I'emovcd all of thcni from the scenes of their early adventures, and 
the home of their manhood and old age. 5Ir. Denison located in 
Floyd in the year 1800, or forty-nine years ago. Several othci-s came 
about the same time, a few jjrior to his arrival, and others soon after ; 
Init we regret that we have not the inlbrmation necessary to a correct 
account of the men and the occurrences of that early period. 

'■ Among the first settlers were Nathan Townsend, James Chase, 
Nathaniel and 'William Allen. Latham and Samuel Denison, Salmon 
Moulton, and, we believe, also the grandfather of Col. David Moul- 
ton, \\hose first name we do not now remember. There are doubtless 
several others, whose names will occur to tho.se longer and Ijetter 
acquainted with the early history of the town. These settlements 
were made in diflerent parts of the town, while it was yet a wilder- 
iies*, and while the whole county was nearly in the .same condition. 
There were settlements of several years' standing in Whitestown, (by 
which name all the county north and west of Utica was then called,). 



XI.] FLOYD. ' 163 

Fort Stoinwix, (now Rome,) Western, Westmoreland, etc. ; but the 
population was sparse, and neighbors few and Air between. It was 
at that day not unusual for the citizens of Floyd to go with ox teams 
to Western, Lee, and other distant towns, to meeting, a task which 
our present inliabitants would hardly feel Avilling to accomplish. 

" Of the pioneer settlers named above, only two now remain, Mr. 
Salmon Moulton and Capt. Townsend, the former still residing in 
Floyd, and the latter at Holland Patent, having retired from his 
farm .■several years ago. Mr. Chase died many years ago, the two 
JNIr. Aliens about six years since, at an advanced age, and Mr. Latham 
Denison some four or five years ago. Mr. Samuel Denison, whose 
recent death has led to this brief and imperfect narrative, had con- 
tinued to reside on the farm where he first located, and to enjoy the 
esteem and respect of his townsmen and acquaintance, until his death 
on Tuesday last His health had for the past three or four years 
been seriously impaired, although such as to admit of the superin- 
tendence of his farm and business affairs. He was celebrated for 
tlie skill and intelligence with which he conducted his farm, and for 
many years has been a constant subscriber to agricultural papers, 
which he has i)erused with much interest, while those younger and 
less experienced have steadily rejected all such aids. 

" How few of our first settlers, of those who cleared up the wil- 
derness, and who have litei'ally made this county to " bud and bIo.s- 
som like the rose," now remain among us. Let us appreciate the 
services, the toils, and privations, as well as imitate the virtues of 
those who have departed, while we respect and minister to the com- 
fort of those who remain among us." 



•' Anotukr Revolutionary Patriot Gone. — Died, at his residence 
in Floyd, N. Y., on the 1st of February, 1851, Stephen Moulton, for- 
merly from Stafford, Ct., aged 91 years, of inflammation of the lungs. 

" He was a member of the celebrated band of musicians of the 
Revolutionary army, under Mr. Timothy Olmstead. He emigrated to 
Floyd sixty-one years since, was one of the pioneer settlers of the 
county, and has occupied the same fkrm from that period. He was 
never sick until his la.^fc sickness, but at all times enjoyed health and 
vigor during a long life, and often boasted that ' the doctors were 
no richer for him, as he never took a portion of their medicine.' He 
was very spry and active to an advanced age, and at the season, 
walked over in the morning from his dwelling to this village, [Rome,] 
some seven miles, priding himself upon being the first to execute 
his pension papers, on the 4th of March and September. He was 



1G4 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

honest and iiarticnlar in his business transactions, and very cautious 
und unwilling to contract a debt; was a kind, considerate, and 
obliging neighbor, liusband, and father. He had the happy faculty 
to 'drive away dull care,' and always a fund of anecdotes to instruct 
and amuse those around him, enjoying, as he was wont, a hearty 
laugh with unmeasured satisfaction. His death occurred about four 
weeks after the attack, and such was the strength of his constitution, 
that his muscular powers were in some force for twelve or fifteen 
hours after his pulse had apparently ceased." 



XII. I KIRKLAND. 



165 



CHAPTER XII. 

KIRKLAND. 

This is a most interesting section of the county. Its 
college and seminaries of learning render it, not only the 
literary and scientific emporium of Oneida County, but of 
central New York. The religious societies of the town are 
of the highest order, and their early records show them as 
models for their cotemporaries and successors. 

The settlement of this town was commenced in March, 
1787, the first emigration having consisted of eight families. 
Some little uncertainty exists as to the names of all the 
Iieads of these eight families, but as to' five of them there 
is ni) dispute. Moses Foot and his three sons, Bronson, 
Luther, and Ira, and his son-in-law Barnabas Pond, were of 
the number ; and there is but little doubt that Levi Shear- 
man and Solomon Hovey were two of the eight; but whether 
Ludim Blodget or Timothy Tuttle made the eighth, must 
remain a matter of uncertainty. But this is a question of 
\ery trifling importance, for in the month of April succeed- 
iuo'. we find the names of Blodget and Tuttle, Samuel Huh- 
bard, Randall Lewis, Cordial Storrs, John Bullen, and Capt. 
Cassety, father of Col. Cassety, — the pioneer of Oriskany 
Falls. — among the settlers. Capt. Moses Foot was the lead- 
ing spirit of the emigrants. 

In the Ml previous (1786), an exploring party of the 
settlers came from the German Flats to Paris Hill, followirg 



106 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COfN^'. [CHAP. 

thus far tlio " OUl !Mo3-cr Road," an Indian trail leading 
from Buffalo to the valley of the Mohawk, at a place some 
distance below Utica, where a Dutchman named Moyer kept 
a tavern. The exploring party left Paris Hill and came to 
the elevated plain near where Daniel P. Northrop and the 
widow Mary Baird now reside, and here the party divided, 
a part wishing to commence operations at this place, while 
the others proceeded to the site of the park, or '-green." in 
the centre of the village of Clinton, equally determined there 
to commence the settlement. A committee was appointed 
by each party, who met upon the banks of the small creek 
near where Scott's slaughter house now stands, but neither 
would yield, and they returned to their constituents without 
having effected a compromise. Subsequently other delegates 
were appointed by each, who settled the dispute, and the 
location of Clinton village was agreed upon for their future 
residence. Tradition asserts that, in the fall of 178G, Ludini 
]?lodget commenced building a log house upon the ground 
where the widow Pliilena Catlin now resides. On the ^Tth 
of Februar}", a few days previously to the arrival of Capt. 
Closes Foot and his party, James Bronson visited the site 
of Clinton Green. Exhausted by his rambles in exploring 
the country, he contrived to construct a shelter by the side, 
of the upturned roots of a large Iienilotk. He was the first 
white person who ever slept in the village of Clinton, and 
so well plea.scd was he with the place, that he afterward.^ 
settled where his grandson Roswell now resides, opposite 
the Liberal Institute. 

But to return to the first settlers. Habitations were first 
to be provided. Huts constructed with crotches and poles, 
and sided and roofed with bark, destitute of floors, doors, or 
windows, were their first domicils. Ludim Blodget coui- 
pletcd the log cabin he had commenced the fall previous. 



XII.] ' ..'T/- KIUKLAND. ..•///. 1G7 

and although built of logs, and covered, as were the huts, 
with bark, it bore quite an aristocratic appearance among its 
more plebeian neighbors just described. 

Mrs. Sobmon Hovey was the first female wlw arrived, 
and of course something extra had to be provided for tlie 
accommodation of her table furniture and wardrobe. Her 
husband felled a large hollow basswood, which grew a few 
feet west from where the Kirkland Bank now stands, and cut- 
ting off a piece of the proper length, split and hewed off one 
of its sides ; this, raised upon end, with a number of shelves 
fitted into it, and placed by the side of their hut, was found 
admirably contrived for a pantry, cupboard, and clothes 
press. A street was laid out, extending north and south, 
from Royce Mansion to the dwelling of Mrs. Kays. To each 
family was set apart a lot of two acres upon this street, and 
upon these lots the first apologies for houses were erected. 

Soon afterwards, and in tlie next 3'ear, additional lots of 
eight acres each, adjoining the two acre lots, were set apart 
to the several families. < j^i u •; i, . i ., 

As soon as their first rude shelters were provided, the 
settlers fell zealously to work to clear for each a piece of 
land, upon which to raise vegetables, and a crop of Indian 
corn. The lofty forest trees which had withstood the storms 
of centuries, were laid kw by the blows of the sturdy axe- 
men. In the course of the summer, the 'place, by common 
consent, was named Clinton, in honor of Clevirge Clinton, 
who was then Governor of the State, and who was largely 
interested in various tracts of land in the present limits of 
the county, some of which were located in the present bounds 
cf Kirkland. it may not be impro^x^r in this place to men- 
tion, that G-eorge Washington, the beloved father of his 
country, was the joint owner with Gov. Clinton of quite a 
jtumbei" of now valuable farms in Oneida County. The lot 



16S ANXAI.S OF ONEIDA COUNTV. [CHAP. 

No. 14 in the 5th grand division of CoxeLorough of 31G 
acres, and composing the farm of the late Nathaniel (jriflin. 
of this town, was held by a deed directly from President 
Washington and Gov. Clinton. The author has seen this 
deed, signed by the hands of George Washington and Gov 
Clinton, and witnessed by Tobias Lear and De Witt Clin- 
ton, dated July 2-2, 1790. Within five years past, 1,000 
acres of the Mount Vernon estate have been sold to a com- 
pany of Friends at $25 f)er acre. Washington could hardly 
have anticipated that these cheap wild lands in the vicinity 
of the Oneidas would, Avithin half a century, readily sell for 
twice, and in souie instances three times, the price per acre 
of his beloved Mount Vernon. 

The nearest mill was Wetmore's, at AVhitestown, about 
seven miles distant from Clinton, and at the time of the 
commencement of the settlement, there was no road to it, 
and for portions of the distance there was not even an 
Indian trail through the tangled forests and miry swamps. 
To go to mill and return, was a hard day's journey, especially 
when, for lack of horses, the grain was borne on the back of 
the owner. Capt. Foot was the owner of the first and only 
horse in the place, and this '-sorry jade"' was soon stolen by 
the Indians. In the month of June, 1787, a part}' of the 
settlers turned out and cleared a road sufficient for the 
passage of an ox cart, and the next day Samuel Hubbard 
drove the first team to Whitestown, and returned with six 
bushels of corn. The same season, Capt. Cassety built :t, 
small grist mill on the east side of the Oriskany, a short 
distance above the site of the factory of Barton and Tracy. 
]>y September it was so far completed as to be ready to 
commeneo business, when Samuel Hubbard, Ludim Ijlodget, 
Jesse Catlin, and Salmon Butler, each shelled a peck of 
corn, of which tliey made a joint grist, and then cast lots to 



XII.] :>■•■■.■■ KIRKLAND. IGO 

determine whose shoulders should bear the precious grain 
to the mill. The lot fell upon Samuel Hubbard, who forth- 
with carried it to the mill, and as it was the first grist, im- 
memorial custom decreed that it must be ground free of 
toll. This was the first grist mill west of Grerman Flats, 
except Wetmore's, at Whitestown. 

A saw mill was erected, either the same or the succeeding 
season, a short distance above the grist mill, drawing water 
from the same pond. 

On Sunday, the 8th day of April, 1787, the first religious 
meeting was held, at the half completed log cabin of Capt. 
Foot. This rude edifice stood upon the spot now occupied 
by the tin shop and printing office. Capt. Foot commenced 
the services by prayer ; Bronson Foot, Barnabas Pond, and 
Ludim Blodget were the principal singers ; and Caleb Mer- 
rills, who had settled near the place now known as Middle 
Settlement, read a sermon. From that day to the present, 
there are probably very few places where the Lord's-day 
has been more appropriately and religiously observed. 
Public worship, with scarcely an interruption, has been well 
attended and maintained. . • .;, , ,.'. !■ ri.ji: ; 

The summer passed away and autumn came ; but how 
chano-ed ! What in March was an unbroken forest, now 
siiowed the germ of a thriving settlement. The numerous 
little openings and clearings, — the fences, indeed not very 
ornamental, surrounding fields of corn dotted with the 
yellow pumpkins, — the blue smoke ascending from perhaps 
twenty log houses and cabins, — showed distinctly that other 
than the red man was there, and that the new settlers were 
of the genuine persevering Anglo-Saxon race. 

The settlers were becoming contented and happ}'. Con- 
trasted with New England's bleak hills, their location was 
fast becominc; an El Dorado. Home, with all its sweet 



170 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

associations, it wa-s fast becoming. The author remcinbcrs, 
something more than twelve 3'ears since, of meeting Mr. Eli 
Zh'istol, one of the pioneers of Clinton. "How is your good 
old father?" was thz first inquiry. Upon being informed 
that he was in usual health, Mr. Bristol resumed, ''Tell him 
from me, that I want to see him once more before I die. I 
am now. more than eighty-five, and I can not expect to live 
Kiuch longer. We are now both so deaf, that we can not 
converse together, but I want to see him. Tell him also 
that I remember that the first twelve years I spent in this 
country, were the twelve happiest years of my life." Such 
was the universal testimony of the pioneers of Oneida. 
They say '• all were on a level." An j^ristocrat can not 
breathe the air of a new settlement. 

Tlie early settlers of Clinton, living as they did almu.-t 
beyond the pale of civilization, and beyond the limits of any 
organized town, early bethought themselves of the necessity 
of some compact or civil polity, for the preservation of order 
and quiet in their isolated settlement. 

The author found the following articles among the papers 
of his uncle, the late Isaac Jones, Avho was one of the first 
settlers in Clinton. 8uch was the scarcity of paper, and 
rigid economy of the times, that they were written upon the 
margin of the pages of a pamphlet, and doubtless they were 
the original and rdu^li draft. 

" Whereas, Capt. Moses Foot, and some others, formerly 
ef ye State of Connecticut, did last fall find a good and con- 
venient place for a large settlement in Coxeborough, County 
of Montgomery, State of Xew York : and whereas, the said 
Foot did contract with John Lansing, Juu.. of Albany, in yp 
State aforesaid, for a large tract of laud, sufficient for a con- 
siderable number of inhabitants, and did invite hi.s acquaint- 
ances aud others to join with him in the purchase and 



XII.] .-, • . KIRKLAND. \. 171 

settlement of said land : Therefore, we, whose names arc 
underwritten, being about to take the benefit of said invi- 
tation, for our future safety and benefit with regard to buying 
said land, and other internal business amongst ourselves, do 
by these presents covenant with each other, jointly and 
severally, that we will be under the following rules, regula- 
tions, or by-laws, viz.: — 

'• We will, as soou as may be, meet and choose a Secretary, 
whose business it shall be to record all our public papers, 
votes, &G., and said record shall be binding on us all ; said 
Secretary must be sworn to the faithful discharge of his 
trust, and serve for one year. 

"2. Any seven .persons shall have liberty to call the pro- 
I^rietors or company together, and the Secretary shall, by 
their application, issue out a warrant for a meeting at least 
four days before said meeting. 

'•3. Three copies of said warrant, set up in the most pub- 
lic places of our settlement, shall be deemed a sufficient 
warning while we live as compact as at present ; and every 
article of business to be done shall be inserted in said war- 
rants, that the members may have time to consider of them, 
and be in some manner prepared to give their opinion, and 
it shall not be lawful to act on any business not mentioned 
in the warrants. 

"4. In all matters of debate, the moderator shall allow 
every member to have his turn to speak, provided he does it 
in an orderly manner. .  / 

"5. No votes shall be recorded, or be binding, except two- 
thirds of the members are of a mind. 

"G. Upon the consideration of Capt. Foot's taking us in 
as partners with him, we agree to pay him the account he 
has kept in cash in procuring said land, that is. labor fur his 
time, and cash to the amount of what he has expended.'' 



172 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP, 

111 1788, about twenty families were added to the num- 
ber. This was most cheerintr and briorlitenlni' to their 
prospects. 

Wlien the location was agreed upon in the fall of 178G, 
they supposed that they were not withiu the limits of any 
patent, and that the land had never been surveyed. They 
characterized themselves as squatters, but presumed upon 
the benefit of the pre-emption right. Upon exploring and 
clearing up the land, they however soon discovered lines of 
marked trees, and during the second season they ascertained 
that they were on Coxe's Patent, a tract of land granted by 
the colony of New York, on the 30th of May, 1770,- to Dan- 
iel Coxe, William Coxe, Rebecca Coxe, and John Tabor 
Kempe and Grace his wife, and by them had been surveyed 
iut(i lots. 

Clinton was found to be on the "two thousand and sixteen 
acres tract," and by this descriptive name it is still known 
by the older inhabitants and surveyors. It was based upon 
tlie Oriskany Creek on the west, extending east to Daniel 
P. Northrup's, nortli to Solomon Gleason's, and south as far 
as jMrs. Hays'. 

The most unpleasant part of the discovery was yet to be 
made. The tract had been surveyed into twenty lots of 
C(iual size, and the proprietors had offered to give the tract 
to any company of twenty families who would make a per- 
manent settlement upon it. 

After this state of tilings had been discovered by the 
settlers, they entertained strong hopes of realizing the benefit 
of this offer ; but the patentees ascertaining tliat the settle- 
ment had been made in ignorance of their ofl'er, the settlers 
were required to pay ten shillings per acre. 

In the summer of 1788, therefore. Capt. Foot was sent 
to Philadelphia to make the necessary contracts for the pur- 



XII.] .^ . KinKLAXD. ..  173 

chase of tlie wbole tract, and eventually the several lots were 
taken by the different settlers. The site of the village was 
on a triangular piece, called the "handkerchief lot," from its 
resemblance to a half handkerchief, and was purchased by 
Capt. Foot. 

If the settlers were happy and contented, they also came 
in for their share of grief allotted to humanity. In the 
spring of this year " the insatiate archer " sent a shaft into 
their secluded settlement, and he rarely .assumes a more 
distressing or heart-rending form. The bow was not drawn 
at venture, for, as the poet writes, 

" Death loves a shining mark." 

Miss Merab Tuttle, aged 17, daughter of Col. Timothy 
Tuttle, who owned and resided upon the Koyce farm, was 
drowned in the Oriskany Creek. The circumstances were 
briefly these: — Miss Tuttle and Miss Anna Foot, daughter 
of Capt. Moses Foot, started late in the afternoon to make a 
call at Mr. William Cook's, who resided on the west bank of 
the creek, in a log house which stood near the site of the house 
formerly owned by Mr. J. Herrick, and at present occupied 
by Mr. John Nettleton. For lack of perfumed French hair 
powder for their toilet, they called on their way at Cassety's 
mill, and with the mill-dust whitened their locks, as for 
- some gala day. Though now obsolete, such then was the 
fashion. At that time no bridge spanned the stream from 
it-s source to its mouth. The settlers had felled two trees 
across, a little below the site of the bridge on the road to 
the college. When the girls arrived at the crossing place, 
they found the stream swollen from the spring freshet and 
recent rains, and its turbid waters were rushing and foaming 
madly down its channel. At first they quailed, but Miss 
Foot, the more courageous of the two, soon led the way, 



174 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP; 

fuUowcd by her companion. Wlien near the nudcllo of the- 
.stream, Miss Foot heard from her friend the exclamation. 
'' 0, dear, my head .swims !" which was instantly followed 
by a splash iu the water, and turning, saw he? struggling in 
the current. Miss Foot gave such loud and prolonged cries 
for help, that she was distinctly heard through the woods at 
Miss Tuttle's residence. ^ Mr. Cook, who hapi:'ened to be at 
his house, either witnessing the accident, or attracted by the 
cries, sprang into the stream to rescue the drowning girl, 
and nearly succeeded in grasping her by her clothes, when 
the current drew her from his sight under a pile of drift 
wood. Instant and continued search was made for the body. 
The blacksmith wade hooks, whicli were fastened in the ends 
of long poles, with which to drag the stream. Thes« were 
unsuccessfully plied through the whole night. Iu the morn- 
ing the remains of the unfortunate young lady were found, 
drawn under a pile of drift wood, near the site of the Clinton 
Factory. Few eyes slept in Clinton that night. Intelli- 
jreuce of the accident was sent to their neiehbors at Dean's- 
Settlement, in Westmoreland, as also the time appointed for 
the funeral. At the time named, many of the few settlers 
on Dean's Patent attended. The late Nehemiah Jones-, 
father of the autlior, when about to start, and knowing there 
could be no clergyman expected, (as probably tliere was 
none west of Albany,) took with him a volume of sermons, in 
which was one preached on the occasion of a young man 
])eing drowned. At the funeral he was requested to read 
that sermon, and after a prayer by Capt. Foot, he did so. 
The text upon which the sermon was founded, was 1 Samuel 
XX. 3: "There is but a step between me and death." Her 
grave was first dug on the '-green," but it being thought too 
wet, she was buried in the south part of the present burying 
irround, which was then a part of her fathers farm. Major 



XII.] nv KIRKLAND. • 175 

Jiaruabas Pond, but a few years before his death, informed 
the author that he dug her grave, and that he dug every 
grave in that burial ground until there had been cr\*er one 
hundred interments. 

There were few or none of those fevers in the settlement, 
the scourge of many of the new settlements in the west and 
far west. The second death was that of Thomas Fancher, 
Jun., who was killed by a falling tree, in 1791 ; and the 
third was that of Mrs. Mercy Stebbins, wife of Judah Steb- 
bins. Jun., aged 26 years. She was the mother of James 
D. Stebbins, yet residing in Clinton. 

Cupid, the wily little god, was not idle, but visited the 
settlement in 1788, casting his darts, and making some very 
pleasant wounds among the young people. The result was, 
the marriage of Elias De'sv'^y and Anna Foot, and Andrew 
]}lanchard and Mary Cook, upon the same day. The first 
public wedding, (and even some claim that it was the first 
marriage of a white couple in the county.) was that of Mr. 
lloger Leverett and Miss Elizabeth Cheesbrough, sister of 
the late Harry Cheesbrough and Mrs. Benedict Babcock, 
Sen. The bans were solemnized upon the Congden farm, in 
a log house which stood upon a knoll in the first orchard 
east from where the road from Clinton to Utica crosses the 
Chenango Canal. Jason Parker, of Utica, so long known 
as a stage proprietor and mail contractor, was an invited 
guest. In lack of other, the fire-sill was used as the most 
prominent seat for the company: It was a real merry- 
making ; and if the bill of fare did not quite come up to 
that of the modern weddings of Clinton, yet we are quite 
sure it did not fall short in that essential ingredient of a 
good wedding, — happy guests. Among the early marriages 
was that of Mr. William Stebbins to Miss Lydia Branch, 
November 25, 1790. The Pvev. Sampson Orcum, the Indian 



176 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

preacher, officiated, and, as was the custom in those days, 
saluted the bride without giving any offence. 

The first cliild born in the settlement was Clinton Foot, 
son of Luther Foot, who died before he arrived at manhood. 
The second was Fanny Kellogg, daughter of Capt. Amos 
Kellogg. She is yet living in Clinton, and is the widow of 
the late lamented Orrin Gridley. The third, Julius Pond, 
Esq., deceased, who was estensively known in the county, 
was born July 26, 1789; and the fourth was James D. 
Stebbins, who was born September 1 1 of the same year. 

Many settlers arrived in 1789, among others, Jesse Cui*- 
tiss, Esq.,* who is still living, in the enjoyment of a green old 
age. a monument between the past and the present age. 
honored and beloved. He brought on his back from the log 
huts in Utica, a skipple (three pecks) of seed wheat. . 

It is believed that, for the first time, horses were seen in 
the settlement this year, excepting the one before mentioned 
as brought in by Capt. Foot. William Carpenter and 
Nathan Marsh each had one, and during the fall they went 
on horseback to Albany. It is no very great compliment, 
however, either to the roads or the powers of the beasts, to 
state that Jesse Curtiss and Bartholomew Pond, who started 
on foot at the same time, preceded them some hours in 
arriving at Albany. 

The summer of 1789 was in one respect more trying to 
the settlers than its predecessors. Famine, with all its 
liorrors was upon them. The crops of the previous year 
wore insufficient for their own wants and those of the daily 
increasing emigrants. The hoarded little stock of flour, and 
their last year's crop of potatoes, were consumed, and the 
corn and meal were nearly exhausted, while the forthcoming 
crop was not inaturcd. At planting time such were their 

* Since deceased. (Sec liis obituary at the close of the chapter.) 



XII.] KIRKLAND. 177 

{^traits, and their care to husband their limited supply, tluit 
the eyes of the potatoes were cut out for planting, and the 
remainder carefully preserved for the table. To slaughter 
their few cattle, would be at once to destroy their future pros- 
pects, and nothing but the last extremity could have induced 
them to do so. Money was almost out of the question, and 
it is believed that if they had been compelled to contribute 
their all, not enough would have been found to purchase a 
barrel of flour, even at present prices. The forests were 
vsearched for ground-nuts and leeks, the fishing rod put in 
requisition, and most fortunate was the hunter who succeeded 
in securing a bear or her cubs, to aid in their extremity. 
Notwithstanding, children cried for food, and strong men 
put themselves on a stinted allowance, that the more help- 
less might be fed. All this did not suffice ; something far- 
ther m_ust be done. A small party was sent to Fort Plaiii, 
Montgomery County, to see if supplies could not there be 
obtained. At that place resided a large farmer and miller, 
named Isaac Paris, and to him imploringly they appealed. 
He responded most liberally ; and with a promptnes" whicli 
did honor to his heart, he loaded a small flat boat with flour 
and meal, and sent it up the Mohawk to the mouth of the 
(3riskany. Here it Was met by a party of the settlers, 
transhipped into a log canoe of their own construction, and 
from thence, with the aid of setting poles, paddles, and ropes,-, 
their " ark of plenty" Avas taken up the creek as far as the 
site of the bridge upon the Lairdsville road, and from that 
landing it was transported in carts to the settlement. Lan- 
guage is too feeble to describe the rejoicings upon the arrival 
of this timely supply of breadstuff's. Clinton has never 
liefore nor since witnessed such an overflow of gratitude. 

The settlers did not go to Mr. Paris as beggars. Silver 
and gold they had none, but they had industry, and gtror.g 

12 



173 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

hands and arms, and they agreed to pay for the meal and 
flour iu ginseng, to be delivered the next fall. Thi.s root, 
iu the early days of Oneida, was a considerable article in 
commerce. Although our cattle have now almost extirpated 
it from our forests, it was at that early day found in great 
abundance. It was shipped to those countries afflicted with 
the plague, where it was for a long time considered the best 
antidote against that disease. In 1792, a new town, includ- 
ing Clinton, was formed from Whitestowu, and in gratitude 
to their benefactor, the name of Paris was given to it. The 
original town of Paris has since been divided, and the town 
of Kirkland, including Clinton, taken from it. At thii^ 
time, such is the veneration of the name of Paris, that many 
of the descendants of those who enjoyed his beneficence, 
although rightfully proud of the name of Kirkland, regret 
that the name Paris had not been retained by that portion 
of the original town including Clinton. 

This year the settlers commenced building for thcmselvei^ 
more permanent and comfortable habitations. Col. Timothy 
Tuttle erected tlie first framed house, which yet remains, 
and is the carriage house upon the premises of the late 
Samuel Ro^-ce. 

The same year. Ebenezer Butler erected the second framed 
house, upon the spot where is now the residence of Asa 01m- 
stead, and there he opened and kept the first store in town. 

About the 20th of October, 1789, snow fell to the depth 
of nearly two feet, and this upoji a bed of mud of nearly the 
same depth. Tlie weather became cold and inclement, and 
most forbidding to him who luid yet to erect a frame dwell- 
ing. Precisely at this time, a settler, determined not to be 
foiled in liis plan of building a framed hou.sc before the win- 
ter should set in in full severity, went to Capt. Foot's saw 
mill, and for three da^-s and two nights, unremittingly, and 



XII.] KIRKLAND. 179 

without aid, continued to sa^w the lumber necessary for the 
building. "When the task was completed, his hands had 
become glazed, as by fire, by the constant use of the frosty 
mill-bars ; but he was well repaid for his toil, for in a few 
days he was enabled to rear a frame dwelling sixteen feet 
square. That dwelling is now the kitchen of Mr. Horatio 
Curtiss, and that persevering settler was Jesse Curtiss, 
already mentioned. 

The first two framed barns were built this year, the first 
by Judah Stebbins, upon the farm now owned by Mr. Edwin 
J. Stebbins, and the second in the latter part of the season, 
upon the farm of the Rev. Hiram H. Kellogg. These were 
both large, and the first built in the vicinity. 

In the year 1792, Thomas Hart removed to Clinton. He 
was the father of a number of sons, one of whom has been 
conspicuous in our great commercial emporium, another in 
central, and others in western New York. In company with 
one Seth Roberts, Mr. Hart opened a store in the building 
in which Ebenezer Butler had before traded. Mr. Hart 
was appointed one of the Judges of Oneida County some 
years previous to his death. The most expensive monument 
at that time in the Clinton burying ground, was erected to 
his memory, with the following inscription : — 

•■ In memory of Thomas Hart, E.squire, who died Feb. 11, 1811. 
aged 60 years and 4 months." 

In 1793, Judah Stebbins erected the first two-story house 
in the town, and which yet stands, being the large yellow 
dwelling upon the farm of the before-named Edwin J. Steb- 
bins, his grandson. A single fact shows at once the difficul- 
ties which had to be surmounted, and the laborious habits of 
those days. Mr. Stebbins, with his own hands, rived or 
split the clap-boards upon this house, from pine trees. Now 



180 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP, 

the builder is hardly content with the best of half inch pine 
.^tuff, sawed, planed, and jointed by steam power, and deliv- 
ered at his door. 

Clinton was settled by natives of New England, princi- 
pally from Massachusetts and Connecticut. Its history 
shows the striking influence of early habits and education ; 
for from 1787 to the present day, the place has continued tn 
possess most of the characteristics of a New England town. 
The staid habits, prevailing morality, and the attachment to 
education, which are here found, most distinctly show their 
eastern and Puritan origin. 

Sometimes, the settlers met with odd adventures. The 
bears in those days were very destructive to green corn and 
young pigs. 

In the fall of 1790, Mr. Curtiss, and three or four others-, 
on their return from meeting one Sunday afternoon, passed 
through a corn field, near where stands the mansion formerly 
occupied by Maj. Pond, and now by Mr. Gunn. Tlu-y 
heard an unusual rustling in the corn, and in searching for 
the cause, discovered two bear cubs busily engaged in break- 
ing down and masticating the green ears. Forthwith they 
made an onset upon the trespassers, and, despite their 
piteous cries for their dam, by dint of blows and kicks, soon 
despatched them. The same afternoon, Mr. Eronson, upon 
returning from meeting, found the old bear sitting very 
quietly and demurely upon the steps of his door, little 
dreaming of the sad calamity which had overtaken her 
young. 

The street leading past the house of James D. Stebbins 
was for a long time called "Brim Field" street, being en- 
tirely settled by emigrants from the town of that name in 
Massachusetts. The street leading to Utica was long known 
a.^^ '• Toggletown," from the long lines of log fence on each 



XII.] KIEKLAND. 



181 



side of it, made by "toggling" the logs together at the joints. 
Even at this day, some of the old inhabitants designate this 
street by that name. 

The name of "Chuckery" is indellibly impressed upon the 
eastern part of this town, and when the section bearing that 
name became so populous as to send a colony into Madison 
('ouuty, such was tlie partiality for the name, that the clus- 
ter of buildings is known as "New Chuckery" to this day, 
notwithstanding some modern innovators have attempted to 
change it to Perryville. The little village upon the creek 
above Clinton, now knov\^u as Franklin, once bore the un- 
.seemly name of Sodom. If its inhabitants ever deserved 
so uncourteous an appellation (which is very much doubted), 
its present population have earned their title to the populai: 
name by which their village is now designated. 

In the early settlement of Clinton, a circumstance occur- 
red similar in some respects to the famous dreaming matcli. 
])etween Sir William Johnson and the Mohawk sachem. A 
man named Owens was building a framed house near where 
^stands the residence of the Eev. Mr. Sawyer. The Rev. Mr. 
Kirkland, in passing it with a cart and oxen, observed some 
pieces of boards which he needed, and said to Owens, '• I 
had a dream last night." " YvHiat did you dream?" was the 
response. " I dreamed that you gave me these nice pieces 
of pine boards, and that I took them home in my cart." 
'■Well," says Owen, " if you so dreamed, you must take 
them." The next day, as Mr. Kirkland was again passing, 
Owens saluted him, and told him he had had a dream. 
'•What was it?" asked Mr. Kirkland. "I dreamed that I 
wanted your cart and two yoke of oxen to go to Whitesboro 
for brick for my chimney, and that you let me have them." 
'■ Well," says his Reverence, " if you dreamed so, you must 
have them, but, dear me, do not ever dream again." 



]82 ANNALS OP ONEIDA COUNTV. [cHAP. 

In the 3'car 1801, Epliraim Hart, who liad sneeceded hi.s 
father, Thomas Hart, in the mercantile business, had collected 
1,800 silver dollars, with which he was soon to start for New 
York to purchase goods. An Irishman named Samuel 
3IcBride, who had in some way learned that Mr. Hart had 
that sum on hand, on the night of the 23d of July, broke into 
the store, and stole the whole. In the morning the theft was 
discovered, and immediate search made for the thief and 
money, and the burglar was soon captured, with the whole 
.sum. excepting about two dollars. He was brought back to 
(.'linton for examination, where he made his escape in the 
night from his two keepers, and got into the forest. Upon 
the high ground opposite where the Middle Settlement road 
leaves the Utica road, and in rear of the house then the 
residence of 3Ir. Samuel Hecox, he found a hollow stump, 
some ten or twelve feet high, into which he stowed himself, 
intending to remain through the next day, and the next 
evening to leave for "parts unknown." But the Fates had 
otherwise ordered, for at evening, in attempting to leave, he 
found himself unable to get to the top of his hiding place, 
and for several hours hope forsook hiui, and he believed he 
must there remain, and die from starvation. The next 
morning, in the frenzy of despair, and aided by the light of 
day, a more desperate effort was successful, and he was upon 
the point of escaping from his novel ceil, just in season to be 
re-captured by some person in search of him. He was sub- 
sequentl}" tried, convicted, and rewarded for his villany with 
fourteen years' duress in State's Prison. Altliongh in 
amount this fell far short of some modern bank robljcrics 
yet in those hard money days, it created much sensation in 
the vicinity. The stolen money was composed entirely of 
Spanish milled dollars. 

Some account has been already given of the first religiou?; 



XII.] KIK.KLAND. _ 183 

meeting held in the viUage. No minister visited tlie place 
until the month of Novembei", 1788, when the Key. Samuel 
Eells, then pastor of the Congregational Church in Bran- 
ford, Ct., visited the place, remained some time, and preached 
to the people. He also formed for his hearers a covenant, 
which much resembled the " half-way covenant," so popular 
in those days in New England, and this was signed by nine 
males and seven females. This covenant was not very or- 
thodox in its character, requiring merely '-moral character,'' 
■■historic faith," and baptism, but not requiring '-saving 
faith" as a pre-requisite for communion. As a basis of 
Christian and church fellow.ship, such a covenant might 
possibly be considered a little preferable to the absence of 
all religious association, yet even of this some doubts might 
be entertained. It appears that the "half-way covenant" 
was very soon abandoned in Clinton. 

In August, 1791, Dr. Edwards, better known as the 
younger Edwards, then pastor of a church in New Haven, 
Conn., arrived in the place, and during his stay organized 
a Congregational Church, of about thirty members. On the 
•26th day of September, of the same year, " The Society of 
Clinton" was organized by the election of Mos3S Foot, 
Eli Bristol, Ebenezer Butler, Jun., Hannaniah Ellinwood, 
Ebenezer Tuttle, and Samuel Tuttle, as trustees. The 
articles of association are dated September 1. 1791, and 
were signed by eighty-three members, embracing nearly all 
the prominent men in the settlement. 

In 1792, the Rev. Asahel S. Norton "came, at the request 
of the people, to preach the Gospel of salvation." 

After he had preached to them some time, they gave 
him an invitation to become pastor of the church and society, 
which was accepted. Owing to some disappointment in 
obtaining the person selected to preach the sermon, his 



184 AXN'ALS OF ONEIDA COUNTT. [CIIAP 

ordination was delayed to a niucli later day than was in- 
tended, lie was ordained in the open air, near the eontrt^ 
of Clinton, on the 18th of September, 1793. Dr. Norton 
remained pastor of the Congregational Church a few weeks 
over forty years, and was dismissed in November, 1833. 

At the close of Dr. Norton's pastoral labors. 741 had 
joined the church, including those who united at its forma- 
tion. 13ut thirty-four had joined previous to his ordination, 
and of these, seven had been already dismissed, leaving but 
twenty-seven members at tJiat time. 

Of the whole number (741) who had joined previous to 
the close of his services, 571 had been received by pro- 
fession, and 170 by letters from other churches. Thes(^ 
numbers show that his labors had been eminently success- 
ful. In 1820, Dr. Norton preached a Thanksgiving sermon, 
which was published at the request of his congregation, and 
in which he states. — " There have been added to the church 
419 since it has been under my pastoral charge. The 
Avhole number of members since the first formation of tho 
church. 453; of these, 213 liaA'C fallen asleep, or removed ti> 
other parts of the country. The number now remaining in 
the limits of the society is 240." 

Near the close of 1799, a revival commenced in Clinton, 
which continued through 1800 and a part of 1801. As its 
fruits, sixty-three joined the church on profession of faith in 
1800, and forty-four in 1801, besides twenty-four who joined 
by letter within thc:-o two years. 

In 1831. another revival of religion occurred and pro- 
gressed during the year. Ninety-one were added upon 
profession, and eight by letter, and in 1832, eighteen by 
profession, and fourteen by letter. 

Tn 18:;r), tlic Ilev. Moses Chase was installed pastor. His 
ministry was successful, for within that year twcnty-ono 



XJI.J KIRKLAND. 185 

joined upon profession and twenty-five by letter, and in 183G. 
thirty-five by profession and twenty by letter. In 183S. 
thirty-nine were added upon profession and nine by letter. 

Mr. Chase was dismissed in 1839, and the aggregate ac- 
cessions during the five years in which he was pastor, were 
104 upon profession and sixty-five by letter. 

The Rev. Wayne Gridley, was installed pastor in 1840. 
In 1842, nineteen joined by profession and ten by letter, and 
iu 1843, thirty-five by profession, and four by letter. In 
1845, Mr. Gridley was dismissed on account of ill health. 
])uring the five years in which he was pastor sixty-eight were 
added on profession and forty-four by letter. 

In 1846, the present pastor, the Rev. Robert Gr. Virmilyc 
was installed. During the years 1846, 1847, and 1848, ten 
were added by profession and sixteen by letter. From the 
formation of the church in 1791 to the close of 1848, 1,082 
had been received into the fellowship of the church, 830 had 
either died or been dismissed, leaving the present number 
2G0. In 1850 this church reported to the Greneral Associa- 
tion 250 members, 80 males and 170 females, and that five 
had been received upon profession and nine by letter during 
the year, and the removal of fifteen by death, by dismission, 
etc. Doctor Norton yet survives. He was eighty-five years 
of age on the twentieth of September, 1850, and still dwells 
upon his farm about one mile north-west of the village, which 
has been his home for more than half a century. He has 
lost the sight of one eye by disease, and the other has become 
dim by age. He walks to and from the post office in the 
village, with the sprightliuess, if not with the elasticity, of 
youth. In speaking of him, the author feels justified in 
.swerving from the rule he had adopted, not to speak but iu 
general terms of the characters of the living. He is a loved 
monument, spared to us, of the past generation, of the early 



186 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

settlors of the county. lie loves the people of Cliutou, and 
they love and venerate liim. Each succeeding winter they 
make him a pastoral visit, when not only a large portion of 
his own beloved church and society meet, but others of the 
different societies ; and well they may, for during his long 
and useful life, the benediction of his Savior in the sermoii 
on the Mount has well applied to him : '• Blessed are the 
peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of (rod." 

Baptist CImirh. — During the revival of religion in 1S31. 
a portion of the converts were impressed with the belief that 
immersion is the scriptural mode of baptism, and that be- 
lievei'S are the only subjects. In the month of June of that 
year, a meeting of those persons was held to consult as to 
their duty, and after a full and free discussion, and the ad- 
vice of members of different Baptist Churches, they came to 
the conclusion to unite with the first Baptist Church in 
Westmoreland, with the understanding of ultimately being 
dismissed to form a church in Clinton village. Accordingly, 
on the sixth of July following, the Westmoreland Churcli 
h.eld a meetin2; in the Universalist Church in that villaire. and 
received seventeen members, who resided in that vicinity. 
This was the germ of the Baptist Church. (3n the 25th of 
September afterwards, a Council was called to advise as to the 
jtropriety of organizing said members into a church, and after 
a full discussion, the Council advised to the measure, and 
they forthwith proceeded to organize such church, as they be- 
lieved, on the apostolic plan. It consisted of nineteen mem- 
bers, nine males and ten females. Elder P. P. Brown, of 
Augusta, preached the sermon. Elder David Morris, of Home, 
gave the hand of fellowship, and Elder Daniel Putnam, of 
Sangerfield, addressed the church on the occasion. 

They soon procured the use of the Grammar school building. 



XII.] KIRKLAKD. 187 

and on the first Lord's-day in October they commenced wor- 
ship, which has been regularly maintained to the present 
time. In the winter of 1832, a subscription was circulated 
to raise funds to build a meeting house for their use. Nine 
hundred and fifteen dollars and ninety-one cents having been 
subscribed, they proceeded to commence preparations for pur- 
chasing a lot and building a house, which were to cost 81,800. 
The house was completed and dedicated on November 9th of 
the same year. The building is sixty feet by forty, with a 
circular gallery and basement, and was at the time considered 
a neat structure, as well as an honor to its projectors and build- 
ers and an ornament to the village. On the completion of 
their house the church found itself in debt about 61.100, ou 
which an annual interest had to be paid, besides the support 
of a pastor. This to a body, the assessed value of whose 
individual property amounted probably in the aggregate to 
less than 88,000, must have appeared somewhat onerous, but 
there was union, and where that is, there is strength. By 
assessments and re-assessments, and with the aid of 8193.5i3 
generously donated by members of other denominations, in 
1837, the whole debt was cancelled, one family having paid 
within the five years 8536,90. 

The church has had its seasons of prosperity and adversity. 
From its commencement to the present time. 337 have been 
added to its numbers, 174 by letter, and 163 by baptism. 

The first pastor of the church was Elder Daniel Putnam, 
who remained but one year. From that period to the pres- 
ent, the church has had a succession of pastors, eight in 
number. 

In 1842, 1843, Elder Jason Corwin was pastor; in 1844, 
Elder William Thompson; 1845, 1846, Elder A. Kenyon; 
1847 and 1848, Elder Harry White; 1850 and 1851, Elder 
D. Alcott. The present number of members is eighty-fivc» 



188 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP. 

Of tliosc who have Leen dismissed, the greater portion liave 
joined other Baptist Churches, a few have died, and but few 
have been excluded. Of its original members, seven yet re- 
main in the church. 

The Unitcrsalist Society. — Universalism was first preach- 
ed statedly in Kirkland, in 1820, when the Kev. Stephen 11. 
Smith, so well known and appreciated through the whole de- 
nomination, delivered a course of lectures in the village of 
Clinton. As mentioned in the history of New Hartford. 
(Chap. XVI,) the Whitestown Society was the parent stock 
from which the others of the same faith emanated. In Clin- 
ton there were several prominent members of the denomina- 
tion, and they wished to bring the blessing of public worship 
as they held to be the truth, to their own doors. The lec- 
tures of Mr. Smith in 1820, prepared tlie way for the erec- 
tion of a neat and commodious brick church in 1822. Jo- 
.seph Stcbbins, Esq., headed the subscription witli 8500, and 
as money was needed, during the erection of the building, he 
advanced about §1,000 over his subscription. For his gene- 
rosity he has never received, as he probably never expected, 
any other return than the approbation of his own conscience, 
and the gratitude of his bretliren in the denomination. Thi.< 
.society has never been more than moderately prosperous, and 
has bad to contend against much prejudice. Still it sustains 
a respectable rank as to wealth and numbers, and will com- 
pare fiivorably with cither the Methodist or Baptist Socie- 
ties. The Congregationalist is very much larger. 

In connection with the Universalist Church should bo 
mentioned '■ the Clinton Liberal Institute," which is under 
the patronage of this denomination. It was founded in 1832, 
and received a cliarter in liSS 1. It consists of a male and 
female department, which occupy separate buildings. That 



MI.] KIRKLAND. ' ' ' ISO 

of the male department is a large stone edifice, nearly 100 
feet in length, and four stories high, and cost over $9,000, 
The female department has until recently occupied a building 
which has been found inadequate for its purposes. 

In 1850 a new building was erected for this department, 
the architectural design and execution of which have con- 
ferred much honor upon its projectors, and an ornament upon 
the village. The estimated expense of the building was 
$6,500. The site was a gift to the Institute, and one of the 
finest in the village, having been valued at $500. Considera- 
ble improvements are being made in the male department, 
and the trustees and friends of the Institution are putting 
forth their earnest efforts to raise the school to the first rank 
among the Academies of the State. A subscription for a 
permanent fund of $10,000 has been recently nearly or quite 
filled up. besides a considerable sum required for the erection 
of the new building for the female department. "Within a 
short period two very liberal bequests, amounting to from 
nine to ten thousand dollars, have been made to the Insti- 
tute, which, when received, will add materially to its means of 
usefulness, in diffusing the blessing of a good education to its 
pupils. At present the school sustains a respectable rank 
among the literary institutions of our country. It employs 
six teachers, and generally has about one hundred students. 
The Rev. Thomas J. Sawyer is now at the head of its faculty. 

Metliodist Society. — This denomination has a respectable- 
society in Clinton. A few years since they erected a verj^ 
neat and appropriate chapel for public worship on the east- 
erly side of Clinton Gi-reen. The author has repeatedly, from 
time to time, been promised notes, containing statistics of 
this body, and had left a blank in his manuscript for as ex- 
tended a notice of this as of the other religious societies in 



190  ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAr. 

the place. He has, however, been entirely dlsappointctl in 
receiving the information so often sought, and is reluctantly 
compelled to go to press with but this stinted notice. 

There are now in Clinton village more than twenty or- 
dained ministers of different denominations, four church- 
es, seven stores, eight licensed physicians, one College, the 
Liberal Institute, an Academy, two Seminaries for young 
ladies, a District School, a bank, and a printing office. The 
Surrogate for the county now resides in Clinton, and holds 
his courts there. A plank road from Waterville to Utica 
passes through Clinton, as does also the Chenango Canal. 
Clinton has been justly termed the literary and scientific 
emporium of Central New York. 

Geology. — This town possesses numerous beds of iron 
ore. from which about 3,000 tons are used annually at Con- 
stantia and Taberg. This is mostly converted into pig iron 
for the supplying of cupola furnaces. Its quality approxi- 
mates to that of best Scotch pig. This ore was formerly 
worked to a small extent in a forge at Walesville, and in 
Marshall, but the iron, either from the want of skill in tlu 
manufacturers, or the inferior quality of the ore, proved to be 
most miserably poor. There are quarries of good building 
stone near Clinton village. Near Hamilton College are ex- 
tensive beds of red shale, otherwise there is nothing peculiar 
to distinffuish this from the neiirhborinc; towns. 

Manchester village (although its post office bears the 
name of Kirkland), lies one and a half miles below Clinton. 
where the Seneca plank road crosses the Oriskany Creek. 
Here in the olden time was the Indian trail from the ford at 
Fort Schuyler (Utica) to the. Oneida Castle. It was also 
ooDsidercd as the head of uavisration on the Oriskany. al- 



XII,] KIRKLAND. 191 



though perhaps occasionally a canoe may have ascended a^ 
high as Clinton. The wrecks of two or three batteaux were 
found here when the first settlers arrived. A small stream 
here enters the Oriskany from the south-east, and on the 
point formed by the two streams there was a small Indian 
clearing, with another on the easterly side, still smaller, used 
for encamping. The first settler in this village was Robert 
Parks, who arrived here in 1788, and in the same season a 
number of families removed to this place and vicinity. Mr. 
Parks erected the first framed house, which is now the back 
part of the tavern owned by David Pixley, Esq. There arc 
in the village two stores, two taverns, an extensive cotton 
factor}^, several mechanics, and from thirty to forty dwelling 
houses. There are a Congregational Church and Society, 
with a respectable house of worship. This church reported 
in 1850 forty-nine members. Rev. S. W. Raymond, the 
present pastor, commenced his labors with the church in 
1846. 

The water power for the factory at this place was obtained 
in a manner different from the ordinary mode. The flats of 
the Oriskany at this place are wide, and instead of confining 
the stream to either side by a dike, a heavy wall of masonry, 
about fifty feet in length, laid in hydraulic cement, was 
raised some twenty feet, near the centre and crosswise of the 
valley, a few rods from the channel of the stream just above 
the site of the factory. Froui the ends of this wall heavy 
parallel embankments of earth were carried so far up and 
into the stream, as to raise the water nearly to the top of the 
wall. Although expensive, a power was thus obtained suf- 
ficient for the machinery of a large factory. 

(3ne of the earliest Sunday Schools in the county \^as 
established in this village. Warren Converse, Esq., then 
superintendent of the factory, and Mr. Isaac Pixley, were 



193 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

mainly instrumental in getting up the school. It was started 
varly in IS 17, and it had a two-fold object: first, instruction 
in the Scriptures ; and, secondly, to give those destitute of 
other means, an opportunity to acquire the rudiments of 
education. Some wore found, even thirteen years of age. 
without a knowledge of the alphabet. Instances can he 
given of young men who have succeeded well in life, and 
have made respectable members of society, who in this school 
received their entire education. . Although at its commence- 
ment it had to encounter prejudices, it is continued in it.« 
usefulness to the present time. 



HAMILTON ONEIDA ACADEiMY. 

This Institution was incorporated by the Regents of the 
University, by charter, dated "the thirty -first day of January, 
in the seventeenth year of American independence." [1793] 
This charter is written upon parchment, and is in a good 
state of preservation, having been kept in a tin case. 

The preamble of the charter sets forth that, "Whereas 
Samuel Kirkland, Jonas Piatt, Eli Bristoll, Erastus Clark. 
Joel Bristoll, Sewall Hopkins, James Dean, and 3Iichael 
3Iyers, by an instrument in writing, under their hands and 
seals, bearing date the 12th day of November, in the year 
of our Lord 1792, after stating, among other things, that 
they are founders and benefactors of a certain Academy in 
Whitestown, contiguous to the Oneida Nation of Indians, 
in the County of Herkimer, in the State aforesaid, who have 
contributed more than one half in the value of the real and 
personal property and estate collected and appropriated for 
the use and benefit of said Academy, did make application to 
us, the said Ilegents, that the said Academy might be incor- 



XII.] KIRKLAND. 193 

porated and become subject to tlie visitation of us and our 
successors, and that we would signify our approbation that 
Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing, Egbert Benson, Dan 
Bradly, Eli Bristoll, Erastus Clark, James Dean, jMoses 
Foot, Thomas R. Gold, Sewal Hopkins, Michael^ Myers, 
Jonas Piatt, Jcdediah Sanger, John Sergeant, Timothy 
Tuttle, and Samuel "Weils, named in the said application, 
and their successors, might be a body corporate and politic, 
])y the name and style of the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida 
Academy.^' The Regents then proceed to '-signify their 
approbation"' of said Trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy, 
etc. This charter is signed by George Clinton, Chancellor, 
and N. Lawrence, Secretary. 

Of the persons named above as petitioners and trustees, 
it is believed that not one is now living ; certainly not more 
than one or two. 

In 1794, a large and commodious wooden building was 
erected for the Academy, and partly completed The corner 
stone was laid with much ceremony. The Baron Steuben 
was present by invitation, and to him vras given the honor . 
of placing it in proper position. He was escorted to Clin- 
ton, and from thence to the '■Hill,'' the site of the Academy, 
by Capt. George W; Kirkland and his troop of Clinton 
Light Horse. My informant says he wore his military hat 
— the one worn in the Eevolution — upon the occasion. If 
speech could have been given it, what an '-o'ertrue tale" it 
could have told, of suffering witnessed, of hard service, of 
battles fought and victories won in the cause of the United 
States. 

In the latter part of the same year, a school was com- 
menced, under the preceptorship of the Rev. John Niles, 
and during a portion of the time he had the charge of the 
school, the Rev. James Murdock was associated with him. 

13 



\ 



194 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP. 

Mr. Niles was succeeded by the llev. Robert Porter. Mr, 
Porter was succeeded by the late Professor Seth Nortou. 
who remained but one year, aud then returned to Yale 
College, and was succeeded by the Rev. James Robbing, 
who remained a year, when Professor Norton returned and 
resumed the charge of the school, and continued at its head 
until the college charter was obtained, when he was elected 
Professor of Languages in that Institution. As lone as Mr. 
Kirkland liTed,he continued the benefactor of the Academy. 

Within the past year a travelling pedlar called at the 
residence of the author, to dispose of some of his wares, and 
while present produced a small package of papers, which he 
said he had found in the road near New Hartford villaare. 
On examination, they were found to l:>e dated in the latter 
part of the last century, mostly of a legal character, and of" 
no possible use at this time to any one. One paper, liow- 
ever, as a relic of JMr. Kirkland's devotion to his favorite 
Institution, is worth preserving. It was under the hand and 
seal of Mr. Kirkland. and in a short preamble he sat forth 
that the trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy were de- 
sirous to borrow three or four hundred dollars to complete 
the Academic building, and then proceeds, by promising, for 
value received, to make him.'^elf personally responsible ta 
any person who would loan the money to said trustees. 
Comment is 2m?wccssar?/. 

In its time, Hamilton Oneida Academy performed well 
its part. jMany of the sons of Central New York left its 
halls with their all of classical education, to become eminent 
in the pulpit, at the bar, and in the medical profession. 
Among the contributors to its funds may be found the 
names of almost every inhabitant of Clinton, and many 
from the adjoining towns. Thus useful and prosperous, and 
thus fostered, it soon became apparent that, at no distant 



Xll.] KIRKLAND. • 195 

clay, a wider field of usefulness was opening before it. A 
subscription was again opened, to raise funds to endow it as 
a College. This subscription was headed by that excellent 
man,— the then patroon of Albany, — the late Stephen Van 
Konsselaer, who gave $1,000. The late Daniel D. Tomp- 
kins — then Governor of the State, and afterwards Vice 
President of the United States — gave $500. They were 
followed by many generous donors, until a sufiicient sum 
was raised, added to the prospective bounty of the State, tt) 
warrant an application to the Regents of the University for 
a colleo'e charter. The prayer was heard, and on the 2Gth 
of May, 1812, a charter was granted to Hamilton College. 

The trustees named in the charter were, Henry Hunting- 
ton, George Br ay ton, Morris S. IMiller, Nathan Williams, 
James S. Kip, James Caruahan, Jedediah Sanger, Joseph 
Kirkland, John H. Lothrop, Thomas R. Gold, Jonas Platt. 
James Eells, Asahel S. Norton, Ephraim Hart, William 
Hotchkiss, Joel Bristol, Henry McNiel, Peter Smith, Dirck 
€. Lansing, Jasper Hopper, Obadiah German, Arunah Met- 
calf, Simeon Ford, and Walter Fisk. Of the above twenty- 
four trustees, all that survived at the time of the annual 
commencement, July 1849, were James Eells, Asahel S. 
Norton, William Hotchkiss, Dirck C. Lansing, Jasper Hop- 
per, Arunah Metcalf, and Walter Fisk. 

The Rev. Azel Backus, D. D., was elected first President. 
in 1812. This selection was most fortunate. The college, 
under his auspices, was fast rising in usefulness and public 
favor ; but his connection with the institution was soon 
severed by death. Dr. Backus was born in the town of 
Franklin, near the city of Norwich, Conn., on the 13th of 
October, 1765. His father died while his only child was in 
infancy. The death of the father was an almost irreparable 
loss to the son, for he particularly needed in youth those 



19G ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNir. [CHAP. 

restraints which none but a father can so well impose. Ills 
ardent temperament required a firm and steady control, and 
his early years were marked with great licentiousness of 
opinion. His companions were rude, ignorant, and disso- 
lute. His mind became poisoned with infidelity, and lie 
often spoke of himself " as a brand plucked from the buru- 
ino;." 

While engaged in his studies, preparatory to his admission 
to college, he began an intimate acquaintance with his uncle, 
the Pvev. Charles Backus, of Somers, who soon won the 
aftections of his nephew. The influence tlius obtained, he 
employed to promote the eternal welfare of his young kins- 
man. He was successful, for the infidel was arrested, and 
trembled in view of his danger, and the arrow fiistened in 
his heart. Guided by the Spirit, he bowed to the sovereignty 
of the God he had denied. Religion softened his heart and 
subdued his will. After the completion of hi.s preparatory 
studies, he was admitted a member of Yale College. While 
in college his insatiable thirst for knowledge often- led him 
into a desultory course of reading, and through life his 
learning, though extensive, in some degree lacked system. 
The completion of his collegiate course had exhausted his 
pati-imony, and left him to some extent indebted to friends. 
As yet, he had not selected his profession. With but few 
friends, and no pecuniary resources, he was almost discou- 
raged, and at one time he had decided to abandon the farther 
prosecution of literary pursuits, and join the army. Here 
again his unele stepped in as a guardian angel, and rescued 
his wayward nephew. A change of purpose was effected. 
and a resolution formed to enter upon the study of divinity. 
His first occupation after leaving college, was the charge of 
the grammar school in AVcathersfield, where he was associated 
with his classmate, John H. Lothrop, Esq., and in the divi- 



XII. J KIRKLAND. 107 

sioii of duties, the care of the young gentlemen devolved on 
Dr. Backus. His superior talents as au instructor were 
here developed. He was licensed and commenced preaching 
in 1789, and soon afterwards was invited to preach to the 
congregation then lately bereaved by the death of Dr. Bel- 
lamy. He afterwards received an unanimous call to become 
the pastor of the church, which was accepted, and his talents 
and character did not fail to render him acceptable and use- 
ful to his congregation. He was a faitliful pastor. In his 
intercourse with his people, he was candid and affectionate : 
as a preacher, he was sound, original, attractive, and instruc- 
tive. His imagination was brilliant and chaste, producing 
some of the boldest combinations and brightest specimens 
of intellectual creations. His pen never did justice to his 
talents as a preacher. In 1798, he preached the annual 
election sermon, by the appointment of Grov. Wolcott ; and 
in 1799, he preached Gov. AYolcott's funeral sermon. Soon 
after his ordination, he opened a select school in Bethlehem, 
the principal object of which was to prepare young men for 
colleo-e. He continued this school as long as he resided in 
the State. He was peculiarly cjualified for a teacher, by the 
clear and direct manner in which he explained and illus- 
trated first principles, and adapted his ideas and language 
to the capacity of his pupils. He always acquired and re- 
tained the affection and respectful regard of those under hi.-^ 
care. His selection and success as President of Hamilton 
Colleo-e, have been noticed. In the midst of his career of 
usefulness, he died of typhus fevei', December 9, 1816, aged 
fifty-two. His funeral sermon was preached by Ilev. Dr. 
Norton. The corporation of the college, as a token of their 
respect for their departed President, erected over his re- 
mains in the college cemetery, a handsome monument to his 
memory. The inscription is in Latin. 



198 AWALS OF OXEIDA COVXTV. [cHAP. 

In person, Dr. Backus was of the nikkllo stature, robust, 
and atliletic ; tliougli corpulent, he was active. 

He buried several children before he came to this State, 
and four sui'vived him. Two have since deceased: Wealthy, 
wife of Gerrit Smith, of Peterboro, and Albert, who died in 
France, where he had gone for the benefit of his health. 

The Rev. Henry Davis, D. D., succeeded to the Presidency 
in 1817. He had previously been President of Middlebury 
College, Vermont. For the first five years he was succe.«>- 
ful, and the institution prosperous. Here it would ho 
grateful to the feelings of the author, were a thick veil 
drawn over its history, never to be raised ; but such is not 
the case. The decline and almost extinction of Hamilton 
(college are remembered by those wlio survive. 

In November, 1823, an occurrence took place of tlie most 
astounding character. A small cannon, heavily loaded and 
plugged, was fired and burst, at two o'clock in the morning. 
r)n the fourth floor of one of the colleirc buildings. It wa.s 
. placed in the hall, by the side of a room occupied b}' a tutor, 
who, at the time, was asleep in an adjoining room. Althougli 
some of the students had a pique against the tutor, yet it 
\rns never suspected that there was any intention to take his 
life; still, his escape was almost miraculous. His coat, 
which was hanging on a cliair at the foot of his bed, was so 
]-cnt as to preclude repair. The fragments of tlie cannon 
were tlirown in every direction, some through the roof, and 
others through all the floors, quite into the basement. Some 
of the windows in that section of the building, were almost 
annihilated, sasli as well as glass. The side of the tutor's 
chamber was entirely swept away, and the door was found 
erect against the opposite wall. In the end. this event 
brought the institution to tlie ver}' verge of dissolution, 
although ."iuch a result did not necessarily follow vsuch a 



XII.] KmKLAND. 199 

cause. It is believed tliat, if tlierc had been liarmoniotis 
action between the board of trustees and tlie faculty, its 
prosperity need not have been disturbed ; but such was not 
the case. The faculty believed that, by the college by-laws, 
its government was vested in them ; the trustees, or at least • 
a majority of them, thought differently, and at a meeting of 
the board, a committee was appointed to investigate the 
matter. This committee made no progress in obtaining the 
names of the authors, although, providentially, the faculty 
were soon in possession of all the facts, and the names of 
the nine students concerned. The reader need not be 
■carried through the long labyrinth of troubles which fol- 
lowed. A portion of the trustees wished the President to 
resign, which he distinctly refused to do, on the ground that 
his reputation was too deeply concerned to permit such :!• 
-course. Year after year of crimination and recrimination 
passed between a majority of the board and . the President : 
and as a house divided against itself can not stand, so, in tlu; 
years 1829 and 1830 there was no graduating class. During 
a portion of these years, the college was reduced to nine 
students, and a part, perhaps all of these, were induced 
to remain to save the charter of the institution. '• New 
measures,'' as they were termed, for producing religious 
revivals and excitements in Oneida County, became inter- 
woven with thejr troubles. The Western Education Society 
liad erected, in the vicinity of the college, a large boarding 
liouse, for the gratuitous boarding of its beneficiaries ; and 
as another of the evils the institution liad to encounter, 
these students were a source of jealousy and annoyance to 
those who were able to defray their own expenses. 

After being thus brought to the very threshold of disso- 
lution, better counsels prevailed. A portion of the trustees 
s'eslgned, and others of diflPerent views were appointed. 



200 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP. 

'• Charity Hall," as said boarding house was called, was sold, 
and became a private dwelling. The prospects of the college 
began to brighten. In 1831 there was a graduating class of 
nine, in 1832 of eleven, and in 1833 there were ninety-three 
students in attendance, and a graduating class of twenty. 

In 1832, Dr. Davis resigned the Presidency, but it was 
not accepted until the appointment of his successor, the 
Kev. Sereno E. Dwight, D. D , in 1833. Dr. Dwight con- 
tinued in the Presidency but two years, and in 1835 he wa.s 
succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Penny, D. D., who, in 1830, 
was succeeded by the present incumbent, the Rev. Simeon 
North, who had been for the previous ten years Professor 
of Languages in the institution. Since President North 
entered upon the Presidential duties, the college has been 
constantly gaining in public confidence. Indeed, it was 
never as flourishing as in 1849. This j^ear the catalogue 
shows a 

Senior Class of - - - 51 

Juniors -...40 

Soplioiiiores 4-1 

Freshmen .-..---... 2'.) 

Totul - - - - - - - - lo8 

Of the Seniors, forty-seven graduated at the annual coni- 
nicncement of this year, the- largest number of graduates 
since the incorporation of the institution. 

Notwithstanding the clouds and darkness which have at 
times overshadowed this institution, the future in prospec- 
tive is most cheering; it is one of tlic bright and sunny 
spots in Central New York ; improvement is visible in its 
course. Some little change in the course of studies, such a.s 
experience may dictate, to bring it up to the standard of the 
iiL'e. and it will be all that its fondest friends can wish, or its 
founders hoped. 



XII.] KtRKLAND. 201 

We are gratified tliat, on commencement day, the ludicrous 
chapeau and gown no longer disfigure the form of the 
President, but he appears in a plain suit of citizen's black. 
On the last commencement, when the atmosphere was rang- 
iujj near 11 0'^ Fahrenheit, the audience was not tortured 
with Greek and Latin exercises ; and it is fondly anticipated 
that, at no distant day, we shall hear the degrees conferred 
in plain Anglo-Saxon, that language of which it has been 
said, " "Wherever it is spoken, there the rights of man are 
best understood." The dark ages are past, when the gaping 
multitude supposed that something supernatural is conferred 
in a collegiate degree. Now, it is believed that, in connec- 
tion with a thorough course of studies pursued in disciplining 
the mind of the student, it is rendered almost priceless ; but 
it is not believed that four years spent in college in idleness 
and dissipation, and, if he is so fortunate as to receive one, a 
degree conferred in Latin, and a parchment inscribed in the 
same language, very well qualify the possessor for the active 
duties of after life. 

This history of Hamilton College can not be closed in 
any way so satisfactorily to the author, as by inscribing the 
following address of A. M. Stowe at the last commencement. 
Mr. Stowe was a member of the graduating class, and kindly 
furnished a copy, by request: — 



"Benignant Heaven did smile propitiously, and gave us proof of 
love to man, when, with Almighty hand. He made these i-olling hills, 
and this delightful valley. I would ask those here to-day who have 
strolled in foreign lands, — lands where the muses sang most sweetly, 
I would ask, Where, in all thy rounds, didst find such scenes as 
these 1 Stroll through these groves, and climb the rugged hill with 
me, and, from the summit of some lofty brow, feast well thine eyes 
on Nature's most exquisite volume. 

"I come to speak at first, of those once lords of this fair land, 
' whose foot-prints in the sands of time ' we have washed away, I 



202 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

Avould point yon to their irraves, if I knew wlicre to fiml thciu. 
Tlicir graves! Tlioy arc all about us; \\c tread each day upon the 
dust of noble men. We meet to-day where brave Oneida's sons once 
met in councils wise. Ilcre curled the smoke, here ran the deer, 
and here the arrow flew. The war-whoop's deafening yell was heard 
from hill to hill, from glen to grove, most fair; but cries like these 
were most unusual; Oneida's sons loved peace, and only when pro- 
voked to deeds of bloody hue, would they go forth in dread array; 
but when their ire was up, not one of all the Ave remaining nation.s 
dwelling round could stand before them. Like as the lion, when 
roused from peaceful rest by some intruder, they would make the 
earth to quake, and heaven's broad arch to ring. 

"A crude idea they had of the Great Spirit; to it they bowed with 
reverence. Thej- bowed when it was seen in blasts terrific, prostra- 
ting mighty forest oaks ; they bowed when lightnings flashed across 
their path, and thunders pealed on high ; they also bowed when 
death, the mighty foe of all, unnerved their neighbor's arm, and laid 
his icy hand on tongue and vitals. But worshipped they not as the 
nnderstanding Christian worships. For ages, no volume well inspired 
to them was kno^^^l ; no true idea of duty, God, or final retribution. 
Their ideal heaven was in Elysium's plain, where game is found in 
great abundance, and fleetest hounds, and arrows true, secure them 
richest food. To such delightful home they hoped to go when the 
Great Spirit called them. In yon fixir valley dwelt Oneida's tribe for 
ages out of mind, and each successive generation stronger grew, till 
numbering many hundreds. 

" In tills condition Samuel Kirkland found them. When quite a 
youth, he left the halls of Princeton, from whose doors scores, not a 
few, have gone, to bless the world, and with a heart burning to be 
nseful, he gave himself away, as give the men of God in this our own 
day, who go to foreign land to teach the ' way of life.' Oneidas' 
habits soon he learned, their language too; and then methiuks I 
hear him say, '0, noble .son of nature's wild domain, thou should'st 
not die without the truth ; the image of the Holy on thee is stamped : 
with thee I'll spend m)' days, and count it pleasure.' One friend he 
had to comfort him ; save her, for years, he seldom saw the face oi' 
Saxon blood ; but saw he something belter, — he saw the natives 
turn their faces heavenward, and ask for mercy. Such faith and 
works as he possessed can not but succeed. Ilis step was always 
welcome to the rudest wigwam ; the chiefs in liim confided. 
, " Skcnandoa, whose powerful intellect and native eloquence is on 
the lips of all. loved Kirkland much ; loved as those alone can love 
who worship God sincerely. He lived till five score winters whistled 
through lus locks, and died, — died as a Christian dies. Ilis monn- 



XIl] KinKLAND. 203 

merit, plain, simple, time-worn, you will find on yonder hill, where 
sleeps the dust of some well-versed in classic lore. 

•' England, with strong desire to make us pay a tax on tea, swarmed 
on our coasts by king's command. Of nations dwelling round this 
tribe, some joined our foe, and used their influence strong to make 
Oneida's sons rush to the bloody fray. On council ground the chiefs 
of neigliboring nations met. In harangues long and eloquent in 
their euphonious language, (so xmlike our own,) they spoke succes- 
sively. Oneida's tribe did waver ; it felt the force of sophistry, which 
seldom is without etfect in this our day, when men of intellect per- 
verted speak to the people. It seemed that one more burst of elo- 
quence would turn the scales. The keen, discerning eye of Kirkland 
saw the crisis, and rose to make the iinal speech. His brow was 
calm as evening's placid waters. In their own language, which he 
spoke most beautifully, he led them back to time when first he 
knew them ; afterward, with careful step he traced his wnj up to 
the present then, and drew the contrast. When the Great Spirit 
dictates man, he must prevail : no eloquence like that which comes 
from lips moved by the Great Eternal. Kirkland never dreamed of 
fiiilure : his faith and hope were strong. He did prevail. From that 
momentous hour, Oneida's sons buried the tomahawk, and always 
proved our friends. 

" Witli self-denial more than we can know, this holy man did labor, 
labored till auburn hair had blossomed white, and his firm step be- 
came uncertain. He sowed the seeds of truth, he reaped a glorious 
harvest. To see the natives ' look and live ' was all his heart's de- 
sire, and this he saw. 

" Should I pass by one certain act of that good man, you would 
think it wrong. Turn then your thoughts far back, to that propitious 
day wlien Kirkland laid the corner-stone of oiu" beloved college ; and 
as they gathered round, natives and all, his prayer went up like in- 
cense pure, that it might prosper. May be, his spirit hovers o'er | 
today ; delightful thought ! Would you know where his ashes sleep 1 p 
On yonder hill side, go with me, my friends, and drop a tear ; not that " 
lie died, but that our path, compared with his, has been so crooked. 
But where is the tribe he loved so well, and for whose weal he sacri- ,', 
ficed so much 1 Time would fail to tell ; it would take a volume of 'i 
octavo size to state their wrongs. The peeled and scattered rem- 
nants will reply." 

Rev. Samuel Kirkland was born at Norwich, Conn., on 
the 1st of December, 1741. His father, the Rev. Daniel • 
Kirkland, was the minister of that part of the town of Nor- 



Si04 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

wicli then called the parish of Newcut, and now the town of 
Lisbon. His motlier's maiden name was Hannah Perkins. 
The Kirkland family, as the name indicates, is of Scotch 
descent, and in this country can be traced back to Saybrook. 
Conn., in 163-5. Among the thirty-six heads of families 
who were the early settlers of that place, the name of John 
Kirkland appears, who is said to have come from Silver 
street, London. 

Samuel, the subject of these memoirs, was the tenth in a 
family of twelve children. Little is known of his childhood 
and early youth. The first that can be learned of him is as 
ci student at the Rev. Dr. Wheelock's school, at Lebanon. 
Conn., in 1761. He was there highly esteemed and beloved. 
He entered the Sophomore class of Nassau Hall, Princeton. 
N. J., in the autumn of 1762, and received his degree at 
Princeton in course, at the commencement in 1765. He 
bad, however, previously left college, and at the time his 
degree was conferred, he had entered upon his missionary 
labors for the Indians. While at school at Lebanon he had 
made considerable proficiency in the Mohawk dialect, iindcr 
the instruction of a young native, a fellow-student. This 
shows that, thus early, he was preparing himself for a mis- 
sionary to the Sis Nations. 

Mr. Kirklaud's mis^sionary expedition to the Senecas was 
undertaken at the early age of twenty-three, and was the 
first great act of his life, and abounded with romantic and 
perilous adventure. On his way, he arrived at Johnson 
Hall, the residence of Sir "William Johnson, His Majesty's 
General Agent for Indian Aftairs, on the 16th of November. 
1764. He was kindly received by Sir William, who gave 
him a speech and a belt of wampum to deliver to the Sen- 
ecas. Sir William also furnished him with an escort of 
two trusty Indians of tliat tribe, each conveying a pack of 



XII.] KIRKLAND. 205 

forty pounds' weight. He left the Hall January 17, 1765, 
and made the journey on snow shoes. On arriving at 
Kanonwalohule (Oneida Castle), the principal village of the 
Oneidas, the Indians, after being made acquainted with the 
object of his mission, expressed some concern for his safety, 
and gave him an invitation to remain with them one year, 
before visiting the Senecas. He thanked them for their 
kind intentions, but told them he must proceed, unless 
Providence hedged up his path. On his route from Oneida 
to Onondaga, being unused to walk on snow shoes, his ancles 
became much swollen, and he stayed one night and most of 
the next day at the latter place. As this was the central 
council fire of the Six Nations, the Onondagas claimed that 
the message of Sir William should first be delivered here. 
The missionary acceded to this, and gave the substance of 
the speech, to which the chief sachem replied, and then 
affectionately embraced him, which was followed by the 
others present shaking his hands. On the 7th of February, 
towards evening, twenty-three days after leaving Johnson 
Hall, he arrived at Kanadasegea, the principal town of the 
Senecas. The two guides had been very kind, going before 
to make a track for him, but still he sufiered much from his 
swollen ancles. The day after his arrival a council was 
(jonvened, and Sir William Johnson's address and belt of 
wampum delivered. These were thankfully received by 
the head sachem and a large majority of the nation, but 
there was, however, a small minority with sullen countenan- 
ces, and this minority, headed by an influential chief, subse- 
quently caused him great trouble. 

Mr. Kirkland was soon adopted into the family of the 
head chief ; but the chief's house being crowded, it was 
determined that he should reside with a small family near 
by. In this family he was comfortable, and kindly treated ; 



•^OG ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

but in a sliurt time his host died vcrysuddenly in the niglit^ 
he liaviiig been in perfect health the day previous. These 
circumstances were seized upon by the enemies of the mis- 
sion, and a council called, in which they tried to induce a 
decision for the death of the missionary. Better counsels, 
]iowc\er, prevailed, the head sachem averting the threatened 
event. After this last council he lived in great harmony, 
friendship, and sociabilitj'. But famine drove him from his 
station near the end of April, and in company with his 
Indian brother and family, he returned to Sir AVilliaui 
Johnson's. This journey was made in a bark canoe as far 
as the Oneida Lake; and on his way he called at Fort 
Brewerton, at the west end of the Lake, and enjoyed the 
hospitality of the commanding officer. Here the keenness 
of his appetite was such, that his host had to restrain him. 
to prevent his injuring his health. In crossing the Oneida 
Lake they were overtaken by a storm, and their danger was 
most imminent ; they, however, made for a point upon the 
northern shore, and upon striking which, their frail craft, 
having been so much strained, fell to pieces. They reached 
Johnson Hall in the early part of ISlay, and the first saluta- 
tion of Sir William was, "My God. Mr. Kirkland. you look 
like a whipping post." After staying about three weeks, 
preparations were made for his return, and he was supplied, 
by Dr. Wheelock's order, with such necessaries as he would 
need the ensuing season. Sir "William knt him a new blan- 
ket, '-on condition he would never return it."' A second- 
hand batteau was also presented him. in which to carry his 
provisions and baggage. His Indian brother, who had shared 
with him the downward passage, accompanied him on his 
return, and they reached Kanadasegea on tlie 29th of June. 
For some time matters went on very pleasantly : he had 
acquired such knowledge of the language as to be able to 



Xn.] KIRKLAND. 



207 



engage in common conversation; his peace was, however, 
again disturbed by his old enemy the chief, who insisted that 
Mv. Kirldand's continuance would be the destruction of tlie 
nation,' and announced it as his fixed purpose to put him to 
death if he did not leave ; and an attempt was made to put 
this threat into execution. A subordinate of the chief way- 
laid him, and snapped his gun at him twice, which fortun- 
ately missed fire. 

He left the Senecas in May, 1766, and arrived in Lebanon 
the 19th of that mouth. He was accompanied by a chief 
and his Indian brother, who were treated with great respect 
by the General Assembly, who were then in session. They 
were much affected by the kindness they received, and were 
greatly surprised to find the country so thickly peopled. 

Mr. Kirkland was ordained on the 19th of June, and 
the same day received a general commission as an Indian 
missionary from the Connecticut Board of Correspondents 
of the Society in Scotland. With his new commission he 
started, in July of that year, and took up his residence at 
Kanonwalohule, among the Oneidas. His principal reason 
for changing the field of his labors was, that he regarded the 
Oneidas, in moral qualities, as the noblest of the Six Nations, 
and altogether the most susceptible of religious impressions. 
His opportunities for arriving at a correct conclusion, had 
been good, for he had passed some time with this people in 
passing to and from the Seneca country. A strong friend- 
ship had already sprung up between himself and some of the 
chiefs. He commenced his missionary labors among the 
Oneidas about the first of August, 1766, and continued 
them, with but occasional interruptions, for more than forty 
years. In the November following, he succeeded in building 
himself a house, cutting and hewing the timber, and digging 
the cellar, with his own hands, Mr. Kirkla'id cultivated a 



208 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COL'NTV. [clIAP. 

garden on the same ground now occupied for the same pur- 
pose by Hon. Timothy Jenkins. Among his first acts was 
un attempt to stop the tide of intemperance, in which he was 
quite successful. Eight of the chief men were appointed 
to seize all the intoxicating liquors wliich could be found, 
and destroy, or otherwise dispose of them. Tlie effects of 
this strong measure were such, that about eighty casks of 
rum were carried through the town, and oflered for sale, and 
oven to be given away, yet not in one instance were the 
Indians prevailed upon to take it. 

The Divine blessing soon followed his labors. Many 
individuals and families were converted to the Christian 
faith, and continued firm, adorning their profession by lives 
of sobriety, industry, integrity, and piety. They became 
the steadfast "helpers in Christ Jesus" of their spiritual 
teacher. His poverty was such, however, as to retard his 
usefulness. In 1769 he received the first jiecuniary assist- 
ance from the Society in Scotland. An order drawn upon 
John Thornton, for one hundred pounds sterling, was sent 
him, and James Baine, of Scotland, sent him in addition 
thirty pounds. 

In the spring of 17G9, his health having failed him. he 
took a short respite to regain it. He spent the summer in 
Connecticut, and on the 15th of September of that year, he 
was married, to Jerusha Bingham, the daughter of a respec- 
table farmer. She was indeed an excellent woman, and well 
fitted, by her good sense and devout heart, to become the 
wife of a missionar}'. Shortly after his marriage, he returned 
to his post, accompanied by his wife. As it was necessary 
to enlarge his house from ten to sixteen feet square, lie left 
Mrs. Kirkland in the family of Gen. Herkimer, on the 
Mohawk, uniil he could accomplish it. This being com- 
pleted, he removed her to her new residence in the latter 



XII.] • KIRKLAND. "iOC* 

part of December. ]Mrs. Kirkland's influence was soon felt 
in introducing order, neatness, industry, purity, and devotion 
among tlie Oneida women. 

InJ^GTO, Mr. Kirkland visited Boston, wlien be was talcen 
under tbe patronage of tbc Boston Board, and a salary of 
one bundred pounds a year as tbeir missionary, and tbirty 
pounds additional in consideration of bis great pains and 
expense in learning tbe principal dialects of tbe Six Nations. 
Tbrougb tbe aid of tbc Boston Board, seconding tbe exiar- 
tions of tbe Indians, a meeting bouse, saw and grist mills, 
and a blacksmitb's sbop, were erected, and farming utensils 
purcbased, in tbe course of a few years. Tbe progress of a 
portion of tbe nation in acquiring tbe babits and arts of civil- 
ized life, as well as in Cbristianity, was rapid. Tbe corres- 
pondence of tbis period between BIr. Kirkland and tbe 
Society in Scotland, sbows tbat bis missionary services were 
bigbly appreciated by tbe Society. 

Early in tbe summer of 1770, Mrs. Kirkland started, on 
borseback, for tbe residence of ber motber, in Connecticut, 
but was unable to proceed fartber tban G-en. Herkimer's, at 
tbe foot of Fall Hill, on tbe Mobawk. Here sbe remained 
several weeks, and on tbe 17tb of August gave birtb to twin 
sons, named by tbeir fatbcr, after bis esteemed friends, 
George "Wbitfield and Jobn Tbornton. During ber illness, 
sbe received a letter from tbe celebrated G-eorge Wbitfield, 
full of Cbristian consolation. As soon as ber strengtb 
permitted, sbe returned to Oneida, to tbe great joy of tbe 
Indians, wbo immediately adopted tbe boys into tbe tribe, 
giving George tbe name La-go-ne-ost, and Jobn tbat of 
Ab-gan-o-wis-ka, tbat is, Fair Face. 

Mrs. Kirkland passed tbe winter of 1772-73 in Stock- 
bridge, Massacbusetts ; and as tbe turbulent times preceding 
and during tbe Revolution now commenced, sbe did not 

14 



•210 ANAAL^ OF O.XEIDA COUNT V. fc'HAP. 

return to Oneida until after the peace of 17 53. A small 
farm was purchased at that place, upon Avhich she aud her 
family resided. Mr. Kirkland. however, continued hi.s resi- 
dence and labors, as well as the unsettled state of the country 
would permit. He endeavored to keep' the Indians in a 
htatc of neutrality, and this seems to have been the object 
of Congress, as appears by its records. (See chapter on 
Indian Histor}-.) "With the Oueidas he was to a great 
extent, although not eutirel}-, successful, in the early periods 
of the contest ; but subsequently, about two hundred aud 
fifty warriors, under the celebrated chief Skenandoa. ren- 
dered important service to the United States. 

Mr. Kirkland was, commissioned as chaplain by the dai- 
tinental Congress, and performed duty as such at Fort 
Stanwix. and other posts in the vicinity, during a large 
portion of the Revolutionary contest. In 1779 he was 
Brigade Chaj^lain in General Sullivan's campaign against 
the Indians, on the Susquehanna aud the western part of 
New York, and witnessed that terrible retribution which was 
meted out by that General, for the British and savage bar- 
-barities inflicted upon our frontier. He continued with the 
expedition until late in the fall, when he visited his family 
at Stockbridge. During the remainder of the war, he spent 
the most of his time at Fort Stanwix and at Oneida Castle, 
as Kauonwalohule was then and is now called. 

In 1784 he again renewed his labors among the Oneidas, 
as directed by the Boston Board for the Society in Scotland. 
That Society, however, very properly refused to pay him his 
.salary while employed as chaplain by Congress. 

In the fall of 1784, a great Council of the Six Nations was 
called at Fort Stanwix, at which commissioners on the part 
of the United States attended, and Mr. Kirkland was pre- 
sent as interpreter, and aided, by bis advice to the Indians, 
iu bringing them to agree to terms of peace. 



XII.] KIRKLAND. 211 

In 17SG. a general religious awakening occurred among 
the Indians of Mr. Kirkland's charge at Oneida, and more 
than seventy souls iu the villages were under serious im- 
pressions. The external reformation was conspicuous ; and 
for more than seven months not a single instance of drunken- 
ness was known in two of the villages. The pagan party in 
the tribe were much annoyed by this state of things, and 
laid a plan to take the life of the Missionary. In thi.s they 
were defeated by the Christian Indians, who hid him during 
the night in which the murder was to have been perpetrated, 
and in a council held the next day, the pagans were brought 
to terms, and asked Mr. Kirkland's pardon. His journals 
for 1786 and 1787 gave full satisfaction to the Society in 
Scotland. 

During the residence of Mr. Kirkland's family in Stock- 
bridge were born his son Samuel and three daughters. 
Jerusha, Sally, and Eliza. 

"While Mr. Kirkland was on a visit to his family in 
January, 1788, Mrs. Kirkland died. She was an excellent 
woman, wife, and mother. This was a severe blow to the 
mission, to the missionary, the husband, and the father, and 
his plan of removing his family to Oneida the following 
spring was frustrated ; he therefore returned solitary and 
alone to his laboi-s. A considerable part of the summer of 
1783 was spent on a tour among the western nations of the 
confederacy, as far as Buffalo Creek. At that place he found 
a large concourse assembled, principally from the Six Nations, 
with some Delawares, Cherokees, and other western and south 
ern Indians, and here he met many of his friends of the 
Seneeas. with whom he had become acquainted in 1765, and 
the greeting was most cordial. At this council he had in- 
terviews with Indians from every village and branch of the 
Six Nations, and their whole population, from the best infor- 



212 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTV. [CIUP. 

niatiou lie could acquire, was then 1,350, cxclu-slvc of the 
j^Iohawks, wlio luul removed to CJrand Ilivcr, in Canada. 
lie also had an interview with the celebrated Brant, in 
which that great chieftain informed him, he had been trying 
to unite the Indians in a confederacy, independent of white 
people, that a delegation from the Six Nations had visited 
twenty tribes, and that belts had been received importing a 
compliance vrith this plan, from all these nations. The ob- 
ject of this alliaucG was, the peace and good of Indians, and 
not war with either Uritons or Americans. This was a wise 
and righteous policy, and well worthy its originator. 

The main object of this council was the extinguishment of 
the Indian title to a tract of 0,144.000 acres, familiarly 
called the Gcncscc Couninj. This land was granted by 
New York to Massachusetts, and sold by the latter State to 
Phelps & Gorhaui, for $1,000,000. This price at tiie pre- 
sent day. and but little more than sixty years afterwards, 
seems a low price for lands now worth on an average •'S'JO 
per acre. I'or Mr. Kirkland's services at this treaty, Messrs. 
Phelps & CJorhani subsequently gave him a deed of 2,000 
acres, located in Ontario County, in the seventh township, 
.seventh range of towns. 

lleturning from this tour the latter part of August, he 
resumed his labors among the Oneidas. At this period, the 
intrigues and iniiuence of the French traders among the 
Indians, began to interfere with his usefulness. In the 
spring of 1789, a French Eonum Catholic Priest, who was 
a Jesuit, came to Oneida, and took up his residence near the 
lake, and claimed to have been sent by the French Ambas- 
sador at New York. Assisted by one Pennet, a French 
trader of great shrewdness, a considerable French party was 
soon formed among the Indians. Mr. Kirkland carefully 
avoided all disputes between the American and French 



Xir.] KIRKLAND. 213 

parties. The ppivit of animosity rose to such a pitch as to 
endanger the peace of the tribe. The author of this work 
recolleets of hearing, when but a small lad, his father state 
that this quarrel at one time had risen so high, that nineteen 
Indians of one party and twenty of the other, all armed to 
the teeth, met with the determination to settle the matter 
by trial of battle, and for this purpose they had chosen a large 
room, where they had all met, and were about to commence 
their murderous contest. — which, had they proceeded with 
their purpose, would have eventuated in the almost entire 
extermination of the whole party, so equally balanced were 
they as to strength and numbers. — when Mr. Kirldand by 
some means heard of the meeting of the parties and its 
object, and at once went to them, and obtained admission. 
He then proceeded, in one of his most glowing speeches, to 
depict the wickedness and folly of their shedding each other's 
blood, and with such effect upon his savage auditors, that 
they were induced to forego their work of slaughter. 

During the difficulties between the American and French 
parties, each had written to Governor Clinton, of New York, 
on the subject, who returned the following answer, which 
was translated to a full council of the tribe. This letter is 
so replete with plain common sense argument, that it is l)e- 
lievcd it will well repay the perusal of every reader. 

New York, September 12, 1780. 
"Brothers: — I have received your letters, and shall give you an 
answer. Mr. Pennet is only to be considered among you as an ad- 
venturing niercliant, ])ur.suing his own intore.st. lie holds no ollice, 
nor does he sustain any public character in this couutr)'. lie at- 
tempts to deceive you, therefore, when he says he is sent by the 
King of France and the ]\larquis La Fayette, to ti'ansact business 
with you. You ought not to listen to his speeches, nor pay any 
attention to his dreams.* 

* Pennet had dreamed that the Oneidas gave liim five miles square of their 

best land. 



ili ANNALS OP ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciLvr. 

'• The King of Franco is our good ally, and he lias an ambassador 
here (whom you saw witli me at Fort Stanwix last fall) to transact 
liusiness and maintain friondshii) with the United States ; hut he has 
nothing to do with any particular State, or the Indians residing in it. 
You must not, therefore, believe Mr. Pennet, when he says lie is 
sent among you by the ambassador. I believe the ])riest now among 
you came at the recjuest of Mr. Pennet and his friends. They have 
a riirht to worship God in a manner most agreeable to them; but T 
apiu-ove of your determination to adhere to your old minister, for I 
fear the preaching of different doctrines among you will only serve 
to perplex and puzzle j'our understandings ; and divisions, either in 
respect to your temporal or spiritual concerns, may prove dangerous 
to your welfare and prosperity. 

" Brothers : — I am happ}- to hear you arc firndy united as to our 
late agreement, and you may be assured that it ^\■ill be faithfully 
adhered to on the part of the State. 

" Let me exhort you to .sobriety and industry, for it is this alone, 
by the blessing of the Great Spirit, that can secure to your comfort 
and happiness. 

'■ I am your friend and l>rother, Gkorge Clinton." 



This letter did much to produce quiet, for it unmasked 
the character of Penuet, aud confirmed the wavering. 

The year 1790 was one of comparative quiet. Taught a 
lcs.son of wisdom by the severe suflPerings from famine the 
])revious year, the Indians paid greater attention to agri- 
culture. One family harvested more than one hundred 
bushels of wheat, a greater <|uantity than had been ever 
raised before in the territory of the Six Nations by Indian 
culture. 

The only incident giving variety to the life of the mission- 
ary this summer, was the arrival of Count Adriani, an 
Italian nobleman, wlio spent several days at Oneida ; and 
the chief pleasure Mr. Kirkland derived from this visit, 
was in the confirmation of his own previous opinion respect- 
ing the musical powers of the Indians. The Count said 
he thought '• the melody of their music, and the softness and 



XII.] KIRKLAXD. 215 

ricliness of their voices, were e(pal to any lie ever, heard In 
Italy.'' 

'In January, 1791, Mr. Kirkland again visited hi.s chil- 
dren, but shortly returned to resume hi.s arduous duties. A 
difficulty of long standing between the Wolf tribe and the 
Turtle and Bear tribes, caused by the Intrigues of the 
French traders, was brought by him to a peaceful issue. He 
wrote to G-eneral Knox, advising the sending of Capt. Hen- 
tlrick, a Stockbridge Indian, upon a mission to the western 
and south-western tribes. The plan was approved, and 
Capt. Hendrick sent, to endeavor to keep these Indians in a 
state of peace ; he was, however, unsuccessful, and the bloody 
defeat of St. Clair followed in November. 

In January, 1792, in compliance with the wish of Gen. 
Knox, Secretary of War, Mr. Kirkland attended a council 
of the Six Nations at Geneseo. The object of this council 
was to induce the Six Nations to send a delegation to 
Philadelphia, then the seat of gOA'ernment of the United 
States. After surmounting many difficulties, Mr. Kirkland 
was at last successful, and a delegation of forty reached 
Philadelphia late in IMarch. Mr. Kirkland's conduct was 
entirely approved by the War Department. Indeed, the 
credit of bringing this large representation of the Six Nations 
to the seat of government is due, and the success attending 
the measure is attributable, mainly to his eiforts and influ- 
ence with the Indians. Its results were highly important, 
for there had been previously a strong disposition among 
the Six Nations, with the exception of the Oneidas, to make 
common cause with the western Indians in their hostility to 
the United States. Had they done so, the frontiers of New 
York and Pennsylvania, instead of the territory north-west 
of the Ohio, would have been the seat of savage warfare and 
barbarity. Such a calamity was averted by the visit to the 



21G AXXALS OF O.NEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

scat of government of ;<o large a number of cliiefs. Mr. 
Kirkland returned tu Oneida about the middle of May, 
rejoicing in being able to return to the immediate duties of 
lii.s mission, but with a consciousness that he had been in 
the way of his dut}^, and had rendered some sei-vice to his 
Country, to the Indians, and to the cause of humanity. 

Tlio family of Mr. Kirkland had, in October, 1791, re- 
moved to the land given him by the Indians and the State. 
After his return from PhiladeliDhia, in May, 1792, he spent 
the summer in the discharge of his missionary duties, and 
superintending the measures adopted by government for the 
instruction of the Indians in agriculture and the arts of 
civilized life. Additional oxen, plows, and other farming 
implements, were purchased and distributed. 

In August he attended the commencement of Dartmouth 
College, and took with him an Oneida chief, by the name of 
Onoudega, but called by the Avhites Captain John. During 
the exercises, President Wheelock addressed Captain John, 
and the latter replied, and in the close of his remarks he 
addressed the graduating class, in' a strain of wisdom Avhich 
would be au ornament in the address of any President of a 
college in his counsels to the young men at the close of their 
collegiate studies. 

In Octobci", Mr. Kirkland injured one of his eyes while 
ridlne; through the woods fi-oiii his residence, near Clinton. 

DO / / 

tc Oneida, and in December his si<;-ht and general health 
had become so inuch affected, that his physician recom- 
mended a journey, and application to oculists in New York 
and Philadelphia. He was the more disposed to make this 
journey, because, in addition to the benefit to his health, it 
would enable him to do something for the furtherance of an 
object he had near his heart. His plan for the education of 
the Indians embraced u High School or Academy. An 



XII.] KIRKLAND. 217 

institution of tliis kind, to be located near what was then 
the boundary line between the white and Indian population, 
Mr. Kirkland had long regarded as of great importance for 
the improvement of both. This project was warmly seconded 
by all the intelligent and influential persons who had emi- 
grated from New England to the towns of Whitestown, 
Paris, and Westmoreland. They had faint hopes indeed of 
any great benefit to the Indians, but felt its importance to 
the growing communities around them. In his journey he 
saw and conversed with many influential individuals on the 
subject. At Philadelphia he saw President Washington, 
who "expressed a warm interest in the Institution;" and at 
New York he saw the Governor of the State and the Ptegents 
of the University, and took the initiatory steps for a char- 
ter. Mr. Hamilton had previously consented to be named 
as one of the trustees in the petition for incorporation. 

Early in 1793 the institution was incorporated, by the 
name of " Hamilton Oneida Academy." But Mr. Kirk- 
land's services to the institution did not end here. In April 
of that year he made it a valuable donation in lands, the 
preamble to the title-deed of which is as follows: — "A 
serious consideration of the importance of education, and 
an early improvement and cultivation of the human mind, 
together with the situation of the frontier settlement of this 
part of the State, though extensive and flourishing, yet 
destitute of any well regulated seminary of learning, has 
induced and determined me to contribute of the ability 
wherewith my Heavenly Benefactor hath blessed me, towards 
laying the foundation and support of a school, or academy, 
in the town of Whitestown, County of Herkimer, contiguous 
to the Oneida Nation of Indians, for the mutual benefit of 
the young and flourishing settlements in said county, and 
the various tribes of confederated Indians, earnestly wishing 



218 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [ciIAP. 



tlie institution may grow and flourish, that the advantages 
of it may be extensive and hvsting, and that, under the sujile.s 
of the God of wisdom and goodness, it may prove an emi- 
nent means of diifusing useful knowledge, enlarging th(> 
bounds of human happiness, aiding the reign of virtue and 
the kingdom of the blessed Ficdeenier." 

This preamble is followed hy a deed conveying to the 
trustees of Hamilton Oneida Academy several parcels of 
land, containing in all several hundred acres. One lot of 
twelve acres was declared to be inalienable, and this i.s the 
•• ground plot," as it is termed, upon which Hamilton College 
now stands. The remainder of the lots were left to the 
disposition of said trustees. The establishment of this 
school was the last important act in Mr. Kirkland's life. 

The Pennet party caused him much trouble, and in 170 4 
they made an unsuccessful effort to have him superseded. 
The Kev. Drs. Belknap and 3Iorse were appointed a com- 
mittee by the board to investigate the grounds of complaint, 
and reported favoraldy to 3Ir. Kirkland, and upon this 
report, and the testimony adduced by him. the board di.*- 
missed the complaint. 

In 1795, by the stumbling of his horse, Mr. Kirkland 
was thrown upon the hard ground, with great violence. He 
never recovered from tlie effects of this fall, but for five or 
six years was much of the time an invalid. 

In 1797, the Society in Scotland dissolved its connection 
with 3Ir. Kirkland, and about the same time the Society 
discontinued most of its missionary operations in the United 
States. In IfcO.j his youngest son, Samuel, died in Boston, 
and in 180G his son (ieorge W., in Jamaica. 

As far as health would permit, Mr. Kirkland continued 
his labors at Oneida through life. The Christian church at 
that place, as long as he survived, regarded him as their 



Xir.] ' KIRKLAND. . ,. . 219 

missionary and pastor. In one of liis last communications 
to the Society he says,— "Whether I hold the office [of 
missionary] or not, while I live, and have any capacity for 
service, I must do much of the duty. I know their language 
and manners, I love them, and they me. I have learned to 
bear with their ignorance, their perverseness, their dulness, 
and not be angry, or despondent. They must and always 
will come to me, and expect to receive counsel, instruction, 
sympathy, and hospitality." He frequently expended the 
whole of his salary in his hospitality to them, and it was 
no unusual thing for him to furnish seventy, eighty, and 
even a hundred meals in a single week to the Indians. 
Even after his death they seemed to expect, and claimed 
almost as a right, the same attention and hospitality they 
had ever received in his lifetime. 

After a brief but severe illness, he died of pleurisy, on 
the 28th of February, 1S08. His remains were carried to 
the church in Clinton, where a funeral sermon was preached 
by the Kev. Dr. Norton. He was interred in a private 
grave near his house, where, on one side, rest the remains of 
his widow* and youngest daughter, and on the other the 
celebrated Skenandoa. 

His daughters were all married : Jerusha, the eldest, (now 
the sole survivor of the family.) in 1797, to John H. Loth- 
rop, Esq., of Utioa; the next, Sarah, in 1804, to Francis 
Amory, of Boston, and the youngest, Eliza, in 1818, to Rev. 
Edward Robinson, D. D., then Professor Ln Hamilton Col- 
lege, and subsequently known as an oriental traveller, and 
now a Professor in the Union Theological Seminary of New 
York City. His sons George W. and Samuel died un- 
married ; John T. married late in life, and had no children, 

* Mr. Kirkland was married a second time. Ili.s second wife sur- 
vived l)im several years, and it is lier remains that rest beside liis. 



^ 



2:20 AXNALS or oneida county. [ciiAr. 

so that tliorc is no descendant of Mr. Kirkland bcarine bi.s 
name. 

Pcrliaps tlic reader may think that the memoirs of ^Iv 
Kirkhmd have been made too prolix for a work of this kind. 
The incidents of his life were, however, so varied, and 
abound with so many important and useful data, that, in 
the opinion of the writer, they could not have been abridged 
without detracting materially from the instruction they fur- 
nish, and the interest they possess. To have omitted more, 
would have been to mar the fair proportions of the super- 
structure, — "a well spent life." Much of detail, and many 
things possessing interest to the various classes of readers, 
are necessarily omitted for want of room. For the materials 
of this sketch, the author is chiefly indebted to the i?/?' o/" 
Mr. Kir/Jand, written by his grandson, Samuel Kirkland 
Lothrop. 

Moses Foote, who was the "leading spirit" of Clinton, 
was born August 4, 1734, in the town of Waterbury, Conn. 
He was the son of Moses Foot, who was born January 13, 
1702, who was the son of Xathaniel Foote. who was born 
April 13, IGGO, and he the son of Robert Foote, Avho was 
born about 1627, and he the son of Deacon Nathaniel Foote. 
who was born about 1593, and emigrated from England to 
Wethersfield, Conn. ' 

The subject of this sketch Avas twice married, first to 
Thankful Bronson, of "Waterbury, August 12, 1750; by 
this marriage he had one son, Bronson Foote, who was a 
soldier of the Revolution, and died in Clinton, August 30, 
1836, aged 70. The second marriage was to Amy Richards, 
May 17, 1758. and by which he had nine children, viz. : — 
Ira, Thankful, Luther, Amy and Anna (twins), Moses, 
Arunah, Jairus and Betsey (twins). Of these. Thankful. 



Xn.] KIRKLAND. 221 

(the wife of 3Iajor Barnabas Pond.) Amy, Moses, Arunali, 
and Betsey, (the wife of Deacon Gold Benedict,) died in 
Clinton. Little is known of the biography of Mr. Foote, 
other than that related in the account of the early settlement 
of Clinton. He was engaged as a soldier in securing the 
independence of his country, the contest for which had but 
just closed when he put his fortitude to a severer test, by 
emigrating to the vicinity of the Oneidas, and subduing a 
portion of the tangled, heavily-timbered forest. 

He was eminently fitted by nature for a pioneer settler, 
endowed with an iron frame, full six feet in height, and of a 
temperament and muscular texture capable of almost any 
amount of hardship and privation, and also possessing a large 
.share of native shrewdness and sagacity. He lived to wit- 
ness the progress of society, as it swept like an avalanche 
over Central and Western New York, making the wilderness 
literally to "blossom like the rose." He lived to see his own 
Clinton become a flourishing village, with a well-endowed 
college within its bounds ; he lived to see also the commence- 
ment of that stupendous work, the Erie Canal, audits middle 
section nearly completed, and agricultural products raised 
upon lands cleared by his own hands, transported upon its 
Iwsom to the Atlantic markets ; and this, too, over a route a 
portion of which, forty years before, he had on foot threaded 
his way, without even that first impress of civilization, — a 
road. He died in Clinton, February 9, 1819, aged 84. 

It may not be improper here to say, that John and Ado- 
nijah Foote, brothers, who were early settlers in the town of 
Vernon, and the former of whom died in that town, in 1833, 
the latter still living, were descendants from the same stock, 
as also was the Hon. Elial T. Foote, who for about twenty- 
five years was a Judge, and the last twenty years of the time, 
First Judge of Chautauque County. 



'^^2 AXXALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

Jesse Curtiss. — Tn tlio foregoing sketch of the bistory 
of the town of Kirkland, the author lias made '-honorable 
mention" of the name of Jesse Curtiss, but since it was 
penned, he too. "like a shock of corn, fully ripe," has been 
gathered to his fathers. An obituary, published in the 
Ondda Whig shortly after his death, and from which the 
following are extracts, is but a just tribute to departed 
worth. 

" Died, at liis residence in Clinton, Oneida County, N. Y., on the 
19th of January, 18-JO, Je.sse Curtiss, Esci., aged 83 years. 

'• The press is often called upon to record the names of that race 
of men of fearless hearts, lionest heads, and iron sinews, who settled 
the County of Oneida. One by one the siirvivors of another gene- 
ration arc departing, and soon the last foot-print of the last veteran 
will vanish from the shores of time. In tins class Mas found Mr. 
(lurtiss. He was born in Plymouth, Conn., of a sturdy Puritan an- 
cestry, and at the age of twenty-two years emigrated to Clinton, 
with no resources save his integrity and his enterprise. ' lie came 
from Utica in the spring, and brought on his back, from the log huts 
at that place, a skippel (three pecks) of seed wheat.' His was not 
a life of wild turmoil and lawless excitement ; no bloody feats in 
arms, no direful carnage, were his to tell. Ijut 'peace has its tri- 
umphs,' and in these he bore no inferior i)art, 

'• The following account of the building of his house is taken from 
the ' Early Histoi-y of Clinton,' and it develops at once the rudeness 
of the land and the energy of the man : — 

"About the 20th day of October, 1789, the snow fell to the depth 
of nearly two feet, ujion a bed of mud not much less; the weather 
became cold and inclement, and most forbidding to the Avayfarer 
and laborer. Precisely at this time, a settler, zealous to build a 
frame house before the winter should set in with its full severity, 
went to Capt. Cassety's saw mill, and for three days and two nights, 
alone, and without rest or intermission, continued to saw the lum- 
ber necessary for the building. When the task was ended, his hands 
were glazed as if by tire, from using so constantly the cold iron bar.s 
of the saw mill ; he felt himself well repaid, however, for all his 
toil and fatigue, for in a few days he reared a frame dwelling sixteen 
feet square. That dwelling is now the kitchen of Mr. Horatio Curtiss, 
and tliat diligent settler was Je.sse Curtiss, already mentioned.' 

'•With but little fonfidenee in mere theory, lie was a practical 
farmer, and furuishis one of the most striking examj)les to be found 



Xll.'J KIRKLAND. ■.■.'. 223 

in the county, of the success which follows unceasing industry and 
economy. On the same farm of fifty acres on which he first located, 
he lived for more than sixty years, engaged in no other pursuit 
except such offices of trust and honor as his fellow-citizens conferred 
upon him. "With no other means of acquiring property, he made 
the faru; a garden, and himself a man of guod estate ; he brought 
up and established in life his children, and retained to the day of 
his death a handsome competency. The golden stream, if it was 
not quick and violent, M'as constant and unceasing. 

■'■ Mr. Curtiss was eminently an useful man in all the departments 
of life ; a man of decided piety, and yet no zealot. A firm sup- 
porter of public and jjrivate morals, he was always in the foremost 
rank in the promotion of every useful and benevolent enterprise. 
Education never had a more steadfast friend. For sixty years the 
common school was not beneath his fostering care, and our acade- 
mies and college can bear grateful witness to his repeated benefac- 
tioris. 

••In the political history of the county, and especially of the ' Old 
Town of Paris,' Mr. Curtiss was a prominent actor. A decided 
jjolitician, he all his life maintained an uniform course, and was ever 
found doing valiant service for his party and his country. No 
resistance ever dismayed him, and no obstacle ever diverted him 
from his path. The confidence of the county honored him with a 
seat in the Legislature, and for twenty-eight successive years he 
was Supervisor of the town. 

■• The Old Town of Paris I'' How many striking recollections are 
stirred up by these words, and what changes in that town have been 
witnessed by the departed ! When he became one of its citizens, it 
was a wilderness, embracing nearly the present Second Assembly 
District, with here and there an opening cut by the pioneer. Two 
hundi'ed souls was its whole population, but they were the seed of a 
might}^ people. Now, they have grown to 20,000 in number, and its 
village spires, its massive manufactories, and its schools, testify to 
the sterling character of its earlier inhabitants, and to its present 
prosperity, morals, and intelligence. 

" It was no small honor to have the confidence of such a commu- 
nity ; and for almost half a century, the names of Jesse Curtiss, 
Isaac Miller, Henry McNiel, and Kirtland GrifiBn, were identified 
v.-ith the political power of the town. All these have departed ; the 
.sliarpness of party politics may at times have produced dislike and 
political, or even personal unkindness, yet that was transient, and 
they have sunk to their graves in peace, honored and beloved by 
the generation that succeeded them." 



■ZM ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP, 

At the time of his death, Mr. Curtiss was possessed of 
one of the oldest, if not the oldest, Bible in the United 
States. It was published in Geneva, by John Crcspin, in 
15G8, and is, therefore, 282 years old- On its blank leaves 
it contains written evidence that it was owned by the Curtiss 
family as early as 1636. Although it carries uninistakable 
proof in its appearance of having been thoroughly "search- 
ed," yet it is in good repair and preservation. 



XIII.] T.EE. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



LEE. 



The first settlement made within the town of Lee, was by 
two brothers, Stephen and Reuben Sheldon, in the year 
1790. They located on the west bank of the Mohawk 
River, on the site of the present village of Delta, at that 
time there not being one house between them and Fort 
Stanwis. Others soon moved into their immediate vicinity, 
among whom were David Smith, Daniel Spinning, John 
.Spinning, Benjamin Spinning, Stephen Salisbury, and Nich- 
olas Salisbury. Soon after the arrival of these pioneers, 
Nathan Barlow, William Taft. Dan Miller, Smith Miller, 
John Hall, Frederic Sprague, and a Mr. Hale, moved into 
the present limits of Lee, and commenced the settlement of 
"Lee Centre" and its vicinity. As early as 1795, James 
Young, Charles UlFord, Elisha Parke, a Mr. Potter, and 
some others, whose names can not be ascertained, had re- 
moved to the place, and reinforced the settlement at the 
Centre. The first settlers of Lee in general were men of 
limited means, and with their but small capital had to over- 
come the hardships of a new country, and to endure many 
privations before they had cleared and cultivated sufficient 
land to insure a competence. They were, however, indus- 
trious and frugal, they labored hard and fared hard, but 
they were persons seemingly raised up for the purpose of 
settling a new country ; they were temperate and healthy, 

15 



'Z'Hi ANNALS OF ONEIUA COrNTV. [clIAP. 

and, with the blessing of ProvidencC; were prosperous, cou- 
twnted, and happy. 

It may not be entirely uninteresting to give the ideas of 
the old settlers of this section of the county before their 
removal, together with that of their friends in Connecticut 
at the time. It is given in their own language, as narrated 
by one of the descendants of the pioneers of Lee. now resid- 
ing in the town. 

The Military Tract, consisting of the bounty land given 
by the State of New York to her revolutionary soldiers. — 
now the Counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca, was 
said to be "so far off, and so near the ends of the earth, they 
supposed it never would be settled by a civilized people." 
What is now Lee and Western were described as "away up 
the Mohawk Eiver, away beyond Fort Stanwix, inhabited 
only by bears, wolves, and Indians." A land 

'■ Where nothing dwelt but bcast.s of prey, 
Or men more tierce and wild than they.' 

The ideas of these good people of the "land of steady 
habits," could hardly in these days be considered as very 
correct in relation to the settling of the Military Tract, but 
they undoubtedly were as to the inhabitants, "bears, wolves, 
and Indians" being then the only occupants of this town. 

Although the two sections noticed were the earliest settled, 
the whole of the southern part of this town was soon dotted 
with emigrants from New England. The westerly part of 
the town, on the former State Road, now the Rome and 
Taberg plank road, was not far behind the Delta and Centre 
sections of the town. 

At the time of its settlement, the territory composing the 
present town of Lee consisted of the following patents or 
tracts of land: — Scrila's Patent, Oothoudt's Patent, includ- 



XIII.] LEE. 



227 



iug Bowne's Purchase, Banyar's Patent, Fonda's Patent, 
Matchin's or Mcllwaine's Tract, Boon's, Cooper's, or Mappa's 
Tract. A part of Scriba's Patent, known as the 6,000 acre 
tract in township No. 1, and a part of the 4.000 acre tract in 
township No. 2, were sokl to Daniel C. White, John W. 
Bloomfield, John Hall, George Huntington, and others. 
There is a tract of land lying in the west part of the town, 
(and extending into the town of Annsville.) known as the 
Franklin and Bobinson, or Quaker Tract. It was originally 
a part of Scriba's Patent, but was not a part either of the 
6,000 or 4,000 acre tracts, and extended to Fish Creek, and 
is intersected by the town line. 

. As the settlement of the " Whitestown Country" pro- 
gressed, towns were organized with an extent of territory 
only regulated by its number of inhabitants. As the popu- 
lation increased rapidly, divisions and subdivisions of the 
towns and counties followed in quick succession. The 
earliest inhabitants of this town first found themselves in 
Montgomery County, then in Herkimer; and then in Oneida; 
first in the town of Whitestown ; second, in Mexico ; third, 
in Steuben ; fourth, in Western ; and fifth, in the good town 
of Lee. The town of Lee was organized in 1811, since 
which time its boundaries have only been changed by having 
a part, of Annsville taken from it. It is bounded on the 
north by the town of Ava, on the west by Annsville and 
Fish Creek, on the south by Rome, and on the east by 
Western. It seems that for a short time previous to its 
organization, its territory, or at least a portion of it, was 
known by the name of Worcester, but on its organization, 
James Young, junior, of Lee, and Joshua Northrup, of 
Western, who were members of the committee appointed to 
get the new town organized by the Legislature, and select a 
name, and who were both emigrants from the town of Lee. 



228 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

Mass., proposed tliat name for the new town, wLicIi was 
adopted by the Legislature. The ai'ca of the town contain.'^ 
about 29,000 acres. 

By the act of the Legislature forming the town of Lee, 
the first town meeting was to be held at the school house, 
near Samuel Darlington's. (This school house is hereafter 
noticed as the first erected in the town.) The town meeting 
was held agreeably to the terms of the act, on the third day 
of March, 1812, and elected James Young, junior, Super- 
visor, and West Waterman, Town Clerk. The town has 
now been organized forty years, and the following list gives 
the names of those who have served as Supervisors, and the 
number of years each has served: — 

John Young, junior - - - - - - 2 years. 

John Hall -- .3" 

William Parke 10 " 

Daniel Twitchcll - - - - • - . - • 8 " 

James N. Ilusted 2 " 

Freeman Perry 1" 

Lyman Sexton - - - - - - - 2" 

John J. Castle 2 " 

Jerome Checscbrough - 1 " 

Mansir G. Phillips ------- 1 " 

Charles Stokes (the present incumbent) - - 2 " 

The southerly portion of the town, which has but a slight 
elevation from tlic village of Rome, has a very warm, pro- 
ductive soil, some sections of which resemble the cobble stone 
and gravelly plain on which the village of Rome is located, 
while other sections are a sandy loam. There is no part of 
the county better adapted than this to the raising of Indian 
corn ; indeed, it produces well all those kinds of grain and 
grass cultivated in Central New York. From this portion 
of the town, the land rises to an altitude approximating the 
high lands in the north part of the county. This is a good 



XIII. J   LEE. ' 229 

section for pasturage, grass, oats, potatoes, etc. ; and its farm- 
ers are now turning their attention to dairying and tlie 
raising of stock, as the most productive farming of which their 
soil is capable ; and it is worthy of remark, that the more 
elevated portions of the county, where the agriculturists are 
engaged in dairying and the raising of stock, are full equally 
flourishing with those parts adapted to the raising of grain, 
however much more these sections are inviting in appear- 
ance. On Fish Creek, where it forms the north-west boun- 
dary of the town, there are extensive quarries of good building 
stone. Other than these, there are no quarries, and the in- 
habitants in the other sections have to use for building 
purposes, the small bowlders and cobble stone in their 
neighborhood, or draw them quite a distance. 

The early settlers were much annoyed by bears and 
wolves, committing depredations on their herds of swine and 
flocks of sheep. The large tract of low land and swamp on 
Wood Creek, towards its confluence with the Oneida Lake, 
made a sure retreat in the day time for these pests of the 
new settlers, and the proximity of their place of shelter to 
these new settlements, enabled them to gratify their appetites 
for pork and mutton at the expense of the inhabitants. To 
obviate this, these domestic animals had to be driven up and 
yarded each night, and it was surprising how soon the flocks 
of sheep would learn the voice of their owner in collecting 
them to their place of safety, their numbers often made 
minus one or two, even in the day time. . '; 

Two sons of the Emerald Isle, by the name of Thomas 
and Henry Cunningham, were rolling logs, to clear a farm 
they had purchased, when they heard the most piteous cries 
from one of their porkers, proceeding from the edge of the 
forest, in the immediate vicinity of where they were at work. 
Not wishing to part with their embryo bacon without making 



230 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP, 

an effort, tLey flew to the rescue, Avltli no other or better 
offensive weapons than the handspikes with which they were 
at work. "When they had got to the place of the encounter, 
they found Bruin had the hog in close embrace, and had 
already commenced making a meal from that which its 
owners had fondly anticipated would in the fall have formed 
one of the substantials for the feeding of their own house- 
holds. The trespasser could very readily have parried tlie 
blows of one assailant, but had not an extra eye nor arm for 
the two. especially when the blows fell in most rapid suc- 
cession, and soon the depredator had to yield the contest 
and his life, to a well-aimed heavy blow on the cranium. 
This was on the farm now owned by Cleorge llemington. 

The first child born in the town was Fenner Sheldon, a 
son of Reuben Sheldon, one of the two brothers who first 
settled at Delta. He was born in the year 1791, and yet 
resides in the town, in the vicinity of " Lee Centre." Ilis 
parents were advised to apply to the patentees for a land 
warrant for their son, as the first-born in that vicinity : but 
if the application was made, it must have been unsuccessful, 
as the son never received the "bounty land." 

The first death in Lee was that of a young man named 
Job Kaird, aged twenty years, who died in 1798. His 
disease was the bilious putrid fever, the germ of wliich lie 
brought from the vicinity of Wood Creek and the Oneida 
Lake. Alvan Young, Esq., yet residing in the town, well 
remembers attending the funeral, about one mile from his 
father's residence, and on the farm now occupied by Freeman 
Milks, and speaks quite confidently that this was the first 
death in the limits of the town. 

The first marriage was that of Mr. Dan Miller, to 3Iiss 
Amy Taft, daughter of William Taft. The next was that of 
two daughters of Mr. James Young, to young men in their 



xm.] LEE. -■ 231 

iieighborliood. Unfortunately, the author has not obtained 
■the dates of these first weddings, but they took place early in 
the settlement of the town. 

The first saw mill erected in Lee, was built either in 1 79 i 
or 1792. by David Smith, Esq., on the Mohawk River, oji 
the site of the jDresent mills in the village of Delta. The 
second saw mill was erected in 179G, by John Hall and 
Smith Miller, on the Canada Creek, at Lee Centre. There 
are now twenty saw mills in the town, the most of them 
doing good business. 

The first grist mill in Lee. or indeed in this section of the 
county, was built by Gren. William Floyd, in 1796. It was 
^;ituate on Canada Creek, one and a half miles south of Lee 
Centre, and near the line between Lee and Rome. It 
accommodated a large section of country, there being at the 
time of its erection no grist mill nearer than at Whitesboro. 
]Many of the early grists brought to this mill, came on the 
backs of the owners, horses in those days being a luxury 
beyond the means of most of the settlers. This ancient mill, 
erected by the immortal signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, has long since been in ruins, and its site aban- 
'doned. The second grist mill in the town was built in the 
year 1798, by Thomas and William Forfar, emigrants from 
the Highlands of Scotland. It was located on Canada 
<h'eek, on the site now occupied by the mill at Lee Centre. 
There are now two grist and flouring mills in the town, one 
in Delta and the other at Lee Centre, each doing an exten- 
sive business. 

The first school house was erected in 1796 or 1797, by the 
voluntary contributions of the inhabitants, in money, mate- 
I'ials, and labor, and was situated, one mile south-east from 
Lee Centre. In this pioneer school house, many of the 
early sons and daughters of Lee received their first lessons 



232 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAF. 

ill the rudiments of a comiiion school education. Some of 
them jet reside in the town, and they say if some luckless 
wight failed to get a fair portion of ideas by the ordinary 
course of study, as the course of discipline then was, tlic 
knights who occupied the chair pedagogic would make the 
attempt to quicken the perceptions by a smart application of 
the hand on the ear, and if that failed, an effort was made to 
reach the seat of knowledge through the cuticle of the back, 
by a thorough application of the rod. 

The manufacture of leather was commenced on a small 
scale as early as 1815. There are now four tanneries in the 
town, doing a fair but not extensive business. 

There are three wool-carding and cloth-dressing establish- 
ments, in one of which the manufacture of woolen cloths is 
carried on to a considerable extent. 

There are also in the town an extensive plow manufactory, 
two lathes for the turning of wood, driven by water power, 
and seven dry goods and grocery stores. 



nELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

The first church organization in the town was a Congrc- 
gcUional Churchy constituted as early as 1797, and ten of 
its members, seven males and three females, belonged to the 
limits of the present town of Lee, viz. : — Nathan Barlow, 
Lydia Bai'low, John Hall, Dan Miller, James Young, Han- 
nah Young, Ebenczer Seymour and wife, Joseph Simmons, 
and Eliakim Miller. There were a few also who united 
with this body who resided in the present town of "Western, 
Joshua "Wills and wife, Hezekiah Elmer and wife, and 
perhaps one or two others. The first pastor of this church 
was the llev. James Southworth, then the Rev. Mr. Norton. 



XIII.] LEE. 



233 



Missionaries for a time — Rev. Mr. Cook, Rev. Mr. Leavens- 
worth, Rev. John Alexander, Rev. Mr. Long, Rev. Mr. Hall, 
Rev. Simeon Snow, Rev. Clement Lewis. The present pas- 
tor (1850) is the Rev. Mr. Edwards. It is now under the 
Presbyterian form of government, and has about thirty 
members. This society used as a house of worship, for 
about twenty years, the school house noticed as the first in 
town. 

The Methodists are the most numerous body of Chris- 
tians in Lee. They have a respectable house for public 
worship in Delta, besides a share in the house belonging to 
the "Union Ecclesiastical Society," at Lee Centre. This 
last-named house was erected in 1819, and was the first 
house for public worship in the town. The IMethodists are 
supplied by circuit preachers, the Rev. Messrs. Chidester 
and Richards supplying them in 1850. 

The Friends have quite a numerous society and a house 
for worship located near the West Branch Post Office, in 
this town. 

The Universalists have a society in this town, and have 
for their present pastor the Rev. Mr. J. S. Kibbe, alternately 
holding their meetings with the Methodists in the " Union 
Church." 

The common schools previous to 1849 had been well sus- 
tained, were flourishing, and the cause of education rapidly 
advancing. Few towns could produce an equal amount of 
talent in useful and active life, which had been developed but 
in the common schools. In 1845 there were seventeen public 
schools in successful operation. The school house at Lee 



234 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

Centre is a good two-story wooden building. Tlie cost of 
the several school houses, and the land connected \\'ith them 
was 83,708. 

The first settlers in the region of Fish Creek possessed 
one advantage over the early settlers in many other parts of 
the country. The luxury of the " roast beef," pork, and 
mutton, of older settlements, is sparingly enjoyed in new ; 
but in the neighborhood of the creek, the luscious salmon 
almost compensated for the deprivation. From the time the 
salmon made their first appearance in the spring until fall, 
the supply was only limited by the demand, and after the 
wants of " home consumption" had been satisfied, the surplus 
was frequently taken to gratify tlie voluptuaries at Fort 
StanwiX; Whitestown, and Old Fort Schuyler. Many of the 
inhabitants thus drew from Fish Creek a considerable part 
of their support. In the fall they were salted down for 
winter's use, and formed a far more palatable substitute for 
'• meat victuals," than did the salted pigeons substituted by 
the pioneers of Wliitesboro. 

There arc no large villages in this town, but there arc four 
points where business centres. 

In the west part of the town, on the Rome and Taberg 
plank road, is a small cluster of houses, mechanics, etc., and 
there are in the vicinity four saw mills, and other machinery 
on West Creek, a stream that empties into Fish Creek. 
Jlerc is the Lee Post Office, and a tavern. 

Lee Centre, as its name indicates, is centrally located in 
the town. Here are a number of dwellings, the T^nion 
Church, two stores, a tavern, a grist and saw }nill, Lee 
Centre Post Office, a tannery, with various shops for mechan- 
ics. It is a quiet country village, isolated from the bustle 
of canals, rail or plank road.s, yet its water power makes it a 
place of some importance and considerable business. It is 



XIII. J LEE. ,, :•..■ . -ioa 

situated ou the Canada Creek, a stream sufficient to turn 
quite an amount of machinery, that empties into Wood 
Creek westerly from Home. 

Nisbet's Corners are about two miles easterly from the 
(Centre, where the road from that place to Delta crosses the 
Home and Turin plank road. Here is a store, tavern, and a 
small collection of dwellings and shops, and Stoke's Post 
Office. This place takes its name from Robert Nisbet, a 
gentleman from Adams, Mass.. who settled here about the 
year 1818, and resided here until his death, which occurred 
in March, 1839. He was. a prominent and active business 
man. For many years he was confessedly the best farmer 
in the county, and in his farm management jDrobably had 
few superiors in the country. He was also extensively en- 
gaged in the produce business, and did more at an early 
day to introduce and encourage good dairying in this 
part of the State, than any other person. The little village 
which bears his name, was built up under the influence of 
his active and extended business, and for many years pre- 
sented, during the autumn, the stir and activity often not 
witnessed in towns of a much larger population, but lacking 
the energy of a master spirit to guide and direct its opera- 
tions. The influence of Mr. Nisbet's example and advice 
has contributed largely to the agricultural improvement, 
not only of the town where he resided, but of tliis entire 
section of country. This brief tribute to his memory is not 
therefore undeserved. 

Delta is situated in the extreme eastern part of the 
town, a small portion of the village being in "Western. It 
lies on the westerly side of the Mohawk River, which 
affords it an abundant water power. Delta has a post 
office of that name, a Methodist Church, a grist and flouring 



236 ANXALS OF ONEIDA COUMY. [ciIAP. 

mill, a .«:iw mill, a large distillery, a plow factory, a -wool 
cardiug. clotli dressing, and woolen manufacturing establish- 
ment, and the various mechanics usually found in a coun- 
try A-illagc, with quite a collection of respectable dwelling 
bouses. 






XIV.J MARCV. , . 237 



CHAPTER XIV. 

MARCY. 

In the year 1740, and in the north of Irehand, were wit- 
nessed the parting adieus of a young man and his lately 
betrothed wife, to parents, brothers, and sisters, and the dear 
friends of their childhood and youth. The parting over, a 
long, long, lingering look was given to the green valley that 
had ever been their home, and where the shamrock covered 
the happy playgrounds of childhood ; a long farewell was in- 
wardly breathed to Ireland, and the journey to the harbor 
of embarkation was at once commenced. They had heard 
of " swate Americy," the home for the oppressed and poor, 
where labor was abundant, and wages fully compensated for 
its toil, and, above all, where but a small portion of the 
laborer's earnings were swallowed up in rents, tythes, and 
taxes. To this El Dorado of their imaginations were our 
young emigrants about to exile themselves. 

Having crossed the wide Atlantic, the town of Plaintield, 
in the State of Connecticut, was selected for their future 
home. Poor in this world's goods, yet rich in each other's 
love, in stout hearts, strong arms, and persevering industry, 
they could hardly fail to be successful. At the end of 
twenty-five years, we find our emigrants with ample com- 
petence, almost rich, and with ten healthy children, nine 
sons and a daughter. Another emigration now became 
necessary, to secure farms and homes for this numerous 



238  ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. . [fllAF. 

progcn}'. Vermont was then the "New Country ," whose 
woods and clieap lands were inviting the tide of emigration. 
and in 1 7G.j we find our Irish-Yankee settled in the town 
and County of Windsor, in that territory, then claimed bv 
New York and New Hampshire. A few years found them 
with good farms, cleared of their primeval forests ; then came 
the time that "tried men's souls," and eight of the nine sons 
were found with the Green Mountain Boys, battling for 
their country. The ninth and youngest would have joined 
his comrades, but his age did not come up to the continental 
standard. What was seemingly remarkable, they all lived' 
to see their country's independence established; although 
some were "during the war's'' men, no bullet had been com- 
missioned to harm them, and being some of the iron men of 
that age, they had withstood the hardships and privations 
which swept so many of the soldiers of independence to un- 
timely graves. 

Vermont not coming fully up to their anticipations, four 
of the sons were among the earliest settlers of the town of 
Marc}-. John Wilson, the sixth son, was the first person 
who removed within the present limits of the town. He 
came in the spring of 1793, and brought a large family of 
children, all under eighteen years of age. He settled upon a 
river farm, about half a mile east of the Nine Mile Creek, 
where he built a small log house, and cleared several acres of 
land. In the fall he was taken ill of a bilious fever, and 
died, and several of his elder children continued to reside on 
the farm, while the younger separated, and went to live 
with difi'erent relatives. Early in 1794, James Wilson, the 
seventh son of the Irish emigrant, arrived in the town. A 
Dutchman, named Tull, had preceded him, and built a log 
house eighteen feet square, in which he and his family, in all 
twelve persons, were living. The house stood on the bp'iV 



XIV.] MARCY. 239 

of the Nine Mile Creek, about sixty rods above its junction 
with the Mohawk. Like all new settlers, TuU's latchstriug 
was out, and James Wilson removed in with the already 
crowded household, adding six to their numbers, and there 
remained until spring, when he purchased a '-new lot,'' as 
unimproved lands were then called, about one mile north of 
the Oriskany village, upon which he moved. His first 
efforts in agriculture were unfortunate. He cleared a few 
acres the first spring, and planted it with corn, adding a 
liberal supply of pumpkin seed to the corn seed. The 
pigeons pulled up every stalk of the corn, leaving the pump- 
kins to luxuriate alone on the virgin soil. Their numbers 
were legions, and their size enormous, but they were his only 
produce the first year, and consequently the hardships of the 
settlers were trying and severe, as the oxen and cows had 
to be fed the first winter from the tops of the elm, basswood, 
and maple. Hardships were, however, borne without com- 
plaint, and at the end of fifteen years from his arrival, he: 
w;as a wealthy farmer. 

In 1794, Isaac and Jacob Wilson, fourth and fifth sons of 
Thomas Wilson, removed into this town, in the neighbor- 
hood of their brother. Of these y^rs^ settlers, not an individual 
now remains in the town, all having died or removed ; the 
last, Thomas, son of James Wilson, who was but a small 
lad when he arrived, having recently removed to the town of 
Vernon. Of the early settlers, among whom were the 
Careys, Camps, and others, several still reside in the town. 

The first settlers were mostly uneducated men, yet with 
their rude manners, kind and neighborly. They were in thc' 
habit of meeting at some one of their houses, to celebrate 
the advent of the new year. A "rich supper," as they 
termed it, was provided, by each furnishing the articles in 
which he most abounded ; and the result was, that theaa 



240 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP. 

.suppers cxLibitcd a bountiful supply of turkeys, cliickcnsj 
pies, cakes, etc. After the supper, the young people spent 
the evening in dancing, -while the older ones told their stories 
and cracked their jokes. 

Strong drink was freely used, although by few to intoxi- 
cation ; for this was before the invention .of temperanco 
societies. Logging and wood bees were also the order of the 
day, to which a whole neighborhood were invited, to give one 
of their number a lift in drawing, piling, and burning Iocs, 
in clearing land, or to cut and draw fire wood. It is very 
questionable whether those who have succeeded them enjoy 
life with as high a relish as they did. They were a plain 
people, manufacturing in their families almost every article 
of their wearing apparel, the fabric of which, though coarse, 
and colored from the bark of the hemlock, soft maple, but- 
ternut, and hazel, was wai-m and durable. The females, or 
as they might be termed, " nature's ladies," were well fitted, 
by inclination and habit, for pioneers ; and threading the 
paths through their tangled forests on foot, or at best on 
horseback, was to them a pastime. An instance might be 
given of a young married woman, who, wishing to visit her 
father's family, some three miles distant, at the place now 
known as Colraan's Mills, in the town of Whitestown. went 
to the pasture, caught a highly spirited four j^ears old hor.';e, 
manufactured a halter from her home-spun, home-woven, 
long and strong unmentionables, and without other head- 
gear for her horse, or even a saddle, performed the journey, 
having to ford or swim the Mohawk at the " Oxbow," on her 
outward and homeward passage. She had a pleasant visit, 
and her, it must be confessed, perilous ride, was performed 
without accident. 

This town, in common with the early settlements of the 
county, suffered much from the depredations of bears, wolves. 



XIV.] ''  MARCy. 2^1 

and foxes, and some of the early settlers soon learned to 
be quite skilful in making the bears rue their depredations 
in the corn fields. Probably a Mr. Hall had acquired the 
"art and mystery" beyond any of his cotemporaries, for at 
one time he had sixteen of their pelts stretched on the sides 
of a barn to dry. 

The early settlers in general enjoyed good health, and but 
occasionally a case of bilious or intermittent fever occurred 
in the valley of the Mohawk, or on the margin of a mill- 
pond. Consumption was hardly known, but of late years 
almost one half the deaths in the town are from this dis- 
ease. The principal causes for this change would doubtless 
be found in the different modes of living, and the warm 
houses, heated in winter almost to suifocation by stoves, and 
then the sudden transition into the cold north-westers of our 
climate. 

A portion of the first settlers were not very strict in their 
observance of the Lord's-day, and a number of them used to 
congregate on this day upon the Mohawk Flat, near the 
Oxbow, to talk over the news of the day, etc. Two lads, of 
about fourteen years, took a rather novel way to cure th-e 
eviL Near the place of rendezvous stood a tall pine tree, 
the top of which grew so thick as to be quite impenetrable 
to the eye, and one Sunday morning, previous to the time 
of gathering, the boys, with testament in hand, and taking 
advantage of a thickly-limbed cedar which shot up beside 
the trunk of the pine, reached the thick top of the latter, 
and snugly ensconsed themselves v/ithin it. At the usual 
time the loiterers convened, and soon one of the boys, in a 
loud but sepulchral tone, commenced reading from the 
sacred volume texts against the desecration of the day. 
Occasionally the reader would interlard the selected scrip- 
tures with an admonition to desist from the bad example 

16 



242 ANNALS or ONEIDA COUNTY. fcHAP. 

thcj were setting their children. The hearers strained their 
optics to see from whence came the waruiugs, but no dis- 
covery was made. They, however, very soon left, and the 
cure was most perfect. For more than thirty years the 
principal actors in this scene kept the secret locked in their 
own breasts, but after their whole congregation were either 
dead or removed from the town, one of them divulged the 
whole matter. 



G-KOLOGY. — There is nothing dissimilar in the geological 
formation of this town, from that of many of the towns iu 
tiie county. Commencing on the soutlierly side of the town, 
which is bounded on the Mohawk River, we find the alluvial 
flats common to the stream, and the alluvial deposits are iu 
juany parts of great depth. In digging a well on that flat, 
a frog in a torpid state was found, encased in clay and 
gravel, twenty feet below the surface. After being exposed 
to the air a short time, animation returned, but it survived, 
but a few hours. The flats in this town are of various 
widths, but in general the whole width is about one mile, 
and as the river meanders from side to side, it leaves at some 
places tlie larger portion in this town, and at others a large 
portion in the adjoining town of Whitestown, while at others 
the river is nearly central. When not too wet, they are 
very productive. Rising from the flats, there is a strip of 
table land, averaging about one hundred rods in width, and 
which is much higher in the north-western than in the south- 
eastern parts of the town. Opposite the Oriskany village,, 
the hill is very considerable, while against Whitcsboro it ha.s 
but a slight elevation above the alluvial flats. In the lower 
part of the town, tlie soil of this table is almost entirely 
sand, warm and quick, and. with high manuring, very pro- 



XIV.] .v..,i,, , MARCY. 243 

ductivc. In passing up the Mohawk to a point opposite the 
upper part of Whitesboro, there is found a small rivulet 
which rises on the hills at the north, and empties into the 
river, passing between the residences of Milton and Horace 
Dyer, and this stream is the boundary between the sandy 
and gravelly portions of the table land ; above it is entirely 
gravel. The cobble stone and gravel of this section have 
the appearance of once having been washed, and occasionally 
clumps of petrified shells are found, a strong indication that 
this table was at some period covered with water. If. as 
manv suppose. — and there are certainly very strong reasons 
for the opinion. — Fall Hill at the Little Falls was the east- 
ern terminus of a lake which once occupied the Mohawk 
valley above, then the depth of water would have been suf- 
ficient to have covered this table land. It is very productive, 
the earth thrown from wells fifteen or twenty feet in depth, 
possesses all the fertility of that on the surface. 

Leaving the table land, and further back from the Mo- 
hawk, the land rises into hills of primary formation ; these 
are not quite as productive as the alluvial and table lands, 
yet there is much good second quality land. Most of it is 
underlaid with slate from two to twenty feet below the sui'- 
face. The slate has a slight dip to the south, and this will 
be found true of all the rock and mineral formations in the 
countv. Much time and money have been expended in this 
town in boring for coal, and in one instance a few individuals 
penetrated 100 feet, near the Nine Mile Creek, without find- 
ing coal, and for the very best of reasons, — there is none. 
If the geology of the county had formerly been as well 
understood as at present, much labor and money might have 
been saved for more useful purposes. 

Agriculture. — The agriculture of this town is improving 



244 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

Wheat has been almost driven from its limits by the wheat 
■worm, but within the last two j'ears a few good crops have 
been raised, and strong hopes are entertained that, when the 
worm has passed by, wheat growing — to an extent equal to 
home consumption — may be resumed. All other crops 
common to the county are successfully cultivated ; much, 
however, of this success is found with those farmers who 
pay the greatest attention to the superior methods of man- 
uring and cultivating their land. Within a few years there 
has been a decided improvement witnessed in the agriculture 
of Marcy. • 

Schools. — There are no Seminaries or Hiofh Schools in 
the town. The common schools are represented to be quite 
flourishing. 

Indians. — There were no Indians residing in this town 
when the county was settled. A correspondent informs the 
author that there was a place about half a mile east of the 
Oriskany. upon a beautiful piece of table land, on the north 
bank of the 3Iohawk, which was known to the first settlers 
by the name of the '-Indian Castle.'' As early as 1796 it 
was mostly covered with second-growth timber, five or six 
inches in diameter ; and a small mound, about eighteen 
inches high, and from eight to ten feet across the top, is still 
seen upon its site. Near the place of this Indian .settle- 
ment are from twenty to thirty "hopper holes," as they were 
termed by the first settlers, and, according to tradition, they 
were used to secrete their corn on the approach of an enemy. 
Each hole would contain about ten bushels, and the bottom 
and sides were carefully lined with dry brakes and grass. 
■Several of these were found upon the farm first purchased 
by James Wilson. Iron hatchets, of a very peculiar shap«. 



XIV. J ..(■).' ^.' MARCY. no ;;.!,/>.';'.' i. 245 

have been ploughed up on the same farm, supposed to be of 
Spanish manufacture. The authors correspondent is of the 
opinion that this phace and the Orislvany viHage were, an- 
terior to the lievolution, occupied by a branch of the Mohawk 
tribe, and that the Oneidas took possession after they had 
left. This may be correct ; still the author had never pre 
viously heard of the Mohawks having any villages as higl 

up the river. 'i  ' i^ h)'n.:lr. -i; •.::'; ;■  'H 'j;-, ;.;i 

By the last census the town contained 1.7G9 inhabitants 
It then contained no grist mill, seven saw mills, one tri, 
hammer, using $400 in raw materials, producing 81..500 ii 
manufactured articles, two tanneries, using $7,700 in ra^ 
materials, and producing $10,600 in manufactured articles. 



RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 



There arc two Baptist Churches in the town, the cost o 
which was $ 1.0.30 ; one Congregational Churdi, cost $"200 
and one Methodist Church, cost $1,320. Of these ehurchc 
no statistics have been obtained, with the exception of th» 
Berean Baptist Church, and of this they are quite meagre, 
The Berean Church was formed early in the year 1844 
xmder the pastoral care of Elder Wm. H. Thomas, an( 
reported that year sixty added by baptism, thirty by expe 
rienee and letter, and seventeen dismissed, excluded, an; 
deceased, leaving a total of seventy-three. In 1845, 11* 
members were reported. In 1846 and 1847, Elder Myroi 
H. Negus was pastor, and seventy members reported th 
former, and sixty the latter year. In 1849, Mr. Alfre. 
Harris, a licentiate, supplied the pulpit, and but forty-sevei 
members were reported. The first pastor became a " casl 
awayT and fled to a distant part of the country, where hv 



24G 



ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. 



[ciur. 



died in poverty and disgrace. How mucli of the declension 
of this church is chargable to his /«//, will never be known 
in time. 

By a law passed March 30, 1832, the town of Marcy was 
formed from the town of Deerfield, and was named in honor 
of William L. Marcy. then Governor of the State, and Secre- 
tary at War during the administration of President Polk. 
A few months after the formation of the town, Gov. Marcy 
visited it, and was the guest of C. Baldwin, Esq.. who wa=? 
the first and then Supervisor of the town. 



. -  , 1 1 ;■  . . ' .1 



I 



. / ' ' ' M 



:.; ; •- ' , I'uJf 
!• 't I ■:■: \n 



XV.] • MARSHALL. • 247 



€ H A P T E H X Y 



MARSHALL. 



If the author liad commenced a few years earlier, lie 
could here have opened a rich mine of historical incidents. 
In this town was located the tribe known as the Brothertown 
Indians. It was composed of the remnants of the various 
tribes of New England and Long Island. They had melted 
away in their murderous wars with the pale-skin.s, and by 
adopting their vices, until, when they here sought a refuge, 
these remnants were small indeed. After they had congre- 
gated at this place, they numbered but about 400. What a 
fearful accounting will have to be rendered by our New 
England forefathers for the mighty balance of the once 
powerful Naragansets, Mohegans, Pequods, Montauks, Na- 
ticks, and nuinerous smaller tribes, who welcomed them to 
their shores, fed them from their own scanty supplies, and 
not as the ancient Israelites, when by persecutions and 
exactions driven from the land of Egypt, with increased 
numbers, but by " war, pestilence, and famine," foi'ced them 
to emigrate, with this little pittance of numbers, to Brother- 
town, given them by the ever hospitable and generous 
Oneidas. 

The territory presented to the Brotherton Indians was 
much more extensive than was ever used or occupied by 
them, and they very early sold quite a section of it to the 
State. The part which they reserved to themselves lay on 



y4S ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

each hide and contiguous to the Oriskany Creek. A portion 
of this reservation was within the present town of Kirkland. 
but their main settlements were in Marshall, in the vicinity 
of Deansville and Dickville. By the death of the late Thomas 
Dean. Esq., who for many years resided within the limits of 
the Indian settlement, the author has lost the most reliable 
and valuable source for information respecting these Indians. 
Asa Dick, Esq., died a few years since, and a brother of his 
emigrated but about two years since, who were very intelli- 
gent men of the Naragauset stock. Since the death of Squire 
Dick, and the removal of his brother, not one of the tribe has 
l^een left to tell the story of their emigration to this place, 
their sufterings. privations, and wrongs, and meagre indeed 
is the little that can be gleaned of their history. 

A portion of them settled at this place prior to the Kevo- 
lutionary War, but the year has not been ascertained. 
Prominent among those who settled thus early, were the 
names of David Fowler, Elijah Wampy, and John Tuhi, 
(grandfather to. the one of the same name who was executed 
in 18 IG.) A large proportion, however, of those who settled 
before the war, left their settlement soon after its commence- 
ment, fearing the ravages of the Senecas, Cayugas, and 
Ouondagas, who had espoused the cause of the king, while 
they in feeling were with the colonists, although professing 
neutrality. A few — probably not more than two or three — 
of the men staid, spending a portion of their time at this 
place, for the purpose of seeing to and cultivating their land 
to some little extent, while the remainder of their time was 
spent at Fort Stanwix. Wampy, who has been before no- 
ticed, was of this number. On one occasion, as he was going 
from the Fort to Brothertown, and had proceeded some two 
or three miles on his way, a hostile Indian sprang from 
behind a tree, close to his pa.th, and was about to skoot him 



XV.] TV MARSHALL. ,iA/l'» 249 

down with liis rifle, when Wampy flew at him, knocked up 
the muzzle of the gun, so that the ball passed harmlessly 
over him, and with his knife laid his brother red-skin dead 
at his feet. The victor, believing that other foes would soon 
be attracted by the report of the rifle, caught the weapon 
from its now passive owner, and, bearing the trophy of his 
prowess, in double quick time, retraced his way to the Fort. 

When the great body of them left during the war, potatoes 
had been planted, and were left growing in the fields, and 
when they returned at its close, after an absence of some 
five or six years, they found that the tubers had continued 
to yield their annual crops, in diminished quantities to be 
sure, yet a sufficiency at least for planting. 

After their return, many of them became quite skilful 
agriculturists, had large and productive fields in the Oris- 
kany valley, and quite a proportion of them managed to live 
very comfortably. But the "pale-faces" were on their trail, 
and soon had surrounded their settlement ; with one hand 
presenting them with the Bible, — the Word of Life, — and 
with the other, that "fire-water," their greatest, direst curse, 
and which was well known to be death, physical and moral, 
to the savage. After the fathers who emigrated had mostly 
" fallen asleep," the tribe went to decay. Intemperance, 
with its accompaniment, licentiousness, fast did their work, 
and the descendants of king Philip, Sassacus, and a host of 
sachems renowned in the New England wars, debased in 
body and soul, but greeted the eye of the spectator of their 
wrongs. On their petition, a little more than twenty years 
since, the Legislature passed a law permitting them to sell 
their farms to individuals, with the advice and consent of the 
Superintendents of the lirothertown Indians; and, in 1831, 
a portion of them, having sold out, emigrated to Green Bay, 
where they commenced a settlement, separate from the 



250 ANTfALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAP. 

Oneida and Stockbridge Indians, who removed to the Bay 
at about the same time. They continued to sell and emi- 
grate until two years since, when the '• last of the Brother- 
tons," like the '• last of the Mohegans," had a second time 
abandoned to the pale faces, the burial-place of their fathers. 
The first settlement by the whites of the territory at this 
time included within the limits of Marshall, was on that part 
of the Brothertown tract sold to the state. It is believed 
that David Barton was the first settler : he removed to this 
place from Connecticut in 1793. lie was, however, very soon 
followed by "Warren Williams, who took up the farm now 
owned by Horace H. Eastman, Esq. "Williams soon sold 
out to Elder Hezekiah Eastman, for Elder Eastman received 
his deed from the State, dated in 1795. acknowledged before 
Judge Hugh '\A'hite. and recorded by Jonas Piatt, then clerk 
of Herkimer County. Beside those named, Capt. Simon 
Hubbard and Levi Barker were very early settlers in the 
town. Col. Lester Barker, ex-sheriif of Oneida County, was 
the first white child born on the Brothertown tract. 

Geologv. — The geology of Marshall nearly resembles the 
south-western part of the county. There are extensive 
quarries of limestone on the liighcr lands in the town. The 
best for building purposes, and hardly surpassed in the 
county, is that on the farm of H. H. Eastman, Esq. Tliere 
are but very few bowlders and little of the land can Ijc termed 
stony. The soil is very productive. Few towns in the 
county equal, and none excel it, in tlie average quality of the 
land. The valley of tlic Oriskany here ranks with its best 
portions, while much of tlie hill land, almost, and in some 
instances quite, rivals it in fertility. On the plank road from 
"Waterville to Paris Hill, a part of the distance of which 
passes througl) tlie sonlh-easterly part of Marshall, the farm- 



XV.] ■'■  . MARSHALL. 251 

ers have displayed much taste in ornamenting the road with 
rows of maples and other forest trees. Esq. Eastman has on 
his farm, at least a mile in length, twelve feet apart. In 
summer these shade trees present a very fine and picturesque 
appearance. The town is well watered. The west branch 
of the Oriskany Creek enters it but a short distance below 
Oriskany Falls, while tlie east branch enters it in the lower 
part of Waterville. After each running about four miles, 
they get into the same valley opposite Dickville, and their 
proximity is but quite trifling on the plank road south, from 
Deansville to Waterville, forming a junction a little below 
Deansville, and just before it enters the town of Kirkland. 
Beside there are numerous rills that rise in the hills on either 
side of the branches, entering them as tributaries. 



,; I'''"'  ■'•' .•ii;. •■■: r ^ , 

j .[1 rrj'A :-n'-l .•iji ^ijhc.tM 

,,,,,,, KKLIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

.1'. ,.l i^'fjn ■,■•:•- • '-M •;<■> err. n .'■:'*! si; •. 

The Congregational Chvrch in Marshall was organized 
June 14, 1797; this was the first church formed within the 
limits of the town. At tjie time of its formation, it was in 
the "old town of Paris," and early it received the distinctive 
name of " Hanover Society." The church was constituted 
with fourteen members, seven males and seven females, since 
which there have been added by profession 234, and by letter 
86, making in all 334. Mrs. David Barton (the first settler) 
joined this church in the September after it was formed, 
and Mr. Barton in 1 804, and are both yet members. 3Irs. 
Eunice Griffin joined in 1803, and is still a member. » 

In 1801, the Ilannrcr Chvrch ami Society erected their 
first house for public worship, and after having used it as 
such forty years, it was rebuilt in 1841. The church has 



252 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CIIAP. 

had four pastors. The Rev. John Eastman was ordained 
about 1809, prcaclied to this people about thirteen yearfi 
and was dismissed January 8, 1822. Eey. Ralph Robinson 
shortly after commenced his labors with this Society, was 
installed pastor May 9, 1827. Rev. Richard M. Davis was 
installed pastor July 2, 1833, and was dismissed in May. 
1835. Rev. Pindar Field commenced his labors with this 
body in October, 1846, and was installed pastor February 
23, 1848 ; he is the present pastor. Previous to the ordina- 
tion of Mr. Eastman, a Mr. Thompson, of Saugerfield. a Mr. 
Rell. Rev. Publius V. Bogue, and Rev. Lothrop Thompson, 
preached for different lengths of time. After the dismissal 
of Mr. Robinson, and previous to the installation of Mr, 
Davis. Rev. Mr. Boo-ue acain, and Mr. Ina;ersoll about two 
years, and after the dismissal of Mr. Davis, and before the 
installation of Mr. Field, Rev. Rufus Pratt about eighteen 
months. Rev. David J. Weeks two years, Rev. E. Parmely 
eighteen months, Rev. Mr. Grosvenor, Rev. Seth P. M. 
Hastings, and Rev. S. W. Raymond, through the summer of 
1842, then S. W. Raymond for three and a half years sup- 
plied this people with preaching, with occasional supplies 
from President North and Rev. Salmon Strong. The pre- 
sent number of members belonging to the church is fifty-five, 
twelve males and forty-three females. ■; : - i; .'r ([r?v/ 

The Baptist CImrcli of Paris, afterwards known as the 
First Baptist Church in Paris, was organized within the 
present limits of Marshall, July 6, 1797. It will be per- 
ceived that it was but twenty-two days the junior of the 
Congregational Church just noticed. It was constituted and 
fellowshipped by a council from tlie ]5aptist Churches in 
AVhitestown, Litchfield, Fairfield and I'alatine, Peterboro, 
and 2d Burlington. Composing in part the delegation from 



XV.] 'l ^■■'" MARSHALL. ' 253 

•these churches, we notice the names of Stephen Parsons, 
Joel Butler, Peter P. Roots, and Ashbel Hosmer, those 
veteran pioneers of the denomination in Central New York. 
The church when formed consisted of twenty-seven members, 
fifteen males and twelve females, probably a larger number 
than were organized into a church, thus early, in the county. 
The council convened at the house of David Wood, and this 
house was their place of meeting for public worship for a 
number of years. The church received accessions from time 
to time, until about one hundred and sixty persons had been 
members. Elder Hezekiah Eastman commenced preaching 
to this people as early as 1796, probably earlier. After the 
church was constituted, he became its pastor, and continued 
his labors with it until 1809, when he asked and received a 
dismission to the Sangerfiekl Church. Soon after this he 
went on a missionary tour into the Avestern part of the State, 
as is shown by the following extract from his journal: — 
" September 22, 1809, I set out on a missionary tour to the 
Holland Purchase." 

After the dismissal of Elder Eastman, John Beebe, a 
member of the church, commenced preaching to the people, 
and on the 26th of October, 1811, the church called him to 
ordination. A council was called, and met on the 13th of 
November following, and after an examination and approval 
of the candidate, proceeded next day to his ordination. Eld. 
Beebe continued as pastor for a number of years, but his 
health failing in 1823, Eld. John Gr. Stearns was called, and 
assumed the pastoral duties. Eld. Stearns continued with 
the church about five years. The records of this body close 
January 16th, 1832. At this time it seems to have lost its 
visibility. The anti-masonic excitement had much to do 
with its dissolution. A part of its members united with the 
«hurch in Clinton, which had then been but recently formed. 



!254 ANNALS OF OXEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP. 

Mdh(xlht Episcopal. — Tliis denomination had a class in 
this town as early as 1803, which was supplied with preach- 
ing once in two weeks by the preachers appointed to the 
Westmoreland Circuit. In 1828, a society was organized 
preparatory to building a house for public worship, but 
nothing was accomplished, in consequence of a disagreement 
as to its site. Nothing further was done as to building a 
house until 1837, when an eifort was made to raise funds for 
the building of one at Deansville, which was so far successful 
that a respectable house for public worship was erected at 
that place in 1832, the site of which was presented to the 
society by the late Thomas Dean, Esq. In 1839, Deansville 
was set off as a station, and has so remained to the present 
time. The church now numbers about ninety members. 

The Univa'salists have a small society, and a house for 
worship in the locality known as " Forge Hollow." It has 
preaching one-half the time. .. . , 

In this town was enacted one of those daring feats and 
escapes, of which the Revolutionary contest was so fruitful. 
The story of Heinrich Stairing's escape from the Indians at 
Brothertown, has been often told, varying in minutite, but 
agreeing in all the important particulars. ifi ; ... ^,-, / 

Mr. Tracy's relation of it in his lectures, is probably the 
most correct account now within the reach of the author. 
and has therefore been followed, with but slight alterations 
in this work. 

As this individual, when Herkimer County was first or- 
ganized, and when it comprehended within its limits the 
present county of Oneida, received, and for many years held 
the office of first judge, and also his. birthplace so near the- 
pre.'sent eastern line of the county, it seems to warrant in thi* 



XV.] V >• MAESHALL. ' 255 

place, a somewhat extended notice of him. Heinrich Staring 
was a native of the Mohawk Valley, and was born about 
eleven miles below the city of Utica, and soon after the set- 
tlement of the German Flats. Little is known of his early 
history. 

"At the commencement of the llevolutionary War. we 
find him a militia officer, and regarded by the royal party as 
a most important and influential personage in his neighbor- 
hood. He was present at the battle of Oriskany, and from 
that period held tlie office of colonel of the Tryon county 
militia during the remainder of the war. Possessing great 
shrewdness, strong common sense, and unflinching intrepidity, 
he enjoyed the unlimited confidence of the German and Dutch 
settlers on the Mohawk, and became a prominent object for 
seizure by the enemy. A great number of anecdotes illus- 
trative of the extraordinary means that were used by the 
enemy he had to deal with to procure his person or destroy 
him, might be related. The story was from the lips of the 
old man several years after the war. The event took place 
some time late in November, and about the year 1778 or 
1779. He had, for some purpose, gone into the woods at 
some distance from his home, and while there, by chance, 
came suddenly upon a party of hostile Indians, who. during 
those years, were frequently prowling about the settlements 
on the Mohawk, and occasionally making murderous incur- 
sions among the inhabitants. Before he became fully aware 
of their presence he had got so completely in their power that 
flight or resistance were out of the question. He was seized 
with every demonstration of hellish delight, and rapidly hur- 
ried away in a contrary direction from his home and south- 
ward of the Mohawk, until his captors supposed themselves 
out of the reach of pursuit, when they directed their march 
westward, and at night reached a small uninhabited wigwam 






256 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY, [cHAr, 

at a little more tlian a quarter of a mile from the right Lank 
of the Oriskany Creek, above Clinton, in what is now called 
Brothertown. The wigwam consisted of two rooms, separated 
from each other by a partition of logs. Into the larger of 
these there opened an outside door which furnished the only 
entrance to the house. Another door communicated from 
the larger to the smaller room. The latter had one window, 
a small square hole of less than a foot high by about two feet 
wide, placed nearly six feet above the floor. The whole 
structure was of logs, substantially built. The Indians ex- 
amined the smaller room, and concluded that by securely 
fastening their prisoner hand and foot, they could safely 
keep him there until morning. They, therefore, bound his 
hands behind him with withes, and then fastened his ancles 
together in the same manner, and laid him thus bound in 
the small room, while they built a fire in the larger one, and 
commenced a consultation concerning the disposition of him. 
Staring, though unable to speak the Indian language, was 
sufficiently acquainted with it to understand their delibera- 
tions, and he lay listening intently to their conversation. 
The whole party were unanimous in the decision tliat he 
must be put to death, but the manner of doing this in the 
way best calculated to make the white warrior cry like a 
cowardly squaw, was a question of high importance, and -one 
which it required a good deal of deliberation to settle satis- 
factorily to all his captors. At length, however, it was 
aCTeed that he should be burned alive on the following morn- 
iug, and preparations were accordingl}^ made for the diabol- 
ical sports of a savage auio da fe. During the deliberation, 
the horrible fate that awaited him suggested to Colonel 
Staring the question of the possibility of an escape. As he 
lay on the ground in the wigwam, he could see the window I 
have spoken of, and he determined to make an effort to 



XV.] MARSHALL. 257 

release liimself from the withes which bound him, and en- 
deavor to effect a passage through it without alarming his 
savage keepers. Before they had sunk to rest, he had so 
far succeeded as to release one of his hands from its fasten- 
ings, sufficiently to enable him to slip his wrist from it. (3ii 
finding that he could do this, he feigned sleep, and when the 
Indians came in to examine and see if all was safe, they re- 
tired, exulting with a fiend-like sneer, that their victim was 
.sleeping his last sleep. They then all laid down on the 
ground in the larger room, to go to sleep. Staring waited 
until all had for a long time become quiet, when, slipping 
his hand from the withes, he was enabled silently to release 
his ancles, and by climbing up the side of the house by the 
aid of the logs, to escape from the window without creating 
an alarm. In the attempt, and while releasing his ancles 
from the withes, he had neces,sarily taken off his shoes, and 
liad forgotten to secure them with him. He was now outside 
of the wigwam, barefoot, at a distance of five and twenty 
miles from his home, without a guide or a path, hungry, and 
in a frosty night in November, and with a band of enemies 
seeking his heart's blood, lying ready to spring upon liim. 
But he was once more free from tlieir clench, and this one 
thought was nerve, and strength, and food, — was all he 
needed to call into action his every power. He stole witli 
cautious silence from the wigwam, directing his course 
towards the creek, and increasing his gait as he left his cap- 
tors, and got beyond the danger of alarming them. He liad 
got about half way to the creek, and had begun to flatter 
himself that his whole escape was accomplished, when he 
heard a shout from the wigwam, and immediately the bark 
of the Indian dogs in pursuit. He then plunged on at the 
top of his speed, and knowing that, while on the land, the 
dogs would follow on his track, in order to baffle their pur- 

17 



258 ANNALS OF ONKIDA COUMV. [CHAJ. 

suit, as soon as he readied the creek, he jumped, in, and ran 
down stream in the channel. For some time he heard the 
bhouts of liis late masters, and the baying of their hounds in 
the pursuit ; and now that he had reached the water, wherfi 
their dogs could, not track him, he laughed out-right as he 
ran, in thinking of the disappointment they would feel when 
they arrived at the bank. The fear of the faggot, and all 
its accompanying tortures, furnished a stimulus to every 
muscle, and he urged on his flight until he heard no more of 
his- enemies, and became satisfied that they had given up their 
pursuit. He deemed it prudent, however, to continue his 
course in the bed of the creek, until he should reach a path 
whicli led from Oneida to Old Fort Schuyler, — -a mud fort, 
built on the present site of Utica during the French war, 
and which was situated between Main street and the banks 
of the River, a little eastward of Second street. The path 
crossed the Oriskany about half a mile Avestward of where 
the village of Clinton now stands. He then took this path 
and pursued his course. I have mentioned that, in his haste 
to escape, he forgot his shoes. He had on a pair of wool 
stockings, but in running on the gravel in the creek, they 
soon became worn out, and the sharp pebbles cut his feet. 
In this difficulty, he bethought him of a substitute for shoes, 
in the coat he wore, which, fortunately, was made of a thick 
heavy serge. He cut off the sleeves of this at his elbows, 
and drew tlicm upun li is feet, and thus protected them from 
injury. But he used to say he soon found this was robbing 
Peter to pay Paul, for in the severity of the night, his arms 
became chilled, and almost frozen. He readied the landing 
ai Fort Schuyler just in the gray dawn of the morning, and 
cautiously rcconnoitering, in order to ascertain whether any 
one was in the fort, which was frequently used as a camp 
ground, he satisfied himself that no one was in the neighbor- 



XV.] , Y i '• • MARSHALL. 259 

hood. In doing this, he fortunately discovered a canoe 
which had floated down the stream, and lodged in the wil- 
lows which grew on the edge of the bank. He instantly took 
possession of it, and by a vigorous use of the paddles-, with 
the aid of the current, succeeded in reaching his home with 
his little bark in the middle of the forenoon."' 

'■As has been noticed, in organizing the Court of Common 
Pleas for Herkimer County, Colonel Staring was appointed 
its first Judge. It is not to be supposed, or pretended, that 
any peculiar qualifications or fitness for the ofiice recom- 
mended him for the appointment. His honest and strong, 
])ut uncultivated mind, had never been schooled to threading 
the mazes of legal science ; and indeed, he had enjoyed few 
even of the most common advantages of education. But he 
possessed the confidence of his fellow-citizens for his sterling 
integrity, strong common sense, and tried and approved 
patriotism ; qualifications which were regarded by the vene- 
rable George Clinton, then Grovernor of the State, as sufficient 
to warrant his appointment to the office. Indeed, at that 
period in the history of the State, few Courts of Common 
Pleas could be found Avith a lawyer on its list of judges ; 
und it is no disparagement to these courts at that time, to 
assert, that the court in which Judge Staring jDresided was 
in no respect inferior to its sister tribunals. Many anec- 
dotes illustrative of his simplicity of character, and lack of 
education, are related." 

In the early settlement of the county, the story of Judge 
Staring's " Yankee Pass'''' was as familiar with the people as 
'•household words." ! . . 

By virtue of his office, which carried with it the powers of 
a magistrate, it became his duty to see that the laws were 
properly enforced and obeyed. Then, as now, our statutes 
forbid ''all uunecessary labor and travelling ou the first day 



260 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [clIAP. 

of the week, commonly called Sunday.'' Soon after his 
appointment as first dignitary of the bench, a shrewd Yan- 
kee, who had been visiting that iinlocated and fast-receding 
region, the "far west," that then hardly extended as far 
towards the setting sun as Onondaga Hollow and Salt Point, 
was passing, on horseback, the residence of the Judge, on his 
his way '-down east," on the first day of the week. Judge 
Staring, who, like many of the good Dutch settlers in the 
Mohawk Valley, was quite strict in his observance of the 
day, at once went to the highway, and arrested the law- 
breaking traveller. At first the traveller stoutly demurred, 
stating that his business was urgent, and required haste. 
The Judge was, however, immovable, and the traveller, mak- 
ing a virtue of necessity, soon proposed to pay his fine of six 
'• York shillings." This was accepted by the law enforcer. 
"Now," says the traveller, "I suppose I can proceed?" to 
which he received an affirmative answer. The traveller then 
said to the Judge, that as he had satisfied the broken law, 
by paying his fine, he wished a pass, that he might not bo 
again molested in his journey. The judge declared his 
willingness to give the desired paper, but .stated his inability 
to write it, and further, if the traveller would do it, he would 
affix his signature. To this the Yankee assented, and pro- 
ceeded to pen the wished-for document, to which the Judge 
signed his name, and forthwith the traveller proceeded on 
his way. A few months afterwards. Judge Staring went to 
Kane's store, at Canajoharie, and was there presented for 
payment with an order for twenty-five dollars. At first he 
strenuously denied having given such an order, but having 
more particularly examined the signature, and finding it 
genuine, he revolved the matter over in liis mind, and at 
last caught an inkling of the puss at the bottom of the 
uieal-tub. He asked for a description of the person who 



XV.] 



MARSHALL. 



26 1 



presented the order, when the Yankee and his beast were 
most aecurately described. " Oh ! now I know it all," says 
the Judge, " it is nothing but that ' Yankee Pass.'" As the 
signature was genuine, and as no proof could be made of the 
fraud, the draft had to be duly lionored ; but for the remain- 
der of Lis official term it is presumed the Judge never gave 
another " Yankee Pass." 

The following is related by Mr. Tracy: — "One day. an 
unfortunate debtor applied to the Judge to obtain the relief 
afforded by the statute, and having prepared and duly exe- 
cuted his assignment, waited the signature of the Judge to 
perfect his discharge. 'Well,' said he, 'have you got all 
things ready?' 'Yes,' replied the debtor, 'every thing is 
prepared ; all you have to do is to sign my discharge.' 
'Very well,' said the Judge, 'have you paid all your debts?' 
'Oh! no,' said the debtor, 'if I had I should not apply for 
the benefit of the statute.' 'But,' replied the Judge, 'I can't 
sign the paper till you have paid all your debts : you must 
pay your debts first.' Upon this point he was inexorable, 
and tlie applicant was forced to seek elsewhere the relief 
desired." , . •• i :„ i 



Villages. — Dcmisville is the most important point in the 
town of Marshall. It is located on the Chenango Canal, 
in the north-easterly part of the town. The plank roads 
leading from Waterville and from Madison, to Utica, unite 
here. This place has the Methodist Church, Deansville 
Post Office, two store houses, two mercantile houses, two 
taverns, a grocery and provision store, with a number of 
mechanic shops, etc., and but a few rods easterly is the grist 
mill erected by Asa Dick, Esq., on the west branch of tlie 
Oriskany Creek. Here was the mansion of the late Thomas 



262 ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [cHAT. 

Dean, Esq., so long and favorably known as the agent of the 
Brothcrtown Indians. . .1 



DichviUe. — Since the construction of the Chenango Canal, 
and the building up of Deansville, this place has nearly lost 
the characteristics of a village. It received its name from 
Asa Dick, Esq., before-mentioned, who lived and died here. 
He was a man of enterprise, lived in good style, had a good 
two story dwelling, painted white ; but in the latter part of 
his life, he extended his business beyond his means, and after 
his death his estate was found to be insolvent. Formerly 
the place had its merchant and mechanics, but is at this time 
little more than a neighborhood of farmers, located on very 
choice land, with its two saw mills on the east branch of the 
'Oriskany. 

Forge IIollow. — As its name indicates, its inhabitants arc 
engaged in the manufiicturc of iron. The first forge wa.s 
erected here in 1801, by Daniel Hanchet, John Winslow, 
Thomas Winslow, and Ward "White. It manufactured iron 
from ore. It has now three smaller establishments of the 
kind, which work only scrap iron. I^illy Titus has for quite 
a number of years been engaged in furnace castings, formerly 
quite extensively, but at this time the infirmities of age have 
compelled him to materially abridge his business. The place 
has the Universalist Church, a merchant, and a number of 
mechanics. It is located on the east branch of the Oriskany, 
tlic hills on each side of its narrow valley rising abruptly, 
and to a considerable lieiglit. Tlic Waterville plank road 
passes through Dickvillo and Forge Hollow. A man by the 
name of Putnam was probably the earliest .settler in this 
place; Elder Tremain and Tinjotliy ]5urr were also among 
the" early settlers. 



XV.] MARSHALL. 263 

Marshall {hnwarly called Hanover). — This place isiocitted 
•on the plank road leading from Y/aterville to Paris Hill, 
New Hartford, and Utica. It has the Congregational Church, 
the Marshall Post Office, a store, public house, various me- 
chanics' shops, and a small collection of dwelling houses. 
The farms in this vicinity are of the iirst quality, there being 
no better upbud in the county. 

A protracted effort has been made to procure from his 
family the facts, dates, and incidents, for a biography of the 
late Thomas Dean, Esq., but without success. 



ADDENDA. 

After the copy of the foregoing notices of Marshall was in 
the hands of the printer, and a part of it in type, the author 
accidentally discovered, at the house of George W. Bass, in 
that town, the ".Book of Brothertown Records," from 179G 
to 1843. In penmanship, and in neat, orderly arrangement, 
it excels many of the books of tovvm records in tlie county. 
On the first page each Town Clerk has entered his name 
in the order in which they were elected. To revive the 
recollection of the names of some of the more prominent 
members of this amalgamated tribe ' of Indians, the list is 
inscribed : — 

Elijah Wampy, David Fowler, jun., William Coyliis, 
Christopher Scheesuck, Thomas Crosley, Jacob Dick, Wm. 
Dick, jun., James Fowler, jun., Daniel Dick, David Toucee, 
R. Fowler, James Kiness, Simon Hart, James Wiggins, 
Alexander Fowler. 

These were all the clerks from 1795 to 1843, several of 
them holding the office for a number of years. 



2G4 ANNALS OI" ONEIDA COUNTV. 



I CHAP. 



James Kincss, who served longer than any other individ- 
ual, wrote a most beautiful engrossing liaiid, which few clerks 
of the present day can equal, and which still fewer can excel. 
His orthography is very correct, indeed the whole book in 
this respect fully comes up to the generality of town records. 
There is a paper copied into said book, dated September 26th, 
1795, signed by Samuel Jones, Ezra L'Hommedieu and Zina 
Hitchcock. " Commissioners appointed by an Act of the Leg- 
islature of the State of New York, 'An act relative to lands- 
in Brothertown,' have appropriated to the following Indiana, 
the following lots of land, as the same liave been laid out and 
delineated upon the map of the land, set ofi" by the said Com- 
missioners, for the use of the Indians." 

Then follow tlie names of forty-five persons, several of 
whom were widows, and the number of the lot or lots assign- 
ed to each. In this list is found the name of George Peters, 
wdio was afterwards executed for the murder of his wife 
Eunice. To him and his family was assigned two lots, which 
lay a little east of McMillen's. The wife that he murdered 
was a daughter of the celebrated Wampy before noticed. 

June 13th. ITOG, "William Floyd for himself and in behalf 
of the other Superintendents, set lots to eight families. 

July 3, 1797, Thomas Eddy, Superintendent, assigned 
lands to eight families ; by tlic proceedings it appears that a 
part of the lots assigned to tliese families, had been JDrevious- 
ly assigned to others, and by them forfeited, but does not 
.state in what the forfeiture consisted. 

a\t a meeting of the Superintendents of the Ijrotliertown 
Indians, held in the school house in said town, January 8th. 
1812. Ptcscnt — l>i Doolittle and Asahel Curtis, Super- 
intendent.^ and William Ilotchkiss, Attorney. At this 
meeting lands were assigned to ten persons and families. A 
part of the-se lauds had been previously assigned aud forfeited. 



XV.j MARSHALL. 265" 

and it is stated that the forfeiture was worked by the 
persons dying without issue. After these assignments the 
records show that individuals selected such unoccupied or 
forfeited lot as they chose; then the Peacemakers gave a 
certificate to the superintendents of such choice, which seems 
to have given a right to possession. 

By an act of the Legislature the people of Brothertown 
were to meet on the first Tuesday in April of each year, to 
elect their town officers. At these meetings the Peacema- 
kers presided, and were also authorized to notify special 
meetings. The elective officers were a Clerk, two Overseers 
of the Poor, two 3Iarshals, three Fence Viewers, a Pound 
Master, and Overseers of Highways. The office of Peace- 
maker, answering in most respects to that of a Justice of the 
Peace, and which entitled the possessor to the affixture of 
Esquire to his name, was not elective, but seems to have 
been appointed by the G-overnor and Senate. They had 
Tithino--men, but none of the minutes of the town meetings 
show that they were elected. Probably they brought from 
New England the idea of such an officer, but as the office 
was not known to the laws of New York, they selected such 
a person to do the duties, only as an individual. 

The book contains many by-laws, quite a portion of which 
are for the suppression of vice and immorality. The by-law 
for the observance of the first day of the week, commonly 
called Sunday, is quite similar to the statute of this State, 
in the characteristics of the ofi"ence and the amount of the 
fine, seventy-five cents, but with this difference " and in case 
no property can be found to answer said fine, and it is not 
answered in thirty days, then every such offender shall by a 
warrant under the hand and seal of any one of the Peace- 
makers of said town, be set publicly in the stocks, for the 
space of two hours, then, and in every such case, the cost for 



26*3 AXNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [clIAr. 

oxcouting said precepts, sli-xll be paid tlio Marshal out of the 
treasury of said town." 

]}y auothor section the lite punishiucut was to be inflicted 
for card phiying and frolicking on Sunday, and on Saturday 
or Sunday evenings. 

Tn another s-ection a fine of thirty-seven and a half cents 
is imposed for any one offence in profanely cursing or swear- 
ing, find in defoult of pjiying the same in thirty days, or giv- 
ing such security as shall be accepted by the Peacemakers, 
tlien to be set publicly in the stocks for one hour, and for 
any number of offences, whereof any such offender may be 
convicted at the same time, two hours. Drunkenness is .pun- 
ished by the same penalties and pains as cursing and swear- 
ing. Extra penalties arc inflicted for intoxication at town 
meetings. There is a section for the punishment of accesso- 
ries to stealing. - • ' , . 

Arbitration is provided for <as a court of reference by a 
rule from the Peacemakers. There are a number of sec- 
tions defining tlio duties of town officers, and one to prevent 
females from attending town meetings. 

In common with most Indian nations, they deprecated any 
mixture with the African race, the following is the forty- 
fourth by-law: — '•'■Negro Mixture Women. As they are not 
proprietoi's of the tract of land called Brothertown, notwith- 
standing their marrying to any of the inhabitants of said 
town. Therefore, they henceforth shall liave no right or 
title to any of tlie annuity of the said Brothertown Indians." 
In all, there are sixty-seven scc-tions of the by-laws, and tliis 
notice of them will be concluded by transcribiiig tliat in rela- 
tion to "Fugitive Slaves."' 

" If any of the inhabitants of Brothertown, at any time 
hereafter shall indulge, harbor or conceal any child or chil- 
dren, servants or apprentices, that has run away or absconded 



X'V] , .• MAKSHALX. 26SS' 

from his, her or tlieir master, guardian or parent, and bo 
thereof convicted, shall forfeit and pay to the person ag-- 
grieved, the sum of one dolhir for every twenty-four hours 
thus indulging, harboring or concealing any child, apprentice 
or servant, without the consent of the master, guardian or 
parent as aforesaid, to be recovered with cost of suit in any 
court of the Peacemakers of Brothertown."' 

By the records it appears that the following named persons 
held the office of Superintendent of the Brothertown In-, 
dians: — -Samuel Jones, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Zina Hitchcock, 
William Floyd, Thomas Eddy, Bill Smith, Thomas Hart, 
Henry McNiel, Uri DoolittlCj Asahel Curtis, Joseph Stebbins, 
William Root, Nathan Davis, Austin ]\Iygatt, Samuel L. 
Hubbard, Elijah Wilson, Samuel Comstock. 

The Peacemakers were appointed from among the Indians. 
It would ?eem that they were usually made from a few of 
the more prominent and educated families, the senior and 
junior members of which sometimes held the appointment at 
the same time. Prominent among the Peacemakers from 
1796 iio 1843, were the Fowlers. Johnsons, Scheesucks, Tuhis, 
and the Dicks.  ^^  

In 1809, the Brothertowns sent John Tuhi, sen., John 
Scheesuck, sen.